A Winter of Sweet Secrets

Nice, easy read with likable characters and a little bit of mystery thrown in. I particularly liked Darby Jane, the little girl.However, I was surprised that there were so many major decisions made without a mention of trying to determine what God would have them do.

'A Winter of Sweet Secrets' has the cozy charm of a Hallmark movie, but with a richer plot. The story follows Jovi and Burke, two people navigating heartbreak and major life changes who find themselves in a small Alaskan town during the winter months. There, they face unexpected challenges, form new connections, and discover the possibility of love.Told through the perspectives of Jovi, her sister Isabel, and Burke, the story balances romance, family drama, and reconciliation. Isabel’s chapters add meaningful depth as she wrestles with marriage struggles and career pressures, while gentle threads of mystery keep the plot moving as the characters adapt to change and make difficult decisions. I especially appreciated how the author’s faith shaped the story and guided the characters’ choices.Jovi and Burke’s light enemies-to-more relationship grows with maturity and genuine connection. Their chemistry feels natural, and they’re quick to make things right when emotions get the best of them. Burke’s daughter, Darby Jane, is an adorable addition who brings warmth to every scene. Set against a snowy Alaskan backdrop, this story captures the beauty of winter and the hope of fresh starts (without relying on Christmas themes). The tantalizing descriptions of food throughout also made me so hungry.Special thanks to Harlequin Romance and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy. I received this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

If you’re looking for a cozy, small town winter-y vibe in a book, this is one you need to add to your TBR! After a failed engagement, Jovi travels back to her small town in Alaska to help her mayor sister save their family’s candy company. Winter weather allows for a meet (not so) cute with single dad Burke and his adorable daughter Darby Jane. Jovi’s sister, Isabel, has her own struggles as the mayor of their small town as well. There were a few mysterious elements in regard to Jovi and Burke’s family’s relationship, and there were also some plot points I didn’t see coming! Overall, a solid sweet story.

Rating: 4.25"What a gift to see God making something beautiful from the bitter ashes of our heartache."My Thoughts: This is the perfect, cozy book to read on a cold winter day, snuggled under a blanket. It honestly was like a warm hug. One of my favorite aspects of this book was how the family trusted God with their problems and leaned on Him during the challenging times. It hit me at just the right time for me to remember to praise God in the storms and trust His plan for my life.Jovi's sweet nature and determination to save her family's candy company drew me to her from the very first page. Her determination to uncover the candy recipe was inspiring, as she knew it would forever alter her family's company's future.Burke and his little girl desperately needed a change in their lives to help them overcome their immense grief after losing his wife and son. Alaska seemed like the perfect idea until he got there. Luckily, Jovi was there to help. But as Burke continued to uncover the controversy between their two families, he became more determined to prevent history from repeating itself and resolve the issues between the rival families. The moment he realized his new life direction, he seized control and fiercely fought to protect his happiness.What You’ll Find:🌨️Small-town Alaska💖Single dad next door⛅️Grumpy/sunshine🥊Feuding families🤫Juicy secret

“If I had known goat’s milk was the way to win your heart, I would’ve bought you your own herd the same week we met.” Thank you #partner Booked With The Emilies and the author, Heidi McCahan for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.Jovi’s family has dedicated their lives the The Evergreen Candy Company but with her grandmother’s health and memory failing, her parents are considering selling. Devestated by the news and still reeling from being left by her fiancee, Jovi heads home to her small town in Alaska to try and save the day. Along the way she meets Burke a recent widow and his adorable little girl, Darby Jane who are on their way to Evergreen to start over. What neither Jovi nor Burke realize is that their grandmothers were once best friends until a feud tore their families apart. Will Jovi and Burke be able to repair the damage or will everything come crashing down around them?This was such a sweet story! With its beautiful Hallmark movie vibes and quintessential winter setting, I just fell in love with the spirit of this one. The characters are perfectly portrayed and the writing is strong. I loved the mystery of the family feud and the search for the missing recipe. Darby Jane is also a highlight! She is such a delight and brought so much fun and innocence to the story.Read if you like:✩ Small Town✩ Alaskan Setting✩ Holiday Romance✩ Forced Proximity✩ Family Drama✩ Single Dad✩ Spice Free