Holidays, Inc.

I liked this story, though it started a little slow for me. Both Dani and Paul had bad experiences in their careers which brought them to New Hope. Dani was determined to do everything and be successful, and help New Hope find some new breath. Paul was unsure of where he should put his trust but decided to take a chance on helping Dani. I loved the idea of them as friends and colleagues before making that final ultimate decision. The secondary characters were also interesting, and they were so supportive when things got tough. I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.

---4.5 Stars--- This book was such a fun, exciting, fascinating holiday romance whirlwind that takes you on a realistic love story with damaged, complex characters that are trying to find their way, while also saving their struggling town, and bringing hope and possibilities to the community. I was held captive from the first page to the very last page. I could not put this book down!!! This book has all the makings of a warm and fuzzy holiday Hallmark movie!! This was such a wonderful holiday read that got me totally excited for the upcoming holidays! I think one of the best parts of this book was the characters!! The main characters, Dani and Paul, were strongly developed, complex, multidimensional, and had real, honest features. They both were likable, genuine, and realistic. They were easy to relate to, connect with, respect, and sympathize with. They both had baggage and had been hurt by someone they trusted. They were still carrying those scars, built their walls up, and were full of insecurities. I really enjoyed watching these two characters develop a relationship. It certainly started out rocky and had some intense moments. However, it didn’t take too long to realize that they both are on the same side, wanting to help restore the town and bring new business to the community. There are of course many fun, playful banter and witty comeback scenes between the two that led to many LOL’s and OMG’s. As they both were still severely emotionally damaged from their personal and professional struggles of toxic Hollywood, they still had trouble with trusting and allowing themselves to be vulnerable. But the more time they spent together you could see a glimmer of light get through as they started to heal and open up to each other. Unfortunately, that is around the time that Dani’s ex-BFF, Kara, from Hollywood, shows up and certainly ruffles some feathers causing much drama and chaos. No spoilers here!!! But there is so much to this story with an incredible cast of characters that you will want to read this book to find out what happens!!! Can Dani and Paul save New Hope? Will Dani’s dinner theater idea really work? Can Dani and Paul finally drop their guards and learn to trust each other? Will Kara bring the devious betrayal of Hollywood to New Hope and destroy everything Dani has worked so hard for? These characters are written with such depth, as they have emotional baggage, are dealing with real-life struggles, and are working on over-coming personal obstacles. Rachelle Paige Campbell writes real-life characters that face real-world problems. Which is one of the reasons I really enjoyed this book, because I was able to easily connect with the characters, feel their struggles, and root for their success. I think the author did a fantastic job on her character development as these characters were so real and personal on many levels! I loved the characters and the small-town vibe!! I was completely wrapped up with the character’s story lines!! I really enjoyed the small-town setting of New Hope and how the town itself is almost like a character and an underlying theme as well throughout the book. This book has a creative story line that flows, excellent writing style with detailed scenes, well-developed characters, is steady paced, and keeps you completely entertained through the last page. This book is Book One of Finding New Hope Book Series. This book can be read as a standalone. This book is pleasantly satisfying with a HEA ending that this reader enjoyed, appreciated, and approved of! All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all sweet, contemporary romance readers and holiday romance fans will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed! **Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**