I'm not a grinch. I'm also not someone who cares all that much for Christmas. I am, however, more than willing to use it to my advantage. I didn't become a billionaire by playing nice. I'll leverage everything I can to get what I want. What I want is Lydia Romano. The sassy, curvy, Christmas loving stylist is running scared from the attraction between us.
Without remorse or hesitation, I make an offer I know she won’t be able to refuse. I need a date for six events over the next few weeks. I’ll donate ten thousand dollars for each date she attends with me to the struggling charity she is devoted to.
She counters with twenty-five thousand each date and a whole lot of hate. Deal. It's a bargain, as far as I'm concerned.
I have six dates and her love of the magic of Christmas to get her to take a chance on the magic of us.
Due to commitment issues I have lived in many different cities and my favorite is Chicago but I have managed to settle into Austin and perhaps my commitment issues are behind me. I have enjoyed reading from a very young age and it wasn't long before the children books bored me and I read the books my mother enjoyed Stephen King and Dean Koontz and I didn't sleep without the light on until I was about ten. I came across my first Harlequin by accident and it was love at first read, no one died and happy endings? It was a whole new world and I loved it. I wrote my first story at eight and everyone died, of course. Since then I would like to think I've gotten better and now I'm writing the happily ever afters I first fell in love with, with some hot sex thrown in along the way. As a plus size woman myself, I have started writing the stories I always wanted to see myself in but never did. And now I'm ecstatic to give BBWs the happily ever afters with hot Alphas they so rarely get.
Enemies to lovers, although Decker changed his tune pretty quick once he caught sight of Lydia in the flesh. Lydia took some convincing, though! 3½ stars.
You know it's time to stop binge reading all the silly books that are free on Amazon when you cannot remember the plot of a novel read not more than 5 days ago.
His Christmas Wish by Fiona Murphy this is the story of Decker and Lydia. Lydia is a plus size women who understands how to dress other plus size women. Lydia has made a career out of it and is in very high demand. So her life which she feels because of this and doesn't believe in love. Decker is a hard businessman who has a very soft spot for his younger sister. So when he wants to help her confidence and her dressing style he wants Lydia. But they didn't hit it off over the phone very well. But when they meet in person sparks fly. I highly recommend this book and Ms. Murphy's writing. I have always loved her books.
Lydia picked the wrong caller to unleash her anger on when alphahole, Decker Holt, called her one early morning. Now she's stuck going on dates with him because he dangled donations to her favorite non-profit in her face. Will she make it through these events and galas with her heart intact?
Decker hasn't gotten where he is by being nice. So when a sassy woman has the nerve to yell at him and call him less than nice things when he calls her early one morning, he knows he has to have her. Since he's not nice then, he'll just make sure he gets her by being his usual bossy, controlling self. But will he find himself actually falling for Lydia? Will he ever get past the wall of snark she constantly throws at him?
I do so love me an alpha. Bossy and delicious alpha - even better. But he needs to balance all that with some kind of softness when dealing with falling love. Decker didn't do a great job of showing his soft side to Lydia, but he did for his sister, so I sorta forgave him. I loved Lydia, though. She's awesome - fierce and strong, sassy and fiery, and confident in herself. I'm still not sure Decker deserved all her awesomeness, but he did love her for herself. What more could I ask for in a good holiday romance?
ARC provided by author for an honest review. Ebook also purchased through Amazon.
Sweet is not a word I would use to describe a Fiona Murphy book, ever! I mean it in the most smitten and complimentary way. I read Fiona Murphy for the edginess in her alpha billionaires and their no holds barred ways. Decker was written so incredibly sweet yet he NEVER failed to exude that same primal hedonistic energy that we’ve come to expect and love from Fiona Murphy. Lydia never stood a chance! Definitely a sexy little holiday read. Cuddle up by the fire and prepare to have Decker melt you away!
I loved as this !! All the emotional stuff. The ups and downs and how much they love each other!! Juliet finding herself was fantastic! I’ve read Christmas stories because they are always so magical! This one does not disappoint. The HEA was fantastic!!
This is the first time I’m reading anything by Fiona Murphy and it won’t be the last. This novel captures the essence of Christmas: family, love, good deeds mixed in with some romance, a few surprises, and a heartwarming ending.
So, let’s meet Lydia Romano, a renowned and in demand sexy, sassy plus-sized stylist with many rules that her clients adhere to like not contacting her before noon (it’s on her business card that her hours are from noon to six). So, when she gets a call at six in the morning, she is furious and lashes out at the caller who later turns out to be Decker Holt, the ruggedly handsome, overbearing, commanding, and possessive billionaire. After apologizing to Decker for the way she answered the phone; Lydia agrees to style his sister, Juliet who is slated to attend various events with him over the holiday season. When Juliet decides not to go with Decker, he tells Lydia that she has no choice but to attend in Juliet’s place.
This is where the romance heats up. Decker is intrigued by Lydia and offers to donate money to her charity for each event she attends with him. However, he has a lot of demands – what she should wear, no showing of skin and her tattoos, etc. When she defies him in the way she dresses for the first event, she ends up embarrassing herself and is slapped with unkind words by some of the women at the event. She is shaken but then follows his instructions for the next event. Thereafter, the two become inseparable: arms around each other at events, deep conversations, tense moments, and intimate trysts.
Overall, this was a quick and fun read. I loved the pacing of the storyline, the theme of friends to lovers, the dialogue, the well-rounded characters and their edginess, as well as their vulnerabilities. Despite Lydia and Decker bumping heads a few times, there’s no denying their chemistry sizzles on the pages of this novel. Moreover, their backstories provide readers valuable insights into their personalities and motivations. The ending was quite fitting for this genre and very timely for the Christmas season with both their wishes coming true – heartwarming. So, here’s to reading another novel by Fiona Murphy. Two thumbs up!
Some of my favorite lines:
Without remorse or hesitation, I make an offer I know she won’t be able to refuse. I need a date for six events over the next few weeks. I’ll donate ten thousand dollars for each date she attends with me to the struggling charity she is devoted to. She counters with twenty-five thousand each date and a whole lot of hate. Deal. It's a bargain, as far as I'm concerned. I have six dates and her love of the magic of Christmas to get her to take a chance on the magic of us.
Wow what a steamy book! The pages about go up in flames. I stumbled onto this ARC and I just finally found time to finish it. It's a touch BDSM with spanking and dominance and edged the line for me. Fiona wrote billionaire Decker Holt as an seemingly arrogant spoiled rich man but underneath he's all about protecting and taking care of those he loves. Money really doesn't seem to mean anything to him other than it is a tool to provide for those he loves.
Decker is a product of a loving mother he lost when he was 16 and an absent a$$hole father. He is a highly intelligent, gifted artist that managed to create an empire with his and other's art. He is now in Chicago managing his father's billionaire company as his father is in poor health. When we meet him he's just moved his younger sister out of his father's house because dad's shaming Juliet for her weight. Juliet is 16 years younger than Decker, and for years he blamed her for his mother dying giving birth to her. Now older and wiser he understands it wasn't her fault and he's made sure to love her since their father either ignores or bully's her. He meets Lydia Romano when he seeks a consultant to help Juliet dress to maximize her assets for the two company's upcoming holiday events.
Lydia is an exclusive clothing consultant specializing in plus size women. She has rich clients who adore her. When she meets Decker they've already gotten off on the wrong foot by him calling her early one morning. He's blown away by her when he finally lays eyes on her with her curves and tattoos. Then he spends time during his sister's consultation and she wins him over with her kind & giving heart. I loved watching these two dance around each other figuring out their fiery & passionate relationship.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’ve had this in my TBR for a while and was gonna save it for Christmas time but I just read another of Murphy’s books that mentioned Lydia and Decker throughout and wanted their story before I forgot about them. This one gives us the same base characters I’ve come to expect from this author - “innocent” plus size female and grumpy/harsh “I’ll never fall in love or get married” male. I liked that while Lydia is her typical plus size character she doesn’t harp on hating her body like some of the others have (she has her moments, but not nearly as bad as some of the other characters Fiona has written). I will say she kind of reminded me a little of Chloe from His Dirty Bargain with how they both have sworn off men and the reasonings as to why. Decker I wasn’t too sure on when he was first introduced but he grew on me as the book progressed. I must say I love a guy with a British accent, and he’s a painter too…my kind of dude. I loved how these two were together and how their relationship progressed. Decker was a bit controlling at times and Lydia pushed him away a bit, but it worked for the story. I liked that there was no OW/OM drama and that there wasn't anything that tore them apart in the middle of the story. There were some mild grammar issues but nothing super bad.
Lydia Romano is a personal stylist, a personal shopper, and most of her clients are plus-sized women. She is twenty-seven years old or soon to be and never has had a man in her life. No man has ever asked her out, and the way the women complain about their cheating husbands, she is glad they haven’t. She is just fine with her two battery-operated boyfriends, but then she meets Decker Holt. No matter what her brain or heart says, her body has other ideas when she is in his presence. It is hard for her to remain cool and calm, and as for Decker, he is hoping that manhood doesn’t pitch a tent right there in his pants. He swears to himself that she will be his before it is over.
The world-building is done exceptionally well for this read. The atmospherics seem to be right on. Then there is the character interaction, which should make you giggle in places.
WARNING: ADULT CONTENT: Hope you like them steamy! There are explicit scenes contained in this romantic billionaire concurs all tale. I give this read five stars out of five stars.
This was my first read by this author and will certainly not be my last! This story has it all and will keep you enthralled throughout. Lydia and Decker are such incredible characters who don’t exactly start off on the right foot. Lydia is an independent woman who owns her own business styling fir plus size women. When Decker, a very rich man, hires her to help his sister, she wants nothing to do with him or his arrogance. But can he convince her to take on the job? I enjoyed the banter between them and the chemistry is so sizzling you can see the steam coming off the pages! Their burgeoning relationship isn’t without obstacles as outside forces try to break them apart. Can these two get past the obstacles and actually be together? If you want to know, then I highly recommend reading this delightful holiday read.
Decker Holt meets Lydia Romano when he seeks a professional stylist for his sister. They are annoyed with each other before they even meet, but after they meet there is a new level of tension and sexual attraction that neither one of them expected to experience.
Decker decides he wants to explore the situation between them so he makes Lydia an offer she can’t refuse. Lydia accepts his offer, but must learn to play the game according to the rules set by Decker.
As they spend more time together, their attraction grows but due to past experiences, Lydia has doubts that keep her from fully embracing her circumstances.
With appearances by some characters from other books in the series, this installment adds a new perspective.
Overall, it was entertaining and recommended to fans of the series.
Lydia and Decker share heat from the very beginning. She is a bigger female who has confidence to spare in her professional life but her personal life has been a different story due to a rough childhood. Decker is the big, strong billionaire who is pretty well rounded considering his own tough personal life. He knows what he wants and won’t let anyone prevent him from getting it especially Lydia who can’t help but wonder what a gorgeous, wealthy man like him could see in her. Loved this story, the secondary characters were fun especially Juliette (wouldn’t mind a story for her) and I Fiona is a must buy for me!
Normally, I absolutely hate any sex involving spanking or other actions that can be used as violence against women. But, this was written so well that it was absolutely clear it was a consensual relationship. Every attempt was made to ensure the independence and equality of both main characters. For that reason, it was an enjoyable read, rather than cringing to get past what I often find to be repugnant. Thank you for showing love and choices in an honorable way.
Aside from that, it is a well written book, with well developed characters. What errors I found were minor and didn’t detract from the story.
I gave 2 stars because it was nice at the beginning. But once they start the relationship it is so disturbing his jealousy and possess! The fact he is not using any protection during their first time because he wants a baby, and she is so compliant with him! It is like an enormous red flag for me! No no no 🙅♀️ And then the story begins to be so boring and I wanted to put it down, but I still give it a possibility because it could turn interesting, but no. It is getting worse and worse at every page! Don't waste your time!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Absolutely not! I did not finish it. I refuse to. The writing and the story wasn't bad. I don't know, if I would buy it if it wasn't for free, but it was a light read. Until the first sex. You can say whatever you want, but that could be clasified as a rape. Not just the act itself, when 2 minutes before she told him no, but the fact, that he did not used a condom just to get her pregnant. If the "fight" they had about it right after sex was the only fight, it's also out of character for Lydia who has commitment issues. Maybe there is a bigger fight, but I closed it after that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Hot as always!!! I am deeply in love with Fiona Murphy's alphas and all her strong heroines who doesn't take shit from anyone!!! They are human though and struggle their fears and preconceptions.
Lydia and Decker had a very very very bad beginning! But he is determined to win her body and love with his dirty mouth and his thoughtfulness! She has no objections with that but his overwhelming power in the bedroom drives away the skittish (stupid) Lydia.
You must read the book and devour their erotic foreplay!
Really disappointing. First, Decker was too controlling in the beginning. Telling Lydia what to wear, paying her to go out with him and then telling her it's her own fault when she is criticized was ridiculous. Second, Lydia starts off as this strong woman comfortable with her size and appearance and then one insult and she falls apart. The discrepancies were very annoying and made this book very unenjoyable for me.
Really loved this from the start to finish. Very quaint and nostalgic but did not possess the fire I have come to love with this author. I didn't delve into the characters as much as I expected. I love their coming together but didn't experience the build that would make it a true love story. It was too clean and clinical. No angst and anger that lead to the most exhilarating love that makes you go mmmm. Overall a wonderful read.
I loved the other Fiona Murphy Ive read from this world but the first sex scene with our FMC/MC left a horrible taste in my mouth and I tried to keep going but cant. His behavior was gross and made me lose all interest in this story. Forgetting the “virgin” plot, she said no. And he still kept going. Then kept going without protection or a discussion and decided he wanted to get her pregnant without even talking to her. No thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Wow, just wow! I have fallen in love with Lydia and decker. Lydia brought herself from nothing to a successful and creative business woman. She puts limits on her work so that she can have a good life outside of work. Decker is a man who is used to getting what he wants without much effort. Lydia makes him work for her time. Contrary to what she thinks, he is loving, kind, loyal, and giving. They are a match made in heaven. Hope all there will be more with these characters
Finally, Lydia's story! I have been looking for this book ever since Lydia was introduced as a character. I was not disappointed. I love this author's longer books, and really enjoyed this Christmas story. It was also fun to see some of my favorite characters, again. If you have never read anything from Fiona Murphy, this book is a fun place to start.
But you need to know what to wish for? You have to put out into the world That you deserve a partner who will lust, respect, and give out all their kindness, so they are open to receive the greatest gift... LOVE! This is a wonderful sexy Christmas gift from Fiona!
This author is one my favorites! Her books are always an immediate purchase for me! Decker and Lydia did not disappoint!! They make a few wrong turns on the path to love, but as always, true love always finds a way! Loved His Christmas Wish!
A sweet story with an ott possessive hero that I loved. He was obsessed with the heroine from first site and he just wanted to marry her and have a baby. Loved his sister as well. Such a great story.
Decker and Lydia, I fell in love with them both and of course their friends and family. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more by Fiona Murphy. I truly recommend this book to everyone who loves HEA xx