When event planner Clara Bennett returns to her snow-covered hometown for the holidays, she’s desperate for a fresh start. One successful Christmas Eve Winter Gala at the historic Evergreen Lodge could repair her damaged reputation and save her struggling career.There’s just one problem — the lodge now belongs to Ethan Cole, a guarded hotel owner with a reputation for being cold, distant, and impossible to work with. He doesn’t want the gala. He doesn’t want the attention. And he certainly doesn’t want Christmas.When a powerful snowstorm traps Clara and Ethan inside the lodge days before the event, forced proximity begins to melt long-buried wounds. Beneath Ethan’s icy exterior lies a man still grieving a Christmas tragedy. Beneath Clara’s confident smile is a woman terrified of failing again.As twinkling lights fill the halls and late-night decorating turns into stolen glances and lingering touches, their growing connection feels magical — and dangerously temporary.Because Ethan is hiding one devastating truth: once Christmas is over, he plans to sell the lodge and leave town for good.With hearts on the line and the Winter Gala fast approaching, Clara must decide whether love is worth the risk… and Ethan must choose between running from his past or fighting for the only woman who’s made him believe in Christmas again.This December, healing might be the greatest gift of all.