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Tangled In Tinsel
Annie Cringle needs a Christmas miracle. With her ex-husband bailing at the last minute, she’s desperate to find someone to watch her seven-year-old daughter while she caters the biggest holiday event in Snowberry Peak. On a whim, she posts on the town’s online forum. She expected maybe a sweet retiree or a teenager looking for extra cash.
She did not expect Brooks Bennett.
Tatted, rugged, and impossibly handsome in his worn cowboy boots and Wrangler jeans, Brooks is the last man Annie imagined answering her call for a nanny. But the ex-bull rider turned rodeo clown has a surprising he knows exactly how to win over Ruby’s heart. From fashion shows with glitter and tiaras to tea parties in too-small dresses, Brooks proves he can wrangle more than just bulls—he can wrangle her daughter’s laughter.
And Annie’s heart, too.
What begins with playful teasing and stolen glances soon sparks into heated nights and breathless moments neither of them can resist. The more time Brooks spends in Annie’s home, the harder it is to remember he was only supposed to be temporary.
Because what’s the harm in falling for your live-in nanny… especially at Christmas?
She did not expect Brooks Bennett.
Tatted, rugged, and impossibly handsome in his worn cowboy boots and Wrangler jeans, Brooks is the last man Annie imagined answering her call for a nanny. But the ex-bull rider turned rodeo clown has a surprising he knows exactly how to win over Ruby’s heart. From fashion shows with glitter and tiaras to tea parties in too-small dresses, Brooks proves he can wrangle more than just bulls—he can wrangle her daughter’s laughter.
And Annie’s heart, too.
What begins with playful teasing and stolen glances soon sparks into heated nights and breathless moments neither of them can resist. The more time Brooks spends in Annie’s home, the harder it is to remember he was only supposed to be temporary.
Because what’s the harm in falling for your live-in nanny… especially at Christmas?
- GenresSmall Town Romance
194 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2025
84 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 7, 2025
I was really loving this book but the spice was a bit too cringy for me and the consent part was a bit too rough.
November 9, 2025
4.25 ⭐️’s
Holiday Romance 🤝 Single Parent x Nanny Romance
Maggie Hartley reigns as Queen of cozy small town romance!! In this book, she captures the magic of Christmas in this green flag of a man.
Brooks Bennett is EVERYTHING. His love for Ruby is honestly what sets this book apart for me. He’s patient, thoughtful and so good to this sweet, spunky girl. Their interactions had my heart beaming. And the way he took care of Annie and embraced her grief was so sweet and tender🥹
And their chemistry??? Give me any book where they sneak around and find creative uses of holiday decor🤭 Santa wasn’t the only one coming this Christmas….
Overall, this was so much fun to read and I kept catching myself smiling throughout it!! Maggie Ilysm and hope we get an Ollie story please!!!
Holiday Romance 🤝 Single Parent x Nanny Romance
Maggie Hartley reigns as Queen of cozy small town romance!! In this book, she captures the magic of Christmas in this green flag of a man.
Brooks Bennett is EVERYTHING. His love for Ruby is honestly what sets this book apart for me. He’s patient, thoughtful and so good to this sweet, spunky girl. Their interactions had my heart beaming. And the way he took care of Annie and embraced her grief was so sweet and tender🥹
And their chemistry??? Give me any book where they sneak around and find creative uses of holiday decor🤭 Santa wasn’t the only one coming this Christmas….
Overall, this was so much fun to read and I kept catching myself smiling throughout it!! Maggie Ilysm and hope we get an Ollie story please!!!
December 4, 2025
this novella was everything one could possibly want in a christmassy read. for a magical christmas small town during the holidays, to a hottie ex bull rider who is AMAZING with kids, to tension and spicy moment. it has everything.
i ate this one up.
the chemistry between Annie and Brooks from the first time they meet was the definition of sparks! they gravitated towards one another and the universe brought them back together in a way i’m sure neither of them expected…
but brooks becoming the live in nanny for annies 7 year old Ruby. their bond is such a cute one and the love they share for one another is adorable.
highly recommend if you wanna be in your feels and also feel a certain type of way 😮💨😮💨😮💨
i ate this one up.
the chemistry between Annie and Brooks from the first time they meet was the definition of sparks! they gravitated towards one another and the universe brought them back together in a way i’m sure neither of them expected…
but brooks becoming the live in nanny for annies 7 year old Ruby. their bond is such a cute one and the love they share for one another is adorable.
highly recommend if you wanna be in your feels and also feel a certain type of way 😮💨😮💨😮💨
December 31, 2025
Way too smutty like oh my word I had to skip so much
December 2, 2025
I had the absolute best time, this may have been my first book by M. Hartley, but it most certainly wont be my last. I read the blurb and immediately downloaded it, completely ignoring my TBR knowing full well I was going to love it. And I truly did love it, so much more than expected, it was such an amazing story with incredibly lovable characters and it was written beautifully.
So, I cried a little, but that's not a surprise let's be real. Annie was such an incredible woman, she was the greatest mum to Ruby. And I can’t not talk about Ruby, she was an absolute icon, the way she immediately had Brooks wrapped around her finger was too funny. Brooks was just what she needed, a man who wouldn't let her down like her waste of space father did (what a cunt)
I have so many things to say about Brooks, most of which are not instagram appropriate. But fuck me from behind, that man was the definition of perfect, in every way possible. I fell in love with him instantly, the back and forth between him and Annie was incredible and the way he loved her was truly beautiful, I'm 100% jealous and would like my own Brooks, please and thank you. It's literally impossible to not fall in love with him, Annie stood no chance. The spice was exceptional, this man was something else entirely in the best way possible.
I have 0 complaints about this book, every second was perfect, all the characters (sperm donor excluded) were so easily to fall in love with, the writing was amazing, the story was so good and the spice was exceptional. I cannot recommend this book enough and will be talking about it until the end of time.
So, I cried a little, but that's not a surprise let's be real. Annie was such an incredible woman, she was the greatest mum to Ruby. And I can’t not talk about Ruby, she was an absolute icon, the way she immediately had Brooks wrapped around her finger was too funny. Brooks was just what she needed, a man who wouldn't let her down like her waste of space father did (what a cunt)
I have so many things to say about Brooks, most of which are not instagram appropriate. But fuck me from behind, that man was the definition of perfect, in every way possible. I fell in love with him instantly, the back and forth between him and Annie was incredible and the way he loved her was truly beautiful, I'm 100% jealous and would like my own Brooks, please and thank you. It's literally impossible to not fall in love with him, Annie stood no chance. The spice was exceptional, this man was something else entirely in the best way possible.
I have 0 complaints about this book, every second was perfect, all the characters (sperm donor excluded) were so easily to fall in love with, the writing was amazing, the story was so good and the spice was exceptional. I cannot recommend this book enough and will be talking about it until the end of time.
December 22, 2025
Tied Up in Tinsel (With the Nanny) follows Annie Cringle as she juggles single motherhood and a holiday catering job for the town mayor, and Brooks Bennett, a surprising solution to her last minute childcare crisis who quickly becomes more than she wished for during the holiday season.
This book had me giggling right from the start. It really had some great comedy. Ruby, a chaotic 7 year old, absolutely stole the show the entire time. She had such a spitfire personality and I loved how gentle and caring Brooks was with her. Their relationship was easily the strongest part of the story in my opinion.
That said, the romance didn’t work for me. Annie’s inner monologue around Brooks felt repetitive and honestly quite objectifying and the emotional connection between them just wasn’t there. It leaned heavily on physical attraction without enough depth, which made it hard to root for them. Some choices (especially where and when THINGS happened) pulled me right out of the story and gave me major ick. This was a short and quick holiday read, but wasn’t entirely my favorite.
This book had me giggling right from the start. It really had some great comedy. Ruby, a chaotic 7 year old, absolutely stole the show the entire time. She had such a spitfire personality and I loved how gentle and caring Brooks was with her. Their relationship was easily the strongest part of the story in my opinion.
That said, the romance didn’t work for me. Annie’s inner monologue around Brooks felt repetitive and honestly quite objectifying and the emotional connection between them just wasn’t there. It leaned heavily on physical attraction without enough depth, which made it hard to root for them. Some choices (especially where and when THINGS happened) pulled me right out of the story and gave me major ick. This was a short and quick holiday read, but wasn’t entirely my favorite.
December 8, 2025
💭 This one ended up not being for me. I’ll start with what I did like. I love the single parent trope and I liked that the roles were reversed in this one with a manny and a single mom. I thought that was a fun twist on the trope. I also liked the small town setting. I’m a sucker for a small town Christmas romance. The spicy scenes were also pretty good. What I didn’t like was that it was pretty cheesy. Which doesn’t always bother me, but there was just a little too much in this one for my taste. Like how many times are you going to wink at each other, you know? Overall, entertaining but just not for me.
📚 Read this if you like…
Manny/single mom
Small Christmas town
Tinsel play
Banter
Spicy 🌶️
Novella
📚 Read this if you like…
Manny/single mom
Small Christmas town
Tinsel play
Banter
Spicy 🌶️
Novella
November 14, 2025
This was a Hallmark movie where the couple do more than kiss at the end. Also I kept waiting for the conflict to show up... ex-husband, miscommunication, something.. but no it was just a fluffy pleasant smutty romp.
Brooks a tall, tattooed, handsome rodeo clown wanders into what appears to be a Christmas town at just the right time to become the perfect 'Manny' for 7 year old Ruby.
Frazzled single mom and caterer extraordinaire Annie decides to go ahead and sleep with the Manny because why not?
Again, this is toothachingly sweet.
Did anyone else want to see Brooks beat the heck out of the ex husband? Or something???
Brooks a tall, tattooed, handsome rodeo clown wanders into what appears to be a Christmas town at just the right time to become the perfect 'Manny' for 7 year old Ruby.
Frazzled single mom and caterer extraordinaire Annie decides to go ahead and sleep with the Manny because why not?
Again, this is toothachingly sweet.
Did anyone else want to see Brooks beat the heck out of the ex husband? Or something???
December 9, 2025
Review 📖
Tied Up In Tinsel with the Nanny
Written by M Hartley
Probably my favorite thing about holiday books is a well written meet cute and M Hartley nailed it with these two. Not only that but the found family and the hot manny not only charming the feet off the single mom but also winning over the heart of the chaotic 7 year old girl. My heart was so full after this book. It felt like a warm hug. The chemistry between Brooke and Annie since their first scene together I knew it was fate for them both. This was my first M.Hartley book and I will not be my last.
#singelmom
#Manny
#smalltown
Tied Up In Tinsel with the Nanny
Written by M Hartley
Probably my favorite thing about holiday books is a well written meet cute and M Hartley nailed it with these two. Not only that but the found family and the hot manny not only charming the feet off the single mom but also winning over the heart of the chaotic 7 year old girl. My heart was so full after this book. It felt like a warm hug. The chemistry between Brooke and Annie since their first scene together I knew it was fate for them both. This was my first M.Hartley book and I will not be my last.
#singelmom
#Manny
#smalltown
November 4, 2025
Steamy Hallmark
This story was the perfect read to get into the holiday spirit. It gave me holiday movie vibes, but with the heat turned up of course. M. Hartley didn’t disappoint when she created Brooks and Annie. The two of them are everything you’d expect and then some. Watching them both live in the same space and deny themselves had me rooting for them even more. But we can’t forget about our little firecracker Ruby, she was the perfect dose of heart and comical relief. Dive into this holiday tale and fall in love in Snowberry Peak
This story was the perfect read to get into the holiday spirit. It gave me holiday movie vibes, but with the heat turned up of course. M. Hartley didn’t disappoint when she created Brooks and Annie. The two of them are everything you’d expect and then some. Watching them both live in the same space and deny themselves had me rooting for them even more. But we can’t forget about our little firecracker Ruby, she was the perfect dose of heart and comical relief. Dive into this holiday tale and fall in love in Snowberry Peak
November 17, 2025
“Tied Up in Tinsel (With the Nanny)” is a fun, festive, and sizzling holiday romance that delivers all the cozy vibes—with a whole lot of heat. Annie, a single mom juggling the chaos of the holiday season, hires Brooks as a temporary nanny for her daughter… and the chemistry between them is instant. Brooks is charming, patient, and impossible not to love, and Annie’s strength and big heart make her so easy to root for.
This story is sweet, spicy, and hot hot hot—the perfect holiday escape with swoon, steam, and a touch of Christmas magic.
This story is sweet, spicy, and hot hot hot—the perfect holiday escape with swoon, steam, and a touch of Christmas magic.
December 8, 2025
This book was exactly what I needed 🎄✨
It was fun, heartfelt, and had me fully falling for these characters. Annie is such a strong, sweet mom, just trying to juggle work and the holidays — and hiring a nanny seems simple enough… until Brooks walks in 😏🫣
A male nanny?? I don’t think I’ve ever read one before, but oh my gosh it worked. The tension, the banter, the slow little sparks between them — I was kicking my feet the whole time 💗🔥
Tropes:
❄️ Single Mom x Male Nanny
❄️ Banter
❄️ Small-town
❄️ Found Family
❄️ Forced proximity
It was fun, heartfelt, and had me fully falling for these characters. Annie is such a strong, sweet mom, just trying to juggle work and the holidays — and hiring a nanny seems simple enough… until Brooks walks in 😏🫣
A male nanny?? I don’t think I’ve ever read one before, but oh my gosh it worked. The tension, the banter, the slow little sparks between them — I was kicking my feet the whole time 💗🔥
Tropes:
❄️ Single Mom x Male Nanny
❄️ Banter
❄️ Small-town
❄️ Found Family
❄️ Forced proximity
December 19, 2025
Format: Kindle
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I enjoyed this SO much! I love a single parent x nanny romance, but when it's the reverse of the stereotypical female nanny/male parent but instead a male nanny/female parent - MY GOSH! SIGN ME UP! Mix in that the male nanny is a former bull rider - tatted up and built!
Ruby steals the show in this novella. She is a firecracker. Annie's ex is a POS. and Brooks is such a golden retriever.
This was so good!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I enjoyed this SO much! I love a single parent x nanny romance, but when it's the reverse of the stereotypical female nanny/male parent but instead a male nanny/female parent - MY GOSH! SIGN ME UP! Mix in that the male nanny is a former bull rider - tatted up and built!
Ruby steals the show in this novella. She is a firecracker. Annie's ex is a POS. and Brooks is such a golden retriever.
This was so good!
November 14, 2025
Such a sucker for a MMC who dotes on the single mom’s kids. Brooks and Annie- loved them and their chemistry!
Loved all the characters and the kiddo was perfection! Kid characters will make it or break it for me and Ruby was 10/10! Her and Brooks were so fun to read, loved all the attention he gave her and how they bonded!
Loved all the characters and the kiddo was perfection! Kid characters will make it or break it for me and Ruby was 10/10! Her and Brooks were so fun to read, loved all the attention he gave her and how they bonded!
November 17, 2025
Sweet Christmas love story
Cute quick read with a single mom needing a nanny to help with a spunky 7 year old girl. When the person who answers the help wanted ad is a hot retired bull rider, Annie, the single mom, is willing to give him a chance. Brooks, the manny is eye candy, and once Annie and Brooks act on the attraction they have for one another, the spice is intense!
Cute quick read with a single mom needing a nanny to help with a spunky 7 year old girl. When the person who answers the help wanted ad is a hot retired bull rider, Annie, the single mom, is willing to give him a chance. Brooks, the manny is eye candy, and once Annie and Brooks act on the attraction they have for one another, the spice is intense!
December 20, 2025
Devoured this! Such a perfect Christmas novella. A handsome, sweet, ex bull rider with a dirty mouth? Yes please! This was a perfect balance of spice and romance. The relationship between Brooks and Ruby is the sweetest, and I just love how much he worshipped and adored Annie. It was such a fun and light read, absolutely perfect for the holiday season!
December 14, 2025
Tinsel bound
This had me giggling. Great banter. Both MC’s are adorable and very thoughtful to each other. Annie and Brooks slowly fall for each other. Her little girl, Ruby, was so fun to read. It had me rooting for the new family to form.
This had me giggling. Great banter. Both MC’s are adorable and very thoughtful to each other. Annie and Brooks slowly fall for each other. Her little girl, Ruby, was so fun to read. It had me rooting for the new family to form.
December 20, 2025
4.75 ⭐️ 3.75🌶️ i really enjoyed this book, it was cute, funny, feel good vibes. What I liked more about this was the roles were reversed .. the MMC covered in tattoos as the nanny was a nice little twist that made it hilarious when it came to him playing tea party with Ruby 🤣🤣🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2025
I stumbled across this from a post off threads.
It did not disappoint!! A cozy hallmark Christmas romance novella, spicy twists and a seriously swoon worthy MMC.
What's not to love about it?
I loved the dynamic between the main characters from the very beginning, the sizzling tension and the heart melting moments.
loved it! definitely diving into more of this author's work for sure!
It did not disappoint!! A cozy hallmark Christmas romance novella, spicy twists and a seriously swoon worthy MMC.
What's not to love about it?
I loved the dynamic between the main characters from the very beginning, the sizzling tension and the heart melting moments.
loved it! definitely diving into more of this author's work for sure!
November 12, 2025
WOW!!
This book was hot, captivating, and explicit!! All three main characters nailed. Who knew a 7 year old could be an unintentional matchmaker!
This book was hot, captivating, and explicit!! All three main characters nailed. Who knew a 7 year old could be an unintentional matchmaker!
November 21, 2025
Beautifully written and heartwarming (and spicy!) holiday romance. Loved this one - totally hooked on this writer’s way of unfolding a story.
November 28, 2025
spicy hallmark.
November 28, 2025
4⭐3🌶️ Dual POV First Person Novella
Annie and Brooks
A delightful holiday novella, that is equally sweet and spicy. Loved not only the MCs, but also Ruby.
Annie and Brooks
A delightful holiday novella, that is equally sweet and spicy. Loved not only the MCs, but also Ruby.
December 4, 2025
"She was… something. The kind of something you notice and keep noticing, even when you tell yourself not to."
This one was such a cute little escape. I loved the way Brooke bonded with Ruby, even though that kid is basically chaos in tiny human form. The whole thing gave me the perfect Christmas feels with a little spice!
This one was such a cute little escape. I loved the way Brooke bonded with Ruby, even though that kid is basically chaos in tiny human form. The whole thing gave me the perfect Christmas feels with a little spice!
December 4, 2025
4.25⭐️
December 8, 2025
kinda mid but no third act breakup so there was that
December 11, 2025
amazing
Such a good read! I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into with this being my first M Hartley book but it was such a good Christmas nanny/boss romance
Such a good read! I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into with this being my first M Hartley book but it was such a good Christmas nanny/boss romance
December 14, 2025
1. I want to live in Snowberry Peak
2. I want Brooks Bennet for Christmas
🎄 single mom x nanny
❄️small town
🎄tinsel teammate
❄️forced proximity
2. I want Brooks Bennet for Christmas
🎄 single mom x nanny
❄️small town
🎄tinsel teammate
❄️forced proximity
December 28, 2025
These holiday novellas are really keeping me going rn
December 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️| “When he’d first come into our lives, I never imagined he’d stay past Christmas. He’d told me as much—that he was looking for work to get him by, a place to land for the season. Yet weeks later, he was still in Snowberry Peak, living upstairs in my house. Separate rooms. Separate beds. Taking it slow. And God, was I grateful for it. Every kiss, every brush of his hand, every late-night conversation over cocoa or wine, it all felt more meaningful this way. He wasn’t rushing me. Wasn’t asking for more than I could give. He was just… here. Present. And in his presence, I’d found a freedom I hadn’t realized I’d been missing.”
When caterer and single-mom Annie Cringle posts in a forum online looking for a last minute nanny for her 7 year old daughter Ruby, she never imagined that the hot man she met at the bar who just so happens to be a rodeo clown - Brooks Bennett, would show up on her doorstep for the nanny job. Brooks with his lumberjack looks and soft spot for kids, quickly used tinsel to literally and figuratively lasso his way into Annie’s heart (never thought of using tinsel that way 😉.)
I absolutely ATE up this novella! It was equal parts sappy and sassy. I found myself giggling and kicking my feet during all of Ruby and Brooks’ scenes (Brooks is 💯 the kind of dad she has always wanted and needed), and swearing during the many spicy scenes 🥵
When caterer and single-mom Annie Cringle posts in a forum online looking for a last minute nanny for her 7 year old daughter Ruby, she never imagined that the hot man she met at the bar who just so happens to be a rodeo clown - Brooks Bennett, would show up on her doorstep for the nanny job. Brooks with his lumberjack looks and soft spot for kids, quickly used tinsel to literally and figuratively lasso his way into Annie’s heart (never thought of using tinsel that way 😉.)
I absolutely ATE up this novella! It was equal parts sappy and sassy. I found myself giggling and kicking my feet during all of Ruby and Brooks’ scenes (Brooks is 💯 the kind of dad she has always wanted and needed), and swearing during the many spicy scenes 🥵
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews