Series:
Comfort Paws (Book 2)
It's beginning to look a lot like kiss…er…Christmas!
Matchmaking services as a Christmas gift? No thank you!
It's bad enough that, to save her grandmother's feelings, Adaline Bishop fibs
and says she's seeing someone. It's worse when Jace Martin, her grade school
crush turned nemesis, volunteers that he's the someone. Now Adaline will have
to fake it until Jace's flannel-shirted, piney-scented goodness leaves town in
a couple of weeks.
Jace would like to make up for his past transgressions
and for his elderly uncle's meaner-than-the-grinch behavior during Adaline's
therapy dog visits. In the spirit of peace and goodwill toward all, Jace will
happily be her fake boyfriend. It's just that what began as a lie as big as
Texas is starting to feel like the magic of a Christmas wish come true.
Sweet story. Adaline owns the local bakery and is an
active member of Comfort Paws, an animal therapy group. As the book opens, she
takes her dog, Fuzzy, to the local assisted living facility to visit the
residents. Adaline meets Gus, who could give the Grinch a run for his money. On
the way out of his room, she encounters Gus's great-nephew, Jace, her
fifth-grade nemesis.
Jace lived with Gus for a year while his dad was
undergoing cancer treatment. Then he went back home to his parents. He's never
forgotten the time he spent with Gus. When he learns that Gus is ill, Jace
packs up his life and returns to the small town. Gus is the only family Jace
has left, and he's determined to spend Gus's remaining days with him.
Jace is happy to see Adaline again. He fondly remembers
the bubbly, larger-than-life girl from school. He doesn't understand why she is
so cold to him. The strain continues
when Jace unknowingly interferes with a planned Comfort Paws fundraiser.
I liked Jace and Adaline. Jace is a good guy. When he
finds out about the fundraiser, he finds a way to help them. I liked how he
cleared the air with Adaline about the past and opened the door to renew their
friendship. Adaline loves helping her friends and tends to go all in on any
project she takes on.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Jace
and Adaline. Once they got past the initial antagonism, they quickly discovered
that they liked each other. When Adaline's grandmother signs her up for a
matchmaking service, Adaline panics and claims she has a boyfriend, even though
she doesn't. Jace comes to the rescue and claims that it is him. As they spend
time together, their feelings for each other grow, but neither is ready to risk
rejection by saying so,
Things get complicated when Jace and Adaline discover a
secret about Gus's past. This causes a rift between Jace and Gus, stirring up
Jace's insecurities. Instead of staying and working it out, Jace runs. I hurt
for him and the loneliness he feels. I also hurt for Adaline, who had other bad
news. Jace's departure was a final blow that hurt more than she expected. I
loved that she didn't let it stop her for long. I laughed as she read Gus the
riot act and hoped it would have the necessary effect on him. The ending was
terrific. I loved Jace's big moment and the surprise he had for her. The
epilogue was sweet and emotional, with a happy outlook for Jace, Adaline, and
Comfort Paws.
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