I'm a massive fan of Annie Rains and this next book in her Sweetwater Springs series is just as sweet. I love that it covers from Halloween through Christmas, which makes it a great fall and winter read. Joy and Granger's romance is definitely more of a slow burn with lots of misunderstandings and miscommunications. I do think some of their problems could have been solved by a simple text at times which made me want to shake them both throughout the book. While I won't say this is my favorite book from the series, I was still glad to be back in this sweet town with all it's funny characters. And of course, I'm anxiously awaiting the next book to come out next year.

Thank you NetGalley, Annie Rains and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the book Season of Joy. This is my personal review.
Season of Joy is such a perfect title for this book. Just reading the title I knew I was going to be in for a wonderful treat.
Joy and Granger live in Sweetwater Springs and each have a full life but know they deep down want more.
Joy is an artist with dreams of opening studio. Granger runs the family Christmas tree farm, but this season is going to be tough after losing a lot of the trees in a fire.
The lives of Joy and Granger filled with ups and downs will keep you reading to the wonderful end of this book.
This is the first I have read from this series, but I will now start at book one to find out more about the town of Sweetwater Springs. Thank you, Annie Rains, for giving me this beautiful series.

I received an ARC of this lovely Christmas book. This story embodies all the love, joy and warmth of the Christmas season. Very appealing characters in a beautiful setting. This book is part of a series, but can be read alone. I really enjoyed this book!

Are you looking for a television holiday movie in book form? Look no further than Season of Joy by Annie Rains. Thank you to Forever Pub and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Granger Fields is having a rough day. His babysitter quit, his family Christmas tree farm suffered a fire a few months ago limiting their supply of tree this year and the extra trees they were suppose to get from out of state are no longer available. When he talks to his father about bringing back the Christmas light hayride his feet are firmly set in the ground with a no. Without extra income this may be the last year the Merry Mountain Tree Farm will be around.

Joy Benson is a local artist hoping to open her own gallery. In order to do so she's working multiple jobs around town to save money. That would be easier said than done if her junker of a car didn't keep breaking down. When Granger Fields asks her if she's willing to help babysit his daughters after school she's hesitant but decides to take him up on his offer for the extra cash. She wont' be babysitter though she'll charge him for art classes for his girls. When Joy makes crafty Christmas trees with Granger's daughters, it gives Granger a new idea to add to the Christmas tree farm this holiday season. With Joy's okay to help teach art classes on how to make trees to patrons they begin spending even more time together. Is Granger ready for love again after his estranged ex-wife left him with his daughters? Is Joy ready to move on after her ex-fiance cheated on her right before Christmas last year?

Season of Joy was just fine for me. It felt like reading a Lifetime movie. If I was to describe the romance in this novel (open vs. closed door), this would be a no door novel. There is nothing more than some kisses, hand holding and some light clothed body touches on Granger's chest. I was hoping for a little more steam from this novel. Its' my first by Annie Rains and maybe this is her style of writing. Once upon a time it would have been fine but now I want more romance in my romance novels. What I did like about it is the atmosphere at the Merry Mountain Tree Farm. I wanted to go on the Christmas light ride and make crafty trees. It was reminiscent for me of Christmases past.

Season of Joy is an entertaining and well written romance. Great plot and character development. I enjoyed the Christmas tree farm setting. If you enjoy a good Christmas romance book I recommend this one. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Heartwarming and emotional holiday adventure filled with interesting and engaging charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and exciting passion. Really enjoyed this highly entertaining and fun to read journey. Great reading.

3.75 stars--SEASON OF JOY is the sixth instalment in Annie Rains contemporary, adult SWEETWATER SPRINGS romance series focusing on the people of Sweetwater Springs. This is thirty-one year old, tree farmer and single father Granger Fields, and thirty year old, artist Joy Benson’s story line. SEASON OF JOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Joy and Granger) SEASON OF JOY follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-one year old, Christmas tree farmer and single father Granger Fields, and thirty year old, artist Joy Benson. The Merry Mountain Tree Farm is struggling in the wake of a devastating fire and a low inventory for the upcoming holiday season. When his nanny suddenly quits, Granger Fields is desperate enough that he asks his friend, and art teacher Joy Benson to help until the end of the holidays but Joy doesn’t want to be a nanny-been there ,done that-she wants to get her own business off the ground. Offering to help until after Christmas, Joy finds herself falling for the father of her two new charges, a man who finds himself falling for our story line heroine. What ensues is the building romance between Granger and Joy, and the potential fall-out as Granger’s past comes looking for a second chance.

Joy Benson has loved and lost, and losing meant more than anyone could have imagined. Trusting again was difficult in the wake of her fiancé’s betrayal but falling for Granger and his daughters was easy and fun. Granger Fields also has issues of trust -as a single father whose wife and mother of his children was no longer in the picture, Granger knew his daughters would always come first, and entrusting their care to Joy meant trusting his heart for the foreseeable future.

The relationship between Joy and Granger begins as friendship but struggles with demons from the past. Joy and Granger have both been burned by previous relationships, and in this, the pain is still real, and the anger simmers at the surface. The romance is passionate-there are no $ex scenes.

Several of the previous story line characters play secondary and supporting roles including fudge shop owner Dewanda. We are introduced to Joy’s parents Drs Benson; Joy’s Aunt Darby and her boyfriend Ray, and Joy’s ex-fiance Dan, as well as Granger’s parent Gene and Debbie, his daughter’s Willow and Abby, and his ex-wife Erin.

SEASON OF JOY is a sweet story line, perfect for the holidays. Although Granger often is quick to judge, Joy is a passionate woman who wears her heart on her sleeve. The premise is charming; the romance is wistful; the characters are colorful and spirited.



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Annie Rains has done it again with this Christmas story!

Granger is a single dad with two little girls. Joy is a single artist recovering from a devastating break-up. Joy is hired to be an art teacher for the girls during the holiday season. Annie Rains wrote a fantastic Christmas story full of hope, dreams, and Christmas of course! I loved the story plot and the characters. I could really feel for Joy and the heartache she was enduring. The little girls, Abby and Willow, also grow on you. Annie Rains has a great way of making the characters feel like people we know in real life.

I have not been disappointed by an Annie Rains book. That's the truth! The story flowed flawlessly, the plot was just right, and the ending was not a disappointment. I would highly recommend Annie Rains to anyone looking for a light, fun, and Christmas feel read.

Season of Joy is the Annie Rains I was looking for. Sweet with lots of heart, Granger and Joy were the perfect holiday escape. I found this perfect for a cozy afternoon by the fire with a nice mug of hot spiced wine.

This was a delightful Christmas read. I have not read any of this author’s books before, I am a fan now. We meet Granger, A Christmas tree farmer. He has two little daughters who love art classes at the Library. The teacher is Joy, she is artsy, ambitious, and also in need of funds. Along with a Cat Chelsea and a fluffy dog. We follow these characters into a Christmas season filled with ups and downs.

Well this was such a sweet read that I very much enjoyed from the very first page. I love the characters and the story so much.

I would love to see this into a movie. I know I would watch it often.



I am giving this one 5 out of 5.

Season of Joy is the 6th book in Annie's Sweetwater Springs series. The book is another great addition to the series. The book is well written and very enjoyable.

Thanks for the opportunity NetGalley, the publisher and Annie!

What a great Christmas story. Joy and Granger both have trust issues, with good reason. Can they work through their individual issues and find love again? I love all the art things that Joy does and would love to take classes from her. I also love Christmas and how much fun would it be to live on a Christmas Tree Farm? I think you will enjoy following the lives of Granger, Abby, Willow, Joy, Aunt Darby, Tinsel and Chelsea. I can’t wait for my next visit to Sweetwater Springs.
Another wonderful story is also included. This time we are traveling to Sunshine, Colorado. We are seeing what the Sunshine Valley Widows Club is up to. They do love to do some matchmaking. We get to know Rosalie, Remy, Everett and Tinkerbell. Settle in and enjoy their story. This story is written by Melinda Curtis. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

I’ve read the first two books from this series and then I took a break from it. I didn’t know how I would feel about Season of Joy going into it, I always felt the first books were a little slow for my taste. But I did enjoy this one the most of the three I’ve read! If you’re looking for a sweet Christmas romance, this is definitely one to try!

Joy is an artist with dreams of opening her own art gallery, much to the dismay of her doctor parents. Granger owns a Christmas tree farm with his family and is a single dad of two little girls. This is sort of a friends to lovers in that Grangers daughters were taking classes from Joy for over a year before they started having a romantic relationship.

I enjoyed watching their relationship develop, but I did feel a bit bored at times. I think Rains books might be a little too cozy/sweet for my taste! Definitely don’t read this thinking it’s going to be a steamy romance, it’s entirely closed door and honestly they don’t ever do more than kiss though the whole book.

I loved that it’s set on a Christmas tree farm, that was honestly the perfect setting. I did enjoy the interactions with the children, but one of the daughters was a bit annoying at times.

Overall this was a 3.5 star read for me (rated 4 for Netgalley)! It was a fun, quick Christmas romance and filled my desire to read a small town romance.

Content warnings: previous ectopic pregnancy.

Heartwarming, romantic and charming best describe the feel of Annie Rains’ new novel Season of Joy.
Annie Rains writes a poignant story for single dad Granger Fields and artist Joy Benson. Both Granger and Joy have been deeply disappointed in love and are at a crossroads professionally.
A fire has devastated Merry Mountain farm, the Field’s family business. Granger needs to think out of the box to save his family business during the holiday season. Joy longs to open an art studio in Sweetwater Springs. She’s found the perfect space but needs to come up with a down payment quickly. Granger convinces Joy to watch his daughters— and Joy encourages Granger to add a bit of Christmas magic back to Merry Mountain Farm.
Annie Rains creates memorable characters. I admired Joy’s kindness towards others, her love for children and her passion for her art. Granger‘s family situation tugged at my heartstrings. He was a single dad who struggled with providing the best for his daughters while balancing running his family business.
Granger and Joy’s slow burn love story unfolds perfectly during the holiday season. Their love story is engaging and drew me into the story. The author does a fabulous job adding in the right amount of emotion, angst and conflict to the storyline. The characters are memorable and each one adds an important piece to the plot. I loved Aunt Darby, Granger’s daughters Willow and Abby and loved touching base with my favorite Sweetwater Springs characters; Jack, Luke and Emma!
I highly recommend Season of Joy! It is fabulous romance filled with small town charm and set during the season of love, hope and miracles.

Season of Joy by Annie Rains is an adorable holiday romance. Joy and Granger are complete opposites, but they have chemistry and they've both been harboring secret crushes. When circumstances change for Granger and he hires Joy to help out with his daughters and on his family Christmas tree farm, they finally take their relationship to the next level.

Both of the main characters have hurdles to overcome on their way to happy ever after. Granger is a single dad, working with his parents to save the family Christmas tree farm. Joy is juggling teaching art classes and creating her own art, with an eye on opening her own art gallery. They both have had relationships that didn't end well in the past, and are hesitant to jump into a new romance. Rains wrote realistic characters and realistic relationship struggles.

This is a quick read and a perfect feel-good romance for the holidays. I know a few people in my life who need this for Christmas!

This is my first Annie Rains book and I loved it. I need to read the rest of her Sweetwater Springs novels!

Joy Benson is determined to live her life as a working artist. She teaches art classes and has her eye on a small store on main street so she can start to sell her art and teach more classes. When Granger Fields approaches her to be a new nanny for his young girls, Joy tries to politely decline, but maybe she does not have to be a nanny, perhaps she could be their art teacher?

Granger Fields is a single dad working at his families struggling tree farm. Last year they suffered a tragic fire, so he is working tirelessly to rebuild their business. When his elderly nanny retires suddenly, he is left in a pinch at his busiest season. Maybe the sweet Joy who teaches art lessons at the library would be able to fill the spot just until he finds someone?

Joy and Granger become friends and she quickly falls in love with his sweet young daughters. When Joy offers to help Granger with an idea to save his farm, they become closer and start to wonder if they could be a family. That is until someone shows up in town to make this Christmas the best or perhaps the worst for everyone.

This was such a sweet story. I loved all the characters and it was the perfect book to curl up with on a chilly fall night. Annie Rains is a new author for me, but I will be looking for her other books. I did read this as a stand alone novel but would love to go back and read the rest of the series. Ms. Rains does an excellent job though of focusing on the main characters, so you could read this as a stand alone. Thank you so much to the author Annie Rains, Forever, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was fabulous! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.

I absolutely love Annie’s books but my favorite are her Christmas stories!! Please take me to sweet water! I loved ever second of this story!!

Sweetwater Springs is one of my favorite towns to visit. Granger and Joy were a sweet couple who had a lot of baggage between them. They were stronger together, but obstacles kept getting thrown in their way.
Granger is a single father of two young daughters. He feels a lot of guilt due to the way his ex left him and his kids. He feels like he could have done more to help Erin. Always putting everyone else’s needs in front of his own it has been a long while since he has been interested in a woman, but he can’t get Joy out of his head.
Joy has always had a crush on Granger, but she has vowed to use this year to focus on her art. When she starts taking care of Granger’s daughters, temporarily, her feelings become stronger. She has walls so high that happiness seems a long way off. Her past is tragic and her ex was a jerk, but she has trust issues because of her past. Just when things start looking up, Erin comes back to town and everything could change if they don’t fight for each other.
A book about second chances, children who live in divorced home, and moving on after tragedy, you will find yourself falling in love with this family and Christmas. Learning to trust after heartbreak and opening yourself up to love is scary, but if Granger and Joy can manage they could find happiness for the rest of their lives.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Single dad + struggling artist + small town + holiday season = amazing.

Annie Rains has given us a holiday gift of small town romance with an engaging plot, authentic characters you can't help rooting for, a charming setting, and two adorable little girls you want to hug to bits. What a lovely, heart-warming story!

If you like small town romance, don't miss this one.