by: Katie Mettner
Series: Bells Pass
Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Release Date: November 1, 2022
Indigo Dickson
Age: 27
Looks: Short, curvy, and jet-black hair with eyes to rival her name
Favorite Food: Gumdrops
Status: It’s complicated
Lance Garland
Age: 28
Looks: Tall, dark, and handsome, with the saddest brown eyes in Bells Pass
Favorite Food: The Lancenator
Status: It’s beyond complicated
Lance Garland and Indigo Dickson can’t be dating disasters if they refuse to date. They’ve caught on to the Legend of the Bells Pass Gazebo, and this Christmas, they’re steering clear of it. Until Lance suffers a devastating loss and looks to Indigo to help him through the holiday season. Complicated doesn’t begin to describe their relationship, but old misunderstandings and damaged pride stop them from admitting the truth—they’re perfect for each other. The townspeople of Bells Pass know they’ll need all of Santa’s magic to prove it to these childhood friends before the clock strikes twelve on December twenty-fifth.
Gumdrops and Garland is the first book I’ve read by Katie Mettner. It’s the sixth book in the Bells Pass series. I read an excerpt from the book and knew that this was going to be a special story.
Gumdrops and Garland is a friends to enemies to friends to lovers romance. It’s one of those stories that will burrow itself into your heart. The story is heartwarming while at times being heartbreaking. Tissues are definitely required.
Lance Garland and Indigo Dickson grew up in Bells Pass. They have known each other since elementary school. Through the years they became friends, then frenemies, and eventually just managed to tolerate each other.
As a result of an accident when he was twelve, Lance suffered a traumatic brain injury, which changed the course of his life. The extent of which is a closely held secret. He often relied on his mother when it came to certain things. Unfortunately, Lance’s mom unexpectedly passes away and Lance has to learn a new normal. This is where the story starts. Christmas was his mother’s favorite time of year and Lance has no idea how he’s going to get through it without her. When Indigo needs a place to stay, Lance offers up his home. In return, Indigo decides to help get Lance through the Christmas holiday and work with him on doing the traditions he used to do with his mother.
Over the course of the story, readers learn more about Lance and Indigo’s past, as well as their hopes, dreams, and fears. The story is told in first person, which makes it more real. The downside is that Lance and Indigo take turns giving their perspectives, with no indication of who is actually speaking. At times, this was a little confusing. Gumdrops and Garland is a story that I will always remember. At its core, this is a story of found family and learning to believe in yourself. It should be noted that the story deals with abuse, grief, and the death of a parent. Hopefully, there are more books in this series. If not, at least I get to go back and read the other books. I’m excited to have found a new Christmas romance author in Katie Mettner.
“You can ask for help when you need it.”
“Always go to your friends. There might be a solution right in front of your eyes.”
“A little at a time will get the job done.”
“It’s easier to be who I am, even if someone doesn’t like me, than it is to be someone I’m not.”
“Everything is easier with a friend.”
“Your life is scattered and complicated until you’re with the person meant for you.”
“A mother’s love is constant and all consuming.”
“You deserve a lot more than you think you do.”
“Time marches on, but there is always hope in a new day.”
“I don’t have to be the person my family thinks I am. I can be the person I actually am.”
“You’re so much more than you believe.”
“They say a cardinal appears when your loved one is near.”
“Life is hard enough. We don’t need to give time or space to people who make it harder.”
“As long as we work together, we’ll get through this crazy, wonderful life with happiness.”
“Life happens when you least expect it.”
**Received a paperback copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a digital copy. **
Rating: 4.5
Katie Mettner writes small-town romantic tales filled with epic love stories and happily-ever-afters. She proudly wears the title of, ‘the only person to lose her leg after falling down the bunny hill,’ and loves decorating her prosthetic with the latest fashion trends. She lives in Northern Wisconsin with her own happily-ever-after and three mini-mes. Katie has a massive addiction to coffee and Twitter, and a lessening aversion to Pinterest — now that she’s quit trying to make the things she pins.
Age: 28
Looks: Tall, dark, and handsome, with the saddest brown eyes in Bells Pass
Favorite Food: The Lancenator
Status: It’s beyond complicated
Lance Garland and Indigo Dickson can’t be dating disasters if they refuse to date. They’ve caught on to the Legend of the Bells Pass Gazebo, and this Christmas, they’re steering clear of it. Until Lance suffers a devastating loss and looks to Indigo to help him through the holiday season. Complicated doesn’t begin to describe their relationship, but old misunderstandings and damaged pride stop them from admitting the truth—they’re perfect for each other. The townspeople of Bells Pass know they’ll need all of Santa’s magic to prove it to these childhood friends before the clock strikes twelve on December twenty-fifth.
Gumdrops and Garland is a friends to enemies to friends to lovers romance. It’s one of those stories that will burrow itself into your heart. The story is heartwarming while at times being heartbreaking. Tissues are definitely required.
Lance Garland and Indigo Dickson grew up in Bells Pass. They have known each other since elementary school. Through the years they became friends, then frenemies, and eventually just managed to tolerate each other.
As a result of an accident when he was twelve, Lance suffered a traumatic brain injury, which changed the course of his life. The extent of which is a closely held secret. He often relied on his mother when it came to certain things. Unfortunately, Lance’s mom unexpectedly passes away and Lance has to learn a new normal. This is where the story starts. Christmas was his mother’s favorite time of year and Lance has no idea how he’s going to get through it without her. When Indigo needs a place to stay, Lance offers up his home. In return, Indigo decides to help get Lance through the Christmas holiday and work with him on doing the traditions he used to do with his mother.
Over the course of the story, readers learn more about Lance and Indigo’s past, as well as their hopes, dreams, and fears. The story is told in first person, which makes it more real. The downside is that Lance and Indigo take turns giving their perspectives, with no indication of who is actually speaking. At times, this was a little confusing. Gumdrops and Garland is a story that I will always remember. At its core, this is a story of found family and learning to believe in yourself. It should be noted that the story deals with abuse, grief, and the death of a parent. Hopefully, there are more books in this series. If not, at least I get to go back and read the other books. I’m excited to have found a new Christmas romance author in Katie Mettner.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“You can ask for help when you need it.”
“Always go to your friends. There might be a solution right in front of your eyes.”
“A little at a time will get the job done.”
“It’s easier to be who I am, even if someone doesn’t like me, than it is to be someone I’m not.”
“Everything is easier with a friend.”
“Your life is scattered and complicated until you’re with the person meant for you.”
“A mother’s love is constant and all consuming.”
“You deserve a lot more than you think you do.”
“Time marches on, but there is always hope in a new day.”
“I don’t have to be the person my family thinks I am. I can be the person I actually am.”
“You’re so much more than you believe.”
“They say a cardinal appears when your loved one is near.”
“Life is hard enough. We don’t need to give time or space to people who make it harder.”
“As long as we work together, we’ll get through this crazy, wonderful life with happiness.”
“Life happens when you least expect it.”
**Received a paperback copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a digital copy. **
Rating: 4.5
Purchase Gumdrops and Garland from:
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The Bells Pass Series:
You can view Lance’s Hero Profile and read an excerpt from Gumdrops and Garland here.
Places to find Katie Mettner:
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Kim! I'm so glad you enjoyed Lance and Indigo's story. It was a personal one for me that I've wanted to tell for a long time. There is one more to come this year!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm definitely looking forward to returning to Bell Pass.
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