The Sound of Sleighbells is the sixth story in the Christmas Tree Ranch series, but you don’t need to read the previous books to fully enjoy this one. While it is marketed as a Christmas book and takes place during the holiday season, its themes do not heavily emphasize Christmas, and there is a fair amount of dark context throughout.

Ruth is a single mother of three young children after her abusive husband goes to jail. She carries a lot of trauma from her past relationships: her first love was incarcerated for five years for murder, her second husband was shot and killed, and her third husband was abusive. Consequently, Ruth is not looking for love. However, she harbors a secret: her oldest son is not the biological child of her first husband but is actually the son of her first love. Judd, her first love, has recently returned to Branding Iron after serving time in jail and spending a year in Australia, where he became a renowned saddlemaker. The question arises: can Ruth keep her secret, or will the truth eventually come out?

I enjoyed the story, but I felt there were significant gaps that made certain aspects confusing. The timeline of events and the circumstances that brought them both back to the same place didn't quite add up. It seemed like a lot of negative events unfolded within the span of just a month, culminating in an ending that felt rushed and somewhat unbelievable. Overall, I liked the story, but I probably won't ever think about it again.

After her divorce, Ruth McCoy is eager to trade her children’s painful memories for new holiday traditions. But Ruth has a whole new set of distractions when fate brings the man she once loved together with the son he never knew he had. Judd Rankin has had a tough life, but now as a successful rancher, can he see a future with Ruth and his son?
This was a great holiday romance filled with wonderful characters, a suspenseful plot, and a sprinkling of holiday fun. I loved how neighbors helped neighbors and were generous to one another. I will definitely read another story from this wonderful author. This review is my unbiased opinion. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy.

In The Sound of Sleighbells, part of the Christmas Tree Ranch series, Janet Dailey brings readers back to the cozy, small-town charm of Branding Iron, Texas, for a heartwarming holiday tale filled with family bonds, second chances, and the spirit of Christmas. The story centers on Ruth McCoy, a recently divorced mother hoping to create new holiday traditions. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she reconnects with Judd Rankin, her first love and a man who unknowingly fathered her eldest son, Skip. Judd’s mentorship of Skip in his saddle-making business brings him and Ruth closer, rekindling old feelings and revealing secrets that could either shatter or strengthen their budding relationship.

This novel offers a blend of romance and family drama, with a Christmas backdrop that enhances its warmth and emotional depth. Fans of small-town romances will enjoy Dailey’s familiar themes of community support, family, and forgiveness. The dynamic between Ruth, Judd, and Skip adds complexity, making it more than just a love story. While some readers may find certain plot elements predictable, the comforting atmosphere and endearing characters provide an enjoyable and heartfelt holiday read  .

This is a heartwarming and uplifting Christmas romance that will captivate fans of Hallmark-style holiday movies and readers who adore sweet, second-chance love stories, cozy small-town settings, and the magic of the holiday season.

Let me tell you about this gem I just read called "The Sound of Sleighbells" by Janet Dailey. If you're looking for a book that wraps you in a cozy blanket of holiday spirit, this is it! The story follows Emma, a hardworking event planner from the city who returns to her quaint hometown in the Texas Hill Country to help with her family's annual Christmas festival. Enter Jake, a charming rancher with a past that's as mysterious as it is intriguing.

What I loved most is how Dailey brings the small-town Christmas magic to life—the decorated streets, the festive traditions, and yes, the enchanting sound of sleighbells that seems to weave its way through every chapter. The chemistry between Emma and Jake is palpable and unfolds beautifully amidst the holiday festivities and a few unexpected twists that keep you hooked.

The supporting characters add so much warmth and depth to the story, especially Emma's spirited grandmother who dishes out both wisdom and homemade pie in equal measure. The themes of forgiveness, rediscovering one's roots, and opening up to love are handled with such tenderness that I found myself both laughing and tearing up at different points.

By the time I turned the last page, I was fully immersed in the holiday glow and seriously considering booking a trip to a small Texas town for Christmas! If you want a heartwarming read that captures the true essence of the season, "The Sound of Sleighbells" should definitely be on your list.

This was a wonderful Christmas romance novel, that I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher

A perfect festive read full of cozy charm and well rounded characters. Grab a. Hot chocolate and a blanket and snuggle in for this winter treat.

Ruth McCoy, with a tumultuous romantic history, faces the return of Judd Rankin, her former love who spent time in prison for manslaughter. Ruth has two daughters from her failed marriages, and her son, Skip, unknowingly fathered by Judd, works on Judd's ranch. The narrative unfolds with the tension of hidden paternity and a past filled with wrong choices and regrets. Ruth struggles with revealing the truth to Judd and Skip, haunted by the secrets of their intertwined pasts. As their complex story of young love, redemption, and second chances unfolds, the characters grapple with rebuilding trust and finding happiness amidst their shared history. The looming specter of past choices resurfaces, challenging Ruth and Judd as they navigate their feelings and contemplate a possible happily ever after.

A wonderful story with the right amount of festive cheer and lots of love and family drama. It made me smile throughout.

Sweet Seasonal Memories

JANET DAILEY
The Sound of Sleighbells

Ruth McCoy had made some mistakes in her time, and though she classed he first love as a mistake after he went to prison for a spell, nothing compared to the hell of her marriage to Ed McCoy.
She had three wonderful children - two were Ed's - but thankfully he was locked away after the abuse he'd delivered to Ruth.
Now she was a struggling single mom with a job at the local store who wanted nothing to do with any men.
Other than her sweet older neighbour Abner who'd become a grandfather figure to get children.
Her oldest boy Skip, now a teen, had started working on repairing the damaged sleigh harness for the Christmas parade, along with his best friend Trevor.
It isn't long before Ruth discovers the person training the boys to repair the sleigh is none other than her first love; Judd.
Judd is now running a successful business making saddles and other leather goods after taking the basics he'd learned then going to Australia to specialise for a year.
He isn't the same person he was before, but despite how he seems now, Ruth is loathe to trust him.
This is a sweet, slow burn, second chance romance with a hurt and betrayed woman trying to learn to trust again.
There's a great cast of supporting characters, lots of seasonal cheer, tender and emotional moments and funny stories too.
I can see why this is a true Christmas classic and it's filled with family, love and tradition.
It's everything you need for a perfect Christmas.

The Sound of Sleighbells

by Janet Dailey

Are you looking for a clean romance with good characters in complex situations? The Sound of Sleighbells is all of that in a Christmas setting that is essential to the plot.

In the little town of Branding Iron, Texas, Ruth is trying to recover from a relationship that 16 years earlier left her a single mom disowned by her family. She found stability a few years later with a kind hearted man who loved her son Skip as his own. After his untimely death, she married Ed who revealed his true self as an abusive, mentally disturbed husband. Fortunately he did not abuse Skip or the two precious girls that he fathered with Ruth.

Judd went to prison for five years for defending a friend in a motorcycle gang fight. He has changed his ways and has become a responsible and successful rancher and leather craftsman specializing in custom saddles. Skip looks just like him.

Ruth has kept Skip and Judd apart to protect Skip, but when they meet she is terrified that they will both discover the secret she has worked hard to hide. Also, both Ruth and Judd feel sparks, but Ruth tries to distance her family from him to protect them from hurt.

There are other good characters in the story and many examples of people helping others. A conflict arises, however, when Digger, the man Judd saved so many years ago arrives fresh from prison with dreams of quick drug money on his mind. He becomes a danger to several of the characters.

For me, this was a quick read, and I enjoyed this Christmasy tale. It had many special moments handled with charm. The three kids and their friends help us see Christmas through children’s eyes. Butch, a massive shaggy brown dog who looks like a small bear, is one of the heroes of this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Romance

Notes: #6 in The Christmas Tree Ranch Series, but I read it as a standalone with no problems.

Publication: September 26, 2023—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

She knew she should be grateful. But she could feel her stung pride lashing like the tail of an angry cat.

A hush fell over the crowd as the prerecorded piano music began the introduction to “Silent Night.” Voices joined in the beloved old song. Slowly, the magic began to happen—Christmas lights blurred by falling snowflakes, the sigh of a breeze passing through snowy branches, the fresh scent of pine on the chilly air.

To the children who waited, watched, and cheered, this Santa was absolutely real—not just because Abner was round and jolly by nature, but because the living spirit that surrounded him like an aura wasn’t an act. It was genuine.

I loved the complex plot of this second-chance romance book with the emphasis on the importance of family and friends. There were times when the story got pretty tense. I loved that Judd and Skip built a relationship with each other so quickly. I admired Ruth for keeping her secret but at the same time got frustrated when she didn't want to share. I enjoyed the characters and how the community worked together to help each other out during trying times. It was such a feel-good read!

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

I loved this story! It has snow, Christmas trees, cowboys romance and intrigue! This is the story of Ruth and Judd who loved each other when they were young but fate pulled them apart. Years later they are brought together, Will they be able to forgive the past and make a life together or is it too late? Branding Iron Texas may need a Christmas miracle! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a heartwarming story of love, family, second chances and all the small town vibes. I loved Ruth and how she was with her kids. I totally related to her thoughts and feelings about giving Judd a second chance at love. It's not easy to let people in when you have children involved. Judd had it rough but came out a better man in the end. He was doing well for himself and loved Ruth and those kids. I loved that their small town has a Christmas parade! How cute is that!! There is a bit of suspense in here as well which was fun. Definitely recommend.

A beautiful holiday romance! I loved the characters and the relationships.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Sound of Sleighbells is the 6th book in The Christmas Tree Ranch series. Looking for a fresh start Ruth moves too a small town and a new job, her and her children. Her oldest son's biological father is back in the future, and she had a major decision to make to come clean about her past. I found this to be an enjoyable read and would recommend it to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the publisher and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Ruth is divorced with her ex in prison, now she is working twice as hard to make it for her kids. Her oldest son and his friend begin to work at a man's ranch that is famous for leather work mostly saddles but they begin fixing the leather on the sleigh to be used in the local parade. What the two of them don’t know is that the boy is really his son. That when he went away to prison when he was younger she had to move on. Now this story has many different characters and a different storyline going through it as well but it turns out to be a good book.

Ruth finds herself a single mom of three kids. Her oldest Skip doesn't know the truth about his father but with Judd back in town that could change. Ed (her now ex-husband) is in jail for thirty years and is the father of her two daughters.

Judd has no clue the young man that comes to his house to repair the horse harness is actually his son. He assumes like everyone else Skip is for Ruth's first husband. Judd builds saddles and agrees to allow Skip and his friend Trevor to repair the harness for the Christmas parade.

Digger (a guy from their past) comes back to Branding Iron threatening Ruth and her kids. He showed up one night on Judd door step looking for a place to stay. Judd didn't trust him from the beginning. In the end, he was there for Ed to spy on Ruth on the promise Ed would give him cocaine.

The love Ruth and Judd felt as younger people (before Judd went to jail) is still strong. Judd was the first to act on his feelings. It took Ruth longer to admit she still wanted him. Skip figured out Judd was his father before either could tell him and he took it better than Ruth thought.

This is the second book I read by Janet Dailey and both were part of the The Christmas Tree Ranch Series. I have enjoyed both story but not everyone will. They both had some tough topics included such as abuse, drugs, and violence.

A cozy christmas read.

The plot was sweet, second chance romance, small town, the joy of giving and of course Christmas spirit.

I feel like the story lacks a bit of depth, the drama resolves rather quickly without much effort, and the characters are a bit flat from time to time.

Overall a cozy Christmas read.

THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS is a slow burn contemporary story that I was pulled in to from the very first page. To be honest, I fell in love with the cover the minute I saw it. I knew I would read it anyway, because I love Janet Dailey, or whoever it is that is writing her books now, but the cover really pulled me in. I mean, a cowboy and a horse drawn sleigh? Yes please!! What more could you want? This is the sixth book in the Christmas Tree Ranch series and you are going to want to jump right in, trust me! I loved everything about this beautiful story and I’m excited to recommend it to my reading friends. Janet Dailey stories always has a way of grabbing readers and they never lets us go.

THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS really takes a turn that will have you unable to put this beautiful story down. Neither Judd or Ruth are looking for a relationship, but they can’t seem to ignore their growing feelings. Janet Dailey writes some amazing, cowboy, all the feels stories! Ruth McCoy’s life has not been easy, but now she is finally settling in after her divorce. Ruth and her three children are anxiously awaiting Christmas. Ruth is trying to figure out how she is going to pay for it!  Judd is still trying to start his life over after spending years in prison for a crime that never should have happened.  Judd is trying to get over spending years in prison and Ruth is just what he needs! Ruth was his girlfriend when he did something stupid and she walked away right after it happened. THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS screams Hallmark movie and will make the reader crave hot chocolate.

THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS is filled with twists and turns and will have the reader staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Janet Dailey was taking us and what would happen to Judd, Ruth, and the kids! Not to forget Abner! There is so much heart in Janet’s writing that I’m always left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a very long time. I love how Janet does that to me each and every time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Fresh Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.