The Not So Nice List

by Sally Kilpatrick

Marketing exec Cole Frost needs a win. And he can finally get a big one if he can finally close the endorsement deal he’s been working on for months. Too bad his roommate is Aubrey, lover of loud music and messy art projects. She may be adorable, but she’s annoying. And off limits. If he can get the deal ironed out, he’ll be able to buy out both Aubrey and her brother and have the charming bungalow full of warm holiday memories all to himself.

Aubrey Longfellow hates her boss, but she can’t quit her job—even if this one requires her to dress in a skimpy dress and sit on Santa’s lap. Further complicating her bid to prove she’s adulting like a champ is her infuriating stick-in-the-mud roommate, otherwise known as her older brother’s best friend. He disapproves of her choices almost as much as her brother does. Things can’t get worse—until one petty misstep lands Aubrey on the Not So Naughty List.

Now she has to do three selfless things by Christmas Day or be doomed to the Naughty List. Could helping Cole be her ticket to making the Nice List? Or will the attraction suddenly brewing between them lead to something naughty?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers

108 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Sally Kilpatrick writes...stuff. She prefers fiction to biographies, but here we are. When not fretting over her biography, Sally writes southern fiction, mystery, and lots of to do lists. She lives with her dashing husband, two precocious kids, and two persnickety cats in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Visit her author website at sallykilpatrick.com or follow her on BlueSky as @SuperWriterMom.

Reviews

[Sally Kilpatrick]

You know the drill...when I've finished the last round of revisions, I add the book. Have I read this novella? So. Many. Times.

But you should read it, too! For a few reasons...

1. This is my version of a Hallmark/Netflix Christmas movie. I had fun writing it.
2. Hailey drew the cover, and she is awesome.
3. My cats make an appearance in this novella!
4. I have one kid in college and another about to be in college.

[Penny Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet holiday romance! I love the concept of the Not So Nice List - and that there is a way to get off of it so you don't suffer bad luck for a year. Cole and Aubrey were fun to meet!

[katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute short novella, one which i was supposed to read during the last christmas season. A brothers bestfriend and a christmas romcom?? um yes. me reading this in the middle of march is only because im a mood reader and i need to go through my tbr. This was like a cute little hallmark twist

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey and Cole share her grandmother’s home (she co-inherited it, and her brother is renting his part of the home to Cole) and while the two have always been attracted to each other, neither has acted on it. But when Audrey’s current dead-end job lands her on Santa’s “Not So Nice List,” she needs three selfless acts by Christmas Eve to avoid a year of bad luck and consequences.

Cole needs a bit of a Christmas miracle himself as he looks for the elusive contract rider that will win a big-time celebrity endorsement.

Could these two be exactly what the other needs, if only they’d be willing to take a little holiday risk? You can’t help but root for Audrey and Cole to finally get together in this sweet, warm Christmas novella.

Sally Kilpatrick’s The Not So Nice List is like a Christmas cookie right out of the oven – warm and satisfying. And like the best cookies, it’s just enough to be satisfying without being overly sugary.

All that and references to a few classic Christmas movies and specials along the way.

This novella would be the perfect movie for the Hallmark Channel’s marathon of Christmas-centered movies. If anyone over there is listening, get on it!

Highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, the author gave me an ARC copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Christmas stories, especially novellas. I've enjoyed Kilpatrick's past books, so I was excited to read this one ... and it didn't disappoint.

This was the Christmas story I didn't know I needed! It's not the typical book for the genre, but it's classically Kilpatrick :) It's not overly sweet and sappy. The characters are realistic, and the situations that arise are messy and fun! And the ending? Perfect!

If you're looking for a quick holiday read (even if it's not almost Christmas), this is a great book to pick up!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

[Betsy Doepken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and Refreshing

I thoroughly enjoy this Christmas story. No sickly sweet sweethearts clapping a tree lighting around the town square. No big misunderstandings and tearful breakups! Just a little sassy holiday fun. Cheers to Sally Kilpatrick and thanks for a fun couple of hours with her novella.

[CeCe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book way too much! I love the characters and their banters. There was nothing annoying about them at all! I was melting when they were talking to each other. I loved the ending! It was perfect! It got me into a Christmas mood! PLEASE READ THIS BOOK

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute Christmas novella

I feel blessed whenever I have a new Sally Kilpatrick story to read. The blessings include quirky characters, sparkling dialog, and a touch of the supernatural I loved this story! 5 stars.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novella

I loved this book so much. Not only does Sally Kilpatrick write the funniest and real life stuff into her stories, She truly brings her characters to life! I hope to see these characters make a little appearance in future books 😃

[Lisa Terwilliger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little Christmas read. Slightly predictable but most holiday romances are.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

Sally K. Is my favorite author. This didn’t disappoint.
This is put you in the Christmas spirit and feel good all together.

[Kat’s Corner ♡︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute i liked the concept. wish it was more developed bc the concept could really work. but fun and short and sweet.

[Lauren Arner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story!! Would have loved it to be longer to see more character development.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, if not vapid, Christmas romance. However, I wish the proofreading was better. I found about three typos within the first 80 pages.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25🌟

[Katie Beech · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, super fast novella

[ghouls book club · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot. I think it was the magical element!

[Cindy Koenemann-warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love that warm feeling from a good hallmark Christmas movie you will enjoy this sweet tale. A quick read with two great lead characters it was the perfect vacation read. My only issue with it is I wanted more…in the best way possible.