Their First Dance - Laurie Batzel (HHW #580 - Sept 2025)

Series: Crystal Hill (Book 4)
 
Could their first dance…
Last a lifetime?
 
Fanny Cunningham is only in small-town Crystal Hill to help her aging dance teacher. She has no time for local handyman Lawson Carl, who tried -- and failed -- to charm her ten years ago. But when she needs a partner for an instructional dance video, he's her only option. Teaching Law to dance is more fun than she imagined. And she may end up with bruised toes, but she feels strangely safe in his burly arms. Could the man who stumbled into her studio be her perfect partner on and off the dance floor?
 
Sweet story of second chances and starting over. After a career-ending injury, Fanny returned to Crystal Hill to help her former dance teacher while looking for a new passion to pursue. She only expects to be in town until after the spring recital. Her best friend asks her to choreograph a wedding first dance, but Fanny needs a partner to do it right. Her only option is Lawson, the town handyman, with whom she has an unpleasant history.
 
Lawson has his own challenges to deal with. An injury to his arm six months earlier ended his lucrative woodcarving career. Now he pays the bills by doing handyman work for his neighbors. He uses charm and humor to cover awkward situations, which doesn't always go over well. He remembers Fanny from an incident a decade ago and would like to repair his reputation with her. He's not so sure that dancing with her would do it.
 
Lawson has some serious self-confidence issues. I ached for him and how he constantly seems to doubt his abilities. He comes up with excuses when Fanny asks for his help, but she doesn't give up on him. I loved her method of reeling him in. I enjoyed their dance sessions and seeing her build up his confidence.
 
Meanwhile, Fanny struggles to see her post-dance future. It's evident to the reader what that future should be, but Fanny doesn't seem to see what is right in front of her. It takes some directed self-examination for her to finally face the fears that hold her back. I liked her "aha" moment at her friend's wedding,
 
I enjoyed the development of Fanny and Lawson's relationship. Though not quite enemies at the beginning, they certainly weren't friends. But the more time they spent together, the more they saw past the surface to the vulnerability beneath. Though their feelings for each other grew, neither was ready to trust their hearts. Each allowed their fears to come between them before realizing that they were strongest together. I loved Lawson's big moment at the recital, and again in the epilogue.

 
 

Husband Material - Brenda Jackson (HQN - Feb 2020)

Matthew Birmingham is used to getting what he wants…and what he wants is his ex-wife. When she returns to their Hamptons estate for the summer, he vows to win her back. But Carmen Akins is hiding a tragic secret from their past that will put their reconciliation to the ultimate test.
 
Carmen, an actress, and Matthew, a Hollywood producer/director, have been divorced for a year. When they first married, they were deeply in love and talked about as one of Hollywood's golden couples. But Matthew's work began taking over his life, driving a wedge between them. The last straw was when he bailed on a special weekend Carmen had planned. She immediately filed for divorce.
 
As the book opens, Carmen has arrived at their home in the Hamptons, ready for some relaxation. She's stunned when Matthew appears at a local event, planning to stay at the house. Neither wants to give up their plans, so they agree to share the space. However, each has an underlying agenda of revenge. Carmen plans to seduce Matthew and then walk away, while Matthew also has seduction on his mind. Neither expects the strength of the attraction that still exists.
 
In their mutual attempt at seduction, Carmen and Matthew realize that something is still between them. They finally do what they should have done years ago - talk to each other and listen to what the other has to say. However, Carmen has one big obstacle to overcome before they can move forward - a devastating secret she kept from him. The ending was sweet and emotional. I liked their character growth in realizing that responsibility for their problems belonged to both of them.

 
 
 
 

A Gilded Age Christmas - Amanda McCabe, Lauri Robinson (HH #1757 - Nov 2023)

Celebrate a Gilded Age Christmas! Two stories!
 
In Amanda McCabe’s A Convenient Winter Wedding: marrying Connor O’Neill is about survival for penniless heiress May Van Der Berg. The distant self-made millionaire is far from the passionate husband she’d once dreamed of…except for that scorching kiss!
 
As one of New York's oldest families, May's parents have standing and influence but little money. Her parents have made it clear that she needs to make a good marriage to the right person, but May hopes to find a man she can love. Connor O'Neill has plenty of money but is not accepted by New York society. Marriage to someone with the right pedigree would help his mother and sister.
 
The story opens with May avoiding a ball given for her to find a husband. She sneaks off to the gazebo for a few minutes of peace. She's surprised to see an unfamiliar man there already. A few minutes of conversation while neither worries about the usual façade sparks a quick connection between them. His wealth overcomes May's mother's attitude toward "new money," and her parents allow Connor to court her. Connor worries about turning May off with his rough around the edges personality, so he works extra hard at imitating the "gentlemen" of her class. His sudden formality causes May to wonder if he is only interested in what her family can do for him and not herself.
 
I loved that May dared to speak to Connor about her worries and that he answered her honestly. Once they cleared up that confusion, the courtship was everything she could hope for. I especially enjoyed the ice skating scene. Their initial connection grows into the love they both hoped for and a heartwarming ending.
 
I loved Connor's mother and sister. His need to make the best life possible for them was sweet. Their close ties were terrific. I laughed out loud when Connor's sister advised him how to win May - she knew exactly what to tell him.
 
 
 
In Lauri Robinson’s The Railroad Baron's Mistletoe Bride: after years of estrangement, romance blooms when Kurt invites store clerk Harper and their shared niece to spend Christmas at his mansion. But are they just a family for the holidays?
 
Harper and her niece, Katie Jo, moved to another town after Harper's sister died giving birth to her. She worried that Katie Jo's father's family, wealthy railroad barons, would find them and take her away. She found a lovely little town without a railroad stop and made friends and a good life for herself and Katie Jo.
 
Seven years later, the day Harper feared arrived. Kurt Cavanaugh, Katie Jo's uncle, arrived, planning to take Katie Jo to Baltimore to meet his grandfather. Harper is not happy with the plan, as his grandfather was the one who forced Katie Jo's father to marry another woman.
 
Complicating matters, seven years ago, Harper was in love with Kurt, a customer at the restaurant where she worked. She had no idea that he had fallen for her, too. She fears falling further for him, even as he works to calm her fears, showing her he is on her side. But as her feelings for Kurt grow stronger, can she trust him not to break her heart again? I enjoyed seeing Katie Jo and Harper's effect on Kurt and the changes they brought to his life. There is a bit of trouble at the end, but it is easily resolved. The ending was great.
 
Katie Jo is a bright and cheerful child, and I enjoyed seeing her interact with the adults. It didn't take long for Kurt to fall under her spell. From the trip in the private railroad car to decorating for Christmas to sledding in the snow, Katie Jo easily fits into the Cavanaugh household.