Mariana Vasquez has always adored the historic waterfront Brampton Mansion, but the beloved building has succumbed to years of neglect. When Baltimore City inherits it, there's only one chance to keep it from being demolished. Mariana plans to earn the mansion a second chance and the money to pay for its upkeep with a designer Christmas showcase.
A mix-up on Scott Ashford’s last renovation job has shaken his confidence and harmed his business. He needs a fresh project and great publicity to caulk over his disgrace. Donating his expertise to save a historic property sounds perfect…except the opportunity is dangled by an old friend. Well, ex-friend, since he abandoned her ten years ago…
Mariana has too much pride to ask Scott to return to Baltimore for her, but she’s desperate enough to ask him to come back to save the mansion. There’s barely time to finish all the restorations, so Mariana’s sure she won’t have any time to fall for Scott again. But maybe the mansion isn’t the only thing that deserves a second chance this Christmas…
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What I thought about The Christmas Project
It's always a treat to catch up with some holiday romance during November and December -- especially when the stories have a little holiday magic. In The Christmas Project, Mariana Vasquez is in trouble with the historical renovation she's managing. It could mean dire consequences if she doesn't get the project completed on time. The one person she can think of to help finish the project is probably the last person she'd want to see under normal circumstances.
Scott Ashford is established as a highly sought-after historical renovation expert in New York City. Ten years ago, he left Mariana unexpectedly, dashing her hopes that they would be partners in work, and maybe in love, too. But after the way he left her, she's not eager to open herself up to that sort of heartache again -- but she'd love to know why he left when he did.
With Scott's expertise on board, Mariana has more time to examine just what happened between them ten years ago in between handling the usual catastrophes of electrical and missing materials. The Christmas Project is a sweet second chance romance holiday story that I found entertaining and interesting.
I really liked the fact that Scott and Mariana were serious about their chosen professions and some of the decisions they made were based on what was best for their career rather than what was in their hearts. I suspect that many career-minded reader can relate to this situation -- I know I did and it was what kept me reading.
It takes most of this novella for Scott and Mariana to put aside pride and guilt and really talk to each other about their feelings, but when it happens it's just so doggone wonderful. Scott is terrific. I really liked his easy-going attitude. Mariana has a bit more to work through, namely a ten year old broken heart, so it takes some time for her to see that she's got another chance at happiness.
Things do happen very quickly at the end and I wished for a little more build-up to the big moment, but it didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the story.
So if you are looking for a second chance holiday romance between two career minded professionals, The Christmas Project might be just right for you, too.
A complementary copy was received from the publisher. This is my honest review.
About the Author
It is exciting to be able to share her love of the theatre with the world through her writing. Plus, her parents are thrilled that - in some fashion - she's still getting use out of her master's in music. She lives in Maryland with the absolutely best husband in the world (sorry ladies, it's true!).
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