*I received a free copy of Holiday Wishes from via Edelweiss. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Holiday Wishes Series: Heartbreaker Bay #4.5 on 7 November 2017
Pages: 128
When Sean O’Riley shows up at the Hartford Bed & Breakfast for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, he’s just hoping to make it through the weekend. What he’s not expecting is to come face to face with the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago—a woman he’s never really forgotten.
The last time Lotti Hartford saw Sean, she told him she loved him while he said nothing. Now, ten years later, she’s just looking for a good time. For once, she wants to be the wild and free one, and Sean – the good time guy – is the perfect candidate.
But as the weekend continues, Sean realizes that after a lifetime of being the hook-up king, he’s ready to find happily-ever-after, and he wants it with Lotti. But will she open her heart to him again? As Christmas sweeps through the little B&B, he can only hope love and magic are in the air.
Holiday Wishes was a sweet, tender novella in one of my favorite Shalvis series, and I loved to see this more mature side of Sean.
Story:
While Holiday Wishes is a quite short story, the feel of the Heartbreaker Bay gang is very much present. The group of friends and family are away for a weekend of bachelor and bachelorette party for Pru and Finn. All organized by Sean, to the amazement of everyone. He has planned everything down to the smallest detail. Apart from the fact that his very first girlfriend, the one he let get away, is the innkeeper.
The easy banter between the characters, as well as their strong ties always makes Heartbreaker Bay the place to be. The story was romantic on more than one level, too, as there was an impromptu wedding Sean had to arrange.
Characters:
Sean was so responsible and mature in Holiday Wishes, and I loved seeing him like this. He also showed more of his emotional side, which made me like him much more than usual.
Lotti was all alone, just waiting for her last guests to leave so she could go on a much needed vacation. Only, when Sean showed up as one of the guests, she got a huge blast from the past.
The other Heartbreaker Bay characters were present in Holiday Wishes, too, but they were on the sidelines for what became a beautiful second chance at love story.
Writing style :
Holiday Wishes is written in third person point of view, past tense. The story follows both Sean and Lotti closely, and I got to know them both on an intimate level. The pace is rather slow, and this worked well for the kind of story it was.
Feels :
I have such a huge love for second chance at love stories, so my feels were fully invested from the start. I felt the hope as soon as Sean did, and I also felt Lotti’s hesitation. And I also felt their off-the-charts attraction and chemistry, as well as all the unresolved feelings they both had for each other.
After that, he’d turned to fighting, and not the good kind either. Finn, physically older by seven years, mentally older by about a hundred, had single-handedly saved Sean from just about every situation he’d ever landed himself in.
“Hold on.” Pru gave him a long look. “if you’re trying to say you don’t want to do this after talking me into it, then let me be clear and say that I will run you through with my umbrella while you sleep.” Finn blinked. “That was oddly specific and violent.”
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I adore this series so much! I’m excited to read this even though I despise novellas. I’m so happy to hear about Sean being responsible and mature here. Can’t wait!
I’m not usually a fan of novellas either, Nick, but Shalvis can pull even those off. Sean was awesome. I hope you’ll enjoy his story as much as I did.
Twitter: ailynk
oddly specific and violent, why does he have to be sleeping? then again, at least she didn’t say that she’ll open it once it’s in… ewwwwwwwww
haha this is a strange romance story, even for Santa
Oh LOL Ailyn.
I adore Jill Shalvis, even in a shortened version. Happy Monday!
Me, too RO. Shalvis is so good.
I just read this last night and liked it so much! So much more than the other novella in the series. I loved seeing Sean be all responsible and having Finn’s back, too. Loved it so much! I can’t wait to read About That Kiss now!
I’m so glad you loved this one too, Quinn. And I can’t wait for Malone, either. I keep checking if it’s up for grabs on Edelweiss 😉
I love the second quote you added. It made me laugh out loud. 😀
Shalvis definitely has a knack for funny banter 🙂
Twitter: nadz1809
I cannot wait to read this one.
I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, Nadene.
Twitter: limabean74
I like a slow pace in a romance especially a short one. It makes it feel more full length. I am now adding this series to my TBR because I love the connection these types of books have with the other characters in the series. Makes it feel like home.
Awesome review, my friend! (((hugs)))
I agree, and when a novella is part of a series where I already know some of the characters and the world they evolve it this makes it feel longer even more so. {{{hugs}}}
Awesome review, Lexxie. Glad that you enjoyed it. This book has been on my radar. I’m planning on reading lots of holiday books next month and maybe Christmas books since we’re closer to charismas now.
Oh, I hope you’ll pick this one up, Geybie. I love Jill Shalvis, her series makes me feel like her characters are my good friends, and picking up a new book is like hanging out with them 🙂
Twitter: Northwomn
Great review! I love Jill Shalvis, this series and the quote you shared. Anne
Thanks Anne! I love all the things you mentioned, too 😀
You know I’m a sucker for second chance romances as well, wifey, and I’m rather a fan of Shalvis. She’s in my queue for November/December as I make a push to catch up in series. 🙂 So happy you loved this one!
{{{hugs & love}}}
I do know, wifey! And this one is very good. And I hope you’ll be able to catch up just fine 😀
Love you and miss you!! {{{BIG HUGS}}}
I also got this one for review, but haven’t read it yet. I am glad to hear the whole gang is present in this story and it will be interesting to see Sean gets his romance. That’s nice you get to see more of Sean’s emotional side in this book. And I enjoy a good second chance romance. I’ll hope I can read this one soon. Great review!