TITLE: Evergreen Springs
SERIES #: Haven Point #3
CHARACTERS: Devin & Cole
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/29/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Celebrate the magic of Christmas in Haven Point with New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne, where hope, home, and happily-ever-after are as close as your holiday stocking…
Christmas is the last thing Cole Barrett is thinking about this year. He’s barely hanging on trying to care for his two grieving children since his ex-wife died in a tragic accident. For the reclusive Cole, this is no time for gift-giving and celebration—and certainly not for a sunny-natured optimist to blow into his screwed-up life.
In the years since her cancer treatments, physician Devin Shaw has researched the curative powers of Lake Haven’s mineral waters. Unfortunately, the hot springs are on Barrett property, forcing Devin to strike a bargain with the ranch’s attractively gruff owner: she’ll give Cole’s children the magical Christmas they deserve, and Cole will allow her patients access to the springs. But can she work her holiday magic to heal the Barrett family’s battered hearts—and her own?
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is a sweet (sort of) holiday story. I say sort of because parts of it can be pretty heart wrenching. There is so much hurt in the lives of the characters that at times the story can be sad.
Cole is the father of two children whose mother (Cole’s ex) was killed in an accident and he is trying to raise them. He is estranged from his father,, who just moved back on to the property, and his sister has landed on his doorstep after running away from her husband because she is pregnant with twins that she believes he does not want. Plus he is a recovering alcoholic ex-con who can’t get past his own mistakes. Devon is totally the opposite. Devon sees the good in everyone. She had a hard life growing up but has come through it with flying colors, mostly. She is a fixer and Cole and his family are the ultimate fixer-upper. But how will it affect her heart?
As I said this is an enjoyable holiday story but I did have some issues with it. First the children do not talk like children. While the daughter is a little miss know-it-all she still is only 8 but she speaks like she is 15. The son who is only 6 speaks like he is either 10 or 2 depending on the circumstance. But that being said they are both cute children whom the reader ends up liking. The estranged father is a sad old man who I felt really bad for. And I really do not feel like we got a solid ending regarding him.
Cole is a bit of a hard person to like. He does warm up but he can be sweet to his children and sometimes to Devon but mostly he is a bit harsh. And finally, Devon. I liked her even when we met her in the last story about her sister. But I felt she was written a little wanting. She fell in love with the kids before Cole so it almost seems like he was a secondary thought to the children. She seemed a bit needy. Needing love and needing to help/fix the family.
Now all that being said and I did say a lot. I really liked the story. It is a wonderful little holiday story that will get you into the spirit. Sit back with a cup of cocoa and enjoy.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
4 Hearts
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