Judd & Ruth. Second chance with a little suspense thrown into this latest installment of this series. Almost too much Hallmark movie in these stories, but the suspense makes them better IMO. I’m glad they all get a happy ending.

This is the first book I have read by Janet Dailey but it certainly won’t be the last. If you love small town, second chance romances that are set in the magical holiday season look no further than The Sound of Sleighbells (The Christmas Tree Ranch #6). This is Ruth McCoy and Judd Rankin’s chance at a HEA.
Ruth is back home after her husband is convicted of kidnapping and attempted murder, she is determined to give her children a wonderful Christmas. Her son Skip is getting involved with the holiday parade but the harness for the horses that pull the sleigh need repairing and that means asking for help from custom saddle maker Judd.
Ruth really didn’t want her son mixing with the man she dated years ago but it’s the only way the harnesses will get repaired. Secrets are being kept and it doesn’t take long for Skip and Judd to become close but what happens when someone from the past comes back to haunt them and will the secret being revealed make or break them…….One click now to find out.
A magical read that has certainly put me in the mood for the hallmark Christmas movie season.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.

Though this book takes place during the holiday season leading up Christmas, it can be enjoyed anytime of the year. Ruth and Judd’s story is one of young love, wrong choices, regrets and redemption. It is an insightful, angst-ridden story with characters that evoke empathy and a need to see them get a second chance at a happily ever after. A poor decision led to Judd being taken away from Ruth at a time when she needed him the most. Some fifteen years have passed since the fateful night that changed their lives. Life has been a series of ups and downs since then for Ruth. She has been married twice, one good marriage, one horribly bad. The first marriage ended after a few years when her husband was killed during a robbery. The second marriage ended after her abusive, controlling and cruel ex blew up the family home with Ruth’s son Skip and his friend inside. The only good things about that marriage are her two darling daughters. Now Ruth is renting a home, trying to sell the family land, and struggling to make ends meet on a teacher’s salary. Skip is her saving grace. Just fifteen, he has taken on the role of man of the house and works part-time to help his mother with the finances. He has no idea that the reclusive neighbour of his best friend is in fact his father. He meets him for the first time when he accompanies his friend to help clean up Judd’s storeroom. Judd has been back in town for nearly a decade, living on his family’s ranch and also running a business making custom saddles. He keeps pretty much to himself and has only seen Ruth on occasion. He tried to contact her all those years ago after that night, but she never responded back. He knows she was married and has kids, but doesn’t know any details and doesn’t want to. He regrets the decision and actions that took him away from Ruth, the woman he can’t forget and still has his heart. Meeting her son is a little disconcerting and brings all his regrets to the surface. He has no idea that the conscientious, polite and hardworking teenager in his workshop is also his son. That’s a secret that Ruth believes he should never know, for the wellbeing of their son. Yet, secrets rarely stay hidden and this one is about to be revealed as a spectre from the past appears to haunt and terrorize both Judd and Ruth. As the holidays near, Ruth finds she has to deal with the past whether she wants to or not. Fate or a divine power has brought Judd back into her life once more. She is afraid to trust him with her heart again or with the hearts of her three children who have been hurt enough by the men in her life. Everyone, including their son, can see and feel the chemistry and connection between them. While Judd is eager to reunite and try again to build a future with Ruth and her three kids that he has quickly come to love, Ruth keeps pushing him away. Will there be a happily ever after in their future or more heartbreak?

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Loved It! Loved It! Really Loved It! I love this whole series. This one is so heartwarming. Ruth is a proud woman who has had a hard life. Her children are her world and her sole purpose for living. Circumstances beyond her control caused her to lose the love of her life and now he's back. But has he changed? Taking a chance on a man has not served her well in the past. She has come to realize she can only depend on herself. Judd has changed. Prison will do that to a man. He has built a successful business and ranch. He has only loved one woman. He knows his mistakes. Will he be able to convince her to take a chance. Will she trust him to not let her down. And then there is Ruth's son. He is the spitting image of a younger Judd. Did I mention this book is REALLY great?
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A holiday romance that had some holiday aspects, but it didn't scream Christmas. This book more follows the redeemed ex-convict Judd and Ruth the single mom with some tough previous relationships, which is a pretty classic romance set up.

I like this book from more of a drama/women's fiction perspective. I didn't get much of the building romance or desire coming from the main characters. Yes they had a past together, but the renewed connection seemed closer to a friendship instead of romance.

I liked the kids working on the sleigh harness and the reveal of the past to Skip. This book does give you a sense of a tough life as a single mom and made you feel for Ruth's character and her choices.

I have loved other Janet Dailey books, but this one just seemed a bit flat from a romance perspective and had some unusual character name choices.

Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

When you get rid of one problem and you think life is going good along comes the the past. Dealing with the past can be complicated when you have children involved. With working on the sleigh reins for the Christmas parade and more problems occur. A sweet family read that will have you cheering for the guy who has changed his life.
Received an ARC from NetGalley and leaving a review by my own choice..

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cozy, heartwarming Christmas novel. I enjoyed it a lot.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC copy of The Sound of Sleighbells. I love Christmas books. It always gets me in the mood for the season. This one, however, didn’t give me that overall Christmasy feel. The side story about our star-crossed lovers, kind of felt like there were two parallel stories happening and I found it distracting. At the end, Ruth and Judd find their happily ever after, which was nice. It just wrapped up too quickly for me after that.

I liked the story , it has a bit of everything in it but nothing really stood out as extra special. I will give this 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

A fairly typical sweet Christmas story that easily can be made into a Christmas movie. Has a little bit of everything, first love, lost love, 2nd chances, secrets and cute little girls. A quick read that will get you into the holiday spirit.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheSoundofSleighbells

This is a great book to get you ready for the holiday season. Ruth is a strong woman who has made some questionable decisions in the past. She is afraid to let anyone else in after them. Her kids are great additions. The town seems like a cool place and the people are interesting. Judd is her first love that went to prison for 5 years for accidentally killing a man. He has built a good life. I highly recommend this one, especially if you like holiday stories.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

little too cozy for me but definitely put in the christmas mood and its only september lol. I actually don't have a lot of thoughts regarding this one. it was as basic as it gets, the small town setting kinda sweet and it was a short read. maybe I'd have liked it more if i read it around christmas but still it was fine. not too good but definitely not bad.

Ruth McCoy and her three children are trying to make it in a small Texas town after leaving her abusive husband. Christmas is coming and the whole town is looking forward to the annual Christmas activities. Judd Rankin and Ruth dated in high school until an unfortunate accident leads Judd to spend a couple of years in prison. Since this is a Christmas book, you know what will happen next. This book was so sugary sweet that my teeth hurt. You could see the plot a mile away and there were so many stereotypes. I have enjoyed many books by this author, but this one didn’t hit for me.

This is another great story in the Branding Iron series. I liked the way the author tied so many characters together within the plot. It was a great story of forgiveness, redemption and love. It is just the type of book you are looking for to read during the Christmas season.

The Sound of Sleighbells is a cozy and heartwarming Christmas book that takes place in Texas with a small town ranch setting. It is a great romance Christmas book to read. I loved reading about Ruth McCoy and her family and also about Ruth finding romance again. Janet Dailey wrote such a heartwarming Christmas book that I would highly recommend for everyone! The Sound of Sleighbells was a cute page turning book for sure!

More than a holiday romance. Second chance. Suspense. Small town community spirit. Engaging and enjoyable. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

3.5 stars

Ruth's life is finally stable. She's left a trail of romantic misfortune behind her. She's got three beautiful children, the oldest of whom is 15 year-old Skip. One day Skip goes off with a friend to help repair the harness that will be used in the Christmas parade. The only problem is, the man who is helping them fix the harness is Skip's actual father, and neither of them knows it! Ruth does, however, and her world is turned upside-down as she attempts to navigate life with her ex, and her son's secret father, who is now back in town. Will the miracle of Christmas heal the past and create a space for love in the future?

This second-chance romance was very quaint. It's set in a small town in Texas in the late 1990s. Most of the characters were so endearing, even those with rougher edges. I enjoyed the Christmas setting, giving me those cozy holiday feels I've been wanting even though Christmas is months away (as I type this). 😄 I was eager to see each character's happily ever after!

At times I had difficulty connecting to the characters, but I found that the story was usually pretty compelling. If you like ranches, Christmas, and sweet old-school romance, this romance is for you! 😃

I'd like to thank Kensington Books and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opnions expressed are my own.

Loved this story about Ruth and Judd and the town of Branding Iron. Ruth and Judd had a past he made a wrong decision and ended up in prison for awhile, leaving Ruth pregnant. Her family kicked her out of the house and she met Tom who took her baby Skip as his own. Unfortunately he died. Then she met Ed ,who was abusive but gave her 2 girls. Skip and his friend wanted to redo the horse harness for the Christmas parade which was stored in Judd's leather workshop. So as it goes Judd finds out that Skip is his and the story continues.

Ruth McCoy is trying to rebuild a new life for herself and her children after her divorce from her abusive husband. Judd Rankin has also had some hard times and just wants to lead a peaceful life. Fate brings them together again as they had a relationship when they were younger that ended when Judd went to prison. When Ruth’s son starts working for Judd, she soon realizes that the secret she has is going to be revealed. Can they have another chance?

The Sound of Sleighbells (The Christmas Tree Ranch #6) by Janet Dailey
This book deserves more than 5 stars - It is such a wonderful heartfelt story. I had to dry my happy tears before I could write this review. Ruth and Judd have a fantastic second chance romance - She is a widow and divorced mother of three. Judd spent time in prison for a bad mistake in his youth. There is angst, deceit, vengeance, suspense, wonderful family and friends, reuniting a father and son and the making of family with a very HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Happily Ever After Funny Tear-jerker Easy-to-read Wonderful characters Great world building Informative Page-turner Romantic Action-packed Haunting Scary Entertaining Unpredictable.