I have a series romance RITA® Reader Challenge review today, this time from Lindlee, who really liked this book.

The summary, with Exclamation! Points! When snowboard designer Sean Hughes sees Zoe Flynn hitchhiking at the bottom of Mount Hood he recognizes a free spirit—much like himself!

They hit it off, and Zoe ends up agreeing to pose as Sean’s girlfriend at his family’s Thanksgiving. But following an accident and a misunderstanding they’re soon stuck with each other for the Christmas holidays!

Zoe’s girl-next-door looks make Sean wish their charade was a romantic reality, but Zoe is hiding something…and he has until the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve to discover her secret!

And now, Lindlee’s review:

Christmas Magic on the Mountain is the story of two people doing such a good job of pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend that it becomes real. I liked the progression of Sean and Zoe’s relationship. From the beginning the two of them are attracted to one another, but because of the circumstances (fake relationship/Sean’s pretty serious leg injury), they don’t immediately initiate a dating relationship. As Zoe helps Sean during his convalescence, the two of them grow closer and a friendship blossoms. I especially loved seeing Zoe gain confidence in herself and her abilities as she helps Sean (when Zoe meets Sean she is currently at a crossroads in her life wandering with no direction).

When Zoe and Sean do decide to become a couple, they don’t immediately jump into bed. Zoe feels uncomfortable sleeping with him at the same time she is his hired caretaker. Sean, while not completely happy about the decision, understands her feelings and doesn’t pressure her to change her mind. I loved, loved, loved this. I thought Zoe’s feelings were perfectly understandable, and I adored Sean for respecting her enough to accept her decision and wait until they were in a better position to take the relationship to the next level. 

I did wish that we could have seen more of Zoe’s family. She talks about her family dynamic, but we only really meet her mother at the end. I kinda felt that Zoe’s family owed her an apology for some of their past behavior. Zoe is an adult responsible for her own life so I did like that she didn’t try to blame her past actions on her family. However, I felt that some of Zoe’s lack of direction in the past was a result of her feelings of inadequacy from her family’s tendency to belittle her choices (such as her chosen college degree). I would have liked to have seen this addressed.

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Shopping time! You can find Christmas Magic on the Mountain at Amazon | Kindle | BN | nook | AllRomance | Book Depository | Powell’s | eHarlequin.com