Tag: Christmas (Page 1 of 12)

BOOK REVIEW: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

January 23, 2026 / Jen / 1 Comment

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two 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 a snowbound 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 in a classic locked-room mystery, 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 mansion she can trust?

As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue in this cozy holiday mystery 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.

Review:

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was a mystery that kept me intrigued, and had a tiny bit of Christmas sprinkled throughout. The characters were so easy to like, and the narrators did a fabulous job of bringing this story to life. There were a lot of hints that made almost everyone look guilty, so I had fun putting the clues together. It gave me old school Agatha Christie vibes! And while I guessed the mystery correctly, I still enjoyed listening to this one because I had no clue if I was right or wrong till all was revealed.

I adored Maggie Chase from the beginning with her sass and take no bs attitude! And I couldn’t help but be intrigued by Ethan Wyatt. He seemed to have a lot more going on then he showed us or Maggie. So as we got to know both of them better, and see moments from their past, I was a goner. I wanted to just push them together. They were perfect for each other. And Ethan even made me shed a few tears, I loved him!

Yet, I had to take away a star, because I personally struggle with loose ends. I’m someone who likes to have things wrapped up in a bow, and this ending was not that. I had so many unanswered questions. Yes we were given a HEA, but I desperately needed answers, sigh. So while I’m not sure if I’ll read this author again, this was fun and a nice change up from the Christmas romances I typically read in December!

BOOK REVIEWS: A Christmas Spark (Pride & Pranks #0.5) by Cindy Steel & The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole

December 18, 2025 / Jen / 2 Comments

A Christmas Spark (Pride & Pranks #0.5)
by Cindy Steel
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
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!

This is a supplemental novella in the Pride and Pranks Series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but you will see character crossovers!

Review:

Christmas Spark was a snowed in, brother’s best friend, forced proximity holiday romance that was fun to listen to. I adored Penny and her thoughts, she cracked me up. And Chase, oh I wanted to hate him. His actions from the past bothered me, so I was happy to watch him slowly redeem himself. With ice fishing, kissing, and lots of teasing, I enjoyed listening to this one, and I’m excited to read more in this series!

“You’re it for me. Even after all this time, I still want what I wanted in high school. I’m not messing around here. I want us to be together. And I’m pretty damn sure I love you.”

The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
An enchanted Christmas dress brings two generations of women together for the magic of the season in this delightful holiday story from New York Times bestselling author Courtney Cole.

One Dress. Two Women. The Magic of the Holiday Season.

When hopeful fashionista Meg Julliard must return to her hometown of Chicago to manage her late father’s apartment building, she thinks her dreams of making it in the fashion business are over. Add in her father’s eclectic roster of tenants who all need Meg’s attention (ASAP!), a host of building related disasters, and a handsome handyman she keeps embarrassing herself in front of, and this has all the makings for the worst Christmas she’s ever had.

Ellie Wade, one of the building’s longtime residents, is also not feeling the Christmas Joy this year. She is preparing to move into a nursing home (reluctantly), and is in the process of sorting through her belongings to downsize. Every corner of her apartment holds memories, some good, some bad. But there’s one dress she hesitates to pack up as it represents both the best and worst night of her life.

Ellie and Meg strike up an unlikely friendship and the story of Ellie’s dress comes out. Ellie gifts the gorgeous dress to Meg, hoping that it will bring her more luck, on the condition that she wear it to the building’s Christmas party.

The dress magically fits, and while it eventually leads to the best night of Meg’s life, it also acts as inspiration for Meg to follow a life-long dream of her own, a dream that will help save the crumbling Parkview West, and restore it to its former glory, and keep it as a safe home for all of the current tenants.

The dress and the magic of the holiday season helps both Meg and Ellie find their own happy endings.

Review:

The Christmas Dress was a holiday romance that was sweet, charming, and took us on an emotional and leisurely journey. Meg felt so alone. After losing her father, she had no family left. Leaving her job, and moving to another state, she was overwhelmed with the work that needed to be done to the building she inherited. But watching her journey, as she slowly started to find not only friendship but love too was a beautiful thing.

“You’re not alone, Meg,” Logan says quietly, and his blue eyes drill into mine with a fiery intensity. “You’ve got everyone at Parkview in your corner. And you’ve got me.”
He’s so serious, so sincere, that I almost allow myself to believe it.

With what felt like magic in the air, she was given a second chance at life and happiness. And so were those around her too. I adored watching Meg grow, and it was incredible seeing how far she had come from that first page. Yet I wasn’t a huge fan of a twist later in the story, but I was grateful for how it played out, and I loved the epilogue at the end! This one left me smiling, happy, and I even shed a few tears.

“Grief is a powerful emotion, Meg. It’s okay to feel it however you feel it. It’s not linear. It can come and go. That’s fine, too.”

PS While Logan was my favorite, I didn’t understand how he basically worked for free???

BOOK REVIEWS: My Darling December by Lauren Asher & The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler

December 5, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

My Darling December by Lauren Asher
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Catalina
Playing the part of my sister’s maid of honor is easy even if she’s marrying my ex.
But playing nice with the best man? An impossible task given our history.
Sure, Luke Darling may be suspiciously kind, incredibly handsome, and stubborn to a fault, but regardless of how hard he tries to make me see otherwise, I’m not interested.
It’s on me to remind him that he’s my ex-boyfriend’s best friend.
And the one I’m secretly starting to wish I met first.

Luke
My job as the best man is a simple one, except for one minor issue.
I’ve spent so much time avoiding my best friend’s ex that I didn’t consider what could happen if I started craving Catalina Martinez’s company instead.
She is only in Lake Wisteria for the winter wedding, but her January departure date won’t stop me from pursuing her.
Getting her to date me would be nothing short of a Christmas miracle, but I’m determined to make her mine.
‘Tis the season to fall in love…even if I’m the only one taking the risk.

My December Darling is a 50,000 word, Christmas-themed romance between a grumpy maid of honor and an outgoing best man who chases after what he wants.

Review:

My December Darling was an ex’s best friend, reverse grumpy sunshine, workplace holiday romance that had a lot of heart packed into the pages! This novella was chock full of Lego building, coffee drinking, and cozy winter nights. I adored the sisterly relationship that needed some work, especially since her speech at her sister’s wedding made me cry. And the duet narration was effortless to listen to and got lost in. I definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for a quick and steamy holiday audiobook! And it’ll make you want a Doctor Darling of your own!

The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sienna Naples's family has taken care of their wild Idaho land for generations and Sienna can't imagine any other life. But at Christmastime, with her parents gone and her painful marriage finally over, it's full of memories...and incredibly lonely. Until a tall, handsome stranger and a little girl walk into her life and suddenly the holidays are alive again.

When single father Guy Maple shows up as the result of an ad meant to be a joke, the handsome Montana construction worker isn't joking. Money is tight this Christmas, and Guy's four-year-old daughter Emma has stage-five chronic kidney disease. She needs a kidney transplant, but if Guy can't prove that he can afford Emma's anti-rejection medications, his daughter isn't going to stay on the transplant list. Guy's willing to do anything, including marrying a stranger, to keep her safe. It's an impulsive marriage of convenience, and Sienna knows this isn't real, no matter how much she adores Emma, how well Guy fits in to the ranching life―or how much light and laughter is coming into their lives as a result. But the more time she spends with her new family, the more she fears losing the fragile, feisty little girl and the kind, devoted, hard-working, incredibly attractive man who is her husband―but is it only in name?

Review:

The Christmas You Found Me was an emotional holiday romance that revolved around the sweetest little girl. Even though I was never able to connect to any of the characters, I still enjoyed this story and even cried. It involved a marriage of convenience and a single dad who would do anything for his daughter who was in kidney failure. I loved watching Guy and Sienna slowly fall in love. And I loved watching the love Sienna felt for Emma grow. There was lots of cheesy goodness, all the Christmas spirit, and a beautiful happily ever after! If you’re looking for a Christmas romance that will pull at your heart, and leave you with a smile on your face, this is your book!

BOOK REVIEW: Good Spirits (Ghosted #1) by B.K. Borison

December 4, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Good Spirits (Ghosted #1)
by BK Borison
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

Filled with magic, mayhem, and cozy holiday charm, this swoony romance is B.K. Borison’s best yet!

Review:

Good Spirits is a paranormal holiday romance that’s binge worthy! With grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, and characters you can’t help but love, this book was everything! I couldn’t help myself and was screaming and cackling with laughter! If you adore holiday books, definitely put this one on your tbr, you have to meet Nolan and Harriet!

Every murder mystery podcast I have ever listened to has started exactly like this.

Nolan was the Ghost of Christmas Past. And Harriet was his new job. From their first meeting, I was laughing out loud. But Nolan lived such a lonely life. Nobody would remember him, except his current assignment, and other ghosts in the area. And as we got to know him, we saw that he had a heart of gold. I loved how he would calm Harriet, but also how he could be playful and fun! But Nolan didn’t care about others. Except with Harriet….he couldn’t help himself. Her touch warmed his heart. And she gave him hope too.

“Ghosts drink coffee?”
One of his dark eyebrows jumps up. “That’s what you’re choosing to fixate on?”

While Harriet’s family seemed to walk all over her, I loved that she could be bold with Nolan. Telling him that he couldn’t just appear, and had to knock on her door instead ha, I adored her! As we got to travel to her past, my heart broke for her. She just wanted to be loved for who she was. And no one seemed to see her. Until Nolan.

I suppose I always have believed in Christmas magic.
I extend my hand, press my palm to his, and together we disappear.

The moment you could feel the sexual tension between them I was wondering…. is this allowed to happen? A human and a ghost?! Because even Nolan seemed to be wary. But they both felt so alone. Unloved. And the more time they spent together, their friendship developed so effortlessly. When events happened that shook up the status quo, I didn’t know what they could mean. But with sexy dreams, steamy hot kisses, snow flakes swirling and intimate scenes that will have you melting, I was lost in them. And I was rooting for their HEA!

I keep getting flashes of softness from Nolan. Glimpses of the man he might have been before, maybe. It makes me greedy for more.

Good Spirits was a little bit of a slow start for me, but once it got going I was obsessed. And this book made me smile so much! There were so many details that made me fall in love with this story. Like Nolan bringing Harriet drinks, to learning that he knit. To Harriet’s candy hoarding ways, and her pjs that I desperately wanted to own! These characters leaped from the pages and I loved how their story unfolded. The ending left me so happy and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

Her mouth hovers over mine. I want it so badly.
Kiss. Devour. Take.

PS I loved the shoutout to Lovelight Farms!

Other Quotes I loved….

I’m developing feelings for a ghost who will disappear before the end of the month.
But I can’t help it.

“You’re staring,” she whispers.
“Can’t help it,” I whisper back.

I kissed her because I wanted to. Because I couldn’t keep standing in front of her and not do it.

If I ever got to choose to come back to a memory, I’d want it to be this one.

She looks like a present I want to unwrap.

Of course I had to fall in love with a ghost. I’ve always loved the broken and forgotten things best.

I was sent to haunt Harriet, but she ended up haunting me.

BOOK REVIEWS: Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace & The Fake Santa Apology Tour by Julie Olivia

November 24, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Clara Davenport wants to solve Fraser Falls’s biggest problem. According to Jack Kelly, Clara is Fraser Falls’s biggest problem.

All Clara Davenport has ever wanted to do is climb the ladder at Davenport Innovation Creative, her family’s toy business. Everything was going according to plan, until the company was accused of stealing a doll design from an independent toy maker, creating a flurry of bad publicity. With a promotion dangled in front of her like a carrot to a reindeer, Clara is tasked with charming the locals of the small town to solve the PR nightmare, by any means necessary.

Jack Kelly would be happy to never hear the name Davenport ever again. Less than a year after a guy in a fancy suit appeared on his doorstep with a sleigh-full of promises, the company that once falsely claimed they wanted to sign him to their small business program has copied his design. So when Clara prances into town hoping to convince Fraser Falls that her company is not the enemy, Jack is determined not to be fooled by Davenport twice.

But Clara has a plan to win over the community only to realize that beneath Jack’s frosty demeanor lies the key to the town’s heart—and maybe her own.

Review:

Holiday Ever After was a small town holiday romance that was super adorable. From the moment that Clara and Jack met, they clicked so beautifully. The tension thrumming between them was electric, until they both realized who the other was. What unfolded next was laugh out loud hilarious and very entertaining. But this city girl and small town boy romance dragged on at times. Even though it was under 400 pages and I enjoyed both of the narrators, it did lose my attention time and again. But regardless, oh how I desperately wanted to go visit this small town! It sounded like a winter wonderland!

The Fake Santa Apology Tour by Julie Olivia
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Short-term flings with good looking Santas are kinda my thing.

After my latest holly jolly break-up with the fake mall Santa Claus of my dreams, I escaped to a small town winter wonderland in the middle of nowhere. But it's just my luck that I run into the only person in the world who could get my Christmas lights in a twist: freaking Nicholas Ryan. A man I haven’t seen in twenty years and who I never wanted to see again. Except now he’s my hot bartender, complete with a silver-fox beard, a twinkle in his eye, and looking a lot like my one true kryptonite: jingle belling Santa Claus.

It’s five days until Christmas, I’m stuck in a snowy small town straight out of a Hallmark movie, and all I want is to avoid the Grinch who stole all my Christmases and pretend that our chemistry is simply just the magic of Christmas in the air.

Review:

The Fake Santa Apology Tour was one of the most unique Christmas books I have read. That’s because Birdie Mae had a Santa fetish. She loved to hook up with them, but typically said goodbye when the new year came around. So when she ran into a hot bartender at the bar, who could easily pass off as a Santa, she was intrigued. But Nicholas Ryan was from her past. And was to blame for her now hating Christmas. So with snowball fights, Christmas sayings, lots of Santas, and steamy moments, this Christmas romance was an easy one to listen to! It ended happily, but was definitely quirky! Like The apology tour. My brain is still processing that lol. I definitely won’t forget this book lol.