Category: Book Review

A Christmas Spark by Cindy Steel | Book Review

Posted December 21, 2022 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 0 Comments

A Christmas Spark by Cindy Steel
Series: Pride and Pranks #1
Published by Self on December 5, 2020
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Holiday - Christmas, Romance, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 131
Format: eBook
Source: Gift
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Snowed in at a cabin with the most infuriating man in the world. I may take my chances with the wolves...

When my best friend found out I’d be alone over Christmas, she hooked me up with a week stay in her family’s cabin in Idaho. I was on a publishing deadline for my latest book and was really looking forward to a cozy week by the fire, cuddled up in flannel pajamas with my laptop and hot chocolate.

Alone.

So imagine my surprise when I arrived at the cabin during a blizzard, and found it already occupied. By an all too familiar face and a fine pack of chiseled abs. Even though it had been ten years since I’d last seen Chase, he had no problem picking up exactly where we left off. I had a big problem with it.It didn’t matter what he threw at me—the old nickname, the teasing, his charming grin, or even those chiseled abs (did I already mention those?), I refused to let him get to me after…the incident. Nope, not me. I was made of stone.

Unfortunately, I’m beginning to understand that when you strike Chase against stone…you get sparks.

★A Christmas Spark is a closed-door romantic comedy full of heart, sizzle, witty banter, and one tiny swear word, but swoony kisses are as steamy as it gets!

I love, love snowed in romances, so when I stumbled across this book last year while looking for some fun Christmas reads I knew I had to have it even though I’m not the biggest fan of enemies to lovers. In this story, the enemies part comes from back in high school when Chase said some hurtful things about Penny. She still feels that pain, whereas he has no recollection of ever saying anything. I think the fact that only one of them saw the other as an enemy is why the trope didn’t bother me. I do wish these two had talked it out way before now, though, because 10 years is a long time to feel that kind of pain over a thing your dumb brother’s best friend said as a teen. But then we wouldn’t have a story, would we? And honestly, if I put myself in Penny’s shoes I’d still be hurt 20 years later and definitely wouldn’t have said anything to Chase about it, so who am I to talk? High school is rough. I know I came out a little traumatized. I really enjoyed how they handled working through it, though, and Chase’s treatment of the situation warmed my heart. The boy has grown up. And he’s gotten himself some abs.

I loved the setting of the cabin. It sounded so cozy and remote, with all the snow and the cold nights under blankets. I’d love to be stranded in that cabin, and I’d really love to be stranded in it with Chase. I loved the banter, the antics, and the Christmas. It’s such a short, short story that I really can’t say much more without spoiling anything! There’s some super swoony moments and some tender discussions and I enjoyed all of it. Many feelings. Cindy’s writing is great, and I can’t wait to read more of this series!

A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas | Book Review

Posted December 19, 2022 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 0 Comments

A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas
Series: Wallflowers #4.5
Also in this series: Devil In Winter
Published by St Martin's Press on October 14, 2008
Genres: Historical Romance, Holiday - Christmas, Romance
Pages: 213
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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A scandalous love under the mistletoe.

It’s Christmas time in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady-in-waiting, and if it weren’t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed.

Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallfowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.

2022 will go down as the year of Lisa Kleypas for me! I have read 18 Lisa Kleypas books this year, which is wild to me, because I haven’t read 18 books by another single author, much less 18 books by one author in a single year! I think I can officially crown her as my favorite author, and what better way to wind down this year than with her Christmas novel. I have loved the Wallflowers series so much, and A Wallflower Christmas is such a lovey cherry on top. It was so much fun to catch up with all the original Wallflowers and see a bit of an extended epilogue for them all. Each one of their love stories was so wonderful, and seeing how they’re all doing now was really fun and felt like coming home. I loved how they all took Hannah under their wings and dubbed her an honorary wallflower. Each woman had their hand in Hannah’s love story, and it was heartwarming to see that kind of love and support be poured down upon her. I love a book with strong female friendships, and the Wallflowers are some of the strongest friendships I’ve read about.

I quite liked Rafe and Hannah both together and individually. Rafe is the brother of Daisy and Lillian, two of the Wallflowers, and it was fun to see them so invested in his love story. Rafe is a rake with a heart of gold and a soft core. He’s sentimental and sweet and so romantic. Some of the things he does and says (and writes) had me fanning myself and getting teary at the same time. He’s come to meet Natalie, who he’s essentially been assigned to marry, but he’s much more interested in her companion, Hannah. Hannah is strong and kind, and one to root for for sure.

I loved returning to Stony Cross Park for Christmas. I adore a strong Christmas theme in historical romance novels because I’ve always been a huge fan of the traditional Christmas preparations. The way Christmas is celebrated in these novels, with candles and real greenery brought it from outside, traditional foods and carols… it just makes me feel so cozy to read about. Hannah chooses to read “A Christmas Carol” to the children in the library each night by a roaring fie. It was so sweet reading about her interactions with them, and their excitement over the story warmed my heart. I love the way Lisa Kleypas was able to wind a new romance, an update on so many beloved characters, and the magic of Christmas into one tale. I wish it had been longer! Oh, how I will miss these Wallflowers and the men in their lives.

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler | Book Review

Posted December 16, 2022 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 4 Comments

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler
Series: Moose Springs Alaska #2
Also in this series: The Tourist Attraction, Enjoy the View
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on November 6, 2020
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Holiday - Christmas, Romance, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (Edelweiss)
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How the moose (almost) stole Christmas.

Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can't stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana's determined to prove that she belongs...even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town's hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.

And really...how hard could it be?

The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it's not getting any easier now that his dream girl's back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it's clear she needs help, fast...and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It's an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong...together.

It’s no secret that I love this Moose Springs, Alaska series by Sarah Morgenthaler, and now is the perfect time to talk about the second book (even though I reviewed 1 and 3 a couple years ago) because it’s the most adorable Christmas romance! Upon finishing I immediately got the audio version so I can listen while baking, wrapping presents, or crocheting Christmas ornaments. Mistletoe and Mr. Right is such a warm, happy, funny, festive read and I will recommend it (and the other books in this series) all day long.

I loved Lana as soon as I met her in The Tourist Attraction, so I was delighted to see her get her own love story this go around. I was also extremely excited to return to Moose Springs and see Zoey, Graham, and all my other favorite people who live there. Lana and Rick have the cutest relationship. I loved watching it all unfold. They are definitely proof that opposites really do attract. Lana is spunky extroverted heiress from the big city and Rick is a quiet, small town single guardian of the sweetest kid. He’s head over heels for Lana already and she hasn’t quite noticed him yet. They kind of go from acquaintances to friends to flirty friends to lovers, and I loved their journey. The moose story is silly, but wonderful. And oh my gosh, there’s this weird squirrel B&B that had me laughing so hard that I had to immediately write to the author.

I don’t want to talk too much, because everything feels like a spoiler to me. But bottom line, you need to read this series. It’s filled with beautiful Alaskan scenery, moose, super down-to-earth characters, small town friendships among the townspeople (everyone knows your name, essentially), and so much heart and humor. I can’t wait for more Sarah Morgenthaler books.

When She Was Naughty by Tessa Dare | Book Review

Posted December 15, 2022 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 2 Comments

When She Was Naughty by Tessa Dare
Published by Self on December 24, 2020
Genres: Historical Romance, Holiday - Christmas, Romance
Pages: 67
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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A Christmas Eve ball.
A light-hearted beauty.
An earl who needs to come in from the cold.

All year long, Chloe Garland’s been trading witty remarks and heated glances with her nemesis, the arrogant Lord Cheverell. But when Chloe tricks him into wearing a hideous waistcoat—complete with sequins, pompoms, and jingle bells—to her family’s Christmas Eve party, she may have gone too far. Her penalty? A single, scorching kiss—and a Christmas gift she never expected.

Love.

I love Tessa Dare, and I’ve been ~~suffering~~ patiently waiting for her next release so I was excited to stumble upon this short story that I had heard absolutely nothing about! When She Was Naughty is a cute, festive, bite-sized story that’s perfect to curl up with on a snowy night! Our heroine, Chloe, tricks Lord Cheverell into wearing the ugliest Christmas waistcoat ever to her family’s fancy ball because she thinks he hates her. The description of this thing is just wonderfully horrible, and I love it so much! In reality, he’s been in love with her for months and this trick has him thinking she hates him. There’s not a lot of depth or angst, just some witty banter, a prank gone wrong, some misunderstandings, a few swoons, and a big dose of festive cheer.

I left this book with a big smile on my face, and that’s really all I ask of a Christmas book. Do I wish it was longer and more developed? Yes. But I wholeheartedly enjoyed what I was given. I highly recommend checking out When She Was Naughty if you need a little pick-me-up and a reminder that Christmas is the most wonderful (and romantic) time of the year!

Sleighed by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward | Book Review

Posted December 9, 2022 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 0 Comments

Sleighed by Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward
Narrator: Andi Arndt, Teddy Hamilton, Sebastian York, Zachary Webber, Maxine Mitchell
Published by C. Scott Publishing on November 15, 2022
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Holiday - Christmas
Length: 3 hrs and 21 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible
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"Get Sleighed"

When my ex dumped me right before Christmas, I was left with a luxury: an all-expense paid trip for two to Cabo—private jet and all. Somehow, my best friend roped me into giving away the other half of the trip as a contest prize on her podcast. Kelly won the “World’s Worst Dump Story”. She and I didn’t meet until we arrived at the airport, which was when I discovered she was actually a he. Apparently, we’d forgotten to include open-to-women-only in the rules. My trip to Cabo started as a disaster, but as time went on Kelly and I grew close. Until someone unexpectedly showed up....

"Lights Out Love"

Cole is utterly annoyed by his neighbor Josie’s obnoxious Christmas display. When she blows out power on the street, he marches over and lets her know what he thinks of the mess she’s made. But when the only generator in town brings the two nemeses together...the Christmas display isn’t the only thing burning bright.

"Hot Item"

Getting into a fight with a sexy stranger over the last hot toy on the shelf was not the way I intended to spend Christmas Eve. And I certainly didn’t plan on spending hours more trying to win a contest to decide who would get to buy it. But when our time is up, would the toy be the only hot item I wanted to take home?

I’ve listened to a few Christmas audiobooks written by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward over the years, and they’re always fun! I was excited to see this one pop up on Audible one day. I hadn’t even heard of it so it was a nice surprise! This was a short and sweet listen that I enjoyed crocheting to for a few hours!

It’s hard to review three short stories, so I’ll just be short and sweet with my review as well! The first novella is called “Get Sleighed“, and it was fun! I thought the idea of having a contest to give away the second half of a vacation after being dumped by the guy you were supposed to go with was a cute idea. I enjoyed my little jaunt to Cabo and had fun hearing about what our hero and heroine (I cannot for the life of me remember their names) did while they were there vacationing. The romance was super sweet. My favorite part was the contest itself. Contestants had to call in to a podcast and share their worst getting dumped story. Some of those stories were hilarious and very entertaining!

The second novella, “Lights Out Love“, was cute, but not my favorite. Josie loves decorating the outside of her house with millions of lights for Christmas. Cole can’t stand having the light pour into his house like the noonday sun every night. Then the power goes out (of course Cole assumes it’s totally Josie’s fault) and he’s even more upset! But Josie, being the kind soul that she is, lets him benefit from her generator and has him over so he can charge his computer and get work done. They strike up a friendship, and Cole softens to her. She de-Scrooges him a little. It’s a very happy, heartwarming story!

The last novella, “Hot Item“, has my heart and really made this book for me. Two people in search of the hottest toy of the season have to battle it out to see who gets to buy it when the manager can’t deal with their arguing. So they spend the evening wrapping presents for charity and whoever gets the most tips wins the right to buy it. They talk a lot and it was all just very sweet. I got a little teary-eyed (in a good way). Really loved this story!

All in all, I had fun with Sleighed! I loved all the narrators (so many of them are my favorites), and it was fun to listen while I crocheted Christmas presents! It was like listening to a movie. Definitely give it a try if you’re in the mood for something short and festive that will make you smile!