Series:
Emerald Bay (Book 5)
Christmas trees decked with fairy lights twinkle in every
window, carolers fill the streets, and charity worker Hannah is gearing up for
the season of giving in the little Irish village. But it's not just the cold
winter winds that are chilling her spirits this year…
When twenty-three-year-old Hannah Kelly finds out that
the beautiful rolling hills around her hometown could be destroyed by a new
building development, she rushes back to Emerald Bay to rally the community.
But arriving home at The Shamrock Inn, there's another shock in store… the
handsome and sparkling-eyed lead developer, Tom Flynn, has checked in as a
guest. Is this Hannah's chance to save the village?
Hannah tries to convince Tom the beautiful area needs to
be protected: even though he's as stubborn as the donkey in the local nativity
play. But when sharing that this is also where her late grandfather first met
and proposed to her grandmother, his gentle hug as she sobs makes her wonder if
maybe they aren't so different…
As sparks start to fly, Hannah decides to invite Tom to
experience the joys of a Kelly Christmas Day. When Tom's hand catches hers as
they peel brussels sprouts together, Hannah's cheeks start to blush. But it
turns to a flush of anger as he ducks out to take a call – about work starting
in the spot she's fought so hard to save. And the voice on the phone is
strangely familiar…
Can Hannah figure out who is behind Tom's project and
stop the plans? Or will following her heart be the key to saving the little
Irish village and Christmas for everyone?
Good addition to the Emerald Bay series. This is the story
of Hannah, the middle daughter of the Kelly family. In previous books, Hannah
stands out as the environmentally conscious activist member of the family. The
book opens with Hannah's first foray into protesting for a cause at the age of
eight, then moves on to the present day. Hannah works for the non-profit group
Feed the World with Bees, where she also has a massive crush on her boss,
Dylan. When Dylan shows her an article about a huge garden center planned for
her hometown, Hannah rushes home to rally the community. She doesn't expect to
find a guest staying in the house. Tom Flynn, an architectural project manager
from Dublin, was sent to do the advanced work for the proposed development. Hannah
takes an instant dislike to him because of it.
The initial meeting between Tom and Hannah was hilarious,
leaving Hannah at a slight disadvantage. In addition, she is so focused on her
mission that she comes across as very judgmental. I liked seeing Tom call her
out on it. They are thrown together on several occasions, and Hannah discovers
that there is more to Tom than she realizes. I liked Tom. He is charming and
has a sense of humor even in difficult moments. Neither Tom nor Hannah expected
the sparks that flared between them, complicating their interactions. A few
bumps along the road to their happy ever after are mainly caused by Hannah's distrust.
Fortunately, Hannah's journey includes some self-examination and rethinking of
her priorities. I loved the scene of Tom and Hannah at the cottage as they finally
cleared the air. The ending was sweet, and I loved seeing the whole family
together.
I love the Kelly family, and this book is full of
Kellyisms. The teasing among the sisters is hilarious, but they have each
other's backs when support is needed. Kitty Kelly, the grandmother, shows a
different side of herself when the proposed development intrudes on a special
place in her history. I loved the history she revealed and how it brought her
past to life for the sisters. There is also a bit of intrigue involving an
American woman who appears to be stalking Hannah's mother, Nora. The resolution
of that mystery was a shock to everyone.
The village residents add humor and depth to the story. I
especially enjoyed Eileen and how she roped Hannah into helping with her latest
project. The scenes with the teenagers were funny and moving.
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