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Gingerbread & Jingle Bells
You never get a second chance at a first kiss…or do you?
She’s a big-city executive with a cool head for business.
He’s a small-town veterinarian with a passion for saving injured wildlife.
As children, they’d been the best of friends, until the day Eve had so determinedly—and somewhat disastrously—kissed Daniel on the lips, just before his family moved back to England.
This December, they're both back in town, and Eve's grandmother is on an mortifyingly obvious matchmaking mission. What good would it do for Eve to fall for the tall, dark, and British version of her childhood sidekick? Daniel has come back to stay; Eve is leaving as soon as the holiday rush at her family’s bakery is over. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist the temptation to take a second chance at that first kiss.
After all, one little kiss before Christmas won't change their lives… will it?
A heartwarming wintery romance from a USA Today Bestselling Author and RITA Award winner, set in a wonderfully unique 1980s setting. Perfect for fans of sweet and sincere happily-ever-afters.
"Caro Carson writes books that touch the heart; they're witty, wise, emotional and filled with intricately layered, fascinating characters."
--NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne
Winner of the 2021 Colorado Romance Writers' Beverley award.
Finalist for the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf award and the Contemporary Romance Writers' Stiletto award.
She’s a big-city executive with a cool head for business.
He’s a small-town veterinarian with a passion for saving injured wildlife.
As children, they’d been the best of friends, until the day Eve had so determinedly—and somewhat disastrously—kissed Daniel on the lips, just before his family moved back to England.
This December, they're both back in town, and Eve's grandmother is on an mortifyingly obvious matchmaking mission. What good would it do for Eve to fall for the tall, dark, and British version of her childhood sidekick? Daniel has come back to stay; Eve is leaving as soon as the holiday rush at her family’s bakery is over. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist the temptation to take a second chance at that first kiss.
After all, one little kiss before Christmas won't change their lives… will it?
A heartwarming wintery romance from a USA Today Bestselling Author and RITA Award winner, set in a wonderfully unique 1980s setting. Perfect for fans of sweet and sincere happily-ever-afters.
"Caro Carson writes books that touch the heart; they're witty, wise, emotional and filled with intricately layered, fascinating characters."
--NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne
Winner of the 2021 Colorado Romance Writers' Beverley award.
Finalist for the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf award and the Contemporary Romance Writers' Stiletto award.
94 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2021
11 people are currently reading
1099 people want to read
About the author
Caro Carson
112 books498 followersDespite a no-nonsense background as a West Point graduate and U.S. Army officer, Caro Carson has always treasured the happily-ever-after of a good romance novel. After her military service, she worked in the healthcare industry with a Fortune 100 company, talking science with doctors who were rarely handsome bachelor Texans like the doctors in her books. Now a RITA™-award-winning and USA Today bestselling author, Caro is delighted to be living her own happily-ever-after with her husband (who is a handsome Texan) and their two children. They live in Florida, a location which has saved the coaster-loving theme park fanatics a fortune on plane tickets.
https://linktr.ee/CaroCarson
https://linktr.ee/CaroCarson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 15, 2021
This story was a frickin' delight! Hero and heroine meet in the 5th grade when snow shuts down their central Texas school for the day. He's British (his father is a professor at the local college) and she's the daughter of a divorced mother who runs the town bakery (which her grandmother owns). They stay friends until the hero moves back to England as a young teen. This story starts in 1970 and finishes up in 1985, when the heroine working a corporate job in Pittsburgh comes home for the holidays to help grandma with the bakery. She reunites with our hero, now the town vet, and grandma seems determined to play matchmaker. It is a story where the heroine finds herself re-evaluating her lonely corporate lifestyle (plus all the BS working women had to put up with in 1985) but I thought the author addressed it well and this novella was so cozy and charming and I just wanted to fall right into the pages.
November 8, 2021
A very cute, quick, and lovely holiday romance. The kind that makes you go aww.
October 22, 2021
Quote for start: "I’m no longer thirteen.” She caught her breath. “And neither are you, Evie Richards.”
I loved it! This was a quick read, cozy, second-chance love and CLEAN romance for all readers, getting ready in Christmas mood.
We read the story about Eve and Daniel, from their school days adventure, when they nicknamed themself Gingerbread & Jingle Bells (they both loved snow days) and from their future- when they meet again from several years apart. Eve is successful bussines woman who returns for holidays to help in grandma's bakery. Daniel is local veterinarian. Eve thinks that grandma wants to hook them up and ignores her attemps. But she's drawn to Daniel from the moment she sees him again. Will they have their second chance?
______
I liked the story plot, it was interesting that there was such a diversion to the story- Eve, bussines woman living only for her job and promotion, start to realize that job isn't everything she wants. I felt sorry for her, because she felt like Daniel doesn't like her and I was surprised that she had such a courage to step up to him and be bold.
I liked their gingerbread adventures and all the animals they meet in this book. I loved the ending, that ended magical.
5 stars. :)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fuller review with quotes here: review on Mateja's blog- Gingerbread and Jingle Bells
I loved it! This was a quick read, cozy, second-chance love and CLEAN romance for all readers, getting ready in Christmas mood.
We read the story about Eve and Daniel, from their school days adventure, when they nicknamed themself Gingerbread & Jingle Bells (they both loved snow days) and from their future- when they meet again from several years apart. Eve is successful bussines woman who returns for holidays to help in grandma's bakery. Daniel is local veterinarian. Eve thinks that grandma wants to hook them up and ignores her attemps. But she's drawn to Daniel from the moment she sees him again. Will they have their second chance?
______
I liked the story plot, it was interesting that there was such a diversion to the story- Eve, bussines woman living only for her job and promotion, start to realize that job isn't everything she wants. I felt sorry for her, because she felt like Daniel doesn't like her and I was surprised that she had such a courage to step up to him and be bold.
I liked their gingerbread adventures and all the animals they meet in this book. I loved the ending, that ended magical.
5 stars. :)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fuller review with quotes here: review on Mateja's blog- Gingerbread and Jingle Bells
May 15, 2021
This is a cute holiday quickie.
October 21, 2021
Gingerbread and Jingle Bells is a wonderful novella by Caro Carson. I totally loved this book. 1970 has Evie and Daniel waiting for school to begin in a rare Texas snow. Fast forward 13 years and Daniel is a veterinarian and Evie is visiting for Christmas. Caro Carson has written a perfect Christmas romance. I loved everything about the book. Grab a cup of coco and some gingerbread and spend a perfect day reading! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
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October 23, 2021Excellent
I love this story. It was a little different but a lot of fun the ending was great! A must read for sure!
I love this story. It was a little different but a lot of fun the ending was great! A must read for sure!
October 11, 2021
Gingerbread and Jingle Bells is a sweet holiday novella by Caro Carson. I love second chance romances and this was the perfect holiday read for me. Eve and Daniel met when they were in fifth grade and one snowy day made a difference in both of their lives.
Fast forward and they reunite in small town Masterson where they first met. Eve thinks her life is headed in the right direction but an extended vacation with her grandmother makes her question what her life’s goals are.
Daniel has never forgotten her and seeks to find ways to bring them together hoping she will discover that small town America is the place for her.
This is a heartwarming romance that I highly recommend. I received an advance copy which I chose to read and review. This is my honest opinion.
Fast forward and they reunite in small town Masterson where they first met. Eve thinks her life is headed in the right direction but an extended vacation with her grandmother makes her question what her life’s goals are.
Daniel has never forgotten her and seeks to find ways to bring them together hoping she will discover that small town America is the place for her.
This is a heartwarming romance that I highly recommend. I received an advance copy which I chose to read and review. This is my honest opinion.
October 1, 2021
This is such a sweet romance that touched me in all the right places and in all the right ways. Evie is from a little town in Texas names Masterson, which doesn’t get much snow. But the first snowfall leads her to her first crush ever, a British teen who needs a good friend named Daniel. Evie and Daniel grow up and Evie has her career path established in Pittsburg. When she returns to her hometown to help out her grandmother at the family bakery, who surprises her by being in town but none other than Daniel? I really enjoyed the playful interaction between the characters, the wisdom of Evie’s grandmother and the cuteness of the dog named Jingle Bell. And I was thrilled with the mention of Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson, two favorite characters of mine from my own teen year. Although this is a short novel, the characters were fully developed and could easily walk off the page as real people. The plot was somewhat predictable, but there were a lot of surprises in it, too. Very pleasant ones! I zipped through this lovely story and enjoyed every minute that I spent in that small town with the friendly people and the birds that Daniel adored. Fans of small town romance and second chances at love will thoroughly enjoy this story, especially the ending!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Prolific. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Prolific. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
October 14, 2021
This was such a delightful story about first loves and second chances. Eve returns to help out at her grandmother's bakery during Christmas & none other than her first love Daniel is there. The connection still there between Eve and Daniel after all this time. I loved this story!!
October 12, 2021
Loved, loved this cute story. Eve and Daniel meet on a snow day in Texas, many yours ago in 5th grade. One quick kiss later and he is gone. Eve is now part of corporate America, but has come home to help her Grandmother with her bakery over the holidays. Little does she know, that Daniel has come back to Texas too, as the new veterinarian. Can the spark of many years ago be rekindled?
I was given a copy of the book by the author for an honest review.
I was given a copy of the book by the author for an honest review.
October 12, 2021
I loved this book! At a time with there is so much negativity this book brought back the warm “fuzzies” for me! It brought me to a warm and wonderful place. I loved the characters and the storyline and especially the fact that i was taken away from real life and taken to the awesome place this book will take readers!!
October 15, 2021
Gingerbread and Jingle Bells by Caro Carson is a sweet contemporary holiday romance. A lot is happening is this little book... it's a quick read. What I like about the author's writing style is the unique and interesting layering. And that the town of Masterson, Texas and its characters, Eve and Daniel, seem so real therefore relatable.
November 2, 2021
This is short sweet Christmas story filled with cute moments and cozy vibes. Perfect to read on a beautiful night, with cozy blanket and hot chocolate.
Sometimes your paths with one person change, you lose touch with them, but when they cross again is like you have never been apart. That's what happens with Daniel and Eve, they are just kids when they become friends, but he leaves to England & she doesn't hear from him again. Now years later they are again at the same time in the same city.
I enjoyed Daniel and Eve story so much, I lived the place, their pond, and especially her grandmothers bakery, it gave me such a cute vibe.
.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Sometimes your paths with one person change, you lose touch with them, but when they cross again is like you have never been apart. That's what happens with Daniel and Eve, they are just kids when they become friends, but he leaves to England & she doesn't hear from him again. Now years later they are again at the same time in the same city.
I enjoyed Daniel and Eve story so much, I lived the place, their pond, and especially her grandmothers bakery, it gave me such a cute vibe.
.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 1, 2021
Thank you Carl Carson for sending me this ebook. I loved this sweet story about a second chance at love. Such a Happy Ending which are my kind of books.
December 10, 2020
Very cute story from beginning to end
December 21, 2020
A holiday novella in the Christmas Actually anthology.
December 14, 2021
This little story was pretty cute, albeit very predictable. If you're looking for something quick to read that has all the feels of a Hallmark Christmas movie....this one is for you.
The one thing that left me curious was why the author decided to set it in the 80's.. There was no mention of really anything in that time frame aside from just flat out saying 'hey it's 1985' and the costs of the bakery items being suuuuper cheap. Could have just as easily been set in modern times without the year being specified.
The one thing that left me curious was why the author decided to set it in the 80's.. There was no mention of really anything in that time frame aside from just flat out saying 'hey it's 1985' and the costs of the bakery items being suuuuper cheap. Could have just as easily been set in modern times without the year being specified.
November 6, 2021
Synopsis
You never get a second chance at a first kiss… or do you?
She’s a big-city executive with a cool head for business.
He���s a small-town veterinarian with a passion for saving injured wildlife.
As children, they’d been the best of friends, until the day Eve had so determinedly—and somewhat disastrously—kissed Daniel on the lips, just before his family moved back to England.
This December, they're both back in town, and Eve's grandmother is on a mortifyingly obvious matchmaking mission. What good would it do for Eve to fall for the tall, dark, and British version of her childhood sidekick? Daniel has come back to stay; Eve is leaving as soon as the holiday rush at her family’s bakery is over. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist the temptation to take a second chance at that first kiss.
After all, one little kiss before Christmas won't change their lives… will it?
Review
Gingerbread and Jingle Bells is a cute, clean, and wholesome love story on first love and second chances. The story revolves around Evie who is an independent career woman who eventually realizes that the job isn’t everything that she wants. She reencounters her childhood friend, Daniel when she comes home for the holidays to help her grandma with the Bakery. Just like Evie, Daniel also has a successful career as the town veterinarian. From there, Evie’s grandma decides to play matchmaker to bring the two childhood friends closer together.
Another aspect that I liked about the story is that you get to see the characters grow. The book starts with both leads as young children in fifth grade and it ends with a cute narration on how the two characters live out their happily ever after.
Overall, Gingerbread and Jingle Bells is an endearing holiday novella on discovering what really matters in life. It is a short, yet sweet and fluffy love story of two childhood sweethearts who reconnect and managed to rekindle the feelings that they once had for each other. This book is a great read for those who believe in the saying: “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be”.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
You never get a second chance at a first kiss… or do you?
She’s a big-city executive with a cool head for business.
He���s a small-town veterinarian with a passion for saving injured wildlife.
As children, they’d been the best of friends, until the day Eve had so determinedly—and somewhat disastrously—kissed Daniel on the lips, just before his family moved back to England.
This December, they're both back in town, and Eve's grandmother is on a mortifyingly obvious matchmaking mission. What good would it do for Eve to fall for the tall, dark, and British version of her childhood sidekick? Daniel has come back to stay; Eve is leaving as soon as the holiday rush at her family’s bakery is over. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist the temptation to take a second chance at that first kiss.
After all, one little kiss before Christmas won't change their lives… will it?
Review
Gingerbread and Jingle Bells is a cute, clean, and wholesome love story on first love and second chances. The story revolves around Evie who is an independent career woman who eventually realizes that the job isn’t everything that she wants. She reencounters her childhood friend, Daniel when she comes home for the holidays to help her grandma with the Bakery. Just like Evie, Daniel also has a successful career as the town veterinarian. From there, Evie’s grandma decides to play matchmaker to bring the two childhood friends closer together.
Another aspect that I liked about the story is that you get to see the characters grow. The book starts with both leads as young children in fifth grade and it ends with a cute narration on how the two characters live out their happily ever after.
Overall, Gingerbread and Jingle Bells is an endearing holiday novella on discovering what really matters in life. It is a short, yet sweet and fluffy love story of two childhood sweethearts who reconnect and managed to rekindle the feelings that they once had for each other. This book is a great read for those who believe in the saying: “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be”.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 23, 2021
A great book to read during the holidays. I loved the strong characters and bakery setting in this story. Who doesn’t love a meddling Grandma in the mix? There is wonderful chemistry that comes alive on the pages between Daniel and Evie. I love how far they both have come the past 13 years since they’ve seen each other. Now they have their second chance at love. You will enjoy this charming book.
December 18, 2020
This is the 3rd book I read by Caro Carson. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story 📖 at chapter 2 because it didn't grab my interest.
October 24, 2021
Oh what a sweet story!
This is my first by Caro Carson, but won't be my last.
The characters were well done and the situations realistic.
The twists were delightful.
Just a wonderful love story with a satisfying HEA.
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from BookSirens.
This is my first by Caro Carson, but won't be my last.
The characters were well done and the situations realistic.
The twists were delightful.
Just a wonderful love story with a satisfying HEA.
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from BookSirens.
December 16, 2021
This book is a one-sitting read, a charming holiday story set in the 80s (with a prologue in the 70s) with nostalgic women empowerment themes.
October 19, 2021
This is the perfect read for anyone looking for a sweet, small-town holiday romance. The characters are lovely together. I was also impressed by the 1980s feel. (Are the 80s historical now? OUCH.) All of the technology and fashion were handled well without feeling like being bashed over the head with neon and leg warmers, but also the motivation of the heroine was believable for that era of women working to break the glass ceiling in business. I loved the hero's veterinary bird specialty - it set him apart from other small-town vets. All in all, a lovely novella from Caro Carson.
October 30, 2021
This was a sweet and endearing holiday novella about coming to terms with what is important in life.
I thought that the first two chapters were a little slow in establishing the setting. After that, I didn’t put it down until I was finished. For the most part, it was light-hearted and humorous. But it also had a soft side that touched my heart. Overall, I really enjoyed the book .
Near the end, Evie looked at Daniel and told him he had gingerbread brown eyes, which makes sense in the context of the book. For me, this brought tears to my eyes as I used to tell my daughter (who passed in a car accident) that she had Hershey brown eyes.
This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but it certainly won’t be the last.
I received this advanced reader’s copy for free from Book Sirens and the author. This is a voluntary review, and all comments and opinions are entirely my own.
I thought that the first two chapters were a little slow in establishing the setting. After that, I didn’t put it down until I was finished. For the most part, it was light-hearted and humorous. But it also had a soft side that touched my heart. Overall, I really enjoyed the book .
Near the end, Evie looked at Daniel and told him he had gingerbread brown eyes, which makes sense in the context of the book. For me, this brought tears to my eyes as I used to tell my daughter (who passed in a car accident) that she had Hershey brown eyes.
This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but it certainly won’t be the last.
I received this advanced reader’s copy for free from Book Sirens and the author. This is a voluntary review, and all comments and opinions are entirely my own.
October 21, 2021
Short, sweet fluffy small town childhood sweethearts
October 19, 2021
I have always believed a person deserves a second chance at love. I found this story very endearing. A light read with some funny quirks here and there. While it was a quick read it sure was a beautiful story.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and my review and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and my review and opinions are my own.
November 15, 2021
This was very sweet, you can't help but root for Evie and Daniel. I wish we had gotten more interaction between Evie and her grandmother, she mentions how close they are a lot and it would have been nice to have more moments between them. Saying that, this is a romance so it makes sense to focus on Evie and Daniel more. All in all I thought this was a lovely and heartwarming read that I really enjoyed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 14, 2021
Loved the pace of the plot, and how the ending let the reader see the future.
Evie and Daniel don’t forget what cherished friends they were in childhood, and quickly rekindle their friendship. Love the subplot of the bakery and the love of the town
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Evie and Daniel don’t forget what cherished friends they were in childhood, and quickly rekindle their friendship. Love the subplot of the bakery and the love of the town
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 17, 2021
Meant to be
Usually I hate the ending of any book but Caro Carson summed this one up beautifully! I hate it ended but love how it ended. Such a sweet story of soul mates.
Usually I hate the ending of any book but Caro Carson summed this one up beautifully! I hate it ended but love how it ended. Such a sweet story of soul mates.
October 31, 2021
Period Romance
Delightful romance for Christmas that accurately captures the choices women like me had to make in the 1970s and 1980s and that our mothers made in the 1950s. Inspired me to bake gingerbread cookies before literally jetting off to my current exciting job, just like Evie.
Delightful romance for Christmas that accurately captures the choices women like me had to make in the 1970s and 1980s and that our mothers made in the 1950s. Inspired me to bake gingerbread cookies before literally jetting off to my current exciting job, just like Evie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews