Hal Kuckleman closed himself off from love and being loved, and pulled away completely from anything religious. When offered the job of building an addition on to the church in Cattle Valley he’s not prepared for the feelings the new preacher evokes in him. Knowing he and Reverend Casey Sharp could never see eye to eye on the church and religious beliefs, Hal does everything he can to keep an emotional distance between them.

Casey fell hard for the quiet and moody contractor, he can’t figure out why Hal dislikes him so much.  It seems Hal as well as Casey’s new congregation are punishing him for the past sins of others.

Cattle Valley Mistletoe, the second installment of the Cattle Valley series, is good but I felt the relationship skipped something and became too serious to fast.  Casey and Hal are very attracted to one another but because of cruelties from his past and carrying a burden from his childhood, Hal’s internal demons won’t allow him to find happiness with Casey.  Hal reasons for being angry with God and not trusting religious figures is very legitimate, but I felt he moved past it all too quickly to have held on to it for as long as he has.  As for him and Casey, I loved them together and was happy they found common ground, as always Carol Lynne brought together people my heart went out to.  Although Cattle Valley Mistletoe is a stand alone, I do suggest reading the first installment of the series.