Set in the same world as THE TRUTH ABOUT COWBOYS (which I totally LOVED), so it makes perfect sense that it felt like coming home...even if our leading lady was more than reluctant to do so.

Honestly, most reviews I saw about this one focused on Roarke. Now don't get me wrong, there are many MANY reasons to focus on him...hot, alpha when need be but totally about the other person, one woman guy despite what history may say, uber vet and horse trainer/animal whisperer, big hearted, and did I mention easy on the eyes...but what I didn't see much mention of is Hannah, his heart's desire.

The girl's got a history, much of it pre L.A., "tangled" up with Roarke and friends, but the latest had her restarting her life after a scandal reached out its impact into her life. Coming home was the thing to do, and rebuilding her reputation was a step by step process she was willing to tackle, but the man distraction was not in the cards and her inability to deal with the past as head on as her work life, puts the brakes on any sort of real moving on action. I felt for her, I truly did, but there was definitely a time or two that I wanted to take her by the shoulders and say "get yourself together woman. ...grab the big girl pants and face your 'fear'"...instead of listening/reading the constant battle of feelings past and feelings present wage war within.

In the end, the story was a winner with leads worth knowing, hearts worth caring for, and enough tension to set the Texas night on fire! ( )

It's okay.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
Accusation of cheating is reason for initial breakup.
During separation both been with others.
"“But you dated. You had to have someone—”
“No one who mattered, but there were times when I wanted to find someone. I wanted you to stop controlling my life, but there was no chance of that happening. What about you?”
“Same. Exactly the same.”".
Scenes with couple from first book.
HEA.
( )

Tangled up in Christmas & Santa Baby
by Lisa Renee Jones

Two holiday stories with happily ever afters in one volume! The first, Tangled Up In Christmas, sees Hannah and Rourke get a second chance after six years apart. There are some issues they both need to deal with before they can move on into an even stronger relationship than they had before. Small town romance between two people that definitely belonged together. The second book, Santa Baby, has Caron late to get dressed for a fashion show, put into a Marilyn Monroe rather than Audrey Hepburn costume and in that costume perhaps channeling a bit of Marilyn. Having caught Baxter Remington’s eye she has the night of life thinking it is a one off...but perhaps he thinks it could be more. What a sizzling little story this was!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4 Stars ( )

Title: Tangled Up In Christmas
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Series: Texas Heat Series Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Tangled Up In Christmas" by Lisa Renee Jones

My Rationalization:

This was a good Christmas well-written story of a second chance romance that dealt with Hannah and Roarke. We find that these two were once engaged until everything seemed to go up in smoke with a mess between their families. Hannah leaves her hometown of Sweetwater, Texas now returning after 5 years thinking Roarke had cheated on her, now she is back. Will Roarke be able to prove he was set up? How will these two be able to make things right between them by working together on a Christmas festival for their hometown? This will be a story full of a little bit of it all from 'secrets, anger, sadness, drama, romance, explosive chemistry, conflict with family lies, animals and enduring friendships with some remarkable characters' to give the reader quite an entertaining holiday read. To get it all you will have to pick up "Tangled Up In Christmas" to get all of the above questions answered. And in the end a HEA! Also, this author included a bonus read at the end 'Santa Baby' which was another good holiday read involving Caron & Baxter.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. ( )