Lights, Camera, Love for Christmas

by Ruby Hill

A feel-good Christmas romance about protecting the heart of a small town.
As a location scout, my mission is to find the perfect small town for a Christmas movie. When I stumble upon Holly Ridge, I know it’s exactly what my production team is looking for—a charming winter wonderland with endless cinematic potential.

But Drew Pierce, the town’s protective mayor, isn’t thrilled about Hollywood swooping in on his close-knit community. From the moment we meet, he makes it clear that he doesn’t trust outsiders, especially not someone who could disrupt the town’s traditions.

As Drew shows me around, I begin to see Holly Ridge through his eyes—the warmth, the people, the magic no camera can truly capture. The more time I spend here, the more I start questioning my fast-paced, career-focused life. And as Christmas approaches, so does the undeniable attraction between us.

But when Drew discovers the changes my company plans to make, our budding romance hits a wall. Now, I have to will I fight for love, or walk away from the one place that’s starting to feel like home?

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Clean Romance, Small Town Romance

93 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2024

Reviews

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt a little disjoined

The love connection happen extremely quickly. 1 minute they were giving each other the side eye the next they kissing.

OH well - it is a short book. :)

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a person can be henpecked by a boss, then that is Tessa. She is striving to please an evil Scrooge-like boss and that aspect of the story is well worth the price of this book. Tessa falling for the town she is scouting is so well presented, the reader can't help but fall for the town at the same time.

The book is brimming with the Christmas celebration theme and that helps keep a warm feeling to the book. Drew is a powerful character who is there to look after his town. The instant attraction of Tessa and Drew is honestly portrayed.

The character building is first rate. The character of Drew's distant brother Colton illustrates how well this is done. Colton may not be a main or secondary character, but his enormous influence on the story is remarkable.

No spoilers here but the ending is so good, such an amazing read, it raises the entire book from great to sublime. If you want to read a great Christmas romance, this is the book. If you enjoy Hallmark holiday movies like I do, then this book is for you! A book worth reading again just to savor the ending over and over!.

My Rating: 5+ stars

Reviewed by: Mr. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa is sent to Holly Ridge to scout it for a location to make a Christmas movie. Drew Pierce, the town’s very protective mayor, is reluctant to approval the request. The attraction between them grows. As Drew showcases the town to Tessa, she increasingly sees the beauty and promises the town will not be altered in any way. Can Tessa make that promise? Will this romance blossom or will Tessa leave? This was a very sweet story. I loved the way Tessa and Drew handled their relationship. The setting was inviting and pulled me into the story from the very beginning. Highly recommend!

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

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clean romance novella. It is set in Holly Ridge as prior books, but can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

Tessa is looking for a town to offer a production company a place to film a Christmas movie. She ends up in Holly Ridge and loves it. She runs into the mayor, Drew, and tries to have him give his blessing. He is against it. Can a movie be held here? Can they find a happy medium?

This is a quick little Christmas story. It is an easy read and has cute characters.

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

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet Tessa and Drew when Tessa is scouting for a movie location and decides that Drew's town is perfect. Drew shows her around the town but is not persuaded about letting the movie company use his town and since he is the mayor Tessa has to persuade him. We get to follow these main characters as they work through their relationship and whether the movie will be filmed in Holly Ridge. All the characters are well written and it's a delight to visit this town again.

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

[Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much and hated having to put it down. It is a wonderfully well-written, clean rom-com that takes place in the magical small town of Holly Ridge. This is a standalone book; however, there are several other stories, all standalones, that take place in the picturesque town. Get ready to fall in love with the town and its residents. It is a feel-good read with all the bits and pieces that make it more than an enjoyable read.

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

[Tanvi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not for me. The FMC was arrogant when the mayor asks why is she clicking pics and well, you just can't go click pics of other people and children. And then she is humbled coz she needs to go through him for permits?

And then you have a miscommunication trope in such a short book. After spending so much time with her, the mayor suddenly lashes out and refuses to hear her out.

Frankly they need to learn to communicate before getting in a relationship.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a stranger shows up in town taking pictures, there's several people who are concerned. Who is she and why is she there?
The mayor is determined to protect the town and deals with her himself. Will he agree with her plans? How do they handle things when it's time for her to go home?
This is the first book in an interconnected series.

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

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I understand Mayor Drew’s suspicions with Tessa and the movie production team’s intentions after what almost happened to his parents. I didn’t trust her boss who was trying to push through obtaining a movie location despite Drew’s disagreement with a clause that could have harmed his town. This was a kisses only small town novella romance.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delight to read! The story flowed well with lots of detail, which can be difficult to pull off in an novella. I was pulled in from page one and did not feel like the romance was rushed.
The characters are relatable and realistic as was the story.

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

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet small town Christmas romance. This story had wonderful characters and a fun and enjoyable storyline about the makings of a Christmas movie. It's a short and easy read with the perfect amount of heart, sweetness, tension and romance. It has swoony moments, festive cheer and a perfect heartwarming ending. So worth the read!.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, small town romance book that holds your attention captive from beginning to end. The storyline is sweet and interesting as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with a strong bond to their relationship. I enjoyed this book.

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

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow three hours for this contemporary, sweet, clean, wholesome exploration of Holly Ridge, Montana, as a movie location by Tessa Whitman, starting on the day after Thanksgiving with seasonal lights, her smartphone camera, love, Christmas, and romance.
I had an ARC via Booksprout, and this is my voluntary review.

[GOLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet book telling the beginning of the love story of Tessa and Drew. They encounter some obstacles along the way, but love prevails.

Short, sweet and charming.

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

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa and Drew were perfect. This story of the two of them was amazing. I felt the love and the work they both put into being together. It is a great peak into Holly Ridge and makes me want to read more stories set in Holly Ridge. Loved it!.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this heartwarming story. Tessa and Drew were an unlikely couple. They have totally different lifestyles. Can they compromise and have a future? Received a free copy.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

This was a great book and by a great author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kissing scene -- a bit hasty?
1st person narrative style. But, author has some trouble maintaining narrator's point of view in the text.