Once upon a Christmas, she gave him her heart. This year, he’ll have to win it back again . . .
When Lucy Hannigan returned to her childhood home in Somerset Lake, one of the first things she did was join the local book club. And thank goodness, because now that Lucy’s first Christmas without her mother is bearing down upon her, she can use all the help and support she can get. Especially when she has to take in a tenant and the only person interested is Miles Bruno, her ex-fiance.
Lucy’s friends keep teasing her about the way Miles is trying to make up for his mistakes but forgiving and forgetting isn’t coming easily to Lucy. With bills piling up and her mother’s finances in disarray, however, Lucy isn’t in any position to say no.
As the small town prepares for the holidays and competition heats up in the Merriest Lawn decorating contest, Lucy can’t help feeling like a Scrooge. Her mom loved the holidays and won the contest each year, but as much as Lucy would like to carry on the tradition, she isn’t sure she has it in her to deck the halls this holiday.
Yet when Miles shows up with tons of tinsel, dozens of decorations, and lots and lots of lights, Lucy begins to wonder if maybe the spirit of the season will finally mend her broken heart.
The Christmas Village is a heartwarming holiday story and the second book set in the picturesque town of Somerset Lake from author Annie Rains. The story follows Lucy Hannigan, a midwife who returns to Somerset Lake following her mother’s passing to take ownership of her childhood home. Facing financial challenges, Lucy decides to rent out the garage apartment, only to find her ex-fiancé and local town police officer, Miles Bruno, as the only interested tenant. As unforeseen bills pile up, Lucy needs support, and the two are drawn together and team up in the town’s annual Christmas decorating contest in an effort to win the large cash prize. The story encapsulates the magic of Christmas with themes of love, healing, and community and features popular romance tropes, including second chance romance, forced proximity, and reverse grumpy vs. sunshine!
Rains’ exquisite writing vividly brings the cozy, festive setting to life, and every nuance feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie. The characters are all quirky, relatable, and brimming with charm. Lucy is emotional and headstrong and initially wary of allowing Miles back into her life, especially as he canceled their engagement without explanation years ago and disappeared afterwards. Once she realizes she has serious financial problems and is in jeopardy of losing her childhood home, she becomes willing to let Miles in and assist her. The chemistry between Lucy and Miles is palpable from the onset, and their journey toward rekindling their romance is both sweet and realistic. Lucy’s resilience and Miles’ quiet strength make for a compelling dynamic that romance readers will swoon over. The charming and hilarious side characters, from Lucy’s book club girlfriends to the local gossip columnist to Lucy’s kind neighbors, add depth to the story and create a sense of warmth and belonging that perfectly complements a holiday romance.
Overall, this is the perfect Christmas story of love, second chances, and community spirit. While some plot points are very predictable, the charm of the setting and the depth of the characters still make this a very worthwhile read. Narrators Vas Eli and Thérèse Plummer deliver entertaining and engaging performances of all the characters, infused with well-placed emotion and humor. If you’re looking for a feel-good, small-town holiday romance that tugs at the heartstrings and leaves you smiling, The Christmas Village is the perfect choice. You’ll likely be so charmed by the festive setting and the characters that you’ll be eager to read more books in this series!
