Tag Archives: Christmas

Stealing Christmas by Kari Lemor

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Stealing Christmas
Author: Kari Lemor
Series: Love on the Line #1.5
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Dave and Tina are a very nice couple. You get behind them from the very beginning and want to see their version of happily ever after completed. Especially as the difficulties in starting their relationship are hinted at. I love that although I haven’t read anything else in this series, it was incredibly easy to figure out the important parts of their relationship. But not enough that you’re not biting at the bit to read the rest of the Love on the Line books. The fact that this short story mentions another couple from the series and is all about spending the holidays with family made them an even cuter couple.

Although most of Dave’s family is completely amazing, Lonnie and Calvin are legitimately the worst family ever. Like, I was completely awestruck by the fact that they not only stole the presents that Tina and Dave were going to give to the rest of the family… they also managed to get half the family arrested and stole identities. It was incredibly impressive and horrible, all at the same time. Makes any chaos within my family seem a little bit more tame.

I loved the proposal twist at the end of this short story. I like when there is a bit of an extra twist to go with all of the stealing and criminal twists throughout this very cute Christmas story. It’s definitely got me intrigued to read more of the Kari Lemor books on my shelf now.

<- Crazy Old MoneyTouched by Fate ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Exposed by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Exposed
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Men of Rogue’s Hollow #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2004

Thoughts

I have to start this review by admitting that I absolutely loved the pun that was in this title. Which I didn’t get until halfway through. Because it is called Exposed and features two photographers – exposed and cameras. It made me very, very happy. It also highlighted how exposed both of the leads felt in this interaction, but that goes down a whole other rabbit hold.

This kind of had Let it Snow vibes with the whole being stranded on a train in the snow. I kind of love these stories which give you a tiny little bottle in which interactions are forced. When it happens with snow, it feels kind of magical. Although, since I’ve only seen snow maybe twice in my life, it’s a bit hard to actually know if it is as romantic and magical as it reads…

Not only was this a fun novella and one that stands beautifully by itself, it also touches upon two other stories in this series. Firstly, there are a few mentions to the previous novella – Baby, It’s Cold Outside. And then, there’s hints towards what Tag’s story in Catch Me If You Can will be like. Both of which I loved. It’s always nice to have a vein of connection throughout stories which stand beautifully by themselves, but also work well together.

I loved the compromise at the end of this story. I am a strong believer in the idea that relationships are all about compromise. Whether they be romantic or platonic. So the fact that Austin and Delilah manage to find that compromise in their own version of happily ever after left me feeling very content. There’s nothing more that I hate than a story which features a couple in which one has had to give up everything to be with the other.

Finally, it was Austin’s final leap of faith and confidence in each other that made me really enjoy this novella. Those grand gestures that are always in media are just so damn cute and this one definitely gave me all of the happy feelings.

<- Baby, It’s Cold OutsideCatch Me If You Can ->

Image source: Kobo

A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Princess for Christmas
Author: Jenny Holiday
Series: Christmas in Eldovia #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I have to start this review with the point that I swear to god I’ve seen this movie on Netflix. But, as I don’t have Netflix anymore, I’m not entirely certain. But, I swear it feels like I’ve seen this before. The fact that it is Jenny Holiday’s version of a Hallmark Christmas movie might be why it seems so familiar though… but I digress. This was a fun and entertaining Christmas read that had me smiling and just generally enjoying the feeling of the season. A great way to get myself mentally prepared for the insanity that hits around December 25th.

Although this was a wonderfully cute and funny story, it did take me a little while to get into it. Leo and Marie are a nice couple, but I didn’t immediately fall in love with either of them, so it was hard to start barracking for the couple. Eventually though, I started to actually want to know that they were going to find their happily ever after. Particularly since this was a romance that was built primarily on friendship, rather than the insta-love tale that sometimes fills my shelves. I love how Leo and Marie slowly get to know each other and just enjoy each other’s’ company for the first half of the book. In my opinion, there is nothing better than a romance that is built upon a friendship first.

If you read the author’s commentary on why she wrote this book, she points out that this was supposed to be her version of a Hallmark Christmas movie. There are so many sassy little references to this throughout the book that leave you smiling and laughing. I love how Holiday is able to poke fun at the genre even as she is writing within it. Yet, there is also something wonderful about the idea of the picturesque country and town of Eldovia where hot chocolate competitions are considered completely normal and there is snow everywhere. Definitely a book I will reread next year in the lead up to Christmas.

Leo and Marie are a somewhat cute couple, one that I did enjoy getting to know. But, I must admit, that there are moments when Gabby steals the show a little. She’s such a happy chatterbox and sweetheart. I hope that she at least makes a bit of an appearance in the next two books in this fun Christmas trilogy.

<- More Jenny HolidayDuke, Actually ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Ringing in the Reefer by Marie Booth

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Ringing in the Reefer
Author: Marie Booth
Series: Steamy Bites #1.5
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I laughed so much throughout this story. It was hilarious and pithy and sassy. Everything I like in a short story that is designed to just sweep you away for a little while. I should have gotten from the title that I would find this humorous, but as the story unfolded I just found everything more and more entertaining.

Bringing families together can always be a fairly intimidating thing to do. It’s almost always slightly chaotic, but the pure, unadulterated chaos in this story was of a whole other kind. The fact that it was going to be chaotic due to the secrets that Rafe was hiding anyway, started it off on a good note. But then the fact that his family basically got Mai’s tightly buttoned crew high… such a ridiculous story. Honestly, everything about this was funnily ridiculous.

I loved this short story. It was a fun and chaotic Christmas family time. Mixing in the paranormal, secrets and drugs… a recipe for pure enjoyment and chaos.

<- Touched by FateThe Thanksgiving Parade from Hell ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Crazy Old Money by Kilby Blades

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Crazy Old Money
Author: Kilby Blades
Series: Gilded Love #6
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Jada and Marsh are an absolutely gorgeous couple. One that I look forward to reading more about in their full-length novel, Loaded. They have such a wonderfully comfortable way of being together. The glances and non-verbal communication that great indication of a healthy, understanding relationship. It’s made me want to dive right back into the Gilded Love series and get to this story…

I love that although Jada and Marsh have a clearly happy and healthy relationship, there are still a lot of secrets between them. Throughout this short story, there is a slow unveiling of these secrets. Mostly on the behalf of Marsh, and the way that they deal with this conflict works well. Particularly how Jada puts up with all of the nonsense that is thrown her way during the course of meeting Marsh’s family.

All family is kind of batty and insane, but Marsh’s definitely takes the cake. Every moment in this story unveils a moment of just pure insanity. I spent most of the time reading this shaking my head in bemused horror. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to walk unprepared into such a ridiculous situation.

Ultimately, I loved this whole story, particularly the ending. Especially the way in which there was poetic justice and a whole lot of happy comeuppance to the painful characters throughout this story. It had that nice feeling of poetic justice at the end and a happily ever after journey into the sunset.

<- A Perfect FitStealing Christmas ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Very Merry Bromance
Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Series: Bromance Book Club #5
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

I always love a good grinch and sunshine trope. I mean grumpy and sunshine is brilliant, but when you add in the Christmas grinch factor? It makes it just that much better and more enjoyable. At least for me. The fact that the grinch in this was the woman, and the sunshine person was the man, made it all that much better in my books. Normally I find that it’s the woman who is all bright and shiny, so I enjoyed having Gretchen as such a wonderfully cantankerous character. And although I most definitely am not that grumpy myself, I completely fell in love with all of her grumpiness and grinch-like ways… maybe she reminded me a little strongly of my own partner…

I loved both Colton and Gretchen in this story. They were a fantastic pair and wonderful couple. But Gretchen’s family? I’ve read plenty of stories with horrible families as part of the characterisation, but Gretchen’s really took the cake. My blood actually boiled a little bit when I was reading about the way that they treat her. And that’s not even including some of the family history reveals that come later in the book! Suddenly a lot of her grumpiness and inability to be vulnerable makes tragic sense. And although it bothered me to no end, it also made for a great read. Plus, when Colton decides to get involved, you fall for him that much more…

Where Gretchen is forced to give up some of her Grinchiness to make space for others in her life, Colton is also forced to give up some of his sunshine characteristics. I like that Gretchen isn’t expected to be suddenly happy, friendly, and cheerful, although she does thaw a bit towards Colton. But I also loved that Colton drops some of his cheerful façade and just acts as himself. He manages to stop fearing that if he’s not sunshine all the time, people will still actually love him. I love that they both had to thaw a little bit in their “tropes” to become a happier and healthier versions of themselves.

All in all, this was a wonderful Christmas story. I love that throughout Colton is constantly trying to help Gretchen feel the joys of Christmas. And to gain those experiences that she has woefully missed out on. It was a good reminder of all of the little traditions and moments that you have in your own families, and how nice it is to share these things with your partner.

A Very Merry Bromance is my first book in the Bromance Book Club series, even if it isn’t actually the first in the series. Now I just desperately want to read more of these stories. I love the idea of having a book club of men reading romance novels. And how they all try and support each other in a way that is very rarely seen in media of any form. It’s a great idea, and Lyssa Kay Adams manages to write it in such a way that is heartfelt, but also incredibly witty, funny, and charming. Definitely a series that is moving up on my list of books that I love.

<- Isn’t It Bromantic?Courting the Countess ->

Image source: Booktopia

Touched by Fate by Preslaysa Williams

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Touched by Fate
Author: Preslaysa Williams
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This was not the story that I was expecting at all. For starters, I thought there would be a whole lot romance in this story than there was. And I kind of loved the fact that there wasn’t. I mean, romance and particularly holiday romances are wonderful, but holiday stories about discovering yourself in spite of romance… that’s even better.

There are a thousand red flags in this story that make you ridiculously happy when Analyn doesn’t get married. Ones that kind of had me clenching the sides of my seat in the hopes that she would take damn notice of them. And then, instead of ending with a date (which I was expecting), it is all about her freedom. I don’t know if there is any better way to end a story – love is all well and good, but self-respect and freedom? Gorgeous.

Even though this was a short story about Analyn, it was the grandmothers that I fell in love with. They were a damn hoot. And had me laughing out loud. I couldn’t believe how much humour Williams was able to install in them in such a short amount of time. Yet another author to add to my shelves if she could have me laughing this much in such a short amount of time…

<- Stealing ChristmasRinging in the Reefer ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Thankful in Perdition by Erin St. Charles

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Thankful in Perdition
Author: Erin St. Charles
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

AJ and Jasmine are an incredibly sweet couple, the kind that is easy and enjoyable to read about in a short story, but maybe doesn’t have enough drama going on for a long tale. It’s a nice way to imagine a settled and happy couple getting through the insanity of the festive season (because there is ALWAYS insanity). St. Charles did a great job of telling you the background to this couple, without getting too bogged down in the details. Certainly an enjoyable holiday short story.

Although this is a simple and easy story, and you can tell from the first instant that the couple is very much in love, the moment that Jasmine realises she loves AJ is probably my favourite. That moment of somewhat everyday life when you just look at someone and know is fantastic. But, the humorousness of this moment was even better. Particularly since this entertaining, but still very sweet moment involves a frozen turkey and an axe…

This short story was one calamity after the other. It was seriously funny reading one chaotic moment after the other and waiting for the next thing to go seriously wrong. Had me giggling out loud quite a bit, and wanting to add a bit more of this fun flavour to my shelves.

<- The Thanksgiving Parade from HellFeliz Chanukah! ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Naughty Santa by Janelle Denison

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Naughty Santa
Author: Janelle Denison
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2016

Thoughts

This is a disgustingly yummy and drool-worthy office romance. The fact that it’s all instigated by Secret Santa is just all that much better. I mean, my gosh, I love a good office romance that is filled with lust and sex. But when it also takes into account a little bit of Christmas? That’s what dreams are made of… at least around Christmas time when sometimes it can be a bit hard to get into the Christmas theme around town…

I love how wonderfully buttoned up Amanda is and how she is so aware of the double standards in the world. The voices that she hears is a little bit concerning though. I mean a lot of us have the angel and devil on our shoulders bit because, well, conscience. But these ones took on a little bit too much of an intensity. It got kind of uncomfortable.

As I’ve come to expect from Denison, this is a great, light and easy read. One filled with lust and a lot of seduction. And seriously enjoyable in all of its simple glory.

<- Meet Me at MidnightSeducing Santa ->

Image source: Amazon

Nutcracker with Benefits by Liz Alden

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Nutcracker with Benefits
Author: Liz Alden
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Wanderlust
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’ve loved the nutcracker as a Christmas story in whatever version for as long as I can remember. So, of course when I saw that there was a novel retelling of it in a contemporary romance format… I was pretty keen to dive right in. And I most definitely was not disappointed! This was a wonderful Christmas story in and of itself, but as a reimagining of some of the themes throughout the Nutcracker? I really enjoyed it. This was one of those rare retellings that took the themes and some of the characterisations, but Alden was able to truly make it her own.

I love that throughout this story, Nash is just trying to show Clara what there is to love about their city and life with him. He might not be exactly subtle about some of it, but he is also obviously trying to make her see what there is to love about home. And also showing how much he truly knows her. Although it’s, admittedly, a little bit manipulative, it’s also incredibly sweet. Particularly the fact that everything he chooses shows Clara just how much he adores her and knows about her.

While reading this, I did think a lot about my little sister. She too has the wanderlust and need to travel. Itchy feet can lead to some pretty incredible adventures, and I love how Clara is able to harness that within her job. However, like my sister, there is a sense of fleeing in all of Clara’s actions. I really enjoy that at the end, she doesn’t have to give up her wanderlust and enjoyment of travel. But rather it’s about finding a better balance. Both in her life and Nash’s. But honestly, seriously the coolest job ever.

This was an incredibly Christmassy book. Not just in the fact that it’s actually set at Christmas and has the whole nutcracker retelling aspect. But also, in the fact that there is so much family involvement. For me, Christmas time is all about family and the chaos that is sure to follow with that kind of gathering. It’s about love and laughter. Alden highlights all of this really well in her story and makes you think of cozy nights with family around laughing and smiling.

<- More Liz AldenMore contemporary romance ->

Image source: Goodreads