Sleigh Bells in Rustic Colorado

When three adult sisters receive invitations to visit their aunt Sassy through Christmas, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Maggs, Rose, and Delilah are privately grappling with personal dilemmas and are stuck in limbo.

Precluded by their busy lives, It’s been a while since they’ve seen each other and even longer since speaking to their aunt. Plus, the mystery of the lengthy estrangement between their mother and Aunt Sassy continues on. What happened back then?

I would describe this as a domestic story topped with romance and smoother edges - the cousin of a Cozy Mystery. Despite the character’s problems, I felt that everything would untangle and be righted in the end.

This was a lovely Christmas read about family and rediscovering your inner spark.

Thank you to Judy from Galley Match, the editor, and the author for my gifted co

Home for the Holidays, by Sara Richardson, gives us three sisters, unhappy with the way their lives are heading, who have been summoned by an aunt they haven't seen for eighteen years, to spend her "last" Christmas at her Colorado inn. For each woman, this is just the excuse they needed to get away and rethink the direction things are going in their lives. Be prepared to be drenched in the sugary sweetness of Christmas goodies but also the sugary sweetness of "meet cutes" and hunky eligible bachelors (the grumpy hunky one and the flirty-eyed hunky one), loads of memories of good times from long ago, lots of snow, hot chocolate, and Christmas decorations and decorating.  

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC.

DNF at 50%. I'm sorry! Eek I wanted to love this one, but the writing is truly subpar. I love light, Christmas romances so it's not that I'm stuffy or judgemental of a simple storyline. I recently read and LOVED Teri Wilson's new book which is a Hallmark Christmas book. Just because a story is light doesn't mean it is okay to write poorly 😔 I won't be reading more from this author.

The Buchanan sisters all share special childhood memories of their Aunt Sassy's beloved Juniper Inn. There, they frolicked in the snow, baked sugar cookies, and celebrated the town's annual Christmas extravaganza. They haven't been back to Colorado in nearly fifteen years, but when their aunt invites them for one last Christmas, they can't say no . . .
Each sister has a memory and they all have different lives.
Dahlia is divorced and her ex has the kids for the holidays and is taking them on vacation so she decides to go see her aunt.
Magnolia is a baker and seems to have the perfect marriage except she can't get pregnant and fertility treatments are putting a strain on her marriage so she decides they need a break.
Rose is about to be married to a wealthy and prominant family. But the pressure of being the perfect bride, perfect wife to be and what is expected of her starts to take a toll and she needs to get away.
So all 3 sisters go to their Aunt.
Thanks to the strength of their sisterhood, some mistletoe, and the love of their Aunt Sassy, the Buchanan sisters will discover what it is they truly want this Christmas
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the book to review.

Home for the Holidays was my first Christmas holiday read for the year and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy all over!

The Buchanan sisters - Rose, Dahlia and Magnolia haven't been back to Juniper Inn - their aunt's inn- since they were little girls. Each has their own life now - with all of their own grown up issues. They each receive a letter from their Aunt Sassy informing them that they must spend one last Christmas at Juniper Inn together.

When the sisters arrive at the inn they realize why Aunt Sassy wanted all three sisters together one last time - she wants to gift them Juniper Inn. Do the sisters try to work it out if they want to keep the inn, or is it too much with all of them spread out so far?

I really enjoyed how the various chapters were told from the three sisters point of view. Home for the Holidays immediately made me feel warm and cozy - with all of the holiday decor descriptions and small town vibe. Rose, Magnolia and Dahlia had a lot of time for self reflection during their stay at Juniper Inn, but I also enjoyed how they also were eventually able to rely on one another. The bond of sisterhood was so important in this book and I loved that all of the sisters eventually were able to share not only their joys in life but also their lows.

If you're looking for a wonderful book that tests the bonds of sisterhood, but also has you getting into the Christmas spirit - pick up Home for the Holidays!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

This was such a light, heartwarming holiday read. Kind of like the feeling you get when you lounge in your favourite chair, covered in a soft, cozy blanket with a mug of hot chocolate in your hand.

What I loved:
• story told from each sisters POV
• Aunt Sassy
• the love between the sisters
• Doc Ike & Colt
• how each sister thrives with their individual talents

This is a perfect example of a book to read during the holidays when you are in the need of a soft escape. I read it in one day...almost one sitting.

Loved this great holiday story. Loved the characters and their individual storylines. A story of family with lots of history coming back together at Christmas. 3 sisters, Dahlia, Magnolia, and Rose and their aunt Sassy in beautiful Colorado spending one last Christmas together. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

This was a heartfelt warning book about family, misunderstandings and what you really want out of life. This is about three sisters, Rose, Magnolia and Dahlia. 3 sisters invited to their aunt’s inn for the holidays. Rose is getting married, Magnolia is struggling with infertility whilst Dahlia has sent her children on holiday with her ex and his girlfriend. They are on a journey to find themselves, to be themselves and to find what they actually want out of life. They forge a relationship with each other that they thought was lost, after thinking each had the perfect life. I loved this book. The fact that it was set around Christmas (it’s never to early in my eyes). Will the sister undergo the transformation to be who they meant to be? A great story and characters.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. The Buchanan sisters have decided to spend Christmas in colorado at the Aunt Sassy's Juniper Inn. The sisters remembered the hotel like it was yesterday. This was a cute holiday romance.

I had really high hopes for Home for the Holidays. I love Christmas books, the cover is cute, and it was my first holiday read of 2020. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me in just about every way.

I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and I didn’t particularly like any of them. It took me almost half the book just to remember who was who. They all felt one dimensional, and each storyline was predictable from the beginning. Normally I don’t mind predictability - most romances have an element of it, but the journey is what makes the story special. I just didn’t care about the characters, though. The romances were pretty blah too and felt like they were thrown in for the sake of it. I was disappointed by the pregnancy storyline, although I saw it coming from the beginning. Just ONCE I would like for a couple who struggles with infertility to NOT get pregnant magically and have it solve all their problems.

I did enjoy the wintery and Christmasy descriptions and would love to visit a place like Juniper Inn, but that was about it. I wanted to love this book so badly, and I hate that I didn’t. I seem to be in the minority, though, so I’ll happily talk about this book to other Christmas romance lovers and hope they enjoy it more than I did.

I received an ARC for honest feedback.

Three sisters reunite at their aunt's house when they think their estranged aunt is dying. Each sister is facing her own demons as well. Dahlia (Dally) is divorced with two kids and is faced with Christmas without her kids who are in France with her ex. Magnolia (Mags) has been trying for years to get pregnant is married to Eric. Rose is engaged to be married but isn't sure she is in love with her fiance anymore, or if ever.

As they reunite at their Aunt Sassy's home, the Juniper Inn, they notice it in shambles. The sisters work together, along with two local men, Dr. Ike and Colt to restore the inn in time for Christmas.

A sweet book in which each sister is confronted with decisions about her life and standing up for what she really wants.

#netgalley #sisterhood #christmasromance

Home for the Holidays brings estranged family members together once more at their Aunt Sassy’s inn. Three sisters, with personal issues of their own, make the decision to return to Colorado for one final visit before their aunt moves on from the now slightly rundown inn where memories are around every single corner. Fifteen years is a long time away, but Sassy’s love for the girls never faltered and they are welcomed back with open arms.

Dahlia, Magnolia, and Rose are facing personal decisions, questions in their relationships that make this getaway time even more precious as the distance from problems will often allow the truth, and the solution to be found.

The cover description really gives the reader a good idea of what to expect in Home for the Holidays. Yet it doesn’t show the emotional toll that personal life decisions have taken on all of these women, including Sassy. This time away will allow Dahlia to see herself in a different light far away from the controlling ex-husband who still is trying to pull the puppet strings of their relationship. For Magnolia, the failed IVF tries have finally reached a point where her husband no longer wants to hold out hope for a child. Magnolia isn’t there just yet, she may never be and this time at the inn will be a reflective moment for her. Rose may have fallen in love quickly and agreed to a marriage far too soon as she is now beginning to see her fiancé’s determination to change her even before the vows have been spoken. She’s second-guessing decisions made at the height of being in love, and being with her sisters and aunt will show her the way to true happiness.

There is a lot going on in Home for the Holidays, yet it flows easily, giving each character the needed time for their own issues, as well as time with family members. I enjoyed this story so much. It’s light on the romance side, but it’s there just enough to make the story realistic and provide reasons for some decisions. Mainly, this story is about family, decisions in the past and for the future, and the possibilities that can come if we hold out for them. One chapter is closing for each of these women, but another is on the horizon… that is what made their story so heartwarming, and at times, heartbreaking. Letting go of the past to embrace what may be just ahead. I was emotionally touched by their stories, and the Holiday theme was perfect for this reunion.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) 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 loved the idea of the sisters coming together for the holidays to reset and reflect. I loved the aspect of the book. Very comfortable read. It does touch on women with issues on having kids/miscarriages and what they would feel and go thru. Very enjoyable read.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS really gets you in the holiday spirit as it reunites three sisters in Juniper Springs, a small town in the mountains of Colorado that holds a lot of memories for them. The story is told in alternating chapters by each of the three sisters: Dahlia, Magnolia and Rose.

The Juniper Inn is owned by their aunt, but she’s been estranged from the family for many years. When she writes them each a letter asking them to spend one last Christmas with her, the sisters decide to go.

All three sisters have a lot going on in their lives, and none of them are currently happy. But their aunt hopes their visit will change things for the better. The author does a great job letting us get to know each sister, understanding their problems and dreams. The characters all have a depth to them, and seeing the inn through their eyes is magical. The romances that develop between the men in Juniper Springs and the sisters is done well.

Ms. Richardson is an author who writes romances with family and friends and strong women. I look forward to reading more of them.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded up to 5 stars here and on other sites.

Home for the Holidays would make the perfect hallmark Christmas movie! 🎄 ⁣
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This is a beautifully written, heart warming story about three sisters who live in different areas of the US, who have grown apart, when they each receive a letter from their aunt in Colorado to come spend Christmas with her, in the beautiful mountains.⁣
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The description of the mountains and the small town paints a gorgeous picture, and makes you want to cozy up in a cabin with hot chocolate and devour this book. ⁣
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The characters are genuine, compassionate, and have amazing self growth throughout this story. You learn about their lives, their struggles, friendship, love, loss, parenthood, self worth, and the special bond between these sisters, that they’ve always had but lost along the way and are now rekindling. ⁣
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It is such a sweet story and the perfect winter read.⁣
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Thank you @grandcentralpub for an ARC for my honest review. This book is out now!⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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#bookstagram #books #bookcommunity #homefortheholidays #fiction #holidayread

I very much enjoyed this book.. I loved the characters and the relationship between the sisters.

I do recommend this one.

A beautiful family drama! The characters were well drawn and sympathetic, and the storyline flowed seamlessly. Highly recommended!

A feel good Christmas journey that checks all the feel-good blocks. The story of the Buchanan sisters will take you straight into the holiday season with a smile.

Home for the Holidays was a great book, and the setting was perfect. I would love to visit Juniper Inn! All of the characters were wonderful and I really enjoyed reading their stories. I wish this would be a series.

Oh my. Oh my my my!
I adored this book. Stories like these are timeless and I would read a million of them as long as they were just like this.
I loved following the lives of three sisters in completely different stages of their lives. Three completely different sets of circumstances. They each had something they desperately wanted. They each thought something different would ultimately make them happy. But, that was the kicker. They may each be striving for something different, but in the end they were searching for the same thing. Happiness.
Isn’t that what we as human beings are all looking for?
This is what makes this book so relatable and I absolutely loved it.
I felt like I was in a hallmark movie and I was tempted to jump right into the pages. I felt so warm and cozy while I was reading this, like I was sitting in an overstuffed armchair watching giant snowflakes fall outside. It was emotional and beautiful. I literally had to stop, make a batch of cookies and a cup of tea and then immediately jump right back in to finish. It was so uplifting.
Sara Richardson is a mastermind with words. It felt like everything she wanted to say, all the points she was trying to get across, came out perfectly. I mean, why do we as women try our hardest not to show any weaknesses? Why is it that we feel the need to emphasize that we are fully capable of doing things on our own? What do we feel we need to over-justify our choices in life? What’s so wrong with asking for help once in a while?
This was just the story that I needed at this time in my life. A gentle reminder, that leaning on others doesn’t make us any less than anyone else. It actually helps in our end goal of true happiness.
This was so real. I would love to be friends with these girls in real life. And, honestly, anyone who uses “oh mylanta” in a story is my favorite person. 😊
I will be recommending this to everyone I know. A little sprinkle of Christmas magic is more than needed in this crazy year we’re having.
Thank you NetGalley and Sara Richardson for this masterpiece in exchange for an honest review.