This Christmas season Sarah has to fill bakery cases of her coffee shop in Gull Harbor. Recently widowed, she needs brisk sales to catch up on late taxes. Her brother-in-law Ryan volunteers to help with the baking. But how can she put up with a man who’s been nothing but trouble? Her two little boys don’t agree. Nathan and Justin adore Uncle Ryan and scheme to make him the man of Mom’s dreams.

Ryan’s motorcycle accident changed his life. So did the loss of his brother, and he made Jamie a promise he intends to keep. Mastering lemon bars and gingerbread men begins as a duty and ends as a mission. He didn’t count on sweet Sarah stealing his heart. Can she see him as more than a guy with a history of bad decisions?

As Ryan turns out cookies and turns on the charm, Sarah wavers. Would Jamie approve of this growing attraction? After tromping through a snowy woods with Ryan, her little boys pick out the most pathetic Christmas tree ever. Maybe they see what the tree can become, not what it is. And maybe that’s the lesson of hope and love Sarah will learn this Christmas season.