I promised myself I would never go back to my hometown of Gingerbread Grove, and I’ve been able to keep that promise for almost ten years. But after a call from my mom, I find myself booked on the next plane there.
Next thing I know, my flight is cancelled, I have to drive five hours in the pitch black during a snowstorm, and I find myself stuck with Avery, a hitchhiking elf.
A literal elf.
She may not be from the North Pole, but her outfit and job title say otherwise
Before I knew it, I’d agreed for her to be my fake girlfriend, and we were entered into the couples-only Gingerbread Grove’s Yuletide Games. While I cringe at all of the over-the-top Christmas requirements of the town, I find myself in the Christmas I used to love, all through my happy-go-lucky elf.
But when the darker side of the town starts to emerge, rumours are spread, and secrets are revealed, putting everything we’ve worked so hard for in jeopardy, including my not-so-fake feelings for my little elf.
If you’re looking for a fun, cute, holiday read, this might be what you’re looking for. Set in Vancouver & the Lower Mainland, it gave me the comfort of home. This Hallmarky vibe story will give you the Christmas feels.
This is a sweet romance with a cute guy with glasses (love that). Love the fake dating trope and how the girl is always there for the guy. That fierce protectiveness was well appreciated, since it's usual the guy who is always there for the girl. The book has loads of christmas games and food and is a perfect christmas read.
First of all, Avery might be the most relatable protagonist I’ve ever read. I loved her and everything about her cheerfulness to her trying to do everything for others to her rambling was so relatable. I’m all about characters, that and chemistry are the main thing I look for in books and they were both so good. Also, I liked that it’s a normal rom com but it has Christian characters that just feel normal. Christian rom coms have their place, even though a lot do feel overly cheesey, but I loved that there was the casual mention of God and His plan with still letting it be just a rom com. It felt so much more natural than most books that try to include God but end up making it feel forced. I also loved that it wasn’t like the normal hallmark small town charm stuff and it actually had the seedy underbelly of gingerbread grove (yes, had to use a Gilmore girl reference there because the book does, so why not my review?) It was such a unique plot and it really held my interest to try to find out who the mystery troll on the app was and learning about the sabotage and everything. I also loved all the details on each event they participated in and I especially loved all the stuff Avery came up with creativity wise. I also loved the quote about Matthew giving her breath and taking it away. The only critique I had was there were a few things that got missed in the last round of edits. A few lines repeated where it seemed like it had been moved somewhere else but the original spot didn’t get cut and a missing quotation mark so I would just say more last read throughs/spot checkers but it didn’t affect the story much (except at the bad guy reveal where I got confused who was there) and it’s definitely something that I get as an author is so easy to do and it’s hard to see it when you’ve read it yourself a million times
Road to Gingerbread Grove is the second book in the Holiday Rivals series. I had not personally read the previous book in the series and found I was able to enjoy this one just fine as a standalone.
This was, perhaps, one of the most festive books I've read this holiday season... and I absolutely adored it! A FMC who works as an elf and a MMC returning to his hometown that is Christmas obsessed!? Yes, please! I loved all the holiday cheer. Matthew and Avery had such a great chemistry, making their fake dating not feel very fake at all. It was definitely a quick romance, but it felt just right for them, and I couldn't get enough. Matthew's hometown of Gingerbread Grove was... crazy, to say the least! I loved how seriously everyone took their holiday competition--- it was like Christmas Survivor--- with a little bit of a mystery thrown in! This truly was just such a fun story that kept me smiling from start to finish. It's definitely one you'll want to add to your holiday TBR!
Road to Gingerbread Grove is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Road to Gingerbread Grove is the second book in the Holiday Rivals series written by Kimberly Hanson, and I am hooked. You can read this as a standalone, but then you would miss out on all the other holiday cuteness in this series. Don’t take my word for it, just read the whole series.
I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook for this one, and it was amazing. I may have opted to listen to this audiobook while having a family movie night, and it may have been the best decision. This Dual Narration is narrated by Lisa Lynn Sandlin and James Blackmore. This was the first time I had heard a dual narration by Lisa, and it was great. I loved the pairing for this story. Both Lisa and James did a great job bringing this story to life.
This book was so fun. It is better than a Hallmark movie. Gingerbread Grove has changed their town to be a rival with Candy Cane Creek. Candy Canes are forbidden, and everything is Gingerbread themed. In comes Matthew, summoned home to help in the family Hardware store, but as fate would have it, his flight gets cancelled. Avery sees that Matthew has secured the last rental car and asks to ride along with him to her town. During this 5-hour car ride, they get to know each other. That is when the idea of a fake dating relationship emerges. When Matthew and Avery find themselves in the Yuletide Games, things really get interesting.
Kimberly Hanson made me miss my home country so bad with all the Canadian items. From toques to poutine, Tim Hortons, and all dressed chips, there are so many great Canadian references in this book.
This fake dating romance is perfect and sweet with kisses only.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
If this holiday infused story does not increase your holiday spirit, you may need to check your heart. The Christmas loving side of me ate this up. You had me at a town named Gingerbread Grove where everything looks like a gingerbread village, and then you add in snow, which makes this the perfect place to celebrate Christmas.
Matthew is not so keen on Christmas or coming back home to Gingerbread Grove, but he is being forced to return to the town that he escaped from. While waiting for his flight he meets an elf. Yes, that's right an elf, or at least a girl named Avery who is dressed as an elf. The bah humbug in him sneers at first. When their flight is cancelled, they end up riding together to their destinations, which is when Matthew realizes there is a lot more to this elf than just a pointy hat. Avery embodies everything that Christmas should be about. Avery is full of life and truly cares about others.
A fake relationship, Yuletide Games, which are quite competitive, a conniving ex-girlfriend and a little mystery on the side make this the perfect Christmas fairy tale story. This was a sweet romance, but it had a solid story built into it, which at times caused me to get a little teary. Bravo to Kimberly Hanson for this wonderful story which will warm your heart on a cold winter's day.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is technically book 2 but can be enjoyed in any order. Here we join Avery and Matthew in Gingerbread Grove. Avery is a Christmas loving “elf” (No this isn’t a fantasy book, Avery just loves Christmas and works as an elf at C.O.C.O.A where they make wishes come true. Matthew isn’t so Christmas obsessed, though his hometown of Gingerbread Grove is. He now must return home where his parents require his help. And his ex-girlfriend is now married to the mayor. This is a fake dating trope story and so well done as the chemistry between Avery and Matthew are perfect. This festive little town has an adorable holiday competition that is couples only and very competitive. This feel good Christmas tale has humor, joy, cuteness, and some mystery tossed in at just the right time.
🎄Narration Review: The narration is a dual narration. We get to enjoy the animation and excitement Lisa brings to the story for all of Avery’s POV’s and we also get Matthew’s POV through James narration. I’m not always a huge lover of male narrators, nothing against them their voices are just often rougher and deeper than I prefer. That being said James voice has a softness that while still is masculine it also complements Lisa’s voice perfectly. I fully enjoyed listening to Lisa and James work in tandem to bring this adorably cute Christmas story to life.
I was a goner from the moment I started reading this book.
It’s December, the Christmas spirit is in the air, what better way to embrace all of this than to read a feel good, sweet, Christmassy book?
This was such a wonderful and heartwarming book.
I loved our two main characters, Matthew and Avery - both of them were delightful, sticking together and caring for each other in such a unique way.
The way they were always there for each other, helping each other out, always knowing what the other person needed, had me in complete awe.
Both of them needed each other, and it was amazing to watch their relationship develop the way it did.
I was happy to see them both, despite all the obstacles they had to overcome before they met each other, finally happy. Happy with their other half, their better half!
The writing style was good! At times it threw me a bit off, but for the majority of this book I loved it!
Kimberly Hanson did an incredible job with this book! I’m looking forward to seeing more of her work!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is one of those festive reads that from start to finish is a laugh a minute. Avery never expected to be stuck at an airport dressed as an elf waiting for a plane home. All she wanted was out of this city and to be back home away from the memory of her heartbreak. Matthew didn't want to be going back to his hometown, he'd done everything he could to get away. Now his mom said his dad needed his help and now he's sat waiting for a plane that seems to not want to depart. Knowing he'll have to go he decides to rent a car and drive, never in a million years did he expect to have an elf accompany him. Can two strangers make the drive across country bearable or will their differences prove to much. This is a perfect story that has to laughing one minute then sympathising the next. Will these two help mend the other and can Matthew finally prove his worth to his dad. I loved everything about this story and couldn't put it down
While this book is book 2 in a series it works great as a stand alone read. In fact, it is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. There is Avery, a girl dressed as an elf, stuck in an airport trying to get home to Kamloops. At the same time Matt is stuck at the airport trying to get back home to Gingerbread Gove a holiday obsessed town. Matt would rather do anything but go home for Christmas but his family needs him. The pair end up driving together in the last available rental car. The drive is part of the fun of the book. Next they end up fake dating while navigating holiday games and food in this great quick read. Clearly this town takes its holiday seriously.
I found this a great small town fake dating Rom Com. I definitely want to read book 1 in the series because it was that good.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.
Whimsical and heartfelt, this story swept me straight into the cozy chaos of Gingerbread Grove, a town so festive it practically twinkles off the page. Avery was an absolute delight, a breath of fresh air who brought so much warmth and sparkle to every scene. Matthew started off a little guarded, but watching his softer side emerge was so satisfying. Their fake relationship, the Yuletide Games, and the not-so-sweet rival couple added the perfect mix of humor, tension, and mystery. And the audiobook was absolutely phenomenal.
Lisa Lynn Sandlin and James Blackmore delivered such engaging, dynamic performances that made every moment feel alive. From the cozy banter to the emotional beats, they captured the heart of the story perfectly.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is book 2 in the Holiday Rivals Series but can be read as a standalone. Road to Gingerbread Grove is told through Avery and Matthew's pov and is a clean and entertaining fake dating holiday romance.
Right from the start, it was easy to be hooked by Avery and Matthew's story. Avery worked to spread Christmas cheer and make wishes come true while Matthew avoided things related to the holiday, including visiting his hometown that was obsessed with Christmas. It was so fun to see him confront his past as him and Avery pretended to date and work together. Because they had faced similar experiences, it didn't take long for them to form a bond. It was sweet seeing them go from strangers to allies to lovers. The romance was a clean one consisting of sweet kisses and no curse words were used. Aside from the romance, I liked the shenanigans that came from the town. And, while you may think you know where the story is going, the author threw in a few surprises to make this story unique. Overall, this is a good and cozy read that I know readers of feel good romance will enjoy.
Road to Gingerbread Grove is the sweetest Christmas book! I love Matthew and Avery’s story. Christmas romance books are always the best, but add accidental meeting, fake dating, survivor style Christmas games, wars between rival Christmas themed towns, and blossoming romance and you have this book. Matthew is not happy about going home for Christmas but he meets Avery, an elf (yes I said elf) and she changes everything. They pretend to date during his towns Christmas festival and romance starts to blossom. This was such a wonderful read and perfect for this time of year. If you want a light read to kick off your holiday season, you will love this!
Two stranded airline passengers- only one rental car and Matthew got it first. Avery, a real life elf, manages to talk him into letting her share his long ride home. Matthew is going home under protest- and to make things worse, his ex married the mayor and they are trying to turn the village into a Christmas destination. Matthew is antiChristmas.I love Avery's job and how during the ride she starts to bring Matthew out of his shell a bit. By the time they get to her stop, they have agreed to meet and for her to play his fake girlfriend. Things quietly but quickly get real. This is a beautiful love story, even with the haters in the background,
I loved the Christmas themed story. I thought the characters and their chemistry. Matthew is a grump who dreads returning to his hometown but does so to help family. Avery is a cheerful, festive person who is running from her heartbreak. I really like the Christmas themed towns and the competition. I thought the couple's games within the Christmas town are a nice way to bring the town together. This story is a fake dating turns into romance. Also, a little mystery and small-town secrets story line. Overall, this was a great book to get into the Christmas spirit.
I received this as an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Road to Gingerbread Grove is a clean, heartwarming, fake relationship, Christmas, romantic comedy. Avery and Matthew are a really cute couple. I love Avery’s job, her cheerfulness and creativity. As Avery helps Matthew face being in his hometown, they end up in a Survivor style Christmas competition. Life is not all fun and games in Gingerbread Grove. There is definitely a dark side to the candle snuffing, some sabotage of certain game participants props and creations, nasty rumors are spread and secrets are revealed. I dropped all my chores in favor of staying immersed in this delightful adventure!
Avery and Matthew meet when the flight they plan on taking home from Vancouver is canceled. He gets the last rental car available. Since they are headed in the same direction, it makes sense for her to tag along.
During the drive they share stories and somehow come up with this fake dating idea. But his town is nuts, and they get dragged into the silliness. As it turns out, they take their games seriously!
There were a variety of genre elements stuffed into this story making a fun holiday read! This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.
This book was original and familiar at the same time. I loved Avery, a professional elf and Matthew a man who must return to his hometown which has been rebranded "Gingerbread Grove". You really cannot go home again it seems. The town is a Bavarian sugar coma with a competitive set of games that people are desperate to win by any means necessary. The ending felt very Scooby Doo - very confusing with a lot of names to keep track of - and they would have gotten away with it without those kids!
A great story, wonderful characters, lots of twists and a HEA.
Road to Gingerbread Grove was such a fun read! This was the perfect holiday book that will have you turning pages until the very end. The author wrote this well and I liked all of the characters in this, especially Avery. I loved this Christmas town and all of the small town shenanigans in this. Overall, this was a read that I enjoyed a lot and would recommend to any reader who loves romcom. Thank you to the author for this ARC read in exchange of my honest review of Road to Gingerbread Grove.
Adorable!!! I loved everything about this fun holiday story. This book was so enjoyable, fun to read and well written. Avery was a delight and I loved the chemistry between her and Matthew, sweet and swoony. This had a great storyline that just tugs at your heart strings as you wish and will these two to end up together. Such a cute read and fun story. If you want a great afternoon of light, easy reading this book is perfect for you. Enjoy!
Stuck in an airport, awaiting another plane out after several cancellations due to snow. Then a race to the car rental desk ... to find out the last car just got rented. The theme that makes creative Christmas stories! A fun read with some twists in the days to come, but the relationship between Avery and Matthew begins to take a different path than what they expected. I received a copy of this book from the author; this review is my honest opinion.
Road tho Gingerbread Grove is book #2 in the Holiday Rivals series, but it works perfectly as a standalone read too. It's a super sweet read, perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit.
If you like Hallmark movies, you'll like this clean, fake dating, small-town holiday romance with snow contests, warm chocolate, and elves.
I loved the book and the main characters, Matthew (not Matt or Matty) and Avery. Really cute. I would have given it 4 or even 5 stars if not for the resolution of the mystery. Was it supposed to be a farce? Was it supposed to be humorous? What it actually was was extremely lame and pulled me right out of the book. Still worth the read.
Fun story that starts with a messy meet-cute at the airport. I enjoyed this sweet Christmas story, with fun activities with a little too much competitive town folk. Matthew and Avery are so perfect for each other and I loved how they worked together and were able to find their HEA.
LOVED this story! Fake dating, holiday romance, over the top Christmas town?? YES, PLEASE! Kimberly Hanson did such a good job! He’s a bit nerdy and dumped by the now town First Lady. She is in a job she loves but not quite what her family had in mind. Enter the fake romance to get through the holidays. It was such a fun read that is an excellent Christmas read!!
Such a cute story! I loved this more than any hallmark movie out there. Unfortunate circumstances bringing people together in some crazy ways all while leaving life changing impressions everywhere they go.... yes please! 10/10.
This book has all the Christmas vibes!!!! Super cute I loved this book. 😃 I really enjoyed the couple!!! I even laughed out loud a few times ! . Thank you for letting me read this ARC
ADORABLE! This book is the perfect cute holiday read! If you are looking for something that has a bit of those Hallmark vibes with no spice, grab this one!
so delightful Matthew and Avery rekindled the true meaning of Christmas, it´s about giving joy to others and with a little magic healing and finding love and happiness is possible.
This is an interesting twist to a meet cute with Avery in an elf costume but she is the perfect person to bring some cheer back into.Matthews life and get him moving forward in his life.