I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this romance that takes place in Marietta Montana. This is book 2 in the series about the Harlow brothers. Luke Harlow has returned from his final tour in Afghanistan to join his brother Tanner and sister Maddie. He takes a job as a police officer in Marietta. As such he meets Mary Best, a reporter with the local newspaper. He is called to the paper office when an irate town person is causing a disturbance. Mary decides she wants to interview Luke as a hometown hero feature story. They meet and have lots of chemistry. Mary doesn’t trust easily and has told Luke of her possible plan to move to NYC and take a reporter job there. He doesn’t want to begin a relationship for his girlfriend to move away. In the meantime Luke takes a loan to secretly give gifts and help to people in Marietta needing money assistance. Everyone is trying to figure out who the secret Santa is. They want Mary to figure it out and reveal the person. There are twists and lots of romance. What a wonderful book.

Luke Harlow has returned home after several tours of duty in Afghanistan. Back to the town that never quite let him forget who his mother was and how he grew up. The town he left at 18 when he joined the Army. He has returned to be back near his brothers and little sister and accepted a position with the sheriff's department as a deputy.

Mary Best grew up near Marietta raised by her divorced parents. Her father is a retired sheriff who trusts no one. And he has forced his belief on his daughter to the point where she doesn't trust anyone. And that makes dating hard. She is a reporter for the local paper with big dreams of going off to New York City to make her mark, maybe. She is torn between embracing her dream of being a hot shot reporter in a major market and leaving the small town she loves.

When Luke and Mary meet, they realize they have a special connection. But can they make their dreams mesh? And can Mary solve the new mystery in town before Christmas?

This is a well written and interesting novel with characters that have flaws and needs. Worth the time sitting down and reading it.

I did receive an advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Cute feel good holiday secret Santa romance!

This is a voluntary review and I do not get paid for this review.

This is the second book in this series and it is a great read. I loved Luke he was like a guy that you would say was too good to be true. He was sweet, kind, sexy, and so much more. He didn't have the best childhood and now that he was back home from the military people still thought of him as the kid from the wrong side of town. No matter what he did he felt like he was fighting a losing battle getting people to accept him for who he was now. He closed himself off from the possibility of happiness. He needed to give back to the community because it helped him feel whole again. It helped him fight those demons that plagued him from his past. Then you have Mary who is just as sweet but had a really protective dad growing up. She just wants to find a guy who lives up to what her father thinks is the perfect guy for her. She too closes herself off from happiness because she is afraid of being hurt and of disappointing her dad. When Mary and Luke meet there is definite chemistry but both of them hold a piece of themselves back. They struggle to give themselves wholly to each other. In the midst of all this you have Mary trying to write the story of the secret Santa. I think that Kaylie Newell did a really great job with this book. The only thing missing was I wished there had been a little bit more of Tanner in the book but seeing Maddie again and hearing her wisdom made me smile a lot. I cannot wait to see what Judd's book has in store for us. I am positive that it will just as wonderful as the first two books in the series. Thanks NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

The author captures the exemplary character of human nature perfectly. Warmth is the takeaway from Luke and his innate willingness to give to others for the sole purpose of bringing hope to those who are deserving and need it the most. The lesson of trust that Luke and Mary struggle with is conveyed succinctly and is the secondary message in the story, it was one that left an impression.

I enjoy Maddie’s unique view of her three brothers, and life in general. With the myriad of emotions that her story brings, it’s difficult at best to not fall in love with her brothers and the example they are setting for her. It’ll be interesting to see how Judd contributes to the brothers raising their of little sister.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

4.5 stars
With “Luke’s Gift” Kaylie Newell wrote another fantastic love story, with great characters and a delightful romantic feel. I just adore these wonderfully romantic stories with amazingly honest heroes and heroines.
I loved that the conflict stems from the characters’ inner issues and professional ethics and deontology and not cheating nor other external and/or superficial issues.
Luke is a great hero, so earnest, good and honorable; Mary is a great heroine too, a good reporter when she concludes she has a story even with the anonymity (fantastic resolution for the mystery!).
Newell even plays with Luke’s military man persona and romance novel conventions and expectations, delivering instead a wonderful twist from the predictable “scarred vet” (in Mary’s wise words).
The writing style, the secondary characters and dialogue are great. I missed having more of Tanner, but enjoyed meeting again the fantastic preteen Maddie and watching the siblings tender and loving relationship; and I’m eagerly waiting for Judd’s story.

Great festive read.

This is the second book in this series, but I don't think it matters if you haven't read the first.

Luke is back in town to help look after his little sister. He is in the police now, after being in the forces for years. Local reporter Mary wants to write an article about him - he reluctantly agrees, but would he have ever considered it if he wasn't attracted to her. He is keeping a secret though, so what will this mean for their fledgling relationship?