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A Holly Jolly St. James Christmas #1
Eggnog, Mistletoe, & Noah St. James
Noah St. James is the grump who stole Christmas...
Seriously...Christmas used to be my favorite time of year. The presents, the spiked eggnog, kissing handsome men under mistletoe. And then he came into my life. Or rather, I came into his life, under a little bit of a pretense.
It’s not my fault I wanted to surprise my boyfriend on the train home to visit his parents. How could I have foreseen that he would dump me and then I’d have to pretend I was on the train for another reason? Surely, I couldn’t have known fate would play a helping hand by having a driver at the station, holding up a placard with my name on it. And yes, I did lie slightly when I said I was the Taytum they were waiting for. But I was going to tell them after I slid into the limo. I just needed my boyfriend to see I didn’t care that he was a two-timing weasel. I didn’t know I was going to meet Noah St. James in the backseat. And after his snarky, “You’re Late,” I knew I wanted to bring him down a peg or two.
It had nothing to do with his turquoise blue eyes. Or the fact that he put made movie stars look ugly. Or the way my heart raced when I caught him staring at my lips. So, yes, I pretended to be the nanny the St. James family had hired to look after Noah’s sisters three young kids for Christmas. It was only going to be for a month. And I was in need of a job anyway. And the house and family were Hallmark perfect.
I didn’t account for the fact that I’m not good with kids. I can’t clean very well. And Noah St. James seems to be on to me. Why else would he be popping up everywhere I go? I just keep telling myself that I only need to last 30 days. And maybe, just maybe this will be the best Christmas of my life.
Seriously...Christmas used to be my favorite time of year. The presents, the spiked eggnog, kissing handsome men under mistletoe. And then he came into my life. Or rather, I came into his life, under a little bit of a pretense.
It’s not my fault I wanted to surprise my boyfriend on the train home to visit his parents. How could I have foreseen that he would dump me and then I’d have to pretend I was on the train for another reason? Surely, I couldn’t have known fate would play a helping hand by having a driver at the station, holding up a placard with my name on it. And yes, I did lie slightly when I said I was the Taytum they were waiting for. But I was going to tell them after I slid into the limo. I just needed my boyfriend to see I didn’t care that he was a two-timing weasel. I didn’t know I was going to meet Noah St. James in the backseat. And after his snarky, “You’re Late,” I knew I wanted to bring him down a peg or two.
It had nothing to do with his turquoise blue eyes. Or the fact that he put made movie stars look ugly. Or the way my heart raced when I caught him staring at my lips. So, yes, I pretended to be the nanny the St. James family had hired to look after Noah’s sisters three young kids for Christmas. It was only going to be for a month. And I was in need of a job anyway. And the house and family were Hallmark perfect.
I didn’t account for the fact that I’m not good with kids. I can’t clean very well. And Noah St. James seems to be on to me. Why else would he be popping up everywhere I go? I just keep telling myself that I only need to last 30 days. And maybe, just maybe this will be the best Christmas of my life.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2022
316 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
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December 12, 2022Dnfed 27 pages in because the fmc was so annoying
November 30, 2022
This book was such a terrible read. She confesses her secret, and then nothing happens? She also felt very infantile which felt weird to read, especially as the author tried so hard to pass her off as quirky. If you want a really low stakes Christmas read I guess this is the book for you.
November 18, 2022
I received this ebook ARC, from the author, on the condition that I write an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book!. J. S. Cooper did a wonderful job of writing a heartfelt romantic story. Her characters were well developed, with beautiful descriptions of the locale. The emotions, the complications of the couple’s relationship, are well described.
Noah is a son of a wealthy family, and he is also wealthy. He is a little self absorbed, but loves his family. He meets Taytum, when he picks her up at the train station, mistakenly thinking that she is the nanny for his niece and nephews.
Taytum is a unemployed young lady, that loves to sketch, and was previously a children’s book illustrator. She is on a train to meet her boyfriend’s family, and finds her boyfriend with another woman. While on this train, she meets a man, and spills all her problems to him, while he grumbly dismisses her.
Noah a Taytum begin a relationship, hidden from the family. She is overwhelmed with the 3 kids that she must care for, but manages well. Noah’s brother shows up, and he happens to be the man, that Taytum met on the train. He tells Noah about why Taytum was truly on the train. Noah gets angry.
Later, while Taytum is preparing breakfast for the kids, Noah approaches her, and tells her that he wants to talk to her. They resolve all their issues, and finally obtain their HEA, with a beautiful ending to their story.
I highly recommend this ebook.
I absolutely loved this book!. J. S. Cooper did a wonderful job of writing a heartfelt romantic story. Her characters were well developed, with beautiful descriptions of the locale. The emotions, the complications of the couple’s relationship, are well described.
Noah is a son of a wealthy family, and he is also wealthy. He is a little self absorbed, but loves his family. He meets Taytum, when he picks her up at the train station, mistakenly thinking that she is the nanny for his niece and nephews.
Taytum is a unemployed young lady, that loves to sketch, and was previously a children’s book illustrator. She is on a train to meet her boyfriend’s family, and finds her boyfriend with another woman. While on this train, she meets a man, and spills all her problems to him, while he grumbly dismisses her.
Noah a Taytum begin a relationship, hidden from the family. She is overwhelmed with the 3 kids that she must care for, but manages well. Noah’s brother shows up, and he happens to be the man, that Taytum met on the train. He tells Noah about why Taytum was truly on the train. Noah gets angry.
Later, while Taytum is preparing breakfast for the kids, Noah approaches her, and tells her that he wants to talk to her. They resolve all their issues, and finally obtain their HEA, with a beautiful ending to their story.
I highly recommend this ebook.
November 21, 2022
Taytum and Noah are a great couple. Taytum is kind of quirky and tends to babble on about whatever's on her mind. She is naive, and wants her life to be like a Hallmark movie, but she's been striking out in the past with her choice of men. Noah is skeptical and somewhat cynical, and can be grumpy and rude, which he is with Taytum when they first meet. He is wary because women in general have been drawn to him because he's rich (a billiionaire) and very good-looking; they aren't interested in or care about him as a person. The banter between Noah and Taytum is witty and draws you into the story quickly. Their relationship develops at warp speed, which may strain its credibility for some readers. Taytum told a huge lie during their initial meeting which she later regrets, but she doesn't know how to come clean without ruining the respect and chemistry between them. This is a quick, fun read. I'm looking forward to the new book in the series. I received an ARC copy of this book.
I received
I received
December 21, 2022
1.5 rounded up as tis the season to be generous!
I know holiday romances can lean heavily into fantasy but this is just so far beyond anything based in reality! Some low lights (look away if you plan to read this because the following will contain spoilers):
1. Taytum is in between jobs & decides to hop on a train to “surprise” her “boyfriend” who is on his way home to celebrate Christmas with his family. Surprise! He’s already bringing a girl home & it’s not Taytum!
2. Whilst on the train, a snobby guy is listening to her master plan & witnessed it imploding in her face.
3. She gets off the train & sees a limo driver holding up a sign for “Annie”… cut to Taytum becoming a fake nanny for the month for 100k!
4. The hot, wealthy, single dude (enter Noah St. James) paying her salary is the uncle of the 3 kids she’s nannying & they fall into bed together on night one. The sex was mind blowing, the best she’s ever had yet there was no mention of a condom or conversation about protection… he did pull out though so 😒
But I digress. This is about as far as I made it…
I am pretty sure the snob who was on the train in the beginning is Noah’s brother. Also pretty sure her cover will be blown but Noah will have fallen so deeply in love with Taytum during their night of life altering sex & a random conversation about what happens when someone close to them dies that he will overlook the myriad of lies she has been telling since minute one.
I do not need to read the end to make sure my assumptions are correct.
I know holiday romances can lean heavily into fantasy but this is just so far beyond anything based in reality! Some low lights (look away if you plan to read this because the following will contain spoilers):
1. Taytum is in between jobs & decides to hop on a train to “surprise” her “boyfriend” who is on his way home to celebrate Christmas with his family. Surprise! He’s already bringing a girl home & it’s not Taytum!
2. Whilst on the train, a snobby guy is listening to her master plan & witnessed it imploding in her face.
3. She gets off the train & sees a limo driver holding up a sign for “Annie”… cut to Taytum becoming a fake nanny for the month for 100k!
4. The hot, wealthy, single dude (enter Noah St. James) paying her salary is the uncle of the 3 kids she’s nannying & they fall into bed together on night one. The sex was mind blowing, the best she’s ever had yet there was no mention of a condom or conversation about protection… he did pull out though so 😒
But I digress. This is about as far as I made it…
I am pretty sure the snob who was on the train in the beginning is Noah’s brother. Also pretty sure her cover will be blown but Noah will have fallen so deeply in love with Taytum during their night of life altering sex & a random conversation about what happens when someone close to them dies that he will overlook the myriad of lies she has been telling since minute one.
I do not need to read the end to make sure my assumptions are correct.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2022
Disappointing, it would’ve been a three star review however the end was just abysmal. They find out that she’s been lying because his brother Ethan was the guy on the train that was rude to her/she was rude to him (wow what a shocker!). Then two pages later he’s forgiven her said he’s in love with her given her ridiculous Christmas present and they’ve gotten back together and the book ends.
December 26, 2022
insta-love AND immature? pick a struggle. this book takes place in the span of like 2.5 days. they said ily in two days of knowing each other and she lied to homeboy pretty bad. (she said she was meant to be a nanny that gets paid 100k for a month) but one kid said she was their favorite nanny which i’ll admit was kinda cute but anyways
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2022
A highly entertaining, heartwarming and laugh out loud fun adventure filled with witty and engaging charters, heart racing twists and exciting passion. An edge of your seat exciting journey from beginning to end.
December 17, 2022
Well, this was… not good. It felt like a bad mix between a Hallmark movie and a wattpad story, in the worst way possible. The characters were ridiculous and irritating. I dislike everything about this book. Goodbye, Noah St.James and Annie/Taytum.
December 26, 2022
DNF at 35%.
Grammatical errors. Formatting errors.
Meh dialogue and one dimensional main characters.
Grammatical errors. Formatting errors.
Meh dialogue and one dimensional main characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2022
Such an awesome first book of a new series. I loved the storyline when Jaimie first mentioned it and she really hasn’t disappointed. I am really excited to see what happens next.
November 20, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book on the condition that I right an honest review.
Do all lies have consequences? Yes. Do I believe in love at first sight? Probably.
Here’s my honest feedback. I found Taytum to be impulsive and extremely immature at first. She decides to take it upon herself to follow her boyfriend of two months to his parents house for Christmas without an invitation. What kind of educated, mature woman does that? I watch and love Hallmark movies too, but come on. Needless to say the train ride didn’t go well. Her boyfriend was a jerk but I really didn’t feel too sorry to her at that point.
The next thing you know she’s lied her way into a job she’s completely unqualified for with a handsome stranger just to avoid looking like the impulsive idiot she was being.
Enter Noah St. James - gorgeous, rich guy, workaholic. This is actually when I started liking Taytum more. I immediately liked our grumpy alpha male and wanted to see how she would get herself out of this mess.
These two had an immediate connection that worked in the books favor. I loved the St. James family and the book really picked up steam from there.
It’s an easy read and I gave it 4 stars. I love J.S. Cooper’s works. Once you get past the initial Taytum idiocy, it’s a really good book. I couldn’t put it down and stayed up into the night to read it in one sitting.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Do all lies have consequences? Yes. Do I believe in love at first sight? Probably.
Here’s my honest feedback. I found Taytum to be impulsive and extremely immature at first. She decides to take it upon herself to follow her boyfriend of two months to his parents house for Christmas without an invitation. What kind of educated, mature woman does that? I watch and love Hallmark movies too, but come on. Needless to say the train ride didn’t go well. Her boyfriend was a jerk but I really didn’t feel too sorry to her at that point.
The next thing you know she’s lied her way into a job she’s completely unqualified for with a handsome stranger just to avoid looking like the impulsive idiot she was being.
Enter Noah St. James - gorgeous, rich guy, workaholic. This is actually when I started liking Taytum more. I immediately liked our grumpy alpha male and wanted to see how she would get herself out of this mess.
These two had an immediate connection that worked in the books favor. I loved the St. James family and the book really picked up steam from there.
It’s an easy read and I gave it 4 stars. I love J.S. Cooper’s works. Once you get past the initial Taytum idiocy, it’s a really good book. I couldn’t put it down and stayed up into the night to read it in one sitting.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2023
I feel like I deserve financial compensation. (I would rate lower than 1 star if I could)
November 29, 2022
Disappointed
I love J. S. Cooper’s books. I’m a huge fan. I hated this book. I hate Tatyum & Danielle. I’m very disappointed in this book.
I love J. S. Cooper’s books. I’m a huge fan. I hated this book. I hate Tatyum & Danielle. I’m very disappointed in this book.
December 7, 2022
I really wanted to like this book. I saw it had a good rating from an ARC reviewer I followed, and the premise was good. But this was bad.
The editing/formatting on Kindle was absolutely awful. So maybe the print version is better?
Conversions were melded and quotes didn't end when separate people were speaking - so I had to take extra time to parse out the meaning when I didn't realize a different person was talking.
The build up was...non existent. Noah was a rude letch from the get go - oh...but it was just a test!! And he continues to act the exact same way because...pretty girl. *Hard eye roll*
And I'm all for getting and going for the hot guy, but Lady...you are already in an awkward position and you're just gonna let the ride AF man have at you because he's hot? Sigh. Whatever.
This book makes me feel like a prude, but not because of the sexy scenes. Everything else was just...bad. And The MC's babbling problem was... annoying to read. But oh.. she's artsy.
The relationship was super rushed - and Ms. "I just got dumped by my boyfriend of 2 months because I was trying to rush our crappy relationship", doesn't even stop to think she's doing the same thing? Cause... he's great at sex.
Right.
So.
Formatting/editing - Bad.
Unrealistic timeline - Bad.
Annoying AF MC's - Bad.
Storyline execution - Meh.
The editing/formatting on Kindle was absolutely awful. So maybe the print version is better?
Conversions were melded and quotes didn't end when separate people were speaking - so I had to take extra time to parse out the meaning when I didn't realize a different person was talking.
The build up was...non existent. Noah was a rude letch from the get go - oh...but it was just a test!! And he continues to act the exact same way because...pretty girl. *Hard eye roll*
And I'm all for getting and going for the hot guy, but Lady...you are already in an awkward position and you're just gonna let the ride AF man have at you because he's hot? Sigh. Whatever.
This book makes me feel like a prude, but not because of the sexy scenes. Everything else was just...bad. And The MC's babbling problem was... annoying to read. But oh.. she's artsy.
The relationship was super rushed - and Ms. "I just got dumped by my boyfriend of 2 months because I was trying to rush our crappy relationship", doesn't even stop to think she's doing the same thing? Cause... he's great at sex.
Right.
So.
Formatting/editing - Bad.
Unrealistic timeline - Bad.
Annoying AF MC's - Bad.
Storyline execution - Meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2022
I can’t carry on, the Mfc is annoying
November 25, 2022
Immature
I couldn't even finish, this book is terrible! The woman is so immature and just stupid! The man is a jacka$$!
I couldn't even finish, this book is terrible! The woman is so immature and just stupid! The man is a jacka$$!
November 19, 2022
I received an Advance Review Copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
All good lies must come to an end.... or do they? Christmas is the time for miracles, for family and loved ones, singing carols around the Christmas tree and let's not forget the Hallmark movies playing in the background.
Taytum's life is a mess. She lives her life as if she is in a perfect romantic movie always seeking out that special moment. It is this reasoning that put her on the train to Little Kimble, to surprise her boyfriend for Christmas. Finding him with another woman angers her more than hurt – knowing deep down she had only settled and not loved him. Embarrassed and humiliated by her own actions, she foregoes common sense, by pretending to be the Christmas nanny the St. James have hired. The salary offered is only the icing on the cake, but putting her annoyingly good-looking boss in his place is just as awarding.
Noah St. James hired a nanny for the Christmas season. His very own Mary Poppins of nannies but who he receives is unexpected. He has a connection with Taytum, one he has never felt with anyone else. He accepts all her eccentric ramblings "It's okay, Taytum," he said kissing me on the lips. "I like you. And that includes all your odd little eccentricities. "
Taytum reveals more of herself to Noah in the short span of two days than she did in the two months she dated her ex. While her lies complicate the beginnings of their relationship, she reveals her own wants and desires when she is with him. Never having fully believed in love at first sight, they each navigate each other physically, emotionally and spiritually. Fully connecting in a way neither had before. Knowing that at any moment everything can come crashing down, Taytum knows she must tell Noah her truth if they are to have a future together, but telling the truth from the lies may jeopardize what they have already started. Will they split or will Taytum get her own Christmas miracle?
This is a HEA with another book already in the works. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
All good lies must come to an end.... or do they? Christmas is the time for miracles, for family and loved ones, singing carols around the Christmas tree and let's not forget the Hallmark movies playing in the background.
Taytum's life is a mess. She lives her life as if she is in a perfect romantic movie always seeking out that special moment. It is this reasoning that put her on the train to Little Kimble, to surprise her boyfriend for Christmas. Finding him with another woman angers her more than hurt – knowing deep down she had only settled and not loved him. Embarrassed and humiliated by her own actions, she foregoes common sense, by pretending to be the Christmas nanny the St. James have hired. The salary offered is only the icing on the cake, but putting her annoyingly good-looking boss in his place is just as awarding.
Noah St. James hired a nanny for the Christmas season. His very own Mary Poppins of nannies but who he receives is unexpected. He has a connection with Taytum, one he has never felt with anyone else. He accepts all her eccentric ramblings "It's okay, Taytum," he said kissing me on the lips. "I like you. And that includes all your odd little eccentricities. "
Taytum reveals more of herself to Noah in the short span of two days than she did in the two months she dated her ex. While her lies complicate the beginnings of their relationship, she reveals her own wants and desires when she is with him. Never having fully believed in love at first sight, they each navigate each other physically, emotionally and spiritually. Fully connecting in a way neither had before. Knowing that at any moment everything can come crashing down, Taytum knows she must tell Noah her truth if they are to have a future together, but telling the truth from the lies may jeopardize what they have already started. Will they split or will Taytum get her own Christmas miracle?
This is a HEA with another book already in the works. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 9, 2022
Trying to save face in front of her newly-ex-boyfriend, Taytum grabs the opportunity to jump into a limo at the train station and get the hell away from him. Before she can tell the driver there was a mistake, and to pull over, she's greeted by a grumpy Noah, who complains that she's late, and she winds up digging herself deeper into the ruse...especially when it's revealed that the person she's pretending to be is being paid $100,000 for one month of nannying....which Taytum could desperately use. So, she keeps up the charade, despite knowing nothing about children.
I liked the plot overall, but it didn't live up to its potential. It really needed to be much longer to achieve a slow development between Taytum and Noah, as well as Taytum and the kids. Instead, it all felt very rushed. Noah ran hot and cold---going from being a jerk in the limo, implying that she was scamming them for making him pay her so much money, pretending to come onto her in order to test her and see if she'd take the bait....then just an hour or two later, back at the house, he really DID come onto her and hooked up with her. He also told her to go ahead and invite her friends to the house for the month--they could help her with the kids and he would pay them too! WTF? Not only is that a total 180 from his previous attitude of "I'm paying you too much" and "I'd better get my money's worth with some amazing nanny-ing"...but considering how much time and effort the mother spent interviewing nannies, and how much they are paying her, there's no way anyone would just say "oh, don't worry---we don't actually expect you to take care of the kids all day--you'll have plenty of free time to yourself. Why not bring some friends I've never met and know nothing about--they can help you nanny, because I'm fine with random strangers taking care of my children...and I'll even pay them!"
Taytum bumbles her way through like, a half day of childcare (the little girl is actually kinda amusing) before one of the other St. James brothers arrives, recognizes her from the train, and immediately blows her entire charade, telling his family the fact that she's not really Annie-the-Nanny. Taytum feel bad, but the family is insanely understanding (shouldn't they be calling the cops??), and Noah is hurt for about 5 minutes before instantly getting over it, and falling for her anyway.
And the biggest mystery is never actually revealed....what the hell DID happen to the real Annie-the-Nanny?! She doesn't show for a $100,000 gig, and no one is concerned at all?!
I liked the plot overall, but it didn't live up to its potential. It really needed to be much longer to achieve a slow development between Taytum and Noah, as well as Taytum and the kids. Instead, it all felt very rushed. Noah ran hot and cold---going from being a jerk in the limo, implying that she was scamming them for making him pay her so much money, pretending to come onto her in order to test her and see if she'd take the bait....then just an hour or two later, back at the house, he really DID come onto her and hooked up with her. He also told her to go ahead and invite her friends to the house for the month--they could help her with the kids and he would pay them too! WTF? Not only is that a total 180 from his previous attitude of "I'm paying you too much" and "I'd better get my money's worth with some amazing nanny-ing"...but considering how much time and effort the mother spent interviewing nannies, and how much they are paying her, there's no way anyone would just say "oh, don't worry---we don't actually expect you to take care of the kids all day--you'll have plenty of free time to yourself. Why not bring some friends I've never met and know nothing about--they can help you nanny, because I'm fine with random strangers taking care of my children...and I'll even pay them!"
Taytum bumbles her way through like, a half day of childcare (the little girl is actually kinda amusing) before one of the other St. James brothers arrives, recognizes her from the train, and immediately blows her entire charade, telling his family the fact that she's not really Annie-the-Nanny. Taytum feel bad, but the family is insanely understanding (shouldn't they be calling the cops??), and Noah is hurt for about 5 minutes before instantly getting over it, and falling for her anyway.
And the biggest mystery is never actually revealed....what the hell DID happen to the real Annie-the-Nanny?! She doesn't show for a $100,000 gig, and no one is concerned at all?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2022
This is book one in A Holly Jolly St James Christmas Series and it is Taytum and Noah's story and what a great start to a new series and definitely a must read. Taytum used to be a children's book illustrator but she is now unemployed and while on the train trying to find her boyfriend to surprise him she finds him with another woman so she eventually goes back to her seat and spills her life story to the man that is sitting there and when she gets off the train she sees her name on a board and decides to take the bull by the horns and pretends that she is the nanny as she needs a job even though she knows nothing about taking care of children but after all how hard can it be and not knowing how complicated her life is about to be. Noah is a very wealthy man and loves his family and would do anything for them so while he is at the train station picking up the nanny for his niece and nephews who are staying with him for a month he picks up Taytum thinking that she is the nanny that will take care of the children. What will happen when her secrets are revealed because the man she spilled her life history to is Noah's brother and she realised that she is in trouble and might loose her job. Noah and Taytum have instant attraction and chemistry between them but will they be able to solve there differences and trust issue's and he able to move forward together and get the happy ending that they both deserve. I absolutely loved this book and it had great characters and a storyline that pulled you in and kept your attention throughout and it was a real page turner and totally addictive and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.
I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.
November 20, 2022
This is the start to the A Holly Jolly St. James Christmas series. Taytum intelligent children’s book illustrator without a job so thinking she will surprise her boyfriend while on the train looking for him to discover him with another women further throwing her for a loop and deciding to say nothing just returning to her seat. But finding the man sitting next to her easy on the eyes and willing to listen telling him everything about what she is going through getting off the train seeing her name and deciding to accept a nanny job despite the fact she has never worked with children, do not have any children but her need for a job is much stronger. Noah sexy as all get out wealthy man who loves his family more than anything so at the train when he picks up the young lady, he thinks will be his nanny. The moment their eyes connect the attraction was instant, intense, and the magnetic pull can’t be ignored and the longer they are together the stronger it grows but when he meets up with his brother everything becomes clear because he was her ear when needed. She knows she is in trouble when she sees his brother but needing the job will the brother tell the truth about her to his brother, will Noah keep her own as a nanny, will the kids have a say in her staying or going, will her ex. get what’s coming to him, and will they find happiness? .
November 20, 2022
Her Accidental Segue Into A Forever -
When Tatum decided to surprise her boyfriend on his trip home for Christmas, the last thing she expected was having to impersonate someone else, by a nanny for a job that she didn’t even know existed. Noah was only tasked the pick up the nanny at the station, but the moment he met Tatum, he knew the sedate life he lived, was about to be shaken. Unfortunately, just after they embark on a secret trysts, Tatum’s secret is exposed and nearly cost her the job and her happily ever after with Noah.
It was an interesting story to read, but I only awarded the story four stars, as a I nearly gave up reading it, because chapters one to four felt like it was just filled with repetitive whining. Chapter five was like a fire had been lit and I was totally engrossed in the story. I was waiting with bated breath, as I turned the pages, just to see if Tatum would get caught or not. There was minimal drama, but the storyline, characters and steamy moments made my reading experience worthwhile.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Tatum decided to surprise her boyfriend on his trip home for Christmas, the last thing she expected was having to impersonate someone else, by a nanny for a job that she didn’t even know existed. Noah was only tasked the pick up the nanny at the station, but the moment he met Tatum, he knew the sedate life he lived, was about to be shaken. Unfortunately, just after they embark on a secret trysts, Tatum’s secret is exposed and nearly cost her the job and her happily ever after with Noah.
It was an interesting story to read, but I only awarded the story four stars, as a I nearly gave up reading it, because chapters one to four felt like it was just filled with repetitive whining. Chapter five was like a fire had been lit and I was totally engrossed in the story. I was waiting with bated breath, as I turned the pages, just to see if Tatum would get caught or not. There was minimal drama, but the storyline, characters and steamy moments made my reading experience worthwhile.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2022
Let me start by saying that this book has a great concept… but that’s all it has going for it. I’m honestly shocked to see that it has such a decent review standing when the entire book looks, reads, and sounds like the author threw all her ideas on a sheet of paper and left it at that. The entire book is written over the course of maybe 72 hrs when it’s stated that it’s a 30 day vacation, doesn’t even make it anywhere near Christmas, the characters have fallen for each other within a span of 8 hrs, the kids love their nanny after 24 hrs, and I got whiplash from how jumpy this book is.
Aside from the concerns of the plotline, the book itself is honestly physically horribly written as well. There was chapter jumps at the most horrible points that truly make no sense at all. There are way too many chapters but no context in any of them. There was no build up of characters or relationships or interactions (I get it’s just a novella but you can create this even in a short story). This book is honestly all wrong and if I were the author, I wouldn’t have published it in this state and if I could give 0 stars, I would; but that’s just my personal opinion.
Aside from the concerns of the plotline, the book itself is honestly physically horribly written as well. There was chapter jumps at the most horrible points that truly make no sense at all. There are way too many chapters but no context in any of them. There was no build up of characters or relationships or interactions (I get it’s just a novella but you can create this even in a short story). This book is honestly all wrong and if I were the author, I wouldn’t have published it in this state and if I could give 0 stars, I would; but that’s just my personal opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2022
Taytum is a children’s book illustrator who just lost her job and has nowhere to go for the holidays so she plans to surprise her 2 month boyfriend when he is on the train going to visit his family. However, she finds her boyfriend on the train with another girl and lies that she just accidentally ran into them. To prevent further embarrassment she hops into a limo at the station that is picking up Annie, a temporary holiday nanny. She lies to Noah in the car that she is the experienced nanny they were expecting that goes by her middle name of Taytum and she will be fine watching his sister’s 3 children. He tries to test her to make sure she isn’t just interested in him and his money and she passes. They grow closer during the time that she is watching the kids but how will Noah react when he learns the truth about her lies.
I enjoyed this story even though I was not impressed by the rather ditzy and flighty Taytum. Fortunately she turned out to be good with the kids and family.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
I enjoyed this story even though I was not impressed by the rather ditzy and flighty Taytum. Fortunately she turned out to be good with the kids and family.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
November 19, 2022
What a great story. Taytum and Noah are super cute. Tatum is on a train to surprise her boyfriend Donovan but the surprise is on Taytum when she finds him with another girl on his lap. She decides to lie to him that she wasn't on the train for him she just wanted to see him. While talking to Donovan a man approached her and asked if she was Annie. She tells him yes and gets into the limo and comes face to face with Noah St. James. She finds out that he has hired Annie the nanny for his sister. Taytum decides to keep the lie up and be the nanny even though he is super grump and rude. Meanwhile the chemistry between her and Noah is out of this world. The two soon realize that they have a connection. They can just talk about anything for hours. But it can't last when Noah brother Ethan comes home and tells all he knows about Taytum. Noah is furious but it all works out in the end. I loved this book one of J.S Cooper books. I can't wait for the next in the series
November 20, 2022
This is the first book in the A Holly Jolly St. James Christmas Series and a great start to the series. It won't take you long to fall in love with Taytum and Noah. They met by accident when she posed as the new nanny when she was trying to make an impression on her boyfriend who she just caught cheating. It all began with a limo at the train station and a sign with her name on it. Of course it was for another Taytum but she hopped in while her boyfriend was looking. Then the real work began as she knew nothing about caring for kids or cleaning and wasn't really good at either. The chemistry between them is explosive but there's always the lie hanging in the background. This book is a fun read that will have you in stitches at times. Their banter is hilarious. Well written with an engaging story line and wonderful characters. Another great read. I read an advance copy via the author and voluntarily chose to review it.
January 25, 2023
To say that Taytum came off as a ditz is an understatement. She thinks her boyfriend, Donovan, is going to possibly propose when she decides to surprise him on the train to his hometown for Christmas. She is the one who gets surprised when she finds him with someone else. Then it comes to light that they had only been dating for a couple of months. He never asked her to go home with him and she just created the fairytale of them in her head. She was rude to the guy across from her because she was upset she didn't get her wish. She then proceeds to lie and say she is someone else and goes to the St. James home as their nanny. This was so far-fetched it was unbelievable. There really was nothing redeeming about her. She really was a liar and didn't come clean when she should have. As is always the way, the truth comes out and for some reason she doesn't really get into trouble for it like she should have. The whole St. James family came off as crazy!
November 21, 2022
Light-hearted seasonal romance. Newly jobless Taytum gets a nasty shock when she attempts to surprise her boyfriend as he travels by train home to his parents for Christmas. Despite the grumpy man she encounters on the train after her disappointment, I loved the way she is ‘down but not out’! She is a strong character and rallies when she arrives at her destination – by cheekily pretending to be a nanny for a local rich family who have sent a car to the station. I really enjoyed the by-play between Taytum and Noah (the family’s eldest son), which leads to some steamy encounters. I laughed as she is finally found out – will she get her HEA with Noah? The reader is left guessing for a while. Indeed, my only criticism is that the book ends quite abruptly, whilst setting up the story for the next in the series.
December 6, 2024
The book felt like a rough first draft. The storyline wasn’t fully developed; it seemed more like a collection of concepts to add onto in a second draft or final version.
The book wasn’t well thought out. It made no sense to have her work as a nanny, briefly include the kids, and then abruptly end that plotline the way they did. The next book is shifted to focus on her friend.
Why was there so much buildup in the first few chapters, only for the plot to be completely abandoned?
The heroine’s storyline was poorly done. Her exaggerated obsession with Hallmark movies quickly became unrealistic and irritating, making her come across as naive and dumb. The hero was a bland, uninspiring character, with nothing to offer to the plot. His background trauma added no actual substance to the storyline, so it was unnecessary to add it.
The book wasn’t well thought out. It made no sense to have her work as a nanny, briefly include the kids, and then abruptly end that plotline the way they did. The next book is shifted to focus on her friend.
Why was there so much buildup in the first few chapters, only for the plot to be completely abandoned?
The heroine’s storyline was poorly done. Her exaggerated obsession with Hallmark movies quickly became unrealistic and irritating, making her come across as naive and dumb. The hero was a bland, uninspiring character, with nothing to offer to the plot. His background trauma added no actual substance to the storyline, so it was unnecessary to add it.
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