This was a very good book. I though it got off to a slow start, but then I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed that there were 2 romances in one.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

I swear, I don't think there is a Catherine Anderson book that I've read where I haven't shed a few tears. By the end of this one, I was a blubbering fool with a box of tissue close at hand.

I felt the blurb for this book was a little misleading as there was a second romance that was the focus of the story in the beginning. But that said, I found this to be a very satisfying read. I enjoyed the second chance romance and the enemies to lovers tropes. And it was a sweet romance on top of a western. It wasn't so much a Christmas story other than the book ended on Christmas Day. Really it ticked off a lot of the things that I look for in a read, so in the end I was happy.

For widow Maddie McLendon, life in Rustlers’ Gulch, Montana is so very different than California, but she can’t help but fall in love with the majestic scenery every time she opens her door. But when construction delays force her, her son and grandchild to find an alternative living arrangement, well things go bad to worse. For their new neighbor, Sam Conacher doesn’t like his new neighbors, thinks they are white trash is determined to run them out of town. Unfortunately for Sam, his daughter and Maddie’s Son are falling for one another and it will take a tragedy to get these two hard headed people to see eye to eye. As the holidays approach, Maddie and Sam will have to figure out how to navigate their new normal even as the biggest gift they can give to one another is an open heart.

THE CHRISTMAS ROOM is a sweet and my god, entertaining story about new adventures, romance and more all within the majestic land of Montana. Ms. Anderson delivers a story that had me at times giggling like mad, sighing as people fall in love and then flipping the pages to see what Sam and Maddie would do next in their war of words. I really enjoyed the new book from one of my favorite authors and you can see how much the author loves Montana in her sweeping and lush scenery. Ms. Anderson is a talented storyteller and one that you can’t help but fall in love with her characters even if you wanted to smack them silly in the beginning. The story flows swiftly and I found the setting to be equally important in this book as is the characters. The author does an amazing job in capturing the vastness that is Montana and how scenic it is. The characters fit within Rustlers’ Gulch and I loved meeting all of them. There is potential for spin-off books set in this sleepy town and I am really hoping the author delivers more stories set here.

It’s the characters that take center stage along side Montana in THE CHRISTMAS ROOM. They are diverse, strong yet vulnerable, intriguing and down right entertaining. I loved how the author keeps her readers entertained with the diverse cast of characters. You got cranky Sam and feisty Maddie butting heads at times for most of the book. Add in Sam’s daughter Kirstin and Maddie’s son, Cam and grandchild, Caleb, well let’s just say the fun goes up a notch and I couldn’t put the book down. I loved the family dynamics and the interactions between Sam and Maddie had me giggling even as I rooted for Maddie to give this crusty rancher a piece of her mind. Those scenes plus the ones where Cam and Kirstin were falling in love were the best parts of the book even though I have a soft spot for Caleb as he navigates living in a small town and feeling like a fish out of water. What I really enjoyed was the older people finding love even as they deal with issues with aging among others. I really loved how the author incorporated it within the story and made it a sub-story and tied it together with Cam and Kirstin’s romance. I really enjoyed meeting the residents of the small town and enjoyed finding out about them within the course of the book.

THE CHRISTMAS ROOM doesn’t have to be read around the holidays. Its perfect anytime to read-at the beach, rainy afternoon, etc. I love Ms. Anderson’s storytelling and look forward for more from her in the future. But really, can we get more books set in Rustlers’ Gulch in future books please?

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

THE CHRISTMAS ROOM – Catherine Anderson

Rustler’s Gulch, Bitterroot Valley, Montana

Cameron McLendon has moved his son and mother from California to his dream spot in Montana where he is building a home for all of them. At this point his mother is living in a small trailer, and he and Caleb, his son, are in a cabin nearby. Groundbreaking of their shared house is on the immediate horizon. For now, Cam is trying to establish himself in the local real estate business.

Stopping at a bar on his way home one night, he meets a woman who ticks all of the boxes for him, until he discovers who she is. Kirstin Conacher is the daughter of Sam Conacher, well known for over-protecting his daughter, and destroying anyone who even thought to take her away from him. But the attraction is obviously mutual, and Cam is more than willing to sneak around to meet up with Kirstin whenever he can.

Cam’s mother is a popular murder mystery author who is hiding the fact that she is getting treatment for colon cancer from her son and grandson. Losing her husband just two years ago to the same disease, Maddie is determined not to stress Cam at this critical time of his life. But she is also equally sure that she is not going to allow the bully neighbor, Sam Conacher, to destroy what her family is working for. Sam wants Cam to fail, and he will do anything in his power to achieve that.

Cam’s son, Caleb, is adjusting to his new life, trying to fit in at the high school, and to support his father. He’s a caring, thoughtful sixteen-year-old, and when he sees how happy his father is with Kirstin, Caleb hopes for the best.

THE CHRISTMAS ROOM deals with a myriad of family issues, including a father and daughter who are at odds over his long-term grief at losing his wife. Trying to work on his new house, his new career, and his new relationship, Cam has a lot on his plate. When tragedy strikes, though, everyone must face reality.

I enjoyed this novel, and recommend THE CHRISTMAS ROOM to readers who love a good romance.

Sweet Christmas romances…

Yes, there are two couples falling in love in this sweet, small town Christmas story. This author knows how to write family love stories that you can happily get lost in for hours and this one was no exception.
Maddie, with her son Cam and grandson Caleb, are excited about their new home but immediately find themselves at odds with their new neighbour, Sam. Sam is beyond grouchy, downright unpleasant in fact, kept in line only by his daughter Kristin. Grief touched them all but each dealt with it in a different way….
The feud was fierce, each side not giving an inch, despite the flare of desire and love between Cam and Kristin. There was more than a glimmer of attraction between Maddie and Sam but it was hard to see behind all the yelling. Before things went beyond repair, however, the two families found themselves needing each other and the truce meant other feelings had time to grow…

I really enjoyed this two-fer love story with the young and older generations getting in on the fun. With Caleb the pin that held it all together, even as devastating secrets came to light, this newfound family found the strength and love to sort it out. With just the right mix of sweet, cranky drama, this will be the perfect holiday read to pull out when the snow begins to fall… ~Diane, 3.5 stars

The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson
Berkley, 2017
Romance (Holiday); 428 pgs
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

This was my first time reading something by Catherine Anderson and The Christmas Room did not disappoint. I am used to Christmas-themed romances starting up closer to Christmas than this one did, and so the August start threw me for a minute. I didn’t mind though.

The Christmas Room was a double romance, really. Catherine adeptly showed the nuances of love earlier in adulthood and in later adulthood through both of those relationships. I enjoyed following both Kirstin and Cam’s story as well as Maddie and Sam’s.

Sam Conacher is a wealthy widowed rancher who has no patience for anyone and not only runs off his twenty-six year old daughter’s beaus, but also makes sure to ruin their reputations as well. Kirstin wants a life of her own and to get out from under her father’s thumb. She loves him though and loves the ranch she grew up on.

Cameron (also known as Cam for short) and his son, along with Cam’s mother, Maddie McLendon, have moved to Montana to start a new life. Cam has long wanted to settle in the state, having been stuck in California for years due to custody issues. Now in Montana, the McLendon's haven’t been able to break ground on their house, and have set up camp on their land.

When Cam and Kirstin meet at a local bar, there is an instant connection. Cam is reluctant to pursue a relationship at first, given who Kirstin’s father is. Both, however, decide it is worth the risk. Sam Conacher is not at all happy when he finds out they’ve been sneaking around behind his back and threatens to ruin Cam. Only, every time he tries to confront Cam, he instead ends up in a face down with the formidable Maddie McLendon, a popular mystery author.

Caleb isn’t without his own troubles as he tries to adjust to being in a completely new environment, struggling to fit in. Cam was young when he became a father, and Caleb was raised by his grandparents for a good part of his childhood. At sixteen, he is proves to be a loving son and good all-around person. It is obvious Cam and Maddie love Caleb and he them.

I enjoyed The Christmas Room more than I thought I would. I had gone in expecting a straight forward romance, but what I got was so much more than that. I adored Maddie and not just because she is a mystery author. I loved her spirit and how she protected her family. She is such a strong woman, and I enjoyed watching her confrontations with the curmudgeonly Sam. When she finally was able to break through his protective shell of grief over the loss of his wife, she did not hold his past actions and words against him, but encouraged him to step up and be a better person.

I have found that many romance novels touch on the subject of grief in one form or another. This one deals with the grief from the loss of a parent and a spouse. Grief is such an individual process—how we cope, the guilt and anger we may carry, and the pain and sadness that can linger. It has been six years since Sam’s wife died, and yet it is like yesterday for him. Kirstin misses her mother, but also her father—the man he used to be before grief took over his life. When Cam’s dad died of cancer two years before, Cam stepped up to take care of his mother the way she had taken care of him and his son. Maddie is afraid to burden her son any further than he already must feel—keeping her health issues to herself, not wanting to have to worry him and her grandson.

I really came to care for all the characters in The Christmas Room. This was a heartwarming book and made for a wonderful holiday read.

Sandy M’s review of The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 27 Sep 17

I wanted to read a few Christmas books this year, once the season was upon us. So it was a no-brainer to pick up Catherine Anderson’s holiday story. She’s an author who can pull my heartstrings nearly every time I read one of her books.


Unfortunately, this time around I was left more confused and out of the holiday spirit than I’d expected to be. I didn’t really read the blurb when I started the book – it’s Catherine Anderson after all. Then it took until the last quarter of the book to even hit anything about Christmas. My heartstrings were pulled during the first half of the book, and then they pinged back on me when there was a shift in the story to different characters, as is indicated in the blurb I didn’t read until after I’d closed the book.

The story starts out with Cam and Kirstin. Cam has moved his family, which includes his son Caleb and his mother Maddie, to Montana. It’s been a dream of his to live in such a wild and beautiful place. So after his father’s passing, it’s like they’re all ready for new memories, so off they go. While waiting to break ground for their new home, they’re basically campers on their land. Cam has done their trailer and tents up in style to get them through, hopefully before the first snow hits. He meets his nearest neighbor, Kirstin Conacher, and though he’s attracted, he’s heard about the woman’s father – a man who will ruin anyone who looks at his daughter cross-eyed, let alone show any interest in her. Cam is trying to get his ranch-selling business off the ground, so he doesn’t need that kind of trouble in his life.

Kirsten has taken care of her father since her mother passed away. The man shut down, drank like a fish, and has become one mean and ornery cuss since losing his wife. Kirstin’s lived in Rustlers Gulch all her life, so meeting a man of her own is pretty slim. So you can imagine her excitement when meeting her handsome new neighbor and then her disappointment when he makes his decision not to pursue a relationship with her – all because of her father. Finally she makes some decisions of her own that bring happiness and wonder to both her and Cam’s lives as they get to know one another, even though it’s basically sneaking around behind everyone’s backs.

I really like Cam and Kirstin a lot. They have great chemistry and you can feel the enjoyment they share being together and finding new feelings for the other. I didn’t even mind the sneaking around bit. They’re older characters letting an old man dictate their lives, but for the most part it’s fun with plenty of laughter and romance. Sam Conacher is a piece of work. You can almost understand why he’s ended up like he is due to his loss, but it’s been long enough he should have been the adult he is and moved on. He gives Cam total grief over seeing his daughter when Cam and Kirstin finally decide to let everyone know about their growing relationship.

That’s pretty much how and why Sam meets Maddie. He pays a visit to their campsite and is his usual bastard self, leaving Maddie in a dangerous lurch. So the bad feelings between the two grow with every meeting that comes along. It’s when Cam is injured in a horrible set of circumstances and Sam begins to see how he’s been living for so many years and how wrong he’s been all that time. He wants to change now and he knows he has a lot of groveling to do. So this second half of the book is about the relationship that blossoms between Sam and Maddie. An about-face from the story we’ve gotten so far. And a story that, I’m sorry to say, isn’t nearly as satisfying as Cam’s and Kirstin’s. Which does puzzle me, because I usually like stories with older characters. I’m thinking, however, it’s because of the sudden shift in focus that I had a hard time liking Sam’s and Maddie’s part in this book.

In between all of this, we do get some nice family dynamics on both sides of the fence. Cam’s relationship with his son is a highlight. He’s raised Caleb with only his parents to help out, and the boy is a good kid with a good heart. Cam is a wonderful hero who takes care of his family with no questions asked. Kirstin, on the other hand, has had a difference experience than Cam after the loss of her mother. Her father has called the shots and she’s let him. It takes meeting Cam for her to stiffen up and confront her father.

I also was left a bit disappointed in the fact that Christmas doesn’t appear in the story until very late. I wanted a story that had that holiday cheer and spirit throughout. So if you’re looking for that too – be warned, you won’t get it here. Once we do get to the Christmas room, it’s a nice sentiment and all, but it’s just too little too late.

So while there’s a lot of the usual Catherine Anderson trademark emotionalism in this book, that does go by the wayside for me when Maddie and Sam become the main focus of the story. Unfortunate for me, but it may work just fine for you. It’s worth giving it a shot to find out anyway.


Grade: C

Anderson has given readers a delightful Christmas story! The romantic and family love permeating this book are perfect for putting readers in the mood for the holiday season. Anderson does an impressive job balancing the complicated relationships among her characters while keeping one thoroughly involved. One of the main characters being a mystery writer is a nice touch that should especially appeal to mystery fans and other book lovers. Thanks to the Berkeley and NetGalley for providing access to this ARC!!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen

Cam McLendon has moved his family (his mother and son) to Rustler’s Gulch to start a new career and build a new home. They have to live in a makeshift camp of tents and trailers until their new house if built. It is a tough way to live but Cam knows when the house is done, they will have a great place to live. When he is introduced to Kirstin Conacher through a chance meeting, he finds himself intrigued with her and wants to get to know her better. But Kirstin explains to Cam that her dad will not be happy if he finds out about her and Cam spending time together. Sam Conacher is a mean spirited man who is overly protective of his daughter and thinks that no man is worthy of her. That does not really discourage Cam so they start seeing each other secretly. It is not an ideal situation but as Cam and Kirstin’s feelings begin to grow, the alternative of not seeing each other is unacceptable.

Sam knows that he is pushing his daughter away but he cannot help himself. Since his wife died, he has become a bitter man and is very afraid of losing Kirstin because he will then be truly alone. When he meets Cam’s mother, Maddie, it is a very bad scene and the two instantly hate each other. They both plot ways to hurt the other and a real feud develops. But when tragedy strikes, both Sam and Maddie begin to reevaluate their actions and begin to see each other as people instead of enemies. Both Sam and Maddie can learn a lot from the other, if either is willing to give their relationship a try and become friends instead of enemies.

I really enjoyed the fact that three generations were shown in this book and each generation had their problems to overcome. Cam’s son, Caleb, is a teenager with all of the problems those years entail. But he is good kid and you can tell how much he loves his family. I really enjoyed getting to know him. Cam and Kirstin have their own set of problems, not the least of which were taking care of their parents while still trying to live their lives. The generation I enjoyed the most was Sam and Maddie’s. They had health issues and emotional baggage from their previous spouse’s death, but they were able to overcome a lot. All three generations were blended together nicely and woven together to make a great story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted women’s contemporary. It was a story of love, loss and second chances. It had humor, drama, sadness and hope. It was a really great book and I am very happy that I read it. I think you will be too.

The Christmas Room is a cute, heartwarming romance but wasn't the Christmas story I expected.

Cam has moved his family (his mother, Maddie, and son) to Montana where he bought some land and intends to build a house. But, in the meantime, they are camping out - living in a trailer and other makeshift dwellings. When he strikes up a conversation with Kirstin while having a drink, he has no idea she's the daughter of his crazy neighbor, Sam Conacher.

Sam has a reputation for running off and ruining any suitor that even thinks about dating his daughter. Cam and Kirstin can't ignore the attraction they feel, so they begin seeing each other in secret.

Since Sam's wife died six years ago, he's been a totally different person. Almost all of his ranch hands have quit. He's lost contact with all his friends. When he discovers his daughter has been seeing Cam, he explodes and ends up confronting Maddie, who is a tough older lady and doesn't take any crap from Sam.

We end up with a double romance in The Christmas Room--the older and younger generations trying to make their way into a relationship. Maddie has been recently widowed, so surviving and grieving after losing a spouse is a strong theme.

I enjoyed watching it all play out. The characters are interesting, all having their faults. Nothing is easy, but love prevails. My only complaint is that I didn't really consider this a Christmas story. Christmas isn't even mentioned until well into the second half of the book. I kept looking at the cover and thinking, "This looks like a Christmas book, right?" The book ends at Christmas, and there are some Christmas surprises, but I didn't get enough Christmas to satisfy my need.

I enjoyed The Christmas Room, but I'll be looking for another Christmas novel that I hopefully can get to before the holiday. This is the first book I've read by Anderson, and I won't hesitate to pick up her others when I'm in the mood for a romance.

This is a nice small town, family and romance story.

Maddie, a famous mystery author, her thirty-five year old son, Cam, and sixteen year old grandson, Caleb, are living in a motor trailer and a ‘camp’ of sheds and tents while they wait for their homes to be built on their property. Their grouchy neighbor, Sam Conacher, has nothing but abusive comments to make about the ‘trashy’ neighbors. Then again, Sam hasn’t had much good to say about anything or anyone since his wife died several years past. He has ostracized friends and employees so that he no longer has enough help to properly manage his ranch. Sam’s twenty-six year old daughter, Kristin, helps to manage the farm, and she is stuck close to home as Sam frightens away any possible suitor by shredding the reputation of the man.

Kristin sees Cam at a local pub and invites him to sit with her. They start a nice rapport before Cam realizes who she is. Cam is trying to build a new real estate business in the area and his career and family are at risk. Cam tries to step away but the draw between Kristin and Cam keeps pulling them together.

When Sam learns that Kristin has been sneaky out to see the 'hillbilly', no good neighbor, Sam arrives at the trailer to confront Cam. Instead he ends up facing a fierce mother, Maddie, who isn't about to let a narrow minder, curmudgeon speak badly of her family. Their next encounters don’t go much better. It takes a rescue and accident to change the dynamics but that doesn’t mean things will run smooth.

There is plenty of conflict balance with nice, warm family connection. I was saddened by the long train of deception that was practiced in a misguided sense of care. On the other hand, I appreciated the turn around that moves those who suffered loss to a point where they could trust and love again. The Christmas Room itself was a lovely surprise and brought the story to a warm conclusion. There is a gentle measure of faith and a big dose of love that pulls the characters together. This was a nice flowing romance and the second romance is a bonus. I recommend this to readers who enjoy second chance at love romances.

I received this through NetGalley.

Four stars: A book with two romances and a touch of holiday cheer.

The McLendon family recently moved to Montana leaving California behind. Widow Maddie McLendon is a successful writer who is enjoying her new life in Montana, but she is hiding a big secret from her family. Cam is excited for a change, and hoping he can provide a good home for his mother and sixteen year old son, Caleb. The family settles on their land in a makeshift camp as they wait to build their new home. What they don’t expect is to tangle with the feisty widower next door who will destroy anyone who looks twice at his twenty six year old daughter, Kristen. Soon the two families are feuding, until something happens that changes everything. Can the McLendon’s help a bitter old man?
What I Liked:
*The Christmas Room was a book that was slow going at first, but once the second romance took off, I was hooked. This is a book with two romances, but it is so much more. It is about family, healing, forgiveness, love and the hope for a new beginning. This is a delightful read that is perfect for anytime of the year.
*I have to admit, the first romance wasn’t thrilling for me, but the second romance was the best. I loved how the relationship unfolded. It starts out with feuding, hollering and cussing, and then it moves into a hesitant friendship, forgiveness, understanding and then a blossoming new beginning. This romance had so much heart, and I loved the patience that was demonstrated by one of the participants. I especially liked that the romance was focused on other aspects, and it wasn’t about sex at all. It was delightful.
*I liked the many themes that this book explored. It is a book about family, friends, forgiveness, kindness, healing, heartache, new beginnings and romance. It was delightful to watch the characters grow and change.
*Surprisingly, Sam Connacher ended up being my favorite character. He comes in mean, spiteful and angry. After his wife died, he became an angry, bitter old man who drove away all of his friends. He is impatient, unkind and quick to judge. However, as the novel progresses he forms new friendships and these relationships transform him. He learns to forgive, love and live again. By the end, I loved this old codger. He made the book.
*The majority of the book takes place before the Christmas season, which I liked. Then at the end, you get a nice dose of holiday cheer with snow storms, decorations and everything you love about the holiday. That makes this book perfect for anytime of year.
*The ending is satisfactory. The majority of the story lines are completed, the characters are in a better place and it ends in a good spot.
And The Not So Much:
*I have to admit, the first romance didn’t appeal to me. It was boring, very vanilla. It was sweet and all, but it lacked something. I almost set the book aside, but thankfully the secondary romance started up and saved the read for me.
*This really isn’t a Christmas book so if you a expecting lots of holiday themes and all that, you will be disappointed The book begins in August and most of the story occurs before the holiday season. Finally at the end, you get a dose of holiday cheer.
*In my opinion the final portion of the book dragged. A whole lot of unnecessary conflict goes on, and it got to be too much. I could have done without the added drama of the wedding dress and the big fight, especially since it was apparent how things would turn out. The book would have been better if it was trimmed down.
*I also felt like the book was a bit too open ended. Yes, everything ends well, but I wanted an epilogue.

The Christmas Room is a nice read. Don’t let the title mislead you as this really isn’t a Christmas book. I loved the characters and the second chance romance. There were a few things that could have been better, but all in all, this is nice read for the holidays or for anytime.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

I really liked this Christmas story by Catherine Anderson. The story was well written and I always enjoy second chance romances. Fans of Debbie Macomber and Sherryl Woods will love this one. Highly recommended!

The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson is a charming holiday romance story that touches on grief, healing and redemption. Two families find their lives intertwine when an accident causes them to move in together. Over the course of time two romances develop. One I could see happening but the second one was one no one would have predicted.

Three generations of McClendon’s have come to Montana to fulfill a dream of making a life here in Rustlers Gulch. Their neighbor isn’t too happy that they have taken up resident in a temporary cabin, tent and an old RV trailer. Sam Conacher and his daughter Kirstin have a tough job on their hands trying to run a large ranch without much help. Sam became a hard and angry man after the death of his wife 6 years ago and his hands couldn’t work for him any longer. Now he keeps suitors away from his daughter Kirstin but she finds ways to live a little.

Maggie McClendon is a widow mystery writer who is making the most of her time with her son and grandson building a home in Montana. She also had been keeping a secret from them and has just a few more treatments before she is clearly in remission. When Sam comes looking for Maggie’s son Cameron, to warn him off from his daughter, they totally get off on the wrong foot and turn adversaries. Forced to live together they slowly realize how much they have in common since they both lost their spouse. Maggie helps Sam see the error of his ways and a friendship is born. Love comes softly for these two and unfortunately hit a few bumps. Nothing can be worse than losing a spouse and blaming yourself for their death. Sam had a lot to overcome and Maggie led the way to his recovery.

The romance that developed between Cameron and Kirstin was heartfelt with cautious baby steps. Cameron didn’t want to repeat an impulse marriage and wanted to really get to know her before getting intimate. Kirstin was ahead of the game and knew it was right with this man. Her past partners may have been limited but the connection she felt with Cam was real to her. After his accident he knew without fail that he loved Kirstin. I guess facing death will do that to you. Cameron and Kirstin’s relationship might have started with an attraction and then in secret, but it felt like they made a real connection and that it was going to be a long lasting one.

Overall I enjoyed this story. Real emotions were expressed and the griefs that both Sam and Maggie felt were genuine and my heart ached for them. Her grandson Caleb was a bright spot throughout the story and had a good head on his shoulders for someone so young. The scenes of Montana she described were breathtaking and I can only imagine what it might be like to see those views every day. The Christmas Room was a charming story and captured the spirit of the holiday for me.

Could not get into this book at first but it ended up being a delightful seasonal romance that I know you'll enjoy too. Beautiful cover really adds to the charm of the story!

Pub Date 26 Sep 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

NOTE: my review is included in a compilation round-up containing the favorite stories of the bloggers/writers/editors at the Heroes and Heartbreakers blog.

My September 2017 blogger favorite is Catherine Anderson’s The Christmas Room.. Anderson does estranged families so well. Ditto for odd-duck characters. Lastly, she often has more than one HEA in her stories. The Christmas Room has all of the above!

The feisty relationship between a complicated widow and a crusty millionaire rancher (and a widower) is full of sparks and fury. Widow Madeline McLendon is a murder mystery writer…check out how a waitress describes her reaction to McLendon’s latest book in a convo with Madeline’s son Cam.

Trish took a seat across from him. Her green eyes sparkled with amusement. “I finally found time to read one of her books—her most recent, I think, Death by Potato Sprouts. Do you ever worry when she makes you a fruit smoothie that you might not live to drink all of it?”

Cam burst out laughing.

Cam, his son Caleb and mother Maddie have arrived in a town in Montana and set up on a parcel of land where they intend to build. In the meantime home is a tent and caravan as they begin this stage of their journey.

Not so far away is Sam and his daughter Kirstin, they have a huge ranch but not many workers. Sam has scared them all away with his grumpiness, think Scrooge and the Grinch rolled into one plus some. He has been really mean spirited since his wife Annie died about five years ago. He is very protective of his daughter Kirstin and runs off any man who looks at her. So... when Cam shows some interest it is a real challenge to Sam. He is downright rude and before long there is a war going on between Sam and Maddie, who resents his attack on her son Cam. A wall is built, no trespassing notices are put up.

Maddie though is hiding a secret that she is keeping from her son Cam and grandson Caleb. Caleb is having a difficult time settling into a new school and so far has no friends. Cam is finding it hard to sell land, all in all things are not going well. However there is romance blossoming between Cam and Kristin. And even though its war for Sam and Maddie, perhaps there is going to be a second chance romance there too.

The story was a load of fun. It moved along at a good pace with something happening all the time. I loved Caleb, the young teen who had a heart of gold trying to fit in with his peers. He was thoughtful and so caring especially of his grandmother.

While the story does come together at Christmas and is totally heart warming, most of the story takes place before Christmas, so don't feel you are getting too Christmasy to read this now. It's a perfect pre Christmas read, that will put you in the spirit for that season when it arrives.

I started reading with a grain of salt. I guess I'm not quite in that Christmasy spirit yet. This story, funnily enough, does not have anything to do with Christmas until the very end. But, that didn't stop me from fully enjoying it. Actually, maybe that helped since I wasn't quite ready for a Christmas read anyway!

This is almost two plots rolled into one. There are four main characters, Maddie's family and then Sam's family. Maddie's son and Sam's daughter have started seeing each other and Sam is not too happy! He goes out of his way to be a cantankerous old man about the entire situation. Sadly, although Kirsten is 26, her father still keeps a tight reign. She's becoming more bold and starting to disobey him in small ways. When she meets Cam, she's the one that asks him to eat with her.

Cam's situation is nearly paralleled Kirsten's. Cam had a son very early in life, and has been working hard to ensure his son has a good life and knows he's loved. So they understand each other quickly. As they get closer and closer, Maddie and Sam get further apart. The arguments between Maddie and Sam had me in stitches! I know it was serious but I just knew that they were suited well for each other. Actually, although the story is a bit more about Cam and Kirsten, I found myself enjoying the older couple a bit more. They both have a fire under them and neither one of them are going to back down from their argument.

It takes a lot for these relationships to form and bud. It makes sense to the plot, and the character arc was huge. There was one point where Cam and Kirsten get into it, and it felt a little pushed. Kirsten knows who her father is, and how he has hurt his reputation, so this whole argument, about half way through the story, seemed contrived. However, Sam and Maddie's conversations were the highlight of this fabulous story. And Cam's son, Caleb, really shined as well.

Sadly, there are a few downsides to this. Both Cam and Kirsten tell each other that they never fall in love so quickly, etc. They say this so often that I started getting annoyed. I love the story line and where their relationship was going, but it was like the author was trying to ensure her readers knew that she knew that the characters were moving fast. I don't like insta-love, and this wasn't even exactly insta-love, but trying to make up for it by saying you're sorry multiple times is off putting!

Also, the end was very long. I loved how all the characters grew, but then the ending kept going and going. I was ready to be done and still had about 10% to go. Once they wrapped everything in a neat little bow, I was good!

Also, why does everyone have the same type of Australian Shepherd? I have five dogs and all of them are different breeds. I've never met anyone that has the exact same number and type of dog that I have. So, this was a weird issue that just made me have a question mark over my head like a cartoon character. Why add so many dogs if they are all going to be the same? Sam even says that he would never have shot Cam's dogs because he loves them more than his horses, and yet they are hardly in any scene. In my house, I can't move without tripping over dogs. I can only imagine what it would be like if I were on a farm. They would want to help with everything! I get, dogs are not characters in a book, but I feel like they should be added fully, or maybe not at all.

That said, I ended this absolutely loving the story. A bit long winded, especially with the repeated sayings from the young couple, but overall, this was a fantastic story. The Christmas Room does show up, but at the end. With such a small presence, maybe the book should have been named something different. It wasn't really a Christmas story, but the ending does wind up at Christmas time, maybe that's why the author and publisher went with that? Overall, I think people looking for a good Christmas read will not be disappointed and will love the characters just as much as I did. Even with the things that put me off, this is a fabulous read that many will love!

I absolutely adored this book! Second chance at love after suffering a loss - it was so well written and really a gorgeous story. This author is so talented at bringing characters to life - I enjoyed every second of this one and plan to read it again before the holidays. Highly recommend!