I loved this book - I was hooked immediately! Davis Bunn created the perfect mix of romance, magic and mystery. The characters were wonderfully quirky and interesting. The relationships were realistically portrayed with relatable doubts and fears. This was a comfy, heartfelt Christmas read. Thanks #NetGalley #Kensington #DavisBunn

This is a new author for me and I enjoyed the story of Ethan and Ryan. They are two lost souls who meet when Ryan, a policewoman notifies Ethan of an impending fire, saving his life.

Flash ahead 6 months and they meet again, igniting a unique friendship. Ryan's son is an old soul, quiet and artistic, who meets a kindred spirit in Ethan. They're two peas in a pod and when they team up to save hummingbirds from the scorching wildfires, the whole town unites.

A unique and uplifting story

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC received from Netgalley and the publisher. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book wasn’t what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it. I loved the theming and the Christmas vibes. Thank you.

Loved this book!

One could say that Ryan and Ethan's relationship was forged in fire, because had it not been for a fire that destroyed Ethan's house, they might never have met. Liam, Ryan's son, may never have learned about hummingbird and elvens.

Ryan rescued Ethan from home during a fire, and then the two of them continue to bond over saving others' belongings from being looted after fires. They make a great pair, both professionally and personally, and the bond that forms between Ethan and Liam is beautiful.

I can't think of a single thing I didn't like about this book.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the relationship between Ethan and Liam, especially how Ethan was able to draw Liam out of his shell. However, I didn’t think that the relationship between Ethan and Ryan, Liam’s mother, was developed enough to be believable. The book has elements of both a love story and a mystery, but it might be better if it was one or the other.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Christmas Hummingbird is a wonderful book and I read it in one sitting. It is set during Christmas, but Christmas is not the main focus of the story. Because of this I didn't get a big Christmassy feel which was okay for me. It is about the power of love and community, and about opening up to others.

Being a lifelong California girl, I liked that it was set on the California coast. I enjoyed seeing the characters evolve and grow throughout the book. There is a small romance which felt believable, but it also isn't the main focus.

I recommend The Christmas Hummingbird to anyone looking for a heartwarming read.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a very enchanting and unusual story.
Thoroughly had me captivated. I guess you could say it was a feel good story that I escaped into.
All I can say is, you need to read The Christmas Hummingbird and see how it makes you feel. There is a magical element to the story that just pulled me in.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sweet story but was expecting more Christmas. I loved the compassion and understanding Ethan shows with Liam. Forest fires with the element of arsenal drove the story. Usually love the Miramar stories but found this one a little too unrealistic and whimsical.

The Christmas Hummingbird, by Davis Bunn, is a most unique story. In the wee hours of the morning, deputy Ryan Eames rescues banker Ethan Lange moments before his mountain home goes up in flames. Ethan has been through so much in the past years that he takes his displacement in stride. A home he had planned to flip becomes his new residence and he moves forward in Miramar Bay.

Ryan does not forget the resilience of Ethan and works with him to formulate a plan to protect the valuables of people whose part time residences are in the literal line of fire. Ethan is deputized and his bank fits a fortified basement as a massive safe to house these items. But Ethan also devises a plan to catch the culprits raiding the homes of their valuables.

As they work together, Ryan invites Ethan for a meal and to meet her very special 11 year old son, Liam, with whom Ethan immediately connects. As the relationships grow, Ethan sees the perfection of the mother-son package deal. A consummate artist, Liam is always drawing, and is totally drawn in when Ethan rescues a baby hummingbird. Miramar Bay is the furthest north of the hummingbird range and they set out to save the species.

This is such a twisty tale dealing with rampant west coast fires, possible fire starters and estate thieves, a child who marches to a different drumbeat, and a silent artist who understands that tune. There is so much good about this book. However, there are so many intriguing story threads that seem to fall apart as the story reaches a truncated climax. I really did enjoy the majority of this book. However, the last few chapters seemed to rush to conclusion rather than flesh out the story. This was disappointing. That said, I would still recommend the story for the character development and understanding.

The Christmas Hummingbird was an interesting, easy to read, but predictable story. It touched on the time of year being Christmas , but was about more than that. This was a well told story that begged for me to finish it in one sitting. I would love to read a sequel involving the same people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

A beautiful story. Ryan and Ethan have suffered much through their first marriages, leaving both of them very wary. A raging forest fire brought them together and Ethan’s patience and care for Ryan’s son Liam cement the connection between them along with the caring for a hummingbird. The development of the characters and their growth through the story was amazing. It didn’t feel rushed or dragging. It ended just the way I hoped it would! A great read. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.

Ryan is a policewoman dedicated to her uniquely gifted son, Liam. Ethan is alive because of her, so when she asks for his help stopping a string of robberies happening in houses vacated because of the fires, he of course accepts even before knowing what she needs. And when he meets Liam, their connection is instantaneous.
This was a sweet, heartwarming read. It's part of the Miramar Bay series, but definitely readable as a standalone - I read none of the other books in the series, this was my first book by this author, but definitely not my last. Although it does happen during the Holidays, I thought it was not as Christmas-y as I expected, but I loved everything about it: the connection between Ethan and Liam, Trever, the little hummingbird, the side characters, the close-knit community... If you live Nicolas Sparks and Karen Kingsbury, you will love this!
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a book you don't want to miss. It's beautifully written and hooks you on the first page. If you are looking for a heartwarming story that will stay with you after you turn the last page, grab this book. In my humble opinion this is one of Davis Bunn's best books. Loved it and highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book had it all, for me, which is why I gave it 5 stars.

Ryan is a cop, and a single mother to a special son, Liam. By chance, she meets Ethan, who is a banker who makes models on the side. Their two words collide when fires break out near their town and they have to join forces to protect the possessions of some of the townspeople. There is absolutely a question mark about some of the people in Miramar - are they entirely what they seem to be?

Along the way, Ethan and Ryan form a bond, and Ethan also forms one with Liam, who doesn't like to use unnecessary words. Ethan is clearly a special human, and his actions when carrying the injured hummingbird in his hands almost made me cry.

This is a story about strength, love, loss, connection - a little bit of everything, but told in such a powerful yet poignant way. I loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books.

This is my first novel from this talented storyteller, and I loved it so much I now need to go back and read the other stories in the Miramar Bay world. Although, I’m skeptical they can top this one, because it is absolutely phenomenal. The English language doesn’t yet have a word to describe the effect this sweet, wonderful story had on me.

Told by an impartial observer, it somehow overflows with emotion. If the small town’s quest to save the hummingbirds from the wildfires doesn’t get to you, the jaded cop and her special, gifted, quiet young son finding love and acceptance definitely will. Both storylines are beautiful, and an example of everything good and optimistic we hope to find in our world.

Along with saving the hummingbirds and a single mother finding her forever, we get a story within this story, as Ethan is tasked with a movie design concept to bring to life a rare, out of print series of children’s stories. A saga a century old, yet it has the power to bring people together and draw a shy, gifted boy out from behind his walls.

I won’t even come close to doing this story justice. I devoured it in one sitting, desperate to find out what would happen next. Sweet and wholesome yet evocative and profound, this one was impossible to put down. Tinged with drama and danger, this story has all the elements to make it a masterful, unparalleled, satisfying reading escape.

Officer Ryan, is a single Mom, and she saved Ethan's life when the fires were heading to his house. The, two of them team up, going from house to house, checking on the homes. Ethan rescues kittens, a foal, and a hummingbird at one house.
Ryan's young son, 11-year-old Liam, doesn't talk much, and he and Ethan bond over the hummingbird, while caring for it. Liam has a heart of gold and comes up with a plan to save the hummingbirds by attracting them to his town. Ethan and Liam have a special bond, and Ethan understands Liam.
The Christmas Hummingbird is a wonderful story, of hope, understanding, and a community that comes together. It is also healing, discovery, a mystery, and some magic from the Christmas season. A story that shares the lives of Ryan, Ethan, and Liam, their past and the present, with their baggage they have brought to the present. There is a lot going on, but the people in the story, gave me the feeling of comfort.
I received an ARC from Kensington through NetGalley.

. Ethan, a banker but more importantly an artist, loses all his possessions in a horrible fire. Ryan, a single mom and police officer has a lot on her plate what with work and caring for her son Liam. Liam doesn't talk much and he's sensitive but for some reason, he's able to bond with Ethan. The two of them care for Trevor, an injured hummingbird- and a new family is forged. No surprises here but it will make you smile. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A sweet story.

If you are expecting a lightweight piece of ‘Christmas fluff’, then you are in for a surprise : this is so much more than that, in fact it is a real gem! The depth of feeling, the believable characters, & all achieved within a small number of pages. It does not matter if you have not read Davis Bunn’s previous Miramar Bay stories, as this is completely ‘stand-alone’.
I do like a book where I am learning things, not just reading a story, & this one really fits the brief. I learned a lot about fires, & about hummingbirds, &....well – I guess you’ll have to read it for yourself to discover the rest. Definitely recommended, it will leave you with a very positive feeling.

You have to read this book. This was one of the best stories I've read all year. Ryan was a single mom and a cop who worried about her 11 year old son, Liam. He didn't talk much at all but loved to draw. He was very secretative about it and didn't like showing what he drew. When fires broke out in their neighborhood, she rescued Ethan who ended up with a t-shirt and boxers to his name. Eventually, they became friends as she wanted him to help with a project related to the fires. When the fires broke out, someone was coming in stealing valuables and even safes. That was one art of the story. The other part is Ethan understood Liam and helped him come out of his shell little by little. They had a project themselves of saving the hummingbirds in the area. Ethan also got Liam involved in drawing sketches for a new show he was working on.

So, there were 3 wonderful parts to this story plus the budding romance between Ryan and Ethan. Liam was such a cool kid. The other characters in the story were so real and likeable. This is the first book I've read by this author, but I will be looking for more.

I got thi book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book feels like a hug. The story of single mom police officer Ryan and her quiet son Liam who by finding Ethan in the end, find love and family. This is a slow burn story set during devastating wildfires. Simple acts of kindness pull together a community and brings new meaning to “found” family. I loved this book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for honest review.