April 9, 2025 – My Sanctuary

A beautiful hopeless romantic and her ex’s guarded best friend return home for the holidays and back into each other’s lives in this festive, bighearted, forbidden romance about letting go and letting fate.

Chiara Fortemani is home for the holidays—technically, her family’s tiny villa—where she’ll explore post-breakup digs and grow their vineyard’s brand during Napa’s annual Christmas food and wine festival. But as she interviews local wood craftsmen to curate custom gifts, she’s shocked to run into Jameson West… her ex’s best friend.

Jameson has loved Chiara since he carved her a birdhouse in woodshop. She’s everything he ever wanted: beautiful, funny, loyal… but thanks to the bro code, off-limits. Now a rising investment banking star, Jameson’s in town temporarily to help the family business tackle seasonal contracts. West Woodworks has been making Fortemani casks for ages, so the job will be easy. It’s the unexpected reunion with newly single Chiara that has him on shaky ground.

As they design together, days in the lumberyard and nights on steamy calls create magic. When Jameson confesses his feelings, Chiara is amazed by this sweet, attentive man who always should’ve been her first choice. But Jameson is still her ex’s best friend. Is uprooting her life for a man again a huge mistake…or a Christmas miracle?

About The Author

My Review

This is the third installment in the Fortemani Family series, following the story of Chiara Fortemani and Jameson West. The two childhood friends, who have secretly harbored feelings for each other for years, reunite at Chiara’s brother’s wedding after a long separation. With both back in their hometown for the holidays, they take the opportunity to rekindle their friendship, eventually deciding to explore the romantic connection they had long ignored.

Chiara, seeking more independence and respect in the family business, struggles with being seen as the “little sister.” Jameson, the former best friend of her ex, steps back into her life just in time to help with the family’s holiday events. As they grow closer, the chemistry between them ignites, leading to a heartwarming holiday romance filled with emotional moments.

Beyond the romance, the novel tackles important social themes, notably the issue of maternal mortality in African American communities. Through a poignant subplot, Heintzelman highlights the alarming disparities in healthcare faced by women of color, making the book both a touching tribute and a call for awareness. *Last Christmas Crush* blends heartfelt romance with a meaningful exploration of family, growth, and social justice.

My Rating

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As the sun rises over the little Provence village where single mother Adeline has escaped with her little girl Lili, she breathes deeply. This is their new beginning. Here, she can forget the lies her family told her. Here, she can start her story again.

Later she opens the door to the town’s tiny bookstore, where she is to work, ready to meet the mysterious owner Monique for the first time.

She expected an ordinary bookshop. But this bookstore feels somehow different… magical. Breathing in the smell of books, she feels a jolt of something. It feels like a new chapter beginning.

As she gets to know the villagers – including the handsome Andre and friendly Michel – she starts to believe in the magic of this new start. But can a runaway like Adeline ever find what she’s looking for? Or is a happy-ever-after just another fiction?

About The Author

My Review

In this novel, Adeline, grieving the loss of her mother, uncovers shocking news that sends her from London to Provence in search of her true identity. Along with her young daughter, she ends up in a charming bookshop owned by Monique, an eccentric woman known for her use of crystals, spells, and an intuitive ability to read people. The story incorporates elements of magical realism, a touch of romance, and themes of self-discovery.

However, the descriptions of the bookshop and the village of St. Vianne are immersive, and the concept of bibliotherapy—using books to aid emotional healing—adds a meaningful layer to Adeline’s journey. The inclusion of Emily Dickinson’s poetry and reflections on storytelling add depth to the novel, making it a more thoughtful exploration of human connection and healing.

My Rating