Tag Archives: Chasing Holiday Tail

Decidedly with Paws by Stina Lindenblatt

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Decidedly with Paws
Author: Stina Lindenblatt
Series: By the Bay #0.5
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I’m not going to lie, the idea of a New Year’s Eve proposal is kind of cliché. And thus, reading about them also often feels a little cliché. However, I did really like this one. I mean, it involved a dog, a quickie in the closet and a fair amount of chaos. Why wouldn’t I enjoy such a tale? Plus, it’s a wonderful reminder of just how easy it can be between two people who are perfect for one another.

Decidedly with Paws sets up the storyline for Kelsey in Decidedly Off-Limits, and I’m already completely intrigued as to how her love story is going to go. I loved reading this short story as an introduction to a new author and new series. This was incredibly cute and easy to read, which made it perfect for my frame of mind lately. And, bumped it up my wanting to read portion of my TBR.

Erin and Darren are incredibly cute together. And I love that, although the ex showing up and the communication difficulties, there is ultimately no question of their eventual happiness. Rather, the challenges just up the stakes and change Darren’s timeline a little. Seriously, this was an incredibly cute and fun short story, and now I can’t wait to read more in the world of Lindenblatt.

<- Make Me BegThe Howliday Contract ->

Image source: Goodreads

Make Me Beg by Tawdra Kandle

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Make Me Beg
Author: Tawdra Kandle
Series: The Anti-Cinderella Chronicles #3.6
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This short story felt like a bit of a prologue to a longer second chance love story. Although, I don’t think that that’s what it actually was. But, even if I have to live with that disappointment, I love that this is part of a series that I get to dive into. Particularly since the Anti-Cinderella Chronicles features some of the fun side characters from this short story.

For all that this was a fun romance, it might just be the puppy yoga that was my favourite and most memorable part of this story. Mostly because it’s something I’ve always wanted to try. And then I would probably adopt all of the dogs… I’m not really sure how Daisy didn’t decide to take home every single dog she possibly could!

There is something so dang Hallmark about Christmas stories, and a lot of them don’t quite poke fun at this. I love that Kandle spent the whole time poking fun at the similarities. It made the story not only a little more approachable, but gave me a good giggle throughout. Now I can’t wait to dive more into the writings of Tawrda Kandle.

<- Too Nice to be NaughtyDecidedly with Paws ->

Image source: Goodreads

Ruff Day for the Rockstar by Christina Hovland

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Ruff Day for the Rockstar
Author: Christina Hovland
Series: Mile High Rocked #3.5
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I like that this is a short story that features a rockstar and an actress in a happy marriage – the drama within this is more external than internal, something that is refreshing every now and then. I did get the idea that this is almost a little bit of an epilogue, so that kind of helped with the joy and contentment of the characters. And I love that they figure that adopting a dog is a really lovely next step. It’s incredibly cute and sweet.

I love that there is that moment of serendipity in this story – Knox always wanted a dog named Waffles, so Irina finds one. It’s an incredibly cute and sweet moment of fate. And I absolutely loved that they find a way to complete their little family at an adoption drive – without quite planning to.

Irina and Knox are both really fun characters. I look forward to reading more about their love story and discovering how they got to this happy place. It might not have been a very Christmassy short story, but it was definitely a sweet one.

<- Snaps with SantaToo Nice to be Naughty ->

Image source: Goodreads

Tess’ Tasty Treats by Kameron Claire

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Tess’ Tasty Treats
Author: Kameron Claire
Series: Veteran K9 Team #8.5
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This was a really sweet little short story, and a nice bit of a prequel to another book. I mean, I’m not entirely sure which of the Veteran K9 Teams books this is a prequel to. Which, just means that I will have to read the whole series. I like that this is the beginning of Tess and Logan’s relationship, but there is so much more that is going to happen. After all, this is just the Meet Cute and the first moments of attraction…

This might be a short story that is based around Christmas time, but, like most of the other short stories in the Chasing Holiday Tail collection, it was more about the charity event. Which, I suppose, most people want to give back at that time of year. I would have liked a little more Christmas to the story, but it was still seriously enjoyable.

Although I enjoyed this story, I did find it a little instalove with how quickly Logan focuses in on Tess. And then, just decides that she’s the one. I mean, it’s a nice little story, but I would’ve liked the two characters getting to know each other a little more before deciding that they were meant to be. All in all though, this was a fun introduction to Claire’s writing and definitely encourages me to want to read more of her work!

<- Lady and the ScampSanta Claws is Coming ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hot Under the Collar by Serena Bell

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Hot Under the Collar
Author: Serena Bell
Series: Hott Springs Eternal #1.5
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Reggie and Ford are a really nice couple, and a great way to introduce me to the world of Hott Springs Eternal, and even the Wilder Adventures series. Both of which I’m now going to dive right into and just… inhale. I mean, Reggie and Ford were just too damn cute, and they were a little bit older too. I enjoy my young adult stories, but sometimes I just need something that is a little bit more mature. With more mature couples who have experienced life.

I love that Reggie and Ford manage to go on their first date… because Reggie bought a puppy. And accidentally also purchased a date with a hot firefighter. The fact that his grandmother kind of orchestrated it all just made me laugh all that much harder. I mean, she is totally the kind of older woman that I want to be when I grow up. I’m sure that most people would read this short story and dream about the hot firefighter, band I totally did. But I also just love Nan all around. I’m looking forward to her popping up more and more in the rest of the Hott Springs Eternal and Wilder Adventures series.

I really enjoyed all of this little romance, but I must admit, the part that I enjoyed the most of it all was the Meet Cute. I mean, Reggie manages to set her house a little bit on fire. And when the sexy firefighter Ford gets there, he sees evidence of her self love and, you know, penis candles. Its definitely not the desired outcome of spending time by yourself. But it was definitely a Meet Cute that had me laughing out loud, to the surprise of my little family…

<- Hott ShotLady and the Scamp ->

Image source: Goodreads

Too Nice to be Naughty by Melonie Johnson

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Too Nice to be Naughty
Author: Melonie Johnson
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This was a good short story, but one I couldn’t quite get into. I think part of it was the whole premise – a woman goes to a funeral director to plan her twin’s funeral. And then falls for the man. There’s animals and an adoption drive to make it a little bit cuter, but honestly, this was one of those stories that I could take or leave.

<- Ruff Day for the RockstarMake Me Beg ->

Image source: Goodreads

Snaps with Santa by Hope Ellis

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Snaps with Santa
Author: Hope Ellis
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This is a very cute and easy second chance / small town romance. I like that it is about a couple that never quite got their closure, but also don’t have all of the hang ups that some of these styles of romances have. It’s also pretty short, so probably not quite enough time and space to actually have a lot of the angst that is sometimes in a good romance.

I love that both of the characters in this are reconnecting after life beats them down. And that, even when they’ve had a few hard challenges thrown their way, they are still optimistic about the future. It’s nice to finish this short story with a whole lot of hope for the future, riding off into the sunset.

There is always something fun about the writing of Hope Ellis, and Christmas romances. And this was such a fun story that I will gladly read again.

<- Santa Claws is ComingRuff Day for the Rockstar ->

Image source: Goodreads

Santa Claws is Coming by Dylann Crush

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Santa Claws is Coming
Author: Dylann Crush
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This short story was fun, but it didn’t really have enough going on to get me seriously hooked. It was one of those cure, but kind of forgettable stories. One in which I didn’t have a huge emotional connection to any of the characters.

Probably my favourite aspect of this story was the idea of a pet adoption drive. All based around a cat cafe. It was a nice charity theme, and one that I hope happens somewhere in real life.

<- Tess’ Tasty TreatsSnaps with Santa ->

Image source: Goodreads

Rescued Beats by Arell Rivers

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rescued Beats
Author: Arell Rivers
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This was a short story that was just kind of cute. I mean, it’s about a Scotsman (which I’m always a fan of) and the woman he falls for. Honestly, this was one of those incredibly easy reads that was really enjoyable at the time. However, from the moment I turned that final page, I pretty much forgot about what I read. Enjoyable and cute, but entirely forgettable.

A lot of the stories in the Chasing Holiday Tail anthology really didn’t have a Christmas theme to them, which was kind of disappointing. At least Rescued Beats has a Santa in it and a little bit more Christmas activity. I love that the male lead poses as Santa for his love interest, I mean, it’s one great way to show that you are really interested in someone.

Whilst I did enjoy this short story, I did find that there were a few character development moments that needed a little bit more. In particular, Livie’s parents and their controlling ways. It’s kind of shown that Livie is getting over this level of control, but that’s about the extent of it, which is somewhat frustrating. So much potential that just wasn’t quite reached.

<- Doggy StyleMutts About You ->

Image source: Goodreads

Mutts About You by Brenda St John Brown

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Mutts About You
Author: Brenda St John Brown
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I liked this story – it’s about an actress who goes back to her hometown, trying to find that spark again. But, unlike a lot of stories where ex-lovers just fall back in with one another, she actually realises how selfish her actions are. And, as a result, the story has a much nicer and kind of unique open-ended finish. One that made me seriously love this tail.

All of the potential in this story is kind of brilliant. I mean, it starts off with the potential for a relationship, and basically ends in the same space. But one with a bit more understanding and maturity than it started. If there is no romantic relationship in the future, there is definitely a beautiful friendship flourishing.

Cute dogs being up for adoption in England was already going to be a story that drew me in. But, with the talent of St John Brown, I definitely loved reading this story. And now I kind of wish that this short story just wasn’t so short.

<- Rescued BeatsIn Rover My Head ->

Image source: Goodreads