Brendan: A Scrooged Christmas

by Jennifer Domenico

I hate Christmas. Hate. I have my reasons, none of which I talk about. Ever. It suits me just fine to wallow in misery every year from late November to January. I just want to be left alone in my quiet home far away from the nonsense of the season.

Unfortunately, one of Santa’s elves just bought the unit next to mine, sprinkling her ridiculous festive spirit all over my perfectly insulated existence. But she can spread all the Christmas cheer she wants. It has no effect on me.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

Genres: Christmas

60 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2017

About the author

Jennifer Domenico writes contemporary and erotic romances. She loves alpha males with a soft spot, flawed characters, and strong, sassy women. Her characters usually have a side of kink and aren't afraid to demand what they want. The author doesn't apologize for that. She's a sucker for a happy ending as long as it comes with a lot of heat.

She lives in Phoenix, Arizona but is a Bostonian at heart. The way to her heart can be reached with a foreign accent, a shot of Fireball, and an unlimited supply of cupcakes.

She is also known under her alter ego, Jaelyn LaStoria, author of time traveling romances, because why not. The first title is Lost Within.

Reviews

[Kiki]

Umm...I feel robbed!

WHERE is the effing sex??????!!!!!

#notsmuttyenough

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the sweetest Christmas stories I’ve read!

Wow! I seriously loved Harper and Brendan. As always, Jennifer Domenico does an incredible job! She is a truly talented author that has the ability to make me swoon, laugh and cry all in one short Christmas story! If you like hate-to-love tropes with a side of cute, then this is for you!

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Moving into your brand new townhouse should be reason to celebrate unless you discover you just moved in next door to the neighbor from hell! Brendan King complains and snarls about everything. Harper plays her Christmas music too loudly, she cleans the house too loudly and her furniture movers had the nerve to block his car! What is his deal? A fall from the roof and a trip to the ER reveals some very sad and shocking secrets that could begin the healing of two broken hearts. Sweet story!

[Sparklin C Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading something by this author. This was a good short Christmas book. I like how the author told the story of Brendan and Harper.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper Rose has just moved into her new home.
Life is good but there is a fly in the ointment – her grumpy, Christmas-hating next door neighbour, Brendan King (aka Scrooge).
What neither knows is that each of them lost someone dear to them at Christmas.
After two miserable festive seasons Harper dealt with it by choosing happiness and living her best life, Brendan retreated into himself and brooded.
It takes an accident and a visit to the hospital for Brendan to come out of his shell and show a glimpse of the man he really is.
“Brendan: A Scrooged Christmas” effortlessly captures the true meaning of Christmas and is a lovely read.
4 Stars.

[Sharing My Book Boyfriends · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic story in this series! A Christmas hating Scrooge gets a new neighbor, who of course, loves Christmas. Harper can't deny how hot and sexy, her neighbor Brendan is. She just wished he didn't hate her and hate Christmas. But does he really hate her? Can Harper get the sexy Scrooge to like Christmas as much as she does? Will Brendan tell her the reason he hates Christmas? Do they have more in common than he thought? I love reading Christmas stories at Christmastime, and I am glad I am reading this series. I look forward to reading the rest.

[Lena (desert.diva.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read Brendan by Jennifer Domenico and it was such a holiday treat! If you're not wanting the holiday season to end then this is a must read! Novellas are always my favorite because they are something to enjoy on weekend mornings before everyone else is up.
With the Christmas spirit all around, Harper is excited about moving into her first home, only to be a little disappointed that her new handsome neighbor isn't very neighborly. Jennifer Domenico writes a heartfelt tale about finding your Christmas spirit!

[Kate Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Such a sweet christmas story in which we meet Brendan, a stuffy uptight ignoramus and his brand new neighbour Harper, a happy, Christmas loving twenty-something. Needless to say sparks fly and emotions run high. Fall in love with Harper and Brendan this christmas. I know I did.

[Viridiana Dimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas Treat!

Really enjoyed this novella. Loved the story and the characters full of personality. Their banter had me laughing and their sweetness made me swoon. Definitely an enemies to lovers story you don't want to skip out on.

[ME · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, Short Instagram Love

Such a sweet, short insta love between Harper who loves Christmas and Brendan who doesn't. The problem is the reason for their feelings is for the exact same reason.

[CHERYL J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brendan

Was not disappointed in the first time read from this author. Showed how Harper and Brendan deal with loss of a love one differently during the holiday season. They complimented each other. Enjoyable read.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brendan

A cute little Christmas short that warms your heart and makes you smile. I enjoyed the push and pull from the characters and how they healed each other with wonderful Christmas spirit.

[Melenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst this is a shorter read it certainly isn't lacking in character development or entertainment value. To write a good novella you have to choose either characters or plot complexity, this book focuses on the characters. As I've come to expect from this author, the writing and editing are both of a high standard, the plot, dialogue and style of writing flow smoothly and the book is really easy to read.

The plot is kept fairly simple (they're neighbours with issues) and is based mainly around one setting (their adjoining properties). I liked this simplicity because if I don't become attached to the hero and heroine the book just doesn't work for me. Thankfully the author did a wonderful job of introducing us to the apparent a$$hat that is Brendan and the forcefully chirpy soul that is Harper.

The first few chapters are from Harper's POV and I quickly discovered that it was a case of 'what isn't there to like?' about her. Brendan is a very different kettle of fish, until we get to see inside his head and realise there is so much more to him than meets the eye.

Despite this being a fairly quick read, I TOTALLY bought into the connection between Harper and Brendan and absolutely adored BOTH characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, quickly capturing my attention and easily holding it until the very last line.

[Energy Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Scrooged Christmas is a great novella involving Harper, who absolutely adores Christmas, and her new neighbor Brendan, who can't stand Christmas.
Each of them has had a past that back their feelings for Christmas and those pasts just might be what brings them together.
The alternating points of view allow you to delve into each main characters minds. Domenico has written a great short read just in time for Christmas, with the right amount of angst and steam.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when Brendan's new neighbor Harper is a fan of Christmas and he is not. A Scrooged Christmas is a short read that will warm your heart.

[Victoria pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story. I found it sweet and funny. Definitely an author to watch out for.