What do you think?
Rate this book
Billionaire Holiday #1
Driving Home for Christmas
USA Today Bestselling Author, Lexy Timms, shares a holiday romance that’ll warm the heart and having you wishing on love—or beating it with a stick!
"Love brings up emotions that run the gamut from agony to ecstasy. Love can inspire us to accomplish some of the craziest and most amazing feats."
Colin Murphy Is the CEO of Murphy Inc and is a workaholic. Christmas, or any holiday in face, doesn't mean much to him. When his business trip travel plans get interrupted by a freak snowstorm, he’s forced to find a way home by other means.
Abigail Thompson can’t wait for this year to be over. After losing her job, her boyfriend and apartment, she’s ready to go home for a much-needed break and to regroup. But when her plane is grounded because of a snow storm, she has to find another way. She makes her way to the car rentals only to find the last car has just been given to a tall dark sexy man. Definitely not Santa, his name is Colin Murphy. When Colin finds out they’re head in the same direction, he offers her a lift. It’s nearly Christmas afterall.
What should be an easy 8-hour drive turns into 2 days of mishaps and mayhem.
She knows every Christmas song off by heart, even though she can’t carry a tune. She’s happy, he’s a real Christmas Grinch. Will this unplanned fiasco be the start of something magical?
"Love brings up emotions that run the gamut from agony to ecstasy. Love can inspire us to accomplish some of the craziest and most amazing feats."
Colin Murphy Is the CEO of Murphy Inc and is a workaholic. Christmas, or any holiday in face, doesn't mean much to him. When his business trip travel plans get interrupted by a freak snowstorm, he’s forced to find a way home by other means.
Abigail Thompson can’t wait for this year to be over. After losing her job, her boyfriend and apartment, she’s ready to go home for a much-needed break and to regroup. But when her plane is grounded because of a snow storm, she has to find another way. She makes her way to the car rentals only to find the last car has just been given to a tall dark sexy man. Definitely not Santa, his name is Colin Murphy. When Colin finds out they’re head in the same direction, he offers her a lift. It’s nearly Christmas afterall.
What should be an easy 8-hour drive turns into 2 days of mishaps and mayhem.
She knows every Christmas song off by heart, even though she can’t carry a tune. She’s happy, he’s a real Christmas Grinch. Will this unplanned fiasco be the start of something magical?
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2017
1694 people are currently reading
945 people want to read
About the author
Lexy Timms
758 books1,297 followersLexy Timms is a mom, business woman, dreamer and writer. She finally decided to write her first romance novel and Saving Forever is her debut story.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
December 6, 2019
DNF at 76%
This book was free on Amazon, so I expected mediocre to bad writing and this book met that expectation. Now the style of writing wasn't terrible, I didn't notice typos or bad grammar, but the characters were terrible. I can't remember their names but the man was uptight and judgemental, and the woman was nosy, ditsy, and annoying. Some authors can make annoying characters work, however this author did not pull that off. In an obviously attempt to make the characters sympathetic both characters had sobs stories, but by the time they were revealed I just didn't care and couldn't root for them.
The sex scenes were also pretty bad. The man was super annoyed by her but his "pelvis" yearned for her and her lady parts were "pouring" arousal for him so *confused shrug* that's that I guess. Oh and the author described the bed they has sex on as "dusty" and "disgusting." If that doesn't get you in the mood I don't know what will!
Lastly the author kept trying to insert deep, meaningful insight into human behavior but missed the mark each time. I got the impression they took a single psychology class in college and thought they aced it. It just made it that much more cringy.
This book was free on Amazon, so I expected mediocre to bad writing and this book met that expectation. Now the style of writing wasn't terrible, I didn't notice typos or bad grammar, but the characters were terrible. I can't remember their names but the man was uptight and judgemental, and the woman was nosy, ditsy, and annoying. Some authors can make annoying characters work, however this author did not pull that off. In an obviously attempt to make the characters sympathetic both characters had sobs stories, but by the time they were revealed I just didn't care and couldn't root for them.
The sex scenes were also pretty bad. The man was super annoyed by her but his "pelvis" yearned for her and her lady parts were "pouring" arousal for him so *confused shrug* that's that I guess. Oh and the author described the bed they has sex on as "dusty" and "disgusting." If that doesn't get you in the mood I don't know what will!
Lastly the author kept trying to insert deep, meaningful insight into human behavior but missed the mark each time. I got the impression they took a single psychology class in college and thought they aced it. It just made it that much more cringy.
April 8, 2020
What can I say? I am an all year round Christmas type of a girl.
February 17, 2019
Driving Home for Christmas is book one in the Billionaire Holiday series by Lexy Timms. Colin Murphy was CEA of Murphy Inc, and he organised a fun arising ball when plans were shut down due to bad weather. Colin Murphy needed to get to Minneapolis, so he decided to rent a car. Abigail Thompson life was in tatters, so she was going home to her parent's place and the last straw for Abigail Thompson when her flight had to stop at Kanas Airport due to snow. Abigail Thompson decided to drive home to Burnsville. However, there was only one car left, and they had to share this was the start of the adventure both Colin and Abigail will never forget. The readers of Driving Home for Christmas will follow Colin and Abigail road trip to see what happens.
Driving Home for Christmas is funny, sweet romances and an enjoyable book to read. I loved Lezy Timms portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other. Driving Home for Christmas is well written and researched by Lexy Timms. The descriptions of the settings of Driving Home for Christmas by Lexy Timms was well done.
The readers of Driving Home for Christmas will learn the importance and the benefits of giving love and kindness to people. Also, the readers of Driving Home for Christmas will understand snow is beautiful but cause problems for people who need to travel in cars and plans.
I recommend this book.
Driving Home for Christmas is funny, sweet romances and an enjoyable book to read. I loved Lezy Timms portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other. Driving Home for Christmas is well written and researched by Lexy Timms. The descriptions of the settings of Driving Home for Christmas by Lexy Timms was well done.
The readers of Driving Home for Christmas will learn the importance and the benefits of giving love and kindness to people. Also, the readers of Driving Home for Christmas will understand snow is beautiful but cause problems for people who need to travel in cars and plans.
I recommend this book.
December 24, 2019
DNF: I agree with the hero
The heroine is rude, inconsiderate, presumptuous, annoying, and not very bright. By the time I got to the 20% mark, I didn't want to spend any more time with her either.
The heroine is rude, inconsiderate, presumptuous, annoying, and not very bright. By the time I got to the 20% mark, I didn't want to spend any more time with her either.
Want to read
January 5, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/5/2018)! 💝
Read
November 24, 2018DNF. Just couldn’t do it.
February 11, 2018
A wonderfully romantic and Christmassy story
I couldn't put this book down it was just brilliant . In fact I read it in a day. The two main characters, Abbey and Colin, are lovely and you really get to know them in this book . Lexi Timms never fails to disappoint with the wonderful way she writes so that you really feel a sense of connection with the characters . Her stories are always full of hope and adventure and excitement and the loves scenes really leave you quite breathless. Colin and Abbey are quite literally thrown together when the flight they are on is grounded due to bad weather. They share a ten hour road trip in snowy conditions, which proves very hard for the uptight and moody Colin who just wants to get to his very important meeting and fund raiser. Abbey is a giggly and down to earth free spirit who really knows how to push all of Colins buttons. You must read this to find out what happens you truly will love it. Another spectacular book from Lexi.
I couldn't put this book down it was just brilliant . In fact I read it in a day. The two main characters, Abbey and Colin, are lovely and you really get to know them in this book . Lexi Timms never fails to disappoint with the wonderful way she writes so that you really feel a sense of connection with the characters . Her stories are always full of hope and adventure and excitement and the loves scenes really leave you quite breathless. Colin and Abbey are quite literally thrown together when the flight they are on is grounded due to bad weather. They share a ten hour road trip in snowy conditions, which proves very hard for the uptight and moody Colin who just wants to get to his very important meeting and fund raiser. Abbey is a giggly and down to earth free spirit who really knows how to push all of Colins buttons. You must read this to find out what happens you truly will love it. Another spectacular book from Lexi.
December 27, 2025
These are two of the most inconsistent and confusing characters I’ve encountered in a book. The Christmas obsession was kind of weird and honestly I didn’t find Colin to be that unreasonable in his interpretations do Abby being nuts and annoying. The first sex scene comes out of nowhere???
December 8, 2019
Timms, Lexy, Driving Home for Christmas (Billionaire Holiday Romance Series #1) (3 stars)
Abby and Colin drive together from Wichita to Minneapolis. They're complete opposites: rich/poor, Grinch/Who, pessimist/optimist, rigid/relaxed. They open up to each other reluctantly, learn more about themselves, share a couple of wild nights, and possibly have a good thing going. Hopefully that's in Book 2, but I'm not interested enough to read it.
Sex: multiple scenes
Language: 15 F words, 0 Lord's name in vain, 12 S words
Violence: no
Cliffhanger: no, ends happily for now; apparently we have to read the next book for the HEA
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Would I read more of the series: no
----SUMMARY----
The plane has to land in Wichita due to a snowstorm. Colin has to get to Minneapolis for a meeting. He grew his $1B business from his garage to US and China markets. He wants to launch his business into Europe, so he decides to drive to make sure he gets there. A woman at the car rental kiosk is desperate and broke. He's appalled at her manners and at her having a financial emergency. He's leaving, she tells the attendant she needs to get to a Minneapolis suburb, the attendant looks at him. If I told this woman no, my Grinch-like nature would be front page news, and the meeting wouldn’t mean a damn thing. She was loud, she was clumsy, and she was a hugger. This was going to be a long trip.
Abby is so grateful. The past few months had been rough. She's lost her roommate and only friend. Her career is shredded. She has no money, nor even enough for coffee. Colin is tense and terse, likes things just so. She keeps trying to engage him in conversation, but fails. She asks to call her parents to update them, then wants his phone because hers died on the plane. It's a smart phone, so she Googles him first. She reads aloud his headlines, then calls Mom and gabs.
Colin is ready to pay for her to have a taxi. He's not heartless, he just doesn't celebrate Christmas. Doesn't like kids, either. He's fed up with her singing carols off key, turns off the radio. She asks questions. I’ve made the idea of the business dinner electronic and across cultures. She tells him her family traditions. Her Christmas traditions did sound nice. Since she had people to spend time with and all.
She asks about family, girlfriend. Nobody. “You should consider getting a girlfriend. Because despite the fact that you’re a jerk, I think you’d be good at spoiling her. Cold men like you are always softies on the inside.” “Your proof is a stereotype.” “Stereotypes are borne from a truth. They might be blown out of proportion in movies and books, but tropes exist for a reason. Stereotypes bleed an inherent truth about the box someone has put themselves into. Not because they willingly put themselves in a box, but because of how the mind hardwires itself when someone first begins their journey to that box. You’re cold and mean and unforgiving because you have the last little bit of softness that you’re trying so hard to protect. You want to wait and see who’ll dig through all those walls to get to it, and in your mind, whoever’s willing to break through all those walls deserves it. But that’s not true.” “Why?” “Because wrecking balls exist.”
The car gets a flat, and then the snow starts. The flat delays them, the snow forces half speed. Abby has her head out the window, trying to catch snowflakes. They have to stop at the only motel in Lamoni, IA. Only 1 room available, 1 bed. She picks at her nails. I was intrigued as to why she was feeling the way she was, and why she acted the way she did. Then, a chilling thought ran through my mind. “Did your ex hurt you?” “Not in the way you’re thinking.” “The breakup. It was recent. That’s why you’re going home, and he’s not with you. Because you didn’t want to spend the holidays alone. You wanted to spend them with your family.” “I always spend them with my family.” “Yes, but they always come to you.” “How could you possibly—” “So, I was right.” She kisses him to shut him up, then sex.
Colin takes a cold shower because the water heater's broken. He hates the lousy motel, wants to leave, but the weatherman says they're trapped. He calls Mac to handle the most important meeting in the company's history, will be there for the charity event. And Abby still finds a silver lining.
Abby calls Mom, who calls her the strong one in the family. I didn’t feel strong. I was ignorant and naive and an idiot. I always wanted to see the good in people. I always wanted to draw out the best in them. I always wanted to believe that if I gave them my all and invested my heart and soul into them, that the work would pay off. That was what my father taught me growing up. If I invested my time and effort, I would always reap a reward. For the first time in my life, I was now sitting in a place where that lesson wasn’t true. Where that childhood lesson I’d built my entire life on was no longer valid. It was shaking the very concrete I’d built my entire life on, and I felt myself flailing for help.
“You’re just so happy. All the time. How in the world could you possibly be like this all the time?” “Look, if I wasn’t, then anything bad that happened would swallow me whole. And since that doesn't sound like a very appealing way to live my life, I choose to be optimistic.” “What’s trying to swallow you whole?” Silence.
He suggests they hunt for food, she giggles. That giggle of hers fell from her lips, and it washed over my ears like silk. They get some chips and cookies, then try for water, but the machine eats his last dollars and shuts down. I couldn’t believe it. I simply couldn’t process all of it. The busted water heater. The rickety bed. The chance encounter with a woman I couldn’t stand and still wanted to get to know. The incompetent front desk and this damn weather that was keeping me from the most important meeting of my life. And now, we didn’t even have decent water to drink. I heard Abby’s giggle start up, and I couldn’t help but feel a tickle in the back of my throat. Her giggle grew to a laugh, and before I knew it, I was joining her. A smile spread across my cheeks while her head lobbed back, and my stomach jumped as I simply shook my head in shock.
In the room, he wants to know about her. She won't answer. I'll Google you. I'm not important enough. She locks herself in the bathroom. He gets into bed as the heat goes out. She takes a lukewarm shower that turns to ice. She sits on the bed shivering. He opens the covers, she's still shivering. He pulls her close to share warmth. Then the electricity goes. She says they'll get stuff fixed soon. Your optimism is showing. “Emotions are just chemical reactions. But it’s how we respond to those chemical reactions that dictate our positivity or our negativity.” He rolls her over, starts kissing her. Pleasures her and loves it in ways he never has. After, they cuddle to keep the heat, she sings, he asks her to stop because she's a terrible singer. She starts asking questions again, he doesn't answer until she says they'll swap answers. “Why are you not headed home for the holidays?” “Because going home reminds me of my childhood.” “What happened when you were a child?” “First, you have to answer one of mine.” “Yes, that was the agreement. Shoot.” “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” “Because he cheated on me.” “Abby, I’m so sorry.” She rolls away and he watches her energy dim as tears roll. He pulls her close again, they sleep.
She wakes up to lights on and heat blowing. It's stopped snowing, too. She squeals when the office calls to say the water heater's working. When they wake, they make love. He tells her Mac will cover the meeting, has been with him since the garage. So you do have a friend? When did you get the impression I didn't? “When I found out you were a workaholic that didn’t like the holidays. Who in the world wants to be around someone like that?” He watches himself like a third person as he goes distant and rigid. She apologizes for the joke, he can't stop his reaction. She won't give him her home address.
I tried apologizing, but he wasn’t having it. She gets dressed, meets him in the car. She doesn't offer to drive because she knows he wants control. He pays for the room, and she realizes if she eats, he'll have to pay for that, too. She feels like a leech. She'd been saving a hefty down for a home, a retirement account, and kids. All of it had been ripped from me the moment the truth came to light. Now, I had nothing. I had no apartment, I had no friends. I had no home and I had no money. I had no job and the career I had worked toward had effectively gone down in a massive pile of flames. She knows she shut down like Colin did, can't stop. I bared my body for this man I couldn’t get enough of, and then I opened my idiotic mouth and pushed him away with a stupid joke. In the tire shop, he forces coffee and food on her. They're finally on the road, she updates Mom. Colin: “What would your perfect Christmas be like?” She's got every day planned 11/30-12/25, with parents, husband, and kids. His is time with his wife, mother, and kids. He'd get gifts he never got. She asks where Dad is in the scenario. You asked for perfect, so that's that. Silence.
He's thinking about how the meeting's going, smiles. Abby: You're not supposed to be thinking about work. “I’m supposed to think about my cheating-ass father?” Walked in on Dad cheating, never made up with him. “That’s why you hate the holidays. Because thinking of family reminds you of all that.” Nods. “Colin, you have got to let go. Of this anger and this guilt. The man isn’t even alive now, and all you’re doing is allowing him to continue affecting you. That broken man won something over you, and you don’t seem like the kind of man that accepts defeat that easily.”
“I’m technically homeless,” she said, then silence, and that makes Colin even angrier. She's not ready to reveal the past year's stupid decisions. She's trying to not have a panic attack. She won't open, but gets him to talk about charities. He helps people, in business and in person. He gets tense about the time again, she tells him to loosen up, he gets more tense.
He's done with her advice and her talking. How in the world was she simply okay with everything? How in the world was she just going with the flow? It was people like her that stunted the world’s conglomerate growth. He gets gas and coffee, none for her because he's not her cash cow. “Stop giggling and singing and trying to be everyone’s wise old friend, then skirt by your own problems when someone wants you to reciprocate an action in response to theirs. You want me to lighten up? Then string some lights up around my head and turn them on. Being who I am is what got me to the successful place I am, and I guarantee you being as laid back as you are got you to where you’re currently sitting. Unable to buy yourself a cup of coffee. So while I might be high-strung, I don’t hate my life. Take it for what it’s worth.” She melts into the door. Eventually he turns on Christmas music. Nothing, not even toe tapping. Not only had I made her upset, but I’d pulled from her that Christmas spirit or whatever it was. Abby? “It wasn’t my decision for you to just spew your life out like that. And I’m not wrong. You’re too high-strung. I don’t know you well enough to tell you how to not be high-strung. I just know that’s what you need to do.”
“You think I talk too much,” she said. “I think you’re a lot of things. Overly cheery. Naive. Unprepared for bad circumstances in life. But we’re all a lot of things. I’m high-strung and a workaholic. I don’t enjoy the holidays, and I don’t celebrate birthdays.” “I just don’t understand.” “And I don’t expect you to. Just like I won’t understand you. We’ve only got a road trip. We can’t possibly dissect one another in that short amount of time.” “I wish we could.” “Why?” Silence. I wanted to know why she wanted to dissect me. Why she cared so much about knowing who I was. To her, I was just some workaholic with a stick up my ass who wanted to ruin the holidays.
He’d opened up to me for just a moment, and it was like I was seeing another person. A vulnerable side to him that was open to just about anything to make him smile. That man would’ve enjoyed the holidays. That man would’ve enjoyed the snow and a twinkling Christmas tree. I wanted to remember the good parts of this trip. The way he laughed at the vending machine. The way his body breathed warm life into mine. The way his eyes twinkled for just a moment when he was talking about his perfect Christmas. Maybe he was upset that he finally gave me what I’d been asking him for, and in return, I only gave him little snippets. Maybe in his world, a courtesy was returned for a courtesy received. Well, that might’ve been how it worked with the rich, but with us poor people, that wasn’t how it worked. You were kind and courteous because the only other option was to be lonely and bitter, like he was. Where I came from and how I was raised, you didn’t give courtesy to receive it. You gave it because it was the right thing to do. You gave it because you never know who you’re going to come across who’s going to need that courtesy in order to lift their spirits. She sobs. “You sit there in your expensive suit and your tailored coat and your genuine leather driving gloves and you assume you know everything about me, but you don’t know a damn thing, Colin. You think my happiness and my Christmas spirit are naive, but you don’t have the first damn clue as to why it’s the only thing I have to grasp onto right now.” She came home to her boyfriend of 3y (planning marriage and kids, had gone house shopping) having sex with her roommate (friends since freshman year, sorority sisters). Told roommate to choose, she moved out. Boyfriend emptied her account of $40K. Missed rent, pawned gifts she'd bought. Just promoted to department manager at credible magazine, trusted a writer to do fact-checking, both got fired when false story ran. In the span of two months, my best friend, my career, my money, and the man I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with were ripped away from me. She'd wanted to forget everything for Christmas, but Colin had been determined to level the playing field so he could feel better about himself.
I never would’ve guessed that the woman who was trying to get to know this stranger and continuously kept a smile on her face had just been evicted from her home. She was right. Courtesy was something she needed right now without the forcible reciprocity found within the business world. In my world, if you gave someone a courtesy and it wasn’t reciprocated, your businesses would always be at odds. If she had the ability to keep that optimistic outlook of hers through all the things life had thrown her way, then she really was a rare type of person. Going through that kind of heartache and abandonment would’ve broken me. He asks what the story was about. Insider trading by a tech mogul. Colin names him, his competitor. He's dragging Colin's business name into mud; he needs a publicist with integrity, offers her a job. “That’s very generous of you, given the fact that you can’t stand me.” “It’s not that I can’t stand you. We’re just two different people with traits that get on one another’s nerves sometimes. That’s all.” The broader her smile got, the warmer I felt inside. Her giggle filled the car, and I was happy she was happy. I felt the stress I’d been carrying around slowly leave my body, and I started wondering why in the world that was happening now. What changed? I looked over at Abby, who was humming to herself, and then it hit me. It was her. It was that smile and that cheery expression that was once the most annoying thing to me in the world. It was her countenance and the strength I now understood she possessed. It was the way she was still smiling, even though her entire world had crippled itself around her. Maybe this was a little more than just her body. She agrees to give him her home address. I felt a sort of excitement blooming in my gut. I’d get to see where she lived. Where she grew up.
Colin describes the job. For the first time since I caught my ex with my best friend, I felt hope. “I’m thankful for you.” “How is someone who is so full of spirit thankful for a Grinch like myself?” “Because you gave me a ride when you didn’t have to, you protected me when it wasn’t required of you, and you fed me out of your own pocket. Thank you for your kindness.” She invites him to come for Christmas. Mom and Dad say stuff, Colin laughs before leaving. He's beautiful. They go in, she's crying her story before she's even seated. Mom cries with her, Dad's angry at job and boyfriend. She tells them about the trip, how good Colin was to her, then reads Twas the Night Before Christmas with Dad on the porch. While thinking about Colin.
Colin showers, thinks about his last shower, wonders what she's doing. He misses her. Mac tells him it went better than expected, Colin grins and hugs, Mac is confused. He tells the audience the company will send 50% more people to dig fresh water wells because of success in Mac's meeting. People laugh and he laughs, too, then sees their shock. He tells them about Abby, things she taught him and how he's changing. “As crazy as it sounds, she seems to have given me a new outlook on life that you all can see plainly up on this stage. Your reactions to my own reactions have proven to me that she was right.”
Abby wakes up Christmas morning, determined to enjoy the day surrounded by love. Tomorrow she'll make a decision, and now she's thinking about Colin. After lunch, she sends Colin an email so, even if alone, he knows he's thought of. At the end of the day, Mom takes a call, then tells everyone to get dressed (PJs all day). Abby showers, dresses, then Mom pushes her outside. Colin's on the porch! Gray suit, red shirt, green tie. Laughter. Kisses. Proper introductions. Mom and Abby prepare Christmas dinner while Dad and Colin talk and laugh. At dinner, he was smiling and laughing with my parents. He was offering up more information about his life than I’d been able to pull from him. I could feel a warmth radiating from him that I’d only experienced once or twice while we were on the road together, and it only served to pull a smile across my face. He invites her to his hotel, to leave after dinner. It breaks with tradition. Mom whispers, “I really like him. And your father will get over it. Go. Have fun. Enjoy your life.” “She’s been through too much,” my father said. “Take care of her while she’s with you.” “You have my word on that.” On the drive, he tells her he has a surprise for her. A snow globe of Des Moines, the tense part of their 2nd leg. “Thank you, Colin. I so wish I had something for you.” “You being here with me on Christmas is the best thing you could’ve given me. I haven’t spent Christmas with anyone in over a decade. No one. I’ve been alone and cooped up in an office until now. Thank you, Abby. Thank you for being here with me.”
“Why don’t I start us a fire?” “Then we could cuddle on the couch and just exist?” “Sounds like the perfect Christmas to me.” They're cuddling, he laughs because he's so happy. “You really should do that more often. Laugh. Chuckle. Whatever that beautiful sound is you make when you’re happy about something. I love that sound.” “You love it, huh?” “I do.” “Good, because I plan on doing it a lot more.” They make love, then curl up in front of the fireplace. “Merry Christmas, Abby.” “Merry Christmas, Colin.”
Abby and Colin drive together from Wichita to Minneapolis. They're complete opposites: rich/poor, Grinch/Who, pessimist/optimist, rigid/relaxed. They open up to each other reluctantly, learn more about themselves, share a couple of wild nights, and possibly have a good thing going. Hopefully that's in Book 2, but I'm not interested enough to read it.
Sex: multiple scenes
Language: 15 F words, 0 Lord's name in vain, 12 S words
Violence: no
Cliffhanger: no, ends happily for now; apparently we have to read the next book for the HEA
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Would I read more of the series: no
----SUMMARY----
The plane has to land in Wichita due to a snowstorm. Colin has to get to Minneapolis for a meeting. He grew his $1B business from his garage to US and China markets. He wants to launch his business into Europe, so he decides to drive to make sure he gets there. A woman at the car rental kiosk is desperate and broke. He's appalled at her manners and at her having a financial emergency. He's leaving, she tells the attendant she needs to get to a Minneapolis suburb, the attendant looks at him. If I told this woman no, my Grinch-like nature would be front page news, and the meeting wouldn’t mean a damn thing. She was loud, she was clumsy, and she was a hugger. This was going to be a long trip.
Abby is so grateful. The past few months had been rough. She's lost her roommate and only friend. Her career is shredded. She has no money, nor even enough for coffee. Colin is tense and terse, likes things just so. She keeps trying to engage him in conversation, but fails. She asks to call her parents to update them, then wants his phone because hers died on the plane. It's a smart phone, so she Googles him first. She reads aloud his headlines, then calls Mom and gabs.
Colin is ready to pay for her to have a taxi. He's not heartless, he just doesn't celebrate Christmas. Doesn't like kids, either. He's fed up with her singing carols off key, turns off the radio. She asks questions. I’ve made the idea of the business dinner electronic and across cultures. She tells him her family traditions. Her Christmas traditions did sound nice. Since she had people to spend time with and all.
She asks about family, girlfriend. Nobody. “You should consider getting a girlfriend. Because despite the fact that you’re a jerk, I think you’d be good at spoiling her. Cold men like you are always softies on the inside.” “Your proof is a stereotype.” “Stereotypes are borne from a truth. They might be blown out of proportion in movies and books, but tropes exist for a reason. Stereotypes bleed an inherent truth about the box someone has put themselves into. Not because they willingly put themselves in a box, but because of how the mind hardwires itself when someone first begins their journey to that box. You’re cold and mean and unforgiving because you have the last little bit of softness that you’re trying so hard to protect. You want to wait and see who’ll dig through all those walls to get to it, and in your mind, whoever’s willing to break through all those walls deserves it. But that’s not true.” “Why?” “Because wrecking balls exist.”
The car gets a flat, and then the snow starts. The flat delays them, the snow forces half speed. Abby has her head out the window, trying to catch snowflakes. They have to stop at the only motel in Lamoni, IA. Only 1 room available, 1 bed. She picks at her nails. I was intrigued as to why she was feeling the way she was, and why she acted the way she did. Then, a chilling thought ran through my mind. “Did your ex hurt you?” “Not in the way you’re thinking.” “The breakup. It was recent. That’s why you’re going home, and he’s not with you. Because you didn’t want to spend the holidays alone. You wanted to spend them with your family.” “I always spend them with my family.” “Yes, but they always come to you.” “How could you possibly—” “So, I was right.” She kisses him to shut him up, then sex.
Colin takes a cold shower because the water heater's broken. He hates the lousy motel, wants to leave, but the weatherman says they're trapped. He calls Mac to handle the most important meeting in the company's history, will be there for the charity event. And Abby still finds a silver lining.
Abby calls Mom, who calls her the strong one in the family. I didn’t feel strong. I was ignorant and naive and an idiot. I always wanted to see the good in people. I always wanted to draw out the best in them. I always wanted to believe that if I gave them my all and invested my heart and soul into them, that the work would pay off. That was what my father taught me growing up. If I invested my time and effort, I would always reap a reward. For the first time in my life, I was now sitting in a place where that lesson wasn’t true. Where that childhood lesson I’d built my entire life on was no longer valid. It was shaking the very concrete I’d built my entire life on, and I felt myself flailing for help.
“You’re just so happy. All the time. How in the world could you possibly be like this all the time?” “Look, if I wasn’t, then anything bad that happened would swallow me whole. And since that doesn't sound like a very appealing way to live my life, I choose to be optimistic.” “What’s trying to swallow you whole?” Silence.
He suggests they hunt for food, she giggles. That giggle of hers fell from her lips, and it washed over my ears like silk. They get some chips and cookies, then try for water, but the machine eats his last dollars and shuts down. I couldn’t believe it. I simply couldn’t process all of it. The busted water heater. The rickety bed. The chance encounter with a woman I couldn’t stand and still wanted to get to know. The incompetent front desk and this damn weather that was keeping me from the most important meeting of my life. And now, we didn’t even have decent water to drink. I heard Abby’s giggle start up, and I couldn’t help but feel a tickle in the back of my throat. Her giggle grew to a laugh, and before I knew it, I was joining her. A smile spread across my cheeks while her head lobbed back, and my stomach jumped as I simply shook my head in shock.
In the room, he wants to know about her. She won't answer. I'll Google you. I'm not important enough. She locks herself in the bathroom. He gets into bed as the heat goes out. She takes a lukewarm shower that turns to ice. She sits on the bed shivering. He opens the covers, she's still shivering. He pulls her close to share warmth. Then the electricity goes. She says they'll get stuff fixed soon. Your optimism is showing. “Emotions are just chemical reactions. But it’s how we respond to those chemical reactions that dictate our positivity or our negativity.” He rolls her over, starts kissing her. Pleasures her and loves it in ways he never has. After, they cuddle to keep the heat, she sings, he asks her to stop because she's a terrible singer. She starts asking questions again, he doesn't answer until she says they'll swap answers. “Why are you not headed home for the holidays?” “Because going home reminds me of my childhood.” “What happened when you were a child?” “First, you have to answer one of mine.” “Yes, that was the agreement. Shoot.” “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” “Because he cheated on me.” “Abby, I’m so sorry.” She rolls away and he watches her energy dim as tears roll. He pulls her close again, they sleep.
She wakes up to lights on and heat blowing. It's stopped snowing, too. She squeals when the office calls to say the water heater's working. When they wake, they make love. He tells her Mac will cover the meeting, has been with him since the garage. So you do have a friend? When did you get the impression I didn't? “When I found out you were a workaholic that didn’t like the holidays. Who in the world wants to be around someone like that?” He watches himself like a third person as he goes distant and rigid. She apologizes for the joke, he can't stop his reaction. She won't give him her home address.
I tried apologizing, but he wasn’t having it. She gets dressed, meets him in the car. She doesn't offer to drive because she knows he wants control. He pays for the room, and she realizes if she eats, he'll have to pay for that, too. She feels like a leech. She'd been saving a hefty down for a home, a retirement account, and kids. All of it had been ripped from me the moment the truth came to light. Now, I had nothing. I had no apartment, I had no friends. I had no home and I had no money. I had no job and the career I had worked toward had effectively gone down in a massive pile of flames. She knows she shut down like Colin did, can't stop. I bared my body for this man I couldn’t get enough of, and then I opened my idiotic mouth and pushed him away with a stupid joke. In the tire shop, he forces coffee and food on her. They're finally on the road, she updates Mom. Colin: “What would your perfect Christmas be like?” She's got every day planned 11/30-12/25, with parents, husband, and kids. His is time with his wife, mother, and kids. He'd get gifts he never got. She asks where Dad is in the scenario. You asked for perfect, so that's that. Silence.
He's thinking about how the meeting's going, smiles. Abby: You're not supposed to be thinking about work. “I’m supposed to think about my cheating-ass father?” Walked in on Dad cheating, never made up with him. “That’s why you hate the holidays. Because thinking of family reminds you of all that.” Nods. “Colin, you have got to let go. Of this anger and this guilt. The man isn’t even alive now, and all you’re doing is allowing him to continue affecting you. That broken man won something over you, and you don’t seem like the kind of man that accepts defeat that easily.”
“I’m technically homeless,” she said, then silence, and that makes Colin even angrier. She's not ready to reveal the past year's stupid decisions. She's trying to not have a panic attack. She won't open, but gets him to talk about charities. He helps people, in business and in person. He gets tense about the time again, she tells him to loosen up, he gets more tense.
He's done with her advice and her talking. How in the world was she simply okay with everything? How in the world was she just going with the flow? It was people like her that stunted the world’s conglomerate growth. He gets gas and coffee, none for her because he's not her cash cow. “Stop giggling and singing and trying to be everyone’s wise old friend, then skirt by your own problems when someone wants you to reciprocate an action in response to theirs. You want me to lighten up? Then string some lights up around my head and turn them on. Being who I am is what got me to the successful place I am, and I guarantee you being as laid back as you are got you to where you’re currently sitting. Unable to buy yourself a cup of coffee. So while I might be high-strung, I don’t hate my life. Take it for what it’s worth.” She melts into the door. Eventually he turns on Christmas music. Nothing, not even toe tapping. Not only had I made her upset, but I’d pulled from her that Christmas spirit or whatever it was. Abby? “It wasn’t my decision for you to just spew your life out like that. And I’m not wrong. You’re too high-strung. I don’t know you well enough to tell you how to not be high-strung. I just know that’s what you need to do.”
“You think I talk too much,” she said. “I think you’re a lot of things. Overly cheery. Naive. Unprepared for bad circumstances in life. But we’re all a lot of things. I’m high-strung and a workaholic. I don’t enjoy the holidays, and I don’t celebrate birthdays.” “I just don’t understand.” “And I don’t expect you to. Just like I won’t understand you. We’ve only got a road trip. We can’t possibly dissect one another in that short amount of time.” “I wish we could.” “Why?” Silence. I wanted to know why she wanted to dissect me. Why she cared so much about knowing who I was. To her, I was just some workaholic with a stick up my ass who wanted to ruin the holidays.
He’d opened up to me for just a moment, and it was like I was seeing another person. A vulnerable side to him that was open to just about anything to make him smile. That man would’ve enjoyed the holidays. That man would’ve enjoyed the snow and a twinkling Christmas tree. I wanted to remember the good parts of this trip. The way he laughed at the vending machine. The way his body breathed warm life into mine. The way his eyes twinkled for just a moment when he was talking about his perfect Christmas. Maybe he was upset that he finally gave me what I’d been asking him for, and in return, I only gave him little snippets. Maybe in his world, a courtesy was returned for a courtesy received. Well, that might’ve been how it worked with the rich, but with us poor people, that wasn’t how it worked. You were kind and courteous because the only other option was to be lonely and bitter, like he was. Where I came from and how I was raised, you didn’t give courtesy to receive it. You gave it because it was the right thing to do. You gave it because you never know who you’re going to come across who’s going to need that courtesy in order to lift their spirits. She sobs. “You sit there in your expensive suit and your tailored coat and your genuine leather driving gloves and you assume you know everything about me, but you don’t know a damn thing, Colin. You think my happiness and my Christmas spirit are naive, but you don’t have the first damn clue as to why it’s the only thing I have to grasp onto right now.” She came home to her boyfriend of 3y (planning marriage and kids, had gone house shopping) having sex with her roommate (friends since freshman year, sorority sisters). Told roommate to choose, she moved out. Boyfriend emptied her account of $40K. Missed rent, pawned gifts she'd bought. Just promoted to department manager at credible magazine, trusted a writer to do fact-checking, both got fired when false story ran. In the span of two months, my best friend, my career, my money, and the man I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with were ripped away from me. She'd wanted to forget everything for Christmas, but Colin had been determined to level the playing field so he could feel better about himself.
I never would’ve guessed that the woman who was trying to get to know this stranger and continuously kept a smile on her face had just been evicted from her home. She was right. Courtesy was something she needed right now without the forcible reciprocity found within the business world. In my world, if you gave someone a courtesy and it wasn’t reciprocated, your businesses would always be at odds. If she had the ability to keep that optimistic outlook of hers through all the things life had thrown her way, then she really was a rare type of person. Going through that kind of heartache and abandonment would’ve broken me. He asks what the story was about. Insider trading by a tech mogul. Colin names him, his competitor. He's dragging Colin's business name into mud; he needs a publicist with integrity, offers her a job. “That’s very generous of you, given the fact that you can’t stand me.” “It’s not that I can’t stand you. We’re just two different people with traits that get on one another’s nerves sometimes. That’s all.” The broader her smile got, the warmer I felt inside. Her giggle filled the car, and I was happy she was happy. I felt the stress I’d been carrying around slowly leave my body, and I started wondering why in the world that was happening now. What changed? I looked over at Abby, who was humming to herself, and then it hit me. It was her. It was that smile and that cheery expression that was once the most annoying thing to me in the world. It was her countenance and the strength I now understood she possessed. It was the way she was still smiling, even though her entire world had crippled itself around her. Maybe this was a little more than just her body. She agrees to give him her home address. I felt a sort of excitement blooming in my gut. I’d get to see where she lived. Where she grew up.
Colin describes the job. For the first time since I caught my ex with my best friend, I felt hope. “I’m thankful for you.” “How is someone who is so full of spirit thankful for a Grinch like myself?” “Because you gave me a ride when you didn’t have to, you protected me when it wasn’t required of you, and you fed me out of your own pocket. Thank you for your kindness.” She invites him to come for Christmas. Mom and Dad say stuff, Colin laughs before leaving. He's beautiful. They go in, she's crying her story before she's even seated. Mom cries with her, Dad's angry at job and boyfriend. She tells them about the trip, how good Colin was to her, then reads Twas the Night Before Christmas with Dad on the porch. While thinking about Colin.
Colin showers, thinks about his last shower, wonders what she's doing. He misses her. Mac tells him it went better than expected, Colin grins and hugs, Mac is confused. He tells the audience the company will send 50% more people to dig fresh water wells because of success in Mac's meeting. People laugh and he laughs, too, then sees their shock. He tells them about Abby, things she taught him and how he's changing. “As crazy as it sounds, she seems to have given me a new outlook on life that you all can see plainly up on this stage. Your reactions to my own reactions have proven to me that she was right.”
Abby wakes up Christmas morning, determined to enjoy the day surrounded by love. Tomorrow she'll make a decision, and now she's thinking about Colin. After lunch, she sends Colin an email so, even if alone, he knows he's thought of. At the end of the day, Mom takes a call, then tells everyone to get dressed (PJs all day). Abby showers, dresses, then Mom pushes her outside. Colin's on the porch! Gray suit, red shirt, green tie. Laughter. Kisses. Proper introductions. Mom and Abby prepare Christmas dinner while Dad and Colin talk and laugh. At dinner, he was smiling and laughing with my parents. He was offering up more information about his life than I’d been able to pull from him. I could feel a warmth radiating from him that I’d only experienced once or twice while we were on the road together, and it only served to pull a smile across my face. He invites her to his hotel, to leave after dinner. It breaks with tradition. Mom whispers, “I really like him. And your father will get over it. Go. Have fun. Enjoy your life.” “She’s been through too much,” my father said. “Take care of her while she’s with you.” “You have my word on that.” On the drive, he tells her he has a surprise for her. A snow globe of Des Moines, the tense part of their 2nd leg. “Thank you, Colin. I so wish I had something for you.” “You being here with me on Christmas is the best thing you could’ve given me. I haven’t spent Christmas with anyone in over a decade. No one. I’ve been alone and cooped up in an office until now. Thank you, Abby. Thank you for being here with me.”
“Why don’t I start us a fire?” “Then we could cuddle on the couch and just exist?” “Sounds like the perfect Christmas to me.” They're cuddling, he laughs because he's so happy. “You really should do that more often. Laugh. Chuckle. Whatever that beautiful sound is you make when you’re happy about something. I love that sound.” “You love it, huh?” “I do.” “Good, because I plan on doing it a lot more.” They make love, then curl up in front of the fireplace. “Merry Christmas, Abby.” “Merry Christmas, Colin.”
December 24, 2019
Enjoyable holiday read
What an enjoyable sexy holiday read. Need a story to put a smile on your face for Christmas? This is it.
What an enjoyable sexy holiday read. Need a story to put a smile on your face for Christmas? This is it.
May 2, 2021
I would rate this zero stars if I could. I made it maybe thirty pages in, giving this the benefit of the doubt because it had a good plot line. Rich guy giving a stranded girl a ride during the holiday, cute little idea. Until this girl opens her mouth. I mean, literally. I couldn't stand her, its forced crazy jibberish. And I'm sorry, but there is no chemistry up to the point of the motel they get stuck at and then she kisses him and then they have bowchikawowwow time. OK. Don't know if it got any better from where I stopped but honestly, I don't feel like it could have been redeemed.
October 11, 2018
This book needed a better transition for the frenemies to lovers scene. She just kissed him out of the blue when they hadn’t exactly been getting along. I wasn’t feeling that at all. There was no flirting or sexual tension leading up to the initial sex scene. The awkwardness (just having sex out of nowhere) pulled me out of a story I had really enjoyed reading up until that point.
February 2, 2018
Great read about opposites attracting all tied up with a Christmas bow.
December 19, 2024
my friend had me download this kinda as a joke while we waited in line for something so when I was bored on the plane yesterday it was kinda my only downloaded option. heinous
March 26, 2022
So I had the chance to read this for free and as I had not read this author before I decided to give it a go.
I will admit I would not read this book again, nor did this book make me want to read more of this author's books. But that is just personal preference, it wasn't an awful book.
There were things I did not like though.
For example, I did not like how the characters met. The fact that the rental company were petty enough to call a newspaper about Colin for not driving a stranger home.
Not only is this unprofessional but how was that safe? No rental company would ask a stranger to drive another stranger. Although this was just a story plot to bring the characters together, my first thought was 'well that is going to look great on them if one of them turned out to be a murderer'.
This also forced Colin to look after someone else during a storm that he was already worried about driving through.
I know this was the way the author decided to bring them together, but personally I just did not like it.
Secondly, I did not like Abby. I got confused with her name as she is Abigail Thompson, but her parents were Hollis?
She was rude, nosey and entitled. Such as asking if it was OK to call her mother. Then held out her hand as if expecting a stranger to just hand over his phone. No wonder Colin was confused, she had not even asked if she could use the phone.
She peppered Colin constantly, a stranger, and got upset because he did not want to talk to her about himself. And then when he asked her back she got upset about it.
She called him selfish because he expected her to answer the questions she asked him first. "He should do it because he wants to not because he expects something back". This was the man that drove her home, paid for the motel, her food and offered her a job. This is the man that raises money to help charities but he was the selfish one?
She even says she is a leech, then not long after wants to know why he hadnt bought her a coffee as well?
Repeatedly, she kept going on about him lightening up or calling him a grinch as if his hurts weren't important. She kept pushing Christmas on him, completely disrespecting the fact not everyone likes christmas. But clearly only her opinion mattered about that.
I respect this is a character dealing with a lot, I have not been in this position so I have no idea how I would deal with it, but this did not endear her to me.
The motel scene was completely random, they hate each other and Abby just randomly kisses him and starts their romance?
It was also slightly sexist. In both scenes they talked about Christmas dinner, Colin's dream day and at the end, it was the women cooking. It was expected.
What I did like though was Colin. He is insufferable at the start but during the story you see his character change. He becomes happier, smilier. Colin also makes all the compromises. Such as playing christmas music he hates to make Abby happy, and answering her questions.
He took care of Abby. He didnt have to drive her home but he did, he offered her food and paid for the motel room
I found it slow going but the last 30 pages were good. The characters grew up, they were interacting with different people and it just seemed to flow better.
The fact that it is a Christmas story, I love Christmas hence why I am happy to read Christmas stories whenever. I did enjoy reading about Abby's christmas and their traditions. That was a proper feel good moment. Peppermint coffee sounds divine.
Overall, I would not read this again but a lot of people liked it, so I would recommend it as a read for yourself for your own opinion. It's a quick read too.
I will admit I would not read this book again, nor did this book make me want to read more of this author's books. But that is just personal preference, it wasn't an awful book.
There were things I did not like though.
For example, I did not like how the characters met. The fact that the rental company were petty enough to call a newspaper about Colin for not driving a stranger home.
Not only is this unprofessional but how was that safe? No rental company would ask a stranger to drive another stranger. Although this was just a story plot to bring the characters together, my first thought was 'well that is going to look great on them if one of them turned out to be a murderer'.
This also forced Colin to look after someone else during a storm that he was already worried about driving through.
I know this was the way the author decided to bring them together, but personally I just did not like it.
Secondly, I did not like Abby. I got confused with her name as she is Abigail Thompson, but her parents were Hollis?
She was rude, nosey and entitled. Such as asking if it was OK to call her mother. Then held out her hand as if expecting a stranger to just hand over his phone. No wonder Colin was confused, she had not even asked if she could use the phone.
She peppered Colin constantly, a stranger, and got upset because he did not want to talk to her about himself. And then when he asked her back she got upset about it.
She called him selfish because he expected her to answer the questions she asked him first. "He should do it because he wants to not because he expects something back". This was the man that drove her home, paid for the motel, her food and offered her a job. This is the man that raises money to help charities but he was the selfish one?
She even says she is a leech, then not long after wants to know why he hadnt bought her a coffee as well?
Repeatedly, she kept going on about him lightening up or calling him a grinch as if his hurts weren't important. She kept pushing Christmas on him, completely disrespecting the fact not everyone likes christmas. But clearly only her opinion mattered about that.
I respect this is a character dealing with a lot, I have not been in this position so I have no idea how I would deal with it, but this did not endear her to me.
The motel scene was completely random, they hate each other and Abby just randomly kisses him and starts their romance?
It was also slightly sexist. In both scenes they talked about Christmas dinner, Colin's dream day and at the end, it was the women cooking. It was expected.
What I did like though was Colin. He is insufferable at the start but during the story you see his character change. He becomes happier, smilier. Colin also makes all the compromises. Such as playing christmas music he hates to make Abby happy, and answering her questions.
He took care of Abby. He didnt have to drive her home but he did, he offered her food and paid for the motel room
I found it slow going but the last 30 pages were good. The characters grew up, they were interacting with different people and it just seemed to flow better.
The fact that it is a Christmas story, I love Christmas hence why I am happy to read Christmas stories whenever. I did enjoy reading about Abby's christmas and their traditions. That was a proper feel good moment. Peppermint coffee sounds divine.
Overall, I would not read this again but a lot of people liked it, so I would recommend it as a read for yourself for your own opinion. It's a quick read too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2020
Driving Home for Christmas is a wonderfully joyous holiday story with an undercurrent of grinchy behavior! Collin Murphy is a billionaire entrepreneur flying to a meeting in Minneapolis where he will be giving a presentation about an expansion he wants for his company. He is the host of an important charity event, right after the business meeting, that he can't miss. Abby Thompson is on the same flight, trying to get home to her parents' home in Burnesville, MN. She has just lost everything. Her job, her boyfriend and her best friend who was cheating with Abby's boyfriend! She is completely miserable and just wants to get home to celebrate Christmas with her mom and dad. When their plane runs into weather and grounds them in Wichita, KS, they are about to continue their journey together, much to Colin's chagrin. He rented the last of the cars and Abby is left out in the cold until she pleads with him through her eyes to please help her out. He shakes his head, knowing he's trapped, and they're on their way. Along the road, Abby is the picture of the season, singing her favorite Christmas cards and laughing at memories of Christmases past. Colin starts out stoic, and becomes even more irritated as he drives. Where those negative feelings are coming from, Abby doesn't know and she just can't understand how he could not at least like Christmas. The answers are waiting to be shared, but he's not ready, yet. He refers to his family as the reason he doesn't celebrate at all. They start to open up to each other, but real communication is what they're missing. Their night together in a ratty motel was an enlightening experience for both but their problems with communicating still kept them from seeing eye to eye on anything. Colin heard everything Abby shared about the beauty of the Christman season, but he didn't take it to heart. Or did he! My heart was full when Colin discovered his truth and knew how the rest of the stay in Minneapolis was going to go. Abby's mother is a perfect example of the mom with the biggest heart who will do anything to help the man who adores her daughter. I would love to see an epilogue or sequel because they have so much more to their story.
The narration was beautifully done by Brian Martin and Melina Schein. Their dynamic voices depicted each character in a way that reflected their feelings and personality, adding to the enjoyment of the story.
The narration was beautifully done by Brian Martin and Melina Schein. Their dynamic voices depicted each character in a way that reflected their feelings and personality, adding to the enjoyment of the story.
January 10, 2018
This book really drew me in. The character Abby's flight was cancelled and she desperately needed to be home to her parents things had gone horribly wrong for her and she just had to get to them and their love and security. But her flight had be redirected because of an incoming snow storm.
Collin is a in no other terms to but it a stick in the mud or up his you-know-where and he needed to get to an important meeting and charity function that he had set up in Minnesota. It is also closing in on Christmas all of Abby's credit cards were declined and the Collin had taken the only care left. The employees at the rental rangled him into taking Abby with him and is trip since they were going the same way.
He was mister negative and she was trying to be bright and cherry. She was getting on his nerves, the have a flat tire, and only find themselves in middle of the snow storm and have to stop at a ratty motel until it settles down.
Between irritating each other but then having a great chemistry, she finds about him but she doesn't want him to know about her until she relents and he then gets a real ear full.
I was hoping for a HEA but the story only gives a partial at the moment happy. That was the only down side to the story but there were other books about them to follow up on if that is the way to go,
Collin is a in no other terms to but it a stick in the mud or up his you-know-where and he needed to get to an important meeting and charity function that he had set up in Minnesota. It is also closing in on Christmas all of Abby's credit cards were declined and the Collin had taken the only care left. The employees at the rental rangled him into taking Abby with him and is trip since they were going the same way.
He was mister negative and she was trying to be bright and cherry. She was getting on his nerves, the have a flat tire, and only find themselves in middle of the snow storm and have to stop at a ratty motel until it settles down.
Between irritating each other but then having a great chemistry, she finds about him but she doesn't want him to know about her until she relents and he then gets a real ear full.
I was hoping for a HEA but the story only gives a partial at the moment happy. That was the only down side to the story but there were other books about them to follow up on if that is the way to go,
December 9, 2019
Two strangers forced to share a rental car as an oncoming blizzard heads their way sets up the beginning of this enemies-to-lovers story.
For two such disparate personalities, each with a secret agenda, I would have thought tempers would have blown more easily during the first part of the ride, especially on Colin's part. In fact, I didn't find that stretch of the story believable. Colin may not have screamed at her, but he's a self-made billionaire used to getting his way. And he's been high-pressured into helping this woman whom he clearly disdains. Words would have been said. But, uh. Nope. SMDH.
I had to hand it to Abby, pushing him for conversation. And I loved how we eventually learn the history of both of these characters, which then gives us a better understanding of why they acted how they did.
But the most important, unbelievable part? The author sets up well these "insta-enemies" forced into close proximity. Then, later, WHAM! They're kissing? And, other things? Where was the transition? Problem is, there was none. Abby's lips practically attacked this man who loathes her, and he immediately responded in kind? Nope, just didn't cut it for me. And Colin's reflection afterwards didn't work, either.
Other non-spoiler redeeming factors saved this from a lower rating. Overall, an okay story.
For two such disparate personalities, each with a secret agenda, I would have thought tempers would have blown more easily during the first part of the ride, especially on Colin's part. In fact, I didn't find that stretch of the story believable. Colin may not have screamed at her, but he's a self-made billionaire used to getting his way. And he's been high-pressured into helping this woman whom he clearly disdains. Words would have been said. But, uh. Nope. SMDH.
I had to hand it to Abby, pushing him for conversation. And I loved how we eventually learn the history of both of these characters, which then gives us a better understanding of why they acted how they did.
But the most important, unbelievable part? The author sets up well these "insta-enemies" forced into close proximity. Then, later, WHAM! They're kissing? And, other things? Where was the transition? Problem is, there was none. Abby's lips practically attacked this man who loathes her, and he immediately responded in kind? Nope, just didn't cut it for me. And Colin's reflection afterwards didn't work, either.
Other non-spoiler redeeming factors saved this from a lower rating. Overall, an okay story.
July 21, 2018
OMG This is one of those books that will keep you up way to late at night because you will want to read just one more chapter.
There were times I was laughing because I live in this area of the country and know exactly what that snow storm they are in is like only we call them "blizzards". I also know the kind of motel they were in and it made my skin crawl. LOL. I do love the Christmas season but I don't know that I would have been that cheery with everything Abby has been. Colin is just a stick in the mud though and I probably would have at least tried to be cheery have some kind of conversation. When he finally manages to break her spirit and she shuts down he doesn't like it. He thinks that she is this carefree person who just goes from one thing to another and never really struggled because of her optimism all the time. Then he learns what she has been through in the last few months and wants to know how she can stay optimistic after all that when it would have broken most everyone else. What will happen when they finally make it to Minneapolis? Will Abby give Colin her address to take her all the way home or have her parents meet them somewhere? Will Colin make it in time for his Charity function? Will they ever see each other again?
There were times I was laughing because I live in this area of the country and know exactly what that snow storm they are in is like only we call them "blizzards". I also know the kind of motel they were in and it made my skin crawl. LOL. I do love the Christmas season but I don't know that I would have been that cheery with everything Abby has been. Colin is just a stick in the mud though and I probably would have at least tried to be cheery have some kind of conversation. When he finally manages to break her spirit and she shuts down he doesn't like it. He thinks that she is this carefree person who just goes from one thing to another and never really struggled because of her optimism all the time. Then he learns what she has been through in the last few months and wants to know how she can stay optimistic after all that when it would have broken most everyone else. What will happen when they finally make it to Minneapolis? Will Abby give Colin her address to take her all the way home or have her parents meet them somewhere? Will Colin make it in time for his Charity function? Will they ever see each other again?
December 29, 2018
Driving Home for Christmas; Billionaire Holiday book one by Lexy Timms is a quick Christmas read about strangers connecting during a journey during Christmas time. Colin Murphy and Abigail Thompson were two unlikely people to ever cross paths. A snowstorm - a raging blizzard - brought them together.
Colin Murphy was a go-getter. He started his own company helping put entrepreneurs with younger people who want to start their own business. He was committed to various endeavors and needed to get to an important meeting and fundraising event. Abigail had just been put through the wringer. She was trying to get home, but didn’t have the money or credit to get there and was desperate. Together, they faced the storm and a ride with a stranger at Christmas time.
The story is how the events that brought them to that place and how they together managed to drive. It is the journey and the sharing that made the difference for both of them. As they connected, their stories unraveled and their relationship changed. (Colin and Abigail connect more than just mentally as they traveled.) Driving Home for Christmas (Billionaire Holiday book one) by Lexy Timms is a quick HOT read.
Colin Murphy was a go-getter. He started his own company helping put entrepreneurs with younger people who want to start their own business. He was committed to various endeavors and needed to get to an important meeting and fundraising event. Abigail had just been put through the wringer. She was trying to get home, but didn’t have the money or credit to get there and was desperate. Together, they faced the storm and a ride with a stranger at Christmas time.
The story is how the events that brought them to that place and how they together managed to drive. It is the journey and the sharing that made the difference for both of them. As they connected, their stories unraveled and their relationship changed. (Colin and Abigail connect more than just mentally as they traveled.) Driving Home for Christmas (Billionaire Holiday book one) by Lexy Timms is a quick HOT read.
December 27, 2021
I wanted a quick Christmas themed read for the holiday that wouldn't take too much brain power and this was it. It's not bad but neither is it mind-blowing. I have to agree with Abby that Colin needs to lighten up but unfortunately, I agree with Colin even more that Abby is the most annoying woman to ever beg for a ride. Some of the things she did were truly immature like pestering him for his life story, using his phone to look him up when she was supposed to be calling her mother then having a good ole chat-fest with Mama on his phone and even singing along to the radio. Ugh, why do people think this is cute behavior for a grown woman?
It's truly amazing how many books Timms has written but there were many moments that felt amateurish, some confusing sentences and cases of Colin's shirt being off and next second back on- things like that. There's a sequel but I'm not tempted.
P.S. What parent would be cool with a man asking their daughter to a hotel room right in front of them? And what man would ask right in front of her parents? Embarrassing!
It's truly amazing how many books Timms has written but there were many moments that felt amateurish, some confusing sentences and cases of Colin's shirt being off and next second back on- things like that. There's a sequel but I'm not tempted.
P.S. What parent would be cool with a man asking their daughter to a hotel room right in front of them? And what man would ask right in front of her parents? Embarrassing!
June 6, 2019
Driving Home For Christmas is a fun holiday read by Lexy Timms. Yes, I read Christmas books in June, don't judge. Ms. Timms has delivered a wonderful story populated with a fantastic group of characters. Colin is trying to get to a business meeting and charity event when his plane is forced to land because of snow. On the same flight is Abby, she's had a rough couple of months, losing her boyfriend, best friend, savings, home and job. Abby is forced to hitch a ride with Colin, the Grinch, when she can't rent a car of her own. Abby and Colin's story is loaded with drama, laugh out loud humor and smokin' hot sex. I enjoyed reading Driving Home For Christmas and look forward to reading more from Lexy Timms soon. Driving Home For Christmas is book 1 of the Billionaire Holiday Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
Read
December 8, 2019*If* I had a rating system it would be candy canes and not stars and *if* I was rating my holiday reads this would get 2 sad broken candy canes.
Abby is weird. How many grown women do you know that giggle before, after, and during the incessant questions they ask? The way her character is set up just doesn’t make sense. Her profession, personality and the way she acts in the scene when she’s introduced are all at odds with one another.
I can’t remember the main guys name or anything about him other than the fact that he’s hot, rich, and grumpy.
Not a lot of substance. A lot of weird unprovoked sex. Character development was nonexistent. Porsche Cayennes do not come with spare tires. Someone working in PR would know a billionaire philanthropist bachelor. So much nonsense that the author desperately tried to make believable.
Abby is weird. How many grown women do you know that giggle before, after, and during the incessant questions they ask? The way her character is set up just doesn’t make sense. Her profession, personality and the way she acts in the scene when she’s introduced are all at odds with one another.
I can’t remember the main guys name or anything about him other than the fact that he’s hot, rich, and grumpy.
Not a lot of substance. A lot of weird unprovoked sex. Character development was nonexistent. Porsche Cayennes do not come with spare tires. Someone working in PR would know a billionaire philanthropist bachelor. So much nonsense that the author desperately tried to make believable.
December 9, 2019
Entertaining
When will I learn I need to check if this is book is a complete story about Colin Murphy, a billionaire entrepreneur who is flying to San Diego and Abby Thompson, a young woman who has recently lost her job, her boy friend and her best friend, and is on the same plane. This is a two part story, which is clearly stated by the author, and usually one I avoid. It’s a well written, a well developed story about two people, two opposites who team up to drive to their final destination when their plane is grounded. What develops on their trip, is an a complete game changer in how they perceive each other. There is plenty of hilarious banter between the two, lots of sexual chemistry and sweet romance in this book with a happy for now ending. I’ll be seeking out book II because I fell in love with the characters and am hoping for their very own HEA.
When will I learn I need to check if this is book is a complete story about Colin Murphy, a billionaire entrepreneur who is flying to San Diego and Abby Thompson, a young woman who has recently lost her job, her boy friend and her best friend, and is on the same plane. This is a two part story, which is clearly stated by the author, and usually one I avoid. It’s a well written, a well developed story about two people, two opposites who team up to drive to their final destination when their plane is grounded. What develops on their trip, is an a complete game changer in how they perceive each other. There is plenty of hilarious banter between the two, lots of sexual chemistry and sweet romance in this book with a happy for now ending. I’ll be seeking out book II because I fell in love with the characters and am hoping for their very own HEA.
December 2, 2020
This was a funny romance story.Abby was stranded with no money when she ends up getting a ride with a stuffed shirt billionaire who doesn't know how to smile. The story is sad but as the quirky Abby gets under Colins skin it's amusing watching her get him to learn to have fun.As they travel getting caught in a blizzard making them have to share a room in a dingy hotel.There are so many twists and turns to this story will keep you riveted until the very last page and leave you begging for more.I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and makes you feel their emotions and their pain.Can Abbys care free look at life finally break through the walls that Colin has built around his heart?Can she show him what the real meaning of celebrating Christmas with loved ones really mean? I can hardly wait to see what's next by this multi talented .author.
April 13, 2022
This is a romantic Christmas story. Abby loses everything and when she doesn't think things can get any worse, she's stuck in a snow storm with no way of getting home, as some guy has just taken the last rental car.
Colin is a rich guy and hates Christmas, but he is happy to help Abby get home. However, he didn't plan on her singing Christmas songs all the way!
There's sexual tension bubbling between them and Colin finds out how much of a rigid and uptight guy he is. He needs to get to his charity event, as it means so much to the ongoing running of his business. Will he make it in time?
Lexy is a great writer and I always picture myself in the characters shoes. I recommend reading her books.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
Colin is a rich guy and hates Christmas, but he is happy to help Abby get home. However, he didn't plan on her singing Christmas songs all the way!
There's sexual tension bubbling between them and Colin finds out how much of a rigid and uptight guy he is. He needs to get to his charity event, as it means so much to the ongoing running of his business. Will he make it in time?
Lexy is a great writer and I always picture myself in the characters shoes. I recommend reading her books.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
May 28, 2022
Another delightful romance from Lexy Timms
Stoic, holiday hating self made billionaire Tech Colin Murphy is flying commercial to Minneapolis, Minnesota for an important investor meeting and charity event Christmas week when the plane makes an unscheduled landing in Wichita, Kansas because of a snowstorm. Dreading the 10 hour drive ahead if him he meets a dynamo going by the name Abby Hollis at the car rental booth. Her credit cards are being denied but it doesn't matter because he has just rented the last car available. Since she lives in a small town on the road to Minneapolis he begrudgingly lets her ride along. Depending on who you're rooting for Christmas is about to change for each.
Stoic, holiday hating self made billionaire Tech Colin Murphy is flying commercial to Minneapolis, Minnesota for an important investor meeting and charity event Christmas week when the plane makes an unscheduled landing in Wichita, Kansas because of a snowstorm. Dreading the 10 hour drive ahead if him he meets a dynamo going by the name Abby Hollis at the car rental booth. Her credit cards are being denied but it doesn't matter because he has just rented the last car available. Since she lives in a small town on the road to Minneapolis he begrudgingly lets her ride along. Depending on who you're rooting for Christmas is about to change for each.
October 28, 2023
I'm a Hallmark Christmas kind of gal, so I was set to love this. But every single thing just missed the mark for me.
I finished this book out of sheer determination, but the storyline was mediocre and the sex scenes we absolutely terrible. For example:
"I could feel my arousal spilling onto his pelvis with each thrust into my body."
"I saw his pelvis glistening with the evidence of our passion"
"her legs were growing taut, and her bosom was aching into my hands"
Seriously, this is worse than those old Mills and Boon books my nana used to have. I'm sorry but in no way is pelvis and bosom sexy. I'm sure even in Amish romance books they say breasts.
Also, Abbie lacked any form of substance.
Okay, rant over.
I finished this book out of sheer determination, but the storyline was mediocre and the sex scenes we absolutely terrible. For example:
"I could feel my arousal spilling onto his pelvis with each thrust into my body."
"I saw his pelvis glistening with the evidence of our passion"
"her legs were growing taut, and her bosom was aching into my hands"
Seriously, this is worse than those old Mills and Boon books my nana used to have. I'm sorry but in no way is pelvis and bosom sexy. I'm sure even in Amish romance books they say breasts.
Also, Abbie lacked any form of substance.
Okay, rant over.
April 6, 2018
Sometimes you're on holidays and you have nothing better to do by the pool but to hate-read romance novels. This was one of those times. Why are the characters so unlikeable? They're so unlikeable that they even do not like each other.
It seems impossible that these two were placed into the same book, universe or pairing. They're polar opposites and I cannot feasibly imagine these two having the rest of their lives hating on their respective follies.
But that is not much coming from me, because I spent 4 hours reading this. Consensually. Ugh.
It seems impossible that these two were placed into the same book, universe or pairing. They're polar opposites and I cannot feasibly imagine these two having the rest of their lives hating on their respective follies.
But that is not much coming from me, because I spent 4 hours reading this. Consensually. Ugh.
December 26, 2018
Sexiness makes up for this Scrooge's stubbornness
Driving Home for Christmas by Lexy Timms was a wild emotional ride. Colin and his sexy self is very much Grinch and Scrooge-like and it's a wonder that he and Abby were able to get along at all let alone explore their sexual chemistry.
I really enjoyed this book, Colin and Abby's stories and despite how very opposite they were, they still influenced one another for the better. It seemed to me that just made the HEA even sweeter. I will definetely be checking out Book 2 The Valentine Getaway very soon too.
Driving Home for Christmas by Lexy Timms was a wild emotional ride. Colin and his sexy self is very much Grinch and Scrooge-like and it's a wonder that he and Abby were able to get along at all let alone explore their sexual chemistry.
I really enjoyed this book, Colin and Abby's stories and despite how very opposite they were, they still influenced one another for the better. It seemed to me that just made the HEA even sweeter. I will definetely be checking out Book 2 The Valentine Getaway very soon too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews