The Fake Holidate by Amie Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a fast and fun holiday novella that I really enjoyed. There was great chemistry and dialog, a cute and unexpected pet, family drama, and a magical setting.
View all my reviews
The Fake Holidate by Amie Knight
The Choice by Jillian Dodd
Resting Scrooge Face
by Meghan Quinn
Release Date: November 29, 2022
https://mybook.to/RestingScroogeFace
From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a festive short romance about old flames and mistaken identities.
After a bad breakup, Nola wants nothing to do with Christmas, especially in her quaint hometown of Bright Harbor, Maine. Infuriatingly charming and cheery, Nola’s surroundings only worsen her sour mood.
To make matters worse, Caleb, the boy who broke her heart years ago, is all grown up and still living in town. While doing her best to avoid him, Nola bumps into the local mailman, who gives her a mysterious letter. And when she finds that the writer is a fellow Scrooge, she can’t help but feel her spirit lifting.
Nola writes back to her new pen pal—who, unbeknownst to Nola, is none other than Caleb. When Caleb gets a response hand delivered by the mailman, he’s intrigued by the mystery sender. A friendly correspondence develops—and quickly turns flirtatious.
Although Nola and Caleb claim they can’t stand each other, they can’t deny the simmering attraction that brought them together in the first place.
Can these nameless pen pals write their own love story—or will they be too caught up with the ghosts of their Christmases past to find a future together?
My review: 4 stars
Oh I wish this was longer! Caleb and Nola's second chance holiday romance was delightful, and I adored Grandma Louise and postman Arden too. It was a neat surprise to get to visit author Quinn's Port Snow again (hello Lobster Landing!). Resting Scrooge Face and Ho Ho No have me ready to celebrate the holidays with a smile.
THE SWEET SPOT
by Adriana Locke
Release Date: November 29th
Amazon: https://geni.us/TSSpot
Link to All Platforms: https://geni.us/thesweetspotbook
Audiobook (add to Ebook for $1.99) – Stella Hunter
& Teddy Hamilton
Tropes: Small Town Romance, Single Mom, Retired
Baseball Pro
Excerpt:
I’m lifting my glass to take another sip of sugar when a
shoulder brushes against mine. I’m two seconds from turning and giving someone
a warning . . . but stop.
My body stills as a set of large, calloused hands presses
against the laminate countertop next to me.
Thick, muscled wrists attach to forearms the size of my
biceps. The space around me is impregnated with a very heady, very masculine
vibe.
A bubble of curiosity blooms in my stomach. The intrigue
grows as a rich, balmy scent licks at my senses. It’s the kind of cologne I
love—the type that makes the person smelling it feel better, more confident, more
attractive by proxy.
That is not a harbinger of good things, though. I know from
experience.
I ignore the warning bells dinging in my head like the
seasoned expert I am and twist to the side . . . and nearly fall off
my stool.
Holy. Man. Candy.
His hair—thick and wild, lying to the side in an errant
wave—is the color of tobacco. It’s a stark juxtaposition to the chips of
sapphire sparkling in his eyes. A sharp jaw is dusted with more than a day’s
worth of stubble, finishing the glorious package with a sinful edge.
“Hey,” he says, his voice smooth and inviting.
“I’m sorry,” I say, finding my voice. “Do I know you?”
He grins. “Not yet.
Six FREE standalone holiday short stories!
COVER CREDIT:
Cover designer: Sommer Stein, Perfect Pear Creative
Grab your free copy today, before it goes away!
Available for only a limited time!
Get Sleighed by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
When my ex dumped me right before Christmas, I was left with a luxury, all - expense paid trip for two to Cabo - private jet and all. Somehow, my best friend roped me into giving away the other half of the trip as a contest prize on her podcast. Kelly won the “World’s Worst Dump Story.” She and I didn’t meet until we arrived at the airport, which was when I discovered she was actually a he. Apparently we’d forgotten to include open to women only in the rules. My trip to Cabo started as a disaster, but as time went on Kelly and I grew close. Until someone unexpectedly showed up…
Christmas in Birdville by Jewel E. Ann
Henry Bechtel’s mom is coming home for Christmas. Only, he lost the family house in a game of poker. Days before his mom’s arrival, he meets the new owner and seizes the opportunity to coerce her into letting him move back “home” for the holidays. What he doesn’t know is that she has questionable motives, too.
The Lucky One by Sarina Bowen
Finnish hockey player Ivo Halla is new in town. He can't speak the language, he can't understand the coach. Life is hell until he walks into an Italian cafe (thank God "pizza" is the same in Finnish and English) and falls for the waitress. He'd better learn the language soon, or she won't agree to date him...
First Holiday by Katee Robert
After a year of turmoil, Hades and Persephone prepare for their first holiday together.
A Cloverleigh Farms Christmas by Melanie Harlow
Christmas Eve at Cloverleigh Farms is even more exciting this year, thanks to a blizzard, a power outage, and a baby that wants to make a dramatic entrance. Catch up with the beloved Sawyer family and find out what happens when Meg and Noah's bundle of joy gives the family a wonderful -- and sudden -- reason to celebrate!
Have Yourself a Grumpy Little Christmas by Pippa Grant
Trevor Stafford hates Christmas. But his best friend’s little sister, whom he stupidly agreed to take in as a temporary roommate when she got a new nannying gig down the street from him, loves it.
She’s turning his house into a freaking winter wonderland of bad memories.
But the bigger problem?
He’s had a crush on her for years, and there’s no amount of annoying holiday cheer that can cure him of his attraction. If anything, watching her in her natural element is making it worse.
What’s a grump to do when the last thing he ever wanted is suddenly the only thing he needs?
You’ve heard the story about the wedding planner who falls for the groom?
Well, this is the one where she falls for his father.
And that groom? He’s my ex.
I didn’t realize who the gruff, gorgeous older man was the night he rescued me from a creep in a Manhattan hotel bar. All I knew was that a hot, bearded stranger with a protective streak showed up right when I needed a reminder that real gentlemen still exist.
(Although he left his manners behind after asking me up to his room.)
It was the hottest night of my life, but I never thought I’d see the former Navy SEAL again.
Imagine my surprise at the rehearsal dinner one week later, when my sexy one-night stand is introduced as the father of the groom. Even more surprising? That temptation we felt in New York was no fluke.
In public, we pretend there’s nothing between us.
In private, we can’t keep our hands off each other.
The situation is beyond complicated. Zach never even knew he’d fathered a child until recently, and he wants to earn his son’s trust and respect. As for me, I’m looking for a man who wants to start a family, and Zach has made it clear he’s not that man. He’s fifteen years older, newly divorced, and he lives across the country.
But no matter how many times we draw the line, we keep crossing it.
Nothing so wrong should ever feel so right.
Grab your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://harlow.pub/Tempt-amazon
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/temptMH
Paperback → https://harlow.pub/Tempt-pb
Special Edition Paperback → https://harlow.pub/Tempt-specialeditionpb
Keep reading for a look inside TEMPT!
I was just lifting the glass to my lips when I noticed someone sitting around the curve of the bar to the left. He was broad through the chest and shoulders, wore a black dress shirt with the cuffs rolled up, and sat alone. His hair and beard were short and dark. Our eyes met and my body grew warm. His bone structure was beautiful—his face looked like it was chiseled from granite. He held my gaze for a moment then looked away, and I did as well, focusing on the first cold sips of my martini.
But in seconds, my eyes were drawn to him again, and I noticed the hand holding his glass—wide palm, long, solid fingers, thick wrist. I indulged in a brief and magnificent fantasy that involved those hands in my hair, his beard against my cheek, that brawny chest bare and warm above me. Was it hairy? I’d bet yes. He looked like a man’s man. My nipples tingled inside the bustier I wore beneath my dress.
Once more he caught me staring, and I realized too late that I was actually biting my lip.
Gawd.
The guy next to me whistled loudly and yelled at the bartender, “Hey! Can I get another round down here?”
The bartender, who was busy making other drinks, didn’t even look over. I didn’t blame him.
“The service is so shitty in this place,” he said. “You need a pair of tits to get any attention.” He glanced at my chest. “Yours are fantastic, by the way.”
Horrified, I picked up my glass and finished my drink in a couple swallows. I should have thrown it in his face, but it would have been a waste of a good martini. Setting the empty glass down, I reached into my bag for my credit card.
“Hey, don’t rush off.” The asshole leaned closer. He wore a white shirt and blue blazer, and he reeked of cologne. “We’re just getting to know each other.”
“Not interested,” I said, trying to catch the bartender’s eye so I could get my check and leave.
“Why not? I’m alone, you’re alone.” He covered my hand with his. That’s when I noticed he wore a wedding band.
I snatched my hand away and slid off my stool, putting it between us. “I’m not alone.”
“Oh no?” He laughed and glanced around. “Looks like it to me.”
I finally caught the bartender’s eye, and he came right over. “Can I get you something?”
“I’ll cash out,” I said quickly.
The bartender glanced at the asshole. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine, I was just waiting for someone, but he couldn’t make it, so I—”
“Sorry I’m late.” A hand circled my wrist.
Startled, I spun around and saw a black shirt. Wide shoulders. Dark eyes.
The hot stranger and I exchanged a look of understanding before he leaned in and kissed my cheek. His beard was softer than I’d imagined.
“Forgive me?” His voice, by contrast, was deep and gravelly.
“Of—of course,” I stammered, my heart pounding. I couldn’t stop staring—the guy was gorgeous. A little older than I’d thought—there was silver in his hair and beard—but those dark eyes, that deep voice, and the possessive grip on my wrist? The whole package made my knees go weak.
He looked over my head at the bartender. “She’s with me.”
“Dude, she’s not with you,” argued the jerk in the blazer. “You were over there by yourself a minute ago. I saw you.”
Dropping my wrist, the stranger turned to him and growled, “You should go.”
The jerk slid off his barstool and put one palm up. “Listen, I don’t want any trouble. I just thought—”
“It’s fuckin’ obvious what you thought.” The stranger’s words were laced with fury, but he kept his volume low. Somehow it was even scarier than if he’d yelled. “Now get the fuck out of here, and don’t even look in her direction as you walk out, or you’ll be trying to do it with two broken legs.”
The jerk stood up taller, like he might be thinking of protesting, but he looked like a gerbil facing off against a Doberman. Then he adjusted his lapels and moved toward the exit without even glancing my way.
The stranger watched him go with hooded, hawklike eyes before looking down at me again. “You okay?”
“Yes.” But I was struggling to catch my breath.
“Can I bring you two another round?” the bartender asked.
The stranger looked at me. “Would you like another drink?”
I took a breath, willing myself to be brave. “Only if you’ll stay and have one with me.”
He hesitated, rubbing one hand along his jaw. “Okay. Sure.”
“Another martini for the lady and a Glenlivet on the rocks, coming right up,” said the bartender.
I perched on my barstool again, crossing my legs. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”
“You’re welcome.” He sat down next to me. “I hope I didn’t insult you.”
“Insult me?”
“I didn’t mean to imply you couldn’t handle that jackass on your own.”
“Oh! Well, maybe I could have.” I laughed a little. “But I liked your way better.”
One side of his mouth twitched, setting off a thousand butterflies in my stomach.
“This round is on me,” I said as our drinks appeared.
He shook his head. “Not a chance.”
“But I’d like to repay you for standing up for me.”
“No payment necessary. Any gentleman would have done it.”
“Gentleman, huh?” I tilted my head and gave him a playful smile. I was a pretty good flirt when I wanted to be. “So you’re saying I’m safe with you?”
He didn’t answer right away, and I sat up a little taller in my seat. Slightly arched my back. But his eyes stayed put on mine. “You’re safe with me.”
Well, damn.
What on earth was I going to do about that?
Add TEMPT to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3TCc75o
About Melanie Harlow
USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she's not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Ted, Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the BELLAMY CREEK series, the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, and the FRENCHED series. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Connect with Melanie
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2RPwr51
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Bookbub: http://bit.ly/36kL7yB
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2NW3UtA
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR1ecpH1/
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Website: www.melanieharlow.com
I didn’t realize who the gruff, gorgeous older man was the night he rescued me from a creep in a Manhattan hotel bar. All I knew was that a hot, bearded stranger with a protective streak showed up right when I needed a reminder that real gentlemen still exist.
(Although he left his manners behind after asking me up to his room.)
It was the hottest night of my life, but I never thought I’d see the former Navy SEAL again.
Imagine my surprise at the rehearsal dinner one week later, when my sexy one-night stand is introduced as the father of the groom. Even more surprising? That temptation we felt in New York was no fluke.
In public, we pretend there’s nothing between us.
In private, we can’t keep our hands off each other.
The situation is beyond complicated. Zach never even knew he’d fathered a child until recently, and he wants to earn his son’s trust and respect. As for me, I’m looking for a man who wants to start a family, and Zach has made it clear he’s not that man. He’s fifteen years older, newly divorced, and he lives across the country.
But no matter how many times we draw the line, we keep crossing it.
Nothing so wrong should ever feel so right.
Download your copy of TEMPT today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://harlow.pub/Tempt-amazon
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/temptMH
Paperback → https://harlow.pub/Tempt-pb
Special Edition Paperback → https://harlow.pub/Tempt-specialeditionpb
Add TEMPT to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3TCc75o
About Melanie Harlow
USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she's not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Ted, Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the BELLAMY CREEK series, the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, and the FRENCHED series. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Connect with Melanie
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2RPwr51
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NPkYKs
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/36kL7yB
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2NW3UtA
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR1ecpH1/
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2sVOz55
Join Melanie’s Reader Group: https://bit.ly/3mYzBBo
Stay up to date with new releases and sign up for Melanie’s mailing list: http://bit.ly/2P7MATT
Website: www.melanieharlow.com
UNTYING THE KNOT, a brand new steamy, witty, emotional
romance full of heart and humor from USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn,
is Now Available in all formats! Dive into this romantic comedy sure to keep
you on your toes. One-click your copy today!
https://mybook.to/UntyingTheKnot
About UNTYING THE KNOT:
Ryot Bisley is my husband.
Yes, the former third baseman for the
Chicago Bobbies and absolute heart throb of the Windy City. That Ryot
Bisley.
The first time I ran into him, he was
grumpy, a horrific host, and left me on his sofa with nothing but a nylon
baseball flag to use as a blanket.
The second time, he reluctantly
bought me dinner, stared at my chest the entire night, and still sported that
permanent frown.
The third time . . . well, that was a
game changer. His smile captured me, his teasing charmed me, and his touches
excited me.
So when he was called up to the
majors that didn’t stop us from knocking it out of the park and all the way
down the aisle.
Eleven years later…I’d love to say
we’re happy as ever but the man who sent me dirty text messages every day is
long gone and Mr. Frowny Face is back.
He’s so focused on trying to build a
life after baseball that he doesn’t see the life we’ve already created
together. . .so I make the hard decision and serve him divorce papers.
Problem is…my husband refuses to
accept those papers. Instead, he has a new game plan that makes untying the knot
of our marriage a little tricky. And just when I thought I wanted to be
traded . . . he's slowly, tantalizingly roping me back in.
https://mybook.to/UntyingTheKnot
Jason Clarke and Stella
Hunter narrate this sexy romance in duet and bring Ryot and Myla to life! You
won't want to miss this audiobook and all the heat and emotions they bring to
it. One-click your copy and get your newest eargasm today!
https://mybook.to/UntyingTheKnot
ABOUT MEGHAN
QUINN:
USA Today Bestselling
Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic
comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect
combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.
Never miss
another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.
Connect w/ Meghan:
Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn
Folk Around and Find Out by Penny Reid
"I'm
not interested in continuing to leave it up to fate."
UNTYING THE KNOT,
a brand new steamy, heartfelt, and hilarious standalone romance from USA
Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn, will be releasing on November 15th
in all formats! Don’t miss the fantastic cover below and get ready to fall in
love with this sexy romance filled with heart, heat, and humor. Pre-order your
copy today!
https://mybook.to/UntyingTheKnot
About UNTYING
THE KNOT (Coming 11/15/2022):
A
spin-off from the #1 Amazon bestsellers A Not So Meet Cute and So Not Meant To
Be, USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn brings you a heart-warming, yet
hilarious full-length novel on what life is like after the happily ever after.
Ryot Bisley
is my husband.
Yes, the
former third baseman for the Chicago Bobbies and absolute heart throb of the
Windy City. That Ryot Bisley.
The first
time I ran into him, he was grumpy, a horrific host, and left me on his sofa
with nothing but a nylon baseball flag to use as a blanket.
The second
time, he reluctantly bought me dinner, stared at my chest the entire night, and
still sported that permanent frown.
The third
time . . . well, that was a game changer. His smile captured me, his teasing
charmed me, and his touches excited me.
So when he
was called up to the majors that didn’t stop us from knocking it out of the
park and all the way down the aisle.
Eleven years
later…I’d love to say we’re happy as ever but the man who sent me dirty text
messages every day is long gone and Mr. Frowny Face is back.
He’s so
focused on trying to build a life after baseball that he doesn’t see the life
we’ve already created together. . .so I make the hard decision and serve him
divorce papers.
Problem
is…my husband refuses to accept those papers. Instead, he has a new game plan
that makes untying the knot of our marriage a little tricky. And just when I
thought I wanted to be traded . . . he's slowly, tantalizingly roping me back
in.
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
https://mybook.to/UntyingTheKnot
Read UNTYING THE KNOT Four
Different Ways!
Jason Clarke and Stella Hunter are narrating in duet this
sexy romance, and they are a dream team as Ryot and Myla! Grab your earbuds and
get ready for your next audiobook!
UNTYING
THE KNOT will be released on
November 15th in a live release on Audible!
ABOUT MEGHAN
QUINN:
USA Today Bestselling
Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic
comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect
combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.
Never miss
another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.
Connect w/ Meghan:
Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn
I lost a huge piece of myself the day my husband was killed in action.
In the months that followed, I felt like my grief would swallow me whole.
My only solace was my daughter, whose bright light guided me through the darkest of times.
I never wanted to meet someone else.
I vowed to never fall in love again, especially with a marine.
It was supposed to be no strings attached and for a while it was.
But Weston Reeves’s grumpy soul called to my tortured one.
Maybe it was the midnight rides on his bike or the way that only I could make him smile.
He lit me up, set my body afire, and for the first time in five years made me feel alive.
Our relationship was probably the worst gamble I’d ever taken.
But my stupid, wild heart needed him, even if our love was destined to burn me to ashes.
Grab your copy today!
Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SEe3K4
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/awildheart
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/3N6LcNk
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3AtPMQX
About Amie Knight
Amie Knight has been a reader for as long as she could remember and a romance lover since she could get her hands on her momma's books. A dedicated wife and mother with a love of music and makeup, she won’t ever be seen leaving the house without her eyebrows and eyelashes done just right. When she isn't reading and writing, you can catch her jamming out in the car with her two kids to '90s R&B, country, and showtunes. Amie draws inspiration from her childhood in Columbia, South Carolina, and can't imagine living anywhere other than the South.
Connect with Amie
Facebook: https://bit.ly/2UtTe85
Twitter: https://bit.ly/33HQ8l0
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3aekE8H
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IOzy8z
Join Amie’s reader group: https://bit.ly/2Jg0xL7
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Website: https://www.authoramieknight.com