Book Review - Dear Santa

From Goodreads - From USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle, Dear Santa is a heartwarming Christmas story about finding your passion for life and love.

Angela Carson wants nothing more than to be the third-generation to run her family’s holiday store, Heart of Christmas, successfully. They’ve weathered over sixty tourist seasons, major hurricanes, and urban sprawl, in their old decommissioned lighthouse. But the national chain that set up shop in their small North Carolina town of Pleasant Sands may be more than Heart of Christmas can survive.

Encouraged by her niece to ask Santa for help, Angela gives in and lets the words fly in a way that, if Santa were real, would no doubt land her on the naughty list. What’s the harm when it’s just a computer-generated response?

Geoff Paisley has been at his mother’s side running the mega-chain Christmas Galore for the last ten years. When his mother falls ill, Geoff promises to answer the town’s Dear Santa letters in her stead. Soon he realizes the woman he’s been corresponding with on Dear Santa is Angela. How could the woman that grates his every last nerve in person have intrigued him so deeply through those letters?

When Geoff reveals that he’s her Dear Santa, will Angela be able to set aside their very public feud to embrace the magic of the holiday and possibly find true love?

My thoughts - This book is adorable. As a huge fan of You've Got Mail I was instantly smitten with the concept of this book and it did not disappoint.

While Angela is great I actually liked Geoff even more. His character has such a great story line and just really grows on you. And honestly I can totally picture him as a Tom Hanks type of guy.

In addition to Angela and Geoff this book has such a great cast of supporting characters and the settings will make you want to spend the next two months visiting the coast and popping into every holiday shop you find.


I received an e-ARC of this from NetGalley to review but all opinions are my own.

Book Review - Only With You

From Goodreads -
The men in Nicole McLaughlin’s Man Enough series are tough Alphas devoted to serving their country and the women who love them.

National Guardsman Aiden King has been attracted to Hannah Walters for a while, but he never made a move because of her close relationship with his best friend. But when circumstances change, Aiden is surprised when his friend gives his blessing. Problem is, there’s a reason he’s still alone after all these years, and as much as he wants her, that secret keeps him from acting on his desires.

Hannah has finally decided to wait for the kind of love you read about in books and see in movies. After her failed engagement, Aiden’s unassuming support has become a touchstone for Hannah. It soon becomes apparent that he may be exactly the kind of man she’s been looking for. But the closer they become, the more he keeps her at arm’s length.

When Aiden suggests a road trip to take Hannah’s mind off her troubles, the two of them go on a journey neither one expected. She just hopes that the final destination is them together for good.

My Thoughts -  This book is so good. The main characters are great. While they both bring issues and past baggage with them they work on those issues throughout the book, which is so relatable and helps you really understand both of them. The supporting characters are great and do a really good job helping move the story along and acting as pillars to help explain the main characters' stories. This whole series has been really great and this book is no exception.



I received an eARC of this from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Book Review - Maybe This Time

From Goodreads: Jen Mackenzie has been knocked down more than a few times, but she always gets up and makes sure she has the last word. It’s the reason she now considers herself equal parts self-sufficient and free-spirit. But since losing her job and trying to help her mother beat cancer, real life―and her occasional careless choices―have begun to catch up with her. Her one saving grace: The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s go-to wedding venue. The only catch: One of the owners, TJ Laughlin, happens to be the one man who somehow manages to make Jen feel inadequate.

TJ has secretly had a thing for Jen since high school. Now, as her new boss, it’s a daily struggle between revealing his feelings and wringing her beautiful neck. Only one thing is for certain: he can’t stand idly by and watch the woman he cares for struggle. She may be convinced that accepting TJ’s help is a weakness. But all he sees in Jen is beauty and strength, inside and out. As things finally heat up between them, can TJ find a way to convince Jen that love is about give and take―and having it all, together?

My Thoughts: This is the second book in Nicole McLaughlin's Whiskey and Wedding series, and while I didn't love it quite as much as the first book (I really loved the main character Charlotte) this book is still really good.

Jen and TJ are both great characters - well-developed, fun, interesting, and engaging. I was truly invested in both of them and what was going on in their lives. I never had a single moment of rooting against them and was consistently cheering them on toward their good choices and character development. Just like Charlotte and Dean in book 1 I wanted to see Jen and TJ happy.

Speaking of Charlotte and Dean, the great cast of side characters McLaughlin created are back, shedding light on Jen and TJ, helping the plot along, and just genuinely making me happy to be back at the Stag and the quaint little town.

Overall this book is fun and lovely, it's the perfect thing to curl up with and enjoy on an early Spring weekend. I can't wait for book 3!