I would like to thank Netgalley, Kensington Books and Janet Dailey for the E ARC of this book. It is published on the 26th of September 2023.
This is supposed to be book 6 in the Branding Iron series but I think it was a prequel to the series. We meet characters in this book who are grow ups in book 5, so I was a bit confused by the book numbering. However that did not detract for the story.
The main characters in this book are Ruth and her three children and Judd. Ruth and Judd was sweethearts back in high school but things happened that Judd was sent to prison. He has been back in Branding Iron a while and has seen the struggles that Ruth and her family have gone through. He still has feelings for her but does she feel the same?
Ruth wants to make this Christmas a really special one for her children. What she had reckoned on was her son wanting to help his friends Trevor repair the harnesses for the horses who pull Santa and his sleigh at the town parade. This puts him in direct contact with Judd.
Add to this that one of Judd’s friends from the past has come back to town and it looks like he is out to cause trouble for Judd and Ruth.
I loved this book. Great characters and setting. I had previously read the first book in this series and will be going back to read the rest.

This is what you think of when you think of a Hallmark movie.
Part of the Christmas Tree Ranch series and the second book I've read in the series. Last year's Christmas book was the first book. I can tell you this much, I will be needing to go to my library and find the rest of the books in this incredible series. I haven't read many books by this author; I know she has quite a few but the ones I've read I've enjoyed quite a bit.
When you're thinking of what makes a Christmas book fulfilling this is the type of book you'll think of. Richly detailed for Christmas but the book doesn't go overboard with sickeningly sweet like some books do, small town, children, wonderful characters, engaging plot and a realistic romance.
Divorced mother, Ruth McCoy just wants her children to have happy Christmas memories and wants to start new family traditions. A mama bear she will do all she can to protect these children, even her oldest a fifteen-year-old boy who is out to prove he's a man who doesn't really need Mama's guidance, but we all know they do at that age.
A run in with an old flame stirs up memories on both of their parts and we get a flash back to Ruth and Judd's past. Can he convince her a second chance romance with him is the best thing for her and her children or is it all just water under the bridge best left in the past?
A very warm and welcoming story where the characters seem like friends you'd want to stop and have coffee with. Will a secret from Ruth's past put the brakes on the budding relationship between Ruth and Judd? A sweet romance that'll surely get you in the holiday mood.
Recommended!

Pub Date 26 Sep 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Sound of Sleighbells is this year’s Christmas Tree Ranch story from the talented Janet Dailey crew. I always look forward to a Christmas story by them with this proving to b a winner. This second chance romance has a single mother trying to do what is right for her family, a teenager’s trust at stake along with a rancher’s heart. Ruth McCoy’s heart is involved too but what she most desires is her family’s happiness.

After a lifetime of ups and downs full of young choices gone wrong Ruth is trying to settle on the ups but f course the past refuses to stay. Others are part of the mix too including her fifteen-year-old son. A heart tugging story of anything at Christmas is possible in this small town. Read The Sound of Sleighbells today, it’s a magical holiday story of family and romance.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Judd's good deed certainly has bit him in the backside more than a few times. Talk about regrets. His actions also altered Ruth's life. She has a very hard time forgiving a trusting him again. Judd shows time and again that he can be trusted. This happy ending was hard won.
I enjoyed reading this holiday romance novel very much.

When Judd Rankin agrees to help some young people repair vintage horse reins in time for the Christmas parade he gets more than he bargained for including a reconnection to one of the kids mom, Ruth. These two have a past that ended badly and began a string of bad decisions with hard consequences. Years later Ruth is working hard to make a decent life for her children and knows letting Judd have any contact with them is probably a bad idea. Conflict enters the picture in the person of a bad guy with connections to Ruth’s ex. How will she manage to protect her family?

This seemed very “old school romance” to me. It’s the first of Dailey’s books I’ve read and while I enjoyed it I just didn’t connect to the characters the way I like to. That being said, the bones of the story were good and I think fans of the author and a Christmas romance will want to check it out.

I am a big fan of Janet Dailey books....her first books today that her family have kept her legacy and writing since she's passed. Christmas is my favorite time of year so already loved the book. The cover photo is beautiful as well.

The main heroine, Ruth McCoy, has been dealt a bad deck of cards when it had come to men. Her first love had been incarcerated, her first husband murdered, and her second husband, an abuser -- of both her and drugs. She has had to work hard to protect and raise her kids as best she could given her circumstances. She knows people know her history given she lives in a small town except.....what she thinks they don't know is, her first son as not of her first husband but of her first love whom she never told she was pregnant since he went to jail shortly after her finding out. She has kept that a secret until he, Judd Rankin, starts popping up into her life. Judd, whom has made himself know for his handiwork with leather and saddle making, knows he has a past, one you learn was not out of malicious intent but accidental. However, he was still at fault and he served his time. He's tried to keep to himself since his release although he knew eventually he would run into Ruth, whom he still loves. Bits and pieces of the early interactions, he does little things to help her out, out of his love he's always carried for her. It is admirable. Judd learned from his life experiences and made sure to do better for himself. What draws them more together is her son, Skip, whom is also his, and his friend, Trevor, convince Judd to teach them to fix the reigns for the sleigh that is used for the Christmas parade. From there, you see Judd's and Ruth's interactions more and more and the sparks that were there return. There is some suspense that picks up that adds to the story.

Loved this story. a part of me wished Ruth did not hide the fact that she was pregnant with his child, but then again, I understood. She was worried once everyone would know the truth that they would hate her or be extremely mad. Judd upon finding out, had such a mature response. Just made you love him and the man he became even more. Their son, Skip, was also such a mature young man for his age. One that every mom who has a son desires for their son to grow up to be. He handled the truth from his mother in stride - with love and understanding. Her other two daughters were a delight as well. The side characters added some fun and charm to the story as well. Abner is one of my favorites. I have plenty of those honorary grandpas in my life and they are so special. My only complaint with the story is to have a better retribution/closure of the "danger" that came into play near the end.

I am a sucker for second chance stories -- to see one or more find redemption, to move past mistakes and decisions, and to become better than who they were before, and yet still have some of the qualities that were great in the beginning. This is a story of forgiveness, fighting for love, and support of community in rallying around when times get tough. This was a beautifully written love story.

This holiday story is too perfect not to be a Hallmark Holiday Movie.

Small town.
Christmas is coming.
Thanksgiving is coming sooner.

Single mom with a past, working hard.
Kids who love ther mom.
Handsome loner with a past, wanting to make things right.

Ruth needs a holiday reset. Her problematic life choices sometimes make things messy, and she's much too trusting. But kindness should never be mistaken for weakness.

The story really centers around Ruth's son, who is trying to make a new harness for the town's sleigh for the Christmas parade.

"What's Thanksgiving dinner without friends at the table?"

"Just think, with a tree inside, our house will smell like Christmas."

A touch sad at times, this story has the happily ever after a Christmas story deserves.

The Sound of Sleighbells by Janet Dailey is a delightful new Christmas romance. Ruth is trying to make this year’s Christmas special for her three children after divorcing her abusive husband.
Her oldest child, Skip, was fathered by her boyfriend, Judd several years ago. Before Ruth realized that she was pregnant, Judd ended up in jail and they broke up. Now, years later, their paths will cross again as Judd, who has been released from prison and has started to create a better life for himself, has Skip and his friend help him to create a saddle for the town’s Christmas parade.

I really enjoyed reading The Sound of Sleighbells . Ms. Dailey created characters that the reader will develop empathy for and root for them to become a couple again.

As a series or stand alone story this has action, excitement and lots of love. A quick read that tugs at your heart strings.

The Sound of Sleighbells

Janet Dailey does it again with this novel. This story follows Ruth and Judd. Ruth has never been the best at picking men in her life. Her last husband was defiantly no good and now in jail. Ruth is determined to make this a much better Christmas for her children.
Judd has never stopped loving Ruth. He has also had some trouble with the law but has turned his life around. He was with Ruth seventeen years ago. And soon he will find out a secret that Ruth has been keeping all these years.
Will Ruth and Judd be able to over come this secret and be able to start over and build a life together during this Christmas season?
Janet Dailey always does a good job of painting the picture of each character, the scenery and much more!

This is the 6th book of The Christmas Tree Ranch series, it can be read as stand alone. My first in this series and this book is good. This book about second chance romance, the bitter sweet reunion of old flame. The fire still there but everythibg has change. They tried to avoid each other but always meet again in sweet way. The drama with Digger and Ed was good for flavor in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#TheSoundofSleighbells #TheChristmasTreeRanchSeries #JanetDailey #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley #ARC

I read this ARC for honest feedback.

This was a very quick read. If you like cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, this is definitely a book for you. It wasn't a terrible book, and the characters were written well, but it just seemed lackluster. And this is coming from someone who starts watching said cheesy movies by the end of October. It is definitely a one time only read for me.

It’s been over a year since Ruth McCoy’s husband Ed was sent to jail for domestic abuse. Now she has a good job as a custodian at the local elementary school in Branding Iron, Texas, where she lives with her six-year-old daughter Janeen, her four-year-old Tammy, and her fifteen-year-old son, Skip from her first marriage.

Ever since learning that her first love —and Skip’s biological father—Judd Rankin was out of prison and back in Branding Iron, she’d avoided any contact with him. Now she’s on her way to drop off her son Skip and his friend, Trevor at Judd’s ranch. Earlier, Trevor had offered to help Judd clean his storeroom and invited Skip to come along.

Judd like Ruth’s ex-husband Ed was incarcerated for five years for manslaughter. He has no idea Skip is his son because after his arrest Ruth had chosen to keep the truth from him for her child’s sake.

On the other hand, Judd hadn’t stopped wanting Ruth. He’s written letters to her but his letters were returned unopened. Judd makes custom saddles for athletes, movie stars, and for horse competitions.

As the days progress and Skip finds himself working alongside Judd, Ruth can’t deny the growing bond between her son and Judd. Besides it’s only a matter of time before Judd finds out that Skip is his son. But will the revelation shatter the tender feelings between her and Judd—or turn out to be her family’s greatest gift?

A cute holiday romance story filled with warm characters. Would recommend

Thank you to Janet Dailey, NetGalley and Kensington for the arc of this book.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Ruth is happy to be single again. When her oldest soon starts working with an old boyfriend, she is hoping that her secret will be safe. This was a great uplifting holiday story.

The Sound of Sleighbells by Janet Dailey was the perfect book to read as I was sitting in our screened patio. The book just put me in the holiday spirit.
The small-town feel, the holiday setting, the neighbors, and the love of a mom for her children and the need to keep them all safe gave the story emotions that I could feel as I read. Ruth knew she made the right choice moving back but she also knew secrets she had could change the lives of many.
Judd made mistakes in his life and letting the decision he made years ago stop him from having the life he wanted so much.
Thank you NetGalley, Janet Dailey and Kensington Book for the Arc of The Sound of Sleighbells. This is my personal review.

I’ve read a few in this series but it’s not necessary to enjoy this newest installment. I often read Christmas stories in the summer because I live where it’s consistently well over 100° and just thinking about snow helps! The characters in Branding Iron TX all have pasts, flaws, some have secrets, regrets and some are up to no good. Ruth has really bad history with marriage and her choices in men. Now she’s raising three young kids alone. Her old flame Judd returned home after his release from jail. She’s purposely avoided running into him. An elderly neighbor, Abner, might unknowingly get them to make peace with the past.
Themes of second (third or fourth?) chances, forgiveness and the power of love prevail. It was a little darker than I expected, but there is a good balance of holiday spirit throughout. I will miss the author’s special talent for heartwarming romance. I’m not sure, but I believe this one was compiled from her notes, etc., by her estate after her passing. It didn’t leave me with that cozy feeling and wasn’t quite as good as I remember the previous ones.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “The Sound of Sleighbells” A Christmas Tree Ranch book #6, by Janet Dailey, Kensington Publishing. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

I loved this book. As with all Janet Dailey books, the characters are so real, and I loved revisiting them. The plot flows smoothly from scene to scene and captivated me from the start. This story had it all - love, family, friendship, and second chances. A total feel good story! Looking forward to the next already,
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

BOOK REVIEW: The Sound of Sleighbells by Janet Dailey first i want to thank @netgalley & @kensingtonbooks for the chance to read and review this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really loved this story it was very well written Janet writes beautiful books this is my third holiday read of this year!

Ruth McCoy hasn’t made the best choices in men. Her last husband is now serving time for kidnapping and attempted murder, but Ruth is determined to give her children the best Christmas possible. Part of that means letting her son work with rancher and custom saddle maker, Jed Rankin, to repair the harness for the horses used to pull Santa's sleigh in the Branding Iron Christmas parade.

But Ruth is torn between giving her fifteen-year-old son, Skip, who's had to grow up too fast, his heart’s desire and keeping her secret from Jedd, the man she dated seventeen years ago. And when a bad seed returns to town, Ruth will do whatever necessary to keep her children safe.

With the backdrop of the Christmas season, this story of family, community, and second chances is guaranteed to put you in the holiday mood. You won’t want to miss this sweet, southern, small-town, feel-good romance.

I found this a very romantic story with a lot of Christmas magic but it does have a small challenging part that messes things up a little but not enough to ruin the plot. I love the holiday theme and all the preparation the town is going into to make Christmas special for everyone and I love that the children are participanting by fixing a harness for the horses. I love that Ruth and Judd are getting reaquianted and eventually fall in love again, and I love that people can learn from their mistakes and make changes for the better, especially in romance novel.

I want to thank Kensington Books, Kensington and NetGalley for an advance copy of this novel about the meaning of Christmas.