Book reviews from the week of December 5th

One of my favorite things about December is the abundance of short and steamy holiday reads.  Every year it seems like I add hundreds to my TBR and then I am able to get to a few of them.  This year twelve authors have come together to release the "12 days of Kissmas" series and I was able to read two of those this week.  For short steamy fun, they fit the bill to a T.  Last year, I added "In a Holidaze" by Christina Lauren after so many other readers raved about it.  When it went on sale this year, I grabbed it and moved it up the list of my holiday reading. Whitley Cox's single dad series has been on my list for a while, and when I saw that a couple of her books fit a reading challenge requirement I quickly downloaded one and read it. Emmett was a little neurotic and he finds his perfect match with Zara. Last year I added "The Christmas Pact" to my list but did not get to it. This year, I was able to listen to the audiobook while doing some much needed house cleaning and food preparation. As playtime is just under three hours, it was perfect. 

I generally reduce the number of ARCs I commit to in December, but I am glad I did not miss the next release by Piper Rayne.  I am a sucker for a surprise pregnancy, and I loved reading as Fisher figures out that he can have more in his life than he though was possible.

I also use December to catch up on books in my TBR. Meghan Quinn's "Highland Fling" has been sitting on my kindle patiently for months, but this week I was able to get to it using the Kindle unlimited Read & Listen feature.  Scotland has always been on my bucket list, but now I am committed to making that trip in my lifetime.  I need to see it. This book made me want to give up everything and move to a tiny town in Scotland.

I wish everyone a week of happy reading and hope these reviews help build your list and choose your next book to read.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season.  It can be a very stressful time and for some that stress can be overwhelming.  If you relate to that, please know that help is only a phone call away. 

Please ask for help.  

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. 

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

800-273-8255

My Unexpected Surprise (Greene Family #5) 

by Piper Rayne

ARC: Release Date- 12/14/2021

#SurprisePregnancy #OneNightStand #SmallTown #FirstResponder #ARC

5 STARS

This is book 5 in the Greene Family series of interconnected standalones.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA.

Fisher never planned on having a family. When Allie shows up 5 months after their one night stand pregnant, he never hesitates. I loved how immediately protective he was of her despite being completely freaked out. I was a little upset with her for not trying harder to let him know sooner but I was glad they were able to move past that quickly and focus on the present. I love their attraction and chemistry with each other. I love the friendship they rekindle and build better. I love that they learn to work as a team and to understand each other’s fears and motivations. Allie is a planner, and the surprise pregnancy threw her for a loop. I was so happy that she gives Fisher a chance and allows him to be so involved despite the uncertainty of their future. Not much goes as planned for these two, yet I loved how they handle each turn together. I adore the friend and family support they have and the antics of the small town. This was a joy to read, and I stayed up entirely too late to finish because I couldn’t put it down.

Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn

Audiobook Narration performed by Paula Nederhorst and Antony Ferguson

#EnemiesToLovers #GrumpyHero #Audiobook

4 STARS

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this rom com was a fun read and ends with a HEA.
Bonnie is the heroine and she and her best friend Dakota uproot their lives to move to Scotland and run a coffee shop for six months. I say uproot, yet their lives were pretty much a disaster, so no real loss there. Bonnie is a character that can be off putting, but I appreciated the bravado she puts up to hide her vulnerability and self-doubt. At times she can be a little self-consumed but maybe part of that is her youth at 24. Her friendship with Dakota was one of the highlights of the book. Even then, they have growing pains as they change and enter romantic relationships. Rowan is grumpy, and honestly, I would have been too in his shoes. His family dynamic is not good. There is tragedy in his past that has affected him deeply and shaped his life into something he never anticipated. I like that he is protective of Bonnie but doesn't tolerate her dramatics. I really like the way they become vulnerable with each other. There is some romance and heat between them as they navigate a fling that eventually becomes more. The other characters in the small Scottish town have me ready to pack up and move there. The are amusing and a tight-knit community that rely on each other.
I started this as an audiobook (through KU read & listen) and finished it as an eBook. The narration was ok, but I honestly enjoyed reading it more than listening.

In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren

#RomanticComedy #Holiday #FriendsToLovers

5 STARS

This sweet and sexy holiday romance would make a great movie. It is written in first person from Mae's POV. Mae's holiday has not gone well and neither is her life as a whole. As she leaves her holiday to go home she asks the universe to show her what will make her happy. From that point, Mae is stuck in a time loop until she figures it out.
I love the chosen family dynamics of her group. Mae's character is not perfect and makes mistakes and I appreciated the family support she receives in the process. Benny is a secondary character that I absolutely loved. Everyone should have a Benny in their life. I adore how much Mae learns about herself in the process of getting through the time loops. There is humor, heat, and an adorable HEA. This was my first book by this author duo and I found it very enjoyable. I could not put it down as I kept waiting for the next time loop to take place. I can 100% recommend this holiday romance that kept me guessing and made me smile.

New Year's with the Single Dad 

(Single Dads of Seattle #6 ) 

by Whitley Cox

#SingleDad #SingleMom #Holiday

4 STARS

Fate pays a hand bringing Zara and Emmett together multiple times in a day. Their romance is written in third person from alternating dual POV.

Zara is a single mom of her seven year old son, an entrepreneur, and a lady who is still looking for her HEA. Emmett has been jaded by a nasty divorce that resulted in shared custody of his 5 year old daughter and a broken heart. They hit it off immediately. Emmett has to learn to accept that not all things are in his control. I love how Zara is honest and straight with Emmett. She is my hero and all women should have her attitude. Though unfailingly kind, she doesn't put up with the crap and is not willing to take on a project. Emmett figures out fast that he has to get his act together.
There is a lot of heat, the kids are beyond adorable, and there are a few laughs in this single parent romance that ends with a fabulous HEA. I can't wait to read more books in this series.

Secrets & Mistletoe (12 Days of Kissmas) by Julia Jarrett

#SingleMom #Holiday

4 STARS

This short novella has humor, steam, a single mom who is used to being alone, and a school principal determined to win his girl. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Reid and Abby have an awesome meet cute at a bar with terrible pick up lines and good conversation. The next time they meet, Reid knows he needs to pursue her and her cute daughter. Their romance is fi=un and steamy and will melt both your heart and your panties.

Off the Market at Christmas (12 Days of Kissmas) 

by Chelle Sloan

#Holiday #FriendsToLovers #OppositesAttract

5 STARS

This is a perfect quick holiday read and now I want to read all twelve days of Kissmas. This is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Gavin is a fantastic nerdy hero. he is intelligent, sexy, a little shy, with the best heart. He wants the dream of a wife and family but has trouble finding women who accept all of his nerdy self. Presley is a cheerleader for thee Nashville Fury who has a side to herself that she doesn't share with very many people. These two childhood friends reunite and it is amazing. I love the awkward moments. I love Gavin's shyness and his doubt as he believes that Presley is out of his league. I love the way Presley opens to Gavin and encourages him to try.

It is rare that a novella this length gives a reader such a moving story filled with memorable and well-developed characters like this one does. There is humor, heat, love, and friendships woven into the story. This is only my second book by this author but now I am absolutely dying to read her Nashville Fury series.

The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

Audiobook narration performed by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York

#Holiday #FakeRelationship #Audiobook

4 STARS

This is a fun story about Riley Kennedy and Kennedy Riley, how they meet, and their holiday pact. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

This was a fun holiday read. I actually listened to the audiobook version while I cleaned house. I found the narration to be wonderful and very enjoyable. I love the story. The characters are both healing from past hurts and they form a friendship in addition to their pact before they figure out they are in love. There are funny moments, serious chemistry, and a little bit of heart melting with the grand gesture.