Review by Darcie Czajkowski
Life
with the Quinn family is never dull, and this year is no exception. In this
third novel in the Quinn family series, we pick up where we left off in Winter Stroll.
First,
there’s Kelley, who has prostate cancer and is undergoing treatment. Fortunately,
it is contained and hasn’t metastasized. And he has his wife, Mitzi, back in
his house, after her once-a-year affair with the Inn’s Santa Claus, George,
culminated in her leaving Kelley for George. But she’s returned now and is determined
to do everything in her power to ensure Kelley’s survival.
Margaret
Quinn, Kelley’s ex-wife and the mother of three of his four children, is about
to get married to pediatric surgeon, Drake. She feels happy and alive around
him and can’t wait to become his wife.
Then
there’s Kelley and Margaret’s oldest son, Patrick, who was incarcerated for
insider trading. He is about to be released and return home to his wife,
Jennifer, and their three sons. Jennifer has been trying to hold her family
together while Patrick has been away, but the stress has taken its toll on her
and she has a secret of her own.
Next
is Kevin Quinn, who is engaged to the hotel’s cook, Isabelle. Kevin and
Isabelle share a daughter, Genevieve. They got engaged two years ago but haven’t
yet gotten married. This year will be the year, Kevin decides. Isabelle has
waited long enough.
Ava
Quinn is Kelley and Margaret’s only daughter. She is currently dating both
Nathaniel and Scott and can’t decide which one to commit to. She loves them
both, but in different and unique ways. If only she could combine them and
create one perfect man. But that’s not all. Her love life becomes more
complicated when she goes on vacation with Margaret and is charmed by a
stranger on the beach.
Finally,
there is Bart, Kelley and Mitzi’s son. Two years ago, he was taken as a POW in
Afghanistan, and no one is sure if he is dead or alive. But then the family
receives positive news: one solider from Bart’s platoon has escaped to safety.
Unfortunately, he is in critical condition and can’t yet report on the
conditions of the other troops.
As
Kevin and Isabelle’s Christmas Eve wedding approaches, a mammoth storm hits the
Northeast, calling into question whether or not the family will all be together
to celebrate the holiday and share in Kevin and Isabelle’s joy.
That
is the theme of Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter
Storms: joy. It is a common theme for Christmas, but in this third book,
there is a lot of joy to go around and so much to celebrate. This family is
tight-knit and truly there for one another. When one person feels pain,
everyone feels it. The same goes for joy. I love that about this holiday series
from Hilderbrand. It’s a quick read, but it’s packed with drama around every
turn. Bring a little joy into your own life this holiday season, and pick up Winter Storms.
Purchase
the book at:
About the author:
Elin Hilderbrand has a twin
brother who is not a bestselling novelist. She does her best writing on the
beaches of Nantucket, as well as on the charming streets of Beacon Hill in
Boston. She has three magical children who beg her not to sing along to the
radio or dance in public.
Connect with the author at:
Little, Brown and Company is giving
One lucky winner a print copy of
Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand
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