Nothing says Merry Christmas like your mother pimping you out at your brother's engagement party. ~ Opening of One Christmas Wish
One Christmas Wish by Sara Richardson
One Christmas Wish by Sara Richardson
Forever Yours, 2015
Romance (Holiday); 160 pgs
Julia Noble wants nothing more than to be independent and live her own life. Her accident twelve years ago left her in a wheelchair, unable to walk. Although she loves her family dearly, they are overprotective and not open to letting her go out into the world on her own. She's found a job and has a place to stay. She is all ready to go. All she is waiting for is her brother's Christmas Eve wedding to be over and then she plans to sneak off before anyone notices. What she doesn't expect is the return of her childhood crush and her brother's best friend, Isaac Nash. Recently retired from the military, Isaac did not anticipate how hard he would fall for Julia upon seeing her again. To complicate matters, when he learns the details of the events leading up to Julia's accident, Isaac blames himself. He wants nothing more than to make it up to her.
This is a novella from a series, but I had no trouble jumping right in. I never felt like I was missing pieces of the story. If anything, I am more curious about some of the other characters, particularly Paige, Julia's future-sister-in-law. She seems like a level-headed woman. I admit I wasn't too keen on Julia's brother at first--or her mother. They seemed so focused on protecting and coddling Julia rather than letting her be her own woman, not even bothering to find out what she might want or need. It is clear they love her, and so I do understand where they are coming from to some extent. They do not want her to get hurt again.
Julia's strong desire for independence interferes with her desire to be with Isaac. She has never loved anyone as much as she loves him, and yet she does not want to be a burden on anyone. Of course, he doesn't see it that way at all.
I liked the fact that this novella features a heroine in a wheelchair. You do not often see that, especially in a romance novel. This was quite an enjoyable novel. There were some hot kisses (and one steamy night), a snowstorm, an adorable dog named Oliver, and a chance for both Julia and Isaac to work out their issues. I cannot say this short novel really had a Christmas feel to it other than the date of the wedding and the winter season, but it makes for a good Christmas story just the same.
To learn more about Sara Richardson and her books, please visit the author's website.
Source: I received an e-copy of this book for an honest review from the publisher via NetGalley.
© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Oh I did have high hopes reading the synopsis but despite your reassurances I'm kind of wary now that I know it is a novella form a series. Still, definitely one I'll make a note of for future festive reading challenges, thank you.
ReplyDeleteTracy - Most romance series like this are series only series because of a common setting with the occasional appearance of familiar characters. The stories, however, are unique to each book and there is no big story that is carried through each book. You really would be safe picking this one up.
DeleteSounds sweet for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteKathy - It was. :-)
DeleteThis sounds interesting and I'm intrigued that the heroine is in a wheel chair. I kind of like trying a novella in a series from a new author because it gives me a taste not only of the author's writing but of the town or family as well so I can see if it's a series I want to continue without the time investment of a full length novel. Adding her to my list!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I find that too. Novellas can be a good way to sample an author I am not familiar with. Better than short stories in which you get even less. I definitely would be curious to know more about this particular series.
DeleteI have been reading some Christmas themed books as well. This does sound interesting and I am glad that you enjoyed it. I will have to check out this author's books myself.
ReplyDeleteSamantha - I am enjoying reading all these Christmas stories. :-)
DeleteI'm not fond of novellas, so I will give this a miss. :O
ReplyDeleteJenclair - They aren't for everyone. :-)
DeleteOne Christmas Wish sounds like a nice novella, and again I like the opening line. It's good that although it's part of a series, you can just just in here. I've never read a a heroine in a wheelchair, so that's awesome that there is one here.
ReplyDeleteNow you've got me in the mood for a Christmas read...lol.
Naida - I like that about many of these romances--that they can be read as stand alones. It makes it easier to jump in and out of series. :-) I thought the fact that the heroine was disabled was a very nice touch. We need to see more heroines like that, I think.
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