This book really starts with a bang as we enter into a scene of a woman about to be killed or raped (fade to black scenes) lol. I had to double-check that this was a Christmas novel. But it is and the heroine awakes the next morning in a strange bed. And she’s not the only one suffering from some sort of delirium. The man she woke up next to also doesn’t know what’s going on. But with everyone’s reputation on the line, it’s the wrong time to figure it out. This novel quickly reveals itself as romantic suspense and I’m not mad about it. There is a help me find a man subplot, but it’s so separate from the larger problem of the thief/killer that it doesn’t mesh well. Overall, the romance is friends to lovers and I really like it. I like this pair together. The hero is a single parent and this story also utilizes the forced proximity trope. But weaknesses: This hero came across as unworthy to me in parts. Particularly his playboy push to make the heroine his mistress instead of wife, no sir. He was just too casual in his acceptance of this mulatto as a mistress. That’s not romantic, but I could see how it might be because of the forbidden aspect. One point off for the insensitive hero. I wavered on taking another point off when the heroine was visibly excited about meeting his children. Only because, for him, it was an afterthought and he was only doing it as a prank against her to the point it showed a genuine callousness. Like man, maybe he really does only see her as a mistress. But when they got married and he was still so fearful namely about kids and whether they would even consummate the marriage I took it to a 3. The mystery was too interesting to ignore, tho. Speaking to the Christmas aspect, it’s a small one, as the heroine wanted to be married by Christmas. But it doesn’t read light and happy, more angsty and thrilling.

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In the author world, there is a little something that we call character voice, and this book has it in spades. From page one, it was so enjoyable to read about the heroine’s negative feelings towards her scrooge-like boss. But I picked this up for the small town prompt because they’re located in Reindeer Falls. This place has the cutest unofficial slogan in ‘We’re Midwest Adorable’. The town itself is also pretty Christmas-centric as it’s a touristy place that relies on that sort’ve thing. And the hero and heroine both work at a toy company that the hero owns. Oh, and this book also takes place in Nuremberg, Germany during its holiday season for a short time. What the author does a really good job of is bringing everything back to Christmas from airplanes to kisses. I don’t think it’s overkill, but I could see how some might. This book also includes some smexy times. Eye roll moment goes to “the talk” that ends up so stereotypically because she wants to cry even though the hero only agreed with her. *This book is under 100 pages.

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Noelle’s birthday is in December and we’re instantly introduced to her quirks and storied past. We also meet her siblings through a series of cutesy nicknames that I love, but it’s a little hard to remember everyone, but I’m up for the challenge. Especially when this story kicks off with a pub crawl/scavenger hunt amongst the sisters. They conveniently run into the hero, who is a friend from the past. But this best friend relationship has deteriorated and Noelle is hurt, hurt. And I’m ambivalent because a jealous ex broke them up. Talk about insane, yes, but if they get together Ms. Crazy Ex was also right and not just insecure. Hard to root for people lying to themselves, but not to the fools they rope into loving them. Still, it was an enjoyable holiday read with black love at the forefront. Centered around 12 Days of Christmas, but done in six and the hero is too cute, lol. *This book is under 100 pages.

Available: Amazon ↗