Only December

by Noelle Adams

'Twas the first day of December when a man lived all alone.

A philosopher who'd inherited a fortune, he shut himself away in a mansion by a lake and buried himself in books, ideas, and poetry. His heart had been broken long ago, but retreating from the world kept him safe.

Then into his regimented isolation she broke with laughter, excitement, and a bright hope he'd forgotten. Her duty for the month was to manage his house, but she managed to wake him up instead.

But only December was allowed lest his heart be broken again.

Only December is a standalone holiday romance novella with an 50+ old-fashioned, academic MMC, a 30+ specialty freelance housekeeper FMC, and an only-this-month relationship that doesn't remain no-strings for long.

Genres: Holiday, Romance, Christmas, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Workplace, Forced Proximity

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2025

About the author

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Reviews

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I knew she would be trouble.”





Sometimes it’s the small things in a book that give me the most joy. Reading this simple little line made my heart skip and brightened my whole day, because I knew it was hinting at all the wonderful things to come. That tiny moment set exactly the right tone for Only December, where Mona steps into Douglas’ life to work for him just for December. And of course, nothing stays that simple.





I loved how Mona and Douglas’ connection grew with a quiet, intimate sweetness that felt natural. The story blends vulnerability, longing, and hope without ever feeling heavy, and I found myself rooting for them almost immediately. Their chemistry unfolded with a quiet ease, building into something warm and real that left me with a soft, satisfied sigh I always want from this author’s romance. It’s tender, emotional, and exactly the kind of story I enjoy.

Dual POV
Safe no om drama; ow is someone that the H has never had a relationship with or wants to have one with; he’s never dated her but she has her eyes on him; h not a virgin; H is celibate
Triggers no apparent triggers
Steam 4 /5; explicit; condom used

[Jody Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whomst amongst us hasn't been at a crossroads and been like, you know what? I had a good run, and I'm just going to stick with what I know, stay home with my hobbies and what interests me (it helps to have generational wealth like Douglas), and close the door to future relationships or emotional turmoil. Douglas is a widower, and just wants to be home with his philosophy books and research. Mona is a specialty housekeeper/organizer. She is in demand for her ability to take on special projects. In this case she'll take over daily tasks while Douglas's husband/wife gardener/house-manager team take a vacation, and then manage during a large house party over the holidays. "I usually take the first day to figure out where I'm most needed, and then I just jump right in."

She quickly figures out that what Douglas most needs is to be woken up out of his settled routine he's been in since his wife passed a decade ago. "Except he seems to go through life half asleep, and I'm compelled to wake him up. Even if that means annoying him." They agree that for the month of December while she's working there he'll let her organize new activities for him everyday. So this is a ticking clock romance with a bunch of forced proximity, since they are together daily most of the day, and often in his house and grounds.

These two are perfectly matched intellectually and conversationally. She had initially ruled him out as someone to be interested in because of their age gap (52/32), but the physical pull is there and gets stronger until they act on it. And that part works GREAT. They both are the kinds of people to wait for connection and potential before becoming intimate, so the December deadline is hard on them both, as is trading their idyll of an empty house for one filled with guests. Who will take the leap to asking for more? Maybe it will take a Christmas miracle of communication?

This book is dual first person POV in a really interesting way. We're in Mona's head, and Douglas's side is an epistolary POV, in the form of his daily journal. I thought this was super effective, particularly in short form. We're used to getting FMC POV from Adams, and it was fun to get a peek into his thoughts as well. Only December packs a big emotional punch for a novella, and is set during the perfect season for hiding in your room and reading. If you are looking for a little rethinking set patterns and emotional longing this winter, this is your read.

Thank you to the author for the arc.

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet age gap romance - a lovely read for a few hours of an afternoon. Full review to come at All About Romance.

[Catheryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe even 4.5 stars.

This story was so sweet and just perfect for the holiday season. NA does an excellent job at creating a holiday environment without smacking us over the head with Christmas. I love that the story is told in 1st person POV with Mona and journal entries for Douglas. His journal had me laughing out loud. The relationship was so sweet and we actually believe that they fall in love over these weeks together. Douglas was so smitten by Mona that he never thought of anyone else. Douglas lost his wife 10 years prior and still mourns her but becomes open to something with Mona. I like that the memory of his wife is not an issue between the two of them. Though they have a significant age gap, it works for them. They both respect each other's career and are comfortable with this situation.

Overall, this was such a fun and sweet story for the holidays!

Thank you Noelle Adams and team for an ARC!

[Leigh Kramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of this holiday romance follows Adams's usual template but I related so much to Mona's joy over organizing Douglas's junk closet and I adored the way Douglas quoted poetry to her.


Characters: Mona is a 32 year old white freelance housekeeper. Douglas is a 52 year old white philosopher and author. This is set in Green Valley, North Carolina.

Content notes: past death of MMC's wife (rare blood disease), past death of MMC's parents (car accident), classism, migraine, on page sex, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for content pull

[MBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lived in drought for so long before she became my rain.

Only December is one of those quiet, deceptively gentle romances that slowly works its way under your skin. The story unfolds over the course of a single month, when Mona Paulson takes on a temporary housekeeping assignment in a lakeside mansion owned by Douglas Saxon-Barrington, a reclusive philosopher who has deliberately withdrawn from life. What begins as a strictly professional arrangement soon becomes something far more intimate, something neither bargained for when each agreed to the terms.

Mona is thirty-two, self-sufficient, emotionally grounded, and quietly confident in who she is. She values her independence deeply and has never been interested in settling for a relationship that does not genuinely add to her life. There is a warmth to her that is not loud or performative, and her curiosity about people feels organic rather than intrusive.

Douglas, on the other hand, is fifty-two, widowed, and exquisitely controlled. He lives a carefully structured life shaped by loss, discipline, and intellect, believing that his most meaningful days are behind him. He is thoughtful, restrained, and unexpectedly tender, with a depth that makes every interaction with him feel deliberate and weighted.

As December progresses, their worlds begin to overlap in small but meaningful ways. Mona gently disrupts Douglas’s rigid routines, encouraging him to step outside his library and engage with the world again, while Douglas sees Mona in a way few people ever have. Their connection grows through shared walks, conversations about joy, grief, purpose, and the quiet intimacy of being truly seen. The tension lies not in whether they want each other, but in whether they are willing to risk reopening doors they believed were firmly shut, especially when time is clearly limited.

What I loved most about this story was Douglas. He is one of those rare heroes who is swoon-worthy not because of dominance or bravado, but because of kindness, self-control, and emotional honesty. The way he listens, the way he speaks, and the way he loves feels deeply intentional. Mona complements him beautifully, not by diminishing herself, but by standing firmly in who she is. Their physical connection mirrors their emotional one, slow, meaningful, and surprisingly powerful. The age gap becomes a non-issue and I literally swooned because Douglas was that hero for me.

That said, this is a quieter romance, and readers looking for high drama or rapid escalation may find the pacing too gentle. The story leans heavily into introspection and emotional nuance, which worked wonderfully for me (perhaps I was in the mood for one), but it may not be for everyone. I would have loved just a little more time with them beyond December, simply because their connection was so lovely to sit with.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy mature romances, introspective storytelling, age-gap relationships done with care, and heroes who lead with intellect and emotional depth than force.

Final Verdict: A tender, thoughtful romance about grief, joy, and the courage it takes to open your heart again. Quietly beautiful and deeply satisfying.

Rating = 4/5

For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance

[AvidReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75🌟.

I want someone to recite poetry to me too (iykyk!)

If you wanna read something quick, fun with festive cheer and deep love this is the book for you. A must read novella for this holiday season.

This book was so much fun. It was beautiful written with amazing, matured characters and had emotion and depth.
I adored Mona and Douglas’s bond. The way their relationship progressed was a thing of beauty. The dialogues were fantastic, as were the characterisation. I loved that they connected over long walks, conversations and literature.

Doug’s nicknames for Mona made me swoon.
He is so sturdy and stable, gentle and observant. I now understand why many women prefer older men. Douglas is just amazing and I loved that Mona brought so much light and colour to his life.

Overall An amazing novella that I definitely recommend.

-Christmas novella.
-Age Gap.
-Nerdy, Academic hero.
-Grumpy x sunshine
-He woos her with poetry.

I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[hea booktubes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age gap, child free. Sweet. Sometimes I love a scholarly gentleman hero.

[Sosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet - cute for the holidays.

[Amber (Amber Reads Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5

Only December was tender and beautiful romance that completely swept me away. Noelle Adams was able to write a full story with well-developed characters in a novella. I loved the setting and how this was a more mature romance.

Mona is going to be a reclusive philosopher's freelance housekeeper for the month of December. Douglas has shut himself away after the death of his wife 10 years ago and has completely shut the door on romance. However, Mona enters his life and turns it upside down by making him take a break from his work. She wakes him up from his solitary life as they spend every day together. They form such a close friendship which turns into more as their chemistry is hard to deny. They decide to go all in with each other, but only for the month of December.

What I loved the most about this romance was their deep conversations and the intimate moments between them. They truly open up to each other and form such a beautiful connection. I loved every moment they spent together and how vulnerable they were.

I highly recommend this novella if you are looking for a cozy, mature, sweet romance with some holiday vibes, without the typical Hallmark romcom feel.

Side note: I adored the chapters with Douglas's journal entries.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

> Christmas Novella
> He’s 52 and she’s 32, age-gap.
> Boss/employee relationship but don’t act like it at all!
> No strings attached month-long deal.
> She’s a freelance housekeeper/household consultant.
> He’s a philosopher, plus a bit of a hermit. A widower who is 10 years celibate!

What I liked:
Douglas was a very sweet MMC, he’s clearly a cerebral man but he was very considerate and gentle. He was not one of those Alpha/Hyper-masculine characters and I really, really appreciated it. Because not all men are like that and the gentle, academic ones need to be represented as well! And how he woo’d her with reciting poetry was especially romantic.
Mona was an intelligent and independent FMC. She was very capable and knew her own worth. Which was great because it seemed like she felt like the odd duck in her family of academics
I loved how Douglas slowly woke up to life again after his wife had passed away 10 years ago and all that time being celibate. He really seemed to shut himself off from life and feelings until he allowed himself time with Mona.
And I really loved seeing a relationship that didn’t follow the very traditional route of “young girl, older man, they get married, she loses her identity and the epilogue shows 5 babies”.
I’m also super glad that the Bitch Blakely finally fucked off. She was such an annoying cow!! I’m glad Douglas finally put her in her place.
The Marple reference! I fucking loved that!!!
Douglas’ journal entries. They’re short and funny. And grumpy.

What I wasn’t a fan of so much:
The names! This is totally a personal preference and I’m sure other people don’t care but Mona and Douglas were just names I am not a fan of. Sorry! Also, his full name is Douglas Saxon-Barrington! It just made me laugh so much. So pretentious! But I think this is to show he is a Serious Philosopher.
Douglas’ job as an academic and philosopher is totally one that exists but it just felt like he was so immensely privileged. A white, rich man. Can write his work from his house and not be affiliated to any university. It just wasn’t great considering the world we live in right now.
Also, her job sounds cool but only exists for rich people. Again, not ideal in this world right now.
The many stodgy nicknames he had for her. I started writing them down. Sweetheart. My dear heart. My love. My dearest one. My beloved. My darling one. Bright song of my heart. Precious love of my life.
It’s mentioned he goes to therapy and was told to write in a journal. This journal was clearly a writing device for us to see his thoughts but his therapy was never talked about again. But he is self-aware and tells her he felt like lashing out at her because she hit a nerve but he won’t which I never see in romance novels so that was cool.
Mona giggles. A lot. All the time.

Overall, I highly recommend this book and give it 4/5. I’m sure I’ll reread this within a year. It’s short and sweet and lovely.

My favourite bit of the book was when Mona muses why she wasn’t popular with men when she was young and Douglas says:
“It is because you’re so self-sufficient. You don’t need a man. A man looking to build that flimsy, fake world around the empty space of his ego will immediately sense you don’t need him. He’ll look for someone willing to support the veneer of the world he’s constructed.”
That really resonated with me. Such a great statement.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[hungrybookworm.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

“𝑺𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈—𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈—𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆.”

“𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨.”

I knew going in that Only December was a short read, but with Noelle Adams, I wasn’t worried. She’s one of those authors who can fit everything into a novella and still make it feel like a full-length story.

This was such a cozy read. And honestly, when it comes to HGAP (huge gap age pairings), if she writes it, I already know it’s going to work. She handles that kind of dynamic so well, and this one was no exception.

Since I’m a visual reader, it's funny that I couldn’t help but imagine Douglas as Christian Bale, specifically like his reclusive Bruce Wayne character in The Dark Knight Rises, born into money, intelligent, withdrawn from the world, and living in quiet isolation. That kind of reserved, brooding energy just fit the mcc perfectly. And for the heroine, I pictured Alycia Debnam-Carey.😂

And can we talk about that toothbrush scene? If you know, you know.😏 That was definitely one of my favorite moments, so much angst, so swoon-worthy.

In addition, Noelle Adams usually writes in single POV, so when I initially read the contents, I thought, “Oh wow, is this going to be dual POV?” But it’s really just Douglas’s perspective as a short glimpse, written in journal style, and it wasn’t overwhelming at all. That approach worked well for me. It showed me that I can enjoy dual POV books too, as long as they’re written well. I enjoyed this fresh approach.

And the cameo? That was such a nice touch. Makes me want to reread, A Christmas Road Trip, the third book in the Green Valley Series. I really love when books are interconnected like this.

Overall, Only December is a heartwarming, quietly emotional holiday novella that feels complete despite its length. It’s sweet, a little melancholic, and full of warmth, the perfect cozy read for the season.

The book releases on November 21. Thank you so much to Noelle Adams for the ARC! I’m so glad I got to read this in advance.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Noelle Adams and her team for the ARC!

Only December follows Mona, a freelance housekeeper starting a new job for the secluded Douglas. For the month of December she just has to manage his house and prepare for the upcoming festivities, but as she grows closer to Douglas she realises December might not be long enough...

This was such a perfect story in time for the holidays, although I will easily be rereading it all year round! Mona is such a delightful FMC, literally sunshine personified. She was so cheerful and upbeat, yet I loved how competent and confident she was with her work. She was a perfect contrast to Douglas who is much more stoic, and this makes it even more special when Mona eventually breaks down his walls and allows him to open up.

"We're still walking, and when the gravel slips slightly beneath my feet, he reaches out to put a hand on my back for support.
It's a protective instinct. Nothing more. But I really like the feel of his hand there.
I like it a lot."

I really loved Douglas as an MMC, his character felt so unique to me. If he was a real person I could listen to him talk for hours! I loved that he was clearly so smart but it never comes across as condescending, and it really draws out Mona's curious side. I loved that we had his POV in the form of journals, this felt completely true to his character.

"She's here. Smart enough. Young. Pretty. Laughs with her eyes.
I believe she will annoy me."

As always, Noelle conveys such emotion and depth in a short time. I love that her stories will make me feel so strongly (I cried when the nail polish was spilled on the floor!! Imagine crying over floors, ugh I love this book). This is a perfect read not only for those that love emotional novellas, but those that love holiday themed romances. I already can't wait to visit Mona and Douglas again for a reread!

Tropes and Themes:
Holiday novella
Age Gap
Forced Proximity
Academic MMC
Housekeeper FMC
MCs aged 30+

TWs:
Death of a spouse (mentioned, not on page)

[Tracy A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only December by Noelle Adams is a cosy, heartwarming holiday romance that blends quiet introspection with bursts of joy—especially when Mona snorts. Yes, her snort is unforgettable.

Set against the backdrop of a snowy lakeside mansion, Only December introduces us to a reclusive academic who’s buried himself in books and solitude after the loss of his wife. It's been 10 years, and his world is orderly, quiet, and emotionally frozen—until Mona arrives. She’s a freelance housekeeper with a speciality in managing an eclectic range of clients, and she’s been hired for just one month: December.

What follows is a slow-burn romance that’s as much about Douglas' emotional thawing as it is about falling in love. Mona’s presence is a jolt of life. She’s warm, witty, and unafraid to laugh—even if that laugh sometimes starts with a snort. And that snort? It’s a moment of pure charm. It breaks the Douglas' stoic shell, and Mona becomes the joy he’s been missing. Her snort is mentioned with affection, a small but vivid detail that captures her authenticity and the way she disrupts his carefully curated isolation.

The novella leans into the “only-this-month” trope, but Adams doesn’t let it stay no-strings for long. The emotional stakes rise as December progresses, and the tension between temporary joy and lasting connection becomes the heart of the story. The age gap—he’s 50+, she’s 30+—adds depth, with both characters bringing lived experience and vulnerability to the relationship.

Adams’ writing is lyrical yet grounded, with poetic introspection from Douglas and bursts of humour and warmth from Mona. The pacing is gentle, perfect for a quick Christmas read, and the emotional payoff is satisfying without being saccharine.

Only December is a novella that delivers. It’s about rediscovering hope, embracing imperfection, and yes—falling for someone whose laugh might just snort its way into your heart.

I'm voluntarily leaving a review having received an ARC.

[Ikwi Bookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet story. I'm not really a fan of age-gap romance, but I trust Noelle Adams implicitly and she never disappoints. In Only December, she delivers a short, poignant, believable love story between a 32-year-old freelance household organizer and a 52-year-old "gentleman scholar" (freelance philosopher with family money). Mona is energetic and full of life, and she spurs Douglas, who'd been a celibate recluse since his wife's death ten years ago, to rejoin the living, all against the backdrop of a romantic lake and the holiday season in a small, wealthy town. Their spark is instantaneous (I loved how Mona was positively awestruck when she met him, but tried to pretend she wasn't) and Douglas's surrender to the force of nature that is Mona is both funny and heartwarming. Mona is self-possessed, warm, authentic, and brave—a truly wonderful heroine. Noelle Adams doesn't usually give us the man's POV in her books, but here we see Douglas's journal entries and they add a lot of depth to the story despite (or because of) their brevity. Mona and Douglas truly see and appreciate one another, and their deep connection makes their fast falling in love quite believable. And seldom has poetry been used in contemporary romance to such deliciously erotic ends! 😊 There is a bit of family and rival drama near the end, but overall the book is low angst and cozy, with mild spice, and perfect as a holiday read.

Many thanks to the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a standalone holiday romance novella and it is Douglas and Mona’s story and it is definitely a must read. Mona is a professional housekeeper so she goes into people’s houses and organise and helps where needed and her latest job is working for Douglas who is a quiet man who keeps to himself and doesn’t like to be disturbed or distracted and Mona was hired as he has guests coming for the holidays and needs help with them but when she realised just how secluded he kept himself she decided that it was her mission to get him to come out of his quiet shell. The more time that Douglas and Mona spent together the closer they became and the chemistry and attraction gets stronger and when they eventually give in to how they feel it is really beautiful but will it eventually give them a future or is it just for December, only time will tell what the outcome will be for Douglas and Mona. Wow I absolutely loved this beautiful and poignant story of a older man and younger woman and how they seem to just gel together perfectly and even with all the ups and downs, uncertainties that surround them they just seem to understand and work together so well. I couldn’t put this book down as it pulled me in and kept my attention throughout as it was so addictive. I definitely recommend that you read this book and others by Noelle Adams who is a amazing author and writer and you will not be disappointed.

[Maria Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪
It was my first Noelle book, but I’ve read her work under the Claire Kent pen name before so I already knew I’d love her writing. I was just really curious to see how her “normal” romance stories would be, and honestly? I now regret not picking up her books sooner because this one just became my favorite read of the year so far!

I absolutely adored Mona she was such a lovely and sweet character, and honestly, I fell in love right alongside her. And Douglas… ugh, he was just perfect. I read the whole book trying to find a single flaw in him, and there wasn’t one. He was literally a walking green flag.

One of the things I really loved about this story is how it explored a side of big age gap romances that most authors don’t like how the couple would actually deal with the difference in 10 or 20 years. I really appreciated that Douglas thought about that, like when he said he’s 52 now and by the time Mona’s his age, he’ll be in his seventies. It just felt so real and grounded. And I loved that he never took that choice away from her he let her decide if it was worth it, which made me love him even more.

Honestly, I don’t think I’ll be moving on from Mona and Douglas anytime soon. I might even reread it next month. If you’re in the mood for a cozy, heartfelt holiday novella, definitely give this one a try!

[whatcaroread · Rating 5 out of 5]

❄️ Novella (165pg)
❄️ Age gap (32 & 50+)
❄️ Secluded philosopher mmc
❄️ Freelance housekeeper fmc
❄️ Forced proximity
❄️ He's a widower who's been celibate for 10yrs

This novella completely surprised me in the best way. It's amazing how Noelle Adams managed to fit what felt a full-length, emotional story in just 165 pages. Every scene between Mona and Douglas had such quiet tenderness and longing, and I absolutely ate it up.

I loved watching Mona gently bring Douglas back to life after he'd spent 10 years shut off from the world following his wife's death. His stoic nature (which I loved) made those little glimpses of emotion we get from him hit even harder. His journal writings were some of my favourite parts with him trying to make sense of his feelings for Mona. Their conversations were great, and I also felt their discussions about intimacy were handled so well!

I had a great time with these two and think this is the perfect read to cozy up with this upcoming festive season! ❄️🎄

*Thank you to the author for the e-arc! All opinions are my own.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
I love the dystopian books this author writes under the Claire Kent pen name and as expected I love her writing just as much in a contemporary romance. Her books are always relaxing for me to read, low-key and fast-paced writing that always has me flying through them. There aren't major events or red flags in her stories, just even keel and comforting, at least for me.

This one is an age gap romance between a thirty-something professional organizer/cleaner and a widower 20 years her senior who is a rich (old family money) philosopher who has closed the door on romance after losing his wife 10 years prior. His head housekeeper has hired Mona to organize and help during the month of December so that she and her husband can have a long overdue vacation followed by a house party for Christmas they can't handle alone.

While they are gone on vacation Mona and Douglas quietly fall in love and it is sweet, calm, a little old-fashioned....and just thoroughly enjoyable.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was genuinely the loveliest little story :'). Short and sweet and perfect for this time of year. I don't know how this author does it, but she always manages to create such depth and such a realistic buildup in the characters' relationships in such a relatively short amount of pages. I've read so many NA/CK books, and this one is definitely up there among my favorites. There was absolutely no angst, basically no drama (one side character tried to start something and it was nipped in the bud almost immediately) and I loved that; just an easy, sweet, lighthearted holiday read.

(Also, fwiw, I typically hate age gap romances, but this totally worked. Even though there was a 20 year gap, the fmc was in her 30s and, as she mentioned in the story, the mmc is her client not her boss, so there was no power imbalance, and it didn't feel creepy or predatory in any way.)

[mspepesilvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and sweet read, courtesy of the always lovely Noelle Adams! She is my go-to author when I want to read something sweet with the tiniest bit of angst. And she can fit it all in a novella!

I really enjoyed this because the FMC was actually older than 30 for an age gap which I LOVED. Sometimes the 20/40 age gap can get repetitive for me. It was a perfect forced proximity situation. FMC is hired to help organize the MMC's estate and pushes him to step outside (literally) and rediscover a different kind of love for life.

This was a very mature and intimate read, with some good spice and I always love that lil bit of angst near the end. Some of the MMC's pet names were a bit much lol but that was really my only downside.

Thank you Noelle Adams for the ARC!!!!

[the_book_nook_girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author Noelle Adams for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5+ ⭐️!!!!

If you’re looking for a short, spicy, age gap (it’s a big one of 20 years) Christmas novella that packs a punch with all the feels look no further.

This is told through dual POV and our MMC is living a mostly solitary life and the heroine enters his life and it’s like a breath of fresh air. They get along so unbelievably well and she knows exactly what to do to push his buttons a little and get him out of his comfort zone. They know they’re on a time clock and they only have the month of December to be together. Their relationship is so beautiful seeing it go from them thinking it could never work because of their ages to something magical.

As someone who is in an age gap relationship as big as this one I thought the author wrote it perfectly in how they handled the concerns each character had in the beginning and while exploring the idea of a relationship.

Now that I’ve finally read a book by Noelle I’ll immediately be diving back into her entire backlist.

[Wioletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mona is a freelance housekeeper, she offers help on temporary basis, and her clientele is on very wealthy. She takes last moment assignment for the month of December. Her client is Douglas, he is a philosopher.
What starts as a push from her, for him to spend more time out of his office, ends as something else.
I do enjoy this storyline very much, I love that he is in his 50's, and she is in her 30's.
Sometimes we need stories with people those ages, so thank you Mrs. Adams for writing this book.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, heart-warming age gap romance with believable characters. It’s such a pleasure reading about characters that are a bit older than the usual romance novels, each with their own distinct lives and personal histories. Loved the breath of fresh air Mona brought into Douglas’s life and the way their relationship developed, even though they believed it would only be for the month of December. Really enjoyed the extra dimension provided by the journal entries from Douglas. Highly recommend this as a Christmas treat read.

[Megan Vandiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect quick novella! Mona has challenged herself to get Douglas out of his library back out into the real world and has only December to do so. It turns out that isn’t enough time for either of them!! This book wasn’t without conflict, though. I could’ve throttled Blakey a few times, but all gets resolved fairly quickly and there isn’t too much angst!

[cognacs · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're into grumpy/sunshine insta-love forced proximity, this is the book for u! Mona is a very sunshiney and is the main pursuer in the relationship. Douglas is grumpy, but you get to see his thoughts in his chapters, which are written in journal format (yesssss epistolary my fav, AND he falls early on [insert smirk emoji]). I'm not super into all the listed tropes, but this book still gets a pass from me.

Nicknames (coming from the mmc abt the fmc) were a bit hit or miss (mostly misses tbh), so if that's a dealbreaker for u, I'd say beware lol

thank you Noelle Adams for the ARC!

[Kenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cozy, little Christmas read. It was great how our characters maintained their own independence and personal growth while growing their connection together. I enjoyed the way the story was told. We got to see our FMC POV in most chapters, but our MMC shared his POV through journal entries. This romance is an age gap romance, a bit of grumpy/sunshine, and forced proximity.

Thank you to Noelle Adams and team for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle's brand of romance is so unique in that I know I'm going to be getting something deeply romantic and heartfelt without any over the top drama or spice.

This was a very wholesome holiday novella and I loved the set up on Mona being this luxury Housekeeper and our hero being a semi reclusive academic happy to just coast through life.

4/5 stars

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It may be considered a Novella but it was the perfect length to bring you in, wrap you up, and make you never want it to end. Mona is a professional home organizer who gets hired by a wealthy man- Douglas, to help run his home during the month of December to give his regular staff a vacation and prepare for a large group of relatives to visit.

I loved the connection between Mona and Douglas, how he stood up for her against the family friend that was mistreating Mona, and mostly I love how it was set in a part of North Carolina that makes you imagine Lake Norman!