Room for Love by Sophie Pembroke

 Title: Room for Love

By Sophie Pembroke

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The Gist:

Carrie Archer gets much more than she bargains for when she takes on the task of turning her grandmother’s inn (her inheritance) into a wedding destination.  Along with the outdated, falling apart building comes a group of retired senior citizens, a scattered receptionist, a single dad for a chef, and an extremely handsome gardener.

Working to prove that she can succeed single-handedly is an impossible task; luckily her group of quirky helpers are determined to help achieve Carrie’s vision.  When an opportunity to throw a big wedding for her cousin on Christmas Eve arises, this group must band together to get the job done right.

Limited funds, an ex-boss set on revenge, and the distraction of a sizzling attraction all threaten to derail Carries efforts, but with a little planning, and a lot of help, she just might find that there is always Room for Love!

What I thought:

You know those books that allow you to enter their pages, float through their chapters, and close them with a smile on your face?  That is just what you will get from this book.  It is a light, fun romance that gives many heart flutters throughout (especially the singing scene- trust me).

I really loved the character of Carrie.  Although you could see (from an outsider’s perspective) that she should gladly welcome the help of the wonderfully written seniors, I don’t think anyone among us wouldn’t battle to accomplish a task ourselves if we had been told adamantly that we could not do it by an important person in our lives.  The romance is introduced, and fought from early in the pages, making the undeniable chemistry that much sweeter. 

This is the second novel that I have read by Sophie Pembroke, and I am so happy to have discovered her for myself.  Reading her stories is like a happy vacation into a chick-flick, and what lady doesn’t need that every now and again!  This is the first novel in The Love Trilogy, and I am very excited to read more!

The Kiss Before Christmas

Title: The Kiss Before Christmas

By Sophie Pembroke

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The Gist:

Dory is broken-hearted that she will not be able to visit her family in England, keeping up the façade that she is doing wonderfully in New York.  When her boss, the high-powered Tyler Alexander, offers the solution of helping him out of a tricky family situation by pretending to be his girlfriend for Christmas in exchange for a round-trip ticket home for New Years, she jumps at the chance.  Little does she know that at the Alexander estate, she will meet condescending suspicious parents, and Tyler’s brother, Lucas, who is not anything like his family. 

Trying to keep up the act that she is with Tyler while battling an instant connection with Lucas keeps the holiday interesting, but at this time of the year there’s bound to be mistletoe, and, if she’s lucky maybe Dory will get a Kiss Before Christmas!

What I thought:

What a wonderful story!  I’m always a bit hesitant about novellas, I think that it is often hard for authors to produce a high quality, full story in just a few pages, but Miss Pembroke did an amazing job!  I did not want to put this book down for a second!

I loved Dory, and how wonderfully she handled herself with the illustrious Alexander family in all of their snobbery.  I also appreciated how she did not hesitate to put her boss in his place, and followed her conscience, and heart, even when difficult ultimatums were placed on the table.

If you love a good Hallmark Christmas movie, and are looking for a quick read that will warm you up as deliciously as a cup of hot cocoa, give The Kiss BeforeChristmas a try!