Christmas Means Giving

Olivia Berg has dedicated her life to the charity founded by her grandmother. The charity has been helping Pine River families in need for generations at Christmas, but now there’s a shortage of funds. It’s worse because Hightower Enterprizes, usually a major donor, is cutting back this year. Guy Hightower thinks this is an appropriate move. Hightower is having financial problems. He doesn’t see why Olivia can’t understand this.

Olivia can’t understand because to her giving is the most important part of Christmas. Then fate throws them together. Guy's car breaks down near Pine River, he’s delighted to be rescued by a pretty young woman until he finds out it’s Olivia. He can’t let her find out who he is.

When Guy can’t get a room at the inn, Olivia offers him a place to stay. Getting to know Olivia and her father, Guy finds he quite likes her, but he’s keeping a secret of who he is.

This book has a good story line, but I found the characters lacking. Olivia is overbearing and curt. Guy seems to find her attractive, but the relationship didn’t ring true to me. Plus he keeps letting the secret of his identity go on for what seems too long.

I did like the focus on the importance of giving, but I thought Olivia’s character could have done a better job of making the point if she had been less abrasive.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.