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The Holiday Set-Up
As a children’s author, I’m used to Princes who save princesses, so imagine when the roles are reversed and I swoop in and save a hunky prince in distress.
We share one magical kiss and instead of living happily ever after…we’re ripped apart.
When I finally let my crazy landlady talk me into a blind date, its none other than my prince, Oliver O’Quinn -big, burly and incredibly nerdy.
He’s better than any Hero I could have written. But even a hero can’t outrun his past.
We share one magical kiss and instead of living happily ever after…we’re ripped apart.
When I finally let my crazy landlady talk me into a blind date, its none other than my prince, Oliver O’Quinn -big, burly and incredibly nerdy.
He’s better than any Hero I could have written. But even a hero can’t outrun his past.
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2021
62 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Heather Lauren
26 books355 followersHeather Lauren is a polly pocket size writer of steamy romantic comedies with big burly bearded men and adorkable strong heroines. She now lives back in her small hometown in Iowa where the corn fields are high but so is her bookshelf.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 27, 2021
4
This was a great instalove and holiday read! Quick without feeling too rushed, the characters are relatable and lovable. Dalton/Oliver and Blair really made this book a page turner!
There were some things that seemed completely unrealistic that I couldn’t look past, but overall I enjoyed it.
Witness protection, author, curvy woman, math nerd, fate, ARC for honest review
This was a great instalove and holiday read! Quick without feeling too rushed, the characters are relatable and lovable. Dalton/Oliver and Blair really made this book a page turner!
There were some things that seemed completely unrealistic that I couldn’t look past, but overall I enjoyed it.
Witness protection, author, curvy woman, math nerd, fate, ARC for honest review
November 30, 2021
Not bad... Not good either
It wasn't bad. I liked that there was the whole witness protection thing but it had issues. First, Blair is 5'10" & Dalton is an unspecified over 6' tall. At one point, he said "she's tall for a woman but still several feet shorter than me. Umm... Isn't that making him at least 9 feet tall cause miniumly he'd have to be at least 3 feet taller because 2 would be a couple. Several is many. Since he's not 9' tall, that's an error that editors missed & one that annoyed me to no end. That's not a little thing to miss. If this is self published with no professional editors, did no one reading that for the writer pick that up?! Then there was the trial. I could I my roll my eyes. A huge trial that big with a mob boss, is seeminy held in the same town they housing their witness?! No. Also, there was an older woman staring at the judge hoping to influence his decision on guilt. No, that would be a jury that decides that. A witness sitting in during the hearing prior to testimony? No, especially one he's been in WitSec for. Anyone could have taken him out at the trial. Also, it was done in a single day?! He shows up & testifies like he's one of the 2 people giving testimony in the whole trial & by the time he gets back to the condo, the trial is over. Just no. Did the writer have no idea how the judicial system works? I get these books take some liberties with believability but that's not something that can be just trashed like that. It didn't even require any amount of extra pages or anything - just leave that out & say he testified & waiting for the verdict. Instead, it's written like someone who's never been to a trial, read about a trial, watched a TV show about a trial, a movie about a trial, or had any idea how the justice system works. Watching a rerun of Law & Order would have taught this writer a little more than they know about it. If they did it that way to wrap up the story, that's laziness. There were better ways to wrap up the story than to write a crap scene. The love story was good. It was everything else about it that was not. Don't include a trial of a mob boss involving someone in WitSec if you aren't going to do any research on it to make it somewhat realistic.
It wasn't bad. I liked that there was the whole witness protection thing but it had issues. First, Blair is 5'10" & Dalton is an unspecified over 6' tall. At one point, he said "she's tall for a woman but still several feet shorter than me. Umm... Isn't that making him at least 9 feet tall cause miniumly he'd have to be at least 3 feet taller because 2 would be a couple. Several is many. Since he's not 9' tall, that's an error that editors missed & one that annoyed me to no end. That's not a little thing to miss. If this is self published with no professional editors, did no one reading that for the writer pick that up?! Then there was the trial. I could I my roll my eyes. A huge trial that big with a mob boss, is seeminy held in the same town they housing their witness?! No. Also, there was an older woman staring at the judge hoping to influence his decision on guilt. No, that would be a jury that decides that. A witness sitting in during the hearing prior to testimony? No, especially one he's been in WitSec for. Anyone could have taken him out at the trial. Also, it was done in a single day?! He shows up & testifies like he's one of the 2 people giving testimony in the whole trial & by the time he gets back to the condo, the trial is over. Just no. Did the writer have no idea how the judicial system works? I get these books take some liberties with believability but that's not something that can be just trashed like that. It didn't even require any amount of extra pages or anything - just leave that out & say he testified & waiting for the verdict. Instead, it's written like someone who's never been to a trial, read about a trial, watched a TV show about a trial, a movie about a trial, or had any idea how the justice system works. Watching a rerun of Law & Order would have taught this writer a little more than they know about it. If they did it that way to wrap up the story, that's laziness. There were better ways to wrap up the story than to write a crap scene. The love story was good. It was everything else about it that was not. Don't include a trial of a mob boss involving someone in WitSec if you aren't going to do any research on it to make it somewhat realistic.
November 9, 2021
This book kicks off the series of standalones “Curves for Christmas.” If this book is any indication of how good this series is going to be then I need them all!! This book deserves more than 5 stars for a beautifully written romance, amazing characters, and the perfect amount of steam and suspense.
I totally fell in love with Oliver right away! He’s a needy accountant who find himself in a bit of trouble. When Blair comes to his rescue, he’s ready to be all in with the curvy queen. Circumstances separate them for a year, but when he finds her again he desperately wants to keep her. I LOVED how devoted he was to her the year that they were apart and all he wanted was to find her again.
Their first date is the sweetest thing you will ever read! Their second date is even better with Oliver trying to make all of Blair’s Christmas fantasies come true. The scene where they are making pancakes is the hottest breakfast you will ever read. Every sweet moment between these two will make you fall more in love with this couple!
When his past meets his present, and danger is at his door again, it adds some suspense but it allows also our nerdy hero to do whatever it takes to keep his love safe. This story was AMAZING! I can’t recommend it more! You will love it from start to finish and immediately want to read it again! This is probably my new favorite romance, and definitely my new favorite Christmas romance!
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I totally fell in love with Oliver right away! He’s a needy accountant who find himself in a bit of trouble. When Blair comes to his rescue, he’s ready to be all in with the curvy queen. Circumstances separate them for a year, but when he finds her again he desperately wants to keep her. I LOVED how devoted he was to her the year that they were apart and all he wanted was to find her again.
Their first date is the sweetest thing you will ever read! Their second date is even better with Oliver trying to make all of Blair’s Christmas fantasies come true. The scene where they are making pancakes is the hottest breakfast you will ever read. Every sweet moment between these two will make you fall more in love with this couple!
When his past meets his present, and danger is at his door again, it adds some suspense but it allows also our nerdy hero to do whatever it takes to keep his love safe. This story was AMAZING! I can’t recommend it more! You will love it from start to finish and immediately want to read it again! This is probably my new favorite romance, and definitely my new favorite Christmas romance!
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2021
The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with! Oliver sexy as all get out nerd guy, at a dinner with a mob boss although, he didn’t know that it was a mob boss, but he looked over some numbers for the man at the dinner when things go from bad to worse. He is running out of the restaurant when a beautiful girl runs into him literally but before he can say anything he is taken away by the feds put into witness protection. Blair is sweet, intelligent, an author for children’s books accidentally runs into a man rushing out but didn’t get any information. Fast forward a year or so later nearing trial for him but of course there are twists and turns prior to trial but is it enough to keep her, will they come after her, and can they find happiness?
December 22, 2022
I don't want to spend more time reviewing this than I did reading it so this is going to be short and sweet.
This fell so far short of my expectations I want my money back (and I read this gem in KU).
First, I was hugely disappointed that the prince reference from the synopsis was a metaphor. I was genuinely looking forward to a royal romance.
Second, love at first sight (literally, saw each other across a room on like page three). No. Just no. With most insta-love plots there is some attempt to show that the couple belongs together. That was not the case here.
Third, a ridiculous plot that necessitates the suspension of ALL disbelief. I may have a permanent disfigurement from rolling my eyes.
Fourth, a humongous cast of characters that serve no purpose, I have no real idea how that know each other and how they relate to each other, nor do I really care.
Fifth, the was next to no mention of the holiday throughout the book. I mean technically it's a holiday romance, in the same way that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
I will not be reading any of the other books in this series and will probably give this author a wide berth going forward because nothing in this worked for me.
This fell so far short of my expectations I want my money back (and I read this gem in KU).
First, I was hugely disappointed that the prince reference from the synopsis was a metaphor. I was genuinely looking forward to a royal romance.
Second, love at first sight (literally, saw each other across a room on like page three). No. Just no. With most insta-love plots there is some attempt to show that the couple belongs together. That was not the case here.
Third, a ridiculous plot that necessitates the suspension of ALL disbelief. I may have a permanent disfigurement from rolling my eyes.
Fourth, a humongous cast of characters that serve no purpose, I have no real idea how that know each other and how they relate to each other, nor do I really care.
Fifth, the was next to no mention of the holiday throughout the book. I mean technically it's a holiday romance, in the same way that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
I will not be reading any of the other books in this series and will probably give this author a wide berth going forward because nothing in this worked for me.
January 31, 2024
HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
WitSec, Mafia-adjacent
Curves for Christmas series
Bourbon, Texas - Fitzpatrick Place
*over 18 readers only *
Trigger warnings
Mob story but not the good kind
Kidnapping
Violence
Dalton/Oliver (mmc)
Blair (mfc)
Oliver let a pretty face get him into trouble with the mob. Out of nowhere, Blair rescues him only to be separated by the FBI. It's been a year since they've seen each other when he finds out she lives in the same building he is hiding. Will they get a chance this time? Is it even safe?
Honestly, I picked this book up almost a month ago and started it, but out it down 10% into it. The first chapter just didn't keep me, or maybe I was in the wrong mood to read it. There are typos and missing words. The flow was a bit rough. Also, NEVER put sugar near *that* area of a female's body. That's how you get problems. But the story was cute. I couldn't get past the missing shoes.
Standalone, interconnected characters
WitSec, Mafia-adjacent
Curves for Christmas series
Bourbon, Texas - Fitzpatrick Place
*over 18 readers only *
Trigger warnings
Mob story but not the good kind
Kidnapping
Violence
Dalton/Oliver (mmc)
Blair (mfc)
Oliver let a pretty face get him into trouble with the mob. Out of nowhere, Blair rescues him only to be separated by the FBI. It's been a year since they've seen each other when he finds out she lives in the same building he is hiding. Will they get a chance this time? Is it even safe?
Honestly, I picked this book up almost a month ago and started it, but out it down 10% into it. The first chapter just didn't keep me, or maybe I was in the wrong mood to read it. There are typos and missing words. The flow was a bit rough. Also, NEVER put sugar near *that* area of a female's body. That's how you get problems. But the story was cute. I couldn't get past the missing shoes.
October 24, 2021
I rated this three and a half, rounding up. The Holiday Set-Up is a short instalove read with some holiday trappings that can probably be finished in an hour or less. The hero is Dalton who gets mixed up with the mafia and has to go into witness protection. The details of the crimes or Dalton's involvement in them are not clear. His crush Blair knows him as Oliver, and ends up in some danger when it's time for the trial.
It was okay, just a bit rushed. Even the timeline of the trial seems awfully fast. The defendant pleads not guilty, Dalton goes to give his witness statement, leaves, and there's been a verdict and sentencing all in the same day before he has barely had time to get home. I thought trials for mafia bosses usually take a bit longer than that. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was okay, just a bit rushed. Even the timeline of the trial seems awfully fast. The defendant pleads not guilty, Dalton goes to give his witness statement, leaves, and there's been a verdict and sentencing all in the same day before he has barely had time to get home. I thought trials for mafia bosses usually take a bit longer than that. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2021
Oliver is at a dinner with a mob boss, he did not know who is was when he was asked to look at some numbers. Dinner starts to take a turn and he rushes out of the restaurant when this beautiful girl bumps into him. Next thing he whisked away by the feds.
Blair met the eyes of the big guy across the room, they share a single kiss before he is whisked away in a van. Sometime later she is talked into a blind date by her landlady, guess who it is, Oliver.
This is a sweet and steamy romantic holiday story. I am looking forward to the other stories in Bourbon Texas.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Blair met the eyes of the big guy across the room, they share a single kiss before he is whisked away in a van. Sometime later she is talked into a blind date by her landlady, guess who it is, Oliver.
This is a sweet and steamy romantic holiday story. I am looking forward to the other stories in Bourbon Texas.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2021
Dalton is a sexy nerd, who is having dinner with a man and looking overs one figures for him, oblivious to the fact that he is with a mob boss, and when things take a turn for the worse, he runs out of the restaurant slap bang into Blair who is a sweet children’s author. Forced to go into witness protection Dalton’s name is changed to Oliver, and that is what Blair knows him by. As the trial approaches Blair is in danger but will Oliver be able to protect her? This is an enjoyable tale with is a short and quick read, with twists danger, suspense, intrigue, and love. I look forward to reading more from this author whose work I recommend.
November 9, 2021
Witness Protection comes between Oliver and Blair as they are just starting to know each other. When he is unknowingly with a mob guy one night, looking at some numbers, everything changes and he is sent away for protection. A friend at the house sets up a blind date for Oliver with Blair and the rest is history. Loved the characters and storyline, with all the obstacles they get past, which makes them stronger and more determined. The chemistry is strong and they are safe with each other. A short, intense romance with heart. The ending was great.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2021
This a quick short enjoyable cliche read where the two leads instantly fall in love with each other. I was expecting Oliver to be slightly more nerdy and shy with each other. There was no sense that he was the nerdy geeky type other than the author saying he was good with numbers. Without that he kind of acted like an alpha hero kissing Blair within minutes of meeting her.
Although not quite as described it was an enjoyable read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Although not quite as described it was an enjoyable read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 31, 2021
This is the story of Blair and Dalton. They met when she saved him without knowing but they were separated after a great bowling night. Now, he is in witness protection for the mafia. But he negotiated with the FBI to be closer to the mystery girl that saved him. Fitz, the landlord ser-up a date to reunite them together again and finally have their happily ever after. This book has action, kidnappings, good friends, a lot of love. I loved the story and characters. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 21, 2021
This story is cute and sweet. A case of bad timing and even worse circumstances.
One night after a terrible game of bowling Blair is separated from he handsome Clark Kent. So imagine her surprise when a year later he shows up on her door step.
This story is great but the plot moves very fast, making me wish we had more time with the characters. However it's still an amazing story and Blair is such a relatable character
One night after a terrible game of bowling Blair is separated from he handsome Clark Kent. So imagine her surprise when a year later he shows up on her door step.
This story is great but the plot moves very fast, making me wish we had more time with the characters. However it's still an amazing story and Blair is such a relatable character
October 28, 2021
Short, fun, Christmas romance. Dalton and Blair have a wonderful date after she saves him from the mob, only to be torn apart! Fast forward a year to a beautiful romance. Dalton has waited a long time to find Blair again and the romance is beautiful. More wonderful dates. Lots of love and steamy hot moments. Ending with a fabulous HEA
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2021
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. Oliver and Blair have an attraction right from the first moment. To say the least, timing is not good for him at all. They get a second chance but she did not know that Oliver was not Oliver. This is a short holiday romance. Good characters with a whirlwind story
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 1, 2021
GREAT EXECUTION OF A FUN PREMISe
This was fun, I liked that the main character had genuine spunk and was a fun person without too much angst. I just wish that there had been a bit more mystery or tension to the story I felt like there were no surprises
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was fun, I liked that the main character had genuine spunk and was a fun person without too much angst. I just wish that there had been a bit more mystery or tension to the story I felt like there were no surprises
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 13, 2021
loved it !!! a great start for a new series !!! love Blair... love Oliver/Dalton.... this is their crazy story... a fast paced short story...one kiss and he's gone... yeah, that's my life... Dalton/Oliver went to a dinner to look at some figures.. he didn't know that guy was in the mafia... now he's in witness protection...great ...
then the blind date... it's her !!! a sweet story...
then the blind date... it's her !!! a sweet story...
November 26, 2021
This is the 3rd book I've read written by Heather Lauren; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
This is the 1st book in the Curves for Christmas Series; it is a stand-alone short story. The story is about Blair & Oliver.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 1st book in the Curves for Christmas Series; it is a stand-alone short story. The story is about Blair & Oliver.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2022
Oliver/Dalton and Blair
Heather Lauren is a new author for me but I absolutely loved this book!!! I was confused at first but once I started reading it made more and more sense!!!! I have no idea how he ended up back where he did but I’m so glad they found each other again and were able to finally be together again!!!! They definitely deserve each other!!!!
Heather Lauren is a new author for me but I absolutely loved this book!!! I was confused at first but once I started reading it made more and more sense!!!! I have no idea how he ended up back where he did but I’m so glad they found each other again and were able to finally be together again!!!! They definitely deserve each other!!!!
June 18, 2022
Wonderful twist on a story where the heroine saves the prince. Holidays always add an unexpected twist to any story. This was a very entertaining read with wonderful characters to follow. Characters had some quirks and interesting personalities that lend to a good story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 26, 2021
This is book one in the Curves for Christmas Series . This book starts off for the holiday romance series . This book is a great page tuner and the storyline is great .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2021
The book is a good, and enjoyable instalove holiday romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2021
The first book in the Curves for Christmas Series a well written short holiday romance story. I enjoyed reading Blair and Oliver's story. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 5, 2021
Highly entertaining, heartwarming, and fun holiday adventure filled with witty and engaging characters, heart racing twists and undeniable passion. This journey was so emotionally thrilling and so hard to put down. Great reading
November 6, 2021
Sweet escapism
After a meet cute that turned not so cute Blair and Dalton meet up again a year later.
The series has lots of quirky characters that I will be reading all the books about.
This one is easy to read and hot, sweet and charming to the end.
After a meet cute that turned not so cute Blair and Dalton meet up again a year later.
The series has lots of quirky characters that I will be reading all the books about.
This one is easy to read and hot, sweet and charming to the end.
December 5, 2021
When I opened this book it was just the extended epilog and nothing else. I was looking forward to reading this book so I was disappointed.
I did read the epilog, it was well written, but I couldn't get much out of it
I did read the epilog, it was well written, but I couldn't get much out of it
December 7, 2021
Cute Holiday Romance
Blair and Oliver/Dalton.... their meeting and consequent romance are weaved in a very entertaining way ...I love the concept had some struggling in the flow but I am glad I finished it
Blair and Oliver/Dalton.... their meeting and consequent romance are weaved in a very entertaining way ...I love the concept had some struggling in the flow but I am glad I finished it
December 26, 2021
The story was okay, the characters were decent but not consistent. Then mix in a story that has odd time jumps, and I didn’t love it. Sometimes between chapters there was no time, and sometimes it was weeks. Weird and jarring.
August 9, 2022
Curvy girl meets hot nerd
Loved this short holiday story. The author gave snippets of the other stories in the series, making me want to work my way through each one. A great read to get you in the festive mood, even in the middle of July.
Loved this short holiday story. The author gave snippets of the other stories in the series, making me want to work my way through each one. A great read to get you in the festive mood, even in the middle of July.
January 22, 2023
This one was a BIG disappointment for me. I believe I picked up a kindle copy during a free promotion and I’d been saving it to read over the holidays. A children’s author who saves a prince? A holiday, body positive book? I was so excited!
Come to find out that the “prince” on the blurb is a metaphorical prince, it’s a mafia type B plot (but a rather ridiculous B plot that requires some suspension of disbelief at times), and while this was pitched as a stand-alone it felt like I had been dropped into a long running series and was expected to know and care about a gaggle of friends and side characters that are all interconnected in the main characters lives.
I could have handled all that but the writing style was not for me. While the author has a very distinctive voice the half formed sentences and quirky grammar came off as unedited and unpolished rather than a distinctive voice. Also there were several random plot lines that seemed overly ridiculous just to be silly? Like the female main character who admits she’s not a very good cook wanting to write a children’s cookbook and silliness happens because why learn to cook before trying to write a cookbook. The ending “escape” scene was also…yeah ridiculous and easy is a good description for this book. The pacing in the first few chapters also felt like a broken up and disjointed flashback or prologue rather than the first few chapters of a story.
Based on the reviews a lot of people seemed to like this one but it was not for me. If you like books where the stakes are super low because everything conveniently ends up ok and there’s lots of quirky silliness maybe this book is for you but it certainly wasn’t for me.
Come to find out that the “prince” on the blurb is a metaphorical prince, it’s a mafia type B plot (but a rather ridiculous B plot that requires some suspension of disbelief at times), and while this was pitched as a stand-alone it felt like I had been dropped into a long running series and was expected to know and care about a gaggle of friends and side characters that are all interconnected in the main characters lives.
I could have handled all that but the writing style was not for me. While the author has a very distinctive voice the half formed sentences and quirky grammar came off as unedited and unpolished rather than a distinctive voice. Also there were several random plot lines that seemed overly ridiculous just to be silly? Like the female main character who admits she’s not a very good cook wanting to write a children’s cookbook and silliness happens because why learn to cook before trying to write a cookbook. The ending “escape” scene was also…yeah ridiculous and easy is a good description for this book. The pacing in the first few chapters also felt like a broken up and disjointed flashback or prologue rather than the first few chapters of a story.
Based on the reviews a lot of people seemed to like this one but it was not for me. If you like books where the stakes are super low because everything conveniently ends up ok and there’s lots of quirky silliness maybe this book is for you but it certainly wasn’t for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews