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A Smoky Little Christmas
Firefighter Monae Brown is used to putting out flames, not falling for them.
When her fire station volunteers at a local nursing home for the holidays, she expects to hang lights, bake cookies, and keep things under control. What she doesn’t expect is him.
Restaurant co-owner Jai Carter has been quietly crushing on Monae since the night their friends fell in love. When The Hungry Hippo—his cozy, Black-owned restaurant he owns with his best friend—agrees to cater the nursing home’s Christmas events, he sees his chance to finally get close to the woman who makes him forget his own cool. Too bad his cooking skills aren’t quite as hot as he thinks…
Between burned cookies, holiday chaos, and one very meddlesome matchmaker, Monae and Jai find themselves spending more time together than planned. But when Monae’s magical journal starts filling with entries she didn’t write, each one nudging her toward the man she’s trying not to fall for, resisting him becomes harder than ever.
She’s used to saving the day.
He just wants to show her that sometimes it’s okay to be saved.
A Smoky Little Christmas is a cozy, slow-burn holiday romance filled with heart, humor, and a touch of magic. Perfect for readers who
small-town Christmas love stories
Black romance and strong heroines
cinnamon-roll heroes with charm and depth
slow-burn chemistry and feel-good holiday vibes
When her fire station volunteers at a local nursing home for the holidays, she expects to hang lights, bake cookies, and keep things under control. What she doesn’t expect is him.
Restaurant co-owner Jai Carter has been quietly crushing on Monae since the night their friends fell in love. When The Hungry Hippo—his cozy, Black-owned restaurant he owns with his best friend—agrees to cater the nursing home’s Christmas events, he sees his chance to finally get close to the woman who makes him forget his own cool. Too bad his cooking skills aren’t quite as hot as he thinks…
Between burned cookies, holiday chaos, and one very meddlesome matchmaker, Monae and Jai find themselves spending more time together than planned. But when Monae’s magical journal starts filling with entries she didn’t write, each one nudging her toward the man she’s trying not to fall for, resisting him becomes harder than ever.
She’s used to saving the day.
He just wants to show her that sometimes it’s okay to be saved.
A Smoky Little Christmas is a cozy, slow-burn holiday romance filled with heart, humor, and a touch of magic. Perfect for readers who
small-town Christmas love stories
Black romance and strong heroines
cinnamon-roll heroes with charm and depth
slow-burn chemistry and feel-good holiday vibes
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2025
2 people are currently reading
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December 13, 2025
Lauren Roach has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her books feel like warm hugs wrapped in modern-day realism, and I absolutely love that balance.
Ms. Monae Brown had me wanting to reach into the book and shake her. I kept whispering, “He’s a good man, Savannah… let that man love you.” And the wisdom in this book? Whew. Ms. Bridie was dropping gems left and right, giving the youngins exactly what they needed to hear.
Monae’s struggle felt so real. Trying to open your heart again after heartbreak is a journey so many of us know too well, and Lauren captured that beautifully.
I truly enjoyed this story, and now I’m over here eagerly waiting for Book 5. All of the ladies have had the cutest love stories so far. And seriously… can somebody find me a magical journal, please?
Ms. Monae Brown had me wanting to reach into the book and shake her. I kept whispering, “He’s a good man, Savannah… let that man love you.” And the wisdom in this book? Whew. Ms. Bridie was dropping gems left and right, giving the youngins exactly what they needed to hear.
Monae’s struggle felt so real. Trying to open your heart again after heartbreak is a journey so many of us know too well, and Lauren captured that beautifully.
I truly enjoyed this story, and now I’m over here eagerly waiting for Book 5. All of the ladies have had the cutest love stories so far. And seriously… can somebody find me a magical journal, please?
Displaying 1 of 1 review