I no longer remember how I got this book. (I had an idea, but neither of the people I thought it came from reviewed it on here, so . . .) I don't remember reading any other Cape Light novels, though it is possible that I have. (On a side note, I used to want to own one of Kinkade's paintings but after reading an article that says he doesn't do all the painting himself but only puts in a few final touches, I decided not to buy one.) I would categorize this as "light" reading. There are some themes to it but it wasn't overly preachy. There were two stories that never overlapped. (The first about the Bates Family and the second about Molly and Betty and their catering company.) Cape Light seems like a nice, idyllic town where neighbors help each other out and know each other.

Based on the blurbs, I expected the Bates' relationship to be much worse off than it appeared in this book. I never got the sense that Lucy was really going to leave Charlie--maybe temporarily to take Zoey to the boarding house and stay with her, but even that I didn't think was a serious break up. Lucy seems to have a more open heart while Charlie covers up his heart with gruffness.

Lucy and Charlie have 2 boys. Zoey gives Lucy a chance to enjoy some "girl stuff" that she would have gotten to do if she'd had a daughter.

Zoey's had a bit of a raw deal in life. She's got a learning disability that's never been diagnosed or explored which has made her think she's "dumb". She's been moved around to several foster families and separated from her brother (Kevin). She's gotten involved with some of the wrong kids and has a stalker ex-boyfriend. Her time-honed coping mechanism is running away, so it's going to take some serious love and patience to overcome that. Deep down, she's a good-hearted girl.

The author sets up a bit of a love triangle between Betty, Nate, and Alex. Betty's business partner, Molly, wants Betty to be in a relationship with Alex. Betty's heart seems more drawn to Nate. I don't think Betty was wrong to explore a relationship with Alex even though she thought she was more drawn to Nate and Betty did eventually break it off with Alex (within a month or so of meeting him and after half a dozen "dates" or less and once she realized she didn't feel the same way about him as he might about her).

Betty also has a heart-to-heart talk with her adult son, Brian. This talk appears to clear the air and make Betty more aware of what she wants out of life. ( )

another great Cape Light book. ( )

On Christmas Eve by Thomas Kinkaid and Katherine Spencer
Caterer Betty Bowman has been too busy to worry about her life til she meets a Santa while on a job. Betty had joined Molly's catering company when Molly had a new baby.
Lucy is a nurse and after hours she helps in her husbands Charlie cafe, When a girl who's very sick with a cold is the last customer she talks Charlie into allowing Zoey Jones to come home with them.
Cape Light is not what it seems. Reminds me of a unique postcard life, so magical.
Love catching up with the others in town and how they all come together for everybody..
Berry was rescued with the tray spilling by Nathan, and then all night she wasn't able to see him in the crowd. He was the Santa! He also helps her with a car that won't start and follows her home on his way to the square tree lighting. ( )