This was like a Hallmark movie, but you are reading it instead. It was full of all the typical (but necessary) holiday almost cheesy cheer.



First of all if I could move to Shelter Springs I would. It sounds like the cutest town in the whole world, but especially at Christmas time. This book had all the small town vibes and it was great!



The romance is there and it’s sweet and spicy! The perfect amount of cute but also mysterious. I feel in love with Rafe, and his Grandfather.



If you are looking for a cozy Christmas book to cuddle up and read with a blanket, this one is for you!



Thank you Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read this book!

Loved reading this book and series. If you haven't read it yet. I highly recommend her and her series of books

Events in our lives leave indelible marks. It’s how we react to these marks that determine our future. For some it seems almost impossible to jump those hurdles. That is the central theme of THE DECEMBER MARKET carefully and talentedly crafted into a story about love. There is that expression no man is an island. For several characters in THE DECEMBER MARKET they seemingly have created their island.
For Amanda, she has carefully built walls around herself. To safeguard from gossip and side glances. Living in a small town makes that really difficult and yet somehow Amanda has managed to keep those walls securely in place. Her façade belies any clue. It left her with a sense of loneliness but with her enormous heart and generosity Amanda manages to endear herself to the greater population of her small town. Albeit there is still a small group with long memories and some anger as well.
Probably most folks don’t really blame Amanda for events that were definitely out of her control. But that is not how she sees it. So when faced with the possibility of finding an escape from her loneliness she is reluctant to try. Instead somehow sabotaging her chances.
As for family all Amanda has left is Birdie, her grandmother. She is devoted to Birdie and at the same time fears the loss of her last person.
In steps Rafe and his little boy Isaac. Rafe too is battling memories filled with remorse and regret. In contrast to Amanda, Rafe has a large support family. Totally devoted to Isaac. Reactive to those around him in much the same way Amanda is. Loving, caring and protective.
Much like two magnets Amanda and Rafe keep deflecting any idea or feeling of any relationship. Even friendship seems like too much of a risk. Amanda is truly fearful of what one more heartbreak would do to her. And Rafe has Isaac’s heart to protect as well as his own.
THE DECEMBER MARKET may just be one of my favorites by RaeAnne Thayne. But perhaps I always think that way. I am a huge fan. It must be my romantic and hopeful soul. I didn’t want this story to come to an end. I was totally smitten with these amazing characters that wormed their way into my heart. Sure to meet all expectations of RaeAnne Thayne fans. THE DECEMBER MARKET is part of the Shelter Springs series.

The December Market
by RaeAnne Thayne
Pub Date: October 8, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Shelter Spring #2
The magic of Christmas—and a second shot at romance—is in the air in Shelter Springs this holiday season…
Thayne is one of my favorite authors so I may be a bit biased, but this book was great! I Loved returning to Shelter Springs and getting updates on all my old favorites while learning more about Amanda and Rafe. A Christmas love story that will get you in the holiday mood right from the beginning!

Really enjoyed this. Loved the interactions with the son particularly! It really drew me in and made me a part of their little community as I read and definitely left me wanting to read more about everyone there. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6668879307

I am not usually a romance reader, but there is something about a sweet love story set at Christmas that attracts me. This one certainly did not disappoint. Charming characters in a charming setting at Christmas. Perfect

I love a good Christmas love story & The December Market is just that! This is RaeAnne Thayne’s second book in the Shelter Spring Series & I hope there will be more. A solid 4.5 star Christmas read.
Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing|Canary Street Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

RaeAnne never disappoints! Loved returning to Shelter Springs and getting updates on all my old favorites while learning more about Amanda and Rafe. A Christmas love story that will get you in the holiday mood right from the beginning!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Rafe and Amanda have both had heartache in their lives with the deaths of loved ones. Rafe has his son Issac to raise and has stayed away from relationships. Amanda has kept busy helping neighbors, building her store, and overseeing the Christmas Market. But she, has put love on hold because of fear. In this Christmas romance they find security and love with each other. Isaac is adorable.

I enjoyed this book. The author dealt with some hard issues in a thoughtful and compassionate way, issues that have become all too common in today's world--substance abuse, depression, survivor's guilt. I'll be recommending my library purchase this book.

The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne is a perfect Christmas read. Rafe is one of Safe Haven’s finest firemen. He and his son live a few houses down from Amanda. Amanda is in charge of the annual Christmas Market. She is also the caregiver to her Grandmother Birdie. When Amanda notices that Birdie and Rafe’s grandfather are spending a lot of time together, she is concerned. This concern brings Amanda and Rafe closer together for the holidays. I was able to read this from NetGalley. This was such a delightful read. RaeAnne is one of my favorite authors.

A sweet Christmas book set in Shelter Springs. Amanda’s Grandmother starts dating a new resident at her retirement community and Amanda smells trouble. Also the man’s grandson feels the same. They have a common goal to keep them apart but it keeps throwing Amanda and Rafe together. Will love win at Christmas.

This is a very sweet Christmas love story. It is obviously part of a series of books but i had no problem enjoying the story as a stand alone.

I love RaeAnne Thayne but this one was lacking for me. Still read it though. If you haven’t read this author before maybe start with a different book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc.

I love holiday markets and I often visit around Christmas time. I love this because of that fact and I love that she’s trying to spread cheer thru her town.

I'm not typically a romance reader and I definitely make fun of Hallmark movies, but in 2021 I was in a library for a city-wide festival. They had RaeAnne Thayne's Sleigh Bells Ring and I checked it out on a whim. I loved having an easy palate cleanser read and it's become sort of a tradition to read her Christmas book each year. This year I was lucky enough the receive 2024s book as an ARC. It was a little weird reading it outside of the Christmas season and I found myself reading it very critically. As in, "ugh, she barely noticed this guy last week and now she's in love with him", but I told myself to stop and just enjoy it like I did that first book. I did and I loved it. I loved watching Amanda's journey and seeing her fall in love! Would definitely recommend!!

A wonderful story about families, life and love. Amanda has been through great pain. She survived it but it left her unwilling to love again.
Rafe has also faced trauma and heartbreak. He has a 6 year old son, Isaac. His wife died a few years ago.
When they come together and finally stop fighting love it is like the sun breaking through clouds.
I loved this story, I loved the characters
There are some characters we met in earlier books who return here and it is all lovely.

Amanda Taylor is a busy woman: a shop owner, the organizer for the town's Holiday Giving Market, as well as a nurturer for her grandmother Birdie and for all those in her circle of friends. She keeps busy especially at Christmas as she has had much sadness in her life (explained in this book and in Thayne's previous book Christmas at the Shelter Inn.) Amanda has avoided romance but the delightful smile of kind Isaac (along with that of his very handsome father Rafe Arredondo) have her charmed. Their families have a past history (regarding the sadness her father brought into their lives) and now seem to not only have a connection among Isaac, Rafe and Amanda, but also between with their grandparents, Paolo and Birdie.

The Christmas atmosphere is well presented. Seeing Christmas through a child's eyes with Issac's special Christmas wish helps make this a sweet read for Christmas romance.

Amanda and Rafe had great chemistry. The fact it took place at Christmas made it even better. Even tho she felt anti christmas her heart grew many times over. Happy Christmas

This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.