Published: 4th October 2016
Source: Publisher (St Martin’s Paperbacks)
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Christmas, Short Stories
My Rating:
"It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when love is in the cold and frosty air and desire reaches the boiling point. . ."
"Hot Toy"
From "New York Times "bestselling author Jennifer Crusie comes a hilarious, sexy story about a determined shopper who grabs the last action figure off the shelf, only to find herself plunged into the arms of a sexy secret agent. Mayhem under the mistletoe ensues. Business as usual this Christmas season right?
"Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher"
Nate wants to stay away from all the women who want his money in Mandy Baxter s story set deep in the heart of Texas. But when gorgeous do-gooder Chloe Benson comes knocking at his door in search of funds for her charity Nate can t ignore the passion he feels for her. Maybe love is priceless after all?
"Christmas at Seashell Cottage"
’Tis the season in Jewell Cove when local doctor Charlie Yang finds her quiet, steady life disrupted by both an abandoned baby in the nativity manger and ex-SEAL Dave Ricker. Are these turn of events too good to be true? Or is Christmas working its magic for real Donna Alward s heartwarming holiday story?
I will begin by saying it’s never too early to get into the festive spirit so I have no regrets about reviewing a Christmas book so early. Second of all, for those Scrooges out in the world who hate Christmas things this is the shorty story collection for you. It is simply three novella length stories combined together in one. None of them are too crazy Christmas-y and they are all very fun. The only complaint I had was that none of the stories were long enough for my liking.
Hot Toy – Jennifer Crusie
I had already read this totally fun short story before and adored it. It had all of Jennifer Crusie’s humour and skill packed into a limited number of words it was perfect.
It’s all about Trudy being determined to get a very specific toy for her nephew last minute. It is the hottest toy out and it’s obviously cleared from the shelves on Christmas Eve. She bumps into Nolan, who just happens to be out trying to find the exact same thing but for very different reasons. It turns into this crazy drama of spies, shady dealings and gun fights. It was ridiculous and so enjoyable to read. I love everything Crusie writes so I inevitably loved this book and I loved how it was farfetched but just within the realms of reality for me to enjoy it. I mean, secret agents with coded messages and poor Trudy caught in the middle swept away by charming Nolan. Who wouldn’t get caught up in this book. This is one of the craziest novellas I’ve read and it was great.
Christmas at Seashell Cottage – Donna Alward
This was a charming festive read. It is set around Christmas and begins with the setting up of a nativity scene ready for this small town to turn on it’s Christmas lights. The new doctor in town is heling out when the man she has been spying on and daydreaming about comes along to help. The two end up finding a baby abandoned in a manger and their time together begins. I found this an utterly charming read, definitely the sweetest of the three. I loved Dave, the ex Navy Seal who Dr Charlie Yang has been lusting after. It was so nice to get to know his character in comparison to the daydream Charlie had created in her head. And seeing Charlie getting to know him when he is completely outside of her carefully laid plans was great.
This was the easiest read and I was utterly charmed by it. I know I want to read more from Donna Alward.
Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher – Mandy Baxter
I mean, the title says it all really. I was least impressed with this story and not because there was anything wrong with it, but because of the kind of story it was it felt like it didn’t fit within the limited number of words. This is a book filled with a lot of sex. It was sexy and fun and slightly ridiculous but great because of it. It sadly meant that I felt the characters weren’t developed enough for my liking and I didn’t have time to get to know them before they were jumping into bed together. I get passion but it all felt a bit rushed.
That being said I enjoyed it all the same. I did like the characters and I enjoyed reading the twists and turns and troubles they got themselves into because they kept things hidden for logical reasons. It was an enjoyable read that wasn’t overly festive (always good for you muttering ‘bah humbug’ as the day approaches).
Have you read any festive reads yet? Are you even a fan of reading seasonal reads? And what is your favourite book to read at Christmas (so I can get ready with it)?
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