Book picks similar to
The Hook-Up Before Christmas by Phyllis Bourne
christmas
romance
novellas
contemporary
#Holiday
Cambria Hebert - 2015
They clung to the roads, concealing everything with white. It was a beautiful #holiday sight. The paparazzi were out without any care, In hopes to catch Romeo and Rimmel, rumored to be there. When out on the road there arose such a clatter. The Hellcat spun out, but it shouldn’t matter. I pulled out my cell to dial in a flash. But the battery was dead. What useless trash. The moonlight glistening on the new fallen snow Made us forget we needed a tow. For the season was upon us. Our family was alight. Our #holiday was destined to be merry and bright. Bonus content features FIVE #holiday recipes to make and share!
Yours for Christmas
Lilian Monroe - 2020
Makes me think that my future could involve something more than a loveless marriage to an old, well-titled man.Treats my body with reverence, and shows me E-X-A-C-T-L-Y what I’ve been missing in my prim and proper life.But the Duke has secrets he’s not ready to share, and my time is running out…...and that’s before I find out I’m pregnant.Now I need to decide—do I pursue a life with a reclusive duke, or turn my back on love to make sure my baby has a stable future?Yours for Christmas is a contemporary royal romance novella. This steamy, short read will have you wishing you were on the naughty list!
Dance All Night
Alexis Daria - 2018
Ballroom champion Jess Davenport is a bona fide Scrooge. Last year, they shared a midnight kiss at a New Year’s Eve party that made both of them believe—briefly—in the magic of the holiday season. The magic was cut short when Nik went on tour the next day, but he never stopped thinking about that kiss—or Jess. When the holidays roll back around, Nik runs into Jess again. He doesn’t want to spend another year pining for the Scrooge who got away, so he tells Jess he’ll stay if she’ll give him a shot at being her Christmas Present. Jess thinks he’s full of it, but she agrees to three dates. If Nik can make her believe in holiday magic in a place as un-wintery as Los Angeles—and convince her that he’s ready to stick around—she’ll give him a chance. But he won’t know until New Year’s Eve. If she kisses him at midnight, he’ll have his answer… Praise for Alexis Daria: “An author who clearly adores the world she’s developed—and the characters she’s matched.”—Sarah MacLean, New York Times> bestselling author, Washington Post “A charming and authentic voice.”—Sonali Dev, author of A Distant Heart
Ezekiel's Heart: A Valentine's Day Short Story
Genesis Woods - 2020
She still feels some type of way. Will spending Valentine's Day with one another help or hurt their chances of finally being together?
Santa Wore Combat Boots
Barbara Witek - 2011
Three years later she’s doing the best she can for her children and moving through life on autopilot. She doesn’t believe true love can happen twice in a lifetime. As a matter of fact, she doesn’t believe in much anymore. Putting her trust in one honest man might be just what she needs to move forward.Bound by duty Jake Nicklaus never imagined he’d cross the line and fall in love with the woman he swore he’d watch over. If only he’d died on that chopper instead of her husband, she wouldn’t be hurting. The only way to heal her heart is to show her how to live again. Finding the magic in Christmas is the perfect way to start.Will one kiss under the mistletoe change their lives forever?
The Christmas Blanket
Kandi Steiner - 2020
I haven't been home in four years, not since I left this town with my eyes set on adventure.And my heart set on forgetting the only man I’ve ever loved.River Jensen -- my ex-husband.I don't plan on seeing him during my visit. I definitely don't plan on him saving me when my little rental car slides off the icy road. And the last thing I could have ever prepared for is being stuck in a tiny cabin with him, waiting out the storm.Four years have passed since I've seen him -- the boy I loved, now a man I don't know at all. But being stuck inside with him leaves us nothing but time together.Everything about him has changed, and yet, he still has the same forest green eyes that have haunted me since I left. Back then, we were at an impasse. Back then, there was nothing left to talk about, nothing left to fix. Back then, the only choice I had was to leave and start anew.But the more I re-discover the man I left behind, the more I question why I ever left at all.And if I’m too late to find my way back home. The Christmas Blanket is a stand-alone holiday novella set in a snowy small town in Vermont.
Blind Date with a Book Boyfriend
Lucy Eden - 2020
I flew from New York to Culver City, CA to interview for the job of a lifetime.When I walked into The Bookstore, I only wanted a steamy romance or two to help pass the time before my big meeting.I walked out with a gorgeous and sweet, cinnamon roll who was more funny and charming than all of my favorite book boyfriends combined, which definitely wasn’t the plan.But Mike was irresistible, and the time we spent together exploring Culver City was more fun than I’ve had in a long time.But I’m smart enough to know if something feels too good to be true, it probably is.I mean, Happily Ever Afters are just for fairy tales and romance novels … right?
Catch That Santa
Karen Docter - 2012
Keep her Grams from becoming Mrs. Claus. Of course, Francisco's grandfather is not really Santa Claus, but Grams did run off to Vegas to marry him and she's obviously not in her right mind. Sara leaves her seven-month-old baby, Lanie, with a friend and she and Cisco head west in the worst snowstorm in decades, chasing his grandfather's '57 Ford Fairlane over the river and through the woods.Will they catch Santa and his crazy Mrs. Claus before it's too late? Or will love stop them in their tracks?(Novelette, approximately 17,000 words/50 pages)
Unexpected Gifts
Elena Aitken - 2011
But he’s determined to show her everything the season has to offer…including love. For Andi Williams, Christmas represents everything she’s supposed to have—and doesn’t. Running away to a remote mountain lodge seems like the perfect way to escape the season. And it would have been if it weren’t for the snow storm and a booking mix-up that finds her stranded. That is, until a rough around the edges, green eyed stranger offers a solution. There was no way in good conscious that Colin Hartford could leave the woman with nowhere to stay. Especially on Christmas. He knows all too well what it’s like to be alone for the holidays. It isn’t long before Colin’s determination to enjoy the festivities he’s missed for so long sweeps Andi into the season of joy that she’s not so sure she’s ready for. If Andi can allow herself to open up—just a little—she might finally have the chance to experience everything the holidays can really offer…including love.
The Plight Before Christmas
Kate Stewart - 2021
And since the last three weeks of my life have been riddled with humbug—another breakup, a broken toe, an office promotion I deserved and didn’t get—I’m not at all in the mood to celebrate nor have the happ, happ, happiest Christmas EVER.When Mom insisted that we all gather at my Grandparent’s ancient cabin for an old school family Christmas, I fully intended to get into the holiday spirit with the help of the three wise men, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. But those boys did absolutely nothing to offset the shock or temper the sting of seeing my EX on our doorstep the first day of our holiday soiree.Apparently, Santa missed the memo, and this elf is pissed.Stuck for a week with the man who obliterated my heart nearly two decades ago, I did the only thing I could do and put on my game face, thankful for the home advantage.I knew better than to drink that last cup of eggnog.I knew better than to get tongue tangled beneath the mistletoe with the only man to ever break my heart.I knew better than to sleep with Satan’s wingman on the eve of the Lord’s birthday.I could blame the nog. I could blame the deceitful light blue eyes, thick, angelic hair, and panty evaporating smirk…but mostly, I blame Eli because he always knew exactly which of my buttons to push.I foolishly thought a family Christmas filled with nostalgia was going to turn my inner Scrooge around, but this year’s festivities went up in flames. Leave it to the ghost of my Christmas past to be the one to light the match.Fa la la la la, la FML.
Falling Under the Mistletoe
Evelyn Mae - 2021
Neither does love. Bakery owner Callie Parker has one goal this Christmas: avoid all men.Newly single after a disastrous getaway with her ex, Callie vows to focus all her energy into expanding her business. Or at least that's what she keeps telling herself until she meets him: Gabe Montgomery, the gorgeous stranger from the airport involved in one of the most embarrassing moments of her life (not to mention an incredible kiss).She never thought she would see him again, but now he has reappeared in her hometown with the fate of her business in his hands. No matter how much she's drawn to him, she can't lose her focus. Too much is on the line. But the way he's looking at her with those piercing blue eyes is making him hard to resist and she feels herself falling. Hard. Gabe is the one man who should be completely off-limits. So why can't she just walk away?Is all the mistletoe this holiday season conspiring against her? Can a chance encounter lead to love? This is a small town, swoony holiday romance with a HEA, no cliffhangers, and all the feels! It is book one in the Hopemeadow Holiday series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
Make a Scene
Mimi Grace - 2020
Retta Majors is having a bad day. But that’s to be expected when your ex gets engaged to your cousin. Instead of (totally) freaking out, Retta decides to attend the wedding with her amazing, faithful, and handsome boyfriend. One problem. He doesn’t exist. Duncan Gilmore is living his dream. His boxing gym is open for business, and he’s focused on success. The last thing on his mind is a relationship. That is until the beautiful baker next door makes him an offer so bizarre he can’t refuse. One weekend of pretending to be Retta’s boyfriend should be easy.However, shared kisses and some flirting start to blur the lines in their fake relationship. When their performance draws to a close, will they go their separate ways or return for an encore?Note: This novel can be read as a standalone.
Christmasland (The Christmas Romance Collection)
Anne-Marie Meyer - 2020
Outloud. Surely a place like that didn't exist.Boy, was I wrong. Now I'm stuck on holiday repeat where everywhere I turn there's Christmas carols, sledding, cookie decorating, and holiday cheer. All of which, I'm told, is part of the "experience" of Christmasland. But I can't believe that. A whole town dedicated to recreating a Christmas movie for all of its guests? You've got to be joking.Until I start checking off the list of events.Rescued by a Handsome Stranger who's Back Home from the Big City ✓A Overzealous Town Busybody who seems Determined to Change my Grinchy Spirit ✓A Baking Competition I Couldn't Possibly Win ✓A Montage of Feel Good Christmas Events ✓An Interrupted First Kiss... ✓Now I don't know what is real and what is fake. I know I have feelings for the grumpy Hero, but I can't tell if he returns them. In a place that peddles in fake realities, this is the first experience I wish was real. I want to believe in a Christmas miracle, but my holiday history has told me, Christmas comes with nothing but disappointment.I've never gotten a happily ever after and I doubt that will change now. If you love laugh out loud holiday romances, you'll love Christmasland where the cliches are leaned into and the sap is drizzled thick. It promises to make you laugh, make you swoon, and leave you feeling excited for this holiday season.
In Case of Emergency
Keira Andrews - 2017
Maybe he's a workaholic (definitely), but he loves his HR career. What he doesn't care for is getting a bizarre call from the ER telling him an injured grad student with a concussion put him down as his emergency contact. Daniel doesn't even recognize the name at first. Cole Smith? Cole told the hospital to call him? Their parents were married for five minutes! And it was ten years ago! But Cole has no one else to look after him. The doctor says he can't be left alone. What's Daniel supposed to do? He has a snowy mountain getaway booked, and he's not skipping his first vacation in years. Even if it means babysitting Cole. Little does he know, Cole had a secret crush on him when they were teenagers.And the kid has really grown up. He's sweet and funny and sexy. He just might thaw Daniel's grumpy heart in a romantic winter wonderland...In Case of Emergency is a fluffy MM holiday romance from Keira Andrews featuring forced proximity, hot-tub shenanigans, Christmas feels, and of course a happy ending.
Lovelight Farms
B.K. Borison - 2021
A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams.In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, she enters a contest with instafamous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, she might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on the application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only … there is no boyfriend.Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just came home for some hot chocolate, and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process.Lovelight Farms is a romantic comedy featuring a handsome, freckled data analyst, a messy, optimistic Christmas tree farm owner, and a small town with the best hazelnut lattes on the east coast. This sweet and steamy romance is a holiday happily ever after.