12 Days of Mandy Reno: First Line Friday Review

Welcome to my First Line Friday review of 12 Days of Mandy Reno by Regina Rudd Merrick. Yes, I know, I’m a few days late, but since Hallmark is still showing Christmas movies, I can still review a Christmas book.

First things first. This is not the first in the Renovations series by Regina Rudd Merrick and published by Scrivenings Press, but that’s okay. You don’t have to have read any of the others to follow what’s happening in this one. I know because it’s my first one in this series.  Now, on to the review.

First Line: “The festive mug crashing to the vintage black-and-white tiled floor of the Clementville Café was the last straw.”

12 Days of Mandy Reno Review: I’ve read books and watched many Christmas movies that use “The 12 Days of Christmas” to drive their plot. Most take a very literal view of the many gifts true love gives. This author uses a little imagination to make the gifts fresh and still pay homage to the original lyrics. And in this case, Mandy Reno’s true love isn’t giving her the gifts. In fact, she doesn’t have anyone that comes close to qualifying as her true love. Truth is, she’s lost her Christmas spirit. I love that her brother’s friend from their school years sees her struggle and wants nothing more than to see her smile for the holidays. Hence the plan.

Clay’s just being a friend. At least that’s how his secret giving begins. It’s fun watching his feelings go from friend’s sibling to friend to wanting more through his secret quest to bring Mandy joy. And with all the time Mandy is spending around Clay, her feelings grow stronger too. The author did a great job creating that slow growing and still exciting realization of changing feelings. She’s also done a great job of planting the seeds of doubt to keep pages turning until the end. Will she accept his love when the time to reveal himself arrives or are his feelings completely misplaced? Will the revealing of her gift-giver bring disappointment when Mandy comes to realize it may not be the one she wants for her true love?

With small town life perfectly portrayed, right down to everyone knowing everyone’s business in the most loving way, the author has created a story worthy of a Hallmark Christmas movie. It’s a sweet, easy, fun read that’s perfect to begin (or end) your holiday reading. I give it five stars.

Get your copy of 12 Days of Mandy Reno.