⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. Don’t expect a sweet Christmas novella here, but it delivered plenty of hope and love.

Amid the snow-covered beauty of the Count of Almoster’s estate, Pedro and Anne Daun’s love story continues, but this holiday, their desires are on a collision course. Scarred by a painful past, Pedro guards his heart against fatherhood while Anne’s yearning for a child threatens to unravel their perfect marriage. As the family gathers for a festive celebration, buried secrets set the stage for a winter’s tale like no other. When tragedy strikes, and a young boy vanishes into the snowy wilderness, Pedro’s courage is tested in ways he never imagined. Together, they must confront their deepest fears and find the true meaning of love, forgiveness, and the magical ‘Scent of Snow’ that can transform their lives forever. Will Pedro and Anne’s love prove strong enough to weather the storm, or will the snowy landscape forever change the course of their destinies?

MY THOUGHTS

What a dramatic story – the writing style, the events, Anne and Pedro, their feelings, and the secrets he was keeping from her. Pedro confronted the ghosts of his past with Anne’s help, and Anne renegotiated the exalted, sacred position that Pedro had placed her in. And apparently even holiday novellas can shock us with unexpected endings.

This novella is part of The Winemakers series and includes characters from the previous books. I haven’t read Anne and Pedro’s story or Julia and Griffin’s, but that didn’t really matter, I still enjoyed and appreciated this extended look into Anne and Pedro’s married life. The Winemakers is an emotional, intense historical romance series that plays out in Portugal.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: December 7, 2023
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: The Winemakers
Other books in the series: The True Purpose of Vines, The Taste of Light, The Truth About Myths
Tropes: Christmas, Reluctant Hero, Curse