Eggnog, Spice and Everything Nice

by Carolina Jax

When Dane Beckett, a college football scout, comes to Christmas, Texas looking for the next big star, he finds more than he anticipated. A beautiful woman, with curves in all the right places, is waiting for him. But instead of falling at his feet, she wants nothing to do with him.

Living in a football town, Mariella Messi is used to college scouts breezing in and out of town, finding their athlete then leaving, never to be heard from again. Owning her own bakery and being a star player on the local Powderpuff League, cements her ties to town. She doesn’t need a weekend fling, so when Dane sets his sights on her, she actively lets him know she isn’t interested.

But what Dane wants, Dane gets.

Watch Dane Beckett fall first and work overtime to get the girl!

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2023

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast holiday sports romance read! The characters were great and I loved the tension. I always look forward to coming back to Christmas🤗💗

Thank you Carolina for the arc.

[Elyvia (eliv_bookstagram) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eggnog Spice and Everything Nice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

🏘️Small Town
💃🏻Curvy Heroine
💕He Falls First

Mariella Messy is the beloved local bakery owner at Christmas, the small town famous for their football players. She also loves to play football in her spare time, and that’s when she was spotted by Dane Beckett, a college football scout. He was in town to scout a new potential player, but once she spots Mariella, he sets his sights on her. Unfortunately, Mariella is adamant that she doesn’t want anything to do with him…

“MarieLLa”, I love it when Dane rolls the “L”, I can imagine how sexy it sounds 🥵 These two are so cute together, their banter is so entertaining from their first meeting. Dane is like the sweetest guy ever, just like a “cinnamon roll” that Mariella was looking for, lucky gal! He knows he wants Mariella and pursues her even when she is being difficult. I wouldn’t say this is an enemies to lovers as the enemy part is totally one-sided from Mariella only, Dane was literally whipped from day one. I have to say that Mariella was a little bit unreasonable to be hating Dane at first sight, she’s so judgmental (who hurt you, girl?). Luckily sweet Dane is such a gentleman but still oh-so naughty and I’m all for it! I need to mention Nonna Guiseppina, I love her so much, she was so funny even in the epilogue. “I’m old, not dead!”😂

And this got the cutest epilogue ever, I adore them! This was a perfect Christmas read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy for the holidays, highly recommended🎄

I was generously provided with an ARC by the author and voluntarily left a review

[Lakshmi Praveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not much of a holiday themed reader but damm, hello Dane and Mariella!!! As the title says spice and everything nice , this novella was everything you need for a holiday read. Small town feels, friends who are more than just friends, they are family. Small town who is there right behind you cheering you on for your success and happiness. You get all of that in this book.

Dane our wonderful outta towner coming in to Christmas to recruit high school footballers, and there is Mariella who has made christmas her home and can't see herself being anywhere else. What happens when these two meet? One who has a nomad lifestyle and one who has put down roots.

Oh the push and pull these two have , it makes a perfect holiday read. The feeling I had when reading this one was " yes that is me I am Mariella, and Dane is the man" curled up reading this with some spiced eggnog and watching the snow. ( No none of it happened ! I live in a tropical country but I did have hot chocolate) anyways , there is something about this book and the small town feels and where everyone there are family, that I just truly love!
Pick this sweet read and you won't be disappointed!!

[Mindy Menotti bookishly_mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariela and Dane are so much fun to follow, in this perfect holiday novella!! I loved the strong female character and her love of the sport!! And Dane chasing her around had me swooning!!! Their banter and magnetic pull was epic - loved loved loved every bit of it

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute novella just in time for Christmas! I absolutely adore Dane!

[Catherine Gwilt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas!

Another great read from Carolina, and boy does she know how to hit us with the spice!!

I've got my bags packed, I'm heading to Christmas town!

[Katja ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Did I take your breath away, Dane?”

Ok but big shot Dane and our curvy Mariella are absolutely adorable together! Their story was so relatable and felt really real. Watching them going from strangers to more, little by little, with the charm of the people of Christmas, TX…. Dane went all in, and did he go all in! I enjoyed reading this book very much and can I just say that Giuseppina was the real mvp. I said what I said :D

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mari has a sweets shop in Christmas, Texas, and doesn't have time for love. Dane is a scout for Carolina U, who is in town to scout one of the local high school kids. He stops by the field to check out the team when an all female football team QB catches his eye. This story has enough spice to keep me happy and a cinnamon roll hero that falls first. What happens when someone who travels all the time decides he wants to settle down? Will the woman he wants want him to stay?

[Tianna Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spicy short romance read!
The town of Christmas is a
Magical place and makes you
Want to find love. Dane and Mariella
Are so easy to route for and to fall
In love with.

[Summer Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

*BOOK REVIEW*

BOOK: Eggnog, Spice and Everything Nice
AUTHOR: Carolina Jax
PLOT: Dane Beckett is a former college football player turned scout. While he's in Christmas, Texas looking for his next quarterback, he meets Mirella Messi. Mirella owns the bakery Eggnog and Spice. She has a habit of closing herself off when it comes to love and she has a cynical view of scouts. Fate has a way of working in love's favor. Mirella starts off disliking Dane, she thinks he's cocky and arrogant, but she soon learns that he is a cinnamon roll like the men she reads about in her romance novels. The two of them find themselves falling in love, but Mirella knows that Dane will be leaving soon. Dane's love for Mirella could be what he needs to keep him in one place, but will Dane stay with Mirella, or will he leave town and lose the woman he loves? This book was amazing! I'm in love with Dane. I love a good cinnamon roll, and due to that, he's in my book Husbands Harem! I can't wait to read what Carolina writes next in the Casanova family universe!

RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute hallmark romance with spice, it will have you falling in love and feeling like you’re watching the story play out. It’s such a quick read. And who doesn’t love a guy who can bake

Mariella is a full time baker and part time football player, who’s trying to balance both and has no interest in the new guy in town. From the gossip she hears he’s a scout who’s trying to find new football stars. But could her opinion of him having a big ego and like all other scouts be wrong, could this be the person who wins her heart.
Dane is a scout who is trying to win a couple contracts with a member of Jackson gage’s football team. On the first day he sets eyes on Mariella and is instantly drawn to her. Dane knows Mariella wants someone she can settle down with, but he travels all the time. Can Dane really settle down or work this just be a memory of an amazing time between them.

Thank you so much for allowing me to ARC read this, it’s absolutely amazing 🩵🩵

[Ayaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow wow wow this book was such a great start to December, this book DELIVERED on the everything spice and nice within its name.

Dean was babe literally, it was so nice for once to read a small town romance where the male lead was the outta towner. I loved how he fought putting down roots but ultimately gave in the charm that is christmas and its people and lets not forget mariella

Mariella was everything i could have wanted in a fMC, she was kind and strong and she had chosen to make christmas her home and i loved that.

The found family was great, loved how everyone in christmas had each other’s backs and always supported each other. I loved this book and it was great way to start the season with some spiced hot chocolate and fluffy blanket.

Thank you Carolina for the e-ARC, absolutely loved it!!

[Lyndsay King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christmas book is an absolute gem! I mean, who wouldn't fall for the charm of a cozy small town called Christmas, right? The main characters stole my heart – the big soft male lead and the strong, independent woman – a match made in literary heaven. It's the kind of book that you savor like a cup of hot cocoa by the fireplace because you just don't want it to end.

Now, being a Brit, some of the football talk went a bit over my head. You know, our football is a whole different ball game, but surprisingly, it didn't take away from the story's magic. The characters and the town itself were so captivating that I found myself immersed in the holiday spirit, Texan-style. More from Christmas, Texas, please!

*ARC given in exchange for an honest review*

[Christina Rybka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dane comes to Christmas to see Jackson and scout two players on the football team. He sees a woman’s football team playing on the field and is instantly attracted to the quarterback. Jackson meets Dane at Eggnog and Spice and he meets Mariella the quarterback. The chemistry between them is insane but Mariella tries to fight it, because he’s only there for a few weeks. can they find a way to be together? Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing book. Love Dane and Mariella and their dynamic. Great supporting characters. I love this world. This book is short, sweet, and spicy.

[Yesenia Olvera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariella’s inner thoughts and battles are hilarious! She’s fierce, confident and body positive. Plus she’s not afraid to bring Dane back down to earth😂

Dane gave off playboy vibes in the beginning but he is really just a cinnamon roll at heart! He’s funny and light hearted and just what Mari needed❤️

His nickname for her is so cute🥹 I also loved every time Nonna appeared! I would love to know her love story😭

The epilogue is by far my favorite part of the book! It was literally perfect🥹 I instantly fell in love with Mariella, Dane, and Christmas❤️ I can’t wait to read the rest of the series🥰

[Maddy Hummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well friends, we are back in Christmas with all of our favorites and I couldn’t have been more excited about this!!

Mariella own a cute little coffee shop that makes baked goods and spikes her drinks when they need it. She is content on doing life by herself and thriving. Until one day the scout from out of town comes in and knocks the wind out of her. She keeps her walls up high to avoid becoming attached but Dane surprises her and ends up being so much more than she imagined

I loved these two so much! I loved that she was a curvy queen and he loved everything about her. I loved that he had the hots for her from the second he laid eyes on her.
There instalove was so fun and I loved the holiday cheer.

[Gemma Osment · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariella is the owner of a little bakery and also organised a girls American football team.everyone loves her and she loves living in the small town.
Dane is a scout for the nfl and had come to scout a guy.
Straight away mariella doesn't want to know him as she thinks he's like every other scout,but dane likes her from the moment he saw her.
Can she stop pushing him away?Will he keep being persistent?
I loved how dane was and who doesn't love a man who can bake.such a sweet romance story that will make her heart flutter

[Brittney Thigpen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a great short story filled with spice, sass and lots of holiday fun! It’s one of those stories that is short but also great! It felt like a holiday movie with spice in the form of a book and I loved it! Dane and Mariela’s relationship was great to read and follow and I found that there were a lot of cute scenes between the two of them throughout the story. I also liked how Carolina made connections to characters from her other books and that one of Mariella’s friends is a romance writer. Overall, a great read for the holiday season!

[Ali Alley EscapeThroughABook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this one was good. It was just what I was looking for in a holiday read. Loved the curvy character. Love being able to relate to a character. I love how it continues on in Christmas. So good!

This contemporary romance continues on in the town of Christmas.
Return appearances of characters from previous books helps build the depth of the story.
This book is a spicy read with feel good hallmark christmas movie vibes.
This book was a easy read, keeping you captivated until the last page.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mariella is the local bakery owner in the town of Christmas. When Dane, a college football scout arrives in town, he notices her right away. But she’s not interested. Or is she?

The has a little push and pull, but when they both fall, they fall hard. It has lovely found family vibes, lots of steam and lots of fun. It is perfect little steamy holiday read.

Thank you @carolinajax_author for the advanced e-copy of this novella. Loved it and love the town and people of Christmas.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eggnog, Spice, and Everything Nice by Carolina Jax is the sweet story of Dane and Mariella. He’s in town as a scout for promising football players. He sees her on the field, women’s team quarterback…and he is thunderstruck! When they meet, she is immediately turned off by his brash, arrogant manner.

The slow melt between these two is sigh-worthy!! Loved both characters and their dynamic bantering! Thoroughly entertaining story!!

[K Webz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dane and Mariella are the cutest! When Dane comes to town he is absolutely smitten by Mari but she thinks he is like all the other cocky arrogant scouts that come to their little town. But Dane, being the ultimate cinnamon roll, proves to her that he is worth giving a chance. Mari and Dane are fire!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.5 stars⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Christmas and sports?? Yes please!! This was such a fun quick read!!

Mariella plays football and owns a bakery. When she hears about a scout In town she immediately thinks of someone who will abandon the kids they say they are helping. When she serves a very hot and attractive man and then realises he is the scout.

Dane is a scout who is in town to get some new talent into the NFL. He originally lived in that town and met up with his old friend Jackson. Whilst observing practice he notices a curvy stunning woman playing football in a different part of the field.

I love these two and the whole Christmas and sports theme. I love books involving sports and love the Christmassy feel of a small town. It makes everything seem so cozy.

I want to thank Carolina for allowing me an arc to this book I am so grateful and loved it so much!! 🥰🥰

[Bill Jakobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good love story

Enjoyed reading the love fest between Mariella and Dane. Maybe I should have said the town invested love fest between them. He was a scout for future NFL players by recruiting them for Carolina U. Mariella owned a bakery but she was also a quarterback for a woman's league in town. When Dane met her it was like he got two mints in one and loved both. Loved the town spirit, the friends and families. It was a really good book to read. Loved how it ended too. Written by Cindy :)

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Eggnog, Spice, and Everything Nice” is a holiday small town romance featuring Dane and Mariella. Dane is interested in Mariella from the very beginning, but she’s less than impressed, so he has to work hard to get her to see him in a different light. I thought this story was cute, and I liked that Dane was willing to do whatever he needed to in order to prove to Mariella that he wasn’t a bad guy. I also liked that Mariella didn’t immediately fall at Dane’s feet - far from it, actually. I think if you’re looking for a holiday sports romance that will make you laugh, then you might enjoy Dane and Mariella’s story!

[Torey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. What a sweet short story about a man who isn't afraid to admit he's in love. Loved the characters and the story I just wish there was more of it ❤️

I received an ARC of this book and am willingly leaving a review

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece by Carolina Jax! I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book. I'm so in love with this series. It has spice, comedy, all the feels. This book was absolutely amazing. I loved every single page.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun Christmas Novella to get you into the Spirit of the Holiday Season. I really enjoyed this Christmas Novella by Carolina Jax. Dane and Mariella, I enjoyed their story. They were fun to read about. I enjoyed the other characters as well that made appearances. Overall, it was a sweet and spicy Christmas time read that this reader enjoyed.

[Thaimelly Rigobello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a holiday love and this one is so adorable!!! I’m new to Carolina’s books and it was so cool to get to know a little bit more of other characters. Dane and Mariella were meant to be. I loved Nonna and all the friends. I loved how they all came together at the end to help Dane. Great read, easy and fast. Loved it!! Thanks Carolina for the review copy. 🥰

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas, Texas is my favorite place to be! Carolina Jax has another heart warming, swoon worthy couple from this charming town. This time with cinnamon roll / hallmark vibes. There’s a dash of spice, some football, and so much love. Another great read by Carolina!