5 Sweet & Heartwarming Christmas Romances (Review Briefs)

Review briefs are just like they sound, a briefer review (and usually for more
than one book) than my norm for books that I want or need to share about.
It's also a play off of legal briefs, which include just what you need to know...

I know that Christmas is over, but I read a bunch of holiday romances and wanted to get them reviewed before I forgot what I thought, and in case any of you were still in the mood. Here they are:

The Christmas Groom
(Bachelor Billionaire Romances #5)
by Taylor Hart
Adult Contemporary Romance, Christmas
ebook, 189 Pages
November 20th 2016

Summary

Nathan Pennington, aka billionaire attorney, had only one idea on his mind the week before Christmas…forget about the past year and enjoy the beautiful Park City ski slopes. His plan was working, until some annoying ski bunny sprayed snow in his face. Her rudeness wasn’t something he could let slide. Nathan chases the woman down the hill intent on chewing her out, but when face-to-face, he’s struck by the vulnerability and anger in her eyes.

Storm Goodman has heard every weather joke in the book—and she’s not in the mood for another. Lately her life has lived up to her name. After a year of personal setbacks in her skiing career and her grandfather passing, she thought the worst of it was over until Four days before Christmas her lawyer tells her she can’t inherit the ranch her grandfather left her—unless she’s married by noon on Christmas day. Good thing she has a guy to marry—too bad he’s also the same guy who cheated on her last year. She’ll have to put up with him if she wants to keep the land from being turned over to the BLM.

When a mysterious guy shows up, chewing her out for spraying snow on him, she never would have imagined she’d end up on a date with him. Or kiss him! Why does her life have such rotten timing? After night skiing, soaking in the hot tub, and dancing at an old folk’s home, Storm begins to wonder if she can really go through with the marriage to her ex.

Now she and Nathan are faced with a choice—walk away or let the timing of love sync up once and for all.

This book also includes excerpts of:
Cami Checkett's new release, The Faithful One: Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
Jennifer Youngblood and Sandra Poole's newest release, Love on the Rebound
Lucy McConnell's newest release, Marrying Miss Kringle: Ginger 
Nathan's story's is a stand alone book. But, there's four other fun bachelor billionaires living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming who have already fallen in love.

If you wanted to read Bachelor Billionaire Romance in order it would go like this:
Almost Everything (Part of The Destination Billionaire Romances)
The Unfinished Groom (Part of the Bachelor Billionaire Romances)
The Barefoot Groom (Part of Bachelor Billionaire Romances)
The Masquerading Groom (Bachelor Billionaire Romances)
The Christmas Groom (Bachelor Billionaire Romances)

There is cross over between the Bachelor Billionaire Romance and The Last Play Romances.

If you wanted to read them all in order, it goes like this:
Last Play
The Rookie
Just Play
A Player for Christmas
Second String
Almost Everything
(Part of The Destination Billionaire Romances)
The Unfinished Groom (Part of the Bachelor Billionaire Romances)
The Barefoot Groom (Part of Bachelor Billionaire Romances)
The Masquerading Groom (Bachelor Billionaire Romances)
The Christmas Groom (Bachelor Billionaire Romances)

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

THE CHRISTMAS GROOM is a fun story with plenty of chemistry, banter, and heart! The small-town feel along with delightful characters and some Christmas magic make for a charming story. A quick romantic read that will leave readers smiling and content in the end.

This was probably my favorite read of all these Christmas romances. I fell right into the story and enjoyed it from beginning to end.

In the end, was it what I wished for? A thoroughly delightful story that made me want to grab all the others in this series. I'm looking forward to more from this author!

Content: Clean
Source: Purchased

The Christmas Boyfriend
(Return to Snow Valley Romance)
by Taylor Heart
Adult Contemporary Romance, Christmas
ebook, 262 Pages
October 13th 2017

Summary

College student, Lacey Hamilton can’t wait to go back to Snow Valley for Christmas. Until she finds out her ex and his new fiancé will be coming for Christmas dinner. Her ex broke her heart a year ago … and truthfully, she’s never gotten over him. When her crazy roommate concocts a ‘Hallmark movie’ kind of plan to pay a fake boyfriend to go to Snow Valley with her and help her win her ex back, Lacey tenuously agrees. What can go wrong?

Dominick Carter, air force fighter pilot, only agreed to take leave for Christmas because his cousin promised him they would hang out. When the cousin pops the question to his girlfriend, Dom quickly realizes he’s become a third wheel. And when the chance to pose as someone’s boyfriend versus be the pity case comes available, he’ll pick the fake boyfriend gig every time.

After trying to keep all the lies straight, a late night in the hot springs with her fake boyfriend, and a confession from the ex, it becomes apparent the whole plan has fallen apart.

Or has it? When Lacey finally opens herself up to the fake boyfriend and gets to know him … she never thought he’d be completely different then she ever expected. Or that she might actually be more then just attracted to him…and when she kisses him…and he pushes her away…she is more confused then ever.

Now she has to make a choice…face that the past might have been a lie, or lose a future that could be hers.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

THE CHRISTMAS BOYFRIEND is a story of where two people pretend to be in a relationship and find themselves falling for each other as the story plays out. Readers who enjoy some fun banter and chemistry, with a big dose of drama may enjoy this one.

This was my least favorite of all these stories. After reading THE CHRISTMAS GROOM I grabbed this story, but was disappointed. I didn't like the drama and the heroine, Lacey, which made for a very rough start. The story got better after about the first third, but I was already disenchanted. I will say that I really liked Dominick and Lacey's family. The ending was also really sweet. I still plan on reading more from this author, but will be staying away from anything from Snow Valley Romances.

In the end, was it what I wished for? A disappointing read for me, but still a sweet story.

Content: Clean
Source: Purchased

Marrying Miss Kringle: Ginger
(Marrying Miss Kringle #1)
by Lucy McConnell
Adult Contemporary Romance, Christmas
ebook, 238 Pages
October 25th 2016

Summary

Christmas Magic is changing and the Kringle Family scrambles to keep up in this fun and romantic, sweet Christmas romance from Author Lucy McConnell.

When Ginger Kringle is branded to wear the magic red suit, she has to fall in love and get married before Christmas Eve to save the family business. After being given a list (Santas love lists!) of potential Mr. Kringles, Ginger heads off to Clearview, Alaska, where she embarks on a mission to save her family, their home, the elves, the reindeer, and Christmas for children across the globe. In her quest, Ginger finds that checking a list has much more to do with her heart than it does her head.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

MARRYING MISS KRINGLE: GINGER is a story full of small-town charm, family, and romance with a dash of magic. The family dynamics and unique characters all set in Alaska and the North Pole makes for a fun backdrop to this Christmas romance. There's a little girl that makes the story even sweeter and a man who is tough on the outside who needs a gal with plenty of heart to break through. An overall entertaining read!

I really, really love the idea of Santa having all these daughters and the magic that is powered by the family. It's such a fun premise. I also love how all the daughters are so very unique and different from each other. You can definitely feel the family dynamics and overall love in this family. I love how the reindeer have their own personalities too. I enjoyed Ginger's story. There was some great chemistry, humor, and sweet moments.

In the end, was it what I wished for? An enjoyable story that was plenty fun to read!

Content: Clean
Source: Purchased

Marrying Miss Kringle: Lux
(Marrying Miss Kringle #2)
by Lucy McConnell
Adult Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Paperback & ebook, 240 Pages
October 30th 2017

Summary

Christmas Magic is changing and the Kringle Family scrambles to keep up in this fun and entertaining, sweet Christmas romance from Author Lucy McConnell.

A normal electrical substation takes two years to build; but, Lux has 365 days to install one at the North Pole or Christmas Magic will overload the factory and send them back to the Dark Ages.

The one man on the planet with the know-how, the education, and the time to help Lux finish the substation before her Noel deadline, is also the one man who sends sparks through her heart and surges through the power system.

If Lux kisses Matthew Quik—again!—she could blow up Santa’s workshop before she has a chance to save it. If she doesn’t kiss him, she may lose him forever.

Praise for the Book

“For getting me in the mood for Christmas, and the romantic aspect of this holiday even before Thanksgiving, I’m happy to give Ms. McConnell the 5 STARS I’ve given her book.”

Marrying Miss Kringle: Lux is a funny, tender, magical adventure into the sparkles of Christmas Magic and the sparks of human love.”

(Affiliate link included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

MARRYING MISS KRINGLE: LUX, like the first book in this series, is full of small-town charm, family, romance, and a touch of magic. The characters are easy to relate to and fall in love with. There is some fun banter, chemistry, and humor that all made for an enjoyable read!

I read an excerpt for this during a book promotion and knew I had to read it. There was this great mix of humor and sizzling chemistry that I loved! I also loved these characters! Lux is brainy and was so much fun! I loved all the things she pulled from her bag and how she tried to explain it away. Matthew was a great match for her. I pretty much ate the story up, smiling most of the way through. Towards the end when the characters need to disappear for a little bit was a little unbelievable, or maybe just needed more development, but otherwise, this was just a fun read.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an enjoyable story from beginning to end!

Content: Clean
Source: Purchased

A Mistletoe Kiss
(Tangled Charms #2)
by Jennifer Faye

Contemporary Romance, Christmas
ebook, 236 pages
December 19th 2017 by Tule Publishing

Summary

Jaded by love, Suzanna Simms has resigned herself to focusing on her art business. But with Christmas quickly approaching, she receives word that her family is returning to Marietta. And Suzanna failed to mention that her latest relationship had ended abruptly. Now she’ll have to admit to her family that she failed at love—again.

Enter Sergeant Jake Hamilton, a new resident to Marietta and Suzanna’s next door neighbor. He’s not looking for anything permanent, he’s just passing through Marietta for the Christmas season, hoping to keep to himself. But when Suzanna’s family mistakenly assumes that Jake’s her boyfriend, he agrees to continue the charade.

Suzanna is certain she’s immune to his rugged good looks and sexy smile until they find themselves standing under the mistletoe. When Jake finds her kiss sweeter than her sugar cookies, he knows he’s in trouble. But it’s too late by then… the Christmas charade is on.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

A MISTLETOE KISS is the perfect title for this story, with a lot of the trouble beginning with just that, a kiss under the mistletoe. Enjoyable characters, plenty of Christmas cheer, some humor, a strong family dynamic, and small-town charm make for a charming romance.

I liked this story from the beginning. The characters were fun and I could definitely feel the chemistry. There were some humorous and sweet moments between them, but also some good tension. I thought the ruse was a little silly, but otherwise it worked. I also would have liked the dialogue to flow a little better in some places. Otherwise, I loved the characters and enjoyed the story.

In the end, was it what I wished for? A sweet holiday romance full of family, small-town charm, and endearing characters.

Content: Clean
Source: Purchased

Have you read any of these? Did you read any Christmas romances this last year that you loved and would recommend (it's never too early to compile a list for next year)?

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