I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.

What a lesson in trust! This story was about two souls who didn't trust coming together at a time when trust is important. Luke was a quiet, giving individual who only wanted to feel good about giving to others. Mary had a reporter's innate curiosity who needed to solve a mystery and "get the story" no matter what. Along the way, they fell in love.

It was a good story with a good moral and ended with a HEA.


This book was gifted to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

When I see Tule Publishing is putting out another book involving my favorite town, Marietta... you have me sold. This time we have a man who wants to be private and assist others... mixed with an ambitious woman who needs to have a successful story to further her career.

What to do when the man she is falling hard for...turns out to the same secret Santa she is trying to expose...
Can she let the story go...for love?

Great Christmas story with a cute message. I enjoyed the family dynamic too. A new author to me and I look forward to reading more

Mary is a reporter for the Marietta Courier waiting for her big shot in New York. When Marietta get it's very own Secret Santa she just has to break the story. If she can figure out who is behind the secret gifts to those in need she can write the story she has been waiting for. As she gets involved with Luke, the hometown hero, she not only falls for him she figures out his secret. Will his desire for privacy win out over Mary getting her story? This story is all the journalist in Mary can think about. Which will she choose, love or the story? Great read!

Luke returns home to Marietta , Montana to help with family and work . Mary crosses his path to write a story and Romance blooms. Enjoy returning to Marietta ,Montana for the tales of inhabitants of the town and the holiday. Good story and character.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

This is such a sweet, festive friends to more romance with Luke Harlow, a caring military veteran who is now a Marietta police officer, and Mary Best, a young reporter, as the main characters. Luke has returned to his home town to help raise his half-sister and it is with her that he is secretly playing Santa by giving amazing gifts to some of the local community who are in need.

Mary is intrigued by Luke and wants to write about his heroic military service but the more she gets to know about this secretive young man the more the attraction between them grows. However, she's also on the trail to identify the secret Santa . . . . something Luke definitely doesn't want. Can he keep his secret? What will Mary do if she discovers it is him? Can he trust her with his heart and his secret? Which is more important to Mary - her job or love?

This is a delightful addition to the Marietta romances, and a cute, fun read. As someone who always enjoys reading stories set in this community it seemed strange not to have some of the iconic Christmas events included in the story but that will only be of concern to folks like me who regularly read stories in this setting. It is still an enjoyable story with great characters, an added mystery element and plenty of secrets in this festive read, just right for getting you in the mood for a caring Christmas!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion after choosing to read the book.

I enjoyed this book! It was a fun, christmassy read to get into the holiday spirit. I really loved the character development throughout the book and how the story ended up.

I love sweet, holiday romances! Luke's Gift is just that! Luke and Mary face some issues on their way to love. Me Newell writes well developed characters. A perfect book to read on a weekend for some quiet me time! A thoroughly enjoyabe read!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest opinion!

I love this family! This is a wonderful Christmas Story, with a great message! So happy I got the chance to read it. I really like Kaylie Newell and look forward to seeing more from
her!

This holiday romance is a charming and delightful read that would make the Grinch’s heart swell to 100 times in normal size with Christmas spirit. Luke and Mary are two strong, captivating characters that easily draw readers to them as they become caught up in a romance that proves that opposites attract. They both have some emotional issues that readers can’t help but understand to overcome if they want to achieve that happily ever after. The story is fast paced and bit too short, but is full of everything that makes a romance and everything that stands for the true meaning of Christmas which delights readers while Luke, who may just be too good to be true inspires warmth and love throughout the story.

4.5 ☆
I liked it!
I always enjoy revisiting Marietta and its characters.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Maddie
Part of a series: The Harlow Brothers
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

This sweet small town romance was a great holiday read. Luke Harlow is back in Marietta after his military career ends. Mary Best is a reporter wanting to write a story about Luke's heroic military service. After spending time with Luke and really getting to know him Mary is certain she may have stumbled upon an even better story. Will Mary spill Luke's secret?

This was a very enjoyable read and one I highly recommend.

A must read this holiday season. Luke has returned home after leaving his military career. He is now a police officer in Marietta. Mary is a local reporter f the town newspaper, wanting to do a story on the home town hero, which Luke does not believe he is one. As Luke and Mary get to know each other, their friendship develops into so much more. Luke is keeping a secret though, but soon the talk around town id , who is the Secret Santa.

Luke is one of my all time favorite book boyfriends. He has such a big heart, from being the big brother to his half sister, Maddie, being the Secret Santa and helping Mary decorate sugar cookies.
Loved the slow development of the relationship of Mary and Luke, so perfect for each other. With some many holiday traditions in Marietta, I wish it was a real town.

I highly recommend this wonderful Christmas story. Can't wait for the next story.

Perfect Christmas reading, Luke’s Gift really brings to the fore the true meaning of Christmas. This story is all about family, love, sharing and giving to those who need it in whatever way you can. It’s heartwarming and utterly charming and I flowed through the pages. Luke is a gorgeous man both physically and within himself but he has some healing to do - his mother had a reputation and he’s wary, worried that people might judge him based on that. Maddie is also gorgeous, warm and generous but skepitcal about people. She worries that Luke might be too good to be true and that hint of concern nearly undoes their growing relationship. I loved the Secret Santa theme for this novel and the concept behind keeping the identity of the giver a secret. All in all this was a story that really made me smile from one end to the other.

Kaylie Newell’s latest Tule Publishing Series, The Harlow Brothers is one of my all-time favorites. I could hardly wait for Luke's Gift. It did not disappoint me in the least but sealed t at the top of great family romance series. Nora Robert’s Chesapeake Bay Series held that honor for many years, but I love the Harlow brothers and especially little sister Maddie.

Luke Harlow is just as great of a person as his younger brother, Tanner from Tanner's Promise. How these men turned out so well after living in such a dysfunctional family is simply by the grace of God. Of course in this case, it is fiction, still I have seen the same thing happen in real life too.

The plot is solid with strong romance focus but also strong family focus too. Luke is a modern day “John Wayne”, with his tough but tender side. I loved his interactions with his little sister and the wonderful bonding that took placed as the story progressed. The romance was not instant nor was it rushed. The conflict that occurred between Mary and Luke is between them, without former relationships or cheating being involved. It seemed genuine just like the secret Santa midnight drops did.

I enjoy every visit to Marietta, Montana, loved the characters with the Harlow family now holding a special place in my heart. This is a perfect series to begin your visit to that small town of heart. Highly recommend.

The second book in the Harlow Brothers Series introduces Luke Harlow, returned home from the armed forces and working as a Marietta cop. He has seen too much sadness for families and children on his tours of duty that he feels compelled to make some Christmas miracles happen for families of Marietta. With the help of his half-sister, Maddie, they embark on a secret mission to make some Christmas joy for select families.
Meeting Mary Best, Marietta Courier journalist, may blow his cover. He feels so drawn to her that although it is hard, he will keep his secret even if it means losing Mary and her nose for news.
Luke’s Gift is an endearing story of two people meant to be if they can overcome their own problems and hang-ups.

What a perfect sweet Christmas story. Definitely will pull at your heart strings. The characters were perfect in the story. How they learned to trust and look for the best in people. A definite book to warm the soul.

I’ve never hidden the fact that I love anything even remotely related to Marietta, Montana – it is my ideal fictional small town where amazing things happen year round. But I have to confess to being so touched by the very realistic messages I’m finding in The Harlow Brothers series by Kaylie Newell. In a world filled with negativity the Harlows – Tanner, Luke, Judd and their half-sister Maddie – put forth all that is still good, decent and realistically believable to an increasingly jaded audience. I simply wanted to acknowledge that and thank the author, and the publishing house, for stories that (with or without intent) give a good feeling, a decent message that readers do notice and appreciate.

It’s Christmas time once again in Marietta, and more than the annual Stroll has its residents talking, wondering and watching. To the families facing hard times the anonymous gifts that appear in their lives are nothing short of a miracle in a time of true need. No one knows who is leaving them, but rumors abound… enough to catch the news nose of one reporter on the edge of leaving her small home town for the big city and bigger opportunities. Mary has her suspicions, and while revealing those ideas for the sake of a headline story are very tempting… what she could lose in the process is even more important.

Luke is a caring, compassionate man, one who has seen such heartache during his time in the military. Now home, helping to raise his half-sister along with his brothers, Luke is settling into civilian life – for the most part. As a Marietta police officer Luke has been singled out for a story about his “heroics” while in the military. He has never seen himself as a hero, but a man who acted when it was necessary. Still that story will put him in close contact with Mary… and that is one assignment he doesn’t mind one bit. Except for those times when she asks too many questions…

Mary and Luke are polar opposites in personalities. Luke is private, believes in doing not talking about it. Mary is curious, has expectations of people and trusts very few. For Mary knowledge is to be shared, even when that makes life uncomfortable. Both are products of their upbringing in many ways. Still the attraction is strong enough that they will both take risks that they hope to not regret one day. I loved the interaction between Luke and Maddie, goodness she is so wise beyond her years at times. Mary and Luke work, they are believable in their responses to each other and to the mystery in town. Once again the Harlow family wrapped me up in their lives and now I need Judd’s story. If you enjoy a really good love story, a touch of kindhearted mystery, realistic situations and just good people… then you’ll enjoy Luke’s Gift.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Luke's Gift hit almost all of my sweet spots: military hero, strong woman, a hint of mystery, a family in crisis, emotionally wounded hero, marshmallow-hearted hero, and such a sweet Christmas story to boot. Wow! I think I was swooning over Luke at the same time as Mary, from the start.

And truthfully, Luke just gets better the longer the story goes on. There's just something about a man who isn't quite perfect but whose heart is so big he chooses over and over to help others, selflessly putting everyone else ahead of himself. That's Luke. He'll do anything for his family, for those he loves, for those he connects with.

Mary's a reporter - not my favorite profession - but she's not the stereotypical reporter in these books. She actually has a heart as well as a head on her shoulders. I loved reading about her relationships with her parents and with the holidays. I loved seeing how meeting Luke and his family changed her and how the changes in her led to changes in her father as well.

That this is a Christmas story is only a bonus. The characters are what make this book as wonderful as it is. It's low in drama and angst without being bland. The family and interpersonal dynamics are front and center and there's enough action to keep you turning the pages. Tack on the hints of books to come and this is a real winner.