The December Market By: RaeAnne Thayne (Book Review)

 ***This review will contain spoilers***

Summary:

The magic of Christmas—and a second shot at romance—is in the air in Shelter Springs this holiday season…Amanda Taylor isn’t a fan of Christmas, but as the owner of a local soap shop, ignoring the holiday season isn’t an option. To forget the pain of Christmases past, Amanda focuses on making the season bright for her customers at the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. But when her beloved grandmother, Birdie, starts dating the dashing new resident of the Shelter Inn retirement community, Amanda smells trouble. Fortunately, Rafe Arredondo, the grandson of Birdie’s charming suitor, is equally dubious of the match. Unfortunately, he's just as fiery as his grandfather—and Amanda has zero interest in getting burned. As a single father, paramedic and assistant fire chief, Rafe has more than enough on his plate. Sure, he and Amanda share a common goal in keeping their grandparents apart. Still, that doesn’t mean he should allow himself to feel as drawn to her as he does. Even if she is great with his young son. Even if she does help the burden of his own painful past feel a little lighter… But when their paths keep crossing at the holiday market, it starts to feel like fate, prompting them both to wonder if taking a chance on love might gift them everything they’ve been wishing for.

I typically don't read love stories like these, especially, ones that are based around Christmas but with how my love life has taken a serious turn these past couple months I have decided to to treat myself and my mind with some good love stories. I ended a two plus year relationship a couple months back and had a tiny situationship with someone who I thought was a lot better than they were so my love life as of late has been completely dead. I ended up finding this book at my local Walmart and thought to give it a try. I was hoping it would help me get into the Holiday spirit which I am so happy to say it did! 

I do love the similarities that I have with the protagonist. Besides our shared name, I did for a while believe keeping to myself would be the best instead of giving love a try but I don't want to give my fears any power over me and my life. She left her alcoholic fiancé when she saw he wasn't going to change his ways. And I left my last relationship because he didn't want to improve himself. I was tired of putting so much energy into a relationship that wasn't going anywhere. I am as well twenty-nine so not quite the same age but within the same bracket. I have a great support system in friends like she does and I hope that I get to experience a love like she has (maybe not as complicated). We both want to be married and have children but just haven't found the right people to settle down with. So instead we both have thrown ourselves into our careers and every other aspect of life. 

It seems that whenever life changes course I tend to use books as a way to distract and remind myself that there is good out there. I might be mostly cynical but there is a part of me that is also hopeful for the best and I pray that I get to fall in love with the love of my life like our Amanda Taylor. She has dealt with a lot of pain and guilt for her father's mistakes and darn it...I can definitely relate. I feel like God put this book in my path to remind me to not lose hope and faith. And I haven't and will not. This story is a great example to give love a try no matter what you've experienced in life. Don't close yourself off because you will find a love that will change your life forever. 

Rating:

This book is getting 5 stars on 5! This is a short review but the story has uplifted me in so many ways. This story reminds me that no matter how badly life may treat me that it matters more how I treat it back. Always put your best foot forward and when it comes time, to not let your heart be closed off to love.