4.5 stars.

The Wishing Season is another heartwarming romance in Denise Hunter's delightful Chapel Springs series. In this installment, PJ McKinley is trying to realize her dream of opening an upscale restaurant and B&B. But Cole Evans's unexpected arrival poses a very surprising complication to her plans. A creative solution to the problem forces the two of them to live together for a year as they compete for ownership of the historic home.

Overprotected by the rest of her loving but well-meaning family, a successful business would prove to everyone that PJ is more than capable of taking care of herself. With a track record of choosing the wrong man, her family doubts her judgment in more than just her love life. PJ knows she has what it takes to run a business, but her family's reservations undermine her self-confidence.

Cole's reason for entering the competition is a little more altruistic than PJ's. A former foster child, Cole wants to run a transitional home for foster kids who age out of the foster care system before high school graduation. Despite his very real desire to help these kids, Cole's tragic history also factors into heavily into his motivation.

The relationship between Cole and PJ is, at first, adversarial as they begin working toward their goals. PJ is determined to realize her dream on her own (albeit with a little help from her family). Since hers will be a for profit business, she has loans to help her build a state of the art kitchen and small dining room. Cole has the funding to run the home, but not enough money to pay for renovations, so most of his remodeling is do-it-yourself. PJ's prickly attitude begins to lessen as they work on their individual projects, but she is also quick to assume the worst of Cole when she has a few setbacks. After their ventures take off, Cole and PJ become friends, but a surprising attraction complicates their friendship.

Cole and PJ's romance is very understated and does not begin until fairly late in the novel. There is no mistaking the chemistry between them, but their interactions are innocent and limited to kisses. Their relationship begins before the rivalry for the house is resolved so the contest's outcome is also cause for concern for both of them. Surprisingly, it is unresolved issues from the past that threaten the couple's future.

The Wishing Season is a very sweet and engaging romance that has depth and substance. Cole's portion of the storyline is poignant and at times, very heartbreaking. PJ's problems with her family are less serious but realistic. Denise Hunter weaves some very important lessons of faith into the novel that will resonate readers who find that faith is sometimes lost in the busy-ness of everyday life.

The Wishing Season is an absolutely outstanding addition to the Chapel Springs series. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the previous installments as well. Intriguing glimpses of Ryan McKinley will leave readers eagerly anticipating the release of Married 'til Monday, which is due to release in June of 2015. ( )

PJ and Cole both have high hopes for the house they want to win in a local contest. When the owner asks them to share the home neither is happy about it. But despite themselves, they begin to admire the other's plans and courage. Along the way they both have to get past their prejudices and past experiences to see each other for who they really are. In the end there is a bit of O Henry sacrificing going on but all ends well. ( )

This is the 3rd story in this series, and I will be sad to see this series end (although I still have one more book to read - Yeah!). The author did a great job of bringing two people together who were very different, but they do say opposites attract, and there was a lot of great attraction in this story!

PJ McKinley (each book is about one of the McKinley siblings) loves to cook and has a passion to open up her own restaurant. There is an old house in town owned by a lady who is taking applicants from those who will offer the best use out of this ancestral home. If they win, they will receive the house to use for the purpose they have listed. PJ is one of the applicants and has her heart set on a cafe downstairs and a B and B upstairs.

Contractor Cole Evans has arrived in town to apply for this house also. He wants to run a home for former foster kids who have no where to live after they graduate out of foster care. The first meeting of Cole and PJ was quite unique and scary and fun all rolled into one.

The winner of this house comes down to PJ and Cole and they must share the home for one year and then the decision will be made. Cole gets the upstairs for his foster kids and PJ gets the main floor for her restaurant. Okay, from here on out it is just a matter of these two people coming to terms with living under the same roof, which never lacks for something going wrong and the electricity between these two people is just a joy to read about. Honesty, trust, and love will all be lessons they will learn. In each of these books the Mom of the McKinley family always has words of wisdom to give and in this story you she that even she can make wrong judgement calls, but still has words of wisdom that is precious. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series. Looking forward to visiting Chapel Springs, Indiana once again. ( )

I so adore Denise Hunter's books & The Wishing Season is no exception! The characters leap off the page straight into your heart. The plot goes beyond a fluffy rom-com (though the sparks sizzle and pop quite nicely!) with depth and feeling and substance. My emotions rose and dipped and twisted and cheered along with the story line! I loved PJ and Cole - their chemistry and their hearts. Both of them were trying to prove that they were worthy, when they just needed to look down (or up) the stairs to find someone who already believed in them :) ( )

BONUS! Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, you get ONE MORE DAY of Christmas reviews! A Baker’s dozen…

ENJOY!

The first book I read and reviewed in the Chapel Springs series was a complete and total surprise!

Then, of course, I was hooked and had to read the next book and now I’m so excited to read this one!

The Wishing Season was another complete surprise for me!

WHAT A GREAT READ!


I love the story! I love the characters! I love the crazy roller coaster ride of an adventure that you get when you add in one contest, one determined chef and one hard-nosed contractor.

It’s not precisely what I would consider a Christmas story but it is a wonderful winter romance!

Do not miss this story!


I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. ( )