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Carol Chaos
Josie
I’m back home in Lake Placid, New York, facing the aftermath of a devastating loss.
My mother’s kitchen at Magnolia Inn waits for me, but with no place of my own to stay, I find myself moving in with Killian Montgomery.
He’s the guy I swore I’d always hate.
It’s been fifteen years since he shattered my best friend’s heart, and now he’s just another insufferable man in a business suit, somehow grumpier and more grinch-like than I remember.
I love Christmas, and it becomes my mission to gradually decorate the whole house, turning it into a game.
When Killian needs my help, asking me to pretend to be his girlfriend to ward off someone obsessed with him, I agree, thinking it’s a simple, one-off arrangement.
But as we play the part, sparks fly and secrets whisper between us, revealing more than I ever anticipated.
Killian
Josie Summers is back in town, and I never expected to find myself living with her.
I broke her best friend’s heart all those years ago, and now I’m the grumpy guy in a suit, just trying to focus on my work.
But Josie isn’t just any roommate— she’s a whirlwind of Christmas spirit that I can’t ignore.
I brace myself for her relentless cheer, convinced she’s only doing it to make me suffer.
What starts as a convenient lie with Josie begins to unravel the barriers I’ve built and secrets I’ve hidden.
I thought after all this time, my feelings for her would have dissipated, but they haven't. She still resents me and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about that. Or so I thought. What started as pretend is beginning to feel like it could be real between us.
Can two opposites like us finally become something more, or will misguided emotions get in the way of what we could be?
Get ready to cozy up with Pinch of Grinch, a delightful steamy romance series that brings together your favorite short, instalove authors! Dive into a whimsical world where grumpy heroes who scowl at holiday cheer meet their sunshine-filled heroines overflowing with sugar and nice. Each story follows a lovable yet cantankerous hero —a true grinch at heart— who gets his world turned upside down by an eternally optimistic heroine determined to break through his frosty exterior. Expect fierce banter, undeniable chemistry, and plenty of heartwarming moments as this unlikely pair bump heads, shares steamy encounters, and ultimately discovers that love can turn even the grumpiest heart into a warm, beating one.
With laughter, passion, and happily ever afters on every page, Pinch of Grinch series is a charming collection that promises to make readers cheer for love’s ability to transform even the biggest of scrooges. So grab a cup of cocoa, snuggle up, and get ready to believe in the miracle of holiday romance!
I’m back home in Lake Placid, New York, facing the aftermath of a devastating loss.
My mother’s kitchen at Magnolia Inn waits for me, but with no place of my own to stay, I find myself moving in with Killian Montgomery.
He’s the guy I swore I’d always hate.
It’s been fifteen years since he shattered my best friend’s heart, and now he’s just another insufferable man in a business suit, somehow grumpier and more grinch-like than I remember.
I love Christmas, and it becomes my mission to gradually decorate the whole house, turning it into a game.
When Killian needs my help, asking me to pretend to be his girlfriend to ward off someone obsessed with him, I agree, thinking it’s a simple, one-off arrangement.
But as we play the part, sparks fly and secrets whisper between us, revealing more than I ever anticipated.
Killian
Josie Summers is back in town, and I never expected to find myself living with her.
I broke her best friend’s heart all those years ago, and now I’m the grumpy guy in a suit, just trying to focus on my work.
But Josie isn’t just any roommate— she’s a whirlwind of Christmas spirit that I can’t ignore.
I brace myself for her relentless cheer, convinced she’s only doing it to make me suffer.
What starts as a convenient lie with Josie begins to unravel the barriers I’ve built and secrets I’ve hidden.
I thought after all this time, my feelings for her would have dissipated, but they haven't. She still resents me and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about that. Or so I thought. What started as pretend is beginning to feel like it could be real between us.
Can two opposites like us finally become something more, or will misguided emotions get in the way of what we could be?
Get ready to cozy up with Pinch of Grinch, a delightful steamy romance series that brings together your favorite short, instalove authors! Dive into a whimsical world where grumpy heroes who scowl at holiday cheer meet their sunshine-filled heroines overflowing with sugar and nice. Each story follows a lovable yet cantankerous hero —a true grinch at heart— who gets his world turned upside down by an eternally optimistic heroine determined to break through his frosty exterior. Expect fierce banter, undeniable chemistry, and plenty of heartwarming moments as this unlikely pair bump heads, shares steamy encounters, and ultimately discovers that love can turn even the grumpiest heart into a warm, beating one.
With laughter, passion, and happily ever afters on every page, Pinch of Grinch series is a charming collection that promises to make readers cheer for love’s ability to transform even the biggest of scrooges. So grab a cup of cocoa, snuggle up, and get ready to believe in the miracle of holiday romance!
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2025
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3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 21, 2025
Josie Summers is back home in Lake Placid, New York. She needs a place to stay. Killian Montgomery needs a place to stay. He broke Josie’s best friend’s heart fifteen years ago. Ian said he needed to break up because he was into someone else, but he never told anyone who that person was.
Killian knows he’s a grumpy guy in a suit. He hoped that after fifteen years, Josie would not dwell on the past. He had hoped to tell her the full truth about his feeling until he saw her face. She only agreed to rent a room from him because it was her only option.
Josie’s mom, Lillian and her twin sister, Aunt Vivian own the Magnolia Inn. The sisters basically raised Josie together. Josie has been working in bakeries in New York City since she left town. She is back at the Magnolia Inn to help Aunt Vivian and be in charge of the kitchen there.
These two definitely seemed like opposites. Josie loves the holidays and Killian wants no decorations in his house. Throw in Killian’s unrequited love for Josie and you have a big mess.
I received a free copy of this book via Last Chapter Press ARC Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Killian knows he’s a grumpy guy in a suit. He hoped that after fifteen years, Josie would not dwell on the past. He had hoped to tell her the full truth about his feeling until he saw her face. She only agreed to rent a room from him because it was her only option.
Josie’s mom, Lillian and her twin sister, Aunt Vivian own the Magnolia Inn. The sisters basically raised Josie together. Josie has been working in bakeries in New York City since she left town. She is back at the Magnolia Inn to help Aunt Vivian and be in charge of the kitchen there.
These two definitely seemed like opposites. Josie loves the holidays and Killian wants no decorations in his house. Throw in Killian’s unrequited love for Josie and you have a big mess.
I received a free copy of this book via Last Chapter Press ARC Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 23, 2025
Short but addictive so hang on you won’t put it down until the last page has been turned. Josie and Killian met years before she hasn’t really liked him since he broke her best friend’s heart but now that she is back home after her mother’s death to over the B&B her family runs but finding a place to stay once she got there and never expecting to run into the very man who broke her best friend’s heart. Killian sexy as all get out grumpy remembers his Josie he broke up with her best friend because he only loved her but he never got around to telling her and now that she is forced to rent a room from him while she helps her aunt and until a room is free for her But the more time they are with each other the magnetic pull is there and the more she ignores it the stronger the pull grows but can she forgive him for what he did to her best friend, will she allow him to explain why, will she accept him after learning his truth, and can they find their own happiness somewhere along the way?
November 20, 2025
Josie comes back to town after her mother's death, to take over the B&B that her family has run for years, and because her Aunt can't take her in, has to stay with old nemesis Killian for a while, whom she has been tolerating since he broke up with her best friend 15 years ago. Turns out Killian has been in love with her for 15 years, but while Josie is in his house he allows his booty call to come over because "a man has needs". Ok now. Will they get their HEA?
This was a quick read that is a fast paced story. The author is new to me, and I picked up this book as part of the Pinch of Grinch series, based on sunshine meets Christmas Grinch. I have been enjoying some of these stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Last Chapter Press ARC Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a quick read that is a fast paced story. The author is new to me, and I picked up this book as part of the Pinch of Grinch series, based on sunshine meets Christmas Grinch. I have been enjoying some of these stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Last Chapter Press ARC Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 21, 2025
Love this series. With the variety of authors, each book is unique and engaging. This second chance romance find Josie and Killian fighting to overcome tragedy in their lives. Josie returns to Lake Placid to run the kitchen in her family’s inn after her mother passed. Killian has fought his feelings for Josie for over fifteen years. He might finally get his chance to tell her the truth. Great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Last Chapter Press ARC Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Last Chapter Press ARC Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 19, 2025
Josie has hated Killian Montgomery for years or has she?
Josie was devastated by her mother's death and when she has to move back to Lake Placid she has to face Killian again. In fact because her aunt insists she not stay with her she's now sharing Killian's house. Things are tense till he surprises her in the kitchen one morning. Not only is Jillian naked but he has a female guest who's not very pleased to see Josie. Things take a more romantic turn after Thanksgiving but really heat up after that Christmas party. Good story lots of pda and banter too!
Josie was devastated by her mother's death and when she has to move back to Lake Placid she has to face Killian again. In fact because her aunt insists she not stay with her she's now sharing Killian's house. Things are tense till he surprises her in the kitchen one morning. Not only is Jillian naked but he has a female guest who's not very pleased to see Josie. Things take a more romantic turn after Thanksgiving but really heat up after that Christmas party. Good story lots of pda and banter too!
December 4, 2025
Killian and Josie have known each other since high school, and they've been enemies for just as long since he broke her best friend's heart. It's been fifteen years, and now she's back, and these enemies become much more in this short, enemies to lovers, rom-com, holiday romance. Carol Chaos is a short, sweet romance and a great addition to the multi-author Pinch of Grinch series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
November 21, 2025
The author has given us a fast-paced story that pulls us into the lives of Killian and Josie. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with secret desires, a shared past, connection and revelations.
I received a free copy of this book via Last Chapter Press ARC Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Last Chapter Press ARC Readers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 18, 2025
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the game they played with the elf. I'm glad Josie finally admits she loves Killian and he has loved her for years. I liked how they compromised.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews