I read this book not realising that it was the third in a series. Needless to say, it was highly enjoyable as a stand alone read as it provided plenty of background information from the previous novels in the series.

This was a festive, Christmas filled read with realistic characters, particularly Luke and Nee. It's one of those reads that keeps you on your toes eager to find out what is going to happen next. There's lots of great twists and turns that make this an excited book to read.

Sarah Bennett has written a fabulous Christmas filled read, which has made me well and truly ready for Christmas. She's not an author I was familiar with previously but I'd love to read more books by her in future.

A truly adorable story that would warm the heart at Christmas... This book reminded me of a Hallmark movie. It was sweet, clean, and full of promise. From a wedding for a friend, to finding the man she married and ran out on, this tale shows us that love can wait if it's real. I loved this book and recommend to anyone in need of hope.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity!

I voluntarily reviewed an Reader Copy of this book which I received through Netgalley.
This was a really lovely and delightful feelgood story.

What a lovely end to the butterfly cove series. I have really enjoyed reading this trilogy and am sad it's over! I loved the family feel to this book especially over Christmas. There are quite a few characters in this book so it needs to be read in order (I read book 2 first not realising it was a series and went back and read book 1 to understand the storyline better). I'm glad Nee and Luke stayed together and she got her artistic flare back. I couldn't put this book down and loved how each chapter was from a different characters point of view but kept up with the story. I would definitely read Sarah Bennett again and look forward to her next book. Thank you for letting me read and review this book, roll on the next series!

Nee has lost her ability to make art, and in that she has lost herself. Her marriage is in shambles, while her sisters are happy. She wonders why she can't find happiness herself. Isn't that what Christmas is about?
This book visits Nee's family and extended family as she tries to find herself, find her love, and put the pieces of her life back together. It's a sweet romance with a focus on family values, standing up for yourself, and being who you truly are. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters were well-developed. There was some questionable language throughout, but overall it was a good read for the holiday season.

This is my first book from Butterfly Cove series. In this book, the story concentrates more on Nee and Luke.

Luke and Nee got married in a spare moment. On the night of their wedding Nee receives an email from an art school she has applied months before. With a very intense push from a school's famous artist Devin Rees, Nee leaves her husband in the morning and takes the next flight to NY. However, the life in New York did turn out the way Nee had hoped. Instead of learning from "most lauded artists", she ended up fixing his work. One night, Nee was invited by Devin into his apartment, drugged and raped. Next morning, she was dismissed from her school. Weeks after an incident, Nee returns back to Butterfly Cove, however, everyone has noticed the change in her, and most importantly - she stops painting. However with a help of her "husband", sisters and close friends, Nee is on a mission to "find" herself again. And the final step for new Nee is to make amends with her husband. During new years night, Luke and Nee renew their vows and start New Year as Mr.&Mrs. Spencer.

My advice - if you want to read this book, read the first two books of the series first. As I later discovered, there is more to the story of the characters that were presented in this book.

A wonderful visit back to Butterfly Cove in this the third book in the series.
The youngest of the three sisters,this is Nee's story. She left her bridegroom Luke in the middle of the night to further her art career. When she returns home she won't tell anyone what happened to her but she has had a very traumatic experience that has left her broken. She simply can't pick up her paint brushes and her enthusiasm for art has left her. After having an alcoholic mother and a father who was too busy for her when she was growing up she doesn't feel deserving of love from Luke her bridegroom. Luke has to be the sweetest most romantic man though. He wants a marriage with Nee and forgives her for leaving him. Butterfly Cove is a delightful place to visit and I am sad to see this series come to an end but look forward to the author's next work.
Pub Date 06 Oct 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you are looking for a cosy Christmas read, then this is the book for you. I was at a disadvantage because I discovered it is the third book in a series. I don't think it works as a standalone. I thought the plot surrounding Nee and Luke (the main characters) was silly and unbelievable. I didn't much like their characters either - over-dramatic a lot of the time. The rest of the characters, particularly Nee's two sisters and their partners, came across well. The book as a whole is very cheesy.


With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas at Butterfly Cove is the third in the Butterfly Cove series by Sarah Bennett. Each book so far has followed a different sister and now it is the turn of Nee to share her story. Rather than each book being a rehash of the one before with the story just being told from a different characters viewpoint, each book has brought the reader a fresh perspective and continued the story on rather than going back on old ground. Although the first book, Sunrise at Butterfly Cove following Mia, still remains my favourite this new Christmas book would come a close second.

If the cover alone wasn't inviting enough than definitely Butterfly Cove, the guest house and the newly established artists studios and teashop would make you want to visit. Sarah Bennett has done such a wonderful job of creating a setting and characters that you fervently wished were real. I can picture each area quite clearly in my head and just like for each of the sisters Butterfly Cove becomes a refuge and sanctuary away from their worldly problems. To be honest, that's exactly what I have felt this series for the most part has done for me. It has provided me with some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of modern day life and given me the opportunity to switch off and relax and enjoy a very well written story.

Our attention with book three turns to Nee Thorpe. The term struggling artist couldn't be more apt for her except for the fact it's not the money for her art she is struggling to earn, rather she can't produce any pieces at all at the moment. Her love of art and her creative flair has very much deserted her. She is hoping that her stay with her sisters and the most wonderful time of year will help get things flowing again. The reasons behind this loss of something she has loved for so long are not directly revealed to the reader straight away, more so we are drip fed little clues here and there as to what is the cause of this deep unhappiness facing Nee.

From the outset it was evident that Nee was in a very bad place, both professionally and personally, and when the reasons become crystal clear no one could blame her for feeling this way. One wonders will Butterfly Cove work its magic on Nee just as it did on her sister Mia and Kiki? Butterfly House is a place to heal, to take stock of everything and think how can I solve my problems? Is there a way to overcome what appears to be an insurmountable mountain? If it worked for Mia and Kiki surely Nee will find it just as easy? The only problem is one of the factors in her unhappiness is right at her doorstep. Her husband Luke is right where she never expected him to be. Right there at Butterfly House as he is the brother of Aaron Spenser, who is currently dating Kiki, and best friend of Daniel who is married to Mia.

Nee left her marriage to Luke without a word or backward glance so to say things are awkward between the couple would be an understatement. I really thought Nee was very selfish just to abandon ship and leave Luke floundering without telling him why she was leaving their marriage. Surely you don't just walk out without explaining or even discussing it to see can anything be salvaged? I really thought this would want to be a very good reason just to sacrifice a marriage so easily as it was evident for most of the book that these two really needed to be together. Their love for each other was there for the reader to see but I suppose faced with a situation as Nee was, one has to leave and sort out their own heart and mind before they can face their partner and confront their fears, worries and problems.

Nee very much kept her sisters at arms length and wouldn't talk about anything. I could see both Kiki and Mia wanted to offer help and solace to Nee but she wasn't having any of it. At times I felt she was a bit woe is me and before the truth was revealed I thought hold up a minute you created the situation you are in by leaving the kind, supportive man that was Luke and now people want help and you just keep shutting them out. Nee returned from New York a complete and utter mess, she is full of melancholy and sadness. But as being with her family and with so many new friends around maybe now she will begin to realise her mistake in making such a rash and abrupt decision she questions is it too late? Can Luke forgive her? Can they find their way back to happiness and contentment?

I loved Luke as a character. I felt he was full of strength and courage and he knew his own mind. He had a deep love for Nee and was clearly hurt by her actions. If it had been long term problems and endless fights I felt he would have come to terms with things and accepted that Nee was gone for good. But that wasn't the case and his spirit and love for Nee was to be admired. Initially I think he was too sacred too probe too deep and find out what was causing Nee so much anguish that she felt the need to up sticks and run but love will always win out and I am glad he persisted and kept going and never gave up on the woman whom he held so dear to his heart. I thought it was fantastic he gave Nee the space she needed but yet if at any point she reached out to him in any way shape or form no matter how small he would come running and be there for her. In any other relationship I would have said she had him wrapped around her finger but here this response to a call for help was genuine and filled with passion, care and the need to see a person come through a tough time and emerge stronger through the other side.

I enjoyed how the overall story developed and the fact we also got to keep an eye on what Mia and Daniel and Kiki and Aaron were up to. Seeing their relationships further develop was a joy to read. The scenes in the last part of the book featuring Christmas and a few surprises were truly magical and I could picture it all so clearly in my head. The latter half of the book really show cased how important the bonds of family really are and that Mia and her surrounding family members and friends are so close knit and that they will always look out for each other. I hoped everyone involved would have a positive, fairytale happy ending.

The common thread running through all three books is without doubt one overcoming every obstacle placed in your way to accept and embrace love. Family, friendship and happiness. Now having read all three books I feel these elements have definitely come full circle and what started with Mia's story has been satisfyingly concluded with Nee's. Butterfly Cove is a place which helps people to grow and change. They come seeking refuge and solace and often they don't know how they will find those things but the characters are allowed to be free and develop for themselves with a little help from neighbours and new found friends.

The series as a whole was excellent and it was brilliant that the reader could enjoy all three parts stretched over the course of a year rather than waiting a year at a time for each instalment. Sarah Bennett has done a fantastic job with crafting the most suitable story for each sister when at the time of reading you feel so close to each one as we navigate our way through the hardships they are dealing with. I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters and Butterfly Cove but I feel their story has now been told and it finished in the most perfect way. Now my attention will certainly turn to an entirely new setting and cast of characters in February 2018 when Spring at Lavendar Bay is published. If it's anything as good as the Butterfly Cove series I know I am in for a real treat as Sarah Bennett as been a delightful new author to discover this year.

5☆ A Magical, Romantic, Drama, Humour, Emotional Christmas Read!.... Highly recommend!

Wow oh wow where to start!...
First of all I want to start by saying I adore this gorgeous cover!
Second of all.... Once you open this book, prepare to become FULLY Addicted and not able to put this book down!
Thirdly i Highly recommend this book!! however... You may want to read the other books first as there is alot of characters you don't want to miss out on!

I was over the moon when HQ Digital asked me if I wanted to be part of the Blog Tour, after reading the one before I couldn't wait to be back in Butterfly Cove!

This time all the family are back together for a Big Family Christmas Weekend!
With lots of fun, games, Secret Santa, fancy dress, oh and plenty of food and Alcohol!

Nee and Luke are the main focus characters. However all the sisters and their families feature throughout the book which I adored!
I love books that feature large happy families. Especially at Christmas time! It makes me feel warm inside.

Nee left Luke just after their wedding. Luke was in bed and Nee disappeared running off to New York!

Nee is back from New York but she is broken! No longer able to produce her art she fears she will never paint again!
What happened in New York?
Why has Nee come back so heartbroken and damaged!!

Luke still loves Nee despite her leaving him in the middle of the night. He loves her and is determined to get her back!!

Oh my Gosh is Luke amazing!! He made me gush with his romantic gestures, he's strong passionate kisses, he sweeps Nee off her feet but is it enough for her??
Can Nee ever forgive herself for what she put Luke through?
Can Nee ever put her past to rest?

Nee is the youngest of the 3 sisters, as I said before she is very very damaged!
Her sisters raised her, as their mother was an alcoholic and their Dad never really had time for her.
So it's no wonder she feels like she doesn't deserve to be loved.
Things are revealed about Nee that horrified me and made me like and sympathise with her even more.
She truly is a tortured soul.
But if one person can rescue her..... it's the gorgeous, strong yet gentle Luke!!
Her Hero!!

All of the Characters are so entertaining and very likeable.

There is one new character that MUST get a mention.... TIGGER.... the adorable, loveable, scamp of a pup.
Wow I loved him!!
Kiki and the kids buy Aaron, the Pup Tigger for his birthday!
Oh my Gosh.. .. be prepared to have your heart melted when you see Aaron a Big strong man with Tigger, this tiny fragile pup. Lol Tigger has Aaron wrapped around his ickle paw hehe!!

Picture this.... it's raining heavy...xmas morning.... Tigger needs a pee.. ... Aaron tries to get Tigger to go outside but that lil scamp is having NONE of it.... so Aaron... goes and gets an UMBRELLA ..... to escort Tigger outside whilst he pees under the umbrella... LOL!!!!
I haven't laughed so much in ages.
It bought back memories of my old dog... she would never walk in puddles & if it was raining she insisted on pushing you out of the Umbrella so she stayed dry!!.... the things we do for our Fur Babies!!!!

Ok so.... Sarah has created a beautiful heartwarming and Compelling read. With loveable Characters, a couple of fantastic story lines weaved in, a beautiful Poignant story of Family, broken relationships, new relationships, New Beginnings, Love, Heartbreak, Humour, Emotion, Romance, it captures the essence of family and Christmas.

I can't wait to get back to Butterfly Cove. I really hope there is more to come!

This is the Perfect Feel Good, Cosy Christmas read! That I know I will be reading again soon!
Highly recommended with a hot chocolate and a snuggly blanket!

Enjoy!!

A real festive feel good romance. Well written & enjoyable, I will definitely read more from this talented author.

A great festive read which returns to the characters in Butterfly Cove. I haven't read the other books so did feel like I was missing out on the back story.
An emotional book, with some family drama.

All aboard the mini bus heading to Butterfly Cove this Christmas. Who's with me?? The answer will be all of you, once you've read this enchanting book by Sarah Bennett. This is the last book in her charming Butterfly Cove series and what a brilliant series it's been!

'Christmas at Butterfly Cove' is the youngest of the Sutherland sisters story. When artist Nee returned home in the Summer for her big sister's wedding, she knew it wouldn't be long until she bumped into her husband. Not knowing how to explain her actions one year ago, she only made matters worse. Now she's back in Butterfly Cove for Christmas, she knows she can't stay away from Luke Spenser indefinitely, but how can she possibly tell him the real reasons for her running away after they got married, especially when her reasons ended up being a total disaster? He deserves so much more than she can offer. The only catch is, the spark between them is still there, they both know it, even if they're a little nervous about the ice cracking beneath them again. Can Christmas at the Cove, give them the best Christmas present of all and let them mend the broken pieces of their past?

Seriously guys, mini bus to Butterfly Cove like yesterday!!?? ;p The place is a haven not just for artists and serious tea drinkers, but for anyone who wants to be swept away by the glorious family atmosphere and be welcomed among the fold of the Cove's delightful inhabitants. Butterfly house is pure magic. A place with a room for everyone, a never ending pot of tea or slice of cake waiting for anyone who wants one and people who will have your back and make you feel like you're home, from the moment you step through the kitchen door!

I had already grown to love Luke after reading the first two books in the series but in this book, we obviously got to know him a lot more. I found him so endearing because I could picture him as typically good looking with that boyish charm, yet not aware of it, unless he was making Nee laugh. He wasn't cocky or all about his looks, which made him even more attractive, if that's even possible! As for Nee, I knew she was quirky and so sweet at heart, that I wanted nothing more than to see her get her passion back. It broke my heart that she had suffered and that she was lost but I also wanted her to prove to Luke that she was going to be there for him. I couldn't let her get away too easily with walking out on him. Their relationship was loving, as well as fun and flirty. I'm definitely glad I got to read their story.

Of course, with this being the last book in the series, Sarah Bennett gave more than enough satisfying details on the other Sutherland sisters and their lives. Both Mia and Kiki are settled and have new beginnings to look forward too and Daniel and Aaron are also on cloud nine with all that is going on in their lives. In fact, the whole family come together in one grand, joyful celebration, that is enough to thaw even the coldest of hearts.

If you are well and truly in the mood for some festive cheer, then 'Christmas at Butterfly Cove,' comes highly recommended. Don't forget to pick up 'Sunrise at Butterfly Cove' and 'Wedding Bells at Butterfly Cove' for the full heartwarming affect of being surrounded by The Sutherland Sisters and Family!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Although I am not a Christmas person I really liked this feel good book and has given me back some belief in the whole meaning of Christmas

This is the concluding book in the Butterfly Cover trilogy and is a lovely book to curl up at Christmas with and go back and visit some characters that I cared about and perhaps secretly fallen in love with too.

This book focuses on Nee, the younger sister of Mia and Kiki who feature as main characters in the first two books respectively.

Nee is an artist, but her art has left her. She will not tell anyone what has happened to her but she arrives at Butterfly Cove to heal wounds at the end of the last book but it turns out that perhaps she is simply reopening some. Especially when she comes face to face with her husband.

Nee was married and then she left him. No one knew about the marriage. No one knew why she left. But it turns out Luke her husband happens to be the brother of the man who Kiki has fallen in love with.

Nee has never looked back but Luke has only done that as he is still in love with Nee despite what has happened.

Can it be healed? Or is this one wound which will never go away?

Nee is trying to avoid life and when their father needs one of them to help, the sisters let Nee go and tend to him and their mother. Luke is not far behind and so is Christmas.

Gathered at Butterfly Cove for the festive period, Luke convinces Nee that this is the best place to be to heal. And he can be the balm that can soothe her. His patience, his dedication and his help made me fall in love with Luke. How I wanted him to be looking me.

But will Nee open up about what has happened in the past and can Luke really let go if he is not what Nee wants? Christmas has a funny way of making some things happen and it cannot all be magic surely?

Like the previous two novels, this is a great story that draws you right in to the characters, plenty of mention of Mia and Kiki as you see how their lives are progressing since we last saw them. The secondary characters have stories to tell and they all play a part in making this a Christmas to remember. Even the tables laden with food makes you believe that you are really there at Butterfly Cove taking part in the festivities yourself.

This is a lovely book and a great conclusion to the trilogy. I am sad to leave them behind, but I think I know that everything will be okay for them, ups and downs no doubt, but Butterfly Cove will be a happy, loving place for anyone whoever visits in the future.

I heartily recommend this book and the previous two. In fact just indulge in all three and you will forget everything that is bad in the world and rejoice in what can only be good.

So I got this book a while ago, but work and life happened and I never got around to reading it. Then, during fall break just a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to start reading it. Which would be the point I realised I made the mistake of not realising Christmas at Butterfly Cove is part of a series. The last part of a series, to be exact. So naturally, I went on Amazon, bought the first two parts, and got discouraged at the thought of having to read that many books. I know, I don't know what came over me either.



Cut to this past Monday, when I needed something to read in the car on my way home. And there you had it - within three days, I'd read all three books. I'm still a bit hung-over, to be honest. And sad I've had to leave the world of Butterfly Cove behind. Because let me tell you - it's an amazing place to be dropped of by a stranger. (reference to the first book, you'll get it if you read it)

Story

All she wants for Christmas…

When talented artist Nee Sutherland returns to Butterfly Cove for her sister’s wedding, it’s only a matter of time before she has to face her own bridegroom – Luke Spenser – the man she impulsively married, then left in the middle of the night.

Nee hasn’t picked up her paintbrushes in months, a part of her is broken. She knows Luke might never forgive her, leaving him was the biggest mistake of her life – but could coming home for Christmas be the best decision she’s ever made?

Maybe all she needs is a little Christmas miracle…

(Plot twist: there's a little Christmas miracle)

Characters

So there's these three sisters: Mia, Kiki and Nee. They're all pretty awesome, and they're all pretty screwed up by their youth. Their mother was a drunk, their father a professor of Greek mythology who - for a college professor - seemed very ignorant to everything that was going on in his own home.

The three sisters carry the consequences of their youth, of course, and in the first two books, Mia and Kiki got to work through some of their issues. This time it's Nee's turn.

(Also: the Greek mythology-bit? Well, let's just say there's a reason these three girls originally decided to shorten their names)

Then, there's these three men. Daniel, Aaron and Luke. Aaron and Luke are half-brothers (which comes with its own set of drama, in this case). Daniel is about as close to the brothers as he can get without being connected by blood - maybe even closer.

In the previous two books, Daniel and Mia and Aaron and Kiki got together. This could be all kinds of weird to read about, but somehow, in this story? It just works.

(oh, there's a bunch of absolutely amazing side-characters as well, ranging from adorable kids to "meddling-we-prefer-to-be-called-fairy-godmothers" and everything in between. It's amazing.

Narration

You know how the one advantage you have when watching a movie is that the images sometimes translate more naturally into your brain? Like, you don't have to put any effort into it, it just fits into each other? Well, that's what this book does.

I read the first two parts just days before, so that might have been part of it, sure. But this book is has a way of building both scenes and scenery... Seriously, I felt as if I were in the middle of Butterfly Cove. I saw the guest house, the artists' flats, the sea, the everything.

It just flows, so naturally. That's basically the only way I have to describe it.

Overall: 4/5

I mean, I didn't want to leave Butterfly Cove. And I've tried to start a new book since, but I just can't. I need more information on how everything goes with everybody. I want to know if there'll be kids for any of the three duos. Heck, I want to see them grow old together, I want more interaction between the older couples.

I just want more, basically, and if that isn't a compliment, then I don't know what is.

If you feel like you might want to check this book (here) or the other books in this series (here and here) out, be sure to do so. And if you've already read them, be sure to let me know below what you thought!

Saar

Thanks for giving me the chance to read and review this book. When requesting this book I didn't realize it was the third in the series. I haven't read any of the others in the book and I like to start at the beginning of a series.

3.5 Stars

Absolutely loved the finale to the book which brought a good series to a lovely ending. However despite it only being a few months since I read book 2, I struggled with this third Butterfly Cove book.

I found there were all these recurring characters from the first two books and although I remembered the main characters, its was all the family members and friends and how belong to who, and where and why, and bits of back story that were hinted at, but not enough of a reminder in it to help me out - and this is as someone that should know the relevant back story.

I believe this is a book that is best read straight after the previous one in order to get that much needed continuity with it.

That being said it was good to catch up with Mia and Kiki, but I felt that for a book that should have been focusing on getting to know Nee and Luke, that I struggled to connect with them, as there was just so much on all the other characters.

Kiki's childrens were some of my favourite characters yet again, Matty and Charlie are just adorable and the latest addition to their family is incredibly cute too. i also loved the new development with Mia and Daniel, but Lee and Nee I still don't feel like I know that well.

Lovely to be back at Butterfly Cove, but ultimately to me this is the weakest of the three books in this series. There is a good story to it and if my memory for the other books had been stronger then I may have enjoyed it a lot more. Was a quick book to read and it does touch on some deep subjects, especially in Nee's backstory but I would have perhaps like to see more of Nee generally.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

NOTES: This is a mostly spoiler-free review. The one spoiler is at the very end of the review and clearly indicated. I received my copy through the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

CONTENT WARNINGS:

- alcohol abuse
- Alzheimer’s
- mentions of past rape
- mentions of past domestic abuse
- anxiety, depression, panic attacks
- death of a minor character

AT-A-GLANCE REVIEW:

Christmas at Butterfly Cove is a romance novel about a woman and a man reconciling after a year apart. It handles that reconciliation (and the events during their separation) in such a way that is believable and heartwarming. I had issues with the pacing, abundance of typos, and the fact that this book starts in the middle of the main characters’ relationship.

Main Storyline: 4/5
Main Relationship: 3/5
Sexual Content: 1/5 (PG-13)

BABBLING REVIEW:

When I requested Christmas at Butterfly Cove, I somehow did not realize that it’s the third book in a trilogy. I saw a cute cover and a love story set around Christmas — and I went for it. And I’m so glad I did!

Reading this after not reading the first two books put me off a little, especially in the beginning, because there were relationships and details that I missed out on — but I don’t hold that against this novel. I don’t expect a third book in a trilogy (or series) to stand on its own. In fact, I like that Christmas at Butterfly Cove didn’t explain everything from the first two novels. It shows confidence in the reader. I look forward to reading the first two and letting all of the details fall together.

I like the story, the characters, the relationships. There were a few moments where I teared up. I think this is one of the more realistic romance novels I’ve read. There’s a lot of drama, but it’s the kind of stuff that dysfunctional families actually go through, and Bennett delivers it well. I like the hodgepodge family because it reminds me a lot of my own.

However, where I liked the story and the characters, the book falls short technically/in execution. There were a lot of spelling errors (which I’m assuming is because I received an ARC? I hope?). The timing was weird. The first third of the novel went slowly and did some unclear time jump things — I didn’t realize we’d moved forward a month until halfway through the next chapter, and that happened a few times.

Christmastime started about midway through the book, which was a little disappointing as I expected the whole book to be Christmas-y, but that was when the timing improved and the story seemed to actually start. The plot developed a little more seamlessly from there.

(This could change once I go back and read the first two books. For now, though,) Nee and Luke’s relationship was kind of lacking for me because I got into it in the middle. I didn’t experience their whirlwind romance or their breakup, just the aftermath and reconciliation. I did enjoy what of their relationship I read, though. Luke gave Nee what she needed, helped her heal. They both grew on their own, too, which made them stronger together.

All of that said, my overall feeling after reading this was pleasant. I love a good Christmas story, and ones with big families and healing hearts are even better. I recommend this book to people who’ve read the first two installments, who can read past typos, and who are comfortable with mentions of the content warnings listed above.

SPOILERS BELOW:

I think Bennett handled Nee’s past date r*pe pretty well. Nee’s retelling of the event — when she eventually told Luke and her sisters — wasn’t graphic, came across as believable, and the others’ reactions throughout the rest of the novel showed care and sensitivity. The only part that made me a bit “eh” was how easily Nee and Luke had sex for the first time. Nee’s history wasn’t brought up at all in the context of “we just had sex and everything’s okay”, and that’s weird to me.