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Rainbow Cove Christmas #2
Her Christmas Kisses
One gourmet party. Four potential couples. The taste of love?
Devastated by her parents' divorce and the impending sale of the family restaurant, Flick Ardmore is determined to find the money to buy the restaurant herself. She doesn't expect to find herself stranded in Rainbow Cove with no car, no work, and no prospect of success.
Xander McIntyre, owner of the luxury Rainbow Cove Resort, is a workaholic developer with a looming deadline hindered by the arrival of his young special needs sister, Jenny.
When Flick connects with Jenny, it seems like the perfect solution to both their problems - if only Flick and Xander can ignore the undeniable spark between them. Or will their building attraction cause more problems than it solves?
Devastated by her parents' divorce and the impending sale of the family restaurant, Flick Ardmore is determined to find the money to buy the restaurant herself. She doesn't expect to find herself stranded in Rainbow Cove with no car, no work, and no prospect of success.
Xander McIntyre, owner of the luxury Rainbow Cove Resort, is a workaholic developer with a looming deadline hindered by the arrival of his young special needs sister, Jenny.
When Flick connects with Jenny, it seems like the perfect solution to both their problems - if only Flick and Xander can ignore the undeniable spark between them. Or will their building attraction cause more problems than it solves?
200 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2019
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Susanne Bellamy
68 books76 followersBorn and raised in Toowoomba, Susanne is an Australian author of contemporary and suspense romances set in exciting and often exotic locations, and rural romance and set in Australia. She has also written several historical stories. She adores travel with her husband, both at home and overseas, and weaves stories around the settings and people she encounters. One Night in Tuscany almost wrote itself after her travels in Italy, and her rural romances were inspired by a stint teaching in far north-west Queensland.
Her heroes have to be pretty special to live up to her real life hero. He saved her life then married her. They live on the edge of bush land on a mountain in beautiful sunny Queensland, Australia, with their dog.
Susanne is a member of the RWA (Romance Writers of Australia) and is a finalist in their 2021 RuBY award for her seasoned romance, 'Home from the Hill'. She has also been a finalist in the Emerald Award and Pan Macmillan competitions.
Her heroes have to be pretty special to live up to her real life hero. He saved her life then married her. They live on the edge of bush land on a mountain in beautiful sunny Queensland, Australia, with their dog.
Susanne is a member of the RWA (Romance Writers of Australia) and is a finalist in their 2021 RuBY award for her seasoned romance, 'Home from the Hill'. She has also been a finalist in the Emerald Award and Pan Macmillan competitions.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 3, 2019
Her Christmas Kisses is the second in Escape Publishing’s Christmas Rainbow Cove series. The good news is that it’s better than the first book of the series but the bad news is it was still not great.
In the first book, the h yelled at the H for no apparent reason on a regular basis and again, at the start of this book, the h let rip into the H on their first meeting unnecessarily. In real life, these women would potentially be up on assault charges.
Thankfully, things settled down from there. The hero gets the heroine a job at [fictional town] Rainbow Cove's local resort's restaurant and they start to hang out. With the heroine's job in the restaurant, there is some food porn, which is always good.
The main conflict of the story is that the heroine doesn’t want everyone to know she’s going out with the hero because, in a roundabout way, he is her boss. Another reason the couple want to keep it quiet is the complication of a visit by the hero’s sister who has Down’s Syndrome and therefore, does not fully understand sexual relationships. This part of the storyline works pretty well. When the sister leaves town, however, the continuing conflict of keeping things quiet and secret becomes a little weak.
Actually, the entire book becomes a little weak from that point onwards. To be honest, nothing happens. It’s just the leads going on dates, sharing kisses, and talking endlessly in circles. I jumped into skim mode for the rest of the book.
I wanted to like this book because its author, Susanne Bellamy, is from Toowoomba, where I am also from and where my mother still lives. Bellamy didn’t use Toowoomba itself as a setting but she did include many familiar areas around the south east corner of Queensland. I did like this aspect. Bellamy’s writing wasn’t horrible but I really needed something more to happen plotwise.
2 ½ out of 5
In the first book, the h yelled at the H for no apparent reason on a regular basis and again, at the start of this book, the h let rip into the H on their first meeting unnecessarily. In real life, these women would potentially be up on assault charges.
Thankfully, things settled down from there. The hero gets the heroine a job at [fictional town] Rainbow Cove's local resort's restaurant and they start to hang out. With the heroine's job in the restaurant, there is some food porn, which is always good.
The main conflict of the story is that the heroine doesn’t want everyone to know she’s going out with the hero because, in a roundabout way, he is her boss. Another reason the couple want to keep it quiet is the complication of a visit by the hero’s sister who has Down’s Syndrome and therefore, does not fully understand sexual relationships. This part of the storyline works pretty well. When the sister leaves town, however, the continuing conflict of keeping things quiet and secret becomes a little weak.
Actually, the entire book becomes a little weak from that point onwards. To be honest, nothing happens. It’s just the leads going on dates, sharing kisses, and talking endlessly in circles. I jumped into skim mode for the rest of the book.
I wanted to like this book because its author, Susanne Bellamy, is from Toowoomba, where I am also from and where my mother still lives. Bellamy didn’t use Toowoomba itself as a setting but she did include many familiar areas around the south east corner of Queensland. I did like this aspect. Bellamy’s writing wasn’t horrible but I really needed something more to happen plotwise.
2 ½ out of 5
December 3, 2019
Short sweet read
A great read to put you in the mood for Christmas... a great addition to the Rainbow cove series...and. A great taste of the festive season DownUnder.
A great read to put you in the mood for Christmas... a great addition to the Rainbow cove series...and. A great taste of the festive season DownUnder.
December 26, 2020
I enjoyed this book and picturing all the tasty treats the heroine Flick created.
The romance with Xander is sweet. I loved the relationship with his little sister Jenny, especially with Flick teaching her how to bake.
A relatively short read to put you in the Christmas mood.
The romance with Xander is sweet. I loved the relationship with his little sister Jenny, especially with Flick teaching her how to bake.
A relatively short read to put you in the Christmas mood.
September 26, 2021
Flick is adrift after her parents divorce, ruining her plans to buy the family restaurant. She stops in Rainbow Cove to get groceries, but then her car becomes a write-off. The owner of the other car? Xander, who's in charge of the town's resort. Flick accepts his help and starts working in the resort restaurant. She's a whizz at desserts, but something else is simmering between her and Xander.
Every now and then you find a shorter book like this where the author completely nails the pacing. This is such a strong romance I think it might have been served better as book one in the series. I was on Team Flick right from the start and I couldn't wait for her and Xander to get together, then stay together. Jenny was also a wonderful side character.
Every now and then you find a shorter book like this where the author completely nails the pacing. This is such a strong romance I think it might have been served better as book one in the series. I was on Team Flick right from the start and I couldn't wait for her and Xander to get together, then stay together. Jenny was also a wonderful side character.
November 17, 2019
While Her Christmas Kisses didn’t set my heart on fire it was a nice book to read. The story is light and sweet and with a northern NSW beachside resort setting, it has a real holiday feel to it. Hero Xander, property developer and self-made man, is a genuinely nice man. I loved the care he showed toward his parents and his sister Jenny, who has Downs Syndrome. Actually I loved the way that Jenny was treated throughout the book. It was fabulous to see her integrating into the kitchen at the resort and learning to cook and lovely to see her out and about doing holiday things with her brother. Flick was likeable too. Her life is imploding on her as the story opens and I admired her for the way she addressed her issues. What I wasn’t so keen on was her approach to her relationship with Xander, but as you’ll see when you read the book, she has her reasons. This story flows well, is filled with love and for light summer Christmas reading it fits the bill nicely.
November 16, 2019
Her Christmas Kisses was a nice sweet holiday romance. I loved the addition of Xander’s sister Jenny. The connection that Xander has with her & the one that formed between Flick & Jenny tells the reader about the type of characters they are. The characters are complex & well defined. Their personalities shown through in their actions but Jenny really brought the best out of both of them. Flick is dealing with loss of her dreams & disillusionment with her parents, but especially her mother. Xander is starting to yearn for something different but isn’t sure what it is. He has had it all his way for so long, he needed a reminder to look out for someone else’s dreams & wishes. This was a nice story for the holiday season.
January 22, 2021
This story was a nice quick and easy to read perfect for the holidays. It has short, sharp chapters that kept the reader invested and saying "just one more".
It was fun watching Flick and Xander as they attempt to rediscover themselves whilst simultaneously falling for one another. This story has many plot twists that left you questioning whether they would get their happy ending.
I particularly loved the inclusion of Julie as Xander's sister. The inclusion of Julie's Down Syndrome was done beautifully and it brought a new element to the novel. This character was given so much respect and treated as though they were just an ordinary teenager trying to find their place in the world.
A nice light-hearted read perfect for the Christmas season.
It was fun watching Flick and Xander as they attempt to rediscover themselves whilst simultaneously falling for one another. This story has many plot twists that left you questioning whether they would get their happy ending.
I particularly loved the inclusion of Julie as Xander's sister. The inclusion of Julie's Down Syndrome was done beautifully and it brought a new element to the novel. This character was given so much respect and treated as though they were just an ordinary teenager trying to find their place in the world.
A nice light-hearted read perfect for the Christmas season.
November 26, 2019
Her Christmas Kisses is the second story in this multi author series and is written by Susanne Bellamy. This is more a sweet, drama free read set in a wonderful northern beach side town in Australia. Xander and Flick are engaging and very likeable characters in their own right, but some scenes are questionable, until to get to the final explanation. Xander is amazing with his sister Jenny, who is afflicted by Downs Syndrome, and her interactions throughout the entire book are well received and beautifully captured. This is definitely not a hot, explosive book, but it was enjoyable and easy to read.
November 19, 2019
I love a sweet and easy read and Susanne did not disappoint. The story of Flick and Xander was perfect for a light hearted Christmas read with all the feels. Flick is a pastry chef (dont read this book if you are hungry!) and Xander the Resort Developer. Flick helps out with Xanders special needs sister while hiding from her own dramas and Jenny is exactly what Flick needs to come to terms with what is going on in her own life. This book would appeal to everyone who is a fan of a sweet romance, without the smut!
November 16, 2019
A multi author series with Her Christmas Kisses being the second book and is written by Susanne Bellamy.
A wonderful holiday romances. Flick and Xander are great characters and with the terrific support characters and the sweet engaging storyline this story is a pleasure to read.
A wonderful holiday romances. Flick and Xander are great characters and with the terrific support characters and the sweet engaging storyline this story is a pleasure to read.
December 4, 2019
Adored this sweetly thrilling holiday adventure filled with engaging charters, witty banter, emotional twists and passionate turns..... a highly entertaining read from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this journey!
October 15, 2019
Loved it!! This story went by so fast because I really got into it. Like you could put yourself there and really get great images in your mind of the people and places.
October 5, 2023
Flick is offered a job in the Rainbow Cove resort restaurant when her car is written off in the carpark. Resort owner Xander is attracted to the plucky woman and love starts when Flick bonds with his Downs Syndrome sister - this is my favourite book in the series.
February 6, 2020
The second book Rainbow Cove Christmas series, this one Susanne Bellamy brings you the story of Flick and Xander, you are really going to enjoy this story. Xander's sister Jenny who has Downs Syndrome, will capture your heart. This was another fun holiday romance that you will want to pick up and read.
January 10, 2020
Devastated by her parents' divorce and the impending sale of the family restaurant, Flick Ardmore is determined to find the money to buy the restaurant herself. She doesn't expect to find herself stranded in Rainbow Cove with no car, no work, and no prospect of success. Xander McIntyre, owner of the luxury Rainbow Cove Resort, is a workaholic developer with a looming deadline hindered by the arrival of his young special needs sister, Jenny. When Flick connects with Jenny, it seems like the perfect solution to both their problems - if only Flick and Xander can ignore the undeniable spark between them. Or will their building attraction cause more problems than it solves?
This was an ok read. I didn’t really care for Flick that much. The plot was ok. It just wasn’t really for me.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
This was an ok read. I didn’t really care for Flick that much. The plot was ok. It just wasn’t really for me.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
December 23, 2019
Predictable.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews