Review of 'Christmas at the Cove' by Rachel Brimble

Christmas at the Cove

by Rachel Brimble

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BLURB:

More family for Christmas?

Scott Walker doesn't have time for a relationship. The sexy mechanic has career ambitions, not to mention a mother and three sisters to take care of. The last thing he needs is Carrie Jameson, the beauty he never forgot, arriving in Templeton Cove over the holidays with some unexpected news.

Scott still finds Carrie irresistible, and he's not one to shirk responsibility. Scott's issues with his own dad make the prospect of parenthood a minefield. But if he and Carrie can overcome their fears, this Christmas could bring them the best gift of all.

Read an excerpt:

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’ll stay for another couple of days, but then I have to go home. I can’t stay here for Christmas.”

The soft whisper of his exhalation drifted over her folded hands on the table. “That’s great. It’s more than great. Thank you.”

She swallowed, wanting the words she needed to say out of her body as soon as possible. “You have your life, and I have mine.” She opened her eyes. “Neither of us has to change our plans because I’ve told you about Belle. You can still do what you want to do.”

His eyes ever so slightly darkened. “If I’m a father, it changes everything.”

Be strong, Carrie. Lay down the ground rules. “I disagree.” She straightened her spine. “I get it, Scott. Truly. I understand you think knowing about Belle means you have to change your entire life, but that’s not true.”

“That’s not what I’m––”

“Let me just say this, please.”

He closed his eyes and she took that as permission to continue. She inhaled a deep breath. “I like, and appreciate, you thinking what you should to do and how to do it, but I’m not asking you to change your plans overnight. This is going to take time. I want it to take time. Belle doesn’t need to know about you yet. You can go on with your life and when the time’s right, I’ll tell her about you.”

Silence.

Carrie swallowed against the dryness in her throat. When she’d been standing outside the holiday park, the decision to see her mission through to the end burning like a flame inside her, she’d thought her words would be strong and clear, delivered with a reverence he couldn’t argue with. Yet now, her stomach trembled with nerves and her hands longed to take his.

Why did he make her feel so torn and her reasoning unfair? Belle was hers. He had no obligation to her unless he wanted one. “I’m not saying that to be cruel, you know.” She sighed. “I’ve looked after her the last year without a partner beside me. She’ll be okay…whatever you decide.”

His continuing silence raised the hairs at the back of her neck, made her fear she drove a bigger wedge between them, but she wouldn’t falter. She had come to Templeton and achieved what she came to do––the gates were open and Scott could step through them whenever he was ready. As long as he realized the hinges wouldn’t creak back and forth on a whim.

**My thoughts**

I love Rachel Brimble's romances and have read several of them. I was excited to check out her latest one, which is also her first Christmas romance. I have to admit that this one wasn't my favorite, but it was still enjoyable to read over a couple of cold, snowy evenings.

Scott and Carrie had an intense one-night stand, that actually lasted a couple of nights, a little over three years ago, when Carrie was in town over vacation. The result was a beautiful baby girl, only Scott never knew she existed. It is understandable that Carrie was afraid to tell him, but he had the right to know, which made me upset with her from the get go. Yes, she has decided that she is going to finally tell him, but only because her dying husband had told her to do so. I also had a hard time wrapping my head around her having a husband after Scott, though the story makes sense when it is presented. Carrie wasn't the easiest character to relate to, nor like, because of her ever-changing attitude.

Scott has been pining for this sexy blonde woman ever since, never finding anyone who remotely compares to her. On the surface, he appears to be a bit of a player. As you get to know more about him, he turns out to be one of the greatest men with a strong sense of responsibility and a huge heart.

This book does examine some of the trials and tribulations of family on different levels, whether the relationship between parents, parent and child, or siblings, as well as responsibilities associated with each. There is an air of Christmas magic, as well as an inexplicable super steamy attraction between Carrie and Scott, and the usual issues with trying to handle a romance in a nosy small town. They don't have the easiest road to travel, between reconciling their own issues with their pasts and interfering "others."

Buy links

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance and a further three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013 and she has since signed for three more.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Links:

Website: http://rachelbrimble.com/

Blog: http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441?fref=ts

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