Home for the Holidays

Ladies of Legend #5.2

by Maddie James

The last thing Chelly Schul wants is to go home for the holidays. She left her hometown of Legend, Tennessee on a wing and a prayer two years earlier and hasn't returned. Her leaving humiliated her entire family, particularly her sister Suzie, since she ran off with Suzie's (almost-ex) husband.

Legend Police Officer Matt Branson values being alone. Even during the holidays, he enjoys the solitude. Dubbed the town hermit, he tells himself he prefers his "cave" to socializing. His friends say he still pines after that lost love, although he begs to differ.

All that changes the snowy day he pulls over the older model sedan heading into Legend. His gut slams against his backbone as Chelly rolls down the car window and looks up into his eyes. His high-school sweetheart is back in town-the woman who sent him into his cave in the first place.

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2010

About the author

Maddie James also writes as Madeleine Jaimes.

The author of 70+ romantic novels, novellas, and short stories, Maddie James pens romance and suspense stories in contemporary and paranormal worlds. Her contemporary worlds often lean toward small towns and western settings, complete with cowboys, Alpha men, and strong, take-charge women.

Her romance writing career launched in 1997 as a traditionally published author with Kensington Books. Currently publishing as an independent author, she writes full time from her Midwest, small town home, where she also gardens, cooks, and chases the dog.

Affaire de Coeur says, “James shows a special talent for traditional romance,” and RT Book Reviews claims, “James deftly combines romance and suspense, so hop on for an exhilarating ride.”

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 2 in the Sweet Hart Inn Series. It's best if you have read, All of My Heart before reading Take My Heart. This is a slightly revamped/rebranded title in the former Harbor Falls series.

Shelley left town with her sister’s fiancé. Now she’s back—a widow with his children.

After years away and a tragedy that changed everything, Shelley Hart returns to Harbor Falls with nothing but a beat-up car, a broken heart, and two little girls in tow. Home for the holidays was never in her plans—especially not after the scandal she left behind. But with nowhere else to turn, she’s back in the one place she swore she’d never set foot again.

And the first person she runs into? The town’s most reclusive bachelor… And the man she once loved and left behind.

Police officer Matt Branson has spent the last few years living quietly in his mountain cabin, nursing a heart he never admitted was broken. He prefers solitude to holiday cheer—until Shelley rolls back into town and crashes straight into his quiet, carefully guarded life.

She’s not the girl he remembers. And he’s not the boy who let her go.

Can two hearts, bruised by past choices and long-buried secrets, find their way back to each other in time for Christmas?

This contemporary heartwarming, small-town holiday second-chance romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building at Sweet Hart Inn Bed and Breakfast, where the sunrises and sunsets are majestically painted across the sky in vibrant hues, and characters who are resilient, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with take my heart, mature, romance that is consumed by passion, personal growth, love, relationships that will leave readers feelings desire, drama/chaos, sister drama, reunited romance, local law enforcement, single mom with children, coming home, two hearts are bruised by past choices and long-buried secrets, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with take my heart and, contemporary heartwarming, small-town holiday second-chance romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly emotional, intriguing, and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, small-town second chance romance with very little explicit steam
This book had me entranced from page one. It is not necessary to have read the first book in this series about Shelley’s sister, Suzie, but it is helpful. You see, Shelley is coming home at Christmas after being estranged from her family for several years. Since her husband’s recent death, she has no place else to go with two baby girls. She tried to carry on after Cliff was killed but it was not possible, so she is coming home. To what is the question; she is not sure after she ran off with her sister’s fiancé, married him and had two little girls. Messy. On her way into town, Shelley meets her former boyfriend Matt Branson when he pulls her over for speeding. He is now a Harbor Falls police officer and looks mighty fine in his uniform. Matt is angry, very angry at how she left him when she ran off with Cliff. Can a blizzard bring our couple back together? Will her family accept her after what she did? How about the town? So many questions but they will all be answered before the end of this delightful book. I am honestly sorry to say goodbye to Shelley and Matt. If you like sweet, but not explicit passion, you will want to read this book. I loved it. I volunteered to review an ARC of it through Booksprout.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Sweet Hart Inn Romabce series. For maximum enjoyment read the books in series order.

'Take My Heartis a heartwarming, small-town holiday romance filled with forgiveness, second chances, and family bonds.'

The characters were very complex and complicated. Plot was intriguing. World building was solidly drawn. All in all a very good read. Recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning home to small town Harbor Falls through circumstances is difficult when actions in the past were a cause to leave. Shelley ran off and married her sister's fiance, is now widowed with two children. Matt leads a quieter life after she left the town and man she didn't chose behind. Feelings and hurt still lie beneath the surface. Apologies are required and need to be made. Trust and forgiveness must be earned. Life moves on and not everyone or everything easily falls into place.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take My Heart is a second chance romance between Shelley, who stole and wed her sister Suzie's fiance. and Matt, her boyfriend at the time who is now the town's law officer. Shelley returns to her home town after being widowed and a single parent of two daughters. Matt stops her for speeding and still remains angry at her for breaking his heart. This holiday second chance romance has strong emotions, a blizzard, close proximity, forgiveness, and love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken hearts are a hard thing to heal and when that person returns the pain is real again. But also the feelings are still there and makes it very complicated. There are some secrets and past mistakes that need to be taken care of. The characters are strong but vulnerable to each other as well. Like the small town setting and holidays can add an unexpected twist. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Arabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shelley is back home, where she runs into her ex her first love after her husband passes away. She looks to find redemption, give her girls a home, and not run into her first love. Matt thought he was over her, but once he sees her and the sparing words shows that he is still hurt.
This book is a quick emotional read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely wonderful and second chance romance story that will definitely have you engrossed from the beginning until the end. I throughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. The characters emotions could be felt throughout the book and connected with the readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Gibbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great second book in the series. Great characters the are believable and likeable. I really enjoyed this book from the start. I need more like this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute fluffy story