A fun Christmas medical romance with just a bit of spice. I loved that the fmc was portrayed in a wheelchair The story had great reflections with love and forgiveness strewn about.

Thank you to NetGalley, Traci Douglas, and Harlequin Medical Romances for the arc version in exchange for my opinion.

Two wounded people share a work setting and a low sizzle attraction, but it will take some holiday magic to bring a break through. Light, sweet, and loaded with holiday warmth characterizes this latest from familiar author, Traci Douglass’ latest release.

While Family of Three Under the Tree is the finale of the Wyckford General Hospital series, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone.

Sam’s wife died so he moved him and his daughter to small town, Wyckford, for a fresh start. They’ve been there a year and he’s been hard at work looking for medical break throughs in ALS the disease that got his wife. He and his daughter are working through their grief and are now looking at the holiday season. He’s noticed Riley and worked with her on his research- he’s even felt the attraction, but he is determined to put his research first.
Riley is just as single-minded as Sam, but about her goal to get out of her wheel-chair and walk again after the car accident that took her folks. She’s salty when people offer to help and is determined to do for herself. Sam’s cute and all, but therapy is her prime focus right now.
But, his daughter and her niece bring them into contact outside work and there is fun holiday excursions and that something between them. Maybe there is room in their lives for more if they get over their pasts and take a chance on the holiday magic they share.

This situation with Sam still getting over his grief and Riley actually in a similar mind space had me unsure if I’d be able to buy into their romance. I was glad it was happening over a year after he got to town and they were colleagues for a while so it didn’t feel out of the blue even though they were just now waking up to the idea.

Family of Three Under the Tree was a swift one-sitting read. It got there fast- though I don’t mean to say it was underdeveloped- and gave a warm glowy vibe that hit the spot. But, I was ready for this after reading previous books by the author. This is perfect when readers want some quick romancing during the holiday rush with a medical setting work romance.

Good book about two people whose pasts have made them resistant to romance. Riley is an independent woman who vehemently insists she doesn't need to depend on anyone else for help after an accident left her in a wheelchair. I found her a little abrasive at times when she rejected well-meaning offers of assistance, but I also understood her frustration at being treated as helpless by some. Riley has a job she loves as a radiologist and family and friends she loves. She doesn't understand her sudden fascination with her coworker, Sam.

Sam is a single father who moved to Wyckford after his wife's death, looking for a new start. He is still grieving for his wife and is determined to continue searching for a cure for the disease that killed her. He's closed off his emotions to anyone other than his daughter, Ivy, to protect his heart from more pain. He doesn't understand why Riley suddenly pops into his mind so often.

With Sam's daughter, Ivy, and Riley's niece, Adi, being best friends, Sam and Riley suddenly find themselves spending more time together. The sparks between them intensify, but they try to ignore them. Seeing them try to convince themselves they weren't falling for each other was funny and frustrating. Their feelings for each other grow, but Riley's pride and Sam's fears keep them from embracing those feelings. It takes a near tragedy for them to put the past behind them and look to a future together.

After losing his wife, Sam moves to Wyckford with his young daughter, Ivy, to start fresh and continue his medical research on the disease that claimed his wife’s life. Riley, a radiologist at Wyckford Hospital, is fiercely independent despite using a wheelchair after a tragic accident that killed her parents. Her ultimate goal is to regain her mobility and walk again.

Sam and Riley frequently cross paths at work and through Ivy’s friendship with Riley’s niece, Adi. Although they are drawn to each other, both are hesitant to pursue a relationship—Sam is still grieving, and Riley is focused on her recovery. Despite their reluctance, their bond deepens as they spend more time together.

Their journey is filled with challenges, but through trust, communication, and love, they discover that healing and new beginnings are possible. Set against the backdrop of Christmas, this story blends romance, hope, and family, offering an inspiring tale of finding love when you least expect it.

Blog post scheduled for Nov 15th
Will be discussed on Youtube upcoming Contemporary Romance wrapup


**TL;DR**: A cute and interesting setup that managed to avoid being too stereotypical.
**Source**: An eArc via the publisher, thank you!

**Plot**: Two doctors come together after the children in their lives become friends.
**Characters**: Everyone felt very well realized for the length, though I did have trouble telling the two kids apart at times.
**Setting**: The small town was well realized, I could see the scenes in my head very clearly.
**Romance:** I wasn’t super wild about this romance, not going to lie, the chemistry didn’t always hit.

**Thoughts**:

This was cute, I’ll give you that. Family of Three Under the Tree is about a doctor and his young daughter finding a family and love with a coworker. Sam and his daughter moved after the death of his wife to work at the Wyckford General Hospital. They’ve been there for nearly a year and Christmas has arrived. Riley, a radiologist who uses a wheelchair for her day to day, has been working with Sam for some time and the two slowly begin to realize the attraction simmering between them.

My favorite thing about this was by far the time and setting. The Christmas vibes and feelings were fantastic and I loved the settings and little shopping trips the two went on. There were times when I felt the chemistry between them but at other times I struggled - which was a bit disappointing. I had a few moments of being uncomfortable with the male main character as well, but I’m not entirely sure if that’s just me or some of the things he thought. The plot itself is well structured, sweet, and well done.

I will say avoid this one if you don’t like a lot of medical talk and hospital situations, but overall this was a wholesome sweet read. I may go back and pick up the rest in this series for little delightful shots of happy in the future.

3 out of 5 Popup Christmas Events