Amy Andrews (1)

Fun and emotional story. Edmund, a famous obstetric surgeon, is enjoying his first vacation in five years when a helicopter carrying a determined princess interrupts his relaxation. Princess Xiomara needs his expertise to save her cousin, the King's unborn twins, and she won't take no for an answer.

I loved the first meeting between Edmund and Xio. He was not happy about the interruption, and she was determined to get her way. The back-and-forth of their "negotiation" was amusing, with Xio's show more offers becoming more and more excessive and Edmund's refusal to budge growing stronger, until she found the key to his cooperation. Once he decided to help, Edmund was all in, and matters moved swiftly.

I enjoyed the development of Edmund and Xio's relationship. The sparks flew from the moment they met, but their lives are so different that only a brief fling is possible. However, the more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings grow. Xio sees the man behind the fame, and likes what she sees. Edmund sees Xio as a woman, not just a princess, and gives her a taste of what life beyond the palace has to offer. But can Xio pry herself away from devoting herself to her country and grab at a chance for happiness and a different life? And can Edmund find a balance between the work that fulfills him and the family life that he yearns for? The emotional journey to their HEA was well done and believable.

I enjoyed the secondary characters. Despite their worry about the unborn babies, the King and his wife are not oblivious to what is happening between Edmund and Xio. I loved the little nudges and knowing looks that showed how much they wanted Xio's happiness. I also liked Xio's head of security, Xavier. He was unexpectedly mellow in his efforts to protect, and I loved how he aided and abetted Edmund and Xio's getaway.

This being a book in Harlequin's medical series, the core motivation was an intriguing health crisis. I had never heard of this particular issue and found the explanation and treatment fascinating. show less

Laugh, swoon and sigh
5 stars

Gah! How does Amy Andrews do it? She writes such complex, compelling characters that are so worthy of finding their happily ever afters, that you fall in love with them as they fall in love with each other.

This is the third book in the Credence Colorado series although it completely stands alone. In fact, while the couples from the first 2 books (Nothing But Trouble and The Trouble with Christmas) are name-checked, they don’t appear in this book. Although many show more other characters - and many new ones - from the quirky town do feature. But fear not if you, like me, hate a name dump of characters - it’s not like that. And the people of Credence are ‘real’ people with quirks - not ridiculous parodies of irritating schmucks that sometimes appear in novels as the meddling townsfolk.

But our book isn’t about them - it’s about Della and Tucker.

Della has had a hard life; Harrowing in many respects. While there’s never any truly gory detail - and the book happens 4 years after her rescue from her abusive situation - I can imagine that this detail may be triggering to some. For me, it just made me like Della all the more. Seeing how far she’d come and how strong she was - even if she didn’t know it herself. She was such an inspiration and I was her biggest cheerleader from the first page to the last. She put me to shame with her bravery and I admired her big time!

Tucker. *Sighs* What can I say - I’m a sucker for a Tucker. I can imagine all the girls sighing as he strides by in his checked shirt, boots and cowboy hat, looking like a deliciously dirty lumberjack. But he’s got a heart of gold. And how he loves and cares for Della… If it wasn’t so beautiful - I might cry. I probably did cry, if I’m honest.

Della and Tucker are just perfect together - and more than just sexually. But sexually they are hotter than the red spot on Jupiter. There was definitely some pearl clutching and face-fanning going on as I read the steamy scenes. It might take a while for the pair to take the plunge - but by God they more than make up for it when they finally do get going.

There’s definitely a build-up to the full-on sex scenes but there’s also no scrimping on the hot moments even before that. I’m trying to forget about dirty Rosemary, the saucy 80-year old, but the trip to the sex shop was both hilarious and really interesting. I’m thinking I need to up my game some. But maybe not to full-on Tinder. While that was also illuminating and hilarious - it was also down-right terrifying!

Other things to love about this book - apart from the awesomely swoony love story - the triple bromance of Arlo, Drew and Tucker. Who doesn’t love some boy banter? Betty the Cavalier King Charles - my own ovaries nearly exploded when Tuck arrived at the door with her tucked under his arm; I’m getting overheated just remembering it. But best of all is the humour. No, best of all is Ms Andrews’ writing in general. How she manages to make me feel like I’m not reading, but sitting down to catch-up with my bestest friend while she tells me a love story - is something I’m not quite sure how she manages. And as with hanging out with your girls, you’ll laugh, cry and tell each other all the juicy, dirty details. It’s utter perfection.

Whether you’re new to Credence, Colorado, or you’re like me and planning to move there - you will fall in love with this book and more importantly, Della and Tucker. Please give it a go - you will not be disappointed. 5 swoony stars. show less

This is a book full of laughter, sadness, embarrassment, hope, cringy at times (I will never look at tinsel or well Christmas decorations the same again lol) rekindling love and potential love all wrapped up in one great read. Grady is a silent broody cowboy who just wants to be left alone to be well all silent and broody while Suzanne is all talky talky, finding her true self and muse driven ... broody cowboy muse driven to be exact. If you love Christmas and a great slow burn love story show more this is the one to go for as you will not only fall in love with Joshy and Suzy but also everyone in Credence. show less

Will get your tinsel in a tangle
5 stars

No-one combines the feels and the funny quite like Amy Andrews; as such she’s fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

And then she wrote a Christmas book.

This is the second book in the Credence, Colorado series. While the couple from the first book (CC and Wade from Nothing But Trouble) are mentioned in this one, they don’t make an appearance themselves. Although many of the townsfolk are back again - along with all their crazy ways! You show more definitely don’t need to have read the first book to read this one although it’s such a good book I would obviously suggest that you do!

From their first meeting, Suzanne and Grady light sparks off each other. At first it’s annoyance and anger. Then lust-fueled anger. Then just lust. And then the whole damn place ignites! The pair have a chemistry that’s so exciting to read. Normally I find I favour one character over another in a pairing, and want my favourite to “win” while falling in love. I wanted them both to “win” as they were just so darn perfect for each other - and they needed each other to make the other whole!

There was something so relatable about Suzanne. She was successful, sophisticated and worldly - yet she was missing something in her life. It was heartbreaking in its own way. She was honest about her feelings and emotions and just an all round nice person. I loved her.

Joshua Grady is my jam. Ovaries exploding all over the place! He’s a strong, silent rancher with a little bit of boy sass about him in that he’s so damn grumpy. Mmm hmm hmm. But with all that surliness comes a past that is so tragic that it explains him and his behaviours. While we learn about the long-past incident and see how it's affected Grady - Ms Andrews’ never goes too deep so as to drag the book down. But still deep enough to make an impact.

And I have to mention the funny in this book. But can’t do that without first mentioning the writing itself. It’s so flawlessly effortless (which probably takes mountains of work and effort!) and the writing just flows. You almost forget you’re reading as you’re sucked into Credence and this snowy wonderland. That’s why the humour works so well as it just appears in the book organically. Meaning you’re just as often surprised by a big laugh as you are at finding a whole scene amusing or just plain hilarious! The paintings, the penis cookies, the wrecking ball decorations. It was awesome!

Christmas threw up in this book for sure - and that’s exactly what Suzy wanted. She goes full-on ridiculous with her Christmas theme and that just added a special touch to the book - not least because I myself love a tacky Christmas!

Along with the sparks comes a full dose of sexy between Grady and Suzy. Yum! And during a blizzard? Slow clap for Christmas effect!

This was a really fun book with a dose of the feels and a huge dump of Christmas cheer. It’s exactly what I’ve come to expect from Ms Andrews and cannot wait for this wonderful series to continue. 5 stars and Christmas lover or not, I would highly recommend this book. show less