Somebody like Santa: A Heartwarming Texas Christmas Love Story (The Christmas Tree Ranch)

I normally don't read "seasonal" books but won this one. Everyone always says they only read them at Christmas - so I planned on waiting. Picked it up this week and decided I really didn't have to save books to read at the "right" time. I usually read thrillers/mysteries so this was quite the change. I enjoyed this one. Jess is hiding something and has no desire to share her secret or life with anyone, of course people are always trying to match her up and a friends brother and son move to town - she's interested but still no desire to get involved. However, Cooper has other ideas and as an investigational journalist fights the need to find out more about her. Really good kid characters as well. Overall, I'd recommend reading - I just might add a new holiday genre to my reads.

This is the fifth book in the Christmas Tree Ranch series.
Branding Iron, Texas is the home of Cooper Chapman's newlywed sister and her husband, it's convenient that there is a rental next to her for him and his young teenaged son to move into for their new start. Moving to the middle of nowhere in this "redneck hell of Branding Iron, Texas" is not Trevor, the thirteen-year-old son's idea of a good time, he desperately misses Seattle with his friends and where he fit in.
School counselor Jess Graver more than once comes to the aid of Cooper Chapman, calming his worries when his son falls in with a wild crowd at school trying to prove himself worthy.
Jess and Cooper have an immediate attraction to each other, but I wouldn't call this book a romance as each of them seems to keep pulling away from the other one emotionally for one reason or another.
There are a lot of side stories that could have taken on a book of their own, a hidden secret discovered, working as redemption to right a wrong as an older man gives the teen a chance to make things right, a Christmas parade, violence and abuse, kidnapping.
I did not particularly like the female lead character in this book, in my opinion she is standoffish and not willing to listen to reason. My favorite characters would have to be Trevor the troubled teen who gains confidence and turns his life around and even goes out of his way to show empathy and help a troubled friend. Another favorite character is Maggie, that firecracker of a little girl, the take charge kind who is everyone's friend.
For a novella length book, I think there was too much packed into it and some of these side stories should have explored the possibility of their own book.

Pub Date 27 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

If you're looking for a perfect Christmas book, this is the one. Give me a wintery scene in Texas any day, and I'm in. I thoroughly loved this holiday book, and I dug my teeth deep into this beautiful story. Janet Dailey knows how to keep her readers intrigued throughout the book and to make your heart swoon endlessly. These characters are relatable and fully developed; I wanted them to jump off the pages and become real. I loved this book and can't wait to see what other stories of Janet's I can sink my teeth into. Grab this book and hot cocoa, and turn on the Christmas lights. You will have a heartwarming time.

Somebody like Santa is a delightful, quick read with some heart! Janet Dailey follows similar paths of a cowboy romance with some mystery but has fresh characters. A father reconnecting with his son bringing him to a new town. A woman whose past is coming back to visit her for a second chance. The Christmas elements are delightful. I would highly recommend this if you love a cowboy romance with some high stakes action at the end and a sprinkle of Christmas. I love the world Dailey has set up and can't wait to read what is next!

This is a relaxing read. I enjoyed this book

Loved it

Now this is what I call a Janet Dailey book - so well written, you just keep on, keep on reading until, before you know it, you’ve finished the whole book in one sitting! It’d make a really pleasant way to spend a day around Christmas, especially if you like good clean and sweet romances and family stories in a small town cowboy setting.

I wish the ending was more well developed though, and I spotted a story between Ruth and Judd that doesn’t seem complete and this is already book 5 of 5.

This can be read as a standalone.

4 and a half stars for me.