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Kringle Family Christmas #1
The Grump Who Stole Christmas
Home for the holidays…
That should be a good thing, right? Eggnog and Christmas carols. Mistletoe and family. Except my dad broke his leg hanging the family wreath. My brothers are at war over taking proper care of Dad. Oh, and I just found out our family business, the Kringle Inn, is failing!
The last thing I need is this mysterious new guy, who runs the Kringle tree farm, interfering. He’s big, bearded and grumpy. He wears a lot of flannel and he does NOT like taking orders. Especially from me. We can’t agree on anything other than saving the business.
Even if we have to kill each other doing it.
Or kiss each other doing it…
Because I might be falling for the guy.
My name is Kristen, don’t call me Kris, Kringle and this is a Christmas Romance Emergency!
That should be a good thing, right? Eggnog and Christmas carols. Mistletoe and family. Except my dad broke his leg hanging the family wreath. My brothers are at war over taking proper care of Dad. Oh, and I just found out our family business, the Kringle Inn, is failing!
The last thing I need is this mysterious new guy, who runs the Kringle tree farm, interfering. He’s big, bearded and grumpy. He wears a lot of flannel and he does NOT like taking orders. Especially from me. We can’t agree on anything other than saving the business.
Even if we have to kill each other doing it.
Or kiss each other doing it…
Because I might be falling for the guy.
My name is Kristen, don’t call me Kris, Kringle and this is a Christmas Romance Emergency!
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2021
469 people are currently reading
3366 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 620 reviews
December 6, 2021
4.5 Freaking Sexy Elf Stars ⭐
A flat tyre and a lumbersexual acting as a good Samaritan. Kristen and Paul are already bickering on sight. Yet in a twist of events, Paul is actually her family's Xmas tree farmer. Could the situation get any cosier?
I smiled over the rim of my boss lady coffee mug and showed him all my teeth.
“You’re scaring the fuck out of me right now,” he told me.
I showed him fewer teeth.
Kristen Kringle is a successful businesswoman now back in Salt Springs to assist with the family business. Except Kristen doesn't want to be distracted by Paul currently living in the same house. Luckily he has her figured out and isn't intimidated in the slightest.
When she’d squirmed in her chair after I told her I had skills…
Yeah, this was going to be fun.
And that was something I hadn’t had in a long time.
Finally, a Christmas novella that had me at hello. Flannel and beards have never been sexier, however a man who's genuine, witty and a a little rough in bed, Kay-Kay seriously scored big. Yet can a city girl leave the fast paced lifestyle to settle down with a farmer on the market for a wife?
“Tell me how you like it, baby,” he muttered, even as he bent to kiss my neck. I really liked it when he did that. “Nice and sweet? A little rough?”
You mean there were choices?
The Grump Who Stole Christmas was fantastic. Sexy, funny and romantic and the dynamics between these two were perfect! I highly recommend. 🎄
A flat tyre and a lumbersexual acting as a good Samaritan. Kristen and Paul are already bickering on sight. Yet in a twist of events, Paul is actually her family's Xmas tree farmer. Could the situation get any cosier?
I smiled over the rim of my boss lady coffee mug and showed him all my teeth.
“You’re scaring the fuck out of me right now,” he told me.
I showed him fewer teeth.
Kristen Kringle is a successful businesswoman now back in Salt Springs to assist with the family business. Except Kristen doesn't want to be distracted by Paul currently living in the same house. Luckily he has her figured out and isn't intimidated in the slightest.
When she’d squirmed in her chair after I told her I had skills…
Yeah, this was going to be fun.
And that was something I hadn’t had in a long time.
Finally, a Christmas novella that had me at hello. Flannel and beards have never been sexier, however a man who's genuine, witty and a a little rough in bed, Kay-Kay seriously scored big. Yet can a city girl leave the fast paced lifestyle to settle down with a farmer on the market for a wife?
“Tell me how you like it, baby,” he muttered, even as he bent to kiss my neck. I really liked it when he did that. “Nice and sweet? A little rough?”
You mean there were choices?
The Grump Who Stole Christmas was fantastic. Sexy, funny and romantic and the dynamics between these two were perfect! I highly recommend. 🎄
November 25, 2024
In THE GRUMP WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS, Kristin Kringle goes home to her family’s Christmas Tree farm from her life in New York City to help out after her father has a medical event. When she has car trouble, she meets Paul and there are instant sparks. 🎄❄🎄❄
I liked all the Christmas in this book. The Colorado setting was great. The Christmas tree farm was great. I really enjoyed Paul and his connection to the Christmas trees. Cute story. 4/5 stars.
I liked all the Christmas in this book. The Colorado setting was great. The Christmas tree farm was great. I really enjoyed Paul and his connection to the Christmas trees. Cute story. 4/5 stars.
November 7, 2021
What a delightful story! It was fun and heartfelt, I loved the banter between Kristen and Paul above all, their teasing, their chemistry.
Paul's laid back personality, his honesty, how non-judgmental and supportive he was, Kristen's bluntness, how she cut right to the chase, and the fact that they were both mature characters, that all made me enjoy both the h and H.
It had Hallmark Christmas movie vibes, where the woman from the big city comes home to a small town, starts to reconsider her priorities and falls in love with a Christmas tree farmer... However, it was a spicier version and I really liked the way it was written. It was wonderful due to the slow build and the familiarity I felt while reading it.
Paul's laid back personality, his honesty, how non-judgmental and supportive he was, Kristen's bluntness, how she cut right to the chase, and the fact that they were both mature characters, that all made me enjoy both the h and H.
It had Hallmark Christmas movie vibes, where the woman from the big city comes home to a small town, starts to reconsider her priorities and falls in love with a Christmas tree farmer... However, it was a spicier version and I really liked the way it was written. It was wonderful due to the slow build and the familiarity I felt while reading it.
October 31, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
“Do you know what I’m asking? Do you see how big this job would be? Paul McCleer, I’m asking you to be my wife.”
“Do you know what I’m asking? Do you see how big this job would be? Paul McCleer, I’m asking you to be my wife.”
December 27, 2021
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
This started out quite cliche but to my surprise, Doyle used that to their advantage.
I liked the fun banter between Kristen and Paul though, I felt like their denial of their feelings dampened the chemistry between them.
I really liked the realness in Kristen’s insecurities but she was also incredibly confident and sassy.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Paul’s thing of being an a**hole to get a reaction or to ‘make things easier’ but I understand his intention. And he did tell the truth in the same conversation.
I only wish this was longer to know what happens to the inn… I mean, sure and to know how the couple actually work.
This started out quite cliche but to my surprise, Doyle used that to their advantage.
I liked the fun banter between Kristen and Paul though, I felt like their denial of their feelings dampened the chemistry between them.
I really liked the realness in Kristen’s insecurities but she was also incredibly confident and sassy.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Paul’s thing of being an a**hole to get a reaction or to ‘make things easier’ but I understand his intention. And he did tell the truth in the same conversation.
I only wish this was longer to know what happens to the inn… I mean, sure and to know how the couple actually work.
November 21, 2022
booktok gives me trust issues.
December 25, 2021
I'm a bit shocked, I've never read this author and found this a great little Christmas Novella. For the record, the 'grump' is in no way the hero here, who is that kind of annoying and confident that is endearing and funny.
There were editing issues, with multiple strikethrough notes showing, so that was weird, and I was impressed I didn't notice more issues that got left in.
There were editing issues, with multiple strikethrough notes showing, so that was weird, and I was impressed I didn't notice more issues that got left in.
December 17, 2021
I loved the hero, with his quiet energy and his strong sense of self. It was refreshing to see a man being ready to settle down and start a family.
The heroine was a mess though.
And not in a good or sweet way. I don't know, maybe she was just not my kind of person but the moments that were supposedly funny or endearing just made me shake my head at her.
The woman was behaving like an acting out child, one of those that needed attention and didn't know how to get it; so she went into a mean kid mode at times (please tell me what the fuck was her obsession with nipple twists?! it was mentioned in all three books and it was less and less funny every time) and it was a complete turn off for me.
All in all, I finished it because I've intended to read the whole series but I guess I wouldn't have missed anything by skipping it.
The heroine was a mess though.
And not in a good or sweet way. I don't know, maybe she was just not my kind of person but the moments that were supposedly funny or endearing just made me shake my head at her.
The woman was behaving like an acting out child, one of those that needed attention and didn't know how to get it; so she went into a mean kid mode at times (please tell me what the fuck was her obsession with nipple twists?! it was mentioned in all three books and it was less and less funny every time) and it was a complete turn off for me.
All in all, I finished it because I've intended to read the whole series but I guess I wouldn't have missed anything by skipping it.
December 10, 2021
Now how do I visit this place? I’m moving there.
November 30, 2022
Tatlı, keyifli bir kitaptı. Özellikle Paul ve Kay-Kay arasındaki diyaloglar çok eğlenceliydi, çok güldüğüm yerler vardı.
Aslında olumsuz, eksik diyeceğim bir yanı yoktu. Tam bir kısa kıristmıııssss kitabıydı. Ama işte bu kadar kısa hikayelerde aşırı yükselmeyince 5 veremiyorum. Yoksa tam amacına uygun başladı bitti. Sonu bir tık hızlı gitti belki ama o da kısalığı dikkate alınınca normaldi.
Diğer kardeşleri daha çok merak ettim. Özellikle Matt, hokey ve lise aşkı için epey yükseldim😏😏
Şimdi baltalı, sakallı, oduncu gömleğiyle ağaç çiftliği işleten flörtöz bir müdür aramaya fidanlığa gidiyorum. Umarım baştalı katil bulup çıkmam🫢🪓💪🏻
🪓“What are you doing in my room? Again?”
“I brought you coffee. In your mug,” I said, pointing to the steaming mug of coffee I’d set down on her nightstand.
She sat up, flipped her hair out of her face.
“Let’s make this clear, right now. You are not to come into my room without an invitation.”
I made my eyes go wide. “Kay-Kay, are you planning on inviting me into your bedroom?”
🪓She was looking at me funny. Like something I’d said didn’t make sense.
“What? Do I have pine needles in my beard?” I asked, scratching at my face. “It’s an occupational hazard.”
“I’m just trying to fit all the pieces I know about you into one picture and I have to tell you, it looks like a Picasso.”
“Because I look like a million dollars?”
She snorted. “No, because you’re crooked and a little disjointed.”
“Can you break away to show me around? I would actually like to see what you’re doing with the cabin.”
“Ah, you want me out of the house sooner rather than later.” I had my suspicions.
“Absolutely not. Who doesn’t want to wake up to a creepy guy sitting on my bed and staring at me while I sleep? It’s every girl’s dream.”
“A creepy guy with good coffee,” I reminded her.
🪓 “I like watching you eat,” I admitted.
“Geesh,” she snorted. “Between watching me eat and watching me sleep you really are creeping me out. Anything else you want to watch me do?”
One thing, I thought suddenly. There was one thing I wanted to watch her do.
It must have been written on my face, because she squirmed her in her chair.
“I really hope you’re imagining me reading a book right now.”
I laughed. “Depends on the book.”
Aslında olumsuz, eksik diyeceğim bir yanı yoktu. Tam bir kısa kıristmıııssss kitabıydı. Ama işte bu kadar kısa hikayelerde aşırı yükselmeyince 5 veremiyorum. Yoksa tam amacına uygun başladı bitti. Sonu bir tık hızlı gitti belki ama o da kısalığı dikkate alınınca normaldi.
Diğer kardeşleri daha çok merak ettim. Özellikle Matt, hokey ve lise aşkı için epey yükseldim😏😏
Şimdi baltalı, sakallı, oduncu gömleğiyle ağaç çiftliği işleten flörtöz bir müdür aramaya fidanlığa gidiyorum. Umarım baştalı katil bulup çıkmam🫢🪓💪🏻
🪓“What are you doing in my room? Again?”
“I brought you coffee. In your mug,” I said, pointing to the steaming mug of coffee I’d set down on her nightstand.
She sat up, flipped her hair out of her face.
“Let’s make this clear, right now. You are not to come into my room without an invitation.”
I made my eyes go wide. “Kay-Kay, are you planning on inviting me into your bedroom?”
🪓She was looking at me funny. Like something I’d said didn’t make sense.
“What? Do I have pine needles in my beard?” I asked, scratching at my face. “It’s an occupational hazard.”
“I’m just trying to fit all the pieces I know about you into one picture and I have to tell you, it looks like a Picasso.”
“Because I look like a million dollars?”
She snorted. “No, because you’re crooked and a little disjointed.”
“Can you break away to show me around? I would actually like to see what you’re doing with the cabin.”
“Ah, you want me out of the house sooner rather than later.” I had my suspicions.
“Absolutely not. Who doesn’t want to wake up to a creepy guy sitting on my bed and staring at me while I sleep? It’s every girl’s dream.”
“A creepy guy with good coffee,” I reminded her.
🪓 “I like watching you eat,” I admitted.
“Geesh,” she snorted. “Between watching me eat and watching me sleep you really are creeping me out. Anything else you want to watch me do?”
One thing, I thought suddenly. There was one thing I wanted to watch her do.
It must have been written on my face, because she squirmed her in her chair.
“I really hope you’re imagining me reading a book right now.”
I laughed. “Depends on the book.”
October 25, 2021
enemies to lovers but make it christmas.
she's a work first life second kind of girl, but now that her dad had an accident she comes back to her small town and starts to rethink her priorities.
the hero used to be a corporate guy but one day he decides to pack and move to a Christmas tree farm.
at first, they don't get along very well, but slowly they give in to their attraction.
she's a work first life second kind of girl, but now that her dad had an accident she comes back to her small town and starts to rethink her priorities.
the hero used to be a corporate guy but one day he decides to pack and move to a Christmas tree farm.
at first, they don't get along very well, but slowly they give in to their attraction.
December 19, 2021
4 stars
December 11, 2021
After reading this book, who doesn’t want to move to Colorado to find this place? My only constructive criticism is that I wish that the male protagonist was a little more grumpy. We only see a sliver of how grumpy he is.
Kristen Kringle is a VP for an insurance company in N.Y.C. She flies home to take care of her father and oversee the family business. On her way home she breaks down with a flat tire and Paul stops to help change her tire. The exchange between the two is far from love at first sight. Oh, how I laughed.
Paul has a backstory and secrets of his own. He makes flannel look look sexy as hell. God, I totally fell in love with him, and makes a great book boyfriend. God, he made me belly laugh with that brownie scene. Plus, he is dominant in the bedroom.m
Overall, it's a sweet and steamy novella, that will make you laugh and wish you lived there.
Kristen Kringle is a VP for an insurance company in N.Y.C. She flies home to take care of her father and oversee the family business. On her way home she breaks down with a flat tire and Paul stops to help change her tire. The exchange between the two is far from love at first sight. Oh, how I laughed.
Paul has a backstory and secrets of his own. He makes flannel look look sexy as hell. God, I totally fell in love with him, and makes a great book boyfriend. God, he made me belly laugh with that brownie scene. Plus, he is dominant in the bedroom.m
Overall, it's a sweet and steamy novella, that will make you laugh and wish you lived there.
December 6, 2021
1⭐️
i wanted a grumpy hero. i did not in fact get a grumpy hero. i instead got 2 people who are over 35 fighting like 14 year olds. not christmas approved in my opinion. left me pissed off and now i feel like the grinch.
also if anyone is the grump in this story, its the heroine. idk why they were fighting the minute they met. it made no sense. ugh not worth the read.
i wanted a grumpy hero. i did not in fact get a grumpy hero. i instead got 2 people who are over 35 fighting like 14 year olds. not christmas approved in my opinion. left me pissed off and now i feel like the grinch.
also if anyone is the grump in this story, its the heroine. idk why they were fighting the minute they met. it made no sense. ugh not worth the read.
December 4, 2025
To say this book is funny is not the entire truth.
It's absolutely hilarious, from the very first page until the last two sentences of the last one!
Her father broke a leg falling from a ladder and Kristen is heading to Salt Springs, Colorado, when she has a flat tire in the side of a mountain.
She's loud talking to herself, evaluating and assessing the situation she's in when a man's voice, Paul, asks if she wants help.
And she screams!
She didn't heard his car because it's an electric one, a Tesla, and it makes no noise.
He must be a serial killer!
She sees a man over six foot, large, broad, with jeans, flannel shirt, thick beard and amazing biceps.
He sees a crazy lady with a long dress, high heels, no socks, and dark long hair shimmering with snow.
But he isn't able to change the tire!!!
And she will never let him forget that! 🤣
He's the new Christmas Tree Farm manager an agricultural scientist and arborist and
he also talks out loud with his trees!
He's living at the main house, he's and amazing cook and has other skills that we will know about it later.
The banter between them is surreal, funny, steamy, spicy.
They hate each other, so they say!
Two grown kids fighting for her special Boss Lady mug that he's using, for example, and many other things.
Paul calls her Kri-Kri and Kristen calls him Paul Bunion!
Except the tree farm, she finds out that the Inn has been loosing money since her mother died, and this close to Christmas she tries to uplifting it to the standarts she always kept it!
And Paul is not even getting payed.😲
He's fixing one of the cabins where she and her brothers used to play, and searching online it seems he's loaded and the heir to the McCleer fortune.
She's a VP of a big insurance company in New York and she's also hiding a secret.
They both never had so much fun and of course love, attraction, chemistry, whatever you want to call it, happens.
Kristen joking if him, with 39, and old man, can handle her and has to rest in between their activities.
After all she's only 36!
They're adorable together!
I didn't l knew who this author was, but I definitely like the way she writes!
Have fun reading it!
It's absolutely hilarious, from the very first page until the last two sentences of the last one!
Her father broke a leg falling from a ladder and Kristen is heading to Salt Springs, Colorado, when she has a flat tire in the side of a mountain.
She's loud talking to herself, evaluating and assessing the situation she's in when a man's voice, Paul, asks if she wants help.
And she screams!
She didn't heard his car because it's an electric one, a Tesla, and it makes no noise.
He must be a serial killer!
She sees a man over six foot, large, broad, with jeans, flannel shirt, thick beard and amazing biceps.
He sees a crazy lady with a long dress, high heels, no socks, and dark long hair shimmering with snow.
But he isn't able to change the tire!!!
And she will never let him forget that! 🤣
He's the new Christmas Tree Farm manager an agricultural scientist and arborist and
he also talks out loud with his trees!
He's living at the main house, he's and amazing cook and has other skills that we will know about it later.
The banter between them is surreal, funny, steamy, spicy.
They hate each other, so they say!
Two grown kids fighting for her special Boss Lady mug that he's using, for example, and many other things.
Paul calls her Kri-Kri and Kristen calls him Paul Bunion!
Except the tree farm, she finds out that the Inn has been loosing money since her mother died, and this close to Christmas she tries to uplifting it to the standarts she always kept it!
And Paul is not even getting payed.😲
He's fixing one of the cabins where she and her brothers used to play, and searching online it seems he's loaded and the heir to the McCleer fortune.
She's a VP of a big insurance company in New York and she's also hiding a secret.
They both never had so much fun and of course love, attraction, chemistry, whatever you want to call it, happens.
Kristen joking if him, with 39, and old man, can handle her and has to rest in between their activities.
After all she's only 36!
They're adorable together!
I didn't l knew who this author was, but I definitely like the way she writes!
Have fun reading it!
December 31, 2022
Yılın son kitabı 🥳
December 8, 2021
I have to start by saying HE is not the grump in this story, SHE is….
Anyway, twas cute, entirely predictable, & the smut was fine. This was really just a book I picked up to reach my reading goal and nothing more.
Anyway, twas cute, entirely predictable, & the smut was fine. This was really just a book I picked up to reach my reading goal and nothing more.
did-not-finish
December 4, 2021dnf @ 38% | in what world was this a grumpy hero????? i'm sorry but i was lied to
December 1, 2021
I stumbled across this looking for some holiday books, and I’m so glad I did! However, I was a bit confused as to why the author kept skipping over story lines in the book, but discovered it’s because those events take place in the second and third installments (that are also written by different authors, which I think is such a neat concept!)
This is very much like a hallmark Christmas movie but add a little spice 🌶 Paul was just a lovable grump in his flannel, and I loved how he knew what he wanted in life. Kristen was also great, I loved how she was blunt and had the take charge mentality, but also loved to tease and joke with Paul. Their banter … A+
The whole wife thing 😍 idk, I really loved this one!
November 3, 2021
This book starts with a bang and I loved the first scene so much! Kristen and Paul have instant Enemies-to-Lovers chemistry and their banter, pranks, and nicknames are on point!
THE GRUMP WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS is just completely the wrong title since I would not characterize either of the leads as a mega-grump. Nor does anyone steal Christmas...? There are literally no Christmas hijinx happening here. And the grump in this story, being the female lead, is SAVING Christmas as she attempts to save her family's failing Inn. The title is a total mystery to me. It should have been titled something like "Kissing Kris Kringle" which would have made a lot more sense.
Kristen is quite the badass heroine. She speaks her mind, works hard, and makes shit happen. And Paul is absolutely the coffee-making, sometimes gruff, nice-guy you want in your Christmas book. But when these two add the spice, watch out! They get down and dirty and I was here for it.
This is a first book in a series and I wished we had had more exposure to Kristen's brothers who are clearly the follow-up book heroes. We get a tiuny glimpse at her Mayor-in-training brother and a not-at-all glimpse at her hockey-player brother. I wish I giot to know them more in order to whet my appetite for the next books. As it was I felt like I am not so invested that I will race to read the next book in the series.
THE GRUMP WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS is a quick read, with good chemistry and great steamy scenes. There is a little bit of depth, but not a lot. It would be great for a weekend read when you just want an easy story with some sexy times mixed in.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: previous death of parent
FEELS-O-METER: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3pPcyxK (affiliate)
👇🏻HANG OUT WITH ME HERE!👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
THE GRUMP WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS is just completely the wrong title since I would not characterize either of the leads as a mega-grump. Nor does anyone steal Christmas...? There are literally no Christmas hijinx happening here. And the grump in this story, being the female lead, is SAVING Christmas as she attempts to save her family's failing Inn. The title is a total mystery to me. It should have been titled something like "Kissing Kris Kringle" which would have made a lot more sense.
Kristen is quite the badass heroine. She speaks her mind, works hard, and makes shit happen. And Paul is absolutely the coffee-making, sometimes gruff, nice-guy you want in your Christmas book. But when these two add the spice, watch out! They get down and dirty and I was here for it.
This is a first book in a series and I wished we had had more exposure to Kristen's brothers who are clearly the follow-up book heroes. We get a tiuny glimpse at her Mayor-in-training brother and a not-at-all glimpse at her hockey-player brother. I wish I giot to know them more in order to whet my appetite for the next books. As it was I felt like I am not so invested that I will race to read the next book in the series.
THE GRUMP WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS is a quick read, with good chemistry and great steamy scenes. There is a little bit of depth, but not a lot. It would be great for a weekend read when you just want an easy story with some sexy times mixed in.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: previous death of parent
FEELS-O-METER: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3pPcyxK (affiliate)
👇🏻HANG OUT WITH ME HERE!👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
December 21, 2021
The cover is very misleading. The grump was not who I was expecting them to be. It took me a really long time time get into the book. I almost DNFed, but let me explain it had nothing to to with this book. It is a me thing. I am burned out with reading. At the 60% read mark, I was finally invested. Paul works at the Kringle Inn Christmas Tree Farm with Kris Kringle. Kristen Kringle is a big time NYC VP at an insurance company who returns to Colorado to help he father who was recently injured. The Inn is not doing well financially, and Kristen swoops in to help make a profit for the family business. It was your typical Holiday Romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2022
The Grump Who Stole Christmas
Kringle Family Christmas, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: Recommended on Litsy or Bookstagram, I’m not sure which
Media Type: eBook
Source: KindleUnlimited
Dates Read: 11/28/21 - 12/7/21
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s):
The Characters:
Paul McCleer:
Kristen Kringle:
Chris Kringle, Ethan Kringle, Lexie Platzski, Jasmine
The Story:
Review to come.
The Random Thoughts:
I'm seeing things about Paul being the "grump" but honestly I thought it was Kristen.
Kringle Family Christmas, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: Recommended on Litsy or Bookstagram, I’m not sure which
Media Type: eBook
Source: KindleUnlimited
Dates Read: 11/28/21 - 12/7/21
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s):
The Characters:
Paul McCleer:
Kristen Kringle:
Chris Kringle, Ethan Kringle, Lexie Platzski, Jasmine
The Story:
Review to come.
The Random Thoughts:
I'm seeing things about Paul being the "grump" but honestly I thought it was Kristen.
December 10, 2021
**Reviewer’s note: I’m going to warn readers that I feel like there was a draft placeholder copy of this story uploaded. There are words with strikethroughs on them and some other grammatical errors in this book, quite a few actually. Also, I’m still trying to reconcile the title of this book with the book I just finished. It absolutely makes no sense, neither character was a grump and no one stole Christmas so to me this seems like a ploy to jump on the grumpy/sunshiny theme so many authors are going for these days and it wasn’t needed. This was a fun Christmas story, very Hallmarkish vibes, and the characters were pretty wonderful so while these things didn’t ruin the story for me, they were a distraction.
I really enjoyed The Grump Who Stole Christmas by S. Doyle despite the problems listed in the reviewer’s note above. Kristen Kringle (yes that is her real name) returns home to help with her family’s inn and tree farm after her father fell and broke his leg in two places. What she doesn’t anticipate is a flat tire on the way from the airport to her father’s home or for the man who comes to her rescue to be working at the tree farm and living in her father’s home. She really didn’t anticipate going all crazy pants on him when he stopped to help or the fact that she’s attracted to the bearded lumberjack.
Paul McCleer can’t believe the uptight city woman is his boss’s daughter or how much he enjoyed the crazy banter with her on the way back to her father’s home. He likes that she has no idea he works there or who he really is, he’ll also admit he likes knowing he gets under her skin.
From the start I enjoyed the banter that became more and more like foreplay between Kristen and Paul with each passing day. It was easy to feel their attraction and how hard they were both fighting it given that Kristen was in town temporarily. Kristen immediately went into work mode to solve the problems at the inn and proved just why she’d moved up the corporate ladder at her job in NYC. She impressed Paul with her dedication to saving her father’s business and her quick actions to make sure it stayed profitable. Kristen was equally impressed with Paul’s knowledge of the tree farm and the changes he’d made to bring in more customers and profit. Despite seeming very different they both had a head for business and I felt there was mutual respect between them early on.
As this was a novella, the romance moved at a rapid pace yet it didn’t feel all that rushed. I felt they both went in knowing it was only for a short time and decided that exploring what was between them was worth the risk.
This was a fun and entertaining story and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
I really enjoyed The Grump Who Stole Christmas by S. Doyle despite the problems listed in the reviewer’s note above. Kristen Kringle (yes that is her real name) returns home to help with her family’s inn and tree farm after her father fell and broke his leg in two places. What she doesn’t anticipate is a flat tire on the way from the airport to her father’s home or for the man who comes to her rescue to be working at the tree farm and living in her father’s home. She really didn’t anticipate going all crazy pants on him when he stopped to help or the fact that she’s attracted to the bearded lumberjack.
Paul McCleer can’t believe the uptight city woman is his boss’s daughter or how much he enjoyed the crazy banter with her on the way back to her father’s home. He likes that she has no idea he works there or who he really is, he’ll also admit he likes knowing he gets under her skin.
From the start I enjoyed the banter that became more and more like foreplay between Kristen and Paul with each passing day. It was easy to feel their attraction and how hard they were both fighting it given that Kristen was in town temporarily. Kristen immediately went into work mode to solve the problems at the inn and proved just why she’d moved up the corporate ladder at her job in NYC. She impressed Paul with her dedication to saving her father’s business and her quick actions to make sure it stayed profitable. Kristen was equally impressed with Paul’s knowledge of the tree farm and the changes he’d made to bring in more customers and profit. Despite seeming very different they both had a head for business and I felt there was mutual respect between them early on.
As this was a novella, the romance moved at a rapid pace yet it didn’t feel all that rushed. I felt they both went in knowing it was only for a short time and decided that exploring what was between them was worth the risk.
This was a fun and entertaining story and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
November 1, 2021
Amazon
Kristen is coming home for Christmas. Her dad fell and needs her. On the way home, her tire blows and she can't change it. But up comes a knight in electric armor when a lumberjack looking guy in a silent car appears and offers to help her change the tire. Too bad the machine tightened lug nuts are too much for him. But luckily he can give her a ride to her childhood home. A place that it appears he knows well, as he's her family's tree farm manager. And he's staying at her home too. What's a grumpy insurance VP from New York to do when a cheerful, gorgeous Paul Bunyan appears to like getting under her skin a little too much? Not give into their attraction, that's for sure...
This is a sweet, fun little Christmas story. I loved Paul with his sweet, laid back personality, and the way he didn't push Kristen for more than she was willing to give. Kristen was extremely frustrating with her grumpy personality and negative attitude, but I guess being that Paul needed an opposite, she had to be the dark to his light. I wanted more depth, not only to their relationship, but for both characters' stories, but in general, I liked this holiday story.
ARC provided by Grey's Promotions for an honest review.
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December 6, 2021
Oh I loved this one. The snark and banter made me laugh and this was a creative take on a Hallmark style story of the city girl falling for the small town life. It didn't feel like insta-love but it had some vague timelines.
I loved how they fought over the "Boss Lady" mug and how after they messed with each other, they walked away with a big smile realizing that that was FUN. Deliberately provoking each other but never really crossing the line. I loved how "Kay Kay" rose to the bait he put out but was willing to go for the Nipple twist as payback. Hilarious.
Oh- and the orgasm payback fight was so funny. He was totally OUTRAGED and she was more than happy to go along.
I appreciate the inner voice of Paul "Bunyan" and how he loved making her mad and then his feelings for her that were unexpected. He handled it really well when she was leaving for her interview.
Yes- some plot holes, especially when it came to Kristen trying to save the Inn but never met with Tiffani or whoever seemed to run the front counter? Who cleaned the rooms? Elves? There was a disconnect there.
I knew how it would end up, but I read it to the very end in order to catch the sharp funny sweetness of their banter.
I loved how they fought over the "Boss Lady" mug and how after they messed with each other, they walked away with a big smile realizing that that was FUN. Deliberately provoking each other but never really crossing the line. I loved how "Kay Kay" rose to the bait he put out but was willing to go for the Nipple twist as payback. Hilarious.
Oh- and the orgasm payback fight was so funny. He was totally OUTRAGED and she was more than happy to go along.
I appreciate the inner voice of Paul "Bunyan" and how he loved making her mad and then his feelings for her that were unexpected. He handled it really well when she was leaving for her interview.
Yes- some plot holes, especially when it came to Kristen trying to save the Inn but never met with Tiffani or whoever seemed to run the front counter? Who cleaned the rooms? Elves? There was a disconnect there.
I knew how it would end up, but I read it to the very end in order to catch the sharp funny sweetness of their banter.
August 31, 2023
tatlı güzel bir christmas kitabıydı.az puan vermenin sebebi de bu tarz kitaplarda o 5 hissini asla hissetmemem.
January 27, 2022
I really enjoyed the banter that started off this novella. It's the kind of enemies to lovers I prefer. Overall, I thought this was good. I am more of an Alpha loving reader so it didn't really feed me my fix there, but I did still think this was good.
December 3, 2021
Loved this grumpy tree loving man and his love story with the bad ass business LAdy Kristen. The connection the steam the banter it was all just so good I couldn’t help but devour this book. An excellent series I’m sad to be ending soon
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December 6, 2021
This was an easy Christmas novella to read. The characters weren't particularly exciting to me though and I absolutely hated Paul's nickname for Kristen of 'Kay-Kay'...idk it just sounds like something a toddler would call their big sister because they can't properly speak yet. It wasn't cute or romantic to me, and he used it all the time. This novella had it's cute moments though and I'm curious to read about Kristen's brothers.
Side note: I borrowed this from KU so idk if this is a KU-specific issue, but I noticed crossed out words throughout the novella. Happened less than 10 times, but definitely not a stylistic choice, they were words that were meant to be edited out 🧐 odd.
Side note: I borrowed this from KU so idk if this is a KU-specific issue, but I noticed crossed out words throughout the novella. Happened less than 10 times, but definitely not a stylistic choice, they were words that were meant to be edited out 🧐 odd.
December 22, 2021
This was genuinely very sweet and very funny, though the cover and title are very misleading. Our heroine is the grump and our hero is goofy and enjoys teasing her in a million small ways to get a rise out of her.
He gives her annoying nicknames and steals her coffee mug in this very Hallmark Christmas romance type of story.
I love them and their little Christmas tree farm.
CW: explicit sexual content
He gives her annoying nicknames and steals her coffee mug in this very Hallmark Christmas romance type of story.
I love them and their little Christmas tree farm.
CW: explicit sexual content
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