The Trouble with Christmas

True Hearts #1

by Loren Sorensen

What happens when a Christmas tree plays matchmaker between a younger brother and his sister’s best friend?

Rayanne Miller has a it's almost Christmas, and she doesn't have a Christmas tree set up in her beautiful new apartment. Unable to find help beyond her best friend’s younger brother, Rayanne is worried about spending time with the boy she grew up with and the man he’s become. Even if there’s a fangirl swooning at his cheeky grin and finely toned arms. The job must be completed, and it looks like Caleb Gardiner is the man for the job.

Caleb Gardiner has gotten over Rayanne—gotten over that terrible and pathetic crush that started when he understood that girls could turn into goddesses with the blink of an eye. To his annoyance, he discovers that the minute Rayanne asks for his help, he’s at her beck and call. Abandoning all pretenses, Caleb takes the opportunity to fight with an oversized Christmas tree and get it into her apartment, if it means he can show her he’s no longer just a kid. Perhaps there’s magic in the air that can make dreams come true.

The Trouble with Christmas is a steamy prequel novella with dual first person narrative. It’s an unexpected comedy of errors with twists and turns that will tug on all heart strings.

🎄 Tropes🎄
✧ He Falls First
✧ Reverse age gap
✧ Sibling/Best Friend Romance
✧ Alpha Male
✧ Sassy Badass FMC
✧ All Grown Up (Caleb)
✧ Forced Proximity

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Novella, Contemporary, Adult, Ebooks

216 pages, Paperback

Published December 17, 2024

Reviews

[What.Nikki.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25- 4.50
🎧 ALC reread! LOVED the audio. They did a phenomenal job and I fell in love with Caleb and Rayanne even more.

🎄Best friends little brother
🎄Childhood friends
🎄Christmas prequel/novella
🎄He falls first
🎄Close Proximity
🎄Mmc Pastry Chef
🎄No HEA yet

♥️ Caleb + Rayanne ♥️

A short prequel story when Rayanne needs help getting a Christmas tree into her apartment and the only person available to call is Caleb, her best friend's little brother who has had a crush on her since they were kids.

The tree becomes quite the excursion and is clearly way too big for her space. It makes for a fun, cute but steamy story. We get some light steam that gets the windows foggy if you know what I mean.

Caleb is an amazing pastry chef and the baking scenes I feel like I could smell them through the pages.

I enjoyed this opening to their relationship and can't wait to see where things go from here.
Thank you Loren for this ARC.

[Aurelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Trouble with Christmas" is an engaging short story with realistic characters. This heartwarming and slightly steamy tale revolves around Caleb's❤️ love for Rayanne and also a nine and half foot christmas tree..actually the tree is the main character 🎄 Rayanne is sassy and independent but can be stubborn at times but you come to understand her better as her insecurities are revealed. Caleb is a gentleman, he gives Rayanne her space and everything she asks for except leaving her. Now I will have to wait patiently for their whole story✨

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Trouble with Christmas is a short story steeped in the best parts of Christmas. The story centers on Caleb and Rayanne’s longtime friendship and budding romance. The story catapults you into a cozy Christmas in Austin, Texas where we get to following along with confusing, yet exciting, beginnings of new love. What’s not to love about Christmas lights, a hot pastry chef cooking/baking up all sorts of delicious treats, cleaning up a few Christmas mishaps, with a little bit steamy romance worked in? Loren does a great job of bringing a realistic feels to the story and give you just enough to keep you wanting more.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We aren't done, Ray... this is just the beginning!" ✨
Biggest thank you to @lorensorensenwrites for allowing me to read and review this festive arc named, "The Trouble with Christmas." 🎄 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

• This story follows two lifetime friends who are in the middle of the holiday season and learning about this magnetic pull between them. With Christmas coming near, Rayanne still doesn't have a Christmas tree and she's running out of time.
With everyone out of town, the only person she can ask for help is her best friends younger brother, Caleb. As they search for the perfect tree for her, Caleb is trying to reach a deadline for the perfect holiday desert. Will the holidays get the best of them? Or will they be able to sit back and enjoy the holidays?

This story actually kicked off my holiday reading early! I'm a sucker for a good "he falls first"/ "forced proximity" trope. So this was right up my alley! Loren had me on a roller coaster from beginning to end. I truly can't wait to see how it all comes together for Rayanne & Caleb. Bc Caleb is my boy, he's in it to win it.
✨ comes out 11/27/23 ✨

[Bethanys_bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect story that I needed to get me out of my reading slump. It’s a Christmas story you could read anytime of the year. I love that. There’s a happy ending, but not a happily ever after and if you’ve read the book, you know what I mean. I loved rayannes spunky attitude, and Caleb’s sly little smile . I listened to the audiobook as well as a reading the e-book because it’s easier for me. I am dyslexic and let me tell you. It was amazing. The back-and-forth from these narrators was beyond incredible. The banter was so relatable . I would read this again and again . I hope for more from this couple one day …… Loren ? lol this was a perfect short novella that made me smile and I loved the little spicy parts .

[Brandy Hussing · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ARC review ⭐️ After reading this book, I am ready to go pick out my Christmas tree! I really enjoyed how the Christmas tree was incorporated into the story and pulled Rayanne and Caleb together.

I just loved Caleb. He was so patient and kind while Rayanne was more sassy and in her head. He paid attention to details and showed Rayanne the little things matter like cooking for her and remembering her coffee order.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO cute. Childhood friends to ??, best friends brother, forced proximity are some wonderful tropes and Sorensen does a wonderful job weaving them together into a delightful Christmas tale. The ending was so brutal. I need more!

[Shayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, Christmas season novella - all because of a Christmas tree. BUT as sweet as this read is, it's not your typical HEA, be warned!

First of all - Loren’s descriptiveness is wonderful. When she wrote about the sfogliatella…omg. I swear I could actually taste it. My mouth watered reading about it.

Rayanne’s and Caleb’s story is heartwarming, and also shows how comfortable they are with one another through their witty banter. Caleb is seriously so sweet. His love and patience is beautiful and his chemistry with Rayanne is undeniable!


Notes: a prequel, the playlists are an awesome addition

Tropes: budding romance, best friend’s brother, cinnamon roll MMC, contemporary romance, he falls first, dual pov, age gap, forced proximity, Christmassy.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

This FMC felt very immature.

Caleb had a random heartfelt convo with some guy at the Christmas tree farm. Felt very weird... That conversation could have been with his sister instead of the additionally weird one she had with her friend.

This author's writing style was a little repetitive in the way of describing things.

I giggled, enthusiastically.
I pondered, deeply.
I cackled, maniacally.

Okay 😅

[jensbooknookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thought: Binged it! Didn’t want it to end as you get sucked into the lives of Ray and Caleb and become invested. The Christmas tree is the star of the show as it provides a kismet set of opportunities for Caleb after years of waiting. Let’s ship these two! Add to your tbr, thank me later.

Ray loves all things Christmas and it’s her first year in her apt with giant floor to ceiling windows that overlook downtown skyline, she has one goal a giant 9ft tree. But she has a problem she can’t get it up 3 flights of stairs herself so she has to in-list her best friend’s little brother, Caleb. He has always had a crush on her and she doesn’t want to lead him on, but she really wants her big tree!

Caleb is a pastry chef at an up and coming restaurant downtown. He has always had a crush on one women, and has waited years for a chance with her. When Ray calls asking for his help with a tree he comes to her aide, no questions asked. Maybe this year and helping with this damn giant ass tree she wants will be his kismet opportunity to finally get a chance with Ray.

Tropes you’ll find:

* Best Friend’s Brother
* Reverse Age Gap
* Forced Proximity
* He Falls First
* Childhood Crush
* Kismet Christmas 🎄
* Dual POV
* Mild Spice 🔥

[Chrissy HappilyEverAfterBookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christmas novella was so good! Loren did everything right to make me care about Ray and Caleb and be super anxious to know when the next book comes out. It’s best friend’s brother done right. Caleb has pined for Rayanne pretty much his whole life and when they pick up Ray’s Christmas tree together, sparks fly, which not only surprise Ray, they confuse and excite her, as well.

This is the classic we shouldn’t because of our friendship, but it’s done differently. There is something deeper there, that I hope we get to explore in the next book.
The banter and chemistry between these two were insane and dare I say their first kisses were just as hot as the spice. Caleb is the absolute dreamiest. He cares about Ray so deeply and takes things at her pace, even though it kills him. I love him so much! It ends on a mild cliffhanger that just sets up the next book perfectly, where I hope we get Ray and Caleb’s happily ever after! This is a quick read that will melt your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit!

Thank you to the author for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jess Palacios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review: The Trouble with Christmas
⭐️: 5 of 5
🌶️: 4 of 5
📚: 143 pages

Read it if you like:
✔️ Christmas Romance
✔️ Best friend's brother
✔️ He falls first
✔️ Sassy Bad4ss FMC
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Alpha Male

BLURB: ''Rayanne Miller doesn't have a Christmas tree set up in her beautiful new apartment and unable to find help beyond her best friend’s younger brother, she is worried about spending time with the boy she grew up with and the man he’s become. Even if there’s a fangirl swooning at his cheeky grin and toned arms. The job must be completed, and it looks like Caleb Gardiner is the man for the job although he realizes his crush on her is back and wants to show her he’s no longer just a kid. Perhaps there’s magic in the air that can make dreams come true...''

<3 This is officially the ideal steamy romance for Christmas reading! It's such a fun, sexy and at the same time deep and meaningful story, because we see both Rayanne (FMC) and Caleb (MMC) fighting against their own feelings thinking it's wrong and imageable to feel attracted to each other and then to see them accepting those feelings and caving in it's amazing! I'm not going to spoil anything but at the end of this book when you thinking is going into one direction it takes a 360 turn and it leaves us mind blown! It ends with a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the next book!

[PurpleGypsyBookLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
🌶🌶               2/5

🎄Tropes🎄
✧ He Falls First
✧ Reverse age gap
✧ Sibling/Best Friend Romance
✧ Alpha Male
✧ Sassy Badass FMC
✧ All Grown Up (Caleb)
✧ Forced Proximity

Whew this book was packed full of chemistry! Rayanne is in love with her best friend's younger brother and Caleb has (semi-secretly) been in love with Rayanne for many years. When he gets the chance to help her with Christmas and knows they will be confined to small spaces together he jumps at the chance.

I spent a lot of time yelling out loud for Caleb to just kiss her already and for Rayanne to get out of her own way! The ending had me in shock. Definitely worth the read and I cannot wait to see what else unfolds in Caleb and Rayanne’s situation.

[Johanna Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella in between book 1 & 2 in a series but I read it as a stand alone and I CANNOT wait for book 2 in the series because it’s the story for Rayanne and Caleb. In this novella we are introduced to Rayanne and Caleb, who is her best friend’s younger brother that always had a crush on her. Her BFF is out of the country and she needs help setting up her Christmas tree so she calls on Caleb. But without her BFF there as buffer, she realizes little brother is all grown up and he is hot and a pastry chef. What more could you want? He worships the ground she walks on, knows her from childhood and through her awkward phases as well as seeing her in her darkest moments. She has been there for him too. But of course she doesn’t want to ruin their friendship or her friendship with her bestie if things go south with little brother. What’s a girl to do? And what won’t he do to get her to give them a shot? Read it and find out. Sweet romance. Perfect dude. Relatable MFC. Also love the bits about Austin and surrounding because I’ve lived there too.

[romancevibeswithbritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Arc review✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This novella is a prequel and you truly fall in love with these characters. Especially Caleb, he is just the sweetest man and only wants amazing things for Rayanne.

These two had such good tension and banter. There were so many moments of little touches or looks followed by sassy banter. I loved it.

Both have baggage but Caleb is determined that even though Ray wants to fight the attraction that they were meant to be. I can’t wait to see how it plays off in her novel.

🎄Christmas novella
🎄Bestfriend’s brother
🎄He falls first
🎄Banter
🎄No HEA (yet)

Thank you Loren for the arc

[Lena Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rayanne & Caleb are *chefs kiss*

Rayanne wants the picture-perfect Christmas tree and since everyone is out of town she's only got one person she can ask. Her best friend’s younger brother, Caleb.

Caleb has had a crush on his sister’s best friend for as long as he can remember but never allowed anything to come of it.

Their chemistry is insane. I loved their banter and Rayanne’s sass. Their friendship turned more was the perfect touch to this story.

If you love —
❄️ he falls first
❄️ reverse age gap
❄️ best friend’s brother
❄️ alpha male
❄️ bada** FMC
❄️ forced proximity

you'll love The Trouble with Christmas!

[Rhea Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite literally felt butterflies the entire time I read this book. Rayanne and Calebs story was so cute, and put me right in the Christmas spirit. Loren had a way of keeping me turning the page I nearly read the story in one sitting! The sexual tension between the characters throughout was so well done, I can't wait to see what happens to them in future books. I definitely want more.

Thank you for writing this, it gave me ALL the feels.

I am an ARC reader for The Trouble with Christmas and this is an honest review.

[The Bashful Bookworm by Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is dual POV novella-length prequel setting up a full length book about Caleb and Rayanne, meaning it’s not a happily ever after…yet. Caleb is the younger brother Rayanne’s best friend. He’s always had feelings for her but knew nothing would ever come of them. The story starts with Reyanne needing help getting a Christmas tree and Caleb is her only option, so they find themselves spending lots of time together. These solo interactions lead to Rayanne questioning how she feels about him and Caleb deciding to shot his shot! They have lots of chemistry and the tension is hot!

While I prefer novellas to have a resolution, I knew going in this wouldn’t be a HEA…yet, and want to emphasize this is a novella-length PREQUEL! I really enjoyed Loren’s writing style and storytelling ability. I am totally invested in these characters story and can’t wait to see them reach their HEA! It should be coming next year.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Christmas holiday spirit read. The story that sucks you in rooting for Rayanne to fall for Caleb, who has always seemed to have a crush on her. Rayanne wants to be her own independent strong gal and make Christmas the best. It all starts with what might as well be the biggest tree in Texas to fit in her living room. With the witty banter between Caleb and Rayanne, you still hope she can show her feelings that she may have for him. Will she let Caleb in her heart?

[Jo Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book flowed really well and was a very quick read. Loved the character. Would love to see more of Isla in the next book. I love how the main character Rayanne is scared of loving ago. She speaks to so much of us how have been badly hurt in the past. Caleb is such a sweet character who couldn’t love him? However how could the author leave with that ending?!?!?! Patiently waiting for book two now.

[Erin Nott · Rating 5 out of 5]

May we all find someone who looks at us the way Caleb Gardiner looks at Rayanne Miller. And if he is also a master patissier...LOCK HIM DOWN. But it wouldn't be a romance story without some angst. This is technically a slow burn, but due to the condensed length of the book, it ends up burning quite quickly. Toward the end I had to remember that this is "just the beginning" of their story, so thankfully there is more to come!

[littlesmuttyone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I need more so bad Caleb. Oh man, he perfect he bakes,cooks ,he remembers every little detail ,he doesn't pressure rayanne at all. He knows what he wants and feelswhenever she needs him, he is always there just as she would for him .

Her ex did a number on her for sure ,but don't we all have an ex like that and know from experience how hard it is to trust and give in to your feelings .I need more of Caleb & rayanne

I was swooning for Caleb through it all

[Alexa Smith-Surrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be chosen to read this ARC of The Trouble With Christmas. This was such a cute story! Loren Sorensen is an amazing writer who really is able to captivate her readers. I was hooked from the first page. Such a cute festive read to put you in the holiday spirit!!!

[Nicole Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

The was a tease and I need more! This was a original and cute start to Caleb and Rayanne. I can't wait to see their story continue. The chemistry was great and it was well written

[Sarah Barker Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story! I loved this book so much that I could not put it down. I love everything about Christmas and when the amazing Author picked me to be apart of her ARC team, I was so thrilled! I highly recommend that everyone read this book.

[Gail Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love revisited.
A sweet story of a young crush which turns into something more. Beautifully written 🥰

[Jenn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Holiday Read!!

This is a best friend’s brother romance that centers around the mishaps of a Christmas tree. It was an emotional slow burn read packed with a great story line and lots of laughs. I fell hard for Ray and Caleb and want more of their story. I really hope that the author writes more about this couple because I love them!!!

[Dusty Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unrequited or not

Can a Christmas tree make Rayanne see what has been in front of her all along? Or will Caleb forever hold on to his unrequited love? This was a beautiful story of a possible beginning of a beautiful relationship. Caleb reminds me so much of my husband who has loved me since childhood, even when I couldn't love myself. I hope we can see the rest of this story.

[Davina McKinnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to reverse the roles and make a girl addicted to fictional characters.
I am keenly looking forward to the next addition because just like a pringle, enough, just isn't enough.

[Dani Denee’ Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never not LOVE a good Christmas story!! This was the coziest little Christmas novella EVER!!! The banter, the bickering, the nosey sister, everything was just perfection!!!