Frosty Beginnings: A Holiday Romance

by Lesanda Moore

Shatori Banks is just trying to get her son a last-minute haircut when she bursts into Ralph Marshall’s barber shop. Ralph, a bachelor who’s sworn off relationships, is thrown by the instant connection he feels with Shatori.

When his car doesn’t start, she offers him a ride to his parents’ house, sparking an unexpected journey. As their lives intertwine over the holiday season, Ralph begins to reconsider his bachelor ways, while Shatori wonders if she’s ready to open her heart again.

In Frosty Beginnings, the magic of Christmas brings two guarded souls together, proving that love can bloom even in the coldest of winters.

Genres: Christmas

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2024

About the author

Ever since I was a kid, I've enjoyed both reading and writing. I love to get lost in a story, whether it's by another author or one of my own. I create stories about the Black experience.

I write in multiple genres, which include stories for both children and adults.

If you're looking for a page-turner, then you've come to the right place.

Connect with me on social media:
Tiktok: @lesandamoore
Faceboook @Lesanda Moore
Instagram @lesanda_moore

Reviews

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fate, Serendipity, or just plain coincidence? Hmmm....
Tori was in a rut in life and in her career, right in time for Christmas. She was frustrated with her son's father's inability to stay out of jail, and her creativity was blocked as far as her content creation. Maybe the trip to her sister's house for the holidays will help with her inspiration.

Ralph is now finding his footing after overcoming a tough situation, that he has still not forgiven himself for. However, going to school and thriving in the barbershop, things are looking up in every aspect except his love life. His friends with benefits situation is growing old, so maybe it's just time to fly solo.

When Tori flies into Ralph's barbershop right at closing, he is not pleased but gives her a break and cuts her son's hair. When his car won't start, and Tori offers him a ride, he wonders why he accepted. I don't know this woman, but something told him to trust the process.

Tori quickly offers him a ride as her good deed, and she is going that way anyway. Let the holiday magic begin. In their two hour ride they become more acquainted and do not want to leave each other when they reach Ralph's parents. When Ralph offers Tori and her son a room for the night, she is hesitant but intrigued. Although Tori needs to get to her sister's house for Christmas, she doesn't want to leave Ralph. He is not helping the situation by being so kind, and charming.

Both Ralph and Tori get out of their own way and let love in. Cute read.

[Jaleesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new beginning

This was a quick read and my first from this author. It had everything you’d want in a Christmas story. Two characters who could use a little extra happiness, family, a Christmas play and of course LOVE. Shatori and Ralph had chemistry and watching them try to fight it was fun. I hope she blocks Miracle, because Ralph would be a better daddy in my opinion. Looking forward to what this author writes in the future.

[_dulcekk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning, Again

3.5 ⭐️ “One hiccup doesn’t make you a bad person”. Ralph needed to hear this and accept it; you can’t change your past, you simply move forward & learn from it.
Ralph & Shatori were too cute! They both are hesitant to open themselves up but they take a chance and the end result is more than they could imagine. Simply, fate.

[Treasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute stranger-to-lover and forced proximity story with a gallant in distress

ShaTori (Tori) a single mother, entrepreneur and lifestyle coach preparing to take her son to visit his father in Pen before Christmas, when she realised her son needed to have a shape-up before seeing his father. She heads over to her usual barber shop to her surprise it was closed and noticed that most shops were closed. looking round in despair she noticed a barbershop which looked like it was still open. She raced in her son and asked the barber to line up her son
 
The handsome barber (Ralph) objects to her son sitting in the barber chair as he was wrapping up for day to head out of town to his family in Mahogany Falls. Tori pleads and offer to pay triple the price to get her son shaped up.

How can Ralph say no to this beautiful lady and her son? So he does his good deed of the year. This good deed lead to her doing another good deed in return when his car wouldn't start and was stranded outside his barber shop, Tori offers to take Ralph to Mahongy Falls after he take her son to see his day in jail.

This is where the journey starts for ShaTori and Ralph.

[Danielle Wright-Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frosty Beginnings: A Holiday Romance by Lesanda Moore

I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that was instant love but I want to explore more of it now.

Tori and Ralph had an instant connection. Almost too quick for me at first. But as I continued reading and the story continued I was convinced.

This was an easy read.
I loved the mention of Christmas music throughout the book….the relatable church activities that revolve around Christmas…real life scenarios of both main characters…

I did want a little more romance and wanted more Christmas activity happening.

Overall I enjoyed it.

[Authoress Nadia Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

Frosty Beginnings was such a great read! Shatori and Ralph’s story gave me all the feels. I loved going along for their ride as they explored their feelings. The family element added depth to the story that I really appreciated. I always gave a great time in Mahogany Falls. Lesanda is an excellent author and I find myself engulfed in her stories.

[Jacknthebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads like an OWN or BET Christmas movie. I loved this book. Both Tori and Ralph were relatable characters. Tori being a life coach was a nice change of careers for an FMC. I loved how she was with her son. She was so patient and loving. I was glad she put her foot down with her jailbird baby daddy. Ralph was scared to disappoint his parents, so he stayed away until he made them proud. His parents were amazing. They let him know that thrley loved him and was proud of him no matter what. Due to a last-minute haurcut, Ralph and Tori meet and end up being just what the other needs. I really enjoyed this story and want more from these characters.

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chill and sweet

This was a low angst, HFN, holiday themed romance. It was a little light on the romantic and holiday activities but I still enjoyed it. This is a new to me author and the first of the 12 days of Christmas and ok start.

[Nichole Hightower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Holiday novella

This story has it all: low angst, chemistry, tension, annoying baby daddy and LOVE. It was a very pleasant read.

[Books & Locs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute 🥰

[Dannireads17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Read

Short holiday read. Insta love. Single mom repaying a stranger’s good deed by giving him a ride home for the holiday.

[Sigourney Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Beginnings!

I truly enjoyed getting to know Tori and Ralph in this cute, Christmasy story. It had all the romance vibes of meeting and hooking up with a stranger. Although I wanted Ralph to go with her but glad they circled back around. Such a good holiday story. It kept my interest and although it's finished, I would love to hear the afterwards of their love story. Job well done! The secondary character I found funny and realistic was the momma, lol! Would recommend this holiday story!

[Shanae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lesanda Moore's Frosty Beginnings is a low angst, fast-paced forced proximity strangers to lovers HFN holiday-themed romance novella. Though the story is short, there's a decent amount of character development that helps get you invested in the characters. I think I would've appreciated a full length novel about Shatori, the FMC, and Ralph, the MMC. Lesanda Moore is a "new to me" author, but I'd check her catalog out for more low angst cozy romances.

Final rating: 3.5/5 stars

Spice rating: 1.5/5

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't stop reading

such a cute story that leaves me with romantic hope. Definitely going to find book 1 to read... Chefs kiss

[Tigger · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading a book by this author. I will look for others to read.
Enjoyed Ralph and Shatori's story.

[Cassandra Jerido · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book

A cute and quick read. I like the fact that there wasn’t any drama. Both Ralph and Tori were easygoing people which made it easy to root for them.