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(Not So) Alone for Christmas
Problem number one: Maddy’s family is NOT at home. A surprise Christmas visit to Charleston only works if the family you’re surprising hasn’t decided to spend the holidays in Hawaii.
Problem number two: Maddy is stranded. There is snow on the ground in Charleston, a city that doesn’t even own a snow plow. Flights are grounded, and the power is out. Maddy isn’t going anywhere.
Problem number three: Bo Bradshaw, Maddy’s old high school crush, is stranded with her, and he is hotter than ever.
(Not So) Alone for Christmas is a standalone, sweet romance novella that will leave you craving Christmas cookies and a cozy fire.
Problem number two: Maddy is stranded. There is snow on the ground in Charleston, a city that doesn’t even own a snow plow. Flights are grounded, and the power is out. Maddy isn’t going anywhere.
Problem number three: Bo Bradshaw, Maddy’s old high school crush, is stranded with her, and he is hotter than ever.
(Not So) Alone for Christmas is a standalone, sweet romance novella that will leave you craving Christmas cookies and a cozy fire.
135 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2020
307 people are currently reading
1407 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Proctor
39 books2,213 followersJenny Proctor is an award-winning author of more than fourteen romantic comedies and an Amazon bestseller. She began her career in publishing in 2013; her writing has been a constant since then, but she's also spent time as the owner and managing editor of Midnight Owl Editors and the chair of the Storymakers Conference. Wired for relationships, Jenny loves public speaking, teaching, and building lasting connections.
Jenny was born in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a place she considers one of the loveliest on earth. She loves to hike with her family and spend time outdoors, but she also adores lounging around her home, reading great books or watching great movies and, when she’s lucky, eating delicious food she doesn’t have to prepare herself.
Jenny was born in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a place she considers one of the loveliest on earth. She loves to hike with her family and spend time outdoors, but she also adores lounging around her home, reading great books or watching great movies and, when she’s lucky, eating delicious food she doesn’t have to prepare herself.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
December 20, 2023
This is too short for what it set out to do. There just isn't enough time for Maddy to get the reassurance she needs to attach so strongly to Bo. And yes, that's despite being in love with him when they were in high school and reawakening what was buried.
Some of it being too short is Proctor squandering their time in forced proximity. There needed to be more honest connection in those moments and much less of Maddy being closed-off/cautious/withholding. Indeed, I think this might have managed a much higher rating if they had connected better during their time together.
Of course, if they had, the author would have had to deal more directly with the whole sex thing. These are contemporary adults and Maddy not even thinking about unclothed intimacy was a bit dissonant. They spend the better part of a week snowed-in together. And engaging in some making out maybe gives you a day before contemporary folks would be looking for a bit more "fun". Not having this even mentioned in her head triggers my missing-faith spidey sense. This isn't helped when Maddy considers this a time of noncommittal make-out and as far as I know, that term is something only religious folks think of as a thing. Or teens? I do know it is the social placeholder of casual sex in those communities I have been involved with who save sex for marriage.
So with the lack of connection when they had time and place for it and the missing faith, I'm going to call if three stars. And a weak three at that.
A note about Chaste: Yeah, there's NCMO. But nothing more. So this is very chaste.
Some of it being too short is Proctor squandering their time in forced proximity. There needed to be more honest connection in those moments and much less of Maddy being closed-off/cautious/withholding. Indeed, I think this might have managed a much higher rating if they had connected better during their time together.
Of course, if they had, the author would have had to deal more directly with the whole sex thing. These are contemporary adults and Maddy not even thinking about unclothed intimacy was a bit dissonant. They spend the better part of a week snowed-in together. And engaging in some making out maybe gives you a day before contemporary folks would be looking for a bit more "fun". Not having this even mentioned in her head triggers my missing-faith spidey sense. This isn't helped when Maddy considers this a time of noncommittal make-out and as far as I know, that term is something only religious folks think of as a thing. Or teens? I do know it is the social placeholder of casual sex in those communities I have been involved with who save sex for marriage.
So with the lack of connection when they had time and place for it and the missing faith, I'm going to call if three stars. And a weak three at that.
A note about Chaste: Yeah, there's NCMO. But nothing more. So this is very chaste.
February 10, 2022
Otro romance Navideño leido fuera de temporada xDD, sin embargo, fue tan adorable, puro y tierno que pese a no ser Navidad, lo disfrute inmensamente.
La lectura es simple, ademas sigue la linea de otros libros cortos de esta tematica, y aun asi es de esas historias que destacan para bien.
Recomendable especialmente para los amantes de las historias de amor sencillas.
2.75 Estrellas!
December 17, 2020
It made my day when I found this cute novella in my in-box. Jenny Proctor is one of my favorite authors. Her books are always great. And this one is amazing!
I loved Maddy. She’s planned to stay in Chicago for Christmas, but plans change. That’s how she finds herself on the porch of her family’s home in Charleston three days before Christmas. I had to laugh at how she found out that her family had gone to Hawaii without her. On the phone. And then discovered that her teenage crush, Bo Bradshaw, was house sitting for them.
And it only got better when she realized that she was about to be stranded there because of a fluke snow storm hitting Charleston. I loved the humor of this situation. I loved how the two grew close because of being stuck together. The whole novella just works.
Another thing I really loved is the novella thing. Sometimes in a novella, the characters don’t end up developed enough. Not so in this one. The author did a fantastic job of getting them developed and the plot as well in a short period of time. I read this one so fast, and it made my day better.
Go grab it, for a burst of Christmas joy anytime!
I was sent an e-copy of (Not So) Alone for Christmas as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
I loved Maddy. She’s planned to stay in Chicago for Christmas, but plans change. That’s how she finds herself on the porch of her family’s home in Charleston three days before Christmas. I had to laugh at how she found out that her family had gone to Hawaii without her. On the phone. And then discovered that her teenage crush, Bo Bradshaw, was house sitting for them.
And it only got better when she realized that she was about to be stranded there because of a fluke snow storm hitting Charleston. I loved the humor of this situation. I loved how the two grew close because of being stuck together. The whole novella just works.
Another thing I really loved is the novella thing. Sometimes in a novella, the characters don’t end up developed enough. Not so in this one. The author did a fantastic job of getting them developed and the plot as well in a short period of time. I read this one so fast, and it made my day better.
Go grab it, for a burst of Christmas joy anytime!
I was sent an e-copy of (Not So) Alone for Christmas as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
December 18, 2022
Giving this story the benefit of the doubt —— it was short so I’m trying to take that into consideration. But man I was not the biggest fan of Maddy!
I have a hard time with the “holding on to old hurts from high school” theme ESPECIALLY when it has to do with a crush. That was her motive behind everything she did/thought and it felt kinda rude to Bo. She never really took time to get to know him as an ADULT.
And since it was all from her POV it made me even more frustrated!
Bo was great!! I loved that he kept trying for something with Maddy and wanted a real relationship with her.
I mean personally, I would’ve been FURIOUS if my parents took my siblings and spent Christmas in Hawaii without me. I felt like they could’ve tried harder to get her there. But I’m not mad she fell in love with Bo over Christmas!
I’m excited to read Jenny’s other books, because I did enjoy her writing style!
2/5 stars
*not cf but clean*
I have a hard time with the “holding on to old hurts from high school” theme ESPECIALLY when it has to do with a crush. That was her motive behind everything she did/thought and it felt kinda rude to Bo. She never really took time to get to know him as an ADULT.
And since it was all from her POV it made me even more frustrated!
Bo was great!! I loved that he kept trying for something with Maddy and wanted a real relationship with her.
I mean personally, I would’ve been FURIOUS if my parents took my siblings and spent Christmas in Hawaii without me. I felt like they could’ve tried harder to get her there. But I’m not mad she fell in love with Bo over Christmas!
I’m excited to read Jenny’s other books, because I did enjoy her writing style!
2/5 stars
*not cf but clean*
December 18, 2023
For such as short little Christmas Romance, this was a well-executed and enjoyable second chance love story. The premise isn’t particularly original, but it didn’t need to be. Proctor displays her craft well in packing in some good emotional umph into the limited space she’s given herself. Bravo.
Reread note: These short novellas that can be read in a couple of hours is like enjoying a warm Christmas cookie. (I know. That makes zero sense, but I wanted to add something Christmasy.) Happy Holiday, everyone.
Reread note: These short novellas that can be read in a couple of hours is like enjoying a warm Christmas cookie. (I know. That makes zero sense, but I wanted to add something Christmasy.) Happy Holiday, everyone.
December 7, 2021
Such a light and fun read. Perfect for this season!
December 15, 2020
I forced myself to keep my eyes on his face, but his slightly tousled sleep look was distractingly sexy.
She and my dad had created a home where I’d always felt safe and loved and celebrated.
Chloe answered after the first ring. “He’s gorgeous, right?” she said, without even saying hello.
“Oh my freaking word? Why didn’t someone tell me? He answered the door without a shirt on, Chloe. I could hardly form a coherent sentence!”
The way Mom talked, it sounded like I was sabotaging my dating life on purpose. Nothing could be further from the truth. I wanted to meet someone. To settle down. To have a relationship that really meant something. I couldn’t help it if men failed to notice what I had to offer. And they did. Over and over again. For whatever reason, I just wasn’t the kind of woman men tended to notice first.
I had this idea in my head, and I built up into this fairy tale. There was no way any real-life situation was ever going to compare.
I absolutely love the fact the characters were retable. I mean, how many of us can relate to Maddy about our unrequited loves of high school? I certainly did. And Bo, I completely swoon after him.
This was a fun, sweet, clean Christmas romance. I had butterflies in my stomach while reading this book. I highly recommended this book. 5 stars.
She and my dad had created a home where I’d always felt safe and loved and celebrated.
Chloe answered after the first ring. “He’s gorgeous, right?” she said, without even saying hello.
“Oh my freaking word? Why didn’t someone tell me? He answered the door without a shirt on, Chloe. I could hardly form a coherent sentence!”
The way Mom talked, it sounded like I was sabotaging my dating life on purpose. Nothing could be further from the truth. I wanted to meet someone. To settle down. To have a relationship that really meant something. I couldn’t help it if men failed to notice what I had to offer. And they did. Over and over again. For whatever reason, I just wasn’t the kind of woman men tended to notice first.
I had this idea in my head, and I built up into this fairy tale. There was no way any real-life situation was ever going to compare.
I absolutely love the fact the characters were retable. I mean, how many of us can relate to Maddy about our unrequited loves of high school? I certainly did. And Bo, I completely swoon after him.
This was a fun, sweet, clean Christmas romance. I had butterflies in my stomach while reading this book. I highly recommended this book. 5 stars.
December 16, 2023
charming Christmas novella
This is a charming and delightful Christmas novella! Bo and Maddy are an endearing couple and this is a perfect and quick read to enjoy during the holidays.
This is a charming and delightful Christmas novella! Bo and Maddy are an endearing couple and this is a perfect and quick read to enjoy during the holidays.
January 18, 2021
Sweet
A sweet, quick romance that will make you smile. I enjoyed it within an hour. It made me feel better and uplifted after a very bad day. 5⭐️s
A sweet, quick romance that will make you smile. I enjoyed it within an hour. It made me feel better and uplifted after a very bad day. 5⭐️s
December 17, 2020
Super fun Christmas novella. Maddy’s plans for Christmas fall apart, so she heads home to surprise her family…only to be surprised by them. They are in Hawaii for Christmas. But her old high school crush is housesitting for them. Bo. And just seeing him again resurrects all the past feelings she thought she had got over. This is a quick read, a quick romance fanned to life from an old crush on Maddie’s side. It was cute, the characters were adorable, and the plot was predictable but fun. If you want a book to make you smile this Christmas, give this one a try. I liked it.
December 13, 2020
How many of us can relate to Maddy - our delightfully cute heroine - when it comes to the unrequited loves of high school? I certainly did. Most of us move on after young love's heartbreak, and Maddy did too - or thought she did, until a series of events lands her alone on Christmas, a snow storm approaching, and the boy she silently pined after all grown up and in his pajamas under her tree.
This is a clean romance, with sweet circumstances and favorite Christmas tropes, fun dialogue, and a warm holiday happily ever after. I loved this novella. I wish it could've gone on a bit longer, for my own enjoyment, but the story is wholly complete and lovely.
Better than most Hallmark Christmas movies, and certainly one I would love to stuff in the stockings of my friends, you'll love this romance as much as you love the annual holiday cookie exchange. ;-)
This is a clean romance, with sweet circumstances and favorite Christmas tropes, fun dialogue, and a warm holiday happily ever after. I loved this novella. I wish it could've gone on a bit longer, for my own enjoyment, but the story is wholly complete and lovely.
Better than most Hallmark Christmas movies, and certainly one I would love to stuff in the stockings of my friends, you'll love this romance as much as you love the annual holiday cookie exchange. ;-)
December 28, 2020
Maddie decides to surprise her family by going home to Charleston, SC for Christmas. But the surprise is on her, and it's not one surprise but two! The first surprise is finding the non-decorated house dark and her family not home, and the second, and more shocking, surprise is to find her high school crush Bo Bradshaw shirtless in her parent's house. Before the night is over it starts snowing and Maddie can't leave to join her family in Hawaii. What's a girl to do?
This was a fun and cute Christmas novella. Living in the deep south (New Orleans), I could totally relate to Maddie's snow issue. We're not prepared for snow in the south--there are no trucks to salt the roads, no snow plows, and no one has the proper tires so almost everything shuts down. I loved reading of Maddie and Bo making cookies and catching up while they were snowed in.
This would make a great Hallmark movie. I thought the characters were well developed for a novella and the story didn't feel rushed. If you want to make Christmas last a little longer you should read this book.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but bought my own copy when the ebook went on sale. You should buy it too.
This was a fun and cute Christmas novella. Living in the deep south (New Orleans), I could totally relate to Maddie's snow issue. We're not prepared for snow in the south--there are no trucks to salt the roads, no snow plows, and no one has the proper tires so almost everything shuts down. I loved reading of Maddie and Bo making cookies and catching up while they were snowed in.
This would make a great Hallmark movie. I thought the characters were well developed for a novella and the story didn't feel rushed. If you want to make Christmas last a little longer you should read this book.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but bought my own copy when the ebook went on sale. You should buy it too.
December 10, 2024
This was a very cute, quick read. Finished in less than 24 hours. Getting snowed in at Christmas with your childhood crush……second chances……farm life….and baking?! Yes please!
December 14, 2023
I liked this book and both of the MCs. For a novella, it didn’t feel rushed. But it was very easy to put down. It was just lacking something more than the chemistry felt flat.
December 6, 2020
I loved how relatable these characters were. I could totally see both of their points of view.
The story was unexpected and fun. Highly recommend.
The story was unexpected and fun. Highly recommend.
October 17, 2022
ALL THE HOLIDAY SWEETNESS.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This is one of those, sit and read in one evening, kinda novellas. I love reading these sometimes! And this was a fantastic quick paced romance that I thought was well written and gave me all the necessary Christmas vibes.
I like that that this was a childhood friends / second chance-ish romance. These seem to work best for something so short. The immediate need to feel a connection between the love interests was there and I was whole heartedly for Maddy and Bo. I love a good forced proximity moment as Christmas plans fell through and they got a chance to reconnect.
Super short. Super sweet. A great read for the season. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something in that category!
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance Holiday Novella
- Language: none
- Romance: make-outs
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This is one of those, sit and read in one evening, kinda novellas. I love reading these sometimes! And this was a fantastic quick paced romance that I thought was well written and gave me all the necessary Christmas vibes.
I like that that this was a childhood friends / second chance-ish romance. These seem to work best for something so short. The immediate need to feel a connection between the love interests was there and I was whole heartedly for Maddy and Bo. I love a good forced proximity moment as Christmas plans fell through and they got a chance to reconnect.
Super short. Super sweet. A great read for the season. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something in that category!
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance Holiday Novella
- Language: none
- Romance: make-outs
January 6, 2021
Boring.
This book was so boring. There was not anything they made you want to read it again. I wish it was dual POV but it was not.
This book was so boring. There was not anything they made you want to read it again. I wish it was dual POV but it was not.
November 30, 2023
For once I don’t mind the length because this was a very cute read. I enjoyed both the characters. It sounds a little Hallmark, but who doesn’t love a good Christmas romance? That’s probably the first one I’ve liked in a while. There’s just something about the idea of coming back to your hometown and reconnecting with your childhood crush. Being snowed together was a bonus. I could have done without the Sophia drama but the way it was introduced works and besides we got the cute big gesture of Bo flying out to Chicago to surprise Maddy and make things right with her. I almost wanted her to fly back herself because in my mind it was her gesture to make, but this worked perfectly too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2023
Christmas Romance
3.5🌟
This is a quick and fluffy sweet romance of unrequited high school crush meeting up years later. There were a couple of things that didn’t quite make sense, like why Bo was in town at Christmas, with no family of his own there anymore, to housesit when he had a busy farm to run at Christmas time. The story is endearing of being snowed in together and catching up with their past and hoping and wishing for a future. This book is one to read when you need a holiday themed novel and you only have a limited time between all the things we need to do for the big day.
3.5🌟
This is a quick and fluffy sweet romance of unrequited high school crush meeting up years later. There were a couple of things that didn’t quite make sense, like why Bo was in town at Christmas, with no family of his own there anymore, to housesit when he had a busy farm to run at Christmas time. The story is endearing of being snowed in together and catching up with their past and hoping and wishing for a future. This book is one to read when you need a holiday themed novel and you only have a limited time between all the things we need to do for the big day.
December 20, 2020
This is a fun and sweet holiday romance. Could be a Hallmark movie. So yes, it’s kind of cheesy and predictable; but I like that in a feel good Christmas story.
Maddy realizes she’s going to be alone for Christmas, so she makes a last minute decision to fly home to surprise her family for Christmas. Too bad her family isn’t home! (Side note - I’d be SOOO sad if my fam went to Hawaii without me for Christmas - especially without telling me!) The surprise for Maddy is her high school crush, Bo, is house sitting for her parents. Cue the rare snowstorm and Maddy and Bo are snowed in together. I wonder what will happen? 😉
Like any romcom, there are sweet and endearing moments and there is some annoying miscommunication. Since it’s a short novella there is a lot that is glossed over. But we get the idea. I was glad it didn’t stretch out longer. I won’t give too many details. But I love a happy ending!
This isn’t necessarily a stellar 4⭐️ read, but it’s definitely 4⭐️ for what it is. It’s a cute Christmas romance novella. I really enjoyed it! I’d definitely recommend it as quick holiday fluff.
Maddy realizes she’s going to be alone for Christmas, so she makes a last minute decision to fly home to surprise her family for Christmas. Too bad her family isn’t home! (Side note - I’d be SOOO sad if my fam went to Hawaii without me for Christmas - especially without telling me!) The surprise for Maddy is her high school crush, Bo, is house sitting for her parents. Cue the rare snowstorm and Maddy and Bo are snowed in together. I wonder what will happen? 😉
Like any romcom, there are sweet and endearing moments and there is some annoying miscommunication. Since it’s a short novella there is a lot that is glossed over. But we get the idea. I was glad it didn’t stretch out longer. I won’t give too many details. But I love a happy ending!
This isn’t necessarily a stellar 4⭐️ read, but it’s definitely 4⭐️ for what it is. It’s a cute Christmas romance novella. I really enjoyed it! I’d definitely recommend it as quick holiday fluff.
November 3, 2021
Absolutely loved Bo & Maddy! This is the 2nd Novella by Jenny proctor I've read and Ill definitely be adding more to my bookshelf. Really enjoyed the novella aspect and jenny did a great job of getting all the details in not leaving anything out in 136 pages of pure bliss.
November 28, 2023
Sweet
A cute, sweet hallmark style book. Vacation mistake at Christmas - check, snowed in - check, and high school heartthrob - double check, sweet girl next door - triple check. It was a fun holiday read.
A cute, sweet hallmark style book. Vacation mistake at Christmas - check, snowed in - check, and high school heartthrob - double check, sweet girl next door - triple check. It was a fun holiday read.
May 8, 2025
This story had too much for the length, otherwise I think I would have enjoyed it a lot. As it was, I liked the writing and the overall setup. We just couldn't get to know the characters well and the relationship didn't have enough building. Also, he was kind of creepy in the beginning.
An ok read, but not a new favorite.
An ok read, but not a new favorite.
May 19, 2021
Not your typical snowed in novella. Well-crafted characters with a cute story arc. Fun read.
January 8, 2022
3.5 stars
December 24, 2023
God enough, but with a side dose of annoying FMC
December 24, 2023
I think I just have had my fill of Christmas Rom Coms this season. It was fine, but I liked the Christmas Letters by this author better.
December 9, 2024
A cute and quick novella. Wasn’t necessarily my favorite
December 18, 2024
2.5. I rlly just didn’t like it. I feel like if this book would have been longer I would have liked it bc the story line for it isn’t bad just didn’t hit quite right.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews