Belle Taylor desperately needs a vacation. Belle has always been the type to make a list of the things that she wants to accomplish but the job has quickly taken over her life and she has not been able to go home for a year and she knows that something needs to change. She wants a corner office and is so close to getting one, but if it means never seeing her family she may have to rethink this part of her career path. Coming home and being met at the door with a kiss from her long time crush Rafe Bettencourt doesn’t do anything to make her want to return to the office. Her family, including Rafe, want her to stay home more but can she give up that part of her career or does she go back to the office and to the career that she has totally taken over her life?

Five years ago Belle stopped being the pesky little sister of his best friend and became the woman that he fell in love with. Rafe has let her have the space that she needs to achieve her dreams but now that she is home for the first time in a year he has run out of patience and he is ready to let her know how he feels. The romance seems to be going good but what will happen when it’s time for Belle to go home? Will she walk away from the time that they have spent together and return to her old life or can he convince her to stay and make a life with him?

This story starts out hot and it gets hotter as the story progresses. I love stories where the characters have known each other their whole lives and this story is perfect. The fact that it happens at the holidays is even better. Rafe doesn’t waste any time in letting Belle know how he feels about her and it adds to the story sizzle from the word go. Belle has had a crush on him since she was twelve years old and can’t believe that he feels this way about her. The chemistry between these two is amazing and the family connection between the two families is good since they have all known each other for so long. Will the romance work out or will these two remain friends? You’ll have to read the story to find out but I can promise a great holiday read thanks to Lauren Dane. There are some other characters in this story that I would love to see get their own story so please keep that in mind as you get caught up on your writing Ms. Dane.

Reviewed by: Missy