Christmas at Janey's Bakeshop

by A.M. LaMonte

Janey has always run her business her own way, and her Bakeshop has been booming. When the holidays roll around, however, she finds she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Overwhelmed with holiday orders, she is determined to get them all done in time for Christmas Eve. When a tall man with curly hair tries to make one more order after the shop is closed, she is ready to throw him out. But when the power blows and the automatic locks seal, what can she do except put him to work helping her finish her orders? As Janey and Ian get to know each other over rising bread and cold coffee, she realizes she may be on the brink of something even better than a perfectly-iced true love.

Genres: Christmas, Romance

59 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2023

Reviews

[Jamie Bee · Rating 1 out of 5]

All Kinds of Wrong

I could be completely wrong about this, but the impression I got is that this book was not written by the stated author but by a ghostwriter hired by them. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, except that as a publisher, you must assure any ghostwriter you hire actually knows how to write. From the beginning of this story, it's clear that whoever wrote this has no idea what it's like to run or work in a bakery. Some things stated are so illogical for the situations or flat-out wrong. Seriously, do bakers wear mittens? Would any baker worth her salt (or sugar!) forget about something in the oven, especially during the busy holiday season? These and other issues strained credulity so much that I just couldn't read beyond a certain point. Don’t insult your reader by not knowing what you are talking about! I recommend this author/publisher better vet her ghostwriters. If the stated author actually wrote this themselves, I recommend doing a bit more research on your topic and learn how to write a coherent story!

I received a free digital copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janey is a bakery owner with lots of customer orders to fill and little time left in which to finish them all. Ian is a biology teacher who comes in at the last minute, hoping to get something last minute to take to his work Christmas party. As luck would have it, power goes out and they find themselves locked inside the bakery.

It´s a quick super sweet read, with relatable and lovable characters. Lighthearted enough for a fun Christmas instalove, but with a side of seriousness that gave it depth.

The ending was really abrupt, though… and made me feel like there was a part missing. It was difficult to imagine the HEA with such a sudden end. I feel an epilogue would have helped in that regard. I want to know what happens next and kept taping the side of my kindle to make sure it was really the end. ^^;

But now, with all the baked goods mentioned in the story, I want scones! And cake… and rolls… and bread….

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

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Rom-Com and an introduction to Janey and Ian
Fun and quirky rom-com. I have read other books by this author but this one was different and quite enjoyable. While baking and delivering orders from her small kitchen, Janey has dreamed of having her own bakery for a long time. Now it is hers but, in her enthusiasm, she has over-promised and finding it hard to get all the orders accomplished before Christmas Eve. She sent her help home because of the impending snow storm. As she is mapping out how she will ever get all her work done, in walks Ian. What happens when the electricity goes kaput and the automatic doors lock them in? Is Ian to be trusted? Is Janey to be trusted with that tall drink of water?
This was such a fun little book. As soon as I finish with this review, I am off to read the next one in this series of standalone stories about Janey and Ian. I truly cannot wait!

[Raelene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t expect weight and body insecurity to be such a big part of this book, and that’s just not something I personally want to read about.

That seemed to be the large majority of Ian’s personality, which was a bit of a bummer. His history growing up baking in England & his current job were quite interesting to me and I’d have loved to hear more about both.

That being said, I did feel the chemistry between the two characters, which can be rare in such a short novella! So I appreciate that, and I’m excited to read the next Janey’s bake shop story and see how their story continues.

[Sarah J Stebbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very short (under 50 pages) holiday themed novella. I forgot I got it free on a Stuff your Kindle day months ago and saw it while scrolling my Kindle today.

Overall, this was a good read. The story was cute and the characters were interesting, but the end felt very abrupt to me and impacted my rating. I also did not like that the slight spicy scene ended abruptly as well, though that made slightly more sense. Even still, not long after that the book just ends so that combination left me wanting. I can still recommend the book, it just disappointed me in the end.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the start of this book. It was off to such a good start. The story was well written, and the characters were likeable. I knew it would be a quick read novella, so I wasn't expecting their romance to progress as quickly as it did. And that right there was what turned me off from the rest of the story. I think this story would have benefited from being more sweet and less spicy.

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

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute quick read

This is a cute quick Christmas read with slight spice that makes me want to jump in the kitchen and bake. 😆
Janey is a Bakery owner with a Christmas Eve deadline. Ian is a British teacher/almost professor specializing in Newts. They are forced to spend time together and end up getting to know each other quickly. There is an adult scene but it's not overly detailed and very quick.

[Danica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas cake: sweet and a little spicy

It's the kind of story you might dream up on a long night shift alone, hoping for the door to open and a storm to escort in a tall stranger.

A nice little escape, which offers up two fun characters stuck in a jam (pun intended). Spending a few chapters, and a satisfying conclusion, with them leaves you wondering about the next step in their lives. Definitely would read a sequel!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas at Janey's Bakeshop by AM LaMonte is a good, and enjoyable short forced proximity baking holiday romantic comedy read. The story has a good world building story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. This story is an entertaining read with a happily ever after ending. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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

[Brittany N Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute short read

This book was an adorable short read. The characters are snowed in, and appear to be two very different people. Turns out they have more in common than they realize. The MMC shares some vulnerability allowing the FMC to see him in a different light. Cozy book to finish in an hour or two

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The holidays always had an unexpected twist to any story but when you're locked in with someone and in close proximity makes it even more fun to read. The attraction is there and you can read about it and the characters try to fight it. Enjoyable characters to follow along. Good read.

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

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story

I love a little Christmas romp! A short sweet little story that made me hungry for baked goods! The writing in some places made me a little lost, but I'm also a sleep deprived mum of 2 boys, so that didn't help matters at all!

[Kas Raux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute little spicy holiday novella! Spice buildup was good, but also a good dose of saccharin sweet is there too. I know third person POV isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed it. A must for romance readers this holiday season.

[Jan Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fun Escape keeping you guessing

I loved this book. Just a perfect book to lift you up and allow entertainment and intrigue for a moment in time. Please keep writing AM LaMonte I love your style!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute little novella - almost a short story - moves very quickly, but it still has a bit of depth. There are still insecurities that appear between the characters and some conflict they have to overcome. It’s a cute little, snowed in story that is a very quickly read.

[Haley Giovannetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s very cute and hallmarky but could have been longer and had more in it.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute Christmas insta-love, forced proximity read.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely feel good Christmas story!

[Vilte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet Christmas break

Simple, short and sweet Christmas story about a baker and a newt nerd that got stuck in a bakery 🥰🎄

[Jo Broch · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely love story

It was a nice book except I don’t read love story books I read mysteries.
If you’re into romance, this is a sweetie for you

[Rah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is 52 pages of nothing. I hate that I wasted the time to read this.

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Judy McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story enjoyed very much. Can’t wait for the next book

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something I wasn't expecting but I think other readers should be aware of is that this novella does have moments that are centered around body image, weight insecurities, and relationships with food being effected due to those said insecurities. There's nothing wrong with those topics - I think there should be more books were MMC's are more open about their perceptions on body image the way a lot of books are about their FMCs - but it was not at all the tone I thought this book would take. It's still very much a bakeshop meet -cute, though it felt like the Christmas plot point was an excuse to include a winter snow storm, and "holiday rush orders" are always viable reasons to raise the stakes for a small town business. The pieces of the puzzle are all laid out before me, but they don't click together as well as I wish they would. There's a much bigger picture here that the author could expand into a larger work that would make Janey and Ian's personal struggles more impactful but in this format, it was all a little rushed.

[❁ Ashton ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎄✨ ARC Review ✨🎄

I was looking to read a cheesy and drama free Christmas book that was like a soppy Hallmark movie and this book delivered just that!

AM LaMonte introduces the characters very quickly. We meet Janey, a passionate baker who owns her own business and Ian, an English PhD tutor that is an expert on newts. He's a cool guy, i promise! We are told of his past struggles with his weight but it was written in a way that it was lighthearted, keeping the story happy and festive .

I did enjoy reading their back and forth wit and banter, the chemistry buildup happened quickly but it wasn't rushed considering it's a novella.

The writing style threw me off a little, as it's in a 3rd person POV . The constant mentions of freshly baked cakes, cookies and bread made me sooooo hungry, LaMonte really took me into that bakery.

This was a super sweet read with a little spice, perfect for the holiday season! I know it's a novella but i NEED a part 2 of their story!

🍞🍰🍪 Possible spoiler ahead 🍪🍰🍞

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I think the book ended quite abrupt, it's implied that they have their HEA/ HFN but it would have been nice to have a little epilogue or even something cheesy involving a mistletoe, its Christmas Eve after all❄️🎄

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet cozy read.