Season of Wonder is a great Christmas story from RaeAnne Thayne. There is lots of drama and conflict around Dani's family fitting into small town culture and learning to trust again, as well as the standard teenage angst. I liked the characters very much, and the story and drama was right on. This is a great addition to the Haven Point series, but can also be read as a stand alone.

<i>Season of Wonder</i> was the nice, light read that I needed after finishing a couple of lengthy titles that I had to kind of plow through.

Single mom Dani has moved to Haven Point to (hopefully) take over the local veterinary practice once the long time doctor fully retires in the next year. Her past is something that she holds close to her chest and is very guarded and reserved with the other members of town. Her oldest daughter, Silver, is thirteen and every inch the angsty teen. Mia, the baby of the family, is precocious and eager to be involved in whatever excitement is happening. The one thing Dani didn't count on was the hunky police officer next door.

SoW was a very typical story in the romance genre, but that didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the story. It was a good, quick read and I found myself rooting for Dani and Ruben.

Fans of romance books along similar lines will really enjoy this story in preparation for the holidays.

Dani has had a rocky life. In fact, that's an understatement. Through hard work and grit, she has made something of herself and is a veterinarian. The two daughters she has (whose father was a murderer) seem bent on making the same mistakes she did, if not worse. Ready for a change, she takes a job in a small Idaho town, where she meets Reuben.

This is a heartwarming story that seemingly is a Christmas story, but in truth is more of a story told about finding happiness at the end of a long, hard road.

Reading a RaeAnne Thayne book is like wrapping yourself in a comfy blanket and sitting in front of a warm fire with a mug of hot chocolate. They're comforting, heartwarming, and generally full of seasonal fluff. It was a little difficult reading this in the sweltering Texas summer heat, but the author has such a gift for transporting you to the setting of her novels that you forget you're not actually in the snowy winter town of Haven Point. In this novel we meet Daniela "Dani" Capelli and her two daughters, sullen teen Silver and adorable Mia. She's the new veterinarian in town and has captured the attention of her boss' son, Deputy Ruben Morales. The two are neighbors and after her daughter pulls a rebellious act and gets caught by the deputy, the two are thrown together to clean up the mess. Sparks fly, but Dani has a secret past she's afraid will ruin her chance at romance and at giving her daughters a safe home to start life over after the death of their father. These characters come to life on the page, especially Silver, who is written well as a typical thirteen year old confused about life. Overall, this is a very sweet romance and Dani and her girls fit in really well in Haven Point.

Season of Wonder by RaeAnne Thayne. Wonderful heartwarming holiday story. . Lovely family. Little Mia is a dream girl, so sweet. And Rueben.... A good addition to the series

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

When you start reading SEASON OF WONDER, the newest addition to RaeAnne Thayne’s Haven Point series, you quickly realize that the holiday season is going to take a back seat to the central story. RaeAnne Thayne’s stories are about some of the most fascinating people and SEASON OF WONDER fits that billing. SEASON OF WONDER is a great example of people’s ability to rise above their circumstances with a little help from trusted friends and loving family. SEASON OF WONDER is simple wonderful.
Dani Capelli’s life has been one of enormous changes starting from when she was really young. Losing her mother at a young age left her in the hands of social services with varying degrees of safety and caring. So as a young woman she was easily captivated by the charms of her now exe husband Tony. Along the way Dani somehow managed to maintain her integrity by the skin of her teeth. Now several years later with two daughters Dani is once again faced with still another move – this time from New York to Haven Point. Hopefully to escape from the notoriety of now deceased Tony DeLuca. Moving to Haven Point was an opportunity for the three Capelli girls to hit that restart button. Dani is filled with hope mixed with equal parts dread. Their slate isn’t exactly clean but Dani has done all she can to put their past behind them.
Haven Point is the destination for the next phase of the Capelli girls. Dani is starting her career as a veterinarian thanks to the support of Dr. Morales. Mia and Silver are getting adjusted to their new schools. Their adjustment hasn’t been an easy one. And now there is another wrench thrown into the path of their new lives in Haven Point.
The Capelli’s next door neighbor is Deputy Reuben Morales – Dr. Morales’ son. Reuben makes Dani nervous on many fronts. First would be the obvious part where a large handsome single guy has not escaped Dani’s eyes. Reuben makes Dani think of things she hasn’t spent any time pondering in a really long time. Second is the fact that he is a lawman. Dani’s experience with the law hasn’t been one of trust. Originally with social services and then followed up with Tony’s crime ridden life. She tried so hard to remain optimistic that Tony would be able to turn his life around.
Reuben finds himself unusually attracted to this single mother. She just isn’t his type. But whoever said that type really counts for matters of the heart is often blindsided by that thing called love and attraction.
Reuben is unfortunately not able to break through that self-imposed fence Dani has erected around her. But the girls are another story. Equally difficult to begin with but becoming more friendly with time. Until the Capelli girls are once again center stage in an event that brings the law – Reuben – to their door.
Mischief is somewhat normal for kids. But unfortunately Silver finds herself thrust into a situation that she is just too young to avoid. Peer pressure is tough enough. But so much more difficult when you are the new kid in town.
So Dani is now forced to work along with Reuben to help get Silver get back on track. Dani had so many hopes of this being a good move for her little family.
It’s the time and season of hope and wonder. Dani and her girls are due for a little of each. Could Haven Point be that place. So kick back with your feet up in a comfy chair and be prepared to be lovingly dazzled by the enchanting and real characters of RaeAnne Thayne in her newest achievement which is suitably entitled SEASON OF WONDER.

He’s giving her children a season of wonder…

Dani Capelli seized a chance to start over in a small town with her daughters. Now, facing her first Christmas in Haven Point, she wonders if leaving New York was a mistake. Dani loves working alongside veterinarian Dr. Morales, but her two children aren’t adjusting to small-town life. And then there’s Dr. Morales’s son, Ruben—Dani’s next-door neighbor. Gorgeous, muscled and dependable, the deputy sheriff is everything she secretly craves and can’t bear to risk loving…and losing.

Ruben never pictured himself falling for a big-city woman like Dani. But beneath her prickly facade, she’s caring and softhearted and she needs all the love and protection he can give. When Dani’s teenage daughter starts acting out, Ruben draws on family traditions to show the girls just how magical a Haven Point Christmas can be. But can he convince Dani that she’s found a home for the holidays—and forever—in his arms?

--My thoughts. Welcome home, err I mean Haven Point! Christmas is always a magical time, and who wouldn't want to be in Haven Point with the boats on the water, and the churros and hot cocoa? Sign me up! I loved Dani and her daughters. Dani has taken an offer to come to Haven Point to help an older vet for a year with his practice, but Dani has a secret. But is it really that big of a secret and is it really her secret to carry and be such a burden?

Ruben is such a sweet man, helping with her daughter after she is caught committing a crime. This is such a feel good story, and we all know what the outcome is probably going to be, but the ride along the way will have you in love with all of them!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is part of the Haven series which I hope has many more books to come. It is now Christmas time and we get to visit with characters both new and old. Each of these books are full of wonderful characters and emotion filled scenes. Highly Recommended

It's Christmas time and we are back in Haven Point. Was the ending ever in doubt? No, but on the other hand, I really enjoyed getting to know Ruben and Dani, especially Dani.

Except for a few years here and there, Dani has always had to carry the load alone. She was in foster care as a child, married a "bad boy" who ended up in prison, and who committed murder when he got out. She's been a single mom for almost all of her girls' lives and has put herself through school. She's afraid to let anyone in because she has always been disappointed.

As Ruben comes into her life she learns that it is ok to lean on others and let them help you. In his family she sees the support that family can be.

I enjoyed this heartwarming Christmas romance. Like Thayne's other books, the characters never get beyond passionate kissing.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley. Grade: B

To be published 9/24/18

Warm holiday love story with a lot of angst. I enjoyed it. The children were so realistic, the dialogue was on point and the hero was swoon worthy.
Christmas stories are so wonderful.