A Jingle Bell Mingle by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
Goodreads Blurb: What happens when there’s no room at the inn and you and your potentially demonic cat become roommates with your grumpy one-night stand? Part-time adult film actress/one-time adult film director/makeup artist Sunny Palmer has accidentally sold her very first screenplay to the Hope Channel. That was six months ago. Fast forward to a looming deadline, an uninspired Sunny has returned to the source of her inspiration in Christmas Notch, Vermont, to immerse herself in the local Christmas miracle on which her fever dream of a movie pitch was based. Isaac Kelly, former boy band heartthrob and the saddest boy in the music biz, is the latest owner of the town’s historic mansion. After his years of heartbreak following his young wife’s death, Isaac’s record label is done waiting for new music. What better place to attempt his first holiday album than a snow-covered mansion where he can become a hermit in peace? But after their best friends’ wedding leads to them waking up together in a freezing motel room with questionable wiring and a broken shower, Isaac takes a chance and asks Sunny to stay with him at his home. Surely the place is big enough that he’ll hardly see her or her unhinged cat. But when the two discover they’re both creatively blocked, they make a handshake deal: Isaac will help Sunny hunt down the truth behind the local lore, and Sunny will find Isaac a new muse. And with these two opposites under one roof, there’s no way this jingle bell mingle could go off script…right?
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher.
My take: 3 out of 5. It is the next installment in the Christmas Notch series and it was great to revisit the characters as all the friends from A merry Little Meet Cute and A Holly Jolly Ever After Appear. It is a cute Christmas romance, but as some of the others in the series maybe too steamy for me. Like it felt gratuitous and not really needed in some parts.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year Ally Carter
goodreads blurb: Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter. The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room three days before Christmas. Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt: She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery. He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy. She hates his guts. He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.) But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself. That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone. She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust? As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor. Assuming they don’t kill each other first.
My take: 3.5 out of 5. This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I loved some parts and was hesitant on others. It has great Christmas vibes and I love the mystery element to it. The romance felt a bit too insta love for me, I wasn’t fully getting the devotion, even if they make a cool detective pair. The ending was also absurd but great. A very meta situation, a cozy mystery about a cozy mystery writer investigating the disappearance of another cozy mystery writer, with a cozy mystery writer.
Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot
Goodreads blurb: Snow is falling, holiday lights are twinkling, and Abby Cohen is pissed. For one thing, her most annoying customer, Seth, has been coming into her café every morning with his sunshiny attitude, determined to break down her carefully constructed emotional walls. And, as the only Jew on the tourism board of her Vermont town, Abby’s been charged with planning their fledgling Hanukkah festival. Unfortunately, the local vendors don’t understand that the story of Hanukkah cannot be told with light-up plastic figures from the Nativity scene, even if the Three Wise Men wear yarmulkes. Desperate for support, Abby puts out a call for help online and discovers she was wrong about being the only Jew within a hundred miles. There’s one Seth. As it turns out, Seth’s parents have been badgering him to bring a Nice Jewish Girlfriend home to New York City for Hanukkah, and if Abby can survive his incessant, irritatingly handsome smiles, he’ll introduce her to all the vendors she needs to make the festival a success. But over latkes, doughnuts, and winter adventures in Manhattan, Abby begins to realize that her fake boyfriend and his family might just be igniting a flame in her own guarded heart.
My take: 3.5 out of 5. Love that we got to read about another holiday, and we should have more varied holiday books to choose from. I also loved that since a bit part of the story was about setting up a Hanukkah fair, it was pretty educational on the customs which i really enjoyed. I was very annoyed at the amount of time that was spend describing her headaches, especially the use of Hurricane CAtegories for it. (maybe its because im in Florida and I dont want that many reminders of Hurricane Season?). A very cute inclusive holiday romance that you will enjoy.
The Christmas Cookie Wars Eliza Evans
Goodreads blurb: From the author of The Christmas Café, a romantic comedy about a woman who’s determined to save Christmas for her sons, even if it means waging a holiday cookie war with their handsome principal…if she can resist falling in love with him. Melody Monroe will do anything to help her nine-year-old twin boys muster up the holiday spirit. Especially since they lost their father, the boys have started questioning the point of Christmas at all. So, when Melody learns the school’s Yuletide Cookie Club has disbanded due to dissension in the top ranks, she knows she must take over the cookie club herself, even if it means dealing with the infuriating school principal, Jonathan Braxton. But when a small argument turns into a town-wide bake-off between her and Jonathan, Melody finds that her competitive spirits have turned romantic. Love can’t be in the cards. Her focus is on her boys, and saving Christmas. This year, will Melody be willing to let go of the past and embrace the magic of the holidays for herself?
My take: 2.75 out of 5. If i were to describe this in the same categories I use for my Hallmark Movies it would fall under the predictable but naughty world. I was just to formulaic and really the tension was just not there. I really did not care about the Cookie Club, and the pettiness of the Moms. The kids were adorable though, and it was the part I liked the relationship between mom and kids. A very dont the fairway traditional Christmas book, but you might get the same feeling more effectively in a bad Hallmark Christmas Movie.
Christmas in Aspen by Anita Hughes
Goodreads blurb: Editor Caroline Holt is on her way to her late mother’s upstate cabin in Hudson to spend the holidays. She was supposed to be in London, having a holiday romance. But this Christmas, she isn’t in the mood to get her heart broken again. Caroline loves being an editor, but in the last year burnout has taken over. She has been mourning her mother, and she is looking to get that spark back. In the cabin, Caroline finds a letter addressed to her mother. It’s in a red envelope, and the return address is Santa’s Little Red mailbox, in Aspen, Colorado. The letter is from a man declaring his love for her mother. He’ll be waiting for her in front of the Little Red Mailbox at three pm on New Year’s Eve. Unable to ignore her curiosity, Caroline takes the next flight to Aspen to meet her mother’s mysterious lover, but things start getting complicated when she meets another man in town. The more they run into each other, the more she is drawn to him. And when Caroline finds out the truth about the person her mother had loved, she unravels secrets of her own past. By the end of Christmas week, Caroline gets a chance to rewrite her own destiny by confronting her fears of loving again and possibly leaving behind what she thought was a perfect life.
My take: 2.5 out of 5. I really wanted to love this one, but i just fell in a tepid like on this one. The Great thing that is has going for it is the setting. Like most Anita Hughes books the setting is amazing, and Aspen lends itself to great descriptions, activities and you really want to go there. What I wasn’t that into where the characters and the premise. The premise is absurd for this day and age of cellphones. Absolutely absurd. You mean to tell me that a love interest would jsut wait six months to re-meet in Aspen and never text in between (given that they had communicated before via text) and not know their lover is dead. Not logical. I love an illogical cute plot as much as the next person but this was too much. As for the characters both could have used a good dose of therapy, there were issues a plenty. I came for the setting but was not loving the rest.
I also read the 5 books of the Amazon Christmas romance novellas. I loved the valentine edition so had high hopes for this. Quick summary, it is nowhere near as good as the valentines day selection but there are some solid stories. I put them here in the order that I liked them, with a quick blurb (they are tiny, they don’t deserve more than a line 😉
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
Goodreads blurb: For two former childhood friends, a blustery winter storm stirs some frosty—and scorching—memories in a delightful short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood. All newly minted pediatrician Jamie Malek wants is to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, that requires her to interact with Marc—her best friend’s troublemaking brother, who’s now a tech billionaire. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who broke his heart. Outside, a howling blizzard. Inside, a crackling fire. Suddenly, being snowbound with the man she never expected to see again might not be such a bad way to spend a winter’s night. Ali Hazelwood’s Cruel Winter with You is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.
My take: 4 out of 5. Ali Hazelwood knows how to write a story! I wanted a full version of this and I was amazed at how much story and development she got in a short story.
Only Santas in The Building by Alexia Daria
Goodreads blurb: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially for a comic book illustrator whose late-night fantasies become real in a festive and flirty short story by bestselling author Alexis Daria. All Evie Cruz wants for Christmas is a nap. And maybe some ornaments for her naked Christmas tree. And while she’s making a list, she wouldn’t mind unwrapping her sexy upstairs neighbor like a present. Luckily, the building’s Santa-themed party and a surprise sprig of mistletoe give her just the opening she needs to make all her wishes come true. Alexis Daria’s Only Santas in the Building is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.
My take: 3.75 out of 5. The whole concept of the 12 ornaments being left for her is adorable! I also now want to dress up as Christmas Mariah Carey for a party.
Merri-ment & Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
Goodreads blurb: This Christmas, a hot fireman makes a holiday rescue and sparks fly in this funny, sexy holiday short story by bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur. When Everleigh Dangerfield’s baking disaster necessitates a call to 911, firefighter Griffin Brantley douses the flames in the kitchen, but the ones he stokes in Everleigh are an entirely different story. Unfortunately, Everleigh’s only visiting and doesn’t do casual hookups, no matter how smoldering the temptation. But Everleigh’s holiday mishaps have just begun. And Griffin is seemingly always on call. If Everleigh is game for a change of plans, he can give her the merriest Christmas of her life. Alexandria Bellefleur’s Merriment and Mayhem is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.
My take: 3.5 out of 5. This one wins for the fun and absurd meet cutes, and I love a good meet cute.
All by my Elf by Olivia Dade
Goodreads blurb: Secret crushes, spicy Christmas treats, heinous holiday traffic, and a fateful snowstorm bring good friends together in a funny, heartfelt short story by bestselling author Olivia Dade. Nina and William are underpaid adjunct professors at the same university, where winter break is no break at all: ’tis the season to make extra money. When their holiday side hustle has them stranded by a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere, there’s nothing to do but cuddle up for warmth and play a game of Never Have I Ever to pass the time. But in the game of love, secrets never stay secret for long… Olivia Dade’s All by My Elf is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.
My take: 3 out of 5. IT was a sweet love story yet a tad weird, like why are they in a dildo truck?
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
Goodreads blurb: A single mother working in a thrift store. A gentle giant farmer who can’t find jeans that fit. When opposites attract, they find themselves making alterations in more ways than one in this smoking-hot short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey. Evie Crowe is starting over in a strange town with her newborn, and men are the furthest thing from her mind. If only the quiet, hulking farmer, Luke Ward, would stop coming into the thrift shop and piquing her reluctant interest. Evie wants to stay single all the way—she can’t trust anything more than friends-with-holiday-benefits. But Luke is in it for the long haul. He’s fixed on making this a Christmas Evie will remember forever. If she gives him a chance. Tessa Bailey’s Merry Ever After is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.
My take: 2 out of 5. This was a big fat no for me. Way too insta love and way too mega spicy
Tati's Tidbits 