Twelve Dates to Christmas

I love novellas especially when they are able to pack so much story in a small package. Jessie Evans novellas do that every time! One Christmas Eve Eleven years ago Lula thought she had it all. She opened her shop Tea for Two and was so in love with her boyfriend Carter, the man she knew would be proposing tonight of all nights. She loved the Christmas Season. But when Carter wanted her to leave her town from treasure hunt around the world with him, she had to say No. And Carter was gone. And she had changed. Lula was now a 33 year old that lived a very quiet and dateless life. She tried to move on from Carter and she thought she had but she didn't see love in her future. Ever again and she accepted it. Embraced it. But now it was the season she dreaded every year and like every year she put on a happy face and went with it. Then twelve days before Christmas her life had changed, with a Christmas gnome on her door step she knew Carter was back.... Carter wanted her back. Lula didn't believe that he could stay in one place so they decided they would have twelve days to figure it out. They both have changed in the last eleven years. Lula was not the fun outgoing woman he knew but he brings it out in her, makes her feel alive. And Carter had been through a lot. Can they rekindle their love in just twelve days? Can Carter settle in a small town for a lifetime? I love this one. Getting to know Mia's cousin was a treat. She was the boring cousin but now my mind has changed, she had her reasons. Quotes: It was harmless fun, and Lula didn't care if she got caught one day. "I put the gnome in the pantry. I'm still deciding whether he's allowed to go out and play in the front yard. I told you there are no holiday gnomes in my collection." I think that look just got Carter pregnant.

Review of Twelve Dates of Christmans by Jessie Evans Another 5++ star read -- Lula's story This book is all about Lula, whom we met in previously in Mia's story, as well as Bubba's (with no cliffhanger). Lula is Mia's cousin, and a recipient of her pranks - most notably when Mia pantied her gnomes. I had a feeling we would get around to her story at some point, and boy was I happy to get it. We start out 11 years ago, when Lula and Carter were an item. Carter is an archeologist and treasure hunter and ready to move on to the next big thing. Lula is expecting a ring, thanks to her Aunt blabbing about it, and is devastated when he wants her to leave Lonesome Point and travel with him. When she runs away from him, he leaves town without her. It takes eleven years for him to make it back to her, but will his love be enough to break her out of the walls she has set up around her heart? Can they make it work this time? Sometimes, you have to admit that money isn't as important as the love of a good woman. I am looking forward to reading the next story in this series. Jessie keeps writing amazing stories and we get to reap the rewards. **Complimentary Copy provided by Author for an honest review.**

12 Days of Christmas is a great story full of Christmas fun, love and second chances. It's a quick read to get you into the holiday spirit! I really enjoyed it! I hope we see Lula and Carter again soon! Gotta love Aunt Louise!!!!

Twelve Dates of Christmas is a story which offered me three pleasures in one. First, it is a story which takes place at Christmastime. Second, it is from one of my favorite book series, Lonesome Point. And third, it is written by one of my favorite authors, Jessie Evans. With these three treasures included, Christmas has come early for me, and I knew this was going to be a “gift” I was going to love. Lula has lived for years with heartbreak which arose that awful night eleven years ago when Carter, the only man to ever hold her heart in his hands, disappeared from her life. When suddenly he returns to Lonesome Point, all of the hurt that has remained quickly resurfaces. Carter has always regretted impulsively leaving Lula all those years ago and believes all the misfortune and adversity which has befallen upon him since running away was his punishment. Now, eleven years later, he has finally been able to make his way back to Lonesome Point and to the woman who has always owned his heart. Hoping he can rekindle their love, Carter proposes they share twelve dates, and if Lula is unable to let go of the hurt from the past, he agrees to leaves Lonesome Point for good. Lola agrees, however, insists their time together be spent merely as friends. But as each new date together reignites the passion inside, Lula allows the walls she has built around her heart to disintegrate and finally lets Carter, her only true love, back into her heart. But when occurrences from the past begin to resurface in Lula’s mind, the hurt reappears as well, and she begins to question whether Carter’s love for her was ever as deep and true as he proclaimed it to be. Wow, Ms. Evans. You had me at the prologue. I had been wondering about Lula’s story since reading Leather and Lace and finally here in this Christmastime novella, I have it. The connection between Lula and Carter and their love for each other at the beginning quickly pulled me into their lives. Lula spent so many years with a shattered heart and despite trying to remain closed off, upon seeing Carter after such a long time of being separated, you could quickly sense the love which still remained buried rapidly bubbling back up to the surface. Twelve Dates of Christmas is a magically sweet holiday romance. It is a quick read and can be read as a standalone. Though believe me when I say once you’ve experienced Lonesome Point here, you’ll want to read the others as well.

Some people don’t like novellas. I happen to love them. Especially Jessie Evans' novellas. It takes a brilliant writer to get everything you need, want and love into a short book! This book has 2 of my favorite things: it takes place at Christmas and it's a second chance romance! Lula Jo and Carter were in love and planning to spend forever together, but he leaves to follow his career dreams. Years later he comes back to town and wants Lula Jo back. She puts up a good fight, but her body quickly remembers Carter. Her mind is a little slower to believe that he's back for good and wants her. Can she forget the pain and loss she felt when he left? Can she let him in again? He has 12 dates to convince her that he loves her. Can he do it? I love this series and I can't wait for Diamonds and Dust! "Play with me," Cater said, his voice husky. "I'm yours." "Don't ever leave. Stay here forever." "Yes, ma'am," he drawled. "Though we might get some funny looks if we go down to serve customers naked and tangled up."