Tag Archives: Christmas

Checking You Out by Ann Whynot & SmartyPants Romance

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Checking You Out
Author: Ann Whynot & SmartyPants Romance
Series: Green Valley Library #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Meeting Norman and getting hints of Lois in Dewey Belong Together meant that I was incredibly excited when I started reading Checking You Out. I love how their whole story is interconnected with Max and Jonathan, but they also have their own start. They meet online, create a relationship, and then Lois gets a Dear Jane letter to completely break her heart. As with most second chance romances, on the surface, the initial break up / misunderstanding seems incredibly harsh, and I still question Norman a little. But, ultimately, they are a gorgeous couple and I really enjoyed reading this story!

Not only do Lois and Norman reconnect through kismet and their mutual connections, but I love how Max, Jonathan, Lois and Norman manage to make a pretty unstoppable foursome. They are wonderfully suited to each other as a group. And the fact that this all takes place around Christmas just makes it all that much better. I love that they manage to celebrate together, and make the festive season particularly special for Agoraphobic Rose, and Lois (who is missing her daughter a whole lot). The romance between the two leads might be the main driver of this story, but the building of the community between the four of them is all that much more special to my mind.

With all of the space between Norman and Lois’ first and second chance, there is obviously going to be a whole lot of other history. I love how realistic Whynot is about Lois’ feelings towards her ex husband. Rather than it just being about him realising that he’s gay and being true to himself, she has a whole mess of other feelings. Feelings of abandonment, rejection and betrayal all due to the ways in which he goes about it. I love that towards the end, when she finally confronts him for some of his less than stellar behaviour, she highlights that it’s actually not about him coming out – it’s about the way in which he chose to go about it. Her ex made a choice, and there are consequences to it.

I love when romance authors deal with chronic conditions which have an impact on someone’s everyday experiences and lives. In the case of Checking You Out, Whynot is able to emphasise the ways in which chronic pain can have a daily impact. The risks (and often experiences) of substance abuse to deal with the pain. And then the multitude of ways in which to live with such a condition. The fact that a chronic condition can change your daily experiences and impact every decision you make. The realism is wonderful and I seriously enjoyed taking this walk in someone else’s shoes.

<- Dewey Belong TogetherMore SmartyPants Romance ->

Image source: Amazon

O Come All Ye Faithful by Amelia Wilde

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: O Come All ye Faithful
Author: Amelia Wilde
Series: Beast of Bishop’s Landing #3.5
In: Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Dark romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Starting the Meet Me Under the Mistletoe anthology is the story of Eva and Finn, but there are multiple mentions of Leo and Haley’s engagement and how it instigated a whole lot of change for their families. I love that the following story, O Come All Ye Faithful is all about Leo and Haley’s experiences of the Christmas party. As they’re a more settled couple, there was none of the will they / won’t they feelings. And there was a whole lot of contentment in their relationship. Which I seriously enjoyed.

There was a lot of the BDSM sexuality throughout this story, which I often find is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. This is a quite intense tale, one that I absolutely adored. Even if it’s definitely the kind of story that I would prefer to read without witnesses and companions, like I said, a perfectly enjoyable guilty pleasure. Particularly as the sexuality of the story lends itself to telling more of Leo and his control impulses. It also creates a darker lens to this romance and Christmas party, one that I found dark and unforgettable.

I love that, although Haley and Leo are an established and settled couple in this story, they are still negotiating the changes in their public personas. Haley is constantly worried about how she is going to fit into Leo’s world. And I love that she figures out a way to play in his waters, helping to make his life a little easier. And honestly, just showing the depths of her love for the man.

<- HallelujahBaby, It’s Cold Outside ->

Image source: Amazon

Hallelujah by Skye Warren

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Hallelujah
Author: Skye Warren
Series: One for the Money #0.5
In: Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2021

Thoughts

It’s been a bit of time since I last read a story by Skye Warren. And I kind of forgot how there tends to be a dark undertone to her romances. This feeling of so many secrets and horrors underlying the lust and potential romantic connections. It’s probably why she’s not an author I read constantly, but one I still like to have on my shelves. Sometimes you just need a darker story to fill your time and energy.

This short story acts as both a tale of the rich and famous at a Christmas gala, but also a beginning to the One for the Money series. It’s pretty intense and I’m absolutely intrigued by all of the drama and horrors that hide in people’s lives. I felt like the entire time I was reading these three chapters, my heart was in my throat and I was waiting for the next lot of insanity and nonsense to hit.

Finn might be a total alpha who has most likely left bodies in his wake. But it’s obvious that Eva has secrets too. And I doubt that she’s anywhere near as innocent as she comes across. This is unapologetically dark and I can’t wait to read One for the Money.

<- Meet Me Under the MistletoeO Come All Ye Faithful ->

Image source: Amazon

Rebel Yule by Kate Meader

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rebel Yule
Author: Kate Meader
Series: Rookie Rebels #5.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This is the second book I’ve read in the Rookie Rebels series, and I absolutely love these sports romances. There is extra love for this story in that it is also a Christmas story. I may have read Rebel Yule way out of order, but there are honestly no regrets. It’s a fun and light read. One that I absolutely adored. And I look forward to reading more and more stories of the cinnamon roll alphas of the Rebels Hockey Team. Particularly the ones that are set around Christmas – because Christmas is always a favourite time of the year.

At first I thought that Casey’s frustration and annoyance at Erik was totally unfounded. Or at least, that it was about her attraction to him and inability to act upon it. The fact that she had a genuine reason to actually be annoyed with him? Brilliant. And the fact that Erik was actually a much better person than assumed – and that he had reasons for his behaviour, even better. Their past and the way that they move into the future together was really sweet. And I love that they are able to work past the misunderstandings from before to find a much better, and more enjoyable, life together.

I’ve actually heard of “face blindness” before, although I can’t for the life of me remember the technical term. I love that this unique condition was a really important part of the plot line. Plus, it gives Erik his insecurities and humanness. That, partnered with Casey’s need to overcorrect from the mistakes in her past relationship gave this story the perfect amount of drama and angst. I didn’t want to stop reading, and was really disappointed when the story was finished. I mean, we got the happily ever after (as expected), but I kind of wanted more of Casey and Erik, they had such amazing character journeys and I really enjoyed travelling along this path with them.

In amongst all of the fun drama and character development is the joys of Christmas. I love how all of Erik’s Swedish Christmas traditions are sprinkled throughout the story. That, and the feeling / need for family and loved ones at this season was really nice. I had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year, and reading Casey and Erik’s story with a whole heap of different traditions left me feeling a little bit more in the Christmas mood, ready to jump into the insane, I mean, festive season, both feet first.

<- Dear RoomieJock Wanted ->

Image source: Kate Meader

Peppermint and Pentacles by Melanie Karsak

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Peppermint and Pentacles
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: Red Cape Society #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Fairy tales, Retellings, Steampunk, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I read the first chapter of this story, and then kind of put it aside – reading on Kindle Unlimited is a little bit more clunky for me. However, once I got the chance, I read this story from cover to cover. However, even in the interim, I really wanted to dive back into this story. I mean, a Christmas, steampunk red riding hood was always going to pull me in. It also builds beautifully on the stirrings of feelings in Clemeny in Alphas and Airships. I loved seeing how her feelings evolve and she begins to get used to the new status quo within the Red Cape Society.

One of my all-time favourite things about Peppermint and Pentacles is the fact that the Christmas spin on the adventures of Clemeny is Krampus. I have been absolutely fascinated by the idea and practices of Krampus since my Austrian penpal introduced me to how her village celebrates this. And this was my first ever story that features this. I honestly couldn’t get enough of the darker twist on a Christmas story. Just the kind of tale that I tend to like.

Clemeny and Edwin (Agent Hunter) spend the entirety of this story moving closer to one another. There are still frequent mentions of Sir Richard throughout, and I feel like this is going to be a bit of a future love triangle. I wonder if they are going to work out in the next books in this series. I also loved getting to spend more time with Grand-mere. It was nice to have the characters that surround Clemeny fleshed out a bit. Characters that support her brilliantly, but also make me want to dive right into these books again and again.

There is so much about this series that I’m absolutely loving. And having a Christmas-story featuring Krampus into the mix just makes it all that much better. I can’t wait to read more and more and more of Karsak’s writing. Plus, with every book, there is more world building of the darker, more mystical side of these steampunk retellings.

<- Alphas and AirshipsBitches and Brawlers ->

Image source: Amazon

Rock Hard Cowboy by Christina Hovland

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rock Hard Cowboy
Author: Christina Hovland
Series: Mile High Matched #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Celebrity romance, Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2019

Thoughts

Tuck and Kenzie are the ultimate, dream power couple. But, aside from that fact, they are also just too damn cute. They have a great meeting that makes them think there might be more beyond the pomp of Hollywood. Then the media twists things around. Then the media twists things around again. Then they do the whole fake dating trope that ultimately leads to their happily ever after. Honestly, the whole thing was just a cute read, and when you add in that Rock Hard Cowboy takes place at Christmas… it was an absolutely adorable and just outright fun story.

I’ve read a lot of humorous starts to a romance, and whilst this start wasn’t exactly a Meet Cute. I love that they start this fake relationship story with Kenzie tripping and landing face first into Tuck’s lap. And being photographed. I can’t imagine living my life under a microscope, but I do love how much that wreaks havoc on their lives. The way that a simple mishap explodes into so much more left me smiling and laughing as I just inhaled page after page of this gorgeous little Christmas romance.

I’ve read plenty of romances which feature a couple who are part of the celebrity “A-List” world. But I haven’t read all that many about someone on the cusp of retiring from such a life. Although Tuck has it all perfectly planned out, I love that he chooses to replan and rethink his future just because Kenzie crash lands into his lap, I mean life. His ability to be flexible and truly think about what he wants out of life is really admirable, and I love that he doesn’t get bogged down in his own plans. Rather, he is willing to change what he wants to get the ultimate happily ever after. Plus, he does such a gorgeous grand gesture at the end of the story. One that I thought was just a bit too cute.

Kenzie being invited home to join Tucker’s family for Christmas and how well she fits in was just adorable. Particularly when she just… jumps in and rides along with all of the insanity that is his mother. I have a highly involved mother and I know how difficult my partner found that when he first joined the family. So the ease with which Kenzie is able to forge a relationship and deal with the overeager love is seriously enviable. Honestly, Tucker’s parents absolutely stole the show for me. And, as much as I loved his mother, it was his father that I absolutely adored. And kind of want more of if I’m being honest.

<- Going Down on One KneeBlow Me Away ->

Image source: Amazon

The Reindeer’s Spell by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Reindeer’s Spell
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: The Paranormal Council #12
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I really like that even though this is a fated mates story with one fighting the bond, it’s not malicious. Rather, they both deeply care about one another. And the whole reason for Eustace fighting the bonding is a sense of care for Reagan. It makes it a whole lot less angsty, and kind of adorable if I’m being honest. The patience and kindness that they show for one another as they work through their thoughts and feelings is relationship goals. And I love that there is no real hurt feelings, just a little bit of tension and impatience.

Eustace and Reagan are a really nice couple to read about. They are all about patience and caring for one another. I love the idea that fated mates means they are the perfect match for one another, and that they are able to understand this. Plus, Reagan’s ability to take a step back from her own feelings and think about her partners was really sweet. The entire romance is filled with patience and care, and a whole lot of love. With the enjoyable level of sexual tension and lust thrown in.

To add to the joys of a cute little paranormal romance, this one also has a fun Christmas theme. Reagan is asked to organise a Christmas fundraiser, and gets to spend her time working closely with the man that she loves. I love that it’s the romance of Christmas and the joy of the season which finally tests Eustace’s resolve. Plus, it features a reindeer shifter, so it just works that they finally take the plunge into being mates at this festive time of year.

This is an all round festive, cute and fun read. It’s fairly innocent with a low amount of drama and angst. The perfect read for a difficult day of parenting and just all around adulting. I love that both Reagan and Eustace just accept each other as they are, give each other grace and patience to work through their issues. And ultimately just support each other when things are a little off-kilter and difficult feeling.

<- The Hummingbird’s MateCharming Her Mate ->

Image source: Goodreads

Naughty-ish by L.B. Dunbar

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Naughty-ish
Author: L.B. Dunbar
Series: Holiday Hotties #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

One of the things that I enjoy most about L.B. Dunbar books is that they always feature couples who are that little bit older. For Nick and Holliday, they are next door neighbours who find their joy and happiness with each other at Christmas. Both have a whole lot of issues to get over, but I love how they come together as lovers fairly quickly. Plus, for both of them, their primary love language is gifts and acts of service. The courtship between them is slow and occurs through their willingness to give to each other. It’s really cute and sweet. But also build towards being able to communicate and just be together.

Nick’s willingness to join in with Holliday’s life and jump into being part of a family unit is really sweet. Rather than trying to take control, or not understanding the importance of Christmas, he tries to make Holliday’s life easier. I love that Dunbar doesn’t shy away from how difficult it can be for a Mum at Christmas time. Reading this at Christmas time with my first intense Christmas as a Mum of two (my second born was only 2 months for our first Christmas as a family of four, so this one was intense) made me feel so validated and seen. It highlighted the difficulties (and the joys) of what the Festive Season entails for mothers and the pressure we feel to make everything perfect.

Naughty-ish is the first romance that I’ve read in a while with an irritating ex who doesn’t actually get any kind of, well, anything. He doesn’t help Holliday out, he is selfish, and at the end of the story, all of his crappy decisions and their impact on his children are just… nothing. It’s kind of irritating, but then, it’s also so much more realistic than a lot of the romances that I read. I mean, most of the time the selfish fool doesn’t ever realise that they are a selfish fool. And Holliday does, after all, have to co-parent with Mitch for the rest of their lives.

As a mum of two little ones, I am absolutely dreading the idea of Elf on a Shelf when they get old enough. And Naughty-ish did nothing to change my mind. I’m seriously hoping I can come up with a good idea as to why we don’t do this tradition – it just adds to the stress and difficulties of Christmas time and the festive season. This was such an adorable Christmas romance, and I love that it featured a single mum who has to deal with all of the nonsense of magic this time “magical”.

<- Scrooge-ishGrouch-ish ->

Image source: The Reading Cafe

A Most Inconvenient Earl by Claire Delacroix

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Most Inconvenient Earl
Author: Claire Delacroix
Series: The Brides of North Barrows #4
In: Twelve Lords for Christmas (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I spent a lot of this novella just thinking that Eurydice is such a weird name. Definitely not one that I’ve ever read before. And yet, as I read more and more of this and steadily fell for the strong willed young woman, I decided that I actually really liked the name. Mostly because I thoroughly enjoyed her quiet gumption and practicality. Then there’s the fact that even as she falls in love, she maintains her dignity and sense of self. She doesn’t just bow to whatever her marriage of convenience husband desires because it’s simple for him. She still manages to navigate a world which looks down on her with her head held high.

Another part of why I just adored Eurydice so much is the way in which she finally reveals her feelings to Sebastian. Instead of being a sweet, romantic moment where they whisper the truth to one another. It is a moment in which her ire is up and she completely dresses down her unfortunately ignorant husband. It’s the perfect culmination of the two characters’ romance and a great reminder that the women of historical romances, whilst maybe not entirely realistic are so damn wonderfully articulate.

This is actually the fourth story in the Brides of North Barrows series, and I kind of like that I was able to read about the final couple and then I get to spin back around to the first. After all, the first couple of this series is actually the ones who are trying to stop Eurydice and Sebastian from eloping. It gives their marriage a fast-paced, illicit feeling that I absolutely gobbled up. Then, there’s a potential duel because, why not? There was actually quite a bit of action that leads Sebastian and Eurydice to figure out how they feel about each other. And I was there for every step of the way. And now I get to go back and find out all of the cogs that eventually led to this moment!

Even though this is a Christmas historical romance, it wasn’t a huge driver of the story. It does create an important backdrop and drives one of the plot points. But it is more of a pleasant accompaniment than the actual reason that Eurydice and Sebastian end up together. It does give the feel of many happy Christmases though. And I like to imagine that Eurydice is finally able to heal the difficulties of Sebastian’s past Christmases.

<- A Baron for All SeasonsMore Claire Delacroix ->

Image source: Goodreads

Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Giana Darling

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Author: Giana Darling
Series: Anti-Heroes in Love #2.5, Dark Dream Duet #0.25
In: Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Dark romance
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This is a great bridging short story, one in which an established couple is able to get their Christmas wish and start their new beginnings. But, it’s also a story in which another Morelli starts his journey to true love and a happily ever after. Baby, It’s Cold Outside hints at so many different layers to this world that I’m keen to dive into (even if they are going to be far more intense than the stories I normally read).

Baby, It’s Cold Outside is a story which features a Mafia boss and the incredibly tough and independent woman that he marries. I honestly was expecting it to become a bit of a threesome story, but it was just a bridging tale. With lots and lots of lust to keep you warm at night. This short story might only have been three chapters long, but everything in it was filled with intensity, from the couple’s relationship and their burgeoning friendship with Tiernan.

I love that Baby, It’s Cold Outside shows the beginnings of Tiernan Morelli becoming independent of his evil and controlling father. With all of the beginnings of this culminating at the Morelli Christmas Gala, like the other stories in the Meet Me Under the Mistletoe Anthology.

<- O Come All Ye FaithfulThis Christmas ->

Image source: Amazon