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Kismet, Michigan #2
Holiday Affair
Single mom Karina Barrett is thrilled to treat her kids to a fairytale Christmas vacation... but will a sexy innkeeper make her own holiday dreams come true?For Karina, it's the chance of a lifetime: a free cocoa and gingerbread-filled holiday at a quaint Michigan B&B called The Christmas House. In return, Karina will play spy and report back to the company hoping to buy out the popular hotel. It's all too good to be true. . .especially when Karina meets innkeeper Reid Sullivan. The man is a walking talking Christmas miracle--and she's hoping to meet him under the mistletoe. . .
Single dad turned globe-trotting adventurer, Reid isn't quite sure how he and his daughters got roped into helping out this year at his family's B&B. But once he arrives, it doesn't take long for a certain guest to catch his eye. Fun-loving California girl Karina is hard to miss, and Reid senses the attraction is mutual. As Christmas approaches and the weather grows colder, things between Reid and Karina heat up. But when the true reason behind Karina's visit is revealed, will the holiday magic disappear before the ball drops on New Year's Eve?...
Single dad turned globe-trotting adventurer, Reid isn't quite sure how he and his daughters got roped into helping out this year at his family's B&B. But once he arrives, it doesn't take long for a certain guest to catch his eye. Fun-loving California girl Karina is hard to miss, and Reid senses the attraction is mutual. As Christmas approaches and the weather grows colder, things between Reid and Karina heat up. But when the true reason behind Karina's visit is revealed, will the holiday magic disappear before the ball drops on New Year's Eve?...
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
8 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Plumley
63 books153 followersBest-selling author Lisa Plumley has delighted readers worldwide with more than three dozen popular novels. Her work has been translated multiple languages and editions, and includes contemporary romances, historical romances, paranormal romances, and a variety of stories in romance anthologies.
Her fresh, funny style has been likened to such reader favorites as Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, LaVyrle Spencer, and Jennifer Crusie, but her unique characterization is all her own.
Lisa’s alter ego is cozy mystery writer Colette London, whose Chocolate Whisperer mystery series featuring globe-trotting chocolatier (and amateur sleuth!) Hayden Mundy Moore includes Criminal Confections, Dangerously Dark, and The Semi-Sweet Hereafter. It will continue with Dead and Ganache in October 2017 (all from Kensington Books).
Her fresh, funny style has been likened to such reader favorites as Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, LaVyrle Spencer, and Jennifer Crusie, but her unique characterization is all her own.
Lisa’s alter ego is cozy mystery writer Colette London, whose Chocolate Whisperer mystery series featuring globe-trotting chocolatier (and amateur sleuth!) Hayden Mundy Moore includes Criminal Confections, Dangerously Dark, and The Semi-Sweet Hereafter. It will continue with Dead and Ganache in October 2017 (all from Kensington Books).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 24, 2021
Fluffy and lackluster romance
2 stars
Recently divorced and feeling a little overwhelmed by her life and the lives of her three kids, Karina Barrett accepts a job evaluating a Michegan B&B - The Christmas House. With free gingerbread, cocoa and enough Christmas spirit to move Scrooge - Karina is looking forward to the best Christmas she's ever had especially when she meets sexy innkeeper, Reid Sullivan.
Globe-trotting adventurer turned single dad turned inn-keeper, Reid Sullivan isn't quite sure how he and his two daughters ended up looking after his family's Christmas themed B&B. But once he arrives and Karina catches his eye - he's more than happy to stay warm inside with Karina by his side. But will it all last until New Year?
Who can resist a Christmas romance to snuggle up with when it's cold outside? I have to say that I was really looking forward to this book and perhaps that's the reason that I'm so disappointed.
Both Karina and Reid were nice enough characters but were fairly insubstantial and had little depth to them or their relationship. I don't mind a sweet romance but there was no real emotion or oomph to go along with all the sweetness and fluff. I also would have liked a little more naughtiness in the book as it felt a little tepid in many parts.
The plot was fairly basic and nothing much happened apart from the mishaps at the B&B. This meant that when you put the book down there wasn't much incentive to pick it up again and as it was it's taken me ages to finish this book. The fact that I did manage to finish it is a point in it's favour though. The ending was also very suspect - with the wrapping up of all the loose ends bordering on the ridiculous. I can suspend belief with the best of them but it just got farcical!
Perhaps I just didn't feel I understood the main characters or perhaps the book was just a little too fluffy for me. Either way, I'm sorry to say that it's not one I can really recommend. It was readable but not overly exciting in any way. 2 stars.
December 26, 2018
Holiday romances are the best romances.
November 18, 2010
I'm so thrilled to be writing a review for this book! You will so be in the holiday moods after this beautiful sweet Christmas romance, HOLIDAY AFFAIR by Lisa Plumley. I have had the joy of discovering Lisa Plumley's historical romances by chance a few years ago with THE SCOUNDREL (not presently available but hopefully some will come back in ebook) and since have looked forward and backwards to find more of her books. Lisa Plumley has a backlist of many fun contemporary romance still available and still continues to write historical romances with MAIL-ORDER GROOM coming from Harlequin Historicals on December first. Definitely check out her site for the awesome variety of books available. When I'm looking for a comfort read, a story that will boost my spirits, I turn right to her books. Every Christmas I get to look forward to a Holiday book from hers released! When I first discovered these contemporary romance with HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, I got the goosebumps all over again along with that great warm feel during, after and still from reading HOLIDAY AFFAIR.
HOLIDAY AFFAIR by Lisa Plumley gives the warmest and sweetest romance of Karina and Reid. Planning her first Christmas with her three children alone after her divorce, Karina is feeling as a failure and trying so hard to pull together to bring Christmas to her home. Reid a single dad of two daughters with a nanny/tutor is always on the go doing travel adventures for team building for businesses and keeps busy to let the holidays pass by. Karina is secretly visiting The Christmas House, a Bed & Breakfast (B & B), in Kismet Michigan, going in place of her sister's company, to evaluate them risk and assess for a possible purchase with her sister's company. Doing this would be twofold, a great experience for her in the job area, but mostly to be able to give her children a Christmas that would be worthwhile for them with the spirit of it surrounding them. She goes to efforts beyond, both hilarious and at times, emotional, to do all the things she can despite being a single mother. When Reid gets a call to come home to his grandparents at The Christmas House immediately, he discovers they want to retire and sell The Christmas House, and want Reid to do it by making sure the deal of selling goes through during a 'mandatory anonymous evaluation' at this Christmastime.
Its here where Karina and Reid are thrown together at the B & B, both immediately begin to enjoy a holiday affair, but both never planned to fall in love again. Reid plans weren't to settle down but to continue his traveling after closing this deal. While there, he gives in to enjoy Christmas at the Christmas House for his daughters. With Karina giving in to having a fling, a Holiday affair, she didn't plan to fall in love and risk trust in the relationship by holding back what she originally was there to do and Reid questioning her honest feelings for them all. Full of adventures between Karina, Reid, the children and all at The Christmas House, there is never a moment of to rest, not wanting this all to ever end.
I can't put into the words I want to, how delightful, humorous, heartwarming and loving HOLIDAY AFFAIR by Lisa Plumley is. When Karina is talking to herself with her, you will have you laughing right out loud! Reid's antics and sense of humor had me smiling through too. The romance of Reid and Katrina will have you overjoyed! That feel of knowing love and laughter is so expressive and evident with them both. Weighing out the task she has to evaluate the Christmas House puts a strain on the relationship holding this back. This book couldn't be the story it was without the children! They have a huge part of bringing them together as well as showing them what family and love is all about. They both found this love and so want to trust this time its everlasting. I couldn't recommend a more romantic HOLIDAY AFFAIR to read and enjoy this year that this one! Thanks for bringing the joy Lisa Plumley with Reid and Karina and their children story!
HOLIDAY AFFAIR by Lisa Plumley gives the warmest and sweetest romance of Karina and Reid. Planning her first Christmas with her three children alone after her divorce, Karina is feeling as a failure and trying so hard to pull together to bring Christmas to her home. Reid a single dad of two daughters with a nanny/tutor is always on the go doing travel adventures for team building for businesses and keeps busy to let the holidays pass by. Karina is secretly visiting The Christmas House, a Bed & Breakfast (B & B), in Kismet Michigan, going in place of her sister's company, to evaluate them risk and assess for a possible purchase with her sister's company. Doing this would be twofold, a great experience for her in the job area, but mostly to be able to give her children a Christmas that would be worthwhile for them with the spirit of it surrounding them. She goes to efforts beyond, both hilarious and at times, emotional, to do all the things she can despite being a single mother. When Reid gets a call to come home to his grandparents at The Christmas House immediately, he discovers they want to retire and sell The Christmas House, and want Reid to do it by making sure the deal of selling goes through during a 'mandatory anonymous evaluation' at this Christmastime.
Its here where Karina and Reid are thrown together at the B & B, both immediately begin to enjoy a holiday affair, but both never planned to fall in love again. Reid plans weren't to settle down but to continue his traveling after closing this deal. While there, he gives in to enjoy Christmas at the Christmas House for his daughters. With Karina giving in to having a fling, a Holiday affair, she didn't plan to fall in love and risk trust in the relationship by holding back what she originally was there to do and Reid questioning her honest feelings for them all. Full of adventures between Karina, Reid, the children and all at The Christmas House, there is never a moment of to rest, not wanting this all to ever end.
I can't put into the words I want to, how delightful, humorous, heartwarming and loving HOLIDAY AFFAIR by Lisa Plumley is. When Karina is talking to herself with her, you will have you laughing right out loud! Reid's antics and sense of humor had me smiling through too. The romance of Reid and Katrina will have you overjoyed! That feel of knowing love and laughter is so expressive and evident with them both. Weighing out the task she has to evaluate the Christmas House puts a strain on the relationship holding this back. This book couldn't be the story it was without the children! They have a huge part of bringing them together as well as showing them what family and love is all about. They both found this love and so want to trust this time its everlasting. I couldn't recommend a more romantic HOLIDAY AFFAIR to read and enjoy this year that this one! Thanks for bringing the joy Lisa Plumley with Reid and Karina and their children story!
April 9, 2013
I'm still trying to read this book - I never like to put a book down over half-way through the book, but this one is tempting. I thought I'd buy a quick read of holiday humor with some romance - and I've never read anything by LIsa Plumley before - thank GOD I bought this for my e-reader at a cheaper price, because I would regret if I bought the actual physical book.
What I disliked SO MUCH (so far) was how Plumley did NOT stick to the character traits/actions typical of one of her main characters - the female. We learn at the beginning that she is this "nerdy mom" who picks up her kids in her PJ's - hasn't dated in YEARS - and is always super-too nice to everyone, because she doesn't want to hurt their feelings. And her college students.
Suddenly, she gets to The Christmas House - and the first encounter with the male romantic interest -and she's undressing, talking witty and sexy - and jumps into bed the minute she meets him!? I found it completely out of character FOR her character; for a book that is under 300 pages - and within the first 100, her character is just all over the place - I found it unbelievable.
Same goes for the romantic aspect of this book. Not that I like vulgar literature - but she doesn't talk about the romance (aka: the encounter) and the storyline itself is completely unbelievable (the other thing I couldn't believe already just starting this book - besides the main female being totally out of her character) - the fact that this globe-trotting son gets called home because his parents want to sell the B&B but haven't sold it yet because they are "too attached to it" but yet, they went and spent the money to buy a place in Arizona that they can only completely have AFTER they sell the B&B because that's where the money for this Arizona house will come from???? And then they jet off to this new house (but yet unpaid for) in AZ to leave the son to sell their "beloved" B&B???
Why didn't she just make it typical and have someone be sick or something - like the male lead character thought he was rushing home to??? I just found it completely elaborate and stupid for a plot - and with no actual "talk" of romance - there really isn't anything to keep me going to further read/finish this book.
The only plus: she doesn't create great personalities for the kids. Each kid, both for Reid and for Karina - all have great solid personalities that each make them their own. If only she did it successfully for both her protagonists!!!!! We'll see if I can suck it up and finish this - just to finish it.
****Edit/Update: Finished the book. I ended up taking a break from this book, to read the new one by MaryJanice Davidson - which sucked about as much as this book did. The ending - having Karina joke that she got back together with her ex, and then didn't - just was a prime example of the corny-ness of this book. I understand that it was a "holiday" novel - but the whole plot was a joke. It was unbelievable that the grandparents would take off for Arizona like that - and - in the end - you find out that it WAS actually all a plot to get the two main characters together. Even the children were in on it. Gee, scandalous. This is what i get when I try to read something "fluffy" without any real mystery going on. Which also reminded me how much I miss books with some "meat and potatoes" to them, aka: a POINT! Still was glad to be able to finish it - I hate not finishing a book. *****
What I disliked SO MUCH (so far) was how Plumley did NOT stick to the character traits/actions typical of one of her main characters - the female. We learn at the beginning that she is this "nerdy mom" who picks up her kids in her PJ's - hasn't dated in YEARS - and is always super-too nice to everyone, because she doesn't want to hurt their feelings. And her college students.
Suddenly, she gets to The Christmas House - and the first encounter with the male romantic interest -and she's undressing, talking witty and sexy - and jumps into bed the minute she meets him!? I found it completely out of character FOR her character; for a book that is under 300 pages - and within the first 100, her character is just all over the place - I found it unbelievable.
Same goes for the romantic aspect of this book. Not that I like vulgar literature - but she doesn't talk about the romance (aka: the encounter) and the storyline itself is completely unbelievable (the other thing I couldn't believe already just starting this book - besides the main female being totally out of her character) - the fact that this globe-trotting son gets called home because his parents want to sell the B&B but haven't sold it yet because they are "too attached to it" but yet, they went and spent the money to buy a place in Arizona that they can only completely have AFTER they sell the B&B because that's where the money for this Arizona house will come from???? And then they jet off to this new house (but yet unpaid for) in AZ to leave the son to sell their "beloved" B&B???
Why didn't she just make it typical and have someone be sick or something - like the male lead character thought he was rushing home to??? I just found it completely elaborate and stupid for a plot - and with no actual "talk" of romance - there really isn't anything to keep me going to further read/finish this book.
The only plus: she doesn't create great personalities for the kids. Each kid, both for Reid and for Karina - all have great solid personalities that each make them their own. If only she did it successfully for both her protagonists!!!!! We'll see if I can suck it up and finish this - just to finish it.
****Edit/Update: Finished the book. I ended up taking a break from this book, to read the new one by MaryJanice Davidson - which sucked about as much as this book did. The ending - having Karina joke that she got back together with her ex, and then didn't - just was a prime example of the corny-ness of this book. I understand that it was a "holiday" novel - but the whole plot was a joke. It was unbelievable that the grandparents would take off for Arizona like that - and - in the end - you find out that it WAS actually all a plot to get the two main characters together. Even the children were in on it. Gee, scandalous. This is what i get when I try to read something "fluffy" without any real mystery going on. Which also reminded me how much I miss books with some "meat and potatoes" to them, aka: a POINT! Still was glad to be able to finish it - I hate not finishing a book. *****
December 16, 2012
Holiday Affair is the first book I have read by Lisa Plumley, and I really enjoyed it. I knew all the twists and turns, but I still loved the characters and setting. I wanted to be there in Michigan celebrating Christmas with all the guests. What a fun concept to have a holiday B&B. I will definitely read another book by this author. 4 stars
March 3, 2011
A very cute and quirky read. :)
October 14, 2010
A good read. Nothing overly exceptional, but light-hearted and fun! Full review coming soon.
December 20, 2021
I got what I asked for (sweet holiday romance), but I didn't know what I was getting myself in for. Tooth-achingly sweet and lots of cheese. It wasn't so bad to start with, but by the time we got to the resolution, we'd gone from pizza and salad (not super substantial, but you're making an effort) to a lump of gooey cheese on a plate. I love me my cheese, but even I wouldn't eat a lump of gooey-plate-cheese.
December 11, 2021
Solid romance about two families coming together over Christmas.
December 15, 2024
I would say I was tipsy/drunk about 75% of the time I spent reading this. Very cute! Nothing too revolutionary tho
December 18, 2010
Holiday Affair
Author: Lisa Plumley
Characters: 4 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Description: (Author Website) Single mom Karina Barrett is thrilled to treat her kids to a fairytale Christmas vacation... but will a sexy innkeeper make her own holiday dreams come true?
For Karina, it’s the chance of a lifetime: a free cocoa and gingerbread-filled holiday at a quaint Michigan B&B called The Christmas House. In return,
Karina will play spy and report back to the company hoping to buy out the popular hotel. It’s all too good to be true...especially when Karina meets innkeeper Reid Sullivan. The man is a walking talking Christmas miracle—and she’s hoping to meet him under the mistletoe...
Single dad turned globe-trotting adventurer, Reid isn’t quite sure how he and his daughters got roped into helping out this year at his family’s B&B. But once he arrives, it doesn’t take long for a certain guest to catch his eye. Fun-loving California girl Karina is hard to miss, and Reid senses the attraction is mutual. As Christmas approaches and the weather grows colder, things between Reid and Karina heat up. But when the true reason behind Karina’s visit is revealed, will the holiday magic disappear before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve?
From My Point of View: Holiday Affair was a fun and flirty read. The characters were great -- I loved Reid and Karina's interaction with their kids and each other's kids. The one thing that bothered me about this book was some of the internal monologue. There were moments when I wanted to slap the two of them or simply put the book down.
The overall story line was great. I loved the scheming by the family members and mix up by the review company. I felt it was all really well done and made for a fantastic book. If you're looking for the a cheery holiday read, this is a great place to start!
Author: Lisa Plumley
Characters: 4 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Description: (Author Website) Single mom Karina Barrett is thrilled to treat her kids to a fairytale Christmas vacation... but will a sexy innkeeper make her own holiday dreams come true?
For Karina, it’s the chance of a lifetime: a free cocoa and gingerbread-filled holiday at a quaint Michigan B&B called The Christmas House. In return,
Karina will play spy and report back to the company hoping to buy out the popular hotel. It’s all too good to be true...especially when Karina meets innkeeper Reid Sullivan. The man is a walking talking Christmas miracle—and she’s hoping to meet him under the mistletoe...
Single dad turned globe-trotting adventurer, Reid isn’t quite sure how he and his daughters got roped into helping out this year at his family’s B&B. But once he arrives, it doesn’t take long for a certain guest to catch his eye. Fun-loving California girl Karina is hard to miss, and Reid senses the attraction is mutual. As Christmas approaches and the weather grows colder, things between Reid and Karina heat up. But when the true reason behind Karina’s visit is revealed, will the holiday magic disappear before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve?
From My Point of View: Holiday Affair was a fun and flirty read. The characters were great -- I loved Reid and Karina's interaction with their kids and each other's kids. The one thing that bothered me about this book was some of the internal monologue. There were moments when I wanted to slap the two of them or simply put the book down.
The overall story line was great. I loved the scheming by the family members and mix up by the review company. I felt it was all really well done and made for a fantastic book. If you're looking for the a cheery holiday read, this is a great place to start!
October 18, 2010
Holiday Affair is quirky, engaging, funny, and sometimes wacky. The premise is fun: Reid, the intrepid world traveler runs the B&B while his grandparents go off to their new retirement home in sunny Arizona and Karina is an "undercover" reviewer/evaluator for the B&B. Karina and Reid have an immediate attraction to one another and their differences are both obvious and endearing. I especially liked the relationships between the adults and the children. There are plenty of secondary characters to round out the festivities and they fill the Christmas House with lots of antics, activity, and humor. Although Karina and Reid stay true to themselves, along the way they discover other/different truths about themselves. The fun is in the discovery; the romance is in the acknowledgement of the discovery. Full Review at B&N.com
http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t...
September 9, 2011
For single mom Karina its the chance of a life time to treat her kids to a fairy tale Christmas vacation.It,s all to good to be true she gets to stay at a quaint Michigan B&B CALLED The Christmas House. In return Karina will play spy for the company that is hoping to buy out the popular hotel. it,s all to good to be true especially when Karina meets Reid Sullivan . The inn keeper the man is a walking talking Christmas miracle. Who she,s hoping to meet under the mistletoe. Reid isn,t quite sure how he and his daughters got roped into helping out at his familys B&B .Once Reid meets Katrina the attraction is mutual. As Christmas approachs things between Reid and Karina heat up. But when Reid discovers the true reason why Karina is there will the holiday magic disappear before the New Years Eve ball drop?
January 11, 2013
Cheesy. Characters meet and quickly have sex, very unrealistic and overdone. I guess I'm just not a fan of this kind of romance. Also, Karina's kids are bad! I wanted to jump in there and slap them a couple times, especially the whole airplane thing. Reid's kids are wonderful. The positives I have to say is I love that it takes place in michigan, and the idea of a christmas b&b is awesome. Wish it really existed! Another thing is this helped me with a couple book club challenges. I give this 2.5 stars. Sorry Betsy, I still love you!
December 23, 2010
Holiday Affair reminded me why I don't like to read many romances. One cliche ran into the next into the next and so on. I can't recall one original thought in the whole book. The characters are flat and the setting idyllic.
The only reason I finished it was to complete my challenge. I would not read another book by this author. I was craving a sweet spice of Christmas. Something that would be made into a Lifetime movie and this book was not it.
The only reason I finished it was to complete my challenge. I would not read another book by this author. I was craving a sweet spice of Christmas. Something that would be made into a Lifetime movie and this book was not it.
January 6, 2011
This year I could not seem to muster up any Christmas spirit. I wish I had read Holiday Affair before the holidays as it is full of all things Christmas-y. I loved the characters and I especially loved the descriptions of decorations, smells, activities and happenings at The Christmas House. The book painted a picture perfect Christmas setting for the story to unfold in. I'll read this book again next year around Christmas as insurance that my holiday spirit doesn't go AWOL.
January 2, 2012
5 Stars because it was a Christmas book!!!! Love on a second chance is special especially when it includes children. A whole new meaning for what love means the second time around when blending all the ingredients is very important, even at the holidays. I'm going for that Christmas feeling all through the year for one of my 2012 reading goals. Read at least one Christmas book a month until December and then I will read much much more!!!!
Read
April 22, 2013slow starter, gave up. by p. 83, hero and heroine hadn't even met yet. H&H characters were annoying too. Hero was a bit clueless - come on already, easy to figure out why there was an "emergency" at the B&B that he had to attend to. I didn't have very high hopes for heroine's effort to "review" the B&B, I could see that the general cluelessness of the H&H was going to continue.
December 13, 2010
This book was another holiday romance that Plumley set in Kismet, Michigan. This book was really slow and I really couldn’t get into it. I felt I read too much to give up, so I ended up finishing it. It ended well, but this is a book I’d probably recommend skipping if you come across it. Much ado about nothing and not enough laughs to keep me interested. Sorry :(
December 26, 2011
I got halfway through this one and finally decided that there were so many better books out there that I took it back to the library. Although I think of myself as fairly tolerant, the dialog was just too cheesy and the plot not believable enough (and the characters, although promising, didn't quite develop enough for me to care about them). Cute premise, but a letdown.
March 30, 2012
Fairly enjoyable read, especially if you like light-hearted books with a splash of Christmas cheer. Quite the ensemble of characters from the guests at the Inn to family members/children that only served to enhance the likability factor of the two main characters, Karina and Reid. Worth reading and worth the time to find the other books set in the lovely town of Kismet, Michigan.
October 31, 2010
So bad I couldn't finish it. Cardboard characters and bad dialog. I wanted to smack some sense into the main female character and all the children needed a visit from Super Nanny. It was so bad I put it down when it was the only book I had on a trip!!!
November 24, 2010
Cute Christmas book.
December 29, 2011
Just ok, but always fun to real holiday stories
January 9, 2011
What a cute book, nice story, happy ending. I will look for more of lisa's books for future reading!
July 24, 2016
Book 2 i think in the Kismet town series.
January 13, 2013
What can I say? It took me a year and a half to read it! Couldn't keep my attention.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews