Monday, November 17, 2014

Christmas at the Old Time Diner by Kate McKeever





Liv is spending her first Christmas in Chandler Tennessee at The Old Time Diner. When an unexpected snow storm brings some reluctant customers to her door, she is determined to make the most of a snowbound Christmas Eve. Can Liv give her surprising overnight guests a reason to celebrate this Christmas?

Published & Release Date: Self-published, November 14, 2014

Time and setting: Tennessee, Christmas  

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewed by Vikki

What a delightful little story! While it is quite short, it is well-written and very entertaining from the first page to the last. Ms. McKeever’s character development is superb for such a quick read. The plot is interesting and fits well with sweet contemporary Christmas stories. One can easily read this little gem in one sitting, and I suggest you do.

Liv has settled in small town on the outskirts of Chandler, Tennessee where she works at the Old Timer Diner. After an abusive marriage and a stalker ex-husband, she just wants to hide out so he never finds her and get on with the rest of her life. Her boss leaves for home on Christmas Eve to avoid getting stranded during the upcoming snow storm predicted by the weather forecaster.

As the afternoon progresses, the snow keeps falling and the weatherperson announces that all the county roads have been closed. Deciding that there would be no more customers, she goes into the kitchen to finish up the closing procedures. Hearing the tinkle of bell hanging over the door and the sound of voices, she returns to the front dining room. A young couple enters bickering about being stranded and not able to make it to Nashville that evening time with the road closings.   

The bell tinkles again and a man enters covered with snow. Liv is immediately drawn to Jake. Before long, an old man and a teenage boy join the little group in the diner. When it becomes apparent that they will be stuck until the storms moves on, they huddle together as they eat the wonderful meal, Liv has prepared. Will this attraction between her and Jake grow into something more?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is sure to get you into the holiday spirit. It shows how people can turn what could have been a bad experience into a good one by pulling together. It has a very satisfying “Happily for Now” ending, with overtones of a long term relationship. I don’t normally enjoy HFN stories, but this one is just right. If you like a heart-warming, sweet Christmas tale, then this is one you will not want to miss. Happy reading!


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