Tag Archives: Christmas

A Cup of Cheer by Deb Marlowe

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: A Cup of Cheer
Author: Deb Marlowe
Series: A Series of Unconventional Courtships #4
In: Twelve Lords for Christmas (Miscellaenous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Julia and Chester work beautifully as a couple at Christmas time, plus they have that whole instant family feels with Charlie at their side. The fact that this is also a regency romance, filled with the different traditions of the time. Priceless. I absolutely adored this story and I can’t wait to read more Deb Marlowe stories, particularly the tales of Chester’s friends. Romances are always enjoyable, but they’re particularly fun when Christmas and all things joyful are involved.

A Cup of Cheer is the first historical and regency romance that I’ve read in quite a while. I actually forgot how much I enjoyed reading regency romances, there’s just something that little bit more innocent about them than some of the more intense contemporary romances that I read. And that very innocence is kind of a delicious little slow burn. Plus, there’s all of Chester’s friends to meet now. Again, something that I enjoy about this genre – a bunch of man children falling in love and finding their happily ever afters, often with them kicking and screaming.

I love that Marlowe uses this story to really focus on the importance of gift giving. Not the pomp and drama that surrounds it, but rather, the meaning and thought behind the exchanging of gifts. I love that this story is all about celebrating Christmas with loved ones and giving each other gifts that have a lot of thought and meaning behind them. There are also all of the little traditions that remind Julia and Chester of the importance of spending time together and giving each other the benefit of the doubt.

A Cup of Cheer is an instant attraction, friends to lovers story. They both work together to move on from the tragedies of their past. And to figure out a way to find their own happily ever afters. It might take Chester a little bit longer to find that feeling of contentment, but, he does eventually get there. This is such a low angst, but fun story that I will probably reread in the future. It had all the joys of Christmas, the innocence of a regency romance, and just the fun of a good story.

<- Twelve Lords for ChristmasThe Mistletoe Trap ->

Image source: Larissa Lyons

A Merry Aussie Christmas by Stefanie London

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Merry Aussie Christmas
Author: Stefanie London
Series: Holidays in the Bluff #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves:Christmas, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I love that this is a Christmas story which features a couple playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus. I mean, Evie and Jasper are a great second chance romance, and a returning to home tale. I mean, it’s a beautiful romance in and of itself, but the fact that it’s all set against a backdrop of Christmas. I just adored this. Plus, it was an Australian Christmas that I recognised way too much. I mean, organising Christmas and trying to figure out what the temperature and weather is going to be… yeah, I completely recognise that. And, there’s all of the slang and sights which a small town, Australian Christmas entails. A beautiful story and one that helped me get into the Christmas spirit in a year when I’m finding that a little bit difficult.

Both Jasper and Evie are running from something in their pasts. And I really enjoyed that, although it puts complications in their relationship, they eventually find their way back to one another. It’s their love and acceptance of each other just as they are which help them both grow into better and greater people. For Jasper, he is running from his past and the judgement of small towns. Evie, on the other hand, is running from her health. Both are making decisions based on their fear of rejection and making decisions for others. We don’t get to choose who loves us, but we do get to choose to let others love us.

A Merry Aussie Christmas is a great romance which features both the positives and negatives of small towns. As someone who lives in a small town, I can tell you that London has it pretty spot on. There is so much support in such a space, but also, a lot of judgement. Plus, I love that everyone is just so up in each others’ business. Believe me, the gossip mill can be strong in small towns. And I love that this was neither portrayed as good or bad. It was just part of the community and negotiating the relationships in a tight knit community.

A Merry Aussie Christmas was merry, fun and joyful. It was a story that made me feel that inkling of a Christmas spirit in a time when I really needed it. It’s a simple and fun read, with just enough complexities to really keep you hooked. I will definitely read another London book in my future. There is just enough angst to be interesting, but not enough to make my heart hurt.

<- More Stefanie LondonDestined for Forever ->

Image source: Kobo

Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Hamilton Christmas #2
In: Kissing Santa Claus (Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

It’s fairly obvious from the beginning of the story that Holly is kind of a grinch. Not in an overly aggressive way, but in a “I don’t actually like Christmas” way. I mean, if you had the name and the upbringing, the backstory that she does, it makes total sense. Living in a Christmas Wonderland full time just sounds absolutely exhausting. And to have your parents prioritise that over your own health and wellbeing, yeah, I completely get where she’s coming from. Which just means that having a story in which she is given her “inheritance” of a Christmas shop was an even more intriguing plot line.

I love that Sean Gallagher of the Gallagher clan was just as awkward and uncomfortable as every other teen. Even if he had an amazing and loving family behind him. And was all of those popular stereotypes that actually turn out to be kind of realistic. Yet, as with reality, our perceptions of people aren’t always true and I love that both Sean and Holly, in their teenage years made a whole lot of assumptions. But, as adults, Sean is finally brave enough to go for what and who he wants.

Holly spends the majority of this story trying to figure out what her future holds, whilst still holding onto and honouring her mother’s dream. It’s a fine line to walk. Particularly as Holly gets her inheritance when her mother is actually still alive. A lot of emotional turmoil and past secrets are revealed and dealt with throughout this Christmas novella. I’ll probably enjoy reading this again in the future.

<- Kissing Santa ClausBah, Handsome! ->

Image source: Amazon

Jingle All the Witch Way by Jennifer L. Hart

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Jingle All the Witch Way
Author: Jennifer L. Hart
Series: Silver Sisters #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Every year around the time I would normally put up the Christmas tree (early November), I load my ereader up with all of the Christmas books on my list. This was the first of those books that I read for the Christmas of 2024, and believe me, did I need a happy and positive Christmas story. This was exactly the tale I wanted. And now I want more of the Silver Sisters. I mean, this is not only a fun and beautiful Christmas story, but it is also a fun tale in which three sisters in their forties, witches to boot, adjust to their new lives and realities. It’s kind of adorable and full of fun.

It was fun to find something to completely relate to in each of the three sister. Siobhan and her pregnancy made me laugh. I was that pregnant woman who wanted to do many things, and ended up frustrated more often than not because I was being smart for my unborn children… honestly, one of the most frustrating periods of my life. Now, as a parent, I relate a lot of Maeve – trying to find balance in your life amongst your sense of self, your children and your husband. And finally, I’m a total control freak and the quintessential first born – just like Alys. It was fun to be rooting for all three sisters equally, but just in different ways.

Christmas, for me, has never been about the Christian holiday and celebration. Rather, it is all about being surrounded by those you love. The Yule celebration in this is all about that. Welcoming the new and saying goodbye to the old. Being surrounded by those who love you and those you love. It’s a time of change and renewal, and all of this is celebrated within the pages of this book. Plus, there is a feeling of saying goodbye to the past and moving into a new, and wholly unexpected future.

<- Witch Way Is UpWitch Way Today ->

Image source: Jennifer L. Hart

Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist
Author: Codi Hall
Series: Mistletoe Romance #1
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: 2020

Thoughts

Nick and Noel are a wonderfully fun friends to lovers trope. I love that they find their way together because of a kiss which occurs to stick it to their exes. And this quickly leads to them both realising that they have feelings for one another. Although they might be kind of quick on the uptake internally, it’s the journey they both have to go on to actually realise their feelings out loud. Even though they both have a lot of growing to do, and they both have to figure out their own nonsense. It’s Noel’s growth and discovery that I truly love. I spent the whole time hoping for her happily ever after and Hall did not disappoint!

Amber is a total piece of work, and I can completely understand why Noel reaches her point of just being done with her nonsense. A crappy childhood and jealousy don’t excuse horrible behaviour. And honestly, if there is one flaw in the characters of this story – it’s that I honestly don’t understand how Nick continuously falls for her nonsense. I mean, dear god man, she’s actively manipulating you, you call her on it. And then you still believe her nonsense? It’s frustrating to read about, but also helps to drive the story and make me glad that I bought this book!

After reading Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist, I can’t wait to dive into Holly and Merry’s romances. They spent the majority of the story entertaining me and making me smile and laugh. Particularly as they harassed and tortured their poor brother (because what else are siblings for?). Plus, this whole romance and the next two siblings’ romances will all take place with a backdrop of a Christmas tree farm. There is nothing like a Christmas tree farm to really bring home that feeling of Christmas. And a Christmas playlist.

Honestly, this was one of those romances that I couldn’t put down. I read it from cover to cover, and barely putting it aside to be a responsible adult. I love a good romance, and the fact that Noel and Nick were able to grow as people alongside their romance. This was just too damn cute and wonderful for words. I loved the characters, I loved the music and I loved the Christmas theme. This was definitely one of my favourite Christmas reads of the year thus far.

<- More Codi HallThere’s Something About Merry ->

Image source: Harlequin Junkie

A Karma Girl Christmas by Jennifer Estep

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: A Karma Girl Christmas
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Bigtime #3.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal romance, Superheroes, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

This is my first foray into the world of Bigtime. I’ve read a few Jennifer Estep books before and enjoyed them. But now that I’m on my Christmas run, I thought that this one would be a good read. And I was incredibly correct. A Karma Girl Christmas is all about Karma Girl and her protecting a Christmas present. From super villains. It was gorgeous, cute and seriously funny. All while being all about the feeling of Christmas and the joy of giving.

As my first foray into Bigtime, the world building in this was phenomenal. Considering it’s actually a novella that takes place after the third book, that’s a fairly impressive feat. Now I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the Bigtime series and all of the joys that seem to come along with being in a world filled with superheroes and supervillains.

Honestly, the superheroes and villains stick to this story was absolutely hilarious. I mean, they literally all follow a script that they have to stick to. And then, the motivations of the villains in this story is also kind of hilarious. Not exactly the most evil of doers, but yet, they try and do something that is truly heinous – taking from children at Christmas time.

What I loved most about this story was that all of the superheroes pull together at the end. Carmen might be finding her own way as a member of the Fearless Five. But it’s all of the superheroes of Bigtime that choose to draw together to save the day. Kind of what Christmas is really all about, right?

<- JinxNightingale ->

Image source: Jennifer Estep

One Hot Holiday by Cynthia Eden

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: One Hot Holiday
Author: Cynthia Eden
Series: Wilde Ways #5.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

This is the first book in the Wilde Ways series that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. And possibly one of my first full-length Cynthia Eden books. And I absolutely adored it. A romantic suspense Christmas story that has an incredibly insane and creepy stalker. A woman running from her past. And the man who wanted to keep her safe. I honestly couldn’t put this book down – it was fast paced and intense. A story that I won’t be forgetting any time soon. Now I can’t wait to read more of Eden’s stories. I hope that they are all as intense and impossible to put down as this one!

I love that this story starts with elves on bicycles almost running Haley over. It was a fun little Meet Cute. Even if Haley is immediately scared, I like how it started the foundation for Haley and Spencer’s relationship. Plus, a town who celebrates Christmas by having a bunch of elves ride on bikes while playing music? It sounds incredibly off-kilter and a little bit different. Kind of got me in the Christmas mood from fairly early on, even if this was a Christmas romance with a whole heap of drama.

One Hot Holiday is a story that is not just filled with romance and drama, but has a whole lot of action peppered throughout. I’m not sure if it was my wish for Haley and Spencer to get together, or the hope that the bad guy was going to get caught that kept me reading. Honestly, this was maybe not the best book to read right before bed time – I ended up having to start a second, calmer book after reading this, just so I could sleep. Eden managed to balance the horrors of being hunted with the joys of falling in love perfectly.

This was an impossible book to put down, and one that I will look forward to reading again in the future. I can’t wait to read more about the men and women who work for Wilde and find out what other nonsense comes up in their lives. I mean, murder, mayhem and all sorts of chaos as a backdrop to falling in love? Definitely the kind of book that I enjoy reading and will read more of in the future!

<- Fighting For HerGhost of a Chance ->

Image source: Amazon

Grouch-ish by L.B. Dunbar

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Grouch-ish
Author: L.B. Dunbar
Series: Holiday Hotties #3
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: 2024

Thoughts

I absolutely adored that this is a Christmas romance which is based on the twelve days of Christmas. I didn’t know that the twelve days of Christmas are actually the twelve days after Christmas – the 26th December until the 6th January. Plus, each of Brock’s twelve tasks have a lingering echo of the Christmas carol. It was so much fun picking up all of those little echoes, as I fell more and more in love with Brock and Pear. This was a ridiculously fun and light read, and honestly, the only reason it took me so long to read is that it was on Kindle Unlimited, and I have to read that on my glitchy phone.

Grouch-ish is a great romance with a bit of an opposites attract couple. Pear is eternally optimistic, even when she’s been dealt a pretty crappy hand of cards. I mean, some of the tragedies in her past would make anyone collapse. The fact that he’s a grumpy, silver fox, fireman with children just makes it all that much more yummy. I mean, he eventually lets some of his issues slide and some of his grumpiness diminishes. It’s particularly nice that Pear’s joy of life and patience is what brings Brock around to being a calmer, better version of himself.

I love how Brock and Pear are both incredibly lonely, and build their relationship on getting to know one another. There is the instant attraction, but their romance is kind of slow-burn, they slowly increase the intensity of their attachment until it all implodes. I always enjoy a good story in which the couple take the time to get to know one another, and don’t rush into an insane relationship just based on lust and attraction. Their loneliness might be the instigator of some of their relationship, but it’s not just companionship that keeps them together. Rather, a mutual sense of admiration and joy in each other’s company.

Although this story technically takes place just after Christmas, it is still a beautiful Christmas story. It’s a reminder that sometimes, Christmas can be hard for some families around loss. But it can also be incredibly joyful and one of the most promising times of year. A time for fresh starts, forgiveness and joy in the little things. At least, that’s how I feel about Christmas, and I found that Grouch-ish reflected this perfectly.

<- Naughty-ishMore L.B. Dunbar ->

Image source: Lisa Loves Literature

Once Upon a Holiday by Claudia Burgoa

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Once Upon a Holiday
Author: Claudia Burgoa
Series: The Spearman Family #3, Chaotic Love #3
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: 2019

Thoughts

Once Upon a Holiday is a great romance set during Christmas time. It’s a reminder that, even though many of us love being around our family at this time of year, sometimes it can get a wee bit stifling. Plus, Christmas is the time of change and growth. Something that June embraces whole heartedly, and Sterling eventually embraces. It was a perfect Christmas story with just enough drama and angst to make me not want to put it down. As with the other Burgoa books I’ve read recently, I was entirely enraptured by this story and can’t wait to read about how the Spearman brothers all fell in love.

I love that June, when she hasn’t had life turn out quite the way she wants, decides to grab fate with her own two hands. She knows what she wants for her own life, and rather than waiting and wishing on a star, she just takes control. Rather than conforming to what is expected of a woman in her late twenties / early thirties, she does what she actually wants. But, she also manages to work on her future in a completely logical and well-thought out manner. I absolutely adore how she is able to take charge of her own life and stick to her decisions, without listening to her somewhat overbearing brothers.

Finding out about Sterling’s history, it’s easy to understand how and why he’s withdrawn from society and the world around him. Yet, rather than run away like I had assumed he would, he actually stepped up to the plate really quickly. I love that he was so willing to protect and support June from fairly early on in the story. And, even if he isn’t quite aware that he’s doing it, he is immediately trying to protect her from the costs of being with him. I mean, it must be hard being with a celebrity, but the insane fans? I can’t even imagine, and I love that Sterling quickly makes sure that she has her own security detail to keep her safe and protected.

From the very first page, this has all the feels of beginning and renewal, perfect themes for a Christmas story. I mean, it was obvious from the title that Once Upon a Holiday was going to be a pleasurable tale of love and family. The fact that it’s got a surprise pregnancy, a secluded couple, and a snowy backdrop. Honestly, I seriously enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more about both the Spearman and the Ahrens brothers.

<- Then He HappenedAlmost Perfect ->

Image source: Barnes & Noble

Kisses at Candy Cane Lane by Laramie Briscoe

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Kisses at Candy Cane Lane
Author: Laramie Briscoe
Series: Blizzard Bluff #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

What a cute little Christmas novel. One in which a woman named Noelle (and a man named Cal) fall in love at her inn. With a great little happily ever after. It was a really nice and cute story that made me feel like dipping my toe into this season. And I’m definitely keen to read more in the world of Briscoe and Blizzard Bluff. Particularly since this is the last Christmas story in this little Christmas trilogy.

I like that Cal and Noelle have always had feelings for each other, and take forever to act upon them. The fact that they grew up a little first, and gave each other the space to grow into who they wanted to be made me like this all that much more. Of course, this initial getting together leads to the whole accidental pregnancy thing. I love that, rather than any kind of push back, it’s all about support and being there for one another.

Kisses at Candy Cane Lane is a very quick, easy and sweet Christmas read. I loved the simplicity of it all. And I also loved the characters, their development and the emotion behind all of their relationship. This was a fun way to start to get into the Christmas spirit and I look forward to more of this enjoyment in the other Blizzard Bluff books.

<- Christmas at Candy Cane LaneMore Laramie Briscoe ->

Image source: Kobo