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All She Wants #1
All She Wants: A Christmas Romance
Tilda hates Christmas. Clare loves it.
After a bizarre run-in at the emergency room and a set-up at the local pub brings them together, Clare takes on the challenge to put a little festive spirit into Tilda’s life.
Can Clare change Tilda’s mind?
All She Wants is a Christmas holiday romance set in a small rural town in Australia. It’s a light-hearted love story packed full with cheer, a well-trained border collie, quirky locals, and a comedic twist on the quintessential family moments that make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.
After a bizarre run-in at the emergency room and a set-up at the local pub brings them together, Clare takes on the challenge to put a little festive spirit into Tilda’s life.
Can Clare change Tilda’s mind?
All She Wants is a Christmas holiday romance set in a small rural town in Australia. It’s a light-hearted love story packed full with cheer, a well-trained border collie, quirky locals, and a comedic twist on the quintessential family moments that make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2020
81 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 11, 2020
An Australian Country Christmas! On Kindle Unlimited!
I really loved this slow burn romance between a Doctor and Vet in Rural Australia, surrounded by a real bush festivities! I grew up in the country with a small town farming community, so I related so much to the setting!
Tilda is the Doctor and works far too hard. She spends 90% of her time at the local hospital dealing with whatever emergencies come in. Being a typical country town, it can be anything from a Santa getting heat stroke from sitting in the Aussie Summer heat in that big fluffy suit for too long. Or the local footy players breaking a nose or a finger, from their drunken brawls. Or just an elderly gentleman, lonely for some company and in need of an adjustment on his hearing aid.
Tilda clearly has a caring spirit, she'll do anything for anyone, and everyone in town clearly appreciates her, too. But she hates Christmas. The gaudy decorations, the merry carols, the fake snowy depictions despite it sweltering outside... (That is also one of my own grumbles I admit lol!).
Clare is also a kind spirit, and new to town, but loves Christmas. She takes in an orphaned Kangaroo Joey, when it's mother had been killed by a car, cutting herself up in the process of rescuing it. In need of stitches - and a place to stay - this brings Clare and Tilda's lives into orbit. Starting these two lost souls on a journey to one another.
There's lots of town and community spirit and Tilda's brother and his kids and wife live on the same property as Tilda and Clare. There's things that I had myself forgot about Christmas in the bush (I've been gone for 17 years). Like the end of school fete/fair. And yabbying!
It was just a good nostalgic read for me, and a sweet love story of Tilda who was reticent about love.
I really loved this slow burn romance between a Doctor and Vet in Rural Australia, surrounded by a real bush festivities! I grew up in the country with a small town farming community, so I related so much to the setting!
Tilda is the Doctor and works far too hard. She spends 90% of her time at the local hospital dealing with whatever emergencies come in. Being a typical country town, it can be anything from a Santa getting heat stroke from sitting in the Aussie Summer heat in that big fluffy suit for too long. Or the local footy players breaking a nose or a finger, from their drunken brawls. Or just an elderly gentleman, lonely for some company and in need of an adjustment on his hearing aid.
Tilda clearly has a caring spirit, she'll do anything for anyone, and everyone in town clearly appreciates her, too. But she hates Christmas. The gaudy decorations, the merry carols, the fake snowy depictions despite it sweltering outside... (That is also one of my own grumbles I admit lol!).
Clare is also a kind spirit, and new to town, but loves Christmas. She takes in an orphaned Kangaroo Joey, when it's mother had been killed by a car, cutting herself up in the process of rescuing it. In need of stitches - and a place to stay - this brings Clare and Tilda's lives into orbit. Starting these two lost souls on a journey to one another.
There's lots of town and community spirit and Tilda's brother and his kids and wife live on the same property as Tilda and Clare. There's things that I had myself forgot about Christmas in the bush (I've been gone for 17 years). Like the end of school fete/fair. And yabbying!
It was just a good nostalgic read for me, and a sweet love story of Tilda who was reticent about love.
December 12, 2020
Lovely trip to Australia for Christmas. I really enjoyed this slow burn romance between a doc who hates Christmas and would rather fill her days at work and a new Vet in town who needs a safe place to care for a joey abandoned when its mother is killed in a car accident. Forced to take some time off from the hospital, Tilda takes Clare and the joey to her brothers sheep and cattle farm for the holidays.
Tilda tries to keep her Grinch-like attitude going but is foiled by Christmas loving Clare and the family busy enjoying all that goes into the holiday season in rural Australia. This was a nice escape from the cold December nights here in North America plus you get the added bonus of watching Tilda's heart thaw as she falls in love with Clare.
Available on KU. Full value read.
Tilda tries to keep her Grinch-like attitude going but is foiled by Christmas loving Clare and the family busy enjoying all that goes into the holiday season in rural Australia. This was a nice escape from the cold December nights here in North America plus you get the added bonus of watching Tilda's heart thaw as she falls in love with Clare.
Available on KU. Full value read.
June 5, 2021
Humph! Read this only to find there is a book 2! Nothing in my copy told me that, so this was a bit of a shock - though the text on Goodreads says this is book 1! Really enjoyable - very vanilla....
December 27, 2020
4.5 stars
This is a very cute, soft, f/f Christmas romance set in a small town in rural Australia. An overworked doctor who hates Christmas learns to relax and embrace the magic of the season, with the help of a new-to-town veterinarian. There is a rescued baby kangaroo! And a dog named Merry.
It’s a fun change to have the setting for a Christmas book be sweltering heat! Also there are so many things about Australia I don’t know/understand (what the heck is yabbying??), which just adds to the experience.
The writing is great and sort of understated and leisurely — it makes me feel like I went on a calming vacation to this small town. It got a tiny bit slow in the middle, but overall I very much appreciated that the vibe of the book was not at all stressful. And no homophobia or coming out! Delightful all around, and the ending especially was just extremely cute.
This is a very cute, soft, f/f Christmas romance set in a small town in rural Australia. An overworked doctor who hates Christmas learns to relax and embrace the magic of the season, with the help of a new-to-town veterinarian. There is a rescued baby kangaroo! And a dog named Merry.
It’s a fun change to have the setting for a Christmas book be sweltering heat! Also there are so many things about Australia I don’t know/understand (what the heck is yabbying??), which just adds to the experience.
The writing is great and sort of understated and leisurely — it makes me feel like I went on a calming vacation to this small town. It got a tiny bit slow in the middle, but overall I very much appreciated that the vibe of the book was not at all stressful. And no homophobia or coming out! Delightful all around, and the ending especially was just extremely cute.
December 8, 2020
Very good book
I really enjoyed the interaction between everyone in this book. It was great to see the way the town excepted the women.
I really enjoyed the interaction between everyone in this book. It was great to see the way the town excepted the women.
December 4, 2020
Well written
Nice Christmas story. Loved the way the family was wove into the story. Working dogs are especially under appreciated in the US so was glad to see one load a major role in this book.
Nice Christmas story. Loved the way the family was wove into the story. Working dogs are especially under appreciated in the US so was glad to see one load a major role in this book.
December 29, 2025
This was everything I wanted it to be. It's a refreshing holiday romance in the summer (Australia) that's on the shorter side. It had children and animals and lovely, complex characters in a small town.
The best part of the book was the MC. She's amazingly competent in a quiet way and stubbornly refusing to be unhappy, dealing with commitment issues and hating christmas. It's well written, funny and wholesome, and decidedly not cringy.
It felt like being pushed into a world that I was already supposed to know, but in a good way. Every scene and every sentence felt important. The author managed to show the characters in a way that's very subtle. I have to reread this book because I was so enthralled that I don't know if what I'm saying next is accurate. However, I think the author didn't really describe the physical attributes or character traits at all and instead I was able to build a clear image in my head solely from how the characters acted.
There is also always something happening which I think is great and probably means that it's fast paced.
Despite having neither commitment issues nor childhood trauma, and not wanting what she decided to do, I could really empathise with Tilda and supported what she did. And again, this was not told but shown.
The only downside was that sometimes the pov/ narrator was a bit confusing. Although everything was in first person limited, a few sentences were rather omniscient and that threw me off two or three times.
The best part of the book was the MC. She's amazingly competent in a quiet way and stubbornly refusing to be unhappy, dealing with commitment issues and hating christmas. It's well written, funny and wholesome, and decidedly not cringy.
It felt like being pushed into a world that I was already supposed to know, but in a good way. Every scene and every sentence felt important. The author managed to show the characters in a way that's very subtle. I have to reread this book because I was so enthralled that I don't know if what I'm saying next is accurate. However, I think the author didn't really describe the physical attributes or character traits at all and instead I was able to build a clear image in my head solely from how the characters acted.
There is also always something happening which I think is great and probably means that it's fast paced.
Despite having neither commitment issues nor childhood trauma, and not wanting what she decided to do, I could really empathise with Tilda and supported what she did. And again, this was not told but shown.
The only downside was that sometimes the pov/ narrator was a bit confusing. Although everything was in first person limited, a few sentences were rather omniscient and that threw me off two or three times.
January 20, 2024
Tilly is a doctor in a small town hospital in rural Australia. She lives for her job, and will often stay at the hospital working long after she was meant to have left. She lives in a small cottage on the family farm, managed by her brother Jack. However, Tilly rarely spends time there, almost living full time at the hospital.
Clare is a veterinarian, new to the town, not yet working. She has a run in with barbed wire while trying to rescue a baby kangaroo after its mother was killed by a car, and has to visit the hospital’s emergency department to get her leg sewn up.
This is a feel-good Christmas themed story, set with the backdrop of heat and rural Australia. Tilly’s family are fun, her brother and his wife, along with their two children and dog make this a happy and charming story. At one point I could even imagine a ‘Lassie’ moment in the book. There are no steamy parts to this story, it carries itself well without them and kept my interest throughout. However, I felt that everything was focused on the slow burn; once they are together things happen too fast, and we don’t really get to see enough of them after they are together. I guess this is because all that is saved for the next book in the series. The cover is simple but lovely, based on a scene from the book. Such sexy legs!
Clare is a veterinarian, new to the town, not yet working. She has a run in with barbed wire while trying to rescue a baby kangaroo after its mother was killed by a car, and has to visit the hospital’s emergency department to get her leg sewn up.
This is a feel-good Christmas themed story, set with the backdrop of heat and rural Australia. Tilly’s family are fun, her brother and his wife, along with their two children and dog make this a happy and charming story. At one point I could even imagine a ‘Lassie’ moment in the book. There are no steamy parts to this story, it carries itself well without them and kept my interest throughout. However, I felt that everything was focused on the slow burn; once they are together things happen too fast, and we don’t really get to see enough of them after they are together. I guess this is because all that is saved for the next book in the series. The cover is simple but lovely, based on a scene from the book. Such sexy legs!
December 1, 2025
Tilda has always hated Christmas and all the fuss around the holidays. She plans on hiding out at the hospital, taking extra shifts, until the season is over. Her boss makes her take her time off and Tilda doesn't know how she'll fill her time until Clare moves into the cottage on her family's farm. Clare his caring for a joey she rescued and is looking to start her own vet's business in town. She's determined to show Tilda the joy in Christmas. There's magic in the air, but will it warm Tilda's heart too?
This is a sweet and clean lesbian Christmas romance. It has all the fun of a small town Aussie Christmas including a heatwave, yabbying, and a flood. Tilda is a hard working doctor who is drowning herself in work. Clare is a sweet vet who is knew in town with enough joy for a lifetime of Christmases. Their feelings grow slowly, and I love the Christmas adventures they have along the way. It was fun to peek at an Aussie Christmas.
This is a sweet and clean lesbian Christmas romance. It has all the fun of a small town Aussie Christmas including a heatwave, yabbying, and a flood. Tilda is a hard working doctor who is drowning herself in work. Clare is a sweet vet who is knew in town with enough joy for a lifetime of Christmases. Their feelings grow slowly, and I love the Christmas adventures they have along the way. It was fun to peek at an Aussie Christmas.
April 30, 2021
Christmas in Australia!
I really enjoyed this story of Doctor Tilda and Veterinarian Clare. AJ, a new author to me, is an excellent writer. Tilda is a workaholic who would rather stay at the hospital than be with her family during Christmas. She hates everything about Christmas and we, as readers, don't find out until the end of the book just why that is. Clare, on the other hand, loves everything about it. With some help from Comet the joey, Merry the dog, Tilda's fun family, great community spirit and Clare's beautiful, infectious personality, all these add to the thawing of Tilda.
It's a delightful, slow burn Christmas novella. While the heat level in Australia is scorching, the heat level of the book was mild, suitable for all readers. I will definitely check out more books from this talented author!
I really enjoyed this story of Doctor Tilda and Veterinarian Clare. AJ, a new author to me, is an excellent writer. Tilda is a workaholic who would rather stay at the hospital than be with her family during Christmas. She hates everything about Christmas and we, as readers, don't find out until the end of the book just why that is. Clare, on the other hand, loves everything about it. With some help from Comet the joey, Merry the dog, Tilda's fun family, great community spirit and Clare's beautiful, infectious personality, all these add to the thawing of Tilda.
It's a delightful, slow burn Christmas novella. While the heat level in Australia is scorching, the heat level of the book was mild, suitable for all readers. I will definitely check out more books from this talented author!
March 27, 2021
A very stubborn Doc who thinks she hates Christmas!
It took the hospital administrator a act of Australia congress to make Tilda take a vacation! For someone stubborn enough to put her nose in every situation. While on a "forced" vacation, Tilda meets a new veterinary Doctor, Clare, who makes her take a Doctor's oath to persuade Tilda that she doesn't hate Christmas! Clare casually mentions she hates missing snow for the holiday. A very strong rain, flood, A town half washed away and Matilda pulls herself up by her bootstraps and saves the day and Clare's heart! Enjoy! The second story should be just as entertaining.
It took the hospital administrator a act of Australia congress to make Tilda take a vacation! For someone stubborn enough to put her nose in every situation. While on a "forced" vacation, Tilda meets a new veterinary Doctor, Clare, who makes her take a Doctor's oath to persuade Tilda that she doesn't hate Christmas! Clare casually mentions she hates missing snow for the holiday. A very strong rain, flood, A town half washed away and Matilda pulls herself up by her bootstraps and saves the day and Clare's heart! Enjoy! The second story should be just as entertaining.
December 26, 2021
All She Wants is a truly immersive and entertaining wlw romance. Tilda is a big-hearted emergency room doctor with an inexplicable aversion to Christmas, and Claire is a warm, bubbly personification of holiday spirit. Together, they manage to make Christmas magic.
This story’s characters and plot were enjoyable, but the setting was the real star of the book. Marchant does an excellent job of transporting the reader to the dusty Australian summer and brings life to the narrative with descriptions of charming animals and breathtaking landscapes.
This story’s characters and plot were enjoyable, but the setting was the real star of the book. Marchant does an excellent job of transporting the reader to the dusty Australian summer and brings life to the narrative with descriptions of charming animals and breathtaking landscapes.
January 18, 2021
It's a good author who can write a character with as much inner angst as Tilda. A young doctor who loves her patients and hates to go home at the end of her shift. Lives for her work and not much else to the point of being off putting when it comes to finding love. It's not until the end of the story the reader learns why Tilda hates Christmas. Clare is the woman who quietly moves into Tilda's life and that's the story. Well written, not wordy, and I felt the heat of Australia.
December 23, 2020
Small-town Christmas
A small town Christmas in Australia. Slow build with great chemistry. Workaholic needing to reestablish the Christmas spirit, found the perfect person to help. Also reconnecting with her town and family. Small play on the grich who stole Christmas. Good read will read more by A.J. Merchant.
A small town Christmas in Australia. Slow build with great chemistry. Workaholic needing to reestablish the Christmas spirit, found the perfect person to help. Also reconnecting with her town and family. Small play on the grich who stole Christmas. Good read will read more by A.J. Merchant.
May 24, 2021
This is a cute holiday novella focused on a hard working, Christmas humbugging, small town Aussie doctor. Her counterpart is the new vet in town who comes complete with Christmas spirit and a rescued joey. Add a town flood and a few local busy bodies and eventually the couple gives in to the anticipated HEA.
February 13, 2022
Charming Australian Small Town Christmas Romance
I really liked the two main characters. I was totally rooting for them. The story and characters are very well developed. I really liked the family, friends, and community in this story. Although it takes place during the holidays, I think it can be enjoyed any time of the year!
I really liked the two main characters. I was totally rooting for them. The story and characters are very well developed. I really liked the family, friends, and community in this story. Although it takes place during the holidays, I think it can be enjoyed any time of the year!
December 18, 2020
I recommend this book
I really enjoyed this book. I love a good Christmas story this time of year. This is a very enjoyable Christmas romance. The characters are very likable and well developed. Thanks for a fun Christmas romance.
I really enjoyed this book. I love a good Christmas story this time of year. This is a very enjoyable Christmas romance. The characters are very likable and well developed. Thanks for a fun Christmas romance.
November 19, 2025
Its fun to read Christmas stories set in Australia, not only for some differences in culture but also because its such a change to think of Christmas as being a hot time of year for those of us in the northern hemisphere. This was a good book for both Christmas setting and the story line itself.
January 9, 2023
The overall story was pretty good, but I felt like it jumped around some. I kept wanting more, and it seemed hard to come by. Hoping the sequel gets better.
August 15, 2023
dr grinch
Followed along as this ‘just friends’ workaholic doc & newcomer Christmas obsessed vet become more than. I love everything written by Marchant!
Followed along as this ‘just friends’ workaholic doc & newcomer Christmas obsessed vet become more than. I love everything written by Marchant!
December 30, 2025
This was such a wholesome, sapphic, holiday romance story! I really adored it and will be adding the next two stories to my TBR!
December 30, 2020
I really enjoyed this slow burn; it is a cute Christmas romance that is set in rural Australia. It features a doctor who hates Christmas and barely does anything other than work at the local hospital and a new veterinarian in town who needs a home to care for a rescued joey. Tilda is forced to take some time off work and offers a cabin at her brother’s farm, they then end up spending a lot of time together. What I loved most about this is at the start Tilda HATES Christmas, but you can see her soften gradually through the book and it is lovely to see and envision. Also, this is not a coming-out story and had no homophobia which is always a plus! I do think it got a little slow in the middle but overall a very good book. This is available on KU.
May 14, 2021
I have loved everything of A.J.'s. Any review I might write would just say the same thing, over and over. "Loved it, can hardly wait for their next, highly recommended". So, consider them written!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews