Kissing Santa

Clover Park #4

by Kylie Gilmore

Samantha Dixon is about to confess her most secret, romantic Christmas wish to Santa. Heck, what’s she got to lose with her disastrous romantic history? Like that player from her horrible blind date last week arranged by her mother. Only guess who’s Santa?

Rico del Toro loves women. So one bad date with the beautiful Samantha in a string of many, ahem, successful evenings is no big deal. But when a friendly favor playing Santa unexpectedly lands Samantha on his lap for a romantic confessional, he’s intrigued. He’s never heard a woman open her heart like that before.

But if this Santa wants a second chance, he’ll have to rethink his womanizing ways and convince her that he is the perfect package.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Contemporary Romance

130 pages, ebook

First published September 13, 2014

About the author

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***THE SEXY PART is out now!***

Kylie Gilmore is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty humorous contemporary romances. Her series include Happy Endings in Clover Park, Unleashed Romance, the Rourkes, the Happy Endings Book Club, Clover Park, and Clover Park Charmers. With more than three million downloads of her books, readers all over the world love escaping into her hilarious feel-good romances featuring strong bonds with family, friends, and community.

Kylie lives in New York with her family, a demanding cat, and a nutso dog. When she's not writing, reading hot romance, or dutifully taking notes at writing conferences, you can find her happily crafting what will surely be future family heirlooms.

Join the Gilmore Goddesses Readers Group to chat about Kylie's books in a non-spoilerly way. Also, man candy. Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Gilmo...

Find out more about Kylie and upcoming books at www.kyliegilmore.com. Sign up for Kylie’s newsletter at https://www.kyliegilmore.com/newsletter

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KYLIE’S BOOKS

HAPPY ENDINGS IN CLOVER PARK
The Kissing Part (Book 1)
The Sexy Part (Book 2)

UNLEASHED ROMANCE
Fetching (Book 1)
Dashing (Book 2)
Sporting (Book 3)
Toying (Book 4)
Blazing (Book 5)
Chasing (Book 6)
Daring (Book 7)
Leading (Book 8)
Racing (Book 9)
Loving (Book 10)

THE ROURKES
Royal Catch (Book 1)
Royal Hottie (Book 2)
Royal Darling (Book 3)
Royal Charmer (Book 4)
Royal Player (Book 5)
Royal Shark (Book 6)
Rogue Prince (Book 7)
Rogue Gentleman (Book 8)
Rogue Rascal (Book 9)
Rogue Angel (Book 10)
Rogue Devil (Book 11)
Rogue Beast (Book 12)

HAPPY ENDINGS BOOK CLUB
Hidden Hollywood (Book 1)
Inviting Trouble (Book 2)
So Revealing (Book 3)
Formal Arrangement (Book 4)
Bad Boy Done Wrong (Book 5)
Mess With Me (Book 6)
Resisting Fate (Book 7)
Chance of Romance (Book 8)
Wicked Flirt (Book 9)
An Inconvenient Plan (Book 10) 
A Happy Endings Wedding (Book 11)

CLOVER PARK SERIES
The Opposite of Wild (Book 1)
Daisy Does It All (Book 2)
Bad Taste in Men (Book 3)
Kissing Santa (Book 4)
Restless Harmony (Book 5)
Not My Romeo (Book 6)
Rev Me Up (Book 7)
An Ambitious Engagement (Book 8)
Clutch Player (Book 9)
A Tempting Friendship (Book 10)
Clover Park Bride: Nico and Lily’s Wedding
A Valentine’s Day Gift (Book 11)
Maggie Meets Her Match (Book 12)

CLOVER PARK CHARMERS
Almost Over It (Book 1)
Almost Married (Book 2)
Almost Fate (Book 3)
Almost in Love (Book 4)
Almost Romance (Book 5)
Almost Hitched (Book 6)

Reviews

[Marissa Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤❤❤

Rico and Samantha were absolutely perfect for each other! I laughed so much at everything Rico was trying to do to make everything perfect for Samantha it was definitely cute! Such a great Christmas book! I loved everything about it! ❤😊

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kissing Santa by Kylie Gilmore is the fourth book in her Clover Park series. It is closer to novella length and can be read as a standalone.

Two overbearing mothers decide to set their single children up. It's not really an arranged marriage situation per-se. Just don't try to tell the moms that.

Rico and Samantha each agree to go on one date with their mothers friends child. Child is the only word I can think of to use but they're both grown, hard-working adults approaching their thirties. Their first date is a disaster. Rico tries too hard and Samantha is bound and determined to dislike him.

Rico finds himself in a situation where he decides to keep trying to win Samantha's attention and the hilarity just grows from there.

Were there times I wanted to slap them both upside their heads? Absolutely! Did some of their actions and decisions seem ridiculous? You betcha! Was it funny? Uh, YEAH!

A sweet, quick and quirky story for the holidays that will have you appreciating the small things your significant other does for you a little more.

[Nikki Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!


Kissing Santa is part of the Clover Park series, but can easily be read as a standalone.

I've read all of Kylie's work so far (She's one of my top new authors of 2014), and Kissing Santa is another to add to the list of feel good, laugh out loud reads. This one is a novella, but it was still fun and cute!

What do you get when you put two marriage minded meddling mothers together? (Holy crap was that a tongue twister and I didn't mean to do that on purpose! HA)

Disaster.

Yep, that's what you get. Neither Samantha or Rico want to be set up, but hey, they go along with it with not so great results. Then without knowing so, Samantha confessing something to Rico and now it's ON!

I loved this story. It made me laugh. I loved how Rico is just not the best at knowing how to romance a woman so he's pulling out the books and movie strings. It was so fun! Samantha of course knows this and she's getting a little frustrating.

Watching these two give in to their feelings and what the heart wants was fun. Add in a holiday backdrop and some characters we've come to love making an appearance, and it makes for a great, quirky story that's sure to make readers smile.

What else does Kylie Gilmore have up her sleeve? I don't know, but I'm eagerly awaiting.

[Cheryl Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirty year old Samantha Dixon could not find Mr. Right. So, her mother steps in and arranges a date with her friend's son. Samantha is NOT happy about it! Rico del Toro, thirty-three, is happy dating women with no expectations. His mother is NOT! She arranges a date for Rico with friend's daughter. The date was a disaster! Through much trial and error, Rico fails at the dating game with Samantha. By the time he finally gets it will she be tired of giving him more chances to get it right?

That old saying "Mother knows best" is actually true! This is a lite, fun afternoon read. The beginning of the story was a little slow for me but then it picked up. I really enjoyed seeing Rico do all those crazy funny things to get to the woman he didn't realize he wanted. His sisters really had him going a little crazy. To go from being a "playa" to a man serious about a woman is quite the transformation. So funny too! Thank you Kylie Gilmore for such an entertaining book. I'm definitely looking forward to more from this talented author.

Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Book Junky Girls · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

Oh My...Mother's and their meddling ways.

That is what Rico and Samantha have to deal with.
Samantha has had her fair share of jerks throughout her dating life. The players, the cheaters and the all out Boring. Rico go after more of the fake type. The one's he can hook up with and then move on...MR Player himself. So what happens when their mothers set them up? One disaster after the next.

When Samantha decides to humor he niece and also disclose to SANTA what she would like for Christmas, she got way more than she had bargained for.

And so it begins...

First I must say that during the path of destruction some of Rico's actions had me laughing out loud. What on earth was he doing taking what his sisters offered in advice so literally. WOW!

This was a fun read, a little change from the more darker stories I have had recently. I enjoyed the lightness of this book.

Rico and his actions had me rolling. He really had no clue about romance and it was a great attempt on his part but the poor guy kept hitting a brick wall.

[Stephanie Lasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lighthearted Romance

Samantha is thirty something and due to a recent heartbreak, she is not actively looking for love. Rico has been nursing a broken heart for years, now he is just a player, using every woman he meets. They are both from strong Catholic families and their respective Mother’s are friends. Being forced into a Blind Date by their Mothers, they comply under protest. Already secretly knowing, they will never have to see each other again. However, fate creates a moment when, under the disguise of playing Santa; Rico finds out Samantha’s romantic desires and becomes determined to pursue her.

This quirky romance is filled with lighthearted situations, leaving you to believe that sometimes Mama does know best! Do you believe in Santa? Before telling all, you should know who is under that beard.

Cute, easy read.

Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.

[Jenny - Book Sojourner · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 Stars, rounded up.

During the holidays, I am a complete sucker for those Hallmark and Lifetime channel Christmas movies. You know, the ones that are sweet and slightly predictable, but still suck you in and give you that warm fuzzy feeling. Just the movies I like during the holidays to ease my mind and put me in my romantic happy place, cuddled up with a cup of cocoa and a cozy blanket. Kissing Santa is the written equivalent of those holiday movies I love so much, and just what I love about Christmas novellas.

Samantha and Rico aren't looking for love, but their families have other ideas, particularly their meddling mothers. Samantha's had her heart broken and Rico is quite the lady's man. Both are a little clueless. Both need a lot of help. But together, they are cute and quirky, funny and sexy, and find a little something special in each other. With just the right amount of quirky situations, family antics, and romantic chemistry, Kissing Santa is a cute, sweet, lighthearted romance just right for the holidays.

[Mayas · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A carfully laid plan and spilling of hopes and dreams on Santas' lap, had Rico hanging up his player suit for movies and books. You would think that would secure his HEA but NO... He met the woman who dreamed of her prince charming and enjoyed romance from movies and books but wanted her Prince to be "him".

Samantha had what every women dream of when she watch a love story and read a romance novel but she still felt deceived. I don't know ladies but I would have felt I had the grand prize. It doesn't matter because Rico still had some tricks up his sleave to woo her with what no woman sane or otherwise could resist.

Hahaha, I will not tell you but I will say Kylie rocked this Christmas novella and our studded guitar serenading Rico has fallen to the spells and our beloved group has even MORE announcements. I can't wait for a 5 years later novel for Clovers crew, it just can't be over yet.

[Lena Dublin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me cringing one moment and laughing out loud the next. Samantha, a girl down on her luck in the love department, is set up to go on a date with Rico by her mother. The date ended in disaster leaving her feeling not only hopeless but also like a failure. This causes her to make the biggest Christmas wish/confession of her life to Rico dressed in Santa's clothing.

I wanted Rico to succeed in winning her heart but he was breaking mine with his cluelessness. He definitely was not your typical romance hero. He was a player on a mission to reform himself all for one woman, Samantha. His poorly executed efforts all came from a good place. It made for some laugh out loud moments. My favorite was when he read romance novels intending to use them as an instruction manual but ends up a fan. Gotta love a man who reads, romance especially.

This book has it all humor, romance and hot scenes. A great start to the holiday season.

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be my last. This book is down right hilarious and fun! Such a great sweet and light read. I love that Samantha and Rico are set up by none other than their mothers. And the journey they go on is really hilarious!! I laughed out loud so many times, my kids asked me what was wrong with me. I thought with it being short that I would feel like it lacked something, but I was wrong. The characters are very developed and I feel like the author wrote the story perfectly. I was hooked from the very first page and didn't put it down until I hit the end. This was truly a delight!! I loved this one and will most definitely be reading it again when I need a pick me up!! Great job Ms. Gilmore!! This one earns 5 AMAZEBALLS stars!!!

A copy was gifted in exchange for an honest review.
Review by Tabitha

[Candace Mantyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kissing Santa by Kylie Gilmore is a funny and charming novella about Rico and Samantha. After a failed blind date, Rico decides that Samantha is "the one" for him. Unfortunately for him, Samantha is apparently immune to the charm and good looks that usually have the ladies falling all over him. The novella follows the hilarious steps that Rico goes through to try to win Samantha over.
Kissing Santa is a cute holiday feel-good story that will keep you laughing. You also get to catch up with the other Clover Park couples from the series!

[Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Kissing Santa and am happy to report this is a really fun read for the holidays.

Rico knows his way around the bedroom. Until now his good looks and come-on lines have landed him in bed on the first date—second at the most. But now he's met Samantha and she's not interested in a "Player". He's done before he can even get started. But guess who falls into his lap while he's playing Santa? Low and behold it's Samantha, enlightening him on what she really wants for Christmas.

A fun, quick, and sexy Thanksgiving through Christmas read. I highly recommend!

[J. E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a woman entices a man to the point where he cannot think and is having heart palpitations he is bound to make mistakes. Join Rico on his journey of self-discovery to identify the mysteries of Samantha Dixon. After a few bad dates and some hot moments, Rico’s follies begin to break down Samantha’s walls around her heart. Samantha questions Rico’s good intentions and thinks of them as acts of poor judgment until she realizes that he has a goal, which is to please her. Find out if a wish on Santa’s lap turns into a special Kissing Santa finale.

[Rebecca Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any story that makes me laugh out loud is a keeper. And I laughed out loud in several places. This book had me from the very first page with Samantha’s well-meaning but meddling and match-making mother. It kept me with the smart, sexy writing and hot as hell hero and feisty heroine. I absolutely loved Rico—the player who thinks he’s God’s gift to women (which he is), until Samantha sets him straight. Very fun read.

[Hopelessly Hooked on Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Loved all the "work" Rico was doing to get Samantha to like him. Not many men would read or watch all those romance books & movies

[Nana Prah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute Christmas story. My favorite part was how hard he tried to be more romantic, when being himself was oh so delicious.

The novel certainly got me interested in the other Clover Park books.

[Lisa Broadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kissing Santa is such a CUTE story, especially reading it right before Christmas!

This is the story of Samantha and Rico. Their mothers are tired of their children being single so decide to set up their kids on a date, which neither of the 30 somethings don’t want to go on. The blind date is a disaster - he tries to hard and she is determined to not like him, just for the simple fact that her mother set her up! Rico keeps trying to get things right (mainly because mom continues to insist) and his dating attempts are hilarious because he’s clueless! Samantha takes her niece to see Santa and she sits on his lap too. While doing this she confesses to Santa (who is Rico and she doesn’t know) exactly what she is looking for. This confession helps him to hone his efforts and then it.is.on.

This is a sweet, light and funny story that reminds me of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Watching these two figure things out was fun because their chemistry is so great! You can’t help rooting for them!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Cute Christmas romance. Felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie with added spice. Samantha and Rico were set up by their mother's against their will...but couldn't fight their attraction. Rico is the bad boy type with a string of one night stands. Samantha has been hurt in previous relationships and has sworn off Rico's "type". One date and a little "insta-love" later and Rico is determine to get Samantha to change her mind. After hearing Samantha's Christmas wish, while filling in as Santa for an event, Rico jumps through hoops to get Samantha's attention. He watches romance movies, buys and reads romance novels, and replicates it all in attempt to be the "type" he believes Samantha wants. However, that doesn't go as planned. To find out what happens next I'd recommend reading this novella. 😉

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems neither Samantha Dixon nor Rico del Toro can get their love lives figured out. With both now thirty years old or more their mothers decide to step in and set the two up on a blind date, one neither is happy about. And it takes just minutes for Samantha to be disgusted with Rico's behavior. She can't believe how fake Rico is. Will she ever discover the real Rico?

Rico can't believe his luck when the lady his mother sets him up with turns out to be a beautiful, sassy woman he quickly developes feelings for. What he can't figure out is why she doesn't like him. He's debonair, handsome and known as a ladies man. Women love him! But why doesn't this one? He's done everything he can think of to prove he is the romantic man she wants.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amusing tale of what happens when two thirty somethings are set up on a date by meddling mothers. Of course neither Rico or Samantha are going to admit that maybe their mother was right and they are a good match. After a disastrous first date they should be done, but Rico tries his hardest to convince Samantha that he is worth dating. There are some funny moments and of course there is a happy ending.

[Peggy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me crying, cringing and laughing. Samantha isn't having the best of luck with love.... so says her mother who sets her up with the player of all players. After a horrible date with Rico she has had enough. So she talks to Santa to let off some stream to someone who doesn't know her or does he?

[ReadingInThe6ix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute novella and fun story idea.

Rico started out as a sleaze, moved to being totally clueless (a bit hard to believe at his age), and then came around. Not sure I would've given him as many chances as Sam, but cute nonetheless.

[Sharon Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about Christmas love!

This book was all about 2 people who was fixed up by their mothers. Both mothers want them to get married, but every time they go out it ends badly. Till they learn to be them selves!

[Angelique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable! I love Kylie Gilmore’s books because they have it all: humor, great characters and a lot of heat. This one adds some sweet holiday spirit in the mix. Rico makes an incredibly endearing Santa and I am so glad I found this story.

[Ellen Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud fun

I must say I have seen a lot of romances described as funny, but few that actually had me laughing like this one.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best in the series so far. I was constantly chuckling at Rico's antics to win the woman his mother wanted him to marry. This book has motivated me to continue with the series.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully sweet and fun novella! Rico was so clueless, it was awesome. And Samantha was ridiculously adorable. The set up was hilarious.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this Christmas love story!! Full of fun, laughs and steamy love scenes!! Glued from page 1 to the end!! Don't hesitate to buy this book and this series!!

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully sweet and fun Christmas story. I really liked reading about the matchmaking attempts and seeing how the story played out. It will keep you turning the pages.