Home Sweet Christmas: A Holiday Romance Novel (Wishing Tree)

Camryn and her young twin sisters, Lily and Victoria (whom we are told are twins at least 500 times) lost their mother a year before the story begins. Camryn leaves her job, her friends, and her fiancé in Chicago to return to the Pacific Northwest to be with her mother in her final days and to take guardianship of her sisters. Have I mentioned the girls are twins? I have a real pet peeve about twins only being referred to as "the twins" rather than as individuals with their own names, preferences, and personalities. In "Home Sweet Christmas, author Susan Mallery treated them as if they were one entity. When not calling them the twins, she referred to them as the teens. Really? Teens? Even "teenaged girls" would be better than that. Other times they were called "her sisters." Very rarely were they called by their names, the way all the other characters were in the book. Another issue (which makes me think Ms. Mallery never raised daughters) was that these girls were fifteen, but acted about ten. They were giggly, silly, innocent, crybabies, and never had their own normal teenaged thoughts. As the mother of two young women who were 15 in the last decade, I would like to inform Ms. Mallery that at 15, girls are far more mature than her characters were, and they like boys, and go on dates, and to football games, parties, and concerts, and do not want to be with their parents every free moment. They want their contemporaries around them, which is a healthy is of maturing and becoming independent. They understand they will be leaving for college in three years, and would not expect their parents (or parental figures) to never move on with their own lives. I just could not get over how poorly drawn fifteen year old girls could be by an author who has written some good books in the past.
The book is really two parallel stories, set in a small town in the month and weeks leading up to Christmas. Jake and Camryn, and the Snow King & Queen, Dylan and River, seem to be going through parallel romances, falling in love at the same time, fighting at the same time, breaking up at the same time, and reconciling at the same time. I had to wonder if the book were written in a hurry to make a publication date. There were just so many flaws.
One cold night, Lily and Victoria, whom I may have mentioned are TWINS (and TEENS), find a small dog lost in the snow. They rescue her and Jake is able to revive her. They (you know, the twins) name her Tinsel and beg to adopt her, sounding like elementary school children, rather than young women when promising Camryn they will take responsibility for her. They all love Tinsel, who is, by the way, referred to, ad nauseam, as either "the little dog" or "the chihuahua." I did not need to be reminded of her breed 100 times. I got it with the first telling of her rescue! I do not refer to my dog as "the medium sized dog" or "the mutt" when I mention her. Her name is Winnie, and that is how I refer to her!
At the heart of the annoying novel is Jake's mother who is determined to find him a bride, establishing "Project: A Bride for Jake" or something similar.
Camryn is at the top of the list, but wants no part in this as she does not plan to stay in the small town beyond Lily's and Victoria's graduation from high school, (you know, the TWINS) so falling in love and marriage are out of the question for her. Best laid plans always go awry, especially in fiction.
The novel was totally predictable. Even secrets were easily discernible. I was disappointed in so many ways, but I know writers work hard to create a book, so I gave this one 3 stars for effort, though it is not one I will recommend.
Ms. Mallery, please spend time with some 15 year old girls. You might see that they are a whole other creature than an 8 or 10 year old girl would be, and should not be written to act like silly, giggly little girls. Many are doing great things by that age, and speak well, and are driven with their goals in close sight.

I love this story. I wish it was a place that I could really visit. The story, the characters and the emotions of this book make it one I am sure to reread again and again. Like many of Susan Mallery's books it feels like the characters could walk off the page and be someone you would like to know, it is easy to relate to the characters and their story even if you have never been in a similar situation. A nice, fun read with depth.

Another good read from Susan Mallory! Sweet and funny at the same time.

I loved this book - 2 love stories in one book. The 2 main couples, Camryn and Jake, River and Dylan, were, warm, kind, and easy to bond with. There were perfect for each other. I was rooting for their romances to work out. Wishing Tree seems an idyllic Christmas town and a perfect place to live. I so loved the characters and could not put the book down. I am hoping for a Wishing Tree book 3.

HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS is the second book in the Wishing Tree series and I can’t believe how quickly it was to read this funny and romantic story. Once again, I am ready to pack my bags and move to this lovely town called Wishing Tree! Camryn and River are both struggling and they will both need help to get through all the drama they are dealing with! Enter Jake and Dylan!! HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS will surely pull at your heart strings and make it very hard for you to put down. Susan Mallery sure knows how to get her readers in the holiday spirit.

HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS can be read as a stand alone, but why would you want to miss being introduced to this heart warming town in Washington and all of these beautiful people? Camryn is back from Chicago to take care of her twin sisters after their mother passed away. She keeps saying she will be moving back to Chicago after the twins graduate high school. With that said, they adopt A dog they found practically frozen to death they name Tinsel. Jake is trying to stop his mother from finding him a wife and Camryn is on the list of candidates. They spend more and more time together and even though Camryn tells Helen to take her off the list, she finds herself falling for Jake. Jake has a problem with thinking he is just like his dad who cheated on his mother many times.

River is a very shy and introverted woman. Her friends sign her up and she wins the Snow Queen contest. She is afraid but knows it will help her come out of her shell. Dylan is picked as Snow King. He has issues of his own, but is determined to help River overcome her fears. They wind up spending lots of time together and HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS finds them falling in love. River is very honest and upfront with Dylan about her past and the mistakes she made. Dylan is not that forthcoming. He has a big secret and when River finds out it nearly destroys her. That’s all I’m saying on those two because they captured my heart and I want your heart to break just like mine did.

Make yourself a yummy hot drink, get your favorite blanket and get on the couch. HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS is an awesome way to spend the afternoon or evening. I’m so excited to continue with the Wishing Tree series and learn more about my new found friends. Once you start HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS you won’t be able to put it down and will find yourself cheering for Camryn and River as they try to navigate their way through very different and unique situations. Susan Mallery will pull you in from the very first page and never let you go!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

Another sweet story by Susan Mallery.
Come along to Wishing Tree's 2 families.
I really enjoy reading about real type stories, River and Camryn need men in their lives, they just don't realize it yet. Good thing Jake's mother is there to help. Can't wait to hear about more families.

Camryn is building herself a new life in Wishing Tree and also nurturing her two twin sisters after their Mother’s illness and passing. Family is important to her, more so than anything else. And keeping the family business afloat, Wrap Around the Clock, has been a big job but one that she is tackling. Meanwhile her good friend River is facing a challenge head on. Being the center of attention is not one of her favorite things, however the rumor that she might be voted in as the next Snow Queen has her feeling quite uneasy. River is also new to town and the relationship between Camryn and River has become a strong one, as Camryn welcomes her to join her circle of friends. The warmth of the friends and camaraderie is a welcome change for River, who has never had a lot of acquaintances. What will the holidays bring? Will there be romance for both of the girls? There are some strong candidates for this scenario. Will Jake’s Mother be able to pull off her unconventional plan to get Camryn and Jake together? The storyline is a very likable one with wonderful characters with real world problems and feelings. Family dynamics and situations intertwine the storyline and bring life to the book. You can feel the emotions and honesty of Camryn with her family and friends. And the flourishing romance between River and Dylan, as well as Camryn and Jake is warmly intertwined throughout the book. Makes you want to live in Wishing Tree!

It’s good to be back in Wishing Tree and met up with old friends and meet some new ones. Camryn Neff returned home from her life in Chicago. Her mother passed away leaving her twin teen daughters alone. Camryn took over the family business, Wrap Around the Clock as well as the care of her 15 year old twin sisters. Before she knows it, she’s caught in in Helen Crane’s new project, finding a bride for her son Jake. Imagine Jake’s surprise when Camryn tells him of his mother’s new project. We also meet River Best who moved to Wishing Tree from L.A. because her sister and niece are there. River does investigations via computer and she can work anywhere she has Internet access. She meets Dylan Tucker, local carpenter and best friend to Jake. River and Dylan each have their secrets and it’s interesting how they overcome their issues and try to find joy and happiness together. Meanwhile Camryn and Jack have their own relationship story. She insists she’s going back to Chicago once the twins are in college. But, will things change between her and Jake? And of course don’t forget little Tinsel. The tiny Chihuahua the girls rescue and becomes a part of the family. Be sure to read this one. Hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did!

Susan Mallery wrote a beautiful Family Christmas story
Jake and Camryn Dylan and River wonderful characters love there backgrounds and where they came from and what they all went through. This book would make a wonderful Christmas movie and the Wishing Tree series would be a wonderful TV series

I loved the newest book. 4 great main characters and
Their interesting backgrounds
Of course I always love a great Christmas themed story wish I could visit and enjoy all the festivities