Snowy Little Lies by Fanny D.L.
Summary
Ever since she was a little girl, Jill has regularly lied to her family to avoid disappointing them. Her latest fib? Passing off her job as an overworked assistant as a team leader. She can't help it; she'll do anything rather than see her parents' saddened faces, especially at Christmas.
On the train back to her hometown, between two files imposed by her boss, she meets Matthew, a hot professional writer and part-time fake boyfriend. A victim of writer's block, Matthew is paid to play the perfect son-in-law for a few days. It's his Christmas program, and from what I hear, his new client's family is quite a challenge!
An unconventional job, which reassures Jill about her own secret. It's quite liberating to reveal yourself to a complete stranger! At least, when you're never supposed to see him again...
Review
I really enjoyed this Christmas romance. It starts off in a rather original and zany way (but then, this is a story about a family that is far from ordinary). We're plunged into Jill's thoughts as she visits her family over the festive season. The problem is, she's under a lot of pressure from her family to lie about what she does for a living. She meets Matthew, who challenges her beliefs and makes her see things differently. I really liked the messages the author puts across and the subjects she tackles. The story is very funny, filled with the magic of Christmas, and the romance is very sweet. But then, it's easy to guess what's going to happen.
Sleigh Bells Snow by Sarah Morgan
Summary
Christmas, the headache-inducing twinkling of tinsel and the wind of hysteria sweeping Manhattan... For Kayla Green, it's nothing short of horror. So when she's hired by Jackson O'Neil to improve the image of his luxury winter sports resort, it's like a small miracle: a chance to escape the city and drown in work. Or so she thought, until she met Jackson O'Neil and his troublesome family...
The O'Neils are loud, caring and charming. In short... the family she never had. And as for Jackson, with his deep voice and self-assured smile, he's a little too close to perfection not to be dangerous for the icy heart she's worked so hard to build.
Review
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a real pleasure to read a Christmas book so well done at this time of year, because it really puts you in the festive mood. And I loved everything about this book: the characters, the touching story, the Snow Crystal setting. So much so, that I'm going to read the second volume.
Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan
Summary
This winter, Tyler O'Neil, ex-ski champion, former heartthrob and now single dad, has one mission: to make sure his daughter, Jess, has the best Christmas of her life. The fact that his best friend Brenna is temporarily moving into his cottage is just a delightful distraction he has to ignore. Their relationship is the only one he's never destroyed, and there's no way around it.
Brenna Daniels, a professional skier, knows all about the risks and perils of unrequited love: she's been in love with Tyler for years. Living with him is torture: how can she be a friend when he's sleeping in the next room? Then Tyler kisses her. Suddenly, the relationship she's always dreamed of seems within reach. Could it be that this Christmas her dreams of happiness are finally coming true?
Review
I was looking forward to reading this book and was not disappointed. I loved Brenna in this tome, seeing how events helped her become stronger. I also loved Tyler, his humor, his relationship with Jess. And the ending was incredible!
Christmas Ever After by Emilia Adams, Pascale Stephens, Salome Hanson & Wendy Thevin
Summary
For a night or for life
"After the age of thirty, if a woman is alone, it's because there's something wrong with her! To avoid this old refrain, which she hears every year, Sophia has found the perfect solution: hire the services of a man via a website to be her fake boyfriend for Christmas. What a surprise when Lorenzo, a charming and charismatic adventurer, turns up - the very opposite of her!
Christmas with my worst neighbor
A young schoolteacher, mother and divorcee, Julia is trying to rebuild a stable life. There's just one hitch: the pain in the ass who lives next door. Soan, also a single father, exasperates her to no end. She wishes she could ignore him, but not only is he her neighbor, he's also the father of a little boy in her class. Let the war begin!
Mission seduction for Christmas
Blanche loves Christmas, but what looked like a relaxing vacation turns into a thrilling one when she discovers that Nicolas, her brother's best friend, will be celebrating the end of the year with his family. Blanche has had a secret crush on him for years... which her brother has managed to spot! And surprise, surprise, he's ready to give her a hand. But what if this year, she doesn't let him get away?
An unexpected gift
The handsome man in the suit and tie who works in the bar is not Léna's usual clientele. Unintentionally, the young barmaid spills a drink on his computer, ruining it and angering its ill-tempered owner. As if that wasn't enough, the storm that hits Snowville prevents her from getting back to her hotel! Feeling guilty and having no choice, Léna invites him to spend a few days at her place...
Review
I found these four little Christmas stories very charming. I preferred the first two, but all are quick and easy reads. And what's more, they all have a link between them (which I'll let you discover).
The Misletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans
Summary
Elise Dutton dreads the arrival of another vacation season. Three years earlier, her husband cheated on her with her best friend, resulting in a bitter divorce that left her alone, broken and distrustful.
Then, one day in November, a stranger approaches Elise in the mall food court. Although she recognizes the man from her building, Elise has never officially met him. Tired of spending the holidays alone, the man makes her a proposition. For the next eight weeks, until the evening of December 24, he proposes that she pretend to be a couple. He draws up a contract with four rules:
No deep, personal questions
No drama
No telling anyone the truth about their relationship.
The contract is cancelled on Christmas Day.
Lonely Elise finds herself accepting the idea. As the charade progresses, the security of her fake relationship begins to mend her broken heart. But just as she begins to rediscover her joie de vivre, her long-held secret threatens to undermine the budding relationship. But she may not be the only one with secrets.
Review
This book is a marvel. It's the best Christmas romance I've ever read. Firstly, because the story is beautiful and poignant. Elise is a very touching woman, and it's easy to become attached to her, even more so when we learn what happened to her. As for Nicholas, he's just perfect for Elise. He's so attentive and touching.
Then, because we find all the little details of a good Christmas romance: the atmosphere, the parties, the presents, ...
Then there's the fact that from the very first chapter, we get right to the heart of the matter. Nick lays the groundwork right from the start, and that gets you into the story instantly.
And finally, because the author's writing is incredible. He tackles some pretty important subjects that aren't often talked about. And understanding the characters' point of view on these subjects is what really made me love this book.
I recommend it 2000%. You can't help but love this sublime little Christmas story.
What are you doing for Christmas? I'm avoiding you. (Tu fais quoi pour Noël, je t'évite) by Juliette Bonte
Summary
Charlie hates Blade, and Blade hates her back. She's tried to get along with this tall, dark guy - really! - but they just don't get along. The problem is that Blade is a friend of James, Charlie's best friend's new boyfriend. If girls are known for going to the bathroom in pairs, men are clearly incapable of drinking a beer without their testosterone-laced counterparts. But when the evenings evolve dangerously into a group vacation plan for the end of the year, Charlie realizes she's screwed. Because if there's one thing she hates even more than Blade, it's Christmas. And if Blade finds out, he'll do everything in his power to turn this holiday in Lapland into his worst nightmare.
Review
I really enjoyed reading this book. At first, I had a little trouble getting into the story because I found some of the actions a little childish and out of place, while others made me laugh. But in the end, that's part of the story's charm. I really liked the characters. I would have liked to know more about James' character, his past, why he set up his store. In any case, I loved the ending!
The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan
Summary
Christmas is more beautiful under the northern lights
Snow as far as the eye can see, reindeer and dog sledding: Christy was looking forward to spending the Christmas vacations with her aunt, who runs a Snow Spa in Lapland. But as the big departure approaches, Seb, her husband, becomes distant and unusually stressed. Christy feels that if she is to repair their failing marriage, she must spend a few days alone with him before Christmas Eve. It's decided: she'll entrust their daughter to Alix, her best friend, for the first few days. And if all goes well, by Christmas they'll all be reunited in this dream setting, closer than ever.
Alix is terrified. Looking after a four-year-old girl is a real challenge for a commitment-phobe like her. But she'll do anything to help Christy. But her friend hasn't told her everything, and she soon realizes that she won't be Holly's only nanny: Seb's friend Zac has come to help out. Zac, the irresistible and annoying globetrotter she's been careful to avoid for five years... Now they're going to have to share a romantic cottage! Luckily, Holly will be there to keep them occupied day and night, otherwise she'd be in grave danger of giving in to the most dangerous temptation of all...
Review
I really enjoyed reading this book. We follow this story through three different points of view. At first, I wasn't expecting it, but in the end, I really enjoyed following this story through the eyes of three different women. I preferred the character of Allix, who is more complex and touched me the most. And also because I really like the duet she makes with Zac. The story is very beautiful, and made me want to visit Lapland.
Photo Credit : Amelie Marmonier
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