DNF ... another one! 😞😱 I was REALLY enjoying this novel until their relationship took, yet again, a move that brought them closer but also "two more steps back" from where they needed to be and I couldn't take it anymore. I DNF'd it at 67%.

I get that Mia had a LOT to deal with but I wasn't a fan of how it seemed she was using Will because of his affections for her instead of embracing him more. I really hope the ending is a good one but I just couldn't force myself to find out.

Though because of how much I LOVED Will as a character, I DO recommend this novel (and series) to those who are fans of Ms. Kilby and/or those who enjoyed reading her novel "The Secret Son," book 1 within this series.

Review By: From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews

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This book is the perfect feel good holiday read. You know how the story is going to end up, but enjoy the ride! I enjoy these heartfelt books during the holidays and this one was extremely well written.

This was one cute and sweet but also annoying and totally made me all growly—Christmas books should not make me growly.

Here’s what’s going on. Not only is Mia trapped in a snowstorm, she’s in labor. Taking shelter in a cherry packing shed, she soon receives help from Will Jackson, who delivers her baby. After being dumped by his girlfriend, Will was prepared to have a blue Christmas but Mia and her newborn son puts his life back on track. As the weeks pass, they soon discover their connection goes deeper than just gratitude but they’re both carrying around past wounds that could end their relationship before it starts.

Okay, so I liked this one to a point. It had a cute premise and potential but I feel like the potential was buried under too much internal drama from the characters.

Mia has some things she has to sort out. She’s just given birth, she’s dealing with her husband’s death and his gambling problems, she’s also dealing with his controlling parents. Will’s struggling to figure why his high school girlfriend left him for another guy just days before he was going to propose, he’s also trying to figure out what he wants in life.

The relationship just sort of annoyed me. Both are mad about the other but they are too stubborn to sit down and talk to each other and explain what’s going on. Instead of clearing the air, Mia decides that she’s just going to use Will as a bed buddy then, more or less, treat him poorly when in public. I’m not a fan of thing angle, it just feels slimy to me.

Then there’s the fact that Mia lets her ex-in-laws to walk all over her. She goes on and on about their treatment of her in her head but refuses to say anything to their face. I just have a hard time getting behind timid heroines.

Overall, it had its cute and sweet moments but there was just too much drama and poor decisions that made this one just an okay read rather than a great one.

There was an instant change in the life of Will Starr when a woman showed up Christmas Eve during a snowstorm at his cherry shed. It was late and he had just been at his parents earlier. But because he was still sulking over a lost high school love at Thanksgiving who had turned down after waiting for his long-awaited proposal.
Considering they were thirty-two-years-old and had been on again off again, dating others, and traveling a lot not to mention she would take jobs in other towns in other cities and states. Wasn’t the writing on the wall. He was surprised though and angered when she said, “No.” That she was in love with another man in the town where she had been working and living for the last seven months.
Mia Tempesta Richards a widow and pregnant mom to be on her way to her sisters to give birth since her sister is a midwife. She wasn’t due for several weeks and she thought since she just got fired two days before Christmas that why not leave to be with her since she no longer had a place to live either. All thanks to her war hero husband who died almost a year ago. She lost him eight months ago to be exact. Everyone thought she had this wonderful marriage when in fact it wasn’t he left her with debt and so much pain she was just hanging on.
Yet, going through this birthing experience with a stranger like Will makes her see life differently. For Will, his outlook on life from the anger and pain he was in earlier that day to the elation at seeing the miracle of birth and the woman he helps makes life so much better.
This was such a good story of two lost souls looking for a place to belong and a baby’s birth than finds them forever together. Their struggles as to how and what that should look like. Emotions run high. I give this: 5++++ stars. Provided by netgalley.com.
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This story got me with its originality. It is an emotional and tough journey of forgiveness, learning from the past and letting it go, and allowing yourself to fall in love, to live fully and trust your heart to lead your way.
The story gives us a look at the life of Mia Tempesta and Will Jackson for a year. During that year, from Christmas to Christmas, little Billy is born, Mia is trying to find a new job, new home, learn to be a single mom, and handle the overbearing in-laws, get over the betrayal and problems she had with her husband, and adjust to the feelings growing inside her towards Will. Will is recovering from the ten-year on-and-off-again relationship with his high school girlfriend and the disappointments that followed.
There is a lot that happens in the story, the emotions are high, and changes are plentiful. I liked the characters, Will's family is a hoot, their drunken Christmas celebration had me laughing, the weed growing was a bit awkward, yet the support and acceptance were admirable. Will himself is a kind, generous, and considerate. His heart is golden, and it seems to shine to Mia and Billy.
Mia is a tough lady. She champions for her baby, the marriage left her broken and broke, yet she is not giving up. She has her issues to be dealt with and she works on them on her own time, a time that is given to her, hence the one-year time frame on the story.
I liked the story, the characters, and the little town they lived in. It is realistic and real-life like, the struggles are true and known to many. The situations they face, unemployment, homelessness, and leaning on the support of relatives are everyday occurrences across the world, and easy to relate to on that level.
As an escape-reader, the story was too realistic to me to absolutely love it, but I do recognize the real and raw struggle Mia and Will goes through to find their place in the world, and admire their gumption to go after what they want.
~ Four Spoons

Very sweet holiday story! I loved the way this book started - with Mia unexpectedly going into labor. I really loved Will - he was so sweet with the baby and a really good guy. My only complaint was a bit of the back and forth between Will and Mia towards the middle and end of the book - the pushing away annoyed me but overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to checking out more by this author.

Christmas is a time of joy, but Mia Tempesta never imagined she'd go into labor and have a stranger deliver her baby during a snowstorm. She's thankful for his help, but that doesn't mean she'll ever be dependent on a man again. However, the more time she spends with Will, the more she finds it hard to believe he's anything like her ex. Will she give him a chance, so they can have the happy ever after they both deserve; or will she let the man that she's coming to love get away?

Having absolutely loved the first book of this series, I couldn't wait to read more about the Jackson family, and I've got to say that this book was just as entertaining as the previous story. The way this story started had me concerned for the heroine, as she's picking up the pieces of her life after the death of her husband. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met that had me really enjoying this story, as Mia needs Will's help. Will the hero be able to help her?

As for the dialogue, it was a wonderful blend of intense moments due to the main characters back stories and fantastic banter between the hero and heroine that had me loving their chemistry, which was delightful and had me hoping that Mia would give Will a chance. Since it wasn't palpable that she would in the beginning, considering all that she'd been through with her late husband. Can she put her trust in another man? Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous and I liked how she handled everything she goes through in this book including having to deal with difficult in-laws. I also liked her determination to be an independent woman, because relying on a man didn't get her anywhere, which is proven by how much her husband hurt her.

While the hero, he's been through a lot with his ex finding love with another man, but he's managed to bounce back. Will he win Mia's heart or has the pain of her past caused too much hurt to give another man a chance? I also liked the tight bond he shares with his family and that they would do anything for each other, which is proven by how easily they welcome Mia into their fold. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is how he finally let go of the hurt of his past to win Mia over, which wasn't easy as she was hurt badly by her late husband.

Overall, Ms. Kilby has penned a wonderfully heart-warming read in this book that delivers the right amount of emotion that had me affected by everything this couple go through, as Will shows Mia that she can trust him and that he wants a future with her. The way this story ended had me charmed by what the heroine does to win Will back, because he's the best person that's come into her life in a long time. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, because of how happy Will has made Mia. Then again, Christmas is a time for miracles and what's better than love and happiness. I would recommend A Baby for Christmas by Joan Kilby, if you enjoy the mysterious strangers trope, holiday-themed stories, or books by authors Sinclair Jayne, Karen Foley, Scarlet Wilson and Joanne Rock.

A Baby for Christmas by Joan Kilby, the second book in The Sweet Home Montana Series, is a delightful read! As my first book to read by this author, I read the synopsis of the story and thought, I'll give it a try, and I am very glad I did! What an emotional story of letting go of past hurts and mistakes, embracing ones self and finding true love and happiness.
This story caught me from the very first page, as the author sets the scene with a widow in labor, traveling through a snow storm on Christmas Eve, trying to make it to her sisters house, and ends up all but crawling to the only place she can see, a shed in a cherry orchard, and a man who delivers her baby. Little do either Mia or Will know, their lives will be forever changed after this night.
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley, but was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book.

Mia was in Sweetheart, Montana and going to see her sister Laney and stay with her for a bit. Mia was a widow and very pregnant. This was the first Christmas since Jared’s death. Jared had died in service to his country , now Mia had their sleeping son on her chest. But Mia had learned love was no guarantee for a happy marriage and she wanted no more men in her life. Jared’s gambling had ruined them. Then Mia had a contraction and the car slid off the road and then her water broke. And she was in labor. Will wa sin the cherry picking shed and he thought about his New Year’s Resolutions- get over Katy, finish the house and the Will added a third one- never fall in love again. Will had proposed on Thanksgiving and Katy said no she was in love with someone else and they were engaged and broke up with Will. Katy and will had been on again off again since H S but it was a foregone conclusion some day they would marry but not now. Then Will Hear a knock on his door and opened it to Mia half frozen and in labor. Will got a hold of Laney for Mia but Laney hadn’t made it home before the storm she also told Will there was no time to get to the hospital he was going to have to deliver the baby and she would talk him through it. Will could run a multimillion international business but deliver a baby the thought of it made him feel faint. Mia named the baby Jared Willian- after Will he did deliver the baby after all- but she decided to call him Billy. Will finally got Mia and baby Billy to the hospital to make sure the were both all right. Will thought Billy was a miracle just when he needed one. Mia was to stay with her in-laws after New Years. Once at her in laws Mia found out Jared had been cheating on her with his ex girlfriend also he had been fired by his father from his job l as he had been embezzling money from the family hotel. Any love Mia might have had even in the smallest amount was now gone. Will came to Billy’s christening as he was his godfather and Mia was very happy to see him. Before Will left they shared a kiss. Will also had a friend who owned a winery and he let Mia know that she could get a job there. Mia got the job three days a week and then more hours in the summer. Mia got an apartment in Sweetheart. Will wanted Mia and she wanted him too. They made a pact to always be friends no matter what. Also Will will always be there for Billy. Then they became friends with benefits.
I loved this story. It was a great romance. This book had a great pot and pace. I didn’t put it down once I started this book. I just had to see what happened next. It was a quick easy but great read. I loved Mia and Will together. Billy added to this book also I couldn’t find anything I didn’t love in this book which was terrific. I loved Will’s family and how good and accepting they were of Mia and Billy. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend.

I really enjoyed A Baby for Christmas by Joan Kilby, the second book in her Sweet Montana series. Widow Mia is almost nine months pregnant and on her way to visit her sister when a snow storm drives her off the road. Already in labor, Mia follows some Christmas lights to a building where Will is working on Christmas Eve. Will is recovering from a break-up with his on again-off again high school girlfriend. One would wonder if those two were really in love or in a rut. Will ends up delivering the baby thanks to Mia’s sister help, over the phone, and forms a connection with Mia and baby Will. In the meantime, Mia is being torn in a many different directions, her dead husband’s family, the baby, Will, her sister, to the point where she is afraid of taking any risks. One theme throughout this story is miscommunication or not telling the whole story, including trust and not lying.

I enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. Ms. Kilby drew me in and did not let go until I read the last page, reading this book in one day. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I got so involved in this book from the beginning. If there was an emotion to go through while reading this, I went through it. This book was very well written and such an easy, caring read. One you just curl up with on an afternoon to settle in to read. Mia has been through it all and I hoped as I read that Will would be the one sent to her.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

A Baby For Christmas brings just the right touches of connections turning into so much more when allowed to grow naturally. Both Will and Mia have trust issues, completely understandable when we learn about their former partners. Yet one small baby, born in a cherry orchard shed, will start the journey for these two people who really do come to life through their story.

While I don’t mind the “love at first sight” plots, this story works more on an instant connection, a feeling of understanding that grows, not only from Mia’s desperate need and Will’s help, but from what they each offer the other. Their characters are believable and likable, even in their at times stubbornness. Told with a mixture of humor, seriousness and emotions, A Baby For Christmas gives a very good story that extra magic of a Christmas birth and the possibilities for all of their futures… together.

I enjoyed this one very much, and it adds another layer to a series that I’m already enjoying. If you haven’t read the first story, it’s not totally necessary, but I would recommend The Secret Son for it’s an engaging story as well. I’d recommend this story and series to any Romance reader who enjoys the atypical couple, friendship growing into love and that magic that can only be felt around the holiday. Indulge and enjoy.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

A Baby for Christmas is exactly what I expected from Joan Kilby, a sweet and enjoyable read.

Mia (our heroine) is a woman who needs assistance desperately when Will (our hero) comes across her. She actually needs assistance through much of the book as she has had a string of bad luck due to her moral reprobate of a husband (who had died, very early in her preganacy).

I liked the pace of the book and of Mia and Will's romance. It was not insta-love on both sides, which I would have found incredibly unbelievable. It was more insta-connection, where the characters felt a strong sense of connection and friendship early on and the romance followed the friendship at a fast but believable pace for the couples situation.

The main characters are very likable and well written. The secondary characters are also well written, even though a few of them are not always likable.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.

I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Joan Kilby writes beautiful, heartfelt stories and A Baby For Christmas is just such a story. Set in Sweetheart, Montana this contemporary small town romance has just a hint of sexy about it. It is a story of second chances for recently widowed and heavily pregnant Mia and recently dumped cherry orchardist Will Starr, who finds himself delivering Mia’s baby in a snow storm on Christmas Eve.
Both Mia and Will are well developed characters, likeable, honourable and yet with flaws, chief among these being trust issues. I liked the way that trust was used in this story as a driver of conflict both internally for these two, but also externally between them. This story was a pleasure to read from start to finish.

A Baby for Christmas by Joan Kilby is a sweet, caring story of a child bringing a couple together. With a baby born in a cherry orchard shed, a mother in need and an orchard farmer who has lost the Christmas spirit, this story pulls at the heartstrings.

Emotionally intense, well-written plot with characters who are doing the best that they can this Christmas season. Life is not easy sometimes as Mia and Will have suffered lost but a brand new life serves to remind them that the future can be brighter. A Baby for Christmas is a story of the grieving, the lost, the hope, the healing and the love that is right especially at Christmas but needed all the year-long.

Will Jackson has only been existing since the break up with his long term girlfriend. Then on Christmas Eve the most unexpected miracle lands right on his doorstep and his boring life will be turned up side down! This is a sweet story of letting go of the past and looking forward to new beginnings. It's very well done and leaves you with a smile. Definitely a book I recommend.