In "The December Market," the reader is taken back to Shelter Springs where we follow the story of Amanda and Rafe. Set during the week of the Christmas Market in Shelter Spring we see the Characters grow and heal as they fall for each other. In the end, will the pain of the past prevail or will a dawning love take center stage?

One of the highlights for me was catching up with Birdie; it's always a pleasure revisiting familiar faces in a series and seeing their lives evolve. Watching her find joy brought a warmth that added to the holiday spirit of the story.

Overall, The December Market is a heartwarming, festive tale perfect for cozying up by the fire, sipping hot cocoa, and immersing yourself in the holiday season. This story is sure to put you in a wintery, Christmas mood and leaves you rooting for love to conquer all.

The story revolves around Amanda who’s scared to love again with her previous experiences. Despite of that, she falls for a single dad which puts her through some emotional dilemmas.

I really wanted to enjoy this book because I love a good holiday romance but this took me so long to finish. I initially requested an advanced copy but couldn’t get through it so I switched to the audiobook after release. The audiobook is certainly better and the narrator does a great job. But I still drifted off in several places and that spark keeping me engaged is not there. The characters are likable, the holiday vibe cheery but the story bored me taking me so long to finish.

Nothing remarkable. But would be a nice read if you are looking for a closed door, single dad, holiday romance with slow burn.

The December Market is a cute holiday story. Set in a small town Amanda Taylor is a girl who has been through a lot and finds solice in family, friends and her community. As the chair of the towns holiday market as well as a store owner she is very busy. Upon reconnecting with Rafe the town’s hunky fire chief and paramedic she has to decide can she open her heart to love again or stay safe within her busy life. A very cute holiday read I would definitely recommend.

Very sweet holiday story. The romantic story line was one of those that was a bit frustrating - both people seemed to be holding back for reasons that just weren’t very strong or valid. Still, you rooted for them. The grandparent story line was so cute! This is a second in a series (Shelter Springs #2) and I did see connection to the first book, but I think it could easily be enjoyed as a stand alone as well.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is the second book in a series but can also be read as a stand alone. This is a sweet romance that I adored. The perfect book to put you in the holiday spirit.

This was a sweet Hallmark-style story! I haven't read the first in the series, and I do think it would have helped me remember the overall list of characters if I had, but it wasn't necessary to enjoy the story. Rafe and Amanda are both working through grief and some big losses in their life and are wondering if they can open up their hearts to find love again. The overall relationship arc felt a little rushed, but it was still a sweet story that has me ready for the holidays! I could absolutely see this as a movie one day.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

4.5 stars

This is a beautiful holiday story. I loved returning to the Shelter Inn to revisit the lovely residents and their meddling. In this story, not as much time is spent at the inn as in the previous one; instead, we see everyone out and about at the holiday market.

Amanda has been subconsciously avoiding her new neighbor, Rafe. Her alcoholic father caused a terrible tragedy in his family many years ago, so she tends to keep her distance from certain people. That’s no longer possible after his grandfather moves into the Shelter Inn and seems to be courting her grandmother. What starts as her expressing her concern soon turns into Amanda and Rafe becoming friends. She’s a caregiver through and through and cannot help but step in when Rafe is injured on the job. He’s not used to being idle but can’t say no to Amanda when his son Isaac is enamored with him.

I got all the feels from this story. From Amanda and Rafe’s chemistry, Isaac’s obvious attachment to Amanda, and Rafe’s caution with his young son. Once again this author brought a quaint fictional town to life and had me dreaming of Christmas.

The December Market is an excellent holiday read with beloved characters from her previous novel. That being said it could be read as a.standalone if the reader hasn’t enjoyed the precious book. Back to the Shelter Inn where changes have occurred but love remains and continues. A joyful time for both young and older, the December market is about relationships, old and new during the beloved season of Christmas. Five stars to Ms. Thayne for bringing us back to a place we would all love to live.

Love the cover for this latest small town, dual POV, single father holiday romance from RaeAnne Thayne. This book sees two people grieving the death of their former loves trying to figure out if they are brave enough to take a chance on romance again and risk getting hurt. I especially enjoyed that the couple's grandparents have their own romance going on. A feel-good, Hallmark holiday movie style Christmas story that was good on audio and had cameos from last year's Christmas at the Shelter Inn. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a cute story about giving love another chance. In a Christmas setting always gets me! There are good vibes before I even begin. The cast of characters was well thought out and put together and had me falling in love with each of them. This is such a feel-good read, so if that's what you're looking for, you better grab this one up! Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book!

RaeAnne Thayne always writes the stories that blend heart, hope, loss, grief and small town history in the best of ways. This story was sad at times but hopeful too. Of course there is the small town drama where everyone's in everyone else's business and grudges are held against whole families for the actions of one member but at the same time the people all come together as a community to help when it really counts.
Amanda is overcompensating in her service to the community to make up for the sins of her father. Her romantic history isn't great, so she keeps her heart locked up and puts her focus on her soap shop and her grandmother living in a retirement community.
Rafe is focused on raising his son after his wife left them and subsequently passed away. He's the assistant firechief & paramedic for Shelter Springs and stubborn as all get out. When he's injured during a roof rescue and put on leave from work he is NOT happy. He's not someone who can just sit around and not contribute so when he's tasked with covering the paramedic tent at the town's December market, he jumps at the chance. Even if it means constantly running into his new, attractive neighbor, Amanda, who was the first person to stop by his house with meals for him and his son.
Amanda tried to avoid welcoming Rafe to the neighborhood when he first moved in because he's the last person she can be attracted to because of the history between their families but when he's injured she can't not do the neighborly thing and bring him food and offer any assistance he might need to aid in his healing. Seeing him everyday at the market is not going to help her avoid this attraction she's tried to ignore. When she discovers that her grandmother and his grandfather are dating, it only complicates everything further.
Rafe and Amanda keep ending up in each other's spaces and a friendship is quickly formed but the attraction between them grows too. Will Amanda be able to open herself up to love and accept that she isn't responsible for her father's mistakes? Will Rafe let himself love again at the risk of being walked away from...again?
If you enjoy a sweet, well-written, low-angst, small town romance in a Christmas season setting, this is one you.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review

The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne is the second book of the Shelter Springs series. This is a sweet romantic book about a small-town soap maker, Amanda, and a single father, Rafe. I highly recommend reading this if you want a cozy, magical Christmas read.

You will fall in love with all the characters in Shelter Springs- Amanda, Rafe, Isaac, Birdie and more. This book will get you in the Christmas spirit. It is all about community, friendship, and falling in love. It’s a feel good book that you will not want to miss. I wish every town had a December Market.

RaeAnne Thayne is always one of my favorites for a sentimental holiday romance and this did not disappoint. I’ve already recommended it to a few library patrons.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this cozy Holiday romance. RaeAnne Thayne is a fabulous romance writer -- and I especially LOVE to read her Christmas/Holiday novels. If you enjoy series' like Virgin River, I would recommend this book!

Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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I will have to admit that it took me halfway through this book to remember how familiar some things sounded and I read the first book last year. I just knew I enjoyed the author when I requested from NetGalley. This book is not an exception and continued my enjoyment in RaeAnne Thayne's books. It had the right amount Christmas cheer, hot cocoas, adorable kids with the sweetest Christmas wishes to Santa. I'm all in if she decides to do a book 3 in the series and continue our journey in this sweet small town.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a sweet romance and a great way to spend an afternoon. I liked all the characters, especially the hot fireman, Rafe. He is just what a woman wants in a man. I liked Amanda too and thought she came across as an independent, motivated, and dedicated woman. I could see why she was a little reticent to get involved again after being burned before. I enjoyed the story, the town and the characters. The plot was simple but effective.

This book will have you hooked from the very beginning. From her rough past and why she isn't a fan of Christmas to enjoying it. Would 1000% recommend to anyone looking for a great Christmas book.

They both are packing baggage...

Amanda is packing some baggage around from the addicts in her life and she's been burned more than once. Not sure why she doesn't want her grandmother to have a new beau, but its just a construct to get her and Rafe, the grandson of her grandmother's new beau. Rafe is certainly packing around his own baggage...single father, paramedic, lot's on his plate.
Recommend.

A heartwarming Christmas love story that will put you in the holiday spirit from the very first page!