GRR Reviews Christmas in Smithville (Hometown) by Kirsten Fullmer

NOTE: I got this book free from Netgalley for an honest review.

Christmas in Smithville is about redemption, an unforgiving small town, a woman changing her ways, and a man trying to express his affection... While it is sweet and sad at times, I didn't feel something a bit stronger. This is a cozy Holiday romance, and for that, it surely succeeded.

Gloria, starved for attention when younger, gained a bit of a reputation as the Smithville's loose girl with looser outfits... and this town has long memories, esp. all the women who had their men "stolen" by Gloria, even years later. Ned, the deputy of the area, knew the gossip, but he knew to look past the surface and look for the truth, and Ned knew Gloria has a good heart... and he wanted her for a long time, but he has a very bad stutter and he never knew what to say to a woman who's not his relatives. When the two had to collaborate on the Christmas Pageant, sparks flew. But can the two overcome their respective problems and come together by Christmas?

Both characters have good characters arcs, but somehow I feel Ned's arc was better than Gloria's arc. Ned definitely overcame his problems and was able to express his affection for Gloria by doing it in a way that he knew how (not spoiling that!) but Gloria's arc... She didn't make ANY headway toward her goal, despite doing all she could, including spending almost all her time for the pageant, like making costumes, helping make the sets, and so on. Her goal was NOT accomplished until a certain situation presented itself, and that almost feels like a *deus ex machina*. But I do have to say, the end was very romantic, and made for a great grand gesture.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Deputy wanted the woman shunned by the town, but he can't talk to (any) women; she wanted to fit back in, but she had not been forgiven...

Tropes: law enforcement, redemption, holiday, return, unrequited love, forced proximity, performer

Overall Rating:  4/5