Book Review: The Twelfth Date by Stella Starling

The Twelfth Date

Author: Stella Starling
Series: #boyfriendsbybLoved, book 2
Publisher: Stella Starling (November 30, 2018)
Kindle edition, 358 pages
Goodreads     |     Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

Summary
Friends with benefits? Best Christmas present ever. 

Nicky Masters is a hot mess and he knows it. After all, every boyfriend he’s ever had has told him so, and—since they usually follow it up with some version of, “too much work, not worth the effort”—avoiding boyfriends altogether sounds just about perfect. The only problem? The part about Nicky secretly yearning for things like true love and a happily ever after... something that scoring a job at bLoved, the gay dating app that promises to help find exactly that, seems perfectly suited for. 

So far, even with his in at bLoved, Nicky still hasn’t managed to find what he’s looking for, but what he has found is almost better: Felix Ramirez, the hot AF new hire with the sexy smile who—for some reason Nicky still can’t figure out—actually said yes when Nicky volunteered as tribute to be Felix’s new friend (with benefits!). 

Perfect, right? Just as long as Nicky doesn’t go and do something stupid, like fall for him... 

If there’s one thing Felix “the Ram” Ramirez knows, it’s how to be thankful for what he’s got. Pushing for more is a bad idea—something he learned the hard way when doing exactly that caused him a career-ending injury that cut his Major League Baseball career short. Ever since then, he’s decided it’s best to just roll with whatever life hands him, and when it hands him Nicky Masters, life starts to look pretty damn good again. 

Well… except for the part about Nicky not being interested in anything more than a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Still, if that’s all that’s on the table, Felix will take it, because the last thing he wants to do is scare Nicky away by pushing for more. At least, until Christmas rolls around and—thanks to bLoved’s Twelve Dates of Christmas promotion—Felix realizes that with a little holiday magic, he just might have a chance at getting everything he wants this year… 

The Twelfth Date is a gay romance novel of approximately 79,000 words that contains a boner from New Orleans, an alien viral plague** which brings out Someone’s Inner Drama Queen (spoiler: S.I.D.Q. wasn’t actually doing that good a job of hiding), an overworked Bedazzler, approximately 5,367,542 air miles, lots of prayers to the God of C*ck, parentheticals (soooooo many parentheticals… see previous spoiler re: Someone’s Inner Drama Queen), and the kind of love that makes it feel like Christmas all year long. 

Every Stella Starling romance takes place in the same interconnected, contemporary world. The Twelfth Date is a standalone book with cameos from other Stella Starling stories and it (mostly) takes place during the Christmas season of the same year as another #boyfriendsbybLoved book, The Boyfriend Game. 

Discussion: Holiday Romance ~ Movies

The other day I posted about Holiday Romance ~ Books and I promised that a post would be coming to talk about movies - this is that post! I sadly haven't been able to watch as many Christmas romances as I normally do since I've been working my normal day job as well working part time about 16 hours a week at Bath & Body Works in the evenings and weekends. Between two jobs and trying to keep up on reading and my blog, there just hasn't been much time for movies. I know, it kind of makes me want to go all Disney princess and throw myself on the nearest object and dramatically sob. However! There's no time for that! We've got a bunch of Christmas romance movies to talk about! In no particular order:

A Cinderella Christmas

2016 TV Movie. Angie works hard to run her uncle's events business while her cousin Candace takes the credit. When Angie takes a night off to have fun at the Christmasquerade Ball, the mask and gown allow her to let loose, and she quickly catches the eye of Nicholas, a wealthy local bachelor. But then Angie has to go before revealing her identity, leaving Nicholas searching for his mystery woman in this modern take on the classic fairytale.

 I just love this movie. Then again, I have a major lady-crush on Emma Rigby and will basically watch anything she's in. *swoon* This is a really cute Cinderella retelling (which I'm a sucker for) with a Christmas twist, and I just adore it. I watch it even when it's not Christmas time, but I especially make time to watch it at this time of year (and yes, even though I have no time, I've made the time to watch this one - twice.) (A note because the next two I talk about aren't anywhere - you can purchase or rent this movie on Amazon.)

A Christmas Kiss

2011 TV Movie. Wendy has left work with the local theatre to take a job as an assistant to Priscilla Hall. Ms. Hall works Wendy around the clock, which is how Wendy finds herself trapped in an elevator late one night with an incredibly handsome stranger. // After a spontaneous kiss, a struggling designer ends up falling in love with her demanding boss's boyfriend as she decorates his home for a Christmas party.

I love this movie so much, but sadly it looks like the only way to watch it right now is if you have a subscription to UP faith & family through Amazon - you can't even just outright buy the movie. That's such a bummer! Now I wish I'd just purchased it when I still had the chance. It used to be included in Amazon Prime, so I'm hoping it will come back sometime. The connection between Wendy and whatever-the-guy's-name-is is really cute, and I love all the beautiful decorations. There's also a follow-up/sequel about another couple getting caught in the temperamental elevator (and in which a much happier Ms. Hall makes a cameo as a side character) called Another Christmas Kiss that's also a really cute movie.

Holiday in Handcuffs

2007 TV Movie. A struggling artist working as waitress kidnaps one of her customers to bring home and meet her parents at Christmas.

So apparently you can't find any of these movies anywhere anymore, so I'll try to put movies that are actually findable for the rest of these... This one does still play on Freeform's 25 Day of Christmas, though (...once... at midnight... but still...) Anyway, what's not to love about Melissa Joan Hart clubbing Mario Lopez over the head, kidnapping him, and bringing him home to pose as her fake fiance? Then her family is so wacky that he tells them that she's kidnapped him and she's all "it's this game he likes to play, he thinks he's so funny," and they just go with it. ...Now that I think about it, this movie is actually probably really problematic on a lot of levels. It's been several years since I've seen it so now I wonder if it actually holds up... NOW I REALLY NEED TO REWATCH IT SO I KNOW! Anyway, a-few-year-ago-me really enjoyed it.

The Princess Switch

2018 Netflix Movie. A Chicago baker (V.Hudgens) is competing in a Christmas baking competition in Belgravia. There she bumps into the prince's fiancee. They look alike and switch for 2 days. "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." 

This is such a cute movie, even if the princess version of Vanessa Hudgens' character has TERRIBLE helmet hair. Also, I have a major crush on Sam Palladio from Nashville and it was super weird to watch him have this British (sorry, Belgravian) accent instead of a Southern one (so weird). I really like that you get a Christmas romance and a Princess and the Pauper sort of retelling with this one, and not one but *TWO* romances as well! HOORAY! Netflix continues to just smash them out of the park with their original content as well, because this movie was great. As promised, this one is actually available to watch right now on Netflix!

The Holiday Calendar

2018 Netflix Movie. A struggling but talented photographer inherits an antique holiday advent calendar, the contents of which seem to predict the future. Will this magical calendar lead her to love this holiday season?

This was another great original movie by Netflix, and I basically need to see Kat Graham star in all the movies now. I also really like that I was kept guessing in this one as to who the romantic lead actually was - if it was the friend character or the guy she met who it seemed like the calendar was leading her towards. And I watch enough Korean dramas where I get a major case of the Second Lead Syndrome (where you REALLY WANT the leading lady to end up with the second lead guy who she does *not* end up with) that I honestly thought she wasn't going to end up with the guy I wanted her to be with in the end. Emotional roller coaster for sure (but in the best way). Also, her gramps is basically the best character in this whole movie. ♥ Available on Netflix.

A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale

2015 When spoiled, 21-year old college student Luce Lockhart is forced to take a job over the holidays walking a rich developer's dog, she is thrilled to discover they are going to build a salon and spa over the quaint local dog park nearby. But when Luce meets Dean, an irritating yet handsome dogwalker actively trying to stop them, Luce is forced to question what the park means to her newfound friends, and whether she can put aside her selfish ways to help save the park before Christmas. Available on Netflix.

Jonathan Bennett *dreamy sigh* He's just so nerdy, I don't know why I like him so much, I just do. Plus, who doesn't love a Christmas movie full of cute doggos?! This one's got a bit of an A Christmas Carol vibe to it, as Luce realizes there's a lot more to life than the shallow and selfish existence she'd been living so far.

Christmas Crush

2012 TV Movie. When a woman learns of her high school reunion a week before Christmas, she's ecstatic to finally have her chance to win back the one "that got away". Available on Netflix.

There's that Jonathan Bennett again. I also just really like Rachel Boston. And poor Georgia, she goes back to her high school reunion feeling a bit like a failure and then kind of tries to relive her glory days... and sort of fails at it. Good thing her best friend Ben is still SUPER AWESOME. I just ADORE all the wacky hijinks in this movie, because Georgia gets herself into the craziest situations. Every year I'm like "Meh, I don't really need to watch this one again," but then I for some reason I do (probably I remember I'm a little in love with Jonathan Bennett) and then I'm always glad I did.

Merry Kissmas

2015 TV Movie. A woman engaged to marry a self-centered film and stage director/choreographer falls for a caterer whom she kisses, as does he for her. Available on Netflix.

Boy, some of these summaries from IMDB really suck... This is such a cute holiday romance, which (like A Christmas Kiss and Another Christmas Kiss) involves a kiss under the mistletoe on a malfunctioning elevator. Like I thought maybe it was part of the series/franchise when I first saw it - it has a similar feel. And then they have all these tiny connections and coincidences and connections. "It's the friendship that turns that happily ever after into the beginning of a love story and not the ending."

Here are a couple I haven't seen yet, but that I'm hoping to watch before Christmas this year. (I know, I'm running out of time!)

Mr. 365

2018 Passionflix Movie. When workaholic reality TV producer Sophie starts working on a holiday-season show about Will, a wildly sexy guy who celebrates Christmas every day of the year, she finds herself falling for her mysterious, unlikely new star, renewing her long-lost faith in Xmas in the process.

A Holiday Engagement

2011 TV Movie. Afraid to tell her family she's been dumped, Hillary hires an actor to play her fiancé during a four-day Thanksgiving weekend at her parents' house. Available on Amazon Prime

Naughty & Nice

2014 TV Movie. A cynical radio host is banished to Colorado, where he has an on-air spat with a hopeless romantic. Soon, their antagonistic relationship sparks the interest of the whole town. Available on Amazon Prime.

What are your favorite holiday romance movies? Have you seen any on this list? Are there any I'm missing that I MUST WATCH this year?

Mini Reviews: Once Upon a Bride & Merrily Ever After by Jenny Holiday

Once Upon a Bride

Author: Jenny Holiday
Series: Bridesmaids Behaving Badly, book 0.5
Publisher: Jenny Holiday (October 9, 2018)
Goodreads     |     Amazon

USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday’s hilarious prequel to her acclaimed Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series!

Jay Smith likes to be in control. His every choice, every move, is made with his carefully planned future in mind. Sure, some people think that’s boring. But Jay knows who he is, and he makes no apologies for it. So when the lobby in his accounting firm needs a makeover, Jay takes charge—and quickly determines he needs a designer. What he does not need is a woman who tempts him to break all his long-held rules.

Elise Maxwell needs this job. After cutting off her overbearing, old-money family, she’s determined to establish a successful design business—all on her own. Independent for the first time in her life, Elise isn’t looking for a boyfriend. She certainly doesn’t want someone telling her what to do.

Until she meets Jay…

Merrily Ever After

Author: Jenny Holiday
Series: Bridesmaids Behaving Badly, book 2.5
Publisher: Forever Yours (December 4, 2018)
Goodreads     |     Amazon

Elise Maxwell is loving her first Christmas with her husband, Jay Smith. So far, newlywed life has been filled with laughter and lots of steamy marital "bliss." But when Elise discovers she's accidentally, against-all-odds pregnant, happily-ever-after screeches to a halt. Although she sees it as a Christmas miracle, Elise knows her new husband might not agree...

Jay never wanted to be a father. In fact, he's avoided it his entire life, worried he'd repeat the patterns of his own messed-up childhood. He's madly in love with Elise and, until now, he thought they were on the same page about not having children. But her surprise pregnancy changes everything. Elise is suddenly committed to parenthood, and Jay knows he can't lose her. Facing his deepest fears will be difficult, but with a little holiday magic, Jay might be able to prove to Elise that - as a family - they're destined to live merrily ever after.

Book Review: Mistletoe Kisses by Marnie Blue

Mistletoe Kisses

Author: Marnie Blue
Publisher: Entangled: Lovestruck (October 22, 2018)
Kindle edition, 150 pages
Goodreads     |     Amazon

Summary
For Officer Justin Weaver, Christmas is the most hideous time of the year. To improve his “holiday cheer,” he’s been put on Officer Kringle duty, collecting toys for the Ho-Ho-Patrol.

It’s a week in holiday hell.

Worse, it comes with an elf—his little sister’s gorgeous best friend—but Lilly Maddox isn’t so little anymore. And as an annoyingly festive reporter looking to make her mark, she’s there to document his every move.

Justin’s always had a thing for Lilly, but he refuses to go there with her. Ever. Not after watching what his mom went through as a cop’s wife. But now that they’re trapped in his squad car, avoiding her just got a lot more complicated…

Book Review: Better Not Pout by Annabeth Albert

Better Not Pout

Author: Annabeth Albert
Publisher: Carina Press (November 1, 2018)
Kindle edition, 288 pages
Goodreads     Amazon

Summary
One hard-nosed military police officer.

One overly enthusiastic elf.

One poorly timed snowstorm.

Is it a recipe for disaster? Or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for holiday romance?

Teddy MacNally loves Christmas and everything that goes along with it. When he plays an elf for his charity’s events, he never expects to be paired with a Scrooge masquerading as Santa Claus. His new mission: make the holiday-hating soldier believe he was born to say ho-ho-ho.

Sergeant Major Nicholas Nowicki doesn’t do Santa, but he’s army to his blood. When his CO asks an unusual favor, Nick of course obliges. The elf to his Kris Kringle? Tempting. Too tempting—Nick’s only in town for another month, and Teddy’s too young, too cheerful and too nice for a one-night stand. 

The slow, sexy make-out sessions while Teddy and Nick are alone and snowbound, though, feel like anything but a quick hookup. As a stress-free holiday fling turns into Christmas all year round, Teddy can’t imagine his life without Nick. And Nick’s days on the base may be coming to a close, but he doesn’t plan on leaving anything, or anyone, behind.

Book Review: Deck the Halls with Love (The Lost Lords of Pembrook #2.5) by Lorraine Heath

Book Review: Deck the Halls with Love (The Lost Lords of Pembrook #2.5) by Lorraine Heath

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Published December 18th 2012 by Avon Impulse
Summary: Christmas is a time for miracles … and second chances at love. In her dazzling first Season, Lady Meredith Hargreaves gave her heart to Alistair Wakefield, the Marquess of Chetwyn, only to have it shattered when he proposed to another. And now that he's free to pursue her? It matters little, because she's on her way to the altar, heartbreak be damned.

Chetwyn once set aside his dreams in favor of duty and honor. But as Christmas approaches, he is determined to put his own desires first and lure Lady Meredith back into his arms, where she's always belonged.

First he steals a dance; then he steals a kiss. But when they find themselves alone in an abandoned castle during a snowstorm, reignited passion consumes them both. And Chetwyn will have one last chance to steal back Meredith's heart, once and for all.
(from Goodreads)

Review: I just finished reading this last night, and I've already forgotten the names of the leading lord and lady. So that pretty much sums up this story, haha. It was a cute Christmas tale, set at a house party at Christmastime.

Boy meets girl and feels instalove during the Season, boy and girl go to their homes out of town, boy gets life changing news and sacrifices self and love for what he sees as his duty, girl is crushed but bravely hides it, boy is miraculously let off hook for said duty (the story of which I assume is either book 1 or 2 in this series), boy tracks down girl at Christmas house party to try to make amends even though girl is already engages to someone else (who is rather slimy, actually).

There's the requisite trapped away from the main house in a snow storm trope. I wanted to like Meredith, actually, and how she loves sports and the out of doors but is kept from them for propriety's sake. I just didn't feel like I really got to know her, likely because of the very short nature of this story. There was nothing bad about this book, there just wasn't anything spectacular or surprising about it. It was a nice little Christmas read.

Definitely spoilers for earlier books in the series.
Available as a stand alone or as part of the A Christmas to Remember anthology.

Book Review: I Will: A Christmas Novella (Capitol Theatre #2.5) by Lisa Kleypas

Book Review: I Will: A Christmas Novella (Capitol Theatre #2.5) by Lisa Kleypas

Rating: 3.5 Stars

 

Published December 13th 2016 by Avon Impulse (first published October 11th 2016)

Summary: Andrew, Lord Drake, has been cut out of his father’s will because of his dissolute manner of living. To be reinstated, Andrew decides to pretend that he has changed his wicked ways.

As part of his plan, he wants to convince his father that he is courting a respectable woman with the intention of marrying her. The problem is, he doesn’t know any decent women, except for his friend’s spinster sister, Miss Caroline Hargreaves. He blackmails the reluctant Caroline into helping him, and so the charade begins...

(from Goodreads)

 

 

Review: I'm having a hard time rating this one. I really want to rate it 3.5 stars, so I'm being kind and rounding up to 4 stars on Goodreads because it's Christmas. No such forgiveness here on my blog, though!

This is pretty much your typical spinster + rake regency romance, except in this case the spinster is being blackmailed into having a fake relationship with the rake in order to lend him an air of respectability. I liked Andrew more than Caroline, but then I have always had a soft spot for broken things. Andrew wasn't loved enough as a child by his cruel father, and it's rather ruined him. Of course, like most rakes in regency romance, way down deep he has a heart of gold. I did appreciate that Kleypas didn't whitewash over some of Andrew's darker misdeeds - he really does have a very black past. I also liked the slow burn of Caroline and Andrew's building relationship, and how what starts out as a sham becomes much more to them both. I felt like Caroline (whom I have called "Olivia" all through writing this review, and need to keep correcting) didn't have much depth and could have been fleshed out better, but I suppose it is a very short story so some allowances must be made.

There is a bit that was a little squicky and quasi-rapey that I didn't like at all, but it really did show how desperately Caroline felt and made my heart ache for the pair of them (while inwardly cringing at the same time).

It's listed as being #2.5 in the Capitol Theatre series, and it does mention a LOT about other characters that I assume take center stage in the other books. Beware of probable spoilers for earlier books in the series.

 

This novella is available as a stand-alone, and is also included in the anthology A Christmas to Remember.

 

Book Review: Once Upon a Winter's Eve (Spindle Cove #1.5) by Tessa Dare

Book Review: Once Upon a Winter's Eve (Spindle Cove #1.5) by Tessa Dare

Rating: 4 Stars

Published December 10th 2016 by CreateSpace (first published November 15th 2011)
Summary: Some wallflowers bloom at night...

A Spindle Cove Novella
Violet Winterbottom is a quiet girl. She speaks six languages, but seldom raises her voice. She endured bitter heartbreak in perfect silence. The gentlemen aren't beating down her door.
Until the night of the Spindle Cove Christmas ball, when a mysterious stranger crashes into the ballroom and collapses at Violet's feet. His coarse attire and near-criminal good looks would put any sensible young lady on her guard. He's wet, chilled, bleeding, and speaking in an unfamiliar tongue.
Only Violet understands him. And she knows he's not what he seems.
She has one night to draw forth the secrets of this dangerously handsome rogue. Is he a smuggler? A fugitive? An enemy spy? She needs answers by sunrise, but her captive would rather seduce than confess. To learn his secrets, Violet must reveal hers—and open herself to adventure, passion, and the unthinkable... Love.

Warning: The heroine packs a pistol, the hero curses in multiple languages, and together they steam up a cold winter’s night.
(from Goodreads)

Review: This is a novella from the Spindle Cove series, and can for sure be read as a stand alone (as can all the Spindle Cove books, with minor spoilers of major plot points from the other books). I've read a lot of Spindle Cove books, but don't really remember Violet as one of the side characters… She sure is memorable in her own book, though!

I really enjoyed this novella, it was a bit like Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Violet is BAD ASS, and Christian is hot. Being the sad speaker of one single language, I am fascinated by people who can fluently speak more than one, and Violet speaks six! I love the back and forth between Violet and Christian and felt like, even though this is a secret agent/spy novel, they were both very believable. I love that Violet takes something bad that happened to her and turns it around, refusing to let it drag her down and instead using it to grow as a woman, becoming strong, confident, and a total BAMF. *sigh* I sure love me a BAMF leading lady…

At 155 pages this is a pretty quick read, and takes place over just one night (with an epilogue, of course, taking place some months later). It's fast paced and fun, and was a great read for an evening in the week before Christmas.

Book Review: Not Just For Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs

Because it's only a week until Christmas, and I am on a Christmas themed books kick, you can expect to see some frenzied Christmas themed book postings here in the coming week, haha. :) Hopefully I'll have a guest post for you tomorrow as well! Stay tuned!

Book Review: Not Just For Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs

Rating: 4 Stars

Published November 28th 2017
Summary: Ben has Christmas, cats, and mistletoe on his side…. Jason doesn’t stand a chance

For Ben Slater, moving back to Bristol means being closer to his family, living with his best mate, and volunteering at the local animal shelter. But there’s also Jason, his best mate’s eldest brother. Ben’s had a crush on Jason for as long as he can remember, but the eleven-year age gap has always seemed insurmountable.

Jason Armitage works as a vet at his uncle’s practice. He owns a cute cottage on the outskirts of the city, and a loving dog. The one thing missing is someone to share it all with. His brother’s best friend seems a bad choice, but Jason can’t help taking a second look. Ben’s changed a lot since Jason last saw him; both in appearance and attitude. Gone is the shy young boy, replaced with a confident, twenty-four-year-old man.

In the run up to Christmas, the festive period gives Ben the ideal opportunity to show Jason what he has to offer. But concerns for his brother’s feelings hold Jason back. If they have any chance of making this work, Ben must convince Jason that he’s old enough to know what he wants, and Jason needs to believe that a relationship with his brother’s best friend won’t ruin their friendship.
(from Goodreads)

Review: Who doesn't love a book about Christmas, cats, and hot British men? Sign me up!

In this slow burn MM romance, Ben has had a crush on his best friend Liam's older brother Jason forever, but Jason is 11 years older - an age gap that's insurmountable (and kind of icky) when Ben is 16, but not quite so huge when he's 24 (making Jason 35). There's an extra little kink in the works because Liam is bi, and when someone asks Jason if Ben and Liam are a couple he's not 100% sure, but does know it makes him uncomfortable to think about them together.

Jason's a vet and has the cutest dog and Ben's an animal person volunteering at the animal shelter while he's between jobs. Ben's job he gets is socializing the cats. Man, who doesn't love a big, strong, hot guy playing with fuzzy little kitties? Me-ow. And when Ben and Liam are witness to a cat getting struck by a car, they of course race the cat over to Jason's vet practice. I'm not even THERE and this cat has stolen my heart! This book has all the tags: slow burn, best friend's sibling, May-December romance, friends to lovers, childhood crush to lovers, Christmas romance… It's definitely more sweet (but does have its steamy moments!)

I did knock off half a star for some weird bits that I think were errors not caught in editing, but perhaps they were just Briticisms?

BEWARE: This novella may make you want to rush out to your local animal rescue and adopt a cat. You have been warned.

Book Review: Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis

Chasing Christmas Eve (Heartbreaker Bay #4) by Jill Shalvis

Rating: 5 Stars

Published September 26th 2017 by Avon

Summary: Meet cute...

Run for the hills—temporarily. That's Colbie Albright's plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie's so over it that she's under it. She's also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she's pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won't be a stranger for long.

Make merry...

Spence's commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn't have to worry about the powerful—okay, crazy hot chemistry—he's got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself... just because she's gorgeous and a great listener just because she gets Spence immediately doesn't mean he won't be able to let Colbie go. Does it?

and hope for a miracle.

Now the clock's ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a lifetime.

(from Goodreads)

 

Review: It is a truth universally known that a book that requires the reader to immediately go request the rest of the series from the library must be rated 5 stars.

I'm pretty sure Colbie is my spirit animal (except my mom and brother aren't awful, thanks very much). I love that she's a YA author (and come on, what book blogger doesn't love a good book about a writer who is passionate about her writing?) and that she can laugh at herself. Colbie and Spence both have a self-deprecating sense of humor that I really like, and the development of their relationship was fun to read. There is a part with Spence's female friends taking Colbie to girls' night that make me cry for her, but I won't say more than that because I don't want to spoil it. Suffice it to say that Chasing Christmas Even made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me smile like a total goofball hard enough that my husband asked me what on earth I was reading that put that doofy look on my face!

Chasing Christmas Eve is the 4th book in the Heartbreaker Bay series. I didn't know that going into reading this book, but it became obvious partway through by the sheer number of supporting characters in Spence's life. I even correctly guess that it was the 4th book, based on the information that was tossed out that of Spence's Tribe there are three couples. (Take that, Sherlock!) While this is the 4th in a series, it can absolutely be read at a stand alone. There might be some minor spoilers for the earlier books, but nothing you wouldn't already know from reading the back cover blurbs. It was a little confusing trying to keep all of the side characters straight, so I pretty much just let it go and stopped caring who Elle was in relation to Archer in relation to Joe (though as I type this, I think I actually DO know that relationships, so yay?) and just focused on the main storyline and the fact that Spence has a lot of friends who care about him. I did go request books 1 and 3 from my local library to read them as well, so I suppose if I'm wrong I'll update my review to warn you of any spoilers. :) I have read the second book in the series (The Trouble With Mistletoe) and it was every bit as enjoyable as this book.

 

Book Review: Have Yourself a Crazy Little Christmas by Megan Crane

Book Review: Have Yourself a Crazy Little Christmas (The Greys of Montana #5) by Megan Crane

Rating: 4 Stars

 

Expected publication: November 15th 2017 by Tule Publishing
Summary: Dependable Devyn Voss is no stranger to cleaning up her mother’s messes, but this one’s gone supernova. In search of love, her flighty mom has invited all of her exes to celebrate her Christmastime 50th birthday. Which is trouble enough, but only gets worse when Devyn’s former stepbrother shows up to the party. His dark brown eyes and lazy smile still setting sparks off inside of Devyn that she’s desperate to ignore.

Nashville songwriter Vaughn Taylor only came to the party to support his dad. And if he happens to see his pretty ex-stepsister there, that’s just fine. But the minute he lays eyes on her, he’s gripped by all his old desires--to undo all her uptight and get past that guarded exterior.

They were never supposed to see each other again, but now that they have--all those sparks have become a bonfire. But will this little bit of Christmas crazy last... or will it end with the season?
(from Goodreads)


Review: I love the dynamic between Devyn and Vaughn. And I love Vaughn, period. I love his sexy Cowboy-ness, his honey whiskey voice with its southern drawl that I can practically hear as I read the pages, his casual throwin' around of southern slang and the word darlin'… Yum. Him being 6'4" seems a little excessively tall though. I have a brother-in-law who is about that tall and he's TALL. And I suppose I relate to Devyn as well, as someone who was always a "good girl" and never really did anything wild (though thankfully my Mom is NOT like Melody AT ALL! Dad is a tattooed biker dude though… Hmm…)

Partway through the book Devyn meets up with her cousins and there is way too much of what I assume is recap from the first four books in the series. I found myself skimming through this waiting to get back to what I thought of as the "real" storyline. I suppose there are spoilers there for the first four books, but it's all thrown at you in such a big blob of word-vomit that I honestly couldn't tell you what the other storylines are, other than that they seem to have little to no bearing on the storyline for this book. So while this is the 5th book in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone with possible spoilers for the earlier books, but you're not missing anything by not reading them.

Aside from the little chapter and a half where Devyn is catching up with her cousins and the author feels the need to bash the reader over the head with the history of all the Grey Cousins, Have Yourself A Crazy Little Christmas is really well written, in a style that's fun and flirty. It's a quick read with lots of holiday family craziness against the festive backdrop of a Montana ski town at Christmas. It also has several poignant moments, several beautiful ones, and several the glisten like snowflakes falling in the twinkling Christmas lights. I originally deducted two stars for all the Grey Family Saga stuff that cluttered up the story, but gave one back for all the beautiful moments that followed and tugged at something deep in my chest. (See what this book did to me? It got me waxing all poetic. Dang.)

*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.