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The Nice List

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Cole Weston’s biggest holiday wish is about to come true. The deal of a lifetime is within reach--and once he closes the sale of one small town elementary school, he’ll have a nice fat bonus check to take with him when he finally moves up to the real estate big leagues in New York. He’s not about to let anyone stand in his way—especially not the feisty and all-kinds-of-adorable teacher who does everything she can to convince the school board not to sell. Francesca Bagnoli won’t let go of her beloved school without a fight. The historic building might not be in the best shape, but it’s the heart and soul of her town, and there’s no way she’ll let some greedy real estate mogul destroy it. Who cares that he’s the most attractive man she’s ever seen? She will not lose focus, and she most definitely will not fall prey to Cole’s charming softer side.In the countdown to Christmas, can Cole and Francesca put aside their differences and take a shot at the kind of love neither expected to find? Or is a holiday miracle just not in the cards for them this year?

154 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2019

3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read

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Avery Scott

8 books94 followers

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5 stars
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23 (27%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Jypsy .
1,524 reviews71 followers
November 6, 2019
Thank you Enticing Journey for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Nice List
By: Avery Scott

*REVIEW* 🎄🎄🎄🎄
What does it take to be on the nice list anyway? Fighting for justice and community like Francesca? Fighting
for progress and commerce like Cole?
Maybe it's neither one. I think the answer is somewhere in the middle. Francesca and Cole each have their own ideals and reasons for their actions, but they lack understanding from a different perspective. When they acknowledge the sparks between them and get to know each other as people instead of adversaries, the truth is much clearer. A little Christmas spirit never hurt anyone either, and it's a contagious feeling, in a good way. This is a sweet holiday novella that I adored. Francesca and Cole are genuine, likeable and entertaining. The dialogue is witty and engaging. It's a warm hearted read with the perfect balance of everything to make it magical. I do recommend for some Christmas cheer!
Profile Image for romancejunkie.
390 reviews86 followers
October 9, 2019
Cole needs the sale of Smithtown Elementary for a huge project but Francesca doesn't want it to happen and tries to stop him, but when they got to know each other a little better they become in love and they have to think of a way to resolve their differences so they can have their happy ending.
Charming story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon.
2,091 reviews154 followers
November 11, 2019
4.5 Cranky Stars


This is a lovely short Christmas read, a true feel-good read.


A teacher trying to hold on to the school she works in for special needs children from the large development company who want to knock it down.


She knew that she couldn't hold out forever but was going to do her best, the developer in charge went to the school to see her and try to change her mind. Sparks fly but not all in the way you would think!


A children's Christmas party, some snow and some special children what more do you need for a good read.

Well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Lauren.
2,579 reviews13 followers
November 8, 2019
4.5 stars
This book was super sweet ... Cole wants the building that Francesca is bound and determied not to lose. You can tell immediately that these two are gonna have amazing banter and gonna keep ya in your toes. The sparks are constantly flying even when they are butting heads over what should happen with the school. When eventually its taken outta each of there hands Cole is determined to handle it and fix it. Its the perfect mix of sad with some Christmas happy.
Profile Image for Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) .
2,806 reviews117 followers
October 21, 2019
A cute romantic story full of Christmas hope and heartfelt gifts! I loved how these two amazing characters challenged each other at every step and how they helped to open each other’s eyes to the possibility of what could be! In the end both come out on top!
Profile Image for Kristin.
161 reviews4 followers
July 15, 2020
This was a short yet enjoyable read! I'd definitely recommend it.

Francesca is a passionately dedicated school teacher in a small, close knit community who adores her job and her students. Cole is a developer who is blinded by ambition. His single minded goal is to obtain Francesca's school, and ultimately demolish it, in order to complete his big deal, land the promotion and transfer to the big city. Francesca will have none of it. Her students best interests as well as that of her community are all she cares about. Cole has no idea how much his endeavor to obtain Smithtown Elementary will change him. Likeable characters, a good storyline, undercurrent of romance, and a happy ending.

I'd love to see a follow up to Francesca and Cole's story in the future.
88 reviews3 followers
December 28, 2019
Absolute love this sweet little Christmas story !! This really could be a Hallmark Christmas movie and I would love that too !! It was such and amazing easy suck you and and not let you go until it’s done story !! I will absolutely be rereading this book again and again !! It got me in all my feels !!
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews216 followers
March 30, 2020
I just loved this book. It was so well-written that it captured my mind and I was dragged along for the ride. Once I started reading I could not put it down until I read the last page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Dominique Feldheger.
174 reviews
December 21, 2023
not for me

This isn’t a bad book, but it is a little boring. It took me awhile to get into the book and I prefer a book with a little more romance. This was very G rated and I fell asleep reading it a few times.
20 reviews
February 14, 2020
Adorable little holiday read. Full disclosure: I received an ARC free of charge from Romance Rehab/Romance Remedy.
Profile Image for Loz.
1,711 reviews22 followers
December 4, 2019
I received a free copy via Romance Rehab and Romance Remedy.

This was a super cute, quick read. Basically a hate-at-first-sight story with building developer Cole Weston wanting to acquire a dilapidated school, the school where fiesty Francesca Bagnoli teaches special ed.

Adorable. I wanted more of these two. Will be checking out more from this author.
Profile Image for Susan Homan.
298 reviews5 followers
November 24, 2019
The Nice List

The Nice List is a cute Christmas story to help get you in the holiday spirit or to just sit down to read and relax. Cole is a big real estate developer that is working to finalize a big project so he can move on to NYC and bigger projects. Francesca is a teacher at the small school that won't sell. Their is instant attraction, but they are on opposite sides of the battle. Cole listens to what Francesca tells him about the community and school. He decides to check things out, and realizes that the community will be impacted by the loss of the school. Can he stop something he put in motion and save the school? Will Francesca forgive him? If nothing else, read this to see how Cole turned a Christmas party for the kids into an amazing event and afternoon that the kids will be remembering for years to come. I'd love to have another book about Cole and Francesca to see how they are doing several years later. Cole and Francesca both learn and grow so much during this book. The things he does to counter things he did once he realizes the impact are rather amazing and show that he is a good guy with a big heart, now whether that heart got bigger because of Francesca, I'm not sure we will ever find that out.
1,465 reviews3 followers
November 26, 2019
Cute holiday story to put you in the Christmas spirit.

Francesca is a kindhearted special education teacher who has become a momma cub to her students and her school. She protective of them and will do whatever it takes to not disrupt their surroundings when it comes to their school. She’ll fight tooth and nail to keep her school from being sold. Cole is just as dedicated to his career. He will fight for what he wants and right now, he wants to make his boss proud by acquiring the old school.

These two will discover their hatred towards each other is not as strong as their chemistry or the way their hearts are leading them together. The Nice List has a bit of drama that had me wondering how the biggest obstacle they faced would be resolved. Quick story, easy to fall in love with especially during the holidays.
Profile Image for Andrzejewski Amy.
384 reviews5 followers
December 3, 2019
This story is a sweet holiday story. It was an easy read and impossible to put down. I enjoyed the main characters and all they went thru to get the happy ending they both deserved.
1,375 reviews14 followers
December 1, 2019
They meet when he goes to talk to her and see why the school building is so important to her. He discovered that the students are awesome. It was a great book
391 reviews
November 25, 2019
Cute and quick Christmas story. Brings the christmas spirit to life.
Profile Image for Crystal.
1,098 reviews30 followers
November 5, 2019
Where do I begin with this story? I started reading around 9pm and was done by 1am. I didn’t want to stop reading Cole and Francesca’s story. These were wonderful characters a particular favorite was Ryker with his enthusiasm.
Francesca is working hard to save her school. She knows it old and worn down, but it’s the only place the children in the area have, save for an expensive Montessori school. Smithtown Elementary is so much more than just a school though. It’s used as a community center, an after school program, a safe place in the neighborhood, but that’s all in jeopardy. Rajesh Development has been methodically buying up all the available properties and the land the school sits on is the centerpiece in a whole new development. That’s where Cole comes in. His job is to buy the properties and smooth everything over so that it’s an easy transition from run down neighborhood to gentrified digs. His only problem is getting his hands on the school and the person standing in his way is Francesca. She’s going to go down fighting. The only problem? Cole’s falling for her. Something he would’ve never thought possible.
The two continually butt heads, their life philosophies are so far a part, at least in Francesca’s mind. But their chemistry could cause explosions and take down anything within a mile radius.
I loved the whole story, beginning to end. The writing is great, the storyline flows, and the characters are adorable. I also love that it’s a HEA, everything is all wrapped up by the end and it leaves you with a smile on your face.
I received an ARC of this story and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Angie.
215 reviews
January 22, 2020
What a fun and uplifting novella! This was just what I needed to read this holiday season...it's perfect, short, easy to read and has two points of view! It has a happy and unexpected ending too. I hope there will be another book with these complex and real individuals and the children that they have influenced. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Danielle Warren.
160 reviews10 followers
November 17, 2019
I loved this story of Francesca and Cole. They start as enemies, become friends and eventually more. Francesca is a special ed teacher, Cole is trying to close her school down for a big building project. Cole learns what the true meaning of the season is and what it means to care about others more than money. I highly recommend this cute Christmas story!
Profile Image for Jamie Bee.
Author 1 book117 followers
October 29, 2019
Very Well Done First Person Present

I'll admit it: It's only just before Halloween, and I am already binging on holiday-themed books. That's why I was drawn to this particular book at my favorite book review site. It isn't the typical contemporary romance that I normally choose, but I've been enjoying the enemies-to-lovers tropes lately, and I wanted to see how that played out in a holiday setting.

I am not normally a fan of the first-person present perspective. In general, I don't like the present tense used in a novel or novella at all, except in dialogue (of course). While I think authors typically hope that it will make the story more intimate, I actually feel this to be more distancing. So I was a little dismayed to see that this was written in the first-person present as I got into the story.

However, I should not have worried. The author still managed to bring me right into the story with the opening chapter from the hero's perspective. In fact, it took me a bit before I realized that this really was going to be in the present tense! The author pulled it off that well... LOL! From what I've read in this perspective before, this is no mean feat. This a deep point of view as well; we are firmly in the heads of the characters. In that first chapter of Cole’s, he comes across as cocky, self-absorbed, and arrogant. Again, that is just not easy to do well in deep first-person point of view—we like to think we are the best version of ourselves in our own mind—but the author managed to do it. My hat's off to you, Avery Scott.

Things only got better when the heroine entered the story, and we get pulled into deep point of view from her perspective as well. I would say that they both have a dogged determination that is similar, but as they are on opposing sides of the key outer issue of the book, all they seem to do is butt heads. But it is fun to watch because the author has delineated these characters so sharply. If you enjoy contemporary romance with a slight holiday twist, you may enjoy this book.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
Profile Image for Samantha Waldow.
501 reviews4 followers
November 16, 2019
Such a cute and quick ready set around Christmas. I do enjoy enemy to lovers stories. I loved how this book was straightforward and to the point.
Profile Image for Nicole Collins.
32 reviews
November 9, 2019
The Nice List by Avery Scott is just the book you need to put you in the holiday spirit!

Cole Weston is about to close the deal of a lifetime and earn the big city promotion he’s been waiting for. All he needs to do is get Francesca Bagnoli to agree that it’s time to close the doors of the dilapidated elementary school that’s she’s fought so hard to keep open. Easier said than done.

Cole’s approach to steamrolling Francesca was all fine and good when he thought she was a grey haired old lady. But, the young, vibrant, beautiful young woman that he actually encountered sent him down a slightly different path. And for Francesca, it’d be a lot easier to hate Cole if he wasn’t so darn sexy and charming.

This book as very cute. It moved very quickly. Not a lot of supporting cast. Not a lot of twists and turns. No steamy scenes (if that's what you're into). Just a very straightforward journey to save the day of a rundown old town at Christmas time.

This book is like a Hallmark Christmas movie on paper, and who doesn’t love those! Sweet as a sugar cookie, and a light, fast, easy, fun read. It’s just want you need help kick off the season of spreading Christmas cheer!
Profile Image for casvec.
7,458 reviews74 followers
November 10, 2019
This sweet Holiday Romance is just what is needed to put you in the mood the the season.

Francesca is a teacher desperately trying to save her run down school from the company Cole works for. While trying to get to know Francesca, Cole begins to understand her desire to save they school.

The heart warming story is just what is needed when snuggling under a blanket by the fire.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
305 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2019
I didn’t want to stop reading Cole and Francesca’s story. These were wonderful characters a particular favorite was Ryker with his enthusiasm.
Francesca is working hard to save her school. She knows it old and worn down, but it’s the only place the children in the area have, save for an expensive Montessori school. The nice list who do you believe belongs on it, Read this really cute story ad find out. You wont be sorry.
486 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2019
A very cute, easy read that gets you into the spirit of season. Light drama, insta-lust, awesome kids, loving teachers and an HEA is just what you need for the holidays!! You won't want to put this one down once you start reading it.
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
November 5, 2019
I'm finding myself falling in love with Christmas romance stories these days, and maybe it's a new attitude, but more likely it's the talented authors that I'm reading to be honest. And Avery Scott penned a very charming Christmas story that packed a punch. The Nice List is a short(ish) story of Francesca, who will do anything to stop the sale of Smithtown Elementary, though it brings her Cole, who needs it sold for his career. Obviously, that's going to bring on a push & pull, but luckily, the sparks flying around don't take long to ignite, and it's not long before feelings are being caught. However, there's still this whole sale which is between these two, and with Christmas right around the corner, will they come to a resolution of their differences for the chance at a Merry Christmas & happily ever after?! You'll have to one click to find out, as I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Profile Image for Christine Woinich.
2,758 reviews26 followers
November 8, 2019
A quick fun read, from opposite sides of a development to finding a way together. Francesca was a very independent wonderful woman. She loved her students with her whole heart. Cole was determined to climb the company ladder and would do almost anything to get there. At first, he was a bit hard to like with his cold outlook, but as he thawed, I began to care about him. The attraction between these two was awkward, yet endearing, and this was a story worth reading. I recommend it.

I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
Profile Image for Nicole.
4,239 reviews52 followers
November 9, 2019
This was an enjoyable holiday novella. I really loved Francesca. Some of my favorite scenes are when she is interacting with her students. Those moments warmed my heart. Now Cole, he is a character I had to warm up to. He is a little bit of a scrooge, but he finds his holiday spirit with Francesca and her school. One scene that he surprised me with is the holiday school party. How into he got. That's the moment my opinion of him began to change. It's a perfect book to get into the holiday spirit.
385 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2019
Another wonderful book by author Avery Scott. This was exactly what I needed to get me in the christmas mood after spending the last few weeks in exam mode. I really enjoy reading this book and once I started reading it I simply could not put it down. Definitely recommended.
Profile Image for evieo17 .
5,065 reviews51 followers
November 8, 2019
This was a cute read. Something to pass away the time during the holidays.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

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