Three great short stories by a great author. The reader is pulled into the story right from the start. The author really enlightens the reader with the "angst" both characters are feeling about their family's demands and how they feel the let others down. Each of the three stories takes the reader on a emotional journey of how sometimes we just need to look at the work differently - too find our happiness within.

I read the second story at a previous time - revisiting it allowed me to see it from a different prospective. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all three stories and enjoyed the Christmas themes - Christmas is a time for love and new beginings.

One Snowy Night: Rory and Max are "background characters" in the Heartbreaker Bay books and this time they're front and center characters, with this being their story. They've always had a thing for each other, and strong chemistry. Since meeting in high school when they were kids, they affected each others lives. Rory has had a crush on Max since school, but Max knows why everything went south. Now they see each other frequently with having common friends and work in the same building.

It's Christmas Eve and Rory is trying to get home to see her family that she hasn't seen in years and will do whatever it takes to get there. Including accept a ride from the man that makes her crazy Max Stranton and his dog Carl. Through rough snowy conditions, the two spend hours together in Max's truck, traveling to Tahoe.

When Max takes Carl to get groomed every week, its not because he needs it but because Max wants to see Rory. Is the blizzard what they needed to see what they could have? Can they forgive each other for what happened in the past?

This was a short story and I was glad to see Max and Rory finally work things out and make a move, after watching them in the first two books. I am going to have to go back and reread Accidentally on Purpose to see them as an established couple. This is a short story you can read as a stand-alone but you get more enjoyment getting to know these characters seeing them in the full books. Another great story to add to your bookcase full of Jill's books

Holiday Wishes: Sean O'Riley made reservations at the Hartford Bed and Breakfast for his brother, Finn, and his fiancé Pru for his bachelor weekend right before his wedding. The one thing he was not expecting was running into his childhood love Lotti. Sean and Lotti haven't seen each other since they were teenagers and she moved away.

The second Sean sees Lotti, he realizes he is not over her. Lottie had shut herself off from feeling, she has had multiple failed relationships and recently broke off her wedding. Lotti is looking forward to time off from her B&B and taking her trip to Cabo. What they don't expect is snow and mudslides to shut down the roads, leaving them trapped in the B&B.

The two end up working together to replan Finn and Pru's wedding ceremony at the B&B. As they spend more time together they realize that, not only is their meeting up again destiny, but they both have feelings for one another.

I thought his novella was very cute. It shows that no matter what time in your life you meet your The One, they will always not only come back but show up at the most unsuspecting times. I was glad Lotti was able to open herself up to the idea that maybe people do change. I was glad to see Finn and Pru again.

Mistletoe in Paradise: This a cute, heartbreaking, family/love story. These characters grew up together, their families went on vacation together, grieved/loved together.

Hannah and James went their separate ways after James' brother, Jason, died. Hannah has been focusing on work and helping families going through the same thing James' family did with his brother, and fighting the insurance companies.

James thought she found her work more important and couldn't understand why she wouldn't give it up until she explained it to him. His view of her job and her changed but was still upset because he believed her job is more important than him. She is able to prove him wrong and actually solve the problem.

These two characters can't keep their eyes off each other and their long history helps them to forgive one another and prove they love one another. This is one of the best novellas I've read in a long time.

Rory was excited to be spending this Christmas with family. I like the name Rory. Max adores Rory but she hurt him in the past. He works for a security firm.i liked the characters.

In “Holiday Ever After” by Jill Shalvis we are treated to three short stories that all show us that sometimes the love you thought you lost might still be possible and even better the second time around. In one case it might be a big lovable dog that brings you together (the snowstorm helped too), or an old B&B with an unexpected hostess, or you finally realize that the boy who held your hand when you jumped all those years ago is still there to keep you afloat.

I received this book through Net Galley, and this is my honest review.

This book was my first by this author. While it is a collection of three separate stories, all three were great. All of the characters make you fall in love with them and their journeys from the beginning and yearn for a happy ending. Each story moved at a good pace and did not leave me wanting any more. This will not be my last book by this incredibly talented author.

HOLIDAY EVER AFTER is a cute, heartwarming read by Jill Shalvis, although at least one of the stories seemed vaguely familiar. I’m not sure if the were all supposed to be new stories, or a past compilation of novellas. Anyway, the were fun. Obviously, all the books have a Christmas theme, a little odd to read in the heat of August. Haven’t read much Shalvis lately; think I’ll sift through her backlog of books for another gem like this.