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Charming, Texas #3
A Charming Christmas Arrangement
Christmas Romance
Get cozy with this heartwarming holiday story!
She just told him he’s going to be a father.
His response? “Let’s get married!”
Stacy Hartsell thought finding her unborn baby's father was going to be the hard part. Except widowed ex-SEAL Adam Cruz is determined to step up—and his argument that his veteran health care is better than her freelancer plan is a fairly convincing one for marriage. But the spark that led to that unforgettable night together is still going strong. Giving in to their growing feelings could put their convenient arrangement in jeopardy…or lead to a second chance to find lasting love this Christmas!
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Charming, Texas
Book 1: Winning Mr. Charming
Book 2: The Charming Checklist
Book 3: A Charming Christmas Arrangement
Get cozy with this heartwarming holiday story!
She just told him he’s going to be a father.
His response? “Let’s get married!”
Stacy Hartsell thought finding her unborn baby's father was going to be the hard part. Except widowed ex-SEAL Adam Cruz is determined to step up—and his argument that his veteran health care is better than her freelancer plan is a fairly convincing one for marriage. But the spark that led to that unforgettable night together is still going strong. Giving in to their growing feelings could put their convenient arrangement in jeopardy…or lead to a second chance to find lasting love this Christmas!
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Charming, Texas
Book 1: Winning Mr. Charming
Book 2: The Charming Checklist
Book 3: A Charming Christmas Arrangement
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 23, 2022
19 people are currently reading
1846 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 10, 2023
I quickly fell in love with these characters, but woah boy! Did they ever have a lot of heavy emotional baggage to unpack between them. Added to all that baggage is the fact that neither Adam nor Stacy really has any idea how to navigate a stable, loving, committed relationship. They both have a lot of learning and growing to do over the course of their journey, and I loved seeing them accomplish it. One more Charming bachelor has found his Forever. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for the next one.
August 18, 2022
Totally charming. What a sweet, sweet book. It's the third in this series, but my first by this author. I will definitely be searching out her other books. I won this book at Goodreads. Such a sweet, HEA story.
August 24, 2022
If you like Hallmark Christmas Movies or Harlequin romances you'll love this book. Sweet and charming with a holiday theme. It won't take you long to fall in love with Stacy and Adam. A sweet read with a twist and surprise or two. I read an advance copy via Voracious Readers and voluntarily chose to review it.
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November 10, 2022An excerpt from the author:
“Um, Adam?” She waited a beat. “Thank you for marrying me.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you for marrying me.”
“But I am sorry that you had to.”
“Wrong. I didn’t have to do anything. I had the honor of marrying you.” He whispered the words into the nape of her neck.
“You don’t have to say that.”
“I know I don’t.”
“Jeez. Did anyone ever tell you that you’re perfect?”
He snorted. “Not at all. Far from it, actually. I can be jealous, selfish, unreasonable and…cruel.”
“Not you.”
“Yes,” he said, his voice sounding quiet, pained.
It made her wonder again what lay underneath his perfect exterior. He was obviously hurting. Damaged. But not great talking about his feelings. If she wanted to help him, she couldn’t continue to guess what hurt. She assumed a combination of grief and PTSD from his missions.
Suddenly his arms tightened around her. “Plus, I obviously can’t put up tree lights worth a damn.”
She laughed at that, causing her to move, and accidently press against a very hard part of his anatomy. She froze, supremely grateful to be turned away from him so he couldn’t witness her huge smile.
“Sorry about that,” he said with a deep chuckle. “But I’m not a machine.”
A thrum of exhilaration spiked through her. Adam was quite obviously attracted to her. She wasn’t just the saintly mother of his baby. Someone to put on a pedestal, respect and revere, and nothing more. She could still turn him on in the most basic of ways. All hope was not lost. Maybe she was a little bit the sex-goddess bride after all.
“Um, Adam?” She waited a beat. “Thank you for marrying me.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you for marrying me.”
“But I am sorry that you had to.”
“Wrong. I didn’t have to do anything. I had the honor of marrying you.” He whispered the words into the nape of her neck.
“You don’t have to say that.”
“I know I don’t.”
“Jeez. Did anyone ever tell you that you’re perfect?”
He snorted. “Not at all. Far from it, actually. I can be jealous, selfish, unreasonable and…cruel.”
“Not you.”
“Yes,” he said, his voice sounding quiet, pained.
It made her wonder again what lay underneath his perfect exterior. He was obviously hurting. Damaged. But not great talking about his feelings. If she wanted to help him, she couldn’t continue to guess what hurt. She assumed a combination of grief and PTSD from his missions.
Suddenly his arms tightened around her. “Plus, I obviously can’t put up tree lights worth a damn.”
She laughed at that, causing her to move, and accidently press against a very hard part of his anatomy. She froze, supremely grateful to be turned away from him so he couldn’t witness her huge smile.
“Sorry about that,” he said with a deep chuckle. “But I’m not a machine.”
A thrum of exhilaration spiked through her. Adam was quite obviously attracted to her. She wasn’t just the saintly mother of his baby. Someone to put on a pedestal, respect and revere, and nothing more. She could still turn him on in the most basic of ways. All hope was not lost. Maybe she was a little bit the sex-goddess bride after all.
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August 1, 2022Holiday Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Military Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Charming, Texas (Book #3)
Miniseries
Charming, Texas (Book #3)
August 29, 2022
This book is a refreshing, heartwarming story about two imperfect people who are not looking for love, but find it anyway.
Nate and Stacey meet on a one-night- stand. This is unusual behavior for both characters, because neither Nate nor Stacey is the type of person who indulges in casual sex. As the night progresses, they both realize that they want to see each other again. Before she leaves his room, Stacey notices a wedding picture of Nate and another woman. That causes her to jump to some wrong conclusions about Nick.
A few weeks later, when Stacey discovers that she is pregnant. She has no way to contact Nate. Eventually, she discovers that he has moved to Charming, Texas. When Nate finds out about the baby, he immediately offers to marry Stacey so she can use his VA insurance. Eventually Stacey agrees even though she believes Nate is still in love with his late wife.
The marriage between Nate and Stacey starts out fake, but very soon becomes real as the couple give in to their off-the-chart chemistry. Nate is a gentle, caring and very sweet to Stacey. In fact she refers to him as the “perfect” husband when she realizes that Nate is too good to be true. She believes the reason he will do anything for her is to make up for the fact that he doesn’t love her.
Ms. Bell has created two realistic, three-dimensional characters. Even though they are essentially good, caring people, they cannot get over their past relationships. Because of this, they often act in ways that often hurt each other.
It takes Nate and Stacey a long time before they are actually able to openly discuss their problems to each other. Therefore, it takes them a long time to finally admit they love each other. However, readers know way ahead of then because their actions, thoughts and words make it obvious.
This book is a “feel good” book. It is a happy, uplifting story that will make you smile as you read the story.
Nate and Stacey meet on a one-night- stand. This is unusual behavior for both characters, because neither Nate nor Stacey is the type of person who indulges in casual sex. As the night progresses, they both realize that they want to see each other again. Before she leaves his room, Stacey notices a wedding picture of Nate and another woman. That causes her to jump to some wrong conclusions about Nick.
A few weeks later, when Stacey discovers that she is pregnant. She has no way to contact Nate. Eventually, she discovers that he has moved to Charming, Texas. When Nate finds out about the baby, he immediately offers to marry Stacey so she can use his VA insurance. Eventually Stacey agrees even though she believes Nate is still in love with his late wife.
The marriage between Nate and Stacey starts out fake, but very soon becomes real as the couple give in to their off-the-chart chemistry. Nate is a gentle, caring and very sweet to Stacey. In fact she refers to him as the “perfect” husband when she realizes that Nate is too good to be true. She believes the reason he will do anything for her is to make up for the fact that he doesn’t love her.
Ms. Bell has created two realistic, three-dimensional characters. Even though they are essentially good, caring people, they cannot get over their past relationships. Because of this, they often act in ways that often hurt each other.
It takes Nate and Stacey a long time before they are actually able to openly discuss their problems to each other. Therefore, it takes them a long time to finally admit they love each other. However, readers know way ahead of then because their actions, thoughts and words make it obvious.
This book is a “feel good” book. It is a happy, uplifting story that will make you smile as you read the story.
October 9, 2022
This book hits one in all their feels. One can only feel the angst that Stacey must feel when she tracks down the father of her unborn baby after a one night stand, not to mention the showdown she has to have with her mother. It warms the heart that Adam, the father, steps up to do the right thing by marrying her - even if they both say it is a marriage of convenience. The two are so in love with each other but can’t bring themselves to tell the other how they really feel and therein lies the problem. This would make a wonderful Christmas movie. The main characters are totally relatable in all aspects.
August 23, 2022
I really liked this story and fell in love with Stacy and Adam. Of course it was a perfect start to the book with Stacy and her friend Grace (both writers) and Grace who is a romance writer and loves to do research found the father of Stacy’s unborn baby in Texas of all places just when she’s getting ready to leave Montana and head to Chicago to move in with her mother and become a single mother herself. I gave Stacy a lot of credit for changing her plans and heading to Texas to let Adam know about the baby especially when she is getting pressure from her mom to move home. Really liked Adam and his friends, their fiancés, and the business that he works at. We definitely learn a lot about both their pasts and how it’s hard for them to take another chance at being with someone even though it’s a convenient arrangement for health care for her. I loved the senior members of the community and their Almost Dead Poet’s Society and how Stacy trying to keep her writing under the radar even though people already had her figured out. It was hard to read when Stacy’s mom came to town and was throwing her opinions at her, pretty much demanding to know when she was coming back to Chicago, but I have to say I was impressed with her that she stood strong and said that she was staying. Of course, I knew that even though feelings were changing something was apt to cause a disagreement and unfortunately that happened. However, on the bright side of things the senior members of the community stepped up and helped to put everything into perspective and gave Stacy the nudge she needed. LOVED this book and the ending with the Almost Dead Poet’s Society, made my day. Wonderful story!
August 19, 2022
A sweet read with real characters. The main characters had strengths and weaknesses. The journey for both was heartwarming.
August 22, 2022
This was a good read. It was charming just like the title suggests. I enjoyed the storyline and characters.
Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review
Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review
August 26, 2022
I enjoyed Adam and Stacy's story. They have a lovely connection that pulls them together, but they are both hampered by emotional scars from the past. Fortunately for them, they have excellent friends and a hilarious group of senior citizens to help them work everything out.
August 23, 2022
This story had all the feels! Heathery Bell crafted a story of two people finding a second chance at love with each other when they didn’t even know that was what they were looking for or needed.
This story was refreshing; the storyline unpredictable but sweet and endearing. So glad I had the chance to read it!
This story was refreshing; the storyline unpredictable but sweet and endearing. So glad I had the chance to read it!
November 8, 2022
Stacy and Adam have a one night fling, out of character for both of them. He moves away and she finds she is pregnant. Her roommate tells her she needs to tell him, even if he doesn't want to be involved, but Stacy can't find him. Intrepid roommate continues to search and finds him in Texas. Stacy is leaving Montana for Chicago to live with her mother until the child is born and decides to take a side trip to visit Adam and let him know about the child. When he finds out about the baby, he wants her to marry him out of obligation. Neither believes they will fall in love. But when they do, they have to get beyond both of their pasts in order to move forward. Stacy was betrayed before by her ex-husband. Can she learn to trust? Adam's late wife died after he said some harsh words to her and he blames himself for his short-comings. Can he be a good father and husband, and does he even deserve a second chance? Sweet read for the holidays.
January 3, 2023
Stacy and Adam had a one night stand in Wyoming, that could have led to more, if Stacy hadn't seen a wedding picture of Adam and his wife. Although, unbeknownst to Stacy, Adam's wife had passed away. After that, Adam made his way to Charming, Texas, where his former SEAL mates were running a bar. And they were both in love with their respective partners. After Stacy finds out she's pregnant, her friend helps her track down Adam, and she heads out to Texas to let him know about the baby. But the connection is still there, and he wants to do the right thing and marry her, since that would help her with his health insurance. But they both have baggage that keeps them from trusting.
January 20, 2025
A one night stand between two people who don't usually indulge in one-night stands results in the inevitable baby. But the story diverges from there. Stacy and Adam are delightful. Adam has issues enough to give him that kind of difficult anti-hero vibe, and Stacy...well, she has a few things of her own to sort out. Together, they're really something though. I found myself liking this story a lot more than I ever expected I would. This was one of my favorite Christmas reads of the year!
November 25, 2024
A cute holiday romance novel.
August 23, 2022
I really liked this story and fell in love with Stacy and Adam. Of course it was a perfect start to the book with Stacy and her friend Grace (both writers) and Grace who is a romance writer and loves to do research found the father of Stacy’s unborn baby in Texas of all places just when she’s getting ready to leave Montana and head to Chicago to move in with her mother and become a single mother herself. I gave Stacy a lot of credit for changing her plans and heading to Texas to let Adam know about the baby especially when she is getting pressure from her mom to move home. Really liked Adam and his friends, their fiancés, and the business that he works at. We definitely learn a lot about both their pasts and how it’s hard for them to take another chance at being with someone even though it’s a convenient arrangement for health care for her. I loved the senior members of the community and their Almost Dead Poet’s Society and how Stacy trying to keep her writing under the radar even though people already had her figured out. It was hard to read when Stacy’s mom came to town and was throwing her opinions at her, pretty much demanding to know when she was coming back to Chicago, but I have to say I was impressed with her that she stood strong and said that she was staying. Of course, I knew that even though feelings were changing something was apt to cause a disagreement and unfortunately that happened. However, on the bright side of things the senior members of the community stepped up and helped to put everything into perspective and gave Stacy the nudge she needed. LOVED this book and the ending with the Almost Dead Poet’s Society, made my day. Wonderful story!
August 23, 2022
Adam Cruz is so sweet. He has issues from his past – mostly from his days as a SEAL – that he truly needs to deal with AND learn to communicate to others. Sometimes keeping it all to yourself, trying to figure things out yourself, just doesn’t work. Stacy Hartsell sort of takes life the opposite way and spills her life to others. But they both are hurting. They both are a wee bit lost. And they both are going to be parents! The best part is that they find each other, again, and it makes for a wonderful story. Loved it!
September 16, 2022
A Charming story
A one night stand that could have been more if Stacy hadn't misunderstood the picture she saw. Now she needs to find Adam and let him know that he's going to be a father. He suggests marriage so she'll have health insurance. Can they overcome being a new couple and problems in their pasts to become a real family?
A one night stand that could have been more if Stacy hadn't misunderstood the picture she saw. Now she needs to find Adam and let him know that he's going to be a father. He suggests marriage so she'll have health insurance. Can they overcome being a new couple and problems in their pasts to become a real family?
November 10, 2022
Another charming visit to Charming, Texas
Stacy, raised by an overbearing single mother, and Adam a widowed ex-Navy SEAL. A one night stand and an unexpected pregnancy. A lot of misunderstandings and a marriage of convenience…for the health care.
A charming Christmas Arrangement is a delightful story. This was a quick read and the perfect beginning to Christmas reading.
Stacy, raised by an overbearing single mother, and Adam a widowed ex-Navy SEAL. A one night stand and an unexpected pregnancy. A lot of misunderstandings and a marriage of convenience…for the health care.
A charming Christmas Arrangement is a delightful story. This was a quick read and the perfect beginning to Christmas reading.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews