Alex and Halona have been friends, mainly because of her brother, for years. They have also had a crush on each other but never acted on it. He is the town cop and she is a single mother who runs the flower shop. Her son, Theo, is adorable, but won't talk. No matter how hard she tries, the only time he talks is in his nightly nightmares. He is still searching for the person who killed his father, eleven years later.
Alex comes up with a way to see and/or talk to Halona every day. They even flirt, but it never goes any further. When Alex is talked into becoming a mentor, to help his image, he ends up being paired with Theo. Theo is normally shy around people, but he isn't with Theo. This gives Halona hope. When Theo reveals a secret to Alex, via pencil and paper, he agrees not to tell Halona but tries to get Theo to tell her the truth.
There were mystery, romance, love, and hope all wrapped up in this book. Both Halona and Alex had to let their walls down: she was upset with him because he arrested her late husband (he didn't know all the details) and he was afraid to love anyone and put them in danger due to his job. When he starts getting closer to the truth about his dad, he gets threatened and reacts impulsively, but in a way to protect Halona and Theo. Their banter and Theo's interactions with Alex were both wonderful. I even kind of want to find out more about the abusive husband who seemed to want to be a better person by the end of the book.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

My very first holiday book of the season has definitely put me in the mood for Christmas!!

Halona and Alex's story is a little more angsty than I like my holiday books to be BUT this one had me so hopeful that the Christmas season would bring a HEA to these two amazing characters. I love that, even though these two have been in each other's lives since they were kids, they still had so much to learn about each other. The building of their relationship, the focus on Theo, and the compassion they have for the people of their town were some of my favorite things about this novella.

Every visit to Sweetwater Springs is wonderful and this time is no different!!

What a wonderful story full of romance, hope, and love. The story had just the right amount of mystery, intrigue, suspense, family and love woven together to tell a story to warm your heart with winter and Christmas cheer, like a cup of hot chocolate and fudge.

I really enjoyed the characters letting go of the secrets in their pasts that weighed them down and starting over burden free with hope for the holidays and the days to come. I liked that this story focused on Halona Locklear and her son, Trevor who has selective mutism since his father died. I thought the Mentor program was such a great idea for him.

I also admired Halona's strength in being a single mom, running her flower shop and trying to do the best she could with the cards she had been dealt. It was nice to see Chief Alex Baker try to break down the walls around her heart and to open his heart to love too.

There was an old mystery surrounding the death of Alex's dad that added to the story and kept me quickly turning the pages. I found this book very touching to my heart as I read it. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What first drew me to this book was the cover. Honestly, it is gorgeous and just gives out Christmas feels! The snow covered trees, house, and falling snow. And the puppy!

In this story we have Halona and her son Theo. Halona is a divorced single mom. Theo, only 7 years old, has selective mutism. Our main man of the book is Alex Baker. Alex is Chief of Police for their small town and single. Their story together was perfect! The way this story flowed was magical. We have love, family, murder, and mystery. All of it worked perfectly well together.

I will pick up anything that Annie Raines writes. I'm a fan of hers now!

Goodness gracious! This is such a lovely story to get ready for the holiday season! So engaging and wonderful. I have no words.

Loved the story of Halona, Theo, and Alex, along with the rest of the cast of characters. Secrets can wear you down and cause awful conditions. Sometimes we have to learn to take things on faith and know they may not be exactly what we are seeing. Course, feelings can get in the way of our straight thinking. I couldn’t help but feel bad for Theo with his condition. How hard that must have been to deal with, for both him and his mother. Halona is a rock star when it comes to her son. I loved hanging out in Sweetwater Springs and can’t wait to visit there again. When I left Sweetwater Springs, I found myself in Angel Falls and loving the story of Colton and Sara. Again, lots of great characters and a wonderful story of forgiveness and love. Hopefully, I’ll be visiting them again also. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

4.5 stars

Snowfall on Cedar Trail by Annie Rains is a sweet and entertaining holiday read and I really enjoyed it.

From the first few pages my interest was captured, the characters are likable, relatable and I enjoyed getting to know them and watching them come together.

Overall Snowfall on Cedar Trail is a lovely holiday read and I highly recommend it.

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*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC.*

This is a wonderful holiday romance. Snowfall on Cedar Trail is a warm and inviting read. There are so many endearing characters in this small town romance. The seamless storyline and the vivid storytelling makes you fell like you are there and part of the story.There are many endearing characters that I would love to read more about. I would definitely recommend this wonderful book.

I'm so excited to have discovered Annie Rains and the Sweetwater Springs series! What a treat it was to read this book. I already miss the characters, so I grabbed the rest of the series on Amazon.

This was my first Annie Rains books, and the first in this series for me to read too. So, with that said, you can read this book as a stand a alone book. I am a sucker for a cozy mystery, but I have never really read Romance books, and now I know who my go to romance writer is. I usually deter from reading romance books but this was just lovely and yes, there is mystery too!!

Annie Rains brings romance to the town of Sweetwater Springs with style. Chief of Police, Alex Baker. and Halona have been very good at locking their feelings up for one another until they weren't. Alex has always had a crush on Tuck's sister, Halona, but didn't want to hurt his friendship with Tuck by dating his sister, so he hid his feelings. Now is their time and I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold and develop.

Oh, but there is so much more going on than just their relationship. Halona's son Theo hasn't spoken a word since his father died last year. Halona has been doing everything she can to help and support him in the hopes to hear his voice once again. When a new mentor program opens she signs him up hoping it'll break him out of that shell he put himself in. Alex is the Chief of Police and just happens to be Theos new mentor.

He already has enough on his plate with him opening up his fathers hit-and-run cold case once again. Alex has spent 11 years trying to find out who killed his father.

Thank you to Netgally and for the Advanced Copy of this book!

#SnowfallOnCedarTrail #NetGalley

Snowfall on Cedar Trail by Annie Rains is book #3 in the Sweetwater Springs Series. Even though this is the third book in the series it can very well be read as a standalone. I wish I had read the first two books even though reading this I did not get confused. This is the first book I have read by Annie and it definitely will not be the last. I am buying the first two books in the series Christmas on Mistletoe Lane and Springtime at Hope Cottage. This is a very emotional story and kept me turning the pages well into the night. I recommend this book especially if you love small-town romances.

Halona's son Theo hasn't spoken a word since the death of his father last year. Since then she's been doing everything she can to be there and support him in the hopes to hear his voice once again. When a new mentor program opens she signs him up hoping it'll break him out of that shell he put himself in. Alex is the Chief of Police and Theos new mentor. He already has enough on his plate with him opening up his fathers hit-and-run cold case once again, but will try to work with Halonas child.

This was a cute little holiday read. I mean while its set during Christmas time and there is little things here and there that make sure the readers know its during the holiday season if I had to rate it to weather it would put the readers into the holiday spirit I would rate it a 3 out of 5 for holiday cheer. Besides that it was a pretty great contemporary romance. I liked getting to know the characters and was curious to see what was up with Halona's child. I enjoyed seeing how the characters were together and seeing the cutsey holiday things they did. I liked seeing the romance between the characters. Overall its a pretty good holiday contemporary book, and even if it doesn't absolutely scream Christmas I would still recommend putting this on our holiday romance reading because it really is a good book.

Favorite Quotes:

Why couldn’t he have a thing for someone uncomplicated like Emma? The only thing the beautiful café owner stirred for him, however, was his coffee.

I like to tell people I go so often because I’m secretly investigating her. Her coffee is too addictive to be legal.

Do you know Greta Merchant? Pushing eighty and walks with a cane even though she’s more physically fit than most twentysomethings… Well, she has a huge crush on Chief Baker… So a couple of months ago, Greta decided to go shoplifting… Don’t worry—Sophie was in on it. Alex had happened to come into the boutique looking for a gift for his grandmother’s birthday, and Greta and Sophie exchanged some conspiratorial whispers. Sophie knew Greta was going to be stuffing costume jewelry in her pockets. Then Sophie called Greta out on it loud enough for Alex to overhear… Being the dutiful chief of police Alex is, he headed over and spoke to Greta. He asked her to empty her pockets but she refused. She demanded that he frisk her instead. From the way Greta tells the story, it was the most action she’s had in decades.


My Review:

I have enjoyed all three books of Anne Rain’s Sweetwater Springs series, with a gentle and sweet small-town theme. Each of the books has been engaging, easy to follow, and entertaining; and while the characters carryover and the stories interconnect, each one has been strong enough to stand alone. Snowfall On Cedar Trail has a holiday-themed motif that features the blossoming romance during a tricky time between the stalwart and handsome Chief of Police, Alex, and his decades-long secret crush, Halona, the town florist and younger sister of his best friend. Their tale was sweetly written with a bit of peril, amusing humor, and unusual challenges to overcome.

Once again, Annie Rains has created a romance that makes me want to drive away from my busy suburban neighborhood and straight to the small town of Sweetwater Springs! The romance in this book was years in the making, with unrequited love and second chance romance bundled together. There was also a case of anxiety in a child, which I thought was a really interesting and unique element to the story. The heroine's son has selective mutism, and I enjoyed educating myself about that disorder through reading this book. It was clear that the author had done extensive research on the subject, and she was careful in how she portrayed it in one so young.

Halona Locklear is all about her business and her son, which means zero time for romance. Especially for the handsome Chief of Police, Alex Baker. But fate forces them together when Alex is assigned to Halona's son, Theo, as a mentor. Alex never wanted to be a mentor, too focused on solving his father's cold case murder and keeping the town in line. His image needs it, however, as his overzealous policing has caused people to think him unfeeling and cold. At first, Alex is apprehensive, thinking he doesn't have the time nor the patience for this. But as he and Theo form a bond, he and Halona form a bond of their very own. With attraction heating up and danger just around the corner as Alex grows closer to solving his father's murder case, things are about to get crazy in Sweetwater Springs.

Halona and Alex were an interesting couple - at first, I didn't really see them together. Their attraction, while genuine, felt a bit juvenile to me, and I couldn't help reminding myself that this is an adult romance, not a YA. As the story progressed, the romance improved, and I saw the bond they both had with each other and Theo. I loved Halona's son! He was obviously a sweet boy who was having a hard time dealing with his past, and it was admirable how Halona was so patient with him. Halona was stressed a lot, and no wonder for being a single mother! You could feel her emotions through the pages. The story of her ex-husband and his illness was fascinating to me, and it was yet another unique element that Annie Rains brought to the book. Halona was such a strong woman, raising her son and dealing with her business all on her own. Alex was the same in his strength, and they both needed someone else to lean on. They became that for each other.

Every book in this series has been a joy to read! I am excited to see what comes next to the small town of Sweetwater Springs.

There’s just something so appealing about a rugged, protective, small town police chief who doesn’t understand his hotness! Alex Baker has had quite the crush on single mom and flower shop owner Halona Locklear, going back to way before he married her now late ex-husband. He’s never acted on it until now.
Halona is drawn to Alex, too, but between her shop and her sweet little boy, Theo, she has a lot to handle. And while Alex knows something that Halona’s family and other friends do not about her former marriage, he doesn’t have the whole story.
I’ve been waiting for Alex and Halona’s story since book one of the Sweetwater Springs series. Don’t worry if you’re just jumping in now, this book can be read as a stand-alone. But this adorable duo has been giving off sparks even as secondary characters in other's stories.
Their own relationship is given a push by Theo and Alex’s painting in a mentoring program. Theo, who has selective mutism, already has a connection to Alex, which is made stronger when they are paired up...and helps push along the romance between his mom and “Chief Frisky”!
Halona is such a strong, proud woman and a loving, attentive mom to Theo, that’s it’s easy to root for her. But it’s her vulnerability that tugs at your heart. Alex is my favorite kind of alpha male...protective without being bossy, loves kids and animals, a little bit gruff and a whole lot loveable. While Christmas holds unpleasant memories for them both, this year they’re both getting something the deserve...love!
Annie Rains has written a wonderful, emotional story, full of hope forgiveness and healing. Sweetwater Springs and it’s citizens come alive on every page and worm their way into the reader’s hearts and minds.

A delightfully descriptive down home Christmas story. Heartwarming and oh so much fun to read, this book had so many extras including a cookie recipe I can’t wait to try. Sweetwster Springs is simply magical. And I recommend this book highly.

Great third installment of the Sweetwater Springs series. Very well written as always. Snowfall on Cedar Trail by Annie Rains is such a sweet story.

This is the first book I have read from Annie Rains and I loved it! Halona and Alex were perfect together. I loved that there was also an element of suspense that I wasn't expecting. This is a great holiday story that I will recommend to anyone who likes romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Over the past year I’ve become a huge Annie Rains fangirl with her Sweetwater Springs series. I’ve read all of the books and novellas and will now patiently be awaiting the next books about this adorable small town. (And by patiently I mean checking her website for release dates and synopses every few days.)

I’m pretty sure each book that comes out becomes my new favorite, but I can honestly say I fell in love with Halona and Alex’s story. They were minor characters in the last two novels since Alex’s two best friends Mitch and Tuck were the heroes of those stories. Alex is the chief of police in Sweetwater Springs and Halona is a single mom who runs a flower shop in town. These two grew up together and while they seemed to admire each other in their younger years, Halona fell in love and married a football star named Ted. Unfortunately a few years ago Ted died in a skiing accident leaving her and her son Theo on their own.

Alex and Halona have finally started having heart eyes for each other and are actually ready to admit it, but of course emotions and even some danger get in the way. I loved that this novel took had some romantic suspense from an outside source which is a bit different than the other books in this series. It made the stakes a bit higher and kept me wondering how things were going to end.

Obviously I was not disappointed at all. I loved every bit of their story and still would like to figure out how I can visit Sweetwater Springs some day so I can pick up some fudge from Dawanda’s shop and a hot chocolate from the Sweetwater Café. I’m (not so) patiently waiting for Netflix or Hallmark to just pick up this entire series and make all my dreams come true. Maybe I’ll make a dream cast post that I can tweet at Netflix so they get on this already.

Thanks to Forever Romance for sending me a copy to review. I’m so excited to scream about this series from the rooftop until everyone starts reading it.

I was so looking forward to this one. This is why I love series so much, you get to know the characters and kinda figure out who's going to end up with who. Not only that we already knew that Theo wasn't talking so we had that to look forward too.

I really loved Halona and Alex together. They just worked. It might have taken them a bit to figure that out but they did. Alex worked harder on them not having a relationship then he did on them having one. The funny part is that they are such a good match and they worked so well they really didn't need to work on them. They just needed to be together.

I'm so glad that Alex was picked for Theo's mentor. The little boy needed someone other than family to work his feelings out with. Alex knowing how hard it was to lose a parent is a perfect choice.

There is much to really enjoy about Snowfall on Cedar Trail. It's a wonderful comfort read that made to happy. I was so glad about Alex and the cases he worked. I did feel that the ending seemed a little rushed. Most of the action happened behind the scene and that was okay I just wish it played out for a little longer. I don't want to let to much go because I want to read it and find it all out just like I did.

As a whole, this is a wonderful holiday story that you'll enjoy reading. If you haven't yet read this series you have plenty of time to do so before the holidays. If you start now you can read this one when it gets chillier out. I promise if you love small-town romances you love this series.

5 - "This might turn out to be the best Christmas ever." Stars!

I have been a huge fan of Annie’s since her original series Hero’s Welcome started hitting e-readers, and whilst still a firm favourite with this reader, I have to say that the Sweetwater Springs series has surpassed it now in regards to writing and story-telling excellence. Snowfall on Cedar Trail is single mother; Halona Locklear and town Sheriff; Alex Baker’s story, and wowza just be warned you’ll need tissues for this one.

After all these years, he was ready to investigate this thing between them. Going too fast would only push her away though… Best to take things slow and follow her lead.

This is a couple that have been through a lot of ups and downs in their lives and both of them are still dealing with a lot of that in various ways, Halona’s son Theo and his issues figure heavily into that too for both of them, because he is the one that essentially brings them together.

First he had taken a dog under his wing, and now he was going to be mentoring a kid? How had this happened…

The romance in this one is sweet, with a slow burn and it fits in perfectly with the story being told, and the couple in question, both of them have responsibilities, and aren’t in a position to just drop everything and spend a weekend between the sheets. There is a bit of suspense running through this one as well in regards to Alex trying to solve a years old murder case, we also get to catch up with the rest of the Sweetwater Springs cast through its telling as well.

"Christmas will be here before I know it."

A great addition to the series, and a lovely seasonal story that you can absolutely read as a standalone if you are looking to start something to aid with getting the Christmas juices flowing!

"It was worth it."