Jenn McKinlay - The Christmas Keeper (Happily Ever After)

Happily Ever After Romances

THE GOOD ONES

THE CHR ISTMAS KEEPER

Bluff Point Romances

ABOU T A DOG

BARKING UP T HE WRONG TREE

EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY

Cupcake Bakery Mysteries

SP RINKLE WITH MURDER

B UTTERCREAM BUMP OFF

DEATH BY THE DOZEN

RED VELVET REVENGE

GOING, GOING, GANACHE

SUGAR AND IC ED

DARK CHOCOLATE DE MISE

VANILLA BEANED

CARAMEL CRUSH

WEDDIN G CAKE CRUMBLE

DYING FOR DEVILS FOOD

Library Lovers Mysteries

BOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING

DUE OR DIE

BOOK, LIN E, AND SINKER

READ IT AND WEEP

ON BORROWE D TIME

A LIKELY STOR Y

BETTER LATE THAN N EVER

DEATH IN THE ST ACKS

HITTING THE BOO KS

WORD TO THE WISE

Hat Shop Mysteries

CLOCHE AND DAGGER

DEATH OF A MAD HA TTER

AT THE DROP OF A HAT

COPY CAP MURDE R

ASSAULT AND BERET

This was such a fun book to write, and I had so many people help it come into being that Im hoping I dont forget anyone. So here goes. I am very fortunate to have a plot group that gleefully helps me rewrite and revise my ideas until Ive sufficiently tortured my characters. Hugs and high fives to Kate Carlisle and Paige Shelton! They are both brilliant authors, and I feel very lucky to call them my friends.

Also, I so appreciate the enthusiasm of my editor, associate editor, and agentKate Seaver, Sarah Blumenstock, and Christina Hogrebewho cheer me along through the entire process, from the original idea all the way to the finished book. I swear I could not get there without the three of you. Special thanks to the team at Berkley, who are amazing at making all the stuff happen: Jessica Mangicaro, Fareeda Bullert, Tara OConnor, Brittanie Black, Katie Anderson, and Stacy Anderson.

Special thanks to my friend author Beth Kendrick (who is also a doctor), whose brilliance helped me to understand how to write about head traumas accurately. Any mistakes are mine, all mine!

Lastly, to my famthe Hub and the Hooligansthank you so much for making every day a laughter-filled adventure. Truly, I am so blessed to have you three in my life. But also, thank you for Maktao, Shukuru, and Esampu. When I asked for an elephant for my birthday, well, you three certainly delivered, and I am now the foster mama of these babies at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Watching their shenanigans on Instagram has brought me great joy!

For anyone interested, there are amazing groups out there supporting wildlife, and I urge you to find an organization with a solid reputation that will allow you to foster an animal in need (Hub got to name a sea turtle for his birthday). There really is no greater feeling in the world than to know youre making a difference, even if its just a little one.

Happy holidays and happy reading, everyone!

Chapter One

She had never believed in love. Maybe for others but not for her. But then he smiled at her and it was as if shed found a piece of herself that she didnt know was missing. When he took her in his arms and held her close, she knew that for the first time in her life, she was home.

S AVANNAH Wilson closed the book and sighed. No one, but no one, wrote a love story that hit her in all the feels like Destiny Swann did. The woman plucked her heartstrings like a virtuoso playing a sonata.

Savy, come on, Maisy Kelly said as she entered the room. She slapped Savannahs feet off the coffee table, grabbed her arm, and hauled her up to stand, which was no small feat given that Maisy was the short side of petite and Savannah was more Amazonian in height and build.

Im reading, Savannah said. She held up her book. Isnt that sacred time? You own a bookstore; I would think you of all people would respect that.

Maisy glanced at the book. Then she crossed her hands over her heart and said, Oh, Her One and Only, thats one of my favorite Destiny Swann books. I totally get it, I do, but youre my sous-chef, and I need you in the kitchen. Besides, you shouldnt be hiding in the parlor when we have a house full of people coming for Thanksgiving dinner.

Im not hiding. Im just not very good company right now, Savannah said. She tossed the book onto the coffee table.

Work stuff? Maisy asked. She tipped her head to the side and studied Savy through the black-framed rectangular glasses she always wore.

Yes, but its not about the bookstore. Its stuff about my old job in New York, and I dont want to talk about it, Savy said. Thus, the book.

Escapism 101?

Im getting an A, she said. Although, Swann does set the bar pretty high in the hero department. I mean what man could possibly live up to Tag McAllister? Hes smart, kind, devoted to his grandmother, and completely swoon-worthy.