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Charm City: A Valentine's Day Novel
ASIN B07MX1LW47 moved to the most recent edition
Taylor Tate has one last chance to turn things around. As the owner of Charm City Events, she needs her upcoming week of Valentine’s Day events to go off without a hitch. She’s painstakingly planned every detail down to the last red heart decoration, but what Taylor doesn’t plan on is the less than enthusiastic bar manager she’s paired with stumbling into her life at the worst possible time, making things more difficult every step of the way.
Carson Smith is getting by fine. She loves her job as the bar manager at Second Chances, a dive bar staple of the Baltimore landscape, and she doesn’t need anything or anyone disrupting the delicate balance she’s finally created. Especially for a stupid Valentine’s gimmick to take advantage of desperate singles. When the owner of the bar forces her to work with an event planning company to drum up business, she has no choice but to begrudgingly agree. It’s either play along or see the bar close, and she can’t let that happen.
It’s only a week, but time passes differently when there’s love in the air and too much on the line, and both women soon find their lives, and hearts, intertwined as they work together to make the week a success.
Can opposites attract? Find out in this HEA Valentine’s Day novella.
Taylor Tate has one last chance to turn things around. As the owner of Charm City Events, she needs her upcoming week of Valentine’s Day events to go off without a hitch. She’s painstakingly planned every detail down to the last red heart decoration, but what Taylor doesn’t plan on is the less than enthusiastic bar manager she’s paired with stumbling into her life at the worst possible time, making things more difficult every step of the way.
Carson Smith is getting by fine. She loves her job as the bar manager at Second Chances, a dive bar staple of the Baltimore landscape, and she doesn’t need anything or anyone disrupting the delicate balance she’s finally created. Especially for a stupid Valentine’s gimmick to take advantage of desperate singles. When the owner of the bar forces her to work with an event planning company to drum up business, she has no choice but to begrudgingly agree. It’s either play along or see the bar close, and she can’t let that happen.
It’s only a week, but time passes differently when there’s love in the air and too much on the line, and both women soon find their lives, and hearts, intertwined as they work together to make the week a success.
Can opposites attract? Find out in this HEA Valentine’s Day novella.
179 pages, ebook
First published January 16, 2019
171 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
Monica McCallan
17 books1,461 followersMonica McCallan was an enthusiastic fan of romance novels before she began writing them.
Writing is her passion project, and she currently lives in Philadelphia, working at a startup which gives her lots of great inspiration for the settings and storylines of her contemporary romance novels.
She lives with her partner and two tiny dogs, cannot parallel park to save her life, enjoys playing pool a few times a week, and has enjoyed every second of the craft beer explosion these last few years.
Join her mailing list here: http://bit.ly/MonicaMcCallanLesfic
Writing is her passion project, and she currently lives in Philadelphia, working at a startup which gives her lots of great inspiration for the settings and storylines of her contemporary romance novels.
She lives with her partner and two tiny dogs, cannot parallel park to save her life, enjoys playing pool a few times a week, and has enjoyed every second of the craft beer explosion these last few years.
Join her mailing list here: http://bit.ly/MonicaMcCallanLesfic
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
February 20, 2019
**'Remember that writing is translation and the opus to be translated is yourself as a writer...Easy writing makes hard reading but hard writing makes easy reading..'
An okay read!
To be fair and really honest -- I really did not love it but it had enough substance for me to get through to the ending: readable maybe ( lacking in chemistry )
2.5stars!
An okay read!
To be fair and really honest -- I really did not love it but it had enough substance for me to get through to the ending: readable maybe ( lacking in chemistry )
2.5stars!
January 23, 2022
Just as I was beginning to work on a Valentine’s Day recommendations list for LezReviewBooks, Monica McCallan tweeted about this book. It seemed like the perfect way to get in the mood. It won’t be on the list, as it was released in 2019, but if you’re looking for a light, fun, and sexy read, give it a try.
Carson Smith is the bar manager at Second Chances and she loves her job. She loves the bar, she loves her boss, she loves her colleagues, especially her best friend Blake. The bar isn’t doing so well, however, and the owner agrees to a week of Valentine’s Day events, which Carson will have to prepare with Taylor Tate, owner of Charm City Events. To Carson, little hearts and cupids are the stuff nightmares are made of and at first, she’s more than reluctant to help Taylor. But she’ll do anything to save her bar, even if it means playing nice.
Even though I understood where she came from, I really didn’t like Carson at the beginning. She didn’t try to understand, she was stubborn and unfair, and Taylor deserved better. All this only added to the fun of seeing Carson change her mind, realise she’d been wrong, fall a little bit in love with Valentine’s Day as she fell for Taylor.
This novella gave me exactly what I was looking for: characters I wanted to root for, romance, funny scenes and sexy times.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Carson Smith is the bar manager at Second Chances and she loves her job. She loves the bar, she loves her boss, she loves her colleagues, especially her best friend Blake. The bar isn’t doing so well, however, and the owner agrees to a week of Valentine’s Day events, which Carson will have to prepare with Taylor Tate, owner of Charm City Events. To Carson, little hearts and cupids are the stuff nightmares are made of and at first, she’s more than reluctant to help Taylor. But she’ll do anything to save her bar, even if it means playing nice.
Even though I understood where she came from, I really didn’t like Carson at the beginning. She didn’t try to understand, she was stubborn and unfair, and Taylor deserved better. All this only added to the fun of seeing Carson change her mind, realise she’d been wrong, fall a little bit in love with Valentine’s Day as she fell for Taylor.
This novella gave me exactly what I was looking for: characters I wanted to root for, romance, funny scenes and sexy times.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 19, 2019
'Charm City' is a quirky Valentine's romance with heart.
Carson is manager of a bar that is not doing well financially. The owner enlists the support of an event planner, Taylor, to hold a series of Valentine's related events to help drum up more business.
Taylor has had some issues with her event planning business in the recent past and her reputation is on the line so these event need to work out. But the prickly bar manager who despises the holiday might stand in her way.
I liked the chemistry between the two main characters despite their contentious exchanges. And I appreciated the backstories that provided depth and heart to the characters.
Carson was a little too icy for my liking but she gradually thaws over time. There was a resolution that was a bit far fetched. But I could suspend belief for what felt like a cutsie rom-com.
There was a little bit of angst to get your heart involved toward the end. But not much.
This story was in between novella and novel length.
I recommend this to hopeless romantics, people who like enemies to lovers trope, bars, and cocktails.
Carson is manager of a bar that is not doing well financially. The owner enlists the support of an event planner, Taylor, to hold a series of Valentine's related events to help drum up more business.
Taylor has had some issues with her event planning business in the recent past and her reputation is on the line so these event need to work out. But the prickly bar manager who despises the holiday might stand in her way.
I liked the chemistry between the two main characters despite their contentious exchanges. And I appreciated the backstories that provided depth and heart to the characters.
Carson was a little too icy for my liking but she gradually thaws over time. There was a resolution that was a bit far fetched. But I could suspend belief for what felt like a cutsie rom-com.
There was a little bit of angst to get your heart involved toward the end. But not much.
This story was in between novella and novel length.
I recommend this to hopeless romantics, people who like enemies to lovers trope, bars, and cocktails.
November 3, 2024
2 ★ Whimsical. Don’t think I’ve ever read a book so bland (respectfully). Nothing made me want to keep reading, so I stopped and returned it to Kindle Unlimited. Nothing happens, not an ounce of angst. There were SOME cute moments, flirting and whatnot. So bad, I skipped the smut. Not enough happening for me.
February 26, 2024
This was a super cute novella. I’m glad i waited to listen to it on audio bc Lori Prince gave Taylor one of my fav voices in her repertoire and it made me utterly fall in love with her. Usually I don’t like romances that build up in a short amount of time (a week here, then an epilogue a year later) but this was basically a novella style and they spent every day together and weren’t declaring their love by the end, only their strong attraction and affection, so I was ON BOARD. there was just enough believable angst to make it fun, and I enjoyed both best friend side characters. Probably not my fav from McCallan, but it was a blast and I can see it becoming a seasonal re-listen every once in a while.
February 14, 2025
BEST. VALENTINE'S. DAY. BOOK. EVER. 🥹💘
I may never recover from swooning over this one.
I may never recover from swooning over this one.
May 8, 2025
Charm City was a fun little novel (novella?). It’s a quick read full of engaging characters and great moments. There was a surprising amount of content packed into the page count. I enjoyed it, and I think that you get a good payoff given the short nature of the novel. This wasn’t one of the best novels I read this year however it was a nice shot of variety, and it was quite charming.
Highlights:
-The chapter headings with drink recipes were fun. It’s a little detail but I enjoyed it.
-The writing was great. It was snappy and fun. The characters had great chemistry together and their interactions were enjoyable to follow as their relationship changed over the course of the novel. The side characters were great too; a little bit 2d but they were fun and added to the novel.
- The narration of the audiobook was excellent!
Nitpicks:
-The novel was relatively predictable and cliché. It followed some standard tropes, but it was still very enjoyable despite being rather rom-com-ish. You get the classic unnecessary 3rd act breakup, although thankfully it doesn’t last long.
-The timeline was very short at being just a week. This isn’t a big problem in itself however I always find such strong feelings developing over such a short timeline to be a bit of an eye-roll. This novel (novella??) would have benefitted from being longer, either in timeline or page count.
Highlights:
-The chapter headings with drink recipes were fun. It’s a little detail but I enjoyed it.
-The writing was great. It was snappy and fun. The characters had great chemistry together and their interactions were enjoyable to follow as their relationship changed over the course of the novel. The side characters were great too; a little bit 2d but they were fun and added to the novel.
- The narration of the audiobook was excellent!
Nitpicks:
-The novel was relatively predictable and cliché. It followed some standard tropes, but it was still very enjoyable despite being rather rom-com-ish. You get the classic unnecessary 3rd act breakup, although thankfully it doesn’t last long.
-The timeline was very short at being just a week. This isn’t a big problem in itself however I always find such strong feelings developing over such a short timeline to be a bit of an eye-roll. This novel (novella??) would have benefitted from being longer, either in timeline or page count.
June 21, 2019
Quirky, sweet, good story that kept me entertained - bit of angst to cheer us up but the finale was always going to be the finale!
December 28, 2021
Fun Valentine’s romance with more depth than expected, but I’m not sure about the romantic connection.
The book is a little on the short side with just about 180 pages, with the blurb I actually figured it would be a novella. Taylor is an event planner down on her luck and sets up a series of Valentine’s Day events with the bar where Carson works. Carson doesn’t respond well to changes so obviously dislikes that the bar owner is making her work with Taylor. These characters are opposites by design, one sullen and brooding, the other positive to a fault. They influence each other and after a couple of days working together they share their deepest secrets. This all adds to a bit of the novella feel because I just think it all happens rather quickly.
I get how there can be this physical attraction and pull to act on it, but the emotional seems a bit of a stretch to me. I do appreciate both characters and how they came to be who they are, but the emotional connection is just missing for me.
I did enjoy it because a lot of the book is actually more focused on the business side of things and the characters separately. And the physical makes sense so all in all still very enjoyable. Also McCallan’s writing style is always a joy to read and get lost in.
The book is a little on the short side with just about 180 pages, with the blurb I actually figured it would be a novella. Taylor is an event planner down on her luck and sets up a series of Valentine’s Day events with the bar where Carson works. Carson doesn’t respond well to changes so obviously dislikes that the bar owner is making her work with Taylor. These characters are opposites by design, one sullen and brooding, the other positive to a fault. They influence each other and after a couple of days working together they share their deepest secrets. This all adds to a bit of the novella feel because I just think it all happens rather quickly.
I get how there can be this physical attraction and pull to act on it, but the emotional seems a bit of a stretch to me. I do appreciate both characters and how they came to be who they are, but the emotional connection is just missing for me.
I did enjoy it because a lot of the book is actually more focused on the business side of things and the characters separately. And the physical makes sense so all in all still very enjoyable. Also McCallan’s writing style is always a joy to read and get lost in.
July 14, 2024
Lovely
It's amazing what can happen in just one week. Carson and Taylor make a cute couple. Major chemistry between them. Get cherry scene
It's amazing what can happen in just one week. Carson and Taylor make a cute couple. Major chemistry between them. Get cherry scene
September 18, 2025
The story itself was fine, but the book needed better editing.
The audiobook narrator made some strange choices that I hated. It was strange to me that the gay man had the highest/most nasally voice? I think I would have liked this more with a different narrator.
The book takes place in Baltimore, so I felt like I needed to finish it, but it didn't feel very Baltimore. Should have had more Old Bay? Also they get snowed in by six inches of snow by 2am, which sounds off. This setting could have been any Mid-Atlantic or Northeast city (there were mentions of a harbor, but not plot relevant or distinguishable).
Other reviewers mentioned that the pacing felt too fast; personally, I felt like it was too slow. The author over describes things, but I think that with romantic or sexual scenes, less is more. We know that Taylor is watching Carson, but we don't need to know about every movement. So many words, especially about how a character moved around, but we didn't get enough flirting or deep conversations to feel like they had a good reason to let their walls down.
The plot itself was cute, but I was mainly listening for Baltimore by the end. Three stars because the story was cute, though the writing annoyed me.
The audiobook narrator made some strange choices that I hated. It was strange to me that the gay man had the highest/most nasally voice? I think I would have liked this more with a different narrator.
The book takes place in Baltimore, so I felt like I needed to finish it, but it didn't feel very Baltimore. Should have had more Old Bay? Also they get snowed in by six inches of snow by 2am, which sounds off. This setting could have been any Mid-Atlantic or Northeast city (there were mentions of a harbor, but not plot relevant or distinguishable).
Other reviewers mentioned that the pacing felt too fast; personally, I felt like it was too slow. The author over describes things, but I think that with romantic or sexual scenes, less is more. We know that Taylor is watching Carson, but we don't need to know about every movement. So many words, especially about how a character moved around, but we didn't get enough flirting or deep conversations to feel like they had a good reason to let their walls down.
The plot itself was cute, but I was mainly listening for Baltimore by the end. Three stars because the story was cute, though the writing annoyed me.
January 21, 2020
2.5 stars, short hea book, free on kindle unlimited. The plot moves quick but I couldn't get into either main character or believe that these two would end up together. Others may rate higher, but since I was not vested, I cannot.
December 31, 2024
Sweet Valentine’s Day novella from the ever reliable Monica McCallan. Grumpy/Sunshine but both very hard working women cross paths while working together on a Valentines event a a bar. Monica McCallan is such a good writer. She makes believable characters that I always root for.
September 29, 2025
Charmed
Fun read with quirky characters, some angst, lots of sweetness, and an engaging story.
Fun read with quirky characters, some angst, lots of sweetness, and an engaging story.
March 11, 2024
“But sometimes when we talk, I tell you how much I want you,” Taylor answered. “So, I don’t think it’s the words’ fault.”
Every so often I tell myself that I won't read any more romance novellas, and then I just... forget?? And I read another one?? This wasn't a bust or anything, but I didn't love it, and I know that part of that can be attributed to its length. I just seldom get what I need to get out of a romance if it's novella length. I shoulda known better, but I had the audiobook and I kept listening because I had no reason not to.
I'm not saying that I had a bad time with this. Carson is a bartender, Taylor is an event planner, and they have to work together during Valentine's week to drum up PR for Carson's bar, and to help Taylor's business get back on track. Carson is sarcastic and grumpy, Taylor is... not exactly sunshine, but a lot more optimistic, and willing to have fun with Valentine's Day. I had my ups and downs with this. It was pretty much just okay for the first half, and then I started really liking and vibing with their chemistry. There was some really cute banter, some stuff that made me giggle out loud. Then unfortunately, the third act conflict was exactly the kind of conflict that I despise. I found it to be so so silly. And big overreactions like that are especially egregious to me in books as short as this one. But then thankfully the ending was cute enough to bring back some of my goodwill.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Lori Prince; not my favourite from her, but it was cute, and the only reason I was able to finish. (I had the ebook, but the formatting was really weird and hard for me to read, just visually.) This is an author I do really want to read more from, but it wasn't the best idea to read one of her novellas. (Though I have to stress, I didn't dislike it. I liked it! Just not that much.)
February 1, 2022
Cute Story.
If your looking for a super sweet, adorable, low angst book then look no further. This book will make you smile and feel all warm inside. It’s always nice to read a story with down to earth, lovable characters that you can relate to. Now all I want to do is try some of those delicious sounding cocktails.
If your looking for a super sweet, adorable, low angst book then look no further. This book will make you smile and feel all warm inside. It’s always nice to read a story with down to earth, lovable characters that you can relate to. Now all I want to do is try some of those delicious sounding cocktails.
January 14, 2025
(3.5/5) This was a cute, sapphic Valentine’s Day story. I didn’t feel emotionally attached to any of the characters or the main relationship. Though it wasn’t a bad story, it wasn’t amazing by any means.
did-not-finish
August 5, 2023dnf at 37%
February 24, 2025
Such a cute themed book, wish it was even longer. I fell in love with the characters.
August 5, 2024
Sweet story. The voices from Lori Prince delightful. Fun holiday themed book that reps someone formerly homeless and I appreciate that.
February 7, 2022
It was the kind of weather where everything on the ground was absolutely still, but she knew a lot was going on above the clouds, the atmosphere slowly collecting moisture until the growing weight was no longer bearable. She knew a lot about unbearable weight, and she hoped she could shoulder hers if the time came.
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Didn't really like this lesbian rom-com about a horrible bar-tender and a bankrupt events manager. The main character, Carson, is genuinely awful, and not in a fun way either. She's just annoying and bitchy and if I knew her in real life I'd keep my distance because she has an obvious personality disorder. She's written like an emo 15-year-old, complete with tantrums and an all-black wardrobe.
The love interest, Taylor, is a normal human being, but unfortunately suffers from being poorly written. She falls in love in a matter of days, but we don't ever actually see any romance, it's just "I hate this bitch" and then "let's have sex". There's a lot of telling rather than showing in here, as well as unending, unfunny "jokes". I can't stand a book that requires a laugh track for me to notice when the characters are supposedly being hilarious.
Also, a lot of very amateurish prose in this. Every character is either yelling, shouting, or saying things with an adverb. It's not very good, she said sadly.
1.5 stars.
February 13, 2019
Where did you meet your bae? In a bookstore? Online? Did you have a fender bender and exchange numbers? Well, Taylor Tate and Carson Smith met in a bar. A bar which Carson manages and where Taylor has been hired as an event coordinator to run a week of Valentine's Day events. However, it wasn't nearly love at first sight. Their first meeting was both hostile and desperate, thawing over the next week.
The vivid writing in Charm City sucked me in from the very beginning. I was in the bar, witnessing the dynamic chemistry brewing between Taylor and Carson. These two became good friends of mine, and watching their story unfold made my heart swell.
One of Monica McCallan's greatest writing skills is her ability to capture natural dialogue. It's such an amazing talent that many readers take for granted. But one that I appreciate.
This Valentine's Day love story shows that you came meet your mate at any moment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The vivid writing in Charm City sucked me in from the very beginning. I was in the bar, witnessing the dynamic chemistry brewing between Taylor and Carson. These two became good friends of mine, and watching their story unfold made my heart swell.
One of Monica McCallan's greatest writing skills is her ability to capture natural dialogue. It's such an amazing talent that many readers take for granted. But one that I appreciate.
This Valentine's Day love story shows that you came meet your mate at any moment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 20, 2021
Charm City is a cute opposites-attract Valentine's Day-themed novella, where for one week Carson, the anti-Valentine's Day bar manager, and Taylor, an event planner brought in to organize and run a week-long event, must put their differences aside and make the week a success--especially since both their livelihoods depend on it.
Charm City takes place in the span of a week, so the love story has to develop more quickly that I'm comfortable with and, quite frankly, more quickly than McCallan is able to really pull off given that they start as enemies and then there's just this switch? But it's really cute and I don't care that isn't not executed perfectly. This is definitely worth a read. Carson and Taylor really deserve happiness, and I'm glad they found a person who makes them happy.
Charm City takes place in the span of a week, so the love story has to develop more quickly that I'm comfortable with and, quite frankly, more quickly than McCallan is able to really pull off given that they start as enemies and then there's just this switch? But it's really cute and I don't care that isn't not executed perfectly. This is definitely worth a read. Carson and Taylor really deserve happiness, and I'm glad they found a person who makes them happy.
July 31, 2019
I really liked this! I love most stories that involve someone who works at a bar/winery, so this was right up my alley, and I just really liked the characters. The women felt real to me, and I cared about their story and their relationship. It was a quick, fun read on a day I really needed it.
March 22, 2024
A fun shortish read all set around a dive bar and Valentine’s Day. I loved the two main characters and the dynamics of the friendships and found family. It was a fun read that made me so glad I’m not the only one who falls for the tall dark and handsome broody bartenders.
March 24, 2025
⭐ 1/5
Felt dry to me 😂🤧
Felt dry to me 😂🤧
March 5, 2023
Charm City is a fun, straightforward romance. Carson’s the devoted manager of struggling bar, aptly named Second Chances — she’s found a home, community, and stability here, and doesn’t want anything to change. Enter Taylor, the event manager throwing a week of Valentine’s Day events in a last ditch attempt to reverse the bar’s fortunes. And while these two women initially clash, the chemistry between them is irresistible.
The dynamic between Carson and Taylor is compelling. Fittingly, the desire between them is the best realised part of the book. But the plot is entirely predictable. Without giving any spoilers, it’s very easy to guess what will happen and why — which makes the story drag in places, and lowers the stakes.
Also, I was perplexed by McCallan’s word choice in one particular sentence: “Her blood rushed sp*st*cally through her body…” In the UK at least, this term is recognised as an offensive slur against disabled people. It does nothing to enhance the story, and there are plenty of words the author could have just as easily used instead. There’s so much controversy attached to the idea of sensitivity readers, but they serve a very practical purpose…
Otherwise, Charm City is a fine story. Light and sweet like candy floss. Not particularly memorable, but enjoyable all the same.
The dynamic between Carson and Taylor is compelling. Fittingly, the desire between them is the best realised part of the book. But the plot is entirely predictable. Without giving any spoilers, it’s very easy to guess what will happen and why — which makes the story drag in places, and lowers the stakes.
Also, I was perplexed by McCallan’s word choice in one particular sentence: “Her blood rushed sp*st*cally through her body…” In the UK at least, this term is recognised as an offensive slur against disabled people. It does nothing to enhance the story, and there are plenty of words the author could have just as easily used instead. There’s so much controversy attached to the idea of sensitivity readers, but they serve a very practical purpose…
Otherwise, Charm City is a fine story. Light and sweet like candy floss. Not particularly memorable, but enjoyable all the same.
January 28, 2023
This sweet novella is great for Valentine’s Day! I knew I had to read it when I realized it was sapphic and set in Baltimore where I live! Grumpy bartenderXSunshine party planner 💕 The story occurs over the week of Valentine’s Day so yes it is insta-lovey but the story is less than 200 pages so kind of what I was expecting. I do understand Carson’s prickly personality because of her hard upbringing but when she acted SUPER rude to the other MC and explained the way she acted was due to trauma it wasn’t enough for me. I was expecting a huge, grand apology and it was MEH. The epilogue was cute though!
April 28, 2023
Going in blind just cause it was on Lee Winter’s post, I didn’t expect anything. It’s a contemporary romance, enemies to lovers trope. It’s not heavy on the drama aspect, however, the flirtation was fun and sexy. Who knew eating a cherry could be seductive? Taylor Tate did! Add a brooding, snarky Carson, a bartender who thinks black is the only way to dress, you have yourself an easy, entertaining read.
P.S. I feel like Carson might have a drinking addiction waiting to happen.
P.S. I feel like Carson might have a drinking addiction waiting to happen.
February 14, 2024
2 stars. "It was okay," as Goodreads puts it with regards to that rating. I didn't feel the chemistry and with both of them needing to overcome pretty big traumas, the traumas should have been more fleshed out and handled between the characters instead of just mentioned off-hand and then we all move on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews