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Bayou Blades #0.5
Merry Mayhem
In Rebel, Louisiana, Christmas isn’t a holiday—it’s a full-contact sport.
As a firefighter, I thought I’d seen holiday chaos before—fires caused by too many string lights, a Santa stuck in a chimney, one unfortunate incident with a candy cane—but this small town takes Christmas to a whole new level.
It all starts when I'm asked to pose as a fake boyfriend for the town’s annual holiday competition. Easy gig: play games, drink cocoa, smile big, take home the trophy.
But my "date's" plans go sideways—literally—and while she’s in the hospital, I’m left to handle all the plastic candy canes, Grinch impersonators, and deconstructed gingerbread houses with her sister instead. Single mom Thea is the calm, practical one who wants nothing to do with small-town drama… or me.
Too bad sparks fly anyway. Between her no-nonsense attitude, that soft heart she tries to hide, and the way she looks at me in the dark hallway when everyone else is asleep? It's not the tree at risk of going up in flames. Because this feels real and now I know exactly what I’m asking Santa for this year.
Christmas in Rebel isn’t just Merry—it’s absolute Mayhem.
As a firefighter, I thought I’d seen holiday chaos before—fires caused by too many string lights, a Santa stuck in a chimney, one unfortunate incident with a candy cane—but this small town takes Christmas to a whole new level.
It all starts when I'm asked to pose as a fake boyfriend for the town’s annual holiday competition. Easy gig: play games, drink cocoa, smile big, take home the trophy.
But my "date's" plans go sideways—literally—and while she’s in the hospital, I’m left to handle all the plastic candy canes, Grinch impersonators, and deconstructed gingerbread houses with her sister instead. Single mom Thea is the calm, practical one who wants nothing to do with small-town drama… or me.
Too bad sparks fly anyway. Between her no-nonsense attitude, that soft heart she tries to hide, and the way she looks at me in the dark hallway when everyone else is asleep? It's not the tree at risk of going up in flames. Because this feels real and now I know exactly what I’m asking Santa for this year.
Christmas in Rebel isn’t just Merry—it’s absolute Mayhem.
ebook
Published November 21, 2025
149 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Erin Nicholas
151 books3,816 followersErin Nicholas is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty sexy contemporary romances. Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy and fun.
She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say they’re shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).
You can find Erin on the web at www.ErinNicholas.com, on Instagram at ErinNicholasBooks, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ErinNicholas... and on BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/erin-...
She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say they’re shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).
You can find Erin on the web at www.ErinNicholas.com, on Instagram at ErinNicholasBooks, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ErinNicholas... and on BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/erin-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 28, 2025
Christmas has come to Rebel, Louisiana. Erin Nicholas introduces us to a new Bayou town and sets us up for a new series. A holiday short with a single mom, and firefighter.
If you like chaos, noisy, holiday with a side of love story, this is the book for you! An easy read, plenty of laughs and a small town I would move to tomorrow. It is a small town that celebrates everything, and Christmas is the Mary Mayhem festival. Violet needs a fake boyfriend for the festival and asks Josh.
The author does pack a lot into this quick read, no superficial characters here. Fall into the holiday season as we celebrate with love and laughs.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
If you like chaos, noisy, holiday with a side of love story, this is the book for you! An easy read, plenty of laughs and a small town I would move to tomorrow. It is a small town that celebrates everything, and Christmas is the Mary Mayhem festival. Violet needs a fake boyfriend for the festival and asks Josh.
The author does pack a lot into this quick read, no superficial characters here. Fall into the holiday season as we celebrate with love and laughs.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
November 20, 2025
I never thought another town would challenge Autre for my heart, but Rebel certainly did. Thank heavens I have a very big heart and there is room for both! Lol All kidding aside, I adored this book and every single thing about it. To start, Josh and Thea were great characters. They are well developed and sinfully easy to care about and root for. Their attraction and chemistry were off-the charts. The story keeps you entertained and engaged by being jam-packed with holiday hijinks and quirky small-town charm that serve as the perfect backdrop for a heartwarming, cute, steamy and delightfully amusing romance. I'm already anxiously looking forward to my next trip to Rebel, Louisiana.
November 12, 2025
ARC Review
I absolutely loved this book! I went in completely blind and wasn’t sure what to expect. This one hooked me fast!
What a fun, holiday novella! Thea & Josh were just perfect. A single mom & a hot firefighter, fake dating & some forbidden love. This book had so much humor, chaos, and the perfect amount of spice!
I quickly fell in love with these characters, this town, and the crazy family that came along with it!! The holiday competition of Merry Mayhem made this book even more fun. I can’t wait to read more by this author & have more from this little town!!
I absolutely loved this book! I went in completely blind and wasn’t sure what to expect. This one hooked me fast!
What a fun, holiday novella! Thea & Josh were just perfect. A single mom & a hot firefighter, fake dating & some forbidden love. This book had so much humor, chaos, and the perfect amount of spice!
I quickly fell in love with these characters, this town, and the crazy family that came along with it!! The holiday competition of Merry Mayhem made this book even more fun. I can’t wait to read more by this author & have more from this little town!!
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November 2, 2025I'm so excited to introduce you to my new series through this book! I had so much fun writing it-- it was exactly what I needed to write at exactly that moment-- and I'm so hoping it gives you all the laughs, heart-warming moments, steamy moments, and holiday cheer that you need this season!
Welcome to Rebel, Louisiana and Merry Mayhem, the annual Christmas... event, which is part festival, part competition, and full chaos!
It's got:
❤️New BAYOU town!
💚A hero you've met before 😉
❤️An Ellie Landry appearance!
💚Yes, that's a statue of an otter on their main street 🫶
❤️If you like the movie While You Were Sleeping, you'll love this!
💚Small town holiday SHENANIGANS like I've never written before!
PLUS:
*Faking Dating
*Found Family
*A Single Mom
*A Firefighter Hero
*Small Town Romance
*He Falls Hard and Fast
*Grumpy-Sunshine Vibes (she's the grumpy ;)
*Off-Limits Romance
*Big Family Chaos
*Forced Proximity
So grab your favorite hot chocolate, find your coziest reading spot, and get ready for your first trip to Rebel, Louisiana!
"What's Merry Mayhem?"
“It’s a three-day-long event. All kinds of things happen. Each day is something different. There’s
an obstacle course, a relay race, and a scavenger hunt.”
“So, is there a money prize or something?”
“Well, there’s a statue, but it comes with something even better than money,” she says.
“What’s that?”
“Bragging rights.”
Welcome to Rebel, Louisiana and Merry Mayhem, the annual Christmas... event, which is part festival, part competition, and full chaos!
It's got:
❤️New BAYOU town!
💚A hero you've met before 😉
❤️An Ellie Landry appearance!
💚Yes, that's a statue of an otter on their main street 🫶
❤️If you like the movie While You Were Sleeping, you'll love this!
💚Small town holiday SHENANIGANS like I've never written before!
PLUS:
*Faking Dating
*Found Family
*A Single Mom
*A Firefighter Hero
*Small Town Romance
*He Falls Hard and Fast
*Grumpy-Sunshine Vibes (she's the grumpy ;)
*Off-Limits Romance
*Big Family Chaos
*Forced Proximity
So grab your favorite hot chocolate, find your coziest reading spot, and get ready for your first trip to Rebel, Louisiana!
"What's Merry Mayhem?"
“It’s a three-day-long event. All kinds of things happen. Each day is something different. There’s
an obstacle course, a relay race, and a scavenger hunt.”
“So, is there a money prize or something?”
“Well, there’s a statue, but it comes with something even better than money,” she says.
“What’s that?”
“Bragging rights.”
November 27, 2025
What a fun and fantastic story. Filled with laughs, angst, fake dating and a bit of a forbidden romance ( not really..you will see why. lol)
Erin’s books are always filled with amazing characters, amazing settings and lots of laughs.
Theo and Josh are pushed together to compete together in the towns holiday competition. What starts as forced proximity turns into fake dating which then leads to the grand gesture and then happily ever after!
Between the towns people, the outlandish completion, the crazy family members you will be laughing. A fantastic holiday story!
Erin’s books are always filled with amazing characters, amazing settings and lots of laughs.
Theo and Josh are pushed together to compete together in the towns holiday competition. What starts as forced proximity turns into fake dating which then leads to the grand gesture and then happily ever after!
Between the towns people, the outlandish completion, the crazy family members you will be laughing. A fantastic holiday story!
November 9, 2025
Josh and Thea, omgggg, they are the best together!
This is a short Christmas story with fake dating, a single mom, and a hot firefighter. He meets Thea’s sister who needs help, but when she gets into an accident things go a little sideways until he sees Thea again. This was the cutest story and such a good read, I can’t wait for more to come!
“You might find yourself tied to my bed and me not letting you go in the morning.”
“Can I have you right here, now? Can I remind you what it feels like to have your p***y worshiped?”
“Just about all the places I’d like to smear frosting and stick candy, and I’m not talking about gingerbread.”
This is a short Christmas story with fake dating, a single mom, and a hot firefighter. He meets Thea’s sister who needs help, but when she gets into an accident things go a little sideways until he sees Thea again. This was the cutest story and such a good read, I can’t wait for more to come!
“You might find yourself tied to my bed and me not letting you go in the morning.”
“Can I have you right here, now? Can I remind you what it feels like to have your p***y worshiped?”
“Just about all the places I’d like to smear frosting and stick candy, and I’m not talking about gingerbread.”
November 21, 2025
Oooh I loved this!
This is dramatic, funny, adorable and so wholesome!
Our FMC: Thea is a 31 year old single mum with her own business and is just living her life in her picturesque town where everyone knows everyone.
Our MMC: Josh is a 26 year old Firefighter and Paramedic who walks into a little cafe and has his life turned upside down.
The drama drama’d, the spice SPICED and I loved every second of this 🥰
This is dramatic, funny, adorable and so wholesome!
Our FMC: Thea is a 31 year old single mum with her own business and is just living her life in her picturesque town where everyone knows everyone.
Our MMC: Josh is a 26 year old Firefighter and Paramedic who walks into a little cafe and has his life turned upside down.
The drama drama’d, the spice SPICED and I loved every second of this 🥰
November 26, 2025
This book has all the vibes of Sleeping in Seattle with a crazy Christmas festival/challenge as the backdrop. Josh and Violet (the one in the coma) were never meant to be. But Josh and Thea? Yeah they were the ultimate endgame.
These two heated up my kindle and made this story very easy to read. The secondary characters helped as well. Josh was very loveable and Thea was so kind hearted. I'm happy they both finally got their HEA.. especially Josh after learning his back story. If this is what we have to look forward to with the next few stories I'm all in and cannot wait to read them.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*
These two heated up my kindle and made this story very easy to read. The secondary characters helped as well. Josh was very loveable and Thea was so kind hearted. I'm happy they both finally got their HEA.. especially Josh after learning his back story. If this is what we have to look forward to with the next few stories I'm all in and cannot wait to read them.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*
December 7, 2025
Finally finished my first book in over 3 weeks, I’ve been in such a bad slump & this did the trick! This was such an easy quick read. It was so cute! I’m not usually a fan of the insta-love, but this one wasn’t too bad. This gave spicy Hallmark Christmas movie vibes & I was all for it🎄
December 13, 2025
Mayhem is right! This series starter grabs you and doesn’t let go! Rebel Louisiana is gonna be an epic addition to the Erin Nicholas booklist! Swoony fella….check…..strong heroine….check……some fantastic characters and wacky times and you have a recipe for fun!
November 27, 2025
Yessss, hot firefighters are the best, right? Josh has got to be one of the most swoon-worthy ones, and I'm loving the way he stole your heart! The humor and spice combo is always a winner, and it felt like you were part of the story that's what makes a book truly special! the banter between the characters got me. I highly recommend reading this now!!!
November 27, 2025
Kickstart the Holidays
What a great story to start the holiday season. Sweet, sexy, and full of love. Just the mayhem that’s needed.
What a great story to start the holiday season. Sweet, sexy, and full of love. Just the mayhem that’s needed.
December 6, 2025
OK, this book was so fun. I absolutely loved it but you know you’ve got your fabulous small town game gathered around for some Christmas joy. What more do you want? Wait you want more you’re supposed to join a Christmas competition but guess what your partner who you met by accident for the first time ever oh wait I don’t wanna give you any spoilers anyway they end up in the hospital and you end up participating with their sister let the mayhem begin! This was so fun.
October 29, 2025
Great start to a new series
I loved this big loud chaotic and fun holiday love story with a side of forbidden romance punctuated with a confetti canon grand gesture. It had all the things you expect from an Autre adjacent book - love, spice, hilarity, and family. Thea is a single mom to a 12 yo daughter and a physical therapist in Rebel, LA. Josh is a firefighter and paramedic in Autre, LA. Thea’s sister, Violet, meets Josh in her family’s restaurant and asks him to pretend to be her fake boyfriend for the upcoming Mary Mayhem holiday events in her town. He agrees but that same night she has a car accident and she is put in a medically induced coma. Now he’s still doing Mary Mayhem on Violet’s behalf just with Thea as his partner. He and Thea previously met on an emergency call six months ago and there was attraction but no follow up. Now that they’re together 24/7, their chemistry sizzled off the page and it pulled them together no matter how hard they tried to resist. Their HEA is inevitable they’ll just have to navigate a comatose sister, hilarious holiday games, past baggage, quirky townspeople and truth telling. As always, Erin Nicholas makes a romcom so much deeper than simply laughs and light romance and she got us there with witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline. I am excited to read more in this new series including getting to visit familiar Autre folks and falling in love with new ones in Rebel.
I loved this big loud chaotic and fun holiday love story with a side of forbidden romance punctuated with a confetti canon grand gesture. It had all the things you expect from an Autre adjacent book - love, spice, hilarity, and family. Thea is a single mom to a 12 yo daughter and a physical therapist in Rebel, LA. Josh is a firefighter and paramedic in Autre, LA. Thea’s sister, Violet, meets Josh in her family’s restaurant and asks him to pretend to be her fake boyfriend for the upcoming Mary Mayhem holiday events in her town. He agrees but that same night she has a car accident and she is put in a medically induced coma. Now he’s still doing Mary Mayhem on Violet’s behalf just with Thea as his partner. He and Thea previously met on an emergency call six months ago and there was attraction but no follow up. Now that they’re together 24/7, their chemistry sizzled off the page and it pulled them together no matter how hard they tried to resist. Their HEA is inevitable they’ll just have to navigate a comatose sister, hilarious holiday games, past baggage, quirky townspeople and truth telling. As always, Erin Nicholas makes a romcom so much deeper than simply laughs and light romance and she got us there with witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline. I am excited to read more in this new series including getting to visit familiar Autre folks and falling in love with new ones in Rebel.
October 28, 2025
Another wonderful book from Erin Nicholas. Josh and Thea have a very unique set of circumstances to work through to reach their HEA. It’s no surprise that this book is full of endearing characters, humor and a little bit of spice. Erin opened the door to another enchanting Louisiana town called Rebel, with ties to my favorite bayou town of Autre and the Landry family. This book was a great holiday story that I definitely recommend. I can’t wait to see where Erin takes this new series!
November 13, 2025
Merry Mayhem is a fun, chaotic, and heartwarming holiday romance! Josh and Thea’s chemistry is impossible to resist as they navigate comatose sisters, quirky townspeople, and the wild Mary Mayhem games. Erin Nicholas delivers humor, spice, and real emotion with characters who feel completely alive. This small-town story is festive, addictive, and the perfect read to get lost in Rebel, Louisiana!
coming November 21st!
coming November 21st!
October 27, 2025
JD (Josh) and Thea’s Christmas story is a wonderful addition to the Landry family. Fun, games and forbidden romance just adds to the story.
October 28, 2025
5/5 ⭐️ I loved this book!!!!!
October 31, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. The crazy fun of the Merry Mayhem competition in Rebel Louisiana a short drive from Autre and the Landry crew. Thea & Josh enter the competition to help her sister Violet. But it becomes the catalyst for their HEA. The quirky characters of the town adds to the pure delight of this story. I hope we see more stories in Rebel.
November 28, 2025
What a hoot
What a hoot. This town is an absolute riot. Love the chemistry between Josh and Thea. The townsfolk are a gas. And an otter statue named Julia, dying for that story. Can't wait to return to Rebel, LA.
What a hoot. This town is an absolute riot. Love the chemistry between Josh and Thea. The townsfolk are a gas. And an otter statue named Julia, dying for that story. Can't wait to return to Rebel, LA.
December 5, 2025
Josh and Thea ❤️
Josh is a paramedic and firefighter. He just met Thea’s sister Violet and agreed to do her a favor by being in Merry Mayhem Contests, posing as her fake boyfriend. Fast forward later that night when Violet is in a car accident, Josh is the one that happens to find her and pull her out. now everyone thinks he’s her real boyfriend instead of her fake boyfriend to help her through the races, Violet had wanted a fake boyfriend because her ex would be there and she didn’t want to be alone and she wanted to look like she had moved on. However, Thea had met Josh before when he had helped her grandfather during a stroke and she had feelings for him. After she realized everyone thought he was Violet’s boyfriend. She knew she couldn’t actually be the sister who took her sister‘s boyfriend while her sister was in a coma. How could they figure it out? The story was very good on how they maneuvered their feelings until they could decide how to move forward with Violet when she came out of the coma. I love this story. It was very sweet, very Christmasy, and very fun. I will look forward to seeing what is in store for Nora in the next book.
Josh is a paramedic and firefighter. He just met Thea’s sister Violet and agreed to do her a favor by being in Merry Mayhem Contests, posing as her fake boyfriend. Fast forward later that night when Violet is in a car accident, Josh is the one that happens to find her and pull her out. now everyone thinks he’s her real boyfriend instead of her fake boyfriend to help her through the races, Violet had wanted a fake boyfriend because her ex would be there and she didn’t want to be alone and she wanted to look like she had moved on. However, Thea had met Josh before when he had helped her grandfather during a stroke and she had feelings for him. After she realized everyone thought he was Violet’s boyfriend. She knew she couldn’t actually be the sister who took her sister‘s boyfriend while her sister was in a coma. How could they figure it out? The story was very good on how they maneuvered their feelings until they could decide how to move forward with Violet when she came out of the coma. I love this story. It was very sweet, very Christmasy, and very fun. I will look forward to seeing what is in store for Nora in the next book.
December 30, 2025
While you were sleeping….but make it a book
Cute, easy read
Cute, easy read
October 26, 2025
Super cute right person, wrong time, small town holiday love story! Meddling townspeople, overbearing family, and so much love.
December 16, 2025
So fun and flirty and funny and sexy and sweet and over the top. Filled with small town shenanigans and found family antics, it’s a delightful quick holiday read.
December 2, 2025
What a Christmas Delight
Josh is the new firefighter paramedic in Autre. On a visit to nearby Rebel he discovers a whole new town of adventure and community. During his unexpected participation in Rebel's crazy holiday festival all kinds of fun and romance break out. His experience with sister's Thea and Violet are only the start of a wonderful future. All in a straightforward and winning way. Great storytelling.
Josh is the new firefighter paramedic in Autre. On a visit to nearby Rebel he discovers a whole new town of adventure and community. During his unexpected participation in Rebel's crazy holiday festival all kinds of fun and romance break out. His experience with sister's Thea and Violet are only the start of a wonderful future. All in a straightforward and winning way. Great storytelling.
December 4, 2025
I loved this holiday read. I loved how chaotic and messy the plot was. Josh and Thea are so cute together. It’s an easy read with a lot of laughs. You’ll fall in love with the small town feel and all the characters who live there. I recommend if you’re looking for a good Christmas read!
December 14, 2025
It was so good to be back in Louisiana!
Rebel, Louisiana, is known for its celebrations, and Christmas time is no different. Needing a partner for the Merry Mayhem competition, Violet was supposed to have her date from a couple of months ago help her show up her ex. Enter Josh, who was in town, ironically, to see her grandfather and was from Autre, and volunteers to take his place and be her fake boyfriend for a couple of days. Only Violet gets hurt, and her sister Thea has to take her place in the competition. Thea and Josh have met before, when Josh met their grandfather, and the spark was instantaneous. Only, it's still there. But Josh is supposed to be Violet's boyfriend, not Thea's, and it's hard to keep from the busybodies in town. So what happens when Violet recovers, and Josh has to go back to pretending to be Violet's boyfriend?
Josh and Thea get their happy ending in this standalone book.
This town is amazing, and it makes so much sense that this is where Ellie is from! I love how much the town seems to care about each other and finds ways to be there for each other. And the town events sound like so much fun! I wonder why Bad or Autre never started anything like this, too! Or tried to come over and compete with themselves. I am happy that Violet saw the connection between Josh and Thea and knew they were meant to be together, rather than trying to force something with Josh. He was a fantastic guy, and I could see how anyone would want to be with him. One thing that I wish we had gotten to hear was why the otter was the town mascot. It was going to be explained, but we got spicy time instead. Which, not complaining about at all, I just want the story too!
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rebel, Louisiana, is known for its celebrations, and Christmas time is no different. Needing a partner for the Merry Mayhem competition, Violet was supposed to have her date from a couple of months ago help her show up her ex. Enter Josh, who was in town, ironically, to see her grandfather and was from Autre, and volunteers to take his place and be her fake boyfriend for a couple of days. Only Violet gets hurt, and her sister Thea has to take her place in the competition. Thea and Josh have met before, when Josh met their grandfather, and the spark was instantaneous. Only, it's still there. But Josh is supposed to be Violet's boyfriend, not Thea's, and it's hard to keep from the busybodies in town. So what happens when Violet recovers, and Josh has to go back to pretending to be Violet's boyfriend?
Josh and Thea get their happy ending in this standalone book.
This town is amazing, and it makes so much sense that this is where Ellie is from! I love how much the town seems to care about each other and finds ways to be there for each other. And the town events sound like so much fun! I wonder why Bad or Autre never started anything like this, too! Or tried to come over and compete with themselves. I am happy that Violet saw the connection between Josh and Thea and knew they were meant to be together, rather than trying to force something with Josh. He was a fantastic guy, and I could see how anyone would want to be with him. One thing that I wish we had gotten to hear was why the otter was the town mascot. It was going to be explained, but we got spicy time instead. Which, not complaining about at all, I just want the story too!
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 27, 2025
The perfect christmas book to get you in the Christmas spirit.
December 27, 2025
Oh this book was so much fun! It’s like Autre on steroids and add in some Christmas fun! lol
Josh and Thea were so fun to get to know! Excited for more from this town!
This story took a little bit to really hook me but I liked it. Very Autre coded and I loved the connection she made from Autre to Rebel.
I liked the premise and how it came together ❤️
Josh and Thea were so fun to get to know! Excited for more from this town!
This story took a little bit to really hook me but I liked it. Very Autre coded and I loved the connection she made from Autre to Rebel.
I liked the premise and how it came together ❤️
November 16, 2025
*An advance reader copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
What started out as a fun distraction from the holidays turned into so much more. Firefighter/Paramedic Josh Evans was having a drink at Perks and Rec in Rebel, Louisiana when he met bartender Violet Chabert. Violet is in need of a fake boyfriend to partner up with for the town’s Merry Mayhem competition to go up against her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend. Violet and her ex won the last four years and now she has to show him that not only has she moved on, but she is the reason they won. Josh figures that he could fake his way through the next 3 days and help Violet. But before he could run back to Autre to grab some stuff, he comes upon Violet’s car in a ditch.
When Violet’s parents get to the hospital, Josh is introduced to them as Violet’s “boyfriend”. And because Violet was placed in a medically induced coma to give her body a chance to heal, Josh decides not to tell them that they just met early that evening. Violet had told her parents that the guy she had been seeing was coming to town to compete in Merry Mayhem with her, so her parents just assumed it was Josh, and they decided that he should still compete but with Violet’s sister, Thea. This is where it starts to get even trickier…
Thea’s grandfather Harley had a stroke 6 months earlier, and when Thea called for an ambulance, Josh was one of the paramedics on scene. Although Josh had come to Rebel a few times to check on Harley, their paths never seemed to cross. Thea is a single mom to 12-year-old, Ruth, and she runs a busy physical therapy practice. She wasn’t looking for a man. But that didn’t stop her from thinking about the handsome paramedic.
Now Josh has been moved into Violet’s room in Thea’s house and she’s going to just have to live with him for a couple of days. There’s an immediate connection between the two, yet Thea feels guilty for having thoughts about her sister’s (who’s in a coma) boyfriend. Why Josh didn’t just come clean with Thea right away is beyond me. As the competition kicks into high gear, so does the attraction between Josh and Thea. And once Josh explains that he had just met Violet at the bar, Thea gives in to the feelings she’s having. Their heat makes waves off the pages. But they have to keep this to themselves until Violet can tell their parents and the town the real story.
I’m going to stop there and let you find out what happens not only with the competition, but when Violet wakes up. Erin Nicholas knows how to write great characters, surrounded by amazing family and friends, not to mention her towns are always a star on their own. I love holiday romances, and this one was witty, sassy and not too over the top. I can’t wait to go back to Rebel to see who gets their happily ever after next.
What started out as a fun distraction from the holidays turned into so much more. Firefighter/Paramedic Josh Evans was having a drink at Perks and Rec in Rebel, Louisiana when he met bartender Violet Chabert. Violet is in need of a fake boyfriend to partner up with for the town’s Merry Mayhem competition to go up against her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend. Violet and her ex won the last four years and now she has to show him that not only has she moved on, but she is the reason they won. Josh figures that he could fake his way through the next 3 days and help Violet. But before he could run back to Autre to grab some stuff, he comes upon Violet’s car in a ditch.
When Violet’s parents get to the hospital, Josh is introduced to them as Violet’s “boyfriend”. And because Violet was placed in a medically induced coma to give her body a chance to heal, Josh decides not to tell them that they just met early that evening. Violet had told her parents that the guy she had been seeing was coming to town to compete in Merry Mayhem with her, so her parents just assumed it was Josh, and they decided that he should still compete but with Violet’s sister, Thea. This is where it starts to get even trickier…
Thea’s grandfather Harley had a stroke 6 months earlier, and when Thea called for an ambulance, Josh was one of the paramedics on scene. Although Josh had come to Rebel a few times to check on Harley, their paths never seemed to cross. Thea is a single mom to 12-year-old, Ruth, and she runs a busy physical therapy practice. She wasn’t looking for a man. But that didn’t stop her from thinking about the handsome paramedic.
Now Josh has been moved into Violet’s room in Thea’s house and she’s going to just have to live with him for a couple of days. There’s an immediate connection between the two, yet Thea feels guilty for having thoughts about her sister’s (who’s in a coma) boyfriend. Why Josh didn’t just come clean with Thea right away is beyond me. As the competition kicks into high gear, so does the attraction between Josh and Thea. And once Josh explains that he had just met Violet at the bar, Thea gives in to the feelings she’s having. Their heat makes waves off the pages. But they have to keep this to themselves until Violet can tell their parents and the town the real story.
I’m going to stop there and let you find out what happens not only with the competition, but when Violet wakes up. Erin Nicholas knows how to write great characters, surrounded by amazing family and friends, not to mention her towns are always a star on their own. I love holiday romances, and this one was witty, sassy and not too over the top. I can’t wait to go back to Rebel to see who gets their happily ever after next.
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