Christmas at the Ranch by Julia McKay

A swoony second chance holiday romance, about a woman who escapes family scandal in the city by fleeing to Evergreen Lake for Christmas, where she first found love and heartbreak at Wilder Ranch.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to a run-in with my ex, two flat tires, and a miracle horse to help me find love.

With the holidays around the corner and her father under arrest for financial fraud, journalist Everly Oakes has no idea where to turn. She’s only certain of one she needs to get away.

Fate and her subconscious take her to Evergreen Lake, the picturesque town where she spent her happiest Christmas as a teenage girl – and fell in love for the first time. Stranded due to car trouble and a blizzard, Everly is rescued by Charlie Wilder, father of her first love, who offers her the guest house at Wilder Ranch. Tate, he promises, is out of town.

But kismet and Christmas magic have other ideas, and when Tate comes home early and finds a half-dressed Everly in his cabin, all bets are off for what else the holidays will hold this year. (goodreads.com)

I gave this sweet romance 4 stars.

Was it somewhat predictable? Yes. Were the protagonist’s parents reformed a bit unrealistically? Yes. But it was a sweet romance and light reading for this sometimes stressful holiday season. This makes you think about those high school loves that never were and what might have been. If you like a good HEA with little spice, then you might like this one. I read it in one sitting. It’s pretty short, just 304 pages.

Because the book is short, characters aren’t deeply developed, but we learn enough to know that we want Everly and Tate to get together. Lovely winter scenery and horses make this book seem more magical than the book has time to develop.

Want to be entertained and know that there will be a happy ending? This one is for you.