I haven’t read this author before, and for the most part I enjoyed this story. All the characters and the description of the small town leading up to Christmas were interesting and fun. I realized this was a series about different couples that were a close knit bunch of friends about halfway through, but it is a standalone read. There are sex scenes, a little too descriptive for my taste, but to each their own.

Lake Howling is your place. Snappy and funny dialogue, characters you wish you could be friends with and a great supporting cast. My only fault with the books is that the author teases at the characters' pasts but doesn't delve into it. How did Buster end up in NY? Is his cafe still open there? Who runs it? That kind of thing but still a fun easy read and well written. Thanks Wendy Vella, now I'm hooked. I want Newmans story please.