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Christmas Criminal
Fifty hours of community service with the town's hot new math teacher. What could go wrong?
When the town sheriff catches me egging my dad's house, he gives me an ultimatum: stay in this town I hate to participate in community service, or risk potential jail time with a criminal mischief charge.
Only once I'm there do I learn the person facilitating my community service will be Nick Monroe, the town sweetheart who hides his rock hard body and surprisingly dirty mouth behind Clark Kent glasses and T-shirts proclaiming he 'hearts' math.
He plans an array of Christmas activities to spend down my hours, and while we build huts for the winter market and prepare the Christmas float for the high school kids, we become something like friends. Who kiss a little bit sometimes.
Before I know it, he becomes the sparkle of my season.
But I have my reasons for staying away from this town. High school trauma and a dad who never cared yet pops up every time I visit. And Nick has his own baggage to work through after his ex left him with a bluff, claiming he was too emotionless to fight for her.
Despite it all, as the holiday draws nearer, one thing becomes
Nick Monroe is all I want for Christmas this year.
When the town sheriff catches me egging my dad's house, he gives me an ultimatum: stay in this town I hate to participate in community service, or risk potential jail time with a criminal mischief charge.
Only once I'm there do I learn the person facilitating my community service will be Nick Monroe, the town sweetheart who hides his rock hard body and surprisingly dirty mouth behind Clark Kent glasses and T-shirts proclaiming he 'hearts' math.
He plans an array of Christmas activities to spend down my hours, and while we build huts for the winter market and prepare the Christmas float for the high school kids, we become something like friends. Who kiss a little bit sometimes.
Before I know it, he becomes the sparkle of my season.
But I have my reasons for staying away from this town. High school trauma and a dad who never cared yet pops up every time I visit. And Nick has his own baggage to work through after his ex left him with a bluff, claiming he was too emotionless to fight for her.
Despite it all, as the holiday draws nearer, one thing becomes
Nick Monroe is all I want for Christmas this year.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2024
69 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 412 reviews
November 8, 2025
Small town holiday vibes with a snarky FMC who hates the town because of her background. She’s paired in community service with the hot math teacher who loves the town and Christmas. Of course they’ve got lusty vibes going right away, though the story also touches on their emotional hang-ups and desires. I was powering through by the end, but other readers may enjoy this cute, Christmas romcom more.
Written in first person, dual POV. No om drama, not really ow drama but a PTO member aggressively hits on the H multiple times and the h does address it. Both are experienced, he was in a long term relationship and then I think may have been celibate because he’s a relationship guy. I don’t recall her history.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Small town Christmas
☆ Forced community service
☆ Web designer FMC x math teacher MMC
☆ She’s a Grinch but a soft one
☆ He's kind of stoic, she's kind of messy
☆ Nicknames - "Saint Nick" and his "Criminal"
☆ He challenges her to stand up to her demons regarding the town
☆ Complicated family dynamics for the FMC
☆ Slow burn but lots of innuendo and tension
☆ Egging or threats of egging houses of people that are disliked
☆ Recollections of high school bullying
☆ Touching on being alone for Christmas
I just didn’t connect with this story well. I had a hard time with Noelle (h) because even though she’s in her late twenties, she acted very immaturely. I actually cheered when her sister called her out on her behavior later in the book. I did love Nick (H) though and the side characters were endearing from the town sheriff giving Noelle fake community service to her family to the high schooler that Nick cares about. I was sympathetic to Noelle’s trauma (there’s significant issues here), but was glad when she was making changes and confronting her feelings. She also confronts others and those scenes were awesome.
I’d say this was a slow burn with insta-lust to start. Nick has boundaries since he doesn’t do ONS and even though the community service isn’t “real”, he’s technically overseeing it so careful. When the spice hits, there are a couple of detailed scenes and a couple of fade to black or mentions of friskiness having occurred. The emotional intimacy was kind of odd because Nick has a front row seat to everything regarding Noelle and she gets some of the picture for him, like missing his Christmas-loving mom. I don’t remember him bringing up his ex though and how accusations she made affected his view on himself/relationships.
There’s no third act breakup. You do wonder how Noelle will reconcile her dislike of the town with her developing feelings for Nick, who’s clearly not leaving. You know they’re going to find a solution of course and it does work out well for them both, no one is sacrificing anything. The ending is HEA with an epilogue a couple years later. Both are adorably in love and it’s sweet. Overall, it does bring holiday spirit, humor, and charm. I thought it had moments but leaned towards kind of bland. It’s not a reread but other readers may connect more.
Written in first person, dual POV. No om drama, not really ow drama but a PTO member aggressively hits on the H multiple times and the h does address it. Both are experienced, he was in a long term relationship and then I think may have been celibate because he’s a relationship guy. I don’t recall her history.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Small town Christmas
☆ Forced community service
☆ Web designer FMC x math teacher MMC
☆ She’s a Grinch but a soft one
☆ He's kind of stoic, she's kind of messy
☆ Nicknames - "Saint Nick" and his "Criminal"
☆ He challenges her to stand up to her demons regarding the town
☆ Complicated family dynamics for the FMC
☆ Slow burn but lots of innuendo and tension
☆ Egging or threats of egging houses of people that are disliked
☆ Recollections of high school bullying
☆ Touching on being alone for Christmas
I just didn’t connect with this story well. I had a hard time with Noelle (h) because even though she’s in her late twenties, she acted very immaturely. I actually cheered when her sister called her out on her behavior later in the book. I did love Nick (H) though and the side characters were endearing from the town sheriff giving Noelle fake community service to her family to the high schooler that Nick cares about. I was sympathetic to Noelle’s trauma (there’s significant issues here), but was glad when she was making changes and confronting her feelings. She also confronts others and those scenes were awesome.
I’d say this was a slow burn with insta-lust to start. Nick has boundaries since he doesn’t do ONS and even though the community service isn’t “real”, he’s technically overseeing it so careful. When the spice hits, there are a couple of detailed scenes and a couple of fade to black or mentions of friskiness having occurred. The emotional intimacy was kind of odd because Nick has a front row seat to everything regarding Noelle and she gets some of the picture for him, like missing his Christmas-loving mom. I don’t remember him bringing up his ex though and how accusations she made affected his view on himself/relationships.
There’s no third act breakup. You do wonder how Noelle will reconcile her dislike of the town with her developing feelings for Nick, who’s clearly not leaving. You know they’re going to find a solution of course and it does work out well for them both, no one is sacrificing anything. The ending is HEA with an epilogue a couple years later. Both are adorably in love and it’s sweet. Overall, it does bring holiday spirit, humor, and charm. I thought it had moments but leaned towards kind of bland. It’s not a reread but other readers may connect more.
October 23, 2024
I received an arc copy of this book and let me tell you I freaking LOVED it! When I tell you I snorted giggled while reading it, I’m being sincere. And that is a sure fire way for me to tell how I feel about a book. It was so cute, and wholesome, and did fantastic at navigating the crazy family dynamic. I would have loved to continue reading this storyline but really enjoyed how Ally left it off.
October 29, 2024
It may be 85° in Florida, but it’s Christmas on my couch right now.
"’Do you have sensitive skin?’
I ask, trailing my fingers along the divot between his pecs.
‘It's sensitive to whatever your fingers are doing right now,’"
OH OKAY GOT IT
From the moment Nick called Noelle criminal for the first time I was done for. There was no turning back for me.
I feel so incredibly lucky to have read this arc. This book was by and large one my faaaavorite Christmas romances of all time. It’s so well done I am floored. This gives Hallmark Movie in all of the best ways and none of the bad ways. I really mean that.
The backstory for our main characters felt fleshed out just enough to influence them and their choices without it being something that seemed oversold or repetitive. This may seem small, but it is such a huge achievement because I have seen this done poorly time and time and time and time again.
The grumpy x sunshine trope here felt more dynamic than just that because they had such nuanced and real personalities that it didn’t feel tropey in a sense that one person was just always grumpy and one person was just always sunshine. They seemed like real people with a proclivity for behaving in a glass half full or glass half empty sort of way.
The freaking banter, bro?!
Spectacular, give me 14 of ‘em right now.
These characters did sarcasm and banter in a way that I feared Ally had been listening in on conversations in my own household for inspiration.
“‘Before we know it, I'll be overcorrecting and shouting profanities at people from the town square.’ ‘That guy did get arrested,’ my mom tells me. ‘Oh great, so the position is open.’”
One thing I did notice that was ironically hilarious to me is that Helen is the mother of Christina and Noelle and then the other family is Harriet who is the mother of Cassidy and Naomi LOL
This has become long winded, but I don’t give a hoot or a holler because I just loved this book sofucking much.
I’ll be forcing this into the hands of all of my friends, any acquaintances I encounter, and even the enemies that dare to cross my path because this book left me so daggum jolly and merry that I might as well.
IF YOURE SEEING THIS WHILE CONSIDERING READING THEN THIS IS ME CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATING YOU TO READ IT— SO NO MORE WORRYING ABOUT YOUR NEXT READ, I JUST ASSIGNED IT TO YOU.
BOOK REPORT FORM IN MY BIO READY FOR YOUR SUBMISSION. ( no, really— that’s a thing you can do if you’re interested )
"’Do you have sensitive skin?’
I ask, trailing my fingers along the divot between his pecs.
‘It's sensitive to whatever your fingers are doing right now,’"
OH OKAY GOT IT
From the moment Nick called Noelle criminal for the first time I was done for. There was no turning back for me.
I feel so incredibly lucky to have read this arc. This book was by and large one my faaaavorite Christmas romances of all time. It’s so well done I am floored. This gives Hallmark Movie in all of the best ways and none of the bad ways. I really mean that.
The backstory for our main characters felt fleshed out just enough to influence them and their choices without it being something that seemed oversold or repetitive. This may seem small, but it is such a huge achievement because I have seen this done poorly time and time and time and time again.
The grumpy x sunshine trope here felt more dynamic than just that because they had such nuanced and real personalities that it didn’t feel tropey in a sense that one person was just always grumpy and one person was just always sunshine. They seemed like real people with a proclivity for behaving in a glass half full or glass half empty sort of way.
The freaking banter, bro?!
Spectacular, give me 14 of ‘em right now.
These characters did sarcasm and banter in a way that I feared Ally had been listening in on conversations in my own household for inspiration.
“‘Before we know it, I'll be overcorrecting and shouting profanities at people from the town square.’ ‘That guy did get arrested,’ my mom tells me. ‘Oh great, so the position is open.’”
One thing I did notice that was ironically hilarious to me is that Helen is the mother of Christina and Noelle and then the other family is Harriet who is the mother of Cassidy and Naomi LOL
This has become long winded, but I don’t give a hoot or a holler because I just loved this book so
I’ll be forcing this into the hands of all of my friends, any acquaintances I encounter, and even the enemies that dare to cross my path because this book left me so daggum jolly and merry that I might as well.
IF YOURE SEEING THIS WHILE CONSIDERING READING THEN THIS IS ME CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATING YOU TO READ IT— SO NO MORE WORRYING ABOUT YOUR NEXT READ, I JUST ASSIGNED IT TO YOU.
BOOK REPORT FORM IN MY BIO READY FOR YOUR SUBMISSION. ( no, really— that’s a thing you can do if you’re interested )
December 27, 2024
A hot math teacher who looks like Clark Kent and a girl who hates Christmas but her name is literally Noelle 😭
I loved this....it was cute and had an actual plot instead of just smut!!!!!! It had me giggling at night and wishing it never ended
I loved this....it was cute and had an actual plot instead of just smut!!!!!! It had me giggling at night and wishing it never ended
October 28, 2024
This was super cute! I liked the concept of Noelle (who dislikes the holiday season) doing community service with Nick, who loves the holiday season and it being the start of their love story. It was just the right amount of holiday/Christmas vibes, too!! The characters were all fantastic and I loved Noelle and Nick's banter (and the spice was on point!!).
I gave it a 4/5 because I think I struggled a bit with the family dynamics. I understand why it really fed into Noelle's dislike of the holidays, but it felt a little too much for me at times. I don't know, I don't think it was *horrible*, just felt like a lot by the time we were done. But, as usual with these types of things, I think it's personal preference. I know the purpose, I see the purpose.
Really fun, really cute holiday read. Great work by Ally, yet again!!! Thank you for allowing me to part of your ARC team!
I gave it a 4/5 because I think I struggled a bit with the family dynamics. I understand why it really fed into Noelle's dislike of the holidays, but it felt a little too much for me at times. I don't know, I don't think it was *horrible*, just felt like a lot by the time we were done. But, as usual with these types of things, I think it's personal preference. I know the purpose, I see the purpose.
Really fun, really cute holiday read. Great work by Ally, yet again!!! Thank you for allowing me to part of your ARC team!
November 7, 2024
Tropes:
-holiday romance
-forced proximity
-dual POV
-found family
-grumpy x sunshine
-small town
-banter
-strangers to lovers
I have read a few of Ally’s books and have loved them all. She has a way of making romance stories different than what you would traditionally read. They always feel like more. This was the perfect Christmas romance story. It had everything I would want my Christmas with my family to be: traditions, laughter, and love. The small town made me think of Stars Hollow, so naturally, I loved it. I felt like I was in the story.
Noelle gets sentenced to community service after egging a house in the small town where she grew up. She has done her best to avoid this town due to past trauma and feeling unwanted. She is forced to spend more time in the place she hates but finds some reprieve in the sexy math teacher, Nick.
I had a permanent smile for 95% of this book. There were puns and delicious banter. The math teacher is a filthy talker in the bedroom. The side characters are everything. There was so much depth to them all. I laughed out loud multiple times throughout as well. I can’t tell you enough how heart-warming this book was.
You can read this on KU right now. You don’t want to miss out on this one. It is so worth the read.
Quotes:
I've always loved how libraries are set up. Endless words and information at your fingertips surrounding you like a threat but whispering with invitation. The ability to learn or read almost anything. Stories and characters you'd never otherwise experience. Hobbies that are completely foreign to you until you flip through a few pages of a book.
"Yeah, I bet you have fun outside school by, like, calculating an exact twenty percent tip anytime you eat out."
Oh god. And now I'm thinking about him eating me out.
And taking twenty percent of his tip. To start, at least.
“All I’m saying is there comes a point in life where you have to accept your body as it is. There is nothing wrong with changing your body if that’s something that you want, but don’t do it because someone else called you a mean name. That has everything to do with who they are as a person on the inside and very little to do with who you are at all.”
“But unless you can find a way to accept yourself now, you can make all the improvements in the world and it’ll never make a difference.”
"Drink your wine and fluff your branch."
"Now all I can think about is every naughty tree euphemism I've ever heard. I mean, 'fluff your branch’? Mr. Monroe, the children!"
-holiday romance
-forced proximity
-dual POV
-found family
-grumpy x sunshine
-small town
-banter
-strangers to lovers
I have read a few of Ally’s books and have loved them all. She has a way of making romance stories different than what you would traditionally read. They always feel like more. This was the perfect Christmas romance story. It had everything I would want my Christmas with my family to be: traditions, laughter, and love. The small town made me think of Stars Hollow, so naturally, I loved it. I felt like I was in the story.
Noelle gets sentenced to community service after egging a house in the small town where she grew up. She has done her best to avoid this town due to past trauma and feeling unwanted. She is forced to spend more time in the place she hates but finds some reprieve in the sexy math teacher, Nick.
I had a permanent smile for 95% of this book. There were puns and delicious banter. The math teacher is a filthy talker in the bedroom. The side characters are everything. There was so much depth to them all. I laughed out loud multiple times throughout as well. I can’t tell you enough how heart-warming this book was.
You can read this on KU right now. You don’t want to miss out on this one. It is so worth the read.
Quotes:
I've always loved how libraries are set up. Endless words and information at your fingertips surrounding you like a threat but whispering with invitation. The ability to learn or read almost anything. Stories and characters you'd never otherwise experience. Hobbies that are completely foreign to you until you flip through a few pages of a book.
"Yeah, I bet you have fun outside school by, like, calculating an exact twenty percent tip anytime you eat out."
Oh god. And now I'm thinking about him eating me out.
And taking twenty percent of his tip. To start, at least.
“All I’m saying is there comes a point in life where you have to accept your body as it is. There is nothing wrong with changing your body if that’s something that you want, but don’t do it because someone else called you a mean name. That has everything to do with who they are as a person on the inside and very little to do with who you are at all.”
“But unless you can find a way to accept yourself now, you can make all the improvements in the world and it’ll never make a difference.”
"Drink your wine and fluff your branch."
"Now all I can think about is every naughty tree euphemism I've ever heard. I mean, 'fluff your branch’? Mr. Monroe, the children!"
October 31, 2024
I’m not a huge romance kind of gal but let me tell you. This book was so cute and so perfect for the holiday season! I absolutely loved the whole concept of the book. It’s definitely a romance book but I also feel like the book had a lot of advice that any of us can take during certain situations in life. It definitely had me thinking about how I can look at things differently and more positively. I loved loved the ending, I was super content and happy with it. I will say that the first half of the book was a little slow and the chapters seemed long but I’m glad I continued it because it’s such a well written book!
November 5, 2024
"Goodnight, Criminal." She rolls her eyes as she tugs her car door open and slips inside. "Goodnight, Saint Nick."
This small town, grumpy/sunshine in reverse romcom was just what I needed to kick off the Christmas season! I laughed, I cried, I got a strong urge to egg a few people’s houses. Noelle was spunky and caring and awesome. Nick was kind and generous with a mischievous streak. Seriously, why were there no math teachers like him when I was in high school? I loved how dedicated Nick was to his students and to the community. This was such a “meet cute” story and I loved every moment of their relationship, from strangers with Nick overseeing Noelle’s community service to friends to realizing they loved each other! Noelle has an amazing family and I was in awe of how tolerant and just how her mom went above and beyond (iykyk and if you don’t, READ THE BOOK!). Her dad is garbage but I loved almost every other character. I often joke that I may not watch Hallmark movies, but I read them, and this book fits the bill in all of the best ways! Christmas Criminal needs to be on your TBR for this holiday season!
This small town, grumpy/sunshine in reverse romcom was just what I needed to kick off the Christmas season! I laughed, I cried, I got a strong urge to egg a few people’s houses. Noelle was spunky and caring and awesome. Nick was kind and generous with a mischievous streak. Seriously, why were there no math teachers like him when I was in high school? I loved how dedicated Nick was to his students and to the community. This was such a “meet cute” story and I loved every moment of their relationship, from strangers with Nick overseeing Noelle’s community service to friends to realizing they loved each other! Noelle has an amazing family and I was in awe of how tolerant and just how her mom went above and beyond (iykyk and if you don’t, READ THE BOOK!). Her dad is garbage but I loved almost every other character. I often joke that I may not watch Hallmark movies, but I read them, and this book fits the bill in all of the best ways! Christmas Criminal needs to be on your TBR for this holiday season!
November 3, 2024
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was the perfect Christmas rom com! Small town teacher meets prickly FMC. Super sweet story, real characters that are relatable, and a HEA ending. The slow burn 🔥 was just enough build up but didn’t keep you waiting the entire story for the spice. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ I loved the “criminal” aspect of the story and the secondary romance between the FMC’s mom and the town sheriff.
November 1, 2024
Thank you to the author, Ally Williams, for gifting me an ARC of Christmas Criminal! This is my genuine, honest, unbiased review.
This book genuinely left you feeling like a cozy Christmas morning under a blanket sharing a good cup of coffee with your loved ones. The characters, Nick & Noelle, felt so real & raw. Their banter had me giggling throughout the entire book!I really appreciated the uniqueness of the storyline. This was probably my 12th Christmas novel this month alone but the only one where I felt like “this is new & different & fun”. I love any romance that doesn’t have a third act break up. (My bleeding heart just can’t handle it. LOL) I found myself even loving these side characters she developed through the book & just wanting more of them too. The romance progressed at the perfect speed to keep me interested & yearning for more on every page. It was really hard to put this book down to get anything else done in my life. HIGHLY recommend everyone to set a calendar reminder to get this book immediately when it releases on November 1st!!
This book genuinely left you feeling like a cozy Christmas morning under a blanket sharing a good cup of coffee with your loved ones. The characters, Nick & Noelle, felt so real & raw. Their banter had me giggling throughout the entire book!I really appreciated the uniqueness of the storyline. This was probably my 12th Christmas novel this month alone but the only one where I felt like “this is new & different & fun”. I love any romance that doesn’t have a third act break up. (My bleeding heart just can’t handle it. LOL) I found myself even loving these side characters she developed through the book & just wanting more of them too. The romance progressed at the perfect speed to keep me interested & yearning for more on every page. It was really hard to put this book down to get anything else done in my life. HIGHLY recommend everyone to set a calendar reminder to get this book immediately when it releases on November 1st!!
December 11, 2024
I was happy to receive an ARC of this book! Nick and Noelle have a charged relationship together, giving forced proximity with cute banter. As a teacher, I absolutely adored the dorky teacher demeanor with an unveiled spicy side 😈. Definitely keeping it real!
This was a perfect escapism holiday romance, and I loved the full-circle plot line. Noelle was a great grumpy FMC.
This was a perfect escapism holiday romance, and I loved the full-circle plot line. Noelle was a great grumpy FMC.
November 26, 2024
For someone who’s not into Hallmark movies and adamantly waits until after Thanksgiving to put up the tree, I LOVED this Christmas romance! The slow burn and banter were done very well. Although, as a teacher myself, I do have to say I could’ve done without all of the “hot teacher” jokes — no matter how hot Nick was hahaha I would love to see more from Snow Falls, too. Can we have a sequel where Christina finds love? How about Harriet? By the way, I definitely picked up on Helen-Harriet, Noelle-Naomi, and Christina-Cassidy. Their dad is such a stand-up guy, isn’t he (eye roll). I know lots of my friends would eat this story up like some scrambled eggs (see what I did there?) — it’s on Kindle Unlimited! Now, I feel ready for the holidays.
I received Christmas Criminal as an ARC and have written this review voluntarily.
I received Christmas Criminal as an ARC and have written this review voluntarily.
November 12, 2024
After getting caught egging her dad's house, Noelle is sentenced to community service in her hometown during the holiday season. The town sheriff asks the town sweetheart, and the math teacher at her old high school to facilitate her community service hours. Nick spends his free time helping Noelle meet her community service hours by planning holiday activities, including helping with the high school Christmas float and building huts for the winter market downtown. While working off her hours, Noelle is forced to face her old high school trauma and deal with her no-show dad, who just happens to pop up whenever she turns around with his new family this year. She spends her days helping the community and flirting with Nick, who is determined to do his best to stay professional until her hours are up. As Noelle starts to get into the holiday spirit and realizes all she wants for Christmas is Nick.
This book is the perfect cozy romance to kick off the holiday season! I absolutely love the banter between Noelle and Nick. I enjoyed Noelle’s character growth as she spent time in her hometown with Nick. As she improved herself and her mental health around all the trauma that affected her during high school, between bullies and her parent's divorce, I fell more in love with her character. The family dynamics were so complex but really created the story for me. I love the relationships Noelle has with her mom and sister. Nick and Noelle are the perfect match for understanding and healing each other. I love Noelle’s sassy flirting and the way Nick not only understands her but goes out of his way to make her comfortable. This book set me up with the cozy holiday vibes that I was looking for.
Thank you Ally Williams for an ARC copy of Christmas Criminal!
This book is the perfect cozy romance to kick off the holiday season! I absolutely love the banter between Noelle and Nick. I enjoyed Noelle’s character growth as she spent time in her hometown with Nick. As she improved herself and her mental health around all the trauma that affected her during high school, between bullies and her parent's divorce, I fell more in love with her character. The family dynamics were so complex but really created the story for me. I love the relationships Noelle has with her mom and sister. Nick and Noelle are the perfect match for understanding and healing each other. I love Noelle’s sassy flirting and the way Nick not only understands her but goes out of his way to make her comfortable. This book set me up with the cozy holiday vibes that I was looking for.
Thank you Ally Williams for an ARC copy of Christmas Criminal!
October 31, 2024
“𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝑜𝓉 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝑒𝒶𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒮𝓊𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓂𝒶𝓃.”
Once I started this I could not put it down and finished it in a day. This was such a great fun rom-com read even though it is Christmas based I would read it year round. This is hallmark with curse words and spice.
I loved every moment of Noelle she is unapologetically herself zero-f’s given is how you can describe her. She is doing “community service” for egging her father’s house and she has no regrets except it wasn’t 2 dozen. In community service her facilitator is Nick or Saint Nick.
Nick is the sweet math teacher who looks like Superman with glasses he loves Christmas and in most ways opposite of Noelle. Don’t let the sweetness fool you this man’s mouth can get filthy quickly. When these two come together the banter, the connection is very instant and you are rooting for them right away. There are a few push and pull moments between them.
This is just a fun all around story and Hank is a star as well as Noelle’s mom and sister the bond they have amazing.
—What to Expect—
🥚Spicy Christmas Rom-Com
🥚Grinch (Her) X Cindy Lou (Him)
🥚Small Town
🥚Strangers to Lovers
🥚Fake Dating-ish
🥚Forced Proximity
🥚Found Family
🥚Egg Puns
🥚Spicy Math Teacher
~~Quote~~
🎄I want more and I have that it’s on the tip of my fingers and I can’t reach out and take it.
🎄Wow is it hot out here or is that a math teacher with a filthy mouth?
Once I started this I could not put it down and finished it in a day. This was such a great fun rom-com read even though it is Christmas based I would read it year round. This is hallmark with curse words and spice.
I loved every moment of Noelle she is unapologetically herself zero-f’s given is how you can describe her. She is doing “community service” for egging her father’s house and she has no regrets except it wasn’t 2 dozen. In community service her facilitator is Nick or Saint Nick.
Nick is the sweet math teacher who looks like Superman with glasses he loves Christmas and in most ways opposite of Noelle. Don’t let the sweetness fool you this man’s mouth can get filthy quickly. When these two come together the banter, the connection is very instant and you are rooting for them right away. There are a few push and pull moments between them.
This is just a fun all around story and Hank is a star as well as Noelle’s mom and sister the bond they have amazing.
—What to Expect—
🥚Spicy Christmas Rom-Com
🥚Grinch (Her) X Cindy Lou (Him)
🥚Small Town
🥚Strangers to Lovers
🥚Fake Dating-ish
🥚Forced Proximity
🥚Found Family
🥚Egg Puns
🥚Spicy Math Teacher
~~Quote~~
🎄I want more and I have that it’s on the tip of my fingers and I can’t reach out and take it.
🎄Wow is it hot out here or is that a math teacher with a filthy mouth?
November 2, 2024
Small town holiday romance? Check.
Golden retriever, glasses wearing, holiday loving math teacher? Check.
Black cat, can't wait to leave, successful Grinch? Check.
Lots of spice? Check!
Community service? Uhhh, check?
Christmas CriminaI by @authorallywilliams is a fun, sweet, holiday romance where the heroine is a Grinch who committed a minor crime and her punishment is community service overseen by a holiday loving math teacher at the high school she has only bad memories of. Noelle and Nick have chemistry from the start, but I really enjoyed how they got to know each other and bond before taking things to the next level. Their banter was wonderful, and I was giggling so hard at Nick trying to remain a professional, responsible teacher while Noelle cursed and gave questionable advice to teenagers. I loved how they supported and helped each other, Nick helping Noelle make peace with her past and Noelle showing Nick that he wasn't stoic and unemotional.
Helping a troubled teenager find his place in the world? Wonderful. Hiding under a table from deadbeat fathers and student parents? Hilarious. Egging houses and unwrapping toilet paper on Christmas Day? Perfect.
Their Christmas Day was not something you'd see in a Hallmark movie, but it was nonetheless heartwarming, touching, and quite funny anyway. The same could be said about the entire book. I truly loved Nick and Noelle as a pair and the cast of supporting characters was fabulous. If you're looking for a fun, heartfelt, holiday read with a bit of spice and 2 dozen eggs, then I highly suggest this one!
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Golden retriever, glasses wearing, holiday loving math teacher? Check.
Black cat, can't wait to leave, successful Grinch? Check.
Lots of spice? Check!
Community service? Uhhh, check?
Christmas CriminaI by @authorallywilliams is a fun, sweet, holiday romance where the heroine is a Grinch who committed a minor crime and her punishment is community service overseen by a holiday loving math teacher at the high school she has only bad memories of. Noelle and Nick have chemistry from the start, but I really enjoyed how they got to know each other and bond before taking things to the next level. Their banter was wonderful, and I was giggling so hard at Nick trying to remain a professional, responsible teacher while Noelle cursed and gave questionable advice to teenagers. I loved how they supported and helped each other, Nick helping Noelle make peace with her past and Noelle showing Nick that he wasn't stoic and unemotional.
Helping a troubled teenager find his place in the world? Wonderful. Hiding under a table from deadbeat fathers and student parents? Hilarious. Egging houses and unwrapping toilet paper on Christmas Day? Perfect.
Their Christmas Day was not something you'd see in a Hallmark movie, but it was nonetheless heartwarming, touching, and quite funny anyway. The same could be said about the entire book. I truly loved Nick and Noelle as a pair and the cast of supporting characters was fabulous. If you're looking for a fun, heartfelt, holiday read with a bit of spice and 2 dozen eggs, then I highly suggest this one!
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 22, 2024
Christmas Criminal by Ally Williams is a small-town holiday romance with a healthy dose of community service and… eggs?
Nick, Christmas lover and high school math teacher, is given the task of overseeing Noelle's community service after a particularly yolked up situation. Noelle is forced to face her past and the holiday cheer that she despises. But with Nick by her side, maybe Noelle can overcome the grudge that she holds with her hometown and grow her Grinch heart three sizes bigger.
This book had me hooked from the start! This was the first book I have read by Ally Williams and I am mad at myself for not finding her work sooner! Christmas Criminal has the perfect fluff to plot to spice ratio. It’s like a Hallmark movie but with ✨substance✨. Williams was able to pace this holiday romance perfectly, still giving it that slow burn feel while also having me laughing out loud at the banter and questionable situations the characters were getting themselves into. Noelle's storyline was real and substantial and so enjoyable to follow along with as she grew throughout the story. Nick wasn't just some fluffy love interest, but an admirer yearning for Noelle to achieve greatness within herself and there to aid her along the way.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is perfect to get the reader into the holiday spirit while still leaving them with a enriched storyline of growth and empowerment. Thank you to Ally Williams for the opportunity to review the ARC of Christmas Criminal!
Nick, Christmas lover and high school math teacher, is given the task of overseeing Noelle's community service after a particularly yolked up situation. Noelle is forced to face her past and the holiday cheer that she despises. But with Nick by her side, maybe Noelle can overcome the grudge that she holds with her hometown and grow her Grinch heart three sizes bigger.
This book had me hooked from the start! This was the first book I have read by Ally Williams and I am mad at myself for not finding her work sooner! Christmas Criminal has the perfect fluff to plot to spice ratio. It’s like a Hallmark movie but with ✨substance✨. Williams was able to pace this holiday romance perfectly, still giving it that slow burn feel while also having me laughing out loud at the banter and questionable situations the characters were getting themselves into. Noelle's storyline was real and substantial and so enjoyable to follow along with as she grew throughout the story. Nick wasn't just some fluffy love interest, but an admirer yearning for Noelle to achieve greatness within herself and there to aid her along the way.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is perfect to get the reader into the holiday spirit while still leaving them with a enriched storyline of growth and empowerment. Thank you to Ally Williams for the opportunity to review the ARC of Christmas Criminal!
November 3, 2024
4.5 stars
If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good, lightly spicy holiday story, I have the perfect book for you.
This is the second book I’ve been lucky enough to beta read for Ally Williams. The first book I loved so when the opportunity to do it again came up I didn’t hesitate. And then I got the beta version of this book and it was fine but it wasn’t as great as I was expecting. I gave my honest feedback as I read, as did the other beta readers, and Ally made some minor adjustments that made a huge improvement to the story. I just read through the arc copy and it’s delightful.
Noelle is a grump and Nick is sunshine. She has reasons for being grumpy, though, and the consequences of them lead to her spending time with Nick. I love their relationship, their banter, the way they interact even at the beginning when they’re not friends yet. It never feels mean.
Noelle is dealing with some pretty complicated family dynamics. It would be easy for Nick to look at things through the filter of his own situation (no spoilers) and push too hard, but he’s respectful. Maybe that’s what I appreciate about their relationship - the underlying respect.
I watch even fewer Christmas movies than Noelle, but if I was turning on the Hallmark channel I would be happy if the Christmas movie was a lot like this book.
If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good, lightly spicy holiday story, I have the perfect book for you.
This is the second book I’ve been lucky enough to beta read for Ally Williams. The first book I loved so when the opportunity to do it again came up I didn’t hesitate. And then I got the beta version of this book and it was fine but it wasn’t as great as I was expecting. I gave my honest feedback as I read, as did the other beta readers, and Ally made some minor adjustments that made a huge improvement to the story. I just read through the arc copy and it’s delightful.
Noelle is a grump and Nick is sunshine. She has reasons for being grumpy, though, and the consequences of them lead to her spending time with Nick. I love their relationship, their banter, the way they interact even at the beginning when they’re not friends yet. It never feels mean.
Noelle is dealing with some pretty complicated family dynamics. It would be easy for Nick to look at things through the filter of his own situation (no spoilers) and push too hard, but he’s respectful. Maybe that’s what I appreciate about their relationship - the underlying respect.
I watch even fewer Christmas movies than Noelle, but if I was turning on the Hallmark channel I would be happy if the Christmas movie was a lot like this book.
October 24, 2024
I received this book as an ARC Review!
First things first, Noelle is a mood, gotta love a girl who takes vengeance into her own hands. I love how she so unapologetically herself but also has a softer side. While she may be a bit of a Grinch, that doesn't stop her from doing her best for her family. Most of the lines that had me laughing out loud were from her, some I've even considered using myself given the situation. Nick was such a cinnamon roll. He respected Noelle and her decisions and was protective when he needed to be. Also who wouldn't love a dirty talking math teacher who looks like Clark Kent? Overall, this book was eggcellent and a really nice quick read. I had so much fun reading it and can't say it didn't make me eggcited for Christmas.
What I loved:
❤️Egg puns
❤️Christmas
❤️Spicy Math Teacher
First things first, Noelle is a mood, gotta love a girl who takes vengeance into her own hands. I love how she so unapologetically herself but also has a softer side. While she may be a bit of a Grinch, that doesn't stop her from doing her best for her family. Most of the lines that had me laughing out loud were from her, some I've even considered using myself given the situation. Nick was such a cinnamon roll. He respected Noelle and her decisions and was protective when he needed to be. Also who wouldn't love a dirty talking math teacher who looks like Clark Kent? Overall, this book was eggcellent and a really nice quick read. I had so much fun reading it and can't say it didn't make me eggcited for Christmas.
What I loved:
❤️Egg puns
❤️Christmas
❤️Spicy Math Teacher
November 23, 2024
So glad I have found this author this year. This is another great novel from Ally Williams. I enjoy the realistic issues that these characters go through. I especially identified with the feeling of struggles from high school, you really never know what another person has gone through and each of the main characters felt like an outsider in a different way. It highlighted the differences/similarities that we all go through in life. Nick and Noelle's relationship was beautiful and did not feel forced. Both Nick and Noelle found the acceptance and love they didn't even know they were looking for. The side characters helped moved the story along and each had their own special moments. Cannot wait to read more ☺️
Thank you to the author Ally Williams for this ARC.
Thank you to the author Ally Williams for this ARC.
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November 10, 2024ARC Review
Tis the season for Christmas reads! Earlier this week, I finished Christmas Criminal by Ally Williams. This was a short, fun holiday read that follows Noelle, who has been given community service for egging her father's house. She is assigned to help Nick, the high school math teacher, with school related projects. Noelle & Nick cannot fight the growing attraction between them, but Noelle plans to get as far from this small town as she can. Will Nick be enough to make her stay?
This had many tropes I love: small town romance, fake dating, and, of course, some spicy. I definitely recommend if you are looking for a cute, Xmas novel! This book is out now!
Thanks to Ally Williams for the ARC.
Tis the season for Christmas reads! Earlier this week, I finished Christmas Criminal by Ally Williams. This was a short, fun holiday read that follows Noelle, who has been given community service for egging her father's house. She is assigned to help Nick, the high school math teacher, with school related projects. Noelle & Nick cannot fight the growing attraction between them, but Noelle plans to get as far from this small town as she can. Will Nick be enough to make her stay?
This had many tropes I love: small town romance, fake dating, and, of course, some spicy. I definitely recommend if you are looking for a cute, Xmas novel! This book is out now!
Thanks to Ally Williams for the ARC.
October 22, 2024
A special thanks to Ally Williams for providing an ARC of “Christmas Criminal.”
Going to try my best to review this without revealing any spoilers.
Ally Williams delivers a very fun, cutesy book that will warm your heart like a bowl of egg drop soup on a chilly winter day (get used to the egg jokes in this one).
Included is just enough spice to keep it interesting, but not overkill- as in there’s actually a plot.
The story is cute, punny, and you’ll laugh alongside the characters. The characters are very relatable and so are the situations that they are going through. The story all ties together nicely- no loose ends.
This feels similar to a feel-good hallmark movie. Complete with love, lust, personal growth, revenge-ish situations, and a happy ending.
Going to try my best to review this without revealing any spoilers.
Ally Williams delivers a very fun, cutesy book that will warm your heart like a bowl of egg drop soup on a chilly winter day (get used to the egg jokes in this one).
Included is just enough spice to keep it interesting, but not overkill- as in there’s actually a plot.
The story is cute, punny, and you’ll laugh alongside the characters. The characters are very relatable and so are the situations that they are going through. The story all ties together nicely- no loose ends.
This feels similar to a feel-good hallmark movie. Complete with love, lust, personal growth, revenge-ish situations, and a happy ending.
November 1, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ for me
This is a cute holiday read. The concept is so fun, and the storyline hits hard. Noelle is hilarious, I felt an immediate draw to her black cat attitude. Nick is the ultimate golden retriever, and I loved how her helped
Noelle to stand up for herself in the end.
A lot of this story revolves around absentee parents during the holidays and I certainly feel seen in that aspect.
I love that noella and nick seem like complete opposites but actually work really well together.
Thank you Ally for the ARC!
This is a cute holiday read. The concept is so fun, and the storyline hits hard. Noelle is hilarious, I felt an immediate draw to her black cat attitude. Nick is the ultimate golden retriever, and I loved how her helped
Noelle to stand up for herself in the end.
A lot of this story revolves around absentee parents during the holidays and I certainly feel seen in that aspect.
I love that noella and nick seem like complete opposites but actually work really well together.
Thank you Ally for the ARC!
November 1, 2024
This was such a fun holiday romance! It was as sweet as a Hallmark Christmas movie, but with some added spice 🌶️.
I thought the characters were well developed and I really enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine dynamic that MCs had. Often times it can feel like a character is grumpy just for the sake of the trope, but I felt like Noelle actually had a personality that was relatable and I understood her disposition. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter in this book! I was laughing out loud at a lot of the exchanges, and I was very much a fan of the reoccurring threats of egging houses. If you are a fan of holiday romances I have no doubt that you’ll enjoy this one!
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I thought the characters were well developed and I really enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine dynamic that MCs had. Often times it can feel like a character is grumpy just for the sake of the trope, but I felt like Noelle actually had a personality that was relatable and I understood her disposition. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter in this book! I was laughing out loud at a lot of the exchanges, and I was very much a fan of the reoccurring threats of egging houses. If you are a fan of holiday romances I have no doubt that you’ll enjoy this one!
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 3, 2024
This book was laugh out loud funny! It was so swoon worthy! Nick understands and appreciates Noelle so much! They have tension and chemistry and the slow burn was worth the spice! 🥵🥵🥵🥵 Thank you to the author Ally for the ARC!
I say 4.5 stars! I was torn between a 4 and 5. I take .5 a star away because the Daddy drama could have been a little less of the plot. However without it the story would not have been complete!
I just love Nick and Noelle! This will be a reread for me! I need Teddy Hamilton to Narrate Nick in the audiobook! 🤣🤣
I say 4.5 stars! I was torn between a 4 and 5. I take .5 a star away because the Daddy drama could have been a little less of the plot. However without it the story would not have been complete!
I just love Nick and Noelle! This will be a reread for me! I need Teddy Hamilton to Narrate Nick in the audiobook! 🤣🤣
November 5, 2024
This book definitely put me in the Christmas spirit! There wasn’t anything that I didn’t like about it.
Nick and Noelle are just couple goals. I could not get enough of their banter and the chemistry between them was off the charts. I loved seeing their relationship develop and grow throughout the book. I just loved everything about them.
I really loved that there was no third act breakup! It was very refreshing to witness these characters develop a healthy relationship!
Thank you so much to the author for an advance copy of this novel!
Nick and Noelle are just couple goals. I could not get enough of their banter and the chemistry between them was off the charts. I loved seeing their relationship develop and grow throughout the book. I just loved everything about them.
I really loved that there was no third act breakup! It was very refreshing to witness these characters develop a healthy relationship!
Thank you so much to the author for an advance copy of this novel!
November 1, 2024
Bad boy with the hots for a female teacher?? NOPE, put that thang down flip it and reverse it!!
Noelle let her emotions get the best of her. So a dozen eggs later, she finds herself back at her old high school with some community service hours to fulfill with a hot math teacher (who didn’t have a crush on At least one teacher?!)
Noelle is such a strong FMC that I guarantee a lot of us can relate to! I loved reading this book and watching the story line evolve! Not to mention the banter was hilarious and the spice was spicing!!
Must read this holiday season!!
Noelle let her emotions get the best of her. So a dozen eggs later, she finds herself back at her old high school with some community service hours to fulfill with a hot math teacher (who didn’t have a crush on At least one teacher?!)
Noelle is such a strong FMC that I guarantee a lot of us can relate to! I loved reading this book and watching the story line evolve! Not to mention the banter was hilarious and the spice was spicing!!
Must read this holiday season!!
November 3, 2024
Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
4⭐️2🌶️
Nick and Noelle’s story was super charming and gave all the warm fuzzy feelings. It was a super cozy and light read. I would pick this book up if I was looking for funny banter and HEA.
The reason this book wasn’t 5 stars for me was because I like the conflicts of a book to have more depth - BUT for those that enjoy a simply happy book, this is for you.
4⭐️2🌶️
Nick and Noelle’s story was super charming and gave all the warm fuzzy feelings. It was a super cozy and light read. I would pick this book up if I was looking for funny banter and HEA.
The reason this book wasn’t 5 stars for me was because I like the conflicts of a book to have more depth - BUT for those that enjoy a simply happy book, this is for you.
December 1, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book and am now sad it took so long to get to!
I’ve read two other books by Ally Williams that I didn’t love, and I’m not a big Christmas themed reader, so I was skeptical going into this one. Holy moley was I surprised! I loved this book! I found myself relating to Noelle so much and Nick was adorable. I found Ally’s writing to have improved. The plot was fun and believable.
I’ll definitely be passing this one along to my book buddies!
I’ve read two other books by Ally Williams that I didn’t love, and I’m not a big Christmas themed reader, so I was skeptical going into this one. Holy moley was I surprised! I loved this book! I found myself relating to Noelle so much and Nick was adorable. I found Ally’s writing to have improved. The plot was fun and believable.
I’ll definitely be passing this one along to my book buddies!
October 27, 2024
"Christmas Criminal" is a cute holiday romance with a fun twist—the guy’s the nerdy goody two shoes, while the girl's the troublemaker! I loved the reminder to stand up for yourself but do it in the right way. Overall, it’s a short, cute read with a sweet message perfect to get you into the holiday spirit!
November 3, 2024
This was such a cute story. I loved the spice level and the banter!
The pet names were super cute.
I loved seeing the FMC really come into her own. The backing of her family was amazing, but her growth in her own right was worth witnessing.
Kind of a slow burn to start but after I hit 30% I finished the rest of the book in a single day.
Great book and worth the read!
Received this story as an ARC and I’d definitely read again!
The pet names were super cute.
I loved seeing the FMC really come into her own. The backing of her family was amazing, but her growth in her own right was worth witnessing.
Kind of a slow burn to start but after I hit 30% I finished the rest of the book in a single day.
Great book and worth the read!
Received this story as an ARC and I’d definitely read again!
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