Customer Reviews

We Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Harlequin Superromance No. 1021)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After all the counseling sessions, promises and confessions, Jaclyn thought she and her husband had a chance of healing of their marriage; that is, until she found Terry's truck parked in the dimly lit parking lot of one of Nevada's legalized houses of prostitution. With three young children in the car and a broken heart, Jaclyn left a clear message behind when she pulled out of the parking lot. Terry had four slashed tires.

A year later and the divorce is at last final. But Terry's wealthy father and a legion of lawyers insured joint custody, lousy child support and no spousal maintenance. Since she married Terry straight out of high school, Jaclyn lacks education and experience, but not determination as she proves by long hours as a waitress. Then Cole Perrini shows up at the diner, reminding her of everything she'd like to forget. Too bad his sticking up for her results in unemployment.

Cole likewise would like to forget the small town where he and Jaclyn attending high school. He'd like to forget the responsibility of raising his younger brothers in a trailer where his mother lay dying and his father was always at work. Years of hunger and sacrifice, and failed marriage, insured he never wanted a wife and children. So he's not sure what he's doing hiring her, or later having dinner with Jaclyn and her children.

Once again the talented pen of Brenda Novak creates a heart-warming tale just in time for the holiday season in WE SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS. I can't help admiring a heroine with enough gumption to slice her husband's tires and work as waitress rather than keeping a comfortable life. With the characteristic painful situations of divorce and financial survival, Novak's tale is steeped in realism, yet balanced with hope. Cole's overwhelming responsibilities in his youth make him a likewise appealing character. Another terrific hit from this author, WE SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS comes highly recommended.

From the back cover:

What they want for Christmas is a daddy!

Jaclyn Wentworth is on her own with three little kids. She used to be married to the golden boy--former golden boy--of their small Nevada town. The marriage was a disaster because her ex-husband never grew up. And he sure wasn't much of a daddy.

Now Jaclyn's living in Reno. And who, of all people, does she run into there but Cole Perrini, bad boy of Feld, Nevada. Former bad boy. He was her ex-husband's opposite in every way--and he still is. Because Cole's made good in every sense of the word.

Will Jaclyn and her children get the husband and father they deserve? Not a Scrooge, but a Santa!

And my review:

This book started off really well. Not many Harlequins can capture my interest so completely, but this one did. I was soon devouring it.

Until I got the the middle. One of the reasons Jaclyn left her ex-husband was because he cheated on her. Yet Cole, the ex's supposed opposite, cheated on his first wife too! His excuse? It was at the end when they both knew it was over. I don't care! Cheating is cheating! As long as you are still married, you do not touch another woman. Would he cheat on Jaclyn when he feels the love has died in their relationship? Barf! I cannot cheer for a cheating hero. Why should I be expected to want Jaclyn to get together with a man who did the exact same thing to his first wife as Jaclyn's loser ex-husband did to her? That would be STUPID!

I quit reading after this point. I know not everyone will feel the same way as I do about this, but I felt I had to warn others who like the characters they read about to have high moral standards.

This is the book that started it for me. I saw it at Christmastime years ago and was fascinated by the cover and title, seemed like a fun holiday read. That it was, and I've been buying EVERYTHING Brenda writes ever since. The plot has pretty much been done before, but Brenda made it feel new and alive. This is also a good gift to give during the holiday season. Anyone who enjoys romance novels is sure to enjoy this one!

A very exciting book. Novak really has a way with her characters. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Everyone figured former Feld, Nevada high school prom queen Jaclyn had it made when she married Terry Wentworth just after graduation because his father Burt owned the town. Over the next twelve years they have three children, but Terry never grows up as daddy continues to take care of every misdeed his son does.

Terry's numerous infidelities, including his latest trip to Maxine's whorehouse, leads Jaclyn to file for divorce. Burt hires the top lawyers around and gains joint custody of his grandchildren, no spousal payments, and a small stipend for child care. Jaclyn can barely make it, but is in real trouble when she loses her waitressing job in a Reno restaurant. She turns to former Feld resident Cole Perrini for a job. Though he does not need an unskilled employee, successful developer Cole hires Jaclyn as an office assistant. As Cole and Jaclyn begin to fall in love, Terry and Burt use the children to cause mischief. However the biggest barrier to a permanent relationship remains the demons left from Jaclyn and Cole's first marriages.

WE SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS is a powerful and exciting relationship drama that stars an incredible female whose guts make the tale hum. Though the behavior of Burt and Terry towards the well being of their respective children/grandchildren seems fictitious, a social worker neighbor informs me that is the unbelievable reality. The three children and Cole's brothers add depth to Brenda Novak's Yuletide gift to fans of contemporary relationship dramas. These same readers will also demand the story of Cole's brother and the "too young" college coed comes soon.

Harriet Klausner