What do you think?
Rate this book
December's Wish
Christmas Creek is a small town struggling to stay alive but December Doyle has a plan that will breathe life back into the rural community once more.
Seth Hunter holds nothing but contempt for Christmas Creek.
After being framed and sent to jail in his youth, he returns to town a wealthy businessman with plans of his own for the town… he plans to destroy it along with everyone that ever looked down on him, including, December’s father, Jack Doyle.
Revenge brought him back, but he soon discovers that old insecurities die hard in a place that holds so many painful memories, and all the years he’d spent orchestrating his big plan hadn’t taken into account that December still owned his heart.
A story of lies, betrayal and revenge in the Australian high country.
Seth Hunter holds nothing but contempt for Christmas Creek.
After being framed and sent to jail in his youth, he returns to town a wealthy businessman with plans of his own for the town… he plans to destroy it along with everyone that ever looked down on him, including, December’s father, Jack Doyle.
Revenge brought him back, but he soon discovers that old insecurities die hard in a place that holds so many painful memories, and all the years he’d spent orchestrating his big plan hadn’t taken into account that December still owned his heart.
A story of lies, betrayal and revenge in the Australian high country.
- GenresChristmas
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2013
3 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Karly Lane
34 books378 followersKarly Lane lives on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW in Australia. A certified small town girl, she is most happy in a little town where everyone knows who your grand parents were. She writes women’s fiction – everything from romantic suspense to family sagas and life in rural Australia. She has romantic suspense titles published under Karlene Blakemore-Mowle and her latest release, Third Time Lucky is available now.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 30, 2016
December Doyle was tired; tired of working two jobs, trying to pay off someone else’s debts; tired of trying to rejuvenate life into her beloved hometown of Christmas Creek. But she was also determined to bring her town back to life and have it the way it used to be before businesses started to close and people started to leave.
When she discovered Seth Hunter was back in town she almost went into shock. What was he doing back in Christmas Creek? The community had nothing but hate for the man who had gone to prison many years before – now he was back in town! And if what she was hearing was true, they would be kicking him out of town as soon as possible.
But Seth had big plans for Christmas Creek, and he didn’t much care for what the community thought of him. He had turned his life around and was a well-to-do businessman now, so he would do what he jolly-well liked. It seemed though that both December and Seth still had feelings for each other – much as they kept tight control over them, those sparks kept December away; she couldn’t risk her heart being broken again….could she?
What an absolutely delightful Christmas novella! I thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn’t put it down and loved the intrigue and suspense woven through the story. Aussie author Karly Lane always keeps me enthralled, and I highly recommend her to all.
When she discovered Seth Hunter was back in town she almost went into shock. What was he doing back in Christmas Creek? The community had nothing but hate for the man who had gone to prison many years before – now he was back in town! And if what she was hearing was true, they would be kicking him out of town as soon as possible.
But Seth had big plans for Christmas Creek, and he didn’t much care for what the community thought of him. He had turned his life around and was a well-to-do businessman now, so he would do what he jolly-well liked. It seemed though that both December and Seth still had feelings for each other – much as they kept tight control over them, those sparks kept December away; she couldn’t risk her heart being broken again….could she?
What an absolutely delightful Christmas novella! I thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn’t put it down and loved the intrigue and suspense woven through the story. Aussie author Karly Lane always keeps me enthralled, and I highly recommend her to all.
December 7, 2013
Seth Hunter returns to Christmas Creek after being gone for many years. But there's many people who are not pleased to see him and most are wondering why's he's back especially December Doyle. December and Seth were in love when they were younger, but things turned bad for them when Seth was set to jail for a couple of years. This is when Seth broke all ties with December telling her he never wanted to see her again.
Seth is now a successful businessman and has returned with the plans that will help the town get back on its feet. The town has been struggling over the years but the community are not so keen on Seth's plans.
So will the community be able to stop Seth or will they realise these things are what they need to get the town operational again.
Will Seth and December find love for one another or is it too late after all these years?
This was a very enjoyable read and I didn't want it to end. I highly recommend it.
Seth is now a successful businessman and has returned with the plans that will help the town get back on its feet. The town has been struggling over the years but the community are not so keen on Seth's plans.
So will the community be able to stop Seth or will they realise these things are what they need to get the town operational again.
Will Seth and December find love for one another or is it too late after all these years?
This was a very enjoyable read and I didn't want it to end. I highly recommend it.
November 9, 2013
Really sweet story about revenge, redemption and second chances. My ONLY gripe was that I wished it was longer!!! You know how much I love your stuff Karly... I just wanted MORE!!!
December 26, 2014
LOVED this Christmas novella by Karly Lane. I haven't read any of her other books yet but after reading this lovely story I'll be sure to check out her other titles.
At first I found it hard to like Seth Hunter - he seemed moody and like a man looking for revenge. As the story unfolded I realized he was looking for revenge but the way Karly resolved this internal conflict was so good. I never saw the story coming with the twist between December's father and Seth until it was upon me.
The whole story was packaged like a perfectly wrapped gift under a gorgeous Christmas tree.
At first I found it hard to like Seth Hunter - he seemed moody and like a man looking for revenge. As the story unfolded I realized he was looking for revenge but the way Karly resolved this internal conflict was so good. I never saw the story coming with the twist between December's father and Seth until it was upon me.
The whole story was packaged like a perfectly wrapped gift under a gorgeous Christmas tree.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2018
okay already read this too as 'Third Time Lucky'
so kitschy not sure how far I'll make it.
Made it to the end, an easy read
so kitschy not sure how far I'll make it.
Made it to the end, an easy read
June 13, 2019
Was ok but extremely predictable.
Read
October 10, 2023Kindle
May 11, 2019
This is an easy read, not quite the tale of lies and revenge I was expecting and my second try at a Karly Lane story. I picked this up because I needed a Christmas story for bookclub and it was short. It wasn’t a terrible read, it is idealistic and what these novellas are: quick stories about why two people can’t be together overcoming those reasons and being together.
With novellas there is always a lot to cram in if you want to fully understand the characters involved but there was a balance between understanding who these people are and what their stories were. The Christmas theme was curious. December’s idea to make the town a tourist Christmas spot was on point for the story and very wholesome, even if it’s a little cheesy.
There is a mixture of flashbacks and present day story to show various points in the main two character’s lives. One thing that was frustrating was there was no distinction between these flashbacks and the present day. It is only there a few times but it was quite confusing for a moment thinking some things were happening in the present day. Even a page break or some formatting to clear up the confusion would be helpful.
has done a decent job in giving a well-rounded understanding of these characters, even in such a short story. I liked Seth’s character even though I was perplexed by his reasons for being there. His own bitterness and spite towards the town is a fun thing to watch as he annoys everyone with his charm. His own pettiness is partly justified but also obviously deeply ingrained if he is going to put this much effort into his “revenge”. December is a hard working woman who loves her town and doesn’t want to see it die. She is strong-willed and passionate and while she comes off a little innocent she is also a believer in doing the right thing.
If you are looking for an easy read with a nice happily ever after then this is a good place to start. There is charm and a slight naivety in December’s character but nothing overly off-putting. The Christmas theme was a bit cheesy but it has a small town charm as well.
This review was published on my blog Lost in a Good Book
With novellas there is always a lot to cram in if you want to fully understand the characters involved but there was a balance between understanding who these people are and what their stories were. The Christmas theme was curious. December’s idea to make the town a tourist Christmas spot was on point for the story and very wholesome, even if it’s a little cheesy.
There is a mixture of flashbacks and present day story to show various points in the main two character’s lives. One thing that was frustrating was there was no distinction between these flashbacks and the present day. It is only there a few times but it was quite confusing for a moment thinking some things were happening in the present day. Even a page break or some formatting to clear up the confusion would be helpful.
has done a decent job in giving a well-rounded understanding of these characters, even in such a short story. I liked Seth’s character even though I was perplexed by his reasons for being there. His own bitterness and spite towards the town is a fun thing to watch as he annoys everyone with his charm. His own pettiness is partly justified but also obviously deeply ingrained if he is going to put this much effort into his “revenge”. December is a hard working woman who loves her town and doesn’t want to see it die. She is strong-willed and passionate and while she comes off a little innocent she is also a believer in doing the right thing.
If you are looking for an easy read with a nice happily ever after then this is a good place to start. There is charm and a slight naivety in December’s character but nothing overly off-putting. The Christmas theme was a bit cheesy but it has a small town charm as well.
This review was published on my blog Lost in a Good Book
September 2, 2015
A gorgeous romance book , Seth and December where so in love when they where younger till tragedy hit the town and Seth was accused and put in prison now many years later he has returned mainly for revenge but when he sees her again the sparks fly , will the truth of what and who really did it come out, December is trying to get through the heart ache of losing her husband even though when he was in the accident he wasn't alone and has left her with a huge debt, and than a blast from the past comes home. what will happen between her and Seth?
May 15, 2014
A really enjoyable short read. I'm not normally a fan of short stories/novella's because it doesn't allow me enough time to really get inside the characters heads, however this was different. I really loved both December and Seth's characters and their separate journey's which led to healing and second chances.
December 15, 2015
Loved it!!
December 5, 2014
December Doyle is a women who lives in Christmas creek and was in love with Seth Hunter before he went to jail. This is a feel good novel about rediscovering love when Seth returns.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2014
Really enjoyed this book, just wished that it was longer. A great book to get you into the Christmas spirit.
December 14, 2013
A sweet positive Christmas story.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews