Book Review: Season’s Schemings by Katie Bailey

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Holiday Sports Romance
Length: 262 pages
Author: Katie Bailey
Publisher: Eleventh Avenue Publishing
Release Date: December 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

‘Tis the season to get even…

When Maddie Grainger’s longtime boyfriend dumps her on TV for the entire world to see, she thinks she’s hit rock bottom.

Until her parents announce that they’re spending the holidays with her ex’s family… And he’ll be bringing the woman he left her for.

All Maddie wants for Christmas is to stick it to her cheating ex. But how?

Enter Sebastian Slater, the NHL’s most infamous player.

On a drunken night out in Vegas, Maddie asks the superstar athlete to pose as her new boyfriend. She’s kidding, mostly. But Seb shocks her by making a counter offer: he doesn’t want to date Maddie for the holidays… he wants to marry her.

Show up at her ex’s cabin alone, or with a surprise new hockey-playing husband? Maddie opts for the ultimate level up.

Because maybe, just maybe, revenge is a dish best served betrothed.

Sparks fly and Christmas cheer is abundant in this festive marriage of convenience rom com. Season’s Schemings is a closed door/fade to black romance that includes mild language, innuendo, and tons of sizzle without the spice.

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.

I didn’t know what I was going to get out of this one. It was coming on the heels of TWO two star holiday romances and I needed a win. And oh how grateful I am that it was a win. It was a little bit too chaotic for me in the beginning but found its footing and I was charmed way by Seb.

I love marriage of convenience. If I see it, I’ve got to have it and this was clever and fun. I liked the set-up and all of the following holiday shenanigans. It’s cheerful and on the lighter side and I though the audiobook was great too. AND it’s also a hockey romance which is another tally in the win column.

One of my favorite FAVORITE aspects was that this was steamy without the spice. I loved that this had actual closed door material and brought the heat without the explicit scenes. This is my true favorite place to be and I want to to read more from Katie Bailey purely for this reason alone.

Overall audience notes: