Once Upon a Christmas Eve

Love in Swans Cove #0.5

by Elodie Nowodazkij, Elodie Now

This grumpy sunshine Hallmark-worthy Christmas steamy romcom ends on a cliffhanger :-)...
He's my brother's best friend, a grumpy billionaire CEO colder than the North Pole. Probably couldn't find me with a GPS. Not that he's tried. She's my best friend's sister, the one who melts my icy exterior. Resisting her? It's like turning down the biggest deal of my life. But this Christmas Eve? Get ready.

Once Upon A Christmas Eve is a thrilling prelude to ‘# Most Eligible Scrooge'. Buckle up – the ride's shorter, but the drop's electrifying.

I'm Julie Simmons, the everything-assistant to a boss who makes Cruella de Vil look cuddly. Holidays? Ha! I was all set for a season tethered to my laptop, dancing to the relentless beat of my boss's whims. That was until she sent me on a mission impossible to the luxury hotel of Landon Adams. Landon. My brother's best friend. My personal Scrooge. My forever crush who's so distant he might not even remember we inhabit the same galaxy, let alone the same zip code.

Things take a twist with a bar brawl, thanks to some hockey players, and who comes to my rescue? Landon, in all his shining Armani glory. But who said I needed saving? And Landon's got enough CEO duties to deal with.

Back at my no-pet apartment, I'm greeted by a dog, my missing notebook, and... a knock at the door?

Wait, is that Landon?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Novella, Ebooks, Holiday

93 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2023

About the author

Elodie Nowodazkij writes sizzling rom-coms with grumpy book boyfriends and the bold, funny women who win their hearts. (Think funny Hallmark movie with the door open ;-)) Sometimes, she even writes stories that scare the crap out of her (a mix of Lifetime movies and Criminal Minds). Raised in a small French village, she almost always had a book in her hands. At nineteen, she moved to the U.S., where she found out her French accent is here to stay. Now in Maryland with her husband, dog, and cat, she whips up heartwarming, hilarious, and hot romances or heart-pounding and haunting romantic suspense novels. All of them hard to put down. Ready to take the plunge? The water’s delightfully warm.

Reviews

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - English Ebook-

Red ears... cliffhanger, need to read the next book in the series.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

*swoons* Though I would have liked just a bit more of a happy ending (plus less miscommunication). But I liked the characters, Santa was adorable, loved that Julie loved to read. And I got all lost in the book, to the point that apparently my hubby said all sorts of things to me and I didn't hear a thing, oops!

[Filipa PT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spotted this for free on Kobo, so I gave it a try - it is almost Christmas Eve, and I had never read a themed novella, so, why not?
It isn't terrible, but I am not sure it deserves the 3 stars... hmm...
Also I don't mind the cliffhanger, the author warned the readers before hand and this really is a pre-read for the other 3 books in the series, so not sure why that could be a problem, if you want the rest just read the other books, right?

(oh, I should have given 2 stars for the miscommunication! I hate it!!!)

[Tabetha Slade · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but even then it didn't reach my expectations.


*Spoiler ish*
I can't really say what the plot of this was, other than a bunch of chasing a dog that was locked in a flat for a bunch of time and just needed to relieve themself. Lots of 'stuff' seemed the happen / be spoken about but it wasn't cohesive.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Plot: 5/5

Series: Love In Swan's Cove #1

Place: New York City

Tropes: Open Door, Rom Com, grumpy x Sunshine, brothers best friend, billionaire romance

TW: Cloffhanger

Main Characters: Julie & Landon


Julie is a woman after my own heart, we have so much in common.

✔️Klutzy
✔️ LOVES Christmas
✔️Too nice for our own good
✔️Hopeless Romantic
✔️In love with a grump
✔️Plus Size

I love that Julie was such a peronsable character, not someone who anyone couldn't resonate with. She is a hard working woman who is hopelessly in love with her brothers best friend. Julie is too nice and too good to everyone when they aren't to her. She wants to achieve things on her own without help from anyone else. She wants to prove herself.

Unfortunately for her, her brother Jack can't seem to not want to make things easier for her and ask favors from his best friend Landon, enter Mr. Grumpy Pants. He is the embodiment of Scrooge, but has a heart for Julie. He wants nothing but to help her in any way he can't. He just doesn't want her to know. Even with his good intentions, he can't seem to be vulnerable enough for Julie to see how he really feels.

I felt so much for Julie when she was dealing with unsavory characters that seemed to be attracted to her in more ways than one. If it isn't her nightmare of a boss, it's a nightmare of her landlords son.

I am really hoping in the next installment that we are able to really see Landon and Julie's relationship really mature and become what I know it could be!!


I received a complimentary copy via the author and Booksprout. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.

[amia · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.25 stars.
Listen... I wanted to end the year with a couple short little holiday rom-coms, and this just didn't do it for me. I feel like there was a possibility for this to be really cute, and it just... wasn't. There is nothing Christmassy about this story apart from the fact that it takes place on Christmas Eve. I was not a fan of this at all, and here's why:
1. I kept getting distracted by all the typos in this book. I swear no one even edited this thing. Not to mention, there were 2-3 times that the tense changed, leaving me confused.
2. What in the world was this story??? The plot had the potential to be cute, I guess, but the delivery was just so weak. They spent literally half of the book chasing a dog around the apartment building, and everything else just seemed really rushed, forced, or ridiculous. Not a single thing was believable to me about this story. It just felts like a bunch of random thoughts all thrown together without any cohesion.
3. I just hate it when a book ends on a cliffhanger, and it's clear that the only purpose is to try to get you to read the next book in the series. Well I'm sorry, Eloise Now, but I am never picking up another book in this series ever again.
It's unfortunate that this was terrible because it has a LOT of tropes that I really enjoy, including best friend's sibling, second-chance romance, and forbidden love. But it was just incredibly weak. Bummer.

[Chocoviv V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary

Julie’s job was to attentive and be on the look for the most available single celebrities in the city. To set them up with her boss, the match making professional was her goal. Her own personal life was on a low point at her job and love life. Her family, especially her brother had always been worried about her as she was the younger one. So much so that her brother’s best friend was always there to babysit her even as a child. Julie absolutely hated it.

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The worst part, he was her ultimate crush as a teenager. Even more horrible fact, he had become an extremely successful businessman in the city…. Now, all she had to do was to avoid him…. If only it was that easy….

Christmas was not going to as peaceful one…

Conclusion

Most people had crushes on others as a teenager so the protagonist’s situation was very relatable. To really be absolutely doe-eyed in that person’s presence and absolutely knowing nothing would never happen could be the most bewildering emotion.

This novella was a prequel to her next book.

[Alison Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was amazing! I forgot how much I missed Swans Cove until I read Once Upon a Christmas Eve. It’s full of hotel hijinks; an adorable, albeit high maintenance pooch; a motley crew of neighbors; and one epic Christmas Eve quest. And that’s just scratching the surface of how much fun and hilarity and romance is packed into this novella! Main character Julie's such a sweet, thoughtful protagonist just trying to pay her work dues and win over her outrageously demanding boss on Christmas Eve and not obsess over her brother’s best friend (who is decidedly very brooding and very yummy). I’ve read all the Swans Cove series books and I LOVE all the characters, but Julie is turning out to be my favorite. Her internal monologue was hilarious and I just couldn’t help but root for her.
Once Upon a Christmas Eve is the perfect balance of drama, romance, steam, and hilarity, and a delightful add to the Swans Cove series. I’m so excited for Most Eligible Scrooge!

[Brielle923 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dammit I hate a cliffhanger!
Julie is trying to make her own way in the world with an overbearing boss breathing down her neck and it’s her first Christmas, alone, away from her family.
Landon is an ex-hockey star turned billionaire hotel entrepreneur who hates Christmas.
The two, childhood friends, find themselves stranded together on Christmas Eve, searching for a lost dog and fighting blossoming feeling, decades in the making. Just as the story of getting really good, it abruptly ends. Marketing scheme?? Possibly. There are more books in the series, but this one was free. Will I splurge the $2.99 to find out how the fates of these two characters play out? I’m undecided. All in all though, it was another great little read geared towards the holiday season and spreading a little romcom Christmas cheer.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie and Landon have known each other for years as he is her brothers best friend and her crush. She has a grinchy boss and an apartment that is not supposed to have pets. Enter her crush, a dog and a madcap chase after the dog. You will laugh out loud and smile the whole time you are reading this story. Loved the characters (and animals), their chemistry, determination, pranks, sass and banter. I will be rereading this one again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hyotahh · Rating 2 out of 5]

J'ai pas vraiment accroché avec la plume, j'avoue même pas avoir tout compris de ce que l'autrice a essayé de mettre en place. L'intrigue semblait être assez inconsistante, j'ai pas ressenti de réel connexion entre les protagonistes autre que sexuel. La fille était parfois même cringe dans son comportement :') Les évènements étaient assez WTF, vraiment là juste pour amené des situations. Franchement, j'ai pas adhérer et même la fin qui finit apparement sur un truc qui se disait happent, ne me donne absolument pas envie de découvrir la suite tellement c'est pas si fou. Dommage

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 1 in Nowodazkij's Love in Swans Cove series - a short / novella read. A brother's best friend romance read. Great characters and I loved the humor Nowodazkij brought to this story. A teaser that will captivate and have you wanting more from our main characters - Julie and Landon. A wonderful balance of sweet, heat and laughs! I can't wait for Most Eligible Scrooge!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Buttercup1201 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this pair. Childhood family friends who should not ever be together. All grown up and the secret crush is still that. Landon and Julie have no clue on how to deal with their dilemma.

Found myself laughing and smiling at the situations they get into. Perfect read to start the holiday season. This does end in a cliff hanger which is the only problem.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sanvi Speaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sooo hooked to the story and definitely gonna read Most eligible Scrooge 🤩🤩🤩 I can't just have a taste of it and leave it. I wanna devour it.😭 Am I being dramatic, maybe but after this prelude I definitely wanna read the whole story so yes. This book is a charm💝 what so special I don't know but Julie and Landon's chemistry is 🤌🏻
.
Troupes

Forbidden
Brother's best friend
Childhood crush
Small town romance
Newyork based
Christmas vibes

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book I've read written by Elodie Nowodazkij; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the Love in Swans Cove Series; it is a stand-alone short story. The story is about Julie & Landon.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie and Landon's story is a fun read that has you laughing, especially when it comes to Santa Clause....

This brother's best friends story takes you on the high and lows of the sister being off limit and wanting more that keeps you on the edge, especially since their story is not over yet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaylen Trejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give this more stars if there was more to it.
While the author did warn that it ended in a cliffhanger, it was sooooo short. Even for a novella.

Some passages were quite detailed while others were a little bland. The characters seemed like they would make a great story though. Is Most Eligible Scrooge worth trying to continue? Undecided as of yet.

[Emily • The Pyjama Book Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟3🌟

A good read but annoyingly it ended on a cliffhanger. In the beginning I struggled to get to grips with what was going on character wise as there's lots of names mentioned. However I liked the story hidden underneath and the trope of brothers best friend. Think this may have been the first book of this trope.
I'd consider reading the next one in the seties to see how it expands.

[Lita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly good considering it's a novella and it ends with a sort of cliffhanger. Not a HEA ending but the author promises more to come and has just released the next book, which isn't free. I don't know whether to roll my eyes or grin at that news. Instead I coughed up the $5 and bought it.

[Devons book corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella was cute, and while I don't expect much with novellas for the obvious reasons, I still felt like this wasn't much at all. Granted, it does end on a cliffhanger so there is more to come, but I felt that half the book was spent looking for a dog and that's about it. I will definitely be checking out the other book because I need to see how this plays out.

[Diana M. Caruthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect story..almost

This is a short story that packs an amazing amount of everything a book needs between the pages to make an unforgettable book. It does end on a cliffhanger so I’m going to have to budget for book 2 not because I want it but because I need to know how this story ends. This author is definitely one that I am going to click that follow button for.

[Sarah Bittel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't checked out this collection of books by Elodie Nowodazkj, you must if you like a spicy book with hallmark vibes. This novella is adorable, and I can't wait to read more of their story!!

[Donna Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this was going to happen.

It does make you want to know what's going to happen next but this couple. This is almost like real life if you don't talk out your feelings never know what the other person feels. I like the authors sense of humor.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic brother's best friend romantic comedy! I liked it so much.. It is sassy-sweet and funny, with steam.. Love sweet Julie, and hot & grumpy Landon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the Swans Cove series. It’s a grumpy brother’s best friend holiday Rom Com. Just want I needed to get ready for the holidays, a Hallmark worthy light fun read. Great characters and a wonderful story line. Can’t wait for the next book so I can continue the story

[Fiction Vixen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, reaching for your dreams means saying goodbye to the place you once called home, regardless of the twinge in your heart.

ahhh hated the cliffhanger, i need more of them rn!!!

[Candice Ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this on audiobook while doing housework.
It was a cute little book to break up the silence but not much really happens so that’s why I only gave 3 stars.
A good start to my Christmas reading.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick Christmas read. I love the main characters chemistry and story of forbidden love. It’s almost spicy, and the book ends on a major cliff hanger.

[natalie 𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly had no clue what was going on! The dog sounds cute though!

[Piper Daly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️I really didn't understand what was going on through this whole novella.