Synopsis

Melanie Beck is searching for an idyllic Christmas like the ones her small family used to have. Traveling solo and still grieving the loss of her parents, she’s counting on cozy Tall Pines Lodge tucked into the mountains of Utah to provide the elusive holiday feels with merry music, stunning decorations and traditional Christmas feast in a beautiful frosty setting.

But a blizzard turns the winter wonderland into a hazard, and a chance encounter with a now-famous high school crush has her reeling with emotions she’s never quite gotten over.

Tyler Shaw, a Hollywood heartthrob and silver screen star, is so over a grueling film schedule and persistent paparazzi. In disguise and using a fake name, he comes to Tall Pines to escape the spotlight and get some much-needed rest. He’s hoping the adrenaline rush of downhill skiing at the nearby slopes will give him the reboot he’s looking for.

Instead, he’s stuck at the lodge and is shocked to run into an old high school friend that he left behind more than a decade ago. He’s even more surprised to discover how much he’s missed her.

As their past and present collide, can an old flame ignite some Christmas magic?

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Review

Sometimes your first crush is your last crush.

Melanie has been spending Christmas alone for quite a few years, and this year she chose a picturesque resort in Utah. There are lots of fun events scheduled to occupy everyone’s time, but what she didn’t expect was to get snowed in with her high school crush and now famous actor, Tyler Shaw. Now Melanie is nothing to sneeze at, she is a best-selling author, but most people go crazy when they see actors. I personally would be more gaga over the author!

I enjoyed watching the story evolve over a few days and Melanie and Tyler reconnecting while trying to stay out of the spotlight. Of course, that doesn’t always happen, so we get to see how they handle the media response once they are discovered. And as the media is prone to do, they blow everything out of proportion. After all, who would believe the truth? They also have to reconcile over the past and what happened in high school, and how it impacted who they are today. There is also some drama with Tyler’s family and how he feels some sort of responsibility to them. But on the flip side, he realizes after this time away from them that maybe he needs to take a new path in his life.

This is a sweet romance with a little action thrown into the mix. It is a great Christmas read, and it just might put you in the mood for the holidays.

We give this book 5 paws up.

Excerpt

“Also, if you’re having an affair, keep that away from the camera.” His agent cleared his throat and hesitated a beat. “But if this woman is someone special, we can use that to our advantage. What’s the story?”

Tyler’s heart somersaulted.

This woman. He’d talked to Aiden about women before, mostly to enlist his help when things went the way of a three-ring circus in the media. All of a sudden, the topic felt more personal, private. He should’ve hung up ten minutes ago.

“I… She’s…” Damn, what story did he wanted to tell? Of course, she was someone special. Funny how crystal clear that was looking in the rearview mirror. Even in high school she’d been in a league of her own. The missed years weighed heavily on his mind. He had a feeling those years represented missed opportunities.

A low chuckle came across the line, and he wanted to kick himself for stammering around like an idiot.

“Well, well,” Aiden drawled. “This is an interesting development. Who is she?”

“We were friends in high school.”

“Uh-huh. And what are you now?”

Good question. And one he wasn’t sure how to answer. Friends? Potential lovers? A couple? As he considered the possibilities, his pulse skyrocketed.

“Don’t hold out on me, Shaw. I need to know what I’m dealing with.”

He let his glance wander to Annie’s book, and he lifted it from the table. Turning it over, he stared at her smiling face. Blood rushed to his head. He could definitely see himself spending more time with Annie. She was someone he’d be proud to be seen with in public, and someone he could relax with away from the prying public eyes.

But he would not be “using her to his advantage.”

“Aiden,” he warned. “Leave her out of this.”

About the Author

Darlene Deluca writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction that explores relationships – what brings people together or keeps them apart.

Her intent is to bring to life interesting characters that readers can relate to in real-life situations that combine a little fun, plenty of drama (with perhaps a tear or two), and big helpings of friendship, love and self-discovery, and will leave readers either cheering or sighing with a satisfied smile as they turn the final page.

The Kansas City author enjoys getting lost in a good story with a glass of tea, a bit of dark chocolate and a warm, sunny beach.

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