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Strawberry Hollow #1
The Mistletoe Bet
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.
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.
131 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,961 reviews
December 19, 2022
Hallmark Christmas BUT make it spicyyyy 🥵🥵
✔️Small town romance
✔️Brother's best friend
✔️Reverse grumpy x sunshine
✔️Holiday romance
✔️Plus size FMC
✔️Insta lusty (it's a novella, so expect it)
Quick paced, investing story, characters with good chemistry. It's definitely something you should not miss. It's hardly going to take a day, if you're short on time. I especially loved Parker, he had me swooning. Quinn, at times annoying but quite likable.
I wish it had been a bit longer cause insta lust/love doesn't go along with me well but it's still an enjoyable read and worth trying out.
Also, talk about that super cute cover 😍😍
Edit- Thanks for asking me to take the novella on a test run @Leonie. It's good to go for ya 😂💕
✔️Small town romance
✔️Brother's best friend
✔️Reverse grumpy x sunshine
✔️Holiday romance
✔️Plus size FMC
✔️Insta lusty (it's a novella, so expect it)
Quick paced, investing story, characters with good chemistry. It's definitely something you should not miss. It's hardly going to take a day, if you're short on time. I especially loved Parker, he had me swooning. Quinn, at times annoying but quite likable.
I wish it had been a bit longer cause insta lust/love doesn't go along with me well but it's still an enjoyable read and worth trying out.
Also, talk about that super cute cover 😍😍
Edit- Thanks for asking me to take the novella on a test run @Leonie. It's good to go for ya 😂💕
December 19, 2023
A Christmas bet that started because of a kiss under the mistletoe..what a perfect Christmas novella ❤️🎄🎅🏽
”I bet you, right here, right now, that if you give me these seven days you’re home, I can make you fall in love with Christmas all over again.”
Tropes
♥️reverse grumpyXsunshine
♥️brother’s best friend
♥️friends to lovers
♥️small town romance
”Call me a Scrooge. The Grinch. The girl who hates Christmas.”
Quinn our curvy FMC does not like the holidays in fact she loathes them. She’s left the big city to visit her family in Strawberry Hollow for the holidays and she’s miserable. She spends most of her time working and she has no love life so she’s the grinch our story. Parker is the sexy doctor and also her brother’s best friend. We minus well call him Mr. Christmas the way he’s slanging holiday cheer 🤭 the man has Santa cuff links for Christ sakes lol . He’s so cheery, sweet and convinced to make Quinn love Christmas after their bet. I love their Christmas list and activities. He’s a gentleman in the streets and freak in the bed 😂😂 his dirty talking was 🥵😮💨
”I’m a doctor, Little Scott. Of course I’ve got a list, and I’m checking it twice. I told you, I’m winning this damn bet. You’ll see. Make fun of my list all you want after I win.”
Spice Rating
2/5 🌶️
Overall thoughts: I loved this novella it’s short, simple and sweet. It’s heavy on the Hallmark vibes and the relationship moved fast but it’s a quick Christmas read for the season. Read and be happy 😊
”I bet you, right here, right now, that if you give me these seven days you’re home, I can make you fall in love with Christmas all over again.”
Tropes
♥️reverse grumpyXsunshine
♥️brother’s best friend
♥️friends to lovers
♥️small town romance
”Call me a Scrooge. The Grinch. The girl who hates Christmas.”
Quinn our curvy FMC does not like the holidays in fact she loathes them. She’s left the big city to visit her family in Strawberry Hollow for the holidays and she’s miserable. She spends most of her time working and she has no love life so she’s the grinch our story. Parker is the sexy doctor and also her brother’s best friend. We minus well call him Mr. Christmas the way he’s slanging holiday cheer 🤭 the man has Santa cuff links for Christ sakes lol . He’s so cheery, sweet and convinced to make Quinn love Christmas after their bet. I love their Christmas list and activities. He’s a gentleman in the streets and freak in the bed 😂😂 his dirty talking was 🥵😮💨
”I’m a doctor, Little Scott. Of course I’ve got a list, and I’m checking it twice. I told you, I’m winning this damn bet. You’ll see. Make fun of my list all you want after I win.”
Spice Rating
2/5 🌶️
Overall thoughts: I loved this novella it’s short, simple and sweet. It’s heavy on the Hallmark vibes and the relationship moved fast but it’s a quick Christmas read for the season. Read and be happy 😊
December 21, 2022
Super cute sexy X-mas novella!
Friends to lovers, grumpy sunshine, hot as hell doctor. Checking all the boxes!
I feel like novellas are the unsung heroes of the literary world. This gave me everything I wanted, Romance, Christmas vibes, sassy banter, sexy chemistry all wrapped in a "to the point" short story. Sometimes that's just what you are looking for and this novella delivered! Loved it!
Friends to lovers, grumpy sunshine, hot as hell doctor. Checking all the boxes!
I feel like novellas are the unsung heroes of the literary world. This gave me everything I wanted, Romance, Christmas vibes, sassy banter, sexy chemistry all wrapped in a "to the point" short story. Sometimes that's just what you are looking for and this novella delivered! Loved it!
November 21, 2022
a cute hallmark novella w so much spice!!
December 19, 2023
✎𓂃
“I love your confidence and your drive. I love that you’re fearless and ambitious. Love your attitude, your sass, your heart, and how kind you are. Whatever version you are or want to be, that’s who I want.”
Nothing really describes this holiday novella better than that dedication from the jolly ol’ man himself: it’s a Hallmark movie with spice, all quickly wrapped up in just 131 pages! 🎄
❆ Brother’s best friend/childhood crush
❆ Friends to lovers
❆ Plus size FMC
❆ Doctor MMC
❆ Small, hometown romance
❆ Very little to no drama
❆ All the holiday feels!
The concept was cute–big time NYC marketer Quinn is home for the holidays and winds up making a bet with her brother’s bf/childhood crush DOCTOR Parker Grant that he can get her Grinchy self to fall in love with Christmas, under the mistletoe. Parker was the real star of the show, the way he reassures Quinn with his feelings and how much he loves her curviness! The man literally worships her! Quinn was not my fav, and the way her spoken words were written felt a little off to me? Idk it might just be me, it might just be the Hallmark lol. I'm also a little confused why every chapter had the POV listed when it was only ever Quinn? It set me up to believe this would be dual POV and it was not (which is totally fine for a novella but confusing af)?
This was def the smuttiest holiday read I’ve read all year by a longshot, but lemme tell you how Parker being a doctor with his own practice and examination rooms…ooh lives rent free in my head!!! 🫦
Cheers to smutmas my lovelies 💚🥵❤️
Nothing really describes this holiday novella better than that dedication from the jolly ol’ man himself: it’s a Hallmark movie with spice, all quickly wrapped up in just 131 pages! 🎄
❆ Brother’s best friend/childhood crush
❆ Friends to lovers
❆ Plus size FMC
❆ Doctor MMC
❆ Small, hometown romance
❆ Very little to no drama
❆ All the holiday feels!
The concept was cute–big time NYC marketer Quinn is home for the holidays and winds up making a bet with her brother’s bf/childhood crush DOCTOR Parker Grant that he can get her Grinchy self to fall in love with Christmas, under the mistletoe. Parker was the real star of the show, the way he reassures Quinn with his feelings and how much he loves her curviness! The man literally worships her! Quinn was not my fav, and the way her spoken words were written felt a little off to me? Idk it might just be me, it might just be the Hallmark lol. I'm also a little confused why every chapter had the POV listed when it was only ever Quinn? It set me up to believe this would be dual POV and it was not (which is totally fine for a novella but confusing af)?
This was def the smuttiest holiday read I’ve read all year by a longshot, but lemme tell you how Parker being a doctor with his own practice and examination rooms…ooh lives rent free in my head!!! 🫦
Cheers to smutmas my lovelies 💚🥵❤️
December 23, 2022
It’s definitely really cute and hot. A great novella for some lighthearted fluff.
December 29, 2022
4⭐
2/5 spice
Small town romance
Brother's best friend- and he's a doctor 😩😩
Grumpy x sunshine
Lots of Christmas vibes
Plus size FMC 😌
Big city girl who hates Christmas. And a small town boy ready to change her mind with a simple bet... hehe
This was my second Christmas book from this author and it did not disappoint at all. It was such an amazing novella!!. I had so much fun reading this short yet a sweet novella.
Loved the banter-relationship, the bet was a *chefs kiss* idea😉. Doctor Parker Grant had me swooning in such a short amount of time with his mouth and his actions.😏
Quinn was also very much likeable, although she kind of annoyed me with her 'I'm a big city girl' thing but she was good, and I related to her at some times.
This was really spicy and really angsty and I loved every moment of this. Really wished it was longer, and not insta-lovey.❤❤
2/5 spice
Small town romance
Brother's best friend- and he's a doctor 😩😩
Grumpy x sunshine
Lots of Christmas vibes
Plus size FMC 😌
Big city girl who hates Christmas. And a small town boy ready to change her mind with a simple bet... hehe
This was my second Christmas book from this author and it did not disappoint at all. It was such an amazing novella!!. I had so much fun reading this short yet a sweet novella.
Loved the banter-relationship, the bet was a *chefs kiss* idea😉. Doctor Parker Grant had me swooning in such a short amount of time with his mouth and his actions.😏
Quinn was also very much likeable, although she kind of annoyed me with her 'I'm a big city girl' thing but she was good, and I related to her at some times.
This was really spicy and really angsty and I loved every moment of this. Really wished it was longer, and not insta-lovey.❤❤
December 8, 2023
This was just... well I got bored. Not only does Quinn have a stupid negative motivation* dragging the plot down, but continuity errors and weird author quirks made it hard for me to take it seriously. Like, chapter headings indicating PoV make sense if you have multiple PoV. In a story all from one character's viewpoint, however, it's really not necessary. I feel like the author had a template and just blindly filled it in.
And it isn't helping that the conversations have banter cues (like laughing, grinning, and emotional push/pull) while just sounding like normal conversations.
But I actually couldn't take it any more when the sex scene hit and everything went to porn. I mean, sure, he's hung like a suspension bridge and she can't wait to get in the express lane, but do we really need half the Kamasutra all in one go? It was too much in a story already so lightweight you'd need atomic units to measure it.
So yeah. Dnf with one star. I suppose if you want Christmas-themed erotica, this may qualify. I dunno if the sex keeps up to that level, but it made a stab at starting that direction early on...
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
And it isn't helping that the conversations have banter cues (like laughing, grinning, and emotional push/pull) while just sounding like normal conversations.
But I actually couldn't take it any more when the sex scene hit and everything went to porn. I mean, sure, he's hung like a suspension bridge and she can't wait to get in the express lane, but do we really need half the Kamasutra all in one go? It was too much in a story already so lightweight you'd need atomic units to measure it.
So yeah. Dnf with one star. I suppose if you want Christmas-themed erotica, this may qualify. I dunno if the sex keeps up to that level, but it made a stab at starting that direction early on...
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
November 12, 2022
4.5⭐️ This was the most perfect holiday romance novella. Not only was it super cute but it had the perfect tropes: brothers best friend & childhood friends to lovers. It was literally a hallmark movie with some spice. I’m obsessed!
“I like you just the way you are, Quinn. ALL of you. Even the grumpy Christmas version of you. Whatever way I can have you. That’s the way I want you.” 💛
“I like you just the way you are, Quinn. ALL of you. Even the grumpy Christmas version of you. Whatever way I can have you. That’s the way I want you.” 💛
January 24, 2023
why can’t this be my life though? adding a hot doctor to my christmas 2023 list. God, if you can hear me… PLEASE
Read
November 10, 2022DNF at 65%
Perhaps I am broken, but even the spicy hallmark vibes couldn’t keep me interested. There was no tension. He was to perfect. I was bored
Perhaps I am broken, but even the spicy hallmark vibes couldn’t keep me interested. There was no tension. He was to perfect. I was bored
December 9, 2023
The Mistletoe Bet.
star rating: 4
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mistletoes, Christmas Checklist & Bets.
The recipe for the perfect Christmas week.
Add a little spice and a “Scrooge” of a heroine = Christmas Perfection
Small Town
Black Cat/Golden Retriever
Brothers Best Friend
Friends With Benefits
star rating: 4
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mistletoes, Christmas Checklist & Bets.
The recipe for the perfect Christmas week.
Add a little spice and a “Scrooge” of a heroine = Christmas Perfection
Small Town
Black Cat/Golden Retriever
Brothers Best Friend
Friends With Benefits
December 2, 2022
another cute holiday novella! curvy heroine, brother’s best friend, big city girl who hates christmas, small town guy who’s jolly af. here for it always.
February 28, 2023
I think it's safe to say that the spicy hallmark formula works well. I enjoyed it, some moments were funny, hot, and sweet. It worked for me but I just didn't feel it deep in my bones..? It worked but it didn't amaze me with the whole story because for me it was just a cliché small-town romance and there was nothing special about it.
This could be fully blown up 5 stars but I took the 2 stars at the last moment. Firstly, it's because the fmc really described the mmc's dick with the word ELEPHANT. I mean, sure, we all get it that the dick is big but ELEPHANT with full caps...? I believe she used this word 3x and each had a different purpose in the book, that was just weird and cringe for me. Secondly, I think the author a little bit dramatized the last conflict between the mc, I feel like the author was making things bigger than their actual size and I don't like that. It just fell weak for me and I personally think that if it's going to give a half-hearted and weak impact, why bother inserting it in the first place? But that's just me and I suppose the author may not have a choice since this is a short Christmas novella.
But overall, I enjoyed this! A lot actually and especially the sex scene 🥵, just kind of a tad bit disappointed with the conflict but it didn't bother me too much. If you are in dire to read a quick, sweet, yet spicy Christmas romance, I think you can definitely pick this up. (It took me 3 days to finish this because I was on vacation)
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!✌🏻
This could be fully blown up 5 stars but I took the 2 stars at the last moment. Firstly, it's because the fmc really described the mmc's dick with the word ELEPHANT. I mean, sure, we all get it that the dick is big but ELEPHANT with full caps...? I believe she used this word 3x and each had a different purpose in the book, that was just weird and cringe for me. Secondly, I think the author a little bit dramatized the last conflict between the mc, I feel like the author was making things bigger than their actual size and I don't like that. It just fell weak for me and I personally think that if it's going to give a half-hearted and weak impact, why bother inserting it in the first place? But that's just me and I suppose the author may not have a choice since this is a short Christmas novella.
But overall, I enjoyed this! A lot actually and especially the sex scene 🥵, just kind of a tad bit disappointed with the conflict but it didn't bother me too much. If you are in dire to read a quick, sweet, yet spicy Christmas romance, I think you can definitely pick this up. (It took me 3 days to finish this because I was on vacation)
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!✌🏻
December 1, 2022
A hallmark movie w/ a side of squirting & I’m not mad about it.
March 24, 2023
this was sooo christmas coded (surprising i know) brother’s best friend + small town + insta lusty (it’s a novella so can’t complain) + plus size fmc + all the cute & smutty christmasy vibes 🥰
December 12, 2023
"What is it you’d like for Christmas?" Santa asks, a hearty chuckle leaving his lips, "Anything is possible…if you believe."
My first Maren Moore book!
I was searching for a couple of quick, Christmas-y reads, and this one was on my TBR. It’s quick, it’s super cute, and it has some of that Christmas magic mixed with the small town spirit and a very hot doctor. Oh, and a curvy heroine. And you know I love those! Relatable, as always.
"The guy I doodled in all of my notebooks, my first name with his last, covered in hearts."
Quinn is back home to her small town of Strawberry Hollow after staying away in her NYC job for a few years. She hates Christmas, but she still has to be there for the holidays. Let’s just say she’s not in the best mood… and then she sees Parker. Her brother’s best friend. The guy she always dreamed about but never had. As gorgeous as ever and as unattainable as ever… or maybe not.
"I bet you, right here, right now, that if you give me these seven days you’re home, I can make you fall in love with Christmas all over again."
Catching her under the mistletoe for a kiss that makes all her teenage fantasies come true, he makes her a bet—he’s going to turn her Grinch-y ways around. He has a plan—from picking a tree to decorating it… to showing her not everything about their small town is bad.
And that maybe while she was thinking about him way back then, he was also thinking about her.
"You can run, Little Scott, but I’m always going to catch you."
I loved Quinn and how unapologetic she is. I love that her normal insecurities make her real, and so does the situation. Sometimes it’s not that we don’t love Christmas… it’s just easier to pretend that we don’t.
And Parker? His determination to get her holiday spirit back while getting her to fall for him... so good.
"When his eyes finally drift to mine, time stops around us. The chatter, the music, the clink of glasses…all disappear. All I see is him."
It’s hard to deny how good they are together, and this was unexpectedly steamier than I imagined. During those seven days, while Parker is trying to woo her with holiday magic, Quinn reconnects with her family and realizes that maybe—just maybe—there’s more to life than working hard at a job that doesn’t make you happy.
"I’m headed back to Strawberry Hollow, and not just for Christmas. For good. Because it turns out that home isn’t a place, it’s wherever Parker Grant is."
Theirs is not a real happily ever after, but more of a happy for now. Still, it gives you that holiday feeling, so if you’re looking for quick, cute, and sexy, this is a safe bet. No pun intended.
My first Maren Moore book!
I was searching for a couple of quick, Christmas-y reads, and this one was on my TBR. It’s quick, it’s super cute, and it has some of that Christmas magic mixed with the small town spirit and a very hot doctor. Oh, and a curvy heroine. And you know I love those! Relatable, as always.
"The guy I doodled in all of my notebooks, my first name with his last, covered in hearts."
Quinn is back home to her small town of Strawberry Hollow after staying away in her NYC job for a few years. She hates Christmas, but she still has to be there for the holidays. Let’s just say she’s not in the best mood… and then she sees Parker. Her brother’s best friend. The guy she always dreamed about but never had. As gorgeous as ever and as unattainable as ever… or maybe not.
"I bet you, right here, right now, that if you give me these seven days you’re home, I can make you fall in love with Christmas all over again."
Catching her under the mistletoe for a kiss that makes all her teenage fantasies come true, he makes her a bet—he’s going to turn her Grinch-y ways around. He has a plan—from picking a tree to decorating it… to showing her not everything about their small town is bad.
And that maybe while she was thinking about him way back then, he was also thinking about her.
"You can run, Little Scott, but I’m always going to catch you."
I loved Quinn and how unapologetic she is. I love that her normal insecurities make her real, and so does the situation. Sometimes it’s not that we don’t love Christmas… it’s just easier to pretend that we don’t.
And Parker? His determination to get her holiday spirit back while getting her to fall for him... so good.
"When his eyes finally drift to mine, time stops around us. The chatter, the music, the clink of glasses…all disappear. All I see is him."
It’s hard to deny how good they are together, and this was unexpectedly steamier than I imagined. During those seven days, while Parker is trying to woo her with holiday magic, Quinn reconnects with her family and realizes that maybe—just maybe—there’s more to life than working hard at a job that doesn’t make you happy.
"I’m headed back to Strawberry Hollow, and not just for Christmas. For good. Because it turns out that home isn’t a place, it’s wherever Parker Grant is."
Theirs is not a real happily ever after, but more of a happy for now. Still, it gives you that holiday feeling, so if you’re looking for quick, cute, and sexy, this is a safe bet. No pun intended.
November 17, 2022
i didn’t read the description so i wasn’t aware that the bet was that he’d make her fall in love with him. it’s a cute story and i was worried about this book because i previously read a book by the author and i didn’t really like it. bets to make someone fall in love kinda give instalove and y’all know how i feel about that trope so… just not for me.
December 14, 2022
2 ⭐️ It starts really great and ends with the FMC doing exactly what she said she’d never do.
Idk. I can't do these semi-close door romances. I just feel like I wasted my time.
⭐️⭐️/ 5
🌶️ / 5
Idk. I can't do these semi-close door romances. I just feel like I wasted my time.
⭐️⭐️/ 5
🌶️ / 5
November 7, 2022
Just okay
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.
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.
January 4, 2023
4/5⭐️ This was soooo cute! Gave me Hallmark vibes but add ✨spice✨ This was my first read by Maren Moore read & I loved it!
December 29, 2022
such a cute small town, brothers best friend Christmas novella!!!!
I am such a simp for brothers best friend ESPECIALLY when it’s also mixed with “it’s always been you”. Oooo baby!!!
Very veryyyy cute!
Spice: 🌶🌶.5
Tropes:
Small town
Brothers best friend
A Christmas bet
Reverse grumpy sunshine
I am such a simp for brothers best friend ESPECIALLY when it’s also mixed with “it’s always been you”. Oooo baby!!!
Very veryyyy cute!
Spice: 🌶🌶.5
Tropes:
Small town
Brothers best friend
A Christmas bet
Reverse grumpy sunshine
December 25, 2022
prob the worst book i have read this year so let me start my rant rn 😭
- even the little amount of conversations we got were really cringe and the pet names were terrible
- there were a few SA jokes that did not sit right with me
- before he knew she liked him the love interest kissed the main character and also grabbed her thigh without consent
- was so boring i fell asleep mid way which never happens and i cant even remember the character names
- such bad written smut
by the end i just started skimming through cause it was THAT bad
- even the little amount of conversations we got were really cringe and the pet names were terrible
- there were a few SA jokes that did not sit right with me
- before he knew she liked him the love interest kissed the main character and also grabbed her thigh without consent
- was so boring i fell asleep mid way which never happens and i cant even remember the character names
- such bad written smut
by the end i just started skimming through cause it was THAT bad
November 10, 2022
3.75 ⭐️
January 6, 2023
i need more of them ugh. i love them so much
best holiday romance
best holiday romance
January 7, 2023
Eh.
Double points for trying doing a reverse grumpy-sunshine thingy with the heroine hating Christmas and the hero loving it.
Double minus points for this ending up as cliche as it possibly could anyway 🙃
Smut was weird, for example why did she keep calling his dick "so hard and ELEPHANT"???! And it happened a few times and always in uppercase, I started to wonder if I'm seeing things correctly.
Characters were pretty flat, there was too much potential relationship angst and family angst in the background to solve it in a novella, and I was bored. Also, if I have to read about yet another focused, professional woman with a hard-earned, successful career being reduced to having extensive inner monologues about some dude's perfect balls (and then subsequently ending up as the one who sacrifices said career for the aforementioned perfect set of balls), I'm gonna stab my brain with scissors, it will be less painful than this.
Double points for trying doing a reverse grumpy-sunshine thingy with the heroine hating Christmas and the hero loving it.
Double minus points for this ending up as cliche as it possibly could anyway 🙃
Smut was weird, for example why did she keep calling his dick "so hard and ELEPHANT"???! And it happened a few times and always in uppercase, I started to wonder if I'm seeing things correctly.
Characters were pretty flat, there was too much potential relationship angst and family angst in the background to solve it in a novella, and I was bored. Also, if I have to read about yet another focused, professional woman with a hard-earned, successful career being reduced to having extensive inner monologues about some dude's perfect balls (and then subsequently ending up as the one who sacrifices said career for the aforementioned perfect set of balls), I'm gonna stab my brain with scissors, it will be less painful than this.
December 19, 2022
Well that was a super cute Christmas novella! Set in Strawberry Hollow, a small town somewhere cold, where Quinn has returned after years of living in New York and staying away from all things holidays and family. Cindy Lou Who she is not. But when she runs into her old friend and brother’s best friend Parker, he gets her to drunkenly accept a bet with him, that he can get her to love Christmas in the next week. Quinn has always crushed on Parker, but she’s convinced it will never happen. Well, throw in a few Christmas activities, and she finds out rather quickly that he’s always been into her.
I loved Parker, he’s earnest in the way that a good guy doctor from a small town always seems to be. Quinn is a big city executive now, but she’s also down to earth and true to her roots, acknowledging that NYC isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In a city full of people, it has a special way of making you feel lonelier than ever. We also see a divorced couple go from previously bitter and hateful to going to therapy together, with the new wife at that, and making amends to help each other and their children heal. Good stuff!! Oh, and Parker’s mouth is very on point. I’ll leave it at that!
I loved Parker, he’s earnest in the way that a good guy doctor from a small town always seems to be. Quinn is a big city executive now, but she’s also down to earth and true to her roots, acknowledging that NYC isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In a city full of people, it has a special way of making you feel lonelier than ever. We also see a divorced couple go from previously bitter and hateful to going to therapy together, with the new wife at that, and making amends to help each other and their children heal. Good stuff!! Oh, and Parker’s mouth is very on point. I’ll leave it at that!
December 26, 2022
I adored this short little holiday novella. The writing was easy to follow and the story was cute and sweet.
The story follows Quinn as she returns home for the holidays after a long absence away. She is a bit of a scrooge when it comes to Christmas, so she isn't thrilled to be there. She bumps into her brother's best friend, Parker and sparks fly. They are both grown, but her old feelings come rushing right back to the surface. They end up making a bet under the mistletoe that Parker can change her scroogey little heart. They end up spending a ton of time together and things heat up!
The good thing about novellas or shorter books, is that they waste no time getting to the spice. The only thing I did not like is that the spice kind of over takes all the holiday charm I like in a holiday book. So I had to take it down a star for that.
Overall: 4
Spice: 3.5
The story follows Quinn as she returns home for the holidays after a long absence away. She is a bit of a scrooge when it comes to Christmas, so she isn't thrilled to be there. She bumps into her brother's best friend, Parker and sparks fly. They are both grown, but her old feelings come rushing right back to the surface. They end up making a bet under the mistletoe that Parker can change her scroogey little heart. They end up spending a ton of time together and things heat up!
The good thing about novellas or shorter books, is that they waste no time getting to the spice. The only thing I did not like is that the spice kind of over takes all the holiday charm I like in a holiday book. So I had to take it down a star for that.
Overall: 4
Spice: 3.5
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