Book ~ "The Lodge on Holly Road" (2014) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ James Claussen has played Santa for years but now that he's a widower, he's lost interest - in everything. So his daughter, Brooke, kidnaps him from the mall (in his Santa suit!) and takes him to Icicle Falls. She's arranged a special Christmas at the lodge owned by long-widowed Olivia Wallace and her son, Eric. And yet … Brooke wants Dad to be happy but she's not ready to see someone else's mommy kissing Santa Claus. 

Single mom Missy Monroe brings her kids to the lodge too. Lalla wants a grandma for Christmas and her brother, Carlos, wants a dog. Missy can't provide either one. What she'd like is an attractive, dependable man. A man like John Truman.  But John's girlfriend will be joining him in Icicle Falls and he's going to propose. 

Of course, not everything goes as planned. But sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don't expect!

It's Christmas time and there's no better place to spend it than at Icicle Creek Lodge.  James is still recovering from the death of his wife last year so Dylan and Brooke, his son and daughter, surprise him and take him to the lodge for the holidays.  Missy is a hair stylist and single mother of two young kids.  She's been saving all year to give her kids a fun Christmas.  John has a special surprise for his girlfriend, Holland.  He's going to propose to her at the inn ... if she ever shows up.  And taking care of everyone is Olivia, the owner of the inn, and her son, Eric.

This is the fifth book I've read by this author (and the fourth in the Icicle Falls series that I've read) and I liked it.  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  I liked the writing style and found it was easy to read.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.

I liked the characters.  Olivia has been widowed for many years and would like to find someone.  Eric too is ready to settle down but there's not a lot of options given they live in a small town.  James is still grieving the loss of his wife but he and Olivia discover there is a spark between them.  Brooke is a teacher and she too is looking for love.  I found her reaction to James and Olivia's attraction a bit extreme and she wasn't likeable until towards the end.  Missy and John are attracted to each other but he has plans to propose to super-bitch Holland (everyone but him realizes that she's not a nice person).  Needless to say, everything works out in the end.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.  As a bonus, Olivia shares some of her recipes with you at the end of the book.