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Christmas Wishes #4
The Christmas Contest
Will their competitive spirits ruin the spirit of Christmas? When Ben Winters and Lara Cottridge hear that a Vermont radio station is hosting a Christmas contest with a $10,000 prize for a charitable project of the winner’s choice, they seize the challenge. Although strangers, they both are obsessed with all things Christmas and each has their own worthy pet project in mind. News of the contest creates a lot of buzz, but most participants fall at the first hurdle—a timed online quirky Christmas quiz. The second, a stressful on-air quiz whittles the field down to two—Briarhill Falls residents Lara and Ben who are surprised that they have never met. As the contest heats up with five further Christmas-themed challenges, the town and state become enthralled by the battle of wits and skill. Soon Lara and Ben realize they have far more in common than a love of Christmas. And far more at stake. Will their competition stand in the way of falling in love?
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2019
27 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 20, 2020
רומן רומנטי חמוד ממש. תחנת הרדיו של וורמונט מכריזה על תחרות בנושא כריסטמס, כשהפרס הראשון עומד על עשרת אלפים דולר לטובת צדקה לבחירה. לארה ובן מגיעים לגמר ונאלצים להתחרות אחד מול השניה במשימות שונות ומשונות, שכולן קשורות לכריסטמס. לארה מעוניינת לתרום את הכסף לבית האבות של סבתה, כדי שיוכלו לערוך חגיגת חג מולד ולקנות עץ חג מולד. בן רוצה לתרום את הכסף לבית הספר התיכון המקומי, שבו הוא מתנדב ומאמן קבוצות ספורט של ילדים, שחלקם מבתים בעייתיים, כדי שיתקין רצפה חדשה באולם הספורט. בזכות התחרות הם מכירים אחד את השניה, ומתיידדים, ודי ברור מה קורה בהמשך...
ספר ממש חמוד ומקסים, מהנה ומשעשע. לארה ובן מקסימים ומרגשים. נהניתי מאוד לקרוא.
ספר ממש חמוד ומקסים, מהנה ומשעשע. לארה ובן מקסימים ומרגשים. נהניתי מאוד לקרוא.
October 14, 2019
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
3.5 stars.
A heartwarming love story full of Christmassy spirit where two generous and loving people engage in worthy causes to benefit elderly and kids.
Ben and Lara are both great characters. I loved Ben, the former baseball player now a carpenter and a coach. His devotion to the kids is amazing, his understanding and altruism too. I liked how the author, Scarlet Wilson, wrote the character making the reader discover him through the heroine’s perspective.
Their mutual annoyance in the beginning was fun to watch and how they get over the competition quests memorable.
Set in the mountain town of Briarhill Falls, Vermont, the story, despite its Christmas tones and spirit, depicts real problems about real people (factories closing, business struggling, teenagers with problematic families, caring for the elderly) Christmas snow
I really liked the story and the fact it also explored social issues while depicting the leads’ worthy causes.
3.5 stars.
A heartwarming love story full of Christmassy spirit where two generous and loving people engage in worthy causes to benefit elderly and kids.
Ben and Lara are both great characters. I loved Ben, the former baseball player now a carpenter and a coach. His devotion to the kids is amazing, his understanding and altruism too. I liked how the author, Scarlet Wilson, wrote the character making the reader discover him through the heroine’s perspective.
Their mutual annoyance in the beginning was fun to watch and how they get over the competition quests memorable.
Set in the mountain town of Briarhill Falls, Vermont, the story, despite its Christmas tones and spirit, depicts real problems about real people (factories closing, business struggling, teenagers with problematic families, caring for the elderly) Christmas snow
I really liked the story and the fact it also explored social issues while depicting the leads’ worthy causes.
December 16, 2022
Like watching a hallmark movie! Loved it!
October 15, 2019
A radio Christmas contest turns into so much more for competitors, Ben and Lara. They have entered to win 10,000 dollars for their choice of charity but in the end they both come out ahead. As they spend time competing against each other there is buzz between them, that they soon can not deny.
A sweet Christmas story that I highly recommend to get you in the mood for the holidays. Loved the simmering romance between Ben and Lara, love when you least expect it. This would be the perfect Hallmark movie.
A sweet Christmas story that I highly recommend to get you in the mood for the holidays. Loved the simmering romance between Ben and Lara, love when you least expect it. This would be the perfect Hallmark movie.
October 15, 2019
A truly amazing story. Once I started reading I just could not put it down.
Anyone who knew Lara new she was a Christmas nut so when the local radio station held their contest about Christmas trivia they knew Lara would be a perfect fit. Ben also lived in the same town as her but their paths never crossed until they were finalists for the Christmas contest and $10,ooo dollars
They each had a charity they wanted to use the money for and they had to work to win the challenges.
This was a really good book and I seriously just couldn't put it down
Anyone who knew Lara new she was a Christmas nut so when the local radio station held their contest about Christmas trivia they knew Lara would be a perfect fit. Ben also lived in the same town as her but their paths never crossed until they were finalists for the Christmas contest and $10,ooo dollars
They each had a charity they wanted to use the money for and they had to work to win the challenges.
This was a really good book and I seriously just couldn't put it down
October 17, 2019
A nice read, uplifting and heartwarming characters, a lovely seasonal read full of Christmas spirit, joy and charity and of course romance. Well written, interesting and keeps you interested. Cute read.
December 21, 2022
Audible Review
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
Cute.
This was a cute holiday listen. I liked the idea of the Christmas competition, the challenges that Ben and Lara had to do were fun and festive. I wanted them both to win, they each had such good reasons for participating. I liked the secondary cast of characters, especially Ben's students. I loved how invested in them he was, wanting to do things to help them out. Lara was sweet with how she wanted to make a nice Christmas for her grandmother and the rest of the folks at the home.
The ending was a little predictable, but hey, it made me happy and for this time of year that's all that matters.
I wish this was dual narration. I don't like when the is told in dual pov but only one person narrates it. Andrea Emmes would have been fine doing Lara's part, and she did a good job with the male characters, but I would have liked it better if a male had performed Ben's pov.
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
Cute.
This was a cute holiday listen. I liked the idea of the Christmas competition, the challenges that Ben and Lara had to do were fun and festive. I wanted them both to win, they each had such good reasons for participating. I liked the secondary cast of characters, especially Ben's students. I loved how invested in them he was, wanting to do things to help them out. Lara was sweet with how she wanted to make a nice Christmas for her grandmother and the rest of the folks at the home.
The ending was a little predictable, but hey, it made me happy and for this time of year that's all that matters.
I wish this was dual narration. I don't like when the is told in dual pov but only one person narrates it. Andrea Emmes would have been fine doing Lara's part, and she did a good job with the male characters, but I would have liked it better if a male had performed Ben's pov.
December 23, 2022
I smiled the entire time I listened to this book. Laura, the dutiful granddaughter who just wanted to give her grandmother a happy Christmas. Ben, the former baseball player and current volunteer coach who wanted to renovate the gym for the students. His was a little far fetched; there is ALWAYS money in the budget for athletics no matter how small the school is. But still, it was very noble. They had great chemistry. My favorite part was when she showed up to help him in his wood shop. That is the only thing I didn't like about this book; their needs to be a second book where she quits her job at the hospital and works in the shop with him keeping him organized, managing the shop, getting him grants to take on apprentices, and they get married. This book was so cheesy, so feel good. I LOVED it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2020
A Wonderful Christmas Story
When the local radio station announces they would be having a Christmas contest, Lara thinks she could win. Across town, Ben also believes he could win. The prize was $10,000 to be used for the charity of the winner's choice. Lara wants to win so she may provide a Christmas for the residents of her grandmother's assisted living home. Ben wants to pay for a new from floor at the local high school where he volunteers as a coach. Both worthy causes. When they are the last two standing, as finalists, they must perform certain Christmas tasks. The competition is on. The story is entertaining and a lot of fun, with a few heart- warming moments. It will leave you with a nice warm, fuzzy feeling.
When the local radio station announces they would be having a Christmas contest, Lara thinks she could win. Across town, Ben also believes he could win. The prize was $10,000 to be used for the charity of the winner's choice. Lara wants to win so she may provide a Christmas for the residents of her grandmother's assisted living home. Ben wants to pay for a new from floor at the local high school where he volunteers as a coach. Both worthy causes. When they are the last two standing, as finalists, they must perform certain Christmas tasks. The competition is on. The story is entertaining and a lot of fun, with a few heart- warming moments. It will leave you with a nice warm, fuzzy feeling.
November 27, 2022
The Christmas Contest could easily be made into a Hallmark movie. It has great characters, a small town in Vermont, a radio contest, high school sports students and a retirement home. Radio station KNWZ holds a Christmas contest involving five Christmas themed challenges. When the contest begins, the finalists, Ben Winters and Lara Cottridge, are strangers. Although they are both competitive, they don't want to let anybody down. When the time comes to crown the contest winner, Briarhill Falls, Vermont can be proud of both of them. I enjoyed reading this book during the holiday season, but it would be fun to read anytime of the year.
December 22, 2021
Eh ... it was a cute story, but there was a lot of strange repetition that in no way was entertaining.
As Ben and Lara are trying to win this Christmas contest for their causes, I found it mildly annoying that the point of view would change so swiftly, but repeat almost their exact same thoughts.
I did enjoy that both had worthy reasons for wanting to win the money, though.
But seriously? That ending? Not freaking possible. Would never happen. Yes, this is fiction (I am well aware), but even Hallmark would roll their eyes at this one.
As Ben and Lara are trying to win this Christmas contest for their causes, I found it mildly annoying that the point of view would change so swiftly, but repeat almost their exact same thoughts.
I did enjoy that both had worthy reasons for wanting to win the money, though.
But seriously? That ending? Not freaking possible. Would never happen. Yes, this is fiction (I am well aware), but even Hallmark would roll their eyes at this one.
October 20, 2020
Oh my goodness! I adored The Christmas Contest. It was funny, sweet and a real page turner. I was completely caught up in the story from the first page. Within half a chapter, I was rooting for both the hero and the heroine. It kept me on the edge of my seat, wishing they could both win. I read it in one sitting, sacrificing a good night's sleep and I don't regret it one bit. I can't wait to read it again. This one is going on my yearly holiday romance reading list.
December 22, 2021
This was the sweetest and most adorable story. It would make a GREAT Hallmark movie. I really enjoyed the plot of this one and the characters were completely likable. The ending was super cute. I very much enjoyed this read/listen! I will be reading more of Scarlet's Christmas stories before this holiday season is over.
December 28, 2022
What a cute holiday novella! Small town, former pro sports star turned local sports coach and doting granddaughter at a crossroads as they compete to win the radio station's massive cash prize to put toward causes close to their hearts. Can they find a way to help everyone they love or will the competition pit them against each? Heartwarming, sweet, and comforting this holiday season.
December 17, 2020
3.5 stars
A different Christmas holiday romance story. It’s clean, creative and clever concept.
I felt the ‘conflict’ between the characters was a bit weak. But overall a happy Christmas story.
A different Christmas holiday romance story. It’s clean, creative and clever concept.
I felt the ‘conflict’ between the characters was a bit weak. But overall a happy Christmas story.
November 6, 2020
Great Story
Excellent, fun story with lovable characters. Seems straight from a Hallmark movie which makes the story perfect for the holiday season.
Excellent, fun story with lovable characters. Seems straight from a Hallmark movie which makes the story perfect for the holiday season.
December 11, 2020
So cute 🥰
December 24, 2021
A cute Christmas story of hope and community and two characters trying to contest to help the charity of their choice by contest.
November 6, 2022
Christmas Contest
It is cute to watch Ben and Lara as they compete for their own worthy cause. There is humor and romance mixed with Christmas spirit. The narrator does a great job.
It is cute to watch Ben and Lara as they compete for their own worthy cause. There is humor and romance mixed with Christmas spirit. The narrator does a great job.
December 7, 2022
Super hokey, even for a Christmas romance.
December 12, 2022
Great Christmas book
December 17, 2022
Very cheesy but still cute and festive
December 19, 2022
A lovely holiday story. THe use of the same word in the same sentence took me out of the story a few times (My stomach dropped to the pit of my stomach), but the characters were lovely.
December 23, 2022
The characters and their love of Christmas was cute, but the contest was absurd. For all the contestants had to do, you would think the prize would be more than $10,000 to their favorite charity.
December 29, 2022
This is a good story that follows two well-written characters through some interesting situations. Although predictable overall, the stops along the way to the end are pretty good.
June 23, 2023
Good cute story that got a little syrupy at times. Narration by Andrea Emmes was clear and concse.
August 28, 2023
Two Christmas lovers from the same town meet when they enter a Christmas contest.
November 29, 2023
Sweet wholesome Christmas romance. Reminded me of Gift of the Magi.
November 30, 2023
Loved this right up to the end.. which was rushed and left everything unfinished.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews