Ten Days of Yule Review: Christmas at Friday Harbour by Lisa Kleypas

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, St Martin's, available as e-book and in print

The Source: Purchased at Books On Board

The Grade: B-

The Blurb:

ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY
One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.
ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE
The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sister's will gives him the instructions: There's no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.
SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC...
Maggie Collins doesn't dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.
...TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE
Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home...

The Review: 

I bought this when I discovered that it was about to be re-released with a new title and higher price. And I am glad I did.

The small town setting was believable. From how the shop owner supported each other, to how they lived in sync with the tourists that they depended on. It was also intresting follow Maggie as she interacted with Holly, and got her to open up.

I loved following Maggie and Mark's relationship evolve from friendship to love. I could feel the attraction between them, but I appreciated that they took it slow. Both Maggie and Mark needed time to open their hearts. It was touching to follow Maggie's realisition that she could love twice.

More than the romance, I loved the way Mark and Maggie got Holly to open up and start the long path of healing after her mother's death. These three felt just right together.

The biggest problem I had with this book was that it at times felt almost superficial. That might be because it was surprisingly short for a novel.