by Alexis Lynne
Series: Sylvan Hills #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
After her only dream is snatched from her grasp, can she open her heart to something new and wonderful this Christmas?
For years, all Tara Crowley longed for was to return to the simple but happy life she lived on her grandparents’ farm. After years of saving, she finally put an offer on the old place only to have it beaten by an out of towner whose plans for her childhood home are sketchy, at least in Tara’s mind. When she meets the man, however, nothing about him says villain, but will her disappointment and bitter past allow for a future with the one who stole all her dreams?
Justin Hunter gave up his life in Manhattan to give his young sister a childhood free of stress and complications. Fixing up the old farmhouse would give them a chance to bond and build the happy home neither of them ever had. When Justin meets a beautiful artist and loses his heart instantly, “complicated” becomes an understatement. Can he convince her to believe in a new dream, one that includes him and a young girl who needs her?
Spend the holidays in Sylvan Hills, North Carolina, where the scenery is beautiful, the people are quirky, and love finds you when you least expect it.
Newness and Wonder by Alexis Lynne is the first book in the Sylvan Hills series. Set during the holiday season the story introduces us to three sisters related through blood, brought together through circumstance. Set in a small North Carolina town nestled in the mountains you’ll soon want to back your bags and visit.
From family to growth this story has it all. We learn about the sisters, their circumstance, dreams and plans. When her grandmothers former homestead goes up for sale, Tara Crowley has big plans and puts in an offer. The farm was once in the family for over a hundred years and she is excited to own it. When she learns a stranger, a New Yorker, no less has bought the farm it devastates her.
Justin Hunter, gives up his lucrative law practice and buys a farm in the quiet hills of North Carolina to give his sister, twelve-year-old Marley, a fresh start after the death of her mother. The two share a father and I couldn’t help swooning over this caring brother.
As fate would have it Justin and Tara meet and we see this delightful chemistry. Then things get complicated when Tara learns Justin owns her family farm. Can a troubled young girl and the spirit of Christmas brings these two together? I had such a good time discovering exactly that.
Newness and Wonder is a clean, sweet, character driven small town romance in the vein of the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr. I loved getting to know the sisters and laughed as one of them shares a similar job with me.
While the author hit on themes such as grief and holding on to the past, she also balanced it with humor, and family. From Gingerbread houses to holiday movies, I had fun hanging out with all of them and look forward to reading the next book, Charlotte’s Landing coming in 2019.
Newness and Wonder by Alexis Lynne offered a sweet holiday romance while introducing us to this small North Carolina mountain town. #holiday #romance #smalltown Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I only got to read one christmasish book in December and that was Winter at the Beach. I should mix up my reading and go with the seasons I never do. I just pick up what grabs me mostly. This one sounds like a lovely holiday book.
Mary
Debbie Haupt
I enjoyed this too Kim 🙂
sherry fundin
I enjoy a good love story, especially this time of year.
Adriana @ BooksOnHerMind
Aw! This looks so cute. And again I see the young sister/daughter trope in another Christmas book. They changed it up which is nice. I’m curious about the two MC’s background stories as well as why the younger sister is troubled. I can kind of guess why based upon the fact that her older brother is taking care of her.
Hope yo had a nice Christmas!
Mary Kirkland
Merry Christmas.
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
This looks like a lovely story with just enough seasonal cheer to lighten the deeper themes. Glad you enjoyed this read and fingers crossed the future books in the series compare well.
Merry Christmas!
Olivia Roach
This sounds like a sweet book, and like it has some really nice balance to it when it comes to the hard topics and making it overall still light hearted. Maybe not one for me, but I am glad you could enjoy it 🙂
My recent post: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2018/12/bloods-revolution-book-review/
Tabitha Billig
A big and jolly Merry Christmas all the way from Sweden. I hope you have a blessed day without so many hours online!
Anne
I always like to read about North Carolina. Anne – Books of My Heart
sjhigbee
Enjoyable review – this sounds like fun. Happy Christmas:)
Angela Adams
I’m guessing that each book in the series will focus on one of the sisters? Thanks for the post,and Merry Christmas!!!
Lorna
I enjoyed this one as well. It’s actually the only Christmas book I read this year. What’s wrong with me???
Sophia Rose
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it. It was a cutie to me, too.
Nadene
Sounds good.
Crystal @Lost in Storyland
This sounds like a fun holiday read. I especially love the small town setting!
Melliane
Why not? It looks good!