Jenny Hale (2)

Meet Me at Christmas by Jenny Hale
Holiday contemporary romance. Second chance troupe.
Stella returns home for Christmas to help her mother get through their first year without Stella’s father. But Henry is also in Leiper’s Fork, TN and Stella isn’t ready to face the man she had planned to spend her life with before it all went wrong.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this book narrated by Emma Love. The performance is fantastic with distinctive voices for Stella and Henry, so much so that I double checked there wasn’t a second narrator. Emotions are clearly heard from happiness, to fear, and anxiety. I listened to the audio at a speed of 1.5 for the best conversational comfort.

I grow inpatient when situations are repeated and I wanted to yell at Stella. First because the lack of communication makes everything worse and second, she is hurting more than herself.
It’s emotionally heartbreaking and ultimately heartwarming as Stella and Henry work through their history and remembering. Henry is so charming and clearly in love, I wanted the best for him.
A beautiful holiday romance.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and from Dreamscape Select.… (plus d'informations)

Lauren Sutton of Sugar and Lace Event Planning was the primary owner of Sugar and Lace Event Planning until she sold her ½ of the business to her longtime friend and business partner. Lauren had always loved making wedding dreams come true, but after the sudden loss of her fiancé Mason Bridges, emotions continued to overpower her, especially during the wedding ceremonies. It was hard to say who was more excited, Lauren or her new employer Mary Everett, owner of The Tide and Swallow B&B Inn. Lauren hoped the change of scenery from city to beach town while working as Mary's assistant would help her decide the direction for her future, personally and professionally.

The novel is magical. I loved the dual timelines in the present as Lauren moved from New York to Rodanthe, North Carolina, and the backstory of another couple that began in the summer of 1957, in Fairhope, Alabama. A timeless story that is all the more captivating for those who loved and lost with the struggles of survivor's guilt realistically portrayed.

After reading "The Christmas Letters," during the holiday season, I wanted to read more of the author's heartwarming novels. As before, there were moments I read with tears in my eyes, at other times smiles and even laughter with the beauty of her writing in the character development and dialogue that touch the heart and give hope for each new tomorrow.… (plus d'informations)

The Magic of Sea Glass by Jenny Hale
Contemporary fiction with a touch of romance. Women’s fiction. Multiple time lines.
A sea glass bracelet brings long lost family together and helps a woman grieve and accept loss.

🎧 the audiobook is narrated by Emma Love. The performance is wonderful and modulation follows the storyline with joy and grief, friendships and family. There are distinct voices for Lauren and Brody and a few secondary characters. Her tones were soothing and warm.
For the audio version, you must pay attention to chapter changes to clearly follow the back and forth time lines and character changes.
I listened to this at 1.5 which is my standard for the best conversational speed.

From the grief of loss, to the joy of planning a wedding, to business choices and family complications, from babies to grandparents, this story covers the full range of emotions.
Cheerful and lovable in whole.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.… (plus d'informations)