A Hero's Christmas Kiss

by Virginia'dele Smith

A broken military hero and the small-town girl next door. She just might be the miracle this soldier deserves.

A Hero's Christmas Kiss is the second holiday novella set in the sweet and uplifting Green Hills romance series by award-winning author Virginia'dele Smith and part of the Military Kisses multi-author project. If you like servant-hearted heroes, enjoy cuddling up to cozy Christmas vibes in a small town, and believe in the healing power of love, then you’ll fall for this gripping holiday romance.

The Military Kisses series is perfect for fans of Hallmark-style romance. These stories are sweet, closed-door, and packed with heart. Coming to your Kindle November 2025!

Genres: Christmas, Contemporary Romance

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

About the author

Ashli Montgomery is a wife, a momma, and an author whose passion is sharing love stories, books, quilts, yoga, recipes, and all of her favorite things in life. She is quilting to mend the mind by spearheading and educating a community of friends who love quilts and quilting but hate Alzheimer’s disease through Quilt 2 End ALZ, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she launched to use her quilting hobby as a platform to advocate for an end to Alzheimer's disease.

Ashli writes under the pen name Virginia’dele Smith to honor Syble Virginia Tidwell, Adele Gertrude Baylin, and Etta Jean Smith. These three cherished grandmothers were beautiful role models, teaching Ashli to love without judgment and to always put family first. Through Grandma Syble’s journals and appetite for books, through Momadele’s priceless cards and handwritten letters, and through many, many hours of visiting over fabric at Mema’s kitchen island, Ashli also learned to treasure words.

You are invited to join Ashli in Green Hills and learn more about Virginia’dele Smith by subscribing to Ashli’s newsletter, The Gazette, at AshliMontgomery.com.

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 4 1/2 Stars!

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a clean romance book and part of the Military Kisses series. The main characters are Garrett and Emilie. Garrett is visiting Green Hills when he meets Emilie. Garrett wants to belong and learn to live with his injuries. Emilie has a dream of owning her on business one day. Garrett ends up spending time with Emilie as he helps her with her to-do list. The more time they spend together they more they fall in love. Is Garrett the prince she has been waiting for? Will Emilie leave Green Hills to open up a business? Will Garrett and Emilie get a future together or will they end up going their separate ways? I love how they loved each other and how Garrett realized he belonged. I loved the senior busybodies. The small town was great. Garrett and Emilie made an amazing couple. Overall, I think this is a great book. If you love books where one person is looking for love while the other one is looking to belong then you may love this book.

[Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely charming love story! Wounded Marine Garrett has had surgery and lots of PT to recover. He still experiences piercing, horrible pain from time to time. And he's in need of some R&R...quietly. He heads to Green Hills, a Marine buddy's beloved hometown, where he thinks he'll be able to enjoy the charm of the town as he waits to hear what the military's next use for him will be.

So as he's sitting at the town's coffee shop counter...he meets Emilie. Emilie, who's the beloved small town girl and chief barista at the town's coffee shop. (Though the grumpy shop owner would be happy with just brewed coffee, caf or decaf.) But Emilie's dreams for her life are bigger and include a one-stop store for freshly roasted coffee AND coffee served with all the fixings. It doesn't seem as though her dream is close on the horizon...but a girl CAN dream.

Then, Emilie meets Garrett at her counter. And he keeps coming back. And there is indeed that spark between them! Garrett begins to work on (and also build) the coffee shop's storeroom, making it more efficient and usable, as Emilie continues to serve coffee. Could there be more for them? Could each of them help the other's dreams come true?

Maybe. But there's so much still that they don't know...

I absolutely loved "A Hero's Christmas Kiss." Such a sweet read, with characters who captivated me and situations I longed to see resolved. This is a wonderful Christmas read. Don't miss it!

I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions stated here are my own honest ones.

[Evans Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story with wonderful characters

The characters drew me completely into their world. I cared about them and became wrapped up in their lives and relationship. A great way to lose a few hours in the joy and challenge of creating a magical and meaningful relationship. A great addition to Green Hills.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Hero’s Christmas Kiss is the first book I have read written by Virginia'dele Smith. It is part of a multi-author series and can be read as a standalone. With a nod to Snow White, this book was cozy, sweet, and full of humor, all things perfect for a Christmas read.

Garrett is dealing with some injuries he incurred while in active duty and is on medical leave from the military. He finds himself in the town of Green Hills, where he meets Emilie. Emilie is the manager at Brew Diner and is trying to keep things going, but she desires to venture out and start her own coffee shop and roastery.  Garrett sticks around to help with some projects at the diner. With all the time together, Emilie and Garrett start to develop feelings for each other. With side characters like the meddlesome 7 senior citizens who frequent the diner, it was full of humor and fun.

The opposites attract romance was 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.

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. I believe this is part of a multi author series so are all stand alones. I thought it was a sweet story and was a pretty quick read. A perfect cozy read for a cold chilly night. Both Garrett and Emilie were great characters and the way their friendship blossomed through the story was well done. You will definitely enjoy the storyline and I absolutely loved the meddlesome senior citizens in the cafe. They definitely make you giggle with their shenanigans to get both of them together.

Overall I thought this was a sweet story and if you are looking for a quick read this Christmas season I recommend grabbing this one.

I received a copy of this book for review. All views are my own.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a heartwarming fast read

Such a cute tale of two hearts finding each other around Christmas. Prayers and wishes for a lifetime of kisses can come true.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kicked off my Thanksgiving holiday with A Hero’s Christmas Kiss, and it was a great way to ring in the festive season. I appreciated the imagery that came along with this charming Christmas tale and could see Brew’s and all of its eccentric inhabitants day in and day out, sipping coffee and biding time from open to close. It’s a charming picture that often left a smile on my face. The characters are flawed and believable, and all the small-town holiday charm was in full force.

As someone who struggles with debilitating chronic illness, my heart hurt as I could empathize with Garrett. For someone to see you with sympathy and not pity is something that’s very rare, which is why I was elated when Emilie gives him this gift, accepts him flaws and all, and there is a shared moment full of tenderness and vulnerability. Just as Garrett feels a rush of emotions, so did I.

The ending was pretty sweet, but the part I enjoyed the most was when Garrett and Emilie first met and seeing that first attraction. I was utterly charmed by the pair. They have this spark that simmers just below the surface, and I enjoyed the sweet, slow burn between them. This is such a sweet, wholesome Christmas story that is as heartfelt as it is entertaining and was the best way to start the holidays.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Romance is a favorite genre. A Hero's Christmas Kiss by Virginia'Dele Smith is the most recent book that I have read. It is part of a Multi-Author series: Military Kisses , but it reads well as a Stand Alone.

The storyline was so cute and cozy from the beginning and it kept me glued to the book. The setting is Green Hills, OK. The 2 main characters are Emilie Fielding and Garrett Banks. Emilie loves her job at the Coffee Shop and she dreams of owning her own Coffee Shop one day. She also desires to have a lasting relationship that leads to marriage. Garrett, a former Marine, has been searching for his "place to belong", but with his Service Injuries he isn't confident he will ever find that place. The pair meet when Garrett happens to catch Emilie from falling when she has a decorating mishap. I really LOVE how they instantly connected, but they cautiously move forward with a relationship. Emilie loves her Hometown, but wonders about her future endeavors. They both want the same thing, but will they be able to figure out if that really looks the same. I also like the Group of Seniors who hang out at the Coffee Shop and give the couple advice and love. The book has a Feel Good, Cozy Hometown Romance. I HIGHLY recommend the book!

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to Green Hills, Oklahoma
Super-efficient “Brew Diner” manager, Emilie, has ambitions of opening her own speciality coffee shop, but is very reluctant to leave Green Hills. Her affection for her ‘Super Senior’ patrons, one of whom is her grumpy boss, is an indication of her compassionate and gentle nature, and she is quick to see past the stranger’s silence.
Garrett, on medical leave from the Marines, decides to visit Green Hills after listening to his buddy, Matthias, repeatedly describing the distinctive atmosphere of his hometown.
A thoroughly enjoyable novella featuring loveable characters, several with unique quirks that make this story both humorous and poignant. Readers can always depend on Ms Smith to share a relaxing and cosy tale of her beloved town of Green Hills. This is my voluntary opinion of a review copy received from the author.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed Christmas Kisses, by Lily Love from the Kindle Unlimited Program on Amazon.

Jake Morrison seeks a place offering peace and quiet as he transitions from being an Army Ranger to civilian life. He picks a town in the mountains of Tennessee at Christmas time, meets the local baker and leader of the Christmas spirit and many celebrations of the town.

He finds her attractive, stranded at the baker by a snow storm and finding helping Mia, the baker is really what he is looking for instead of solitude and a tempory stay in the mountain town.

A lovely clean holiday romance with a happy ending after they sorted our what both of them really wanted.

[Saundra Callender · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read most of Virginia'dele Smith's books but I have to say, this is one of my favorites. I adore Green Hills and all the fun characters. The warmth and homey feel of the town always draws me in. But Emilie - cheerful and Christmasy, and Garrett - quiet, strong and capable, are wonderful. They're drawn to each other right away and make each page a joy to read. And Emilie's "meddlesome seniors" are their own cheer leading team. I really liked the quotes at the start of each chapter. I hope to see these two in future stories because I want to see how their plans work out.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! “A Hero’s Christmas Kiss” by Virginia’dele Smith is a heartwarming and clean romance. It takes place in the small town of Green Hills, OK.

Emilie runs the local coffee shop in Green Hills. Garrett is a Marine passing through Green Hills - or so he thinks. The two form a friendship and then a relationship through the coffee shop. There are a number of other characters - I especially love the senior group.

I recommend this to those who enjoy clean, cozy romance. I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity.

[Kimberly Heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! I could not put this book down. I stayed up way too late reading it to the very end. It is so sweet and full of God and full of love. It is such an incredible book. It’s heartwarming and funny, and everything you would want in a story. Emilie and Garrett are great characters and the rest of the townspeople are perfect, especially the feisty and adorable group of seniors! I was given this book to read and review. This book is definitely worth reading.

[LINDA BASS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Emilie and Garrett's story, and I could almost see Garrett's sad eyes when he opened up to tell her about himself and his shame. I thought that Emile was wise beyond her years with her dream to one day on a coffee shop, but her boss refused to sell the shop as his dear departed wife had planned and decorated it. Emilie was a god send to the town' seniors and to everyone in her small town.

[Emilymclemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

another fantastic read!

A Christmas love story that’s sweet in all the best ways. I love getting to know the people in Green Hills.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short but sweet story about Emilie and Garret. Love sure did persist here. I win this book in a Goodreads giveaway and do recommend it. ❤️

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be read as a standalone but is interconnected with other books.
Opposites attract
He planned to be in the military until retirement
She's rooted deep in the small town
Sparks fly but will they burn bright or die out

[Virginia'dele Smith]

I'm so proud to share this sweet and cozy, holiday novella with the world...a modern-day nod to Snow White's love story with a twist ;) These characters are easy to love and fun to cheer on to their happily ever after! The whole cast quickly became some of my favorite Green Hills residents, and I'm excited to hear what you think of them, too. Can't wait to read your reviews!!