I absolutely loved this one.  What a masterful and bright debut celebrating sweet, small town holiday romance, and the importance of learning how to embrace yourself to find peace and contentment.  There is so much creativity in the development of the plot, I'm really impressed because I have read a lot of romances, and this contemporary fated mates storyline is so fresh and unique.  

I adore Alison and Adam, and Alison's friends Chelsea and Mara.  All of the minor characters are also so well drawn that I felt like I knew every single one, Russell, the Lewises, Adam's family -- even HR Josh.  An enthusiastic 5/5 for all of the author's characterizations and all of the dialogue.  The sparkling humor perfectly balances out the heavier aspects of the story regarding loss and grief.   I was laughing out loud and then clutching kleenex throughout the entire book.

I love the satisfaction of a slow burn and that delicious undercurrent of sexual tension, and this novel delivers in spades.  Adam and Alison enjoy several sensual encounters, but intercourse is off-page so I feel comfortable recommending this one to all of my closed door romance followers.

The only thing that's strange to me is that this book is being released at the beginning of August.  This is a holiday romance, and I think one of its most charming aspects is Alison's devotion to Hallmark movies and sappy HEAs.  I think this book would have been best marketed during the fall, and I will be promoting this one to my followers for the holiday season.

Bravo to the author, and I cannot wait to read more from you.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read and review this novel.