A New Year Statement

by Nicki Bell

Will a cautious bartender finally admit how she feels about her best friend when he starts dating someone else?

Leana

My best friend Douglas is the only man I’ve ever trusted. He’s kind, funny, and insanely gorgeous. I’d be lying if I said I’d never thought about crossing the line. But I’d never want to risk our friendship.

So instead I play matchmaker between him and my new employee, which finally wakes me up to the truth: I want to be more than friends.

That's why I kiss him out of nowhere. Now I’m worried that kiss has cost me everything.

Douglas

I became a police officer to protect people. Just like I’ve spent the last thirty years looking out for Leana.

When she offers to set me up with her new bartender I figure what’s the worst that could happen?

Then she kisses me, and it makes me question why we haven’t been doing this the entire time. Now I’m hooked, and it’s my job to make her see we belong together.

Unknown Binding

First published December 30, 2022

Reviews

[Marthabethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short and sweet novella! Loved this friends to lovers and seeing them realise what had always been there. Cute and enjoyable!

[Nicole Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick cute read

[Stacey Beddows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favourite in the Sweet In Scotland series. A cute, satisfying friends-to-lovers story which leaves you wanting to know more.

[Meenal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The blurb is very refreshing, inviting and concise. The fact that the cover is my favourite colour, purple, just adds to the joy! I liked the dedication; I found it relatable. Despite being a very short read, at about forty pages, this reads like a full length novel. The author rightfully jumps straight to the action. I loved the first chapter because it made me forget about myself and took me into a beautiful, imaginary world. That's the magic of a good book. This little universe is well formed (which shows the effort that went into it) and all the tiny details enrich the narrative. The subplots keep advancing the story and the absence of lengthy descriptions helps maintain a good pace. A nice touch is the characters knowing each other's tells. It's one of the best books to have come out of 2022. I would love to read more of the author's work. I didn't find any flaws with this book, although I didn't understand the significance of the title, because the characters weren't set up by anyone. They came together of their own volition. If you're looking for a clean romance that's short and sweet, do consider this.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet friends to lovers novella about Leana, a bar owner and Douglas, a police officer. The story is based in Scotland and the two protagonists have been friends since they were five years old. Both have suffered abuse in their childhood and Douglas has spent years protecting Leana. As is the norm with this trope, the main characters loathe to disturb the status quo but following a double date, Leana unexpectedly kisses Douglas and their relationship is forced to change. This book was interesting, well written and was amusing. It was short but the story was complete and it does have a HEA. This is a perfect bite sized read that can be completed in one sitting. The characters were likeable and believable, the storyline was interesting and it was an entertaining, clean read. Very enjoyable and I rate it 4.5*. I read an ARC copy of this book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focusing on what's right there in front of you💋🎉
4.5🌟stars
This is my favorite of the three stories in this series about police officers finding romance in a small Scottish town. Douglas, the policeman, needs a set up date and a couple of kisses to get him to finally focus on the right woman. A bit of competition and jealousy goes a long way and ends happily at midnight on New Year's Eve. Slainte!🍻

It's short but complete, sweet and with a touch of sorrow related to Douglas's childhood. The bit of background sadness gave this short novella a bit of depth.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the story; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Syifa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute and lovely friends-to-lovers novella! It follows Leana and Douglas who has been best friend since they were five, born and raised in Scotland. There's undeniably connection and chemistry between two of them that can't be forged by anyone else. It took a moment of one of them see the other on someone else's arm and a kiss to recognize that sparks. I love the dual POVs as I get to see their thoughts and feelings toward each other. Overall, this has been a sweet and cute quick read for me, just perfect to fill in the time between Christmas and New Year.

I receive the ARC of the book for free, in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author!

[Caley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet romance that made me happy cry

I really enjoyed this book and have enjoyed this series. Super sweet romances with happy endings! Exactly what I want in December
I really liked the history between the main characters and I really hope for an update on them. I also enjoyed the cameos from the characters from the previous books
Those last few chapters were really hard to read because I was crying!
This was my last preorder of the year so I’m delighted to have managed to squeeze it in before the end of 2022

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Don’t let this short novella fool you, it’s packed with just enough for a beautiful story. Set in Scotland, I loved the attention to details, Leanna and Douglas have been friends since they were 5. They’ve been through so many highs and lows throughout their lives. Leanna now owns a bar and Douglas is a police officer. She ends up setting him up with her new employee but she’s in love with him. So she decides to kiss him, and boy does this change everything between them. I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from Nicki.

[Cams Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite from the Sweet in Scotland series. Leana and Douglas, best friends for 30 years, are both in love with the other, but of course it’s not mentioned as they believe the friendship would be ruined. Could them going on a double date, each with someone else, finally realise what’s in front of them?
This was short and sweet, with a little dash of angst. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you Nicki Bell for the arc.

[Ingrid Spera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this story! So cute and sweet with just enough feistiness to get you vested in the characters. You have Leana, the bar owner with attitude, and Douglas, her best friend and local cop. I absolutely adored their story! Low drama and perfect banter <3

** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[EmmaReadsCrime · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

Leanna owns a bar and sets up her friend and police officer Douglas with a colleague. Problem is, she is in love with him. ❤️

This is the third book in the Sweet in Scotland series and definitely my favourite! This is independent of the other two books, but past characters make an appearance. It is a seriously cute new years eve short love story.🎆

[Kim Territo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story! Enjoyed the whole series.