GRR Reviews Christmas at Starlight by Kris Jett

Amber hated her pre-law study track and wanted a change. She knew her family doesn't celebrate Christmas, so when she got news that they will be spending Christmas in Snowy Ridge, Wisconsin, a well-known Christmas town, she was surprised, and delighted. But upon arrival, she learned that both parents, being attorneys, will be off working and that left her to explore the town, alone. She ended up in the Starlight pub, nursing hot cocoa... // Nick lost his mother and no longer wanted to speak to his father. He works as a dishwasher in the town pub "Starlight Pub" and goes to school. He saw this lone girl (Amber) and she just felt so sad that he had to find out what's her story. Can he give her the courage to seize her own future?

Warm and fuzzy, and not much else. 3/5

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.  

GRR Reviews Change of Heart (Snowy Ridge) by Kris Jett

Becca moved back home to Snowy Ridge Wisconsin after her bitter divorce and hoping for a fresh start. In her hometown, she found childhood friend Luci and two jobs, so things are looking up... Until douche male acquaintance reminded her that her ex has a new girlfriend. Her day only got worse when she backed her old VW bug into a pickup in the supermarket parking lot... one that belonged to Cooper Stone... // Coop is 30 and the head of the family, after the death of their parents. He managed to drag his two brothers to the town where they grew up and started the snowmobile repair shop, now expanding to all sort of power equipment repair. He had his own failed marriage to sulk, so why was Becca on his mind? She's hurt, and his heart warmed at the sight of her, but is either of them ready to love again?

Good meet-cute, but Coop is a typical strong-silent type, the kind that went to a junkyard and picked up a new bumper for Becca without asking, and installed it for free because he's a nice guy. Becca... got nicer as she got to know Cooper. Is there a darkest hour? Not really. Not quite as charming as some of the author's other works, but the shared universe is good.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Strong silent (and hurt) type meets somewhat bitter divorcee in small town

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Taking Chances (Snowy Ridge) by Kris Jett

Taking Chances started off quite well, with a female protagonist that is sufficiently damaged but ready to move forward and a male protagonist also ready to move on and finding each other. However, the ending was a fizzle which rendered it into an "also-ran", which was quite disappointing, despite very sympathetic characters.

To recap, Wynn Foster swore off men after a cheating ex-husband left her pregnant to chase after a teenager. Being 28, divorced, with a two-year-old daughter, and taking care of her mom as well as the family inn was not easy on her. She hoped that enrolling in some community college classes and loosening up a bit would be a new start for her. She had a one-night stand with a hot guy, only to find out he is her new computer class professor. Bryce Alexander had been in a post-divorce fugue for a year but he's getting over it. Teaching a class at the community college and have regular outings with his friend is a good start. He had a one-night stand with "Sarah", and he can't forget her. He couldn't believe his eyes when he spotted "Sarah" in the back of the class, who revealed her real name is Wynn. Their chemistry was undeniable, and both are ready to waive their no relationship rule for each other. But when Wynn's cheating ex suddenly reappear and demand shared custody of the daughter, will Wynn and Bryce's relationship survive the test?

The real threat showed up way too late, and left way too quickly for us to take the threat seriously. His motive was even left unclear and made no sense. The lame fizzle ending was... REALLY lame, but I enjoyed the story up to the lame ending. Thus, "average".

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Single parent stuck in her job and home had a fling, who turned out to be her new computer teacher, but he's really nice, and he's wounded too... then her ex showed up...

Tropes: small town, fling to a thing, one night stand, triangle, evil ex

Overall Rating:  3/5

GRR Reviews Coming Home (Snowy Ridge: Love at Sta by Kris Jett

Coming Home is more family drama than romance, with a woman who holds a grudge against her two sisters, but mostly helpless against her ex (who broke her heart by sleeping with her sister?), yet still manage to be wooed by one of the three brothers who are new in town. The personality doesn't quite fit.

Jessie Foster had always been the responsible one, staying in town to help her mom run the family bar, when her two older sisters left town to pursue their own dreams. She felt betrayed by them both (one of them very personally) and she hadn't spoken to them for years. But suddenly, her old boyfriend (who broke her heart) returned, there are three Stone brothers in town who had just opened a snowmobile rental and repair shop, and her sisters (she hated) are coming back. Jessie, trying to avoid her ex, approached Cade Stone, one of the three Stone brothers, to help her by pretending to be her boyfriend... He refused (!) but later decided he was being a douchebag... But Jessie was too mad to care. Jessie was having problems at home, as she found out how had her sisters fared... not that well, when another family secret was forced out... and one of her sisters has a stalker! Cade was all wrong for Jessie, but that wouldn't stop Cade from going after Jessie... And to help protect her family...

This book just has TOO MANY characters. While Jessie and Cade are primary, the sisters, ex, other suitors, and other minor characters just made a total hash of things. The family drama and the re-examination of Jessie's feelings (much of which are just... grudges) proved to be interesting character growth. It balances out to a mediocre score.  I understand this is book 1 of a series, but the characters could have been introduced better.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman holding grudges against her sisters found them returning with secrets, while she's being wooed by a new man in town... and the man who broke her heart is also back...

Tropes: sibling problem, small town, fake engagement / boyfriend, stalker, family secrets, triangle

Overall Rating: 3/5