The Clause in Christmas

A Poppy Creek Novel, Book 1

By: Rachael Bloome

Narrated by: E.L. Beckett

Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

This endearing, sweet romance will warm your heart and fill you with hope.

Cassie Hayward hates Christmas. Especially this year.

No job. Flat broke. And an ex most definitely on the naughty list.

But the unexpected inheritance of a Victorian cottage in the idyllic town of Poppy Creek may be the miracle Cassie needs. Except for one problem: a clause in the will. Cassie must complete a series of festive tasks for each day in December leading up to Christmas. Overseen by the disarmingly handsome, Christmas-loving lawyer Luke Davis.

Luke is as strong and steady as the bespoke furniture he crafts as a hobby. He has to be. Stepping into his late father's shoes as the town lawyer comes with a sleigh full of responsibilities. Which means the alluring stranger collecting her inheritance is a distraction he can't afford.

As the unlikely pair work together to complete the daily tasks, fighting their attraction becomes more futile than putting good ole St. Nick on a diet. But when Cassie's ex reappears with the offer of a lifetime, she'll have to choose between love and the life she always wanted.

Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and visit a town that feels like home. A "must-read" year after year.

"The Clause in Christmas is a gift that will keep on giving, no matter the season." (Dave Cenker, author of the heart-warming Pigeon Grove series)

Includes a recipe, playlist, and your own Christmas Calendar to follow along with Cassie

Rating: PG

©2019 Rachael Bloome (P)2019 Rachael Bloome

I would love to live in Poppy Creek!

I absolutely loved this sweet romance. I knew there would be a happy ending but I enjoyed the journey. That is one of the best things about this genre. Rachael created great characters and made them come alive in a charming setting. That is a sign of an excellent writer. She made me want to have coffee and pastries in Poppy Creek! I am looking forward to hearing the sequel.
I would recommend this to anyone who needs to believe in romance again. I listen to audio books daily and EL Beckett’s performance was excellent.

Sweet, clean, Christmas romance

This is a sweet romance that could have walked right out of a Hallmark movie. While it is somewhat predictable and occasionally on the cheesy side it is enjoyable, just like Hallmark. The setting is in a quaint small town that makes the reader love it very quickly and since this is book 1, a reader can visit it again for book 2. I liked the main characters as well as the support characters but a couple times I had the thought that Cassie had obviously not had much experience with lawyers to know how Luke could have helped her had she gone to him.
I loved that Cassie came into a new area and was able to make it better for those around her. And in return those she effected were able to make her life better too. Cassie grew up with an alcoholic mother and has to deal with the how that effected her. It is a shame that she was never able to know her grandmother, yet even so, her grandmother was able to help her improve her life.
At the beginning I thought the book was going to be about helping Cassie overcome her anti-Christmas attitude but it really wasn't about that. She got over that really quickly and enjoyed most all the festivities she was required to participate in. I think the story might be a little on the longer side and could have been told in a shortened storyline but still it was an enjoyable read.
The narrator did a good job.

No sex, language or violence
Possible trigger: alcoholic parent
*I received a complimentary copy of the audio-book and voluntarily chose to review it.

super cute

this was fairly long for me, I only listen during my short ish drive to work and bouts of housework, so it took me past Christmas to get it finished. I loved the main plot. without giving anything away, it was so heartwarming to see Cassie get everything she never knew she wanted. the narrator wasn't bad, I sped her up a touch faster than I normally listen to. my biggest complaint was her little boy voice was a little gruff for a child. I really have no idea how old Ben was supposed to be (if she stated his age, I forgot)

A touching story

I enjoyed everything about this book from the truly heartwarming story to the narration. It evoked pure feelings of joy, laughter and sentimental tears.

Hallmark Christmas

The perfect hallmark style Christmas novel to bring up your mood on a rainy day

Visiting Poppy Creek was Delightful

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. Ms. Bloom has created delightful characters that I have appreciated getting to know. She has described them so completely that I can easily picture them. The reader is delightful. She creates voices that match the characters Ms. Bloom has written. I’m looking forward to my next visit to Poppy Creek.

Nice, Festive, Relaxing Read

Nice, relaxing, festive read with just a few welcomed twists and turns. I do need to know more about the cliff hanger at the end though lol!

Loved It!

It’s like a cute Hallmark movie in a book. Lighthearted and wonderful. I loved it.

The Clause in Christmas

A very nice contemporary romance that will tug on all of your heart strings. If there is Hope, there is a chance.... A heart warming story.❤

Worthy Read - Reads like a Hallmark story

"The Clause in Christmas" A Poppy Creek Novel, Book 1 By: Rachael Bloome Narrated by: E.L. Beckett
Yes, I loved this story, and the narration, too! Such a pleasure to read a sweet clean contemporary romance story. This is Cassie's story of one possibly life changing December filled with choices to be made and discoveries to be uncovered. And a town filled with characters who really know how to love one another. I am looking forward to another story in this "The Poppy Creek" series!
Note: I received a free download code for this story from the author. Thank You Rachel for this read!!