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A Snowy Little Christmas
Sometimes love needs a little help from Mother Nature—and what better time than the holidays to let it snow . . . and snow . . . and snow . . .
STARRY NIGHT * Fern Michaels
As the host of a radio program for the lovelorn, Jessie Richmond is surprisingly lonely, especially with the holidays approaching. So she decides to make the trek to her uncle’s bookstore in rural New York state and hold a speed dating event—only to find herself snowed in—with one very special single . . .
MISTLETOE AND MIMOSAS * Tara Sheets
After years of hard work, real estate agent Layla Gentry has her dream home on Pine Cove Island. She’s perfectly content to be on her own. Until her childhood nemesis, Sebastian, comes to town. When a snowstorm and a stranded kitten bring them together on Christmas Eve, Layla discovers he’s all grown up—and she may have one more dream left . . .
MISSING CHRISTMAS * Kate Clayborn
It’s all work and no play for two longtime friends-turned-business-partners Kristen and Jasper—until an unexpected kiss turns things personal. Will it mean the end of something, or the beginning? With a major contract in the balance, Christmas around the corner, and a lot of unspoken feelings, it may take an unpredictable blizzard in New England to seal the deal . . .
STARRY NIGHT * Fern Michaels
As the host of a radio program for the lovelorn, Jessie Richmond is surprisingly lonely, especially with the holidays approaching. So she decides to make the trek to her uncle’s bookstore in rural New York state and hold a speed dating event—only to find herself snowed in—with one very special single . . .
MISTLETOE AND MIMOSAS * Tara Sheets
After years of hard work, real estate agent Layla Gentry has her dream home on Pine Cove Island. She’s perfectly content to be on her own. Until her childhood nemesis, Sebastian, comes to town. When a snowstorm and a stranded kitten bring them together on Christmas Eve, Layla discovers he’s all grown up—and she may have one more dream left . . .
MISSING CHRISTMAS * Kate Clayborn
It’s all work and no play for two longtime friends-turned-business-partners Kristen and Jasper—until an unexpected kiss turns things personal. Will it mean the end of something, or the beginning? With a major contract in the balance, Christmas around the corner, and a lot of unspoken feelings, it may take an unpredictable blizzard in New England to seal the deal . . .
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 18, 2019
756 people are currently reading
6351 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
424 books6,518 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
September 26, 2022
Very cute! A collection of novellas featuring Christmas stories. A bookseller’s niece inherits his store in Philadelphia, but her life is in a different city. As she readies the place for sale, she meets new friends, sets up charity sales, and speed dating events! This was cute and Christmasy. We also had the story of second chance romance with high school enemies (and a swoony vet and a rescue cat!) And to finish things off, business partners who become friends to lovers when they get snowed in over Christmas. This one had some really cute stories!
Read
November 24, 2019First novella was a DNF.
Second novella was a 1.5
Did I mention I basically hate novellas? So few can execute this art form satisfactorily, particularly in romance, where you have to count on intimacy without barfing it up in word soup on the page. There's gotta be tension too, because what is the point otherwise?
So now, we have Kate Clayborn up to bat to save this trio of novellas from, well, the garbage pile.
Friends, I swooned. Like usual, Kate Clayborn makes her ordinary love stories feel intimate and extraordinary and isn't that just the best thing about her? This absolutely could be your best friends love story. Or yours. Why? How? Things like this:
“My dad’s a singer, did you know that?”
“I did.” She told me once, not long after we first met, out at a bar in Houston with Ben. He may have asked all the questions, but I remember all the answers. Mac Fraser . Classically trained at a conservatory somewhere in Ohio.
But I remember all the answers. Look at this consistency-from Ben's unguarded interest in people to Jasper still using that information for his ambition.
Her use of kissing/missing, friendship, and here, Jasper clearly established as a trouble maker but follows all the rules for Kristen.
Kristen is a lovely character, and this is a strong novella. I wish I knew her better. Whether Jasper was so clear or dominant character, I'm not sure but I did feel like Kristen didn't feel as strongly (though still very strongly) characterized.
So, whew, the rare breed of fully satisfying, even swoony holiday novella? Just skip right to this one, which I give a 4.5.
(How the hell to rate the anthology itself??)
Second novella was a 1.5
Did I mention I basically hate novellas? So few can execute this art form satisfactorily, particularly in romance, where you have to count on intimacy without barfing it up in word soup on the page. There's gotta be tension too, because what is the point otherwise?
So now, we have Kate Clayborn up to bat to save this trio of novellas from, well, the garbage pile.
Friends, I swooned. Like usual, Kate Clayborn makes her ordinary love stories feel intimate and extraordinary and isn't that just the best thing about her? This absolutely could be your best friends love story. Or yours. Why? How? Things like this:
“My dad’s a singer, did you know that?”
“I did.” She told me once, not long after we first met, out at a bar in Houston with Ben. He may have asked all the questions, but I remember all the answers. Mac Fraser . Classically trained at a conservatory somewhere in Ohio.
But I remember all the answers. Look at this consistency-from Ben's unguarded interest in people to Jasper still using that information for his ambition.
Her use of kissing/missing, friendship, and here, Jasper clearly established as a trouble maker but follows all the rules for Kristen.
Kristen is a lovely character, and this is a strong novella. I wish I knew her better. Whether Jasper was so clear or dominant character, I'm not sure but I did feel like Kristen didn't feel as strongly (though still very strongly) characterized.
So, whew, the rare breed of fully satisfying, even swoony holiday novella? Just skip right to this one, which I give a 4.5.
(How the hell to rate the anthology itself??)
December 14, 2019
The is a wonderful collection of holiday romance novellas.
November 20, 2019
Pre-reading bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B2C2GuNgFzM/
C review (overall): https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
Starry Night by Fern Michaels: DNF
Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets: C-
Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn: A
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
C review (overall): https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
Starry Night by Fern Michaels: DNF
Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets: C-
Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn: A
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2019
I am going to be honest and admit that I read this anthology strictly for the Kate Clayborn novella. I was not disappointed. The premise of two best friends and colleagues who have so much mutual respect for the other that they absolutely refuse to address the fact they are stupid in love with each other was so splendidly well done. The juxtaposition of a grumpy who doesn't like Christmas for very valid reasons and the sunflower who does love Christmas coming together over some baked holiday cookies and sweet love making under the holiday lights is my perfect Christmas romance story. The end.
*I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.
*I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.
January 9, 2020
This was a cute novel that had 3 short stories (around 100 pages each) by 3 different authors which focused on love over Christmas. I'm not a big fan of romances, but found that I could handle the stories without getting too bored.
1. Starry Night by Fern Michaels - 2 stars. This was my least favourite story since it had so many details in it that it took away from the general story. There was a lot going on, but hardly any interactions between the two love interests. I think this would of been better if more time was spend building a connection instead of talking about her radio show, renovating/selling the book store, speed dating, Christmas party, etc.
2. Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets - 3 stars. First thinking back all I could remember is that I liked this story and there was a foster kitten! I liked how the characters had more of a connection than in the first story and it didn't take too long to figure out what had happened to them in the past.
3. Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn - 3 stars. Other reviewers are going crazy for this story, but I didn't find anything too special about it. This is a short story about minor characters in one of Kate Clayborn's previous novels, which I haven't read. However, I didn't feel too lost even though I had read the previous novel. To me, this one was about 2 business partners sharing a kiss and then explaining their hidden feeling to one other. Cute, but not too special.
1. Starry Night by Fern Michaels - 2 stars. This was my least favourite story since it had so many details in it that it took away from the general story. There was a lot going on, but hardly any interactions between the two love interests. I think this would of been better if more time was spend building a connection instead of talking about her radio show, renovating/selling the book store, speed dating, Christmas party, etc.
2. Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets - 3 stars. First thinking back all I could remember is that I liked this story and there was a foster kitten! I liked how the characters had more of a connection than in the first story and it didn't take too long to figure out what had happened to them in the past.
3. Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn - 3 stars. Other reviewers are going crazy for this story, but I didn't find anything too special about it. This is a short story about minor characters in one of Kate Clayborn's previous novels, which I haven't read. However, I didn't feel too lost even though I had read the previous novel. To me, this one was about 2 business partners sharing a kiss and then explaining their hidden feeling to one other. Cute, but not too special.
December 28, 2019
I read this book for Kate Clayborn! Her novella, "Missing Christmas," is a winner and highly recommended. I'm impressed that she picks up on a secondary character from her Chance of a Lifetime series so easily. Jasper comes to life in the opening pages almost as if the first book was written yesterday. He is an exasperating character in Beginner's Luck, but Clayborn gives him much depth and complexity here in his own story that make his actions understandable. Jasper always seemed to me like a character in need of his own story. As with Love Lettering out at the end of the month, Clayborn is adept at constructing complex characters who do not always make easily understood decisions. In this story, Christmas for Kristen and Jasper is about connections to others. While Kristen's life is emotionally stable and filled with strong bonds, Jasper struggles in life to connect. Watching his evolution on this, especially with the help of the woman with whom he has fallen in love, is sweet and satisfying.
Clayborn has quickly become a favorite author for me.
Clayborn has quickly become a favorite author for me.
December 21, 2021
Starry Night by Fern Michaels — DNF
Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets — 2 stars I don’t like it when you give a kitten hypothermia just so you can trap your couple overnight at the veterinarian’s office.
Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn — 3 stars Definitely the best in the bunch, but I’m still not really sure what the big problem was between these two. I love KC’s other books though.
Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets — 2 stars I don’t like it when you give a kitten hypothermia just so you can trap your couple overnight at the veterinarian’s office.
Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn — 3 stars Definitely the best in the bunch, but I’m still not really sure what the big problem was between these two. I love KC’s other books though.
May 1, 2020
3 cute Christmas type novella length stories.
Perfect reading to put you in the holiday mood it will set the mood perfectly.
The romance was a nice addition to the holiday book .
Published October 29th 2019 by Zebra
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Perfect reading to put you in the holiday mood it will set the mood perfectly.
The romance was a nice addition to the holiday book .
Published October 29th 2019 by Zebra
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
November 1, 2020
I only read the Kate Clayborn story which is about two minor characters from Beginner's Luck. It's a nice Christmassy story.
October 27, 2019
This is mostly a review of the Clayborn novella (4.5 stars) with a brief note about why.
I requested A Snowy Little Christmas because Kate Clayborn's name is attached to it. That's the only reason. I love her writing.
Anthologies are a great way to try new authors, and every time I find a new author to love, I'm stoked. So. I had zero knowledge about the stories (aside from the holiday theme), high hopes for the Clayborn & vague thoughts about finding a new author to binge and follow. [spoiler alert: this didn't happen]
Starry Night, Fern Michaels
DNF
I struggled with the third person point of view right from the start, and the story didn't grab my attention. Approximately five pages in, I realized this story wasn't going to work for me. I DNF'd it.
....decision time...
After a false start, I just decided to skip ahead to "the good part." Friends, I knew that would be the Kate Clayborn novella. I loved the Chance of a Lifetime series, and discovering Missing Christmas was another story in that universe was an unexpected, awesome bonus.
Missing Christmas, Kate Clayborn
4.5 stars
The first book in the Chance of a Lifetime series, Beginner's Luck, is still my favorite. I loved Ben, I loved Kit...and I hoped the author would revisit Jasper. Ben's best friend played a significant role in the story, and his actions had major repercussions on the relationship between the principal characters. But by the end of the novel, it was still hard to tell if Jasper was a bad guy or simply desperate and dumb.
Turns out he was desperate, and because of it, he did a dumb thing. And it nearly cost him his relationship with Ben...and with the third partner in their fledgeling business, Kristen. But because he's a good guy who made a terrible decision, she forgave him. Oh, and also because she's in love with him.
Missing Christmas is a delightful and romantic friends to lovers story, with a heaping dose of 'snowed in with one bed,' thrown in for good measure. Jasper and Kristen are brilliant at business, but failures at love. These two - business partners who spend LOTS of time together - carry a torch for one another for entirely TOO LONG, pretending they don't 'like' like each other.
After an unexpected, passionate kiss at the end of a long business day, sexy feelings turn into incredible awkward feelings. And true to form, they both retreat and try to pretend the kiss never happened. Fortunately, a road trip provides them with one last chance to get it right, and the journey - literally and figuratively - is a treat.
Missing Christmas is the perfect blend of angst and romance, featuring two principals you can’t help but love and root for. It’s one holiday gift you should go ahead and unwrap straight away. Bonus points for the Ben & Kit cameo!
Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheet
I haven’t read it. Yet.
I requested A Snowy Little Christmas because Kate Clayborn's name is attached to it. That's the only reason. I love her writing.
Anthologies are a great way to try new authors, and every time I find a new author to love, I'm stoked. So. I had zero knowledge about the stories (aside from the holiday theme), high hopes for the Clayborn & vague thoughts about finding a new author to binge and follow. [spoiler alert: this didn't happen]
Starry Night, Fern Michaels
DNF
I struggled with the third person point of view right from the start, and the story didn't grab my attention. Approximately five pages in, I realized this story wasn't going to work for me. I DNF'd it.
....decision time...
After a false start, I just decided to skip ahead to "the good part." Friends, I knew that would be the Kate Clayborn novella. I loved the Chance of a Lifetime series, and discovering Missing Christmas was another story in that universe was an unexpected, awesome bonus.
Missing Christmas, Kate Clayborn
4.5 stars
The first book in the Chance of a Lifetime series, Beginner's Luck, is still my favorite. I loved Ben, I loved Kit...and I hoped the author would revisit Jasper. Ben's best friend played a significant role in the story, and his actions had major repercussions on the relationship between the principal characters. But by the end of the novel, it was still hard to tell if Jasper was a bad guy or simply desperate and dumb.
Turns out he was desperate, and because of it, he did a dumb thing. And it nearly cost him his relationship with Ben...and with the third partner in their fledgeling business, Kristen. But because he's a good guy who made a terrible decision, she forgave him. Oh, and also because she's in love with him.
Missing Christmas is a delightful and romantic friends to lovers story, with a heaping dose of 'snowed in with one bed,' thrown in for good measure. Jasper and Kristen are brilliant at business, but failures at love. These two - business partners who spend LOTS of time together - carry a torch for one another for entirely TOO LONG, pretending they don't 'like' like each other.
After an unexpected, passionate kiss at the end of a long business day, sexy feelings turn into incredible awkward feelings. And true to form, they both retreat and try to pretend the kiss never happened. Fortunately, a road trip provides them with one last chance to get it right, and the journey - literally and figuratively - is a treat.
Missing Christmas is the perfect blend of angst and romance, featuring two principals you can’t help but love and root for. It’s one holiday gift you should go ahead and unwrap straight away. Bonus points for the Ben & Kit cameo!
Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheet
I haven’t read it. Yet.
November 18, 2020
Overall rating: 3 stars
Starry Night by Fern Michaels:
2 stars - the writing didn't mesh with me. also is it me or did the story end abruptly?
Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets:
3.5 stars - NOICE.
Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn
4.5 stars - JASPER!!!!! That's it, that's the review.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley
Starry Night by Fern Michaels:
2 stars - the writing didn't mesh with me. also is it me or did the story end abruptly?
Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets:
3.5 stars - NOICE.
Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn
4.5 stars - JASPER!!!!! That's it, that's the review.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley
October 22, 2019
I'll admit I wanted to read this Christmas anthology because of Fern Michaels being a contributing author. However, the novella I ended up liking the best was by Kate Clayborn. I had never heard of her before, but her novella that was told from the dual point of view was different enough to really catch and grab my attention. The story line of two business partners who have been fighting their attraction to each other was fun, quirky and so much fun. I especially enjoyed the male character's expression of his feelings.
I love Christmas anthologies because you can complete a story in a short amount of time and get the feel good out of it before you have to put it down and do something else. This anthology was very enjoyable because all three stories had a "stranded in the snow with someone of the opposite sex" theme going for it. That is one of my favorite. This was definitely worth reading!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
I love Christmas anthologies because you can complete a story in a short amount of time and get the feel good out of it before you have to put it down and do something else. This anthology was very enjoyable because all three stories had a "stranded in the snow with someone of the opposite sex" theme going for it. That is one of my favorite. This was definitely worth reading!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
November 2, 2019
I may go back and read the others later, but I only bought this for the Kate Clayborn story. And I liked it! Definitely not my favorite of her stuff, I don't think novella is her best length at this point, just because I didn't feel connected enough to Jasper's issues? Maybe it would have helped if I had reread the book with Ben first. But nothing she writes is bad and this was good to read.
December 28, 2023
The Kate Clayborn one is the only one worth reading in this collection. The Tara Sheets one is ok, had potential. I didn’t enjoy the Fern Michaels one at all. Maybe if the setting was familiar and I was just re-immersed in a familiar setting with familiar characters, I may have liked it. But there was virtually no romance to it.
Audio was likely not a great option for this one.
Audio was likely not a great option for this one.
October 11, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this anthology from Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.
My biggest snow story experience? When I was 11 or 12, two of my cousins, my siblings, and I got snowed in at my divorced dad and his then girlfriend’s house for several days. By the end of it, my dad was threatening to rent a helicopter to get us returned home.
Because of this (despite this?), I can really respect a snowed-in story, especially of the let’s-fall-in-love-while-the-snow-falls variety. It just seems to work on an elemental level: the vibrancy of the colors, the isolation, the cocoon effect. Everything’s reduced to the people you’re with really, whether it’s the family starting to grate on your nerves or a potential love interest, like in the A Snowy Little Christmas anthology.
I was so excited to get a copy of this anthology, mainly because Kate Clayborn’s included and I could happily read her books all the time. They’re lovely. In the end, I loved Clayborn’s novella—as I had expected I would—I really enjoyed the one written by Tara Sheets, and found the first novella in the collection, written by Fern Michaels, to be not quite my preference.
I’ve never read a book by Fern Michaels before, and I didn’t have an idea of what to expect. Starry Night, her anthology contribution, follows Jessie, an advertising exec & secret relationship-advice radio host, as she repeatedly travels to the Croton-on-Hudson bookstore her uncle gave her to schedule renovations, relocate the books, etc. There, she finds the close-knit community she’s never had before and meets single dad and contractor Evan.
I had some trouble relating to the characters in this one. On one hand, the leads are mature and sophisticated; on the other, they come across as not very approachable and often old-fashioned to me. I also had difficulty with the story itself: it seems to use more telling vs. showing, and the romance is subdued and pretty vague, even in its conclusion.
Tara Sheets’s Mistletoe and Mimosas, the second novella in the collection, adorably pairs Layla, the heroine, with the long-remorseful man who was complicit in the bullying she experienced at high school. Both leads are admirable: Layla’s made a successful life for herself and is aware of her worth; Sebastian is very sorry for how he treated Layla in high school and determined to meet the challenge of showing her that.
This snowed-in story is sweet and gentle, and Sheets features enough intriguing characters from her other works that I'm planning on reading more.
My favorite story in the collection, Kate Clayborn’s Missing Christmas, picks up with characters introduced in her debut novel, Beginner’s Luck. Kristen and Jasper are co-workers and very close friends, and while both have secret feelings for the other, neither wants to destroy what they have on the slim chance that they could have something more. But luckily for us, Kristen and Jasper get snowed in at a one-bed cabin.
Clayborn’s a master at subtlety; I love the little touches and observations her characters make. Everything feels so important, so critical, because Clayborn makes the reader feel the leads’s yearning. Missing Christmas is the steamiest story in the anthology and the relationship between Kristen and Jasper has the most depth. Their HEA feels totally believable to me given how thoughtfully Clayborn portrays the history of their close relationship. This novella gives me major feels.
All things considered, A Snowy Little Christmas is a delightful holiday offering comprised of three novellas with vastly different styles and steam levels. There’s good romance representation here, but the flip side is that like me, you might find yourself adoring one story, liking one, and struggling with another.
3.5 stars out of 5.
My biggest snow story experience? When I was 11 or 12, two of my cousins, my siblings, and I got snowed in at my divorced dad and his then girlfriend’s house for several days. By the end of it, my dad was threatening to rent a helicopter to get us returned home.
Because of this (despite this?), I can really respect a snowed-in story, especially of the let’s-fall-in-love-while-the-snow-falls variety. It just seems to work on an elemental level: the vibrancy of the colors, the isolation, the cocoon effect. Everything’s reduced to the people you’re with really, whether it’s the family starting to grate on your nerves or a potential love interest, like in the A Snowy Little Christmas anthology.
I was so excited to get a copy of this anthology, mainly because Kate Clayborn’s included and I could happily read her books all the time. They’re lovely. In the end, I loved Clayborn’s novella—as I had expected I would—I really enjoyed the one written by Tara Sheets, and found the first novella in the collection, written by Fern Michaels, to be not quite my preference.
I’ve never read a book by Fern Michaels before, and I didn’t have an idea of what to expect. Starry Night, her anthology contribution, follows Jessie, an advertising exec & secret relationship-advice radio host, as she repeatedly travels to the Croton-on-Hudson bookstore her uncle gave her to schedule renovations, relocate the books, etc. There, she finds the close-knit community she’s never had before and meets single dad and contractor Evan.
I had some trouble relating to the characters in this one. On one hand, the leads are mature and sophisticated; on the other, they come across as not very approachable and often old-fashioned to me. I also had difficulty with the story itself: it seems to use more telling vs. showing, and the romance is subdued and pretty vague, even in its conclusion.
Tara Sheets’s Mistletoe and Mimosas, the second novella in the collection, adorably pairs Layla, the heroine, with the long-remorseful man who was complicit in the bullying she experienced at high school. Both leads are admirable: Layla’s made a successful life for herself and is aware of her worth; Sebastian is very sorry for how he treated Layla in high school and determined to meet the challenge of showing her that.
This snowed-in story is sweet and gentle, and Sheets features enough intriguing characters from her other works that I'm planning on reading more.
My favorite story in the collection, Kate Clayborn’s Missing Christmas, picks up with characters introduced in her debut novel, Beginner’s Luck. Kristen and Jasper are co-workers and very close friends, and while both have secret feelings for the other, neither wants to destroy what they have on the slim chance that they could have something more. But luckily for us, Kristen and Jasper get snowed in at a one-bed cabin.
Clayborn’s a master at subtlety; I love the little touches and observations her characters make. Everything feels so important, so critical, because Clayborn makes the reader feel the leads’s yearning. Missing Christmas is the steamiest story in the anthology and the relationship between Kristen and Jasper has the most depth. Their HEA feels totally believable to me given how thoughtfully Clayborn portrays the history of their close relationship. This novella gives me major feels.
All things considered, A Snowy Little Christmas is a delightful holiday offering comprised of three novellas with vastly different styles and steam levels. There’s good romance representation here, but the flip side is that like me, you might find yourself adoring one story, liking one, and struggling with another.
3.5 stars out of 5.
December 15, 2019
A 3 overall.
Starry Night
This was too descriptive for a novella. I could argue it would be too desciptive for a full length novel too. Either way, it took me out of the story. Not read FM before and not inclined to after reading this.
Mistletoe and Mimosas
While I liked both characters, I think the subject matter and subsequent love story would have been better in a full length novel. Layla was bullied growing up by Sebastion's friends. While he didn't participate, he also did nothing to stop or discourage the bullying. Layla was poor, Sebastion rich.
For most of the novella Layla thought about the past and limited her interactions with Sebastion, so their romance was too fast for me. I did like the writing and will be checking out more from the author.
Missing Christmas
Having known each other for years, this was a nice, believable romance. I liked the alternating points of view.
Starry Night
This was too descriptive for a novella. I could argue it would be too desciptive for a full length novel too. Either way, it took me out of the story. Not read FM before and not inclined to after reading this.
Mistletoe and Mimosas
While I liked both characters, I think the subject matter and subsequent love story would have been better in a full length novel. Layla was bullied growing up by Sebastion's friends. While he didn't participate, he also did nothing to stop or discourage the bullying. Layla was poor, Sebastion rich.
For most of the novella Layla thought about the past and limited her interactions with Sebastion, so their romance was too fast for me. I did like the writing and will be checking out more from the author.
Missing Christmas
Having known each other for years, this was a nice, believable romance. I liked the alternating points of view.
December 5, 2022
Cute
Fern Michaels - 3 stars
Tara Sheets - 3.5 stars
Kate Clayborn - 3.5 stars
Cute, mostly uncomplicated holiday reads!
Fern Michaels - 3 stars
Tara Sheets - 3.5 stars
Kate Clayborn - 3.5 stars
Cute, mostly uncomplicated holiday reads!
Read
December 5, 2019Three stories revolving around Christmas sounded like a win win situation to get me in mood for the upcoming holiday season. Each story had their share of romance and heartwarming moments.
So 🤔 3 different authors, each writing compelling Christmas stories. I found myself feeling meh about one story, loving one story and liking one story.
Starry Night 3⭐️
Mistletoe & Mimosas 4⭐️
Missing Christmas 3.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and authors for the opportunity to read and review the arc of these novellas in exchange for my honest opinion.
So 🤔 3 different authors, each writing compelling Christmas stories. I found myself feeling meh about one story, loving one story and liking one story.
Starry Night 3⭐️
Mistletoe & Mimosas 4⭐️
Missing Christmas 3.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and authors for the opportunity to read and review the arc of these novellas in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 7, 2019
This set of stories were a delight! Prior to this book, I had not heard of Tara Sheets and Kate Clayborn but now I'm going to have to add them to my list of must read authors! I feel like all the romance tropes were covered here - new love, enemies to lovers, and friends to lovers. I enjoyed them all pretty equally. Kate's was a bit more steamy than others but all were pretty closed door. So if you want a feel good, light, and easy PG-13 romance set around Christmas time, definitely pick this up!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Out 10/15/19.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Out 10/15/19.
October 17, 2019
STARRY NIGHT - 3.5 stars
MISTLETOE & MIMOSAS - 4 stars
MISSING CHRISTMAS - 4 stars
December 20, 2019
This is a nice collection of Christmas stories, with varying levels of success.
The first by Fern Michaels, is small town romance, you can go home again, instant attraction between the two main characters. There is a lot of "tell" instead of "show" in the storytelling. While the town sounds charming, and you can't help but love the set up of an old bookstore full of books and memories, I didn't connect much with the characters. I have not read Fern Michaels before, so I can't speak to how this compares to her others. It's simply a nice small town romance, no sexy times here. 3 stars.
Second is Tara Sheets' story, former high school acquaintances, each with unrequited attraction to the other, and misconceptions abound about their lives growing up. For a novella, a good examination of not making assumptions. Attraction between the two MCs is good. Only cringe-worthy time was the heroine's mother always asking if she found a "big strong man." With the backstory being about she and her mother making it through thick and thin (mostly thin), I would have hoped more for a really strong mother figure instead. Thankfully that wasn't the heroine's idea of success either. Hot veterinarian is a nice change of pace, too. Adopt, don't shop. No sexy times, but good chemistry between the characters. 4 stars, I enjoyed it and would try for more from this author..
Third is the jewel of the book, by Kate Clayborn. Anyone who has read her Chance of Lifetime series, specifically book 1, Beginner's Luck, will know Jasper. It's a fun way to reconnect with a character. Jasper and Kristen have great chemistry. I love the coworker angle, no power play going on here. The long burning attraction is done really well, Clayborn does slow burn brilliantly every time. I love the snowed in, the stories about their families at Christmas and yes, One Bed! Sexy times on the page. All the tropes are here, all the fun, this one is worth the purchase price alone. 5 stars all the way.
I received an ebook from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The first by Fern Michaels, is small town romance, you can go home again, instant attraction between the two main characters. There is a lot of "tell" instead of "show" in the storytelling. While the town sounds charming, and you can't help but love the set up of an old bookstore full of books and memories, I didn't connect much with the characters. I have not read Fern Michaels before, so I can't speak to how this compares to her others. It's simply a nice small town romance, no sexy times here. 3 stars.
Second is Tara Sheets' story, former high school acquaintances, each with unrequited attraction to the other, and misconceptions abound about their lives growing up. For a novella, a good examination of not making assumptions. Attraction between the two MCs is good. Only cringe-worthy time was the heroine's mother always asking if she found a "big strong man." With the backstory being about she and her mother making it through thick and thin (mostly thin), I would have hoped more for a really strong mother figure instead. Thankfully that wasn't the heroine's idea of success either. Hot veterinarian is a nice change of pace, too. Adopt, don't shop. No sexy times, but good chemistry between the characters. 4 stars, I enjoyed it and would try for more from this author..
Third is the jewel of the book, by Kate Clayborn. Anyone who has read her Chance of Lifetime series, specifically book 1, Beginner's Luck, will know Jasper. It's a fun way to reconnect with a character. Jasper and Kristen have great chemistry. I love the coworker angle, no power play going on here. The long burning attraction is done really well, Clayborn does slow burn brilliantly every time. I love the snowed in, the stories about their families at Christmas and yes, One Bed! Sexy times on the page. All the tropes are here, all the fun, this one is worth the purchase price alone. 5 stars all the way.
I received an ebook from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 20, 2020
3.5 Stars: This was a sweet, Christmas, romance anthology made up of three different novellas. I really enjoyed the first two stories: Starry Night by Fern Michaels and Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets. All three of the stories had a theme where people were snowed in at some point in the book. I found these stories a bit longer than the last anthology I read and for that reason, I was able to learn a bit more about the characters and their past. Each of them is a romance which ends in a happily ever after. Starry Night was set in a small town and involved a bookstore that was no longer viable and the new owner has to sell. I enjoyed the idea of having a Christmas party where the books were given away for a donation to the food bank or charity. Overall all three books were well written and involved a happily ever after. I found Missing Christmas hard to connect to for some reason, perhaps because I had not read the previous book with the same characters. The audiobook was narrated by Jeanine Bartel and Graham Halstead. I liked that there was both a male and female narrator. Their performances were well done with good voices and expression. Overall, sweet holiday romances to listen to on my walks.
November 6, 2019
This anthology has two authors I know and one who is new to me. Starry Night by Fern Michaels was fun. Jessie Richmond doesn’t, let say, advertise that she is a radio show host for the lovelorn when she returns to her uncle’s bookstore. She meets up with Evan Becker and his son Connor and her plans to get in/get out of town are disrupted. They make a cute couple and their road to an HEA has some pitfalls but ultimately, their story has a happy ending.
In Mistletoe and Mimosas, Tara Sheets’ story brings us Layla Gentry and Sebastian Harrington. Their bumps in the road to an HEA involve differing class, leftover feelings from high school, but ultimately, they find not only how to work together but how to make a relationship between them work.
In Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn, Kristen and Jasper are friends – who make a choice to live and work as best friends – but there’s a little, tiny problem that crops up: both of them really want to take it to the next level with the other but are afraid they will lose their close friendship if they do. Ah, lover’s angst!
Good grouping of stories.
In Mistletoe and Mimosas, Tara Sheets’ story brings us Layla Gentry and Sebastian Harrington. Their bumps in the road to an HEA involve differing class, leftover feelings from high school, but ultimately, they find not only how to work together but how to make a relationship between them work.
In Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn, Kristen and Jasper are friends – who make a choice to live and work as best friends – but there’s a little, tiny problem that crops up: both of them really want to take it to the next level with the other but are afraid they will lose their close friendship if they do. Ah, lover’s angst!
Good grouping of stories.
October 14, 2019
Skip the First Story and Read the Rest - 3.5 Stars
Summary: Don’t waste your time with the first story. However, the second and third stories are quite delightful and make reading this holiday anthology worth it. Each story review is below.
Novella 1: Starry Night by Fern Michaels
2 Stars, and that's being generous
This story seemed disjointed and I had a hard time staying with it. The premise is good but the follow-through was lacking and no risks were taken. Jessie's uncle and aunt decide to retire and move elsewhere and her uncle just ups and gives Jessie his bookstore so that she can sell it and buy her own house. Jessie already has two jobs, one in marketing and the other as a secret identity radio personality Dr Richie who gives advice to the lovelorn. Now she has the bookstore. She begins the process of clearing out the store and making renovations in order to put it on the market. Evan is the contractor she contacts and they have a brief instant connection. However, there was way too much detail about inconsequential things. I now know more about her wardrobe, renovation, and food choices than I do about what Jessie and Evan actually looked like.
I'm thinking less time should have been spent on technical detail and more time on building that romance...otherwise this is just a story about Jessie, Her Bookstore, Her Secret Job, and the Guy she thinks is Cute.
There also appears to be more dialogue between Jessie and her friends and coworkers than between Jessie and Evan. There doesn't seem to be any natural progression of attraction. At chapter 13 out of 15 chapters, we still know next to nothing about Evan. The longest conversation Jessie and Evan have is at the end of the story, and it's mostly just Jessie talking. Everything gets wrapped up neatly with no prior warning that these decisions were heading this direction. Seems like the ending is more HFN.
Novella 2: Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets
4 Stars
I liked this cute second chance romance that often made me giggle. Layla is a real estate agent and has everything she needs, including fostering a kitten she didn't know she wanted (Toonces). He's a veterinarian who needs to buy a house, and there's your double meet cute.
Layla and Sebastian were attracted to each other in high school, but came from different backgrounds. His family was rich and he had snooty snotty friends who bordered on obnoxious, and she was poor and lived in a trailer home. His parents were affluent but fought constantly and often put their kids in the middle. Layla was raised only by her Mom, who had to take on more than one job to make ends meet, but they were happy.
However, there are unresolved hurts in their pasts that they must get through before she can begin to address her feelings for him and hope for something more. And there's even a moral to the story during the wrap up. Love it.
This is a mostly clean romance, with some steamy kissing but nothing more sexy than that, although there's some innuendo coupled with humorous situations. Whenever they are in the same room together, you always have a sense of their connection. It's almost tangible. You get a sense of HEA.
Novella 3: Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn
4 Stars
I enjoyed this sweet, touching and sometimes steamy holiday romance, written in alternating first person. Although it’s part of a series, this novella is a standalone and I had no trouble following the characters. Kristen and Jasper have a recruiting firm that's trying to stay afloat. They’ve been best friends for the past six years, and each wants more but is afraid to mess up the friendship as well as their working partnership. But then one of them finally messes with the status quo. What's more important? The job or each other? With a little help from the Christmas season and a few friends for support, a happily ever after is just a snowball's throw away.
Although steamy, there are no explicit sex scenes, no graphic sex language - they just get to the condom unwrapping, then move onto the next morning. A few euphemisms and generalities, and you get the idea.
My copy was provided in advance from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: Don’t waste your time with the first story. However, the second and third stories are quite delightful and make reading this holiday anthology worth it. Each story review is below.
Novella 1: Starry Night by Fern Michaels
2 Stars, and that's being generous
This story seemed disjointed and I had a hard time staying with it. The premise is good but the follow-through was lacking and no risks were taken. Jessie's uncle and aunt decide to retire and move elsewhere and her uncle just ups and gives Jessie his bookstore so that she can sell it and buy her own house. Jessie already has two jobs, one in marketing and the other as a secret identity radio personality Dr Richie who gives advice to the lovelorn. Now she has the bookstore. She begins the process of clearing out the store and making renovations in order to put it on the market. Evan is the contractor she contacts and they have a brief instant connection. However, there was way too much detail about inconsequential things. I now know more about her wardrobe, renovation, and food choices than I do about what Jessie and Evan actually looked like.
I'm thinking less time should have been spent on technical detail and more time on building that romance...otherwise this is just a story about Jessie, Her Bookstore, Her Secret Job, and the Guy she thinks is Cute.
There also appears to be more dialogue between Jessie and her friends and coworkers than between Jessie and Evan. There doesn't seem to be any natural progression of attraction. At chapter 13 out of 15 chapters, we still know next to nothing about Evan. The longest conversation Jessie and Evan have is at the end of the story, and it's mostly just Jessie talking. Everything gets wrapped up neatly with no prior warning that these decisions were heading this direction. Seems like the ending is more HFN.
Novella 2: Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets
4 Stars
I liked this cute second chance romance that often made me giggle. Layla is a real estate agent and has everything she needs, including fostering a kitten she didn't know she wanted (Toonces). He's a veterinarian who needs to buy a house, and there's your double meet cute.
Layla and Sebastian were attracted to each other in high school, but came from different backgrounds. His family was rich and he had snooty snotty friends who bordered on obnoxious, and she was poor and lived in a trailer home. His parents were affluent but fought constantly and often put their kids in the middle. Layla was raised only by her Mom, who had to take on more than one job to make ends meet, but they were happy.
However, there are unresolved hurts in their pasts that they must get through before she can begin to address her feelings for him and hope for something more. And there's even a moral to the story during the wrap up. Love it.
This is a mostly clean romance, with some steamy kissing but nothing more sexy than that, although there's some innuendo coupled with humorous situations. Whenever they are in the same room together, you always have a sense of their connection. It's almost tangible. You get a sense of HEA.
Novella 3: Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn
4 Stars
I enjoyed this sweet, touching and sometimes steamy holiday romance, written in alternating first person. Although it’s part of a series, this novella is a standalone and I had no trouble following the characters. Kristen and Jasper have a recruiting firm that's trying to stay afloat. They’ve been best friends for the past six years, and each wants more but is afraid to mess up the friendship as well as their working partnership. But then one of them finally messes with the status quo. What's more important? The job or each other? With a little help from the Christmas season and a few friends for support, a happily ever after is just a snowball's throw away.
Although steamy, there are no explicit sex scenes, no graphic sex language - they just get to the condom unwrapping, then move onto the next morning. A few euphemisms and generalities, and you get the idea.
My copy was provided in advance from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2019
3.5 ⭐️
Two words: HALLMARK MOVIES. If you are a fan of those feel-good, heartwarming Hallmark holiday movies, then this book of three romances are for you. Cheers to my first holiday romance book of the year—this has set the mood!
Of the three, Kate Clayborn’s was my favorite, which makes me all the more excited to read her upcoming novel, Love Lettering. After a single kiss between two friends (and business partners), Kristen and Jasper have second thoughts. Business before pleasure, right? Until they’re stranded in Boston in the middle of a snowstorm while on a trip to meet with a client days before Christmas. Written in alternating points of view, this charming romance couldn’t be any more fun to read. Get the fire going, make a mug of your delicious hot beverage of choice, and read this underneath a cozy blanket.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Two words: HALLMARK MOVIES. If you are a fan of those feel-good, heartwarming Hallmark holiday movies, then this book of three romances are for you. Cheers to my first holiday romance book of the year—this has set the mood!
Of the three, Kate Clayborn’s was my favorite, which makes me all the more excited to read her upcoming novel, Love Lettering. After a single kiss between two friends (and business partners), Kristen and Jasper have second thoughts. Business before pleasure, right? Until they’re stranded in Boston in the middle of a snowstorm while on a trip to meet with a client days before Christmas. Written in alternating points of view, this charming romance couldn’t be any more fun to read. Get the fire going, make a mug of your delicious hot beverage of choice, and read this underneath a cozy blanket.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 24, 2019
Starry Night by Fern Michaels - 1/5
Strongly disliked the writing style, this wasn't my thing at all and I skimmed most of the story.
Mistletoe & Mimosas by Tara Sheets - 3/5
This was cute, if a little over the top in the cheese department.
Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn - 4/5
The main reason I wanted to read this book and by far my favourite of the three novellas. I had no idea it would be set in the same universe as her other books, so that was a nice surprise, even if I only vaguely remembered who Jasper and Kristin were. I was really fond of them and I'm kind of bummed they didn't get their own full-length book, as I think that would've worked even better. But I found this heartwarming and it put a smile on my face.
Strongly disliked the writing style, this wasn't my thing at all and I skimmed most of the story.
Mistletoe & Mimosas by Tara Sheets - 3/5
This was cute, if a little over the top in the cheese department.
Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn - 4/5
The main reason I wanted to read this book and by far my favourite of the three novellas. I had no idea it would be set in the same universe as her other books, so that was a nice surprise, even if I only vaguely remembered who Jasper and Kristin were. I was really fond of them and I'm kind of bummed they didn't get their own full-length book, as I think that would've worked even better. But I found this heartwarming and it put a smile on my face.
January 28, 2020
I put this on hold at the library back around Christmas time because I wanted to read the story by Kate Clayborn. That one would be a strong 4 stars. I really liked it. She told a great, believable story in a short amount of time. I'd recommend for fans of the author.
The story by Tara Sheets was fine. Nothing new there, but I don't mind that I read it. I DNF'd the story by Fern Michaels. I've never read anything by her before, and I'm thinking this probably wasn't the place to start. So 3 stars overall.
The story by Tara Sheets was fine. Nothing new there, but I don't mind that I read it. I DNF'd the story by Fern Michaels. I've never read anything by her before, and I'm thinking this probably wasn't the place to start. So 3 stars overall.
October 5, 2019
Sweetness! I loved how the three novellas carried the same tone and built on its innocent romance feel. There is no filler, no questionable motives, just some realistic roadblocks, lovely language and connections and feel-good endings to each. A wonderful choice for when you want a light read that delivers warmth. I wasn't familiar with Clayborn's work but will now look for it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free book file in exchange for a review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free book file in exchange for a review.
December 18, 2021
Cute! 3.5 ⭐️
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