Two Families Give New Meaning to ‘Single Parent Problems’ in Debbie Mason’s Latest Highland Falls Novel [REVIEW]

She needs a fresh start. He just wants to do his job. When their paths intersect, will they resist their mutual attraction or will a young boy’s wish bring them together? Find out in Debbie Mason’s latest novel as she takes her readers back to Highland Falls once more.

Mallory Maitland is heading home to the small town where she grew up, a move she never saw coming. But after her husband dies and she’s left to raise her two teenage stepsons, Atlanta no longer feels like home. Then her best friend helps land her a job as director of the Highland Falls Senior Center, and she finds herself hoping the new gig—and a change of scenery—will help her little family find its footing. The only thing is, now she has to face off with two men who stole her innocence and planted her in foster care as a child.

Gabriel Buchanan never saw himself settling down in a small town either, but after his own wife dies and leaves him to raise three young boys on his own, New York City no longer seems likes the best place to raise a family. Now he’s Highland Hills’ chief of police, a position the community’s senior citizens would like him to vacate. As if they aren’t trouble enough, his predecessor never seems to leave the station, a cantankerous crony points out his every mistake, and his mother-in-law wants custody of his children.

Gabe’s youngest son, Teddy, is seven years old and doesn’t really remember his mother. His most profound wish is that his dad will remarry one day and provide their family with a new mom. When he meets Mallory, he knows he’s found the woman for the job. But is he ingenious enough to bring them together on his own? And with grown-ups trying to thwart him at every turn, does his plan stand a chance? Read Christmas on Reindeer Road to find out!

One of the things I love most about Debbie Mason’s books is that you can always count on them to charm your socks off, and this second volume in the Highland Falls series does just that. Not only does she introduce us to two stressed-out single parents we can’t help but love, but she also enchants us with five sweet kids who deserve a break and a chance to find happiness again. But the path from grief to mirth is never a straight line, especially here.

Mason does a bang up job creating one road block after another. First, there are the townsfolk who aren’t always as friendly to newcomers as they should be, and some of them are just waiting for both Mallory and Gabe to trip up. Then there are former in-laws and former wives to deal with, not to mention an estranged parent and a social worker with an axe to grind. And to think, our protagonists still have fulltime jobs to do and kids to raise as they try to navigate this minefield called life. As such, the characters find themselves in some rather hilarious predicaments, and you’re sure to catch yourself laughing out loud.

Nevertheless, this is a story that is buoyant, filled with humor and some laugh-out-loud moments that will have you clutching your sides and gasping for air. Most of all, though, the novel’s grace and heart is inspiring, leaves us feeling good, emboldened, ready to seize the day and make some miracles of our own. I promise, when you close this book, you’ll have a smile on your face, and will wonder just how long it will take the Hallmark Channel to make this its next movie of the week.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Highland Falls, Harmony Harbor, and Christmas, Colorado series. The first book in her Christmas, Colorado series, The Trouble with Christmas, was the inspiration for the Hallmark movie Welcome to Christmas.

Her books have been praised by RT Book Reviews for their “likeable characters, clever dialogue, and juicy plots.”

When Debbie isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family in Ottawa, Canada.

For more information, visit AuthorDebbieMason.com, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

CHRISTMAS ON REIDEER ROAD
By Debbie Mason
368 pp. Forever. $7.99

Order Christmas on Reindeer Road direct from Jathan & Heather’s Beach Reads Book Shop or from one of these other fine online retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Half Price Books, IndieBound, or Powell’s.