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:

Contemporary Holiday Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Content warnings: strained parent relationships

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Book Review: About Last Christmas by Rachel Scott McDaniel

December 7, 2025November 14, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: RSM Publishing LLC
Release Date: October 23rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s trying to avoid a holiday disaster. He’s trying to earn his way off her naughty list. Both need a Christmas Miracle.

Greta Carlton is beautifully content running her antique shop in the snow-globe town of Silver Creek, sipping vanilla gingerbread lattes, and staying clear of drama. But a whirlwind encounter with a handsome stranger leads to a whimsical evening, stirring her heart to believe in movie-style romance. That is, until Leo disappears into thin (and snowy) air. Ten months later, he walks into her shop like the Ghost of Christmas Last, needing a favor.

She’s still mad.
He’s still charming.

Greta doesn’t have time for men with dimpled grins and the proclivity for vanishing. She’s got her own holiday project with an approaching deadline. Though the more she learns about Leo, the more she realizes he’s the only thing standing between her and a Christmas catastrophe. They agree to help each other reach their holiday goals. As they untangle feelings as stubborn as knotted Christmas lights, Greta wonders if second chances are like antiques—unexpected, imperfect, and everything you didn’t know you were looking for.

About Last Christmas is a sweet holiday romance wrapped in witty banter, heartfelt twists, and the dreamy thrill of finding love in the glow of twinkling lights.

SUPER SWEET.

Another book I can easily add to my holiday recs list. This was charming and full of all things small town. The quirky personalities, main street and the way the community rallies around each other.

I enjoyed the banter between Greta and Leo. They had a flirty and light vibe. If you love second chance and plenty of forced proximity this is worth the pickup.

And it was FULL of holiday magic. Which is a must for any wonderful holiday romance. After loving RSM’s historical romances I was so excited to see that this holds a magical story too.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Holiday Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Content warnings: loss of a loved one (recounted), strained parental relationships

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

December 6, 2025November 30, 2025 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: