Happily This Christmas
Happily Inc., #6
Contemporary Romance
Harlequin Audio
September 29, 2020
Audiobook
8 hours
Library
Susan Mallery, the number-one New York Times best-selling author of the Fool’s Gold romances, proves there’s no place like Happily Inc. for the holidays....
Wynn Beauchene has a thriving business, a great kid, and a mildly embarrassing crush on the guy next door - local cop Garrick McCabe. She’s a strong, independent woman who can’t help dreaming what-if about a man she barely knows. Until he needs her help....
Garrick’s pregnant daughter will be home for Christmas, and his house needs a woman’s touch. Garrick and his little girl were tight once, and he’s hoping a small-town Christmas will bring her back to him. But thawing his daughter’s frosty attitude will take more than a few twinkle lights. Maybe sharing the holiday with Wynn and her son will remind her of the joy of family.
As the season works its magic on these wounded souls, Wynn realizes it’s time to stop punishing herself for a painful secret, while Garrick remains haunted by the ghosts of past mistakes. Will he allow Wynn to open the only gift she truly wants - his heart?
Hear more in the listener-favorite Happily Inc. series:
- You Say It First
- Second Chance Girl
- Why Not Tonight
- Not Quite over You
- Meant to Be Yours
- Happily This Christmas
For those that don’t know me I’m not a big contemporary romance reader/listener. They just don’t have a pull on me like RS, UF, or PNR do. Maybe it’s how low key they are or how there is no suspense or adventure. It usually takes me a month to get through a CR and this one was no different.
Happily This Christmas is book six in the Happily Inc. series by Susan Mallery and narrated by Tanya Eby. It’s cute, happy and a bit cliche.
This was my first taste of Mallery and the Happily Inc. series. I haven’t read any of the other books, so I can say that it can be read as a stand-alone.
Wynn Beauchene is a single mother. Her son, Hunter, is fourteen and lately; she has been thinking that it might be a good time to start dating again.
Garrick McCabe is in need of help. His very pregnant estranged daughter, Joylyn who is 21-years-old is coming to stay with him. He wants to make his house homier.
The first half of the story focused on Joylyn coming to town and her visit. Joylyn felt like the main character at least for the first half and I didn’t like her. She’s a spoiled, privileged little princess taking all of her problems out on everyone around her. I understand the pregnancy hormones, but dame she was a bitch and it was just too much. I takes a while, but we do learn why she kicked her dad out of her life. It’s partly her fault and partly Garrick’s ex-wife’s fault. She does eventually change her attitude, but man it took a while.
The story takes place during Christmas time and we deal with a lot of Holiday themed stuff; like a wedding and get-togethers with friends and family.
Af for the romance between Garrick and Wynn. It’s sweet and wholesome, but I do feel that Joylyn and her issues overshadow the budding romance. For me there just wasn’t any spark or real connection between these two apart from being single parents.
Audio: This is my first taste of Tanya Eby. I felt her narration was very monotone. I had trouble figuring out when we switched from describing something to the actual characters voice. It all sounded so similar.
Happily This Christmas was not for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because I don’t feel strongly about this book does’t mean you won’t like it. As I said above I’m not big on CR.
Rated: 2.5 Stars
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Angela
I'm an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, animal & book lover. I'm the owner, reviewer & mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy & my favorite shifters are dragons.
Anne - Books of My Heart
March 25, 2021 at 11:05 am
I’ve enjoyed this author and Tanya Eby. But I don’t read as much CR as I used to read and I don’t read Christmas this time of year usually.
Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…Read-along & Giveaway: Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
Angela
March 25, 2021 at 11:32 am
I’ve not given up on this author/narrator yet and plan to try something else by Susan Mallery. Thank’s for visiting!