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!

This is a sweet magical holiday book you will want to add to your list of books to read.

The cast of characters in this book are all so easy to love and hope things turn out well for them. This is a book of second chances for both the young and old.

Amanda Taylor, who has had many painful Christmases in her life, chooses to make it a great holiday time by directing the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. Her grandmother, Birdie, who lives in a retirement community becomes very fond of one of the new widowed residents, Palao. He is the grandfather of widower Rafe Arredondo, a handsome firefighter and paramedic. Ralph is also the father to a sweet son.

This is definitely a great book to be made into a Hallmark Christmas Movie. I highly recommend it to be added to your list of Christmas reading.

I received a copy of this book from Harlequin Trade Publishing/Canary Street Press. The opinions expressed are my own.

The December Market focuses on the romance between Amanda, community backbone/business owner and firefighter/paramedic/single father Rafe. Both have survived tragedy and neither are looking for love, but Rafe’s son Isaac and the magic of Christmas conspire to get them together.

Unfortunately I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two characters so I never got invested in the story. I was far more interested in the budding romance between their grandparents. It’s a fine, low stakes story, perhaps just right for the busy holiday season.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

Ok but listen single father, holiday, second chance romance, black cat, and grinchy girl vibes I love it already. I knew after reading the first book in this series I had to read the second book. I am obsessed with the holidays so when a grinch can find her man and make holiday scented soaps im all in. I think its a very sweet plot and very much popcorn romcom vibes

This was a sweet Holiday romance. Past relationships haunt the main characters, and they overcome the past to be together. if perhaps by fate. This very sweet holiday romance is reminded me of a Hallmark movie. It was full of sweet cheesy romance. Loved every second.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Harlequin Trade Company. Author RaeAnne Thayne had wrote another fantastic story. Amanda had dealt a rough life from the time she was a kid to an adult. Can she learn to trust her heart to someone again. Or will she find it easier and safer to keep herself guarded. Birbie had a great love but could she possible find love again. Does the heart stop wanting love at a certain age? Rafe tried love once and it didn't work out so well. He's not sure it worth all the work? Can someone change his mind? Paolo lost his wife not to long ago. Will a chance encounter with someone help make him not feel so lonely? Can you only have one great love? This book can be read by anyone. I would caution there is a couple of swear words and references to drug and alcohol abuse. This book can be read anywhere! Don't let the Christmas setting think it can be only be read then. Give a try anytime of the year!

I've read several Christmas books by RaeAnne, but I have not read #1 in this series. I do not think reading in order is necessary, as this is a great standalone book!

No surprises here, this is your typical Hallmark-esque Christmas story, but they are ALL so good, am I right?! This one has the elements of a 30 something woman who has had numerous tragedies in her life, enter the handsome, single dad (and Firefighter!) with his adorable son. You know where this is headed!

The only thing I will say that I did not like about this one is that it seemed like almost every character had endured tragic losses, etc. - more than usual and definitely more than an average group/community of people.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Simply a charming must-read if you enjoy books with a Hallmark movie vibe. Even though this is part of a series it can be thoroughly enjoyed as a stand-alone.

Look who is helping. What do you do when grandparents are making decisions you think are wrong. Love the help even as you try to ignore the attraction. Fun romance

Amanda has suffered plenty of heartache in her lifetime making it hard for her to accept love or grace from others. The actions of her father leave her feeling like the town is against her. She is stronger than she thinks though and one person in particular will make her see that in herself. You will adore the relationship between Amanda & Rafe as well as their perspective other family members. This is a great feel good Christmas book!

I really enjoyed this book! I am a big fan of holiday romance and this was an excellent read. I will be reading more of this author’s work in the future. Will recommend to my friends.

"The December Market" was a delightful read that truly resonated with me. I felt an immediate connection to the protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery and resilience mirrored some of my own experiences. The author's vivid descriptions made the market scenes come alive, transporting me right into the heart of the story. I found myself invested in the characters' lives and relationships, particularly enjoying the authentic dialogue that added depth to their interactions. The themes of hope and perseverance were particularly inspiring and left a lasting impression on me. While I anticipated some aspects of the ending, it still felt fulfilling and brought a sense of closure. This book was a comforting and thought-provoking read, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that warms the heart.

This is a very sweet Hallmark Christmas Movie-type story. The December Market centers around Amanda and Rafe. Amanda is a small town business owner and Rafe is a fulltime firefighter/paramedic for their local station. When Rafe and Amanda's respective grandparents strike up a relationship in their retirement home it forces Rafe and Amanda closer together. Will sparks fly?

This is my first book by this author. I do feel as though it would’ve been helpful to read the first book in the series to have more background information on the other characters. In this book, the two main characters are dealing with a lot of trauma from past relationships and family members. They find it difficult to put that aside to find room for each other through the magic of the December market they become closer and find a way to open their hearts. I also enjoyed the side story of their grandparents relationship. Not a happy-go-lucky Christmas book but a good read.