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A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss

416 pages Publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons Publication date September 26, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

Three bickering half sisters.

One unique antiques shop.

The coziest holiday season of their lives.

Wildly different half sisters Maggie, Simone, and Star have hardly seen one another since their sprightly summers at Rowan Thorp, their eccentric father Augustus’s home. Known for his bustling approach to the knick-knack shop he ran, Augustus was loved by all and known by none, not even his daughters.

Now, years later, the three estranged women are called upon for the reading of Augustus’s will and quickly realize he’s orchestrated a series of hoops through which they must jump to unlock their inheritance—the last thing any of them want to do. But Maggie and Star desperately need the money. And who would Simone be to resist?

Through hilarious goose chases, small-town mishaps, and one heart-warming winter solstice celebration, love, hope, and reconcilation is in the air, if only the three sisters can let themselves grasp it.

MY THOUGHTS

I haven’t read a book by the author I haven’t enjoyed.
Charming and with all the feels in this Christmas story.
Three half-sisters honor their father’s last wishes and in doing so discover so much about their father and about themselves they hadn’t known. Harmonious relationships, found family, strong women and forgiveness, this author does it right.
Emotional depth, self-discovery and Christmas vibes in this small-town charmer were just what I needed.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

A former professional cake baker, Jenny Bayliss lives in a small seaside town in the UK with her husband, their children having left home for big adventures. She is also the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas, A Season for Second Chances, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, and A December to Remember, Kiss Me At Christmas, and I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

Have a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping in.

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Christmas Sweater Weather by Jaqueline Snowe

ABOUT THE BOOK

Charlotte Calhoun has avoided Hayden Porter, her older brother’s sexy-as-sin best friend, ever since that mortifying night when he flat-out rejected her. Fine. Except this Christmas season, they’re thrown together at a snowy ski resort for her brother’s bachelor party, complete with mistletoe, cozy fireplaces, and adjoining rooms. She can tell herself to get over Hayden, but holiday cheer is turning to holiday lust every time he is within ten feet of her. 

Between being a full-time single father and his high-pressure college coaching job, a romantic relationship is off the table for Hayden. But he’s fought his attraction to Charlotte for as long as he can. A one-night stand is starting to sound like a good idea—as long as her brother never finds out. But with two long weeks until the wedding, hiding their growing feelings is going to take a Christmas miracle.  

MY THOUGHTS

I would call this a holiday delight.
A second chance romance between Charlotte and her older brother’s best friend, Hayden. She’s been able to mostly avoid him after totally embarrassing herself around him but not this time. Thrown together when her brother is set to marry there’s no avoiding him this time.
After the initial awkwardness wears off things get hot quickly. The chemistry sizzles between these two. We also find out he’s a father of a little girl; she is the sweetest. He is a single dad as the mother isn’t ready to commit to much of anything. Sad!
The characters are charming, and you can see the encouragement given when needed. Another win for the author, her books are so much fun!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Jaqueline Snowe lives in Arizona where the “dry heat” really isn’t that bad. She prefers drinking coffee all hours of the day and snacking on anything that has peanut butter or chocolate. She is the mother to two dogs who don’t realize they aren’t humans and a mom. She is an avid reader and writer of romances and tends to write about athletes. Her husband works for an MLB team (not a player, lol) so she knows more about baseball than any human ever should.

For more information on her upcoming books, please visit her website.

Hope you’ve had a pleasant day. Thank you for stopping in.

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And Then There Was You 

344 pages Publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons Publication date November 18, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

She’s found the perfect man . . . There’s just one big twist.

Stuck in a Production Assistant job and living at home with her parents after a painful breakup, thirty-one-year-old Chloe Fairway isn’t where she wants to be in life. The last thing she needs is to face the people who once voted her “most likely to succeed” at her upcoming ten-year college reunion. And she definitely doesn’t want to see her former best friend, Sean Adler, who is now a hotshot film director living the life Chloe dreamed of. Desperate to make a splash—and to save face in front of the man who might be the one that got away—she turns to a mysterious dating service.

Enter Rob, her handsome, well-read, and charming match, the perfect plus-one to take to her reunion. The more she gets to know him, the more perfect he appears to be. Could it be that this dating service knows her better than she knows herself? And can she overlook the one big catch? As Chloe reconnects with old friends, she begins to question everything she thought she wanted. Maybe, just maybe, revisiting the past is exactly what she needs to move forward.

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoy the author’s books a lot, so I really didn’t even read what the book was about when I requested it.
I will admit while reading it I had conflicting feelings about the book.
Chloe Fairway has come out of another failed relationship, and she still lives at home with her parents. For someone voted most likely to succeed she’s not feeling too successful right now.
At the suggestion of a friend, she tries a very secretive and exclusive matchmaking service.
And here we come with the tricky part, you are matched with a boibot, in other words a robot. It’s so realistic that no one can tell it’s not the real deal.
It’s programmed to be the perfect partner, saying and doing all the right things and to have all the same interest as you.
I’m not one to read sff, it’s just not my thing. It wasn’t total sf but just different. The more time she spent with this robot the more she realized human interaction and real emotions are what she actually needs.
There is something to be said about something being too perfect.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

About the author

Sophie Cousens is a New York Times bestselling author. She has written four novels; This Time Next Year, Just Haven’t Met You Yet, Before I Do and The Good Part. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages and the rights optioned for film and TV. She appears in the Library Reads Hall of Fame, with books that are consistently recommended by library staff. Sophie adapted her debut novel This Time Next Year into a screenplay and the film, staring Sophie Cookson and Lucien Laviscount, should be released late 2024.

Before become a writer, she had a career in television. Producing shows such as, The Graham Norton Show, Big Brother and Russell Howard’s Good News. Her novels are romantic comedies, full of heart, hope and memorable characters. She is a huge fan of 90s rom coms, Bridget Jones, Four Weddings a Funeral and ‘anything with Sandra Bullock or Reese Witherspoon in it.’

Sophie currently lives in Jersey where she now writes full time. She is married with two small children who keep her occupied with important questions such as ‘but did Cinderella have a toothbrush?’ and ‘do giraffe’s know they have really long necks?’ She is currently working on her fifth novel, ‘Is She Really Going Out With Him?’

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While It Was Snowing 

320 pages Publisher Berkley Publication date October 28, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Under the mistletoe, a single mom and a professional athlete realize they have more in common than the lake house they unexpectedly have to share for the holidays, in this heartwarming romance from New York Times bestselling author Julia London.

All Amy Casey wants for Christmas is to paint. She needs five new paintings for the holiday show at her local art gallery, but between her two teenage sons, her needy ex-husband, and her overbearing parents, she hardly has any time for herself. Luckily, her best friend has the perfect solution: a vacant family lake house in North Texas, all hers for two weeks of distraction-free painting. Or so she thought.

Turns out professional golfer Harrison Neely also rented the lake house so he can spend the holidays rehabbing the injury that has put his career—and life—on hold. Despite the booking snafu, both Amy and Harrison (along with Amy’s old blind dog and the army of child-sized nutcrackers residing in the living room) agree to share the festive lodging.

When an impending snowstorm has the two cozying up by the fire, sparks fly in more ways than one, and they open up to each other, unwrapping secrets and stories they’ve never shared before. But Harrison is expected back on the tournament circuit after the holidays, and Amy’s family needs her. As their departure date looms and her family and his manager press them for answers, they’ll have to decide if this December to remember has been a fun holiday fling, or if they’ve found a Christmas miracle: true love.

MY THOUGHTS

While It Was Snowing is a delicious snowy romp of a story.
The hilarity ensues when an accidental overbooking happens at a lake house over the holidays.
Two strangers have to share a house; he’s a professional golfer and just needs a little time away to rehab his golf injury. She’s a divorced mom of teenaged sons who just wants some time to concentrate on her painting.
Amy Casey and Harrison Neely are absolutely looking forward to a relaxing holiday at the lake house, alone, or so they thought.
The book had me laughing throughout as I read it, from their first startling meeting to saying awww as they snuggled by the fire.
The flakes are flying; a snowstorm will leave them stranded so they better start getting cozy.
This holiday vacation didn’t quite turn out like they had thought it would but sometimes the unexpected can turn out a lot better.
Fun and charming holiday read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

ulia London is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the popular Secrets of Hadley Green series, the Cabot Sisters series and The Highland Grooms historical romance series. She also wrote the Pine River and the Lake Haven contemporary romance series. She is a six time finalist for the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction, and RT Bookclub award recipient for Best Historical Romance for Dangerous Gentleman. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Visit Julia on the web:

http://www.julialondon.com/newsletter

http://www.facebook.com/julialondon

http://www.twitter.com/juliaflondon

http://www.instagram.com/julia_f_london

I hope you’ve had a great day.

Thank you for stopping in.

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Beyond the Clouds (The Women of Midtown): Christian Historical Opposites Attract Romance Set in WWI New York City and Europe 

343 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date January 20, 2026

They lost each other once before; now the clouds of war may give them a second chance.

As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together–until betrayal tore them apart. Now, as America enters World War I, Delia works for peace as a paralegal and pacifist. Her values forbid her from supporting the war effort, but she volunteers for a relief organization trying to save millions of lives in famine-stricken Belgium.

Returning to America as a decorated war hero, Finn is eager to get back to the front but is assigned to use his fame to raise funds instead. To his surprise, this mission will bring him face-to-face with Delia, the only woman he ever loved and once hoped to marry. As their shared mission draws them together, old sparks of romance begin to stir–until duty sends them behind enemy lines in occupied Belgium. Will the greatest danger be the conflict raging around them–or the possibility of falling in love again?

MY THOUGHTS

From the first book I’ve read by the author through all the rest of her books I’ve noticed how impeccably researched they are. Every single one, every single time and I love it. I love when historical fiction is so well detailed and heavy handed on facts. I love facts but the books are not dry or slow. You learn from them but enjoy the characters and situations.
The author’s magical pen makes these stories come alive and I can completely picture what I was reading as though I were there in the time period experiencing it.
During the war things were terrible but it was not all bad. So many behind the scenes helped out in even a small way that we’ll never know about. It’s just between them, the person/people they helped and God.
Strong themes of selflessness, compassion and forgiveness. A second chance at love and realizing what you first thought you wanted may not be oh so important after all, but God has a plan for you, and it will be revealed in his time.
Excellent and highly recommended!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in gilded age America featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.

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The Sugar Plum Rebellion: An Enemies to Lovers Nutcracker Christmas Romance

288 pages Publication date December 3, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Clara Winters has one rule: never let anyone see the ADHD-fueled chaos underneath her ballet perfection.

As the adopted daughter of a ballet legend, she’s spent her entire life proving she belongs by forcing her neurodivergent brain into the Porcelain Princess mold everyone expects. This Christmas Eve Nutcracker is her final audition. One flawless Sugar Plum Fairy performance will land her a prestigious contract and prove she deserves her legacy.

Then, her dance partner snaps his ankle. His only replacement? Trevor Williams, a tattooed, recovering addict from the county arts program next door.

Their partnership should fail. But between heated arguments and hotter stolen glances, their forced proximity turns into late-night rehearsals and vulnerable confessions. Trevor sees the scattered, brilliant woman she’s been hiding. Clara reawakens the joy he shut down to stay sober.

Now, with the curtain about to rise on Christmas Eve, Clara must decide: perform the flawless lie that will secure her future, or risk everything for the messy, beautiful truth she found hiding beneath the porcelain.

The Sugar Plum Rebellion is a witty & heartwarming Christmas dance romance with a touch of angst and a happily ever after. Take the explosive banter of The Hating Game with the dance floor chemistry of Step Up, all wrapped up in a cozy, festive bow. This is an open-door romance with medium heat and tons of simmering tension.

MY THOUGHTS

I would have never known this was a debut author. I enjoyed the subject matter and the characters.
In this enemies to lover’s book Trevor is absolutely my favorite character.
Clara is the daughter of a famous renowned dancer, and she’s been dancing a long time.
She feels the pressure to measure up, to achieve perfection and dance despite an injury to her foot.
Trevor gets mad at her when he sees her pushing herself despite her injury, but he only has her best interest at heart. There were some pretty deep conversations that you may not expect just by looking at the books cover. Trevor is a recovered addict, and his love language is trying to keep her safe, so she won’t follow the same road he has.
I enjoyed the author’s writing style and will look for more in the future she writes.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

I write messy people and messier kisses.

The Sugar Plum Rebellion is my debut contemporary Christmas romance featuring a perfectionist ballerina, a tattooed dancer in recovery, and one very chaotic Nutcracker rehearsal. Expect found family, second chances, and guaranteed happily ever afters.

Hope you’ve enjoyed a pleasant day.

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The Amberglow Candy Store

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this charming, fable-like book from Japan, a fox spirit sells magical confections to troubled humans, only for them to get a little more than they bargained for…

Welcome. We don’t get many humans here.

In a cozy night-alley lies a very special store. It’s only open between the full moon and the new moon, and it’s full of wagashi, Japanese sweets. Each candy claims to cure some ailment of the heart or the head. But who is the mysterious proprietor, and why does he study his customers so closely?

From the girl who craves more time with her boyfriend to the friends with some buried resentments, each customer learns a valuable lesson from these sugary treats. The candies can give you what you most desire, but not always in the way you expect…

Back to the shop owner—did that shadow just make it look like he has a pair of ears? Surely, not a tail? If he is a half-fox spirit, so be it. But why is he so keen to study human emotions, and why does he say each candy has a “dosage”? Patience. Like the center of a gooey caramel, the best things take time to reveal themselves.

MY THOUGHTS

This book has been translated from the Japanese language.
A fantasy book of short stories.
I read this quickly and enjoyed it a lot.
The story revolves around a magical candy store.
The street to get to it is hidden past the hedges and only is available to those who have a true need for it.
Once in this magical otherworldly candy store you will find candy unlike any available anywhere else. This magical candy will help solve your problem, but you absolutely cannot overindulge.
I enjoyed seeing how people who needed help with life’s problems unexpectedly stumbled onto a magical candy store. Though this magical candy helped them at first, they came to realize the help they need came from strength they already had within themselves.
A happy feel-good story that I recommend. I enjoyed reading tuis Asian literature.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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Blog Blitz for A Merry Little Christmas: (Little Duck Pond Café

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Merry Little Christmas

Festive excitement is in the air, the tree is sparkling on the village green and Christmas music is making even the most hardened cynic feel a little sentimental – but one Little Duck Pond Café favourite is feeling anything but romantic! Is this destined to be a festive season best forgotten? Or could Katja’s dream of a merry little Christmas possibly end up coming true?

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merry-Little-Christmas-Duck-Pond-ebook/dp/B0DSGPTPRBhttps://www.amazon.com/Merry-Little-Christmas-Duck-Pond-ebook/dp/B0DSGPTPRB

MY THOUGHTS

I’m loving seeing this series continue, we’re on book 43 now.
At this point the characters all feel like family, and I love meeting the new ones we’re introduced to in each book too.
Festive, warm, wonderful Christmas story.
Katja, unusual name and I love it and her newish boyfriend, Caleb are spending their first Christmas together.
I loved Katja’s character and related to her right away. Couldn’t quite figure out what Caleb’s deal was at first. Katja tried so hard, she really did, but things just seemed off to her after a bit, not what she wanted at all especially during the holiday season.
The author throws a bit of mystery into the story, and I absolutely loved how it evolved, it really had me fooled.
Things aren’t always how they seem to be and this story proved it. The more I read it the more I loved it.
Eagerly looking forward to the next book by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Author Bio – Rosie Green is the author of the popular Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional village of Sunnybrook. Watch out for lots more café drama and romance in 2026, including ‘The Other Lizzie Bennet’, which will be published in January!

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

https://www.instagram.com/rosiegreen_author/

Thank you for stopping in. Keep warm!

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The Amish Nanny’s Secret: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance 

208 pages Love Inspired paperback Publication date September 30, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Will a temporary arrangement
turn into the love she needs?

Naomi Ebersol has always felt like the black sheep of her Amish community, and even more so now that she’s been accepted into art school. It’ll be difficult leaving Millers Creek behind, but she longs to follow her heart. To pay for her tuition, she agrees to be a nanny for widower Josias Schrock, who needs help caring for his five energetic little boys. Only now, everyone in their community thinks they’re engaged! Being around his family starts to feel all too real. But how can Naomi choose between the dream she’s always wanted…and the promise of love?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

MY THOUGHTS

The Amish Nanny’s Secret is delightful, the author has woven secrets, love and healing through every page.
Naomi Ebersol has kept a secret from not only her Amish community, but her family and she’s been working on making it come true for several years.
Now she just needs a way to make the money to have it come true as the last step.
Widower Josias Schrock may be just the help she’s been praying for as she decides to become a nanny to his five sons and that should help finance her dream.
I had a large family myself and could so relate to the absolute chaos at times you have with children specially a lot of small ones close in age.
He’s lost his wife and baby and just wants a nanny for his boys; she’s looking to earn money for the summer.
There’s no telling where the heart will lead though.
A beautiful story brought to life by the author’s charming words, I absolutely loved it. Through prayer and reflection healing happens with decisions made.
Looking forward to more by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Amy loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family…and maybe homemade tacos…and nail polish. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list.

Born and bred in Mississippi, Amy is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, two spoiled cats, and one very lazy beagle. Oh, and don’t forget the stray kitty that has taken up residence on her front porch. ^..^

When she’s not creating quirky characters and happy endings, she’s chauffeuring her prodigy to guitar lessons, orchestra concerts and baseball practice. She has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is whatever gets her out of housework.

Amy also writes contemporary romances under the pen name Amie Louellen.

An award winning author, Amy is a member of RWA and ACFW. She loves to hear from readers. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. For links to the various sites, check her website: http://www.amylillardbooks.com.

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Winter Whimsy at Golden Sands Bay 

272 pages Publication date May 19, 2023 Boldwood publishers

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Lexi Davies discovers that her father has sold the fishermen’s cottages that she lives in and runs as holiday lets, she is furious and heartbroken. Lexi realises that her whole future at her beloved cottages is now over.
New owner, handsome, Scottish entrepreneur Oliver Whimsy arrives on the island in a blaze of glory and immediately upsets the locals.
When he offers Lexi her old job, she’s unsure whether to accept but needing a roof over her head for the winter, she finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Pride does not pay the bills.
As they get to know one another, there’s far more to Oliver Whimsy than she or anyone else had imagined.
What heartache is Oliver trying so desperately to hide from?
And why was he so determined to buy the cottages?
Lexi is on a mission to find out…



MY THOUGHTS

So charming, what is not to love when you live in a brilliant cottage on the boardwalk overlooking the breathtaking sea. Going out your front door, the sea spray cools you and the view is amongst the best you’ve ever seen.
Lexi Davies seems to be living the charmed life, living on the boardwalk in a cottage and renting out the other two is the perfect supplemental income for her. It’s also the last link to her mother she has left as they were owned by her mother and passed onto to her.
When she finds out her father has sold them out from under her, she is more than devastated.
Sold to a Scotsman, Oliver has his reasons for buying them and it’s actually a pretty good one.
Would it be weird to start to have romantic feelings for him? Would he think it was weird? Would she lose her friendship that is newly started? Ugh, so much to think about, should she try to take that first step?
When something unexpected happens in her family will she embrace the changes, or will it be a hinderance to all she has accomplished so far?
A heartwarming rom com about the choices you make not only affecting yourself but those closest to you. Warmth, family, choices, personal growth and friendships all blossom in the gorgeous book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Georgina Troy is the bestselling author of uplifting romance series. Her stories are perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore and Heidi Swain.

Set on her beautiful home island of Jersey, her books showcase the caring, sometimes quirky islanders and their willingness to help newcomers and each other during times of struggle. They celebrate friendship, family and close-knit community, and she has been described as having an amazing knack for creating warm and emotional stories with wonderful characters.

Her novels explore what it’s like to navigate a new beginning, discovering lost family members and the unexpected excitement of second chances.

Georgina loves getting to know her readers, and you can follow her on social media or on her website.

Have a lovely day. Thank you for stopping in.

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