Twelve Dates of Christmas

Northampton Hearts #1

by Charlee James

She’s fallen for her own fantasy…will a real future with him be enough?

Bored by years of underwhelming dating experiences, copywriter Grace McGovern combines her love of Christmas and her longing for romance into the ultimate romance novel—where the heroine is swept off her feet one Christmas by tender, thoughtful, romantic…and utterly unrealistic dates. When Grace has a chance meeting with an attractive man, she’s charmed by their conversation and fun dates…until warning bells jingle. He couldn’t be taking cues from her book, could he?

Engineer Owen Ellis has always been more comfortable with computers and coding than with women. After claiming he was boring and unromantic, his last girlfriend’s bitter parting gift was a cheesy romance book hurled at his head. When he meets a woman whose warm smile and conversation intrigue him, Owen is ready to try again but knows he needs to up his game. What’s the harm in borrowing a few ideas?

Can the Christmas magic last forever, or will their relationship dissolve into another ho-hum holiday fling?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2021

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time I didn’t mind the standard, predictable outcome. It was very lovely and sweet

[Bree Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was adorable. It’s a sweet, small town holiday romance between Grace and Owen. After their meet cute they begin going on dates and before long the dates seem to feel awfully familiar and Grace realizes they feel familiar because she once upon a time wrote a holiday romance called Twelve Dates of Christmas which included a list of holiday dates. Owen has been reading the book and is mimicking these dates not knowing Grace wrote them as Paige Turner. It was cute and a really fun quick read.

[Abby Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was ADORABLE! The most perfect cozy Christmas romance for the holidays.

[Shelagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was pure fun from the first page. I loved the author nom deplume Paige Turner, that marketing guru Grace McGovern adopted when she published her only book, The Twelve Dates Of Christmas. These dates are so creative and it was thoroughly entertaining watching hero of the story and engineering nerd Owen Ellis as he used the book for dating inspiration. It was clear early on that Grace and Owen didn’t need any dating inspiration to hit it off. They just clicked from the start. That said, the dates are creative. I loved the hot chocolate date and their appreciation of the flavours. This is a book to make you feel all the warm fuzzies of a chilly northern hemisphere Christmas. It had me smiling the whole way through.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
3.5 stars.

“He was far more comfortable with computers and coding than he was with women. He was completely clueless when it came to the opposite sex.” (Quote from ARC)

A very sweet love story featuring a shy hero and a determined, vibrant heroine, “Twelve Dates of Christmas”, by Charlee James (Tule Publishing), takes place in a cold, snowy setting, with a Christmassy atmosphere.
Owen is a refreshing hero, smart and fun, but also shy and nerd and just a gem of a person. His earnestness and the fact he sees himself as a non-romantic man are so compelling.
The low self-esteem and the pain are still fresh after recent events in his sentimental life and we get to see that, too.
Adding moments of real embarrassment to Owen’s characterization and showing his fears and insecurities make him such a relatable, lovable male hero, and so attractively anti-Alpha.
Seeing him fall head over heels for Grace is endearing and the fact the sentiment is mutual is great, too.
Grace is a caring, giving heroine, fun and full of life. I liked how she contributed to show us, readers, the best in Owen’s personality, and how he rediscovers himself through her.
This is an enjoyable read, yet I found Owen’s compulsion to follow the twelve dates “rules” a bit exaggerated and juvenile sometimes.

[Readsandeats · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet Grace who loves Christmas and romance, so much so that in her younger years she wrote a book about the 12 most romantics dates at Christmas time.
One afternoon whilst out buying the must have gift for her younger sister, she helps out Owen - who is out shopping for the must have gifts for his neices. As a thank you he offer to buy Grace a hot chocolate and they enjoy chatting and getting to know a bit more about each other. Owne picks up the courage to ask Grace out and when she says yes, he has to think of what to do. He then remembers a book his ex had thrown at him about romantuic dates.
As Grace goes on dates with Owen she recognises some of the dates. Will Owne borrowing some date idea derail this Christmas romance?

I really enjoyed this story, the characters were well developed and the plot was engaging.
Will defintiely be reading the next in the series.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know how every once in a while that one book comes along that you know will stay with you for a long time? For me that "book" doesn't come often enough. Please don't misunderstand that I am not satisfied with the books I read. Yes, there are some that I could've passed on but for the most part I enjoy the majority. That said, that one one special, memorable book is indeed rare. For me, Twelve Dates of Christmas hit that mark. This book was brilliant. Everything I look for in the perfect novel was there within the pages of this book. If you read the blurb, you don't need me to summarize it for you.

While I did indeed love the premise, it was the characters that completely won me over; especially Owen. Oh. My. Goodness! Where has Owen been my whole life? Why can't authors write more imperfect, shy, considerate heroes into their stories. We all love the adonis but reading about Owen was a true breath of fresh air. I want more. I fell completely in love with his character. The only disappointment I had with this book was that I wished there was an epilogue. I wanted to see more of Owen and Grace.

Twelve Dates of Christmas is a sweet, endearing, heartwarming and humorous Christmas romance and I highly recommend it! This author is a brilliant storyteller!

While I received an advanced reading copy of this book, this is my honest and unbiased review and I thank you for taking the time to read it. :)

[Elia · Rating 2 out of 5]

the horniest pg romance i’ve ever read; how can these characters who are so hot for each little thing abt each other take so long to kiss and once they do kiss, NOT GO ANY FURTHER EVEN OFF SCREEN!!!! especially with the way this ends!!!!! i cannot comprehend!!!!! it wld be one thing if the relationship wasn’t so sexually charged, but as it is …

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute and sweet holiday read!

[Brittany G · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5 stars. Was cute but not great. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Paula Pugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve perfect Christmas dates is the way to a girl’s heart, or so Owen thinks. For Grace, three exciting dates is perfect. Owen is nerdy and a tad insecure. Meeting Grace throws him into a spin. Loved it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you love Hallmark holiday movies, I think you’ll like this book. And while there were a few things I enjoyed about the story, and I do enjoy a good Hallmark movie, I was mostly annoyed with the author.

Owen and Grace have a wonderful meet-cute moment at the local toy store. The two decide to extend their meeting and have some hot chocolate and pastries together. They have an instant connection and easily decide to see on another again. Owen hasn’t had great experiences in love, and his last breakup was particularly brutal. He doesn’t want to mess this up, he’s really drawn to Grace. He decides to loosely follow a holiday romance his ex had left behind in which there are a series of adorable winter dates.

Grace once wrote a holiday romance and it took off. She hasn’t written anything else since that time and by no means seems to want to be an author. It is kind of presented as a one-time thing. What got to me as the story progressed is that it seemed as though Grace was ashamed of having written a romance story. With the wonderfully fun dates Owen is taking her on, she quickly realizes he’s using her book as a guide for dating. Instead of asking him or fessing up that she wrote a popular holiday romance, she reflects on how mortified she would be if he found out. Grace repeatedly thinks about how she’s not the same woman who wrote that book and worrying that if he finds out he’ll think she’s shallow for wanting grand adventures instead of staying home once in a while with take-out and an old movie. I think you may be starting to see my issues with this book. What romance author writes about one of her MCs being embarrassed that they wrote a romance? And how many readers really thing the books they read reflect the author’s personal lives? So am I to believe Isaac Asimov went to space or Stephen King has dead cats traipsing around his neighborhood? It makes no sense! And, quite frankly, it’s a slap in the face to romance readers to continually call a light, fun, holiday romance “silly” and “naïve”.

I actually liked the connection Owen and Grace had, but the author wasn’t just letting it play out. I felt as though she was forcing the couple into a box they didn’t want to be in at all. And when things exploded, it just didn’t have the effect that it should have had. I was annoyed with both MCs for their behaviour and was even more irritated with how the apology/groveling went down. The person who did the groveling, instead of going to the other as soon as they realized their mistake, instead came up with a plan to wow the other, thereby extending the angst and heartache for several more days. What?!? Why?!?

The writing style and flow wasn’t bad, but with the way I felt the author panned the very genre she was writing, I don’t think I’ll be trying any more of her books.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.

[Riki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was pretty much the perfect holiday romance from page one to last. I read it in one sitting by the glow of my Christmas tree! It’s charming as can be and positively bursting with Christmas joy and tradition. I LOVE Owen! He’s the perfect cinnamon roll hero- so kind and considerate and adorable. And his chemistry with Grace in this cute opposites-attract story was so fantastic. They are just so dang cute together! I had so much fun following all of their festive dates and to top it all off, the grand gesture was just so perfect.

[Laura D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute book. Years earlier, when she was young and still had her head in the clouds, Grace wrote a romance novel about the perfect twelve dates of Christmas. Owen is awkward with women. After his last break up his soon to be ex threw a romance book at him and told him to get a clue. When Owen meets Grace he decides to up his game and use that book as a game plan. Grace really likes Owen but did he find out that she wrote that book under the name Paige Turner or is he making fun of her? This story is about Grace getting to know the real Owen and Owen rediscovering himself through Graces eyes. Sweet read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this arc of Twelve Dates of Christmas from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This was a really nice and sweet holiday romance. It was easy to read, the plot was original and fun and the characters were very genuine and warm. This is the first book in the Northampton Hearts series and I’m looking forward to the next book. In book one we meet Grace McGovern who has been out Christmas shopping with her roommate. Her roommate goes home to meet her boyfriend and Grace continues to the toy store. She is trying to get a gift for her 7 year old sister. She meets Owen Ellis who is frantically looking for some popular dolls for his nieces. Grace offers to help and she is able to locate his 2 items plus hers. Owen invites her for hot chocolate to thank her but he doesn’t know which variety she wants. So he buys one of each and they do a taste testing and get to know each other a little. She’s impressed by his idea to do the tasting.

Owen lacks self confidence as his last girlfriend accused him of being dull and unromantic and threw a copy of a romance novel at him as she was leaving that would give him future date ideas. The book is Twelve Dates of Christmas and unbeknownst to him was actually written by Grace. He likes Grace and doesn’t want to blow his Chance with her. Grace likes him too and wants to see where this thing can go. Owen decides to read the book and use the ideas for dates provided so he will appear more romantic and fun. After going on a few dates with Owen, Grace thinks the activities sound familiar, like the dates in her romance novel. She talks to her roommate about her discovery and decides to wait a little longer. Meanwhile Owen is very proud of himself as he tries things that are outside his comfort level.

As they continue to date and grow closer and more interested in each other, Grace isn’t sure whether she should reveal that she wrote the book. There is a lot of angst and suspense for the reader as both characters are caught in their feelings and their own secret plans. There are some tense moments and some plot twists before the book ends. It’s a wonderful book. I’ve read quite a few by Charlee and I’ve loved reading them all. Another 5 star book.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had potential, then turned into sappy goo. Disappointing.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twelve Dates of Christmas (Northampton Hearts #1) is my new favorite book written by Charlee James. This is a lighthearted romp into the many pitfalls that men may encounter when dating. I loved shy, unconfident Owen with my heart going out to him for the former girlfriend’s cruel words. No wonder he was afraid of messing up a date with Grace McGovern. Speaking of her, I also loved this bold confident woman who had grown up in the years since she had written the famous Christmas novel.

Speaking of that novel. It seemed like a good idea to have a hit book the first time that you write a book. In fact, it sounds like a dream come true for an aspiring writer. However said book may cause some problems for Grace. I also loved the quotes by author of said romance book, Paige Turner aka Grace McGovern. That is not a real spoiler because that is told in the description. The rest of the story, well read it for yourself. It is impossible not to smile through the first three fourths until the problems begin. Then you are reading because you just know in that Owen and Grace belong together so you want to see how that all comes to be.

An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace and Beth are room mates and best of friends. They have been for years. Beth now has a boyfriend so they don't spend all their time together like they used. They are out shopping but Beth leaves early to go home and get ready for her date. Grace is just going to the toy store and then she will be home. While at the toy store Grace meets a gentlemen who can't find a particular toy so Grace offers to help.

At this point the book starts getting really good. She goes out to have hot chocolate with him. On their second and third dates she starts noticing that he is planning their dates by a book she wrote several years ago. A great cast of characters and loved the story line. I think you will too. Check out the book you won't be disappointed.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gorgeous Christmas sweet romance where for once the hero wasn't a gung ho alpha male but in fact a rather shy retiring nerd who needed all the help he could get

Owen Ellis knows he doesn't have a romantic bone in his body he is much happier working with computers but when he meets Grace McGovern he knows he wants to up his game as he really likes her. So he decides to take some ideas from a romance books his last girlfriend threw at him as she charged out of his life. The only problem is that Grace really likes him as well and the dates he is taking her on seem almost familiar like the dates in her latest book. Can these two find a way forward and can they have a future together You will have to read to see

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet Christmas romance that will give you many warm fuzzies. An accidental meeting during Christmas shopping find Grace and Owen spending the holiday season with plenty of fun dates. Owen's last breakup, was because he was so boring, so now he using a book on The Twelve Dates of Christmas to help plan his perfect dates with Grace. Grace is hiding a little secret though and will it prevent their HEA.

The perfect holiday read, loved all of their dates. A sweet romance that I could not put down. I highly recommend this book that will leave you in the holiday mood for sure.

[Gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adored the book up until the point when the drama started. The couple was cute, their chemistry palpable, with a lovely Christmas atmosphere around them.
However, after Grace finally told Owen that she was the author of the book, everything went downhill. I felt that both characters wildly overreacted, and instead of a simple conversation, lots of melodrama followed. I also didn't like the ending, I found the proposal way too early, they'd only known each other for a few weeks, after all. It's a shame, because 3/4 of the book was great.

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my this was such a sweet and cute Christmas read. Owen is such a shy guy. He has not had much luck in the dating or relationship game. When he meets Grace he wants to change that. He comes up with a plan. He takes the steps out of a book. There is only one problem with that! I really liked Owen and Grace and the story line will melt your heart. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bonnie Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

What tore me apart was how inferior Owen felt after his then girlfriend told him more or less he was boring and not at all romantic.
What was fun was how he was going about his new dating plan, although some of it was so childish.
What was best was how Grace built him up and they finally got their HEA.
I received an early copy of this book in exchange for my review.

[Debra M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book cover & blurb caught my attention,loved the romance between Grace and Owen .Loved how two people that are so different one shy and hiding behind his computer the other one so outgoing can have fun dates and enjoy being around each other. Download this romantic read.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did I get so lucky twice? Two Christmas romances in one year that I could honestly read again every Christmas!

Grace and Owen meet in a toy store as he tries to find the gifts his neices asked for. He is having no luck, and Grace helps him find the one. Then she strong arms the teenager at the front into going into the back and finding the other. Owen is struck by her and bravely asks her to go get hot chocolate with him. He buys one of each flavor, and they test them all.

Owen doesn't tell her that his favorite was the classic because his last girlfriend said he was too boring and never romantic, and Owen already feels like things could be good with Grace.

He asks her for another date, and Grace agrees. So he goes home and finds the romance book his ex threw at him when she told him to get a clue. He reads the book and writes down the 12 dates mentioned as a guide to romancing Grace.

The big problem? Grace wrote that book under the pseudonym Paige Turner. At first, she doesn't notice. Then, when she notices, she thinks it might be a coincidence. But when she knew what the next date would be, she knew. As these dates happen, they get to know each other and really like each other. Even though s
sledding in on the list, she attempts to take the dates away from the list and go tobagganing? Did I miss something? Isn't that essentially the samething?

Well, on the first date, the horse gets spooked, and even though Owen is terrified, he saves them. On the tobagganing date, he saves her from an impact and gets very injured. He ends up in a sling.

Grace thinks this will end the list and that they can just chill and get to know each other over food at home and TV. Which works for a bit, but Owen is haunted by his ex saying he wasn't romantic, and he desperately wants to keep Grace because of how good they are together. So he starts building an igloo. Grace isn't happy when she finds him, but she takes over, and they share a romantic moment in an igloo.

Obviously, the truth had to come out, and Owen doesn't take it well. He is hurt, and then he says something that hurts her.

Then they go to their respective corners, and their loved ones talk to them about what happened. Owen takes a big leap of faith to fix it.

The 12 days of Christmas is Christmas on every page. It is the kind of chaotic Christmas that I love, and on top of it was a really sweet and true love story that will stay with me long after I finish this review.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve Dates of Christmas by Charlee James
She’s fallen for her own fantasy…will a real future with him be enough?
Bored by years of underwhelming dating experiences, copywriter Grace McGovern combines her love of Christmas and her longing for romance into the ultimate romance novel—where the heroine is swept off her feet one Christmas by tender, thoughtful, romantic…and utterly unrealistic dates. When Grace has a chance meeting with an attractive man, she’s charmed by their conversation and fun dates…until warning bells jingle. He couldn’t be taking cues from her book, could he?
Engineer Owen Ellis has always been more comfortable with computers and coding than with women. After claiming he was boring and unromantic, his last girlfriend’s bitter parting gift was a cheesy romance book hurled at his head. When he meets a woman whose warm smile and conversation intrigue him, Owen is ready to try again but knows he needs to up his game. What’s the harm in borrowing a few ideas?
Can the Christmas magic last forever, or will their relationship dissolve into another ho-hum holiday fling?
This is Grace McGovern and Owen Ellis's story.
Grace McGovern’s teeth chattered as she crossed the redbrick street with nearly as many shopping bags as her best friend and roommate, Beth Harris.
“Remind me again why we don’t do our holiday shopping in August?” Beth grumbled, knotting her scarf more tightly around her neck.
“Because then we’d miss out on all of this.” The bags swayed on her arms as she gestured widely at the snow globe around them.
“You’re funny.” He stretched out his hand. “I’m Owen Ellis. Thanks for helping me out.
Sadie and Selina will appreciate it.” “Grace McGovern.” She clasped his hand in a quick shaking motion.
“Don’t thank me yet though. The shelves look a bit sparse, and we’re on a time crunch.”
Twelve Dates of Christmas by Charlee James is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Carole Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Amazon freebie! Let's goooo!

Here we follow Grace and Owen. Years ago, after too many underwhelming dates, decided to write her very own Christmas romance. The characters went on 12 amazing and slightly unrealistic dates. Years go by and Grace is ready to move on from her book and find someone to spend her life with...enter in Owen. Owen is an engineer who's always been more comfortable with computers and coding. Dating has always been rough for him. His ex left him because he was boring and unromantic. His ex's last gift to him was a cheesy romance book. When he meets Grace he decides he needs to up his game and give Grace the best 12 dates ever.

This was simply adorable. I loved Grace and I loved Owen. They are both good eggs who deserve all the love in the world. This is perfect for the holidays and made me want to try out one or two of the dates from the list! Very cute ideas and cute dates.

There is a touch of drama near the end, which you know was coming. When Grace finally admits that she wrote the book....Owen didn't take it too well. I don't blame him. They both were in the wrong. Her for lying this whole time and the couple of things he said out of hurt. I'm so glad it didn't take long for them to move past it and realize they are meant to be.

Yessss, so this was simply perfect for the holidays! It made me want to go get some hot cocoa and relax. A very sweet love story between two people who really deserve all the love. I, for sure, recommend this. I'll stamp this with 5 stars.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen and Grace meet in a toy store, where she is buying a sliming toy for her little sister as a Christmas gift and Owen is trying to buy a hard to find, popular toy for his nieces. They find one of the toys Owen is seeking, and Grace bullies the lazy clerk into searching for a second in the back. Owen is impressed.

To thank her, Owen invites Grace for a hot chocolate and the sparks fly over the 4 cups of chocolate he purchases so that they can taste test the various flavours. Both favour the classic version, even though they are reluctant to admit it. They don't want to appear boring.

Using a suggestions offered in a book Owen's ex girlfriend threw at him, saying he was unromantic and could use the suggestions offered in the book, our nerdy hero plans 12 dates exactly like those in the book, not knowing that Grace was the author. When he finds out, he is hurt that she did not tell him sooner.

Naturally, the story has a happy ending with the two of them declaring their love for each other and Owen proposing. Will the two lovers have the happy ending they seek? Is it possible for them to really know each other after a few weeks of a fairy tale romance? The cynic in me screams, "No!"

[LaLa · Rating 3 out of 5]

First let me start off by saying I enjoyed this book. It was short, sweet and predictable.

With that being said. I’m not sure how I really want to rate this book. I give it a 3.5.

Definitely a hallmark type of book but for some reason some parts felt dragged on for me near the end of the book. I didn’t really understand the fight, it seemed a little dramatic to me but it’s just a book 😅

Towards the end I did find myself just skipping over parts that were boring or were just drawn out with too much detail. Almost like just get to the point 😑

I did like the characters. I felt like Grace and Owen were a good mix.

The ending……
Maybe I’m thinking a little too into it but it was rushed. Haven’t talked for days after an argument then decide to propose. Almost making me forget the time line of when they started actually dating…. Causally dating… anywho

It sort of felt like it should have been longer with maybe more things added into the story or just ended on a happy note, like it did, just not being engaged……

Anyways besides that. I didn’t hate it.

It was a good short holiday read.