Victoria James her stories are always sugary sweet. And (same as sweets) very addictive. Every now and then you just need to read some of her sugary stuff. So, Christmas in Fortune's Cove was no exception. Of course, with Annie being a widow and Matt being her husbands best friend, gave the story a little extra drama. And certainly Annie's sister was a very interesting character throughout the book.
In all a very Christmassy story, which even reads well in summer. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

A perfect festive read full of cozy charm and well rounded characters. Grab a. Hot chocolate and a blanket and snuggle in for this winter treat.

A lovely Christmas family story telling of a widow with two children who as to carry on in life the best she can and having the sister from hell but as Christmas approaches and a moving of towns her Christmas and lifestyle turns out for the best

Annie Hamilton, a single mother, moves with her troubled teenage son Adam to Fortune's Cove on Prince Edward Island for a fresh start, accepting a job at a veterinary practice owned by Matt, her late husband's best friend. Promising Adam they'll return to Toronto if things don't improve by Christmas, Annie immerses herself in the welcoming community. As the holidays approach, the family finds joy in festive events, but shadows from Annie's and Matt's pasts threaten their newfound happiness. "Christmas in Fortune's Cove" unfolds over six weeks, blending predictability with enjoyable moments. The chemistry between Annie and Matt, with a history traced back to university, adds a sweet touch. Set against the backdrop of Prince Edward Island, the story encompasses family, healing, and festive romance, showcasing the magic of Christmas.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Annie and Matt. Annie is a widower, mother and a veterinarian. Matt is a veterinarian. They have known each other since college. There is an attraction. Annie moves to Matt’s hometown with her children. He has gotten her a job at his veterinary. They start dating. They each have issues but together they work then out and fall in love.

Annie Hamilton's passed away four years earlier, and she is now a single mother of two. Her teenage son, Adam, is acting out and getting into trouble, causing the family to begin falling apart. Annie is a talented veterinarian and she is offered a job by Matt, her husband's best friend and a the owner of a veterinary practice in Fortune's Cove a small community on Prince Edward Island. She decides that this would give them a new start and accepts. Her son is angry and she promises him that if things don't work out by Christmas, they will return to Toronto. As the holidays approach, Annie and her kids are welcomed into the community and festive events. Her son is happy and enjoying the new life, but someone from her past and Matt's tries to sabotage her new happiness. The story unfolds over the six weeks leading up to Christmas.

Christmas in Fortune's Cove is a sweet, family Christmas story that is a bit predictable, but nevertheless, enjoyable. I liked Annie and Matt, and felt the chemistry that was there right from the beginning. Matt had been a classmate of Annie's back in University and there were feelings then, but she ended up with Cam and they were happy together. When he died, Matt was there for the family and told them he would be there whenever they needed him. Matt's family was wonderful and I would love to know them. Lila, his grandmother was a classy, confident lady and I would love to be more like her. The setting on Prince Edward Island was perfect, as I am always looking for books set in Canada. The turnaround in Adam was remarkable and a bit quick, but it worked out in the end. There were a couple of characters that were nasty and even toxic, but I will let you find out who they are and what they do. There is festive events, family time, fun, healing and some romance to round out this story. If you enjoy a festive romance with Christmas Magic, then you will enjoy this one.

Since her husband passed away four years ago Annie Hamilton has been struggling. Trying to be everything to everyone is exhausting and she just can’t do it anymore. When her son Adam falls in with the wrong crowd, Annie decides maybe a change of scenery is what they all need. Her late husband’s best friend Matt offers her the perfect opportunity to join his veterinary practice in the small town of Fortune’s Cove on Prince Edward Island. They quickly settle in, gaining friends and finding their place in their new home. Just as Annie thinks they may have all found the peace they needed, gossip and rumors from her past threaten to destroy it. She has to find the courage to fight to keep it.

Fortune’s Cove was warm and welcoming to Annie and her kids. Matt was willing to support her them as they settled in, becoming the friend and mentor Adam needs. The conflict created by a person from Annie’s past packs an emotional punch, but it leads to Annie finding an inner strength which also serves he well in her relationship with Matt. This is a feel good story that proves that family is not about blood, but about love, support and acceptance. Grab a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate, as this story is perfect for the season.

This is a great holiday story that has tons of emotions running through it. The main character is trying to make a better life for herself and moving away from a toxic relationship. She is looking out for her family in the best way she knows how. You feel for her and find yourself cheering her on to find her happiness and re-establish strong relationships with her children. I liked all of the characters in this book but hated one. A great book that was well worth reading!

Christmas in Fortune’s Cove is a lovely study in friendship, loss, and what can happen in a toxic sibling relationship. Author Victoria James has once again spun a tale that will capture her audience.

Veterinarian, and widow, Annie Hamilton has made the decision to move her son Adam, daughter Maddie, and herself a thousand miles from Toronto to Prince Edward Island. Her good friend from college Matt Williams, also a veterinarian, has offered her a position at his clinic and his sister has offered Annie a brand new ocean front home to rent. Not only will this help Annie get her struggling family back on solid footing but also offers an escape from her overbearing older sister Valerie. But Valerie does not allow distance to thwart her need to belittle and damage her sister.

This becomes a major theme in this well plotted, expertly told story. I very much enjoyed the story of Annie and Matt, of the adjustments made by Adam and Mattie, and the message that when a door is shut, a window is opened. This was a good holiday read and I do recommend it!

I really like the cover of this book! It’s real to me and the story inside! You can count on Victoria James to give you characters to love, drama but not too much and a touching storyline to keep you reading. I found myself pulling for Annie and son as they make a new life in Fortune’s Cove. A bit of mystery added to the story but not overly full of secrets to be revealed. Christmas in Fortune's Cove is an entertaining story that will have you looking forward to the Christmas Season.

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

Annie was looking for a new life for herself and her children. Fortune Cove is where she lands. This book was a pleasant easy read and gave me the second chance story for her and her children. The story did not have any surprises and a plot that was predictable.
Thank you NetGalley, Victoria James and Alcove Press for the copy of
Christmas in Fortune's Cove. This is my personal review.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Alcove Press and Victoria James for the E ARC of this book.
We meet Anne, she is a widower mother and works as a Veterinarian in Toronto. Her family is falling apart. Her teenage son is getting in trouble and her interfering sister is driving her mad. So she makes a brave decision, she is going to move her family to Prince Edward Island and work for her dead husbands best friend Matt in his practice.
Matt is delighted that Anne and her family have moved closer. He and his family make them feel welcome. Anne and her children all start to find their feet in their new community, make friends but there is someone who is not happy that Anne and her family are there and does her best to spoil the new life they are building.
Can Anne stand up for herself, her family and the possible new man in her life?
I really enjoyed this story. Anne is a great character and I loved the growth she went through in the book. Both her children are so fun, especially her daughter who loves Anne of Green Gables. Matt’s Grandmother was probably my favourite character, she was supportive, made Anne feel like she could cope and gave her advice and tips without being overbearing.
This is a good book to read over the festive season. So grab a copy when it is published and enjoy.

I received a free copy of, Christmas in Fortune's Cove, by Victoria James, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Veterinarian and single mom Annie is not doing so well, widowed and a bit adrift, she decides to move to Fortune Cove. Fortune's Cove is a delightful town, especially at Christmas. This book made me so happy, such a sweet story.

I received a complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is a book set around Christmas time following veterinarian and single mother Annie who leaves the familiar to move to Fortune's Cove where her late husband's best friend (Matt) lives in order to save her family .In Fortune Cove she discovered healing , community , self and a mother's strength. . I loved that the book dealt with grief, teenage mood swings if we may call them that , acceptance , community and new start. The author made the book real in that every emotion seemed like an out of body experience for the reader .

Christmas in July #7 🌲

Newly widowed Annie and her two children move halfway across Canada to escape their sadness and her toxic sister, Valerie. Over on their new island, best friend Matt has decorated a dream home for the three. Yes, Matt is best friends with Annie and her former husband. Yes, it's very predictable. Yes, I enjoyed myself. The only thing I have against this easy read is the toxic female characters. I obviously hated Valerie, but Matt's mom, and his "ex" (I'm using this term very loosely) Jessica could use some work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

This was such a lovely story. Annie was leaving Toronto to make a new start for her kids. Her husband died 4 years ago, Her sister was only happy tearing her down and her son was starting to get in with the wrong crowd. She was going to go to small town in Canada where her and her husband's friend worked. She only had to work as a vet 3 days a week and would be at home more for her kids. Her oldest child Adam (he was 14) was really struggling and her sister told him he could stay with her if he didn't want to go. That broke Annie's heart. She made a deal with him to go back after Christmas if he was still unhappy. It took a little time, but both kids really fit in and were making friends.
Matt was such a good friend and his feelings for her were really growing. He did alot with her kids and they all got along great. Annie was finally ready to move on and love again. It was sweet how their relationship grew. Matt's grandmother was great and so was his sister. A very good story that is well worth your time

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Christmas in Fortune's Cove is a heartwarming women’s life fiction/romance by Victoria James. Widow Annie Hamilton has a troubled teenage son, a new home and a community that will support her through thick and thin when she moves to Fortune’s Cove. She also has her late husband’s best friend Mat to work with and maybe find a second chance at love.

You can count on Victoria James to give you characters to love, drama but not too much and a touching storyline to keep you reading. I found myself pulling for Annie and son as they make a new life in Fortune’s Cove. A bit of mystery added to the story but not overly full of secrets to be revealed. Christmas in Fortune's Cove is an entertaining story that will have you looking forward to the Christmas Season.

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

📚Book Review 📚
Christmas In Fortune’s Cove
by VictoriaJames
Pub Date 10/10/23

Annie is a veterinarian widowed mother of two who moves to Fortune’s Cove for a few reasons. Her husband’s and her best friend, Matt who has a veterinary practice, has asked her to work there, Annie’s sister is very toxic, and her son is hanging around the wrong crowd at school.

Annie finds friends that feel like family in Matt’s grandmother and sister. At the office there’s tension between the receptionist and Annie.

Matt is very good with Annie’s kids. She and he become closer and Annie discovers that she doesn’t need to take abuse from her sister just because they’re family.

A good book about friendship that turns into more, women friendships, relationships with children in a scenic landscape.

Thank you @netgalley @alcovepress and @vicjames101 for an electronic book ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Christmas in Fortune's Cove, is a second chance and best friend romance novel. I love to read both kinds so to have them together in one book was wonderful. Annie is lucky to have such a great friend in Matt who is there for her and her kids when it counts. Matt is lucky that he is getting a second chance at finding love with Annie. Sad how it came about though. I loved reading this book. Made me want to bake some Christmas sugar cookies.

Annie and her children move to Fortune’s Cove. Her husband has died, and they need a new start. She joins Matt’s Vet practice. He was her husband’s friend. She needs to get away from her sister. Family dynamics, along with friendship, keep this story moving quickly. Realistic characters add to the enjoyment of this novel. Fiction but reads like nonfiction. Curl up in a cozy chair with a warm blanket and be transported to Fortune’s Cove. Thanks to the publisher and gifted author for this book. It was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review.