Home for the Holidays    by Lisa Plumley Order:  USA  Can Zebra, 2008 (2008) Paperback, e-Book Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Martina Bexte Rachel Porter hasn't been back home in years. She's been perfectly content living in Hollywood and pursuing her very successful career. But when her celebrity stylist status suffers a major setback, she's determined to avoid the fallout generated by her many unhappy clients. What better place to hide out and regroup than in her little Michigan hometown? Kismet is cute as a Christmas postcard and the last place on Earth anyone would expect to find Rachel. Reno Wright may have been a major star for a championship NFL football team, but he's never let the distinction go to his head. After retirement, he heads home to Kismet and opens a successful sports shop. When he's not running The Wright Stuff, he's busy helping anyone in need, whether it's shovelling his elderly neighbour's walk or agreeing to pick up Rachel Porter from the airport. Despite having been a few years ahead of Rachel in high school, Reno has no trouble recalling the vivacious and popular girl who, even then, had always walked a path all her own. Little wonder she headed for the Hollywood hills the minute she graduated. Nice guy that he is, Reno even agrees to play matchmaker for his best friend Nate, after he confesses that he'd always had a thing for Rachel. But once Reno realizes that Rachel might be the perfect girl for him, he decides it's time to quit being Mr. Nice Guy and let Nate find his own girl. In Home for the Holidays Lisa Plumley proves that she has a real knack when it comes to writing feel good stories. Initially Rachel comes across as unsympathetic, a woman unapologetically bitten by the Hollywood bug, and sometimes rather annoying. Naturally, Reno, as well as family and friends, help her understand that glitz, glamour and fame are fleeting and that the really important things in life are right there in Kismet waiting for her. A lively secondary storyline involving Reno's sister will also keep you chuckling as divorcée Angela tries dipping her toe into the dating pool once again. If you're in the mood for a fun-filled contemporary romance oozing with seasonal charm, appealing characters, and amusing moments, then Home for the Holidays is just what Santa ordered. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews