On a Snowy Night by Debbie Macomber

Title: On a Snowy Night
Author: Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Mira
ISBN: 0-7783-2110-X
Pages: 370
Series: N/A
Type: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

This book actually contains two stories that were originally published individually as gift hardbacks - The Christmas Basket and The Snow Bride.

***The Christmas Basket***

There has been a feud between the matriarchs of the McDowell and Sutton families for years, one that was made worse when Noelle McDowell and Thomas Sutton planned to elope ten years ago - before Thomas jilted her. Noelle has avoided returning to Rose, Oregon since then but now her younger sister is getting married she is returning for Christmas. Noelle thought her feelings for Thom were all in the past, but a chance meeting gives them a second chance at love.

I really enjoyed this story! The characters were well developed, and the past circumstances that gave rise to the story are gradually revealed which helps add tension to the story. The clashes between the two mothers, Sarah and Mary, are absolutely hilarious, and being able to see from both Noelle and Thom's perspectives helps the story flow. I also loved how the story doesn't always take the obvious path, giving rise to some twists and turns.

Plot: 10/10; Characters: 10/10; Ending: 10/10; Enjoyment: 10/10

 ***The Snow Bride***

Jenna Campbell has always been responsible, but after meeting Dalton Gray in a poetry chatroom she's decided to take a chance and fly up to Alaska to meet him. However her seatmate Reid Jamison decides to kidnap her in order to save her from herself, and the next thing Jenna knows she's stuck in tiny Snowbound, Alaska with a massive blizzard about to blow into town.

This is the story I brought the book for as it sounded like a cheesy but cheerful Christmas read. It's definitely cheerful and Christmassy, but not cheesy. The lead characters Jenna and Reid are amazing, but their story is given real depth by the supporting characters who also live in Snowbound and Jenna's scatty LA-based mother. The romance is well-developed and not of the standard leap-in-to-bed kind, and the gradual emotional developments between Reid and Jenna are sweet and well-paced.

Plot: 10/10; Characters: 10/10; Ending: 10/10; Enjoyment: 10/10

***********************************************************

Both stories are short and sweet (the whole book is only 370 pages) and are perfect Christmas reads. The only thing that lets this book down is it's cover which just isn't up to the standard of the stories.

Average plot: 10/10
Average characters: 10/10
Average ending: 10/10
Average enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 6/10

Overall: 46/50