Book Review: Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery

Christmas on 4th Street
Author: Susan Mallery
Publication: Harlequin HQN (September 24, 2013)

Description: There's nowhere better to spend the holidays than with New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery in the town of Fool's Gold, where love is always waiting to be unwrapped… 

Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That's why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool's Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that's magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Gabriel's memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year's eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle…and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can't stop sharing.

Gabriel didn't think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse….

My Thoughts: This was a sweet romance. It's Christmas time and Gabriel Boylan has come to Fool's Gold to spend Christmas with his twin. As an Army trauma doctor, Gabriel has faced all sorts of stress and has determined that taking a chance on love is a foolish risk because anyone could die at any time. Noelle Perkins has also faced a lot of trauma in her life but her reaction was different. She believes that love is worth any risk.

Noelle has come to Fool's Gold after a life threatening illness determined to remake her life. She has opened a Christmas store and found lots of new friends. She'd like a man in her life but isn't desperate. Gabriel asks for a job in her gift shop because the stress of family - especially the father he could never please - makes him want to have an excuse to get away.

I liked the strong relationships in this story especially among Noelle and her friends. I would love to move to Fool's Gold myself. Festivals, an elephant and a caring community are pretty irresistible. This is book fourteen in the Fool's Gold series. I am very eager to find some of the earlier books to learn more about the side characters and the town.

Readers wanting a sweet romance with fascinating characters can't do better.

Favorite Quote:

"No. I didn't." He glanced around. "I'll admit it's less likely to happen here than where I was, but we still don't know what tomorrow is going to bring. Why risk it?"

"All the more reason to risk it," she told him. "We should grab happiness while we can, because you're right. There's no promise of more time."

I chose this one from Amazon Vine. You can buy your copy here.