Her Heroic Scrooge

Scrooges of Pleasure Valley #4

by Lilah Hart

She’s just lost her job. He might be just the Christmas hero she needs.

I’m fascinated with this beautiful server, and it’s tough to sit by and watch her boss abuse her.

So, I don’t. Much to my surprise, the server walks out of the job, too.

I have a great job offer for her, but before I can blurt it out, she gives me an offer I can’t refuse.

And a night I can’t forget.

Her Heroic Scrooge is an age gap Christmas romance featuring a grumpy boss and virgin heroine. It’s designed to be read in only one hour. If you like short, steamy instalove novellas, you’ll love the entire Scrooges of Pleasure Valley series!

39 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2023

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting Over . . .

Jordana Maxwell is a server working at the Lamplighter Lounge. Only 2 nights before Christmas, the lounge is almost deserted. Cruz Kemper, a wealthy man who owned the condo complex next to them, was one of the regulars. His eyes were kind, but she was still cautious around people. He asks her to sit down with him so he could talk to her about something. Before she could answer, her boss yelled at her to get over here, as if he had reprimanded his dog. Men screaming at her gave her panic attacks. But Cruz spoke up and told him they were having a conversation. He also told Dave that he would not be coming back. Then he told Jordana to meet him elsewhere to hear his offer. But finally Jordana was unwilling to take the abuse she knew was coming, so she quit and walked out.

Jordana ends up quitting and meets Cruz where he told her he would be. For the first time, she decides she will be the one to determine what she will or will not do, so she suggests a meaningless fling. He offers her a job and a chance to make something of herself. Is it possible they will begin a real relationship? Will they discuss their actual feelings for each other? Are they ready to accept the HEA that for the first time seems possible? Or is such happiness not meant for them?

[Candace Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Spoilers ✨

⭐⭐⭐.✨

𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:

- Jordana ❤️
- Cruz 🖤

𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:

"Whatever happened, I wouldn't walk away from here tonight the same woman I was."

"I wanted her to stay right here with me forever... Or at least for the rest of my life."

"I haven't thought about anything but you for the past two weeks."

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

After quitting her job. Jordans takes a chance and follows Cruz home.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

Cruz was OTT from the beginning. He didn't let anyone walk over what was his. The plot was quick and to the point. It was a sweet and fast read. I thought the gap while he was gone was hilarious even though I shouldn't have. They were so upset with themselves.

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:

• Ott mmc
• Insta-love
• Age gap
• Short holiday romance

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞:

🌶️🌶️/5.

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

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐s Has she trusted the right man?

Jordana Maxwell is a server at the Lamplighter Lounge just before Christmas, when she's finally had enough from her boss, Dave, and she quits. She's tired of men like him raising their voices at her. Customer Cruz Kemper had mentioned something about a job before he left when Dave approached, saying that he'd never be returning.

Cruz Kemper is a very wealthy man, with a penthouse to prove it. The job he had in mind for her was to be in charge of managing his live-in staging assistants. It's not long before he plans a more permanent position for her. When he leaves on his trip over Christmas, he indicates he'll be in touch. Too bad he becomes a ghost in the wind.

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a more heart-felt, introspective story than the others in the series, IMO. Cruz was certainly attracted to Jordana, but it started more as a right place, right time type situation. He provided a shield for her when she definately needed it, and a safety net too. The attraction between them came to the surface the longer they were together.

Jordana has a past, though. Her history with men may be enough to sink this "whatever it is" before it has a chance, especially if she continues to stew over things beyond her control and "what if's". Is Cruz different from the others, or just another in a long line of bad decisions? Grab your copy and find out!

I received an ARC and voluntarily provide this review. I very much enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Danielle Desjarlais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordana works at a bar where Cruz visits while he is in town. He wants to talk to her about something but her boss butts in and is a jerk. Cruz leaves and Jordana is through being bullied by him. She quits and follows Cruz. He means to offer her a job bit she thinks he’s offering a fling. Not wanting to push his luck, he goes with it and they go back his place. Steaminess ensues. He finally tells her he wants to hire her to be a live in stager. He has to leave for a few weeks over the holidays. He doesn’t call and she gets nervous that it was all a game. Turns out he put her number in wrong. Dork lol. They make up and have an HEA.

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

[Patti Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordana was working at her job and always noticed Cruz. This night was different, Cruz stands up to her boss and after he does that and leaves. She decides to follow and quit. Cruz was about to ask her something when her boss interrupted.
Following Cruz and telling him what she did, made him want her even more then he did. He decided to go for what he was feeling and then after taking her home and having a good time he then told her about the job offer.
She accepted everything he offered. At first she thought he had ghosted her but it turned out she was wrong. He wants her and will always protect her. He loves her and always will.

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

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordana is working at a bar when one of her regulars, Cruz, comes in and talks to her, except her boss is being his regular a-hole self, and Cruz defends her. Jordana ends up quitting and goes to meet with Cruz, then propositioning him for the night. They have a wild night together and he in turns has a job proposition for her, which seems a bit sketchy at first but it all works out for her. And them, together.

This was a really short read with some sexy scenes. To be honest I couldn't quite get into this book as much as some of the other stories in the series, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

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

[Barbara Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordana is a server at the lamplighter Lou he. She has a terrible boss, terrible hours and and makes little money.
Cruz is a rich property developer. When he witnesses Jordana’s boss talk down to her he stands up for her and offers her a job. Jordana seizes the opportunity to go
After what she wants both the job and the man. Cruz is so sweet and gentle with her. Will their one night stand turn into a HEA or will a misunderstanding tear them apart.
Short steamy read. I love the characters and how the story developed.

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

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute OTT romance for Cruz and Jordana. She's being constantly mistreated at work by her boss and regular custome,r Cruz, stands up for. He had been in the process of offering her a job, despite how attracted to her he was, but he can't stand her boss and jets, letting her know where he was headed. She decided, with that bit of support, that she was through working there and followed him. She assumed he was offering to sleep with her and well, he didn't resist her offer before giving her his ;P These two have some miscommunication and assumption issues, but their love was strong and took them to their HEA :D

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Heroic Scrooge is a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, curvy girl gets her billionaire romance. Jordana is a curvy virgin. Cruz is a billionaire real estate mogul. They meet when she is a waitress at a local restaurant. They are attracted to each other but don't act on it until she quits her job. She meets up with him that night, and it gets hot and steamy. But she's been hurt. Is this a fling or more? I didn't feel the chemistry in this one as much as others in this series. But it was still an enjoyable read with a happy ending.

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

[Noemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordana meets Cruz at her workplace

Jordana meets Cruz at her workplace. She's had enough of her jerk of a boss, and as she and Cruz are talking, her boss rudely steps in, causing her to quit her job.

Thankfully, Cruz asks her to meet with him because he has a proposition for her. She announces she all into being in a fling. He lets her know after sharing some passionate time that he has a job proposition.

Jordana is a young woman that grew up as a foster care child and used to being abandoned/forgotten. Cruz is set to show her he isn't going anywhere.

I enjoyed this read 📚!

[BurgundyKitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was nice. I was proud of Jordana for standing up to her boss and deciding to go after what she wanted, and I appreciated that Cruz did actually want to engage Jordana in the new business he was trying to pursue. The story did start to take on a somewhat sugar daddy feel that I wasn’t sure I would like. But fortunately, the book was self-aware enough to touch on this and clarify things, and the little misunderstanding between Jordana and Cruz didn’t go too far or breed unnecessary drama.

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

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short read that got right to the point. A couple of nights before and Jordana is working at the Lamplighter Lounge. She notices the gorgeous millionaire seating at her table. After serving him his drink, he starts to talk to her when her boss gets nasty. When Cruz offers her a job, she decides she has had enough and quits her job. Join Jordana as she decides whether or not to accept the job. It was fun reading how Jordana comes to her decisions not only about the job, but also Cruz.

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

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

After property developer Cruz (H) comes to her defense when server Jordana (h) is talked down to by her tyrannical boss, she feels empowered and quits on the spot. Cruz wants to offer Jordana a position with his company, but she beats him to the draw with a proposition of her own to enjoy one another’s company for the night. Things heat up quickly and Cruz does come through with his own offer, though Jordana isn’t sure she can trust him. Hot and steamy age gap Christmastime romantic quickie with a little bit of angst.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story. Cruz has been going into the bar where Jordana works for a while. He wants to talk to her about something but her boss who is a jerk and butts in. Cruz ends up sticking up for Jordan. He walks out after telling her where she could find him. Jordana quits and follows Cruz. He's offering her a job but she is offering a fling. Cruz takes both. After being gone for a few weeks, he comes home and they finally confess their love for each other. Such a wonderful story.

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

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Jordana Maxwell was working for the Lamplighter Lounge as a waitress. She was waiting on her customer Cruz Kemper, Property Owner, millionaire. He wanted to have dinner with her and make her an offer. Her boss Dave, owner, overheard Cruz asking when she was on break and he lost it. He was ignorant to Cruz as well as Jordana. Cruz told him he could shove his restaurant/bar and left. Told Jordana where to find him. After him leaving she told Dave she was done there. She went to meet up with Cruz… 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💜💜💜💜💜😊😊😊😊😊

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordana works hard as a server in a bar and her boss pays little wages and expects her to work Christmas and New Years so when millionaire Cruz offers her a job she is happy to take it but when he offers a lifetime of love she never expected to feel so loved and cherished coming from foster homes all her life. This is a short romance.

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

[Bill Jakobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love short story love

This was such a good book. Jordan and Cruz were so good together, once they actually got together. She was alone in the world, while he was a millionaire. What do they have in common, the need for love. Love that neither found until he had approached her about a job. He traveled a lot so during a trip, they didn't talk. Problems in paradise. Read how things work out. Written by Cindy :)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun age gap and office romance with instant love. It is a touch over the top but is entertaining and cute. The short and quick read is about Jordana and Cruz. She is a server working at the Lamplighter Lounge. It is two days before Christmas when she has had enough. Cruz is trying to speak to her but her boss interferes. Cruz ends up offering her a job and a chance at more. The attraction is instant. These two are cute together.

[Vibekke Henriksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jordana worked her skift at the Lamplighter lounge she didn't expect her life to change. She had been observing the hot Cruz when he been there before, but this night was someting special. He had an offer, but before he could explain, the manager interfered.
They meet up and after dinner ended up in his condo. The attraction between them is on lava-scale.
This is a short read, but ever so HOT, I recommend it.

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

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

TROPES:
~instalove
~age gap

PLOT: The heroine in this novella is a server who is being bullied by her boss. The hero witnesses it and helps her. In return, the heroine offers the hero a night he won't forget.

THOUGHTS: I really liked this one! It's cute, short, and steamy. The perfect short holiday read.

SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate?: virgin heroine, not a manwhore hero
OM/OW?: no
Cheating/sharing?: no
HEA? yes! <3

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Heroic Scrooge: An OTT Age Gap Instalove Christmas Romance story of Cruz and Jordana..She work in a bar when she met Cruz witnessing how her abusive boss doing with his employee but also saw when she quit and asked him to meet her in another bar..This is a short,sweet,intense and steamy instalove romance that you will enjoy reading..

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

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordana is a waitress at a job that is not the best. Cruz is a businessman that travels most of the time, but when he is in town, he stops in to see Jordana.

This is a fast steamy read where Cruz gives Jordana the chance she did not expect. Jordana is a strong woman that melts with Cruz. Love the connection between the two and their story warms your heart.

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

[Aspen G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Heroic Scrooge is the sexy and sweet tale of Jordana and Cruz. Jordana is a smart and funny orphan who works hard to make ends meet. Billionaire Cruz drops in and out of the restaurant Jordana works at…eyeing her from afar. Sparks really fly when a confrontation brings Cruz to her rescue, and Jordana’s inner strength shines through. The ensuing love story is touching, steamy, and so much fun to read!

[tsa.yen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and somewhat steamy read for this holiday! I do appreciate the male lead --- he's kind and gentle to her. I also like that the development of their story is realistic. However, it's such a letdown that the flow of the story and some scenes are similar to the 3rd book.

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

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordan hasn't had a good life. She has emotional scars from being in the foster care system. Also from what appears to be emotional abuse or neglect. Well at work she meets Cruz and he gives her the stability and love that she didn't know she was looking for.

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

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short, entertaining story with an insta love between Jordana and Cruz. The author brings a steamy age gap romance with a bit of anxiety and a lot of love. It's a cut holiday romance and I enjoyed reading.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet and steamy Christmas read. I loved Cruz and Jordana. She was in a bad place and of course, it is good to have a knight in shining armor! Just in time to help her with her troubles. There was some minor drama that was resolved quickly. I enjoyed this book and I look forward to the next one,

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

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four in the Scrooges of Pleasure Valley series; a wonderful age gap romance. Jordana and Cruz are an amazing couple. Trust hasn't always come easy for Jordana but that changes when she meets Cruz...will they be able to make it work?.

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

[Emely · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an easy read, steamy romance book. He goes to the bar only to she the MFC and tells her to met her in another bar and meet up. She quits her job for him, after he showed her better. They have there up and downs but they have a HEA. It’s for someone who loves sweet,cute, steamy romance, would recommend.

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