Christmas on the Bay: A Novella

by Cat Madison

"Heartwarming! As fun and cozy as your favorite television Christmas movie!" - @booksinthewest

Lainey's childhood foe is back in town...

Lainey Moore loves Christmas in her charming waterfront town of Merryton on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. After getting dumped by her fiance last year, she's especially looking forward to volunteering at the town's annual "Christmas on the Bay" festival.

She's assigned to decorate the historic Heron Hall for the public house tour, but there's one the new owner is Jay Gamble, an outspoken TV pundit...and her childhood nemesis.

Lainey is determined not to let Jay dampen her Christmas spirit, even if he is handsome and charming.

Sparks fly.

Lainey has mixed emotions when she discovers he doesn't remember knowing her from their teenage years. As the two of them work together to decorate the house, Lainey begins to see Jay in a new light. He's kind, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful. And the two definitely share chemistry.

Can she overcome the past?

Lainey knows there are secrets between them, and she's not sure she can trust him completely. With the festival just around the corner, she must decide whether to follow her heart or lose a chance at finding true love.

"Christmas on the Bay" is a heartwarming story about misunderstandings, the magic of second chances, and the true meaning of community.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2023

About the author

Cat Madison is a lifelong storyteller and author, who receives great pleasure in finding exactly the right word to express an emotion. "Christmas on the Bay" is her first published novella, and was inspired by her years of living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. And yes...she has a German Shorthaired Pointer named Atticus Finch!

Cat now lives and writes from Santa Fe, NM, where she is part of an encouraging and supportive artist community.

My stories are NOT created by AI, but my profile picture had a little help!

Reviews

[Kerry Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cosy Christmas romance

Jay and Laney are just so adorable I loved them both.
This book has all the Hallmark sweet, clean romance vibes and being a novella I didn't feel Madison rushed the story.
It's slow burn and the perfect pace, the setting is stunning and I loved how the author describes the setting so well and makes you feel part of it
Likeable and well defined characters too
Kerry Kennedy Author

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute and quick holiday read!

[Carin Camen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and Heartening Romance

Cat Madison skillfully weaves a charming Christmas love story, drawing you into the magic of the season and the nostalgia of homecoming. The characters are endearing, and their relationships and interactions are portrayed with warmth and authenticity.

Christmas on the Bay is a delightful and heartening read that will appeal to those who enjoy a short holiday romance and feel-good stories.

[Chandler Tharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute and quirky

A fun little Christmas read that makes you smile. It was a simple but very enjoyable read that is perfect for the holiday.

[Paulette Torpey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's perfect like a Hallmark movie!

[Dannelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Clean - 0 spice and that was okay. This was a novella and my 1st time reading this author.

[Nic2416 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Christmas read

A quick Christmas read, that brings together two people that were very different in the past. Is it possible that time has changed them? Read to find out.

[Linsey Toney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas on the Bay is a good enemies to lovers novella. I think this is a sweet short story about two people that grew up not getting alone. The FMC now has to decorate the MMC's house he inherited from his late grandfather. Will they be able to work together to get the house ready for Christmas visitor or will their past issues ruin Christmas. Guess you will have to read to find out!

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super cute novella!

[Christina (ig: baslerbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute and quick Christmas romance. Read it in less than an hour!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute novella!! Could easily be adapted to a Hallmark movie. All the feel-good troupes are there. 😊

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas novella. No spice which I appreciate.

[Ida Wilcox]

:) Warm and fuzzy wish I read it close to Christmas time.

Maybe I'll read it again then.