Title: Once Upon a Winter’s Heart
The Gist:
Emma Burcelli believes that love is dead, her only
example being the love shared between her grandparents, Poppi and Nona, which
was ripped apart by Poppi’s sudden passing. But when her grandmother becomes distraught about Poppi’s
normal Valentine’s display not appearing in their bookstore at the beginning of
February, Emma does not have the heart to ignore the request. While knee deep in paper hearts,
cupids, and chocolates, Emma meets Lane Forrester, a man who instantly sets
about putting Emma in the right spirit for Valentine’s decorating.
After red wine, chocolates, and ice skating home Emma’s
heart begins to warm to the idea that love just might be a possibility, that is
until she is made aware that her sister Anne has already scooped up this dream
guy. Emma busies herself with
helping Nona, working in the bookstore, watching her nephew and trying to mend
the rift that has broken her parents’ marriage, but she can’t seem to shake the
feeling that Lane has feelings for her, not Anne. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, all Emma needs
to do is follow Poppi’s advice and, “listen to her heart.”
What I thought:
I have enjoyed many of Miss Carlson’s Christmas novellas,
so I was very excited to see this story about Valentine’s Day. This was a wonderful book that quickly
grabs readers and allows them to comfortably settle into the Bucelli family. Emma is an extremely likable character,
that will make you want to know her and hope for her happiness.
The relationship development between Emma and Lane
reads as smoothly as the dark chocolate that the two enjoy together. The easy banter, relationships with
Poppi, and romance (toasting love with Dean Martin and wine, and slipping home
on the ice while singing “That’s Amore”) make readers remember falling in love
or hopefully, at least, see it as a possibility. I personally loved the constant reminder in this book to
pray instead of worry- what great advice!
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone
that is interested in a good, pure story about how easy love can be when it is
right. It is the perfect quick
read for Valentine’s Day, and will warm your winter’s heart!
No comments:
Post a Comment