Sugarplum Way by Debbie Mason is an endearing holiday themed romance.

Julia Landon is upbeat, positive and always has a smile on her face. With the holidays fast approaching, she is stretched to her limits as she frantically attempts to get her latest novel turned in on time. Juggling many duties, she nonetheless never tells anyone no when they for help. For rather mysterious reasons, Julia is determined to ensure everyone in the Gallagher family is blissfully happy and she has her hands full trying to ensure her last matchmaking attempt succeeds. She is also doing everything she can to make sure her secret crush Aidan Gallagher has everything he needs to win custody of his daughter Ella Rose. Unfortunately her attempts to secure his future with the Harmony Harbor Police Department run into numerous problems with the police chief, but Julia is undeterred as she continues her attempts to "fix" things for Aidan.

Aidan is extremely suspicious of Julia which has resulted in quite a few inauspicious run-ins between them. Despite knowing she is keeping secrets, he is also very attracted to the quirky, perky darling of Harmony Harbor. But with his divorce behind him, Aidan is concentrating on improving his relationship with Ella Rose while also trying to gain custody of her. Although he is frustrated by Julia's interference in nearly every aspect of his life, he is also charmed by her.

Despite feeling a little lost due to not reading the previous novels in the Harmony Harbor series, Sugarplum Way is an enchanting holiday love story. Julia is a likable character despite being just a tad too perfect. Aidan is realistically depicted and it is wonderful watching his scenes with his daughter. The romance between Aidan and Julia is slow moving and peppered with witty banter and laugh out loud humor. Although the storyline is rather busy due to several story arcs, Debbie Mason beautifully weaves the various threads into a cohesive and entertaining novel. Readers of the previous books will enjoy this latest addition to the series whereas newcomers will most likely feel confused by the first few chapters. All in all, a charming love story with a few mystical (and magical) elements. ( )

I was pleasantly surprised by my trip to Harmony Harbor. Here I was expecting a holiday themed Contemporary Romance with heart, and what I got was that but also a little mystery, a little intrigue, and even a ghostly presence intent on keeping the secrets she took to her grave (sorta). I adored our leading lady, rooted for our leading man, and enjoyed meeting the myriad of characters that this small town seems to draw. From the tall to small, the uniformed to the seemingly forgotten, the higher ups and the furry friends, there was always someone to know, to love or loathe, or get into it with for whatever reason with every turn of the page. The holiday infusion made it the perfect book to open the coming reading season and the does of magic will warm your heart.


**copy received for review...full post can be seen on my site ( )

Sugarplum Way (Harmony Harbor) by Debbie Mason  
Sugarplum Way is all about the three H's: heart, humor and hope.  Ms. Mason gets in touch with her lighter side this holiday season.  With a little more laughter and not as many tears, she makes the heart rejoice and delights the inner romantic with an irresistible comedy that continues to give long after the last page is devoured. Endearing characters, a hint of drama and tempting secrets serve as the backdrop for a deliciously sentimental carol of the heart. ( )

Julie Landon runs a small bookstore in the Boston suburb of Harmony Harbor. She is in her early thirties and loves to collect town gossip. Her customers embrace her sage advice and also seek her assistance as a matchmaker . In her free time, Julie also writes novels using material based on true stories from the locals. She is forced to write under a pseudonym to protect the “real” identities of her characters. She has also woven into her novels some private matters about herself that would be embarrassing if revealed. It seems that Julie can write books with happy endings, but her real life is less successful.

Aidan Gallagher grew up in Harmony Harbor and recently moved back to re-establish a relationship with his daughter. He previously left the town to lessen his grief after losing his mother and sister from a car accident. Initially, he finds Julie annoying and wishes she would mind her own business. He is irritated by her persistent meddling in his father's love life. Despite his standoffishness, he finds himself in need of her advice and an unlikely friendship is formed.

This is the fourth book written in the Harmony Harbor series and it can read as a stand alone book. Debbie Mason writes a perfect book for the holiday season. ( )

This book does kind of get you into the Christmas spirit. Yet, I felt like I was missing something and wanted more. Julia and Aidan were fine. I liked them both as individuals but the romance between them was mild and slow. Almost too slow. It would have helped if the version of Aidan from Julia's book was portrayed as more bold. It was indicated as such but never really shown. For example: Julia mentions that the dance scene with Aidan in the book was hotter than the one in real life. I would have liked to have read a snippet of this scene.

The children actually kind of stole the spotlight from the couple. They were so cute in the way that they just were bold in what they said and did. Additionally, the story did pick up in the latter half of the book. On the bright side, I did like the town of Harmony Harbor. ( )