Just put a little girl and a tiny poodle in a book and I'm easily in love. Gracie, Jubal's daughter, is 8 going on 28 but sweet and precious as well as smart and independent. Jubal had a tough go at things after his wife died, then his father, leaving him to repay debts and be a single father. Ellie, recently divorced and pregnant, was forced to return home for familial support and comfort. Jubal and Ellie had a relationship as teens that stopped when she wanted more, away from Branding Iron. He never forgot how he felt and she would never fault him for any anger he had towards her. However, being the gentleman and cowboy that he is Jubal can't get over his feelings for his first love. Their story is sweet, charming, a little brash and heart twisting but well worth the read. It's stories like this that give me reason to enjoy romances with heart. I was thrilled to receive a copy through Netgalley and have written my review voluntarily.

A small white dog, a rugged cowboy, and a woman who loves them both... Janet Dailey has done it again. A beautiful Christmas story that tells of love, acceptance, and a cute little dog who warms even the toughest of hearts. I love her books!!

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.75 Hearts This is a sweet holiday story about second chances. Ellie and Jubal were serious in high school but she wanted more than being a farm wife. He wanted to improve on his family’s land. But now it is ten years later and things are different. Can they make a go of it this time?

I enjoyed most of this book. There were a few things I didn’t like but to be honest they are not huge deals but they just didn’t sit right. Like how often Jubal leaves his 8 year old daughter alone while he runs into town. I get that she is used to being alone if he has to take care of the cows but he is still on the property. And speaking of his daughter, no eight year old speaks like Gracie does. She is a cutie though so it is ok.

While set at Christmas time there is isn’t a lot of Christmas in the story. But there is a holiday feel. I liked Ellie a lot. She is the type of woman I like to be friends with. She has grown into a good person. Jubal is sweet but not one that I would fall head over heels for.

This is a relatively short read, about 185 pages, so a good book to enjoy one snowy weekend this winter.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I am an avid Christmas Romance fan and this one really hit the spot. Janet Dailey's story has all the elements I always enjoy in a Christmas story. It has a single parent raising a sweet little girl, a cute puppy, a Christmas baby and plenty of Christmas spirit. There also is a touch of mystery which kept me guessing.

The storyline flowed smoothly and the characters are well-developed. The conflict is well spelled-out with the resolution being very satisfying.

All in all Just a Little Christmas is a fun read and I highly recommend it!

JUST A LITTLE CHRISTMAS by Janet Daley. Kensington Publishers
Ellie was back in Texas, or as her mood reflexing it was nowhere, Texas. Bright lights and hopes, and one ex, were behind her, now. Meeting Jubal's daughter Gracie, and him at the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree. She was a distraction, and that dog, but Gracie, wanted Ellie with her. For Ellie, sense the needy part of Gracie, and wanted to help. The three of them, have needs and hopes, can they come together, for healing and love. This was a great story, that I enjoyed, the characters were good. The plot, and what they wanted and needed. Readers will love this story. Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

Just a Little Christmas is a sweet second chance book of two young people who loved each other but one was blinded by the lure of the big city and getting out of small town American. Ellie did not think she could endure a life in Branding Iron even though she loved Jubal, she just did not believe it was enough. Janet Dailey wrote beautifully of these two slipping back into their old friendship and falling in love again.

Jubal married about a year after Ellie left to another hometown girl whom Ellie knew from school. He is raising sweet Gracie without her mom after the accident that made him a widower. Ellie is pregnant and disillusioned with her former husband after their divorce. These three and Ellie’s little dog, Beau, just seem to fit together. That is not to say there are not several bumps in the road. Jubal’s now deceased father apparently sold the family farm for very little money in order to help pay for Jubal’s wife’s funeral expenses without telling Jubal. Jubal and Gracie are soon going to be without a home or income.

Dailey made sure to include that both Jubal and Ellie knew the love they had as teens was not the love they are now developing, but yet, they both seemed to grow from that love that they never really let go of, but put aside as they built separate lives.

This is a great second chance book that is clean and super enjoyable. It takes place around Christmas, but that is kind of secondary.

Romantic story about second chances. Ellie and Jubal are thrust together again after 10 years apart brought about after Ellie's failed marriage and being pregnant. Both have considerable baggage and hurt feelings to overcome. Jubal is a widower with an 8 year old daughter and doesn't want to give Ellie a chance to hurt him or his daughter. But it's thanks to Ellie's little dog Beau who helps t bring them together.

A truly feel good holiday/romance that will definitely leave you with a light hearted feeling by the end if the story.

Jubal and Ellie's story of a second chance at the relationship she walked out on when a teenager, is heartwarming with a cast of characters who add a wonderful element to the story. There are so many things to love about this story...Janet Dailey has once again drawn this reader into her magical world of love and family. A Christmas treat for sure.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I enjoyed this book, a good holiday read. It is a second chance romance. Interesting characters, a good story line. I would recommend it.

Ellie and Jubal were madly in love and high school sweethearts until the night of the proposal. Ellie leaves town and marries and Jubal stays in Branding Iron and does the same. Ten years later Ellie comes home after a disastrous marriage and pregnant with her ex-husbands child and intending to leave after the baby is born and return to a big city. Jubal is widowed and raising his 8 year old daughter Gracie and trying to save the family ranch. Jubal wants Ellie to keep her distance because he knows that she'll leave again and he doesn't want Gracie and himself to get hurt. After Gracie saves Beau, Ellie's teacup poodle. from co-owner of the B & B's cat. Ellie rewards her by taking her out for pizza and bringing her home to play with Beau. When she returns Gracie home, Ellie is told about Jubal's problem with the ranch. Ellie helps Jubal try to figure out how to safe his ranch. They still seem to be able to read and know each other so well after all this time but they keep fighting it their feelings. They solve the mystery of the ranch and at the Cowboy Christmas Ball Ellie's baby decides it wants to make an appearance. An unexpected visitor shows up at the hospital for a visit and a little chaos ensues. When things calm down and Jubal and Ellie want to tell each other how they feel, Gracie goes first and tells them what she wants for Christmas. Janet Dailey's annual holiday book is always a joy to read, Just a Little Christmas as all of her books are a heartwarming celebration of love no matter the time of year they're set in.

Wonderful story. Family, community and love. It was warm and delightful. I fell in love with Jubal and Gracie and really wanted to see them happy. The cast of characters was authentic and the dialogue quite real. A welcome break.

Sweet story! Perfect read for the holiday season. Great second chance love.

Ellie returns to her hometown after several years away, pregnant and divorced. When Jubal sees her it's like she never left but he knows he can't trust her. She left breaking his heart once and he won't let her do it again. Jubal's wife died 4 years ago and he's raising his daughter on his own. The holidays have become a painful reminder of what Jubal has lost until Ellie comes back into his life. A sweet holiday romance.

Just a Little Christmas, by Janet Dailey is an contemporary holiday romance focused on second chances.

Ellie Marsden and Jubal McFarland were once high school sweethearts, yet Ellie's love for Jubal couldn't compete for her need to leave their small town. So, she refused his marriage proposal, and they both moved on.

Ten years later, Ellie is now moving back home to Branding Iron, Texas...for a short time, while she's dealing with her recent divorce and a surprise pregnancy. Jubal is living in the same town, yet he's a widower struggling to raise his eight year-old daughter and dealing with serious ranch issues.

With Jubal's daughter obsessed with Ellie's little dog, their paths frequent connect and soon Jubal and Ellie are considering a romantic relationship, despite their past differences and future concerns.

On a random note, it seems that the daughter is frequently left at home alone. Even though it's stressed that she had a cell phone, the story seemed odd to often leave a little eight-year-old girl on a ranch by herself. Even though this doesn't really change the story, it's slightly distracting.

Just a Little Christmas is geared towards those who enjoy reading contemporary holiday romances. And check out the book cover with an alpha rancher holding a little fluffy dog! :)


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book is a clean modern western romance. The story centers around Ellie Marsden and Jubal McFarland. These two were sweethearts during HS. He proposed after graduation but she said no. She wanted out of Branding Iron , TX, an education and a big city . She left, and 10 years after she is back. Not in the glory she expected but rather, divorced and pregnant. Jubal is now a widower with a precocious 8 year old girl.
This is a story about second chances with some intrigue thrown in, as well as self doubts.
As much as I have enjoyed other stories by Ms Dailey, this one just did not do it for me. The main characters did not draw me in, nor did the plot. It was entertaining , but not memorable.
I was gifted this copy by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

A gem of a story!
Ellie Marsden comes back to Branding Iron after leaving her big city job. She drives in with her little poodle, newly divorced and very pregnant. She can't wait to get to the small town with a slower pace and to enjoy the safety of her mother's home. Immediately she has her sister-in-law wanting her to go to her restaurant and Ellie runs into the reason that she left town ten years ago. Jubal McFarland is still a tall, rugged hunk, but now he is a widower with a darling daughter, Gracie. Slowly Ellie and Jubal both learn that they both want to stay away from each other but they can't deny the old feelings are still there after all this time. I really enjoyed this tender love story of second chances that engages you until the very end. Great characters and a sweet story that would appeal to anyone who loves contemporary romance.

Just a Little Christmas by Janet Dailey will be available September 26, 2017 from Zebra, an imprint of Kensington Books. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Just a Little Christmas, is a nice second chance, holiday romance novel. I found my self siding with Jubal throughout most of the book. Which I find kind of strange. He has been hurt so many times, but yet still puts a smile on his face each day. The fact that Ellie helps to put it there more than a few times doesn't hurt either.

Don't be a Scrooge, honey. You're pregnant, and well-rid of your husband.

Why is a cat even in the restaurant?

Yikes, that must really hit home for him.

Darn deer. Then again, they were here first.

Dogs have booster seats?

Bless your heart, Krystle.

It's not charity if it's a gift that makes both the gifter and the recipient happy.

Thank God she slowed down to let Jubal pass!

Crap. I thought it might have been the case that Brent hit her. Jubal is looking better and better, stubborn pride and all.

Why would he lie down and play dead like that? Get the law involved!

Haha, doctors can be wrong! Thank God the baby is alright. That must have brought up memories for Jubal.