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More Than I Bargained For
As Anna and Daniel struggle to create the "perfect" Christmas for their loved ones, they may just discover that they've been going about it all wrong—and that true joy can't be found on a store shelf.
On Black Friday, Anna McAllister has one secure this year’s most sought-after toy, the TeddyTab, for her niece for Christmas. When she loses the last one to a frustratingly handsome architect, she’s sure to be put on the naughty list for life. Will she be able to find another one before she ruins her niece’s chance at a merry Christmas?
Daniel Hawkins has struggled for almost two years to be both mother and father to his six-year-old daughter. Since his wife’s passing, he can’t seem to get Christmas right. When he learns that the coveted TeddyTab is the one thing his daughter wants for Christmas, he braves the cold on Black Friday morning and snatches the last one off the shelf.
Unfortunately, securing the bear means taking it from the first woman to stir his emotions since losing his wife. Guilt, not to mention those blue eyes, drives him to give the bear back, but unless he can find a way into Anna’s heart, nobody’s going to get what they want this year.
"Jessica Leigh Johnson's writing voice is witty and snarky and endearing with spark-filled romantic tension, a sweet-but-never-preachy faith thread, and stellar comedic timing."
On Black Friday, Anna McAllister has one secure this year’s most sought-after toy, the TeddyTab, for her niece for Christmas. When she loses the last one to a frustratingly handsome architect, she’s sure to be put on the naughty list for life. Will she be able to find another one before she ruins her niece’s chance at a merry Christmas?
Daniel Hawkins has struggled for almost two years to be both mother and father to his six-year-old daughter. Since his wife’s passing, he can’t seem to get Christmas right. When he learns that the coveted TeddyTab is the one thing his daughter wants for Christmas, he braves the cold on Black Friday morning and snatches the last one off the shelf.
Unfortunately, securing the bear means taking it from the first woman to stir his emotions since losing his wife. Guilt, not to mention those blue eyes, drives him to give the bear back, but unless he can find a way into Anna’s heart, nobody’s going to get what they want this year.
"Jessica Leigh Johnson's writing voice is witty and snarky and endearing with spark-filled romantic tension, a sweet-but-never-preachy faith thread, and stellar comedic timing."
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2024
10 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Leigh Johnson
5 books47 followersJessica Leigh Johnson has been writing and creating stories since she was a young girl. After the death of her son Ethan in 2006, she decided to use her love of writing to minister to others who may be struggling with their faith after a significant loss. Her first book, "Do You Trust Me?" tells her story in detail, focusing mainly on the damage done to her faith after such a tragedy, and offers hope to others experiencing similar loss.
For the past six years, Jessica has authored the parenting column in IG Living magazine, which is a resource for those who rely on infused immunoglobulin products for their health and survival. She also occasionally contributes articles to the IG Living online blog. Some of her articles are featured in the compilation book entitled "Chronic Inspiration," published by IG Living.
In late 2022, Jessica was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (breast cancer), which was not on her to-do list, but she's chosen to accept the challenge and push forward with humor (when possible) and courage, and try to bring a sense of "normalcy" to breast cancer, since it affects 1 in 8 women during their lifetime.
Jessica's true passion, however, is romance. Her short story entitled, "The House on Mirror Lake" was published in the anthology "Sweet Summer Love" in 2015. Look for this story to become a full-length novel in 2024! Her first full-length Christian fiction novel, "Fixed Up" (a romantic comedy) released in April 2023.
For the past six years, Jessica has authored the parenting column in IG Living magazine, which is a resource for those who rely on infused immunoglobulin products for their health and survival. She also occasionally contributes articles to the IG Living online blog. Some of her articles are featured in the compilation book entitled "Chronic Inspiration," published by IG Living.
In late 2022, Jessica was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (breast cancer), which was not on her to-do list, but she's chosen to accept the challenge and push forward with humor (when possible) and courage, and try to bring a sense of "normalcy" to breast cancer, since it affects 1 in 8 women during their lifetime.
Jessica's true passion, however, is romance. Her short story entitled, "The House on Mirror Lake" was published in the anthology "Sweet Summer Love" in 2015. Look for this story to become a full-length novel in 2024! Her first full-length Christian fiction novel, "Fixed Up" (a romantic comedy) released in April 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 28, 2025
✝️💛MORE THAN I BARGAINED FOR REVIEW❤️✝️ A Christian Christmas Rom-Com❤️ by Jessica Leigh Johnson
Y’all this was ADORABLE. It has everything you want during the holiday season.
❤️Christian Faith
💚Black Friday Shopping Chaos
❤️Sweet Kiddos
💚Family Moments
❤️The Real Meaning of Christmas
💚Giving Back to Children
❤️A Sweet Kisses Only Clean Romance
💚A Single Dad trying to figure out Christmas
This book centered around a single Dad, Daniel, on the hunt for the hottest toy for his little girl, trying to figure out how to shop for her after his wife passed a couple of years ago. He runs into our main girl, Anna, who is also on the hunt for the same toy…this is when they meet, and they keep running into each other …leaving their stories to unfold along the way.
I loved it so much! Highly recommend. Thank you to the author for a copy of her book to read and review. It was a delight! They really help others in need here and remember the true reason for Christmas.
Y’all this was ADORABLE. It has everything you want during the holiday season.
❤️Christian Faith
💚Black Friday Shopping Chaos
❤️Sweet Kiddos
💚Family Moments
❤️The Real Meaning of Christmas
💚Giving Back to Children
❤️A Sweet Kisses Only Clean Romance
💚A Single Dad trying to figure out Christmas
This book centered around a single Dad, Daniel, on the hunt for the hottest toy for his little girl, trying to figure out how to shop for her after his wife passed a couple of years ago. He runs into our main girl, Anna, who is also on the hunt for the same toy…this is when they meet, and they keep running into each other …leaving their stories to unfold along the way.
I loved it so much! Highly recommend. Thank you to the author for a copy of her book to read and review. It was a delight! They really help others in need here and remember the true reason for Christmas.
December 28, 2025
Cute little Christmasy story:) The female main character was a bit wearisome with her jumping to conclusions twice instead of simply asking a question or discussing a matter; aarrggghh! lack of communication drives me around the bend! But there wouldn't be a book if there wasn't such elements of course...ha.... But she did have enough sense/maturity to realize her foolishness at least.
It was a HEA type tale with spiritual aspects throughout; of which I was quite pleased to read so overall a lovely book and quite easy to recommend.
It was a HEA type tale with spiritual aspects throughout; of which I was quite pleased to read so overall a lovely book and quite easy to recommend.
December 6, 2025
Wow ummmm amazing??!!!! Enjoyed this one so much. Shout out to @Kayleigh for buddy reading this with me! Can’t wait to share our thoughts 🤭🤭🤭. Anywho FRTC when I don’t have a migraine 🥲🤗🥺
November 13, 2024
A fun new voice in Christian romantic comedy. Add this one to your Christmas reading list.
December 18, 2024
I have eagerly been waiting for another book by Jessica Leigh Johnson ever since I fell in love with Fixed Up, so I couldn’t wait to start reading More Than I Bargained For – especially when I saw that ADORABLE, festive cover. That cuteness alone made me all kinds of happy, and then I met Anna and Daniel and my happiness meter really lit up!
The story starts at Thanksgiving, giving us an engaging introduction to Anna, her sister Tamara and her young niece Kelsey and their dynamics/backstories, and (separately) Daniel, his young daughter Madison, and his brother-in-law Kurt and their dynamics/backstories. By the time we know that Anna and Daniel will each be showing up at the same store on Black Friday to grab THE toy of the season on sale, I was grinning with anticipation over their inevitably disastrous meet cute. And now cue all the surprise encounters, spark-filled chemistry, endearing holiday moments, and hilarious misunderstandings (with a few more serious ones too)… I’m in Christmas romcom heaven! There’s also a super sweet and meaningful thread involving homelessness and the less fortunate, one which reminds us to focus on the eternal this holiday season rather than the temporal (while not ignoring the ‘fun’ of Christmas gifts either).
Bottom Line: I became a fan of Jessica Leigh Johnson’s sense of humor and storytelling skills while reading her debut novel, and her new romcom More Than I Bargained For was well worth the wait! Anna and David each have touching backstories which introduce layered emotions into the equation as they continue to cross paths, intersect their families, and begin to develop deeper feelings for each other. But there is also a lot of fun to be had on these pages, from Black Friday mayhem to Christmas Day swooniness – and a host of heartwarming encounters in between. I loved watching Anna and David fall in love, and I’m putting in my order now for a follow-up novel featuring Kurt and Tamara because I think they have some great stories to tell, too. If you love sweet romance that makes you grin big (and sometimes chuckle), faith notes that are a natural extension of the characters’ lives, and witty writing, then you absolutely need to add More Than I Bargained For to your Christmas wish list!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
The story starts at Thanksgiving, giving us an engaging introduction to Anna, her sister Tamara and her young niece Kelsey and their dynamics/backstories, and (separately) Daniel, his young daughter Madison, and his brother-in-law Kurt and their dynamics/backstories. By the time we know that Anna and Daniel will each be showing up at the same store on Black Friday to grab THE toy of the season on sale, I was grinning with anticipation over their inevitably disastrous meet cute. And now cue all the surprise encounters, spark-filled chemistry, endearing holiday moments, and hilarious misunderstandings (with a few more serious ones too)… I’m in Christmas romcom heaven! There’s also a super sweet and meaningful thread involving homelessness and the less fortunate, one which reminds us to focus on the eternal this holiday season rather than the temporal (while not ignoring the ‘fun’ of Christmas gifts either).
Bottom Line: I became a fan of Jessica Leigh Johnson’s sense of humor and storytelling skills while reading her debut novel, and her new romcom More Than I Bargained For was well worth the wait! Anna and David each have touching backstories which introduce layered emotions into the equation as they continue to cross paths, intersect their families, and begin to develop deeper feelings for each other. But there is also a lot of fun to be had on these pages, from Black Friday mayhem to Christmas Day swooniness – and a host of heartwarming encounters in between. I loved watching Anna and David fall in love, and I’m putting in my order now for a follow-up novel featuring Kurt and Tamara because I think they have some great stories to tell, too. If you love sweet romance that makes you grin big (and sometimes chuckle), faith notes that are a natural extension of the characters’ lives, and witty writing, then you absolutely need to add More Than I Bargained For to your Christmas wish list!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
January 12, 2025
MORE THAN I BARGAINED FOR by Jessica Leigh Johnson is a wonderful holiday romance/romcom perfect for those who love the sweeter side of courtship. Appropriate for all ages, this faith-based love story has all of the ingredients you’re looking for - lovable lead characters, seemingly avoidable misunderstandings, emotional vulnerability, and comic relief. Johnson is also able to expertly weave meaningful subjects throughout the story such as kindness, charity, forgiveness, and faith. In a time where Christmas can often be defined by what we receive rather than what we are called to do, this book is a breath of fresh air. In this charming story, readers are reminded that the holidays (and life) are so much more than physical gifts - they’re about the gifts received from above and those we give to others. Completely lovely.
January 8, 2025
Loved it! Review to come.
January 6, 2026
Sweet and fun Christmasy story. Likable characters, good story, some faith content. Fun read for Christmas.
December 25, 2024
More than I Bargained for is a sweet holiday romance that goes a little deeper. Through a Christian perspective, Anna and Daniel navigate the reality that holidays often come with painful reminders of loss. This book has the perfect balance of being light and sweet, while also keeping it real. It’s a quick, easy read that kept me engaged the whole time. I already can’t wait for Jessica’s next book!
January 5, 2025
sweet holiday romance
This was the first time reading this author, I really enjoyed the book and will read more from her.
The story fills its advertising promise to be a sweet, Christian story. This is a book that anyone in the family can read - no swearing, the romance honours marriage and there is a moderate amount of a faith element to the story.
This was the first time reading this author, I really enjoyed the book and will read more from her.
The story fills its advertising promise to be a sweet, Christian story. This is a book that anyone in the family can read - no swearing, the romance honours marriage and there is a moderate amount of a faith element to the story.
November 29, 2024
Fun romcom but with serious notes too. Grief and moving forward in life play a large role. And the emphasis on the materialism of world, especially at Christmas, is challenged. Very well done! Looking forward to reading more by this author.
January 31, 2025
Nice story, cute meet, fun characters. I did love the way both characters turned to prayer regarding their relationship.
December 6, 2025
Very cute! This is the first Christmas book I’ve ever read and I really enjoyed it! Highly recommend!
January 28, 2026
This was a cute story. It starts with two people who absolutely have to get the newest toy as a Christmas present for the little girl in his or her life. Enter, the Black Friday meet-cute. (Insert big eyes emoji.) The awkwardness of the meet-cute made me want to read faster to see how Anna and Daniel would eventually work things out and fall in love. I really enjoyed journeying with them from the beginning, over a few rocky bumps, into a heartwarming happy ending.
The theme of this story was about learning to give rather than having to spend the most money or get the best gifts. I really liked how Anna and Daniel learned to exhibit this through the toy drive and through packing gifts and food for those in need. And I loved that they brought her niece and his daughter along with them. It was so sweet to watch them learn about giving alongside the adults.
I also really loved how the real reason for Christmas was clearly included. It wasn't in-your-face, at least, it didn't seem so to me. But it wasn't too subtle either. It was a great reminder for me to focus on Jesus' gift instead of the gifts I might receive for Christmas.
I highly recommend you keep this one on your tbr for the next time you need a lovely Christian Christmas story.
The author was so kind to send me a copy of this book when I expressed interest in reading it! My opinions expressed in this review were in no way influenced by her generosity.
The theme of this story was about learning to give rather than having to spend the most money or get the best gifts. I really liked how Anna and Daniel learned to exhibit this through the toy drive and through packing gifts and food for those in need. And I loved that they brought her niece and his daughter along with them. It was so sweet to watch them learn about giving alongside the adults.
I also really loved how the real reason for Christmas was clearly included. It wasn't in-your-face, at least, it didn't seem so to me. But it wasn't too subtle either. It was a great reminder for me to focus on Jesus' gift instead of the gifts I might receive for Christmas.
I highly recommend you keep this one on your tbr for the next time you need a lovely Christian Christmas story.
The author was so kind to send me a copy of this book when I expressed interest in reading it! My opinions expressed in this review were in no way influenced by her generosity.
December 27, 2025
I’m not a big rom-com girlie, but this was a cute story! I liked that the chapters were short, making for a quick read. There were plenty of Christmas vibes and lots of faith content, too. However, I thought some of the dialogue from the kids was odd/out of a character for 5 and 6 year olds, and I really could’ve done without the 11th hour misunderstanding scene. It seemed so strange to have the TeddyTab be the source of another argument, and for Anna to make so many assumptions instead of just talking to Daniel like a normal adult.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2024
UNDEAD COED…
I really enjoyed this “light” romance book! Jessica’s unique sense of humor comes through keeping this read fun but she also added some serious subject matter. She had a way of taking you away from reality for a bit, but also making the story realistic.
I really enjoyed this “light” romance book! Jessica’s unique sense of humor comes through keeping this read fun but she also added some serious subject matter. She had a way of taking you away from reality for a bit, but also making the story realistic.
January 2, 2025
This is a cute romantic comedy and a fun Christmas read. The characters are likable and seem real and bonus there are two 6 year old kids that bring some more cuteness. A faith thread runs throughout with a focus on the real reason behind Christmas and helping others.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews