La torta di Natale

by Celia Aaron, Katia Rabacchi (Translator)

Ezra Grayson vive nella sua enorme villa e spadroneggia su Brooktown.
Possiede tutto, tranne lei.

Adeline Bishop è proprietaria della Pasticceria Bishop, una delle ultime attività nella cittadina a non appartenere a Grayson. Per cinque anni, ha continuato a inviare le sue famose torte di Natale al misterioso signor Grayson e, nel contempo, ha sempre rifiutato ogni sua offerta di acquisto della pasticceria.
La torta consegnata quest’anno porta la loro faida a un punto cruciale. Ezra decide di affrontare Adeline, ma non si sarebbe mai aspettato che la formosa pasticciera fosse così dolce.
Quando il cattivo incontrerà la brava ragazza, chi avrà ciò che si merita?

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Contemporary, Holiday, Novella, Anthologies, M F Romance

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 28, 2018

About the author

Celia Aaron is a recovering attorney and USA Today bestselling author. Upstart crow. Cat person. Thanks for reading.

Sign up for my newsletter at celiaaaron.com to get information on new releases. (I would never spam you or sell your info, just send you book news and goodies sometimes). ;)

You can find me on:
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Instagram: celia_aaron

Reviews

[Alex ☣ Deranged KittyCat ☣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is your typical short, quick, smutty read: they meet, they are get horny for one another, they have hot sex, and they live happily ever after (I couldn't call the HEA a spoiler. You all know what you're getting, right?).

My first experience with Celia Aaron was an unpleasant one (I DNF Counsellor - too much for my taste). And I'm glad I gave her a second chance. Because she can be nice, sweet and loving. And that's just what I was looking for right now. That, with a Christmasy flavor.

P.S. I just love reads without cheating.

[Melody Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Christmas Cake' is the first book I've read by author, Celia Aaron, but it certainly won't be the last. I loved every minute of it and couldn't put it down finishing it in one sitting and sad when it came to an end. I could have read about this couple for many hours.

This story is about Ezra, a 30 yrs old (approximately) wealthy and gorgeous recluse, and Adeline, 25 yrs old curvy and beautiful owner of the local bakery. They have yet to meet although Adeline has been in contact with Ezra's attorney for years. Ezra is determined to run her out of business no matter what it takes. Ezra grew up poor and after his parents' death he moved back to his hometown after he made it big - determined to put them all in their place for making fun of him and his family because they were poor and wore second hand clothes. He just had to get that bakery out of Adeline's hands so he could own the whole city but more than that he precieved her to be his enemy because of something horrible her father did to his family. You know the saying, like father like daughter and this is what he believed. Addie tried to bring cheer to the whole town with her sweet treats so since opening her bakery five years earlier she began sending the awful Ezra a cake each Christmas as an olive branch. Unfortunately Ezra thought she was making fun of him and would destroy the cake as soon as he received it. He was tired of waiting on his attorney to get her to sell so he decided he would take a trip to the town bakery and speak with her himself. Is he in for a shock when he sees the curvy beauty who seems as sweet as her cakes and pastries. Surely it was fake because he was certain she was evil. She had to be if her father was, right?

Because of what happened in his youth, the bullying and the financial downfall of his family he developed some obsessive compulsive behaviors. He didn't go out in public because he couldn't fathom touching anything since he suffered from germaphobia. He chronically washed his hands and wouldn't eat away from home because who knew what kinds of germs and diseases would be lurking in his food. What if the employees forgot to wash their hands? I think this portrayal of Ezra and the germaphobia was quite accurate with what I know about it. He was damaged in childhood, not by his parents but by bullies and the city folk who looked down on his poor family not only calling them poor but dirty, as well, and he was anything but. Then they had a tragic thing happened and lost everything at the hands of one person.

I must say I also like the side characters. They were a lot of fun and they all had such a great friendship!

I highly recommend this book. I loved it and it was just what I needed!

Safe Book
1) Both celibate for many years, the hero for ten.
2) No OW/OM drama. (See Below)
3) Hero was not a man-whore that I'm aware of since he had been celibate since he was twenty.
Heroine had not been with a man in so long she couldn't remember.
4) There is another man who wants Adeline but she feels nothing for him although I have to give him E for effort. So there was a little drama but she felt nothing but friendship for him.

[✰ Liz ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Forgiveness sure is beautiful.”

Christmas Cake is a sweet holiday novella about the town's American Sweetheart who owns a bakery and the business mogul who has been buying up every piece of the town. Ezra Grayson has many phobias and has managed to complete his business from the privacy of his home. When Adeline Bishop refuses to sell her bakery, he decides to go out into the town and go undercover in order to get to know her in person. He never expected to fall in love with her and as a connection is quickly formed between the two, Ezra must work fast to earn her trust before she finds out the truth!

Told in dual POV, Christmas Cake is a sweet read that will certainly warm your heart and usher in the Christmas spirit! In true Aaron style, there is plenty of smoking hot steam and sweet romance. Overall, I highly recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys a tender romance!

For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 where is my epilogue stars

This would have been at least a 4 star read if we weren't gyped of an epilogue. I was so disappointed at how it just ended.

-no cheating
-no violence
-no epilogue

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

This short story finishes at 37% .
Book appears to contain 3 other short stories A Cowboy for Christmas, Christmas Candy and A Stepbrother for Christmas.
I want to state that I only read the first one.
Boring, mediocre and unoriginal (boy do I need a dose of Christmas spirit).
Sorry to be the grinch but I didn't enjoy it very much.

[Carlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, smutty, and unique, at least in terms of Christmas stories, Celia Aaron has created a fun, must read Holiday Collection, starting with the fun story titled Christmas Cake. Ezra is all hard lines, angry mood, and money hungry. Adeline is charming, sweet, the town's philanthropic baker. They're enemies, with Adeline refusing to sell her business to the supposed old, grumpy man, but a chance meeting and a few secrets leave the two pining for each other. With Christmas cakes, of course, lots of kissing, and a demanding man turned charming, Celia Aaron takes readers on a journey that's both classically Christmas and still totally Celia.

There's three more stories tacked onto the collection, too. So, if you haven't read all of Celia Aaron's books like I have, this collection is sure to be a treat for you.

More reviews can be found at Carlene Inspired.

[SB*needs low angst books* · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this was ok but never fully invested in it and the ohe second story with the cowboy was the same but the Christmas candy one killed everything previous.

This is my review for the Christmas candy book that was in this collection and why I ended up just hating the whole book
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Celia Aaron]

Get your slice of Christmas Cake now!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PbKO0j

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
"She smelled like sugar and vanilla, a sweet treat waiting to be devoured."

I'll keep this review like this novella: short and sweet.
If you are looking for a lovely story to put you in the right mood for Christmas, this is the one!
The characters are easy to love, with flaws and quirks that make them feel real.
And it's truly adorable how the author turned a scrooge like character into a fan of the Christmas spirit. With a great combination of fun, seriousness and Christmas feeling you will fall in love with Ezra and Adeline.

Christmas Cake has all the right ingredients: a hint of sugar, a spoon of naughty, a cup of Christmas spirit and a shot of feelings. So treat yourself with something hot and sweet.

"That's what she does to me - turns off the malfunctioning parts and lights up the good ones."

[Mamacita aka MawMaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 "Just Hit the Spot" Stars

Pssstt...
Lookin for a Holiday Treat? Look no further! Christmas Cake is Live today & FREE on KU!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KW58RPD/...



Well... That was Delicious!! I haven't done or even bought a Christmas cake before. My family always does pies... Which I make... For every holiday. But this Little Christmas Cake just the Spot! It was too cute!

I also liked that this story did go exactly as I was expecting! The writing was great & sexy. Just the right amount of heat added to that sugary concoction had me to the end!

Thx Celia for graciously sending me this ARC! Well Done!

[- The Polybrary - · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celia Aaron is a new-to-me author, and I was intrigued by the synopsis of the title story. Then I read the rest, because I'm something of a completionist. *tries to hide the very large stack of unfinished book series behind her*

Christmas Cake

4/5 stars. This was adorable. Short, cute, sexy, and different enough to keep me reading. I love that Adeline was a successful businesswoman - with a bakery! - that didn't take shit from anyone, but she still had a soft, sweet side for people. Of course there was insta-love but this is a novella, so there kind of had to be! The sexy factor is ON POINT in this one too...phew. I liked Ezra, and the fact that while yes he was insanely hot he still had some imperfections (more in personality than appearance, but still).

A Cowboy for Christmas

3/5 stars. This one was just a little too corny for my taste. I guess I'm just not a cowgirl? Or maybe the characters just weren't fleshed out enough for me. Even though they had known each other for a long time, they didn't really know each other (and I don't mean sexually, hehe), and there were a lot of misunderstandings and assumptions they had to clear away. Good, but not as good as the first story. It does have a bit of a mystery that is the catalyst for bringing the main characters together.

Christmas Candy

2.5/5 stars. I eye-rolled pretty hard through this one. The premise is basically that the couple (Olive and Hank) had a crush on each other in high school but neither ever had the courage to speak up. Now as adults, Olive has lost her chubbiness and become a super-hot yoga instructor (Hank swears he was infatuated with her as much then as now but was that really necessary??), and Hank owns a candy store but has the body of an Olympic swimmer.

A Stepbrother for Christmas

2.5/5 stars. Content warning accompanied this one: contains possible triggers for those sensitive to dub-con play. Fair enough. I'd never read anything featuring this sort of relationship, and I guess maybe it's just not for me? But aside from that, I really felt the amount of hate/loathing Anna had for Niles in the beginning disappeared WAY too quickly to be believable, even if they had known each other for years. Maybe I'm just salty and jaded though, too.

Overall 3/5 star rating. Would DEFINITELY recommend the first story for a cute holiday tale, the rest if you're bored and like quick steamy stories. ;)

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[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and quick Christmas read I enjoyed with my candy cane candle burning, feet up and fluffy blanket wrapped round me.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it was disgusting how he lied to her about who he was, and I was very disappointed that he didn't tell her his real identity before having sex. How can you have the woman you're supposedly falling in love with scream out another guy's name during sex?

It's not like he even wanted to tell her his identity. He basically wanted to make her fall in love with some other perfect guy before having to tell her the truth. Being a germaphobic or antisocial does not make him a weak man but his cowardice and deceit certainly do.

[Rhonda Ziglar · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 TASTY TREAT STARS!! Such a sweet and tasty treat to devour from the queen, Celia Aaron. This story is so sweet, but definitely sexy and hot to warm you up. Adeline and Ezra is the perfect story to put me in the Christmas spirit. As always this author can write any genre that sucks you into the story. You definitely want to read this book, so make sure you download it.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soter Sara - per RFS
.
“Avevo scoperto che avrei fatto qualunque cosa per vederla sorridere, e avrei continuato a farlo finché avessi potuto.”

(Tratto dal libro)

Se amate così tanto la magia del Natale da volervene sentire pervasi durante tutto l’anno (anche e soprattutto quando fuori le temperature sono bollenti!), allora non posso che consigliarvi questa dolcissima storia, che trasuda bontà e perdono da ogni pagina!

Ezra è a tutti gli effetti il nostro Scrooge: un giovane e bellissimo uomo orfano, con più soldi di quanti se ne possano spendere in una vita, che evita ogni contatto umano e vive praticamente da recluso nella sua immensa villa, con l’unica compagnia del suo maggiordomo Charles (che ricopre il ruolo quasi di padre putativo alias la sua coscienza!).

Su di lui i pettegolezzi si sprecano, viene tacciato di essere un vecchio avaro e spilorcio, un vero e proprio orco, sebbene ben pochi lo abbiano mai incontrato… l’unica che sembra non curarsi di tale giudizio è proprio la bella pasticciera Adeline, che ogni anno manda a quell’uomo solo e disilluso una torta di Natale… una torta che per Ezra è come uno schiaffo in faccia, lui che nonostante abbia comprato ormai tutta la città, tranne appunto quella piccola, adorata e festosa pasticcieria, non riesce a riempire il vuoto nel suo cuore, né a perdonare e dimenticare un passato doloroso.

Alla quinta torta decide così di affrontare direttamente la dolce Addie,ma entrato belligeramente nel piccolo locale si ritrova a dir poco spiazzato e confuso, di fronte alla cordialità e alla bellezza della ragazza! Il suo calore e la luce che sembra spargere intorno a sé lo attirano come un’ape con il miele e vorrebbe scoprire tutto di lei, passare ancora del tempo al suo fianco, ma sa bene che non sarebbe certo così ben accolto se la sua identità venisse allo scoperto… così, con una piccola bugia comincia questa dolce e romantica storia d’amore.

Nonostante la brevità della novella, la storia è coinvolgente e ben strutturata, Adeline è una protagonista adorabile, dolce, ingenua, che crede sinceramente nel prossimo e nella bontà delle persone, nonostante anche lei abbia avuto dei colpi bassi nella vita, dalle perdite familiari ai problemi economici. La nostra protagonista ha due fedeli amici, Toby e Hannah, sempre pronti ad aiutarla e sostenerla (e, nel caso di Toby, a commentare senza freni qualunque cosa, con grande divertimento!) e nel complesso è la perfetta controparte di Ezra.

Lui è sicuramente il personaggio più intrigante e complesso, dietro il suo isolamento e disprezzo c’è una storia tutta da scoprire, e la sua maturazione da uomo disilluso e cinico a uomo innamorato e pieno di speranza è, seppur veloce, perfettamente costruita e a tratti commovente. Il suo bisogno di perdono e riscatto lo porterà a fare degli errori, ma saprà farsi perdonare…

Una chicca: l’autrice ci regala una piccola ma assai gradita scena extra in cui si svela un piccolo mistero! Sono curiosa di leggere altro di Celia Aaron, perché la sua “torta di Natale”, pomo della discordia e allo stesso tempo dolce cupido, mi ha conquistata al primo morso!

[Elysian Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hallmark Movie in Book Form

What is the holiday season without an amazing, sweet, fun filled holiday read? This story is just that. Filled with holiday cheer, a hot Scrooge, a sweet baker and a heart warming plot; this story is sure to become a holiday classic.

I loved Ezra and Adeline; their love story is what loves stories should be. Bold and sweet with a touch of heartbreak, the story leaves such sweetness on the palette. The story is one of love and redemption, non judgement, wonderful bakes and characters that will have any reader coming back for more. I could not have wanted anything more from this book.

If you get the chance to wrap up next to a roaring fire, have some hot cocoa and read this book, then you are guaranteed an amazing day. Pure Christmas Perfection. A new Christmas favorite for me! I had the extreme pleasure of reading this ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storia carina a tema natalizio, con una dose massiccia di melassa.
Un instant love che non mi ha disturbato perché, data la brevità del romanzo, era perfettamente incastonato nella trama: un ingranaggio ben oliato. D'altronde non potevano prendersela tanto comoda in una manciata di pagine! :D
L'unica pecca (ma è un mio problema): le scene di sesso dettagliate. Sono del parere che il brivido erotico arriva anche senza scendere in particolari, soprattutto anatomici.
3 stelle e 1/2

[Misty Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily the best Christmas themed book I have ever read, EASILY.

The characters are so incredibly lovable and endearing, the plot was so spot on perfect for Christmas. A Scrooge that finds his Christmas cheer in a sweet baker. I had goosebumps and even shed a tear. So heartfelt and warming but wait. It’s a Celia Aaron book so don’t worry, your cockles get toasty too. 😏😏

5 Christmas Stars

[aqsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

cheesy, corny but cute lol.

[Amanda Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this story! One sitting and I couldn’t put it down. It was the perfect holiday novella for a cold night in my opinion. The characters were so lovable and perfectly flawed with their quirks. There were moments that had my stomach in knots and my heart in my throat with this storyline. I’ll definitely be rereading this book and I wish it was longer! I could definitely read more of these characters.

[Splendora Marinozzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/4 Una bella novella natalizia, forse un pochino troppo precipitosa ma nel suo insieme molto carina.

[Giulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

novella molto piacevole, certo rimane breve e veloce ma è appunto una novella 😊

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quando parti con aspettative bassissime e vieni piacevolmente sorpresa!
Ero alla ricerca di un racconto breve a tema natalizio per soddisfare delle task in una challenge e l'occhio mi è caduto su questo libro che prendeva polvere nel kindle.
Mr Ezra Grayson è un imprenditore taccagno, germofobico e misogino con un unico obiettivo: comprare tutti i negozi di Brooktown, la sua città natale. La sua campagna sta procedendo molto bene, infatti possiede quasi tutti i negozi sulla Main Street. Ma ce ne è uno che ormai da cinque anni resiste alle sue offerte e ai suoi tentativi di sabotaggio.
E' la pasticceria di Adeline Bishop, una giovane donna che crea torte deliziose.
Ma quello che muove maggiormente il risentimento di Ezra è che Addie è la figlia dell'ormai defunto sindaco Bishop, colui che ha distrutto i sogni dei genitori di Ezra.

Determinato a conoscere la sua nemica, Ezra, che non esce mai di casa, infatti nessuno lo ha mai visto, si reca alla pasticceria.
Ma qui rimane come folgorato da Addie, una ragazza bella e dolce, che colpisce dritto al cuore Ezra a tal punto da fargli scordare la presenza dei germi e la sua fobia del contatto con altre persone.
Ezra non può presentarsi col suo vero nome e perciò mente spacciandosi per Eli Blackstone.
I due iniziano a frequentarsi e ne nasce una bella storia.
Ma le bugie e le menzogne prima o poi vengono scoperte. Riuscirà Ezra a farsi perdonare?

Io ho adorato Ezra e la sua fobia da contatto. Quando vede una mano da stringere pensa subito ai germi che ci sono sopra! Sempre in giro con le salviettine umidificate e appena può corre a lavarsi le mani!
Ma Addie è una boccata di aria fresca per lui. Ecco forse non mi ha convinto in pieno questo cambiamento in Ezra che dalla fobia dei germi passa molto velocemente a scambiarsi fluidi corporei con Addie.
Il libro è breve ma scritto molto bene, scorrevole. Ti fa entrare in quella magia natalizia del "tutto può succedere".
Leggerò sicuramente altro dell'autrice

[LWM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriously sweet...

Simply put, this writer writes sweet romances that have mild to slighted heated squabbles between our protagonists. She always makes the male hero so gorgeous and near perfect with chiseled six or eight pack abs, drool-worthy pecs, and a monster d**k in an over-six-feet body of a demi-god while our heroine is usually pretty, very nice, gifted in some artistic way, and clever, and always extremely curvy (never thin or lacking a generous handful of curves).

I have read some of her other books, and the characters all had the same "type." One pet peeve I have ( aside from the typed characters) is how every story has no real happy-ever-after in the sense we don't get to read how the characters' future pans out - do they have children? Travel? Fight? We were given the answer to Addie's question about the new business; however, we don't get to see them marry or move forward as a couple in their home town. Still, a sweet love story with hot and sweaty sexy times. For a recluse, Ezra sure had some smooth moves, but since they seemed to have been destined, it wasn't surprising they were so well matched in bed.

All in all, good story despite the lack of an outstandingly satisfying epilogue. Three stars.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

i've read Celia's Acquisition Series (wait, i mean i listened on Audible ...so much better on their ... these reads are so detailed u need to listen ...or u might miss something??!) read Blackwood ...wait was that an Audible or regular read? gotta check ... any ways the point being I really enjoy Celia's writing style ...she is awesome!! so i saw that she had a Christmas read ... hello!! Beth loves Christmas (and yes, i talk about myself in the 3rd person all the time, i mean why not??!) I appreciate her take on doing something Christmas-y!! such sugar and spice ... will really liven up your holidays season. must read for sure!! check out that cover 2... so fun!

[Ｋａｔｅ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My last book for my 2019 “holiday smut binge” and it had a little of everything I was looking for.

You got your sexy-hot but grumpy dude, with more money than compassion, whose walls are up for a reason falling for a cute, accomplished curvy girl whose sweetness and kind heart start to make the guy pull his head outta his arse at first sight.

Baked treats with plenty of icing, holiday lights and festive decorations abound as these two find their path - with a big ole hitch along the way - to their HEA.

Solid supporting cast and two eps.

[Kate Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just what I needed to get me in the holiday spirit! I love the intensity of the connection between Ezra and Adeline but the supporting characters really bring this home for me. I felt that Ezra and Charles had a Bruce Wayne and Alfred relationship, I was just waiting for Ezra to go off into the bat cave. And I absolutely loved the small town shenanigans and busy body gossips! This book brought me out of my holiday funk, thanks Celia!

[Jaime Gambrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to Celia Aaron's Christmas stories! Ezra's and Adeline's story was perfect. Ezra's is the town recluse and he is out to destroy Adelines business, but once they meet watch out! It's like Hallmark and Lifetime meet Showtime after Dark. The love story and the drama meets hot sexy scenes!

[Mtve41 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick Christmas read. The h was very sweet and H was semi alpha, a little too try-hard for my liking. I lost most interest after the h and H just got at it at second date. Felt it was bit of a drag at some points. I also found the H’s assistant/butler kinda odd. Will try another still from CA.

[Timitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 3.5 Stars

Christmas Cake is a cute, sweet and steamy read that I enjoyed except for one thing that the hero did that I just couldn't get behind. That one thing annoyed me to the point where I wanted to physically harm him, just slap the shit out of him. I still think it's an awesome Christmas novella that's worth reading.


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