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Port Landon #2

The Winter Berry House

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A heartwarming novel about rediscovering past loves and remembering that home is where the heart is.

It’s the beginning of December, and the town of Port Landon is covered with snow and glowing with festive cheer. Working at the Port diner, Kait Davenport is counting down to Christmas the same way she does every year, serving fruitcake and cinnamon flavored coffee.
But when she unexpectedly runs into her high school sweetheart, Branch Sterling, she knows this Christmas is going to be different.
The holiday season marks the first anniversary of his beloved Grandma Addie’s passing, and Branch must face the task he has been putting off for so long… It’s time to return to the house he’s inherited – the house he once called home – and make peace with his loss.
Branch is determined to lay his painful memories to rest and finally move on. But he has rekindled a fire in Kait’s heart, and when she offers to help him recreate Grandma Addie’s legacy Christmas dinner for the whole town, their hope for a second chance burns bright.
Will Kait convince Branch that he belongs in Port Landon, and that their love is just as strong as their Christmas spirit?

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2020

130 people are currently reading
153 people want to read

About the author

Caroline Flynn

4 books54 followers
Caroline Flynn is a Canadian writer from Northern Ontario. She doesn't have to imagine what small-town life is like—she lives it every day. Caroline loves everything book related, whether it’s reading them or writing them, and she's the dog-mom of an eccentric brindle boxer named Jazz (who makes a special appearance in The Forget-Me-Not Bakery!). Caroline uses her coffee addiction to fuel her writing passion, and the truth is, she can’t imagine devoting her life to being anything other than an author.

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5 stars
54 (27%)
4 stars
64 (32%)
3 stars
49 (24%)
2 stars
26 (13%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Julie .
4,251 reviews38k followers
December 24, 2020
The Winter Berry House by Caroline Finn is a 2020 HQ Digital publication.

A Second chance romance with a warm holiday sparkle…

Ten years ago, a scary accident prompted Branch to leave Port London, where he lived with his grandparents.

Now he has returned home to finalize their estate and will be staying in town for longer than he has in an entire decade.

When he suddenly comes face to face with Kait, his former girlfriend, it is awkward at first, but gradually, they forge a tentative friendship. The past still has a firm hold on their prospects of a future together, as the entire truth about the accident has never been fully revealed.

Kait’s friends and family express concern about her new relationship with Branch, but no one is harder on Branch than himself.

Has Branch changed? Can Kait trust him not to let her down again?

I stumbled across this book in my Overdrive library and although I had more holiday books on my schedule than I would be able to complete, the cover was so pretty I decided to check it out anyway. As it so happened, this book turned out to be a very pleasant surprise, and I’m glad I added it.

The Christmas theme runs through the story in a gentle way, as Branch decides to follow through on his grandparent’s holiday traditions. There is an undercurrent of mystery, too, because there are definitely a few misunderstandings and secrets lurking in the past that slowly rise to the surface.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable, clean, contemporary romance! I’ll be watching for more by this author!!

4 stars
Profile Image for Margaret Galbraith.
457 reviews10 followers
July 12, 2022
Yep you guessed it I’m back in my Christmas theme for ‘Christmas in July’! This is just another one of those fuzzy good cheery warm stories you need when it’s winter outside here in South Australia. A tale of Kait and Branch, yes that is his name. Young love gone wrong just because of a jealous friend. Ten years pass and the grandparents of Branch are gone in the small town he grew up in. It’s a lovely little story and you can guess how it pans out but the author certainly has you guessing ‘how’ until the last few chapters!
Profile Image for BrandyD.
660 reviews84 followers
December 14, 2023
Another story where the characters didn’t fully communicate with each other, leading to years of regret and disappointment. Blah.
Profile Image for Deanne Patterson.
2,413 reviews118 followers
December 26, 2020
The Winter Berry House is one you'll want to read.
The cover drew me in first, it's really lovely but then the story inside is just as lovely.
We all have things in our past we'd like to change. The main characters here sure do.
When a teenage romance goes south because of lies and a misunderstanding there couldn't possibly be a second chance especially when one half of the couple moves away and hasn't been seen in years.
Trying to get on with life and forget is just what Kait Davenport must do.
It's Christmas time in Port Landon and she's still working at the diner serving the same customers that have come to closely know and love her over the years.
Reading the Winter Berry House will really pull on your heartstrings as there may be a possibility of a second chance romance when Branch Sterling returns to town to tie up loose ends.
You'll empathize with Kait as her emotions are all over the place as she realizes Branch is back in town and for what, such a short time? Is it even worth investing her heart just to have the possibility to have it ripped out again?
You'll want to tell the characters to get their act together in The Winter Berry House and not waste this second chance at love.
Very enjoyable!

Pub Date 26 Nov 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you
All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Tabassum Irin (whatirinreads).
178 reviews112 followers
December 17, 2020
3.85/5 ⭐

I read The Forget-Me-Not Bakery by Caroline Flynn a few months back, and I absolutely fell in love with the small town of Port Landon. I was over the moon when the author announced that the next book in the series – The Winter Berry House will be coming out this year as well! I finally got the chance to read it. Many thanks to the publisher for sending me an e-ARC in exchange of an honest review. 💖

I loved reading about the beautiful town of Port Landon, so having the chance to visit it during Christmas time was such a treat! Kait and Branch were really fascinating characters to read about. I loved their chemistry and conversations throughout the story. Seeing them reminisce about their teenage years added such a sweet and heart-warming touch to the plot.

The Winter Berry House would have been a solid 5 star read, but Kait did many unlikable things throughout the book. Her relationship with Branch felt one-sided at times, mainly because of how she jumped into negative conclusions about him without considering/listening to his side of the story. I understand that she had trust issues, but she didn’t even try to figure things out in a rational way in the first place. These things made me lose connection with her as the story went progressed. Branch was such a sweetheart though; I loved his character so much. His caring nature won my heart. :’) 💜

The Christmas ambience along with the supporting cast of characters made reading The Winter Berry House so much fun too! I really hope that Caroline Flynn is writing another book in the Port Landon series, I’m not ready to say goodbye to the wonderful characters in this charming little fiction town yet. I don’t think I’ll be!😭😭😭
Profile Image for Leah.
1,977 reviews
November 27, 2020
This takes place at Christmas. I should have liked this. It has a second-chance romance, a small town, and Christmas. I still like the town, but I didn't like the main characters. I was hoping the story would end differently, but I knew that I wouldn't. Maybe the next book will be more enjoyable.
Profile Image for Victoria Lanigan.
1,091 reviews21 followers
November 20, 2020
This is a second chance at love story, set in the small town of Port Landon. Kait and Branch were high school sweethearts but after an incident that sent both of them reeling, Branch left town breaking each of their hearts. Raised by his beloved grandparents he would visit them through out the years but never venturing into town or his old life.
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Kait had spend the last eleven years since high school, and since Branch left town, as a waitress and helping her single sister with her twin nephews, living a shell fo her own life.
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Upon the first anniversary of Branch’s grandmother Addie’s death he returns home for a month. Grandma Addie prepared Christmas dinner for the entire town and when she passed she left a hole not only in Branch but in the entire town. He decided to recreate her Christmas Magic by hosting the traditional dinner and decorating her entire house.
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In doing this Branch is trying to forgive himself from the incident eleven years ago, forgive himself for leaving his grandparents and friends behind and forgive himself for what he did to Kait and try to win back her love.
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Branch and Kait each know what they want for Christmas this year cannot be bought in a store. This is such a sweet, Christmas book. It is filled with forgiveness, second chances and so much heart and I loved it.
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Thank you to #Netgalley and #HQdigital for an arc in exchange for an honest review
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This book is available November 26th!
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79 reviews
June 15, 2021
I enjoyed the second book in the Port Landon series. I always enjoy reading a series of books, but I actually particularly enjoyed this as this book did not rely on the first; it was more of a nod to the previous story. I'll look forward to reading more.
Profile Image for whataimeereads_.
114 reviews8 followers
February 14, 2023
I adored this book.

A perfect romance set in a close knit community. Reminded me of all the soppy films on Netflix and I really needed this right now.

I can’t wait to read more from this author, I was a fuzzy mess the whole night and couldn’t put it down.
Profile Image for Claire Boniface.
111 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2020
For such an easy read this took me ages, and I think that’s because of the main issue being that all of the romance ‘problems’ in this could have been completely solved in a page of communication and I found it so frustrating that it just seemed to drag on forever.
I liked the small town feel and aspect of it but feel like that could’ve definitely been highlighted a lot more than it was, instead of the charming small town I was expecting the narrator was only interested in negatively talking about a couple of the smaller characters who I couldn’t keep track of as they weren’t given any real introduction to the reader.

This could have worked and had the ingredients to be a good story, but it just wasn’t for me.
Profile Image for Casey.
563 reviews7 followers
June 10, 2021
main character repeatedly states she's a calm level headed person yet EVERY single time something happens, she explodes, jumps to conclusions and is generally absolutely stupid. 300 pages of angst coud have been resolved with a 25 second conversation. Zach is an asshole, Kate is stupid and Branch just tries on military uiforms like its a second hand store.
261 reviews6 followers
September 30, 2020
Forget stars, I’m giving this book hearts 💕 5 big full ones!
Back in the summer I read Caroline Flynn’s The Forget-me-not Bakery and loved every minute of it. When I heard about this new title and saw the cover I got very excited, knowing I would fall for this book (and all the characters) before even turning that cover.
I was not disappointed!

Get ready to be enveloped in a great big hug! That’s what this book felt like! It will pull you in, right in to all the characters lives, you will feel like you are there, living in this quaint little town, among the people that are described so well.

Kait is happily living her life, sticking to her routine when one day her high school sweet heart, Branch, returns out of the blue. What secrets lie between them? Can they once again become friends, or more, as the Christmas season approaches?

Be prepared for some tears, this book is beautifully written and you will mourn the loss of Branch’s grandmother as he does. You feel that you know her so well and everything she has done for Branch, as well as the community.

This is the second Port Landon book, however this could easily be enjoyed without having read the first one, but I do like the cross over of characters between the books. Sometimes this genre of book as a habit of the sequels being a bit of a retelling of the first, same location and general theme just different main characters, however! you will not find that here. The location feels familiar and you know a few characters from the first book, which is great, but the story, wow! it will blow you away and then back again!

I really didn’t want this one to end, I could have read about Kait, Branch and their friends and family forever!

Well done Caroline Flynn, a fabulous follow up to The Forget-me-not Bakery. I cannot wait to see and read what you bring out next!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and most importantly the author, for the chance to read this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,189 reviews28 followers
December 1, 2020
The Winter Berry House by Caroline Flynn
Publisher: HQ
Genre: Romance
Release Date: November 26, 2020

The Winter Berry House by Caroline Flynn is a standalone Christmas romance set in a small town called Port Landon, also the setting of her previous book The Forget-Me-Not-Bakery. This is the first book I've read by the author.

I don't even have words right now. I just finished reading this and I haven't pulled myself back together. This book was wonderful and amazing and more than I could have asked for.

I loved the small town of Port Landon and all of its' people! I loved Kait and Branch. I loved the Christmas magic! I loved how the story was written: the dialogue, the back story, and the flow.

I loved the Christmas magic and the sweet cardinal ornament. I laughed, I cried, I truly felt all the emotions as Kait did.

I will be re-reading this book because it is so special and some of my friends might be surprised when they are gifted this treasure! If you are looking for a book to fill your heart with warmth, then this is the book you need to read.

This is a wonderful Christmas romance filled with second chances, redemption, family and friends. I look forward to reading The Forget-Me-Not-Bakery and other future books by the author!

I'm so grateful to Caroline Flynn, HQ, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Bridget.
2,789 reviews131 followers
December 8, 2020
The Winter Berry House by Caroline Flynn is a wonderful, romantic festive tale set in a small town called Port Landon. Even though I'm late to the party, jumping in at book two, this was still a fabulous read for me, working just fine as an individual story.

Kait Davenport is working at The Port diner and just getting on with her life... when she runs into her high school sweetheart, Branch Sterling. The Christmas holiday season will mark the first anniversary of his beloved Granny Addie’s passing, and Branch knows it’s time to return to the house he’s inherited that was once his home.

The story is tender, smoldering and blissful bringing with it another chance for love between the main characters. The plot unearths some wonderful, touching moments between Kait and Branch and I particularly liked Caroline Flynn's portrayal of Branch's remorse and redemption along with Addie's gentle prods throughout the text. An immensely heartwarming and engaging Christmas romance that I really enjoyed, I'm looking forward to reading the previous book to The Winter Berry House called The Forget-Me-Not Bakery as well as eagerly anticipating the next outing to Port Landon.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ Digital via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
340 reviews3 followers
November 26, 2020
This is a wonderfully written heart- warming holiday tale of second chances.
High school sweethearts who thought they had a life filled with love and wonder ahead of them lose everything in the blink of an eye.
He lived the past ten years being crushed by guilt, the accident that caused the town to hate him, the pain and shame he brought to his grandparents and the loss of the love of his life.
Kait thought she had moved on, thought she was living. She spent the last ten years being there for everyone else that needed help. First Zach then her sister. Living her life for everyone else, but her. It was easier to take care of others than look into yourself and see your pain, see what you need to deal with in order to move forward and live again. Will Kait have what it takes to live again?
What happens when, after ten years, Branch walks back through those doors again? Will it be like time never stopped? Will they feel their hearts will start beating again? Or will the pain outshine the love and kill every possibility for a second chance?
I enjoyed this sweet romance. I liked the characters and the plot. It’s a great story with all the feels. A Hallmark movie ready to be filmed!
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
2,100 reviews104 followers
November 28, 2020
4.5 stars

I devoured this book, it is a beautifully written holiday, second chance story. It hit on all my emotions, frustration included. First I love Port Landon, it is the perfect snow-covered small town. Not all of the characters are loveable, but that is part of its charm.

Branch Sterling comes home after years of staying away. It is the first anniversary of his beloved Grandmothers death, time to heal. Kait Davenport is the one who drove Branch away, but she did not have all the facts. Even after ten years, they pick right up as if no time has passed. Branch has December to clean up his childhood home before he returns to work, and is gone from Port Landon. Trying to recreate some holiday magic, together they give one final Christmas Eve legacy party. I loved Addie’s little nudges throughout the story. I can not wait to go back to Port Landon, who will be next?

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the free copy in exchange for my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Kayla Whitehead.
52 reviews9 followers
December 13, 2020
The Winter Berry House by Caroline Flynn is the second novel based in Port Landon. It can be read as a total stand alone and be thoroughly enjoyed.

I loved this second chance story about Kait and Branch. They were high school sweet hearts with their entire lives ahead of them when one night brought it all to a crashing end. *Insert heart breaking*
Branch leaves the town of Port Landon only to return 11 years later to find out that things weren't exactly how he thought they were.

Kait and Branch have such chemistry throughout the entire story. My only criticism is that Kait was so quick to jump to the negative and never really stopped and asked Branch exactly what happened. I was rooting for Branch the entire time!
I fell in love with Port Landon after Flynn's first novel so I was so excited to read about it during the Christmas season. It definitely did not disappoint.

Thank you @flynnromance @netgalley @hqstories for this advanced reader copy. I thoroughly enjoyed it ☺️
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,585 reviews
November 24, 2020
Thank you NetGalley, Caroline Flynn and HQ for the book The Winter Berry House. This is my personal review.
I absolutely adored this book I like Kait and Branch so much. They had such an amazing chemistry!
They endured so much in their relationship, but they knew they were meant to be together no matter what happened in their lives. Getting a second chance to return to that love from when they were younger is a great way to live. Having the book set in the town of Port Landon is so familiar after reading the first book in the series it felt like I was going home. The Christmas setting of the story added so much to the story.
Thank you Caroline Flynn for taking me back to this wonderful town and everyone who lives there
Profile Image for Janilyn Kocher.
5,104 reviews115 followers
October 2, 2020
Flynn included a lot of conflict in The Winter Berry House. Kait learns her ex boyfriend is back in town. Once a couple, one horrible night ended much for Kait. Branch returns to permanently in his hometown. He's not sure how he will be received because of one terrible night. There is one common denominator from that night. It takes most of,the book to figure it out. Kait has been steadfast in her support of Branch. I liked the ending. There was a quite a bit of character development and the ambiance is good. Sometimes magical things do happen during the holidays. Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the advance copy.
Profile Image for Kristin Kaldahl.
Author 2 books5 followers
December 20, 2020
This time of year, I love reading Christmas-themed books, especially Christmas romance. This one fit the bill. I struggled whether to give it four or five stars, but decided on five. It has a romance trope I don't care for, but I realize hard-core romance readers won't care about it. The characters were well-rounded, and I especially loved that the villain wasn't pure-evil. And the author's ability to use "the setting as a character" worked very well.

A good holiday read for romance lovers!!
Profile Image for Susanne Scott.
1,490 reviews18 followers
November 26, 2020
I loved the connection between Branch and Kait. Time was no barrier for them, I just wish they’d taken the time 11 years ago to listen to each other properly then they could of avoided all the heartache.
I loved the little nudges from Grandma Addie throughout the book it really added some Christmas spirit.

A bit predictable from a few chapters in about Zach and his manipulation but still and enjoyable read where true love triumphs.
2,014 reviews10 followers
October 27, 2020
A second chance romance for Kait and Branch.

Branch is back in town after leaving years ago and never looking back. He is planning to leave by the end of the month, but will all that change when he reconnects with Kait. Can she forgive him for how he hurt her last time they were together?

A great christmas read.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Gretchen.
757 reviews25 followers
February 1, 2021
Cute story... but the world building was lacking. Description of the Coffee House was the only well defined space. Annoying that a plot point is fixing up this Victorian house and she does not describe it... but TWICE claims it has an attached garage!!!??? Such a glaringly wrong detail that it is painful.
16 reviews
December 4, 2020
Slow

I was looking for a holiday book, but this was tediously slow. It went over and over again the history of what had gotten Branch and Kait to the current point. It was tedious to read.
82 reviews
December 10, 2020
Good Christmas read set in a small town of Port Landon which sounds like a town I’d love. The story is endearing about finding lost love and set at the holidays just makes it feel like a Hallmark movie, but I also love those too! Enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Kat.
84 reviews
August 7, 2021
I was determined to finish this book, but it was almost painful to get through, lol. Soooo many cliches. Such an obvious lack of communication to create the "conflict" of the story. Long, superfluous drawn-out ending. I'm tired.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,369 reviews6 followers
October 5, 2022
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. What a heart warming Christmas romance story. This was so cute. If you like Hallmarks type Christmas stories you might want to check this book out.
Profile Image for Fiona Myers.
Author 10 books6 followers
December 5, 2025
By god! I haven't raged read a book before just to get over the stupidness of not letting someone speak. Kait doesn't deserve branch at all. If she had loved him she would have let him speak all those years ago and when he came back. It shouldn't have been that zach had to tell her he lied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
99 reviews
December 6, 2025
By god! I haven't raged read a book before just to get over the stupidness of not letting someone speak. Kait doesn't deserve branch at all. If she had loved him she would have let him speak all those years ago and when he came back. It shouldn't have been that zach had to tell her he lied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chris gerst.
280 reviews3 followers
October 7, 2020
Another fun book to read. I was lucky enough to get it on netgalley. If you want a little romance in your life read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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