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Kitten Cove Christmas #2
Nerdy or Nice
Wanting Drake Slater – it's more wrong than Santa in a Speedo.
A nerdy girl meets her match in this fun holiday romance from a USA TODAY Bestseller: Drake Slater – even his name screams trouble. With his killer looks and cocky smile, some might say he's the good kind of trouble, the kind that even smart girls can't resist.
It's an oh-so festive thought, but I'd be a fool to get jolly for it. Unlike my carefree mom, I know that muscular pretty-boys are a recipe for disaster. Having witnessed far too many disasters already, I stick to guys of the other variety – nerdy or nice, preferably both.
Even then, I still play it safe.
Too safe?
It never felt that way…until my swanky new cat-sitting gig has me crossing paths with a certain someone I can't quite figure out. Who is this guy, anyway? A slick pickup artist? A basement-dwelling mooch? Or something else entirely?
It's one Santa-sized mystery. But I do know one thing for sure. Thanks to my policy of playing it safe, my life has gotten way too stale, like a Christmas cookie left out too long for the big guy.
Sure, I've avoided those horrible lows, but what about those spectacular highs? What about kisses at midnight and dancing until dawn? What about seducing a stranger or following your heart?
It all begs a serious question. What if playing it safe is the riskiest thing of all?
The Kitten Cove Christmas Trilogy: Nerdy or Nice is the second in a 2022 holiday trilogy of Christmas romantic comedy books starring three quirky cat-sitters and the dashing men who claim their hearts. Each book in this festively fun angsty series can be read as a standalone.
A nerdy girl meets her match in this fun holiday romance from a USA TODAY Bestseller: Drake Slater – even his name screams trouble. With his killer looks and cocky smile, some might say he's the good kind of trouble, the kind that even smart girls can't resist.
It's an oh-so festive thought, but I'd be a fool to get jolly for it. Unlike my carefree mom, I know that muscular pretty-boys are a recipe for disaster. Having witnessed far too many disasters already, I stick to guys of the other variety – nerdy or nice, preferably both.
Even then, I still play it safe.
Too safe?
It never felt that way…until my swanky new cat-sitting gig has me crossing paths with a certain someone I can't quite figure out. Who is this guy, anyway? A slick pickup artist? A basement-dwelling mooch? Or something else entirely?
It's one Santa-sized mystery. But I do know one thing for sure. Thanks to my policy of playing it safe, my life has gotten way too stale, like a Christmas cookie left out too long for the big guy.
Sure, I've avoided those horrible lows, but what about those spectacular highs? What about kisses at midnight and dancing until dawn? What about seducing a stranger or following your heart?
It all begs a serious question. What if playing it safe is the riskiest thing of all?
The Kitten Cove Christmas Trilogy: Nerdy or Nice is the second in a 2022 holiday trilogy of Christmas romantic comedy books starring three quirky cat-sitters and the dashing men who claim their hearts. Each book in this festively fun angsty series can be read as a standalone.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2022
59 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 10, 2022
This was a cute holiday romance featuring adorable kittens, a grumpy grandpa, and an elf costume mix-up. I haven't read the first book, but this has different main characters so it's not necessary to understanding the story. Gwen is kind of cliché nerdy, with her hair in a bun and chunky black glasses and is kind of shy but also isn't afraid to speak her mind. Drake is a bit of an enigma, keeping a lot about himself secret and it killed me that it took so long for Gwen to find out about him.
The book is fast paced and it was sweet how much the characters liked each other. What I didn't love were all the half conversations they had where nothing was really said and they beat around the bush. As adults, I just wanted them to say how they felt and get it all in the open. At least they got there finally and the epilogue was cute.
The book is fast paced and it was sweet how much the characters liked each other. What I didn't love were all the half conversations they had where nothing was really said and they beat around the bush. As adults, I just wanted them to say how they felt and get it all in the open. At least they got there finally and the epilogue was cute.
November 9, 2022
Oh my gosh! These two are so ridiculously adorable together. You can absolutely read this book as a standalone, but it certainly helps to have read the first book to understand some of the interpersonal relationships and a few of the past events. I loved seeing the rest of the story about Gwen’s mystery man that we were introduced to in Lexie’s book. To be honest, I’d like to clone Drake so I can have one of him for my very own. He’s sweet, protective, a bit of a nerd, and just all around a great guy. He might almost be too good to be true…? Gwen’s got a bit of an uphill battle as she unpacks a bunch of emotional baggage from the way she grew up, but the journey they take to get their Happy Ever After is one hundred percent worth it. Now that we’ve only got the one cat-sitting cousin left to read, I can’t wait to get my hands on that book.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
November 6, 2022
This is a voluntary review of a free book from Hidden Gems.
Sabrina does it again! Another fun, flirty Christmastime cozy book.
Drake (or is he?) comes to Gwen's rescue when she's out taking the kittens for a walk. She doesn't want to get too close, but will she? Is he really the guy he says he is?
I read this book in a day, it kept me interested and wanting to learn more. Even though it can be read as a standalone book, it was nice to see his character be elaborated on from when we were introduced in Grump of Cole. It gave a different impression of him, a better one in my opinion.
Thanks for a fun, quick read!
Sabrina does it again! Another fun, flirty Christmastime cozy book.
Drake (or is he?) comes to Gwen's rescue when she's out taking the kittens for a walk. She doesn't want to get too close, but will she? Is he really the guy he says he is?
I read this book in a day, it kept me interested and wanting to learn more. Even though it can be read as a standalone book, it was nice to see his character be elaborated on from when we were introduced in Grump of Cole. It gave a different impression of him, a better one in my opinion.
Thanks for a fun, quick read!
November 9, 2022
The book starts out with a scene where she's heartbroken...like we're in the middle of their story. We are then taken back to how they met and actually begin their romance journey- finally coming back to this scene a little over half way through. I'm not really a big fan of stories starting off this way and so I think that was in my head, waiting to know when that scene would come back into play. So I went a little over half way through the book thinking 'It's fine. Not great, but not bad either.' and just not really getting into the story or characters. Once we're past that scene, I did start to enjoy it. There was a lot of drama and tension, but also communication between the characters. Overall, I did enjoy the story, and felt like the end was really good- the lessons they learn about each other and how they play into that and their first meeting was sweet and funny.
*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.
*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.
November 10, 2022
I enjoyed the plot of this story, but the writing felt a bit choppy. It was almost an insta-love, which is fine and dandy, but it felt fake in a way. Anything that would have shown the why they are attracted (aside from the obvious physical attraction) was left out. It was like all of a sudden the two go from the accidental meet-cute to dating. I would have liked to see more of their inner thoughts in this regard. Also it felt like they had a lot of the hot and cold behaviors. All this made it hard to really connect with the characters. I did really enjoy the cantankerous old man (the Hero's grandfather.) He was a hoot. There was some weird stuff going on with the Heroines cousins that didn't really make much sense other than the fact that it gave the Heroine an excuse for her actions. It alternates between POVs. There was a small amount of sexual content. Nothing too graphic, and a much of it was just alluded to.
*I received an ARC of this book.
*I received an ARC of this book.
November 10, 2022
Book 2 in The Kitten Cove Trilogy and it was even better than the first! Seriously, these two are adorable 🥰
Drake and Gwen are a case of opposites attract - or are they?!....
Gwen has grown up with a rather promiscuous mum and has been determined to never become that person. No hunky men, no players, no flashy or rich men, no risks! She believes if she can get just nice nerdy, soft natured man then she can have a drama-free life.
But then she meets Drake. The tall, hunky, fun, cocky man who makes her flutter, but is he who she thinks?...
I really enjoyed this, both Drake and Gwen are adorable and there's definitely a connection between the two, if only she could open her eyes!
If only they could both be upfront!
As for the cats - so funny and so true with their antics 🤣
Overall, a good read that I really enjoyed.
*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review. 4.5stars
Drake and Gwen are a case of opposites attract - or are they?!....
Gwen has grown up with a rather promiscuous mum and has been determined to never become that person. No hunky men, no players, no flashy or rich men, no risks! She believes if she can get just nice nerdy, soft natured man then she can have a drama-free life.
But then she meets Drake. The tall, hunky, fun, cocky man who makes her flutter, but is he who she thinks?...
I really enjoyed this, both Drake and Gwen are adorable and there's definitely a connection between the two, if only she could open her eyes!
If only they could both be upfront!
As for the cats - so funny and so true with their antics 🤣
Overall, a good read that I really enjoyed.
*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review. 4.5stars
December 7, 2023
This was the first book I've actually physically read in a while -- there's no audiobook for it -- and it was a nice little switch-up. Though, my ADHD was definitely ADHDing throughout.
If you like reading easy, adorable, holiday-themed romances, then add this one to your TBR.
With this one you get adorable kittens (which is always a plus in my book), a stereotypically nerdy FMC, a mysterious MMC. It was fast-paced and the romance was sweet, but not sickly. It was a little TOO insta-lovey for my tastes and at times, I think choppy writing did a disservice to the story telling. Also why so many italics??? I know it's been a while since I've read a physical book but damn that was a lot. If you're emphasizing every word, nothing is emphasized!!!!
Can you read this as a standalone? I think yes. However, there were some parts where I was a little lost on the interpersonal relationships that I think reading the first book would've helped with.
If you like reading easy, adorable, holiday-themed romances, then add this one to your TBR.
With this one you get adorable kittens (which is always a plus in my book), a stereotypically nerdy FMC, a mysterious MMC. It was fast-paced and the romance was sweet, but not sickly. It was a little TOO insta-lovey for my tastes and at times, I think choppy writing did a disservice to the story telling. Also why so many italics??? I know it's been a while since I've read a physical book but damn that was a lot. If you're emphasizing every word, nothing is emphasized!!!!
Can you read this as a standalone? I think yes. However, there were some parts where I was a little lost on the interpersonal relationships that I think reading the first book would've helped with.
November 12, 2022
Sabrina Stark is one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately this 2nd book in the series (all are stand-alone) was disjointed and the usual snappy humor didn’t hit quite right for me. I liked both characters individually and rooted for them but didn’t feel a connection. They rarely seemed happy together with the hiding and misunderstandings. I’m curious about Harper/book 3 because her scenes in both books have been baffling with her level of anger and odd tirades.
An advanced reader copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher with no expectations and in no way influences my review.
An advanced reader copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher with no expectations and in no way influences my review.
November 10, 2022
3.5 stars rated up
First off I would like to thank Hidden Gems Books for giving me an ARC copy of this book! I’m always so grateful and appreciative to receive books from them.
This was a really cute book! I always love to read romance books especially christmas ones. This story has a really cute storyline. My only problem is too many words were written in italic. It was hard to read but eventually I got used to it. I also wish we learned more about the characters throughout the book, the ending did seem rush with the conclusion. Overall it was a really cute book that I enjoyed reading!
First off I would like to thank Hidden Gems Books for giving me an ARC copy of this book! I’m always so grateful and appreciative to receive books from them.
This was a really cute book! I always love to read romance books especially christmas ones. This story has a really cute storyline. My only problem is too many words were written in italic. It was hard to read but eventually I got used to it. I also wish we learned more about the characters throughout the book, the ending did seem rush with the conclusion. Overall it was a really cute book that I enjoyed reading!
December 17, 2022
I liked this story best out of the three. I found the two MC's likable and each with a bit of baggage to work through. I would have preferred to have seen more of the romance develop on page, rather than behind the scenes. I also liked how there was a character and scene that ties back to the first book in a funny way. The conflict in this book at least kind of made sense compared to the first book, but it also hinged on some miscommunication, which I'm not a fan. Overall, an enjoyable book. * I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 22, 2022
loved it!
I love reading holiday themed stories at Christmas time, and this one is sweet! Gwen has always gone for the nice safe nerdy types, but little does she know her gorgeous neighbour Drake is the ‘glow up’ version of her nerdy preference, making her first impression dubious. But, he proves himself again and again with sweet gestures, patience and understanding when she acts so skittish about having a relationship due to much much much past family drama. Plus great support cast and kittens!
I love reading holiday themed stories at Christmas time, and this one is sweet! Gwen has always gone for the nice safe nerdy types, but little does she know her gorgeous neighbour Drake is the ‘glow up’ version of her nerdy preference, making her first impression dubious. But, he proves himself again and again with sweet gestures, patience and understanding when she acts so skittish about having a relationship due to much much much past family drama. Plus great support cast and kittens!
November 16, 2022
The characters didn’t have the depth needed to capture my interest or attention. Each of them had episodes in their pasts that shaped the people they became in this book. These events could definitely affect a person in a negative way. As each character recounts their event, it was hard to get the feeling that they were truly affected by their pasts.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
December 8, 2022
I loved this novel! What a great fun Christmas novel! This novel hooked me from the very first chapter, and would not let go until the very last. Even then, I did not want this novel to end! I loved Drake and Gwen! I loved their chemistry. The dialogue and banter were so very good! I love when a novel can make you laugh out loud in public and gives the reader a wonderful happy ending. This novel checked all of my boxes. I loved it and can't wait to see what is coming next.
November 19, 2022
Gwen may not have had the best role model for relationships, but there is something about Drake that she can't stay away.
There is nothing wrong with being a little needy and this is a fantastic reminder! I loved this story.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
There is nothing wrong with being a little needy and this is a fantastic reminder! I loved this story.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
December 7, 2022
This was a fabulous read. Drake and Gwen kept you engaged through the whole book with their antics. I think grandpa Clint was hilarious. The things that would come out of his mouth reminded me so much of my feisty grandpa. If you are looking for a great and funny read pick this one up now.
December 8, 2022
Cousin meets handsome stranger/neighbor while walking the kitties she's sitting. Lots of miscommunication abounds.
The three books in this series follow 2 sisters and a cousin over the weeks around Christmas. Same timeline, different men, with overlapping stories and kittens.
The three books in this series follow 2 sisters and a cousin over the weeks around Christmas. Same timeline, different men, with overlapping stories and kittens.
January 8, 2023
A cute holiday romance about Drake and Gwen whilst dealing with past baggage. It was a little choppy but fun.
I was given a free copy of this book from Hidden Arcs and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was given a free copy of this book from Hidden Arcs and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 20, 2022
Love is in the air
Sabrina Stark is one of my favorite authors and I always feel great after reading one of her books. Can’t wait for the next one
Sabrina Stark is one of my favorite authors and I always feel great after reading one of her books. Can’t wait for the next one
January 4, 2023
Cute & sweet!
A super quick sweet read! I loved when they both had some smart ass comments towards each other! I love how he knew what he wanted and encouraged her.
A super quick sweet read! I loved when they both had some smart ass comments towards each other! I love how he knew what he wanted and encouraged her.
March 12, 2024
I enjoyed Drake and Gwen’s book. It was a sweet, fun holiday read. And am voluntarily leaving this review.
February 24, 2023
3.25 ⭐️
🌶
VIBES - Cute, Fine
Oldest daughter complex with Flynn Rider
This was cute but not as good as the first one in the series. It didn't feel as well developed. Another book with mommy issues and I'm over it. Drake was giving Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzhurbert which I like but I'd rather she called him Murphy (his actual name) instead of Drake by the end to show she loved the real version of him more than the one he made up as a mask. I don't get why she hid the relationship from her cousins. Even if she made it sound more casual than it was, why hide him? He was lovely, she was just bland to me.
🌶
VIBES - Cute, Fine
Oldest daughter complex with Flynn Rider
This was cute but not as good as the first one in the series. It didn't feel as well developed. Another book with mommy issues and I'm over it. Drake was giving Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzhurbert which I like but I'd rather she called him Murphy (his actual name) instead of Drake by the end to show she loved the real version of him more than the one he made up as a mask. I don't get why she hid the relationship from her cousins. Even if she made it sound more casual than it was, why hide him? He was lovely, she was just bland to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews