Welcome to Serenity Sherryl Woods

Welcome to Serenity
Sherryl Woods
Published: Harlequin Mira
Date: 2008
Format: Paperback
Pages: 408
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Own book

When Jeanette Brioche helped launch The Corner Spa in Serenity, South Carolina, she found a whole lot more than professional satisfaction. She discovered the deep and loyal friendships that had been missing from her life. But even the Sweet Magnolias can't mend the terrible rift between Jeanette and her family or persuade her that the holidays are anything more than a season of misery.Pushed into working on the town's much-loved annual Christmas festival, Jeanette teams up with the sexy new town manager. Tom McDonald may be the only person in Serenity who's less enthused about family and the holidays than she is.

But with tree decorations going up on the town square and a bit of romance in the air, Jeanette and Tom take a fresh look at the past and a hopeful look into the future. Together they discover that this just may be a season of miracles after all.

Welcome to Serenity is #4 in Sherryl Woods' Meddling Sweet Magnolia series.  This one was every bit as enjoyable as the previous books and for all the same reasons.  A small town group of people who on the whole get on well together, support each other and are there when it counts.

Jeanette works at the spa and it is her turn to find someone to love.  She has a sad background that has caused a rift from her parents, not of her making, but due to circumstance and illness.  She is not the quiet retiring type though, if someone steps on her toes she can deal with it and speak her mind.

Tom who is new to town has family issues too.  While he comes from a wealthy background he wants to make his own way and choose his own work.  This doesn't please his parents, especially his Mom, who is a little bit of a snob - which is putting it mildly.

With the help of Dana Sue, Maddie and Helen - all in the background of course - Jeanette and Tom begin to form a relationship with all the ups and downs along the way.  Tom is very keen, Jeanette a little more reluctant and dubious.  She sees Tom has having bigger ideas than Serenity and she does not want to leave the place.

As well we have a smaller story of Mary Vaughn and Sonny.  The were divorced ten years ago because Sonny didn't want to be second best in Mary Vaughn's eyes.  Now as time goes by, Mary Vaughn is beginning to see things differently, and she is also appreciative of the friendship forming between her and Jeanette.

Another enjoyable read in the series, I plan to read through most of the books in the series by the end of the year - I came to these books by reading #10 Swan Point!