Emma Shea Abernathy is fully aware of her social role: marry well, live extravagantly, and, most of all, exhibit perfection. And it started with saying “I do” to future governor Trent Broadway.

With her carefully crafted life in full swing, she knows she’s made a big mistake. Leaving it all behind, she hides out at her great-grandmother’s beach house in Crickley Creek. There, she discovers a secret room containing a well-preserved 1920s Prohibition speakeasy–and some surprising information about the women in her family. This leads to a new plan: to become a woman who acts contrary to what is expected. In other words, a Firefly Girl.

The problem is no one else embraces her change of heart, especially her first love, Scruggs Willingham III. He still refuses to forgive her for marrying someone else. Despite the olive branches she extends throughout Crickley Creek, it appears she’ll spend Christmas alone.

Until a rare Christmas snow brings the one miracle she needs: the freedom to accept herself.

Titles in the Crickley Creek series include — The Firefly Jar —♥— Blink Twice If You Love Me —♥— Christmas in Crickley Creek —♥—

Booksprout ARC

Title:  Christmas in Crickley Creek
Series:  Crickley Creek #3
Author:  Laurie Beach
Genre:  Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Published:  October 24, 2023
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5

Christmas in Crickley Creek drew me in from the very first page, and never let go of my imagination or my pure enjoyment of the story unfolding.  And such a fascinating story it is!  With a touch of romance here, a little haunting/magic there, a woman’s evolution from what she was groomed for and what she ultimately will become over there in the corner, and a diverse cast of characters to add the needed background, angst, intrigue, and building of the entire story back in the far corner of the room…all that combines into such a lovely, thoughtful, tense, sad, joyful experience.

I would normally not say this (I believe in reading series in order for the most immersive experience) but…Christmas in Crickley Creek can stand on its own quite nicely.  Oh, you’ll be tempted to go back to the start of the series, yet this story is complete within itself, for you don’t really need to understand the secondary characters’s backstory to enjoy this one at all.

I’m not going to say much about the actual plot of this one.  It is a journey of discovery for Emma.  It is a journey to forgiveness for others.  It is a story that will capture your heart and your imagination and, perhaps, help you believe in “possibilities” unseen.

I absolutely loved every moment in this story and want you (the reader) to know that experience yourself, so no spoilers here.  Simply a bit of wonder and awe at such a completed journey for one woman, one man, and several others within their inner circle.  I believe anyone would enjoy Christmas in Crickley Creek and highly recommend it.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available in print or for your favorite e-reader