HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Juniper Springs #1
By: Sara Richardson
Published: September 22, 2020
Publisher: Forever
Fiction
I love reading a novel set during Christmas over the holidays and luckily our book club was chosen to receive this novel for our December read from BookClubCookbook.com.
Three sisters, Dahlia, Rose, and Magnolia, have been summoned by their Aunt Sassy to come to her inn over the Christmas holiday. The sisters assume their aunt is ill, but upon arrival find there was another reason she was asking them to come to see her. All three sisters have their own struggles and find it comforting to leave their own stressful lives to return to their favorite childhood location. They all need a distraction and helping Sassy recreate her Christmas festival is just what these sisters need.
The novel is told through each of the sister’s perspective, with the chapters alternating between them. Rose is struggling with her over-bearing soon-to-be mother-in-law. She can’t bear to attend another charity event or buy the wedding dress her MIL wants her to wear. Magnolia’s bakery is thriving, but unfortunately, her marriage isn’t. The fertility treatments aren’t working and her husband, Eric, has decided he is done trying to have a baby. Dahlia is adjusting to being divorced and accepting the fact that her ex-husband, their two children, and his girlfriend will be spending Christmas in France. The chance to visit Sassy is just what she needs to keep her mind off of her loneliness.
I loved the personalities of the three sisters and their various talents that were just what was needed to fix up the Juniper Inn. It was predictable in many ways, but sometimes, a light, fun read is just what you need during the holidays. I could easily imagine this as a Hallmark Christmas movie. There were a few surprises thrown in as well and since the characters were so likable, it was easy to root for their own happy endings.
There is a reader’s discussion guide at the end, which makes this a great choice for book clubs, especially around the holidays. Fans of family drama, sister stories, or cozy romances will find this one enjoyable. All three of us in our book club liked this cozy Christmas story. It appears there is a sequel planned as well. The author left the ending very open, which leaves space for more stories to tell for these three sisters.
Sara Richardson has been a communications manager, copywriter, magazine editor, and whitewater rafting guide. The day after graduating with a master’s degree in journalism, Sara realized she was too empathetic to be a journalist and starting writing her first novel instead. A lifelong fascination with true love quickly led her to the romance genre.
Her HEART OF THE ROCKIES series was published by Grand Central Forever in 2015. In 2016, her debut novel, NO BETTER MAN, was nominated for a RITA in the best first book category. Sara is passionate about writing stories that inspire people to believe in love and always enjoys connecting with readers. For more information, check out her website, HERE.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending copies of this book for our book club. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under book club, Book Review, Christmas, fiction, Sara Richardson, sisters