For me, this didn’t deliver in the romance OR the festive department, which is all I ask from a holiday novella. It brings the spice though, if you’re looking for something more naughty than nice. I’ve been meaning to check out this new-to-me author, so this quick and sexy holiday romance seemed like the perfect way to try out her work. It reads quickly and stays light and easy, which made bingeing exceedingly easy. I devoured it in one sitting, which is always a good thing. But I never got swept up in the romance – our heroine comes face-to-face with her brother’s best friend for the first time in years, and the feelings are already there… so they just jump right in. I missed the swoony moments, which were skipped in favor of more steamy time. Things heat up quickly, and they stayed surface level after that. So I binged this, but was left feeling unfulfilled when I was done.
The story follows Quinn, a woman who returns to her hometown for the holidays. Living in the city has made her a bit of a Scrooge, so she’s not excited to celebrate Christmas. When Quinn bumps into her brother’s best friend, Parker, attraction sparks between them. They’re both all grown up, and those old feelings come rushing back to the surface. So when Parker bets Quinn that he can help her regain her Christmas spirit in the seven days that she’s home, she can’t help but accept. And as the two spend time together, it’s all too easy to give in to the attraction. But Quinn is only home for the holidays, so her festive fling has no hope of becoming more.
I can see why Moore’s books are becoming so popular, the writing style made this easy to binge. It’s also SUPER spicy, with heat sprinkled throughout the entire story. It was a little much for me at times (over the top), but might work better for readers who want something fast and fiery. Unfortunately, Parker and Quinn spend so much time heating up the sheets that the Christmas charm gets lost along the way, and the relationship development is almost non-existent. I do have lower standards for holiday novellas, but I’ve read enough great ones to know when I’m in the middle of something meh. I also didn’t love the references to Quinn’s weight and some of the self-shaming she was doing internally. All in all, it’s certainly not a bad read – but it failed to get me into either a festive or a swoony mood.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DNOSPU
Blurb:
Everyone says “there’s no place like home”… well not for me.
When I’m forced to spend the holidays at home with my family in Strawberry Hollow, I have no idea how I’m even going to survive the week, let alone make it through my least favorite holiday… Christmas.
That is until I run into my childhood crush, and my brother’s best friend, Parker Grant.
Now, he’s the sexy, off-limits doctor in our small town, and nothing like the man I left behind six years ago.
While I hate the holidays, there is nothing that he loves more.
Well, other than a good bet.
Which is exactly what happens when we end up together under the mistletoe.
A bet that changes everything.
He asks for the next seven days to change my mind about Christmas.
But seven days alone with Parker is more than either of us bargained for.
Now, there’s much more at stake than a silly mistletoe bet.
The Mistletoe Bet is a complete standalone Christmas novella with lots of banter, even more laughter and a heartwarming HEA.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DNOSPU
About the Author:
Top 20 Amazon Bestselling author, Maren Moore writes romantic sports comedies with alpha daddies. Her heroines are best friend material, and you can always expect a HEA with lots of spice. When she isn’t in front of her computer writing you can find her curled up with her kindle, binge watching Netflix, or chasing after her little ones.
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