Luke's Gift hit almost all of my sweet spots: military hero, strong woman, a hint of mystery, a family in crisis, emotionally wounded hero, marshmallow-hearted hero, and such a sweet Christmas story to boot. Wow! I think I was swooning over Luke at the same time as Mary, from the start.

And truthfully, Luke just gets better the longer the story goes on. There's just something about a man who isn't quite perfect but whose heart is so big he chooses over and over to help others, selflessly putting everyone else ahead of himself. That's Luke. He'll do anything for his family, for those he loves, for those he connects with.

Mary's a reporter - not my favorite profession - but she's not the stereotypical reporter in these books. She actually has a heart as well as a head on her shoulders. I loved reading about her relationships with her parents and with the holidays. I loved seeing how meeting Luke and his family changed her and how the changes in her led to changes in her father as well.

That this is a Christmas story is only a bonus. The characters are what make this book as wonderful as it is. It's low in drama and angst without being bland. The family and interpersonal dynamics are front and center and there's enough action to keep you turning the pages. Tack on the hints of books to come and this is a real winner.

Sometimes not knowing can be a blessing and a curse, or at least that is what Mary is faced with when she seeks with the towns help to find out who the Christmas Santa is. I loved the story and the meaning behind this story it was completely heartfelt and it easily put you in the Christmas spirit. I also loved how the author didn't make Christmas all commercialized but showed the heart of Christmas in this story. I loved Maddie when ever she appeared in the story she was a force to recon with, to me her personality just jumped off the pages. This book was a super quick read and so fun to read. I think the only thing I was not a fan of was all the strong language I could have gone with out, but to each his own. I will say this I did not read the first book in this series but I plan on going back to just to read about Tanner's story. If you are looking for a fun read to put you in the Christmas spirit this book will not disappoint you at all.

4 Stars!

Luke's Gift was a sweet story with likable characters. The premise was a bit predictable but I didn't mind that. Watching Luke and Katie grow into something more than friendship was sweet. I inferred pretty quickly that these two characters would not have an easy time trying to develop anything more than friendship. Yes, there is a bit of angst if you're wondering.

Luke is back from his stint in the military trying to find purpose with his life. He has a job, a home, and his younger brother and sister to keep him grounded. But something is still missing. While Luke does not suffer with typical PTSD, he did not come home from war unscathed. He is more than just a decent man. Luke is caring, generous, and loyal. I liked him a lot. But he has secrets. Secrets that he keeps from Katie.

Mary loves Marietta and her job at the local paper as a journalist. When she is offered a job in New York City; she becomes insecure about leaving Montana. And at the same time, Mary is looking for more in her life and career. She is torn with what to do.

When Mary and Luke meet, their connection is immediate and strong. But because she may be leaving town, and Luke is still trying to adjust to civilian, they are hesitant to start anything. That said, their feelings for each other begin to grow strong despite them taking things slow. And there is that secret that Luke is keeping that just might push them apart for good.

Or maybe it will bring them together. You'll just have to read the book to find out.

If you know me, then you know I love the books Tule publishing releases having to do with Marietta, Montana. If you've read the books about Marietta, Montana from Tule that are Christmas romances, then you know this town goes all out. And that was where my only disappointment with this book lies. Aside from a date at the Graff, Mary and Luke did not partake in the usual Marietta Christmas activities, such as the Stroll. I missed that.

Regardless of what was missing, I did enjoy reading this book. It was a good story to help put me in the Christmas spirit.

This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. :)

4.5 Stars Book 2 in The Harlow Brothers series, Luke’s gift is a wonderful, feel good story that will pull at your heartstrings. Tanner and Mary are great characters, their interaction is real, and the storyline is engaging throughout. I will definitely be recommending and reading more by this author

I absolutely loved this book it was intriguing and suspenseful and a fabulous read and I recommend giving it a try it was so good won’t be disappointed

Loved this story. Luke is a veteran that’s come home to help raise his half-sister. He’s taken a job as a police officer & has a secret he’s keeping. Mary Best is a reporter that is making Luke uncomfortable. She keeps trying to make him out to be a hero & Luke isn’t comfortable with that. Now she’s determined to find out who the town’s Secret Santa is.

I loved Luke’s down to home persona. He doesn’t feel he’s a hero. He was just doing his job. He feels more guilty about what everyone else is going through. Mary is determined to make a career of reporting but she doesn’t seem to have the hard edge that’s required. She seems to have a tender heart that is fallen no for Luke. I like the chemistry between them being apparent but not explicit. This is a wonderful sweet, heartwarming Christmas story.

This was a wonderful story. A great holiday romance. I didn't want it to end. The whole cast was great and so was the theme. Now is the perfect time for this.

Luke’s Gift is the perfect book to read to get in the Christmas spirit. I fell in love with Marietta, Montana. Luke is a former soldier playing Secret Santa. Mary is a reporter for a small town paper. Their romance is a sweet story that leaves you smiling.

Set in one of my favorite little town's in Montana, this was a great, quick read and made me remember why I love Marietta and Copper Mountain so much.
Luke Harlow is home from 3 tours in Afghanistan and now a local police officer. Mary Best is a reporter for the local news paper, part of her wants to go to NY and do bigger things like her friends form college yet she is set here at home. Especially after she meets Luke who comes to answer a call at the paper dealing with an unhappy customer. Luke notices Mary too. His brother Tanner looks after their younger sister Maddie and owns his own business as well. When Luke decides to play secret Santa to some needy folks in town, and this man is totally stealth in his work, the whole town in abuzz and it sets off Mary's need to dig deeper. Mary's father was the Sheriff and because of that, and having in drilled into her head by her distrusting father, doesn't trust easily and is always skeptical of others. Not just men. Luke's family life was a mess and it's no secret that his mother was well known around town. Didn't give the boys much of a chance. Mary has that to overcome with Luke especially when their relationship starts to grow deeper. Christmas is right around the corner and things quickly heat up with Mary and Luke. Luke is still trying to find his footing with being home after leaving town when he was 18 and spending that time overseas. Mary works late one night and sees Luke out driving when he said he was going home to bed. What happens after that? You have to read the book. What a well woven story with characters that are nicely developed and I'd love to see more of them. I'll be waiting for the next book in the series. I loved this.

arc from NetGalley and Tule Publishing for an honest review

This is the story of a former soldier who falls in love with a reporter. The reporter knows he is the Secret Santa delivering Miracles to people who need a little help. Will she write the story and if so how will she spin it? Read on to find out!

I enjoyed Luke’s Gift. I thought Luke made a great hero. I loved how he was playing Secret Santa around the town and including his younger sister to teach her the joys of giving. The love story with the heroine Mary developed quickly but that’s the nature of novellas.

This was my first book by this author and now I want to read about the rest of the Harlow brothers and I hope Mary’s friend gets her own story.

I received a copy through NetGalley for an honest review.

Luke and Mary’s story. Another fun story set in Marietta, Montana. I liked the idea of a secret Santa, and the budding romance between the ex military turned cop and the reporter. Didn’t quite get her passion for city reporting, as she seemed to do so well there. Other than that, I had a hard time putting this one down. I would give it 4.5 stars and would highly recommend this book and author.

The thing that keeps coming back to me after having read Luke’s Gift is that the story was amazingly realistic. The dialogue, the inner issues, the conflicts, the romance, it all read true to life. The main characters struggle with trust and commitment issues and were portrayed naturally. This is a story of a couple just meeting and the author portrays this new relationship wonderfully through their actions and dialogue. You get to see them dating, getting to know each other, the stubbornness of not willing to full-out commit. There are secrets, distrusts, and an attraction neither are able to deny. The preteen sister Maddie is a force to be reckon with. The loving sibling bond between her and Luke got me. Christmas magic in Marietta is on display in this story. You have the must have/required settings for Christmas stories set in Marietta: Sage’s Cooper Mountain Chocolate Shop, Christmas lights on Bramble Lane, Scott Farm for Christmas trees, the Graff Hotel, and people coming together to help one of their own. I have not read book 1, Tanner’s Promise, but will take care of that very soon. I’m eagerly waiting for book 3, Judd’s story, and hoping it will pair him with Mary’s friend, Savannah. A wonderful Christmas read, or a read for anytime of the year. Newell consistency delivers meaningful, realistic relationships.

Peter Jennings was pretty good at his job.

Who is Wyatt?

Haha, he does sound dreamy.

What's this about Robin Hood?

Aw, he got a loan to do this! He is a hero!

That's a depressing way to live, Mary.

Milkshakes for lunch at three-years-old?

The man just got himself a dog. Shari is sneaky.

A good deed and some matchmaking, all in one.

Her father needs therapy, and so does she.

Luke’s Gift is the second book in the Harlow Brothers series and what a wonderful, tear-jerker it is. Kaylie Newell was a new author to me when I decided to read Tanner’s Promise and I have very quickly become an avid fan of her easy writing style and the warmth, emotion and passion she brings to her stories.

This is a feel good story that pulls at the heartstrings and reminds you just how important it is to have a little faith in human nature. Not everyone is perfect, but learning to trust and look beyond the preconceived opinions of others can prevent heartache down the track.

Luke is amazing; physically he’s an alpha male, with broad shoulders and a hero to boot, but underneath the tough exterior beats the heart of compassionate and caring man who knows that a helping hand can change someone’s life. But trying to be anonymous isn’t always easy and keeping secrets create their own set of problems.

Mary is a genuine soul, but unfortunately the influence of her sceptical father, and the life of a reporter, have taught Mary to question every action and motive. Taking things at face value isn’t easy for this self-confessed pessimistic, but can she lower her guard long enough to let love conquer her fears?

Kaylie Newell is a truly talented author and her portrayal of these two exceptional characters is definitely worth your time and attention. But be prepared, I had a little cry at the end of Tanner’s story, and I had an even bigger one at the end of this incredible book. Thank you, Ms Newell, I now have an impatient wait for Judd’s story.

The thing that keeps coming back to me after having read Luke’s Gift is that the story was amazingly realistic. The dialogue, the inner issues, the conflicts, the romance, it all read true to life. The main characters struggle with trust and commitment issues and were portrayed naturally. This is a story of a couple just meeting and the author portrays this new relationship wonderfully through their actions and dialogue. You get to see them dating, getting to know each other, the stubbornness of not willing to full-out commit. There are secrets, distrusts, and an attraction neither are able to deny. The preteen sister Maddie is a force to be reckon with. The loving sibling bond between her and Luke got me. Christmas magic in Marietta is on display in this story. You have the must have/required settings for Christmas stories set in Marietta: Sage’s Cooper Mountain Chocolate Shop, Christmas lights on Bramble Lane, Scott Farm for Christmas trees, the Graff Hotel, and people coming together to help one of their own. I have not read book 1, Tanner’s Promise, but will take care of that very soon. I’m eagerly waiting for book 3, Judd’s story, and hoping it will pair him with Mary’s friend, Savannah. A wonderful Christmas read, or a read for anytime of the year. Newell consistency delivers meaningful, realistic relationships.
ARC received from Tule Publishing via Netgalley

Luke's Gift by Kaylie Newell, a great addition to The Harlow Brothers series, this is book two in the series. This book will get you in the holiday spirit. I loved the character development it was perfect for the storyline. I look forward to seeing what is up next in this series.

Kaylie Newell is a new to me author and I think plenty of people will fall in love with this novella, Luke's Gift this holiday season. Mary is a reporter who wants to interview Luke, a former soldier and now a new police officer, for a feel good piece during the holiday season. Luke turns her down, but Mary is persistent and they spend some time together. There is also a little mystery as a generous Secret Santa is helping a few people in town who have hit hard times. The story and romance makes for a sweet feel good holiday story and I hope to read more from this author in the future.

I received an ARC thru NetGalley in exchange for my opinion.

I really enjoyed this heartwarming romance, not just a holiday romance, but an “any time of the year romance”. Luke Harlow has returned to his home town after serving in the military. He is working as a police officer on the Marietta P.D when he is called to a disturbance at the town paper and meets Mary Best, reporter. There is instant attraction between them, but Mary plans on moving to New York and Luke is still recovering from his time in the military. Mary gets Luke to agree to allow her to write a story about his time in the military although Luke would prefer to move on with his life…he is not a hero. Anonymous gifts start appearing at the homes of people in need and Mary is after the story of who is playing “Santa” to the town. As the attraction between Luke and Mary heats up, will Luke decide to open up to Mary about his past? Will Mary decide if New York is the place for her to further her career? Will Mary learn to trust in Luke? Such an entertaining story with genuine characters that will make you want to read the book all over again. I look forward to the next book in this series. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

What an absolutely lovely story that helps to remind us of the meaning of Christmas. Luke is a new police officer in Marietta, having recently retired from the military. He meets Mary a reporter from the local paper when she wants to interview him for a hometown hero story. While reluctant, he finds May intriguing and agrees to be interviewed. They find that they have chemistry and begin dating. However, Mary’s inquisitiveness and Luke’s secretiveness almost do their relationship in. Fortunately, Mary realizes that sometimes the magic of Christmas is more important than getting a scoop!