As I've learned to expect, a beautifully written and fun read. McClain writes wonderfully believable stories with flawed but truly good heroes and heroine

I think the first important thing to clarify is that this book CAN be read as a standalone – in fact I had no idea there was a ‘book 1’ until after I had read this one.  It appears that although each story is based on twins, they are not the same twins, situations, or people.  Also, if you are like me, and tend to be hesitant about romance books – because to be honest, they can swing from great, to cheesy, to overly sexy (like it’s forced into the story) – you have nothing to fear with this book.  

Also worth mentioning is there are several christian undertones and references. But if religion isn’t for you, I still think you will enjoy this book.  It’s not overly religious, and it’s fitting, considering it’s based in a small town where social gatherings often surround the local church, on Christmas, and with a character that has lived her life helping her own mother and others through recovery programs that often lean toward religious recovery.  I am Christian myself, so it didn’t bother me, but I would say if you are not, it won’t distract you from the story – again, it’s largely based on where the townspeople gather, and the characters occasionally asking (in short pieces) for God’s guidance, but much like anyone would, even just talking to the universe.

Just based on the way the story started, I was scared.  Any book that starts with a huge secret is scary for me!  The secret never ends up coming out in a good way – I mean, it adds to the story when there’s a little drama, right? But it never leaves me any less tense, with the constant “tell them now!!” screaming in my head.  In this case, I wasn’t completely wrong, but was pleasantly surprised how it turned out.  In fact, the way the entire story was written, it was a VERY nice surprise on several fronts; not forced, quick romance, appropriately complicated but not overly dramatic, and even when I saw some things coming, and knew I wouldn’t like some of them, I still knew they were great additions to the story (again where the ‘appropriately complicated’ fits in).  And Papa’s character?  He was such a great fit! Erica and Jason needed the occasional middle man, and his old school, straight to the point, simple way of looking at things was perfect.  He constantly made my heart melt – just as much as the sweet twins themselves.

This story definitely falls into the sweet romance category, and fits around PG-13, maybe like a Christmas movie you would see on the Hallmark Channel (which I highly recommend to the Hallmark people, by the way), and left me feeling warm and fuzzy, and very much looking forward to Christmas with my own family, working harder this year to focus on how lucky I am to have my family – not the ‘things’ we often get wrapped up in. I really do recommend this light, quick read to anyone – even if you don’t normally read this genre.  You will definitively be pleasantly surprised, and find your heart a little lifted by the time you’re done!

Beautiful heartwarming story. I felt every emotion possible as I read page after page. No words could possibly describe the feeling this book left me with. 

Many books leave you wanting more. This left me with that and something a little more. Often times we forget the important things in life and left feeling selfish and anger. Most of the time we don't find out way out, but this story has helped me see that it isn't about being selfish or being angry. It is about family and loving life. It is about those who we have and those who come and those who leave us too soon. To get all of this from one story is amazing. I thank the author for this wonderful heartfelt story.

Another Christmas offering from Harlequin from their Love Inspired line, Secret Christmas Twin is a  holiday romance with a twist.  A secret twist that the hero and his grandfather aren’t privy to until it’s near the end of the book.   Obviously it is going to cause havoc but it’s Christmas and it is a time for forgiveness right?

Especially when it a promise of a new beginning and a beautiful one at that . Given that the changes you are about to witness , in heart and mind it is a Christmas miracle.

Erica the heroine, is a tough as nail woman and I admired her even though my heart broke for her at times.  From birth, the world was against her but she still managed to see the good in the world and trust God for her needs.  Even though she didn’t expect things to turn out the way that they did when she first arrived in town .  She trying to do the best not for herself but the twins, even though she quickly realises that it isn’t going to be easy.

As she already got prejudgement in her mind thanks to Kimmie who is the matchmaker you could say. She believes that Erica is the best choice and that she would protect them.  Jason isn’t cut out or prepared for a job  or is he ?

Jason a product of his own childhood  and a man who  become a protector to easy the pain he had with his own family.  Even being the area that holds a the only great memories of his childhood  , Jason  is there for his  grandfather . The man who  was there for him and gave him everything. Jason isn’t a man who shies away from  the most important things. . It shows pretty quickly even though he doesn’t have much to do with kids.  However Erica is another story.

She honestly makes him, truly forget everything all the issues he had and the other women in his life.  She probably the best thing to happen to him in a long time , yet he questions things. See he is a detective and that inquisitive nature hasn’t gone away.  It causes tension and the twins are the saving grace for these two .

As they tug on everyone’s heartstrings and  these twins are the reason for the story. They bring together Jason and Erica and allow them to see what they have been missing. A lot of hurt has caused them to  missed out on certain things in life and I love how this was brought full circle and therefore letting them start afresh.

A beautiful heart stirring Christmas tale

Secrets, I hate them! They can ruin something good. However a mother will do what she has to for her kids. At what lengths will you go for a friend? Erica was tested in so many ways. How do you know who you can and can't trust, especially when your heart says one thing and you were told another? Thank goodness for Papa Andy and his years making him wise.

The things you do for friends!  What do you do when you have a friend that has twins,an addict and has terminal cancer? Do you help them? Do you carry out the wishes of your friend and try to keep all the secrets or do you think you should have to come clean?  Erica was placed in that situation thanks to her friend Kimmie.  Story starts off with Erica and the twins going to stay at Kimmie's family farm to raise the twins.  Erica not knowing anyone. Only hearing certain things about the family. Only to learn things on her own. Erica a strong character having the secrets and raising the boys. Kimmie's brother Jason a detective finds Erica on the side of the road bringing her to the farm without even knowing that is where she is supposed to go and why. The author did a great job with this story. I really enjoy Christmas stories and I really enjoyed the twins being in the story and learning about the whole back story and to find out what was going to happen to Erica and seeing if she does all the right things for the boys and too see if she actually kept her word to Kimmie or if she had to go against it. I received a copy from NetGalley!