Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Mistletoe Magic in Tahiti - Kandy Shepherd (HR #4875 - Nov 2023)

Series: The Christmas Pact (Book 1)
 
Healed…
by a mistletoe kiss?
 
After a bitter divorce, Sienna is spending Christmas on a Tahitian beach! First stop on her "new me" journey? Surf lessons with blazing-hot water-sports magnate Kai -- and quickly adding fling to her itinerary! But Sienna hadn't factored in falling headfirst for the cautious single dad and his adorable daughter. She knows she can't stay, but will she walk away from a magical future -- together?

 
Good book. When Sienna and her sisters discover that their parents are going on a cruise instead of doing their traditional Christmas family celebration, they make a pact to do something bold for Christmas themselves. Each will go on a two-week Christmas adventure alone to a surprise destination her other two sisters picked. They will know where they are going once they get to the airport - which sounds like a great adventure!
 
Sienna's sisters, Thea and Eliza, send her to Tahiti's Bora Bora. After a bitter divorce from her cheating husband, Sienna looks forward to rediscovering who she is. She has a bucket list of things she wants to do and adds kite surfing when she witnesses a hot instructor teaching two young girls. She gathers her courage to approach the instructor to inquire about lessons.
 
Kai isn't really a kite surfing instructor, but something about Sienna has him offering to teach her anyway. Kai is a former surfing champion with a billion-dollar business making surfboards, other sporting equipment, and clothing. I liked that he was honest with her about not being a professional instructor and that he wanted to teach her anyway. He is also the single father of a little girl, whom he is very protective of. He decides to keep quiet about Kinny until he knows Sienna better.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Kai and Sienna develop. Their attraction is off the charts, but each is wary about doing anything about it. I liked how Kai made a point of helping Sienna check items off her bucket list. Their connection strengthens the more time they spend with each other. It doesn't take Kai long to realize that Sienna is the one for him, but there are obstacles to overcome. Sierra is wary of getting involved with anyone after her ex's betrayal, and Kai needs to earn her trust. She also has a full life back in London as an interior designer and influencer, so leaving it all behind isn't likely.
 
I loved the vivid descriptions of the places Sienna and Kai went and the things they did. I frequently felt as though I was there with them. I also enjoyed seeing how Kai's family embraced and made her feel welcome, including her connection with little Kinny. But when Kai makes a boneheaded move, it sends Sienna back to London, believing she'd misjudged his understanding of what is essential to her. It takes some time and a little pointed advice from his grandmother for Kai to understand what he did wrong. I loved seeing what he did about it. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic, and the epilogue was a nice update on their relationship. 


 

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