The Winter Wish

The Winter Wish is book 8 in the Lake Bittersweet series by Jennifer Bernard and a great ending to this series!

We read about Annika and Brent in the prior book..The Do Over and now it’s their time to finding a HEA! Sparks fly after a boating accident, mysterious illness, single dad, cynical nurse who doesn’t believe in romance, easy to talk with, see old friends, tying up some loose ends from the prior books and more…

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Winter Wish is the companion novella to The Do-Over. Annika is the older sister to Jenna(The Do-over heroine) and has been the take charge, let no one in, strong and unsentimental type all her life. She is a great nurse and works too hard. Brent is a billionaire that owns his own company and works just as hard, he’s a single father raising his son Tyler and going through the motions. He’s been a shell of a person after his wife’s death until meeting Annika. They live in different states and are as alike as an apple and an orange. Brent is back in town and he’s needed by Annika, I’m not giving anything away here but the way Jennifer writes this, it’s amazing and I read through it in less than 6 hours. I always love how I can be transported into Jennifer’s books. She writes such vivid scenes you just feel like you’re right there too. Although this is a novella, you don’t feel like you don’t get enough, you don’t feel like she rushed it. I loved that. I can’t wait to read more. I’ve read all her other books and I feel the same about them all. Give me all the books!

I love how Brent Caldwell recognizes Annika Scarlett as his other half. He may be a billionaire, but he has been going through the motions of life with his young son, Tyler. Brent is smitten at "first sight" of Annika. She takes Brent by surprise while caring for Tyler after their summer boating accident. Annika's cynical side is resigned to not finding a forever love. Brent's careful and cautious way of showing Annika his feelings is incredibly sweet. Brent knows she is not the romantic type and very guarded with her heart. It is a difficult balance and charming to witness him doing it. With a medical emergency and Brent by her side, Annika begins to let her heart feel again.

With the laugh out loud text messaging banter between these two, this story restores the heart with understanding and love as Brent and Annika find their way to a happy ending. It is a Christmas wish that can be enjoyed over and over again.