Review: A Seaside Christmas by Sherryl Woods

Title: A Seaside Christmas   

Author: Sherryl Woods 

Series: Chesapeake Shores, #10  

Published: September 2013, Harlequin MIRA   

Format: ARC e-copy, 288 pages  

Source: Netgalley  

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods takes you back to Chesapeake Shores for another heartwarming holiday season

As
the only child of a single mom, Jenny Collins wanted nothing more than
to be part of a large, rambunctious family like the O’Briens.
Ironically, though, when her mother married into that family, Jenny
found herself feeling more like an outsider than ever.

Now, after
years in Nashville as an established songwriter, Jenny’s drawn back to
Chesapeake Shores to collaborate on a Christmas production, and to make
peace with the past. As if that’s not challenging enough, Caleb Green,
the singer who broke her heart, has followed her to town, determined to
win her back.

With the help of a little O’Brien holiday magic, will Jenny and Caleb find a way to make sweet music forever?

My thoughts: I was so excited when I saw that Sherryl Woods was coming out with another book in her Chesapeake Shores series and that it was a Christmas story only made it that much better. I love this series and was quite bummed when Sherryl Woods had made the decision to end it with the previous book, The Summer Garden. Luckily, she listened to her readers and decided to keep writing.

This latest installment about one of my all-time favorite families, the boisterous and noisy O’Brien clan, is all about second-chances and forgiveness that just happens to occur during the holiday season. Jenny has come home to Chesapeake Shores to mend her broken heart and to also help her Aunt Bree with the music for her Christmas show. At the same time, it would also be helpful if she took the time to work on the rift between her and her mother.

Caleb is the one who broke Jenny’s heart and he winds up in Chesapeake Shores not too long after Jenny, realizing he’s made a big mistake in letting her go. A popular singer, he’s well-known, so it’s not surprising that one-by-one as they run into him, the O’Brien all warn him if he hurts Jenny he will have to answer to them.

Bree, ever the match-maker, schemes to get Caleb to sing the songs for the show so that Caleb and Jenny will have to work together. Sparks are definitely flying, but can Jenny forgive Caleb for his past mistakes so that they can have their happily-ever-after?

I really loved this story. I loved that we got to see many of the O’Brien clan, including my absolute favorite, the matriarch of the family, Nell. There are many heartwarming scenes throughout, especially the one where Caleb and the O’Brien men decorate Jenny’s lawn with Christmas decorations. Be prepared to laugh and tear up a bit throughout the book. I only hope that this is not the last we see of this fun, boisterous family.

Books in this series:

1. The Inn at Eagle Point                          6.  Moonlight Cove
2. Flowers on Main                                     7.  Beach Lane
3. Harbor Lights                                          8.  An O’Brien Family Christmas
4. A Chesapeake Shores Christmas      9.  The Summer Garden
5. Driftwood Cottage                                10.  A Seaside Christmas