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A December to Remember
SIX BRAND NEW HOLIDAY SHORT STORIES FROM SIX BESTSELLING AUTHORS!
The Christmas Card by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
When my ex got engaged pretty quickly after we broke up, I did something stupid… I made up a new boyfriend. How would anyone ever know? They wouldn’t. Unless my fake boyfriend showed up at my ex’s annual Christmas party…
Mistletoe and Murder by Catherine Cowles
All I wanted to do was avoid my cheating ex and get through my brother’s Christmas wedding. When his grumpy, broody, Scrooge of a best friend steps in to pretend to be my boyfriend, I say yes. Suddenly, the kisses we’re swapping under the mistletoe are all too real, and I’m dangerously close to falling. But someone isn’t so happy about my newfound happiness, and they aren’t afraid to drop a body or two…
Candy Cane Kisses by Shain Rose
When Faye Winter took on decorating Frost Bar, she knew her grumpy boss would never support her extravagant peppermint party ideas. But she's determined to make him see there's more to the holiday than being a grinch.... that is, until he shows her how festive he can really be. The candy cane kisses and confessions in this grumpy sunshine novella are bound to give readers a taste of sweetness and spice this holiday season!
The Christmas Cab by Teagan Hunter
Juniper Frost has been in love with Felix Bailey, her older brother’s best friend, for
years. After kissing him three years ago and being rejected, she fled her small
Christmas-loving town of Thistle Ridge, Washington, hoping to forget all about the
embarrassing night. Now she’s back… and Felix definitely remembers their kiss.
One Gift by Lena Hendrix
Rival families, pranks, cozy Christmas cheer, and an unforgettable snowball fight. Welcome to the first Sullivan-King Christmas.
A Carmichael Christmas by Adriana Locke
The fireplace is crackling and the lights are twinkling on Honeysuckle Lane. Join the Carmichael family for a Christmas Eve filled with letters, laughs, and, most of all, love.
The Christmas Card by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
When my ex got engaged pretty quickly after we broke up, I did something stupid… I made up a new boyfriend. How would anyone ever know? They wouldn’t. Unless my fake boyfriend showed up at my ex’s annual Christmas party…
Mistletoe and Murder by Catherine Cowles
All I wanted to do was avoid my cheating ex and get through my brother’s Christmas wedding. When his grumpy, broody, Scrooge of a best friend steps in to pretend to be my boyfriend, I say yes. Suddenly, the kisses we’re swapping under the mistletoe are all too real, and I’m dangerously close to falling. But someone isn’t so happy about my newfound happiness, and they aren’t afraid to drop a body or two…
Candy Cane Kisses by Shain Rose
When Faye Winter took on decorating Frost Bar, she knew her grumpy boss would never support her extravagant peppermint party ideas. But she's determined to make him see there's more to the holiday than being a grinch.... that is, until he shows her how festive he can really be. The candy cane kisses and confessions in this grumpy sunshine novella are bound to give readers a taste of sweetness and spice this holiday season!
The Christmas Cab by Teagan Hunter
Juniper Frost has been in love with Felix Bailey, her older brother’s best friend, for
years. After kissing him three years ago and being rejected, she fled her small
Christmas-loving town of Thistle Ridge, Washington, hoping to forget all about the
embarrassing night. Now she’s back… and Felix definitely remembers their kiss.
One Gift by Lena Hendrix
Rival families, pranks, cozy Christmas cheer, and an unforgettable snowball fight. Welcome to the first Sullivan-King Christmas.
A Carmichael Christmas by Adriana Locke
The fireplace is crackling and the lights are twinkling on Honeysuckle Lane. Join the Carmichael family for a Christmas Eve filled with letters, laughs, and, most of all, love.
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First published November 1, 2024
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About the author
Vi Keeland
129 books34.4k followersVi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and
USA Today
Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over one hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-six languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.
Stop by and meet Vi in her private reader group on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ViKee...
Stop by and meet Vi in her private reader group on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ViKee...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
December 27, 2024
#Review: *A December to remember* - Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Catherine Cowles, Shein Rose, Lena Hendrix, Adriana Locke, Teagan Hunter
4/5✨
0/5🌶️ (except Shein Rose's story 3.5/5🌶️)
I found this book as a surprise in my mail from each author🥰. It was the perfect choice for one of my reading challenges and it also coincided with Christmas day💕.
This book contained six different novellas, written by each author. Some of them were sweet and fun, others were spicier. I had a great time experiencing each story, realizing how different their writing style is.
From fake dating, strangers to lovers, one bed, enemies to lovers, to workplace romance trope, these novellas were perfect to get to know better the authors.
Each novella had a couple of short chapters, which were written in first person point of view, having dual or even multiple pov, in certain cases. All of them had in common the Christmas theme, exuding with great vibes. They mainly consisted in accepting the love they've never believed it was shared by their crushes, each story having a different way in which the main characters realized that they can have that happy ending they've been dreaming of.
I enjoyed this book, having a good time being for a short period in each story.🩵
4/5✨
0/5🌶️ (except Shein Rose's story 3.5/5🌶️)
I found this book as a surprise in my mail from each author🥰. It was the perfect choice for one of my reading challenges and it also coincided with Christmas day💕.
This book contained six different novellas, written by each author. Some of them were sweet and fun, others were spicier. I had a great time experiencing each story, realizing how different their writing style is.
From fake dating, strangers to lovers, one bed, enemies to lovers, to workplace romance trope, these novellas were perfect to get to know better the authors.
Each novella had a couple of short chapters, which were written in first person point of view, having dual or even multiple pov, in certain cases. All of them had in common the Christmas theme, exuding with great vibes. They mainly consisted in accepting the love they've never believed it was shared by their crushes, each story having a different way in which the main characters realized that they can have that happy ending they've been dreaming of.
I enjoyed this book, having a good time being for a short period in each story.🩵
December 4, 2024
Only read this for Catherine Cowles and Lena Hendrix 😋
December 20, 2024
*Only reading The Christmas Card by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward at this time*
3 ⭐'s
It was short and sweet...and that's not a good thing! Ugh, this story had such promise...I wasn't ready for it to end. It definitely left me wanting more. Maybe the authors will consider that? Hint, hint!
3 ⭐'s
It was short and sweet...and that's not a good thing! Ugh, this story had such promise...I wasn't ready for it to end. It definitely left me wanting more. Maybe the authors will consider that? Hint, hint!
January 13, 2025
My review is on my blog! https://nalbooks.wordpress.com/2025/0...
December 27, 2024
The holiday season is upon us so that means another holiday anthology that I inevitably read and dislike. Why do I keep doing this to myself? Sigh… here we go.
The Christmas Card – Vi Keeland/Penelope Ward
Honestly, Keeland and Ward are the reason I usually read these anthologies. I’m a big fan of their work. Unfortunately, The Christmas Card was not it. The Christmas Card follows a woman (the names are blanking on me) who sent a photoshopped Christmas card with a random photo of a guy to her recently engaged ex. Funny enough, the random guy shows up at a Christmas party.
While the point of a lot of these Christmas short stories are to be outrageous, this one was just too much. Coupled with the fact that the MMC had to be told point blank what to do.
No spice
⭐️⭐️
Mistletoe & Murder - Catherine Cowles
Mistletoe & Murder was just plain weird. It follows the FMC as she arrives at her brother’s wedding. Her brother’s best friend jumps in as her fake boyfriend before making it official. There’s an awkward spice scene before someone is murdered then the murderer almost immediately confesses.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
⭐️
Candy Cane Kisses - Shain Rose
Candy Cane Kisses follows a naive and doe eyed woman as she decorates a bar in Las Vegas for Christmas. She does such a good job that she’s tapped to decorate the mysterious vault. Her boss becomes jealous and makes a move
.
While Candy Cane Kisses is better than its two predecessors, the FMC comes off as too much of a doe eyed, naive, damsel in distress.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️
One Gift - Lena Hendrix
Skip - part of existing series
A Carmichael Christmas - Adriana Locke
Skip - part of existing series
The Christmas Cab - Teagan Hunter
What does the Christmas Cab have to do with the story? The FMC is picked up in it once then they drive to another location. That’s it. this one just pissed me off.
Misogynistic. Female menstrual cycles do not sync up.
The FMC’s sympathy for the MMC because “[…] he’s stuck at his house with three woman who are all menstruating, and being a woman myself, I know that can’t be easy.”
Also, gold star to a man who can get period products. Insert eye roll.
Juvenile. “Finally, he threads his fingers through mine. And we hold hands. We. Are. Holding. Hands!” Insert another eye roll.
MMC is not swoon worthy at all. He said the FMC should feel embarrassed for kissing him that first time.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
⭐️
The Christmas Card – Vi Keeland/Penelope Ward
Honestly, Keeland and Ward are the reason I usually read these anthologies. I’m a big fan of their work. Unfortunately, The Christmas Card was not it. The Christmas Card follows a woman (the names are blanking on me) who sent a photoshopped Christmas card with a random photo of a guy to her recently engaged ex. Funny enough, the random guy shows up at a Christmas party.
While the point of a lot of these Christmas short stories are to be outrageous, this one was just too much. Coupled with the fact that the MMC had to be told point blank what to do.
No spice
⭐️⭐️
Mistletoe & Murder - Catherine Cowles
Mistletoe & Murder was just plain weird. It follows the FMC as she arrives at her brother’s wedding. Her brother’s best friend jumps in as her fake boyfriend before making it official. There’s an awkward spice scene before someone is murdered then the murderer almost immediately confesses.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
⭐️
Candy Cane Kisses - Shain Rose
Candy Cane Kisses follows a naive and doe eyed woman as she decorates a bar in Las Vegas for Christmas. She does such a good job that she’s tapped to decorate the mysterious vault. Her boss becomes jealous and makes a move
.
While Candy Cane Kisses is better than its two predecessors, the FMC comes off as too much of a doe eyed, naive, damsel in distress.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️
One Gift - Lena Hendrix
Skip - part of existing series
A Carmichael Christmas - Adriana Locke
Skip - part of existing series
The Christmas Cab - Teagan Hunter
What does the Christmas Cab have to do with the story? The FMC is picked up in it once then they drive to another location. That’s it. this one just pissed me off.
Misogynistic. Female menstrual cycles do not sync up.
The FMC’s sympathy for the MMC because “[…] he’s stuck at his house with three woman who are all menstruating, and being a woman myself, I know that can’t be easy.”
Also, gold star to a man who can get period products. Insert eye roll.
Juvenile. “Finally, he threads his fingers through mine. And we hold hands. We. Are. Holding. Hands!” Insert another eye roll.
MMC is not swoon worthy at all. He said the FMC should feel embarrassed for kissing him that first time.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
⭐️
December 25, 2024
Entretenidas.
December 11, 2024
All 6 as a whole, 4 stars! I honestly only read for Catherine Cowles because she’s my girl 😅💖
December 17, 2024
A December to Remember is a collection of six short stories by various authors, but I only read Catherine Cowles’ Mistletoe and Murder as it was the one that caught my interest. I originally received the short story for free through Catherine Cowles’ email list.
I loved Mistletoe and Murder! The story features some of my favorite tropes (brother’s best friend, forced proximity, and fake dating) which were all executed beautifully. The chemistry and banter between Noelle and Theo were off the charts. The twist at the end was unexpected and well done! I wish this had been a full-length novel. Highly recommended picking this up if you’re fan of Catherine Cowles!
I loved Mistletoe and Murder! The story features some of my favorite tropes (brother’s best friend, forced proximity, and fake dating) which were all executed beautifully. The chemistry and banter between Noelle and Theo were off the charts. The twist at the end was unexpected and well done! I wish this had been a full-length novel. Highly recommended picking this up if you’re fan of Catherine Cowles!
December 18, 2024
The Christmas Card: 4☆ This was a funny story, especially with the way Joy and Nolan met. All the photoshoping made me chuckle too. It was a cute story!
Mistletoe and Murder: 5☆ This is the first thing of Catherine Cowles' that I have read, and I loved it! It was unique, funny, cute, and steamy, all rolled into one. I loved Noelle and Theo and all their banter that turns into so much more. I wish I had even more of them!
Candy Cane Kisses: 4☆ This story was quite a steamy one. I liked Nolan and Faye. They clearly have a strong attraction to one another that they have been fighting. Their banter was amusing to read as well.
One Gift: 4☆ This story was good, just a little confusing at times. I haven't read any other books by Lena Hendrix, so it almost felt like an inside joke that I'm not part of at times. Some things were explained, and others weren't. It was still a good story overall.
A Carmichael Christmas: 4☆ This story was another good one. I felt a little more in the loop, even though I don't know these characters and haven't read their books. I liked the concept of the letters and how that went from chapter to chapter. It was a cute story!
The Christmas Cab: 4.5☆ I really enjoyed The Christmas Cab! It was funny, cute, and steamy. Felix and Juniper are great characters, I enjoyed being in their heads and learning about their lives. Thistle Ridge sounds like a fun place to be!
Mistletoe and Murder: 5☆ This is the first thing of Catherine Cowles' that I have read, and I loved it! It was unique, funny, cute, and steamy, all rolled into one. I loved Noelle and Theo and all their banter that turns into so much more. I wish I had even more of them!
Candy Cane Kisses: 4☆ This story was quite a steamy one. I liked Nolan and Faye. They clearly have a strong attraction to one another that they have been fighting. Their banter was amusing to read as well.
One Gift: 4☆ This story was good, just a little confusing at times. I haven't read any other books by Lena Hendrix, so it almost felt like an inside joke that I'm not part of at times. Some things were explained, and others weren't. It was still a good story overall.
A Carmichael Christmas: 4☆ This story was another good one. I felt a little more in the loop, even though I don't know these characters and haven't read their books. I liked the concept of the letters and how that went from chapter to chapter. It was a cute story!
The Christmas Cab: 4.5☆ I really enjoyed The Christmas Cab! It was funny, cute, and steamy. Felix and Juniper are great characters, I enjoyed being in their heads and learning about their lives. Thistle Ridge sounds like a fun place to be!
December 13, 2024
Overall 4 stars!! Cute little novellas to read in one sitting. Catherine's was my favorite. I absolutely adored Theo. I want a full length novel of him lol. Also that ending was so unhinged it was perfect 😅
Vi/Penelope- 4⭐️
Catherine Cowles- 5⭐️
Shain Rose- 3⭐️
Lena Hendrix- didn't read, just epilogue chapters of previous books which I haven't read
Adriana Locke- same as above
Teagan Hunter- 4⭐️
Vi/Penelope- 4⭐️
Catherine Cowles- 5⭐️
Shain Rose- 3⭐️
Lena Hendrix- didn't read, just epilogue chapters of previous books which I haven't read
Adriana Locke- same as above
Teagan Hunter- 4⭐️
December 1, 2024
Nice set of stories and perfect for holiday quick reads. My main reason I wanted to read this was for the sullivans and kings family Christmas in one gift by Lena Hendrix. I love Lena’s books both set of family and friends I absolutely adore and I love that with this short story you get right back into this town and this family . The jokes and pranks are great. I love the romance and love seeing the family together and just see how they are and how things have gone since their books ended.
December 26, 2024
read this one for the catherine cowles story.
i think these little novellas are a great idea in hindsight, but very rarely do they actually work out in the end. definitely need more plot to actually enjoy them. 🤷🏻♀️
2.5⭐️
i think these little novellas are a great idea in hindsight, but very rarely do they actually work out in the end. definitely need more plot to actually enjoy them. 🤷🏻♀️
2.5⭐️
December 2, 2024
That was such a cute collection of short stories! The perfect book to start December with. 🥰✨
December 8, 2024
Perfect set of Christmas novellas to help get you in the Christmas spirit!
December 29, 2024
Cute short stories by some great authors! My favorites were included: Catherine Cowles + Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland.
December 30, 2024
3 stars
I really liked the first two stories but the rest were pretty meh so yeah.
I really liked the first two stories but the rest were pretty meh so yeah.
December 12, 2024
Overall I enjoyed this anthology of novellas. I honestly picked it up because I love Shain Rose and she didn’t disappoint. I liked a couple other authors and I’ll have to make sure to pick up their books! Some novellas were spicy and others weren’t. I think I was expecting them all to be spicy but now I know.
December 22, 2024
The Christmas Card - Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward:
It was okay. Nothing special, and certainly not that memorable. The premise was cute, but I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two and the whole relationship felt bland.
Mistletoe and Murder - Catherine Cowles:
The murder actually ruined the novella. It was a great, classic premise up until then, and then in the last few pages someone gets murdered out of nowhere.
Candy Cane Kisses - Shain Rose:
Not a bad plot, just a little too kinky for me.
Adrianna Locke:
Skipped, it looked like it was connected to books I haven’t read.
The Christmas Cab - Teagan Hunter
Probably the best novella of the bunch. Really cute and very festive.
It was okay. Nothing special, and certainly not that memorable. The premise was cute, but I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two and the whole relationship felt bland.
Mistletoe and Murder - Catherine Cowles:
The murder actually ruined the novella. It was a great, classic premise up until then, and then in the last few pages someone gets murdered out of nowhere.
Candy Cane Kisses - Shain Rose:
Not a bad plot, just a little too kinky for me.
Adrianna Locke:
Skipped, it looked like it was connected to books I haven’t read.
The Christmas Cab - Teagan Hunter
Probably the best novella of the bunch. Really cute and very festive.
December 13, 2024
A December to Remember is an anthology of six novellas from seven authors.
The Christmas Card by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward is a delightful tale of Joy Hannigan's drunken Photoshop Christmas card escapade. After sending a hilariously altered card to her ex-boyfriend, Davis Lawson, and his new fiancee, Hailey, Joy finds herself in an unexpected situation. The story unfolds with Joy receiving a Christmas invitation to Davis and Hailey's party, which she used to co-host. One too many wines, and she finds herself photoshopping a gorgeous male model, Nolan Bradstreet, into her own Christmas Card and mailing it to Davis and Hailey. The twist? Joy gets to meet Nolan when he appears at the party.
In 'Mistletoe and Murder' by Catherine Coles, a Christmas Eve wedding takes a dramatic turn when the bride, Abigail, nearly kills the groom's sister. This is not your typical holiday romance!
Candy Cane Kisses by Shain Rose is about a new bar and restaurant called Frost, owned and operated by Nolan Sinclair, who hired Faye Winter to help draw in business; she decides to decorate the place and causes a fire, but that's not the only thing smoking.
One Gift by Lena Hendrix is a touching story about the King and Sullivan families' Christmas. The family comes together to give their father one last holiday at home, creating a heartwarming and sentimental narrative that will resonate with readers.
Adriana Locke's A Carmichael Christmas follows each Carmichael sibling as they write the necessary Christmas letters to each other: Maddox, Moss, Foxx, Banks, Jess, and Paige.
The Christmas Cab by Teagan Hunter is a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Juniper Frost, returning home for her brother Jonah's wedding to Cindy, faces Jonah's best friend, Felix Bailey, whom she kissed three years ago and hasn't seen since. The anticipation of their reunion and the unresolved feelings from the past make for an intriguing read.
The Christmas Card by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward is a delightful tale of Joy Hannigan's drunken Photoshop Christmas card escapade. After sending a hilariously altered card to her ex-boyfriend, Davis Lawson, and his new fiancee, Hailey, Joy finds herself in an unexpected situation. The story unfolds with Joy receiving a Christmas invitation to Davis and Hailey's party, which she used to co-host. One too many wines, and she finds herself photoshopping a gorgeous male model, Nolan Bradstreet, into her own Christmas Card and mailing it to Davis and Hailey. The twist? Joy gets to meet Nolan when he appears at the party.
In 'Mistletoe and Murder' by Catherine Coles, a Christmas Eve wedding takes a dramatic turn when the bride, Abigail, nearly kills the groom's sister. This is not your typical holiday romance!
Candy Cane Kisses by Shain Rose is about a new bar and restaurant called Frost, owned and operated by Nolan Sinclair, who hired Faye Winter to help draw in business; she decides to decorate the place and causes a fire, but that's not the only thing smoking.
One Gift by Lena Hendrix is a touching story about the King and Sullivan families' Christmas. The family comes together to give their father one last holiday at home, creating a heartwarming and sentimental narrative that will resonate with readers.
Adriana Locke's A Carmichael Christmas follows each Carmichael sibling as they write the necessary Christmas letters to each other: Maddox, Moss, Foxx, Banks, Jess, and Paige.
The Christmas Cab by Teagan Hunter is a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Juniper Frost, returning home for her brother Jonah's wedding to Cindy, faces Jonah's best friend, Felix Bailey, whom she kissed three years ago and hasn't seen since. The anticipation of their reunion and the unresolved feelings from the past make for an intriguing read.
December 4, 2024
This is a series of short stories. I read 4 of the 6.
Christmas Book #5.1 - The Christmas Card
Rating: 4/5
Tropes: Fake Dating
Spice: 0/5
Romance: A Smidge - Fake dating turned into feelings over time.
Christmas Themes: Christmas Party, Christmas Cards
Plot: Yes, it was really cute and funny.
Pages: 33
Christmas Book #5.2 - Mistletoe & Murder
Rating: 4.5/5
Tropes: Brother's Best Friend, Fake Dating, Dislike to Lovers, One Bed
Spice: 1.5/5 (1 scene)
Romance: Something long in the making
Christmas Themes: Christmas Time, Snow
Plot: Yes, it went from 0 to 100 real quick. The ending was great.
Pages: 32
Christmas Book #5.3 - Candy Cane Kisses
Rating: 4.5/5
Tropes: Boss x Employee, Grumpy x Sunshine
Spice: 1.5/5 (1 scene)
Romance: Always been her
Christmas Themes: Christmas Party, "Christmas Lights", and "Candy Canes"
Plot: Yes, it was really cute and I loved the banter.
Pages: 37
Christmas Book #5.4 - The Christmas Cab
Rating: 4/5
Tropes: Brother's Best Friend, Second Chance-ish?
Spice: 2/5 (1 scene)
Romance: Yes, they finally realize their feelings & misunderstandings
Christmas Themes: Snow, Christmas Time, Christmas themed town
Plot: Yes
Pages: 55
Christmas Book #5.1 - The Christmas Card
Rating: 4/5
Tropes: Fake Dating
Spice: 0/5
Romance: A Smidge - Fake dating turned into feelings over time.
Christmas Themes: Christmas Party, Christmas Cards
Plot: Yes, it was really cute and funny.
Pages: 33
Christmas Book #5.2 - Mistletoe & Murder
Rating: 4.5/5
Tropes: Brother's Best Friend, Fake Dating, Dislike to Lovers, One Bed
Spice: 1.5/5 (1 scene)
Romance: Something long in the making
Christmas Themes: Christmas Time, Snow
Plot: Yes, it went from 0 to 100 real quick. The ending was great.
Pages: 32
Christmas Book #5.3 - Candy Cane Kisses
Rating: 4.5/5
Tropes: Boss x Employee, Grumpy x Sunshine
Spice: 1.5/5 (1 scene)
Romance: Always been her
Christmas Themes: Christmas Party, "Christmas Lights", and "Candy Canes"
Plot: Yes, it was really cute and I loved the banter.
Pages: 37
Christmas Book #5.4 - The Christmas Cab
Rating: 4/5
Tropes: Brother's Best Friend, Second Chance-ish?
Spice: 2/5 (1 scene)
Romance: Yes, they finally realize their feelings & misunderstandings
Christmas Themes: Snow, Christmas Time, Christmas themed town
Plot: Yes
Pages: 55
December 26, 2024
This anthology has 6 books, but I chose to read the first three only (maybe I’ll read the last three next year…).
Overall rating for first three 3.25⭐️
>>> the Christmas card- 2.5⭐️ 0🌶️
Not a lot happened, not greatly written and while the plot had potential, it wasn’t executed. I understand that they’re meant to be short and sweet, but this was toooo short and not anything really about them together? Confused…
>>> murder and mistletoe- 4.5⭐️0.10🌶️
“Every time I tried to make it work with someone who wasn’t you.”
While this was incredibly short, it packed SO much into it, in a good way. Like all great Catherine books, there was a fun plot twist at the end and someone who was a lil murdery. I’m also always down for a ‘I’ve always loved you/it’s always been you’, brothers bestfriend, known each other since childhood vibes 👏🏼 I loved the whole thing.
>>>Candy Cane Kisses- 3⭐️0.5🌶️
“But by the end of the night, you’ll be mine, Faye.”
This was okay, I enjoyed the fact that they both held back but wanted each other… but again, not a lot happened. I get it’s a novella, but it still needed more. I also think it was just used as a set up for other books, some of which I’ve already read 🤣 but it was cute and had the tiniest bit of spice.
Overall rating for first three 3.25⭐️
>>> the Christmas card- 2.5⭐️ 0🌶️
Not a lot happened, not greatly written and while the plot had potential, it wasn’t executed. I understand that they’re meant to be short and sweet, but this was toooo short and not anything really about them together? Confused…
>>> murder and mistletoe- 4.5⭐️0.10🌶️
“Every time I tried to make it work with someone who wasn’t you.”
While this was incredibly short, it packed SO much into it, in a good way. Like all great Catherine books, there was a fun plot twist at the end and someone who was a lil murdery. I’m also always down for a ‘I’ve always loved you/it’s always been you’, brothers bestfriend, known each other since childhood vibes 👏🏼 I loved the whole thing.
>>>Candy Cane Kisses- 3⭐️0.5🌶️
“But by the end of the night, you’ll be mine, Faye.”
This was okay, I enjoyed the fact that they both held back but wanted each other… but again, not a lot happened. I get it’s a novella, but it still needed more. I also think it was just used as a set up for other books, some of which I’ve already read 🤣 but it was cute and had the tiniest bit of spice.
December 11, 2024
Overall Anthology: 2.5 Stars
The Christmas Card - 2 stars. A 39 page story and the hero spent more than half of it casually dating another girl. Eh. What I expect from Keeland and Ward at this point. Although the writing flows well and it’s easy to read. I did like the whole photoshop part, that was cute! And the Facebook messages were fun too.
Mistletoe and Murder - 4 stars. Really good banter, I like Noelle and Theo together a lot! But wtf the murder scene? Unnecessary for such a short story, everything was flowing great until that scene which was just jarring and out of place. But I guess that is Cowles’ MO (murder/suspense) and should be expected. I did enjoy this one though!
Candy Cane Kisses - 2 stars. Too instalove imo, although it does make me want to go to a Christmas themed bar lol
One Gift - skipped (I think these characters are part of a series?)
A Carmichael Christmas - skipped (I think these characters are part of a series?)
The Christmas Cab - 2.5 stars. I liked the Hallmarky feel of the town, it was really cute. The romance started off interesting but idk I didn’t really care for it by the end of the 50 pages. A cute little Christmas novella.
The Christmas Card - 2 stars. A 39 page story and the hero spent more than half of it casually dating another girl. Eh. What I expect from Keeland and Ward at this point. Although the writing flows well and it’s easy to read. I did like the whole photoshop part, that was cute! And the Facebook messages were fun too.
Mistletoe and Murder - 4 stars. Really good banter, I like Noelle and Theo together a lot! But wtf the murder scene? Unnecessary for such a short story, everything was flowing great until that scene which was just jarring and out of place. But I guess that is Cowles’ MO (murder/suspense) and should be expected. I did enjoy this one though!
Candy Cane Kisses - 2 stars. Too instalove imo, although it does make me want to go to a Christmas themed bar lol
One Gift - skipped (I think these characters are part of a series?)
A Carmichael Christmas - skipped (I think these characters are part of a series?)
The Christmas Cab - 2.5 stars. I liked the Hallmarky feel of the town, it was really cute. The romance started off interesting but idk I didn’t really care for it by the end of the 50 pages. A cute little Christmas novella.
December 2, 2024
I always enjoy the annual free Christmas book from Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. I've come to expect it'll have a solid well written plot, that is creative and unique and ends with a kiss and sadly nothing more. If you want steam you have to read their full length novels, which always do deliver. 4 Stars
Knowing that going in I enjoyed The Christmas Card.
I also red Candy Cane Kisses. 2 stars. After reading The Christmas Card and finding the hero in this book is also named Nolan but he's nothing like the hero from the book I just read gave me whiplash. Nolan is harsh and gruff to our heroine as she decorates his bar, then all of sudden there's talk of a secret bar. How likely is it our heroine whose name I've completely forgotten has never heard of a hush hush sex club in the Vegas hotel and casino that she works at? All of sudden we're to believe Nolan is harsh because he has indulgences and doesn't think she can handle it? Just seemed like two different stories to me. Decorating a bar for the Holidays, and...a sex club romance.
Knowing that going in I enjoyed The Christmas Card.
I also red Candy Cane Kisses. 2 stars. After reading The Christmas Card and finding the hero in this book is also named Nolan but he's nothing like the hero from the book I just read gave me whiplash. Nolan is harsh and gruff to our heroine as she decorates his bar, then all of sudden there's talk of a secret bar. How likely is it our heroine whose name I've completely forgotten has never heard of a hush hush sex club in the Vegas hotel and casino that she works at? All of sudden we're to believe Nolan is harsh because he has indulgences and doesn't think she can handle it? Just seemed like two different stories to me. Decorating a bar for the Holidays, and...a sex club romance.
December 10, 2024
A December To Remember by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward, Catherine Cowles, Shain Rose, Lena Hendrix, Adriana Locke and Teagan Hunter
Overall rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Romance
Holiday Stories
252 pages
The Christmas Card by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Fake dating
🎄Photoshopped love affair
Oh my Santa Claus! This novella was so, so good. I had never read anything by these authors but sign me up for everything, please and thank you! I was so invested in this fake dating 😱 I need a whole book with these vibes.
Mistletoe & Murd$r by Catherine Cowles
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Fake dating
🎄Brother’s best friend
🎄Murd*ry parties
Dear Catherine Cowles, I was so invested in this short story that I kept taking breaks so it wouldn’t end too quickly. Also, at this point… do you think I can read your grocery lists?! I’m sure they’ll be my favorites too 😁 but not in a creepy way, of course 🫣
Candy Cane Kisses by Shain Rose
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Workplace romance
🎄Dislike to love
Okay, let me fan myself 👀
One Gift by Lena Hendrix
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Small town
🎄Christmas novella
🎄Kings and Sullivans
That Red chapter did me dirty 😭😭
Someone please check on me 😭😭
A Carmichael Novella by Adriana Locke
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Christmas novella
🎄Several POVs
I got a letter 😛 don’t be jelly 💁🏻♀️
The Christmas Cab by Teagan Hunter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Friends to lovers
🎄Brother’s best friend
🎄In the wedding together
Oh my reindeer, this was everything I wanted. I need all of Teagan Hunter books! Merry Christmas to me 🥹 This was so, so good 👏🏼
Overall rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Romance
Holiday Stories
252 pages
The Christmas Card by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Fake dating
🎄Photoshopped love affair
Oh my Santa Claus! This novella was so, so good. I had never read anything by these authors but sign me up for everything, please and thank you! I was so invested in this fake dating 😱 I need a whole book with these vibes.
Mistletoe & Murd$r by Catherine Cowles
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Fake dating
🎄Brother’s best friend
🎄Murd*ry parties
Dear Catherine Cowles, I was so invested in this short story that I kept taking breaks so it wouldn’t end too quickly. Also, at this point… do you think I can read your grocery lists?! I’m sure they’ll be my favorites too 😁 but not in a creepy way, of course 🫣
Candy Cane Kisses by Shain Rose
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Workplace romance
🎄Dislike to love
Okay, let me fan myself 👀
One Gift by Lena Hendrix
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Small town
🎄Christmas novella
🎄Kings and Sullivans
That Red chapter did me dirty 😭😭
Someone please check on me 😭😭
A Carmichael Novella by Adriana Locke
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Christmas novella
🎄Several POVs
I got a letter 😛 don’t be jelly 💁🏻♀️
The Christmas Cab by Teagan Hunter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎄Friends to lovers
🎄Brother’s best friend
🎄In the wedding together
Oh my reindeer, this was everything I wanted. I need all of Teagan Hunter books! Merry Christmas to me 🥹 This was so, so good 👏🏼
December 14, 2024
I was here for The Christmas Card by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
This story was super cute. Joy Hannigan decided one night after a few too many wines to send a funny altered christmas card to her ex-boyfriend Davis, who's now engaged to another woman called Hailey.
When she gets an invitation to Davis and Hailey's christmas party, she goes. But when she's there, two men walk in, and one of the men is Nolan Bradstreet, who is none other than the person she photoshopped into the christmas card she sent to her Davis and Hailey.
She's now praying that Davis has forgotten about the christmas card she sent and won't recognise Nolan. But we don't always get what we'd hoped because Davis recognises Nolan, and Joy needs to go up to Nolan and pretend that she's in a fake relationship with him.
I loved it when they meet eachother and them coming up with the stories, haha. Nolan was just oh so handsome, and I loved the chat conversations they had.
This story was super cute. Joy Hannigan decided one night after a few too many wines to send a funny altered christmas card to her ex-boyfriend Davis, who's now engaged to another woman called Hailey.
When she gets an invitation to Davis and Hailey's christmas party, she goes. But when she's there, two men walk in, and one of the men is Nolan Bradstreet, who is none other than the person she photoshopped into the christmas card she sent to her Davis and Hailey.
She's now praying that Davis has forgotten about the christmas card she sent and won't recognise Nolan. But we don't always get what we'd hoped because Davis recognises Nolan, and Joy needs to go up to Nolan and pretend that she's in a fake relationship with him.
I loved it when they meet eachother and them coming up with the stories, haha. Nolan was just oh so handsome, and I loved the chat conversations they had.
December 4, 2024
Oww this was absolutely delightful!!
Aside from the fact that two of my fave writers were included (Catherine and Lena, obv!!) I got to be introduced to other authors’ writing and now I added even more books to my tbr 🥹😂
But oh man were all of these absolute wholesome and wholeheartedly 🤭🥰
These are 6 very short stories and each of them are very very cute and some even have a bit of a spicy touch but they’re more cutsy Christmas romances than anything else 🥰
My favorite I have to admit was Lena’s, One gift because we got to witness a Christmas between the Sullivans and the Kings and it made me so emotional 🥺🥺❤️
Rating of each novella:
Vi keeland and Penelope ward: 4⭐️
Catherine: 4.5⭐️
Shain: 4.5⭐️
Lena: 5⭐️
Adriana: 4⭐️
Teagan: 4.5⭐️
An average rating of 4.5⭐️ in total so that’s what Im rating this perfect Anthology ❤️
Aside from the fact that two of my fave writers were included (Catherine and Lena, obv!!) I got to be introduced to other authors’ writing and now I added even more books to my tbr 🥹😂
But oh man were all of these absolute wholesome and wholeheartedly 🤭🥰
These are 6 very short stories and each of them are very very cute and some even have a bit of a spicy touch but they’re more cutsy Christmas romances than anything else 🥰
My favorite I have to admit was Lena’s, One gift because we got to witness a Christmas between the Sullivans and the Kings and it made me so emotional 🥺🥺❤️
Rating of each novella:
Vi keeland and Penelope ward: 4⭐️
Catherine: 4.5⭐️
Shain: 4.5⭐️
Lena: 5⭐️
Adriana: 4⭐️
Teagan: 4.5⭐️
An average rating of 4.5⭐️ in total so that’s what Im rating this perfect Anthology ❤️
December 17, 2025
The Christmas Card by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Cute story, the photoshopping of the couple was quite funny!
Tropes: Fake dating
Mistletoe & Murder by Catherine Cowles
Good character building in a short space of time, but the murder part came completely out of left wing. Definitely needed more build up!
Tropes: Fake dating, siblings best friend
One Gift by Lena Hendrix
Sweet short story, no major thoughts other than perhaps I left too big a gap between finishing the series and reading this as I forgot who some of the characters were lol.
Tropes: Small town, catch up with characters from a complete series
The Christmas Cab by Teagan Hunter
Nice story, I liked the couple together but the Christmas town theme was a bit OTT for me.
Tropes: Small town, siblings best friend
Cute story, the photoshopping of the couple was quite funny!
Tropes: Fake dating
Mistletoe & Murder by Catherine Cowles
Good character building in a short space of time, but the murder part came completely out of left wing. Definitely needed more build up!
Tropes: Fake dating, siblings best friend
One Gift by Lena Hendrix
Sweet short story, no major thoughts other than perhaps I left too big a gap between finishing the series and reading this as I forgot who some of the characters were lol.
Tropes: Small town, catch up with characters from a complete series
The Christmas Cab by Teagan Hunter
Nice story, I liked the couple together but the Christmas town theme was a bit OTT for me.
Tropes: Small town, siblings best friend
December 16, 2024
This festive collection of Christmas-themed novellas was the perfect mix of familiar and new authors. Each story offered something sweet, charming, and heartwarming.
If you’re looking for quick, feel-good reads to get into the holiday spirit, this collection has you covered!
Each novella brought its own magic, whether it was cozy romance, mystery, or second chances under the mistletoe.
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If you’re looking for quick, feel-good reads to get into the holiday spirit, this collection has you covered!
Each novella brought its own magic, whether it was cozy romance, mystery, or second chances under the mistletoe.
Follow me on Instagram for more bookish reviews and content:
https://www.instagram.com/bookish_kat...
December 7, 2024
I received this book free from the Authors and wasn't sure if I'd be able to do a review. Yay I can.
This was a compilation of 6 Authors with short Christmas stories. All were very heart warming. All the Christmas cozy fuzzy feelings. They all were about the importance of family and traditions around the holidays. Okay maybe no all. Out of the six three were family and traditions and three were romance and all were good.
This was a compilation of 6 Authors with short Christmas stories. All were very heart warming. All the Christmas cozy fuzzy feelings. They all were about the importance of family and traditions around the holidays. Okay maybe no all. Out of the six three were family and traditions and three were romance and all were good.
December 9, 2024
I read Mistletoe & Murder by Catherine Cowles and One Gift by Lena Hendrix. I gave them both five stars because I really couldn’t have asked for more. They both packed their stories everything I love from them. Catherine gave us a brother’s best friend Christmas short story with a murder plot and she nailed it! Lena gave us a compilation of POVs from the King/Sullivan clan’s Christmas party and Red’s chapter had me so emotional. I loved both of these and definitely recommend reading them 🎄🩵
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