The only thing Lily wants is for her children to have a nice warm home, and to make sure her family’s diner survives. When handsome billionaire David walks in and leaves a rather generous tip, he not only helps her little family, he also gives her something she hasn’t had for a long time—hope.
After the loss of his beloved wife, David moves to a small town in New York, hoping to escape the memories, along with the pressures of his life as the president of the largest ad agency in the country. The last thing he expects when he meets with his pastor is to run into the woman who will change his life forever.
David is willing to shower Lily with everything she needs, but Lily isn’t sure she can handle the kindness after everything she’s dealt with in the past. Will her bad memories keep them from being able to have a future together? Or will he be able to convince her that love is what makes life worth living?
Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close, but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve, at BYU, and they have six happy, crazy children who encourage her to keep writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next. She has published six books in a year, and her mind is still reeling from the awesomeness. Her books include Ring of Truth; A Christmas Worth Billions; The Princess and the Prom Queen; Magicians of the Deep; the Luck series--Stolen Luck, Twist of Luck, Best of Luck, More Than Just Luck, No Such Luck, and Just My Luck, a novella; and Endless.
This was a cute read, I was really frustrated with Lily, she had everything handed to her on a platter in a nice package called David and she was too blind to see it.
I'm giving it 3 stars because it's Christmas themed and I really liked David and Lily's 2 kids. However, Lily was very questionable to me. Her kids would go hungry because she didn't have money to buy groceries for her house yet she owned a diner. How much would it have cost to feed 2 little kids a breakfast and dinner at the diner so they wouldn't be hungry? I'm sure you had leftovers from the days specials and how much is toast and an egg? That sort of ticked me off a bit.
Also, when you have 2 beautiful kids and zero money and your kids are sick because you can't afford to heat your house, don't you think it's time to reach out and ask for help OR accept the help offered to you, especially if it is from a billionaire who would never miss the paltry amount you need to warm your house? There comes a point and time when pride has to be set aside for the welfare of your children. If my kids are sick, to hell with my pride, I will beg if that is what it takes to get them medicine! Lily was just a bit annoying to me.
And why did the book just suddently end?? Could we not have had a little bit longer ending? It's like the author even got tired of the story and just decided to say "the end." Yes, there were some saving graces in the form of David and the kids and they made it worth the read.
A sweet Christmas-y reluctant cinderella romance. It's pretty much insta-love, but it's still reasonably well done.
There is some validity to other reviewers complaints about Lily. Her determination to be independent & self-sufficient reaches levels of irrational at times. Her wake up call really should have been her illness collapse that could have left her children orphans.
I am puzzled by the reviews that give all their sympathy to David's traumatic widowed status, but have little to none for Lily's. David's loss of a loving wife is truly sad, but Lily had an abusive, alcoholic husband who made her life hell for years and managed to continue to do so even after she left him until he died a miserable death in jail. Different reasons to sympathize, but certainly *both* knew tragedy.
It probably would have helped readers sympathy for Lily if the author had given her a backstory not just as abused wife to an alcoholic, but having one of those domineering spouses who used money to control & manipulate her. That would have made her reactions to David's offers of help much more understandable, I think.
Still, it's a Hallmark movie worthy story & one that's worth reading.
This book isn't Christmassy, it's depressing. Yeah, I know, real life and that stuff happens and all ..... but, ........ I read books to get away from all that stuff. The book starts out with the guy moaning and crushingly sad because his wife is gone. And the mom is just plain stupid! She's lets her kids sleep in the cold and doesn't accept help the church would give because, "she wants to show she can do it on her own". I mean, how stupid a character can you get?!!?
Let me tell you, when you're down and out, you take whatever help anyone is willing to offer; and you shove that 'do it on your own' crap right where it goes - right out the door and into the garbage.
I didn't get far into this book because one character is insanely depressing, and the other character is colossally stupid. I have better books to read.
I know this book is set during Christmas time but it's not the kind that will put you in a Christmas-y mood. I still thought it was a pretty story. I know some of the reviews say it was depressing but it wasn't for me. It just goes to show you that Christmas isn't exactly merry for everyone and people have stuff that they go through. In this case, David is having to spend Christmas alone after losing his wife in an accident and Lily is trying to keep her diner open and her house warm even though she can't pay the bills. Both of their prayers are answered when they literally run into each other.
Cute, quick read. There were parts I liked and other parts that were just okay. The ending was a bit too rushed. I had a hard time believing Lily had such a quick change of heart. Wish it was just a little bit longer...
So sweet! I love stories where the mom is doing her best to provide for her kids! She really wanted to do it all herself, but had to learn to accept help. It's hard, but worth it! Fantastic story!
I love a good happily ever after especially in a Christmas setting! Loved this sweet romance. Sometimes we need to be on the receiving end of others generosity.
Silver Script Series: Silver Script Set Books 1 – 7: Interesting. Heartwarming. Fun to read. Perfect with a cuppa. All the stories involve employees of the Silver Script, an advertising agency, with a gamut of friends and clients. The TOC needs editing: book titles are missing, but the links work correctly.
Ring of Truth #1 – I love this book! Ms. Hardy always writes a heartwarming story that keeps the reader captivated. There’s a romance in the works, suspense and plenty of humor. An innocent romance without the Hollywood life garbage that’s forced on us daily. The characters are lovable, with plenty of personality. The well thought out story line is interesting and there’s no stupidity formula common in books of this genre. Perfect for a relaxing time with a cuppa. 5*
A Christmas Worth Billions #2 - Heartwarming. A wonderful story about extremes appearance wise but with the same heart and values on the inside. Not all the characters were great, but I enjoyed this little jewel. 5*
Fashioned for Love #3 - Starts with New Year's Eve and it's Debra's turn to find romance. Sad with some of the events, but heartwarming just the same. One of my favorites in this series, but I didn't care that the feminism is too strong. It's a business dinner, not a date and she's mad because he pays, business, duh. This is after he held the door and her chair for her. Then women wonder why men have no respect for them anymore; but "modern" women don't have respect for themselves, anyway. It was hard to put down, but luckily, the story was fast paced. 5*
Change in Harmony #4 - I had a problem with this story. There was too much drama from the main female character and the story became, for me, difficult to get through. But the story ended well for all involved. Worth reading. 4*
Another Chance for Love #5 - Another fun to read, heartwarming story. The story just flowed through the pages and the characters were likable, lovable and interesting. 5*
Love in Return #6 - What a dear story. Heartwarming and fun to read, this story just flew by. The characters were sweet, funny and very lovable. Another one of my favorites in this series. 5*
Waves of Hope #7 - Interesting quick but long distance romance. There's anxiety that has the main female character easily broken down, but the main character, once he understands, is very supportive and loving. Heartwarming story. 5* Silver Script Series end.
Silver Script Set Books 1 – 7: Interesting. Heartwarming. Fun to read. Perfect with a cuppa. All the stories involve employees of the Silver Script, an advertising agency, with a gamut of friends and clients. The TOC needs editing: book titles are missing, but the links work correctly.
Ring of Truth #1 – I love this book! Ms. Hardy always writes a heartwarming story that keeps the reader captivated. There’s a romance in the works, suspense and plenty of humor. An innocent romance without the Hollywood life garbage that’s forced on us daily. The characters are lovable, with plenty of personality. The well thought out story line is interesting and there’s no stupidity formula common in books of this genre. Perfect for a relaxing time with a cuppa. 5*
A Christmas Worth Billions #2 - Heartwarming. A wonderful story about extremes appearance wise but with the same heart and values on the inside. Not all the characters were great, but I enjoyed this little jewel. 5*
Fashioned for Love #3 - Starts with New Year's Eve and it's Debra's turn to find romance. Sad with some of the events, but heartwarming just the same. One of my favorites in this series, but I didn't care that the feminism is too strong. It's a business dinner, not a date and she's mad becaused he pays, business, duh. This is after he held the door and her chair for her. Then women wonder why men have no respect for them anymore; but "modern" women don't have respect for themselves, anyway. It was hard to put down, but luckily, the story was fast paced. 5*
Change in Harmony #4 - I had a problem with this story. There was too much drama from the main female character and the story became, for me, difficult to get through. But the story ended well for all involved. Worth reading. 4*
Another Chance for Love #5 - Another fun to read, heartwarming story. The story just flowed through the pages and the characters were likable, lovable and interesting. 5*
Love in Return #6 - What a dear story. Heartwarming and fun to read, this story just flew by. The characters were sweet, funny and very lovable. Another one of my favorites in this series. 5*
Waves of Hope #7 - Interesting quick but long distance romance. There's anxiety that has the main female character easily broken down, but the main character, once he understands, is very supportive and loving. Heartwarming story. 5*
I liked how it all ends on a happy note but honestly, it was too little too late. Much too late and oh, so predictable. First of all, I don't know what attracted a millionaire to what appears to be a poor single mother struggling to provide for her two children. I cannot relate to being a billionaire. She was very stubborn to think she could handle it all by herself. Child Welfare would have had a field day if they knew her kids were getting sick because it was so cold in their house due to no electricity and heat and no food in her cupboards! Just saying. She couldn't afford to pay her house bills because the measly money she made from her business was all going back into the Diner that she was about to lose if she didn't muster up more business. She was barely surviving and had it not been for Mr. Wonderful aka David, she would have not survived the winter.
Lily was too ignorant and proud to accept David's willingness to help her though. David himself was a multi-millionaire who had recently lost his wife in a car accident and was grieving. In order to escape bad publicity and the press harassment, he heads to a small town far away from New York City. Lily and her kids were just what he needed to take his mind off of his pain.
A Christmas Worth Billions didn't feel like a novella to me. It was long enough to feel it dragging on and on.
Taking advantage of people's money is one thing but not accepting someone's help when they are willing to help you, doesn't make sense and well, incomprehensible to me. Besides that, it's hard to get real help when you need it. I am of the persuasion where you take what you can get. lol, It would have been really stupid for Lily to ignore David when she needed him. Duh, it was a no brainer.
The meaning of the title didn't make sense to me until the end--and I think it is a double meaning--both literal and symbolic by that point.
Like other reviewers, I did wonder a bit at Lily's struggles--owning a diner should have provided food options--and if the diner is heated and your house is not, why are you not staying at the diner? The kids could be in the office. There are bathrooms, food, running water, etc. Better than letting your kids be cold. Better than letting your pride stand in the way of your family's health (especially since she was willing to ask the church for help, but not accept it from David.)
How the diner went from a successful business to a failing one is never explained. Is Lily that bad of a business owner? Were her menu experiments breaking the bank (could the money for that have been used elsewhere in the business--advertising perhaps)?
There were just a few too many nagging questions at the beginning--and though I enjoyed the other characters, it just made it tough to rate the story as more than average.
This was truly a great story. Lilly struggling just to feed her kids and keep her small diner open, had her working in both directions. David came in one morning to the dinner. He had seen Lilly walking up the street the day before, with her kids, and it was really cold outside. She serve him hot chocolate and toast. He smiled at her, knowing he had to hurry to work. When she picked up the money for his meal, he had put a note in there, telling her to take the tip he left and go get her kids some heavy coats. He left $100 for her. This was just the beginning of David finding happiness past his wife’s death. Great story, you will enjoy this one.
David is the president of an ad agency in New York and moves to a small town in New York after the loss of his wife hoping to escape the memories and pressure of running a business. Lily is struggling to raise her children and running her family’s diner. The local church pastor suggests that David volunteer at the church by ringing the bells. David sees Lily at church and meets her at the diner. David is smitten with her and leaves her a large tip. Lily had an abusive husband who died in jail leaving her to struggle with the diner. I really enjoyed this wonderful contemporary women's fiction novel.
Lily and David met in passing and he noticed the condition of her children's coats. When she was his server at the diner, he tipped her extravagantly including a note to buy something for her kids. Aww...
Things don't stay sweet and cute, though. They have a lot to deal with before even trying for a HEA. Lily was so prideful and falsely labeled a gold-digger in the press after they are seen together.
The story is well written. The wealthy guy throws his money around, but mostly for necessities and not extravagances. (Sorry, pet peeve.) Aside from the extreme wealth on one side and extreme poverty on the other, the characters are relatable.
This is such a beautiful story of starting over and letting people in. Lily was trying to keep her diner running a raise her two children but it was not easy. The debts kept piling up and she was skimping on everything at home to keep the business running. David was getting over the death of his wife and running his business. He moved out of the city to avoid reporters. But he met Lily and her children and fell hard.
I read to the 85% point, before I gave up. You’d think, by that point, I would be too invested in a story to just walk away. Not so, here. It just went on and on, going nowhere. Then we get to the wife, killed in a car accident, fleeing paparazzi. Where have I heard that before? Desperately needs an editor. A little chemistry between the H and h wouldn’t hurt anything, either. All in all, not a favorite, and one I’m not likely to recommend.
Does not come in a bottle, as some people think. It comes from and in the heart. In this heart-warming novel, two injured souls find each other and make things right for others as well as themselves. Recommended for all who love Christmas, children, and true love.
A sort of rags to riches story. I like how Lily is so responsible and dies things right. Her issue with pride needed to be addressed as her whole family suffers due to her inability to receive. Apart from that, it was a good story. Loved the kids. Ann was an outstandingly good friend. Glad things worked out in the end.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It was a very clean loving second chance at love story and it was good. If you just want a heartwarming sweet read this is it. As always....Enjoy.
A very sweet story that will warm your heart and make you believe in the season. The book will really hit home especially if you have ever gone thru trials personally. Wonderful read, any time of year.
I highly recommend this book, it was very exciting from beginning to end. Not disappointing me, making making each page more interesting. With God’s love, a very happy ending for all, A must read,
First time reading this Author and I can honestly say I will be reading more by her! This story was sweet and full of emotion full of real life struggles and real life love. I was very touched and captivated by this read I truly enjoyed reading this book