Even better than a romance novel is a Christmas romance novel. Michelle Major's new book takes her readers back to Magnolia, South Carolina for this look at two people who at one time vowed to never speak again but are now forced to work together on the same project.

Lauren hated Magnolia and when she left, she vowed to never return. Two events convince her to return -- her brother is getting married and asked he for help planning the wedding plus her teen-age daughter has gotten expelled from high school for some bad behavior and Lauren decided that a change in scenery might change her attitude. She tries her best to stay away from her controlling and rich father and her step sister but her daughter will stop at nothing to meet her grandfather. When they arrive at an old summer camp to stay in one of the cabins, she finds that it's in deplorable shape. The man who is overseeing the campground is her old boyfriend Ben. She and Ben had been an item in high school but when she left town angry at her family and Ben she vowed never to speak to them again.

This is a book full of family turmoil, pain from an old relationship and a lot of mother/daughter bickering -- Hannah was a teenager so that was no surprise. Will Christmas bring reconciliation between the family and between Lauren and Ben and bring them a happily ever after?

This book was well written and I enjoyed all of the characters and their interactions with each other. My favorite character was Hannah - she always had a good question or comment that helped bring things in focus for her mom. I can always depend on this author to bring a great story line with characters that you feel that you know. The fact that this one is set at Christmas makes it even more special. ( )