Earlier this year, I read a novella by Melissa Tagg (Three Little Words)—and immediately, I wondered what had taken me so long to read Tagg's writing! I started following her on Instagram and saw that she was working on a "secret project"...when said project became available in the Kindle store, I pre-ordered it immediately. That was a very good decision :-)
Last December, mystery author Maren Grant had the most perfect night of her life. On a glimmering winter evening, she got to watch the photo shoot for her very first book and ended up on a magical date with the cover model himself—Colin Renwycke.
Fast forward one year. This December, with a looming deadline, restless spirit and her creative spark long since gone, Maren is desperate to get unstuck. And she can’t get Colin out of her head…or his year-old open invitation to spend a couple weeks writing at his family’s farm.
Drew Renwycke never planned to come home and take over the Renwycke family farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel, including his brother, Colin, after one terrible family mistake. If moving to Maple Valley, Iowa, renovating an old farmhouse and switching careers is what it takes to put the Renwycke family back together, he’ll do it.
But his simple plan upends when a scrappy author lands on his doorstep. And she just might be the key to coaxing his brother home. But what if he wants her all to himself? Drew will have to choose between his Christmas wish and the enchantment of a holiday romance that just might be the happy ending they all long for.
I'm not sure I can adequately describe just how much I loved this novella! It's set in Maple Valley, Iowa, where Tagg's current Walker Family series takes place, but it's not really part of the series—I'd call it series adjacent, and it totally stands alone.
I love the romance in One Enchanted Christmas—while the action takes place over just a few weeks, nothing feels rushed, and I was ready for Maren and Drew to kiss well before Tagg wrote that scene!
I think my absolute favorite part of the novella, though, is the way Tagg chose to tell it. She has a narrator who begins and ends the story, and who also jumps in to give his (her?) two cents at various times throughout the novella. The narrator fills in the gaps after time jumps, throws in humorous comments, and even clarifies or corrects what the characters are thinking. Basically, he (in my head, the narrator is certainly a he) reminds me of the grandfather character from The Princess Bride. And I loved it.
One Enchanted Christmas is a great holiday read ... or really a great anytime read. I certainly hope Tagg will one day take us back to the Renwycke family, as I'd love to find out what happens to Colin! 5 stars.
Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of Tagg's Three Little Words (5 stars) and From the Start (5 stars).
Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former newspaper reporter, current nonprofit grant writer, and total Iowa girl. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly at www.melissatagg.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this novella myself and chose to review it. The opinions expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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