Smitten by Books

Return to Valentine Valley, where Christmas lights are twinkling and first love burns brighter the second time around . . .

When Tony De Luca’s ex, Kate Fenelli, waltzes through the door of his tavern and pulls up a bar stool, she turns his balanced world on end. Once they’d been each other’s first love, first everything. But then life happened, and they walked away with broken hearts. Now Kate is back in Valentine, and they can’t seem to stay out of each other’s way. When Tony begins wondering what would happen if they rekindled the sparks, he knows he’s in big trouble.

Kate can’t believe she’s sitting at Tony’s bar spilling her life-changing problems to him. He’s as gorgeous as ever, and she can’t seem to forget how incredible he always made her feel. Still, the door on that chapter of their lives closed long ago. Yet with Christmas buzzing in the air, Kate can’t help wondering if anything is possible—even a second chance with the only man she’s ever loved.

Last three books in the Valentine Valley series:

Ms. Cane is back with a sweet, engaging second chance romance brimming with small town charm.

Kate Fenelli is driven and career focused. She is a successful lawyer making her way in Vail, Colorado. One of the most important cases of her career is proving to be more challenging and when she uncovers dirt that she shouldn’t have, her firm places her on a sabbatical. She heads back home to Valentine Valley to sulk and figure out how to pick back up the pieces.

Tony De Luca is surprised to see his ex-wife stroll into his tavern. Kate was once the love of his life. They married young and had their son, Ethan. Kate’s focus has always been her career so he became the full time parent in their relationship and they split custody during the divorce.

I’m not a judgmental person but I initially found Kate to be slightly selfish. Just like the townsfolk, I became leery of her arrival in town. In a small town, people are not as forgiving when someone hurt one of their own. Despite the fact that Kate grew up there too, there’s a part of her that didn’t really connect. She slowly started to work her charm though and her broken friendships began to mend.

Tony is the kind of hero that women love. He is strong, dependable and hardworking. It is kind of sexy to see how a single Dad handles everyday life. Though he and Kate have been divorced for nine years, the feelings start to resurface as they spend more time together. Tony teaches Kate to let go and have fun.

The only problem I had with this book is that I wanted more of the holiday feel. The book starts off with Thanksgiving and going strong through Christmas but the holidays played a minuscule part of the story.

I’m happy to get a chance to revisit Valentine Valley again through Tony and Kate’s story. I look forward to coming back….maybe through Lyndsay.

Reviewed by Samantha
Heat Level: Hot