Twilight, Texas Series: Book 14
Publication Date: October 24, 2023
New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde’s delightful Twilight, Texas, series continues with this sparkling Christmas novel. A reality TV show producer returns to her hometown of Twilight in this lovers reunited story filled with holiday spirit and perfect for readers of Susan Mallery and Jill Shalvis.
She was the one who got away…
Noelle Curry has returned to Twilight to plan the most spectacular double wedding the town has ever seen—and do it on national television. But the woman known as “The Wedding Whisperer” is knocked speechless when she notices her teenage crush, Gil Thomas, is about to plunge into icy cold water wearing nothing more than a pair of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer swim trunks. He is the sexiest guy participating in the annual polar bear plunge and seeing him pushes all thoughts of white lace and rose blossoms right out of her mind.
He was the man who decided to stay…
Single dad Gil doesn’t regret giving up his dreams of big-city singing stardom for small-town life. But seeing Noelle—who’s blossomed from the once-gawky teenager to West Coast beauty—has him thinking of days—and nights—a whole lot hotter than his plunge in the lake. And even though he knows she’ll be heading out as soon as her work is finished, he can’t help hoping the magic of Christmas in Twilight will get her to change her mind and stay in town—and by his side—forever.
The Christmas Brides of Twilight is the fourteenth book in the Twilight, Texas series by author Lori Wilde, and it was nice to be back even though I have a few books in this series to catch up on.
The story had a good flow and a fast pace with all things related to the holidays and Christmas. There are also a lot of wedding preparations since there will be a double wedding with twins marrying twins. The couples won a contest they entered, and Noelle became their wedding planner. Noelle is also known as “The Wedding Whisperer” since she handles all problems and people relating to weddings.
Noelle has a history in Twilight since she spent holidays and vacations with her grandparents, which are some of her happiest memories. Her parents are both stars with multiple marriages and no time for her. But when her mom calls, she needs to be available!
Noelle reconnects with people and families she used to know in this small town, and Gil is no exception. She had a crush on Gil as a teen, and it hasn’t gone away. There’s a mutual attraction, but he’s a widower with a five-year-old daughter, so things are definitely sticky on that front. There were a few steps forward and then even more back as they tried to figure out if this would be a holiday fling for the weeks she was in town or if it could be more.
Several stories are woven nicely together and, in some instances, unexpected connections. There are beautiful descriptions of the decorations and activities and lots of reminisces along with some mean girl moments and bullying. There are some steamy moments, too. There is closure with a happily ever after that takes place a year later. It was beautifully scripted, but I felt we rushed from the end of the story to the epilogue.
Lori Wilde is an author whose books I enjoy, reminiscent of Susan Mallery, Susan Wiggs, Jill Shalvis, and other contemporary romance authors. They always leave me with a feel-good feeling!
The Christmas Brides of Twilight is a contemporary holiday read that filled me with more holiday spirit than I expected, along with happiness, romance, and love.
Lori Wilde is the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers’ Weekly bestselling author of 87 works of romantic fiction. She’s a three-time Romance Writers’ of America RITA finalist and has four times been nominated for Romantic Times Readers’ Choice Award. She has won numerous other awards as well. Her books have been translated into 26 languages, with more than four million copies of her books sold worldwide. Her breakout novel, The First Love Cookie Club, has been optioned for a TV movie.
Lori is a registered nurse with a BSN from Texas Christian University. She holds a certificate in forensics and is also a certified yoga instructor.
A fifth-generation Texan, Lori lives with her husband, Bill, in the Cutting Horse Capital of the World; where they run Epiphany Orchards, a writing/creativity retreat for the care and enrichment of the artistic soul.
