Traci Douglass

Niedliche Liebesgeschichte mit weihnachtlichem Setting

Traci Douglas gehört zu den Autorinnen, von denen ich bis zu „A Mistletoe Kiss in Manhattan“ noch nichts gehört hatte. Als ich die Beschreibung las, klang die Geschichte unheimlich süß und verspielt, verpackt in einem weihnachtlichen Setting, das allein schon sehr viel romantisches Potential hat, sodass ich die Geschichte von Emma und Thad unbedingt lesen musste.

Und ich wurde im Großen und Ganzen auch nicht enttäuscht. Die Geschichte von Emma und Thad ist definitiv süß, aber es fehlt ihr etwas an Verspieltheit. Leider wird auch das weihnachtliche Setting während der Haupthandlung nur wenig genutzt.

Ich mag Emma und Thad. Beide sind sehr selbstständige Charaktere, die ihren Weg im Leben mit dem einen oder anderen Stolperstein haben bewältigen müssen. Aber sie haben es geschafft. Emma, die mit 18 Jahren ihre Eltern verlor und danach ihre Schwester großgezogen hat. Für sie hat sie ihren Traum, Medizin zu studieren aufgegeben und ist stattdessen eine erfolgreiche Krankenschwester geworden.

Thad hat es ebenfalls nicht leicht gehabt. Er ist zwar buchstäblich mit dem goldenen Löffel im Mund geboren, aber nach seiner Diabetes-Diagnose wurde er von seinem Vater eher links liegengelassen. Thad hatte als kleiner Junge somit nicht nur mit dem Verlust seiner Mutter zu kämpfen, sondern auch mit der Ablehnung seines Vaters. Einzig Everett, der Butler, ist ihm geblieben. Und Baxter, sein Therapiehund.

Gemeinsam – Thad eher widerwillig – sollen die beiden den Wunsch eines kleinen Patienten auf der Kinderstation erfüllen, dessen Lebenserwartung nicht mehr sehr hoch ist. Dieser hat einen sehr speziellen Wunsch – und daher weiß Emma genau, dass ihr bei der erfolgreichen Umsetzung nur einer helfen kann: Thad.

Thad hilft ihr auch. Aber auf seine eigene Weise und ohne namentlich erwähnt zu werden. Er ist in gewisser Weise sehr süß und man versteht ein wenig seine Zurückhaltung. Auch bei Emma ist es in gewissem Maße verständlich. Doch trotz ihrer Gefühle füreinander, können die beiden den jeweils anderen emotional nicht an sich heranlassen. Kann diese Hürde überwunden werden?

Ich mochte es sehr, wie Everett mit in die Geschichte eingeflochten wurde. Und auch Baxter. Die beiden hatten schon einen gewissen tollen Moment und man hat beide schnell ins Herz geschlossen. Wen man eher weniger kennenlernt, ist Emmas kleine Schwester. Das fand ich sehr traurig. Sie hatte gerade einmal zwei kleine Auftritte, was für einen Charakter, der die Hauptfigur unterstützt, ziemlich gering ist.

Persönlich fehlte mir in diesem weihnachtlichen Setting etwas die Romantik und die Verspieltheit. Es ist mir klar, dass die beiden hier eine Aufgabe zu erfüllen hatten, aber anscheinend kennen die beiden außer Arbeiten nichts. Während der Umsetzung des Wunsches haben die beiden eine Zeit lang nur per Handy – Anruf oder Text – kommuniziert. Das wurde hier allerdings nur erwähnt, aber als Leser hat man davon nichts mitbekommen. Gerade hier hätte sich so einiges an Potential gefunden, damit sich beiden Charaktere besser kennenlernen und gelegentlich auch mal miteinander flirten. Das kam in der Geschichte nicht vor, und hat mir persönlich sehr gefehlt. Ich hatte zeitweise das Gefühl, dass die beiden sich zudem überhaupt nicht richtig kennenlernen konnten, um Gefühle füreinander zu entwickeln. Das ist sehr schade, da in dieser Geschichte durchaus sehr viel Potential steckt. Potential, das leider ungenutzt bleibt.

Letztlich verbleibt nur eine niedliche Liebesgeschichte mit weihnachtlichem Setting, von dem man kaum etwas merkt. Weder von der Liebesgeschichte noch der weihnachtlichen Stimmung. Für Zwischendurch ganz nett.… (altro)

This was an emotional story about two people with deep-seated family issues that kept them from wanting committed relationships. As the oldest in her family, Isabella ended up caring for her four younger siblings when first her mother, then her father, passed away. Once the last one moved out, she was free to live her life as she wanted. But with that freedom came some hard feelings because it felt like her brothers and sisters couldn't wait to get away from her. So she was a bit of a mess regarding family relationships.

Carlos grew up in Cuba as the son of a single mother. He never knew his father and resented that he abandoned her when she needed him. He spent his childhood fending off bullies and haters because of his illegitimacy, leaving him determined never to put a child through the same thing. After his mother's death, Carlos discovered that he had an uncle living in Barcelona, so he moved there to get to know the only family he had left.

Isabella and Carlos are both medical professionals. Isabella is an EMT, and Carlos works as an ER nurse. They met on the beach when both came to the rescue of a tourist in distress. They work together as if they'd been partners for years, and when the crisis is over, they decide to spend a little more time together. Drinks turn into more, and they part ways the next morning, not expecting to see each other again. They are shocked when they meet again two months later, as Isabella delivers a patient to the ER. Isabella plans to maintain her distance but, in an ironic series of circumstances, discovers she's pregnant with Carlos's baby.

I felt for Isabella and her shock and dismay. A baby had never been in her plans for her future. Now that it is, she gears herself up to handle things on her own, just as she always has. I liked that she didn't keep the news from Carlos even though she expected nothing from him. Carlos was shocked, but he immediately let Isabella know he was there for her, no matter what she needed. He won't put a mother and child through what he experienced.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Isabella and Carlos. He is determined to get to know her better though Isabella tries to keep some distance between them. It doesn't take long for Carlos's easy-going nature to get past her defenses, and a sweet friendship grows between them. Because of their work schedules, their time together is limited, so they cram a lot in when they get together. I loved seeing how well they got along and how much they had in common. They have so much fun together, from sightseeing to dancing. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings for each other grow, but their fears keep them from saying anything.

Those fears take center stage when Isabella panics over something Carlos says and pulls away, saying some hurtful things and breaking off their growing relationship. I ached for Carlos, who wants Isabella and their child in his life. Turning to his uncle for comfort and advice opens up a new set of shocking revelations that leave him reeling. Carlos is left with a lot to think about and apply to what he's always believed. I liked seeing him use what he's learned in the situation with him and Isabella.

Meanwhile, Isabella has an eye-opening conversation with one of her brothers. They are shocked to discover that they have entirely misinterpreted each other's actions and attitudes since the family has grown and gone their separate ways. I loved seeing Isabella and Diego take the first steps toward reuniting the family. I liked Diego's advice to her and that she wastes no time following it. Their big moment at the end was sweet and romantic, and the epilogue was terrific.

One of my favorite things about the book was seeing Barcelona through the eyes of Isabella and Carlos. As a native of the city, Isabella loves showing it off to Carlos, and I loved being part of the tour. With a trip planned to Barcelona over the holidays this year, I found many things to add to my "must-see" list. I will certainly make reservations for the restaurant they went to - it looks fantastic! The fountain reminds me of Las Vegas's Bellagio fountain, and I'm looking forward to the Sagrada Familia. I will definitely read the rest of the series and see if any other sights jump out at me.

#netgalley… (altro)

Good book with an unusual heroine. Lucy is a veterinarian who runs an animal sanctuary on one of the islands in the Florida Keys. She suffers from OCD and anxiety issues, so it is a sanctuary for her too. With a hurricane bearing down on the Keys, Lucy decides to volunteer with the emergency response team. There she meets Jackson, the EMT tasked to lead the team. From the moment they met, sparks flew between them.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Lucy and Jackson. Both have trust issues. Jackson was abandoned as a small child, and even though a loving family adopted him, he doesn't let other people get close. His romantic relationships lean toward short-term flings. Jackson is a protector and believes that taking care of people proves he is worthy of others' care and attention. Because of her OCD and anxiety issues, Lucy's parents kept tight control over her and told her she couldn't care for herself. Her fiancé was even more controlling and appeared more interested in her as a case study than a person. When she broke free of their control, she earned her vet degree and promised herself she would never be controlled again. This includes deciding to ride out the hurricane at her sanctuary.

When Jackson discovers Lucy disobeyed team rules and refused to take refuge in Key West, he can't leave her in danger. He rushes to her island, determined to drag her away, only to find a woman equally determined to stay. I enjoyed watching them face off, though I think she was wrong to stay. When the storm intensifies too quickly for them to evacuate, they are forced to ride it out. Huddling together in Lucy's basement, she and Jackson spend the time getting to know each other. I loved how Jackson accepted her OCD quirks and helped her through her panic attacks without judging or trying to control her. But when attraction overcomes wariness, Lucy panics and pushes Jackson away, reinforcing his feelings of rejection. It takes some soul-searching for both, and advice to Jackson from his brother to help them see that they belong together. I liked the ending and their honesty about their fears and hopes.… (altro)