Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter

From the publisher:

Speeding north through rural Maine, Eden Martelli wonders how her life came to this—on the run with her mute five-year-old son dozing fitfully in the passenger seat. When a breakdown leaves them stranded in Summer Harbor, Eden has no choice but to stay put through Christmas . . . even though they have no place to lay their heads.

Beau Callahan is a habitual problem solver—for other people anyway. He left the sheriff’s department to take over his family’s Christmas tree farm, but he’s still haunted by the loss of his parents and struggling to handle his first Christmas alone.

When Eden shows up looking for work just as Beau’s feisty aunt gets out of the hospital, Beau thinks he’s finally caught a break. Eden is competent and dedicated—if a little guarded—and a knockout to boot. But, as he soon finds out, she also comes with a boatload of secrets.

Eden has been through too much to trust her heart to another man, but Beau is impossible to resist, and the feeling seems to be mutual. As Christmas Eve approaches, Eden’s past catches up to her.

Beau will go to the ends of the earth to keep her safe. But who’s going to protect his heart from a woman who can’t seem to trust again?

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I love picking up a book by Denise Hunter.  Her writing is always a hook.  It draws you in from the very beginning and doesn’t let you go even after the story has ended.  This is a new series and I was excited to read the first book.

The story was reminiscent of Safe Haven in a small sense, and even the author gives a nod in that direction through the story.  Micah and Eden will tug at your heart.  As a mother I really felt the emotions of Eden and her struggle to do anything to keep her son safe and well.  The writing really brought that out.

Beau and his two brothers are characters that you immediately want to know more about.  I am glad this is a series so we can further get into the stories of this family.  Beau’s strong and loyal character is a compliment for the story and what is needed. 

The story was paced out perfectly, giving hints and clues along the way, but only revealing it at the crucial points.  There are tense scenes in this book, and also very tender ones.  A perfect blend.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.