Review - Season of Joy by Annie Rains


Hi everyone! I hope each of you is well and appreciating the beauty of the holiday season. If you’re looking for a sweet romance set at Christmas about finding love after loss, look no further. Annie Rains brings us a book that captures the Christmas spirit perfectly.

Single father Granger Fields lives and works on his family’s Merry Mountain tree farm with his two young daughters. His parents live in a separate home on the property and have helped provide child care to his children in addition to an after school nanny who has suddenly retired. Granger’s wife left the family seven years ago and he’s learned to move on with his life. That is, until his sudden need for after school care.

Joy Benson is a struggling artist with a dream to open her own shop. She enjoys teaching classes in the community, and has made a living selling some of her art work. When Granger approaches her about providing after school care for his daughters, she declines noting that she is no longer a nanny and only wishes to pursue her art. After some reconsideration and an examination of her current financial status, she creatively suggests that she could provide private art classes to the girls after school. She wouldn’t mind seeing Granger more often, and could use the money to help lease a shop she has her eye on in town which would be perfect for her art classes and studio.

Although both Granger and Joy have been hurt by their previous relationships, over time the friendship blossoms into romance and the two learn to trust again. But it wouldn’t be a romance novel without some turmoil. In this case, it’s Granger’s estranged wife who suddenly returns unannounced. Will this change everything between Granger and Joy?

I enjoyed this cozy Christmas story. It is full of good will, a caring community with likeable characters, and family love. The story was easy to read and engaging. I appreciated the level of character development of the protagonists, and loved the resilience of the characters despite obstacles that needed to be overcome. This is the perfect holiday book to read curled up with a blanket or next to a fire with a cup of hot chocolate or cider.

Thanks to Forever/Grand Central Publishing for this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

My rating: 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄/5.

24 comments:

  1. Booksforall245December 17, 2020 at 8:02 AM

    This sounds like such a cute book! I really need to pick up some romance books, I don't really read them but I'm definitely adding this to my list!

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  2. Kelly~DianeDecember 17, 2020 at 8:47 AM

    I really enjoy festive themed fiction. There is always an underlying feel-good nature to them. You've written a great review and I'd love to read this book.

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  3. Unwanted LifeDecember 17, 2020 at 8:59 AM

    Romance and Christmas stuff isn't really my thing, but it sounds like if this is your sort of thing then you'd enjoy this book. Turn it into a Goth Christmas romance, and then maybe it'd be interested

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  4. HayleyDecember 17, 2020 at 10:20 AM

    This sounds adorable! I tend to stay away from romance in general as I generally find they lean too heavily on sexual attraction and well, sex. But I LOVE Christmas so much and hope that next year I get around to picking up some of these sweet festive reads. I know who to come to for recommendations!

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)

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  5. Graham CrosbyDecember 17, 2020 at 12:34 PM

    Sounds quite an interesting read. The kind of thing that would be quite compulsive reading.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  6. RajiDecember 17, 2020 at 1:29 PM

    Great review! This sounds like a cute read, and I'm really enjoying all the festive books you've been featuring on your blog lately!

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  7. Fransic VersoDecember 17, 2020 at 1:49 PM

    That's awesome! It would be perfect to read Christmas books this month. I will check it out. Thank you for sharing!

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  8. Jeanine ByersDecember 17, 2020 at 6:49 PM

    It does sound like a sweet story! I love holiday romance novels.

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  9. FloraDecember 18, 2020 at 11:32 AM

    I'm always on the lookout for more seasonal reads, they warm the heart, don't they. x

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  10. CharityDecember 18, 2020 at 12:08 PM

    That sounds like a great Christmas novel! Thanks so much for reviewing it!

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  11. Jenna Rideout | Westveil PublishingDecember 19, 2020 at 9:46 AM

    I'm gonna be that person and say I'd pick this up off the book store shelves just because of those adorable Old English Sheepdogs on the cover! Lol

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    1. thathappyreaderDecember 19, 2020 at 9:54 AM

      I agree with you! They are so cute! Thanks for your comment Jenna!

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  12. SophieDecember 20, 2020 at 3:08 AM

    This sounds great, it feels like a Hallmark movie which is exactly the vibe I think we all need right now.

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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