The Not So Silent Night

Curves Just Wanna Have Fun! #6

by Megan Wade

Santa's coming to town and this Christmas Eve is going to be anything but a silent night!

When Bella returns home for the Holidays, the last thing she's expecting is to find a man in her bathroom. Turns out, her parents' new neighbor is a bit of a handyman and was fixing a leaky pipe as a favor.
He can fix my leaky pipes whenever he likes...
The handsome bachelor isn't much of a talker, but Ryder likes what he sees when the busty beauty busts in on him and almost falls at his feet--and lose her towel in the process.
Neither of them believe in Christmas Miracles, but with their bedroom windows facing each other, they're in for an interesting show, and a not so silent night...

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

87 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2020

About the author

Megan Wade is a USA Today Bestselling Author of curvy billionaire romance featuring confident plus-size heroines and alpha heroes who adore them. With 70+ books published, she's known for steamy love stories with guaranteed happily ever afters. Her signature style: high heat, low drama, and heroines who never have to shrink to find love.

Reviews

[Niki {Still a Widow but reading more} · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was insta-love on steroids or maybe Christmas magic. Bella was spunky and sweet, coming home to celebrate Christmas in her hometown, Christmas. Ryder is a little older military vet, living next door to Bella's parents. Sparks fly from the first meeting. They have chemistry and both feel struck by love at first sight. They face some obstacles, but choose to fight for each other.

This was super sugary sweet, with some naughty bits thrown in. It was short which makes it hard to have a lot of depth, hence the rating, but all in all it was good.

Even though this was an ARC, I will always shoot you straight.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unplanned Gifts

Dirty, flirty banter? Check.
Double entendre? Check.
Chemistry? Most definitely!

Bella planned for a quick trip home for the holidays. What she finds when she gets there turns her world 'round. The new neighbor, Ryder, sets her on fire! It's a SERIOUS case in insta-love as these two give and receive some unexpected, unplanned Christmas gifts.

Beneath all of that is some heartbreak and some self-doubt. There is also plenty of courage and support. It's almost as sweet as it is steamy.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and fluffy Xmas novella!!

Bella is back in her hometown of Christmas town, enjoying being back. When she heads home she accidentally knocks over Ryder the handy man/neighbor and there meeting was funny and she was already half naked!! But Ryder leaves and tries to stay away from Bella for many reasons. But Bella doesn't let him go that easy.  Wish she wasn't the chasey.. but she does do most of the chasing.
Ice skating, pudding dates and Ryder pushing her away since he knows she's only in town for limited time. But it doesnt stop Bella she does still go after him and wears him down.

No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, sexy times, virgin gal and no manwhore

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐⭐⭐

Slowinsta
Older/younger couple
23h/38H
Push away from H
Mentions of PTSD
Safe
Hea
Epilogue

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I’m burning through these holiday stories like crazy. I thought this on was really cute. Great start to a series of standalones!

-no cheating
-no ow/om drama
-older man/younger woman
-virgin h/ long celibate hero
Epilogue 5 years out

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

Bella has returned to her home town of Christmas for the festive holidays, when she was younger, she couldn’t wait to leave her town behind and experience the big city. But as always, the grass isn’t always greener and although she enjoys her life, she still misses her home. Arriving early, she was hoping to surprise her parents only to find the house she grew up in empty and that she is the one surprised when she walks in to the bathroom to find a half the most gorgeous man lay on the floor with his wrench… and her in only a towel. Something about this man calls to her and she is determined to find out more about Ryder her parents new and mysterious neighbour. Will Santa bring her what she really wants this year or is she heading for a Christmas broken heart?

Ryder moved to the town of Christmas after leaving the military although he is still haunted by the things that he experienced so where better than to choose to live but somewhere named Christmas. He has heard all about his neighbour’s daughter over the past year but has yet to meet Bella, so when she walks into the bathroom barely wearing a towel with him in the process of him trying to fix a leak, he is immediately smitten with her. But is he ready for a romance or has what he lived through destroyed any hope of having a real love?

This was a really sweet read and it also dealt a little with PTSD and both of their feelings of inadequacies, and I totally understood Ryder trying to push Bella away. Every part of this was perfect for a festive insta love read. 4 shining stars

[Christina (Christina's Book Corner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

December 4

Book 1 of the Santa's Coming collaboration.

Santa's coming to town and this Christmas Eve is going to be anything but a silent night!

When Bella returns home for the Holidays, the last thing she's expecting is to find a man in her bathroom. Turns out, her parents' new neighbor is a bit of a handyman and was fixing a leaky pipe as a favor.
He can fix my leaky pipes whenever he likes...
The handsome bachelor isn't much of a talker, but Ryder likes what he sees when the busty beauty busts in on him and almost falls at his feet--and lose her towel in the process.
Neither of them believe in Christmas Miracles, but with their bedroom windows facing each other, they're in for an interesting show, and a not so silent night...

The Not So Silent Night is part of the Santa's Coming Collaboration with five of your favorite instalove authors. As always, this story comes with Megan Wade's Sugar Promise, low drama, high heat, guaranteed.

Book Review: Bella is back in her hometown of Christmas for Christmas where she meets Ryder who is fixing her parents sink and she's only in a towel . They soon begin to flirt with each other but Ryder doesn't think he deserves her cause of his past with the army . But he gives in and they end up sleeping together and engaged on Christmas and five years later they are married with two kids so cute .
Quote
just know you are the best Christmas present this man could ever ask for."

[BookFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Instalove Christmas book! I loved it!

Safe
No ow/om drama
Virgin heroine/celibate hero
Instalove
Steamy
Good epilogue

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Cute, steamy insta love situation so if that’s not your trope, I wouldn’t pick it up.

Tropes: Holiday, age gap, Instalove, tortured hero, BBW

[Adrienne Klassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5 Megan Wade takes insta love, and cranks it up a notch! Add in some Christmas, and a few dirty innuendos, and you have this book. A cute little Christmas novella.

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a really sweet book. Bella is sweet and isn't afraid to go after what she wants. Ryder is a vet that thinks that he broke but once he see Bella, he wants things that he has never wanted before. I thought that this was great and while Bella and Ryder both have issues, they support each other and make the other better. I loved these two when they banter! I would recommend this book and Ms. Megan as a amazing author!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Magali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, simple, but hot
A nice, hot romance between a young woman who returns to her parents for the holiday season, and who meets their new, older neighbor. Immediately, they are very attracted but at the same time hesitant due to their age difference, their traumas, the distance….
The story is cute, with a few thoughtful cheesy phrases that make me smile, and a few slightly cliché, less interesting parts. However, I liked the characters.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super hot holiday romance. I love how Bella and Ryder first met - I could not stop laughing. And Bella is so adorable with how spunky and confident she is with Ryder. And her antics made me smile. When Ryder and Bella are together, the sparks fly steamy hot and explosive. This was an over the top, super fun and entertaining read.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! Fab*u*lous Absolutely love this one!! I couldn't put this one down. This was a nice quick, short read.

Ryder and Bella met when she comes home from NYC, where she's been interning. Ryder is fixing a linking sink in her parents home and she goes to take a shower running right into him. Ryder leaves and Bella pleasures herself in the shower. After Bella's parents get home they head to the tree lighting in town, Bella spots Ryder and goes to talk to him, she invites him to go ice skating. Ryder sits on the bench while Bella skates with some of the children. When she goes to him he tells her he doesn't skate much, so she helps him. After they fall and Bella knee lands on his nuts she makes it up to him by taking him for some plum pudding at the local diner. Ryder can't believe how good the pudding is, they sit and talk. Ryder finds out that Bella is going back to NYC after her week home, she just visiting for the holidays. Ryder walks Bella home but doesn't say anything, he doesn't want to get attached to her if thing aren't going anywhere. Later that night Bella is getting undressed when Ryder doesn't turn on his lights and he watches her through his window. Bella starts to pleasure herself and that's when Ryder turns on his lights, he's standing without a shirt on. When he sees her coming out her windows, sliding down her roof he opens his window to ask her what she's doing. Bella tells him she tells him she's coming to him. Ryder helps her up to his windows, he asks her if she crazy and she tells him she just wanted to be with him. Ryder makes her promise to never do that again and she tells him as long as he doesn't send her away. Ryder tells her she needs to promise him she'll never leave, and that she's his, he's never letting her go. Bella tells him she promises from the moment she first saw him she was his. Ryder picks her up and carries her to his bed, Ryder asks her if he's the only man that will touch her, she tells him yes. Ryder strips off her nightgown and then her panties. Then he pleasures her and they make love. Bella tells him she loves him, she doesn't care if he says it back but he does, Ryder tells her he loves her. When they wake the next morning Bella realizes it's late and she left her window open, so she hurries next door. She finds her parents still in bed so she gets in the shower. When she comes downstairs her parents are making breakfast and she tells her mother she has some news but it'll have to wait until later. Bella had invited Ryder to come over so they could tell her parents together. Soon the doorbell rings and when Bella answers it Ryder tells her he couldn't stay away. Ryder asks Bella to marry him in front of her parents and she tells him yes. Five years later, they have four year old Robbie who they named after Bella's dad and two year old Beth. Ryder had moved to NYC with Bella, went to therapy for his PTSD and get help so he could be the best husband and dad. When they found out they were pregnant they moved back to live next to Bella's parents. For Ryder Christmas is every morning when he wakes up next to Bella the love of his life. They head next door to be with Bella's parents on Christmas, the kids help their grandparents make Christmas cookies, while Ryder and Bella sneak off to hopefully create another baby.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Christmas angel surprise
Bella and Ryder star in book one of a new Christmas series. Christmas is Bella’s favourite time of year, and she’s heading home for the holidays, to spend time with her family. She gets a huge surprise when she enters her bathroom wrapped in just a towel. Letting out a scream the strange man with his head under the sink assures her that her mother asked him (their next door neighbour) to fix the leaky tap before their daughter came home.
The attraction between them is obvious. But the unconfident side of Bella refuses to believe someone as good looking as him could be even remotely interested in someone like her. Bella seems a little disappointed that he abruptly leaves without even telling her his name. Ryder can’t believe the intense reaction he had to this young woman – hence the reason for his quick escape. He’s only been out of the military for a while and has only recently moved to town, so this is all so surprising to him.
An evening out in town to celebrate the unveiling of the Christmas tree, brings the two together. They banter, share secret smiles, knowing glances, an ice=skate and some pudding. Ryder still thinks he isn’t good enough for her. So what does Bella need to do to convince him otherwise? She wants him to be her first, her last, her only.
It was a real feel-good story that had me rooting for this couple. Yes they have an age gap and have had different life experiences, but they’re just so well-suited to each other. Her parents’ acceptance also blew me away. It was lovely. I give this book four and a half Christmas stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A-reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryder is a newly retired military man who is dealing with PTSD and just wants a quiet place to live. While helping his neighbors fix a leaky sink he meets Bella a curvy beauty who has come home from New York for Christmas. Their first meeting is funny and a little awkward for Bella since she was only in a towel, that almost falls off. They see each other again later that night at the tree lighting, where they both flirt with each other. When it gets a little more sexually suggestive than Bella has ever encountered, Ryder backs off. He’s older than her and feels like a dirty old man wanting her. But Bella knows she wants Ryder, and she pursues him! After a little hot and cold from Ryder, frustrated Bella is going to give herself some self-love, she doesn’t know that Ryder can see her from his bedroom window. When he flips on his lights she sees him and decides that she’s getting her man. She jumps from her roof overhang to his and once she in his bedroom things heat up fast. Bella is a virgin, no mention of Ryder’s past. They both confess their love and Bella tells him to come over tomorrow so they can tell her parents. The next morning she tells her parents and Ryder not able to wait comes over early and asks her parents for permission to marry her. Sweet epilogue with Ryder going to New York with Bella so she can finish her internship, he uses that time to go to therapy and get help for his PTSD. They return to their home next door to her parents and have two kids.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too fast for me, even though I enjoy A good short novel. This one however was a Speedy Gonzalez of short stories.

Many tropes that made me feel conflicted because some I like, some I don't. Age gap of fifteen is right on the limit line for me, a little too big since the heroine was only twenty-three. Love a veteran, the real heroes. Curvy heroine is a favorite is written well. Love at first sight is a big question mark, really depends how it evolves and an absolute no when it happens the way it did in this book - meet one day, the next day they're confessing love, completely in love".

There were 13 chapters happening over two days! They meet one day, hang out later that day, get together in the evening, sex it up and the next day, he asks her father for her hand in marriage. Seriously?!! I won't even get too deep into the fact that she's adult enough for a serious relationship with a man fifteen years her senior but behaves like she was fifteen years old herself with the way she wakes up in the morning after sexy times and I almost expected her to say she'll be grounded for sneaking out.

Epilogue, two of them, are five years forward and like I expected, she popped out two kids, they're both living the dream, work is great etc. The happiest HEA in the history of LAFS. I actually can't believe there were that many chapters (13) because it could've just been one and an epilogue, also just one.

[Opasan Ouprie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella has come home to Christmas as she has promised she would return for the holidays. Upon returning she is surprised her parents are not there to meet her. She is shocked though by Ryder. Ryder is also taken by surprise by Bella. She is standing there in her towel. Ryder sees her and is in total awe in seeing her stand there with all her curves. He knows she's too young for him being 15 years older. Bella is in awe of this older man she does not know. Ryder runs out of the house as fast as he can so he does not do something he will regret. He leaves his tools there as he was fixing a leaky pipe. Bella's parents arrive home and they all head to the tree lighting. Bella goes over to Ryder. Ryder tries to not show interest in Bella. Bella gets him to go to the skating area with her. She helps him skate and they end up going to the local diner to have some Christmas pudding. While having the food Ryder admits he is interested in her, she is happy about that. But something happens and Ryder pulls away and tells her he can't be with her after all. Upon all this happening Bella is confused and yells at Ryder. Will these two ever get over the things that are keeping them apart? Will Bella forgive Ryder? Will Ryder forgive himself?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next door neighbor to Husband! This is an older man/younger woman story. This is about Bella and Ryder. Bella is visiting her parents in Christmas town and does not realize that someone is in her bathroom fixing the sink, until she walks in for a shower in only a towel!!! Well, the handy man is no other than the next-door neighbor, Ryder. He leaves immediately as he thinks she is too pure and young, but that attraction goes both ways and Bella cannot stay away from him.

Once he realizes that she has never dated, he thinks it is best that he does not start anything with her as she will be leaving in a week, only he fails to tell her why until that night when she decides to get undress in front of the windows that overlooks to his bedroom. Well, someone is climbing out of the window to jump into the next house, and that pretty much sums up how this story ends. I love the epilogues as it talks about their future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Not So Silent Night: a BBW Christmas Romance by Megan Wade is a quick read.entertaining,sweet,steamy and full of love and romance. a romance story of Ryder a retired soldier whos suffering with PTSD from the war and Bella is a young woman who went back home to spend christmas with her parents..Ryder move to a small town for peace and quiet after he retired in military and become friends to his neighbour and helps fixing things. when his neighbour ask him to fix the sink of their daughters bathroom before she return home from the city but she came home early and found him in her bathroom fixing it.and in that momment he found out that hes very attracted to her but he denied himself because he tought that he is a broken man and not deserving for her but he didnt think that Bella is a very determined woman even though shes young she have a mind of her own and she will showed that to him that hes the man for her..great story for the holiday break!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Christmas story or Ryder and Bella. Bella is home for the holidays in the town of Christmas Michigan. As she gets comfortable at her parents home and goes in her bathroom to shower who happens to be under the sink trying to fix it but Ryder. She screams, he looks and looks and looks and finally runs and Bella's in love because no one has ever looked at her like Ryder looked at her. Ryder is an older man but not by much and Bella wants him. They meet again at the Christmas tree lighting in the town square and their story begins. Fast paced, action packed, this is their story, how they learn to love each other at a Christmas tree lighting, ice skating, enjoying desert and just loving the holiday. This book is fast paced with two loveable characters you root for through the whole book. Fun. sexy and fast Christmas read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Normand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from BookSprout; this is my honest review.
-Although Ryder and Bella make a great couple, I did think like another reviewer that Bella came as desperate. The cover doesn't do justice to Ryder - this guy looks like he never saw any trouble in his life and he's missing all the scars.
-Unprotected open door/window scenes. Why would you leave the window open in the middle of a blizzard - it should have made a mess and lowered the temperature in the room but didn't.
-Cute epilogue.
PS: In his nightmares, Ryder has to leave Jerry behind because he won't make it. In reality: "In the U.S. Armed Forces, we don't leave anyone behind. It's one of the basic pillars of what the Army calls the Warrior Ethos.".
-Editing: nettles/settles. On/Off problems of not locking doors ever and looking for the keys
-Anatomy confusion: "the heat travels UP my arm and nettles (sic) ... you guessed it, right in my d**k". "

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Wade's The Not So Silent Night, part of the multi-author Santa's Coming series, is delicious, as yummy as Ms Polly's plum pudding! When twenty-three year old Bella returns home to Christmas, Michigan for the holidays, she finds her parents out but a gorgeous handyman fixing the sink in her bathroom. Bella and Ryder's meet-cute is both adorable and sexy. And the thirty-eight year old veteran is instantly enamoured. With his past and the age difference, he high-tails it out of the house, but a small town full of Christmas spirit means their paths will cross again before they know it. Ryder and Bella have chemistry for days, and the banter between the young, curvy beauty and the alpha handyman is deliciously entertaining. And when things heat up between them...well, my Kindle nearly melted. Another brilliant instalove novella from the wonderful Megan Wade!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella has gotten a job in the big city but she had promised her parents she would be home for Christmas. When she caught an earlier flight home, she was surprised that her parents weren't home. When she decided to take a shower, she was startled by the strange man in the bathroom fixing the sink. She was embarassed to only be in a towel and he was surprised enough to bang his head hard. Bella finds out that the man is Ryder a neighbor and a handy man hired by her parents. He is older than her but she is very attracted to him.

Ryder used to be in the military but he decided to get out after struggling with PTSD. He has heard a lot about Bella, his neighbor's daughter but he never expected to become obsessed with her. Can he convince her that they are meant to be together or will she leave him to return to the big city?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas town where is the town of Christmas? So this is how this all starts out, coming home a little bit early for the Christmas vacation seems routine for our Bella. Because her parents are not home to receive her because she did not tell him that she was early she decides to go and take a shower. Unbeknownst to her Ryder is under the sink in the bathroom. Besides the screaming and the dang near heart attack, trips over her feet. Ryder who has recently moved into the town Christmas is just a surprise she is. But because of course her parents talk about her so frequently it’s no surprise that she is there. The connection is just as instant as toast popping out of a toaster or is that bread popping out of a toaster? Either way eventually their cataclysmic endeavors have meaning. Does Ryder deserve her? Who knows but she wants him and he is desperate to keep her.No cliffhanger

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany Ohnsman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say it was an enjoyable predictable read. Since it's so short they dive right in and don't waste time. I think I would have preferred it as a full book vs a short. Due to its length, things were rushed and the writing seemed a bit cringe worthy. Some of the dialog made me laugh, it didn't feel sexy it felt forced.. once again probably due to how short the book is.
It was playful and I love that the town is called Christmas. If it was a x rated hallmark movie I would definitely watch it.

It follows the traditional formula for these kinds of books: man with troubled past and dark secrets, innocent girl who is a Virgin (they always are in these books) and doesn't think she's attractive, man finds girl to be the most beautiful creature, man tries to convince girl to stay away but that doesn't work, and man has possessive tendencies claiming the woman as his, then girl falls deeply in love and is the positive change the man needed. End of story.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Wade is just such a wonderful author, her novellas always blowing me away rather instantly within the first chapters! Dual POV, Age Gaps, and for this one, a yummy Christmas theme mixed in I was squealing the entire time I was reading this sweet treat during my festive holiday evening. Such a quick read but left me with such happiness and Christmas spirit, I can’t help but just smile even thinking about this novella and can’t wait to read the many more Megan has put out for all to enjoy!

Spice Rating: 5/5 for me! This being a novella usually ranks at most a 4/5, but Megan Wade knocked this one right out of the park with the flirty teasing banter between the two main characters and the spicy scenes just enough to give some happy squeals. The fact that the FMC is also curvy and still had her v-card is a whole other factor for me that bumped this lovely novella to a 5/5!
Happily Ever After included!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Santa's Coming series. It’s a multi author series set in the town of Christmas, Michigan. Each book is a standalone story. This is a hot instalove Christmas story. I really enjoyed it. It’s low on the drama and entertaining. Bella is home for Christmas. Her parents aren’t at the house when she gets there since she got in earlier then planned. She lets herself in and decides to take a shower when she realizes she’s not alone. She runs into Ryder who is in her bathroom fixing a leaky pipe for her parents. They both are attracted to each other, but Ryder walks away telling himself that she’s way too young for him and he’s too damaged. The attraction is too strong for them and they can’t stay away from each other. Can Bella convince Ryder that he’s perfect for him?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet Insta-love holiday romance.

Bella Flemings is back in her hometown of Christmas, Michigan for the holidays. She is a curvy innocent who works in publishing in NY.

Ryder Wilcox is former Army with PTSD and is working as the town the handyman. He lives next door to the Flemings.

Ryder is trying to fix the sink in Bella's bathroom when she walks in in a towel and screams the house down. He snacks his head and bolts home. When her parents come home she gets all the details on Ryder and she hits on him at the tree lighting ceremony. The two go ice skating and she brings him to the diner for her favorite treat. Later she jumps between their roofs and sneaks into his bedroom. They hook up, fall in love and get their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella comes home to her parents for Christmas and finds a man in her bathroom.
Bella returns home to Christmas to her parents for the Holiday of the same name but when she arrives her parents are out and the door locked so she grabs the spare key and lets herself in. Deciding to have a shower she strips and wraps herself in a towel then goes into the bathroom and nearly screams as the is a strange man there working under the sink. He stands up and introduces himself as Ryder who lives next door. Bella finds herself reacting to him as she has not reacted to a man before. Ryder look at the beautiful young woman who knows must be his neighbors daughter Bella and wants he to be his but then gives himself a mental shake and tells himself she would not be interested in an older man like him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.