All I want for the holidays is the willpower to resist my brother’s sexy, charming, easy-on-the-eyes new business partner. Instead, I'm stuck planning all the holiday parties with the one guy who makes me want to break my dating diet. Who thought that was a good idea? Oh, me. Yep, brilliant, strategic me who raised her hand and said yes I’d love to hang mistletoe with that hot former sports star. (Note to self: Mistletoe leads to toe-curling, knee-weakening kisses.) And I’d love to get snowed in with the one guy I shouldn’t fall for. (Addendum to the note to self: You know exactly where eight inches of snow leads to. Ahem, eight inches.) As long as I can make it through the holidays I’ll be on my merry way, fa la la la la. But the holidays have a surprise for me.
You can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
"I loved every minute of this fantastic holiday rom-com. Vaughn and Quinn have chemistry in spades. Perfect conversation. Perfect kisses. Perfect everything. MUST READ!"- Erica on Goodreads
Vaughn is a retired athlete that now co-owns a sports agency. Quinn is a party planner who’s brother is the other co-owner. Both Vaughn and Quinn are on a dating diet but when they meet it’s automatic sparks. You know everyone cheats on their diet.
Together they plan his company’s Christmas party which gives them an excuse to spend time together. While they may not have wanted a relationship they end up spending all of their time together, like they’re joined at the hip.
The problem is, when the holidays are over Vaughn is moving from NYC to Miami. Like all best laid plans they failed in not falling for each other. Quinn hates surprises, she’s the type to read the last page or watch the last five minutes first. But she’s just had the surprise of her life.
This was a super fast paced holiday romance whirlwind that gives the best hallmark movies a run for their money.
Quinn and Vaughn are adorably sweet and so freaking hot between the sheets. This is my first Lauren Blakely but certainly not my last.
This was too short. And by that I mean, it felt like 'bam, bam, thank you ma'am' kind of thing? I needed more transition, more development, and more in-between. I know I am the one who picked up a 111-page novella (I even bought the audio) so what did I really expect? but I feel like this could have been so good with even just 80 pages more or something...
This was a very cute, sexy little Christmas story. Quinn is a party planner that is helping her brother and his former pro athlete partner Vaughn, in planning a party for their sports agency. Neither Vaughn nor Quinn wants to get into any sort of relationship, but feel immediate attraction for each other. The fact that they are working together to plan the Christmas party doesn’t help matters at all.
They genuinely like each other and can’t seem to stay away from each other. Making matters worse, Vaughn plans to move to Miami after the holidays are over. This book was narrated by Andi Ardnt and Dan Bittner (as Quinn and Vaughn) with supporting characters narrated by Emma Wilder and Jason Clarke. I love the full cast audiobooks and though this one was short, it was definitely sweet!
UGH CHRISTMAS IS COMING GUYS! I AM SO FAH-REAKING EXCITED! Plus my love for Lauren Blakely has rekindled because this was a really cute book. Special Delivery just made me smile. In it, you will meet Vaughn and Quinn. Their friendship/relationship honestly made me smile like a geek throughout the entire thing. Their cute little Christmas banter made me think they were the one for one another.
It also didn't hurt that they felt the same thing/way. Of course these two had some little bumps along the road.. and then one giant little speedbump! Luckily, everything worked out! A lot better than I thought it would, which again - just made me smile.
Definitely in the Christmas spirit and can't wait for my next holiday book!
I was feeling pretty meh about this, and then the author managed to cram every trope I hate into the last 3 chapters. (I hate unexpected pregnancies and this one featured that.)
I loved this! It was so sweet. I listened to it while I decorated my office for Christmas. It put me in the perfect mood. The only thing that would have made it better is to have been longer. There are multiple narrators and they were all very good! Great start to this year's Christmas reads! Happy reading!
I don’t know what I loved more, this story or the blurb!! LOL
I am stupidly happy over this story you guys! It was sexy and romantic and sweet and endearing and yes, humorous!! Quinn and Vaughn had chemistry from the get-go! I couldn’t get enough of their spirited sparks! Short but sweet, this is a perfect romance story with the holiday backdrop to get you in a festive mood!
Overall 4.5 stars Performance 5+ stars Story 4 stars
I'm not sure how Dan Bittner wasn't already on my radar, but he definitely is now! I loved his performance in Special Delivery! His voice was so incredibly sexy and he was the perfect Vaughn. I really enjoyed him paired with Andi Arndt and you honestly cannot beat these full cast recordings. It's so awesome to have multiple narrators for all of the different characters. The excerpt from Overnight Service and the bonus holiday discussion between Andi and Dan at the end were great, but it was the blooper reel that stole the show for me. LOL I always enjoy the bonus material at the end of Lauren Blakely's audiobooks.
***** This was a really sweet instalove holiday novella. Vaughn and Quinn were fantastic together and I loved their banter and chemistry. They were playful and sexy, but I appreciated their honesty with each other the most. They were mature adults that spoke openly about their wants and feelings and didn't let any surprises derail their growing connection. There's just enough drama to keep things interesting, but Special Delivery is a light and fun read that will get you in the holiday spirit. This little novella can be read as a standalone, but characters from Lauren Blakely's previous books do appear. I'm excited for Amy's story next!
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
I decided to set a holiday reading challenge for this year. I want to read 7 holiday books in 7 weeks leading up to Christmas. Kicked it off with Special Delivery, which was sweet and sexy with lots of playful banter. I really enjoyed it. The audiobook has a great ensemble cast with wonderful narrations. I think this is my first Lauren Blakely book but definitely won’t be my last.
If you ever need a cotton-candy romance with nice people, good chemistry & no OTT drama or misunderstandings... 🪄🎁tada! I think their biggest conflict was Vaughn’s dislike of eggnog. Even her brother/his friend was happy for them.
Another thing I really loved: The FMC hates surprises and loves spoilers. And that’s portrayed as okay. She’s not an uptight control-freak stereotype & the MMC never pushes her to change. No virgins, both longtime celibate. If you didn't guess from the title, the climax has
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔: Just the lowest-angst holiday vibes. This is even fluffier (if possible) than I remember. There are some spicy scenes but most aren't super detailed imo.
MMC: Vaughn | ~29 | sports agent (former pro football player) | brown hair | dark brown eyes | 6’5” FMC: Quinn | mid-20’s(?) | event planner | red hair | green eyes | 5’9"
● Audio 3:17 h:m ● Full Cast Narration (main: Dan Bittner & Andi Arndt. supporting: Jason Clarke & Emma Wilder) ● 93 Kindle pages, ~28k ● Dual 1st person POV ● tropes Sunshine/Sunshine | insta-like | brother’s best friend | tall FMC
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔 / 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝒖𝒑𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆: 🪨 This awesome audio is still available, but no longer free on Audible Plus. 🧦 Check your library - but it looks like the ebook version is now only available in the Boyfriend Material novella omnibus. 🍫 BUT it's now free on KU!["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
I've never been a huge fan of Christmas romances and this book really did nothing for me. I only read it because I had to for a challenge. Thankfully it wasn't a very long book and I was put out of my misery quickly.
I didn't care about the characters or much about this book. It was all too perfect and sweet. I need a little more grit and not so much butterflies and roses.
Quinn is no longer going to date and Vaughn has started a no dating diet. They met at a dinner and just that fast they date. The book read only 150 pages so they had to meet, fall in love, and had him ask her to marry him. It read wrapped up very quickly and neatly.
This book isn't one I would waste my time on. To fluffy and sweet.
I loved this so much!! It’s full of so much sweetness and fun and Christmassy goodness!
The connection between Vaughn and Quinn was so immediate and strong and their chemistry was off the charts. And each of them knew it within minutes after meeting. I absolutely loved their banter and humor and their simmering attraction that quickly morphed into I-must-have-him/her. They were ADORABLE.
Zero drama, lots of fun, TONS of heart, and all the feels.
Special Delivery by Lauren Blakely Full Cast Narration starring Andi Arndt and Dan Bittner Holiday Novella. Standalone part of a series. Sigh…Lauren Blakely and a Christmas novel is like a match made in heaven! Add to that a full-cast audio, and I’m officially in the holiday spirit. Special Delivery by Lauren Blakely is the 5th book in the Always Satisfied Series, but can easily stand alone, that’s what I love about Lauren’s books.
Vaughn works as a sports agent in New York, but his family is in Miami. When the firm decides to expand to Miami, Vaughn is asked to head up the office after the holidays. In the meantime, one of his partners, Josh, tasks him with coordinating the office Christmas Party with his sister, an event planner. With only 2 months to go in New York, Vaughn was on a strict no-women diet. But when he spotted Josh’s sister, he knew he was in trouble.
“Deck the halls with my greatest temptation, and fuck me sideways with a nutcracker. Fa-la-la-la-la.”
She ticked every one of his boxes, especially the most important one.
“And she likes Christmas. Man down. Man officially down.”
Vaughn and Quinn had wonderful banter and their love of Christmas was so adorable! I love how their differences (she’s an organizer, he’s a pantser), and their similarities (extroverted Christmas lovers) worked so well together and they had fantastic chemistry. There was just the right amount of romance and steam, and I never felt like it was too short to be fulfilling which is really hard to do in a novella.
Likes:
•Special Delivery checked all my boxes for a perfect Christmas novella that can be read year-round. •The length worked, the story felt complete and not rushed. •So much holiday stuff happening! •I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. •I loved her aversion to surprises. •Great chemistry between the couple. •The tie-ins with previous books are there for Lauren Blakely lovers, but stands alone great too. •Witty banter.
Dislikes:
•There was nothing to dislike.
The Narration: Lauren Blakely has such a gift with audiobooks. She knows how to pick the perfect narrator, and her full cast ones are such an experience to listen to. I think this is the first time Dan Bittner has narrated a main character for her, and let me tell you, I have a new voice crush! He was perfect. I loved this cast!
The Down & Dirty:
It is so rare to finish a novella and feel like I had a complete story that didn’t feel overly rushed. While I wish it was longer because I didn’t want to leave the world, it was honestly timed perfectly. When I rate a novella, I usually use a different scale in my head and rate it for a novella only, in this case I don’t even need that caveat. Sweet, cute, sexy and it totally got me in the holiday spirit early, Special Delivery by Lauren Blakely is a new holiday favorite.
Rating 5 Stars, 4 Heat, 5 Narration Purchase Special Delivery by Lauren Blakely
Lauren Blakely’s first foray into holiday romances was exactly the kind of swept-up-in-the-magic-of-the-season love story I’d expect from her. A standalone novella in the Always Satisfied series, Special Delivery was deliciously sweet and steamy, and I devoured it in an afternoon. Quinn, a party planner, and Vaughn Channing, a former NFL football player and current business partner of Quinn’s brother, are tasked with planning his company’s Christmas party.
Blakely takes readers on a right person, wrong time jingle all the way to happily ever after. Quinn is on a man-break while she focuses on her business, and Vaughn is on a love diet after his last disastrous relationship—not to mention he’s gearing up for a move to Miami after the holidays to head up the firm’s expansion efforts there. But what neither one was expecting was the triple holiday treat of instant connection, natural chemistry and magnetic attraction between them. Agreeing to spend Vaughn’s last few weeks in the New York together, they may have agreed to a casual fling with an expiration date, but everything about their time together screams that it’s so much more than that.
Nicely developed yet still a fast-paced read, Special Delivery is bubbling over with all of the sexy, swoony romance that I love from Lauren Blakely. With all the charm of a Hallmark Channel holiday movie—that was directed by the good folks at Cinemax—Lauren’s first holiday romance was fiery, frisky and festive. Special Delivery by Lauren Blakely gets 5 smooches from me! ~Danielle Palumbo
I have been waiting for Vaughn and Quinn’s story since Overnight Service and let me just say, I wasn’t disappointed. I loved this cute Christmas novella. They were tasked with setting up a company Christmas party for Vaughn and Quinn’s brother, Josh. From the first that they met, the attraction between them was instant. The chemistry between them was so hot. You could feel it coming off the pages. It was so much fun watching two people who don’t want relationships fall in love. I highly recommend this story. You won’t be disappointed.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
A sweet Christmas Romance. Our heroine is tasked with planning the perfect holiday party for her brother's firm. Our hero is tasked with helping her. The attraction is instant. But, as in the story of the best romances, there are obstacles. He is leaving the country after the holidays. So they plan the perfect romance...with an expiration date. There are so many of the Christmas traditions that it can't help but put even the worst Grinch in the holiday mood.
A holly jolly holiday surprise - best friend’s sister rom-com novella from Lauren Blakely! The packages are wrapped nicely in the form of an ex-NFL tight-end who is now a sports agent and an in-the-know red-haired event planner. Both Vaughn and Quinn have experienced relationship disasters in the past and neither are looking for anything serious. (Hint: Santa may have something totally different in mind.)
The sparks ignite at first sight! Told from both Vaughn and Quinn’s points of view, the banter is filled with wit and laughter, and their fast-paced romance is fun, heartwarming and sexy.
Need a little lift during the rush of the season, this one is wrapped in all the sparkles of the Christmas season and sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
I enjoyed both of these narrators. Nothing exceptional, but I wasn’t aggravated by anything in their performance and while everyone has different criteria for what they like in narration, that is the first box that must be checked for me. Check.
This was a cute, sweet, and steamy Christmas story that didn’t have near the angst I expected when I began, which I was actually surprised and pleased about. It’s not a long book so I was able to listen to it while doing errands one afternoon. I enjoyed the banter between the hero and heroine as well as what little drama there was. Not a spectacular read/listen, but very nice to fill in the time between longer listens...especially during the holidays.
“Deck the halls with my greatest temptation, and fuck me sideways with a nutcracker. Fa-la-la-la-la.”
Vaughn Channing may be all about his new business plan, pledging to stay on a healthy diet of work, work, and more work, but that all changes when Quinn Summers enters his life, not only testing his resolve when it comes to his relationship-free lifestyle, but every single guideline he’s chosen to live by because ‘spoiler-alert’…Quinn is the best Christmas present Vaughn never knew he wanted and needed!
There’s nothing like a sweet and sexy romantic comedy from Lauren Blakely to get readers into the holiday spirit, and her newest release, Special Delivery, is full of Christmas joy, mistletoe makeouts, and some very special Christmas presents and surprises under the tree.
Special Delivery is a sweet, steamy, sexy little holiday novella. While Quinn and Vaughn try their hardest to resist the pull of attraction, they soon get caught up in not only the holiday spirit, but in each other. This was a definite case of insta-lust that soon developed into insta-love, something neither Quinn nor Vaughn was expecting. But there's no denying when the magic of the season grabs hold of you, and it certainly did with Vaughn and Quinn.
All I want for the holidays is the willpower to resist my brother’s sexy, charming, easy-on-the-eyes new business partner. This was a very sweet insta-love story, the story line was fast and sweet and the characters were overly sweet and yes I know I use the word sweet a lot lol but that is exactly what this book is a sweet and fast read.
I just LOVE Lauren Blakely’s audiobooks. They ALWAYS bring a smile to my face.
This short sexy, sweet and sassy holiday novella is the perfect listen for the lovers of drama free HEA. Plus is on Christmas time and gives you a Hallmark movie vibes. I got all giddy and swoony over Vaughn and Quinn story.
This was an insta love meet cute. I love the connection and fun times this couple developed in such a short time. I actually felt the love blooming between this couple.
Audiobook was performed by a full cast of incredible narrators. Andi Arndt, Dan Bittner, Jason Clarke, and Emma Wilder did a fantastic job bringing this holiday romance to life. Not only the book was great, the bloopers and little extra at the end made me laugh hard.
What a great surprise story, the characters are unique and fun. Their connection is chemistry and the way they just let it happen even with they both were not looking. Well, it was sweet and one of the many reasons I love Lauren’s book so much is the way she makes us fall in love with her characters.
The narration was fantastic; I loved Vaughn’s voice he was so effortless and easy to listen too. I think I might have a new voice to stalk. ;)