DNF, YMMV, but at 14% in, I feel nothing for either character, each of whom seem two-dimensional. I had high hopes, having enjoyed Whiskey River Rescue, but that was a different author, just the same town setting. Go read that one. ( )

This is the fourth and last book in the series. I haven't read the others (yet!), but this can easily stand alone. From what I gather, the first book set up the background, and books two and three take place concurrently with book four. This was a sweet, quick read with a bit of heat.

Logan is a big Hollywood star now, but once upon a time, he was a kid from the poor part of town. His parents drank, his mom abandoned them, and besides abusing Logan and his brothers, his father was responsible for the drunk driving accident that killed an innocent family. Though he hasn't been back in years, Logan has set up a charity to help the people in his hometown. He's returned with two childhood friends as they made plans for more ways to help their community, and for him to participate in the holiday charity events.

Avery has worked for Logan, running his charity, for three years. She loves her work and helping the people that feel more like family than her own. Her parents are two brilliant scientists who never really had time for her as a child, and things haven't changed once she was an adult.

I loved the first meeting between Avery and Logan. She's talked to him on the phone plenty of times and seen pictures of him, but she wasn't at all prepared for the effect he had on her in person. Though she presents a calm façade, inside he has her rattled. She is attracted to him but determined to resist. Logan is equally attracted to Avery, but also intrigued by her. As the two of them worked together on various charity events, they had a chance to get to know each other. There were some sweet scenes between them, as well as some that showed the building attraction. I loved the part at Harwood House when the resident ghost gave them a little nudge, trapping them in a closet long enough for them to indulge in a whopper of a kiss. As the days went by, I loved seeing how they couldn't stay away from each other. But the closer they grew, the more their personal demons worked against their beliefs that there could be a future together. I ached for Avery, whose neglect by her parents have made it difficult for her to trust that she won't end up disappointed or left behind again. In spite of his success, Logan still sees himself as the son of the town drunk, looked down on by other people. That insecurity makes it hard for him to believe that someone would care for the real him, not the star. I wanted to shake Avery when a not unexpected issue with her parents cropped up, and she used it to push Logan away. I hurt for him, but I also loved how he still watched out for her. His big moment at the end was fantastic, sweet and romantic and showed the depth of his love. The epilogue was terrific, and I loved how it showed how far they had come.

Since I haven't read the previous books, the secondary characters were all new to me, but I never felt lost. I liked that Logan, Eli, and Harlan had maintained their friendship after they left Whiskey River and have now joined together to give something back to their town. I also liked the little bit I saw of his brothers Finn and Sully. A big part of Logan's childhood had been spent trying to protect his brothers from their father. I liked how that protectiveness continued after their father's death. Both brothers were intriguing, and I hope they get stories of their own. I also loved the friendship between Avery, Rachel, and Samantha. It's clear that they have each other's backs at all times, but they also have no trouble dishing out advice when it's needed. ( )

Once Upon A Texas Christmas by Katherine Garbera
A Whiskey River Christmas Romance #4

Movie star hottie Logan Calloway heads home for the holidays and meets Avery Burton, his personal assistant, for the very first time in person. They flirt a bit and avoid one another for a bit and put on a party in town to raise money for a good cause and date and all in all it is a so-so holiday romance that didn’t wow me but was just okay. I did not relate to Avery much at all and did feel a bit more for Logan…I guess I couldn’t see what either saw in the other and though there was to be a matchmaking ghost somewhere I didn’t see much of her influence in the story and was hoping I would.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3 Stars ( )