BOOK REVIEWS: Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn & Almost Like Being in Love by Sariah Wilson

Resting Scrooge Face Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

After a bad breakup, Nola wants nothing to do with Christmas, especially in her quaint hometown of Bright Harbor, Maine. Infuriatingly charming and cheery, Nola’s surroundings only worsen her sour mood.

To make matters worse, Caleb, the boy who broke her heart years ago, is all grown up and still living in town. While doing her best to avoid him, Nola bumps into the local mailman, who gives her a mysterious letter. And when she finds that the writer is a fellow Scrooge, she can’t help but feel her spirit lifting.

Nola writes back to her new pen pal—who, unbeknownst to Nola, is none other than Caleb. When Caleb gets a response hand delivered by the mailman, he’s intrigued by the mystery sender. A friendly correspondence develops—and quickly turns flirtatious.

Although Nola and Caleb claim they can’t stand each other, they can’t deny the simmering attraction that brought them together in the first place.

Can these nameless pen pals write their own love story—or will they be too caught up with the ghosts of their Christmases past to find a future together?

Review:

Resting Scrooge Face was such a fun Christmas novella to listen to!  With lots of small town cheer, secret letters, snow, and a Christmas vibe, I adored this second chance romance story!  And it made me want to pick up another book by Meghan Quinn!

“What?” she responds. “That’s what you’re going to say to me? What?”
No, what I really want to say is how beautiful you are.
How I’ve missed staring into your eyes.
Or hearing your laugh.

The story alternated between Nola and Caleb and I loved listening to both of their thoughts!  I would have loved for this book to be longer and for their regular lives to be interspaced within this story instead of some of the letters being back to back.  I felt like there was so much more that could have been there.  But for novellas, this one was still done beautifully.  They were high school sweethearts, who went their separate ways and hurt one another in the process.  Not seeing each other in years, Christmas time and some little helpers created the perfect opportunity for a second chance!

“Even during our time apart, even when our hearts were both shattered, it’s always been you. Always and forever.”

It was so easy to like Nola and Caleb and their banter was laugh out loud hilarious and so much fun!  Add into the mix Grandma Louise, who was an absolute hoot!  And I adored Arden too, he delivered the mail and decided to play matchmaker.  With fun letters and heartwarming scenes, this story was fabulous.  If you’re looking for a quick and festive book to get you in the mood for the holidays, or even something fun to listen to, I can’t recommend this one enough!

 

Almost Like Being in Love by Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

A modern-day Ohio woman and a seventeenth-century Scottish laird fall in love at first sight in a magical holiday romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.

Maren Kelly and her friend Penny may be lost in the Scottish Highlands, yes. They may be caught in the blizzard of the century, sure. But despite their dire straits, Maren is going to honor her ailing mother’s wish for them to experience all the magic, mystery, and whimsy Scotland has to offer, even if she freezes to death trying. When they’re rescued by the dashing Duncan Campbell, who seems like he walked straight out of the seventeenth century, Maren is more than a wee bit bewildered.

Their shelter is Duncan’s castle in Highglen, a captivating village that feels somehow familiar…as does the laird himself. Brimming with holiday cheer and friendly, boisterous family members, Highglen is a safe haven in the frigid winter storm. Maybe it’s the carolers and the warm hearth—or Duncan’s comforting brogue and stolen kisses—but Maren feels as though she’s come home. And in Duncan, she may have found her long-awaited soulmate.

But is this a miracle that could last a lifetime?

Review:

Almost Like Being in Love was a whimsical, heartwarming romance filled with magical realism.  This story had characters that were so easy to like, and a storyline that was a lot of fun.  The found family and friendships were done realistically.  And the romance was very insta love.  I adore Sariah Wilson’s full length novels, and I feel like this book would have worked better for me being longer, so the romance could have been explored more.  But regardless, I adored the holiday setting in Scotland.  And this was a very sweet Christmas story left me feeling happy.  I’m hoping we’ll see more stories in this world!

Maybe it was Christmas, maybe it was Duncan, but Highglen was a place of pure magic. For the first time, I understood why my mother had told me to search for it.
I didn’t want to let it go.

 

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