In “Christmas in Vermont,” magic and synchronicity appear to be at work for several people. Emma and Fletcher, former college sweethearts, meet at a Vermont inn for an after Christmas holiday. Chance meetings and coincidences bring them together repeatedly and allow them to rediscover their friendship, maybe more.

The child Lola, Fletcher’s daughter, is utterly delightful. She displays personality and talent throughout the book. Fletcher’s fiancée Megan provides enough snarkiness for readers to dislike her, and to cheer for Emma and Fletcher. A side bar story about the innkeeper also adds interest to the plot. Although this book is quite predictable, readers will enjoy the happy ending.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Emma and Fletcher fell for each other years ago while in college. After graduation, however, they drifted apart. Once day, Emma stumbles upon a watch she had given Fletcher in a pawn shop. Thus begins the story of their reuniting at a bed and breakfast in snowy Vermont. At first, though both at the inn, Fletcher and Emma do not really spend time together—they practically avoid each other, and are only brought together by Fletcher’s daughter, Lola, a Broadway star “wanna-be” at the tender age of 10, when Emma accompanies Lola on the piano while Lola sings in the inn’s talent show. To complicate matters, Fletcher is also with his fiancé, a long-legged beauty who will do anything to be a Broadway star and who can only put her own selfish needs before everyone else’s needs. As her father, Fletcher wants to help Lola live her life as completely as possible, which often conflicts with his fiancee's needs and wants. Days at the inn pass, and Lola and Emma become close, as Emma and Lola spend time together and become involved in a variety of projects. For his part, Fletcher is torn between his fatherly love for Lola and his desire to help Lola live her life as completely as possible, even if means sometimes putting her needs and wants before his fiancé, much to the fiancee's dismay. All the while, Emma, who is becoming closer to Lola, lurks, bringing up memories for both her and Fletcher of what was and could have been. How will the pair resolve these issues between them? Can Lola, or any of them, help make this work?

This is a pretty good romance. I loved the main characters, except for Melissa, Fletcher’s fiancé, and was glad when she was no longer in the picture. I was particularly taken by Lola, a precocious ten-year old (ten going on twenty-five), who seemed to work things for the best and often to her advantage. It was also interesting to watch Emma and Fletcher find their old selves and figure out how to or if they could make work what they had years ago. Of course, the setting in snowy Vermont, was picture perfect for a Christmas setting. The secondary characters, the owner of the inn, the town residents, the owner of the playhouse in town were also delightful and well done. This is a great book to get you into the holiday spirit. It is one I will read again and again, for I really enjoyed it. I received this form NetGalley to read and review.

Christmas in Vermont written by Anita Hughes is a perfect example of a wonderful holiday romance book with a great plot, descriptive words that make you feel like you are in Vermont and the spirit of the holiday in full force. This book is all about second chances and having the courage to go after what you want, and what you have wanted for a long time. Christmas in Vermont is one of my favorite new books for holidays 2019 and I can't wait to hear what you think about it!

The story of Christmas in Vermont

Emma is enjoying an evening walking around Manhattan on Christmas Eve and she finds a pawn shop that is still open and happily steps inside. Imagine her surprise when she finds a watch that looks just like a gift that she gave to someone very special to her in college. When she picks up the watch she sees the same engraving that she created all those years before for her boyfriend Fletcher. She makes a trade and takes back this watch, wondering what brought this all the way back to New York. What are the odds that she has found it again, she can't believe the timing.

She tells her best friend Bronwyn about her find, and her friend is convinced that this has meaning! She believes in synchronicity and sets out to find where Fletcher has landed and how she can hook up Emma and Fletcher again. Bronwyn finds that he is staying in a romantic Vermont inn for the week. She decides that she has to give her friend a push and signs her up to be the children's activity coordinator for the week. Emma agrees to make the trip, because she has just broken up with her boyfriend and needs a change of scenery.

However, soon after Emma arrives and signs in for duty she discovers that Fletcher is there with his daughter and his fiancee. Emma sees her hopes fading fast, but agrees to stay on to help the innkeeper who is battling financial concerns and is in serious danger of loosing her dream inn.

If you are looking for a book to get yourself in the holiday spirit, Christmas in Vermont is the perfect book for you. It's funny, it's heart warming, it's timing, and it's self-exploration all rolled into one great story. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

I received the unedited copy of Christmas in Vermont. I can see this being played out on tv during the Christmas season. I did have a hard time with Lola’s character. For a little girl of nine, she was far mature for her age.
Overall, it was a nice read. You can picture yourself in Vermont, smelling all the wonderful foods they are known for. Taking winter walks and catching a play at the playhouse.

Christmas in Vermont is just a cozy, delightful story. This is a book you will want to wrap up in a blanket by a cheery fire with a steaming cup of hot chocolate to read. I don't think I have ever heard of synchronicity before or at least I haven't experienced it, but this book makes me a believer!! In addition to that, it will make you a believer in second chances.

Around the holidays we all like those warm, fuzzy, feel good stories. And just like a Hallmark movie, this is one of those stories. While the ending is very predictable, I don't feel it takes away from the storyline at all. It's a sweet, romantic love story. I loved the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It's beautifully written to make a nice, quick read. This heartwarming, adorable book will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit!! So get ready to spend Christmas in Vermont and enjoy the magic!!!

My thanks to Anita Hughes, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emma should be walking on the beaches of Maui with Scott right now instead of walking the streets of Manhattan on Christmas Day. It’s clearly her fault, she knows, but five days ago she just knew he was about to propose when he gave her this beautiful bracelet she’s about to sell if she could only find an open, second-hand Jewelry store. She had to break up with him; Scott was a great guy, but she wasn’t ready to marry him!
As Emma entered the only shop open today, the older gentleman behind the counter wishes her a Happy Holiday and asks if he could help. She presents the exquisite bracelet, but he offers her only two hundred dollars, apologizing and explaining that’s the highest he can go. As Emma looks around the small shop, the gleam from a watch-face catches her eye. My goodness she thinks, that watch looks exactly like the one I gave Fletcher at graduation almost eleven years ago. She asks to see it and sure enough it is the same watch. As she begins to bargain with old gent, he offers her a deal to swap the bracelet for watch. “Deal,” says Emma.
Emma walks over to her best friend, Bronwyn’s apartment, to show her the watch and see how her friend is holding up with her two young daughters, on their “staycation” in the city. Bronwyn’s husband had to rush to his mother’s home after she had a bad fall. As soon as Bronwyn saw the watch she immediately stated: “synchronicity;” or in simpler terms; fate. Bronwyn felt this wasn’t just a coincidence that Emma found Fletcher’s old watch on Christmas day, but fate; and Emma needed to help it along and find Fletcher. “I’m not so sure that’s how fate works,” said Emma. Bronwyn waved her away and took matters into her own hands.
So, by magic, or actually Bronwyn’s sleuthing, she discovers Fletcher will be at the Smuggler’s Inn, Snowberry, Vermont for six nights, between Christmas and New Year’s. Bronwyn, being the good friend, has arranged for Emma to be there as well, with one slight catch. Emma has to substitute for the woman who was to be the Kids’ Club coordinator, a few hours each day. If Emma agrees, she gets free lodging and food at the quaint little Inn. “Oh, why not, it’s better than staying in Manhattan, alone for the Holidays.” Says Emma.
Off she goes to the best Christmas adventure we’ll get to read about. Complete with a beautiful snowy Inn, tons of Christmas decorations, and a friendly, newly widowed owner. When Emma first meets Fletcher again after all these years, it’s a bit awkward, but all that melts away to a lovely romantic story. Put this in your stocking and a few extra for people you love. Merry Christmas to all!

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Anita Hughes

Anita Hughes, author of "Christmas in Vermont" has written a delightful, and entertaining novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Romance. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes back to the past when it pertains to the characters and events. The setting for this story is primarily in Vermont. The author describes her characters as complicated and complex.

Emma usually breaks up with her boyfriends before their relationship reaches the year mark.  On Christmas eve, Emma finds a Pawnshop open and intends to sell the bracelet her ex-boyfriend gave her, and give the money to charity when she spots a special watch. It is the same watch that she bought her very first boyfriend. She decides to trade her bracelet for the watch. Her best friend, Bronwyn calls this "the magic of synchronicity".

Emma has thought that Fletcher, her first love was in London. Bronwyn checks social media and finds that Fletcher is in Vermont.  Bronwyn, such a special friend gives Emma a gift of a vacation in Vermont.  Is there such a thing as "the magic of synchronicity" or fate? Emma is certainly in for some surprises.

I appreciate that the author describes the importance of family, friendship, loyalty, honesty, communication, love, and hope. This is a story of forgiveness, second chances, being kind and helping others. I would recommend this charming and emotional novel to readers that enjoy a romantic story.

I received this book "Christmas in Vermont" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. A nice Christmas story. A bit predictable but an enjoyable read.

4.5 stars

Every year this happens. I block out the entire month of October for strictly Halloween reading (mysteries, horror, thrillers etc), but then all the holiday romances start coming out and next thing I know it’s like Christmas in October on my blog!

I am one of those closet holiday movie fans. There is something so fulfilling about a feel good romance set around the holidays, and I can’t say no to a holiday romance novel to save my life!

I have read all of Anita Hughes’s holiday romances and I adore them! She’s written a number of other novels that aren’t Christmas-y and are set in various exotic locations (which swoon!) but I haven’t read them yet simply because she does such a great job with holiday romances and I’m afraid to rock the boat—because what if I don’t like them as well as the holiday ones?!

Summary
Emma can’t believe her luck when she finds an open pawn shop on Christmas Eve in Manhattan. She’s there to sell the beautiful bracelet her ex-boyfriend gave her when a familiar looking watch catches her eye. It’s the same engraved watch she gave her college boyfriend, Fletcher, years ago. On a whim, she trades for the watch and wonders at the timing.

Practical Emma thinks it’s just a coincidence, but her best friend Bronwyn believes it’s the magic of synchronicity that caused Emma to find the watch. Fletcher was the one that got away, and somehow Emma never quite moved on.

When Bronwyn finds out that Fletcher is in snowy Vermont at a romantic inn for the week, she can’t help but give synchronicity a push. She signs Emma up to help the inn keeper as the children’s activity coordinator. Emma agrees that a week filled with quaint shops and maple syrup would do her good… and maybe Fate really does have a Christmas gift in store for her. That is until she sees Fletcher with his daughter and fiancée.

Suddenly, the fairytale trip seems doomed to fail… much like the innkeeper’s dwindling cashflow. It will take a miracle to save her heart and the inn. And that just might be what Fate has in mind. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
Vermont isn’t really the first place I think of when I think of Christmas romance, though now that I am typing that, it actually IS the perfect place for romance! Her other Christmas books that I’ve read have been set in London and Paris and frankly I was expecting some place like Austria or Switzerland or something like that—not Vermont.

When I think of Vermont, I think of maple syrup and snow—that’s it. But now thanks to think book I will think of heart warming romances! This book read just like one of those predictable but yet oh so lovable Hallmark Channel holiday films and it was just what I needed!

Yes it was predictable and yes at times cliche but when I pick up a holiday romance, I want that! I want to be reminded of love and warmth and happiness around the holidays. Cliche or predictability be damned! Give me all the classic troupes! I have eleven months out of the year to read unpredictable books but in the months leading up to Christmas, I want to read cliche! Hughes is one of the best in the genre hands down!

Emma and Fletcher’s story is full of charm and second chance romance. Hughes writes with wonderful detail and I felt like I was right there with the characters in this charming little town. Emma is likable and I really enjoyed following their romance evolve and come together. This was just what I needed after coming off of a lengthy horror novel—a happy ending that was a fast read full of romance, happy details, and Christmas!

Book Info and Rating
Kindle Edition
Expected publication: October 15th 2019 by St. Martin’s Griffin
ASIN B07PBM3NVR
Free review copy provided by publisher, St Marins Press, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: holiday romance, romance

This is a darling romance! I could see this being a hallmark movie! It had a slow start, but I loved the sweet story that took place in Snowberry Vermont. I want a sequel!

This was a lovely Christmas story about the power of fate, hope, and forgiveness in our lives. While I'm not a big fan of novels that hinge on secrets and lack of communication, it was handled well in this case. The descriptions of the Vermont country inn would make anyone want to go there for the holidays!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

For Emma, it seems that she cannot maintain a relationship with a man beyond 365 days. After her latest breakup, her thoughts are brought back to her college relationship with Fletcher, an aspiring theater director. That ended when he went off to London after graduation. Then, her friend discovers he has returned to New York. Her friend also discovers that Fletcher will be at an inn in Vermont between Christmas and New Years, so she sends Emma off to that same Inn as a present. The thought of seeing Fletcher again both excites and terrorizes Emma.

Well, there are surprises, disappointments, disasters, and opportunities as the story plays out. This story has a very Hallmark Christmas Movie feel to it, with a very predictable ending. There were some continuity issues in the version I read, as it seems it may have been written for the week before Christmas but changed to be the week after.

Since I like Hallmark movies, I liked the story, though, so it was entertaining.

Unpopular opinion:
I would like to thank @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC in return for an honest review. Sadly, this book was not for me even though I am the target audience as a fan of all aspects of Christmas.

Here’s where the book failed for me. The writing. Granted this was an ARC but a seasoned author should not have a sentence with ‘...and...and...and’. Overall the writing seemed disjointed and just didn’t work for me.

Lola is not 9. Lola is written as a much older character and it takes away from the story for her to act/speak so much older than she is.

While I liked the premise, this just fell flat for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 STARS

Before I can describe the book, you need to have this definition:
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synchronicity
n. the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.
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Emma, a copyrighter in New York, is in the habit of ending relationships before they hit the one year mark. This story begins with a very recently single Emma, who is questioning her relationship habits, and believing that she will never find 'The One'. When she goes to pawn off the jewelry said ex just gave her, she discovers a watch that she had given to Fletcher, “the one that got away” in college, and begins to wonder what would have been.

Bronwyn, Emma’s best friend and a big believer in 'synchronicity', sends Emma on a trip to a quaint inn in Snowberry, VT where she had discovered Fletcher is staying for the holidays. What comes next is interesting...

----------------------------

My very favorite part about the book was that I could literally feel the Holiday spirit. The author captured the essence of Christmas so well through descriptions of the town, and activities. The town came alive for me as Emma explored shops and participated in a variety of things while on vacation.

The characters were, in truth, unbelievable but did provide some entertaining moments. The biggest reason this didn't get more stars from me was that I didn’t fall in love with our MC's Emma or Fletcher. I really love a book where I can connect with the characters, or feel emotion, and I just didn't get that. They felt pretty one dimensional. I also am not a huge "instant love" person, and this felt much too convenient. (Especially if it really only takes place in about a week)

The writing style is light and fun though and is extremely easy to read. It was slightly confusing that the book was broken up by "X days until Christmas' and 'X days until New Years' when the story moved in chronological order. I felt this was unnecessary and just confused me. (I do have an uncorrected galley copy, so this may be different in the final book)

I did not like this plot point of synchronicity. I found it to be much too overstated and it began to become tedious to continue reading about it over and over.

Overall, I found Christmas in Vermont to be a fun and lighthearted Christmas read. I did feel like the storyline was too easy, and came together too perfectly. I also wasn't too attached to the MC's. That said, I enjoyed the read and loved the scenery and descriptions of the Holiday season.

Special thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Anita Hughes for the early review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

A good, clean and refreshing Christmas novel. A must read during the holiday season. You will want to spend December in Vermont.

Fletcher and Emma dated in college. After graduation, he went to London, her to New York. Now, 15 years later, Emma discovers that Fletcher has moved to New York. Could they rekindle what they had? Bronwyn, her best friend, buys Emma a week at the Smugglers Inn, when Fletcher is spending the holidays. Emma arrives to discover Fletcher was not alone as she thought, but with a younger fiancé and a precocious ten-year-old daughter.

Fletcher and Emma are conflicted about how they should feel and what emotions should be acted upon. Refreshingly, the characters behave appropriately. It is refreshing that characters don’t hop into bed or break a serious relationship with no more thinking than that require to order a meal.


I received an ARC from St. Martin Press through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review.

I believe we all have had, at some point in our lives, a special person that we will always wonder “what if…” about after a breakup. We rarely get a second chance to find out what might have been if things had been handled differently, yet that is exactly what Emma and Fletcher are going to get in CHRISTMAS IN VERMONT as coincidence in the form of one pawnshop and a gifted watch will send Emma to Vermont to see if “what if…” is really possible.

I enjoyed Emma and Fletcher’s story, while not perfect (a few details that “got to me”) it’s still a heartwarming, enjoyable second chance at love during the Christmas holiday season. Most of what you’d need to know before picking up CHRISTMAS IN VERMONT is in the Cover Description. What doesn’t translate from there to the actual story is the feeling of being at the inn with these characters in a lovely small town that embodies all that is beautiful about the New England area. The emotions are real, the story engaging, and aside from those few minor details, I had a fun time with this story. Anyone who loves a good Christmas Second Chance Romance will enjoy this one.

*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.*

I was very excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley of Christmas in Vermont. I love a good Christmas romance.

I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I think Emma finding the watch that she gave Fletcher at the same pawn shop where she is selling a piece of jewelry that an ex-boyfriend had given her was definitely a sign or fate. It was a strong start, because it sucked me in to want to know who Fletcher was and why that watch was in a pawn shop. Then having Emma's best friend, Bronwyn, stalk Fletcher on social media and set up a plan to have Emma vacation at the same hotel in Vermont as Fletcher for the holidays was quite entertaining. Emma ends up connecting with Fletcher's daughter, Lola, before she connects with Fletcher. When Fletcher first sees Emma again after many years since their college romance, she is playing the piano in a talent show as accompaniment for Lola's singing. It is a wonderful scene. 

I don't know how much I enjoyed the book after that. Lola was a great character. She was so witty for a nine year old. Her relationship with Emma was so adorable. Betty was a sweet character as well. I was not sure I cared much for the other supporting characters though. I guess Megan was a strong enough character. One of those characters that you love to hate. However, those scenes where Fletcher is talking to his best friend, I don't see how that character or those scenes added to the story.

Once Megan was gone, the story really fizzled for me. Of course, you want Fletcher and Emma to be together, but I just did not feel that spark. There could have been more romantic moments with them. I felt that their connection seemed stronger when the story would revert to a decade earlier and share moments from their original romance in college than the present day romance. I am still happy that Fletcher and Emma ended up together in the end, but I think I would have also liked an epilogue that jumped forward 364 days as assurance for the reader that Emma did not bail on this relationship like she did in her previous relationships.

This story had some strong characters and scenes. It made me want to visit Vermont. I did like it, but I did not love it.

Christmas in Vermont is a study in the magic of synchronicity; an idea that I haven’t really thought much about before. Anita Hughes brings the concept to the forefront in the sweet holiday story. Sure many of us believe that things happen for a reason but this is the first time I have ever read a story written around this. Take for example a woman goes to sell a piece of jewelry given to them by the latest ex-boyfriend, only to spy a piece she once gave to a old ex-boyfriend. She trades instead. Is it a coincident or part of something meant to be?

The fact that it takes place in the snowy winter holiday season adds to the magical quality of the story. The characters are likable so you hope that it is fate, believing that they are meant to find each other again. Not as easy as it sounds but the seasons and destiny will not be denied.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a very sweet romance about second chances and fate. I really enjoyed the setting. I don't like the cold but love reading about it! LOL! So it was nice to imagine being at the inn during Christmas time. The characters were likable, esp. Lola. She's a very rambunctious little girl and I love how she just takes action. The romance was sweet but predictable. All in all, a really good read.

Title: Christmas in Vermont
Author: Anita Hughes
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Christmas In Vermont" by Anita Hughes

My Rationalization:

What an enjoyable Christmas read filled with 'synchronicity/coincidence' was something that 'appears in your life when you least expected it and in the end made your dreams come true.' This is exactly what happened to Emma as it was for her to lose love, hoping to find it again and then finally finding love. Yes, this was a second chance love that was presented to Emma in Snowberry Inn in Vermont during the Christmas holiday.

I found this quite interesting where Emma finds a watch at a secondary jewelry store that she had once given to her college sweetheart many years ago. Then what happens next that Emma's best friend Bronwyn does was quite something that brings this story altogether with the gift she gave. This was definitely one of those 'fate, kismet, synchronicity' things that happen just for Emma. Now, to find out what all this is about you will have to pick up "Christmas In Vermont" to see how well this story comes together. I found some of the characters quite interesting especially Fletcher's daughter Lola, Betty, Stephen however, I didn't care much for his friend Graham.

What will happen when Emma after eleven years sees her once loved Fletcher [college sweetheart] and finds out about his daughter and fiancee, Megan who was now in Snowberry for the holidays? This will definitely be one of those heartwarming stories that the reader will find it hard to put down even though it may be somewhat predictable at times it was a good holiday fun read.

Thank you, Net Galley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review.