Christmas at the Shelter Inn - Christmas Romance Review

Goodreads: Christmas at the Shelter Inn by RaeAnne Thayne

Rating:  Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Library

Description:  Come home to Shelter Springs this Christmas, where hearts are warm and hopes are bright…

Growing up at the Shelter Inn hotel, Natalie Shepherd envied guests who could come and go as they pleased. So when it was time to finally leave for college and put the lush green mountains around Shelter Springs—along with the cloud of loss that seemed to follow her family—behind her, she swore she’d never come back. But now her sister McKenna needs a favor. On pregnancy bed rest at doctor’s orders, McKenna needs a helping hand with her two young daughters and someone to take over the inn during the hectic holiday season, and Nat can’t refuse. And just when things can’t get worse, she runs into her late brother’s best friend, Griffin Taylor…

Griff has mixed feelings about Natalie’s return. She’s just as beautiful and full of life as he remembered, but there’s a secret he’s carried for years about her brother—and the guilt is eating away at him. Still, Christmas in this small town is filled with treasured traditions and new adventures that hold the promise of something sweet and lasting. From matchmaking seniors to rambunctious nieces, it seems everyone is hoping Nat and Griff will put loss behind them and find a happy new beginning…

Genre: Romance - Contemporary 

Why I Picked This Book:   RaeAnne Thayne's Christmas books are always winners so of course I had to try and get this one in before Christmas!

My Impression:  Well this was lovely!  Natalie is home for the first time in years because her sister, McKenna, is put on bedrest right around the holidays.  Natalie has some serious baggage and has been running from loss since she was a teenager.  She loves her sister and her sister's kids but these issues have kept her from spending much time in her hometown and she's not exactly looking forward to starting now.

I loved the relationship between Natalie and McKenna.  They suffered through the same trauma but have handled it in different ways and have been able to forge a close bond despite that.  I also really enjoyed Natalie's growing connection with her nieces as well as watching her reconnect with her hometown and old friends.  The developing relationship with Griffin was super sweet.  Neither were really interested in pursuing a serious relationship and watching them both come to terms with the relationship was lovely.  This is not necessarily a slow burn romance as the connection and attraction do appear early on but the spice level is definitely on the PG side of things.

The Christmas-y goodness really shown through here with gatherings and festivities and I love that Hanukkah and Kwanza were mentioned in ways that highlighted other traditions.  This was a nice quick read with lovely characters and a wonderful festive spirit.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  I always enjoy RaeAnne Thayne's books.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're looking for a nice Christmas book that has likable characters and a beautiful setting this is a perfect cozy read.