Shopping for a Baby's First Christmas

Shopping for a Billionaire #15

by Julia Kent

My mother wants all her kids and grandkids to spend Christmas Eve at her house and wake up on Christmas morning together.

Sounds reasonable, right?

And it would be.

If it weren’t my mother.

My husband, Declan, is protesting any involvement, though he’s openly intrigued by the idea of claiming his territory by having sex in my childhood bed.

And by intrigued, I mean a series of really hot suggestions that make me whimper when I have to say no.

Wait–why am I saying no, again?

Mom has turned her house into a Christmas showcase that makes Frankenmuth look like the picked-over clearance rack at Target on December 26. You know those crazy people on Etsy who make felted gnomes out of belly-button lint and use… a certain kind of hair… to make thatched roofs on little decorative elf homes?

Those people are saner than my mother.

There is no force of nature stronger–or more emotionally volatile–than a fifty-something grandmother determined to create holiday memories.

Wait a minute. Maybe there is.

My husband.



Listen to the audiobook as well, narrated by Audie award winner Tanya Eby!

Genres: Romance, Holiday, Christmas, Audiobook, Contemporary, Rom Com, Amazon

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2018

About the author

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 5 New York Times bestsellers and more than 21 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, with more titles releasing in the future.

From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men's room toilet (and he isn't a billionaire in a rom com).

She also writes romantic suspense as Meli Raine, sexy shifter romances as DJ Jennings, billionaire shifters as half of the author team Diana Seere, and co-authors with Elisa Reed.

She lives in New England with her husband and three children in a household where she is the only person with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.

She loves to hear from her readers by:

Email at jkentauthor@gmail.com

Twitter @jkentauthor

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jkentauthor

Instagram @jkentauthor

Visit her at http://jkentauthor.com

FORTHCOMING:


Love You Again (Love You, Maine, #2), July 19, 2022

Ten First Kisses (anthology with my story, Shopping for a Booty Call), August 12, 2022

Love You More (Love You, Maine, #3), October 11, 2022

Love You Now (Love You, Maine, #4), January 3, 2023


Author photo credit: Felix Rust http://www.felixrust.com

Reviews

[Julia Kent]

Shannon is forced to drag her baby daughter and her billionaire husband to her childhood home — but the holiday brings a series of hilarious misadventures…

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[Melanie THEE Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way I started this book before realizing it was part of a series 🤦🏽‍♀️ It was still enjoyable though 😂

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be my favorite in the series! Maybe it's because the characters have all hit their strides or maybe because I'm a nut for Christmas, but I really enjoyed the audio.
In this installment, Granny wants Santa to come to her house, so she asks all the grandkids to spend Christmas Eve night. Its brilliant! How else will the big guy still find your house when the kids are grown!
Granny has undergone some personality adjustments and is trying to be less frantic. She only slips a few times but her ever patient husband reels her in.
Meanwhile our main love interests are settling into parenthood. How to give your kids the best Christmas ever and make memories to last through their own frantic holidays where they will torture their families in turn. That's what traditions are for, after all.

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon+Declan Celebrate Their Baby's 1st Christmas!!
Of course its Filled with Fun & Chaos😍.
DEVOURED this in 4hrs❤.
(Story's told from Shannon's PoV.)

It's so cute to see Shannon & Declan parenting! They've Their Vulnerable moments but are a pro team *Happy Tears*. Baby Ellie is 7 months old now!

AND, Marie(Shannon's mom) wants all her grandkids On Christmas with her. After all, Firsts are Special and It's Ellie's 1st Christmas❤.
Declan obviously objects (at Start), but he should know better after 5yrs with'em.. Family is family😅. The Christmas Eve's relatively normal with the usual Crazy, The Christmas Day started out *FUN* Great too..
BUT, with a Snow-Storm Rolling in..Chaos Comes!! *HOLY SHIT*

Coffee Depravation, Gifts, Emotionally overwhelmed, Surprise Visits, Chuckles (the cat) vs Chuffy (The pup), Tree Fire *oh shit*.
We see all the shopping gang here (Even Hamish & James!), And I was thinking if S+D meet Andrew+Amanda, it'll be perfect!

And when S+D move to go home (It's Best for the baby!), They've to Re-route AND Go to Amanda+Andrew's home (Pam-Amanda's mom's there too!)
So yup, Perfect!
Shannon+Declan finally have Christmas Peace *wink*.

Then, Amanda & Andrew announces... They're Pregnant. With Twins!
Omg, this wasn't A Christmas Shannon & Declan imagined as Ellie's 1st, but this was sooo memorable *Chuckle*.

P.s. I'm so glad that Amanda+Andrew's baby book is releasing tomorrow!!

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to know more about Ellie.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light of heaven, I hurt. My eyes are teary, my throat’s scratchy, my ribs ache, and my abs make my every move agony. I haven’t laughed that hard since I read the last Shopping series book. As anyone who’s read any book in the series can attest, when any event involves Marie (and especially Chuckles), the worst that can happen will. This means we get to witness a slapstick comedy Christmas. Including, but not limited to, a pet rodeo, visits with emergency services, and Declan and Andrew trying to outdo one another. And amid all that hilarity are some beautiful, poignant moments about family, Christmases past, and loved ones who are no longer with us. The set up for what’s coming next in the series has me sweating with both anticipation and pure terror.

[Booked & Busy Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Kent is full of holiday love and laughter with her newest release, Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas! I don’t even know where to start with this review because this book was everything!! I love the “Shopping With” series and this book was so much fun! Life has changed for Declan and Shannon in more ways than one and it was great to see them both coming into their own with baby Ellie and her first Christmas. Throw in hilarious family members, matching jammies and a winter ice storm and you have the recipe for one great time (not that Declan agrees…). Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas was just what I needed to start off my holiday season!

[Stephanie Villere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Shopping For A Baby’s First Christmas, book 15 of Julia Kent’s amazing Shopping For A Billionaire series. We have been with Shannon and Declan from the very beginning, since she had her whole arm down a public toilet all the way through to their little girls very first Christmas. Of course it won’t be a normal holiday...that is never possible with this couple and their extended family! Add in the pets, an ice storm and....and.... you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, so buy them and read the whole series! You will only be sorry that you hadn’t done it sooner!!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shannon's mom is still really crazy!!

I don't know why they didn't try and talk everyone into coming to their apartment vs going to Marie's house. It's just one cluster after another in this story. But a fun read none the less.

I'm excited to see what more is to come from this series but I'd love to see a Amy and Hamish story!! The tension between the two is off the charts!

[Cali Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So in love with this crazy couple and their over the top family.... Loved this holiday visit and was so thrilled with this awesome emotional roller-coaster of a first Christmas.... Funny, engaging, sexy, sweet, thrilling, heartwarming, passionate this holiday family get together has it all and so much more.... Loved it!!!

[Emily Seelye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious as always.

[belle ☆ﾐ (thisbellereadstoo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

actual rating: 3.5 stars

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turns out reading 9 books about a couple makes you attached

[Jammie Bebout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can soooo relate to this book. With your first child, and in my case my only child, every first is absolutely monumental… especially your baby’s first Christmas. You want it to be so perfect, the kind of moment Norman Rockwell would have captured. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I did not get many Norman Rockwell moments with my child. My experiences were much more along the lines of Shannon’s… with the exception of sharing them with a husband who is a God among men. This book made me laugh, sigh, sometimes cringe, and also fondly remember all of the chaos of baby’s first Christmas. The only exception to that would be the poopsplosions. My memories of those are anything but fond. In fact, those moments in the book actually made me grateful to be the parent of a now teenaged boy. That doesn’t happen too often these days, so thank you for that Julia Kent. I can’t imagine any parent not completely loving this book. I can’t imagine any non-parent not completely loving this book, actually. This entire Shopping series has been a total joy to read, and this book is certainly no exception. Honestly, I just can’t recommend it highly enough. I hope Julia Kent never runs out of ideas for these crazy, lovable characters.

*I was given an ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review. All opinions are my own.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shopping for a baby’s first Christmas, the fifteenth book in this series, is your typical Julia Kent SFAB story – a chaotic conglomeration of events involving a Jacoby family celebration.

It all begins with Shannon and Declan agreeing to take Ellie and Chuckles to spend the night on Christmas Eve at Jason and Marie’s so they can continue a Jacoby family tradition and wake up on Christmas morning with the rest of Shannon’s family for Ellie’s first Christmas. Within 180 pages we read about everything from matching pajamas to unfulfilled sexual desires to unwanted gifts to surprise guests to Shannon’s usual over analyzing everything and the inevitable disasters that always seem to be present when the Jacoby’s are around.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt let down. There was something missing from this story that I haven’t been able to put my finger on, but I didn’t feel the emotions that I usually feel when I enter the world of Shannon and Declan. If this was my only concern I would have given this 4 stars, but this Shopping book does the one unforgivable thing guaranteed to disappoint me in any book (and lose 2 stars); this is a story about Shannon AND Declan’s first Christmas with Ellie, but we only get Shannon’s POV (which I didn’t see mentioned anywhere). I thought that we were past the singular POV in this series. :(

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love this series, Julia Kent had me as a fan with book 1! She does it again in this book number 15 in the series. This is baby Ellie's first Christmas and it should be perfect right...not...have you met the McCormick and Jacoby families? If not why not? You do not know what you are missing! This book has everything, laughter to the point of tears, sighs, sexy moments, gasps and oh no that did not happen! We see our normal cast of family members Marie, Amy, Shannon, Declan, James, Hamish, Carol and her boys Jeffrey and Tyler, of course Chuckles the cat! We also get a little Andrew and Amanda. Ellie is so perfect even with diaper explosions! Marie (Shannon's mom) is up to her old tricks- man are her antics funny to the point of tears funny. Declan is willinly thrust into this family because of his love for Shannon, but even he gets overwhelmed. The Jacoby/McCormick family Christmas is perfect except for a snow/ice storm, no power, a small fire ( thanks Chuckles) and boys and girls matching pajamas. This book has an ending that I did not expect but it makes me want more of this family. I want to thank Julia Kent for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance of its release.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

By this point, I was sick of these people - starting with Marie and ending with Amanda.

Side note: And of course, at this point, the author had to put in her political ideas - transgender birth certificate and health insurance, toxic masculinity, and gender inequality... if I wanted to hear about that, I would watch CNN

the only reason I listened to BOOK 15 is that I felt that the "baby's story" was very important for those that met Shannon and Declan as Toilet Girl and Hot Guy. And while there were a lot of LOL moments, there was also so much redundancy that there was also a lot of eye-rolling.

Marie is only slightly better but Shannon's response to and her expectation of Declan's response has gotten old. I understand that she is your mother but damn girl she is too much in your marriage.

I really love Declan's father and Amanda's mom... I was hoping to see them start a relationship.

But the end... the end is what let me know that this "is the end friend"... Andrew and Declan have been rivals all of their lives but Amanda's smug look to her best friend at the announcement left a bad taste... I actually had an issue with her when she first went off on Shannon about "how perfect her life was" and then tried to justify it.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilariously funny; a joy to read

Okay, I’m just going to come out and say it—this is my first book by Julia Kent *cringes*. I know, I know, why did I wait so long? Believe me, I’m asking myself the same thing. But I can say that as much as I loved this as a standalone (and it worked really well for me read that way), I’m sure long-time fans will love it even more.

I loved the banter between Shannon and Declan and the story felt very grounded, which just made those funny moments more hilarious. From the realities of trying to have an intimate relationship with your partner with a baby in the house, to dealing with families and all the emotional baggage of the holidays, the humor was spot on without going overboard.

There were plenty of great secondary characters, from baby Ellie herself, to parents, siblings and assorted other relatives, friends and acquaintances, all adding their own twist to the story, whether those moments were funny, sweet or touching. And of course, Declan and Shannon managed to sneak a little bit of steam in there as well.

A hilariously funny holiday story that was a joy to read. 5+ stars

B2B Kelly

[Sue Ouellet-Cofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

You would think after 15 books in a series that it would get old...but let me tell you this series NEVER gets old. Julia Kent has a way of bringing us not only the levity that we so appreciate in all of her books (if you are feeling down or even if you just need a good laugh -- her books will bring that to you and then some), she also is bring us into this family's lives complete with love, laughter, tears and chaos. It is always fun to read the places you know and have been to "locally", picturing the drive they take to get from point A to point B. The competition between the brothers, the crazy factory that is Marie and the ability of Shannon and Amanda to create a situation that defies explanation is what Julia does best. But my favorite part of this story (besides the cute Ellie) is Declan. The depth of feelings that we are seeing from him is complete gold to me and his quick wit has me wanting to marry him too lol. Way too many funny moments to describe but Chuckles plays in part in one of my favorites :)

[A. Anderson Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Shannon and Declan!!! When you add in baby Ellie, and I am in love!!! This addition to the Shopping series was very Jacoby-sentric which is a great thing! As much as I love reading about all of the luxuries of billionaire life, it was nice to revisit the home that raised Shannon. It was also very nice to see how Shannon and Declan are really couping as parents. Oh and then there is Marie!!! Marie is her usual crazy, over the top self... But you also get to see why Jason is so in love with her and has stayed with her for all of these years. It is beautiful to watch these characters grow up and develop. Also, it wouldn’t be a Shannon and Declan book if there wasn’t some catastrophic event... In the case of Baby’s 1st Christmas, it is every parent and pet owners worse nightmare! I shuttered as I read what happened (no spoilers) and went and checked my own Christmas tree! Overall I can’t wait for the next installment as Julia set us up for a big one!!!!




I received an advanced reader copy for my honest review.

[Closet Romance Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by Julia Kent. Shopping For A Baby’s First Christmas was the 15th book in Julia’s Shopping For A Billionaire Series. I was a little worried that I would not understand what was going on, but it turned out fine. There were a few spots that I felt I would have benefitted from reading the previous books but like I said, it all worked out. It was a quick, fun, festive read!

Who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the house they grew up in? Building family memories was the only thing on Shannon’s Mom had in mind when she invited everyone to spend the night!

Christmas Eve started out crazy and by Christmas morning it was way past “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”. Will anyone be able to survive??

Declan didn’t want to be a part of it from the beginning. Will he be able to convince Shannon it was time to go or will they be stuck there to witness the insanity?

If you have any doubt in Murphy’s Law, read this book 😂 If it could go wrong, it did! I couldn’t even imagine being able to keep my cool after all that!!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a totally stellar cast, Julia Kent beings us a completely insane, ridiculous, wonderful, hilarious Christmas adventure, which has had me laughing out loud and planning a repeat date with Shannon, Declan, Ellie and the clan asap!
Julia Kent posses a fantastic gift of incredibly witty, comedic writing which is written with huge confidence and flair.
I have highlighted the living daylights out of this book so it is virtually impossible to pick quotes, but here's one which caused a coffee spitting response..Declan and Shannon at Shannon's family home, Christmas Eve:
"I'd rather go naked."
"You do know that 'chestnuts roasting on an open fire' is a line from a song and not a family tradition, right?"
Oh my god, I'm laughing again, thankfully without coffee volcanoes this time!!!
And for all you poultry lovers out there, a chicken is, albeit briefly, mentioned.
Make your Christmas a total joy and add this to your collection immediately!

[Busybeth76 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing better than the holidays

Shannon and Declan have been love at first sight since he found her with her hand down the men's toilet. (It's a long, hilarious story). Despite his being a billionaire their journey together has had myriad and crazy adventures, poignant, funny and touching. Their latest adventure is parenthood, and they may have found the niche that is meant for them. Even though their family and friends continue to create whacky (yet loving) circumstances they must ply their way through, they do it well, and together. Declan, the terrific husband, is also a caring and protective dad. Shannon, the ultimate nurturer, is new to the mom game, but a true natural. Faced with memories of Christmas past, presented with the crazy Christmas present, they are nothing but ready for all their Christmas futures, together. Terrific story of life with young children, unpredictable family and Christmas.

[Nickie Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarity ensues again!

Now that Ellie, Shannon and Declan’s baby is 7 months old, Marie (aka Shannon’s crazy mother), wants everyone to spend Christmas Eve at her house. Declan of course is fighting this with everything he’s got, but we all know it’s not going to work. I mean, what could go wrong. EVERYTHING! Because it’s my mother we are talking about! Also, now that Declan has set his mind to having sex in my childhood bedroom, he’s onboard.
Everything is going to be fine, then my mother brings out matching footie pajamas for all, which Declan refuses to wear for about ten minutes. That’s only the beginning!
Then an ice storm hits, Chuckles tips over the Christmas tree and it catches fire when it hits a candle, the fire department shows up, they lose power. Declan is losing it! What else can happen!
Tune in for another hilarious book in this series, you won’t regret it!

[~Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think of your craziest family Christmas and multiple it by five. I laughed, I snorted, I spewed my coffee .... I loved it.

This is my family! Well, not my family, names have been changed, location is different, but the pure craziness, yep, my family. I have Christmas stories to tell!

The whole family gets together for Christmas. It’s the first Christmas for Shannon and Declan’s daughter’s so everyone wants to be present. Shannon’s parents host and plan to have everyone spend the night on Christmas Eve. It’ll make for a much more exciting Christmas morning they said .... we’ll stay up late and get up early. It will be fun!

Everything starts out perfect, but then begins to go south. An ice storm moves in, the Christmas tree catches on fire, Declan’s dad and cousin show up as well as two elderly neighbors, electricity goes out due to falling trees and the cat climbs up Dec’s leg .... let’s not discuss the damage as the cat continues to climb higher!!!

Ahhhh, family!

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon has managed to convince Declan that their daughter Ellie needs to spend her first Christmas surrounded by family. After all Shannon’s entire family wants to be together to see Ellie experience so many firsts and we know that Shannon’s mother, Marie, will plan an low key family affair, right?

What ensues is a holiday filled for fun, giggles and mayhem unlike any other. This wild and wacky family could never do anything ordinary and this holiday is now exception.

The love between Shannon and Declan has only grown stronger with the addition of their daughter and it is always fun to catch up with the entire clan. Humorous banter, hot chemistry and family ties will be sure to put you in the holiday mood. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Jennifer Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Shannon & Declan 15 books ago and I love that Julia keeps bringing them back to share more of them with us! In the beginning of this great book we see Shannon & Declan as parents to their precious 7 month old daughter, Ellie! Promising to spend Christmas with the Jacoby family may push Declan over the edge! His crazy mother-in-law Marie has out done herself with matching pajamas, lighting the never before Christmas candles, and continuing to annoy poor Chuckles! Julia has done a wonderful job growing these characters in every book she has created in this series! Julia makes me laugh out loud every time I open one of her books! Shannon & Declan have become friends of mine and I love reading their stories! I highly recommend this book and every book in their Shopping series and every other book written by Julia Kent!

[Bibliophile Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how much I have loved this series!

To see the life changes in the Jacoby and McCormick families is fantastic!!
This is Ellie's first Christmas and only Ms. Kent can make the holiday a catastrophic hilarity!

You get to see all the major players in her past Shopping series make an appearance.

Just when you think Declan can't get any more swoony...he just does!

You get to see Shannon embrace motherhood in her own special way.

You get a lovely little holiday treat. You get so much funny, so much love and so much family that it just oozes from the pages!

If you are looking for a holiday treat, get your hands on this! Get you hands on ALL of the shopping series! Ask Santa for them!

Julia Kent is the queen of laugh out loud romantic comedy!!!!


[Nancy Lovallo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Julia Kent. Her books are always fun but, I had a big problem with Declan in this book. He was so selfish and didn’t really care about Shannon and her families feelings. The synopsis for this book is totally wrong.
Shannon wanted to spend her first Christmas with her daughter Elly with her family. The whole time Declan had a bug up his butt. On Christmas morning he wined that they didn’t have an espresso machine. The town had a horrible ice storm the roads were terrible and shouldn’t be driven out. But, still he wined he wanted to leave. Shannon’s father is doing his best to keep the house safe & warm and instead of helping him Declan just stood there complaining he wanted to leave.
Very disappointed in this book

[Melanie Milburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! My! I literally just finished! I read it straight through—couldn’t put it down. What a Jacobyian Christmas! So much insight into Declan’s family dynamic and the ongoing evolution of Shannon and his relationship and their family. Lovely appearances by most of the usual suspects. So much chaos, with Marie there always is, but also so much love. Baby Ellie is delightful and Chuckles as maniacal as always. He really gets his own against Marie. Also so many touching moments as the torch is passed on and Shannon comes to see Christmas as a mother for the first time. I voluntarily reviewed this Advance Reader Copy.