This winter, ex-skiing champion, reformed heartbreaker and single dad Tyler O’Neil has only one mission—making sure his daughter, Jess, has the best Christmas ever. The fact that his best friend, Brenna, is also temporarily moving into his chalet at the overbooked Snow Crystal resort is a delicious distraction he’s simply going to have to ignore. Theirs is the one relationship he’s never ruined, and he’s not about to start now.
Ski pro Brenna Daniels knows all about the perils of unrequited love—she’s been in love with Tyler for years. But living with him is absolute torture… How can she concentrate on being his friend when he’s sleeping in the room next door? Then when Tyler kisses Brenna, suddenly the relationship she’s always dreamed of feels so close she could almost touch it. Could this be the Christmas her dreams of a happy-ever-after finally come true?
Other books in the O’Neil Brothers series:
Unrequited love is something I’m quite familiar with. I experienced a lot of those moments as a youth, so I can’t help getting behind nearly every friends to lovers story I come across. Take that up a notch when you throw in the fact that one friend’s been in love with the other for forever.
I got to read a snippet of this story months ago when I reviewed Suddenly Last Summer, and couldn’t wait until this book came out. The fact I get to review it is a bonus. This is the third book in Morgan’s O’Neil brother’s series and I believe it may be the last one. Though, methinks I need a certain, sexy Police Chief’s book in the near future. *winks*
The book starts with the confession, to the reader, of course. The heroine, Brenna, has been in love with her best friend Tyler since they were kids. Everyone, Tyler’s brothers, their wives, her family, and his family knows it. Everyone that is except, Tyler. When the Snow Crystal resort she lives and works at gets an influx of people, Brenna is forced to abandon the cabin she stays in. Tyler, being the friend he is, invites her to stay with him.
From there everything goes crazy. The only thing that baffled me is that Tyler knows Brenna so well. The man can sense her slightest discomfort, but he never figures out that she’s in love with him until this story takes place. Otherwise Tyler is a fun character, he’s dealing with some demons, but for the most part is Brenna’s perfect match. He’s caring, devoted, and when need be a hero in all manners of the word.
Another issue this book tackles is bullying. Through the situations suffered by Tyler’s daughter to Brenna’s own experiences when she was younger, bullying becomes a major part of an underlying secondary plot. I enjoyed how Morgan and the characters handled the situation, especially how Brenna faced her fears. Part of life is facing your fears and in some cases your tormentors, but there’s a right way to do both those things.
Overall, this is a good contemporary read and perfect for those looking for a Christmas story. I recommend this for readers who enjoy Jill Shalvis and Jaci Burton. If Morgan continues with these type of small-town contemporaries I’m definitely in for the ride.
Reviewed by Landra
Heat Level: Hot
This one is on my list! Loved Sleigh Bells in the Snow last year!