Deck the Mall

Love at Westbrook Mall #3

by Annelise Amore

Even nice elves have a naughty side…

Christmas is my favorite time of year. Not just because I get to play Santa’s elf and spread cheer to all the exhausted parents and wide-eyed children at the mall.

But because I get to indulge a side of me nobody ever gets to see. The side of me that’s just as full of wonder as those kids waiting for their turn on Santa's lap.

Nobody, that is, until him. Harvey, the hot, grumpy barista who feeds my caffeine addiction—and some very, very naughty fantasies.

Even as he flirts with me, indulging the little girl inside me with snow angels and hot cocoa, I can’t help but wonder if there’s some real life Christmas magic stirring between us…

Or if I’m setting myself up for a rejection even more devastating than coal in my stocking on Christmas morning.

Genres: Holiday, Romance

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2024

About the author

Annelise Amore is a romance writer in the Midwest US, where she eats enough cheese it probably seeps into her stories. When she’s not wrapped up in rom-coms, she can be found gaming, wandering gardens, and analyzing pop culture snuggled in the safety of her husband’s arms or a bundle of fuzzy blankets.

Rumor has it, if you give her tea and sweets, she starts wiggling with glee. She’s the author of the Love at Westbrook Mall contemporary romance series, inspired by her time working in various retail and theater endeavors.

Reviews

[Josie Bookstagram · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I want you to be my Daddy, not my sugar daddy."

This one just wasn't for me at all... I almost DNF'd several times, but I wanted to get to the end as this was an ARC read for me and I had committed to finish it. It wasn't a bad book or poor writing or anything, I just didn't enjoy it. The writing seems like the author is really young and the parent / child relationship was really childish too, which made me a but mad so maybe that's what it was. I knew going in that it included kink and although it wasn't much at all, the Daddy /Little thing just isn't for me at all. I find that really uncomfortable reading so it really put me off. But to each there own and zero judgement here, just not for me and I won't choose to read any of the other books in the series. Definitely seems more of a YA kind of book with a side of kink and lots of Christmas cheer.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deck the Mall just radiates joy ✨️
The third in Annelise's series of interconnected standalones, this book is flirty, festive fun 😉
Shelby's sugar-rush sweetness is balanced nicely with Harvey's darker warmth, the pair coming together like a well-blended mocha! 😝☕️🍫
Focusing heavily on accepting ourselves and others for who we are, it would warm even the most frostbitten heart 🩵
For those of us who have soldiered through the trenches of Christmas in retail, this book will have you simultaneously laughing out loud and cursing Grinchy shoppers! 🫠🎄🤣

[Lyndsay King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed deck the mall. It is a cute Christmas story about an elf and her barista. Shelby aka sugarplum has some boundary issues with her mum and Harvey helps her stand up for herself.
The book does include a ‘littles’ theme which isn’t my thing but luckily it’s only really touched on but it is worth noting if that’s an issue to you.
The book is a good read with a nice holiday spirit.

[Kelsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️

This was such a unique Christmas centered romcom! Shelby aka Sugarplum is a mall elf hired to create Christmas magic during the months leading up to Christmas Day at a mall get your photo taken with Santa booth, and after the end of a long shift a snowball fight with one of her coworkers leads to her pelting the tall, dark, and pierced barista from the malls coffee shop with a mis aimed snowball. And after chastising Sugarplum and her coworker that parking lots are not playgrounds Sugarplum is bound and determined to put this grinch out of her mind. That is until she’s forced to do a coffee run, putting her face to face with the grinchy barista once again… but after a few coffee run conversations Sugarplum starts to see than maybe just maybe there’s a heart of gold hidden under Harvey’s icy exterior. This was my first book from Annalise Amore and I have to say it was such a unique take and very well written. I went into this book with some cute hallmark expectations and while it met those expectations it also hit the spice just right! Not to mention I was expecting a medium burn romance based on the start of this book, but man when the match was lit on this romance it burned faster than chestnuts over an open fire! Which I have to say was so perfect for this story, the characters were amazing and watching their growth through ups and downs in their relationship, learning to deal with each others little quirks, and transversing the difficulty of dealing with a family who is just a smidge to overbearing! Not to mention these characters were fun and relatable! I loved the banter, the shenanigans, and the cute little nicknames! Now I will say that I absolutely despised Sugarplums family, it just felt like they wanted to be respected without having to give any respect and man does that jump on a pet peeve. There were also a few moments where Sugarplum slipping between headspace’s (iykyk) got a smidge confusing. Overall this book was very well written though and would recommend it to anyone looking for a medium to fast burn Christmas time romance!

HAPPY READING 📖

[Charlene (pageandplace) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the Holidays at the Westbrook Mall. In addition to the quirky characters and all your shopping needs you’ve got Santa and the elves bringing holiday cheer. 🎄

Book 3 introduces us to a cheerful elf, Shelby, and a grumpy barista, Harvey. 🐧
I love that the characters are all from mall stores and some make guest appearances or lead you into the next story line.

So I’ve been going in to books blind lately and skip blurbs and notes. It works for me but isn’t for everyone. I’ve enjoyed the previous characters and the different aspects they bring but I would suggest reading the author note in regard to the MFC and her likes/kinks. It’s not particularly for me but it was easy to get past and finish the book.

I enjoy that these characters aren’t cookie cutter (pun intended 🍪) so skipping the note wasn’t an issue for me and I enjoy broadening what I read to see what else I might enjoy. Get to know the employees of the Westbrook Mall and see who you align with - it’s like working with your besties!

Until next shift (book)! 🛍️

Thank you to the author, Annelise Amore for the opportunity to read this book. I received an epub for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alisha Handfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sugar, spice, and everything nice. This book is a lighthearted holiday read. He is all sorts of grumpy, and she is sunshine all wrapped up in a beautiful present of the story. It's a great read to break up the heavy dark romance books I read. There is some spice not too much. One aspect I really enjoyed is how real some of the characters felt. For example, her Mom potentially causes stress on a new relationship. Like, who doesn't have a family member who doesn't respect those boundaries? One thing I wish was more highlighted was the main male characters' family. I guess that leaves an open for a second book! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who needs a good, realistic, lighthearted holiday read. 

PS. I didn't read any other books in this series, but I did add them to my TBR. I did not feel like I missed anything that other books might have had. 

[Amelia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GOD.....

This was a phenomenal book!!!!

Ugh, I thought I'd dislike the main character because she's so cheery, but i freaking adored her! A true grumpy-sunshine success!!

I can't figure out if I like this one or book 1 the best...I love Kat and Victor too much to let them be upstages....but this one gets MAD points because...I don't consider this a spoiler, but....there's NO 3rd act breakup!! It's just lovely, gooey, heart glowy, and SWEET!

I don't know how Annelise manages to make working in a mall attractive, but she DOES IT.

More! I need more!!

[Trisha Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is lovely written and warm and fuzzy for the holidays. The playful nature of the MFC is amazing and the grumpyness of the MMC is honestly just adorable. They make and unique, fun, and awesome couple together. 

[Rebekah Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not something that fit in my usual reads, but I enjoyed it! I thought there was a decent mix of spicy and cute, and it has a cute story line! It definitely got me in the holiday spirit as well!

[Salem Vale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the CUTEST book ever! I never knew I needed the pov from a mall elf but omg! I have nothing but good things to say about this book! 10/10

[Nini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely devoured this book - sweet like an any good Christmas treat with a hint of spice!
A wonderful read that I struggled to put down.

[Jenny See · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute book about a mall elf and a slightly grumpy barista.
If you’re looking for something spicy, this book probably isn’t for you, although it tries to dabble in age play.

[Erin Saulpaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute and funny. Great for the holidays that are around the corner.
There is some kink that I was not a big fan of, but that is just me. Or than that i thought it was cute and funny

[Liliana Schultheis]

DNF immediately when she asked for her sippy cup

[emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’d give it MAYBE 1.5 out of 5 stars. just not my cup of tea!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite book out of the entire series so far. It was festive and cheery with just the right amount of spice. I love that these center around the holidays, this one being Christmas. Shelby and Harvey were beyond adorable. It was so easy to like their characters. While you don't need to read the first two books before this one, I highly recommend it. I can't wait for the next book in the series!