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Oak Ridge, #1.5
Heartstrings & Holidays: An Oak Ridge Christmas Novella
Take trip back to Oak Ridge for the holidays!
When a surprise snowstorm blankets Oak Ridge, Kentucky, Paige and Cade find themselves snowed in with a group of their closest friends. With nowhere else to go, and a holiday bucket list just begging to be checked twice, they embark on a series of heartwarming holiday adventures.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Oak Ridge, Archie and Rosie Sullivan, are also caught in the storm, but their cozy retreat is filled with nostalgia as they reflect on their remarkable love story spanning decades. From first kisses to second chances.
Join these two couples as we celebrate friendship, love, and the magic of the holiday season.
When a surprise snowstorm blankets Oak Ridge, Kentucky, Paige and Cade find themselves snowed in with a group of their closest friends. With nowhere else to go, and a holiday bucket list just begging to be checked twice, they embark on a series of heartwarming holiday adventures.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Oak Ridge, Archie and Rosie Sullivan, are also caught in the storm, but their cozy retreat is filled with nostalgia as they reflect on their remarkable love story spanning decades. From first kisses to second chances.
Join these two couples as we celebrate friendship, love, and the magic of the holiday season.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2024
14 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Willa Kay
10 books137 followersAuthor of heartwarming small town contemporary romance, Willa is a voracious reader turned writer living in Kentucky. Originally from Canada, she's a photographer by day, and a mom of two, married to her partner for 16 years. Willa's books blend small town swoon with delicious spice, and complex characters.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 rounded up)
I throughly enjoyed going back to Oak Ridge for my Christmas in July! Willa’s writing always pulls me in and keeps me engaged and entertained without fail.
This story is broken up into two parts. You also during part one get multiple povs which Willa did tastefully and it wasn’t confusing at all.
The first part of this story follow Paige, Cade, Miles, Mags, Ivy, Liam, Dean & Cara whom all get snowed in together. Paige decides while snowed in they can all check off list she has and do all the fun Christmas things! There is some high tension between some in particular Miles and Mags (whom have become my favorite and I can’t wait to read their story) but over all this group of friends deal with the tension well and of course there is spice!
Part two follows Rosie & Archie’s love story which is a sweet second chance at love. Beautifully told. You get the origin of Rosie’s Diner.
Willa knocked this short novella out of the park and didn’t miss with adding in tension, fun, banter & spice!
I throughly enjoyed going back to Oak Ridge for my Christmas in July! Willa’s writing always pulls me in and keeps me engaged and entertained without fail.
This story is broken up into two parts. You also during part one get multiple povs which Willa did tastefully and it wasn’t confusing at all.
The first part of this story follow Paige, Cade, Miles, Mags, Ivy, Liam, Dean & Cara whom all get snowed in together. Paige decides while snowed in they can all check off list she has and do all the fun Christmas things! There is some high tension between some in particular Miles and Mags (whom have become my favorite and I can’t wait to read their story) but over all this group of friends deal with the tension well and of course there is spice!
Part two follows Rosie & Archie’s love story which is a sweet second chance at love. Beautifully told. You get the origin of Rosie’s Diner.
Willa knocked this short novella out of the park and didn’t miss with adding in tension, fun, banter & spice!
November 16, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
This was such a cute and quick little holiday read! Willa spoils us by essentially giving us two different stories in one book since they’re split into two parts.
Part one:
At first, when I read that there were going to be several POV chapters, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that but honestly, I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would! Paige and Cade are joined by all of their friends, snowed in at their cabin for a few days. It was fun to see all the different perspectives and what else is going on with all the characters while they were still interacting with each other. There was tension, cute winter activities and plenty of spice to go around.
Part two:
Rosie and Archie’s story was such a sweet second chance romance story. Their love is so special and I’m so happy they eventually got their happily ever after. Reading about the origins of Rosie’s Diner had me so emotional and everything Archie did for Rosie was so sweet. Actual goalsssss.
Overall, definitely give this holiday novella a read! Don’t forget to read Heartstrings & Horizons (first in the series) beforehand to get the full scope and backstory of all the characters!
This was such a cute and quick little holiday read! Willa spoils us by essentially giving us two different stories in one book since they’re split into two parts.
Part one:
At first, when I read that there were going to be several POV chapters, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that but honestly, I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would! Paige and Cade are joined by all of their friends, snowed in at their cabin for a few days. It was fun to see all the different perspectives and what else is going on with all the characters while they were still interacting with each other. There was tension, cute winter activities and plenty of spice to go around.
Part two:
Rosie and Archie’s story was such a sweet second chance romance story. Their love is so special and I’m so happy they eventually got their happily ever after. Reading about the origins of Rosie’s Diner had me so emotional and everything Archie did for Rosie was so sweet. Actual goalsssss.
Overall, definitely give this holiday novella a read! Don’t forget to read Heartstrings & Horizons (first in the series) beforehand to get the full scope and backstory of all the characters!
July 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the perfect blend of sweet, steamy, and emotionally satisfying holiday romance. This novella delivers two interconnected stories—each with its own charm but equally addictive.
The first half brings back Paige and Cade (from Heartstrings & Horizons) along with their amazing friend group Miles, Mags, Ivy, Liam, Dean, and Cara—as they get snowed in for a cozy, spicy winter weekend. The multiple POVs made the story feel even more real, and I was especially here for Mags and Miles. 🥵 I need more. Immediately.
The second half shifts into a deeper, more emotional story with Rosie and Archie’s second-chance romance. It’s heartfelt, nostalgic, and full of warmth. The diner origin story, Archie’s love for Rosie and her daughter, and the way their connection never faded—it all had me hooked.
With open-door spice, found-family vibes, and a town I desperately wish were real, this novella hit all the right holiday notes. Definitely read Heartstrings & Horizons first—and then get ready to fall in love with Oak Ridge all over again.
This is the perfect blend of sweet, steamy, and emotionally satisfying holiday romance. This novella delivers two interconnected stories—each with its own charm but equally addictive.
The first half brings back Paige and Cade (from Heartstrings & Horizons) along with their amazing friend group Miles, Mags, Ivy, Liam, Dean, and Cara—as they get snowed in for a cozy, spicy winter weekend. The multiple POVs made the story feel even more real, and I was especially here for Mags and Miles. 🥵 I need more. Immediately.
The second half shifts into a deeper, more emotional story with Rosie and Archie’s second-chance romance. It’s heartfelt, nostalgic, and full of warmth. The diner origin story, Archie’s love for Rosie and her daughter, and the way their connection never faded—it all had me hooked.
With open-door spice, found-family vibes, and a town I desperately wish were real, this novella hit all the right holiday notes. Definitely read Heartstrings & Horizons first—and then get ready to fall in love with Oak Ridge all over again.
October 4, 2025
I made the mistake of reading this book after reading Ivy’s story and Mag’s story - I didn’t realize there was a novella. I enjoyed it any way but knowing how everything turns out made it a different reading experience. That being said, the second half of the book being about Rosie and Archie - 10/10. In such a short page count, to have an account of their relationship at three different times, was great. In general, I wish there was more age representation in romance, but especially a couple married 45 years. So great.
October 27, 2024
I BETA read this, and it was just the perfect short cute novella I needed in my life.
The journey back to Oak Ridge was just enough to keep me under the next book in the series comes out.
The gang was all here, and the banter was everything! By the end of the first half I was staring at the leaves fall outside my window picturing snow flakes and hot cocoa.
The second half of the novella was a look into Archie and Rosie's story and it was adorable. I was nervous going in, because present time they are elderly grandparent type people and I did NOT need to read about them getting it on 😅😅 but the story had me hooked from the beginning.
The journey back to Oak Ridge was just enough to keep me under the next book in the series comes out.
The gang was all here, and the banter was everything! By the end of the first half I was staring at the leaves fall outside my window picturing snow flakes and hot cocoa.
The second half of the novella was a look into Archie and Rosie's story and it was adorable. I was nervous going in, because present time they are elderly grandparent type people and I did NOT need to read about them getting it on 😅😅 but the story had me hooked from the beginning.
December 31, 2024
It was so nice to be back in Oak Ridge.
The novella took me about 3.5 hours to read with about an 1.5 of that being in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down.
Willa Kay’s Heartstrings and Holidays is the perfect, cozy holiday novella. It has two stories in one and I would even dare to say that the second story, while being Christmas themed, is the perfect story to read any time of year that you need a little hope and encouragement.
Story one: is the perfect continuation of Heartstrings and Horizons plus some. I loved all the different POVs. Getting inside the head of everyone in their little gang was really cool. And the build up in tension/what I hope is foreshadowing for future novels had me saying, “one more chapter” over and over.
Man, does Willa know how to write a man to make you swoon 🫠
Story two: I LOVED this one. I read it one sitting. It had me tearing up several times in the best way. It’s been awhile since a book boyfriend has given butterflies (probably since reading about Cade in Heartstrings and Horizons) and boy did Archie Sullivan always know just the right thing to say and do. This second story gave me such a feeling of hope and love when I got done I just had to put the book down and breathe. 😅.
This novella was the perfect thing to hold me over until Willa’s second Oak Ridge book comes out on the 23rd (of January)
I’m not usually a romance reader, but if Willa writes it, I will read it.
The novella took me about 3.5 hours to read with about an 1.5 of that being in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down.
Willa Kay’s Heartstrings and Holidays is the perfect, cozy holiday novella. It has two stories in one and I would even dare to say that the second story, while being Christmas themed, is the perfect story to read any time of year that you need a little hope and encouragement.
Story one: is the perfect continuation of Heartstrings and Horizons plus some. I loved all the different POVs. Getting inside the head of everyone in their little gang was really cool. And the build up in tension/what I hope is foreshadowing for future novels had me saying, “one more chapter” over and over.
Man, does Willa know how to write a man to make you swoon 🫠
Story two: I LOVED this one. I read it one sitting. It had me tearing up several times in the best way. It’s been awhile since a book boyfriend has given butterflies (probably since reading about Cade in Heartstrings and Horizons) and boy did Archie Sullivan always know just the right thing to say and do. This second story gave me such a feeling of hope and love when I got done I just had to put the book down and breathe. 😅.
This novella was the perfect thing to hold me over until Willa’s second Oak Ridge book comes out on the 23rd (of January)
I’m not usually a romance reader, but if Willa writes it, I will read it.
November 6, 2024
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
It was so good to be back in Oak Ridge with some of my favorite people. This was the perfect Christmas Novella to start off this holiday season.
If you don’t enjoy spicy books, this is probably not the book for you. It is all spice and basically no plot, but I loved it.
Getting to enjoy being snowed in with Paige, Cade and the rest of the group was so fun. Making snow angels, and baking pizzelles, and the mistletoe scene (iykyk)
I also loved getting a peak at the love story of Archie & Rosie. It broke my heart and mended it at the same time. The love they share is so special and I hope that one day I’ll be celebrating 45 years with my husband 😭🥹
I cannot wait to dive into book 2, and get to know more about some of my favorite characters 🩵
It was so good to be back in Oak Ridge with some of my favorite people. This was the perfect Christmas Novella to start off this holiday season.
If you don’t enjoy spicy books, this is probably not the book for you. It is all spice and basically no plot, but I loved it.
Getting to enjoy being snowed in with Paige, Cade and the rest of the group was so fun. Making snow angels, and baking pizzelles, and the mistletoe scene (iykyk)
I also loved getting a peak at the love story of Archie & Rosie. It broke my heart and mended it at the same time. The love they share is so special and I hope that one day I’ll be celebrating 45 years with my husband 😭🥹
I cannot wait to dive into book 2, and get to know more about some of my favorite characters 🩵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2024
Sweet and Spicy Holiday Perfection! This novella is broken into two complete different stories. I loved them both equally but for different reasons!
The first story is funny, light hearted, and full of holiday spice! You get another look into the lives of Paige and Cade and the rest of the gang! The holiday traditions and love will leave you with a warm heart and a smile.
The second story is more deep and complicated. However, it was my favorite of the two. I fell deep and hard(pun intended!) into the story of Rosie and Archie! It was such a precious story of second chances and what holidays are really about. Archie will sweep you off your feet and you’ll be rooting for them until the sweet Christmas ending!
I cant wait for the next Oak Ridge story!
The first story is funny, light hearted, and full of holiday spice! You get another look into the lives of Paige and Cade and the rest of the gang! The holiday traditions and love will leave you with a warm heart and a smile.
The second story is more deep and complicated. However, it was my favorite of the two. I fell deep and hard(pun intended!) into the story of Rosie and Archie! It was such a precious story of second chances and what holidays are really about. Archie will sweep you off your feet and you’ll be rooting for them until the sweet Christmas ending!
I cant wait for the next Oak Ridge story!
December 1, 2024
ARC Review.
If you’re looking for a cozy, small town , holiday read; this is the perfect book! We are first introduced to Paige and Cade in Heartstrings and Horizons along with their friends. In Heartstrings and Holidays we follow this group of friends for Christmas and get multiple POV from each one of them and their Christmas holiday with each other. We also get a bonus story with Rosie and Archie that pulled at my heartstrings. This was the perfect cozy read to get into the holiday spirit! I laughed, I blushed, and I got a little teary eyed, and I loved this story. There is just something about the way Willa writes these characters and this fictional town that makes you wish it were an actual place and I love that.
If you’re looking for a cozy, small town , holiday read; this is the perfect book! We are first introduced to Paige and Cade in Heartstrings and Horizons along with their friends. In Heartstrings and Holidays we follow this group of friends for Christmas and get multiple POV from each one of them and their Christmas holiday with each other. We also get a bonus story with Rosie and Archie that pulled at my heartstrings. This was the perfect cozy read to get into the holiday spirit! I laughed, I blushed, and I got a little teary eyed, and I loved this story. There is just something about the way Willa writes these characters and this fictional town that makes you wish it were an actual place and I love that.
November 4, 2024
This is the perfect addition for your holiday/winter TBR pile. It’s a super quick & easy novella! There’s plenty of spice, winter festivities, tension, mistletoe (some with a side of 🐔🚫), & the sweetest flash back to Archie & Rosie’s love story that I didn’t know how badly I needed!
Despite there being multiple POV it’s *not* head-hoppy, which is a major pet peeve of mine, the perspectives actually make sense as they come! Definitely worth the read if you’ve read book 1. If you didn’t it’s still able to be enjoyed, but I’d recommend finishing Heartstrings & Horizons first to get the most out of it!
I can’t wait to get a physical copy on my shelf.
Despite there being multiple POV it’s *not* head-hoppy, which is a major pet peeve of mine, the perspectives actually make sense as they come! Definitely worth the read if you’ve read book 1. If you didn’t it’s still able to be enjoyed, but I’d recommend finishing Heartstrings & Horizons first to get the most out of it!
I can’t wait to get a physical copy on my shelf.
November 26, 2024
It's so nice to be back in Oak Ridge!
If you're looking for a holiday novella that's short, sweet, and spicy- quit reading this review and go read Heartstrings and Holidays! As with all of Willa's work, the banter and spice are perfection. I loved the multiple POVs especially since there was more of my baby Miles. Archie and Rosie's story is so cute and I just got all the perfect holiday vibes from this. Highly recommend doing what I did and reading it snuggled up with your favorite blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. It started snowing outside while I was reading and I swear I teleported right to Oak Ridge.
If you're looking for a holiday novella that's short, sweet, and spicy- quit reading this review and go read Heartstrings and Holidays! As with all of Willa's work, the banter and spice are perfection. I loved the multiple POVs especially since there was more of my baby Miles. Archie and Rosie's story is so cute and I just got all the perfect holiday vibes from this. Highly recommend doing what I did and reading it snuggled up with your favorite blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. It started snowing outside while I was reading and I swear I teleported right to Oak Ridge.
November 12, 2024
Once again, Willa Kay has transported us to our favorite town in Kentucky. This novella tells both the stories of the found family that Paige has grown to love as her own, and of Archie and Rosie. The first half was a great way to hold us over until book 2 comes out. The second half was unapologetically my favorite part! I adored hearing the story of how Archie and Rosie came together. (No pun intended). The spice is spicing in this book and it’s a fun little Christmas read for anyone who loves Oak Ridge and its hilarious cast of characters.
November 12, 2024
The fact that oak ridge isn’t a place I can curl up for Christmas kills me daily 😭. I absolutely adored this novella. The tension, the spice, the charismatic banter between characters, the friendships has me longing for a friend group and town that doesn’t exist. DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON ARCHIE AND ROSIE. I love love love the flashback. I love their story and oak ridge just keeps me needing more !
December 7, 2024
I absolutely loved Heartstrings and Horizons! I was ecstatic to learn out this little book. Oakridge has became a favorite little get away. The first part of the book is exactly what I needed and perfect continuation! The second part of the book was not what I expected. Although it is a great story to prequel Horizons. But for me it was slow and i lost interest it took me so long to finish it. I found myself distracted while reading.
I can’t wait for the 3rd book.
I can’t wait for the 3rd book.
October 27, 2024
4.5⭐️ (rounded up on GR)
2🌶️
This was the perfect short trip back to Oak Ridge!
Getting snowed in with this crew made me fall in love with this group of friends even more … making my heart so happy for Paige’s found family!!
Read this if you have read Heartstrings & Horizons and love:
✨Banter that’s bantering
✨Found Family
✨Plus Size Representation
✨Holiday Fun
2🌶️
This was the perfect short trip back to Oak Ridge!
Getting snowed in with this crew made me fall in love with this group of friends even more … making my heart so happy for Paige’s found family!!
Read this if you have read Heartstrings & Horizons and love:
✨Banter that’s bantering
✨Found Family
✨Plus Size Representation
✨Holiday Fun
November 17, 2024
✨ARC REVIEW✨
After falling head over heels with Paige and Cade in Heartstrings and Horizons, I was eager to get as much more of them as I could. The Christmas vibes are immaculate and it’s fun to get into the heads of some of the other members of the Oak Ridge Crew.
If you’re looking for a cozy sexy (these crazy kids can’t keep their hands off each other) romp this one’s for you!
After falling head over heels with Paige and Cade in Heartstrings and Horizons, I was eager to get as much more of them as I could. The Christmas vibes are immaculate and it’s fun to get into the heads of some of the other members of the Oak Ridge Crew.
If you’re looking for a cozy sexy (these crazy kids can’t keep their hands off each other) romp this one’s for you!
November 23, 2024
This book is broken up into two parts, and the first part picks up after the first book, Heartstrings and Horizons. Paige and her group of friends get snowed in together and there is lots of tension between some of the friends who have unspoken feelings for each other. This fun holiday read includes completing a Christmas bucket list and lots of spice!
March 11, 2025
I absolutely love this novella! Willa did this genius job of reminding us who all of the characters are and I just appreciate this so much and wish other authors would do the same. This group of friends is so special and I desperately wish I had a click like them! This is such a fun story and I love the banter between all of these people.
September 29, 2025
Willa Kay has a way of making me fall in love with every single character! I read Sweet Escape before starting the Oak Ridge Series. It made me appreciate Rosie’s and Archie’s love story even more 🥹💕 Her books are the kind of books that make me want to jump in the pages to be adopted by these perfectly imperfect chosen families!
November 29, 2024
I really liked this novella. I need all of the couples to have their own stories so I can live in Oak Ridge forever.
December 14, 2024
Such a good holiday read. Helped get me in a cozy mood for the season and I loved seeing more of Paige and cades love story!
May 5, 2025
Loved seeing more of Cade and Paige. They are absolutely adorable!
June 29, 2025
ah i loved reading this book. i liked it being from all the different perspectives of the Oak Ridge gang. this entire group has such funny banter and always have each others back.
September 15, 2025
Such a cute fun and flirty novella. We got a glimpse into what the other books are gonna look like and it was nice to get to know the characters a little more cause there’s a lot of them 😅 after reading this novella I wish Miles and Maggie’s book was next cause I’m so ready for their hate to love book and uncover all their lore. Ivy’s book is going to break me I’m pretty sure. Cara and dean gave me intrigued about their life and I’m also anxious to read all about them. This would be a perfect book to read during the winter/Christmas time with all the activities they did. Can’t wait for more of all of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2025
Perfect book between books 1 & 2 😍
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews