Gabrielle is amazing at setting up a conflict-ridden premise, and she doesn’t disappoint in Her Christmas Secret. This story intrigued me from the start, making me feel sorry for Valerie as well as curious about her past. The relationship between Valerie and Hailee is strained from the start and the author does a great job showing the progression of trust between the two. But of course, this was truly a romance between Valerie and Wade. There was a great push pull between them for the entire book. Loved the read! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a clean romance about Valerie Wilmington, who got pregnant in HS . She chose to have her mother raise the girl as her own so she could pursue her dreams.
Nowadays, Valerie is a principal at a Christian school.
When her mother surprises Valerie when she drops 10 year old Hailey at Valerie’s door so she can move away with her new husband, both Valerie and Hailey find themselves navigating a bumpy ride. Add to the mix Wade Griffin, a single dad with two adorable kids, and we know the ride will be complicated, as well as enlightening and new for everyone.
When a future might be in their cards, lies of omission might end the blooming relationship . Will they recover from the lies or will each give love a chance?
This was an entertaining as well as thought provoking story. What would one do if faced with an unexpected teen pregnancy? How would it affect the biological mother and the child if she left the child for someone else to raise?
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harleqiun. The opinions expressed are solely my ow.n.

Valerie, the principal of a Christian school in need of repairs, meets Wade, the man hired to fix it. At the same time, Valerie takes in Hailee, the daughter she had at 18 but was raised as her sister, now sent to live with her. Valerie and Wade, a single father, grow closer, but Valerie fears her secret about Hailee could jeopardize their blossoming relationship. The story, set in a Christian community with wholesome themes, develops into a heartwarming Christmas romance filled with endearing characters, family bonds, and gentle faith elements, capturing the charm typical of a Love Inspired book.

It felt refreshing to read a Christmas book in August and Gabrielle Meyer did not disappoint. A heartwarming story complete with kids and dogs, it was engaging from page one. Will Valerie’s secret destroy any type of relationship she plans on having with Wade? I enjoyed how the book focused on family and faith. Definitely a must read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Harlequin Love Inspired. It is scheduled to be released September 24, 2024. All words are my own.

First Impressions

When Valerie Wilmington gets a curveball thrown into her perfectly organized life, it has her completely frazzled. Because of that, Wade Griffin's first impression of her isn't the most positive. However, Valerie's first impression of Wade isn't the best either. As their families spend time together, new impressions and feelings replace the initial ones, creating a whole new dynamic in their relationship. All is good and well until another curveball gets thrown in. And that one will take every effort to turn things around. 

Valerie and Wade's story is lovely which was further enhance by sweet touch that the children added to it. The characters, storyline, and end result are all believable, which adds so much to the story. It is definitely well worth the read.

I was able to read this book through NetGalley. Gabrielle Meyer’s new book Her Christmas Secret is set in a small Minnesota town along the Mississippi River. Valerie is the principal of the small Christian school. She lives with her dog Annabelle in a Victorian house. She has a secret that is about to come out. Wade is a contractor whose company is hired to repair the kindergarten classroom. He is a single dad with two kids who attend the school. Valerie and Wade draw closer has Christmas comes. Will Valerie’s harm this new friendship? This book was a great read. I love Gabrielle’s stories about small town life. I encourage you to buy this book.

Her Christmas Secret by Gabrielle Meyer is a sweet tale of love during Christmas time. Valerie is thrust into raising Hailey, the daughter she gave up to her mother to raise ten years prior, and her well-ordered life is now full of chaos and major adjustments. Wade, a single dad contractor, is set to start a repair at Valerie’s school. Wade’s children, Issy and Brayden, become fast friends with Hailey and Valerie’s dog, Annabelle. The two families grow closer and closer together, but Valerie and Hailey have a secret. So many times in life, secrets are troubling to relationships, but the key to any relationship is communication. I appreciate the author using real-to-life characters in real-to-life situations. Some big upsets come just when the reader feels like happily ever after is coming in the next page, and I appreciate how the author carries out the following events in a natural way without rushing or forcing resolutions. Grab a cozy blanket and curl up for a delightful, warm Christmas book.

I requested a copy of this book for review. The thoughts expressed here are wholly my own.

I really enjoyed this story. I liked that the plot was different than most. Valerie's secret was one that was unusual and would be hard to guess.
And Wade was such an unlikely match but the perfect one for Valerie. There were so many sweet moments with them and their children all together. It was such a positive, heart warming story. I'm so glad I read it!

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

After thoroughly enjoying Gabrielle Meyer's Timeless series I leapt at the chance to read an ARC of her upcoming Christmas book from Harlequin Inspired Romance and ended up enjoying this very different book. It is hard to tell they are written by the same author, however don't let that keep you from reading this one. Meyer is a great storyteller and this shows how versatile her writing skills are!

The book starts off with some cringy moments but definitely gets better later on. Valerie, who had a daughter at 18 but let her mother raise the child as she went on to get a college degree and an excellent job. Valerie's mom decides she wants to get married and move across the country to a retirement community that doesn't allow children so she drops Hailee off to live with Valerie, her biological mother. The two have barely had any contact with each other and were raised to the outside world as sisters.

As this is happening, Valerie meets single father Wade but Hailee asks Valerie to keep the secret that she's her daughter and for them to refer to each other as sisters. Wade knows there is more behind their story, however he feels they will talk when ready. These characters have good back stories, chemistry and the kids and dog in the story add to the heartwarming Christmas story.

This is a story set in a Christian school and they all attend church. As with other Love Inspired books, this is clean romance with no more than kissing involved and it is a sweet story. I really enjoyed this different book by Meyer and this is inspiring me to pick up some of her other books.

Thank you to Harlequin romance and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

#HerChristmasSecret #NetGalley

A Christmas book with secrets that have caused hurt in the past and present. Valerie is a school principal with a daughter, no one knows about.it, When Valerie's mom drops ten year old Hailey off at Valerie's house, she announces that she is heading to Vegas to get married. Valerie's life is turned upside down, but she realizes it is time to make some changes. Valerie soon realizes how hard it is to be a single parent.

I enjoyed this one so very much!
Tender and heartbreaking at times that it will make you sniffle.
I couldn't put this book down until the very end and was left thinking about the characters long after the story is over. This author has a way of doing that to her readers.
What a great way to get you into the Christmas spirit even though it is July lol.
The many secrets of this book are what kept me turning the pages.
I felt sorry for Valerie's daughter. But I'm also proud of her too.

This was a delight! A Christmas romance set in small-town Minnesota. It was full of family and love and faith. A great holiday read!

I love this sweet, heartwarming story of family, friendship, and faith set in fictional Timber Falls, Minnesota. Relatable characters who were easy to connect with and cheer for drive the story. It was fun reconnecting with some of the characters from previous books in the Timber Falls series. With an intriguing plot, a charming small-town setting, and sweet romance, this is a touching, enjoyable Christmas read which can be enjoyed any time of year, and I highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story is absolutely wonderful!!! This is honestly only the second book I have ever read by Gabrielle and it is becoming clear to me that she tells some of the best romance stories. This was just a page turner for me, and I felt myself really, really engaged in Wade and Valerie's story. The chemistry these two had from the very beginning and the way their kids just instantly took to each other (and the dog) was priceless!

Valerie is the principal of a Christian school that is in need of repairs and Wade is the just the man to make those repairs. But at the same time she meets Wade, she also takes in Hailey and it immediately impacts her life. But while she is trying to adjust to having Hailey around, she also has to adjust to the Wade and his kids that are slowly making their way into her life and heart. BUT Valerie has been hiding a secret from everyone, most of all Wade. And given the family man he is, she knows that that secret could break up the friendship and possible future they all are starting to dream of!

This story is just so wonderful. I will say Valerie's cooking skills, and the way Wade admires her in the kitchen and around the kids will make you want to up for game a bit! LOL! She is always cooking, baking, kind, loving and beautiful... And he is so patient, handsome, loving, and just SO him that you totally understand WHY they are SO drawn to each other. Their sweet moments will have you totally binge reading this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin from giving me this early copy of this book. The review is all my own opinion.

I enjoyed the Christmas Hallmark vibes of this sweet romance of second chances. Valerie and Wade had a lot to learn about trust and redemption to start afresh. Enjoyed the children in this story and the atmosphere and family dynamics. Very sweet. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC this is my honest review.

Valerie and Wade are both single parents with struggles and secrets. Family is important to both of them, and they both work hard to be the best parents they can be. But to honor her daughter Hailey's wishes, Valerie keeps her biggest secret from Wade. Read this book to find out the rest of the story!

I have loved all the other books I've read by Gabrielle Meyer so was interested in this as soon as I saw it. If you're looking for a sweet Christmas love story Her Christmas Secret will sure fit the bill!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 24 September 2024