I did not end up getting around to this book but am trying to clear out my NetGalley account. I am auto-approved by this publisher and took more books than I could actually read.

I love Annie Rains storytelling style. Her books always make me feel, cozy and despite the theme, happy, sad, all of that, the vibes I get when reading her work are what keep me coming back.

This is a funny and sweet second-chance-romance. I loved the characters, the small town setting and the Christmas storyline. I wanted to climb into the story and enjoy it all. Annie Rains write FANTASTIC Romance!!

A sweet Christmas second chance romance with a touch of mystery. It's the second book in a series. It can totally be read as a standalone. I didn't read the first book and was not confused at all. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but without giving spoilers, it lost momentum with the decisions made by the female main character towards the end. They were sudden, strange and confusing and made it hard to give it more than a 3 star rating.

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

This was a sweet Christmas romance. It had enjoyable and charming characters, as well as really gives you the Christmas spirit. A good Christmas romance needs to make you feel good from beginning to end and this booked it.

THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE - Annie Rains

#2 in the Somerset Lake romance series

SWEET - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - When Miles Bruno is suddenly asked to move out of his rental home, he's grateful to Lucy for taking him on as a tenant. But their broken-off engagement doesn't make it easy to live next door. Sparks still fly between them, and he'd give anything to get back in Lucy's good graces.

Writing - 4.5 stars - Rains always writes in such a casual and easy-to-read way that it is very enjoyable to jump back into one of her series. Having only read one book from this series so far, I already feel like a part of the community and that the characters are my friends. She has built a warm and welcoming group, and I'm happy to head back to Somerset Lake.

Characters - 4.5 stars - This is where the story shone for me this time. Miles is a warm and supportive main character, and he feels familiar since we met him in the last book as head of the youth center kids. We get to know him better this time, and I like what I've learned. Lucy was a bit pushy last time, but of course that's par for the course with a small-town character. As we get to know her more, we find her friendly and a good friend, as well as an excellent midwife.

Title - 4 stars - Of course the title tells us that this book is set during the pre-Christmas season. Pretty self-explanatory.

Cover - 3.5 stars - The cover is nice, showing the Christmas vibe. But, I'll admit that the colors are a little drab and don't emphasize the warmth and joy of the Christmas season.

Overall - 4 stars - This was an especially good book for me. Miles and Lucy are great main characters, and I was totally invested in the rekindling of their relationship. The side stories of the Merriest Lawn competition and the Christmas Crankster added some fun and kept my interest.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book. My reviews can be read on my GoodReads account here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1335387-kelly

THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE by Annie Rains is the second book in the Somerset Lake series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. Christmas is that time of year when people really want to just enjoy peace, love, family and friendships. Lucy Hannigan wants these things in her life too, but first she has to learn how to deal with the devastating losses in her life. Her mom has recently passed away and this will be her first holiday without her. Plus, Lucy is overwhelmed with debts that her mom left behind and has no idea how she can pay all of the bills. She is hoping to make some extra money by renting the garage apartment out, but the only interested renter she has had is her ex-fiancée Miles.

I really enjoyed the small town setting and the romance that was being denied between Miles and Lucy. There is a great set of characters and I can’t wait to read more about the secondary characters as well. I think the pacing in the book is great and gave a good foundation for the next book in the series. I had a great time reading THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. Annie Rains pulled me right in and hooked me from the very first page. She is now an auto buy author for me. Her characters feel very real. They aren’t perfect and while they all have flaws they are also very lovable. I now know I will devour everything this awesome author writes and do it all easily with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. This series is definitely shaping up to be an absolute keeper. Annie Rains’ writing style engages you into the story-line and the couples they are written around are likeable, and although dealing with their own various issues, nothing is too dragged out or overdone.

THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE is a sweet novel about letting go of the past and making amends, of rediscovering what its like to be in love again, friendships and of coming to terms with loss. In a week where I have started four or five books and given each up at between 30% and 50% I read THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE straight through because the story is an easy read with engaging characters, a fun plot, and a believable storyline. I look forward to reading more from Somerset Lake. Annie Rains writes snappy dialogue, fantastic female friendships, and laugh out loud moments to give the story the perfect balance of humor and “will somebody pass the dang tissues?! THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE is not my first book by Annie Rains and it won’t be my last! Her writing is heartwarming and she makes the readers get very close to her main characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this title, but my reading interests have changed. I will not be finishing this book, but look forward to others in the future.

The Christmas Village is told from both Lucy and Miles's points of view.

Miles is a town cop who does a lot of charity work, and Lucy is a midwife who has several new clients now that she's moved back to her hometown.

Lucy and Miles dated as teenagers, but after they broke up Lucy moved away until her mom got sick and she needed to come back.
Lucy is now living in her family's home after the death of her mother, but she is stuck with all her mother's debt and doesn't see an end in sight. To help cover the bills she decides to rent out the garage apartment and none other than Miles who needs a new place to live while he looks for a house to buy.
The two end up becoming friends again and there just might be enough of a spark left for them to be able to leave the past in the past.

Overall I enjoyed this book. It's a cute Christmas read that isn't overly done. Lucy and Miles were two characters that I liked. They each had their own friends, who were a part of the book as well and helped them. Even though the whole town got invested in their friendship due to a busybody telling everyone that Miles was living in Lucy's garage apartment, they were still able to keep things together and work on things in their own time.
The town and side characters are lovely and I adored Lucy and Miles. The communication in this book was wonderful and very little miscommunication was happening. There were hurt feelings that needed to be reconciled and the truth needed to come out before the past could really be in the past and they actually dealt with everything like adults! It was so nice to see that happening for a change.

I had not read the first book in this trilogy, but it does appear that the books are companion novels so you don't have to read them in order.

The Christmas Village is perfect for fans of second chances, and small-town romances.

(Read a finished copy from the library.)

Review going live on my blog on December 7th @ 8am central time

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A great Christmas 🎄 novel. Highly recommend.

Heartwarming, emotional roller-coaster filled with witty and engaging charters, exciting twists and heart racing turns. A fun and engaging holiday adventure that was so had to put down from beginning to end.

Lucy Hannigan has inherited her mother's bulldog, Bella, and her childhood home, the only pink house on Gingerbread Lane.
When Miles Bruno is suddenly asked to move out of his rental home, he's grateful to Lucy for taking him on as a tenant. But their broken-off engagement doesn't make it easy to live next door.
This reminded me of what a Hallmark movie would be. All the feels and wanting to live in the town and having really great neighbors.
The sparks between Lucy and Miles was the topping to this story.
This is the 2nd book of the series and just as good as the first one.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the book to review.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Christmas Village was a quick and light read. I thoroughly enjoyed Miles and Lucy and their second chance at love.

ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from NetGalley, Forever 4.5 stars

The Christmas Village is book 2 the Somerset Lake series by Annie Rains, a new to me author.

Lucy and Miles were high school sweethearts, became engaged and thought they had it all…until something happened and Miles broke her heart. Now years later Lucy is coming to grips with the passing of her mother and the huge amount of debt to be paid. She needs a Christmas miracle…but not in the Miles wants her back way…he will do anything to show her he made a huge mistake and wants to start over and build a life together…

Will she open her heart again to Miles and have the miracle or will she let the past keep her from happiness? Only time will tell…

Annie Rains is my go to comfort read author, she writes the sweetest romance infused with humor and heart that I can’t get enough of

I love everything about this series! Summer set Lake is one of my favorite places! The fun between Lucy and Miles keeps you reading. Annie Rains is doing a great job with this series and I can’t wait for more!

A second chance romance with interesting characters. Lucy is struggling through the first year without her mom. When her mom died she left behind debts that Lucy has had to pay. So as Christmas rolls around the holiday spirit is lacking. Miles is her long ago love. As he enters her life again he helps rekindle romance and the will to continue living in her childhood home. But can she really trust Miles with her heart? I like the group of friends and the side stories. I enjoyed the book.

What a wonderful story of lovers past and second chances. Of course we all know that the road to love is never smooth sailing. Come and enjoy The Christmas Village and Lucy and Miles.

Lucy Hannigan returns home to the little town of Somerset Lake, a town that gave her the best and worst memories of her life. Can Lucy make Somerset Lake feel like home again or will the hurt of the past keep her from enjoying home again?

Miles Bruno a sheriff’s deputy for Somerset Lake, he loves this town and keeping it safe. Miles finds himself a Christmas mystery case to solve, will he catch the the BUH HUM BUG bandit or will he solve the mystery of Lucy’s return?

Supporting characters Moria, Tess and Trisha besties of Lucy’s are such a delight. Mayor Gil, Jake and new friend River of Miles are uber sexy and have caught my attention. Reva and her blog was absolutely priceless! I never laughed so hard. Everyone needs a good dose of Reva’s witty commentary. I can’t wait for more from the Somerset Series by Author Annie Rains.

Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb!

This is the sweetest most romantic Christmas romance I have ever read. I loveddddd the chemistry between Miles and Lucy, was sad at the parts that mentioned the passing of her mother and the numerous times Miles and Lucy argued but at the end I’m glad they stayed together with the help of their friends and family.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for the copy of this fantastic book in exchange for my honest review.