Tag Archives: Christmas

Marry Christmas by Kat Baxter

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Marry Christmas
Author: Kat Baxter
Series: Hot Texas Nights #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I’m always a big fan of second chance romances, and second chance romances at Christmas? It’s not the kind of book that I’d willingly put down. And, luckily for me, Marry Christmas didn’t just tick all of those boxes, it was just beautifully written as well. Something about Maggie and Brooks made me gunning for their happily ever after more strongly than I have in a while. I mean, second chance Christmas romances are littering my TBR, but something about this one worked incredibly, and sweetly well.

This is a fairly short read with pretty much no angst, and just all the positive vibes. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a serious villain in this and a wonderfully manipulative grandmother. But I would’ve expected Brooks’ father to be far more evil and cause more drama than he does. Since he’s the reason that Brooks breaks things off with Maggie in the first place. I would’ve thought he’d throw another spanner in the works when they become adults.

There is a lot of on page action in this story – the kind of action that made me fan myself just a little bit while I was reading this. I don’t always love the on page action. But Baxter manages to write it in a way that had me smiling and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Now I want to read more of Baxter’s writing and see if I get the same happy vibes the next time around.

As with all good Christmas stories, this is one that’s not just about the romance. But it’s also about family and love. About being there for one another and caring for each other. It might be the “most wonderful time of year” for some. But that’s only because they have the pleasure of being surrounded by loved ones.

<- FakesgivingRules of the Friend-Zone ->

Image source: Kobo

Naughty Little Christmas by Lil Valente

Book Review,
Overview

Title: Naughty Little Christmas
Author: Lili Valente
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Naughty Little Christmas is a fun second chance romance that just happens to take place at Christmas time. It’s fun, light, and an incredibly easy read. Macy and Dean are very cute together, but I didn’t get all of the tingles that I get with a really good romance. I wanted them to find their happily ever after, and there was so much joy in reading this. But, it wasn’t one that I was insanely keen to dive back into. Which is normally my hint that this author may not quite be for me. They’re enjoyable and it’s all fun and everything. But, it’s not an unforgettable and emotionally driven story.

I like that the past is flavoured by the fact that Macy and Dean separated because of misconceptions. And their ten years apart has led them to grow into different people. But, they manage to come back together with a clash and a re-meeting that did have me smiling. In fact, I think the fact that Dean is dressed as Sexy Stripper Santa was honestly my favourite part of this whole story. And that he is stripper Santa for the best of reasons.

I really loved how this story got me into a bit more of the holiday spirit and was such an easy departure from reality. However, I’m not sure that I’ll bother with any more by this author or within this series. It’s a fun story, but not a memorable one. And when you have shelves filled with memorable stories, it’s easy for the not so memorable to get lost.

<- More ChristmasMore contemporary romance ->

Image source: Goodreads

Mountain Man Inn Love by Hazel J. North

Book Review,
Overview

Title: Mountain Man Inn Love
Author: Hazel J. North
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I really wanted to like this, and I definitely liked this story enough to finish reading the whole story. But I just wasn’t enamoured. And I probably won’t bother reading anything else by Hazel J. North. I mean, this was an fairly cute holiday novella. But not one that I find overly memorable. A boss and his junior marketing something or other have the hots for each other. They travel away for work and finally end up acting on those feelings. There wasn’t much angst. There wasn’t much drama. And there wasn’t much of anything that made me want to keep diving into the story. So onwards and all that.

<- More ChristmasMore contemporary romance ->

Image source: Kobo

The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: The Mistletoe Motive
Author: Chloe Liese
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: 2021

Thoughts

Jonathan and Gabby are such a cute, quintessential, opposites attract couple. And one that finds their happily ever after at Christmas? They are just too dang cute and adorable. I absolutely loved reading about their holiday romance. Plus, each chapter has a Christmas song to start it, the perfect story to get you into the Christmas holiday mood. The fact that they fall in love while surrounded by books, honestly, this was kind of a book that wa tailor made for me. I love books, I love Christmas, and I love Love.

I love that Gabby’s journey to finding love involved her dealing with autism and being demisexual. Whilst she’s entirely accepting of her differences, and often embraces them, Liese is able to still show the difficulties that she has to deal with daily. Plus, it also highlights how difficult her relationship with Jonathan is, because no one is automatically entitled to your truth. Jonathan too has his own challenges that aren’t automatically divulged. I love that much of his grumpiness and disappearances were due to his diabetes, not his actual personality. Both Gabby and Jonathan, once they actually sit down and talk, find that many of their points of contention are due to misunderstandings, not actually because either one is a bad or difficult person.

The Mistletoe Motive is a bit of a enemies to friends to lovers story. I love that they connect through snark and attitude. I tend to approach people I love with a whole lot of sass myself. And honestly, the banter between Gabby and Jonathan is just too damn adorable. I love stories that keep a smile on my face throughout, and Gabby and Jonathan’s relationship managed to do just this. Their confusion, particularly Gabby’s, as they fall for one another is too damn cute. Plus, they use their competitive nature to actually benefit those they love and everyone around them.

The Mistletoe Motive is not just a great Christmas story, but one that is all about save a little, family owned bookstore in a world where a lot of these shops are collapsing. I love the idea of keeping this tradition of books alive, while still adapting to the modern needs and market. Plus, doing it at Christmas makes this story all about embracing the spirit of love and friendship. People spending time with their loved ones for the holiday season and finding their own happily ever afters. Even if it’s not quite what they expected.

<- More Chloe LieseMore Christmas ->

Image source: Chloe Liese

Finding His Cheer by Claire Wilder

Book Review,
Overview

Title: Finding His Cheer
Author: Claire Wilder
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I really wanted to like this story. And I wanted to be hooked by this. Particularly since it featured a family dealing with the loss of a parent at the holidays. Everything about this sounded good. But, honestly, I just couldn’t get into it. And, with so many wonderful books on my shelves, I just decided to move on. Honestly, I didn’t hate this in any way, shape or form. I just… didn’t feel attached. And if I can walk away from a book after three chapters without thinking about it, it’s not the book for me. So onwards and upwards. But this might be a great book for someone else!

Image source: Amazon

Secret Santa for Grumpy Elves by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Secret Santa for Grumpy Elves
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Obscure Academy #3.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I love that this is a Christmas story about an elf. One that doesn’t actually enjoy Christmas. Oh, and her name is Holly. I mean, yeah, if I had to deal with that much nonsense and the comments of others, I’d probably also feel a little bit reserved about that time of year. It also made for a great premise – the elf that is uncomfortable around Christmas falling for the elf that completely embraces it.

This is a fantastic novella that I’ll probably want to reread around Christmas time. It had all of the joyful festivities as the backdrop. Plus, it was really nice reading about Chris and Holly as they start the first steps of their relationship. There is so much promise at Christmas time, and so much promise at the beginning of a relationship, so pairing the two was incredibly cute, and a nice way to spend an evening.

My university never had Christmas traditions – probably because in the southern hemisphere, Christmas falls smack bang in the middle of summer holidays, and not just a short break like in the northern. I loved reading about all of the different stalls and set ups that the university had to celebrate this time of year. Although, to be honest, I’ve always loved reading and learning about any Christmas traditions, regardless of the location and paranormal nature of it.

There were so many side characters in this that I recognised, but I want to read more about. Although, some I only vaguely tried to connect in where I knew them from. I love the connectivity of this world and how everyone is somehow connected to everyone else – kind of like in real life if I’m being honest. The added mystery of just what kind of paranormal each person is just makes me all that much more excited to dive into this series!

<- Enchanting Songs for Silent SirensFlipping Tails for Seasick Mermaids ->

Image source: eBay

Flirting with the Scrooge by Gia Stevens

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Flirting with the Scrooge
Author: Gia Stevens
Series: Harbor Highlands #6
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Grumpy-sunshine romances are always a well-loved trope in my bookshelves. And I love that this is a Scrooge-Christmas lover romance. I’m absolutely obsessed with the idea of someone who is Christmas obsessed ending up with someone who is completely against it. It might be the final book in this series (currently), but it was a great introduction to the Harbor Highlands for me. One that has made me dive into the rest of the series with gusto.

On top of the wonderful tropes in this story that I seriously appreciated, is the fact that the male lead is a hidden rockstar. It’s an intriguing plot device, although at first, it does make him act like a bit of a douche canoe. I mean, he is an absolute tosser to Tatum when they first meet. But, luckily, reading this from his point of view, lets you understand just why he is such a fool.

Tatum’s relationship with her sister is absolutely brilliant. I love that her and Olivia are obviously best friends, and they constantly have each others’ back. Plus, both the sisters have a whole lot of attitude and spunk. It’s always nice to read a book that has well-written female relationships. Ones that aren’t competitive and negative, but rather, the ones that are supportive and loving.

I always like to spend my December reading Christmas stories – it is helpful to get into the spirit. But, this was definitely the most Christmassy story that I’ve read in a while. It was fun and light. Filled with characters I couldn’t help but feel connected with. And now I want to know more about the other characters that make up the Harbor Highlands series, and their romances.

<- Flirting with the Bad BoyMore Gia Stevens ->

Image source: Goodreads

A Very Dare Christmas by Carly Phillips

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: A Very Dare Christmas
Author: Carly Phillips
Series: Dare to Love #6.5
In: Wrap Me Up (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 read Riley and Ian’s story a little while ago, and although time has made some of the details fuzzy, I really enjoyed visiting them a few years after the fact. This short story does give away a few parts of the series that I haven’t yet read, but not enough that I’d call spoilers. And, honestly, it was just really nice to read about the Dare clan and their happily ever afters. Particularly since it is set at Christmas.

With two young children of my own, and reading this at Christmas, I can completely sympathise with Riley’s level of exhaustion. Particularly around the holidays when you are trying to juggle extra familial obligations and making that time of year magical and beautiful. Honestly, the moment when Ian just decides that they should have an extra set of hired helping hands around the house… man, I wish we had that kind of money.

This was a cute, fun, short look back into the lives of all of those in the Dare to Love series. I also love that it was a reminder of what Christmas can look like for those with a big, chaotic family. Mine might not be quite that big, but that chaotic, joyful feeling is still captured perfectly within the pages of this story.

<- SnowboundOne Cruel Wedding ->

Image source: Amazon

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