Wow…I didn’t really expect heartbreak and tears in a Christmas Romance…but now I can say this was an “all the feels” Christmas story! LOL. What a sleigh ride A Heartfelt Christmas Promise was!

Author Nancy Naigle wrote an amazing Hallmark-type Christmas romance…one that I didn’t want to put down, and that I didn’t want to end! I loved the widower/single dad trope as well as the big city woman coming in to the small town for business reasons…because she definitely cannot make it personal. I loved all of the characters that made up this story…from Vanessa and Mike, to Buck, Misty, and Ana, it was full of amazing characters (let’s not forget Scooter/Porter!).

This Christmas romance had everything to check off the perfect blend of a wonderful seasonal read! Sleighs, football, fruitcake, small town, romance, snow, and Christmas Magic! Such an enjoyable read! 4.5 stars!

This one was a hard start for me as I am a country girl and we are house shopping in Chicago with lots of wants and wishes right before Christmas and then the meeting and bam do things change in a hurry - then it grabs your attention and be prepared to hang on for the ride!!

I've already read several Christmas books this year and always read a bunch every year, but this has to be one of my favorite! The story has so much depth to it that I was totally involved in the story and loved every minute of it. The Christmas aspect was definitely there and it was just the icing on the cake (fruit cake in this case)!
The characters were very realistic and loveable. Vanessa was a hardworking business woman thrown into a small town that is suspicious of her intent in working with the local business that employs many of the town. Mike is a single dad of a teenager. The local fruitcake business was owned by his family and the loss of it has given him quite a bit of anger and pain. The attraction between the two is complicated by the business dealings. Throw in an adorable puppy and you have the makings of a story that will warm your heart and leave you very satisfied.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

This is a cute, sweet book in the opposites attract trope. Vanessa is a corporate executive come to town to shut down the factory. Mike is a local boy, who loves his town and the factory that drives most of the local economy. They are interesting characters, each carrying a bit of baggage, but not overly burdened. Then we add in Misty, Mike’s daughter, who is far too old and experienced for her sixteen years; Anna, Vanessa’s cousin; and Buck, the mysterious older man. The characters are all interesting and mostly well-written. They interact well, and have a unique ‘voice’ and personality to the story. However, in addition to needing a good editing, a few things bothered me....Mike’s grandfather is the alleged bad guy in this story, but sometimes he is referred to as Mike’s father (which would make more sense, as the ages don’t line up if he’s the grandfather). It’s set up as an ‘enemies to lovers’ story, but Thanksgiving dinner Mike is yelling at Vanessa In front of a houseful of guests for actions taken at the factory (okay, got the enemies part), then literally the next day, he is leaving soup at her doorstep. And the romance takes off from there—no apology, no talking it out...huh? Where’s the lead-in? Anna is Vanessa’s cousin, but “more like a big sister”. Then Anna develops a ‘thing’ for Mike’s father/grandfather (father works, grandfather would be waaay too old). There are other odd, disconnected parts like thes, but the plot is cute and heartwarming, if a bit too simplistic. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my freely given, honest review.

Vanessa is a successful businesswoman and is expecting to spend her holidays in Paris to begin an exciting new project. To her dismay, she is sent to Frasier Hill, NC to close a fruitcake factory. She is totally out of her element in the small town and is met with suspicion from most of the residents who also work in the factory. The characters are heartwarming, delightful and embody the typical small-town perspective. I fell in love with these characters and pretty much read this book straight through. If you’re looking for a pick me up or a stress reducer this lovely holiday story is a must read!

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When you have to cancel your holiday plans to france to take an assignment for work in the US. you don't expect to fall for a handsome man. If you love Hallmark holiday movies then this read is for you!

4.5 stars
I read everything by Nancy Naigle and this book doesn’t disappoint.
My fingers are crossed that Hallmark is going to make this into a movie.
The characters are lovely. There’s even horses and a puppy!
More please!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. What a nice book that puts you in the mood for Christmas. It may have been a little cheesy at times but that is something I like in Christmas books. I am a huge Hallmark movie fan and if a Christmas book is like one of those movies then it’s a hit for me...and this one was!!! I enjoyed the characters, the storyline and the holiday descriptions! It made me want to decorate my house for Christmas even though it’s only September 30th. It’s just one of those feel good, happy, holiday books. Some of it was predictable but aren’t all Hallmark movies predictable too but we still love those, right?! I highly recommend this one if you are in the mood for a good holiday read. The only thing that would have made it more enjoyable for me was if I was reading it in front of a fireplace, with snow falling outside and my Christmas tree lit!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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This is worthy of being a Hallmark movie if it isn’t already being considered. It has all the right components – a successful woman put in a disappointing situation that she turns around to make better for her, the town, and the man she didn’t know she needed in her life.

Delightful and easy read to take you away from today’s world.

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review.

To launch the Christmas book season, I’m starting my festive selection with a heartwarming cozy read by Nancy Naigle. I had first discovered this author with The Secret Ingredient (a novel that I loved!) and the Christmas in Evergreen series. So I couldn’t wait to read this new Christmas book from her.

Overall, it’s a pleasant feel-good read with lovely descriptions, infused with a heartwarming mood. You get a good sense of all things sweet about the season. Of the warmth of a small-town community. However, I felt as though there wasn’t that much at stake, so it came across as very slow-paced. The slow atmosphere is reminiscent of the easygoing rural life, but it fails to keep your interest going strong throughout the whole book. So I have mixed feelings about this one, in general.

I received an ARC for an honest review from St. Martins's Press through NetGalley. We meet so many wonderful people in this story. They each bring their way of life to us. Vanessa Larkin was supposed to be spending Christmas in Paris but instead, she is heading to Fraser Hills, North Carolina. It is known as the best fruitcake in the USA. While she is there she finds some Christmas magic. and some ideas on saving the town from Porter's fruitcake from being shut down and turned into warehouses.
Seeing Vanessa slowly enjoying this rural town, and learning how enjoyable the festivities can be, the Christmas magic is in the air.

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise is a heartwarming holiday tale by author Nancy Naigle. Vanessa Larkin is in position for a new project to manage as Thanksgiving approaches. She and her older cousin Anna have planned to spend the holidays together this year. While Vanessa is in hopes of a fancy assignment such as the Paris or Leavenworth, Washington, projects, Anna is good with anywhere they can be together again,

Although Vanessa has the position to earn either of those assignments, she is given the project to close down Porter’s fruitcake factory and turn the warehouses into usable space for a sporting goods company. Porter’s, set in the scenic small town of Fraser Hills, NC, is not the assignment Vanessa sought, but when offered double bonuses to get the job done on schedule, she sees the extra money as a way she can purchase a suburban home still close enough to her Chicago office and offer a retirement destination for Anna, who has recently retired and lives outside of Atlanta.

When Vanessa arrives in Fraser Hills and becomes acquainted with the charming residents, she begins looking for ways to spin off the warehouses and protect Porter’s and its staff, as they are the backbone of this lovely community. When corporate doesn’t agree, Vanessa employs unexpected strategies to protect this new found ‘family’.

This is such a delightful story with wonderfully developed characters and a Christmas card setting. With several twists, the reader will be surprised and delighted at the climax. Once again Ms. Naigle has provided her followers with a lovely holiday story which I very much enjoyed. I do recommend this book!

A single dad, Mike, who lost the love of his life and is estranged from his grandfather starts falling for a new person in town. Vanessa, sent to a small town in North Carolina to dismantle Mike’s family business, starts realizing that life can’t be all about work. As she starts getting to know the residents of this town, she starts opening up and falling for everyone and everything about the town.
The characters were realistic and I found myself rooting for everyone to get their happy ending. With help from some unlikely residents of the town Vanessa starts opening her eyes to the reality of life, but just when things look like they are headed in the right direction, her bosses do the unthinkable and it could destroy what she has started to build.
My only concerns were with Misty and with the end. I had a hard time believing that a young girl who lost her mother when she was young would be as put together as she was. I felt like some anger issues could have been mentioned a few times. I also wish they would have had Vanessa have a conversation with her boss about the underhanded tactics they employed. Overall a sweet, clean romance.
I received ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise by Nancy Naigle

Small towns have their own rhythm and heart. Vanessa finds herself having fun and realizing her life may not have been all it could be back in the city.

I have to give a Vanessa high marks for wanting to do the right thing. I wasn’t so happy with all the town citizens. Of course it’s understood but maybe there was a bit of prejudice involved as well for the city woman invading their town.

Great writing descriptions and of course, in romance, a happily ever after. Deep breath. Sigh. Peace and joy in the ending.

Excerpt:
“Vanessa’s cheeks stung from the crisp air. She briskly climbed the stairs and grasped the shiny brass door handle. A whoosh of warm air washed over her like a hug, as a set of gleaming brass bells on a leather strap jangled against the heavy door.“
Excerpt from A Heartfelt Christmas Promise by Nancy Naigle

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise by Nancy Naigle is a magical holiday story that reads like a movie. A lovely read that is sure to seep you away.

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise is another heartwarming story from Nancy Naigle. Small towns in trouble is an issue that has been incorporated in stories before. Without a doubt it is a growing problem for business to stay afloat. This story hits close to home since every year we drive to visit such a place as Porter’s, the fruitcake factory.

Along with the problem of the factory closing there is a sweet romance taking place. Vanessa Larkin whose company sent her to Fraser Hills, North Carolina when she had planned a Paris holiday and horse farmer, Mike Marshall. Mike has family ties to Porter’s. Neither planned to spend the holidays the way that it turned out to be.

A heartfelt look at the future of small towns, trusting and appreciating others and a lovely romance make this an enjoyable Christmas story.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise is a wonderful story with endearing characters. Vanessa and Mike are a great couple who draw you in and keeps you engaged until the end. This small town romance is a heartwarming holiday read that pulls at your heartstrings. As I turned the pages I was drawn into the story and I felt the love and the magic of the season. Truly a wonderful story.

This was a very sweet romance. The characters were likeable and well drawn. Loved the small town setting and the animals. The puppy stole the show! Big city girl goes to small town to close major business and learns that work is not everything. Very heartfelt story.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.

What a wonderful sweet and clean romance. It's fun and entertaining. I love all the characters and the town. Vanessa and Mike are perfect for each other. An excellent book for the holiday season.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

Title: A Heartfelt Christmas Promise
Author: Nancy Naigle
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

Vanessa Larkin was supposed to be spending Christmas in Paris, France on a business trip she hoped to enjoy as a working vacation. Instead, she’s been assigned to Fraser Hills, North Carolina—home of the Best Fruitcake in the USA—to convert her company’s property into warehouse space and shut down Porter’s, the fruitcake factory. Offering retirement packages and selling locals on new job opportunities may not spread holiday cheer, but Vanessa believes she’s helping secure the town’s future.

Mike Marshall’s family founded Porter’s. For decades, the factory served as the lifeblood of the community until his grandfather sold the business to a Chicago corporation. The sale cost the town its independence—and the Marshalls their family ties. A horse farmer, Mike was never involved with his grandfather’s company, but still felt Fraser Hills lost part of its identity. And as a widower raising a teenage daughter, he’s suffered enough losses in one lifetime. News of the factory’s closing means losing another piece of the town’s legacy.

Far from the skyscrapers and rapid pace of the city, Vanessa finds herself enjoying the easygoing rhythms of rural living. With Mike as her guide, she learns to appreciate the simple pleasures found in shared holiday festivities among friends. Fraser Hills is a town she is growing to love—and Mike is someone she is falling in love with. Now all Vanessa needs is a Christmas miracle to give her newfound friends and home a gift they’ll cherish for many New Years to come.

This was a sweet, easy read that made small-town life sound appealing. And I kind of wanted to sample that magical fruitcake!

I liked that Vanessa wasn’t portrayed as a stereotypical uncaring city girl, but as someone truly trying to do her best to help the people and town of Fraser Hills. I thought all the characters were well-done and believable, the setting was realistic and charming, and this was a solid, enjoyable read.

Nancy Naigle lives in North Carolina. A Heartfelt Christmas Miracle is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

(Review link will be live 9/30.)