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Kimberley's Snow Valley Romance #1
When We Dance
Clean Romance with a humorous bite!
Ever since her high school boyfriend's death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica Mason and her hometown of Snow Valley, Montana with all its awful memories have NOT been compatible. Running away to New Orleans on a ballet scholarship, Jessica cringes when she thinks about confronting Pastor John and the community church--she doesn't want to talk about God, not after He took Michael, the boy she was going to marry ever since third grade.
In the local scene of funky New Orleans, Jessica seeks out Madame LaBlanc, hoping Michael will absolve her of her guilt the night of the car accident in a seance, but the spirit world is silent and she fears the grief will drown her.
Finally succumbing to family pressure, Jessica reluctantly returns for Christmas - and the little town of Snow Valley does Christmas BIG. When she visits Michael’s grave in the church yard, Jessica is shocked to meet handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. No, she is NOT going to be attracted to someone who wants to be a preacher! Definitely not compatible! But James Douglas is unlike any minister-in-training she's ever met. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down.
Can Jessica forgive herself for that terrible, fateful night? Can she take another risk on love?
A fast-paced romance with humor, family dynamics, Christmas, and kissing.
Ever since her high school boyfriend's death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica Mason and her hometown of Snow Valley, Montana with all its awful memories have NOT been compatible. Running away to New Orleans on a ballet scholarship, Jessica cringes when she thinks about confronting Pastor John and the community church--she doesn't want to talk about God, not after He took Michael, the boy she was going to marry ever since third grade.
In the local scene of funky New Orleans, Jessica seeks out Madame LaBlanc, hoping Michael will absolve her of her guilt the night of the car accident in a seance, but the spirit world is silent and she fears the grief will drown her.
Finally succumbing to family pressure, Jessica reluctantly returns for Christmas - and the little town of Snow Valley does Christmas BIG. When she visits Michael’s grave in the church yard, Jessica is shocked to meet handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. No, she is NOT going to be attracted to someone who wants to be a preacher! Definitely not compatible! But James Douglas is unlike any minister-in-training she's ever met. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down.
Can Jessica forgive herself for that terrible, fateful night? Can she take another risk on love?
A fast-paced romance with humor, family dynamics, Christmas, and kissing.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2014
About the author
Kimberley Montpetit
52 books385 followersKimberley Montpetit once spent all her souvenir money at the La Patisserie shops when she was in Paris—on the arm of her adorable husband. The author grew up in San Francisco, another swoon-worthy city, loves all things Parisian and chocolate and lives in a small town along the Rio Grande with her family.
Kimberley has won many awards for her work, including the Southwest Book Award, the Whitney Award, the Arizona/New Mexico Book Award, is a Crystal Kite Finalist (SCBWI) and included in the Bank Street College Best Books of the Year.
She once stayed in a haunted castle tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland, sailed on the Seine in Paris, walked the beaches of Normandy, eaten in numerous French cafes, ridden a camel in Petra, Jordan, sunbathed on Waikiki, shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria.
She adores all baked goodies; brownies, éclairs, donuts, tarts, and pie, and makes a lot of chocolate chip cookies while revising.
Kimberley is, of course, hard at work on her next novel(s).
Kimberley has won many awards for her work, including the Southwest Book Award, the Whitney Award, the Arizona/New Mexico Book Award, is a Crystal Kite Finalist (SCBWI) and included in the Bank Street College Best Books of the Year.
She once stayed in a haunted castle tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland, sailed on the Seine in Paris, walked the beaches of Normandy, eaten in numerous French cafes, ridden a camel in Petra, Jordan, sunbathed on Waikiki, shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria.
She adores all baked goodies; brownies, éclairs, donuts, tarts, and pie, and makes a lot of chocolate chip cookies while revising.
Kimberley is, of course, hard at work on her next novel(s).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
March 24, 2017
Wow! I loved this book. It is part of the Snow Valley series written by several different authors and was in the Christmas in Snow Valley Anthology. I loved the emotions throughout. Some brought back recent memories of the loss of loved ones but I really loved how the author was able to portray the pain and sorrow that Jessica, our MC, was going through. And as the book progressed her healing and ability to see and understand what she had been blocking herself from.
If you haven't read this or the synopsis, Jessica comes home to Snow Valley for Christmas to spend time with her family. She has been avoiding them and everyone in the valley after the loss of Michael. Jessica and Michael were inseparable after their first meeting at the age of 9. They were best friends, had planned to go to college together and to marry and build a life together. Michael is killed in a tragic accident and leaves Jessica tormented and heartbroken. Three years have passed and Jessica has turned her back on God, her family and friends, throwing herself into her dancing and trying to forget the pain and loss.
The book opens with Jessica visiting Michael's headstone and talking to him. She is found by a stranger in town and tries to run away from him. They have a couple different encounters right away and Jessica does all in her power to avoid the sparks that are flying as they interact. This man, James Douglas, is too good to be true and to complicate matters...he's the nephew of the Pastor, and soon to be the new Pastor of her church. Not that it matters, because there's no way she's going to church, dating a Pastor, or even dating for that matter.
So you can probably guess that this isn't a super light, fluffy read, but full of thought provoking emotions and moments of self discovery and healing. I was pulled in right from the beginning and loved watching Jessica heal, even if there were the harder moments because it's so true for any of us. We are all in moments of healing or pain. Life is not always easy, there is loss and love and all those moments in between that teach us and help us grow and give us the ability to reach out and help others heal and love again. As the title says "Risking it all for Love". We make those risks everyday, whether it's for a romantic love or a love of life or love of family, but each day when we wake up we take risks in showing and being our true selves, whether we are healing or whether we are happy or sad, we risk that for the love and support of others and that we can share that love with others as well.
Content: Religious talk of God and allowing Him into our lives. Some talk of alcohol and sex. Nothing graphic. Jessica and Michael think that the sparks will come into their relationship if they have sex, so they get drunk with the intent of having sex but end up going for a drive instead. That part lasts for a page or less so not talked about in detail, just the catalyst for Michael's accident. I believe there were one or two swearwords as well but overall clean.
I received a copy from the author, no review was required, all thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
If you haven't read this or the synopsis, Jessica comes home to Snow Valley for Christmas to spend time with her family. She has been avoiding them and everyone in the valley after the loss of Michael. Jessica and Michael were inseparable after their first meeting at the age of 9. They were best friends, had planned to go to college together and to marry and build a life together. Michael is killed in a tragic accident and leaves Jessica tormented and heartbroken. Three years have passed and Jessica has turned her back on God, her family and friends, throwing herself into her dancing and trying to forget the pain and loss.
The book opens with Jessica visiting Michael's headstone and talking to him. She is found by a stranger in town and tries to run away from him. They have a couple different encounters right away and Jessica does all in her power to avoid the sparks that are flying as they interact. This man, James Douglas, is too good to be true and to complicate matters...he's the nephew of the Pastor, and soon to be the new Pastor of her church. Not that it matters, because there's no way she's going to church, dating a Pastor, or even dating for that matter.
So you can probably guess that this isn't a super light, fluffy read, but full of thought provoking emotions and moments of self discovery and healing. I was pulled in right from the beginning and loved watching Jessica heal, even if there were the harder moments because it's so true for any of us. We are all in moments of healing or pain. Life is not always easy, there is loss and love and all those moments in between that teach us and help us grow and give us the ability to reach out and help others heal and love again. As the title says "Risking it all for Love". We make those risks everyday, whether it's for a romantic love or a love of life or love of family, but each day when we wake up we take risks in showing and being our true selves, whether we are healing or whether we are happy or sad, we risk that for the love and support of others and that we can share that love with others as well.
Content: Religious talk of God and allowing Him into our lives. Some talk of alcohol and sex. Nothing graphic. Jessica and Michael think that the sparks will come into their relationship if they have sex, so they get drunk with the intent of having sex but end up going for a drive instead. That part lasts for a page or less so not talked about in detail, just the catalyst for Michael's accident. I believe there were one or two swearwords as well but overall clean.
I received a copy from the author, no review was required, all thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
November 8, 2014
Jessica feels a lot of guilt about her high school boyfriend's death. Hoping to feel some forgiveness from him, she goes to New Orleans for ballet, but disappointingly, feels nothing. When she returns home for Christmas, she finds herself at the cemetery and meets a handsome stranger, James.
Jessica has a lot of emotions to deal with, especially anger. She's not an easy woman to get to know--her walls are tough to crack. James is up for the challenge--if she'll let him. He's persistent and has come to town for a surprising job. Jessica really was prickly and hard to like at first, but once I understood her reasoning for the way she acted, it made sense and made her much more likable. Of course, she had to be that way for the story to work. James was very easy to like--kind, patient, and genuinely caring.
I loved the see the changes that occurred with the characters. I loved the Christmas-y environment and the activities that really brought the Christmas spirit to the town and the characters.
Content: a few mild swear words; kissing. Clean!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
Jessica has a lot of emotions to deal with, especially anger. She's not an easy woman to get to know--her walls are tough to crack. James is up for the challenge--if she'll let him. He's persistent and has come to town for a surprising job. Jessica really was prickly and hard to like at first, but once I understood her reasoning for the way she acted, it made sense and made her much more likable. Of course, she had to be that way for the story to work. James was very easy to like--kind, patient, and genuinely caring.
I loved the see the changes that occurred with the characters. I loved the Christmas-y environment and the activities that really brought the Christmas spirit to the town and the characters.
Content: a few mild swear words; kissing. Clean!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
March 27, 2017
I read this as part of the Christmas in Snow Valley anthology. Jessica's life is turned upside down when her best friend is killed in a car accident. Wanting to run away from the pain and guilt she moves to New Orleans. She returns home to spend Christmas with her family and is forced to face her grief, with the help of a handsome stranger. I thought this was kind of a sad story, Jessica has spent three years greaving and not knowing how to come to terms with what happened. It's really a story about Jessica finding her self and learning to forgive herself and to live again.
Content: Clean
Content: Clean
October 29, 2014
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this novella. I think anyone who has read the blurb must know it's not exactly "light-hearted." It deals with the death and grieving of a loved one.
But the grief of the main character is well-done and I think true to life, without being depressing for me a reader. The main character, Jessica, feels responsible for the death of her best friend three years ago. She goes back home for Christmas, still mourning and angry, but meets a Pastor Dude who won't give up on her.James totally makes the book for me. He was so understanding and patient. I also liked Jessica's family too, they didn't give up on her but also pointed out that she needed some healing.
This is the first time I have read anything by this author, and I will definitely be open to reading more from her. There were a few, little typos that didn't bother me too much, a few minor curses (she used the d-word twice, I think), and it's clean romance . I do wish it has shown more of Jessica's change and healing, and more of their relationship. Just remember it's a novella. :)
I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
But the grief of the main character is well-done and I think true to life, without being depressing for me a reader. The main character, Jessica, feels responsible for the death of her best friend three years ago. She goes back home for Christmas, still mourning and angry, but meets a Pastor Dude who won't give up on her.James totally makes the book for me. He was so understanding and patient. I also liked Jessica's family too, they didn't give up on her but also pointed out that she needed some healing.
This is the first time I have read anything by this author, and I will definitely be open to reading more from her. There were a few, little typos that didn't bother me too much, a few minor curses (she used the d-word twice, I think), and it's clean romance . I do wish it has shown more of Jessica's change and healing, and more of their relationship. Just remember it's a novella. :)
I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2014
Risking it all for Love is a cute & clean novella. (about 100 pages-so long for a novella) It is Christian, but definitely not pushy. It centers around Jessica, who lost her best friend 3 years ago during the Christmas holidays. Unable to deal with the pain, she moves to New Orleans to pursue her dancing career. Persuaded to come home and dance in the local production of The Nutcracker, Jessica is faced with her past at every turn.
When she meets James, a young man studying to be the next pastor, she runs when he reaches out to her. Literally. She is haunted by Michael's death & the guilt she still feels.
I loved the characters and how Jessica and James interact. Jessica's stumbling trek through her grieving really touched me. I could really relate to her pain & confusion. I would have liked to see a little more at the end. The HEA came at just the right place, but I would have liked to see a little of the "happy" in their relationship. I was happy to see that the whole set of Snow Valley Romance novellas is on sale as a set this week! I will probably buy it to see if they are all as good as this one!
language: clean (I think there was 1 swear word) heat level: mild
When she meets James, a young man studying to be the next pastor, she runs when he reaches out to her. Literally. She is haunted by Michael's death & the guilt she still feels.
I loved the characters and how Jessica and James interact. Jessica's stumbling trek through her grieving really touched me. I could really relate to her pain & confusion. I would have liked to see a little more at the end. The HEA came at just the right place, but I would have liked to see a little of the "happy" in their relationship. I was happy to see that the whole set of Snow Valley Romance novellas is on sale as a set this week! I will probably buy it to see if they are all as good as this one!
language: clean (I think there was 1 swear word) heat level: mild
July 19, 2019
Reread this as part of the Love in Snow Valley: The Complete Boxed Collection - I didn't remember I had read it already...
Lots of baggage on her end, James was ultra patient with her.
12/22/14 -
Didn't really care too much for this one. There was a lot of emotional baggage that was being dealt with the entire book. There was also some content in there that didn't need to be.
Moral Note: A handful of "Hecks & dangs", minors drinking
Lots of baggage on her end, James was ultra patient with her.
12/22/14 -
Didn't really care too much for this one. There was a lot of emotional baggage that was being dealt with the entire book. There was also some content in there that didn't need to be.
Moral Note: A handful of "Hecks & dangs", minors drinking
October 28, 2014
4.5 stars: This book totally fit my mood today... It was short and fun and sweet, and had fun main characters! I love novellas because they are short and I can read them fairly quickly, but then I'm not always ready for them to end!
James and Jessica have both lost someone close to them. Jessica lost her best friend Michael 3 years ago - he was the only guy she had ever dated and she feels so guilty about the way he died. Because of that she has put her heart and soul into her dancing... and she has done it far from home and has avoided coming home for 3 years. Coming home brings back so many memories of him, and so many guilty feelings she would rather avoid.
Jessica was not prepared to meet James in the cemetery, and she definitely was not prepared for the way he makes her feel. The fact that he's studying to be a pastor should be the third strike against him, but she can't seem to resist his kindness...
I want to watch this as a Hallmark Christmas movie!
Content: Clean, some mild swearing
Source: Review Copy (100% my own opinion)
James and Jessica have both lost someone close to them. Jessica lost her best friend Michael 3 years ago - he was the only guy she had ever dated and she feels so guilty about the way he died. Because of that she has put her heart and soul into her dancing... and she has done it far from home and has avoided coming home for 3 years. Coming home brings back so many memories of him, and so many guilty feelings she would rather avoid.
Jessica was not prepared to meet James in the cemetery, and she definitely was not prepared for the way he makes her feel. The fact that he's studying to be a pastor should be the third strike against him, but she can't seem to resist his kindness...
I want to watch this as a Hallmark Christmas movie!
Content: Clean, some mild swearing
Source: Review Copy (100% my own opinion)
November 12, 2014
This could have been a great story, however, for me, it was just okay.
I really liked the characters and found their background stories interesting as well as tragic. My favorite character though, was a secondary character. Sam, the wise-beyond-his-years high school senior was funny, insightful and a really likable kid. How can you argue with an eighteen-year-old who loves chocolate chip cookies.
The plot was good, but not well executed. Perhaps that is due to this work being a novella - there just wasn't time. In spots I was confused by the conversations. What was supposed to be flirty banter was awkward and hard to follow.
There were spots where the writing was above average, and others filled with cliche.
There was also an element of Christian writing that felt a bit forced. Again, maybe there wasn't time to develop the religious characters in the story, so when their comments came up it didn't flow very well. Maybe the author wanted a spiritual element (since this is a Christmas novella) but especially as it related to the ending just didn't quite work for me.
Not a bad effort. But I think it needed work.
I really liked the characters and found their background stories interesting as well as tragic. My favorite character though, was a secondary character. Sam, the wise-beyond-his-years high school senior was funny, insightful and a really likable kid. How can you argue with an eighteen-year-old who loves chocolate chip cookies.
The plot was good, but not well executed. Perhaps that is due to this work being a novella - there just wasn't time. In spots I was confused by the conversations. What was supposed to be flirty banter was awkward and hard to follow.
There were spots where the writing was above average, and others filled with cliche.
There was also an element of Christian writing that felt a bit forced. Again, maybe there wasn't time to develop the religious characters in the story, so when their comments came up it didn't flow very well. Maybe the author wanted a spiritual element (since this is a Christmas novella) but especially as it related to the ending just didn't quite work for me.
Not a bad effort. But I think it needed work.
May 19, 2016
I liked the message of this short story, but I couldn't stand the heroine. She was whiny and had a terrible attitude. She was selfish and did not treat others nicely. I don't understand what the pastor in training saw in her. It was strange.
What I liked:
1) A clean romance.
2) A too good to be true H.
What I didn't like:
1) The h. And we only got to hear from her. She was not cool
2) The story was boring. Nothing really happened. The h was selfish, finally admits that she's being selfish, tries to be different. That's it.
3) Abrupt ending.
What I liked:
1) A clean romance.
2) A too good to be true H.
What I didn't like:
1) The h. And we only got to hear from her. She was not cool
2) The story was boring. Nothing really happened. The h was selfish, finally admits that she's being selfish, tries to be different. That's it.
3) Abrupt ending.
August 7, 2016
For a more detailed review, please check out my review below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
October 23, 2014
I'm probably biased, but I love Christmas! Without getting morbid, the emotions of this book are based on real life experience of losing several family members during the holiday season - but I'm a firm believe in hope and love and family. And my MC has snark! :-)
October 23, 2014
I loved this story of redemption, forgiveness, and love. I would highly recommend this book and all the Christmas in Snow Valley romances.
November 10, 2014
3.5--This was a short novella about learning to forgive yourself, get over past guilt and opening your heart up to love again.
Jess's high school sweetheart died in a car accident when she was a senior in high school and she feels as though she's to blame because they were drunk and she let him drive. She can't forgive herself and ends up moving away. Three years later, she returns home for Christmas, still bitter about Michael's death. She meets James, who is the new assistant pastor/pastor-in-training at the church in town. I liked James. He was real, authentic, and not full of trite "Christianese" statements that tend to downplay what people might be going through (which I detest).
Speaking of which, this is definitely Christian fiction. Wasn't too preachy, though (although the mom was a little over the top...didn't want Jess and her brother to go out for milkshakes after church because it was the Sabbath??), just focused on accepting God's forgiveness, forgiving yourself and how it's never too late to come back home.
I like novellas because I can usually grab enough time in an evening and read them in one sitting...but on the flip side, sometimes it's hard for me to be really invested in the characters because it flies by and feels like either unrealistic insta-love or I am left wanting more because they barely get started in their relationship. This story was the latter. They got a "HEA" book-wise, but since it was a novella, we didn't get to find out what happened with them. So that's my love-hate with novellas. Short enough to read a quick, sweet love story, but sometimes too short to really fulfill me. :) So all in all, this was just ok for me. It left me feeling like it was over before it really started. But still an enjoyable short read.
There were some grammatical errors that could be fixed with a little more editing; Content-wise, it was completely squeaky clean.
If you're going to buy this one--buy the set "Christmas in Snow Valley"... You get six books (including this one) for a cheaper price than if you buy this book as a standalone!
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions above are my own.**
Jess's high school sweetheart died in a car accident when she was a senior in high school and she feels as though she's to blame because they were drunk and she let him drive. She can't forgive herself and ends up moving away. Three years later, she returns home for Christmas, still bitter about Michael's death. She meets James, who is the new assistant pastor/pastor-in-training at the church in town. I liked James. He was real, authentic, and not full of trite "Christianese" statements that tend to downplay what people might be going through (which I detest).
Speaking of which, this is definitely Christian fiction. Wasn't too preachy, though (although the mom was a little over the top...didn't want Jess and her brother to go out for milkshakes after church because it was the Sabbath??), just focused on accepting God's forgiveness, forgiving yourself and how it's never too late to come back home.
I like novellas because I can usually grab enough time in an evening and read them in one sitting...but on the flip side, sometimes it's hard for me to be really invested in the characters because it flies by and feels like either unrealistic insta-love or I am left wanting more because they barely get started in their relationship. This story was the latter. They got a "HEA" book-wise, but since it was a novella, we didn't get to find out what happened with them. So that's my love-hate with novellas. Short enough to read a quick, sweet love story, but sometimes too short to really fulfill me. :) So all in all, this was just ok for me. It left me feeling like it was over before it really started. But still an enjoyable short read.
There were some grammatical errors that could be fixed with a little more editing; Content-wise, it was completely squeaky clean.
If you're going to buy this one--buy the set "Christmas in Snow Valley"... You get six books (including this one) for a cheaper price than if you buy this book as a standalone!
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions above are my own.**
January 6, 2015
Risking It All For Love by Kimberley Montpetit is part of the Christmas In Snow Valley series and it is a great read.
Jessica Mason is still trying to recover emotionally from the death of her best friend three years ago. She has moved to New Orleans where she pursued a dance career. She has made a name for herself in the dance world but even with her success, she cannot find true happiness. Against her better judgement, she agrees to return home for Christmas and appear as the Sugar Plum Fairy for the local production. She does not know what she was thinking when she agreed but now that she is there, she is trying to survive the visit. While visiting her best friend’s grave, she meets James Douglas, who is studying to become a minister. She runs away from him because he is making her feel things that she has not felt in a long time, if ever. She feels like she is betraying the man that she thought she was going to marry. She cannot wait for the holiday season to be over so she can return to New Orleans and her quiet boring life. But James and fate have a different idea.
Jessica is someone who I enjoyed reading about. She is sarcastic and witty and made me laugh throughout the book. But she is also someone who has great anger and sadness controlling her life. She felt very real to me and portrayed many traits that everyone deals with. The family dynamics also seemed very realistic.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. I wish that it would have been longer because I felt like the ending was a little rushed. I hope that the author will write another book featuring Jessica and James so I can find out what happens to them.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a clean romantic read. This is the first book I have read by this author but I am looking forward to reading more books by her and learning more about Snow Valley.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review, which I have given.
Jessica Mason is still trying to recover emotionally from the death of her best friend three years ago. She has moved to New Orleans where she pursued a dance career. She has made a name for herself in the dance world but even with her success, she cannot find true happiness. Against her better judgement, she agrees to return home for Christmas and appear as the Sugar Plum Fairy for the local production. She does not know what she was thinking when she agreed but now that she is there, she is trying to survive the visit. While visiting her best friend’s grave, she meets James Douglas, who is studying to become a minister. She runs away from him because he is making her feel things that she has not felt in a long time, if ever. She feels like she is betraying the man that she thought she was going to marry. She cannot wait for the holiday season to be over so she can return to New Orleans and her quiet boring life. But James and fate have a different idea.
Jessica is someone who I enjoyed reading about. She is sarcastic and witty and made me laugh throughout the book. But she is also someone who has great anger and sadness controlling her life. She felt very real to me and portrayed many traits that everyone deals with. The family dynamics also seemed very realistic.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. I wish that it would have been longer because I felt like the ending was a little rushed. I hope that the author will write another book featuring Jessica and James so I can find out what happens to them.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a clean romantic read. This is the first book I have read by this author but I am looking forward to reading more books by her and learning more about Snow Valley.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review, which I have given.
January 10, 2015
MY REVIEW (4.5/5stars): I loved the story as it was set at Christmas time and it was about second chances for love. The main character, Jessica finally returns home after 3 years away as she doesn't forgives herself when her boyfriend, Michael died 3 years prior in a car accident. Why? She finally admits to herself she didn't feel it was the right type of mature love needed forever in a relationship to last time. Michael and her were best of friends. She has to realize that life also goes on.
Her family is amazing as she has a great brother, Sam who loves her. She meets a young man, James at Michael's grave. James is studying to become a minister and Jessica is hard to understand this as she has given up on her faith as Michael died. James helps her through this as she needs to forgive herself first and put God back into her life.
The author wrote a wonderful quick read that showed what Christmas is about with family, love, and faith. This story also showed how we have to deal with problems and be able to forgive ourselves also. I enjoyed reading it!
*I did not get this book for review. I purchased my own copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
Her family is amazing as she has a great brother, Sam who loves her. She meets a young man, James at Michael's grave. James is studying to become a minister and Jessica is hard to understand this as she has given up on her faith as Michael died. James helps her through this as she needs to forgive herself first and put God back into her life.
The author wrote a wonderful quick read that showed what Christmas is about with family, love, and faith. This story also showed how we have to deal with problems and be able to forgive ourselves also. I enjoyed reading it!
*I did not get this book for review. I purchased my own copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
January 1, 2015
Posted at Oh My Books!
I read Risking it all for Love as a part of 'A Christmas in Snow Valley' anthology and honestly thought it wasn't going to be for me. I usually like more the 'bad' boys, but I can say James, being a Pastor and all, was a great character. I wasn't expecting to like him so much! He was fun and patient and what Jessica needed to love again. Also Jessica was a very strong characters, her feeling were so rough and real! She's grieving and feels responsible for the car accident that killed her boyfriend, so it's not easy to write so well about this.
Risking it all for Love ended being one of my favorites holiday romances, it's a clean romance, but not the usual 'too sweet' or unrealistic, It was very emotional, I even shed a tear or two, but really enjoyed it!
I read Risking it all for Love as a part of 'A Christmas in Snow Valley' anthology and honestly thought it wasn't going to be for me. I usually like more the 'bad' boys, but I can say James, being a Pastor and all, was a great character. I wasn't expecting to like him so much! He was fun and patient and what Jessica needed to love again. Also Jessica was a very strong characters, her feeling were so rough and real! She's grieving and feels responsible for the car accident that killed her boyfriend, so it's not easy to write so well about this.
Risking it all for Love ended being one of my favorites holiday romances, it's a clean romance, but not the usual 'too sweet' or unrealistic, It was very emotional, I even shed a tear or two, but really enjoyed it!
November 12, 2014
To be honest, I struggled with the heroine, Jessica. She came off as a self-torturing individual who would rather punish herself than re-evaluate her past. What kept me pushing forward was the hero-James Douglas. He is the ideal romantic man— kind, sensitive, and determined, yet sweetly patient. With James curbing Jessica’s stubborn streak, the book ended on a sweet note. Looking back, I’ve had to acknowledge that the story was very realistic, despite the whiny heroine. Without the proper perspective, we all tend to judge ourselves too harshly.
I received a free copy to review, but that hasn’t influenced my comments. Risking it all for Love by Kimberly Montpetit tackled a tough topic and Kimberly wove it to the perfect ending.
I received a free copy to review, but that hasn’t influenced my comments. Risking it all for Love by Kimberly Montpetit tackled a tough topic and Kimberly wove it to the perfect ending.
November 26, 2014
*I received this book for free in return for my honest opinion*
As a small Christmas themed novella... I was a little skeptical at first. But this had true heart put into each and every word. Plus, I am now ready to go for the holidays!
Jessica Mason did what most of us would do if something tragic happened, she ran. She ran from home, from her past, and from her feelings. She reluctantly agrees to come home for Christmas after three years of refusing to. What she finds is she's missed a lot. Including a new guy in town who is just bent on helping her. But will she let him in? Or will she shut him out like she's done to everyone else?
As a small Christmas themed novella... I was a little skeptical at first. But this had true heart put into each and every word. Plus, I am now ready to go for the holidays!
Jessica Mason did what most of us would do if something tragic happened, she ran. She ran from home, from her past, and from her feelings. She reluctantly agrees to come home for Christmas after three years of refusing to. What she finds is she's missed a lot. Including a new guy in town who is just bent on helping her. But will she let him in? Or will she shut him out like she's done to everyone else?
December 4, 2014
What an amazing story! I loved every minute of it! A very hard book to put down. Jessica runs away to study ballet to New Orleans after her boyfriend is in a car accident and dies. She feels responsible. Jessica has built walls around her and will not let anyone in. While she is at the cementary visiting her boyfriend's grave site she meets a mysterious stranger James who she seems to be attracted to. James feels an attraction to her too but can he break down the walls Jessica has built around herself and win her heart? Can she get over the past so she can move on with her life? Read the book today to find out. You will not be sorry.
January 13, 2015
I was given this book for free to do a honest review. This was a wonderful romance to read. Jessica is still grieving three years later when she finally goes back to her hometown for Christmas. She has run away every since her best friend/ boyfriend dies in a car wreak. Can she ever forgive herself for that fateful night our will she give up ever loving again. She meets pastor James and feels a attraction to him and tries to run from him on several occasions and will have you laughing. This was a really good Christmas romance.
October 27, 2014
This was a sweet Christmas-time novella about love, forgiveness, understanding, charity, and moving on. Jessica irritated me at first because she seemed so angry, but as the story progressed I was able to understand why she was this way. James was so sweet and understanding and patient.
I felt uplifted after reading this. :)
** I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I felt uplifted after reading this. :)
** I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2014
Jessica had a hard time dealing with her boyfriend getting killed in a car accident several years ago. She had moved away and came back home for Christmas. She meets James and thru him begins to heal emotionally. I reviewed this book for a review. This book touch my heart, Jessica had a hard time forgiving herself for Michael death. She gave everyone else a hard because of it also. This a good lesson to learn that we need to forgive ourselves and others before it is too late.
February 3, 2015
This was a short book, which made it quick to read. The story was interesting and I really liked it. I wish this was a full-length novel, or that a sequel would be coming, as the ending was very abrupt and left me wanting more. For a novella it was really good and I liked that the romance was clean.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
October 29, 2014
I loved this novella! The main character, Jessica, is holding on to pain and guilt from three years ago. She returns home during Christmas break and after a series of unfortunate events meets the charming new priest, James. There were plenty of laughs and tears through this cute story.
I would love to see it turned into a Christmas movie!!
I would love to see it turned into a Christmas movie!!
January 25, 2015
I am in love with this author....I was hooked from the first time Jessica encounters James Douglas. I really enjoyed that she speaks her mind from the get go. The characters are well developed and you get to see at times just where Jessica gets her spunk from. I will admit I am dying to know what happens next.....Super quick read, read it in one night because I just could not put it down.
October 31, 2014
I loved this story! Jessica and James are an unlikely match but that's what made the story so great. I especially loved the banter between the two main characters. The author does a fantastic job at keeping the dialogue real. A great, quick read that will leave you feeling good.
December 15, 2014
Great addition to the christmas set.
December 29, 2014
What can be better than a romantic Christmas story? I love a good Christmas story and Kimberley tells a good one!
August 10, 2020
Ever since her high school boyfriend's death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica Mason and her hometown of Snow Valley, Montana with all its awful memories have NOT been compatible. Running away to New Orleans on a ballet scholarship, Jessica cringes when she thinks about confronting Pastor John and the community church--she doesn't want to talk about God, not after He took Michael, the boy she was going to marry ever since third grade.
In the local scene of funky New Orleans, Jessica seeks out Madame LaBlanc, hoping Michael will absolve her of her guilt the night of the car accident in a seance, but the spirit world is silent and she fears the grief will drown her.
Finally succumbing to family pressure, Jessica reluctantly returns for Christmas - and the little town of Snow Valley does Christmas BIG. When she visits Michael’s grave in the church yard, Jessica is shocked to meet handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. No, she is NOT going to be attracted to someone who wants to be a preacher! Definitely not compatible! But James Douglas is unlike any minister-in-training she's ever met. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down.
Can Jessica forgive herself for that terrible, fateful night? Can she take another risk on love?
Heather's Notes
Ok, first off, Goodreads said this was book 1 of Kimberly's Snow Valley series, but now it says it is book 5 of Christmas in Snow Valley. I hate reading books out of order, although I have been known to do it. I like knowing I am doing it. I did not like Jessica much at all. She acted like a spoiled brat, was rude and overall not a nice person. James would have done well to forget her and find a nicer person to love. James was also a bit too good to be true. I mean who puts up with all that. Still the book wasn't all bad. The side characters were nice and story moved at a good pace. Also it was short, short is always good when you don't like a character
In the local scene of funky New Orleans, Jessica seeks out Madame LaBlanc, hoping Michael will absolve her of her guilt the night of the car accident in a seance, but the spirit world is silent and she fears the grief will drown her.
Finally succumbing to family pressure, Jessica reluctantly returns for Christmas - and the little town of Snow Valley does Christmas BIG. When she visits Michael’s grave in the church yard, Jessica is shocked to meet handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. No, she is NOT going to be attracted to someone who wants to be a preacher! Definitely not compatible! But James Douglas is unlike any minister-in-training she's ever met. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down.
Can Jessica forgive herself for that terrible, fateful night? Can she take another risk on love?
Heather's Notes
Ok, first off, Goodreads said this was book 1 of Kimberly's Snow Valley series, but now it says it is book 5 of Christmas in Snow Valley. I hate reading books out of order, although I have been known to do it. I like knowing I am doing it. I did not like Jessica much at all. She acted like a spoiled brat, was rude and overall not a nice person. James would have done well to forget her and find a nicer person to love. James was also a bit too good to be true. I mean who puts up with all that. Still the book wasn't all bad. The side characters were nice and story moved at a good pace. Also it was short, short is always good when you don't like a character
December 9, 2022
Jessica left town years ago, after the death of her high school boyfriend in a car crash. She blames herself, and is still grieving when she comes back home. She goes to Michael's grave and sits in the snow. That's when James Douglas looks out the window and becomes worried when she sits so still in the snow and it is very cold out. At first she wants nothing to do with him, since she turned her back on God after Michael's death. She feels that she doesn't want to go back to church much less date a pastor or anyone else. The story is full of emotions and dealing with them, and it was interesting to watch Jessica start discovering things about herself and healing. I really loved the scene where Jessica is at the grave near the end of the story. This is a Christian book It was great how James kept being there for her even when she wasn't sure she wanted him to be with her.
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