This author is never a disappointment and proves that once again with The December Market. This one is already for Hallmark Christmas movie scheduling! It’s the perfect Christmas story.

This was a quick, lovely holiday read. This book is worthy of a Hallmark Movie being made out it. You will laugh, cry, and get all the warm feels while reading this book. This book will get you into the Christmas spirit.

Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley for access to this early holiday read. It was the first holiday read for me this year and it was a great way to kick it of.

I loved this heartwarming tale of Rafe and Amanda.. This is wonderful to read in front of the fireplace with some hot cocoa,Neither is looking for love but circumstances throw them together. I loved the interactions with her grandmother and his grandfather. I would recommend this story. I was given an arc from Net Galley but this is my honest review.

This is a perfect cozy holiday comfort read! Amanda owns a small shop in Shelter Springs and is busy getting ready for the town's December Market. Rafe is a widowed single dad, a firefighter, who has known Amanda all her life. Amanda's grandmother and Rafe's grandfather live in the same senior community and seem to be falling in love, which Amanda and Rafe do NOT think is a good idea. When Rafe hurts himself and has to take off work for a while, his chief volunteers him for the December Market EMT first aid station -- meaning Rafe and Amanda are going to be spending a lot of time together over the holidays. Fun and romantic!

4 ⭐️ 0 🌶️

Read As An Arc

🎄 Small Town Idaho
🎄 Hallmark Movie Vibes
🎄 Cozy Read
🎄 Second Chance
🎄 Past Hurt
🎄 Christmas Market
🎄 MMC Is A Paramedic & Assistant Fire Chief
🎄 FMC Is A Shop Owner



Amanda takes care of her 80 yr old grandma, Birdie; while Rafe is dealing with the loss of his wife from an overdose while being a single parent, as well as, you get to know, Holly, who’s husband recently left her and her child who lives with down syndrome. Amanda is attracted to Rafe, and has no way to avoid him during the Christmas market as they keep running in to one another. Birdie also starts to date someone, Rafe’s grandfather! So you can imagine how upset Amanda is about this new connection.

Amanda and Rafe are two characters who have heartache and loss in their lives coming to find a new romance during Christmas.

You immerse yourself into this story and experience the magic of Christmas, despite the worries and loss they have in their lives. I love how genuine and real these situations are that the characters represent. RaeAnne’s writing really gets you into the holiday spirit that’s cozy, and light-hearted. The story also brings closure without there being any loose ends that needs to be tied up.

Overall, this book stole my heart, the same way these characters did! This book will not disappoint you this season! Make sure to add it to your TBR, and purchase yourself a copy!




* Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

Amanda Taylor isn’t a fan of Christmas due to past Christmases painful memories. But since she is the owner of a local soap shop ignoring the season is not an option. To help not focusing on the painful memories of past she makes the season come alive for her customers at the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. But when her beloved grandmother, Birdie, starts dating the debonair new resident at the Shelter Inn retirement community Amanda detects there may be trouble. Rafe Arredondo, the grandson of Birdie’s suitor, fortunately is equally doubtful of this budding relationship. But unfortunately, he’s just as fervent as his grandfather and Amanda has zero interest in being burned.

Rafe has more than enough to handle being a single parent, paramedic and assistant fire chief. He and Amanda share a common interest in keeping their grandparents apart. That doesn’t mean he should feel as drawn to her as he does though. She is fabulous with his young son. She helps his burden lighten regarding his painful past memories too. Their paths keep on crossing at the Holiday Giving Market which may be fate. What may be in store for both these couples? Only time will tell.

RaeAnne Thayne does a stupendous job at ensuring that you escape into her story with all the winter wonderland, feel and wonder of Christmas! When you take a break from the story you feel like it just got done snowing and all the neighborhoods are all decorated with twinkling Christmas lights! She really gets you in the mood for the holiday season. You can just picture the booths and their wares at the December Market and she makes you want to be there too partaking in the festivities. Rafe’s young son Isaac melts not only Amanda’s heart but yours too! I enjoyed his character and he helped make the story. He was my favorite character. A romantic and heartfelt story. Another great one by this author! She doesn’t disappoint yet again! A must read even before the holidays start!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers in letting me read this book and allowing me to leave an honest review.

This is a feel good Christmas story about love, friendship, family, loss and moving ahead in life. The young boy in the story is a delight. The book is perfect for reading alongside a fireplace on a cold winter night. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

What a fun book!!! I felt like I was right there in the story. A very enjoyable, easy read. Characters are well developed, story line is easy to follow and I can see this being a new Hallmark movie!

This is a beautiful small-town story about friendship, love, family, and healing. I loved it and will recommend at publication time as a must-read for the Christmas season. Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance!

This was just as wonderful as the first one in this series. It was heartwarming and joyful. I loved the setting and the story!

A wonderful story about family, friendships, and many kinds of love. I suspect most of us could take a guess as to the ending after reading a few chapters, but no one could even imagine the delightful route to get there.
I loved the characters that included generations and intertwined families. The small town values (and often prejudices) lead to interesting situations, and I loved seeing how things affected different characters as well as how the past affected the characters interactions.
A Christmas Market was a fun way to experience the characters, especially Amanda and Rafe. And who doesn't like a trip to Santa seen through the eyes of a six year old boy as well as the accompanying adults?
The book was like a warm hug on a snowy cold night. I want to thank Net Galley and
Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. Opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Rafe and Amanda take you on a journey of self healing and self discovery. You can't help but go along for the ride.

What a heartwarming holiday story! Two people riddled with hardship overcome their fears and find true love. Amanda has been devasted by her father's drunk driving accident killing 4 local teens when she was young. She breaks her engagement because her fiance spiraling out of control. He has an accident on the slopes and doesn't make it. She has pretty much stayed away from relationships with the exception of a man with 2 little girls whom she adored. Unfortunately, the ex-wife comes back into their life and Amanda steps aside to let them mend their family. Rafe and his son Issac are navigating life alone, too. Caitlin, Rafe's wife and Isaac's mother dies of a drug overdose. Amanda, Rafe and Isaac become reacquainted when Birdie, Amanda's grandma and Paolo, Rafe's grandpa become an item at the elder complex. Throughout the holiday season, all become closer and when tragedy strikes, Amanda falls into Rafe's arms. What happens after is magical. Thank you to NetGalley for this advance copy. It'll put you in the holiday spirit.

We return to Shelter Springs in Ms. Thayne's 2024 holiday book. We get a couple romances in this offering.
Amanda is in charge of the Christmas Market and also has a booth at the Market. Rafe Arrendondo is a local fireman who has been injured on the job and while he heals he is working at the health care booth at the Market. It was fun to watch the relationship between Amanda and Rafe develop throughout the book. Throw in Rafe's son and his grandfather who is interested in Amanda's grandmother and there is a lot happening this holiday season in Shelter Springs.
Another fun read by Ms. Thayne with lots of returning characters. Pick this one up in October.

Rafe and Amanda had loses in their lives that make them leery of another relationship. They meet after Rafe's son Issac is playing with a remote control car and she slips on it and falls. They help her pick up the groceries and take them to her grandmother Birdie's apartment. It is then that they find out that his grandfather Paola has started a friendship with Birdie. Amanda struggles with the thought of her grandmother being in a relationship while Rafe is glad that they have found a second chance at happiness. Amanda's fear of any sort of change as well as feeling like she has to atone for her father's bad behavior gets annoying at times. However, between Issac and the Christmas market, Rafe and Amanda run into each other more than expected and she is forced to reflect on her life. They go through the ups and downs of deciding whether they will try again or not before they finally find happiness. It's a sweet read about second chances that has wonderful secondary characters. .

Amanda Taylor, owner of a soap shop is all about helping the community. Although she isn’t the biggest fan of Christmas, she is head of the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. Between her business, the Market and trying to help her beloved grandmother Birdie, who has vision difficulties and is living in the local senior community, Amanda has her hands full to say the least. The last thing her battered heart needs is Rafe Arredondo!
Hunky if slightly grumpy Assistant Fire Chief, Rafe Arredondo and his adorable son, have moved in down the street from Amanda. Rafe’s grandfather, who lost his beloved wife also lives in the senior community and is head over heels for Amanda’s grandmother Birdie. Neither Amanda or Rafe is thrilled that the grandparents are such “close” friends but what can they do about it?
Amanda and Rafe are not fans of each other but time and events change their tune. But would this change be enough for them to think of having a life together? Can love heal broken hearts and give them a second chance to love and have a family together?
Grab your copy of The December Market and I know you will enjoy every minute!

This is great as a stand alone or if you have read the previous book the characters are familiar and heartwarming to follow. Wonderful family read. I was given an advanced reader copy of this well written book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne transports us back to the town of Shelter Springs for another Christmas season and a few budding romances. When Amanda’s grandmother, Birdie, begins to date the new resident at Shelter Inn, she becomes concerned about her. Rafe is also concerned about his grandfather. Amanda is single and is afraid of getting hurt again. Rafe is widowed and a single parent. Amanda and Rafe begin to bond while worrying over their grandparents and their involvement with the town’s Christmas market. Will the two become a couple? Read and find out.

I really enjoyed reading The December Market. The story has a mixture of sadness and humor along with the antics of Rafe’s adorable son. The book would be a wonderful story to enjoy by a cozy fire on a cold December evening. I hope that next year we will get to return to Shelter Springs again at Christmas time!

A fun, sweet family Christmas book. I enjoyed this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced read!