Holiday | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS by Jaqueline Snowe

November 10, 2023

From the publisher:

Fans of Christina Lauren and Maggie Knox will adore this fun and festive romcom featuring a grumpy/sunshine duo who find themselves stuck together over the holidays, where the weather outside is frightful—but inside, things are heating up in this sexy holiday story.

Sorority mom Becca Fairfield is used to guys not taking her seriously. She’s too blond, too quirky, or Just. Too. Much. So she’s ditched dating to focus on her job and a house filled with drama and plenty of tea. Now with the holidays and a major blizzard on her doorstep, Becca has everything she needs to survive the next two weeks on her own. Hot cocoa, plenty of books . . . and the memory of a steamy kiss with a certain sexy, grumposaurus next-door neighbor to keep her warm.

Only Becca’s seriously underestimated this Snowpocalypse. So when the power goes out and Harrison Cooper—football coach, master crank, and the guy who acted mega-awkward after said steamy kiss—offers her shelter, it only makes sense to accept. They’ll just be Blizzard Buddies. Hang out, stay safe, and maybe indulge in a little R-rated cuddling. Becca knows that Harrison isn’t the dating kind, and what happens during the storm lasts only as long as the storm. But are they keeping warm . . . or playing with fire?

“A superbly satisfying holiday romance with lots of witty banter, adorable protagonists, and expertly choreographed romantic moments.”―Booklist

“Snowe’s grumpy/sunshine pairing delves beyond stereotypes and offers up a sweet story of growth and understanding, interspersed with plenty of hot moments.”―Library Journal
https://amzn.to/3ucfGYE

This is such a fun holiday read! Becca is a house mother in a sorority house, and she loves her job, the girls, and all the peccadillos they get into. She doesn’t have much of a social life since her date with the coach next door. It was a great date followed by a great kiss, and then he ghosted her – not easy to do since he lives a few yards away. Nonetheless, they haven’t spoken since that night.

As the holidays draw near, the girls are all packed up and heading home for the holidays. Becca is staying and keeping things in order at the sorority house, except a blizzard is heading their way. When Harrison, the coach next door, offers her shelter in the storm, Becca gratefully accepts. They lose power almost immediately, but Harrison has cut up enough wood to see them through the storm if they huddle in front of the fireplace.

As they spend more time together, their attraction comes rearing back. Becca is scared of getting hurt again, but eventually, they talk about what happened and why, and decide to be “blizzard buddies” and have some fun during the storm. Afterward, everyone will go back to their neutral corners. But best laid plans and all that lead to a very happy ending, and make this a super fun, sexy Christmas read. Snowe is turning into an author not to be missed!

11/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS by Jaqueline Snowe. Forever (October 3, 2023). ISBN: 978-1538739815. 336p.

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THE HOLIDAY HEARTBREAKER by Maisey Yates

November 3, 2023

Four Corners Ranch, Book 5

From the publisher:

A fresh start is all she wants this Christmas, but maybe a cowboy is all she needs…

It’s not the holiday season she’d envisioned. But moving back home with her son, Benny, is all single mom Elizabeth Colfax can do after her ex-husband’s infidelity left their life in pieces. A fresh start at Four Corners Ranch means Elizabeth’s dream career in equine therapy can become a reality, allowing her to share her love of horses with Benny. If only it didn’t also mean butting heads with Brody McCloud, the frustratingly attractive cowboy who sets sparks off inside her.

Brody doesn’t do complicated, and Elizabeth’s got more baggage than an airport. But there’s something about the woman that’s always gotten under his skin in a very welcome way. As the simmering tension between them grows harder to ignore, they’ll have to decide if their undeniable attraction can outweigh a shared loss of faith in forever. Maybe this Christmas, they can find a family worth fighting for.

In the bonus novella Wild Night Cowboy, can a cowboy with a dark past find his future with the one woman he shouldn’t touch?

Four Corners Ranch

Book 1: Unbridled Cowboy
Book 2: Merry Christmas Cowboy
Book 3: Cowboy Wild
Book 4: The Rough Rider
Book 5: The Holiday Heartbreaker
Book 6: The Troublemaker
https://amzn.to/3QkCm0r

I love me a good cowboy romance, and throw some Christmas into the mix, and I am one happy reader! Yates always writes good books, and this is a terrific addition to a really fun series. I started reading this last year with the Christmas book in the series, but the rest of the books are not holiday-centric, until this one. That said, they are all good and while I think it helpful to read in order, they all stand alone just fine. So if you want to start here, you will not feel like you missed a thing.

The setting is Four Corners Ranch, an unusual spread in that it is owned by four different families, each with their own type of business. This book is set on the McCloud family’s ranch, that specializes in equine therapy. Owned by a family of brothers, Gus, the eldest, hires Elizabeth Colfax to run the therapy side of the things. They offer her a small home on the property, and she is thrilled.

Elizabeth had a rough childhood, growing up in the foster care system. She met Carter in high school and never had another boyfriend. They married young and had a son, Benny, but by the time he was two years old, Carter had fallen in love with someone else – and she was pregnant. He dumped Elizabeth in a heartbeat and remarried the new baby mama. She was devastated, mostly because of her childhood of abandonment. She moves into a tiny apartment with Benny, and her ex blows off most of his weekends with his son over the next several years to concentrate on his new famlily. Finally, Elizabeth decides to do something for herself and with the court’s approval, takes the job three hours away on the ranch.

There she meets Brody McCloud, one of the younger McCloud brothers and one of two that are still unmarried. There is a strong attraction between them, but they both fight it – until they can’t. Despite their wealth, the McCloud brothers grew up with an extremely abusive father, and a mother who was so abused that she left them all. Weirdly, Brody was the only son that his father never abused, and he has survivor’s guilt, among other issues.

As Brody and Elizabeth get to know one another, they both realize they are revealing things to one another that they have never spoken aloud before. Their relationship deepens, but Brody has long decided that marriage isn’t for him. He is a one-night stand sort of guy and very up front about it. Elizabeth decides to go for it anyway since she has no other dating experience, and once they end up in bed, all bets are off.

There are more than the usual hurdles here with all the trauma in their backgrounds, but these two fall in love, fighting it every second of the way. It was rewarding to see Elizabeth learn about sex, too – her limited experience with her ex left much to be desired. I loved watching these characters help heal one another and form a blended family. I was very sorry to turn the last page, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

11/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE HOLIDAY HEARTBREAKER by Maisey Yates. Canary Street Press; Original edition (September 26, 2023). ISBN: 978-1335600790. 432p.

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THE HOLIDAY MIX-UP by Ginny Baird

October 27, 2023

From the publisher:

While You Were Sleeping meets The Wedding Date with a fun Puerto Rican holiday twist in NYT and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird’s latest romance, in which a diner waitress agrees to be her patron’s fake date…only for him to land in a coma and her to be stuck playing his sweetheart with his family all week long.

Lonely-hearted waitress Katie Smith has nowhere to go for Christmas, and a huge crush on her gorgeous diner patron Juan Martinez. So when Juan asks Katie to pose as his girlfriend for holiday festivities at his family’s winery, Katie leaps at the chance…that is, until an accident lands Juan in a coma right after giving his folks the “news.” Katie knows she should tell the Martinezes the truth, but when they immediately embrace her, Katie is reluctant to let her fantasy of a family holiday go. And then there’s Juan’s brother, Mateo, whose smile tugs at her heartstrings just right―and who tells her perfect Juan might not be everything he seems.

Second son Mateo Martinez loves his brother, but Juan’s plan to “rebrand and expand” Los Cielos Cellars has cost their family too much and put its entire tradition in jeopardy. Katie seems to understand, but she’s still committed to Juan…even when Mateo starts to wish her gentle heart and beautiful smile were committed to him instead. With the winery at stake, secrets on all sides, and Juan due to wake up any day, can Katie and Mateo follow their hearts to a Christmas miracle, or will this mix-up ruin their chances?

“Baird excels at capturing the Martinez family’s warmhearted and somewhat kooky dynamic, adding to the cozy, homey atmosphere. This is a delight.” ― Publishers Weekly

“Fans of Hallmark movies and authors Sophie Cousens and Lia Louis will appreciate this wholesome holiday offering from Baird.” ― Library Journal
https://amzn.to/3tHiNI5

While You Were Sleeping is one of my favorite romcoms, and I rewatch it every year. So that description grabbed me right away. I loved the premise of the book, and it really lived up to my expectations.

Katie has no family left, other than her boss at the diner where she is a waitress. Her boss isn’t really her family, but she is like a surrogate mom. Katie has a huge crush on one of her customers, Juan. He is extremely good looking and kind to Katie, but she knows she is completely out of his league. Much to her surprise, he asks her if she would consider coming to his family home for Christmas. He is very tired of his family setting him up on blind dates, and if she would do it, he could finally have an enjoyable holiday. Of course she agrees, thinking once her spends a little time with her, he’ll probably ask her out for real.

The next day, as he leaves the diner, there is an accident, and only Katie’s quick thinking saves his life. But he has a head injury, and the doctor puts him into a coma until the swelling in his brain goes down. While she is at the hospital, his family arrives. It turns out he must have spent the day texting his family about her, because they immediately embrace her as his girlfriend – then fiancé.

Katie knows she needs to come clean, but she did make him a promise so she is torn about what to do. She hasn’t had a family Christmas in too long, and she just can’t bring herself to tell them. Meanwhile, she meets Juan’s brother, Mateo, who is a bit suspicious of her. But as he gets to know her, he starts wishing she was his girlfriend instead of Juan’s. And Katie can’t help thinking that maybe she had a crush on the wrong brother.

Everything works out the way it is supposed to in the end, but it was so much fun getting there. There are some serious issues as well, and I was completely engrossed in this story until I turned that last page. If you want a sweet, funny, heartwarming holiday romance, this is a good one!

10/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE HOLIDAY MIX-UP by Ginny Baird. Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 10, 2023). ISBN: 978-1728256528. 352p.

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THE TWELVE DOGS OF CHRISTMAS by Susan Wiggs

October 20, 2023

From the publisher:

The ultimate holiday gift from New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs: a delightful novel about a Christmas transport of rescue puppies that’s guaranteed to warm readers’ hearts.

Brenda Malloy wants nothing to do with Christmas ever again. Last year, Brenda and her husband rushed their beloved dog Tim to the emergency vet on Christmas eve. The good news: Tim survived after the vet cleared the obstruction–a pair of women’s lace undies. The bad news: the undies were not Brenda’s.

A year after the breakup, Brenda has put her life back together. She’s trained for a marathon, is writing a children’s novel, and she’s found purpose and healing as a volunteer with a dog rescue organization in Houston, Texas. The rescue partners with a program in Avalon, New York–a small, snowy town deep in the Catskills. Now Brenda is arranging the transport of rescued dogs from Houston to Avalon—just in time for a merry Christmas with their forever families. Brenda’s friends worry about her driving a van two thousand miles with twelve dogs in crates, but she shrugs off their concern. How hard can it be? She knows the way, and she’s just looking to escape the Christmas overload for a while.

But a blinding snowstorm, an escaped mutt, and a life-saving encounter with Adam Bellamy—a single dad and paramedic—means Brenda has to stay in Avalon longer than she planned. As she drops off each precious pup at their new homes, some of the comfort and joy of the season begins to creep up on Brenda despite her determination to avoid the holidays. Perhaps you can bring Christmas into your heart after all…if you have the right furry friends to guide the way.

“When it comes to celebrating Christmas, Brenda Malloy has two words: bah humbug. But when she reluctantly volunteers to help transport a dozen rescue dogs to their new homes, she discovers the true meaning of the holidays. No one knows how to tug at readers’ hearts quite like Wiggs, and her latest canine-centered charmer brims with good cheer.” —Booklist

“Readers looking for a quick and satisfying Christmas novel, with the bonus of uplifting dog rescues, will love every page.” —Library Journal
https://amzn.to/3tHiNI5

This was a sweet treat from one of my favorite authors. Brenda works for a dog rescue operation that prides itself on finding forever homes for their fur babies. Located in Houston, they have partnered with a small town in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. Brenda processes the applications and matches their homeless dogs with families who want them. That’s usually the extent of her involvement, but this year, Brenda gets roped into a road trip from Houston to New York with a dozen dogs ready to be rehomed.

When they narrowly miss hitting some deer on the icy, snowy mountainous road, Brenda is fine but the driver, not so much. And their van is on its side, dogs safe in their crates but scared. When the paramedic, Adam, arrives, he helps Brenda get the dogs out of the topsy-turvy van and ensures the driver is taken care of. Then, he offers to help her deliver the dogs.

As Brenda and Adam spend time together on this doggie project, they realize how much they enjoy each other; their only problem is geography. Adam has a young son and really can’t leave the area, but is Brenda willing to make a move for love?

This is a heartwarming romance full of love, puppies, charity, and Christmas cheer – all the good stuff. I loved it!

10/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE TWELVE DOGS OF CHRISTMAS by Susan Wiggs. William Morrow (October 17, 2023). ISBN: 978-0063253513. 256p.

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2 Comments | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Christmas, Holiday | Permalink
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CHRISTMAS IN PAINTED PONY CREEK by Linda Lael Miller

October 20, 2023

From the publisher:

Get cozy with this heartwarming holiday story!

Can a Christmas miracle mend her broken heart?

Tessa Stafford will do anything for her daughter, Isabel…even stay on the run to protect Isabel from her narcissistic grandmother. But when her car breaks down in Painted Pony Creek, Tessa gets caught up in the warm embrace of the town and feels safe enough to build a home—and a life—for them both. Love is the last thing on her mind until rugged cowboy and lawyer Jesse McKettrick’s sexy smile and easy way tempt her into imagining more. But can she trust this handsome stranger with her heart?

When Tessa and her adorable daughter blow into town, Jesse McKettrick is smitten—by both the little girl and her beautiful mother. He’s always wanted a family of his own. Maybe this Christmas, his wish will finally come true. But the walls around Tessa are impenetrable, and when Tessa’s past threatens their newfound future—and the family he’s come to love—Jesse won’t let them go without a fight.

Painted Pony Creek:

Book 1: Country Strong
Book 2: Country Proud
Book 3: Country Born
Book 4: Christmas in Painted Pony Creek

“The subtly Christmassy backdrop and folksy supporting characters up the charm factor. Longtime readers will be thrilled to revisit this small town with a big heart at the most wonderful time of the year.” Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/45GzWin

This was my first read in this series, and I wouldn’t have known it was part of a series – it stands alone beautifully. Miller writes a lot of contemporary westerns, which I love, and combined with Christmas made this a must read for me. It’s a short book with well defined characters that leap off the page, from Tessa to her daughter to Jesse, the cowboy/lawyer who falls in love with both mother and daughter.

Tessa was a foster child, and is determined to make it as a single mother. The baby daddy is a bit of a jerk, but was happy to sign over his rights. His stepmother, on the other hand, takes it upon herself to try and get custody of the baby. The evil stepmother has a ton of money and influence, so Tessa figures she won’t stand a chance. She hits the road, trying to stay one step ahead of the woman chasing her down. Until she gets to the charming town of Painted Pony Creek.

The town feels welcoming to Tess. Before she knows it, she has a job and a place to live, and all the support a single mother could use. When she gets a custody demand, she turns to Jesse, who is only too happy to help her. There is a strong attraction there but Tessa isn’t looking for a relationship, not while she has to stay one step ahead of the stepmother. But it’s hard not to want to stay in this small town filled with caring people who seem to have her back. Not to mention Jesse, who seems to have her heart.

I really enjoyed this sweet romance. It’s a lovely read set during the Christmas holiday, without being preachy. I might have to go find the earlier books in this series.

10/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CHRISTMAS IN PAINTED PONY CREEK by Linda Lael Miller. Canary Street Press; Original edition (October 10, 2023). ISBN: 978-1335430670. 288p.

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EVERY DAY IS CHRISTMAS by Karen Schaler

October 13, 2023

A Heartwarming, Feel Good Christmas Romance Novel

From the publisher:

From Karen Schaler, the Emmy Award-winning writer of Christmas movies for Hallmark, Netflix, and Lifetime, and beloved Christmas romance novels, comes this powerful new Christmas romance for 2023, a heartfelt holiday love story about second chances and believing anything is possible at Christmas…

A shrewd money manager at the top of her game, Alexis Taylor is a proud workaholic who “humbugs” Christmas and love. The only holiday tradition Alexis embraces is always breaking up with her boyfriends right before Christmas.

But this Christmas, everything changes when Alexis gets a holiday visit of a lifetime. As Alexis’s past, present, and future collide, she’s forced to risk the one thing money can’t buy…her heart.

Inspired by Karen Schaler’s treasured Christmas movie Every Day is Christmas, this heartwarming Christmas romance about redemption, forgiveness, family, and second chances is written with Karen’s signature warmth and humor, celebrating the power of true love and Christmas miracles.

Bonus Content: Includes exclusive Christmas recipes, holiday activities, and pictures from the movie set.
https://amzn.to/46jZgvB

I am completely in awe of Schaler – she has written many, many Christmas movies for Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix and I don’t know where else, and given them new life as novels. I never saw this movie (it was on Lifetime,) so I can’t compare, but I enjoyed the book.

This story is based on Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, but brought firmly into the 21st century. Our Scrooge is Alexis Taylor, a self-made millionaire who owns and runs her eponymously named finance company. By any standard, she is uber-wealthy and successful. She owns her own office building, with her company occupying the top floor, in one of Atlanta’s most prestigious neighborhoods, and lives in the penthouse apartment of a very fancy building. What she doesn’t have is family – her parents were killed in an accident on Christmas Eve, twenty years earlier. She’s been on her own ever since.

When Alexis lost her parents, she lost everything – they died in debt, and she had to sell everything they owned to pay it off. It also put her own very expensive Ivy League education on hold. Eventually, she went to community college and worked her way through before starting her own company. Now she has everything she has ever wanted. Or so she thinks.

When Alexis gets her year-end report, she sees that they did not meet their goals for the year. She immediately walks into the unauthorized Christmas party her staff is having and lets them all know they need to get back to work immediately, and to plan on working Christmas day through the new year – no time off for anyone. Then, she rescinds all their year-end bonuses.

Alexis has very few people in her life that she can count on. Her driver, Justin, has been with her for many years and has always been kind and supportive of her. Her COO, Jeff, is the same – and he’s the one who keeps the staff working there, despite her wicked witch energy. And after she cancels Christmas for her staff, she realizes it is time to break up with her boyfriend.

Alexis is beautiful but so anti-Christmas that the minute a boyfriend brings it up, they are history. This latest one seems to actually get it. Instead of trying to persuade her to love Christmas, he plans a vacation to Bali, where he plans to propose. But Alexis isn’t aware of the proposal, and she has to let him know she isn’t going on any vacation but rather working through Christmas. She also dumps him, as is her custom.

The Ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future are her parents, a really interesting choice. As Alexis learns about her life and how hollow it truly is, she realizes that she must make drastic changes. Immediately.

The romance is here, but I don’t want to spoil it. My only complaint was the many paragraphs of lyrics of very popular, often classic, Christmas songs – it just felt like page filler. Other than “O Christmas Tree” AKA “O Tannebaum” – I learned that there are lots of different lyrics to that song. I had no idea! (Wikipedia lists several versions if you’re curious.) This is a fast, fun holiday read, as are all of Schaler’s books. This one had me laughing out loud and crying now and then – perfect Christmas fodder. 🎄

10/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

EVERY DAY IS CHRISTMAS by Karen Schaler. Hawktale Publishing (October 10, 2023). ISBN: 979-8988543510. 314p.

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WRECK THE HALLS by Tessa Bailey

October 13, 2023

From the publisher:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey delivers a sexy, hilarious standalone holiday rom-com about the adult children of two former rock stars who team up to convince their estranged mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert…

Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. She spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight (one awkward tabloid photo was enough, thanks). But when a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live tv, Mel begins to wonder if it’s time to rattle the cage, shake up her quiet life… and see him again. The only other person who could wrangle the rock and roll divas.

Beat Dawkins, the lead singer’s son, is Melody’s opposite—the camera loves him, he could charm the pants off anyone, and his mom is not a potential cult leader. Still, they might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it’s nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show.

While dealing with rock star shenanigans, a 24-hour film crew, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans, Mel starts to step out of her comfort zone. With Beat by her side, cheering her on, she’s never felt so understood. But Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and a decades-old scandal is poised to wreck everything—the Steel Birds reunion, their relationships with their mothers, and their newfound love.

“Bailey writes banter and rom-com scenarios with aplomb, but for those who like their romance on the spicier side, she’s also the Michelangelo of dirty talk. She wields filth like Da Vinci does a paintbrush, and there’s a lot to be said for an author who can fill such exchanges with all the requisite heat, enthusiastic consent, and yes, even humor, of such a scenario without veering into corny territory.” — Entertainment Weekly
https://amzn.to/46BuFcw

Not sure why, but I kept thinking about Fleetwood Mac while reading this story about a band that broke up, and no one really knows why. All anyone knows is that the two leads, both women, have been hating on each other ever since.

They were both pregnant when they split, so their kids never met until they were teenagers. Both have long been in the public eye due to their famous parents. Beat has always been the golden boy who can do no wrong, while Melody came under the scrutiny of the media, with devastating results to her self esteem. When they meet on the set of a TV morning show, there is an instant rapport that they both feel. They exchange phone numbers, but neither one ever reaches out. Until several years later when Beat agrees to a live streaming show, with him trying to get the band back together. When Melody is told that Beat is on board, she also agrees and the couple gets to meet again.

Their feelings for one another are even stronger as adults, and as they spend time together, they fall in love. But their mothers are none too happy about it. Much to their surprise, Beat’s mother agrees to a reunion when Melody lies and tells her that her mother is already on board – which turns out to be just as difficult as they suspected it would. Beat is being blackmailed; he needs the money from the show to pay off his blackmailer, and while he never told his parents about it, he tells Melody, although withholds the blackmailer’s identity.

With the world watching, Beat and Melody fall in love, and despite the almost insurmountable obstacles to their futures, a happy ending is reached.

I usually love Tessa Bailey’s books, but the emphasis on sex here was a bit over the top for me, so if that is a concern for you, this is your forewarning. Ultimately, I did enjoy this book, but it was not my favorite, maybe because it is a holiday book? I think I like my Christmas romances more on the tame side.

10/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WRECK THE HALLS by Tessa Bailey. Avon (October 3, 2023). ISBN: 978-0063308305. 368p.

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FAKING CHRISTMAS by Kerry Winfrey

October 6, 2023

A Christmas Novel

From the publisher:

Laurel Grant is playing house for the holidays—complete with a fake husband and kids—in this delightful, charming rom-com by Kerry Winfrey.

Laurel Grant works as the social media manager for Buckeye State of Mind, an Ohio tourism magazine and website. She most definitely does not run a farm . . . but one tiny misunderstanding leads her boss, Gilbert, to think she owns her twin sister Holly’s farm just outside of Columbus. Laurel only handles the social media for the farm, but she’s happy to keep her little white lie going if it means not getting fired—she cannot be jobless again.

And keep it going she must when Gilbert, recently dumped by his wife, invites himself over for the farm’s big Christmas Eve Eve dinner (as advertised on Meadow Rise Farm’s Instagram, thanks to Laurel herself). Laurel immediately goes into panic mode to figure out how she can trick Gilbert into thinking she’s basically the Martha Stewart of rural Ohio and keep her job in the process.

Laurel and Holly come up with the perfect plan—all Laurel has to do is pretend to own the farm for one dinner. But Laurel shows up at the farm to find an unwelcome guest is waiting: Max Beckett, her nemesis since Holly’s wedding. The annoyingly attractive man she hates will be posing as Laurel’s husband just for the evening, but when a snowstorm traps them all for the entire weekend, Laurel is going to have to figure out how to survive with her job and dignity intact. Whatever the case, this promises to be the most eventful Christmas in ages. . . .

“With a keen eye for both the wacky and the wonderful, Winfrey (Just Another Love Song) rings in the holidays with a clever comedy of errors…The sweet romance blooms organically amid the chaos and Winfrey uses it as a vehicle to touch on deeper themes of loneliness and self-esteem. The results are utterly adorable.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“In Winfrey’s latest rom-com, opposites attract amid festive holiday fun. Winfrey mixes up a tale of tenderness, mischief, and friendship as inviting as your favorite Hallmark movie. Holiday hijinks and fake dating make Winfrey’s romantic comedy a cozy classic.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Anyone who’s ever enjoyed a quirky heroine, a Hallmark Channel movie, or the classic Christmas in Connecticut should rush to pick this one up.”—Library Journal
https://amzn.to/46jZgvB

Winfrey delivers another fun romcom, this time for the holidays! Some of my favorite tropes are included here; enemies to lovers, and fake dating. Plus twins!

Holly and Laurel are identical-ish twins; their differences are slight, but the truly observant can tell them apart. But their lives, and their personalities, are completely different. Holly lives on a picture perfect farm, has a doting husband, twin sons, crafts like Martha Stewart, uses power tools like a pro, and cooks like Ina Garten. Laurel, on the other hand, is perpetually single, one slip away from unemployment, burns toast, and has some serious self esteem issues, especially when comparing herself to her twin.

Their family always celebrates Christmas Eve Eve with a big dinner at the farm. In her job as social media maven for an Ohio magazine, Laurel has posted many, many pictures of her sister’s farm, meals, crafts, etc. There is only one tiny, little problem – her boss has the mistaken impression that it is Laurel’s farm and family, and fearing for her job, Laurel is afraid to tell him. The bigger problem is that Gilbert is the best boss she’s ever had.

It all comes to a head when Gilbert’s wife leaves him for their accountant. He is devastated, and invites himself to the farm for the famous Christmas Eve Eve dinner. The twins parents have decided to go on vacation to somewhere warm this Christmas, so it’s just the girls and their brother, if he shows up. And Laurel’s brother-in-law’s best friend, Max.

Laurel has hated Max since Holly’s wedding, when she overheard him say something horrible about her sister. No one knows she heard it, and she never told Holly – she didn’t want to hurt her. But it turns out Max has become part of the family, and has graciously agreed to play Laurel’s husband for this farce for Gilbert.

It takes a while for Laurel and Max to realize their attraction to one another, and to get past their history, but it’s such a fun ride to get there. This was a fast paced story with laugh out loud moments sprinkled throughout, and a terrific, unputdownable holiday story. Don’t miss it!

10/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FAKING CHRISTMAS by Kerry Winfrey. Berkley (September 26, 2023). ISBN: 978-0593638361. 288p.

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THE WAKE-UP CALL by Beth O’Leary

October 6, 2023

From the publisher:

Two hotel receptionists—and arch-rivals—find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.

It’s the busiest season of the year, and Forest Manor Hotel is quite literally falling apart. So when Izzy and Lucas are given the same shift on the hotel’s front desk, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and see it through.

The hotel won’t stay afloat beyond Christmas without some sort of miracle. But when Izzy returns a guest’s lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management that this might be the way to fix everything. With four rings still sitting in the lost & found, the race is on for Izzy and Lucas to save their beloved hotel—and their jobs.

As their bitter rivalry turns into something much more complicated, Izzy and Lucas begin to wonder if there’s more at stake here than the hotel’s future. Can the two of them make it through the season with their hearts intact?

“O’Leary returns with a humorous and poignant rom-com set at a boutique hotel in southern England…Add in some charming supporting characters and stakes that feel high but believable, and the result is exactly the cute contemporary romp that O’Leary’s fans have come to expect.”―Publishers Weekly

“O’Leary’s is full of heart, humor, and a sprinkle of holiday magic. While this will easily find a spot on holiday displays, it will also appeal to readers who love enemies-to-lovers storylines with supporting characters who shine.”―Library Journal
https://amzn.to/3rBfjpR

I’ve read all of O’Leary’s book, and I love them. That said, when I looked at my previous reviews, a pattern has emerged. All of her books start out slowly, and this one does as well. But I stuck with it, and enjoyed the reward.

Izzy and Lucas work the front desk – and wherever else they are needed – at a small hotel in England. The owners are terrible at the business end of things, but have turned their staff into a family. Except a year earlier, at the hotel Christmas party, Izzy gave Lucas a card, telling him how much she liked him. It was a very brave thing to do, so when he opened the card and laughed, and then kissed Izzy’s roommate under the mistletoe, Izzy lost it. Lucas became her arch nemesis, and that’s where this story starts.

Over the course of a year, they work together and torture each other as only competitive co-workers can. But then something starts to change. Izzy’s feelings for Lucas have never gone away, she only buried them as best as she could. And Lucas is developing feelings for Izzy, but both of them know to avoid one another as much as possible, despite their attraction.

Best laid plans and all that – of course they end up sleeping together, again and again. They are at crossed points. Izzy wants a not-friends-with-benefits situation, and Lucas wants Izzy to really see him as the good person he truly is. It’s complicated, to say the least, but no worries, a happy ending is reached.

There are a lot of laughs – the things they do to one up each other are often hilarious, but I think the poignancy of this story was the real hook for me. A lovely Christmas read – I hope you’ll give it a try!

10/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE WAKE-UP CALL by Beth O’Leary. Berkley (September 26, 2023). ISBN: 978-0593640128. 368p.

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Spotlight Review: BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS by Mary Kay Andrews

October 3, 2023

From the publisher:

From Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of The Homewreckers and The Santa Suit, comes a novella celebrating love and the warm, glittering charm of the holiday season.

“Nobody does Christmas like Mary Kay Andrews.” ―Debbie Macomber

“Cozy up with Santa’s favorite novelist!” ―Adriana Trigiani

When fall rolls around, it’s time for Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her gruff older brother & his dog, Queenie, sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. Sharing a tiny vintage camper and experiencing Manhattan for the first time, Kerry’s ready to try to carve out a new corner for herself.

In the weeks leading into Christmas, Kerry quickly becomes close with the charming neighbors who live near their stand. When an elderly neighbor goes missing, Kerry will need to combine her country know-how with her newly acquired New York knowledge to protect the new friends she’s come to think of as family,

And complicating everything is Patrick, a single dad raising his adorable, dragon-loving son Austin on this quirky block. Kerry and Patrick’s chemistry is undeniable, but what chance does this holiday romance really have?

Filled with family ties, both rekindled and new, and sparkling with Christmas magic, BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS delivers everything Mary Kay Andrews fans adore, all tied up in a hilarious, romantic gem of a novel.

“Andrews serves up a Christmas treat in this sparkling tale.” ―Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/46c7LJe

The Queen of Christmas is back with another heartwarming romance, this time set in NYC!

When I started reading, my first thought was is this a reissue of an older book? But nope, just my confusion between MKA’s latest and a couple of Hallmark Christmas movies in a similar setting. But as always, the book is so much better!

Kerry and Murphy are brother and sister, except after their parents’ divorce, Murphy went to live with their father on the Christmas tree farm, and Kerry stayed in town with their mother. They rarely saw one another and basically grew up estranged. But when their dad has some health issues, Kerry is drafted into going with Murphy to New York City to the block where their family has sold Christmas trees for decades.

Kerry gets stuck driving Spammy up from North Carolina to New York – Spammy is the name given to their old camper because it looks like a canned ham. Sadly, it hasn’t been maintained, so the bathroom and kitchen are useless. Luckily for the siblings, their neighbors on the street take care of them, sharing their facilities and even food. Murphy drives up their old pickup truck, and they meet in New York.

As Kerry meets the neighbors, she finds herself attracted to Patrick, the divorced dad who shares the apartment with his ex-wife. Instead of making their son move back and forth between apartments, the parents do. Austin is quite precocious and lends some of the humor to this story. There is another neighbor, an elderly man, who frequents the block as well. No one knows where he lives, but he is very kind to Kerry and Austin, especially when he sees Kerry drawing. Turns out the old guy is an artist himself, and the three of them work together on a story for Austin.

But when the old man goes missing, Kerry and Austin are worried and determined to find him. Patrick puts the moves on Kerry, but she is hesitant about getting involved in NY, even though she lost her job a few months earlier.

I loved how all the neighbors pulled together for Kerry, Murphy, and the old man. There is a lot of kindness in this neighborhood, and it was touching to see it all play out. NYC often gets a bum rap about disinterested, non-caring people, but it’s like anywhere else: some good, some bad. If you want a feel-good holiday story, you can never go wrong with Mary Kay Andrews. This is another gem from one of my favorite authors.

10/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS by Mary Kay Andrews. St. Martin’s Press (September 26, 2023). ISBN: 978-1250285812. 288p.