Book Review: Since We’ve No Place to Go by Kate Watson

December 19, 2025December 9, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 330 pages
Author: Kate Watson
Publisher: Little Biks Creative
Release Date: November 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Caught in a blizzard with the baseball player she despises, a sports analyst is about to see if holiday cheer can thaw even the coldest hearts.

SCATTERED.

It’s like I liked this but also some stuff took me out of it?

I thought the banter was fantastic. It’s cheeky and full of great quips. I loved Cooper pushed Liesel’s buttons without being over bearing and it made for some solid moments. I loved the baseball dynamics and it has a soft sports vibe (no games are played, but baseball is definitely part of the story).

I loved Liesel’s over bearing family. They drove me a bit crazy but I also appreciated the sentiment of their care and love so it worked well. This book is also a little bit heavier than I was expected and I found myself really invested in a part of the plot and loved how that worked out for the conclusion.

There’s definitely a good amount of showing, and yet there was just enough telling too that I noticed and it bugged me? I would have loved to just have had enough more show. I do love a good argument scene though and this one was great. Some momentum issues, but this was my first book by Kate Watson and I would try another!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Sports Holiday Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Content Warnings: a parent with agoraphobia, loss of a mother (recounted, grief depicted)

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Book Review: The Holidate Switch by Torie Jean

December 18, 2025November 30, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance Novella
Length: 201 pages
Author: Torie Jean
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 25th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Coming home for the holiday takes a drastic turn for the awkward, when Natalie’s fake boyfriend—Caden, her best friend and long-term crush—breaks his leg and his twin brother, bane of Natalie’s existence, hockey-player Cole, tags in for the show.

HOT DANG.

Okay so I absolutely loved this. For 200 pages I felt like so much was packed into it and it was steamy in all the best ways. I loved the bait and switch and was GLUED to my kindle and read the whole thing practically in one sitting.

This is my favorite kind of man down bad that makes the book incredible. I loved how genuine Cole was with Natalie and her family and going along for the ride while making his intentions known. Natalie wasn’t over the top in communicating and working through the new information thrown at her and it just made everything enjoyable.

I loved all of the holiday moments and think this is an absolute delight that you must add to your holiday TBR.

Overall audience notes:

Holiday Romance Novella
Language: mild+
Romance: 1-2ish almost scenes
Violence: low
Content warnings: FMC with chronic illness

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Book Review: Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms by Claire Kingsley

December 16, 2025November 23, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 292 pages
Author: Claire Kingsley
Publisher: Always Have, LLC
Release Date: November 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From USA Today Bestselling author Claire Kingsley, the stand-alone small-town/romcom/romantic suspense/Christmas romance you didn’t know you needed.

Handsome, charismatic, and charming, Jensen Lakes is an enigma in a designer suit. But his playboy reputation is a persona—one of many—that he uses in his unique line of work.

A priceless heirloom goes missing right before the holidays, and Jensen is hired to find it. Tracking down the perpetrator will be simple. He’ll be in and out before Santa hits chimneys.

Natalie Thatcher needs a break. She’s a dedicated sister, aunt, and nurse, but her life is no Christmas carol. Between bills, mounting home repairs, and holiday shopping still to be done, most days she feels like a tangled strand of lights.

Jensen follows his quarry to Tilikum, and the Christmas-clad town throws him for a loop. As does Natalie. He enlists her aid—who better to help him navigate the local quirks than the captivating woman next door? Despite their chemistry and sizzling banter, love isn’t on his Christmas list. Or hers.

But as danger mounts, Jensen finds himself in an unexpected position—falling in love with his partner. And when her life is on the line, he’ll risk everything to keep her safe.

And get her home for Christmas.

A handsome charmer falls hard for a sassy small-town girl. Adventure, witty banter, Christmas coziness, and a holiday happily ever after that will leave your heart full.

Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms can be read as a stand-alone romance.

I’D RECOMMEND IT.

Do I think this was mostly completely unbelievable? YUP. But that also became its charming attribute as well. I liked that the plot made little real world sense and settled in to a fun and semi-adventurous holiday romp.

Amidst so many holiday romances I love when I come across one with a differnt edge. I liked the suspense and thief elements and how Jensen pulled Natalie into his orbit. There were a lot of genuine sweet holiday moments and I liked seeing Jenson let his guard down. There’s a insta-connection vibe to this story that honestly wasn’t a major turn off.

I liked the fast pace and feeling like I was in a small wintry town in late December. You’ll fly through this and I think it hit all of my check boxes for a lovely holiday romance. I also really liked that the spice wasn’t long winded and focused more on the story.

Overall audience notes:

Holiday Romantic Suspense
Language: mild
Romance: 2-3ish quick open door
Violence: moderate
Content warnings: gun violence, kidnapping, loss of life

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Book Review: Highland Holiday by Kasey Stockton

December 14, 2025November 18, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 324 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 12th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One rejected kiss. Two clashing personalities. And a snowstorm that traps them in an isolated cottage.

Callie Winter is the kind of person who holds everything together—for her family, her friends, her coworkers. But this Christmas, she’s hoping to catch her breath in the Scottish Highlands and maybe rediscover a little joy along the way. A kiss with a charming stranger in a pub? The perfect holiday distraction.

Until he rejects her.

Gavin Mackenzie doesn’t do flings, especially not with tourists who’ll be gone before the snow melts. He’s got enough on his plate—keeping the old family cottage running, managing the quiet that sometimes feels like loneliness, and pretending he’s just fine, thank you very much. The last thing he needs is a whirlwind American trying to kiss him in a pub… or move into his personal space.

But when a snowstorm leaves them stranded together, Callie’s forced to stay with the last man she wants to face. She’s prickly and wounded. He’s charming but distant. And neither of them are prepared for the slow burn that starts to crack their walls.

In between the cocoa and the Christmas tree, they’ll both have to face what they’re really afraid of: asking for what they need… and trusting someone else to give it.

A grumpy-sunshine, snowed-in holiday romance about messy feelings, unexpected healing, and the kind of love that doesn’t need fixing—just the courage to claim it.

SOFT.

If that’s what you need right now, pick this one up. It’s a soft romance filled with a beautiful setting in the Scottish highlands.

I loved the depression rep for Gavin. It was discussed well and was incredibly relatable and I loved the topic and way he expressed those emotions. Even more so, I loved how Callie allowed him those feelings without pity but with genuine support.

And I liked the journey with Gavin’s parents too. There was another intensely relatable situation here and without spoiling, it was something I can appreciate.

The romance takes a little bit to find the swoon but I think the second half did a great job. I loved all of the Christmas and holiday vibes and the close knit friendships that were present.

Overall audience notes: