Sunday, December 29, 2019

A Mistletoe Kiss for the Single Dad - Traci Douglass (HMED #1062 - Oct 2019)


Second chance…

…under the mistletoe!

GP Nick Marlowe returned to his hometown to focus on raising his young son. The last person he expects to see in Bayside is high-flying Beverly Hills surgeon Belle! The childhood sweetheart he'd let go so she could pursue her dream of attending medical school. Only, now they're working side by side to reopen her late aunt's free Christmas Eve clinic, their magical connection returns… Could a mistletoe kiss spark another chance -- just in time for Christmas?

Good second chance romance. Nick and Belle were childhood friends and then high school sweethearts. Belle, who orphaned young and raised by her aunt, wanted to become a doctor like her parents and aunt. Nick also planned to be a doctor. Nick was afraid that being in a relationship with him would distract Belle from her goals, so he broke up with her, breaking both of their hearts. Belle went on to become a plastic surgeon in California, while Nick became a pediatric surgeon in Atlanta.

Moving ahead eighteen years, Belle is back in town for her aunt's funeral. She and Nick have not stayed in touch and are stunned to discover that they share an inheritance from Belle's aunt - equal ownership in her medical clinic. Marlene's last wish is that they run her annual Christmas Eve free clinic one more time. Nick is all for it, but Belle is resistant. She only has three days before she's supposed to return to Beverly Hills, her patients, and her upcoming partnership. She finally agrees but doesn't plan to spend any more time than necessary with Nick.

Belle irritated me at the beginning. I thought her big-time success had gone to her head. But as I got to know her, I realized that she was trying to protect herself from the feelings that being around Nick again stirred up. There was actually a kind, warm-hearted woman under that polished exterior. Nick was a terrific guy, but he had his own burdens. After his wife's death, he moved back to Michigan, looking for a better place to raise his son. He's carrying a load of guilty feelings, which are exhibited in his overprotectiveness around Connor.

I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Nick and Belle. As they work together to prepare the clinic, they discover that the sparks between them are still there. Talking about the past helped them move forward and see each other for who they are now. Besides the time they spend together at the clinic, Belle and Nick also spend free time together, alone and with Connor. I liked seeing the changes that both Nick and Belle experienced. Belle began to realize that there was more to life than she had allowed herself to experience. Nick also accepts that he's been lonely and wonders if he can keep his vow as a father and still have a life of his own. I ached for Belle and Nick as he panicked over an accident and pulled away. Both he and Belle have life-changing decisions to make, decisions that don't come easily. I especially liked Belle's self-examination and her attitude about her decision. I liked the conversation that Nick and Connor had and the effect it had on Nick. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic.
 

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