Merry with a Grumpy Boss: Love Beach Holiday Collection

by EmKay Connor

Haywood Holloway hates the holidays. Say that five times really fast, which Haywood would rather do than have to greet employees and acquaintances with empty salutations such as "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy New Year!" Years of holiday celebrations measured by how costly the gift or how elaborate the decorations have soured Haywood on the whole ho-ho-ho and holly jolly. But being the new boss in a new town means putting on a bright smile and putting up with the Jingle Bell Festival.

Everyone in Love Beach knows Ginger Folly has more holiday spirit than Santa, Rudolph, and all the elves -- combined. It even shows in her bright red hair and sparkling green eyes. So when Ginger's new boss threatens to pull the company's sponsorship of the annual Jingle Bell Festival, there's only one help him discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Even a beach town gets merry!
In this collection of steamy small town romance by multiple authors, things heat up for the holidays.
Who will get the gift of happily ever after?
Grab a hot mug of cocoa, snuggle up, and read this collection of short romances to find out.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2024

About the author

USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author.

Reviews

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Haywood (H) walks in on his fiancée and brother on Christmas Eve, he leaves behind his family, his privileged life, and his faith in people. A year later, the jaded executive lands in the small coastal town of Love Beach, tasked with evaluating a struggling furniture company. What Haywood doesn’t expect is to clash with Ginger (h), the spirited office manager who practically embodies Christmas cheer. Ginger’s passion for the town’s beloved Jingle Bell Festival, and her determination to save it, forces Haywood to confront his cynicism. As she introduces him to the quirky, tight-knit community, something begins to shift in Haywood. For the first time in years, he starts to see beyond profits and appearances, rediscovering the meaning of connection, purpose, and love. With a little holiday magic, a lot of small-town charm, and the help of a scruffy dog, Max, Haywood has to decide if he’s ready to open his heart again. Sweet grumpy sunshine, small town Christmastime romance, exploring love, connection, purpose, finding happiness, belonging, family, and community.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any hero worth his read and green sugar sprinkles needs to be redeemed

Merry with a Grumpy Boss by EmKay Connor is part of the multi-author Love Beach Holiday Collection series. I loved this story about Ginger Folly and Haywood Holloway. She is the Office Manager at Calhoun Designs, a custom furniture maker at Love Beach, North Carolina. He is an executive who has taken the job of overseeing and evaluating the company for it's long term feasibility after Mr. Calhoun died and the business when to a nephew who was a friend of Haywood's. He arrives during the Christmas season, which Ginger and the rest of the company love, but she is nutty for the holiday. Haywood is the exact opposite and is more Grinch than Santa. Everything seems to be on the line and the first impressions on both sides are not off to a great start. But Ginger is anything but about to give up as too much is riding on what he reports back. Haywood may be wary but when he meets a dog named Max that he seems to bond with he may just find his heart grows three sizes before the end.
This is an inventive story that is sweet, funny, sexy, hot, romantic, has family and friends, drama and more all wrapped around a Grinch who meets his Ginger "Lou Who" and his trusty dog Max, just add antlers and you get the picture.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was one that got my full attention quickly and maintained it until the very last page. The characters were... attention getting. Haywood was a man trying to find himself after years of being molded into a stifling box. Ginger, well, Ginger was a young woman full of ideas (all of which she KNEW were right), quick to dismiss others, and assumptions/ preconceptions were quickly made about people she knew little to nothing about. Okay, admittedly, Ginger's attitude totally turned me off, and if it wasn't for Haywood I wouldn't have finished the story. (Mini spoiler - a company can't help anyone if said company goes bankrupt! Not that Ginger cared about long term effects like she claimed.) Ugh! You see why I was drawn to finish the book? Could he come up with a way to please everyone: company owner, Ginger, and himself?

I received a gift copy of this book and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Lisa Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haywood hates the holiday, it is all about how much you spend or it may have something to do with last Christmas. He has been drifting around from job to since then. Now he is in Love Beach to straighten a company for a friend.

He clashes with resident Christmas planner and office manager, Ginger Folly. Ginger is help the Grinch/Haywood find the real meaning of Christmas.

This was a sweet Christmas romance, Ginger is just what Haywood needs.

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

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when Love Beach’s “Mistress of Merry” meets her new boss who is his own version of a “hot Grinch”? A delightful and delicious tale of the real meaning of Christmas. I enjoyed visiting Love Beach again and watching as Ginger, the “ambassador of holly jolly” turned Haywood’s world upside down. HEA.

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

[Sara Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book 14 in The Multi-Author, Love Beach Holiday Book Series has an intriguing story, a well-crafted world and engaging characters. These characters have unique personalities, intense interactions and complicated histories. This story has a woman with tons of Holiday spirit, a new boss with none and threatens to pull sponsorship to the annual festival, instant connection, twists, turns, chemistry and love.

[Laura Caswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have about an hour and need to get lost in a book? Merry with a Grumpy Boss is just what you need, then! This book fits perfectly in your afternoon with a cup of hot chocolate and a cozy blanket!

Haywood and Ginger are oil and water when they meet, but spending time together has them getting together quickly. They are the yin to the other's yang!

Enjoy this very quick read!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This short story is full of good characters and place that is warm, welcoming and full of Christmas spirit. The changes that Love Beach brought into Haywood's life was lovely to see, as was their HEA.

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

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and quick read that is part of the "Love Beach" multi-author holiday collection. This is fun holiday romance. It is a stand alone read about Haywood and Ginger. It is a grumpy sunshine and a boss employee story surrounding the Jingle Bell Festival. I love how this one ends. So cute and fun!

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by EmKay Connor; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is part of the Love Beach Collection; it is a stand-alone short story. The story is about Ginger & Haywood; he’s the new boss and hates holidays. She is determined to show him the true meaning of Christmas.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short read. This is Haywood and Ginger’s story. Haywood is in Love Beach to help a friend with his company. Ginger is the outgoing Christmas elf of the place. What will happen when she just keeps giving and giving? Can he ever start liking Christmas? Will it lead to more?.

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

[Meli Raine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet with Heat instalove romance

Lots of local color as a man searching for fulfillment arrives in Love Beach just in time to learn the real meaning of Christmas. The best gift, as always, is love.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Ginger rekindled the belief in love and the joy of Christmas in Haywood. I'm glad that they fell in love.

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

christmas miracle
I loved how Ginger revived the spirit of Christmas for Haywood, after so much negativity going on in his life, he really derserved a miracle that brought back light, joy and love to his life.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast-paced Christmas Themed story that pulls us into the lives of grumpy Haywood and Ginger. The story keeps us turning the pages with connection, realizations and steam.

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

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging

This short story had some steam a d tension between Haywood and Ginger. Their connection was irresistible despite the opposite personalities that they have. It was enjoyable and engaging.

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

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story and characters are well written and developed. I enjoyed the drama, chemistry and journey. Good read.

[Victória · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not mentioned supposedly Virgin h
Non manwhore H

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story