Books & Spoons Review: COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Marie Ferrarella

TRUE LOVE IN HIS STOCKING? 

They say you can't go home again, but Keith O'Connell wasn't worried about staying. He was just back in town to sell his late mother's house and try to avoid old emotions.

Of course, hiring estate sale specialist Kenzie Bradshaw meant the possibility of creating new memories before he left. Especially once the Matchmaking Mamas hatched a plan.  

Kenzie Bradshaw was used to the turmoil involved in estate sales, though she'd never had a client like Keith. He wanted everything gone.
She knew, however, there were some things—some memories—he shouldn't lose.
​Convincing him to spend one last Christmas in his family's home could melt his hardened heart. But would it bring back the man she used to know and love?

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​Sometimes going home for the holidays isn't all about warm fuzzy feelings. Keith came back, only to arrange the funeral for his mother, and get rid of everything that reminded him of the painful childhood he left behind. He hadn't had a relationship with his mother for ten years. Now he just wanted to get this chapter in his life over with. But of course, he didn't count on meeting Kenzie.
In high school Kenzie had a burning crush on Keith, who barely noticed her. Now he is back in town, back in her life, even if just for a few days. She doesn't have long to make her case, and change his mind about the home town.
It was heartbreaking to go through with Keith all the pain and hurt he was still holding on to, after ten years. The life with his mother after his sister Amy died, wasn't easy, things escalated, and Keith left town, never to talk to his mother again.
Keith was rather bitter and unyielding. He was holding on to a lot of resentment and anger. He had lots on his mind, things get done, both practical and soul searching.  
Kenzie has a little PollyAnna in her, she was also rather curious, pushy, and determined to be part of Keith's life, no matter what. I have to admit, I found it hard to get her, her ways to push herself into Keith's business. She did have good intentions, just the delivery was, well, annoying, at times. 
But she was there with Keith during this difficult time, and they did form an odd sort of a friendship. I even understand that they did end up in bed together, but the forever lasting love and romance was hard to believe, since all they were doing, was trying to get through the estate sale and the funeral. They didn't really know each other, or share with each other that much of their lives, so the romance came a little bit from the left field, and towards the last quarter of the book.
Overall, it is a touching, and wistful story, a story of forgiveness, moving on, and how you can sometimes find the holiday spirit, by simply giving and sharing with others around you. 
~Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side