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Big Santa
MAVERICK
I don’t need a wife. I don’t even want one after my last disastrous marriage.
What I do need is a mother for my four-year-old son. Someone warm and dependable. Most of all, someone who’ll stay. Someone completely different than my ex-wife.
As a billionaire developer, I know how to make a deal. So I approach my next marriage as a business marry me and help me raise my son until he turns eighteen. In return, she’ll never have to worry about money again. No love, no messy emotions, and no one gets hurt.
Then Noelle Hines rolls into Big Woods with sunshine in her smile and enough Christmas spirit to make the North Pole look underdecorated.
Suddenly, thirteen years feels like a very long time to keep my hands off my wife.
NOELLE
My fresh start was supposed to involve leaving my tiny hometown and finally figuring out what I want.
It was not supposed to involve marrying a gorgeous, grumpy billionaire and becoming an instant mom to his adorable four-year-old. But Maverick Kane’s completely bonkers marriage contract comes with a home, a little boy who steals my heart, and a husband who looks unfairly good when he’s glaring at me.
The rules are
Be a good mother.
Stay until his son turns eighteen.
...And absolutely, positively do not fall in love.
Except I’m falling for his son, for Big Woods, and for the life the three of us are building together.
And my big, grumpy husband? Well, he’s making that last rule almost impossible to keep…
I don’t need a wife. I don’t even want one after my last disastrous marriage.
What I do need is a mother for my four-year-old son. Someone warm and dependable. Most of all, someone who’ll stay. Someone completely different than my ex-wife.
As a billionaire developer, I know how to make a deal. So I approach my next marriage as a business marry me and help me raise my son until he turns eighteen. In return, she’ll never have to worry about money again. No love, no messy emotions, and no one gets hurt.
Then Noelle Hines rolls into Big Woods with sunshine in her smile and enough Christmas spirit to make the North Pole look underdecorated.
Suddenly, thirteen years feels like a very long time to keep my hands off my wife.
NOELLE
My fresh start was supposed to involve leaving my tiny hometown and finally figuring out what I want.
It was not supposed to involve marrying a gorgeous, grumpy billionaire and becoming an instant mom to his adorable four-year-old. But Maverick Kane’s completely bonkers marriage contract comes with a home, a little boy who steals my heart, and a husband who looks unfairly good when he’s glaring at me.
The rules are
Be a good mother.
Stay until his son turns eighteen.
...And absolutely, positively do not fall in love.
Except I’m falling for his son, for Big Woods, and for the life the three of us are building together.
And my big, grumpy husband? Well, he’s making that last rule almost impossible to keep…
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2026
About the author
Kat Baxter
193 books1,039 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author, Kat Baxter writes fast-paced, sweet & STEAMY romantic comedies. Readers have dubbed her “The Queen of Adorkable.” and her books “laugh-out-loud funny,” and “hot enough to melt your kindle.” She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of animals. Kat is the pseudonym for a bestselling historical romance author.
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www.katbaxterauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
He wanted a mother for his son. He never planned to need a wife.
Maverick has no interest in love after his first marriage leaves him raising his four-year-old son alone. He wants certainty, so he creates a contract: Noelle gets security and a home, Shiloh gets someone warm and willing to stay, and Maverick gets a marriage with clear rules and no emotional complications. The deal is meant to protect the one person he can’t risk hurting again, but Noelle makes certainty feel far less safe than he expected.
Noelle arrives carrying grief, a car full of memories, and enough Christmas spirit to disrupt Maverick’s controlled life. Shiloh quickly steals her heart, while her warmth transforms the house around them. Even before Maverick comes home, texts, bedtime calls, and glimpses of the family forming without him pull him toward the wife he never meant to want. For Noelle, the arrangement starts to feel less like a fresh start and more like the home she didn’t realize she was searching for.
Living together makes their boundaries harder to keep. Domestic routines become intimate, teasing turns charged, and Maverick’s determination to protect Noelle collides with how badly he wants her. When restraint finally breaks, desire becomes another choice they have to make together, with nothing owed and nothing assumed.
Noelle stops treating the marriage as simply a place to belong and starts claiming what she wants, including Maverick. He slowly trades contracts and emotional distance for vulnerability, trust, and openly chosen intimacy. Their careful grumpy-sunshine tension becomes playful, possessive, deeply emotional, and very real.
An ultra-steamy, age gap, single dad, marriage of convenience Christmas romance wrapped in forced proximity and found family. It’s about grief, belonging, trust, desire, and learning that security can’t guarantee love. Being needed gives them a reason to begin, but being wanted gives them a reason to stay.
The Elevator Pitch: A grieving woman marries a guarded single father for practical reasons, only to find herself woven into the life he has spent years trying to protect. As his son opens his heart to her, the carefully negotiated marriage begins filling with laughter, desire, and the dangerous possibility of becoming real. What starts as a promise to stay becomes a choice between the safety of rules and the risk of building a family neither expected to need.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance
Maverick has no interest in love after his first marriage leaves him raising his four-year-old son alone. He wants certainty, so he creates a contract: Noelle gets security and a home, Shiloh gets someone warm and willing to stay, and Maverick gets a marriage with clear rules and no emotional complications. The deal is meant to protect the one person he can’t risk hurting again, but Noelle makes certainty feel far less safe than he expected.
Noelle arrives carrying grief, a car full of memories, and enough Christmas spirit to disrupt Maverick’s controlled life. Shiloh quickly steals her heart, while her warmth transforms the house around them. Even before Maverick comes home, texts, bedtime calls, and glimpses of the family forming without him pull him toward the wife he never meant to want. For Noelle, the arrangement starts to feel less like a fresh start and more like the home she didn’t realize she was searching for.
Living together makes their boundaries harder to keep. Domestic routines become intimate, teasing turns charged, and Maverick’s determination to protect Noelle collides with how badly he wants her. When restraint finally breaks, desire becomes another choice they have to make together, with nothing owed and nothing assumed.
Noelle stops treating the marriage as simply a place to belong and starts claiming what she wants, including Maverick. He slowly trades contracts and emotional distance for vulnerability, trust, and openly chosen intimacy. Their careful grumpy-sunshine tension becomes playful, possessive, deeply emotional, and very real.
An ultra-steamy, age gap, single dad, marriage of convenience Christmas romance wrapped in forced proximity and found family. It’s about grief, belonging, trust, desire, and learning that security can’t guarantee love. Being needed gives them a reason to begin, but being wanted gives them a reason to stay.
The Elevator Pitch: A grieving woman marries a guarded single father for practical reasons, only to find herself woven into the life he has spent years trying to protect. As his son opens his heart to her, the carefully negotiated marriage begins filling with laughter, desire, and the dangerous possibility of becoming real. What starts as a promise to stay becomes a choice between the safety of rules and the risk of building a family neither expected to need.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance
October 25, 2026
Contract to HEA!
Big Santa by Kat Baxter is the first book in the multi-author series A Big Wood Christmas, and I absolutely fell in love with both Maverick and Noelle! Their contract marriage turns into something neither of them could have ever imagined, and I loved watching their relationship grow into something so much more.
All Maverick wanted was a mother for his son, Shiloh—someone who would love him and always be there for him. Meanwhile, Noelle was looking for a place to belong and a chance to start fresh after the passing of her grandmother. Little did either of them know that what they would find together would be so much more than they bargained for!
Their story was such a warm, heartfelt, and beautiful journey, especially once they finally stopped denying their feelings for each other. Watching Maverick and Noelle flirt and build their connection over the month while Maverick was away working made their slow-burn romance even more special. I loved seeing their relationship develop naturally as their feelings grew deeper and stronger.
I became so invested in their love story that I honestly didn’t want it to end! Maverick and Noelle’s journey from a marriage of convenience to a happily-ever-after was everything I could have hoped for, filled with warmth, sweetness, and all the feels. Big Santa was such a wonderful start to the A Big Wood Christmas series!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Big Santa by Kat Baxter is the first book in the multi-author series A Big Wood Christmas, and I absolutely fell in love with both Maverick and Noelle! Their contract marriage turns into something neither of them could have ever imagined, and I loved watching their relationship grow into something so much more.
All Maverick wanted was a mother for his son, Shiloh—someone who would love him and always be there for him. Meanwhile, Noelle was looking for a place to belong and a chance to start fresh after the passing of her grandmother. Little did either of them know that what they would find together would be so much more than they bargained for!
Their story was such a warm, heartfelt, and beautiful journey, especially once they finally stopped denying their feelings for each other. Watching Maverick and Noelle flirt and build their connection over the month while Maverick was away working made their slow-burn romance even more special. I loved seeing their relationship develop naturally as their feelings grew deeper and stronger.
I became so invested in their love story that I honestly didn’t want it to end! Maverick and Noelle’s journey from a marriage of convenience to a happily-ever-after was everything I could have hoped for, filled with warmth, sweetness, and all the feels. Big Santa was such a wonderful start to the A Big Wood Christmas series!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 23, 2026
4.25 stars. This story is dual POV, well written, and a fast-paced, sweet and steamy, self-discovery, single dad, marriage of convenience, contemporary romantic comedy between Noelle, the female Christmas-loving lead looking for a place to belong after the death of the grandparents she’d been carer for, and Maverick, the male billionaire single dad lead looking for a mother for his son, not a partner for himself. I laughed at Maverick’s initial set up, especially contrasted to his feelings immediately upon interacting with Noelle. I enjoyed Noelle’s deep sense of caring, and empathised with her feeling of being lost after the last of her family died. I enjoyed seeing her establish herself in a new location. I enjoyed Maverick’s commitment to his contract and his determination to not burden Noelle with his interest, as well as his devotion to his son’s wellbeing. I enjoyed his son’s defined personality and quirks, and the different relationship each adult had with him. I enjoyed the family relationship development. I laughed at the steamy awkward moments and enjoyed the intimate relationship development and the happy longterm plans.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2026
This is part of the multi author Big Wood Christmas series and features a marriage of convenience, sight unseen (except in pictures—heck their wedding ceremony was performed with them hundreds of miles apart) in order to provide a mother for the MMC’s four year old son and a grieving young woman’s financial stability.
It’s not Christmas yet but all that’s missing here is the cold weather ‘cause it’s got everything else covered! Christmas tree: check, Santa Claus: check, Hallmark worthy, heart melting romance: check, check and CHECK! This was such a wonderfully good, sweetly steamy read—there was absolutely no angst or drama—nothing that would, in any way whatsoever, take away from the time of year the story portrayed… just a couple who felt more for each other than the contract they signed suggested and an adorable little boy who blossomed at the presence of the new stepmother in his life. There wasn’t a whole heck of a lot of steam involved but what there was was nice and I especially loved the epilogue, a year out, with the suggestion of additional children to come. Actually, I can’t really think of anything I DIDN’T enjoy about it but I urge you to check it out for yourself, see what YOU think. For me, it was a 4.25 star read (I just would’ve liked a little more heat)
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s not Christmas yet but all that’s missing here is the cold weather ‘cause it’s got everything else covered! Christmas tree: check, Santa Claus: check, Hallmark worthy, heart melting romance: check, check and CHECK! This was such a wonderfully good, sweetly steamy read—there was absolutely no angst or drama—nothing that would, in any way whatsoever, take away from the time of year the story portrayed… just a couple who felt more for each other than the contract they signed suggested and an adorable little boy who blossomed at the presence of the new stepmother in his life. There wasn’t a whole heck of a lot of steam involved but what there was was nice and I especially loved the epilogue, a year out, with the suggestion of additional children to come. Actually, I can’t really think of anything I DIDN’T enjoy about it but I urge you to check it out for yourself, see what YOU think. For me, it was a 4.25 star read (I just would’ve liked a little more heat)
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
This is one wonderful emotional roller coaster ride. It has laugh out loud moments and some tears, it's so sweet with some steam and I loved it. Maverick wants a wife to help raise his 4 year old son Shiloh. Noelle is all alone now since her grandmother's death and she is perfect for the position. He thinks he's getting someone to take care of his son but he never met Noelle. Once he does his idea of a marriage of convenience goes out the window. Perfect romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2026
Christmas arrives early this year with the new A Big Wood Christmas series specifically, Big Santa by Kat Baxter. Noelle is a young woman in need of a fresh start; she never expected to find it by entering into a marriage with a gorgeous but grumpy billionaire named Maverick who also happens to have an adorable little boy. Maverick is looking for a mother for his son, which leads him to seek out a new wife though he is absolutely not prepared to risk his heart again after his last, disastrous marriage. But what happens when they find themselves having to spend thirteen years together all while trying not to develop any feelings for one another?
I completely fell for Noelle and Maverick’s story.
I completely fell for Noelle and Maverick’s story.
October 24, 2026
This is such a sweet Christmas story about Maverick and Noelle. It was such a sweet and sassy story, and I loved how Noelle turned Maverick’s life upside down. It was a feel good romance with a HEA. This is well worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2026
This is a fun story about a man who is feed up with marriage disaster and a sunshine new in town. This holiday story is about Maverick and Noelle. He needs help raising his son and decides to approach it all business like. Noelle agrees to the "bonkers" marriage contract. This is grumpy meets sunshine with some holiday spice and sweetness thrown in.
October 24, 2026
Do you need a feel good Christmas read? Look no further. Big Santa is funny and sweet. Seriously, this story squeezed your heart while keeping you giggling the whole time. Noelle and Maverick have the best kind of slow burn. This was so good.
October 26, 2026
Loved this read!!!! From the very first page when Maverick is explaining his plan to his friend/attorney I was hooked. The characters are fantastic and the storyline is wonderful!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2026
I absolutely adored this book. I laughed out loud and I cried. It was so good. I was hooked from page one. Another 5 star read. I love Kat Baxter books.
October 27, 2026
🎅 One Grumpy Billionaire, One Christmas Bride, and a Little Boy Who Changes Everything ❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️ 2 Chili Peppers
A grumpy billionaire single dad, a marriage contract with absolutely NO room for love, and an adorable four-year-old who just wants someone to stay? Oh, Kat Baxter, you certainly knew how to get me with this one! 🎅❤️ Big Santa was such a sweet, funny, and heartwarming Christmas romance that gave me everything I love about a marriage-of-convenience story. There was wonderful chemistry, plenty of adorable family moments, and just enough emotion to make my heart ache in the best possible way. And honestly, the moment little Shiloh entered the picture, I was completely invested in this unconventional little family!
Maverick Kane is a wealthy developer, a devoted single father, and a man who has absolutely no intention of falling in love again. After his disastrous first marriage, he's decided that romantic relationships are simply too complicated. But there's one thing he wants more than anything, and that's to give his four-year-old son, Shiloh, a stable, loving home. Maverick believes his little boy needs a dependable mother figure, someone who will be there through every milestone and never walk away. And because he's a businessman who knows how to negotiate a deal, he comes up with what he considers the perfect solution: a marriage contract. His new wife will help raise Shiloh until he turns eighteen, and in return, she'll never have to worry about financial security again. No love, no messy emotions, and absolutely no complications. Oh, Maverick, you sweet, clueless man! 😂💍
Enter Noelle Hines, a Christmas-loving woman who's trying to find her way forward after losing the grandparents she cared for. She's grieving, searching for a fresh start, and hoping to discover somewhere she truly belongs. What she probably never imagined was that her new beginning would involve marrying a gorgeous, grumpy billionaire and becoming an instant mother to his adorable little boy! But the arrangement offers her a chance to start over, and before long, Noelle finds herself stepping into a life that might be exactly what her heart has been searching for. I loved her warmth, her kindness, and the way she embraced this unexpected opportunity without losing that wonderful sense of who she was.
Now, can we talk about the fact that these two actually get married over ZOOM?! 😂❤️ Maverick has to leave town for business before Noelle arrives, so their wedding takes place while they're miles apart, and her wedding ring is delivered to her. I thought this was such a fun and unusual beginning to their relationship! Noelle moves into Maverick's home while he's still away, and instead of immediately jumping into married life together, they begin building their connection through text messages, phone calls, and glimpses of each other's everyday routines. I absolutely loved this part of the story because it gave them an opportunity to develop genuine affection before the physical side of their relationship took over.
And while Maverick is away, Noelle begins forming the sweetest relationship with Shiloh. 🦖🥹 Oh, that little boy! His love for dinosaurs, his adorable personality, and the way he gradually opens his heart to Noelle were some of my favorite parts of the entire book. Shiloh isn't immediately trusting of everyone, which makes his growing affection for her even more meaningful. I loved those quiet family moments, the bedtime routines, the Christmas decorating, and the little ways Noelle made him feel safe and loved. She didn't simply move into Maverick's house to fulfill a contract. She genuinely cared about Shiloh, and watching their relationship blossom was absolutely precious.
What made those moments even sweeter was knowing how much they meant to Maverick. This man arranged an entire marriage because he wanted his son to have someone who would love him unconditionally, and suddenly he's watching that very thing happen while he's away. Through their messages and calls, he starts getting glimpses of the happiness Noelle is bringing into Shiloh's life. But somewhere along the way, his interest in his new wife becomes about so much more than his son. He starts looking forward to hearing from her, teasing her, and discovering all the little things that make her who she is. The man who insisted this marriage would be strictly business is slowly realizing that he might actually want a real relationship with the woman he married. And I was absolutely here for it! ❤️
Maverick was such a wonderful grumpy hero. Beneath his serious personality and carefully constructed emotional walls was a man who loved his son fiercely and wanted to protect the people who mattered to him. I loved watching Noelle bring out his softer, more playful side, especially when he started realizing that the rules he'd created were becoming harder and harder to follow. He might have been determined to keep his heart out of the arrangement, but his growing feelings for Noelle made that practically impossible. And when the chemistry between these two finally started heating up? Let's just say their marriage contract definitely wasn't prepared for that! 🔥😂
Noelle's emotional journey was equally important to me. After losing the family she'd spent so much time caring for, she was carrying a tremendous amount of grief and uncertainty. She needed a fresh start, but more than that, she needed somewhere she could feel wanted and appreciated. I loved that her relationship with Shiloh gave her a sense of purpose and belonging, while her growing connection with Maverick offered the possibility of being loved for herself. Some of the quieter emotional moments really touched my heart, especially those reminders that even when you're beginning a wonderful new chapter, you can still deeply miss the people who were part of your old one. 🥹❤️
And that's what made this marriage-of-convenience romance so meaningful. Maverick thought he could guarantee his son's happiness with a carefully written contract, but love doesn't work that way. You can't negotiate genuine affection or require someone to feel like family. Those things develop through trust, kindness, and choosing to show up for one another. Noelle didn't simply become Shiloh's mother figure because she signed an agreement. She became someone he loved because she genuinely cared for him. And Maverick didn't fall for Noelle because she was fulfilling her responsibilities. He fell for the woman who brought laughter, warmth, and happiness into a home that had been missing those things for far too long.
I also really enjoyed the supporting characters! Dottie, Maverick's housekeeper, was such a fun addition with her clever little ways of encouraging everyone around her. And Bryant's involvement in the marriage contract added some hilarious moments, especially when Maverick began discovering that his carefully organized plans weren't quite as foolproof as he'd imagined. 😂 I love when side characters bring humor and personality to a romance without taking away from the main couple, and these two were a perfect fit for the story.
Of course, the Christmas atmosphere made everything even sweeter! 🎄 Between the decorating, the family traditions, the quiet moments around the Christmas tree, and all those adorable interactions with Shiloh, this story had such a cozy holiday feeling. I especially loved that the romance wasn't just about Maverick and Noelle discovering their feelings for each other. It was about three people creating a family and finding happiness in the ordinary moments they shared. Watching a house become a home and a business arrangement become something neither of them wanted to lose was absolutely beautiful.
Five stars from me! ❤️ Big Santa was a wonderful start to the A Big Wood Christmas series, filled with laughter, tenderness, steamy chemistry, and so much heart. I loved Maverick's devotion to Shiloh, Noelle's loving personality, and the way their relationship developed from messages and phone calls into something genuinely meaningful. And Shiloh? That dinosaur-loving little sweetheart was definitely one of the highlights of this story! 🦖💕
If you love grumpy billionaires, single dads, marriage-of-convenience romances, adorable children, found family, and Christmas stories that leave you smiling, this one absolutely deserves a place on your holiday reading list. Maverick may have started out looking for someone to stay for his son, but what he found was a woman who made him want a forever of his own. 🎅💍❤️
Thank you to Kat Baxter and Booksprout for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️ 2 Chili Peppers
A grumpy billionaire single dad, a marriage contract with absolutely NO room for love, and an adorable four-year-old who just wants someone to stay? Oh, Kat Baxter, you certainly knew how to get me with this one! 🎅❤️ Big Santa was such a sweet, funny, and heartwarming Christmas romance that gave me everything I love about a marriage-of-convenience story. There was wonderful chemistry, plenty of adorable family moments, and just enough emotion to make my heart ache in the best possible way. And honestly, the moment little Shiloh entered the picture, I was completely invested in this unconventional little family!
Maverick Kane is a wealthy developer, a devoted single father, and a man who has absolutely no intention of falling in love again. After his disastrous first marriage, he's decided that romantic relationships are simply too complicated. But there's one thing he wants more than anything, and that's to give his four-year-old son, Shiloh, a stable, loving home. Maverick believes his little boy needs a dependable mother figure, someone who will be there through every milestone and never walk away. And because he's a businessman who knows how to negotiate a deal, he comes up with what he considers the perfect solution: a marriage contract. His new wife will help raise Shiloh until he turns eighteen, and in return, she'll never have to worry about financial security again. No love, no messy emotions, and absolutely no complications. Oh, Maverick, you sweet, clueless man! 😂💍
Enter Noelle Hines, a Christmas-loving woman who's trying to find her way forward after losing the grandparents she cared for. She's grieving, searching for a fresh start, and hoping to discover somewhere she truly belongs. What she probably never imagined was that her new beginning would involve marrying a gorgeous, grumpy billionaire and becoming an instant mother to his adorable little boy! But the arrangement offers her a chance to start over, and before long, Noelle finds herself stepping into a life that might be exactly what her heart has been searching for. I loved her warmth, her kindness, and the way she embraced this unexpected opportunity without losing that wonderful sense of who she was.
Now, can we talk about the fact that these two actually get married over ZOOM?! 😂❤️ Maverick has to leave town for business before Noelle arrives, so their wedding takes place while they're miles apart, and her wedding ring is delivered to her. I thought this was such a fun and unusual beginning to their relationship! Noelle moves into Maverick's home while he's still away, and instead of immediately jumping into married life together, they begin building their connection through text messages, phone calls, and glimpses of each other's everyday routines. I absolutely loved this part of the story because it gave them an opportunity to develop genuine affection before the physical side of their relationship took over.
And while Maverick is away, Noelle begins forming the sweetest relationship with Shiloh. 🦖🥹 Oh, that little boy! His love for dinosaurs, his adorable personality, and the way he gradually opens his heart to Noelle were some of my favorite parts of the entire book. Shiloh isn't immediately trusting of everyone, which makes his growing affection for her even more meaningful. I loved those quiet family moments, the bedtime routines, the Christmas decorating, and the little ways Noelle made him feel safe and loved. She didn't simply move into Maverick's house to fulfill a contract. She genuinely cared about Shiloh, and watching their relationship blossom was absolutely precious.
What made those moments even sweeter was knowing how much they meant to Maverick. This man arranged an entire marriage because he wanted his son to have someone who would love him unconditionally, and suddenly he's watching that very thing happen while he's away. Through their messages and calls, he starts getting glimpses of the happiness Noelle is bringing into Shiloh's life. But somewhere along the way, his interest in his new wife becomes about so much more than his son. He starts looking forward to hearing from her, teasing her, and discovering all the little things that make her who she is. The man who insisted this marriage would be strictly business is slowly realizing that he might actually want a real relationship with the woman he married. And I was absolutely here for it! ❤️
Maverick was such a wonderful grumpy hero. Beneath his serious personality and carefully constructed emotional walls was a man who loved his son fiercely and wanted to protect the people who mattered to him. I loved watching Noelle bring out his softer, more playful side, especially when he started realizing that the rules he'd created were becoming harder and harder to follow. He might have been determined to keep his heart out of the arrangement, but his growing feelings for Noelle made that practically impossible. And when the chemistry between these two finally started heating up? Let's just say their marriage contract definitely wasn't prepared for that! 🔥😂
Noelle's emotional journey was equally important to me. After losing the family she'd spent so much time caring for, she was carrying a tremendous amount of grief and uncertainty. She needed a fresh start, but more than that, she needed somewhere she could feel wanted and appreciated. I loved that her relationship with Shiloh gave her a sense of purpose and belonging, while her growing connection with Maverick offered the possibility of being loved for herself. Some of the quieter emotional moments really touched my heart, especially those reminders that even when you're beginning a wonderful new chapter, you can still deeply miss the people who were part of your old one. 🥹❤️
And that's what made this marriage-of-convenience romance so meaningful. Maverick thought he could guarantee his son's happiness with a carefully written contract, but love doesn't work that way. You can't negotiate genuine affection or require someone to feel like family. Those things develop through trust, kindness, and choosing to show up for one another. Noelle didn't simply become Shiloh's mother figure because she signed an agreement. She became someone he loved because she genuinely cared for him. And Maverick didn't fall for Noelle because she was fulfilling her responsibilities. He fell for the woman who brought laughter, warmth, and happiness into a home that had been missing those things for far too long.
I also really enjoyed the supporting characters! Dottie, Maverick's housekeeper, was such a fun addition with her clever little ways of encouraging everyone around her. And Bryant's involvement in the marriage contract added some hilarious moments, especially when Maverick began discovering that his carefully organized plans weren't quite as foolproof as he'd imagined. 😂 I love when side characters bring humor and personality to a romance without taking away from the main couple, and these two were a perfect fit for the story.
Of course, the Christmas atmosphere made everything even sweeter! 🎄 Between the decorating, the family traditions, the quiet moments around the Christmas tree, and all those adorable interactions with Shiloh, this story had such a cozy holiday feeling. I especially loved that the romance wasn't just about Maverick and Noelle discovering their feelings for each other. It was about three people creating a family and finding happiness in the ordinary moments they shared. Watching a house become a home and a business arrangement become something neither of them wanted to lose was absolutely beautiful.
Five stars from me! ❤️ Big Santa was a wonderful start to the A Big Wood Christmas series, filled with laughter, tenderness, steamy chemistry, and so much heart. I loved Maverick's devotion to Shiloh, Noelle's loving personality, and the way their relationship developed from messages and phone calls into something genuinely meaningful. And Shiloh? That dinosaur-loving little sweetheart was definitely one of the highlights of this story! 🦖💕
If you love grumpy billionaires, single dads, marriage-of-convenience romances, adorable children, found family, and Christmas stories that leave you smiling, this one absolutely deserves a place on your holiday reading list. Maverick may have started out looking for someone to stay for his son, but what he found was a woman who made him want a forever of his own. 🎅💍❤️
Thank you to Kat Baxter and Booksprout for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 25, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎄❤️🔥 One Grumpy Billionaire, One Sunshine Bride, and a Christmas Marriage of Convenience!
Big Santa by Kat Baxter is an adorable, steamy Christmas romance filled with a grumpy billionaire, a sweet little boy, and a marriage of convenience that turns into something so much more!
Maverick Kane has no interest in falling in love again after his disastrous first marriage. What he does need is someone dependable to help raise his four-year-old son. His solution? A marriage contract with absolutely no romantic complications!
Enter Noelle Hines, a cheerful, Christmas-loving woman who turns his carefully planned arrangement upside down! 🎄❤️
I loved Noelle! She’s sweet, warmhearted, and brings so much happiness into Maverick’s life. Her growing connection with his little boy makes the story even more heartwarming. 🥹
And Maverick? He’s exactly the kind of big, grumpy, protective billionaire I love! Watching him struggle with his attraction to the woman he specifically agreed not to fall for is absolutely delicious! 🔥
The grumpy/sunshine dynamic, marriage of convenience, instant family, and Christmas magic make this such a fun and swoony romance.
What I especially loved was the idea of three people finding the family and happiness they didn’t even realize they needed. Sometimes the best love stories begin with the most ridiculous rules!
If you love grumpy billionaires, sunshine heroines, single dads, adorable kids, marriage contracts, forced proximity, Christmas romance, and plenty of spice, Maverick and Noelle’s story is definitely worth reading! 🎅❤️🔥
Absolutely 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
🎄❤️🔥 One Grumpy Billionaire, One Sunshine Bride, and a Christmas Marriage of Convenience!
Big Santa by Kat Baxter is an adorable, steamy Christmas romance filled with a grumpy billionaire, a sweet little boy, and a marriage of convenience that turns into something so much more!
Maverick Kane has no interest in falling in love again after his disastrous first marriage. What he does need is someone dependable to help raise his four-year-old son. His solution? A marriage contract with absolutely no romantic complications!
Enter Noelle Hines, a cheerful, Christmas-loving woman who turns his carefully planned arrangement upside down! 🎄❤️
I loved Noelle! She’s sweet, warmhearted, and brings so much happiness into Maverick’s life. Her growing connection with his little boy makes the story even more heartwarming. 🥹
And Maverick? He’s exactly the kind of big, grumpy, protective billionaire I love! Watching him struggle with his attraction to the woman he specifically agreed not to fall for is absolutely delicious! 🔥
The grumpy/sunshine dynamic, marriage of convenience, instant family, and Christmas magic make this such a fun and swoony romance.
What I especially loved was the idea of three people finding the family and happiness they didn’t even realize they needed. Sometimes the best love stories begin with the most ridiculous rules!
If you love grumpy billionaires, sunshine heroines, single dads, adorable kids, marriage contracts, forced proximity, Christmas romance, and plenty of spice, Maverick and Noelle’s story is definitely worth reading! 🎅❤️🔥
Absolutely 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2026
This was a new top favorite Christmas romance for me. I thought it was sugar, spice, and everything nice, and I couldn't get enough of it or these characters.
It's a marriage of convenience, so of course you're going to have them trying to fight their feelings for one another, but really is a stupid rule of not falling in love or catching feelings for each other is really going to stop them...
Maverick doesn't want a wife after what he dealt with with his ex-wife, but he is putting what his adorable little boy needs more than what he wants and comes up with a plan that he'll get married so his son will have a mother, and when he is 18, their marriage will end. He'll take care of (financially) his wife for the time being, but no feelings are to be involved; he didn't expect Noelle.
Noelle is looking for a fresh start in a new small town, but what she didn't take into account before moving was finding what would become her new life and instant family. She is taken by the grumpy billionaire's little boy, and he easily finds a way into her heart. Her attraction to Maverick doesn't change the fact that he would be her husband; the only thing is he only wants a marriage in name only, but with her growing feelings for him and the hold his little boy has on her, she's in a losing battle, and she's falling fast.
This was a lovely read, I absolutely loved this read, it will for sure go into my annule christmas/winter rereads for sure. It was adorable, but it also has spic that I thought was done really well. This has been a really fun read, and It's one that I highly suggest reading and adding to your TBR, especially for the upcoming Christmas season.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It's a marriage of convenience, so of course you're going to have them trying to fight their feelings for one another, but really is a stupid rule of not falling in love or catching feelings for each other is really going to stop them...
Maverick doesn't want a wife after what he dealt with with his ex-wife, but he is putting what his adorable little boy needs more than what he wants and comes up with a plan that he'll get married so his son will have a mother, and when he is 18, their marriage will end. He'll take care of (financially) his wife for the time being, but no feelings are to be involved; he didn't expect Noelle.
Noelle is looking for a fresh start in a new small town, but what she didn't take into account before moving was finding what would become her new life and instant family. She is taken by the grumpy billionaire's little boy, and he easily finds a way into her heart. Her attraction to Maverick doesn't change the fact that he would be her husband; the only thing is he only wants a marriage in name only, but with her growing feelings for him and the hold his little boy has on her, she's in a losing battle, and she's falling fast.
This was a lovely read, I absolutely loved this read, it will for sure go into my annule christmas/winter rereads for sure. It was adorable, but it also has spic that I thought was done really well. This has been a really fun read, and It's one that I highly suggest reading and adding to your TBR, especially for the upcoming Christmas season.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2026
Big Santa by Kat Baxter is such a sweet, funny, and heartwarming holiday romance! Maverick Callahan is a grumpy billionaire who believes he has everything figured out, except raising his young son, Shiloh, while managing his demanding business life. When he decides to marry a woman who can provide the stability and love his son needs, he approaches the arrangement like a business deal. Noelle agrees to the unusual marriage contract, hoping for a fresh start, but neither of them expects the emotional connection that slowly develops. I loved Noelle's warmth, patience, and natural ability to make Shiloh feel safe and loved. Their little family moments are absolutely adorable, especially the bedtime stories, Christmas decorations, and the way Shiloh gradually welcomes her into his world. Maverick's transformation is equally lovely. Beneath his grumpy personality and constant work habits is a man who desperately wants to be a good father but has forgotten how to make room for happiness. The alternating perspectives make their growing feelings even more enjoyable, while the Christmas setting adds a cozy, festive charm. I especially appreciated how the story explores the difference between a marriage built on a contract and a family built on love. The romance is sweet, the chemistry is wonderful, and the emotional moments feel genuinely touching. A delightful holiday read for anyone who loves grumpy billionaires, marriage-of-convenience romance, adorable children, and a happily-ever-after filled with warmth!.
October 25, 2026
Great story to start my holiday reading!
With a heroine named Noelle we are off to a great start with this holiday novella. The rhythm, pacing, and banter of this story is everything I expected from Kat Baxter. Maverick does not know just what he is getting into; his buddy Bryant knew right from the start. Noelle is the perfect match for him in more ways than one.
They spend the first half of the story apart. Maverick has to leave home for business reasons just before Noelle is set to arrive. She doesn't change her arrival because she is all packed up and has already sold her home. The whole point of the marriage of convenience is his son Shiloh and he will be there, along with Dottie, his housekeeper. Maverick and Noelle get married via zoom and the wedding ring is delivered to her. Noelle gets to know Maverick via text and doesn’t even hear his voice until after she has moved in. The story just keeps getting better from here. Of course, four-year-old adored Shiloh and his dinosaurs will capture your heart just like he did Noelle.
With a wonderful mix of sweet, funny, and a touch of sadness, (I nearly cried when Noelle needed a hug.) this is a great start for the Big Wood Christmas series. Although it is pointed out a few times, you barely even notice the age gap. The spice level of this story is medium.
If you have never read a Kat Baxter story, this is an awesome one to start with. If you already know her work, you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
With a heroine named Noelle we are off to a great start with this holiday novella. The rhythm, pacing, and banter of this story is everything I expected from Kat Baxter. Maverick does not know just what he is getting into; his buddy Bryant knew right from the start. Noelle is the perfect match for him in more ways than one.
They spend the first half of the story apart. Maverick has to leave home for business reasons just before Noelle is set to arrive. She doesn't change her arrival because she is all packed up and has already sold her home. The whole point of the marriage of convenience is his son Shiloh and he will be there, along with Dottie, his housekeeper. Maverick and Noelle get married via zoom and the wedding ring is delivered to her. Noelle gets to know Maverick via text and doesn’t even hear his voice until after she has moved in. The story just keeps getting better from here. Of course, four-year-old adored Shiloh and his dinosaurs will capture your heart just like he did Noelle.
With a wonderful mix of sweet, funny, and a touch of sadness, (I nearly cried when Noelle needed a hug.) this is a great start for the Big Wood Christmas series. Although it is pointed out a few times, you barely even notice the age gap. The spice level of this story is medium.
If you have never read a Kat Baxter story, this is an awesome one to start with. If you already know her work, you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 25, 2026
Loved this rom-com story about a contract that didn't have enough extra clauses in it. I loved how the story starts with the marriage on paper between Noelle and Maverick, but truly starts with Noelle getting to know Shiloh while Maverick is away on business. They start their relationship slowly, with texts, facetime calls and phone calls. Meanwhile Shiloh and Noelle are bonding beautifully. Noelle's backstory is a bit sad and that plays a point in the story and made me tear up, especially the scene in the dark in front of the Christmas tree. And that's the night that the contract comes up for negotiation. I loved that these two had already built a relationship, although both were in denial about it. I laughed so hard when Maverick realized the extra provision that Bryant left with his copy of the contract. And then I practically swooned at Christmas morning when Maverick once again amends the contract and finally pulls his head out of you know where. Dottie is a hilarious background character who played the perfect role, but I would have loved for more interactions with her. She's sneaky in her ways of getting the people around her to do as she wants and not realize that's what she's doing. And Shiloh....that little boy just melts your heart with his innocence and big heart that's slow to trust others but once he does he gives it his all. Such a great story to kick off another season in Big Woods.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is such a beautiful book!
It had me laughing out loud one moment and tearing up the next. It was so sweet, full of emotion, a little steamy, and I absolutely loved every second of it.
Maverick wants a wife to help raise his four-year-old son, Shiloh, and Noelle seems to be the perfect fit for the position. After losing her grandmother, Noelle is all alone, and a marriage of convenience seems like the perfect solution for both of them. At least, that's what Maverick thinks before he actually meets Noelle. Because once he does, his idea of a marriage of convenience goes right out the window.
I loved watching these characters find their way to each other and seeing their relationship develop. The emotions, the sweet moments, the laughter, and the romance made this such a wonderful read. And Shiloh absolutely added an extra layer of sweetness to the story!
This is one of those books that makes you want to keep reading because you simply don't want to leave these characters behind. I wanted to read it all in one sitting because it was just that good! And honestly, I could have used even more epilogues. I wanted to know so much more about their lives and what the future would look like for them. I just wasn't ready to say goodbye!
A beautiful, heartwarming romance that gave me all the feels. Absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!
It had me laughing out loud one moment and tearing up the next. It was so sweet, full of emotion, a little steamy, and I absolutely loved every second of it.
Maverick wants a wife to help raise his four-year-old son, Shiloh, and Noelle seems to be the perfect fit for the position. After losing her grandmother, Noelle is all alone, and a marriage of convenience seems like the perfect solution for both of them. At least, that's what Maverick thinks before he actually meets Noelle. Because once he does, his idea of a marriage of convenience goes right out the window.
I loved watching these characters find their way to each other and seeing their relationship develop. The emotions, the sweet moments, the laughter, and the romance made this such a wonderful read. And Shiloh absolutely added an extra layer of sweetness to the story!
This is one of those books that makes you want to keep reading because you simply don't want to leave these characters behind. I wanted to read it all in one sitting because it was just that good! And honestly, I could have used even more epilogues. I wanted to know so much more about their lives and what the future would look like for them. I just wasn't ready to say goodbye!
A beautiful, heartwarming romance that gave me all the feels. Absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2026
The grumpy billionaire single father who just wants a woman to love his son and not leave like his ex wife did. A young woman who was caretaker for the grandparents that raised her and no she is lost now that they have passed away. This is a new take on a mail order bride romance that I loved especially with the love they both have for Maverick’s son Shiloh. Maverick didn’t want the entanglements that a relationship brings but felt his son could benefit from a mother and he would do anything for him. Noelle instantly falls in love with Shiloh from the start and turns the house into a home while Maverick is gone for weeks with work. With turning the house into a home, Noelle brings the spirit of decorating, cookie baking, and the magic of Christmas into their lives. The feelings Maverick begins to have don’t coincide with the legal document he had drawn up in the beginning. Now, Noelle is offering a few addendums of her own. This book had my heart melting with the love Maverick has for Shiloh. Shiloh stole my heart especially to see how he was falling in love and how welcoming he was with Noelle. This was a great story with love, found family, wit, and with the Christmas spirit we all need in our lives.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Maverick Kane had a four year old son named Shiloh that needed a mother, so he ordered one through a matchmaker. He did not want just any woman either. He was specific in the type of woman he was looking for, and she would need to agree to his conditions. He chose Noelle as his ɓride, and they were married with her arriving at his home, while he was out of town for several weeks. Shiloh and Noelle became fast friends, as she was a natural caregiver. She was raised by her grandparents. As a young adult she was needed to help care for her grandfather and then her grandmother. They had both passed requiring her to sell everything they had to pay their medical expenses. When Maverick returned home, and they saw each other in person for the first time the attraction was electrifying there was no denying there was chemistry. She was nothing like the woman, he was expecting her to be. Yet he had a contract that their marriage would be in name only and last only until Shiloh was eighteen. There would be absolutely no feelings on either side. A charming second chance romance with a feeling of finding home.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 27, 2026
Kat Baxter’s Big Santa is a festive, feel‑good romance that wraps readers in holiday cheer from the very first page. The story follows Maverick, a billionaire single father who approaches marriage like a business transaction, determined to avoid the emotional complications that once left him hurt. His carefully constructed rules—no love, no messy feelings, no vulnerability—begin to crumble the moment Noelle Hines enters his life. Noelle’s bright, bubbly personality and boundless Christmas spirit make her impossible to resist, and the contrast between her sunshine warmth and Maverick’s grumpy resolve creates a dynamic that is both tender and laugh‑out‑loud funny. Baxter infuses their relationship with genuine emotional depth, balancing steamy chemistry with themes of trust, healing, and the unexpected joy of building a family. As always, Baxter’s storytelling shines; her reputation as an extraordinary, USA Today bestselling author is evident in every witty line, heartfelt moment, and perfectly crafted character. Big Santa is a charming holiday treat—short, sweet, sexy, and full of the signature “adorkable” magic that has made Baxter beloved by romance readers everywhere.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Big Santa is a wonderfully festive romance that delivers warmth, humor, and plenty of swoon-worthy chemistry. Maverick’s practical marriage proposal and Noelle’s bright, spirited personality create an irresistible grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic, while his young son adds genuine tenderness to the story.
I especially enjoyed watching a business arrangement slowly become something heartfelt and real. The instant-family storyline gives the romance emotional depth, and the Christmas setting makes every moment feel extra cozy without overwhelming the characters or their developing relationship.
Kat Baxter’s writing is engaging, playful, and easy to fall into. She balances romantic tension with humor and heart, giving both Maverick and Noelle distinct voices and making their growing connection feel natural and satisfying.
This is a charming, feel-good read for anyone who enjoys holiday romance, marriage-of-convenience stories, lovable family moments, and a grumpy hero whose carefully made rules do not stand a chance. Five enthusiastic stars!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I especially enjoyed watching a business arrangement slowly become something heartfelt and real. The instant-family storyline gives the romance emotional depth, and the Christmas setting makes every moment feel extra cozy without overwhelming the characters or their developing relationship.
Kat Baxter’s writing is engaging, playful, and easy to fall into. She balances romantic tension with humor and heart, giving both Maverick and Noelle distinct voices and making their growing connection feel natural and satisfying.
This is a charming, feel-good read for anyone who enjoys holiday romance, marriage-of-convenience stories, lovable family moments, and a grumpy hero whose carefully made rules do not stand a chance. Five enthusiastic stars!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2026
Sweet as a candycane and steamy like hot chocolate ... lick your lips and settle in
Big Santa by Kat Baxter is part of the multi-author A Big Wood Christmas series. If you are expecting a quick and fast read by Kat then this book is not going to fit that as it is about 300 pages on my Kindle. But it more than delivers all the hot, steamy and fun romance that you come to expect from a Kat Baxter story. Noelle needs to start fresh somewhere else after her beloved grandmother dies and this holiday season she may just get her wish, with her grandmother sprinkling more than a little fairy dust along the way. Maverick is a busy single father who is in need of someone to fill the role of mother to his four year old son, Shiloh. But the thing is that she has to be willing to stay until Shiloh turns eighteen. Thus an on-line matchmaking service, a contract marriage, and a lot more headaches are about to be delivered to his door. These two start as a deal but soon grow into a family and then a future neither was really looking for. I loved this well written story that has humor, fun, love, family, some snark, friends, and some sizzling hot chemistry.
Big Santa by Kat Baxter is part of the multi-author A Big Wood Christmas series. If you are expecting a quick and fast read by Kat then this book is not going to fit that as it is about 300 pages on my Kindle. But it more than delivers all the hot, steamy and fun romance that you come to expect from a Kat Baxter story. Noelle needs to start fresh somewhere else after her beloved grandmother dies and this holiday season she may just get her wish, with her grandmother sprinkling more than a little fairy dust along the way. Maverick is a busy single father who is in need of someone to fill the role of mother to his four year old son, Shiloh. But the thing is that she has to be willing to stay until Shiloh turns eighteen. Thus an on-line matchmaking service, a contract marriage, and a lot more headaches are about to be delivered to his door. These two start as a deal but soon grow into a family and then a future neither was really looking for. I loved this well written story that has humor, fun, love, family, some snark, friends, and some sizzling hot chemistry.
October 24, 2026
Big Santa was the perfect introduction to the holiday season for me. Maverick is a single father looking for a wife on paper but a mother for his son Shiloh. He's been burned before and has no interest in a traditional wife or anything that comes along with a relationship. Noelle recently lost both of her grandparents recently and is feeling a little lost in the world. She has been a caregiver for a very long time and doesn't know what to do with her life now.
After a long contract and a virtual wedding, Noelle moves into Maverick's house just as he has to go out of town. I thought this worked very well for the story because she got to bond so much with Shiloh. They created their own little friendship while Maverick got to learn little things about Noelle from afar.
I loved that Noelle pushed Maverick at every turn. From her turning the house into a Christmas snowglobe to showing him just why he needed a wife AND a mother for Shiloh. As Noelle starts to go after what she wants, Maverick becomes this playful, possessive and passionate man and I am here for it all!!!!
After a long contract and a virtual wedding, Noelle moves into Maverick's house just as he has to go out of town. I thought this worked very well for the story because she got to bond so much with Shiloh. They created their own little friendship while Maverick got to learn little things about Noelle from afar.
I loved that Noelle pushed Maverick at every turn. From her turning the house into a Christmas snowglobe to showing him just why he needed a wife AND a mother for Shiloh. As Noelle starts to go after what she wants, Maverick becomes this playful, possessive and passionate man and I am here for it all!!!!
October 26, 2026
This is a fun, heartfelt, and steamy love story!
Maverick wants a family for his son, so he sets to marry through a contract, lawyers, and a matching program. He wants his son to grow with a mom of sorts (after his ex wife ditch them), until he turns 18, then they will divorce and she will be settled for life , the key in the contract is no physical contact.
Noelle is grieving the loss of her grandparents and decides to take the offer and move in hopes to find meaning in his life as a mom. She is sunshine, Christmas obsessed, curvy, and a bit chaotic which is what Shiloh needs, but Maverick did not know he has been craving.
He leaves for work as soon as they married, but keep in constant communication which forms a link and relationship between them. But is the times with Shiloh that brings them closer together.
This was funny, steamy, addictive and too short. Bring on a grump and a CHristmas obesessed wife who loves for all of them together!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Maverick wants a family for his son, so he sets to marry through a contract, lawyers, and a matching program. He wants his son to grow with a mom of sorts (after his ex wife ditch them), until he turns 18, then they will divorce and she will be settled for life , the key in the contract is no physical contact.
Noelle is grieving the loss of her grandparents and decides to take the offer and move in hopes to find meaning in his life as a mom. She is sunshine, Christmas obsessed, curvy, and a bit chaotic which is what Shiloh needs, but Maverick did not know he has been craving.
He leaves for work as soon as they married, but keep in constant communication which forms a link and relationship between them. But is the times with Shiloh that brings them closer together.
This was funny, steamy, addictive and too short. Bring on a grump and a CHristmas obesessed wife who loves for all of them together!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Who doesnt love an little Hallmark Christmas novel.
“I want you because you’re you. Because you make me laugh. Because you argue with me about refrigerator art and Christmas decorations. Because you look at the world like there’s something good waiting around every corner, and somehow you make me believe it too."
This author knows how to do a slow burn romance with all the feels. Who thought agreeing to a contract marriage to get over your grief would turn into your own HEA.
We have our strong, independent FMC who agrees to become a contract wife/ mother for a fixed time. Did she expect that she would fall in love via texts & face time during the 1st month of the agreed contract.
Our MMC is a grumpy loveable giant who had given up on love for himself but wanted to make sure his son had a mum.
Great little holiday read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“I want you because you’re you. Because you make me laugh. Because you argue with me about refrigerator art and Christmas decorations. Because you look at the world like there’s something good waiting around every corner, and somehow you make me believe it too."
This author knows how to do a slow burn romance with all the feels. Who thought agreeing to a contract marriage to get over your grief would turn into your own HEA.
We have our strong, independent FMC who agrees to become a contract wife/ mother for a fixed time. Did she expect that she would fall in love via texts & face time during the 1st month of the agreed contract.
Our MMC is a grumpy loveable giant who had given up on love for himself but wanted to make sure his son had a mum.
Great little holiday read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2026
Big Santa by Kat Baxter is a wonderful start to an exciting new, multi-author series, A Big Wood Christmas. Big Santa takes the reader on a journey of many heart-felt emotional moments as Noelle attempts a fresh start at life with her new, contract signed husband, Maverick. These two characters along make for a great story but add in Maverick’s son, Shiloh, and his housekeeper/cook Dottie and the story becomes an entertaining and engaging read from start to finish. This story is foremost full of wonderful writing with layered characters that add so much. However, it is also about Noelle and Maverick developing and interest in another that turns this read into a holiday romance full of humor, endearing banter, and holiday spirit. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 26, 2026
The agreement...
His conversation with his friend and lawyer
is ridiculous and hilarious altogether.
Indeed, the whole agreement is ridiculous.
It's like watching a film backward.
Noelle and Maverick
are tiptoeing around each other,
testing the waters and hiding their feelings.
Curious and careful,
escalating to hot and sexy.
While trying not to give false hopes
to his little boy, Shiloh. Bigggg failure...
The towel incident, is to die for.
The amendment, is so romantic (not)
His friends gift saved the day!!!
An unexpected but very welcomed Christmas story,
with the right dose of decorations,
humor and passion, I enjoyed immensely.
Finding your place, your people,
is always good for the soul!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
His conversation with his friend and lawyer
is ridiculous and hilarious altogether.
Indeed, the whole agreement is ridiculous.
It's like watching a film backward.
Noelle and Maverick
are tiptoeing around each other,
testing the waters and hiding their feelings.
Curious and careful,
escalating to hot and sexy.
While trying not to give false hopes
to his little boy, Shiloh. Bigggg failure...
The towel incident, is to die for.
The amendment, is so romantic (not)
His friends gift saved the day!!!
An unexpected but very welcomed Christmas story,
with the right dose of decorations,
humor and passion, I enjoyed immensely.
Finding your place, your people,
is always good for the soul!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 26, 2026
Oh My!! This was the sweetest Christmas story and I don't know that I'll find another this season to beat it!!!
When Noelle's grandparents pass away, she's left alone and wondering what her purpose is. Maverick is looking for a wife and someone to love his son like their own until he's 18... just 13 years and 8months of a contract.
Noelle thinks the job is perfect, she gets to be needed and help the little boy flourish. When she arrives, Maverick is out of town and will be for a month, so Noelle is free to learn all she needs. Through minor glimpses in to each others lives via facetime and text messages, neither of them are prepared for the day that he returns! The house is about to get heated... Will it be a Merry Christmas in the Kane house?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Noelle's grandparents pass away, she's left alone and wondering what her purpose is. Maverick is looking for a wife and someone to love his son like their own until he's 18... just 13 years and 8months of a contract.
Noelle thinks the job is perfect, she gets to be needed and help the little boy flourish. When she arrives, Maverick is out of town and will be for a month, so Noelle is free to learn all she needs. Through minor glimpses in to each others lives via facetime and text messages, neither of them are prepared for the day that he returns! The house is about to get heated... Will it be a Merry Christmas in the Kane house?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2026
Maverick wants a mother for his four year old son Shiloh.He draws up a contract for a mail order bride.She has to stay married to him and be a mother to Shiloh until he turns 18.Thirteen years and 8 months.
Noelle has no one left.She is alone,except for her best friend.She ends up agreeing to Maverick's crazy contract and marrying him.
She moves to Big Woods and into Maverick's house.She instantly bonds with Shiloh and she falls in love with him.
Noelle makes their house into a home.
As Maverick and Noelle bond over Shiloh,their feelings grow for each other as well.They also give into the sizzling chemistry between them.The contract and its rules go out of the window as they fall in love.
They get to their heartwarming happily ever after.
Another great romance by Kat Baxter.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Noelle has no one left.She is alone,except for her best friend.She ends up agreeing to Maverick's crazy contract and marrying him.
She moves to Big Woods and into Maverick's house.She instantly bonds with Shiloh and she falls in love with him.
Noelle makes their house into a home.
As Maverick and Noelle bond over Shiloh,their feelings grow for each other as well.They also give into the sizzling chemistry between them.The contract and its rules go out of the window as they fall in love.
They get to their heartwarming happily ever after.
Another great romance by Kat Baxter.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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