(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Regan Case wouldn’t know the right side of the tracks if they ran her out of town. She’s lived hard since she ran away at sixteen, but eight years later, an accident has terrified her into pulling her life together. And that means finally going home for Christmas.
Taking her return one step at a time, she ends up on the doorstep of her sister’s best friend, Felix Nickson. The man indebted to her after she jammed ten grand down in trousers in high school and enabled him to escape his own demons. Felix agrees to let her stay, but doesn’t count on the chemistry that burns hot between them.
As they get into the Christmas spirit, he watches Regan’s shadows fade away and discovers that beneath her careless attitude, she is by far the bravest woman he’s ever met. He falls for her, fast and hard, but she fears she doesn’t deserve such a good man. A black sheep cannot change her colors.
Can Felix forgive her past or would asking for his love be one too many miracles this Christmas?

I have read a few of Madeline Ash's stories recently and have enjoyed them all. This one is no different. I am not usually a "holiday romance" kind of reader but I picked it up on the strength of her other work.

And this was another pleasant surprise. This wasn't the usual romp through the Christmas romance aisle of the local supermarket - this story had some real heart; histories for the characters, some real emotional connection with each other; some moments of levity that keep the "festive" theme at the forefront, without letting it get too light and fluffy. But most of all, for me, it wasn't an insta-love story that we seem to get from these holiday fiction stories. These pair had history and connections that were more developed than just "caught in a snowstorm, let's have sex" kind of way.


Paul
ARH