The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

Title: The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)

Author: Sarah Morgenthaler

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca 2020

Genre: Romance

Pages: 375

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Curl up with a quirky small-town Alaskan rom-com that'll leave you laughing over:

A grumpy local and the sunny tourist who turns his world upside down
A rogue moose who threatens to steal every scene
A vacation you'll never forget
And a sweet romance that doesn't need to scald the pages to burn its way into your heart

He had a strict "no tourists" policy...until she broke all of his rules.When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he's stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless parade of resort visitors who couldn't interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way...

Two weeks in Alaska isn't just the top item on Zoey Caldwell's bucket list. It's the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she's smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham's world, she may just find there's more to the grumpy local than meets the eye...and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.

This story of Alaska marries together all the things you didn't realize you needed: a whirlwind vacation, a friendly moose, a grumpy diner owner, a quirky tourist, plenty of restaurant humor, and a happy ending that'll take you away from it all.

A very breezy but sweet romance set in Alaska. I was under the impression that this was a Christmas book but it’s actually set during the summer. Oh well. I still loved the setting of Moose Springs, Alaska. Zoey is a good main character but Graham was clearly the favorite person in the book. I loved his relationships with all the other townspeople. Ulysses was the best random encounter. I can’t wait to revisit the town and find out what happens with the resort.

Moose Springs, Alaska

#1 The Tourist Attraction
#2 Mistletoe and Mr. Right
#3 Enjoy the View

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss

Title: A Season for Second Chances

Author: Jenny Bayliss

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons 2021

Genre: Romance

Pages: 448

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Annie Sharpe’s spark for life has fizzled out. Her kids are grown up, her restaurant is doing just fine on its own, and her twenty-six-year marriage has come to an unceremonious end. Untethered for the first time in her adult life, she finds a winter guardian position in a historic seaside home and decides to leave her city life behind for a brand-new beginning.

When she arrives in Willow Bay, Annie is enamored by the charming house, the invigorating sea breeze, and the town’s rich seasonal traditions. Not to mention, her neighbors receive her with open arms—that is, all except the surly nephew of the homeowner, whose grand plans for the property are at odds with her residency. As Christmas approaches, tensions and tides rise in Willow Bay, and Annie’s future seems less and less certain. But with a little can-do spirit and holiday magic, the most difficult time of her life will become…a season for second chances.

I enjoyed Bayliss’s previous book, but this one was a miss for me. I was expecting another Christmas romantic comedy. This is not that. Instead we get a very slow moving look at a woman starting again in a new-to-her village. Not enough happened to keep me really interested. I wanted more and something a little lighter. Oh well. Not every book I read is a winner.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday

Title: A Princess for Christmas (A Princess for Christmas #1)

Author: Jenny Holiday

Publisher: Avon 2020

Genre: Romance

Pages: 396

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Leo Ricci's already handling all he can, between taking care of his little sister Gabby, driving a cab, and being the super of his apartment building in the Bronx. But when Gabby spots a "princess" in a gown outside of the UN trying to hail a cab, she begs her brother to stop and help. Before he knows it, he's got a real-life damsel in distress in the backseat of his car.

Princess Marie of Eldovia shouldn't be hailing a cab, or even be out and about. But after her mother’s death, her father has plunged into a devastating depression and the fate of her small Alpine country has fallen on Marie’s shoulders. She’s taken aback by the gruff but devastatingly handsome driver who shows her more kindness than she’s seen in a long time.

When Marie asks Leo to be her driver for the rest of her trip, he agrees, thinking he’ll squire a rich miss around for a while and make more money than he has in months. He doesn’t expect to like and start longing for the unpredictable Marie. And when he and Gabby end up in Eldovia for Christmas, he discovers the princess who is all wrong for him is also the woman who is his perfect match.

Perfectly decent little Christmas story, but not my favorite. This one is definitely a Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movie in book form, but with some slightly explicit scenes. Really those scenes annoyed me the most. I was fully onboard with a princess of a made-up country falling for a Bronx guy scenario complete with chaste kisses in the snow and maybe a slightly heated embrace. With this story, we get some random sexual encounters that feel very high school in their tone and description. I wasn’t a fan of the dirty talk aspect as it felt very immature in this case. (If done well, I don’t mind dirty talk at all. See my enjoyment of many eroitca stories.) Something about Leo and Marie’s relationship felt slightly off to me. But I am intrigued by Max and want to read his and Dani’s story.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Pastels and Jingle Bells by Christine S. Feldman

Title: Pastels and Jingle Bells (Heavenly Bites #1)

Author: Christine S. Feldman

Publisher: 2013

Genre: Romance

Pages: 103

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Trish Ackerly never expected to cross paths with Ian Rafferty again, but when she spots the former bully of her childhood years through her bakery window, she thinks she may just have been given the best Christmas gift ever: the opportunity to finally give Ian the comeuppance he deserves.

But clearly she does not have a knack for this whole revenge thing, because before she can make good on her plans, Trish gets inadvertently drawn into Ian’s life in an unexpected way that lets her see just how different the man is from the boy he used to be. In fact, much to her astonishment, she actually starts to like the guy.

A lot.

Trouble is, Ian doesn’t know who she really is, and explaining it to him is going to be a little difficult now—which is bad news, because Trish is starting to realize that all she really wants for Christmas this year…is Ian.

Cute little introduction story, but just not enough. This needed to be twice as long so we could actually spend some time with Trish and Ian as a couple. I loved Kelsey and really felt like we need to dig into her more and learn about her life. Plus, where’s her mom? Cute and fun, but not enough for me!

Heavenly Bites

#1 Pastels and Jingle Bells
#2 Love Lessons
#3 Playing Cupid

Next up on the TBR pile:

Always, in December by Emily Stone

Title: Always, in December

Author: Emily Stone

Publisher: Dell 2021

Genre: Romance

Pages: 416

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Every December, Josie posts a letter from her home in London to the parents she lost on Christmas night many years ago. Each year, she writes the same three words: Missing you, always.But this year, her annual trip to the postbox is knocked off course by a bicycle collision with a handsome stranger--a stranger who will change the course of Josie's life.

Josie always thought she was the only one who avoided the Christmas season, but this year, Max has his own reasons for doing the same—and coincidence leads them to spending the holiday together. Aglow with new love, Josie thinks this might be the start of something special.

Only for Max to disappear without saying goodbye.

Over the course of the next year, Max and Josie will find that fate continues to bring them together in places they'd never expect. New York City. Edinburgh. The quiet English countryside. And it turns out, Max had every reason to leave and every reason to stay. But what does fate hold for Josie and Max as Christmas approaches again?

CW: Death

I grabbed this one to add to my holiday romances, but it ended up being a lot heavier than I thought it would. Ultimately, this is a book about grief. Josie spend an entire year really wrestling with the grief of losing her parents on Christmas Eve as a child. But then she’s left once more when Max disappears and then reappears at various events. I kept waiting for the big drop to happen and it does, but right at the end. Overall, I was really enjoying the story and loved following Josie with occasional interludes from Max. But it definitely wasn’t the fun and fluffy book I was expecting.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

Title: The Holiday Swap

Author: Maggie Knox

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons 2021

Genre: Romance

Pages: 352

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell—both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family's bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won't get the memo that they're over.

With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician assistant Miguel Rodriguez are thrown into the mix. Will the twins' identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?

A fun and madcap style holiday romance for this year. This was very predictable, but I still really enjoyed it. Sometimes what you need is a nice and predictable romance for the week. I really fell for Cass and loved following her storyline. Charlie has me annoyed at her as a few points in the story. She seemed to not take the assignment as seriously as her sister. But everyone and everything came together at the end. I just wish that we had a few more chapters to sit with the two relationships at the end of the book. (But that’s really my constant complaint about these types of books.) Overall, a lovely Christmas romance and I need to watch the movie version soon.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Scandalous Lord Dere by Stephanie Laurens

Title: Scandalous Lord Dere

Author: Stephanie Laurens

Publisher: Avon 2011

Genre: Romance

Pages: 184

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Once upon a time, a young woman attended a New Year's Eve ball...The moon shone brightly, music filled the air. Kisses were stolen and promises made. But what happens when morning comes? A new year brings new scandal when a rake awakens in the bed of the flame-haired temptress who had seduced him years before. All of society has them bedded, but can he convince her to become wedded?

Much better! This was a fun Regency era romance involving old flames and a blizzard. I do so love the trapped-in-a-storm trope in my romance. This one was drawn out just how I like them to be. We slowly get to know Adrian and Abby’s history and their potential future. Plus we get a few very steamy scenes sprinkled throughout the novella. Very enjoyable historical romance.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Winter's Knight by Elizabeth Cole

Title: A Winter’s Knight (Regency Rhapsody #1)

Author: Elizabeth Cole

Publisher: 2012

Genre: Romance

Pages: 56

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Phoebe Hartridge runs into serious danger on an icy winter evening. But her rescuer, the mysterious Anthony Sterling, immediately melts her heart and makes her dream of a life beyond her tiny, sheltered world. The more she gets to know him, the more she senses he is hiding something from her.

When Captain Anthony Sterling was wounded in battle, he lost his leg, his fiancee, and any hope for happiness. Even the revelation that he is the heir to a fortune brought him nothing but bitterness. Then his chance encounter with the charming, innocent Phoebe makes him wonder if there may be a future for him after all. But first he must escape the shadows of his past.

My biggest complaint about this one is the length. So incredibly short! And so much happens in that short amount of time. The main characters get engaged after a week. A little too quick for me overall. I would have like to learn more about each of them and sit with their romance for longer. Meh. I won’t be reading the rest of this short story series (even if the library had it, I’m not paying for such short stories). Time to move on.

Regency Rhapsody

#1 A Winter’s Knight
#2 Scandal at Dawn
#3 Watch for Me by Moonlight
#4 A Voice at Midnight
#5 A Dress the Color of Dusk

Next up on the TBR pile:

We Met in December by Rosie Curtis

Title: We Met in December

Author: Rosie Curtis

Publisher: William Morrow 2019

Genre: Romance

Pages: 400

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Two people. One house. A year that changes everything.

Twenty-nine-year-old Jess is following her dream and moving to London. It’s December, and she’s taking a room in a crumbling, but grand, Notting Hill house-share with four virtual strangers. On her first night, Jess meets Alex, the guy sharing her floor, at a Christmas dinner hosted by her landlord. They don’t kiss, but as far as Jess is concerned the connection is clear. She starts planning how they will knock down the wall between them to spend more time together.

But when Jess returns from a two-week Christmas holiday, she finds Alex has started dating someone else—beautiful Emma, who lives on the floor above them. Now Jess faces a year of bumping into (hell, sharing a bathroom with) the man of her dreams…and the woman of his.

This one ended up being a bit of slog if I’m being honest. It started out great and then we have to getting into the mundane for the next 350 ages and one year in the timeline. I was a bit disappointed that we don’t get to the romance section until the very last pages (like the last 10 pages). I always want to sit in the relationships more than that. In my recent read, The Twelve Dates of Christmas, we have to wait until nearly the end for romance also, but we get all those fun dates in between. This book was really stuck in the weeds for most of it. I kept having remind myself to pick up the book and keep reading. Not the best sign. This book isn’t bad, but it was definitely not the book for me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Where the Heart Is by Darcy Burke

Title: Where the Heart Is (Ribbon Ridge #0.5)

Author: Darcy Burke

Publisher: Intrepid Reads 2013

Genre: Romance

Pages: 124

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Home is more than a place . . .

Breaking free from her structured life, Chloe English quits her high-powered job and moves across the country to work as an art teacher. The simple life is all she hoped it would be until her house burns down, leaving her homeless. When a handsome firefighter swoops in to save the day, she can’t believe her luck. He’s laid-back and unassuming, everything she’s looking for in a man—or so he seems. It turns out he’s as ambitious as her ex, comes with a family who could be more stifling than hers, and harbors dark secrets he may never be able to share.

Orphaned as a teenager, Derek Sumner has found a place in his best friend’s family. However, the love and support of his surrogate parents and siblings can’t erase the grief and loss he struggles every Christmas to banish. But this year he meets the fun and sexy Chloe, whose optimism and sense of joy are incredibly contagious. Can she help him face his bleak past so they can forge a happy future?

A lovely heartwarming Christmas romance. I really enjoyed both Chloe and Derek as characters. We get a fun back and forth flirting from them throughout most of the story. There were a few passages that were slightly unclear in their writing. I seriously thought that they had had sex way before they actually did. And there’s a big part of me that wishes it was a full length novel. I really wanted explore Derek and Chloe’s relationship much more than we got in this short story. Oh well. It was still an entertaining romance.

Ribbon Ridge

#0.5 Where the Heart Is
#1 Only in My Dreams
#2 Yours to Hold
#3 When Love Happens
#4 The Idea of You
#5 When We Kiss
#6 You’re Still the One

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Pirate for Christmas by Anna Campbell

Title: A Pirate for Christmas

Author: Anna Campbell

Publisher: 2015

Genre: Romance

Pages: 142

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

There’s a pirate in the manor house!

What is vicar’s daughter Bess Farrar to do when the dashing new earl, the man gossip paints as a ruthless pirate, kisses her the day they meet? Why, kiss him right back, of course! Now Lord Channing vows to claim the lovely firebrand, despite interfering villagers, a snowstorm, scandal, and a rascally donkey. The gallant naval captain’s first landlocked Christmas promises mayhem – and a lifetime of breathtaking passion

Pursued by the pirate…

Bess Farrar might be an innocent village miss, but she knows enough about the world to doubt Lord Channing’s motives when he kisses her the very day they meet. After all, local gossip insists that before this dashing rake became an earl, he sailed the Seven Seas as a ruthless pirate.

Bewitched by the vicar’s daughter…

Until he unexpectedly inherits a title, staunchly honorable Scotsman Rory Beaton has devoted his adventurous life to the Royal Navy. But he sets his course for tempestuous new waters when he meets lovely, sparkling Bess Farrar. Now this daring mariner will do whatever it takes to convince the spirited lassie to launch herself into his arms and set sail into the sunset.

After a contemporary holiday romance, I was feeling a hankering for a historical holiday romance. I grabbed this one at random from my Kindle stash and had a fun little holiday romp. Bess and Rory had a great bantering relationship. I enjoyed this short little novella, but do wish there had been more. A very usual sentiment from me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

Title: The Twelve Dates of Christmas

Author: Jenny Bayliss

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons 2020

Genre: Romance

Pages: 368

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

When it comes to relationships, thirty-four-year-old Kate Turner is ready to say "Bah, humbug." The sleepy town of Blexford, England, isn't exactly brimming with prospects, and anyway, Kate's found fulfillment in her career as a designer, and in her delicious side job baking for her old friend Matt's neighborhood café. But then her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises to help singles find love before the holidays. Twenty-three days until Christmas. Twelve dates with twelve different men. The odds must finally be in her favor . . . right?

Yet with each new date more disastrous than the one before--and the whole town keeping tabs on her misadventures--Kate must remind herself that sometimes love, like mistletoe, shows up where it's least expected. And maybe, just maybe, it's been right under her nose all along. . . .

A very cute holiday romance. We meet Olive and slowly learn about her and Matt’s past relationship. Over the course of the dozen dates, we get to see Olive slowly come to the realization that her partner was right next to her all along. While many of the dates were enjoyable to read about, the few truly terrible ones were hard to stomach. And I definitely had my suspicions about Richard right from their first meeting. While heartwarming and fun at most parts, I want da bit more to really make this a favorite.

Next up on the TBR pile:

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Title: In a Holidaze

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books 2020

Genre: Romance

Pages: 336

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

A lovely fun romance set at Christmas. I know that I’m a bit early for holiday reads, but I got on a contemporary romance kick and decided to read it now. I really did enjoy this novel. It was fairly light and breezy with some fun moments and a sweet romance. I love Maelyn’s chaotic energy throughout her various Groundhog Day days. I really loved many of the side characters and the focus on Maelyn’s found family. I wasn’t completely in love with Andrew myself and kept waiting for some big twist, but it didn’t come. I can’t quite place why I didn’t love Andrew; maybe we didn’t get of his personality? I wasn’t totally there for their romance, but it was a decently fun romance book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Wrapped Up for Christmas by Katlyn Duncan

Title: Wrapped Up for Christmas

Author: Katlyn Duncan

Publisher: HQ Digital 2019

Genre: Romance

Pages: 247

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Theme - December

Having lost her boyfriend, job, and apartment all in the space of a week, Angie has no choice but to leave California and return to her family in New England.

Determined not to let life weigh her down, Angie finds work at the local mall where she worked as a teenager. After an embarrassing run-in with a handsome stranger, Nick, she’s convinced her luck is about to change.

But Nick has secrets of his own… and as the first flakes of snow begin to fall, Angie can’t help but wonder if she’ll ever find love.

Such a sweet little story. I do tend to gravitate toward the sweet romances at Christmas (although more open door books are also enjoyable). I could see exactly where this story was going. Setting up two characters with trust issues is a classic romance trope. There were no surprises here, but I did enjoy reading the story of Nick and Angie.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Christmas Princess by Patricia McLinn

Title: The Christmas Princess (The Wedding Series #5)

Author: Patricia McLinn

Publisher: Craig Place Books 2014

Genre: Romance

Pages: 274

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Theme - December

The Christmas season isn’t looking great for April Gareaux. Her job is uninspiring, her engagement is off, and she has nowhere to live. Certainly her family would take her in, especially Leslie and Grady Roberts and their circle of friends who have become her extended family. But it’s time she stops relying on them.
Then comes an extraordinary offer – spend the holidays in Washington, D.C., with King Jozef of Bariavak as his possible long-lost granddaughter. Even more extraordinary is the man behind the offer and the one who will be beside her through the coming weeks, diplomatic security agent Hunter Pierce.
This is the last assignment Hunter would pick. Determination and grit have moved him beyond his past in Bariavak. Yet, here it is standing in front of him again, refusing to be ignored. … Just like his reactions to April. How can he fight what he’s feeling when they’re together all the time.
King Jozef has known tragedy in his life. Now, comes this lovely young woman bringing joy to his holidays. How can he resist dabbling in some royal matchmaking. Wouldn’t it be delightful if he could give April a Christmas gift she will never forget… Her Prince for a Lifetime

I surprised myself by really loving this one and giving it 5 stars! This one just had the right amount of heart and the right amount of romance to keep me intrigued. I loved the story of April and Hunter, but I especially loved learning more about Hunter’s past. I had an inkling that he was somehow involved with the King and was proved correct when all was revealed. I don’t think I will be reading the rest of this series, but this one was great as an almost read-alone (they are some references back to previous books, but it’s not necessary to read all). Perfect for our snowy weekend’s read.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Christmas Contest by Scarlet Wilson

Title: The Christmas Contest

Author: Scarlet Wilson

Publisher: Tule 2019

Genre: Romance

Pages: 230

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

When Ben Winters and Lara Cottridge hear that a Vermont radio station is hosting a Christmas contest with a $10,000 prize for a charitable project of the winner’s choice, they seize the challenge. Although strangers, they both are obsessed with all things Christmas and each has their own worthy pet project in mind.

News of the contest creates a lot of buzz, but most participants fall at the first hurdle – a timed online quirky Christmas quiz. The second, a stressful on-air quiz whittles the field down to two – Briarhill Falls residents Lara and Ben who are surprised that they have never met.

As the contest heats up with five further Christmas-themed challenges, the town and state become enthralled by the battle of wits and skill. Soon Lara and Ben realize they have far more in common than a love of Christmas. And far more at stake. Will their competition stand in the way of falling in love?

Such a cute little sweet romance story. The entire meet-cute was adorable and I loved seeing how Ben and Lara’s relationship progressed throughout the contest. The ending was incredibly predictably, but it was still entertaining. Lovely and cute. A great little story to read this holiday season.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Christmas to Remember by Jenny Hale

Title: A Christmas to Remember

Author: Jenny Hale

Publisher: Bookouture 2014

Genre: Romance

Pages: 260

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Theme - December

Carrie Blake loves her job as a nanny but, while her friends are settling down, all of Carrie’s spare time is spent with other people’s families. Though it breaks her heart, her New Year’s resolution is to embark on a new career and fix her love life.

As Carrie starts her last job, she’s sure she’ll be going out on a high – the house is amazing, the kids are adorable, and she’s in charge of decorating the tree!

The only problem could be her boss… Single dad Adam Fletcher might be both handsome and successful, but he’s always working. Doesn’t he realize he’s missing out on precious moments with his son and daughter?

As Adam’s family arrive for Christmas, including his sensitive sister, Sharon, and his fun-loving, elderly Grandpa, Walter, Carrie realizes that she might just have found the perfect allies in her quest to persuade Adam to loosen up. There’s still time for Carrie to make this the best Christmas ever… After all, Christmas is the time for miracles, isn’t it? Let the festivities begin!

A sweet, Christmas family story. Calling it a romance is a bit of a stretch, but I did enjoy watching Adam find Christmas spirit with help from his new nanny. There are some cliches in this story, but I came away with a warm feeling in my heart. It’s just so darn earnest. And the kids are super adorable and fun. Plus we get some great side characters, especially Walter. Definitely a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Her Christmas Bonus by Rain Danvers

Title: Her Christmas Bonus

Author: Rain Danvers

Publisher:

Genre: Romance

Pages: 29

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Sage has been working at a high-tech firm in Newport Beach, CA for over two years as the only female director among three men. She is highly valued by her boss and she loves her job, but there's a problem - she's totally attracted to him and the stress is killing her. She's taking three days off for the Christmas holiday and has posted her availability online, hoping to find a job when she returns. Before she can leave, she has to find her cell phone and she doesn't know where she left it.

Terrance is the founder and owner of Templeton Designs and considers Sage so valuable to the company, he can't afford to acknowledge the feelings he has for her. He's stuck at the company this year when normally he would be enjoying the holiday in a warm, tropical location. It may be the year he finds a way to acknowledge the woman who holds his heart captive.

A teeny tiny short story that had some promise, but ultimately fell flat. I liked the run-up to Sage and Terrance’s encounter at her apartment. From there, we get too much, too fast, but not enough (if you know what I mean). And the ending is laughable. Not very good at all. At least it only took me like 15 minutes to read this.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Match Made at Christmas by Patty Blount

Title: A Match Made at Christmas (Christmas in New York #4)

Author: Patty Blount

Publisher: Tule Publishing 2014

Genre: Holiday Romance

Pages: 150

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Thirteen years ago, two teens met on the ramp to Ground Zero, on a cold and snowy day, strangers bonding in a moment of grief. The boy pressed a crystal snowflake ornament into the girl’s hand and disappeared into the crowd, unaware that his simple act of kindness saved her from the guilt that threatened to consume her.

Not the best at all. I didn’t really engage with the two main characters. And the storyline was very contrived. I just didn’t really like this one at all.

Christmas in New York

#1 This Christmas
#2 Christmas Light
#3 All I Want for Christmas
#4 A Match Made at Christmas

Next up on the TBR pile:

Christmas Light by Jolyse Barnett

Title: Christmas Light (Christmas in New York #2)

Author: Jolyse Barnett

Publisher: Tule Publishing 2014

Genre: Holiday Romance

Pages: 157

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Adirondack girl-in-transition Jade Engel comes home to recharge after ending a career she never truly wanted, but soon realizes she’s in danger of also being swept off her feet by the boy-next-door, her former best friend, Ben Stephens. If only he’d stop kissing her every time she falls into his arms.

Everything local celebrity Ben Stephens ever wanted is in Starling. Then Jade comes home after an eternity away and sends his simple world into a tailspin. He’s determined to pursue her—the one girl who got away. But when their friends-with-benefits arrangement blows up in their faces, will they have the courage to put their pasts to rest in order to forge a future together?

I liked this one much more than the first in the series. Jade and Ben are great characters. I loved their shared history. Starling is a great setting for a cute romance. I almost miss there was more to this story…

Christmas in New York

#1 This Christmas
#2 Christmas Light
#3 All I Want for Christmas
#4 A Match Made at Christmas

Next up on the TBR pile: