Day 11 of 25 Days of Christmas Reviews: This Christmas by Katlyn Duncan

This Christmas by Katlyn Duncan

Published: November 18, 2014

Publisher: Carina UK

Format: via NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

This year, if Hadley wrote her dream Christmas list, it would go something like this:

1. Spend every waking – and sleeping – moment with her incredibly gorgeous boyfriend, Will.

2. Figure out what’s been bugging him lately. Yes, going away to college has been tough…but it’s time they reconnected.

3. Enjoy a sparkling Christmas in New York City, gazing at the Rockefeller tree, going ice skating, and drinking steaming mugs of cocoa in Central Park.

So, driving off to spend Christmas in a rustic cabin in the woods wasn’t exactly the plan. But when it comes to her irresistible, and at times, impossible boyfriend, nothing’s ever that simple. And as fantasies of an icy Times Square are replaced by a clumsily decorated tree, making snowmen and the warmth of a log fire, Hadley feels herself falling in love all over again.

Except does Will have something to tell her that could change Hadley’s happily-ever-after Christmas dreams into a not-so-winter wonderland after all?

My Thoughts

*This is a festive sequel to This Summer; it definitely can be read as a standalone.

We catch up with Will and Hadley who are trying to reconnect after spending time apart with Hadley’s busy college schedule. They had plans of an NYC festive filled Christmas taking in all the sights but plans change and they decide on a cabin that belongs to Will’s stepdad. While Hadley loves the cozy small town fill of it, Will has been less than in the Christmas spirit. Nothing it seems that Hadley does can make him happy, making her Christmas less than bright she wanted this time with Will to be magical even choosing him over her family to spend the holidays with. She knows that Will never had many Christmas memories growing up so she takes it upon herself to make this one special.

I loved these characters from This Summer so I was so happy when I saw there was a Christmas novella. However I must admit I was a little mad at Will in the beginning. I was like where's my Will that I fell in love with? This guy was all sour and gloomy I didn’t like him one bit! But as the story went on I totally understood why he was the way he was. Can’t expect someone who never had a very merry Christmas in his life to be full of jolly now can you? This is why I’ve loved this couple from the start. They balance each other out so well you can’t help but fall them, they bring out the best of each other. They are always trying to help the other before themselves. This is one read that is bound to break the shells of the meanest Scrooges out there.

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This Summer by Katlyn Duncan

Expected Publication: July 9, 2014

Publisher: Carina UK

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Summary from Goodreads:

Before college, before responsibilities, Hadley Beauman and best friend Lily are determined to have a summer to remember. There will be all the usual dramas - ex-boyfriends who don't seem to know what 'ex' means, pesky younger brothers with unrequited crushes, but what Hadley didn't anticipate was the out-of-the-blue return of the seriously hot boy-next-door, Will Carson. The boy who broke her heart when he skipped town two years ago.

Will may have shot up a foot and filled out (oh yes), but inside he carries the weight of guilt - for leaving, for coming back... Now he's just passing through to tie up loose ends but it's clear the old chemistry still crackles between him and Hadley. Trouble is, it's built on two years of lies...

This summer might just be the best time of their lives, but is Hadley ready for everything to change - again?

Excerpt: Will & Hadley’s reunion

I enter the hallway, making a point to relax my shoulders. Lily still knows how to push my buttons. I make my way to Mr. Beauman’s office and just before I knock, I hear Hadley’s voice. It’s wrong but I lean closer to the door, listening.

“A little warning would have been nice, Dad.”

Mr. Beauman says something, but I can’t make it out.

“Well,” Hadley continues, “don’t expect him to stick around longer than he chooses.”

Her form nears the door and I don’t have a chance to move just as the door flings open.

A version of the sixteen year old girl I left two years ago stands in front of me. I was right, her braces are gone.

“Hey,” I say.

“Hi,” she says with a shake of her head.

We stand frozen in place for a few seconds before Mr. Beauman speaks. “You all set?”

Hadley jolts and steps aside.

I brush past her. Her scent follows me. Strawberries. I place the application and waiver down on Mr. Beauman’s desk.

“Great,” he says. “I’ll see you in a few.”

I turn to the door and she’s still there, her lips parted. I open my hand, signaling for her to go down the hallway first. I struggle to keep my eyes on hers, fighting the urge to move across every inch of her body. She turns and scurries down the hall in front of me, granting my wish. She’s grown into her curves since I saw her last. Her long legs carry her quickly.

She stops at the double doors leading to the front part of the office and turns around. “Did you hear—I didn’t mean—”

“I heard you,” I say, watching her face crumble. “But you’re right. I need to get back.”

“To Texas?”

My teeth grind together. Aunt Mabel did give Mr. Beauman a version of the truth, but I can't help but wonder what Hadley knows. “Yes.”

She nibbles on her lower lip. She nods twice before freeing her lip. My gaze drops to her mouth. She leans against the door and opens it. I hold it for her, my arm grazing her shoulder.

She offers a polite smile. “Then I guess we should make the best of it while you’re here.”

I lean closer. “Sounds good to me.”

She turns around, entering the room.

“Who left last minute to open up the position?” I ask, not wanting to stop talking to her.

“My—” She shakes her head, strands of her hair falling across her face. She pushes them back behind her ear. “Carter Daniels.”

I clench my jaw. “I just saw him.”

“He’s on the pool staff now apparently,” she mumbles.

People mull around the room, eating off paper plates. Hadley halts, staring at the back of the room. Carter and about a dozen people I don’t recognize have gathered around the table. My hands fist at my sides, looking for any excuse to knock him out.

“I’ll be right back.”

About the Author

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

Author Links:

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Review: This Summer by Katlyn Duncan

This Summer by Katlyn Duncan 

Expected Publication: July 9, 2014

Publisher: Carina UK

Format: via NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Before college, before responsibilities, Hadley Beauman and best friend Lily are determined to have a summer to remember. There will be all the usual dramas - ex-boyfriends who don't seem to know what 'ex' means, pesky younger brothers with unrequited crushes, but what Hadley didn't anticipate was the out-of-the-blue return of the seriously hot boy-next-door, Will Carson. The boy who broke her heart when he skipped town two years ago.

Will may have shot up a foot and filled out (oh yes), but inside he carries the weight of guilt - for leaving, for coming back... Now he's just passing through to tie up loose ends but it's clear the old chemistry still crackles between him and Hadley. Trouble is, it's built on two years of lies...

This summer might just be the best time of their lives, but is Hadley ready for everything to change - again?

My Thoughts

First off I love Will! He is sweet and mysterious two things I find irresistible. Hadley has recently decided to breakup with her boyfriend Carter since she is moving out of state for college. Hadley and her best friend Lily decide this will be their summer of fun and just to hang out together…no boys. It all sounds good until Will comes back into town after nearly two years since he left without a word.

Hadley and Will have been friends and neighbors since they were kids. When Will comes back to help out at the summer camp her dad runs she is shocked but wants to know why he left without telling her. As much as they both try to stay away from one another they can’t deny the feelings are still there. While they still care for one another they both have their reasons for why they don’t want to go down that road again. Hadley simply because she doesn’t want to be hurt again and Will he doesn’t want Hadley to know the real personal reason why he left. Needless to say they both fall for each other again but decide not to tell anyone until they are sure of that will happen as far as the future goes.

Of course things can never go as planned. A girl from Will’s new hometown in Texas comes to stalk find him and Hadley is hurt and feels like a fool. Will tries to explain but she is not having it. She goes looking for Lily and instead finds her and her ex Carter making out. Personally I didn’t care for Lily, plus she broke the girl code…you NEVER mess with an ex!

After some misunderstandings everything comes out and Will goes back to Texas to help his aunt on the ranch. He’s an honest to god good guy; though I feel he takes care of everyone but himself. Back in Texas he is told he needs to live his life and to do what makes him happy. You know where this is going…right? I won’t totally spoil the ending but it is SUPER cute maybe a little cheesy ...but definitely in a good way.