About the Book:
Clara came back to Silver Pines believing she was between chapters. Instead, she realizes she might have been writing the wrong story - until now.
When bestselling romance author Clara Everhart is blindsided on national television by a photo of her boyfriend cheating, she walks off the set rather than break down live in front of millions of viewers.Heartbroken and unable to write a word, Clara retreats to Silver Pines, Montana, where she’s inherited her Gram’s house—the only place that’s ever felt like home.
After missing her deadline once, Clara’s counting on the small town’s Christmas magic to inspire her, because she only has until January 1st to finish her next novel. If she can’t, she’ll have to sell Gram’s house to stay afloat.
Then a leaking roof makes the house unlivable. With the entire town booked out for the Christmas Light Festival, Clara’s forced into the spare room of the one man she never expected to see again: Liam Miller, her next door neighbor, childhood best friend—and the boy who rejected her years ago.
Despite living under one roof, Clara’s determined to keep her distance from Liam. She has a book to finish, a house to repair, and no intention of falling for the man who has told her he’d never see her that way.
But the more time Clara spends with Liam, the more she begins to wonder if his rejection all those years ago wasn’t as simple as she thought. When she discovers the truth about why he pushed her away, it might change everything— and give them a second chance at love neither of them ever expected.
A swoony, closed-door, small town Christmas romance about childhood best friends, forced proximity, second chances, and finding your way back to the person who has always known you best.
About the Author:
Sara B. Larson is the best-selling and critically acclaimed author of multiple books, including the YA fantasy DEFY trilogy, the DARK BREAKS THE DAWN duology, and the SISTERS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT duology (TorTeen/Macmillan). Her newest YA fantasy A PROMISED VENGEANCE released October 28, 2025. Her adult debut EVERY BEAT AFTER is coming June 2, 2026. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their dogs, Loki the Maltese and Bindi the English Cream Retriever, where she also runs a commercial preschool. When she’s not mothering, preschooling, or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction. You can find her online at @SaraBLarson on IG and Threads.
My Review:
I received this book as an electronic read yesterday, and I have to say, it grabbed me from the very beginning! For years, I’ve always said that if a book doesn’t grab my attention right away, I have a hard time getting into it. This book, however, is like grabbing your favorite cozy blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, and settling in with nowhere else to be, because you will not want to put it down!
Sara captures your interest from the start and draws you deeper and deeper into the story with every turn of the page. I love well developed characters, and Sara does a beautiful job bringing Clara and Liam to life. I especially enjoyed the way she alternates between the present day story and chapters that take us back to Clara and Liam growing up as best friends. This storytelling style provides just enough backstory while keeping you invested in their journey and wanting to know what happens next.
This book is every bit as swoony as the title suggests! The Christmas setting is absolutely perfect for this charming small town, where the community has that wonderful, close knit feeling of days gone by. It’s the kind of town where people know each other, love each other, and genuinely look out for one another.
And Christmas? It’s truly the angel on top of the tree for this story. The holiday setting adds so much warmth, charm, and magic to an already beautiful love story.
This is a warm and heartfelt book that will make you smile throughout. There are also a few gentle suspenseful moments that add just the right amount of excitement and make the story feel even more real.
This is a clean, swoony love story that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys romance, small town charm, friendship, and a good feel good read. It’s the perfect book to curl up with, especially during the Christmas season!
Sara has created a beautiful story filled with love, friendship, community, and Christmas magic. It’s a book that will leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the final page.
