Title: A Bella Flora Christmas
Author: Wendy Wax
Series: Ten Beach Road, #5.5
Published: November 2017, Berkley Books
Format: ARC E-copy, 87 pages
Source: Netgalley
Summary:
A TEN BEACH ROAD NOVELLA
The ladies of Ten Beach Road are home for the holidays in this brand-new novella.
Although
their lives have changed since their first desperate renovation of
Bella Flora, friends Madeline, Avery, and Nicole have always been there
for each other. Now they’re returning to Bella Flora for Christmas—where
Maddie’s daughter Kyra isn’t feeling particularly celebratory.
Kyra was hoping for a peaceful holiday at Bella Flora—a last gathering
before a wealthy, mystery tenant moves into the home she’s been forced
to rent out. Instead, she must make a life altering decision by New
Year’s — a decision that becomes even more difficult when unexpected
guests arrive at Ten Beach Road on Christmas Eve. Now Kyra, Maddie,
Avery and Nikki will need to pull together to secure Bella Flora’s
future, as well as their own.
My thoughts: This is a short, Ten Beach Road novella that is narrated entirely by Kyra, unlike the full-length novels that are narrated by all the women. It picks up right where the previous book, One Good Thing, leaves off and focuses entirely on getting ready for Christmas, but also on the big decision that Kyra has been wrestling with and needs to decide soon.
Christmas Eve is a big celebration at Bella Flora and everyone is there to celebrate. Dustin gets a surprise gift from Santa and if you are a long-time reader of this series, it will melt your heart when he decides on a name for this gift.
Of course, all is not merry and bright in this short novella. There is some nastiness in the form of Tonya…who has quite a few appearances via phone calls in this little book – I think it’s the most we’ve seen of her in a while! She can be quite nasty trying to get what she wants…and that’s Dustin acting in the movie. And she’s willing to do just about anything to get her way.
So, is it worth it reading this? I think so. Yes, it was quite short, but it’s a complete story. It brings in a new character and gives us a little more history about Kyra and her past with Dustin’s father – not necessarily in a good light unfortunately. I always tend to read the novellas that are part of a series…I find that no matter how short they are, they always provide some little extra to the series, whether it be backstory, as in this case, or a way to add depth to a certain character…whatever it is, I enjoy them.
What’s your take on them. Do you read them or skip them?
Books in this series:
2. Ocean Beach
5.5 A Bella Flora Christmas
6. Best Thing Ever – due out May 2018
