A Midnight Clear: A Short Story by Hope Ramsey

Dr. Tom Crawford isn't feeling the spirit of the season when he arrives in Last Chance. Far from friends and family, he's the odd man out in this town of gossiping, tight-knit Southerners-until he meets a sweetly sexy single mom who makes him feel welcome. Suddenly the handsome doctor is thinking he's finally found a place to call home.

 

Local florist Teri Summers has her hands full of mistletoe in preparation for the holiday, yet finding someone to kiss is her last priority. But when the gorgeous new doctor makes a connection with her special needs son, Aiden, Teri finds herself wondering if she's finally found happiness in this season of joy. For Teri and Tom, Last Chance may be their best chance at love.

 

Series: Last Chance | Publisher: Forever Yours | Release Date: December 1, 2015 | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4



This is the second romance by Hope Ramsey that I’ve read. The first was actually a Christmas short story as well but, sadly, while it was such a good read, it left me wanting more. I was a little worried when I picked this one up for review but the blurb intrigued me and I’m so glad that I gave A Midnight Clear a chance.

 

Here’s what’s going on. Tom’s the towns new doctor from Boston and the residents of the small Southern town of Last Chance, South Carolina refuse to see him as anything other than an incompetent Yankee. When he meets single-mother and local florist, Teri, and her special needs son, Aiden, there’s a connection and he wants to explore more of it. Although Terri’s hesitant, she has her son to look after and she doesn’t want to take her attention from him yet she’s drawn to Tom and the way that he interacts with her son.

 

This was such a heartwarming romance. I’m not one that gets teary-eyed when reading but this one tugged at my heartstrings and had me reaching for the tissues.

 

I liked watching Tom and Terri develop their relationship. There were a few things they had to overcome but it was worth it in the end. I also liked seeing Tom develop a relationship with Aiden, who has Asperger’s spectrum.  There’s a reason that Tom and Aiden clicked so well, but you’ll have to read the book to see why. Tom took his time with Aiden learned his likes and dislikes, learned his triggers. He also came up with a way for Aiden to enjoy Christmas.

 

Terri was easy to like. She’s like a mama bear when it comes to Aiden and I loved that. She’s been caring for Aiden practically by herself for years so it was interesting watching her react to another presence in her son’s life.

 

Another great thing about this book was that we got Aiden’s POV as well as Tom and Terri’s. We were able to see why he believed that an angel was going to appear and see what was going on in his mind.

 

Overall, this was such an amazing short story. It was rather short, I read it in one sitting, but it was complete. Nothing was lacking and it didn’t leave me wanting more. If you’re looking for a heartfelt Christmas romance, give this one a go.