A Rancher's Christmas Kiss

Holidays in Heart Falls, Book 5

By: Vivian Arend

Narrated by: Tatiana Sokolov

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

An ode to A Christmas Carol done Heart Falls style (that means with kissing).

The final stand-alone story in the best-selling Holidays in Heart Falls series by New York Times best-selling author Vivian Arend.

This rancher wasn’t looking for love—but she’s been right there the entire time.

In their mid-40s when they first met, widow Sonora Fallen and vows-to-stay-single rancher Ashton Stewart both felt a spark but agreed being friends was more important than becoming lovers. For many years, that decision held firm, and other than one time, their grumbly-in-public, friends-in-private arrangement has stuck.

Now 16 years later, the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future seem determined to change these friends to lovers to...something else? All of Heart Falls is watching, suspicions on the rise as Sonora and Ashton’s secret slips into view.

Can two people used to standing on their own find a way to admit they want more? Or will stubbornness and fear keep them from forever?

©2022 Arend Publishing Inc (P)2022 Arend Publishing Inc

Sweet Christmas Romance

An older couple's (Ashton and Sonara) long-term friendship turns into lovers.

An enjoyable shorter listen.

excellent narration.

A wonderful wrap up!

A feel good wrap up with the characters I have grown to love. Great romance and fantastic narration.

Great story! Finally get Ashton’s story!

I really enjoyed getting Ashton and Sonora's story finally. We have seen them throughout the Heart Falls series and knew that there was the possibility of something between them and at times seemed like more was going on but never really knew for sure. This book starts in the past and we get to see when Ashton and Sonora meet and how they build their friendship and see their spirited discussions that everyone else sees as arguments and fights. It was great to see them find their solid friendship that ebbed and flowed with life and what was happening around them. I loved getting their entire story as it really made things line up with the time it took for everything to come together. This story was well written and engaging and I loved watching these two find their way together and way forward to more and what they really wanted and needed. This was a great read.
The narrator did a great job with the characters and the story.

powerful

this has to be my favorite holidays in heart falls book. Vivian took the classic Christmas Carol and put it into her books, but not the way you think either I am not going to tell how she did it you have to listen or read for yourself. it is well worth it.
I can not even begin to tell you how wonderful the heart falls series .

Romantic and witty!

OMG, I loved this book so much. Lovers over 60 years-old? Yes! Love doesn't end when you're 40 and Ashton and Sonora really burn up the sheets in this wonderful and touching story. After listening to A Rancher's Love, where Ashton was such a prominent secondary character, I couldn't wait to listen to this book. It was everything I could have wanted in a story for him and Sonora. Their witty bantering back and forth was so much fun. Ashton took a while to get his head out of his tush but once he did the romance and ending of the book was worth the wait.

I almost forgot to say how much I loved that Sonora's dead husband kept giving her advice. Just a little touch of fantasy/paranormal that added a lot to the story.

Tatiana Sokolov did her usual wonderful job with this story and I look forward to listening more of the audiobooks she performs.

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

Outstanding

This was a read that brought all the books in this series’s together.
There was happy times sad times and wonderful memories of days
gone by.
The narrator has the ability to bring all the characters alive and very
easy on the ears.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this audio book.

Enjoyable

I love holiday romance and this was perfect. The storyline was great and the characters Sonora and Ashton are a interesting team and I enjoyed seeing them through all the fear and problems. They got a perfect ending and the narration was good.

Love Christmas stories

This story was super cute. I love how it went back from the past to the present with traditions and starting new ones. The romance that kindles right under our noses is super sweet. I actually loved all the characters and now want to go listen to the entire series that this falls under just to see if they are as magical. Tatiana has the voice of an angel and had me going from start to finish without being able to hit pause

Finally!!!

We finally get Ashton and Sonora's story. I always knew there was something going on between them, but I had no idea how long it had been going on. She acts like she can't stand him and he acts like he's a puppy dog in love with her. Everyone knows he's in love with her, but no one knows that the feeling is mutual. She hides it well because she's afraid of getting too close and losing him like she did her husband.

When Yvette and Alex see Ashton sneaking out of Sonora's house, they realize there is more going on than anyone thought. After that things start changing between Ashton and Sonora.

One thing I really enjoyed about this story is that Sonora's deceased husband, Greg, talks to her. He asks the tough questions and makes her think and question why she is doing things the way she is doing them with Ashton. We get to see the man he was and his acceptance of her moving on. In fact, he encourages her to move on with Ashton. That it is time for her to live her life to the fullest.

The other thing I enjoyed about this story is the A Christmas Carol storyline. Ashton experiences a dream-like state of Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas future.

Tatiana Sokolov closes out this series like she began it. She brings all of her characters to life. You feel like you are in Heart Falls as you are listening to the story. But the best part was the A Christmas Carol storyline.

Love of a Lifetime

In previous books you get the impression that Senora and Ashton really don’t like each other. But to now see the behind the scenes, how their friendship grew and friends with benefits seems to work. I never thought of Ashton as a romantic but it is in the little things that makes your heart melt. I loved this alternate view of their relationship, not just the grumpy cowboy who thinks Senora is flaky or irresponsible but a man who really cares. It is about time for these two.