BOOK REVIEW- Christmas with the Sheriff (Shadow Creek, Montana Book 1) by Victoria James

After fleeing her beloved small town five years ago, Julia Bailey is back to spend Christmas with her family. Returning is hard, but keeping the devastating secret about her late husband is even harder. Her place isn't in Big Sky Country any longer...but the more time she spends with the irresistible Sheriff who saved her once before, and his adorable little daughter, the more Julia starts wishing she could let go of the past and start a new life.

Single dad and county Sheriff Chase Donovan had been secretly in love with his best friend's wife for years. But after her traumatic loss he knew Julia needed to get away from Shadow Creek, even though helping her leave was the last thing he wanted to do. Now she's home and he doesn't intend to lose her a second time. Chase is going to prove to Julia just how good they can be together this Christmas...and forever.  AMAZON 3.5 STARS

This was a sweet story with really good main characters.  Main characters that had gone through a boat load of heartache too. So there was a bitter sweet element to the story too.  Maggie ( who is Chase's daughter)  added some sweet but spunky flavor to the story too.   She made me smile more than a time or two.  And what a great relationship she had with her father.  He wasn't perfect  especially when it came to girly things but he did try.

It was a great community of people too and some of the best people were Julia's ins-laws.  Her late husband, Michael's parents were the best and still loved her like another daughter. 

The patient love that Chase had for Julia was so well drawn, that it just made you want to see that rewarded.  Julia needed to stop running but I could see why she was. She was terrified to put her heart out there again.

I liked the ending but would have like to have the Epilogue added.  I see that you can get that Epilogue if you sign up for the author's newsletter.  I'm not a fan of doing things that way even though there is a bonus when you sign up with being able to read for free, "Sweet Surrender."