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Cinderella's Christmas Secret
An irresistible one-night seduction leads to a secret pregnancy in this passionate Cinderella romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Sharon Kendrick.
Cinderella’s story will change forever…with her festive secret!
Hollie Walker knew Spanish businessman Maximo Diaz was off-the-charts gorgeous—and off-limits to a shy waitress. But with all his attention focused on her at her work Christmas party, Hollie couldn’t deny herself the night of inescapable pleasure that followed…
Lone wolf Maximo knew their encounter would be unforgettable—and unrepeatable. Yet now Hollie’s at his castle, to reveal she’s pregnant. And a snowbound Christmas will force them to confront the dangerous passion they can no longer escape!
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Cinderella’s story will change forever…with her festive secret!
Hollie Walker knew Spanish businessman Maximo Diaz was off-the-charts gorgeous—and off-limits to a shy waitress. But with all his attention focused on her at her work Christmas party, Hollie couldn’t deny herself the night of inescapable pleasure that followed…
Lone wolf Maximo knew their encounter would be unforgettable—and unrepeatable. Yet now Hollie’s at his castle, to reveal she’s pregnant. And a snowbound Christmas will force them to confront the dangerous passion they can no longer escape!
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 1, 2020
48 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Kendrick
1,224 books454 followersI was told off as a child for making up stories—little did I know that one day I’d earn my living by writing them!
To the horror of my parents, I left school at sixteen and held a bewildering variety of jobs: I was a London DJ (in the now-trendy Primrose Hill), a decorator and a singer. After that I became a cook, a photographer and, eventually, a nurse. I waitressed in the south of France, drove an ambulance in Australia, saw lots of beautiful sights but could never settle down. Everywhere I went I felt like a square peg—until one day I started writing again and then everything just fell into place. I felt like Cinderella must have when the glass slipper fit!
Today, I have the best job in the world, writing passionate romances for Harlequin. I like writing stories which are sexy and fast-paced, yet packed full of emotion—stories that readers will identify with, laugh and cry along with.
My interests are many and varied—chocolate and music, fresh flowers and bubble baths, films, cooking and trying to keep my home from looking burglarized! Simple pleasures—you can’t beat them!
I live in Winchester, one of the most stunning cities in the world, but don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself! I regularly visit London and Paris. Oh, and I love hearing from my readers all over the world…so I think it’s over to you!
To the horror of my parents, I left school at sixteen and held a bewildering variety of jobs: I was a London DJ (in the now-trendy Primrose Hill), a decorator and a singer. After that I became a cook, a photographer and, eventually, a nurse. I waitressed in the south of France, drove an ambulance in Australia, saw lots of beautiful sights but could never settle down. Everywhere I went I felt like a square peg—until one day I started writing again and then everything just fell into place. I felt like Cinderella must have when the glass slipper fit!
Today, I have the best job in the world, writing passionate romances for Harlequin. I like writing stories which are sexy and fast-paced, yet packed full of emotion—stories that readers will identify with, laugh and cry along with.
My interests are many and varied—chocolate and music, fresh flowers and bubble baths, films, cooking and trying to keep my home from looking burglarized! Simple pleasures—you can’t beat them!
I live in Winchester, one of the most stunning cities in the world, but don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself! I regularly visit London and Paris. Oh, and I love hearing from my readers all over the world…so I think it’s over to you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 7, 2020
3.5 stars.
Just because Maximo had set himself up as some kind of modern-day Scrooge, didn’t mean she had to copy him, did it?
Romance blooms during the Christmas season, between a sexy, loner, Scrooge type H and the heroine who teaches him what it means to love and be loved.
It's not Sharon's K's best. The prose could be more emotionally impactful and the dialogue more memorable, but it still managed to hit the spot, because:
🍎 I liked the MC's. Both are loners with a similar backstory of parental issues, but each dealt with these problems differently. The H tried to use money to shield himself from the pain of his past and failed, because he's emotionally stunted and extremely cynical, vis a vis humankind. Meanwhile, the optimistic heroine still had faith in humanity and found joy in celebrating Christmas.
🍎 The storyline was a nice combo of sweet and sexy, with a fair balance between angst and romance.
🍎 It's a lovely rustic, Christmas themed romance, that celebrates the simple joys of the season, playing off the Scrooge and unexpected pregnancy tropes, but not in an overwhelming manner.
Maximo is a multi-billionaire H, whose money has brought him comfort but no emotional satisfaction. At the start of the story, he's at a point in his life where nothing pleases him. It seems as if he's just going through the motions and has become utterly bored with everything and everyone.
This is the H, Maximo:
How could anyone ever forget a man who resembled a dark, avenging angel who had tumbled to earth in a custom-made suit?
Like many of Sharon K's heroes, he's a man of few words, who emanates a lot of big dick energy...
The reader can literally sense the effect he has on everyone ( male or female ) in the room, when he is first introduced. Hollie, the heroine, is dazzled by his magnificence and almost dumbstruck in his presence.
This is the heroine, Hollie:
Tempt him? She most certainly could.
She's a lovely and very conservative heroine, who doesn't draw attention to herself. That's because she strives to be the polar opposite of her late mother, whose life had been a basic trainwreck; largely due to her obsessive fixation on the heroine's playboy dad.
Hollie earns the H's attention, when she's coerced by her boss into dressing as a *sexy elf waitress*. The H, had interacted with her briefly, on a few previous occasions, but hadn't actually noticed her, because of her dowdy attire and monosyllabic responses to his conversation.
This all changes when he sees her in the sexy elf costume. It's now his turn to be dazzled and tempted:
For a moment he thought she seemed faintly familiar, but the thought instantly left him because he was finding it difficult not to stare. And difficult to breathe. Who wouldn’t when she looked so...spectacular?
A little bit of HPlandia serendipity leads to the most memorable one night stand in the H's life. And, true to form, the H leaves the next morning indicating that he won't be contacting her in the future. It's only her unexpected pregnancy, a few weeks later, that brings these two back together again. This time they're snowed in at his castle in Devon, and, helped along by lots of hot sex, the romance blooms, culminating in a marriage proposal.
The pacing is quite good because the plot moves quickly. Some minimal angst is injected, via the interference of a vicious busybody, whose lies bear fruit in the heroine's vulnerable mind. This leads to a very short separation, which the H sorts out easily when he comes after the heroine to get an explanation for her sudden animosity.
But it's the sweet and beautiful epilogue, set in the future at Christmastime with their son Mateo, that made me increase the rating from 3 to 3.5 stars. The novel itself isn't as good as Maisey Yates' His Majesty's Forbidden Temptation. Maisey Y's prose and dialogue are superlative, in that novel and I'm tempted to increase the rating for that novel, when I compared it to this one. But I won't, because that'll feel too much like cheating.
Although it's not her best, it's good enough for me to say that SK will not be joining my tiny list of "meh" HPlandia authors anytime soon. Sometimes I might skip a Sharon K book or two, depending on the preview and I know she's a hit or miss for lots of my Goodreads' pals, but in my opinion, she belongs right up there with the legendary Lynne Graham, longtime fav, Jennie Lucas and one of my newer favourites, Heidi Rice.
One thing I know for sure: after checking out HPlandia's upcoming 2021 releases, her next book, One Night Before the Royal Wedding is one I'm eagerly awaiting, based on the blurb ! It had better not be a fucking disappointment. That always sucks, especially when it's a book I'm looking forward to reading. I anticipate SK's releases, as much as I shy away from Amanda Cinelli and a token few others, whose writing might be good but whose character sketching etc., aren't quite my thing.
Safety: No OW, no OM, no cheating and both MC's are celibate during their two short separations.
Just because Maximo had set himself up as some kind of modern-day Scrooge, didn’t mean she had to copy him, did it?
Romance blooms during the Christmas season, between a sexy, loner, Scrooge type H and the heroine who teaches him what it means to love and be loved.
It's not Sharon's K's best. The prose could be more emotionally impactful and the dialogue more memorable, but it still managed to hit the spot, because:
🍎 I liked the MC's. Both are loners with a similar backstory of parental issues, but each dealt with these problems differently. The H tried to use money to shield himself from the pain of his past and failed, because he's emotionally stunted and extremely cynical, vis a vis humankind. Meanwhile, the optimistic heroine still had faith in humanity and found joy in celebrating Christmas.
🍎 The storyline was a nice combo of sweet and sexy, with a fair balance between angst and romance.
🍎 It's a lovely rustic, Christmas themed romance, that celebrates the simple joys of the season, playing off the Scrooge and unexpected pregnancy tropes, but not in an overwhelming manner.
Maximo is a multi-billionaire H, whose money has brought him comfort but no emotional satisfaction. At the start of the story, he's at a point in his life where nothing pleases him. It seems as if he's just going through the motions and has become utterly bored with everything and everyone.
This is the H, Maximo:
How could anyone ever forget a man who resembled a dark, avenging angel who had tumbled to earth in a custom-made suit?
Like many of Sharon K's heroes, he's a man of few words, who emanates a lot of big dick energy...
The reader can literally sense the effect he has on everyone ( male or female ) in the room, when he is first introduced. Hollie, the heroine, is dazzled by his magnificence and almost dumbstruck in his presence.
This is the heroine, Hollie:
Tempt him? She most certainly could.
She's a lovely and very conservative heroine, who doesn't draw attention to herself. That's because she strives to be the polar opposite of her late mother, whose life had been a basic trainwreck; largely due to her obsessive fixation on the heroine's playboy dad.
Hollie earns the H's attention, when she's coerced by her boss into dressing as a *sexy elf waitress*. The H, had interacted with her briefly, on a few previous occasions, but hadn't actually noticed her, because of her dowdy attire and monosyllabic responses to his conversation.
This all changes when he sees her in the sexy elf costume. It's now his turn to be dazzled and tempted:
For a moment he thought she seemed faintly familiar, but the thought instantly left him because he was finding it difficult not to stare. And difficult to breathe. Who wouldn’t when she looked so...spectacular?
A little bit of HPlandia serendipity leads to the most memorable one night stand in the H's life. And, true to form, the H leaves the next morning indicating that he won't be contacting her in the future. It's only her unexpected pregnancy, a few weeks later, that brings these two back together again. This time they're snowed in at his castle in Devon, and, helped along by lots of hot sex, the romance blooms, culminating in a marriage proposal.
The pacing is quite good because the plot moves quickly. Some minimal angst is injected, via the interference of a vicious busybody, whose lies bear fruit in the heroine's vulnerable mind. This leads to a very short separation, which the H sorts out easily when he comes after the heroine to get an explanation for her sudden animosity.
But it's the sweet and beautiful epilogue, set in the future at Christmastime with their son Mateo, that made me increase the rating from 3 to 3.5 stars. The novel itself isn't as good as Maisey Yates' His Majesty's Forbidden Temptation. Maisey Y's prose and dialogue are superlative, in that novel and I'm tempted to increase the rating for that novel, when I compared it to this one. But I won't, because that'll feel too much like cheating.
Although it's not her best, it's good enough for me to say that SK will not be joining my tiny list of "meh" HPlandia authors anytime soon. Sometimes I might skip a Sharon K book or two, depending on the preview and I know she's a hit or miss for lots of my Goodreads' pals, but in my opinion, she belongs right up there with the legendary Lynne Graham, longtime fav, Jennie Lucas and one of my newer favourites, Heidi Rice.
One thing I know for sure: after checking out HPlandia's upcoming 2021 releases, her next book, One Night Before the Royal Wedding is one I'm eagerly awaiting, based on the blurb ! It had better not be a fucking disappointment. That always sucks, especially when it's a book I'm looking forward to reading. I anticipate SK's releases, as much as I shy away from Amanda Cinelli and a token few others, whose writing might be good but whose character sketching etc., aren't quite my thing.
Safety: No OW, no OM, no cheating and both MC's are celibate during their two short separations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2025
2 😔😔⭐️s
Flat, cliche and unemotional.
Flat, cliche and unemotional.
November 7, 2020
Omg loved the sexy but tortured alpha hero! What an entertaining and delightful novel. A heart-warming book that will have you believing in Christmas magic and the power of love! Epilogue with their baby boy and pregnant heroine was all kinds of adorable!❤️
Totally safe: virgin heroine and both celibate during their separation!
I also want to thank my friend Carmen because her detailed review made me want to read this! I was thinking of skipping it even though I love Sharon Kendrick because I am bored of the stranded in the snow theme 😐
Totally safe: virgin heroine and both celibate during their separation!
I also want to thank my friend Carmen because her detailed review made me want to read this! I was thinking of skipping it even though I love Sharon Kendrick because I am bored of the stranded in the snow theme 😐
January 14, 2021
Very quick story
It ended at like 80% and his turnaround just didn't click. Maxim comes to town to purchase a castle. The heroine dresses up as an elf and attracts his attention. They took up, her first time of course, and she gets pregnant. He is a total jerk to her and pushes her away. I felt bad for her. But then he wants her some more and now he wants to get married! And he loves her to boot. The end. Seriously. It was when bam and I love you. Very different and not what I expect from Sharon Kendrick but I was okay with it. The hero wasn't a playboy, there was no OW drama and it had a very sweet epilogue. It was just too quickly done. I still give it a three. Good heroes are hard to find. He did have his moments though. But all in all an average read.
It ended at like 80% and his turnaround just didn't click. Maxim comes to town to purchase a castle. The heroine dresses up as an elf and attracts his attention. They took up, her first time of course, and she gets pregnant. He is a total jerk to her and pushes her away. I felt bad for her. But then he wants her some more and now he wants to get married! And he loves her to boot. The end. Seriously. It was when bam and I love you. Very different and not what I expect from Sharon Kendrick but I was okay with it. The hero wasn't a playboy, there was no OW drama and it had a very sweet epilogue. It was just too quickly done. I still give it a three. Good heroes are hard to find. He did have his moments though. But all in all an average read.
November 6, 2020
Very lovely and enjoyable read
But I have to say that the title was a little bit misleading the baby was definitely not a secret !!
Safe read, they had a one night stand! Yes , unplanned pregnancy but she told him , no om/ow , low angst !, both were celibate during separation, she is a Virgin he is not a manwhore!
He never had a home so I loved that he considered her as his home ❤ they were so perfect to each other , the epilogue was so heartwarming and cute with their son and Pregnant h ❤ loved it 👍
But I have to say that the title was a little bit misleading the baby was definitely not a secret !!
Safe read, they had a one night stand! Yes , unplanned pregnancy but she told him , no om/ow , low angst !, both were celibate during separation, she is a Virgin he is not a manwhore!
He never had a home so I loved that he considered her as his home ❤ they were so perfect to each other , the epilogue was so heartwarming and cute with their son and Pregnant h ❤ loved it 👍
November 5, 2020
Come on! It's definitely rational for a billionaire to ask if the child was really his after the ONS 11 weeks before!!!
November 2, 2020
Its been torture saving reading this new title from my favorite HP author until November 1 (its unlucky in our house to do anything Christmassy before Halloween holiday decorations are safely packed away for another year!) It's sat unopened on my hall table in its package, unopened like a prized present. But boy it was worth the wait -- Sharon Kendrik has given us another gift of a romance. Right off the start I was rooting for frumpy Hollie, wincing when her mean boss forced her to costume as an sexy elf. Virgin Hollie doesnt expect to end up in bed with billionaire heartthrob Maximo Diaz (even just his name gives me shivers like Christmas snows!!) Hands down Maximo is the most gorgeous HP hero I've read in a long time --a super hot Spaniard who hates everything about Christmas (I can forgive him that ...just!). His heart is as cold as his remote castle in Devonshire, England, where he locks himself away to avoid the Holidays - only things is Hollie turns up and gives him a present he hadn't been expecting and it starts to snow and they are stranded.
The story has it all - passion and emotions deep as the snow drifts round the castle mansion. I felt I was there with both Hollie and Max and couldnt stop reading til I knew how things ... well, you know! Its sure one one night before Christmas that was worth the wait and one I'll absolutly never forget!
The story has it all - passion and emotions deep as the snow drifts round the castle mansion. I felt I was there with both Hollie and Max and couldnt stop reading til I knew how things ... well, you know! Its sure one one night before Christmas that was worth the wait and one I'll absolutly never forget!
December 22, 2022
I enjoyed this one very much. Hollie and Maximo were great characters- interesting, engaging and irresistible.
I was slightly put off by an error which should have been picked up by the editor. Hollie gets dropped off by Dave at the foot of the lane - walks up to the castle and then pays the driver!! Really threw me out of the story.
It the rest of the story was lovely and flowed beautifully. The sex scenes were romantic and steamy and I loved the epilogue.
I was slightly put off by an error which should have been picked up by the editor. Hollie gets dropped off by Dave at the foot of the lane - walks up to the castle and then pays the driver!! Really threw me out of the story.
It the rest of the story was lovely and flowed beautifully. The sex scenes were romantic and steamy and I loved the epilogue.
December 31, 2020
Cinderella’s Christmas Secret by Sharon Kendrick is a December Harlequin Presents release which finds the joy in Christmas spirit and shows that miracles do happen.
The dark and mysterious, exceptionally handsome and moody Maximo is only in the little country town to seal the deal with his latest purchase; not to be distracted by a beautiful little Christmas Elf called Hollie. Hand’s down the most handsome grinch – Maximo absolutely hates Christmas and can’t wait to get back to the city where he can find joy in running his global empire. With a little Christmas miracle, a completely unexpected one-night stand and some wonderful snowed in adventures; can Maximo look at Christmas differently?
I really likened Hollie to Emilia Clarke’s character in the move Last Christmas. Hollie was just delightful but was up against a pretty tough character with Maximo but the true talent of an author is writing an unlikeable chap which you enjoy watching gradually be redeemed. I applauded Hollie when she put her foot down and said enough is enough. I adored the epilogue and I’m quite confident the Christmas spirit is alive and well.
A lovely Christmas themed story which was an easy read and I loved Hollie. I love the way Sharon Kendrick can create two worlds and describe them in such a way you’re right there. Thank you for another lovely read Sharon.
The dark and mysterious, exceptionally handsome and moody Maximo is only in the little country town to seal the deal with his latest purchase; not to be distracted by a beautiful little Christmas Elf called Hollie. Hand’s down the most handsome grinch – Maximo absolutely hates Christmas and can’t wait to get back to the city where he can find joy in running his global empire. With a little Christmas miracle, a completely unexpected one-night stand and some wonderful snowed in adventures; can Maximo look at Christmas differently?
I really likened Hollie to Emilia Clarke’s character in the move Last Christmas. Hollie was just delightful but was up against a pretty tough character with Maximo but the true talent of an author is writing an unlikeable chap which you enjoy watching gradually be redeemed. I applauded Hollie when she put her foot down and said enough is enough. I adored the epilogue and I’m quite confident the Christmas spirit is alive and well.
A lovely Christmas themed story which was an easy read and I loved Hollie. I love the way Sharon Kendrick can create two worlds and describe them in such a way you’re right there. Thank you for another lovely read Sharon.
December 28, 2021
This book is like a terrible, spicy Hallmark movie (and therefore delightfully fun).
September 8, 2025
Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the ALC.
I'm not sure why there is a reference to Cinderella in the title of this book. Outside of the female main character being broke and having a low paying job, there are no singing mice to help with daily chores or an evil step-family forcing her into involuntary servitude. She's just Holly Walker. Plain Jane from a small town in Devon. And this guy...is no Prince Charming.
So who is Maximo Diaz? A conquistador. A billionaire (ethical and self-made, of course!). An olive skinned Latin lover. He's a man who has seen things. A man who has lived in the shadows. A man who first earned his living breaking rocks with a hammer and chisel while working a road crew.
There are many things I will let slide in the name of "romance reasons," but that last one is just a bridge too far.
Now, in the hands of a professional driver on a closed course, I love a category romance. You have to really come correct and bang out a plot, a romantic relationship, and sizzling intimacy in under 300 pages. And where I lose the thread most of the time, even when allowing for these fast paced books to be a one way ticket to Bonkersville, is in the narrow minded depictions of femininity whenever you are in the MMC's point of view. These FMC's are always explicitly described as: naive, innocent, pure, dainty, light, goodness. In contrast, the MMC is described as arrogant, suave, confident, worldly. There's something off-putting about main characters depicted in such dated Mars and Venus framing. Connected to this is the consistent framing of rich man / poor girl, where the economic power dynamics only deepen the infantilization (or minimization) of the female main character.
I guess if you like Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus romance novels this will be right up your alley. However I do reserve the right to side eye with no subtlety as you may be a MAGA supporter.
I'm not sure why there is a reference to Cinderella in the title of this book. Outside of the female main character being broke and having a low paying job, there are no singing mice to help with daily chores or an evil step-family forcing her into involuntary servitude. She's just Holly Walker. Plain Jane from a small town in Devon. And this guy...is no Prince Charming.
So who is Maximo Diaz? A conquistador. A billionaire (ethical and self-made, of course!). An olive skinned Latin lover. He's a man who has seen things. A man who has lived in the shadows. A man who first earned his living breaking rocks with a hammer and chisel while working a road crew.
There are many things I will let slide in the name of "romance reasons," but that last one is just a bridge too far.
Now, in the hands of a professional driver on a closed course, I love a category romance. You have to really come correct and bang out a plot, a romantic relationship, and sizzling intimacy in under 300 pages. And where I lose the thread most of the time, even when allowing for these fast paced books to be a one way ticket to Bonkersville, is in the narrow minded depictions of femininity whenever you are in the MMC's point of view. These FMC's are always explicitly described as: naive, innocent, pure, dainty, light, goodness. In contrast, the MMC is described as arrogant, suave, confident, worldly. There's something off-putting about main characters depicted in such dated Mars and Venus framing. Connected to this is the consistent framing of rich man / poor girl, where the economic power dynamics only deepen the infantilization (or minimization) of the female main character.
I guess if you like Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus romance novels this will be right up your alley. However I do reserve the right to side eye with no subtlety as you may be a MAGA supporter.
August 10, 2021
I haven't read many of Kendrick's books but she seems to like the Cinderella plotlines - with an additional acknowledgment that Cinderella isn't all it's cracked up to be. While Hollie is a ridiculously put-upon heroine, she comes across as stable and grounded; she's financially insecure due to circumstances out of her control (of course) but in the meantime she's saving her money and working towards her eventual career goals. When the opportunity comes to hook up with hot billionaire Maximo she takes it, and reminds herself repeatedly that it's a one-night hook-up and that's all - and while she catches feelings like any good Harlequin heroine, they're equally mixed with embarrassment because she knows he's not actually a good prospect to catch feelings for; he's clearly an emotional wreck. Maximo, our hero, is an emotional wreck of the stoic My Parents Never Loved Me and Also I Hate Christmas type. An accidental pregnancy followed by a snowed-in hook-up leads him to propose marriage and make Hollie over to be an "appropriate wife" for someone of his social standing, which Hollie finds basically horrifying. Generally speaking, the book is exactly what you'd expect it to be but Hollie is both less of a doormat and less obnoxiously optimistic than one might expect, making this fairly readable.
September 30, 2025
🎧⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧
Huge thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the chance to listen and review.🙏
Maximo, a brooding billionaire with zero love for Christmas, heads to a small town to close a business deal, but ends up snowed in with Hollie. A charming, spirited woman who’s basically a walking holiday miracle.🎄
What starts as a one-night stand turns into something deeper, forcing Maximo to confront his past and maybe, just maybe, open his heart to the magic of the season. 🎄🩷
Hollie is delightful, full of warmth and sass, and watching her stand up to Maximo was everything. Their chemistry sizzles, and Sharon Kendrick crafts their worlds so vividly, you feel like you're right there in the snow with them.
🎧 Alice Carax’s narration was utter perfection, bringing every emotion to life.
A cozy, romantic escape with just the right amount of holiday sparkle.
Huge thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the chance to listen and review.🙏
Maximo, a brooding billionaire with zero love for Christmas, heads to a small town to close a business deal, but ends up snowed in with Hollie. A charming, spirited woman who’s basically a walking holiday miracle.🎄
What starts as a one-night stand turns into something deeper, forcing Maximo to confront his past and maybe, just maybe, open his heart to the magic of the season. 🎄🩷
Hollie is delightful, full of warmth and sass, and watching her stand up to Maximo was everything. Their chemistry sizzles, and Sharon Kendrick crafts their worlds so vividly, you feel like you're right there in the snow with them.
🎧 Alice Carax’s narration was utter perfection, bringing every emotion to life.
A cozy, romantic escape with just the right amount of holiday sparkle.
April 16, 2021
Did not like it. I did not feel the connection between the two at all, it felt so out of place them sleeping together the first time. There did not at all feel like a so great attraction that they would do an out of character act like having one night stand for first time for both of them. Then the whole pregnancy announcement and him wanting nothing to do with it except for financially and only after being stranded together for a few days did he change his mind. If he had never seen her again he would have put it out of his mind and she would have been a single mother (his attraction to her and wanting to continue to sleep with her is only thing that made him make responsible decision). P.
August 1, 2021
3.5 stars
It was an okay read. The only thing that I love in this book is the ending. The H didn't want the baby at first, 2/3 of the book he started to want the baby and asked the h to marry him, she said yes. A bit drama almost at the end of the book that caused a misunderstanding where she told the H over a text that she changed her mind about marrying him. The H chased her to UK and they confessed about their feelings towards each other then they got married with a year old son and another baby on the way, the end. Certainly not my favourite, found the H was quite cold and the h very understanding.
It was an okay read. The only thing that I love in this book is the ending. The H didn't want the baby at first, 2/3 of the book he started to want the baby and asked the h to marry him, she said yes. A bit drama almost at the end of the book that caused a misunderstanding where she told the H over a text that she changed her mind about marrying him. The H chased her to UK and they confessed about their feelings towards each other then they got married with a year old son and another baby on the way, the end. Certainly not my favourite, found the H was quite cold and the h very understanding.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
hq-to-read
November 4, 2020Hollie Walker knew Spanish businessman Maximo Diaz was off-the-charts gorgeous—and off-limits to a shy waitress. But with all his attention focused on her at her work Christmas party, Hollie couldn’t deny herself the night of inescapable pleasure that followed…
Lone wolf Maximo knew their encounter would be unforgettable—and unrepeatable. Yet now Hollie’s at his castle, to reveal she’s pregnant. And a snowbound Christmas will force them to confront the dangerous passion they can no longer esca
Lone wolf Maximo knew their encounter would be unforgettable—and unrepeatable. Yet now Hollie’s at his castle, to reveal she’s pregnant. And a snowbound Christmas will force them to confront the dangerous passion they can no longer esca
February 8, 2021
Hollie is a waitress working a Christmas party that her boss says she needs to wear an elf costume that is a few sizes too small. Maximo is who the Hollie's boss is trying to impress him for her business. They have a one night stand and Hollie shows up at his castle to let him know he is going to be a father. Then the real fun begins.
March 17, 2022
It was nice to read a book based around an event "Christmas". A happy time of year with different traditions that people have and enjoy.
A typical Mills and Boon Romance, where everything seems to be predictable as you turn the pages.
But who can resist - a Happy Romance and Ever After occasionally.
A typical Mills and Boon Romance, where everything seems to be predictable as you turn the pages.
But who can resist - a Happy Romance and Ever After occasionally.
October 25, 2025
A fantastic story! You can't go wrong with Sharon Kendrick. As some reviewers point out, this alpha hero is akin to the modern-day Scrooge. The heroine, of course, is his opposite and loves all things holiday despite her own disastrous upbringing—heartfelt and plenty of sexy moments.
A quick, holiday read.
A quick, holiday read.
November 7, 2020
the story is fine, kind of boring tho. the heroine is a waitress and she met the hero when she served him. they met afterwards and have one night stand, she got pregnant ofc. the hero didn't want to commit at first but then he suggested marriage. very basic and boring.
April 7, 2024
I really enjoyed the story and the characters. Do need a better proof reader. She can't set the cake down at the door and pay the driver when her work colleague dropped her off at the drive and she walked up the drive to the house.
September 10, 2025
I was given this book to be an ARC reader and I enjoyed it very well. It’s an almost enemies to lovers book and loved the back story of the main characters of the book. It was a quick and easy read. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a happy love ending
October 8, 2025
*Audiobook/ALC review*
The story was ok but the 3rd person POV made it a little difficult for me to connect with the characters. The narration was fine, but I struggled to stay with and remember which characters was talking. I love the holiday theme and I liked the FMC.
The story was ok but the 3rd person POV made it a little difficult for me to connect with the characters. The narration was fine, but I struggled to stay with and remember which characters was talking. I love the holiday theme and I liked the FMC.
April 4, 2021
Super cheesy.
January 7, 2022
3.5. Sweet romance. No angst / conflict. Recommend
November 16, 2020
Loved this story about Maximo and Hope.
November 26, 2025
What a really fun modern day, Cinderella inspired Christmas story! The similarities to the fairytale were subtle but I enjoyed the parallels when I recognized them!
This was an entertaining mashup of Cinderella and Scrooge that I enjoyed every minute of. I love a hard, brooding man who thinks he has no time for the softer side of life viewing it as a weakness. Match this with a strong, resilient, self aware heroine who loves the little things that life has to offer creates a clash of minds, spirits and passion that I eat up!
A delightful Christmas themed story with equally delightful characters. Their chemistry and banter were highly entertaining and I felt they were a perfect match for each other. The Christmas magic that was sprinkled in gave this story a festive, heartwarming vibe that's perfect for the holiday season.
🎧 Alice Carax's narration was brilliant. I was instantly drawn into the story and kept there through her expressive, natural flow with distinct voices and excellent pacing that brought the text to life.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was an entertaining mashup of Cinderella and Scrooge that I enjoyed every minute of. I love a hard, brooding man who thinks he has no time for the softer side of life viewing it as a weakness. Match this with a strong, resilient, self aware heroine who loves the little things that life has to offer creates a clash of minds, spirits and passion that I eat up!
A delightful Christmas themed story with equally delightful characters. Their chemistry and banter were highly entertaining and I felt they were a perfect match for each other. The Christmas magic that was sprinkled in gave this story a festive, heartwarming vibe that's perfect for the holiday season.
🎧 Alice Carax's narration was brilliant. I was instantly drawn into the story and kept there through her expressive, natural flow with distinct voices and excellent pacing that brought the text to life.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 10, 2024
1st book in January 2024. Actually I want to read it in December 2023 since it fit the Xmas’ theme, however the ebook format in GD’s couldn’t be open in my iPad. Fortunately, today I open GD app using my handphone and the ebook format open smoothly. So, I finish this light reading kind of book in one sitting, eh, one laying on my bed, hmpfh.
The storyline as simple as most of Harlequin type of book: a couple who cannot stand each other have to realize their actual-or mostly, mutual feeling: love. Put a naive girl with a handsome successful billionaire, give a little bit of misunderstanding, voila, you’ll get a basic harlequin’s series formula.
3/*5
The storyline as simple as most of Harlequin type of book: a couple who cannot stand each other have to realize their actual-or mostly, mutual feeling: love. Put a naive girl with a handsome successful billionaire, give a little bit of misunderstanding, voila, you’ll get a basic harlequin’s series formula.
3/*5
January 2, 2022
belle histoire
Comme pour tout les Harlequins, c’est une belle histoire d’une jeune fille qui peine à joindre les deux bouts, travaille fort pour s’en sortir, elle rencontre un homme magnifique, sexy et milliardaire. Elle en tombe amoureuse, mais lui ne veut pas d’attache, etc … une belle romance, facile à lire et sans prise de tête.
Comme pour tout les Harlequins, c’est une belle histoire d’une jeune fille qui peine à joindre les deux bouts, travaille fort pour s’en sortir, elle rencontre un homme magnifique, sexy et milliardaire. Elle en tombe amoureuse, mais lui ne veut pas d’attache, etc … une belle romance, facile à lire et sans prise de tête.
December 8, 2022
Las escenas domésticas en los epílogos me ponen feliz verdaderamente
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