THE HOLIDAY GIFT was an enjoyable read set on a ranch at Christmas with alpha males, busy women, families, children, animals and Christmas traditions. Chase and Faith are best friends and they’ve been close most of their lives. She’s the one that got away but since her husband who was also his best friend died several years ago Chase is now hoping for more thinking that enough time has passed. Unfortunately Faith is scared of her feelings but also fears losing someone else she loves, not knowing if she would survive another loss. Everyone around them wants Chase to be a part of their dinners and activities and can also see what Faith can’t or won’t – the chemistry between them. The characters had a depth to them although Chase wasn’t alpha enough for me until later in the book. His relationship with his daughter and Faith’s children is inspiring and you can feel the love he has for them. The camaraderie between Faith and her sisters and their husbands was refreshing.

The family events, The Christmas Ranch and the Christmas show for the elderly were heartwarming. The vivid descriptions of the snow, the land, the food and relationships made me feel like I was there. There’s a few happily ever afters and wonderful closure with the epilogue but I hope there will be more books in the series.

Thayne has always been on my radar but somehow I haven’t read any of her books before. That will be rectified and I’ve added some of her books to my always growing TBR pile. I look forward to returning to Cold Creek by reading the first fourteen books in this series.

This cute book takes on the story of Faith, the last sister left at the ranch. She is tired of change but realizes that sometimes you have to admit what is in your heart. Making a friendship into a romance isn't always the easiest, but maybe the holiday spirit can move mountains. Christmas seems to do that! Can be read alone, but it would be more relatable if entire series was read.

This is the third story in this series, but I haven't read the other two. It makes a good standalone novel but I think I would have benefited from knowing more about the three sisters if I'd read the other two. Rayanne Thayne has a beautiful way of telling a story and I found this story of friends finding love delightful. I especially enjoyed the match-matching kids. I did get a little frustrated by Faith and her inability to act on her feelings for Chase at first, but, all in all, I found this to be a refreshing Christmas story.

Another book that I read that I was apprehensive because I didn't love the book that came before it in the series and thank goodness was surprised.

Faith Dustin is one of the three sisters that was featured in the book - A Cold Creek Christmas Story. She is the oldest of the three and like her sisters has been through a lot. This is the love story between her and a life long friend and it is the sweetest most perfect love story! Beware in this romance story there is little sexy times, so if you like to read romance books for that, this one won't work for you. Instead this book is will they won't they cuteness and I liked the innocence of it.

Because I loved this one so much, I am looking forward to finishing out the three sisters and reading the final one in this series within a series. I am not sure I will continue on in this small Idaho town, but I will definitely finish this family's stories.

Decent clean-read romance with plenty of will they or won't they, should they or shouldn't they. Is friendship a good foundation for a romantic relationship? In this case, yes.

This quick read was filled with all the ups and downs of emotions you want and the scenic descriptions to make you want to read by the fire. I am always so impressed with RaeAnne Thayne's characters and this was no exception. There is a good touch of classical romance while bringing the twist of its own story.

Review: I have read other books in this series but the Christmas ones are my favorites. I really enjoy the way Ms. Thayne puts a strong emphasis on family and in this book a friendship that truly test the bonds of time and life.

Chase and Faith have been friends forever and when needed over the years they lean on each other. It is nice to know that you have an old friend that will and is always there for you. This brought a strong emotional depth to this story for me. I enjoyed that it was a male/female friendship that was testing the strength of time while adding a bit of realism that it really is hard for opposites to be just friends Ms. Thayne made Chase in love with Faith for…ever.

The question is the friendship strong enough to add romance. Christmas added that bit of magic and the help of elves in the guise of Faith’s and Chase’s children. These children added the element of realism to the story as Ms. Thayne wrote very realistically the whimsical way that they dealt with loss and the way they thought to bring happiness to others. The interaction between everyone felt very real. I for one found myself becoming emotionally invested in not only their romance but also their lives. I have always found warmth in Ms. Thayne’s books pulling you in and making you stay.

Ms. Thayne’s characters are easy to relate too and very enjoyable. The storyline which is set in a small town gives me that warm…fuzzy feeling perfect for a holiday read to take me away from the stress of the holiday hustle and bustle. The romantic tension added a little bit more magic making the love between Chase and Faith sensual without going overboard. It was just enough to make you feel the hope and the fences of taking chances breaking down.

This Christmas miracle hit the spot this time of year making one believe in magic and hope. Sugar Cookies and eggnog is the perfect companion when reading this story.

The Holiday Gift is the third and last book in the Nichols sister’s, this time featuring Faith Dustin, who is the oldest of the trio.

Faith has had a rough life. First, her parents die when the girls were really young, than her husband dies in a tragic accident, leaving her with a ranch that was failing and in debt. The only constant in her life, her rock, has been her best friend Chase Brannon.

Chase has always felt like he has been on the sidelines looking in, waiting for the perfect moment to swoop in and tell Faith how he felt about her. In love with her ever since the sisters arrived in town, Chase was never given an opportunity to express his feelings, especially after his best friend married the girl he was in love with.

Now, years after his death, Chase wants the opportunity to show Faith how much she really means to him.

Cute story. I really enjoyed it. I love Thayne books. Every time I pop one open it’s like coming home to curl in next to a warm fire with a cup of chocolate. Her Christmas/Holiday books make me so happy, that I can read them at any time of the year.

I am sad that this trilogy has come to a close. Faith was the oldest sister, and she didn’t know how to deal with the fact that suddenly her best friend wants to take her out on the date when he is the one thing in her life that seemed so there and so solid, is suddenly shaking things up.

I loved Chase. I loved how much he cared for Faith and I was so sad that he got put on the sidelines like that. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it would be for someone to watch a person you love fall for someone else, get married, have children, be happy. It must have hurt.

I loved that he wanted Faith to see that there is so much more to him than just her friend.

I struggled with Faith at times. It appears that she is the only one in the family that did not know that Chase has been in love with her forever and news of that comes as a shock for her. Plus, she kept trying to force the new girl Elle onto Chase even after she came to know about his feelings. At 80%, I was finding myself annoyed when she made another attempt to push the two together and in the process, hurt the other woman’s feelings because she was so inconsiderate.

I do get it. Her husband dies, she has just learned that the only man in the world that has been her rock and did so much for her, wants a relationship and she doesn’t want to lose him. Plus, she is afraid that something will happen to Chase and she will watch another husband pass away. I get her resistance, it just got a bit much at times.

Otherwise, this was a really charming, slow, clean romance story. Thayne’s writing is just so good, so amazing, I never found a dull moment. I found myself finishing the book in one day, even if it took me almost all night. I was so unable to put down their story.

Such a heartwarming read that was perfect for the holidays!

The Holiday Gift was a sweet second chance, friends to lovers style romance. There wasn't anything overly dramatic or exciting, it was just a really solid and down to earth story. Faith is determined to prove that she can make it on her own after her husband's death a couple years ago. She's raising her kids and running the ranch, and things seem to be perfect.

Then, her best friend has to go and ruin everything by asking her out on a date. Like a real date. She's not sure if she's ready for that, and she's definitely not ready to risk her friendship with Chase if things don't work out. But Chase has other ideas, he doesn't want to miss this second chance to be with the girl he's loved since they were young.

A fun and beautiful romance. I loved the connection that Chase and Faith had already built through the years and the community that surrounded them. I just had a hard time finding something that stood out and make this one something special.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**