The Kwanzaa Brunch: A Holiday Novella

by D.L. White

A fated brunch and an unlikely Cupid…

Sienna Charles is tired of the same old, same old. Same old job, same old city, same old friends. Same old men. Just when she’s relegated herself to living Groundhog’s Day, romance edition, Booker Lasalle swaggers into her life, courtesy an open position at Precision Software. He’s new— to the company, to the city and, most importantly, to her.

Booker Lasalle is making a new life for himself. He relocated to an Atlanta suburb, leaving a stressful job and an ex-wife behind for a great job with growth potential. He’s turning over a new leaf— no more falling for the first pretty woman that crosses his path… like the witty, gorgeous and obviously interested analyst at Precision. Everything about her tempts Booker to throw that “new leaf” plan out of the window.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Fiction, Holiday Romance, Christmas, African American Romance, Contemporary

85 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

DL White writes romance novels that celebrate Black love across multiple series, including the Ruby's Novels, Black Diamond Bay collection, and Potter Lake Small Town Romance. Her fifteen-plus titles offer rich, nuanced relationships that center Black characters. Through The Books by DL White Bookcast, she shares her current reads and writing updates. An Atlanta-based author and Executive Administrative Assistant, White finds inspiration from lakeshores to white sand beaches. When she's not writing, you'll find her chasing the perfect Sunday brunch or enjoying a great cup of coffee.

Browse, read, and buy her work at BooksByDLWhite.com.

Reviews

[Warda · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.L. White can write! This was so sweet and funny! Loved the romance that developed between our main characters.

[Amanda Hupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently participating in TisTheReadson2021 Read-a-thon on Bookstagram. Every year there is a category called “a holiday you don’t celebrate.” I love learning about different holidays and traditions so I was thrilled to pick up The Kwanzaa Brunch by D.L White.
This book is short but so enjoyable! It is a holiday novella about Sienna Charles who works 50+ hours a week at her job.she dayes men but there is no romance or relationship development involved. When she is forced to attend her boss’s brunch, she meets a new co-worker, Booker Lasalie. Booker is ready to move on after his last disaster of a relationship and Sienna has caught his eye. But rumor has it she might be a little to much to handle…
Most would say ‘short and sweet’ but this book is short and spicy. Sienna is a no-nonsense woman who does not care what people think about her. She is here to speak her mind but is also very work-oriented. It is obvious that she and Booker are going to hit it off. But bravo to the author for creating that chemistry in such a short amount of time!
I was hoping for a little bit more information about Kwanzaa but I love how that is the center of the meet-cute. Overall, this is a fun quick read for the holidays. 

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Thang

I enjoyed this book as much as the previous one. Sienna was so much fun to me. I loved her man-eater persona. It was nice to have the woman be the player in the story. Despite all of her bravado, she folded so fast once Booker applied a little pressure. Their chemistry worked so well. Their love story upped the spice level. I enjoyed their courtship. It was also nice to get an update on Will and Saidah. This was a great duology to kick off the holiday season.

[Leigh Kramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the title, there’s not much about Kwanzaa here. A Kwanzaa-themed brunch at work is the impetus for new coworkers Sienna and Booker to meet. There’s more focus on an upcoming NYE party instead. It’s a novella so it’s a quick read but I was hoping for richer characterization and less Evil Ex as Booker’s backstory.

Character notes: Sienna is a grumpy Black sales analyst. Booker is a Black salesman. They both work at Precision Software in Alpharetta, GA.

Content notes: past death of grandmother (heart failure), annulment one year ago (MMC), diet culture, Evil Ex backstory, on page sex, alcohol, ableist language

[Cassidy Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun reading this on the first day of Kwanzaa!!! I LOVED how Black this was! And I’ve been eating up all the Holiday romance books so it was beautiful to feel like we can claim this as ours. The ONLY thing I didn’t like is how short it was. Even for a Novella, I was so sad it was over. I got to the authors note and said “WHAT”?! Right as I was starting to get really into it!! I want more!!

[Mrs. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brunch and More

Sienna got a whole lot of extra goodness at her company's new Brunch event. Anthony and Faith were a hoot, a lovely couple, and they added to the storyline. I certainly loved Sienna's take no prisoner's attitude. Booker, the new guy was what she needed to squelch her inner bad girl image. He could have his way with words and such. A holiday novella about a quirky office was too cute to miss...

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Found this on Kindle Unlimited**

This was a quick, low-angst romance. Not a lot happens but the dialogue gives off a warm friendly vibe of people spending time with their chosen family during the winter festivities. If I had read this before Thanksgiving, it probably would have put me in a better mood for the holiday season. I look forward to trying a full-length novel by this author.

[Marshall Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Holiday Short

Booker was just the present and new start tha Sineea needed! Always follow your instance, it will never lead you wrong! DL White this was a nice end to this series!

[Mia Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

What a good holiday short!! I so enjoyed the characters. I remember a few from previous books. Great short read.

[Yesenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a short/quick story. The dialogue makes this story, it gives you a sense of who the people in the story are. A story of people spending the holidays with their chosen family, a steamy romance, good food, and new beginnings. I enjoyed it.

#YesiReads #diverseauthors #diversebooks #romance

[Kas Marek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel duped by this book! Let me start by saying that it was a cute/good story. I always tend to struggle with novellas because you don't get to fully understand the characters motives, but as far as a novella goes, this one was pretty good at giving relevant background on the characters. What I feel duped about was the Kwanzaa part. I love holiday romances and hearing about holiday traditions and celebrations. It's so easy to find Christmas romances so I was looking to read something slightly different. The two characters met at a company sponsored Kwanzaa lunch, during work hours. Other than the CEO making a four tier cake that she read was traditional Kwanzaa flavors, there was no other mention of the holiday or celebration of Kwanzaa. If I could rename this book, I'd name it My NYE Date, because there was more description of the NYE party than of Kwanzaa. Still a cute story but don't pick up for the holiday part.

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, short read

Enjoyed this one. Sienna and Booker are quite the pair and I’d love to read more about their journey to love. And how Miss Tara reacts when she finds out she’s blocked and Booker is busy with someone else, lol.

[LaSheba Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny holiday novella! Sienna works at an Atlanta-based computer software company. Although, she appreciates the cultural and religious holiday observances by fellow staff, she often loathes a particular person's contributions. But this year's Kwanzaa Brunch includes a new employee, Booker, a handsome divorcee from Louisiana. Sienna might enjoy this brunch after all.

Sienna bemoans a particular person's contribution: "Her roasted goose frappe or whatever the hell she brought in for this fake woke Kwanzaa Brunch ain't it, Chief" (kindle p. 6).



*Content warning: This novella is for mature readers due to sexual content and some profanity.

[Janielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Holiday Read!

I was a huge fan of Will & Saidah's story, Unexpected, so I had high expectations for Booker & Sienna's story. Ms. White did not disappoint! This book was so hilarious and sexy and just plain fun! Sienna's prickly work personality and Booker 's odd work romance history made for an interesting combination. They definitely has chemistry and I'm glad they didn't let their past histories stop them from pursuing what appears to be an amazing connection. I also love that in this story we got to experience more of Anthony. This was an excellent holiday read!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second book, novella, by this author. I had wanted to read a Kwanzaa holiday book to be more familiar with traditions instead of the abundance of Christmas ones I tend to gravitate towards in December. Not that I don't love a good Christmas book, but wanted to branch out. There was a quick Kwanzaa brunch, and the rest focused on the holiday season, which it did well, but still on the lookout for a Kwanzaa novel. I am.looking forward to more books by this author.

[Diane Rembert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparks flew the second Booker laid eyes on Sienna on the way to the company Kwanzaa brunch. This cute little forbidden love trope will have you laughing and mad, at the dance time. As I was rooting for them, I was silently throwing daggers at Tara. Girl, go find you some real business and leave this man alone!

This was my first read by the author, but certainly not my last. As much as I would like to give it 5💎,I can't…due to minor errors. Go get this novella!

[The_Book_Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, quick read! The heroine speaks her mind, is a bit grumpy, and has no shame about her sex/dating life -- the perfect trifecta, tbh! My first time with this author but it will not be my last.

[Kristia Peschka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little novella. I wish it had been 20-30 pages longer, there were a few things that felt rushed or skipped over due to the shortness of the book. All in all, a great little holiday romance-ish read.

[Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
It was fine. I haven’t read anything in weeks and starting with a short novella made me feel good to finish something, but overall not sure if this is one I’d recommend further.

✒️Favorite Quote🖋️

[Jessica✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disjointed. Was messily written at the beginning, got good in the middle and rushed at the end. Oh and way less Kwanzaa themed than I was expecting. 2.5 🌟 I definitely would give author another chance.

[Coffee&Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am the author of this book! I think it's a fun, lighthearted Kwanzaa themed novella. Hope you read and enjoy it!

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay read

I didn't see anything really about Kwanzaa. But it was an okay read. I'd your looking for a short story this is it.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

You had me at bad cake

Cute feel good story from a new-to-me author. Will definitely fo back and read more. This story is the perfect quick read for a crazy day.

[RaceTo230 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love easy reads like this. Novellas!

[BetweentheCoversLiterary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read!!

Such an amazing read and I loved it...Short but packed a heavy dose of everything we love about a budding romance..Definitely can’t wait for what’s next

[Doris Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

A VERY INTERESTING TITLE AND BOOK 👍🏽👊🏽🍿😎

[Onai · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s entirely predictable but hey, it’s 2020 and we all need a light romance novel with a holiday feeling. It’s the perfect reading for Christmas Eve!

[Jessica Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool story

I've had this in my Kindle for a while but have finally read it. It was a nice read. And I can certainly relate to Sienna's attitude towards calls at work. lol

[Mika TheReadingRoom444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Love Office Style

This was really cute. I actually felt the love of the characters as they got to know each other. This is a great read.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well balanced at this length with snappy dialogue, especially from the heroine.