New review now up.

*****

Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That’s why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool’s Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that’s magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Gabriel’s memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year’s eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle…and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can’t stop sharing.

Gabriel didn’t think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse….

As much as I love Susan Mallery’s books, I put off reading this one.  I just didn’t think I was up for another story about a commitment-phobic guy running away and then coming back to beg for forgiveness … but I should have had more faith in Mallery’s immense skill as a writer.  And I definitely should have remembered that she has never steered me wrong before.  Christmas on 4^th Street is just as heartwarming, quirky and romantic as any of the Fool’s Gold books that have come before it.  It’s full of witty banter and smoldering moments, tenderness and laughter.

Noelle is strong and sweet and positive.  She’s had a rough few years but she’s come out the other side with the knowledge that you have to enjoy every minute of the time you are given. Then she meets the attractive, brooding, but oh-so-charming Gabriel.  As an army trauma doctor in the Middle East, Gabriel has seen horrible things happen to people.  For years, he’s dealt with a lot of uncertainty, stress and death.  And unlike Noelle, he doesn’t see the value in getting involved with other people when disaster could strike at any moment.  But nothing prepared him for upbeat, sexy Noelle.

I think my favorite part of this story is that there isn’t a lot of trouble as Noelle and Gabriel slide into a relationship.  Gabriel is very up front about his feelings on commitment and the fact that he’s leaving after Christmas.  You know that love will win out and you get to enjoy watching their feelings grow – it’s sweet and touching, full of humor and fun.  We’re given those special touches that make Fool’s Gold so enchanting, but at its heart the story is about these two people and their path to a happy ending.

With Christmas on 4^th Street, Mallery once again gives readers a sigh-worthy story about falling in love and the joy that can be found when you learn to open your heart.