Stuck in a loveless marriage, Jaclyn Wentworth’s world shatters when she finds her husband’s truck outside a one of Nevada’s legal houses of prostitution.  Married after high school and raising three children, Jaclyn has reached her breaking point and files for divorce.  One year later, Jaclyn is struggling to survive.  Her husband, with his wealthy family supporting him, has to pay very little child support, so Jaclyn has been making a meager salary waitressing—until she is reunited with a man that will change her life, Cole Perrini.

Cole was the bad boy in high school, teased for being “trailer trash”, but Cole never gave up.  Years later, he owns a thriving business in real estate development along with his two younger brothers.  Cole has been in love with Jaclyn since high school, and he cannot help but offer the struggling single mom a job.  The problem is he has no job openings.  Before long, Cole finds his world turned upside down.  Jaclyn has reorganized his office, she is cooking his dinner, and he is falling madly in love with her.  Amidst children whose father ignores them for his partying, Jaclyn’s ex in-laws, who are determined to portray Cole as a worthless man, and the wild stories that haunt Cole, will the scandal from his past keep Jaclyn out of his arms forever?  When Jaclyn’s ex father-in-law threatens to sue for custody of the children if they do not stop dating, will Jaclyn’s chances for a life of her own ever be a reality?  Finally, when Christmas comes around, will Jaclyn’s children get the best present ever—the father they so desperately need?

Ms. Novak has long been one of my favorite authors.  Colorful, well-developed characters, a warm, cozy storyline, and wonderfully painted settings all weave into a gem of a story.  Despite the tense moments throughout the story, you just know that something magical will happen.