It Happened One Christmas
Grade : B+

When I opened my latest package of review books and discovered a Christmas book, I came close to asking if someone else could review it. Clearly, I had made a mistake. I pretty much avoid Christmas romances, and definitely don’t read them after the holidays are over. Thank goodness I gave this a chance! I was caught up in this story from the first and stayed up late to finish. This is a good one.

Lucy Fleming has avoided Christmas since her parents were killed in an accident at Christmastime when she was 17. Despite that, she happily agreed to fill in as a last minute replacement photographer at a Christmas party for a major Chicago construction company. She specializes in children’s photos and dressed in an elf costume, is completely in her element at the party. That is, until she spots Ross Mitchell, a man she hasn’t seen in six Christmases.

Lucy and Ross had a brief affair when she was a photography student at NYU. Lucy had just broken up with her boyfriend after catching him cheating on her. She’s leaving for Europe in a few weeks to do a study-abroad experience. She intended to come back to the States to graduate and then return to Europe to make it big as a serious photographer. Lucy and a friend are in a coffee shop plotting revenge on Lucy’s ex when Ross comes in to do some work in the shop. Thanks to some plotting by Lucy’s friend, and an instant attraction between Lucy and Ross, the two end up heading out of the shop together and eventually spend a long, hot, holiday weekend together.

I’m normally not a fan of flashbacks, but they worked here. The action flips back and forth from Christmas present in Chicago to their first meeting in New York. This not only enabled me to get to know Ross and Lucy at these two points in their life, but also clearly demonstrated how they’ve changed and grown in the ensuing six years. It’s clear neither was ready for a serious relationship when they first met but that they’re ready now.

With just a few minor appearances by other characters, the action focuses totally on Lucy and Ross which is fine. I like them both; they’re both honorable, good people trying to make their way in the world. The book is fun and current with dialogue that feels real and doesn’t drag and just enough details to make you feel in the life of these characters.

I was delighted to read a category romance that takes place in not one, but two large cities. But if you’re looking for a book that brings Chicago to life, this really isn’t it. Aside from the horrible blizzard and ensuing traffic problems, that’s about it for a Chicago feel. In contrast, I thought the portions in NYC touched on many different aspects of the city.

I often complain that I don’t see the love or romantic connection between characters, just the lust. Not so here. Within just a few paragraphs of their first meeting I knew that Lucy and Ross were soul mates. The timing wasn’t there, but they were perfect for each other. And I don’t doubt for a minute their love.

I enjoyed this so much that the author is now on my rather limited auto-buy list of category romance authors. I honestly can’t wait to pick up her next one. Yes, Christmas is over. So get this now and tuck it away for Christmas 2012. You won’t regret it.

Reviewed by LinnieGayl Kimmel
Grade : B+
Book Type: Series Romance

Sensuality: Hot

Review Date : January 10, 2012

Publication Date: 2011/11

Review Tags: Holiday romance

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LinnieGayl Kimmel

My first memory is sitting with my mother on a blanket in our backyard surrounded by books and she is reading one of them to me. My love of reading was encouraged by my parents and it continues to today. I’ve gone through a lot of different genres over the years, but I currently primarily read mysteries (historical mysteries are my favorites) and romances (focusing on contemporaries, categories, and steampunk). When I’m not reading or working, I love to travel, knit, and work on various community projects.
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