A recipe for love requires a dash of danger! From debut author Rosie J. Potter comes a heartwarming holiday romance that serves up equal portions of suspense and sweet second chances, perfect for fans of Lucy Score and Maren Moore.
When chef Adelaide Burke returns to her hometown of Tinsley Falls after her restaurant fails, she expects to lay low and lick her wounds. Instead, she's roped into saving the town's massive Christmas feast and reunited with Jace Stanton—her best friend's brother and the secret love of her college years. As sparks reignite between them, Adelaide discovers she's not the only one seeking a fresh start: Jace is hiding from his own troubles in London, where his ex-fiancée faces criminal charges.
But someone is determined to destroy both the feast and their second chance at love. As sabotage escalates to danger, Adelaide and Jace must confront not only a criminal conspiracy but their own fears about trust and commitment. With Christmas—and their lives—on the line, will their rekindled romance survive both a white Christmas and a black-hearted revenge plot?
3.5/5 This was a pretty good book all in all! The plot was very interesting. I do think the reveal of who was behind all the mishaps was kind of underwhelming compared to the lead up but still didn’t take too much from the story as a whole. Addie was super annoying at times with her indecisiveness and second guessing but it kind of made her realistic in a way. There was comic relief which I enjoyed as well. The sheriff really got on my last nerve! Horrible at his job (greatly written though) and needs to be replaced(in the book’s world obviously lml)! His sorry at the end wasn’t enough in my eyes! The only two problems I had were the over mentioning of everyone’s name and very low spice. Using my search feature “Jace” was written over 1,000 times! I still enjoyed the teasing and sneaking around but after not being together for 15 years and rushing when they finally did get together was kind of a let down. You have the build up of passion and tension and then no super descriptive finale lol. But that’s just cause I love some good spice like three peppers or more. I received an advanced copy from the author but this is my honest review. The plot is worth a read.
Themes: -Bestfriend’s brother -Suspense -Second Chance -Mystery -Small Town Romance -1.5🌶️ PS loved the wine key coming into play towards the end! PSS. Go see or check on your people if you can! Call them talk regularly and make the time as time itself does not stop because you’re busy and you don’t get it back! That was the biggest theme for me from this book.
FMC: “I step into the cafeteria one last time to see how cleanup is going in there, although it isn’t my problem”
MMC: “YOU need to get this lock fixed”
3.25 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing Company | Keylight Books for the eARC!
SPOILER WARNING: Contains detailed rants and character breakdowns (no major twist is revealed)
I feel like the 2 quotes above perfectly capture my problems with the main characters of this book. The FMC is supposed to be the Christmas savior, organizing this massive feast, meanwhile we see her She moves things around and apparently works a lot to make the feast happen but we barely see any of it. There’s one scene where mind you she’s staying at her friend’s house, eating all the food FROM HER BAKERY and still just stands around refusing to help because of whatever excuse. Sorry but the more I think about her the funnier/weirder it gets.
And the MMC… what a useless man.
And you know who wouldn’t tell her SHE had to fix the lock on her door without offering to help? My man Tyler. I need this author to turn this into one of those interconnected romance series so I can see my man Tyler get the love he deserves. Truly not a good sign when you want the FMC to end up with someone other than the MMC.
Also I wanted to know more about our side characters, like what happened with Another opportunity for an extra book there. And Gemma’s parents? I was so disappointed when I don’t think the father said a single word in the entire book, so what was the point of them visiting for Christmas at all?
This also didn’t feel very wintery or Christmasy until the last quarter I’d say, especially because
Anyway 😮💨 needed to rant. Would I read from this author again? Yes 😂 I say all of this with love. Me ranting about a book means I was emotionally invested in it, which doesn’t always happen, so it gets points for that :)
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! Rosie has found the magic combination of a Hallmark Christmas movie and the suspense of Die Hard in a neatly wrapped Christmas package with a bow on the top.
I swear all of my favorite foods were mentioned in this book and it had me questioning my sanity. Adelaide also questions her sanity, returning to her hometown before the holidays after her restaurant fails. Lured back to the town by her best friend’s bakery, she intends to eat her heart out and lick her wounds. While there are so many appetizing foods mentioned her bestie’s hunky brother is back in town and he is looking quite detectable. Best laid plans 😉 are put on hold as she has to get to work saving the town. But even that comes with its own unexpected challenges. Either the ghosts of Christmas past are haunting her with bad luck or there is sabotage afoot. The book takes the coziness plot on a wintery atmospheric jaunt as it crosses into thriller territory. It left me wanting to curl up with a hot chocolate by the fire after feeling the chill.
If you are not a fan of spice, this book builds so just be prepared.
The only thing I would have personally changed is since it is like a Hallmark movie it is a little too neatly packaged for me, but there is something comforting in knowing everything will be okay and the Christmas spirit will prevail.
This book is perfect for lovers of second chance romance, foodies, and action packed adventures. The best part is that all that longing for the food mentioned is gifted to us readers in the form of recipes in the back. Such a fun read, thank you Rosie and Turner for the opportunity to go on this adventure with you. Are you sure it isn’t set in the upper Midwest? All this pimento cheese talk is making me hungry.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Turner Publishing Company, Rosie J. Potter and Keylight Books for the ARC.
It is a fun debut read filled with romantic tension and thrilling moments. Adelaide returns to Tinsley Falls after her failed restaurant venture, where she reconnects with her best friend, Gemma, her highschool ex, Tyler, and her surprisingly, Gemma's brother, Jace.
The characters feel real as you read about them, like they could be a part of your friend group. Adelaide feels lost about what to do with her life, where to start again and how after her restaurant closed. When romance comes knocking back into her life, she wonders if she should let it inside as her priority still is opening another restaurant, and she knows Tinsley Falls isn't the place for that. Though, for how busy she always claims to be and swamped with the Christmas cooking, we don't really get a feel for that urgency. Just her going places to pick stuff up or get them there, or overseeing stuff. Most of the times, I could even forget it was something that needs to happen in a week, or that it is for Christmas.
As for her love interest, Jace, I feel like maybe the rekindled feelings happened too fast? Like not long ago, he was still obsessed with his ex-fiancee, and now he saw Adelaide, and all those feelings of love just turned to her? Especially, in the span of a week? I know they were together in college, and I understood Adelaide's emotions and reticence on not wanting to just be a rebound. It felt a bit too instant, but their teasing and tensionate moments were really good.
As for Adelaide's highschool ex, Tyler? He was so sweet, always helpful, stated what he wanted from the beginning, didn't force his wishes upon her even with all his help, and was a great guy and father. I hope there will be a sequel for him so he can gain his own happy ending.
Gemma was a great character and friend, albeit she was more in the background, so we didn't have time to see how their relationship as besties was. The rest of the characters were there to appear when the plot called for them, so we only know tidbits about them through Adelaide's interactions with them.
The thriller part was great for a romance focused book, and it did drive the tension up a bit when the plot seemed to slow down too much. Most of the focus of the book was on the romance aspect, the tension between Jace and Adelaide going on high. We have low-spice moments, and the author did give warnings in the beginning so the readers will be prepared as they read.
All in all, a great debut, some things could've been done different, but still a great read. Can't wait to see what else Rosie will write.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author.
I enjoyed the writing style. It was an easy read and kept me interested. The first about half of the book was great. I thought I knew where the story was headed. Unfortunately, it became more and more convoluted. The cover artwork and title make you think you are going to be reading a cozy Christmas romance. That is not what this book is though. Christmas basically takes a backseat and I would honestly say that this is more of a mystery with a little bit of romance thrown in. There were multiple opportunities for fun, cozy, Christmasy moments that never came to fruition. The MMC is a walking red flag in my opinion. I kept thinking at some point the FMC would recognize that and end up with someone else and that that would be the twist, but I was wrong. In fact, as far as I could see, there was no twist in the story at all. The story has great potential. And I think I see where she was trying to go with it. But the execution fell flat. I would read other things by this author. I would just hope that she takes some of the constructive criticism from these reviews and uses it to make improvements in future stories.
The small-town Appalachian setting of Tinsley Falls was perfect to set the cosy Christmas vibe of the story. Here we meet Adelaide, a talented chef who returns the month before Christmas to where she grew up to prep her Grandparents house to sell. I loved the strong friendship with her bestie, Gemma, and the long overdue reunions with old friends/flames Tyler and Jace.
Yet sabotage quickly becomes a major theme as Addie steps in to help a town in need. I kept second guessing suspects and motives…especially as the vendetta becomes seemingly personal!
Rosie J Potter’s debut novel is the perfect read in the lead up to the festive season – cosy, suspenseful, with a dash of romance! Oh, and I loved the little surprise inclusions of Addie’s favourites (iykyk!) at the end of the book! Delicious!
Thank you for Rosie J Potter, Keylight Books, Turner Publishing and NetGalley for this e-arc. This review is honest and of my own volition.
This was a good book overall. It definitely wasn’t what I was expecting (a Christmas romance story). The writing is very good and easy to read through. I do feel like some things were not so much a surprise or twist, and they were also predictable. It was still an interesting story to read, I just feel like it went in a different direction than I expected based off of the name and description of the book. I would still be open to reading other books from this author in the future.
Firstly thanks to Turner Publishing & Keylight Publishing as well as Rosie J. Potter for this incredible opportunity for me to read this book as an ARC. Now, onto the review:
The Premise: Chef Adelaide Burke unwillingly returns to Tinsley Falls, her hometown after her restaurant fails. There she meets her best friend’s brother, Jace Stanton. And, trouble brews. Now, they have to navigate those troubles and their internal turmoil.
Setting: Key Themes: Some sparks refuse to die. And sometimes all we need is a second chance—both in life and romance.
Plot & Characters:
Pacing & Structure: The story is quite well paced except that it drags a little bit in the middle. But, it picks up soon so that does not really distract me. Moreover, there were definitely some fun moments sprinkled all over.
Writing Style & Tone: The prose was also engaging and I loved it.
Personal Reflection & Rating
What Worked (Pros): - One of my favorite scenes is definitely where they hang out together in front of the TV. 😉 - The cozy small town romance, the holiday vibes as well as the reconnection between the main characters was phenomenal. - I also loved the sisterhood between Gemma and Addie. I mean, that’s the female friendships we always talk about. Go, my girls!!! - And the incredible chemistry between the leads is chef’s kiss for me.😘😽I just can’t get enough of them. The yearning and then the pull towards each other OMG!!!! Kabooom!!!! 💥 - Also, Ziggy has my heart 💖 I say Ziggy should be the main character hahaha!!! Love love love Ziggy 💖
What Didn't Work (Cons): The only thing that didn’t work for me was the twist. I wish it wasn’t that predictable for me. I was even hoping that it was another character. Maybe they would be the source of the problem. So, that part disappointed me a little, to be honest.
Ratings: Plot: 4/5 stars. Only because the twist didn’t land well enough for me. Characters: 5/5 stars. The development and the complexity of the characters are my favorites. Pacing: 4.5/5 stars. Emotional Impact: 5/5 stars for me. I laughed and cried with the characters.
Recommendation: This book is for people who want to read a cozy small town romance with lots of inner dilemma and yearning for another person who might be their perfect match. It’s all about second chances and whether you want to take that leap of faith or not.
A fun holiday read. I enjoyed the small-town Christmas setting, the rekindled romance, and the mystery that kept things interesting. This is more than your typical Christmas romance. It’s a cozy romance that kept me interested throughout the entire book.
The Tinsel Twist was a spicy blend of Christmas, crime, and romance. I really enjoyed the festive, small-town, culinary vibes, and I loved the adorable cat. I think this one will be a hit for a lot of romance readers! For me, I struggled with the romance between Jace and Adelaide. It was well-written. It was more an issue of personal preference. I didn't really like the dramatic storyline with his ex-fiancee, and there were a few tropes that just didn't land for me (I'm being vague here to avoid spoilers). Thanks at Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First thank you to Rosie J. Potter, and Turner Publishing for choosing me to be an ARC reader!
⚠️ Contains spoilers I love a great Christmas story with romance, and this one served even more intriguing with the suspense aspect. I was thrilled to sign up to get an ARC. Overall the book was an easy read taking me a day or two to finish it. The storyline is interesting and the main characters Addie and Jace are likable. One of my favorite characters is Ziggy 🐈⬛ I also really enjoyed the recipes that were included at the end of the book for two of the recipes mentioned in the book. Overall though, it was not one of my favorite reads. There were multiple conflicts set up that could have been the reason for the main character's distressing events but once the main conflict came through the other potential conflicts in the story were never really addressed again and seem to fall away as if they weren't really issues in the first place. My main issue was with some timeline things. Once I got into the most intense part of the story and it served like it had been resolved, I was surprised as I looked at my digital copy to see I still had an hour left of reading. On top of that, the most suspenseful events happened so very quickly and then were resolved very quickly. An example of this is when Addie has been drugged in the evening taken out to the woods and wakes up but I was unsure when reading aren't sure how much time she's out there but it seems to be the same evening. After a series of exciting events that occur after her waking up and wandering around the woods for a short amount of time, she's taken to the hospital and is there to recover from hypothermia, but is released that save night, goes home, sleeps, and gets up the next day to put on the Christmas Eve festival. It seemed like all of that happened in very short amount of time that seemed sort of unrealistic. Another issue was that on Christmas day the author put in a line where Addie thinks about the fact that had gone to the grocery store the previous morning (Christmas Eve morning) an anticipation of being able to have breakfast in her home on Christmas Day however, until the afternoon of Christmas Eve it wasn't even possible for to be in her home that night because of a broken window. Even though her friends repaired it for her as a gift she wasn't aware of it in the morning when she would have been buying breakfast items for her own house. It was a cute read but I definitely enjoyed the first half of the book and the suspenseful build up better than the second half.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thank you Rosie Potter for the ARC. This as a good, cozy, small town, Christmas read with a bit of crime thrown in. With a count down to Christmas, Adelaide must step in and put together a town Christmas feast. While also avoiding her feelings for her best friends brother. And someone trying to sabotage things. I enjoyed the mystery/sabotaging plot and the tension between Adelaide and Jace. You’re left wondering who is messing with Addie and the feast. Someone in town or Jaces ex? It leaves you questioning things and swooning over the two as they grow closer once more. It was fairly slower pace until towards the end. But still enjoyable. If you love small town romances and Christmas this is for you.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
It kind of reads like a James Bond holiday special that only airs around Christmastime for the die-hard fans of the franchise. Unfortunately, that's not a compliment.
There's simply too much going on here. Return to small town, Christmas festival in trouble - okay, those two by themselves would work. I'd read that. Kind of sounds like a cheesy Hallmark movie, but honestly, sometimes you just want the cheese. Add in the unexpected reunion with an old flame and voilà, you've got the makings of a pretty sweet little feel-good Christmas romance. I think where Potter went wrong here is by trying to throw in so many thriller elements. It just didn't work, and ended up relying on a deus ex machina device to resolve its own issues.
As far as the framework for the story itself goes, I'm not sure why she felt the need to have the gap between college and reunion in Tinsel Town (I know that's not the right name, but honestly, Tinsley Falls isn't much better) take a whopping fifteen years. Maybe just so Addie, the FMC/narrator, could constantly remind us of this fact? And let's not forget that, any time Addie has a moment to monologue on the page, she's reminding the reader that, eventually, Jace will have to go back to England and break her poor little heart. The first time, yeah, okay. You get some sympathy. Maybe even some vague concern about how the author will fix this. By the second time, you're starting to feel annoyed - we get it, Addie. But then she starts interrupting actual conversations with Jace and whoever else has the misfortune of listening to her to reiterate this fact, and by then it stops warranting sympathy and starts garnering eye rolls.
But be sure not to do it too loudly, or Addie will jump and probably shriek. Seriously. The amount of jumping and shrieking this woman did when someone startled her (which practically every character did, at some point) was complete overkill.
And, did you know Addie used to run a restaurant? Don't worry if you didn't, because you won't possibly be able to forget! She'll remind you at least once per chapter.
At this rate, I'm honestly not sure if this is a case of it's not you, it's me with this book, because I could see potential here. And, honestly, even the sloppy James Bond imitation stuff could work, with some better editing to help it flow smoother and integrate into the central plot. Which... I'm not sure if the central plot was intended to be the festival (or, as Addie calls it, a feast, which felt very medieval) or the stuff with Jace's ex and the cartoonish thugs-for-hire.
I did debate lowering my rating to a solitary star, but I would say there was enough here to at least keep me invested in the story - in the same sense that it's nearly impossible to look away from a train wreck unfolding right in front of you. It's so bad, you just have to see it to the end. Which is quite possibly the weirdest explanation I have ever given for how I've rated a book, and yet - here we are.
Adelaide is a chef and returns home to Tinsley Falls after her restaurant fails. What she didn't expect was to return home and be roped into saving the town's Christmas feast and most of all running into Jace. Jace just so happens to be her best friend's brother, who she had a huge crush on in college. Jace and Adelaide both retreated to Tinsley Falls to get a fresh start. Will they work together to save Christmas or will the revenge plot get in the way?
🎄 Second Chance 🤶 Best Friend's Brother 🎅 Christmas 🎁 Romance/Mystery ❄️ Small town
This is Rosie's first novel and I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved it. It was the perfect blend of a cozy, Christmas novel, with some mystery and best of all romance. I loved the love triangle going on with Jace, Tyler and Adelaide. Any book where it involves a chef returning to their hometown is a win for me. It gave all the cozy vibes while having you on the edge of your seat wondering what new sabotage is next and if they will fix everything in time for the Christmas feast. I really feel like this book is similar to some of my favorite Christmas Hallmark movies. I love the Hallmark series that aired last year called, "Mistletoe Murders" and they had to solve crimes that happened in the cute, small town at Christmas time and this book felt like that. I loved the tension between Jace and Adelaide and I was just chanting out loud when I was reading, "Tell Gemma already! She's your best friend, she will understand." I love a good forbidden romance and what's better than falling for your best friend's brother. I love his little nickname for her, "Addie-Lou Who." The Grinch has always been one of my go to Christmas movies to watch so I loved this nick name. The chemistry between Jace and Adelaide was undeniable and I loved the ending of this book. Although it was slightly predictable, I found I was surprised many times throughout the book. I figured out pretty early on who was to blame for all things that happened to Adelaide, Gemme and Jace. I really liked this book and it's the perfect book to read on a cold night in December. ❄️ I absolutely loved that after the epilogue there was two recipes! That was so cute and I remember drooling while reading about Gemma's pimento cheese. This book was a 4 stars. I really enjoyed reading it and I hope there's many more books by this author to come as I want more!
Review of a free copy received from the publisher via NetGalley
2.25 ⭐️ The blurb really appealed to me, which is why I decided to pick it up, but unfortunately I didn't totally connect with it.
My main issue was the lack of chemistry and substance to Jace and Adelaide's relationship. I went in knowing they had history, but none of that is really explored. We start off when he comes back after years of not seeing each other, and they're back to flirting almost immediately. There is no real transition from feelings to relationship, because they're fully back together only a few chapters in. I would've definitely preferred to see more tension or a stronger foundation to their relationship after such a long time apart, instead of basing their feelings on what they had in college. Neither of their feelings toward one another had any development either, the pacing was off, and for a big part of the book Jace was still thinking about his ex-fiancée, which made it hard to see Adelaide as more than a rebound for him.
There was also too much going on at once, which made it difficult for there to be one well-developed plotline. There were three different storylines at play: the renovation, the planning of the feast, and the sabotage. The issue was that they all felt a bit jumbled and unfinished because we were jumping from one event to another until we ultimately get to the culmination, which turns out to be anticlimactic because you get the answer for who is behind everything pretty early on. Additionally, I would've liked more context on how exactly Adelaide ended up back in Tinsel Falls. It gets mentioned frequently that her restaurant failed, but the explanation doesn't really go beyond that, which did raise a lot of questions for me.
However, there are also things that I did enjoy. I thought the setting was very cute. Who doesn't like a small town Christmas vibe? I was intrigued by the mystery subplot at first, and it definitely had me suspecting many of our characters. I surprisingly found the ex-fiancée to be a hilarious character, which kept me invested in the story.
Not totally for me, but still recommendable for readers who enjoy Hallmark-like books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing Company | Keylight Books for the free copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Rosie Potter, Turner Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
When I saw small-town romance, holiday, and mystery all in one book, I was sold! I love a good Hallmark Christmas movie, and Tinsel Twist felt like the perfect way to bring that love together with reading.
Addie is approaching forty and trying to figure out what comes next after the restaurant she opened was forced to close due to rezoning. She’s passionate and hardworking, but after losing something she put so much of herself into, she returns to her hometown of Tinsley Falls to regroup and stay with her best friend, Gemma. What she isn’t expecting is for Gemma’s brother Jace, with whom she had a secret, no-labels relationship in college, to surprise them with his own return to town.
I loved Addie and Jace together. Their chemistry was clear from the beginning, but I also loved how they were there for each other as they both figured out what came next. Jace is dealing with his recent split from his fiancée, and Addie is there for him as he works through it. At the same time, Addie unexpectedly finds herself stepping in to save Christmas by preparing a huge holiday dinner for the town, and Jace is right there helping her every step of the way. I really enjoyed watching them reconnect as they spent more time together.
I also really enjoyed the mystery. As things started going wrong and it became clear that someone was sabotaging the Christmas dinner preparations, I kept trying to figure out not only who was behind it, but why. It definitely kept me in suspense, and I enjoyed seeing everything come together.
Of course, I also got the HEA I love so much! I’m wondering if we might get another book in Tinsley Falls because I would absolutely read Gemma’s story or Tyler’s. Fingers crossed!
It wasn’t until I got to the acknowledgements that I realized Tinsel Twist is Rosie Potter’s debut novel, and I couldn’t believe it! I really enjoyed her writing, the characters, and the combination of romance, mystery, and Christmas.
The recipes at the end were also such a fun bonus. I already have a few I want to try!
Tinsel Twist was the perfect read to get me excited for the holiday season!
The Tinsel Twist is Rosie J. Potter’s debut novel which is a mix of second-chance everything, identity molding, and a dash of suspense for good measure.
In it, we find Chef Adelaide licking her wounds back in her tiny hometown of Tinsley Falls, a major change from her now-defunct Austin restaurant venture. She is working through healing from that massive loss and trying to find her place and purpose in this world, as her heart questions not only her ability to cook, but also where she should plant her roots in order to thrive.
Of course, she runs into her teenage ex-boyfriend, but also her secret college ex. In this way, returning to Tinsley Falls is more than just a second-chance opportunity at establishing her identity professionally, but also romantically.
And if all of that wasn’t enough to throw at Adelaide, there is some additional spice in suspense that builds from the moment that she parks back in downtown Tinsley Falls. I won’t divulge spoilers, but it’s kind of a crazy and wild ride that Potter takes us on.
I really appreciated the Author’s Note that prefaced the novel and addressed potential trigger warnings, as so many authors are not as considerate of their readers, and through what their readers have survived.
This book is a great start, and takes us through what real life can be like: crazy and scary and just lovely, too.
Keeping her characters “real”, we do face a main character whose energy isn’t always in line with her role and of what she should be proud. For example, she doubts her ability to move forward after her Austin restaurant failed. Chef Adelaide should have sought out new projects, but instead, she took time off and doubted her own abilities to lead a humble fundraiser.
Another character who remains astonishingly real is the best friend’s brother. His maturity level with relationships doesn’t seem to have progressed much since his youth, and no one seems to have a problem with that.
All in all, this novel is sweet and low-spice, but lots of tension and suspense are thrown in to keep it interesting. I can’t wait to read Potter’s next novel!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Turner Publishing Company, and Keylight Books for this super fun digital ARC!!
🚨 SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! I am giving The Tinsel Twist by Rosie J. Potted an absolute 4-star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Give me a returning-to-my-small-town storyline mixed with second chance love, add in a kidnapping, attempted murder, and a slow burn that literally melts the snowy Christmas backdrop... and I am completely sold! 🎄❄️❤️ ARC Disclosure: A huge thank you to NetGalley, publisher Turner Publishing Company | Keylight Books, and author Rosie J. Potted for providing an early digital review copy (eARC) of this book! All thoughts, fanatical reactions, and honest reflections shared in this review are entirely my own. The Review The Tinsel Twist by Rosie J. Potted is a thrilling, heartwarming holiday romantic suspense that had me completely hooked! I loved this story so much. Addie and Jace are superb main characters, and their reconnection feels so deeply meant to be. Returning to her small town brings up old feelings, but as their past romance reignites, high-stakes danger quickly pulls them straight into unexpected chaos. The plot seamlessly balances cozy holiday vibes with real tension—kidnapping, attempted murder, and a sizzling slow burn that melts right through the snowy Christmas landscape. Beyond our main couple, Ziggy completely stole my heart with his adorable purrs and unmatched cattitude! Gemma also shines bright as a wonderful friend/sister figure and an amazing secondary character who grounds the story. The only reason I'm not giving this a full 5-star rating is that the ending seemed a bit rushed for me. Otherwise, it's a stellar, cozy, high-stakes holiday read! The Good The incredible chemistry between Addie and Jace, high-stakes romantic suspense elements, Ziggy the cat's elite personality, strong side characters like Gemma, and a gorgeous snowy Christmas atmosphere! The Not So Good The pacing toward the climax and final resolution felt slightly rushed compared to the rich, slow-burn development of the rest of the book.
The Tinsel Twist combines everything we love into one book! Want a book set in a small town like Stars Hallow with a second chance will they/won’t they romance a la Ross and Rachel happening simultaneously as an international villain with henchmen try to Scrooge Christmas? *Catches breath* Then the Tinsel Twist might be for you! I really enjoyed the ride this author designed. Tinsel Twist follows MC Adelaide Burke as she arrives back in her hometown of Tinsley Falls after her professional life crashes and burns in Austin. It’s the last place she wants to be, but her best friend cushions her downfall. An introvert, she’s not happy about seeing familiar faces around town, and she doesn’t want to have to explain why she back in Tinsley Falls. But soon after she arrives, her former secret boyfriend, Jace, now a successful London businessman, comes home, too. Their history is complicated because they kept their situationship low-key so that Addie’s best friend didn’t find out. . . because she’s Jace’s sister. FEELINGS are stirred up. Just when we as readers are fully invested in a holiday love story, the action begins. Scary things start happening around town, and it becomes obvious that someone is targeting Adelaide. I won’t say more about that because I don’t want to give anything away. This book sparked my Christmas spirit, but it also made me laugh, hold my breath, and held me hostage until I read the final page. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed my time with the Fallsians. I can’t wait to make the recipes in the back of the book. In fact, if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend prepping ahead of time so your senses can be completely immersed in the world Rosie J. Potter created. I received an ARC of Tinsel Twist and thank the author and Turner for the opportunity to read/review this book.
"The Tinsel Twist " by Rosie J. Potter is part Christmas story, part new start, part second-chance romance, AND part mystery, it doesn't really decide to stay in one lane. Adelaide is back in her home town a week before Christmas after being gone for more than a decade. She's there for a stopover really, between cities, as she has no intention of putting down roots there. She comes face to face, literally, with her best friend's brother, Jace. They apparently had a hot and heavy fling in college (that stayed off the page), never pursued a relationship, then went their separate ways. Now Jace is home too, and trying to get space from his convict ex-fiance. Forget about her though, Addie and Jace are very flirty and hint at some spicy times, and they realize they missed out on something more together. Addie is roped into saving the Christmas feast the town has every year for thousands (?!) , mostly by being organized, not doing actual cooking. There are some attempts to thwart the festival, or get Addie to leave, I'm honestly not sure which was the main goal. In the end (like 95%), Addie and Jace get their happy ending and the story wraps up nicely. I enjoyed this story, but would have enjoyed it more if it leaned more into one trope. It happens at Christmastime, but the book is dominated by saving the Christmas feast, not any celebrations Addie, Jace, her best friend Gemma, and their parents may have had. She's back in town for a new start but knows she is going to leave again when she can. There wasn't a ton of romance either, mostly flirty texts. I would not describe this as a spicy book, one glossed-over open door scene. The "mystery" was kind of wishy washy too. Again, I did enjoy this book, I'm just being nitpicky!
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Actual message I sent to the author: ”I started The Tinsel Twist and I’m loving it so far! So much tension and intrigue! JACE. (Please tell me he’s not a villain!) I grew up in West Central GA so I’m loving the setting!”
I love a small-town setting, especially around any holiday! Addie has come back to Tinsley Falls right before Christmas after her restaurant closes for reasons that aren’t her fault. While she’s getting her grandparents’ house ready to sell, she moves in with her bestie Gemma and has reunions with a couple of old flames. Tyler, who still lives in Tinsley Falls with his daughters, and Jace, who has come home from London after breaking an engagement (he’s also Gemma’s little brother). The tension between Jace and Addie is palpable, stemming from both their chemistry and the fact that they hid their “situationship” in college from Gemma for years.
When Addie returns to Tinsley Falls and is roped into catering the Christmas feast/festival, there are some definite episodes of sabotage — is the villain trying to sabotage the town festival or her personally?
The sheriff came off as a good ol’ boy who didn’t have time to listen to an outsider’s very real experiences. BOO. Tyler was a good guy who just wasn’t it for Addie. Katharine? OOF. Much more nefarious and manipulative than anyone wanted her to be. The twist/villain was a bit predictable, but it didn’t take away from the absolute nail biting I did while waiting for the tension and danger to resolve!
Thanks to NetGalley, Turner Publishing/Keylight Books, and the author for an advance copy of this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I’m conflicted about this book. It’s cute, but I feel like the character introductions could have been a bit more compact. There are a couple of chapters about Addie’s high school ex, and I genuinely thought they were going to have another relationship. But then, in the very next chapter, that possibility was completely squashed, almost as if she were suddenly disgusted by the thought of it. I mean, then what was the point of all the butterflies and her going on about how handsome he was in the previous chapter?
Also, the fact that Jace and Addie don’t exchange any form of communication for a decade is… weird. I mean, he’s her best friend’s brother. Not once did they run into each other while she was visiting or anything? The circumstances surrounding why Addie never visited her hometown, despite supposedly being close with her grandparents, are also mind-bogglingly weird.
And then there’s Jace… God. Based on his personality, I genuinely don’t understand why he was ever involved with his so-called ex-fiancée in the first place. It just doesn’t seem consistent with the person we’re shown throughout the book.
Overall, I found the book confusing. The personalities and traits the characters are given don’t always match their actions, and that made a lot of their decisions and relationships difficult for me to understand or believe. It’s a cute story at its core, but the inconsistencies made it hard for me to fully enjoy it.
I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Tinsel Twist was a delight to read from start to finish. This is the first “romantic thriller”-esq book I’ve read, and I have to say I’m quite hooked!
The romantic tension was on point, with enough back and forth, push and pull, to make the relationship pay off feel well earned yet deliciously inevitable. The popcorn scene especially was brimming with sexual energy that felt both nostalgic and fresh - perfect for the couple in question.
The mystery plot provided real stakes that kept me flipping the pages, yet I felt safe enough within the cozy elements of this book for it to serve as a wonderful escape. Foodies will be in heaven with the cozy cafe-fare descriptions that pop right off the page, and Addie possessed a believable air of authority in whatever kitchen she found herself in, whether brewing hot chocolate or tackling turkeys!
The prose itself was effortless and absorbing, making this a quick, fun read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend, no matter the season. In particular, I found the relationships well-rounded, layered, and believable. Not every rom-com character needs to be a walking green flag, and thus it was far more interesting to me that Potter had us go on the journey of discernment and decision WITH Addie. That kept me, as a reader, actively thinking and engaged.
Also, on a personal note, as a Brit I loved the British-isms the author chose to included. Spot on and highly entertaining.
🎄 Blurb- When chef Adelaide Burke returns to her hometown of Tinsley Falls after her restaurant fails, she expects to lay low and lick her wounds. Instead, she's roped into saving the town's massive Christmas feast and reunited with Jace Stanton—her best friend's brother and the secret love of her college years. As sparks reignite between them, Adelaide discovers she's not the only one seeking a fresh start: Jace is hiding from his own troubles in London, where his ex-fiancée faces criminal charges. But someone is determined to destroy both the feast and their second chance at love. As sabotage escalates to danger, Adelaide and Jace must confront not only a criminal conspiracy but their own fears about trust and commitment. With Christmas—and their lives—on the line, will their rekindled romance survive both a white Christmas and a black-hearted revenge plot? 🧑🎄 Review - This was such a lovely festive read. Tinsel Twist was well written and had good pacing. The author's writing was really good and made me feel like I was in the story with the characters. There was plenty of content to keep me entertained and guessing until the end. Plus there was a great cast of characters and I loved the place settings in the story. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author. 💝 Thank you to the author Rosie J. Potter, Netgalley and the publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
First, I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for trusting me with this ARC 💛
This was such a cute debut novel! A lovely Christmas story.
The story is very fast-paced, which is awesome if you’re looking for a lighthearted Christmas romance to tackle this upcoming season 🤭🎄
The setting is Tinsley Falls, this cute, cozy little town where our main characters grew up. The people around them are actually pretty kind, and I had some fun getting to know them, especially Tyler (iykyk)..
But, talking about what is important:
The male main character is her best friend’s brother, and I absolutely love a good hot brother 😂🙂↕️ AND this is also a second-chance romance! Can you imagine?
Anyways, the character development was nicely done, the plot kept getting funnier and more interesting as we got closer to the end (there’s a twist there that I personally had a lot of fun with, tbh), and the cherry on top for me is that our characters are in their mid-to-late thirties. And honestly? It’s so refreshing to find books about what life really feels like sometimes when you’re hitting those important milestones in life.
So! Safe to say I had a lot of fun with this one.
I would strongly recommend it for people who don’t know what to pick up in December and just want to read about a second-chance romance in a cozy small town at Christmas time 🫶🏻
I received an advance review copy (ARC) of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley.
There were things I really enjoyed about this book and a few things that really annoyed me. Any there are probably a few spoilers below...
Let's start with the things I enjoyed: 1. It wasn't overly sexed up. There was a smidge of spice, but was glad Addie wasn't jumping right into bed with Jace. 2. Tyler - sweet, caring Tyler. I would like more of him. Sequel maybe? 3. Surface level, cute book would recommend for a good palate cleanser.
Things that annoyed me: 1. Addie constantly talked about having a lot of work to do for the Christmas Eve fest, but it seemed like she never actually did anything. She watched others do work and cook and clean and prep, but did she ever do anything other than talk about it? 2. This whole story took place in 1 week, Addie and Jace hadn't seen or talked to each other in 15 years and yet they are back in love and everything is great. Hmmm. 3. Jace threw some red flags for me. The ex-fiancé, workaholic, little to no contact with family.
This book has a lot of potential, edit some of the "I was a chef" and "I have a lot of work to prep" out and give the reader more Addie and Gemma together. Don't just tell me they are best friends, show me! Why is she so worried about loosing her best friend if she has a secret romance with Gemma's brother - I don't know, I never got a great sense of their friendship, other than being told they were besties.
If you’re looking for a fun, small-town holiday romcom/mystery, The Tinsel Twist is probably for you!
Talented restauranteur Adelaide is back in her small hometown licking her wounds after some professional failures. She’s staying with her BFF while her house is being repaired, and who shows up on the doorstep but Jace, Adelaide’s college fling/best friend’s brother. Cue the yearning.
Adelaide gets roped into saving the town Christmas feast, and it’s all hands on deck to make sure the tradition continues. Which requires Adelaide and Jace to spend lots of time together and keep their attraction under wraps. Add to the plot that someone is determined to sabotage the feast and Adelaide’s life.
The Tinsel Twist was such a cute, fun holiday read! I loved the romance/mystery combination right around the holidays, Adelaide and Jace’s chemistry, all the small town quirks and shenanigans, and the Christmas spirit. I’m not sure how long I’ll remember this one, but I really enjoyed reading it and especially Adelaide and Jace finding their way to each other.
Recommended if you like holiday reads, romantic suspense, mysteries, small towns, Christmas feasts, best friend’s brother, volatile exes, fabulous cat sidekicks, chef FMCs, second chances and all the love.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
This book is a fantastic Christmas/winter read.The characters are likeable and the storyline is interesting/original.
The combination of unique elements and the standard romance novel elements (small town, best friends brother and college sweetheart) make the story original but at the same time a comfort read.
The characters are truly their own person and take logical actions. Actions that I don't always agree with, but which do fit the character. Emotions are also conveyed through the characters in such a way that they almost seem like real people.
I do think that more attention could have been given to the whole situation with the officer; to me, he is the only character whose actions are incomprehensible.
And as far as I'm concerned, a bit more attention could have been given to the traumas of the characters. Attention was indeed paid to it, but it still feels as if a part of the thoughts associated with the traumas and the consequences in the long run of these traumas have been somewhat brushed off.
Overall, I found the book very enjoyable to read and I would definitely recommend it.
Tinsel Twist by Rosie J. Potter ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Keylight Books
This was such a fun, cozy holiday read! 🎄 It pulled me in right away, and I found myself reading it very quickly because I genuinely wanted to see what would happen next.
I loved watching Adelaide settle back into Tinsley Falls and really embrace being home again. There are so many fun elements woven throughout the story, including secret dating, suspense, and plenty of little twists that I definitely didn’t see coming. I especially loved how the different plot elements came together and kept the story moving without ever feeling predictable.
I did feel like the second half moved a little faster than the first, and we reached the ending pretty quickly after so much build-up, but I still had a lot of fun with where the story took me. There were several moments that surprised me, and I loved not always knowing exactly what was coming next.
Overall, this is such a perfect holiday read if you’re looking for something light, cozy, fun, and easy to get swept up in. It has that festive small-town feeling, plenty of romance and intrigue, and just enough unexpected twists to keep you turning the pages. A really enjoyable Christmas-season read! ✨🎄