anasmith7186896

4.5 stars

Wow, I forgot just how much I enjoyed these books. It's been a while since I read the last one, but when I noticed this one on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. And I wasn't disappointed.

This story is about Angie (Jack's (Virgin River) and Brie's niece) and Patrick Riordan (brother to all those other Riordans running around :D ). Now I have to admit that it took me a while to remember all the relationships between the characters, to put them all in a neatly titled boxes in my mind, but it was worth it. Coming back to Virgin River, is a true delight.

So, we have Angie. She has been in a bad car accident, and is suffering from PTSD. She is also not sure what she wants to do with her life. She was always so focused on studying, never really had time to form deep friendships or relationships. But now, when she's aware just how short life can be, she needs to reexamine her future. True, she does want to be a doctor, but not at the price of her private life.

And then there's Paddy. After his best friend was killed, he's been drifting. He promise to take care of his friend's widow and son, but other than that, he doesn't know what to do. Does he stay in the Navy or do something else? No idea, but what he doesn't need - a beautiful woman 10 years his junior, a woman he could so easily come to love.

I love their story. True, Patrick did have his moments, mainly clinging to his promises as a way to protect himself. Angie did irk me a little at times. Even so, I loved them. And the falling in love part - astounding. They love each other because of their imperfections, not in spite of them.

Christmas tree (not the one from the story, but it's as pretty as I imagine the one in the story is)

And all the denizens of Virgin River are as amazing as I remember. :D And their Christmas tree sounds great.

Can't wait for the next installment.

P.S. Couldn't resist posting the pretty Christmas pictures. :D

ARC provided by Harlequin via NetGalley