Holly Cassidy

A Christmas miracle and a scheming grandfather push two young adults towards love in a swoon worthy, Hallmark-style romance. Comforting in its predictability, this book embraces nearly every Hallmark movie trope.

When Bella's chase for a big promotion at work lands her in a small town, she feels uncomfortable with her boss's plans to buy the local Christmas store, Always Noelle, for cheap to build condos. This discomfort deepens when she meets the owner's infuriatingly charming son. When the son, Jesse, throws a wrench into their contract negotiations, she finds herself betting it all on the town's Christmas competition. If she wins, she gets the contract signed at her boss's ideal price and secures her promotion. If Jesse wins, they get $150,000. But as sparks fly as the days go by, each one discovers that even if they win, they may still lose something they care about too.

Complications arise when Bella finds out that her boss has been keeping secrets from her and has some extra deviousness up her sleeve. She's not sure her fledgling romance with Jesse can survive the truth, but she's determined to try.

This book has all the requisite Christmas nods, with Christmas treats, Christmas movies and Christmas music. It's a cute way to spend an afternoon.… (altro)

Bella has a high pressure job working for a real estate company. To secure a promotion, she must acquire an old but quaint store in a small town at a rock bottom price. She is about to get the signature of the elderly owner when his grandson Jesses walks in and nixes the deal. He wants more money from this well-to-do company. The end result: he and Bella will compete in the town’s festive and highly secretive Holiday Games. The winner gets the selling price she or he desires. Of course, readers will see rather quickly where these two are headed. Still, the journey there is the fun part, even if you guess the ending. There are still a few surprises when you get to that satisfying conclusion. Likable characters and these quirky and imaginative games add much to the enjoyment of the story.… (altro)

Bella lives a fast-paced life in LA working her way up the ladder at Dillon & Prescott. The last thing she would ever want to do is spend time in a small town like the one she grew up in. A place where everyone knows everything about their neighbors. That’s exactly what she’ll have to do, though, to secure the promotion she wants.

This book was so charming! It would make a cute Holiday movie, but I think it’s much better as a book. I absolutely loved the Christmas games. Bella and Jesse made a great pair. I loved that Bella was able to help bring Always Noelle back to life.

Holiday romance novels are what they are, and I really enjoyed this one. I’ll probably read it again as the season comes around. 4.5⭐ for this feel-good enemies-to-lovers romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.… (altro)