Once Upon a Winter Wedding

Stevie and Brant’s story in Once Upon a Winter Wedding by Jeannie Watts, book two in her Holly, Idaho series, was a wonderful, sizzling, enjoyable tale of two people who appear to be opposites, but maybe not as much as they think. Laid back Stevie Evans is ecstatic when her best friend tells her she’s getting married and is happy to help with the planning. She never imagined she’d be playing wedding planner with her best friend’s uptight brother, Brant. Stevie had a huge blow-up with Brant several years ago and has avoided him since; only this time she can’t run or hide. It doesn’t help that the sizzle of attraction is stronger than ever. Since the death of his parents, Brant Gilroy has led a meticulous life, moving through life carefully and not detouring from his plans. He is excited that his sister is getting married and wants the event to occur at the family tree farm, which Brant has been restoring and thinking about expanding its offerings. Brant dreads the idea of having to work with Stevie, a woman he believes is free-wheeling through life without a plan, the complete opposite of him. As they spend time together planning the ceremony and reception, Brant finds that he can’t stop thinking about Stevie, and that they have more in common than either one suspected. The attraction between these two is magnetic as is the chemistry; such that others recognize their feelings before they admit to them. Stevie has found a way to bring fun and laughter back into Brant’s life. When a work problem arises, Brant needs to determine if a job away from the tree farm, from Idaho, from Stevie, is worth the risk. Ms. Watts wrote a wonderful story reminding us not to judge a book by its cover that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, family support, antics that make you laugh, and charming characters giving Stevie and Brant a chance to overcome past impressions, realize that they are perfect for each, and deserve to be together. I highly recommend Once Upon a Winter Wedding to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This is the second book in the Holly, Idaho series and it can be read as a standalone easily but why do that when you can read the first book, A Home for the Holidays, and get a much better feel for this amazing author as well as the town. Let's just right into Holly, Idaho, and Brant Gilroy. He has been working hard at the family tree farm to make it into something everyone can be proud of and when his sister wants to get married Brant knows it is the perfect time and place to put into action what he has wanted to add to the tree farm... destination weddings. The only problem is his sister is in the military and she nor her fiance will be around to help and they need to get married within a 4 week time period. So the answer is for him to work with her best friend Stevie Evans. Now, Stevie is the opposite of Brant is the night to the day. Strick and schedule follower to fly by the seat of your pants. This is not exactly what one would call a perfect matchup to make this wedding work but they will have to do. AND DO this what they ending up doing. This for me is one of those books that teaches you to look deeper than one is on the outside for you never know what you might find inside waiting for you.

This was more of a 3.5 stars story. This second book in the series about three sisters in Holly Idaho , belongs to Stevie Evans. She’s the sister that is considered the carefree, daredevil one, with no concerns or worries about a steady job or commitment. When in fact, that is far from the truth and only the facade she presents to the world. She returned home a few years ago to help her Dad, and never left. Brant Gilroy is the successful brother of her best friend Kara. The same one that during HS lashed at her because she had dragged her sister into one of her mischevious endeavors, causing a suspension and possible loss of a scholarship. But once again, the lack of communication and the reason behind Stevie’s antics was never known. Now Kara, who is about to leave the military, is getting married and has entrusted the two of them to set up her wedding . As Stevie and Brant work together and begin to really get to know each other, the real reason for both their behavior is revealed and feelings develop. But what happens when job opportunities come up and the possibility of a future is shattered? Though not the best work of this talented author, it still was a sweet, touching , clean romance about family, and friendships. It’s also a story of how the loss of a family member can affect an individual the rest of their lives. Lastly, it’s a story about finding love when you least expected causing you to re-evaluate your future and your life. I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.