Tag: christmas

ARC Book Review: How to Kiss on Christmas Morning by Jenny Proctor

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Christmas Romance Novella
Length: 150 pages
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s merry and bright. He’s… not. But something between them is warming up.

Megan Sheridan just landed the perfect holiday a quiet week in the mountains house-sitting an event venue while the owners are away. Check the mail, answer the phone, keep the pipes from freezing—easy.

The only trouble? No one told Megan she’d be sharing the farmhouse with a very grouchy, very handsome farmhand.

Noah Hawthorne is a cousin of the owner, so she can’t exactly ask him to leave. But if he scowls at her one more time, she’s tempted to pack her own bags. She’s not about to have her Christmas ruined by a grump, hot or not.

But then a snowstorm knocks out the power, and Megan is forced to rely on her begrudging housemate. She quickly learns there’s more to Noah than terse replies and guarded looks.

But trusting a man with secrets is tough, and Megan isn’t sure she’s willing to gamble on someone who won’t open up.

When the magic of the holiday fades away, will she be holding her future? Or nursing a broken heart?

How to Kiss on Christmas Morning is a standalone, grumpy/sunshine holiday novella connected to the How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother series. Read for forced proximity, snowed in at Christmas vibes and a closed door heat level with chemistry and tension but only kisses on the page.

Thank you Jenny Proctor for the eARC.

WELL THIS WAS ADORABLE.

The holiday season really lends itself towards fast paced novellas in the midst of all of the chaos of the month. I loved picking this up and being back in Jenny Proctor’s universe and seeing all of the connections and moments with previously loved characters.

I loved the banter between Megan and Noah. They have that moment of kismet and were sweet on each other. It was a quiet and soft holiday together and it just makes you feel good. It has quintessential hallmark moments perfect for the season.

Overall audience notes:

  • Holiday Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Holly (Belladonna #3.5) by Adalyn Grace

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance Holiday Novella
Length: 384 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: September 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

This Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition features an alternate jacket and case cover, full color endpapers, illustrations throughout, bonus content, and is printed in a festive colored ink!

A mysterious and magical holiday novella set in the romantic, Gothic-infused world of Belladonna, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace. Features a special endpaper design, a printed case cover, and colorful interior art!

Something strange is happening at Wisteria Gardens, the magical manor that Blythe and Aris call home. All they want is a peaceful holiday season with their family, but a group of restless spirits is determined to threaten their festivities. With a new mystery to solve, Signa, Death, Blythe, and Fate must uncover what happened to Wisteria’s ghostly inhabitants and help the spirits move on before it’s too late.

WHAT A DELIGHT.

Turns out, I’m charmed by fantasy holiday novellas (I’ve always bin a stan of ACOFAS so this tracks). There’s something delightful about getting past all of the nitty gritty that a dark fantasy takes you on to then read about your favorite characters in a lighter setting.

I loved seeing everyone again. I thought the plot was simple but effective. There’s a solid mystery that gets solved while also potentially setting up for another book? I would read about this cast all day so I’m sat.

It’s sweet, heated, a little emotional and I think if you’ve enjoyed the series you’ll like this installment too.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance Holiday Novella
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: mild

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★
Audience: Holiday Fiction
Length: 397 pages
Author: Jenny Bayliss
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s
Release Date: September 24th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

White Christmas meets Nora Ephron in Jenny Bayliss’ latest wholehearted, ensemble-cast holiday extravaganza.

Christmas can officially get stuffed because Harriet Smith is not feeling bright and merry this year. She hasn’t for a while. So when her college-aged daughter opts for Manhattan’s winter wonderland instead of Christmas at home, Harriet finds herself seeking solace in a wine-soaked one-night stand.  

But how Harriet will spend the holidays is swiftly decided for her after she takes the fall for some students who break into the town’s old Winter Theater. To get the students off the hook, the theater’s elderly owner requests that Harriet direct the washed-out stage’s final Christmas performance. And Harriet will do anything to help the kids . . . even work with the owner’s lawyer who, as it turns out, is her less than impressed one-night stand.

Directing the play with him won’t exactly change her life. But it might just reignite the Christmas spirit and remind her what makes life merry and bright again.

WHERE?

For a book called Kiss Me at Christmas. I felt there a distinct lack of romance. My ruined expectations made this hard to read and I struggled through the audiobook. The audio narration was perfectly fine, the book itself was not.

I didn’t care much for the heroine either. Most of the book felt frustrating. I think there were some good growth moments by the end and some of the themes were enjoyable to be touched on because I don’t see them often.

Ultimately I needed and wanted more romance. And I didn’t like the casual nature of most of the relationship (started off with a one night stand). I was very much over hearing about the play.

Overall audience notes:

  • Holiday Fiction
  • Language: low – moderate
  • Romance: closed door

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph || TikTok

Book Review: A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores #3.5) by Julie Klassen

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Holiday Romance Novella
Length: 238 pages
Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: September 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The holiday stirs up excitement as fondly remembered guests come to stay and acquaintances grow into more. . . .

With a promise to her youngest sister, Sarah Summers declares that this year’s Christmas at Sea View will exceed all expectations. But an upcoming trip to Scotland–and the prospect of becoming reacquainted with dashing widower Callum Henshall–blows a flurry of doubts into her mind. Sarah had discouraged his attentions before yet soon finds herself once again torn between attraction and duty as alluring thoughts of a second chance at love weave their way into her practical heart.

Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Georgiana eagerly anticipates the exciting Christmas of her dreams after last year’s dull, disappointing holiday filled with endless chores. She enjoys all the promised parties, music, and dancing, but is taken by surprise when young love comes knocking. Does the festive romance of a Sea View Christmas hold the key to a happily-ever-after for both sisters?

Spend the holiday season with the Summers sisters on the charming Devonshire coast, where family bonds are strengthened, love is rekindled, and Christmas joy abounds.

Julie Klassen’s heartwarming Christmas companion to the On Devonshire Shores series holds themes of friends to more, sisterhood bonds, and matchmaking that will fill you with holiday spirit. This novella can be read separately or along with the series and will appeal to fans of Jane Austen, English Regency romance, and Downtown Abbey.

Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy.

IT WAS SWEET.

I’ve really enjoyed this series from Julie Klassen. And this little novella was just as sweet as the rest. It touched on a lot of good themes and topics that brought about moments for growth and realizing that you’ve got to adapt to move forward.

I adore all of the sisters and how close they have become over each book. Getting to see them all together celebrating the holidays was tender and made for an easy read. I love reading close relationships between family members.

There’s a little bit of romance too!! I liked the slow burn and swoony moments too. Callum was such a great love interest and I adored Effie and Cora too. Truly this whole cast was a delight. It’s a heartwarming story perfect for the holiday season.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Holiday Romance Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings: mentions of suicide, loss of a loved one

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph