christmas escapes – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 338 pages
Author: Kortney Keisel
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 22nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Everyone loves a Christmas surprise––just not when it’s a spy in disguise.
Lacee:

I’ll be home for Christmas…alone was the plan, but everything changes when I bump into a handsome stranger who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. So there’s a new plan, a plan that involves a casual holiday fling. Merry Christmas to me.

But spending the holidays with Park Bradshaw in my charming hometown turns into Mission Impossible when I find out his knife skills go way beyond carving the Christmas ham.

Now I’m on the run, living out my own Christmas version of Die Hard, where making it home in time for Christmas is the least of my worries. I just want to make it home alive ––and hopefully not lose my heart to the one man I’m not sure I can trust.

Because as the countdown to Christmas ticks on like a bomb, I’m left wondering which side he’s on.

◆ Later On We’ll Conspire is a laugh-out-loud, closed-door romance full of sizzle, chemistry, and witty banter that might require you to suspend a little disbelief.

A LOT OF FUN.

If you’re looking for a unique holiday romance, this is it. Read this book. I’ve been waiting for this one since it was announced and it did not disappoint.

I loved the hidden identities spy mystery plot. It’s still kept light and humorous, but adds that bit of an intense edge that plays off of everything else beautifully. Lacee and Park end up having to work together and you wouldn’t believe the sparks that fly off of these two.

The plot meandered just a bit for me and I think that’s why I’m feeling closer to a four star. Don’t get me wrong, LOVED this book, but there’s something holding me back.

The story itself had me speeding through it and I liked the level of Christmas feels it gives. There’s plenty of fiery banter (and faaantastic) kisses that I love, especially in categorically sweet romances. The twists are easy to guess yet so entertaining to watch unfold. I laughed out loud quite a bit and think this is one of the better Christmas books I’ve ever read. I love when things feel fresh!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Holiday Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, gun violence, physical altercations

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 350 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 30th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Some people face their problems head-on, other people run . . .

When my ex-boyfriend sends me his wedding invitation eight months after breaking up with me, and the bride expects me to be in the wedding party, it’s time for my tried-and-tested party trick: disappearing.

And nowhere is better to escape to than the cozy English Cotswolds in the middle of December.

Everything goes according to plan until I arrive in the Cotswolds. Snow is more slippery than I expected, my room is nothing like the listing described, and my pub owner landlord—well, he steps directly from my lumberjack fantasies and into my heart.

The only problem? I can’t fall for an Englishman who lives on the other side of the world from me. Not even one who has Dr Pepper on tap and kisses like it’s an Olympic sport. It’s much harder to run across the pond, and all good things must come to an end . . . but what if I can’t say goodbye?

Part of the Christmas Escape series, Cotswolds Holiday is a clean Christmas romance where an American girl runs off to England and tries not to fall in love.

SO I LOVED THIS?

And I’m so glad I did! I did go back and forth A LOT on a few aspects so lets get into those.

There is soooo much drama involving ex’s. And at times it felt like too much, yet in the same breath, I was reveling in the drama of Luna and Rhys finding there path to be together. I know it’ll be a polarizing type of read for that. I’m just reallll dang happy it worked for me (though it is the reason I took off 1/2 star).

Rhys was SWOONY. Every near touch, stolen kiss, and whispered endearments had me glued to the page. I loved his character. I enjoyed Luna as well. She’s a runner (meh), but I do think it was handled well enough for me to roll with. There was pretty solid communication between them and I loooove a get your girl moment and I was squealing when it happened.

The setting is perfect. A quaint pub in the countryside. I loved the side characters and the shenanigans that went down. Plenty of holiday cheer and perfect for the season.

Overall audience notes: