Once I never would have gravitated to a Christmas novel, let alone a Christmas romance! Wow, am I in a different place with my reading.

But where's the mystery when this novel has Roan Parrish's name on it, and the Garrett Run series.

I've read the other books in this series - each has a touch of Grace - if that's the way to describe it - that makes them unforgettable.

Parrish infuses such humanity into her stories, which span a very narrow geography, the small town of Garnet Run, Wyoming (pop. 5,000), and a simple world of a home and hearth.

'Home' is the centre of the universe - the cradle of love that everyone is seeking - and it shelters humans and animals with equal empathy.

This is a three-way love affair. By the end of the book, it is Gus, Adam's daughter, Adam and the neighbour across the street, Wes, who together find the 'cradle of love' in and with each other. Gus is quite the star of the show - an 8-year old budding scientist who adores the reclusive scientist neighbour Wes. But it is the wise head of Adam, the stand-in parent, who absolutely excels at the job! who holds them together.

I'm giving this book a big rave so I'm not sure why I'm not giving it 4 stars - it could be that it is 7 hours long, and I think I took maybe 12 hours, as I fell asleep through it a few times. I say 12 hours because I relistened to the parts I'd missed, which demonstrates that I didn't want to miss anything.

Narrator Michael Dean did a great job. ( )

The two guys were complete opposites in everything from personalities to hobbies. The saying is that opposites attract and that was certainly the case here. Adam is a soft-hearted, sweet man that displays all the characteristics that makes, not a perfect parent, but a caring loving parent. The dialog between Adam and his eight-year-old daughter was equally charming and endearing. Their neighbor, Wes, has made himself the town's favorite topic...and not in a fun or pleasant way. The rumors range from those that wonder if he is a vampire or perhaps a mad scientist. Needless to say, he has acquired a bad reputation. To make matters worse and fuel the rumor mill more his house is gloomy and dark. Wes is happy to let the rumors abound and have people just leave him alone. Turns out that Gus is the cement that will bond the two opposites together. Roan Parrish gave it just the right amount of angst. The I found the story to be an absolute delight, and even with the conflict, it still stood out as a book that I will diffidently read many more times. ( )

CA: snakes and spiders and lizards. pretty gentle, never scary, but described on the page (especially the spider)

Adam moves back to his hometown with his eight-year-old daughter after breaking up with his long-term boyfriend. He's determined to give daughter Gus a happy Christmas to help her settle into their new life. This involves trying to put more Christmas lights on their house than anyone has put on a house before--and increasingly, it also involves their reclusive neighbor, Wes. I just loved this Christmas romance novel to bits. Gus is both real and delightful, watching Adam parent is affirming and lovely, Wes's love for his pets and the descriptions of his science experiments are fascinating, and the way that Adam and Wes learn about each other and fall for one another is like being wrapped in a warm and joyful hug. As always, Parrish's secondary characters are also great fun to read about, and I was thrilled to see Charlie, Rye, and River from a previous novel set in Garnet Run. (I feel like there are hints here that River may get a book next. I hope so. I'd love to see their story.) This was exactly the right combination of cozy, slightly steamy, and Christmasy. Recommended. ( )

The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish
Garnet Run #3

Smiling now and many times as I read this charming, heartwarming, delightful, holiday romance. Once begun I could not put this book down and it will linger with me for a while.

What I liked:
* Adam Mills: single father of an inquisitive eight-year-old, newly returned to Garnet Hills after breaking with his partner, photographer, working in a hardware shop, excellent parent, honest, kind, loving, tender, emotional and perfectly charming.
* Westlley “Wes” Mobray: loner, scientist, well educated, creator, lover of unique creatures, has some anxiety issues, interesting backstory, fascinating, perfect for Adam & Gus.
* August “Gus” Mills: Adam’s daughter, honest to a fault, outspoken, inquisitive, loving, accepting, understands Adam well, protective, adds a great deal to the story, and one of the major reasons I smiled so often throughout the story.
* River: Adam’s sibling, manager of a cat rescue, helpful, there for Adam and Gus, interested in finding out who they will end up with in a future book of the series
* Bram: a man met at the Christmas tree buying that I thought about and wondered if he might show up in a future book.
* Getting to see how Charlie and Rye are doing (from book two of the series)
* Seeing Marie and wondering what her story is
* That both Adam and Wes were willing to open up to one another and were open and communicated as adults.
* The relationship that grew between Adam and Wes
* The relationship that developed between Gus and Wes
* Finding out about the backstories of Adam and Wes
* The lights and how they played a part in the story
* The scientific bits and the menagerie at Wes’ house
* Hoping that I will see this group again in the next book in the series
* That it made me think, and feel, and care, and was filled with the joy of the holiday spirit

What I didn’t like:
* That more than one character had parents that caused pain in their lives
* Having to say goodbye to the characters in this story

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and HQN – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )