In the first book in the Mystery Christmas series, sheriff deputy Wyatt Fitzgerald has to notify the Johansen family about the loss of a loved one. He hates that part of his job, but his connection to the Johansens makes his task even more difficult. Though they’ve lived in the same little town for years, he hasn’t had any contact with Gwen, his old high school girlfriend, and he’s still in love with her. When he tells Gwen and her emotionally damaged, alcoholic mother that her sister is dead, the rift between them slowly starts to mend.
Gwen Johansen broke Wyatt’s heart back in school, and she’s never quite got over him. When they’re thrust together to try and find her sister’s killer, old sparks fly and she wonders if she made the right choice back then to end things. When the killer targets her mother and a friend from town, Gwen knows she and Wyatt are close to finding the killer. When the killer targets Gwen, Wyatt is prepared to drop everything he’s ever worked for to keep her safe, but will it be enough?
I really enjoyed this story. Gwen and Wyatt have a lot of chemistry, but old hurt feelings and the fear of being hurt again kept putting the stops on their newfound relationship. They both have family problems, especially Gwen with her mother, and trust issues when it comes to relationships. They’re both strong, stubborn characters and their personalities meshed.
For readers who like sweet but sensual stories, you should pick this one up. The language is clean and the sex is tame. There’s a plot line not tied up, but it carries over into the next book. This story ends with a HEA. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
5 Stars

Disclaimer – I volunteered to read and review this book. Thank you, Danica Winters, for sending me a print copy. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
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Good start to the new series. Wyatt is called to his family's ranch to investigate a suspicious death and to notify the victim's next of kin. Unfortunately for him, there is some history with that next of kin. Gwen is his ex-girlfriend, plus her mother still blames Wyatt's family for the death of her husband on the Fitzgerald ranch. Gwen is devastated by her sister's death but puts her grief aside to help Wyatt investigate Bianca's death.

I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Wyatt and Gwen. They had been high school sweethearts until Gwen broke things off, not because she didn't love him but because she loved him too much. She believed that he was better off without her. Wyatt went off to the city to pursue his dreams and has only recently returned to Mystery. Though they live in a small town, he and Gwen have managed to avoid each other until now. Both are surprised to discover that the attraction between them is still alive. Wyatt is wary of getting his heart broken again, and Gwen isn't so sure that she deserves another chance. There were times when I wanted to shake them both, as they contemplated past mistakes and dreams I wanted them to talk to each other not just think about it. Eventually, the sparks started to burn away the walls between them and they began to realize that they belonged together.

The suspense of the story was very good. It's clear from the beginning that Bianca had known the person who killed her and it's up to Wyatt and Gwen to figure it out. As they delved into Bianca's life, Wyatt and Gwen discovered that Bianca had had more secrets than either had known. Each secret that they uncover leads to more questions. Did her murder have to do with her affair with a married man? There is definitely something off about the man, but is he capable of murder? Could it be his wife, tired of his philandering ways? Or is there someone else with a grudge against her? I loved seeing Wyatt and Gwen work together through each step, coming closer and closer to discovering who it is. The final revelation comes as a bit of a surprise, and while the mystery is solved there are still some things left unresolved. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. ( )