A Valentine for Christmas is a wonderful read. The unexpected friendship of Chandra and Julian after they meet on a plane and then keep running into each other after they get to their final destination was a joy to see unfold. The book introduces us to Chandra's family as well as Julian's family and close friends. Chandra's siblings play a part in getting Chandra and Julian to realize they are more than just friends but ultimately it is Chandra and Julian who figure out what they each want out of life. I highly recommend this book.

When Chandra’s father asks her and her five siblings to come to Magnolia Lake, she has a lot of questions. While on the flight she meets a sexy stranger who is there when she needs someone the most not only once but twice. She never expected to see him again however fate had other ideas.

Due to a tragedy in his past Julian is not looking forward to returning to his hometown and taking over the town’s medical practice. When he meets Chandra, the sparks fly but will he be able to convince her to stay?

Both Chandra and Julian have experienced some family turmoil in the past which brings them closer and the chemistry between them is intense. This is the beginning of a new series, and I am looking forward to her sibling’s stories.

I'm so excited for this series! Reese Ryan is spinning off her ever popular Bourbon Brothers series when a newly found family member and his fam begin to bring Valentine Vineyards to life. There are several characters to keep track of in the unraveling of this new family, but the familiar faces of a few from King's Finest made it feel like a visit with old friends. Attention grabbing characters, family drama galore and the ever promised hope of romance have me diving in head first for more in the series!

Chandra Valentine has an adorable and dramatic meet cute with the man of her dreams just as she's embarking on a roller coaster ride of family expectations and life drama. I loved her spunky attitude and all around accomplished outlook.

Julian Brandon is kindhearted and sincere but he's dreading the obligation he has hanging over his head more than he can stay. I enjoyed seeing him make peace with past hurt and disappointment to walk proudly into his future.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a close knit family with lots of drama and clashing personalities joining forces to conquer the world and love, one sibling at a time.

Reese Ryan is always a hit for me when I need something swoony and romantic, just the right length with great characterization and pacing. This was what my heart and mind was looking for and gave me a great distraction from...*waves hands around* everything.

When Chandra and Julian lock eyes in the airport, it's instant attraction for them both. After a few more chance encounters, it seems like fate has a different idea for why they both ended up in Magnolia Lake.

I'm always a little skeptical of whirlwind romance stories. When they aren't done well, the relationship can end up seeming forced. But Reese Ryan did the romance incredibly well here. I'm a hardcore believer in "when you know you know," and I think that message was clear in this novel. Julian and Chandra just clicked from the beginning and though quick, their relationship seemed genuine and real. Double POV romances are my all time favorite, and I will likely always recommend them. It really makes for a well-crafted story when you can see the feelings and love build from both sides. You just can't go wrong with double POV. There was also just the perfect amount of spice. I really appreciate when the spice isn't overdone.

I absolutely could not get enough of the Valentine siblings. Their relationship reminded me of the relationship I have with my siblings and cousins, and I couldn't help but smile during those scenes.

What I didn't really love:

I was looking for more of the holiday magic. I did appreciate that it wasn't overly Christmas-y as that makes it a book that's easy to read outside of the holiday season. But I was looking for more of the Christmas magic.

The age thing was a bit odd for me. While 30 and 39 is a gap, I don't think it was big enough for some of the comments made in the book. At one point Chandra mumbles that she was practically old enough to be Julian's mom. But the math on that is a bit cringe-y.

Overall, this was a great romance. This is my first Reese Ryan book, and I will be adding her other books to my tbr.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Desire for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Review will be posted to my "bookstagram" @readingwithtrey today, November 3.

A knight in shining armor. This perfectly describes Doctor Juilan Brandon to a tee.
Chandra and Julian's meet cute was definitely one to remember. Who wouldn't want a sexy bearded man to calm their jitters during turbulence? Chandra was already wary of this trip because her father request was oddily made. So add a bumpy flight to her anxiety, she welcomed Julian's calmness and Zen playlists. The connection was made and didn't stop there. Julian definitely wanted to learn more about his seatmate. Chandra left the connection and made her way to her father's place. As she drove to meet her family, she encountered an animal in the road and gets into a bad accident. Guess which doctor discovers the car on the side of the road?
As a highly-professional, goal oriented woman, Chandra was focus on her career especially making a name for herself outside of her successful family. A romance with any man wasn't on her list of goals. She was finally over the heartbreak she recently experienced and was ready for anything but romance. Her attraction to the younger Julian was something she wasn't willing to act on. But her knight and the universal had other plans for them.
This book was just like a classic Christmas movie. It had romance, a family element and a self revelation moment. I really enjoyed it and will definitely recommend it to friends.

I enjoyed returning to Magnolia Lake, Tennessee. Yes, the Abbotts are the premier family of Magnolia Lake, but move over Abbotts (The Bourbon Brothers Series) the Valentines are moving in! Yes, fans, the prolific Reese Ryan engages her readers in another story set in Magnolia Lake, but this time all eyes are on the Valentines: Father, Abbott, and his six adult offsprings. There is a connection between the Abbotts and the Valentines that I’ll allow you to discover when you read the story. What brings them to Magnolia Lake? It’s a vineyard that draws the Patriarch, Abbott to this beautiful location. It all comes together in a well-written story that highlights the romance between Chandra, Abbotts daughter and Dr. Julian Brandon. I love how Ms Ryan weaves in the older woman-younger man and the fake relationship tropes to weave into an entertaining and engaging storyline.
I loved catching up with the Abbotts and meeting the Valentines. I look forward to more stories involving the Valentines and their growing Vineyard business. Julian and Chandra’s love story is everything! I recommend this story for your reading pleasure.

I really enjoy Reese Ryan’s work and this story was no different. I loved Julian. He was the perfect gentle from the beginning. I liked how he and Chandra came together. The banter between the siblings was fun. I also liked the connection they both had to the Abbott family. I am looking forward to getting to know the Valentine family and I cannot wait for the next installment in this series.
Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Valentine for Christmas... Was an enjoyable read. I have read some if Reese Ryan's books I have loved all of them. I like how she makes these character's come yo live. I really don't like age gap story unless it's done well I'm giving it 5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was provided an arc e-copy by the publisher Harlequin for honest review. thank you so much for sending me a copy.

Happy Reading Lisa 📚

Thank you to HARLEQUIN - Romance and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Reese Ryan has a way of making her characters relatable and that is such a good thing. This was my first time reading one of her books and I can say I love foreword to reading more.
What I didn’t like
I did not like that the whole Chandra mother story but I do understand how it molded her into the woman she was.
What I loved
I loved Julian all together. From the first meeting of him and Chandra you got a sense of him being a loving character.
I loved that this was an age gap romance where then woman was older. It is very rare that you can read about the older woman with a younger man.

I am hoping for a story about Naya. Her character was funny.