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azzyandherbooks's review
4.0
This ridiculously adorable book had me smiling so much my cheeks hurt! I absolutely loved Dani and her infectious sunny personality.
Declan and his self-imposed celibacy and keeping Dani at arms length just about drove me crazy. I completely understood his reasoning, but felt he was taking it way too far.
Dani wasn't about to let him ruin her Christmas though. She was determined to check everything off her Naughty List. If Declan wasn't going to help her out, then she would find someone who would! Chaos ensues!
Declan and Dani are absolute fire together. When it comes down to it, Declan really knows how to grovel in a big way too.
Always check the TW/CW:
Declan and his self-imposed celibacy and keeping Dani at arms length just about drove me crazy. I completely understood his reasoning, but felt he was taking it way too far.
Dani wasn't about to let him ruin her Christmas though. She was determined to check everything off her Naughty List. If Declan wasn't going to help her out, then she would find someone who would! Chaos ensues!
Declan and Dani are absolute fire together. When it comes down to it, Declan really knows how to grovel in a big way too.
Always check the TW/CW:
maureenec87's review
5.0
Amy, Amy, Amy…..she does it again! I am so in love with her writing style and the world that she has created in Vaughn and Landry. Humor laced small town spice with all the hilarious banter and incredible characters, I literally cannot get enough. Declan is EVERYTHING and I am always a sucker for a grumpy sunshine. Pair that with an age gap and a frenemies to lovers situation and we have hit the trifecta folks. Dani is adorable and her genius idea of a FWB Christmas arrangement had me actually laughing out loud. “Claim your coal” ladies and read this spicy little nugget ASAP, you will not regret it. I cannot wait to read Jensen and Gracie’s story and watch Ms. Alves break Jensen from his shy shell. I have a distinct feeling we should expect the same amazingly dirty mouth from that grump as well and it cannot be released soon enough.
jeanineharrell's review
5.0
If you’re looking for a steamy and quick holiday read this is the book for you! Amy does it, yet again with incredible holiday novella. There was so much to love! From the banter that Amy writes so perfectly to the feelings she evokes. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down!
thatbooktrovertkait's review
4.0
Super cute holiday novella ❤️
Loved their chemistry and banter! I only wish it were longer.
Loved their chemistry and banter! I only wish it were longer.
vbaker13's review
5.0
*ARC Review* This was a super cute festive novella with hallmark movie type feels. Also reminds me of like Chicago Fire but spicy thus better (being about a fire Chief and his crew)! The naughty list concept puts an interesting spin on a hallmark small town story! Though it is Christmas themed, it seems like it will fit right in line with the other Vaughn stand along stories also by Amy! If you liked this, read Falling for the Bachelor by Amy as well!
bookaddictreviews's review
5.0
This was such a fun story. Dani is the town baker, a Christmas lover, and just full of joy. Dec is the town fire chief, not a fan of the holidays and a rather big grumpy grinch.
I love that Dani was constantly messing with Dec and pushing his buttons and I love that Dec acted super annoyed, but you could tell a small part of him secretly enjoyed it all. The two of them have a connection and there is no denying the chemistry that is between them. I loved the back and forth between them and of course, seeing them finally give into everything.
If you’re looking for a small town, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, holiday romance this is one to check out.
I love that Dani was constantly messing with Dec and pushing his buttons and I love that Dec acted super annoyed, but you could tell a small part of him secretly enjoyed it all. The two of them have a connection and there is no denying the chemistry that is between them. I loved the back and forth between them and of course, seeing them finally give into everything.
If you’re looking for a small town, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, holiday romance this is one to check out.
sassyginger's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was fun! I also enjoyed the side characters and can't wait to read their stories. Can't go wrong with an age gap!
readingwithstrangers62's review
5.0
I am a new lover of all things Amy Alves and this book was no exception! This was the perfect holiday novella with a glimpse into her Vaughn world.
Chief Declan Walker is a 40 year old fire chief in Vaughn. Dani Reed is a 29 year old recent transplant to Vaughn who opened up her own bakery. When Declan and Dani first met they hit it off but when Dani asks him out he immediately shuts her down because of her age, but it’s clear he is interested in her. Their relationship turns into constant bickering until Dani decided to “claim her coal”.
Dani wants to take charge of her life and sets her sights on Declan, Chief Grinch. Their relationship turns into a fun, all in type of relationship but there is always a bump in the road to overcome. I loved this story and how perfect Dani and Declan were for each other. Every Grinch needs their personal holiday cheer and Dani was that for Declan.
Now please give me Jensen and Grace’s story!!
Thank you @amyalves.author for the ARC!
Release Date: December 9, 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chief Declan Walker is a 40 year old fire chief in Vaughn. Dani Reed is a 29 year old recent transplant to Vaughn who opened up her own bakery. When Declan and Dani first met they hit it off but when Dani asks him out he immediately shuts her down because of her age, but it’s clear he is interested in her. Their relationship turns into constant bickering until Dani decided to “claim her coal”.
Dani wants to take charge of her life and sets her sights on Declan, Chief Grinch. Their relationship turns into a fun, all in type of relationship but there is always a bump in the road to overcome. I loved this story and how perfect Dani and Declan were for each other. Every Grinch needs their personal holiday cheer and Dani was that for Declan.
Now please give me Jensen and Grace’s story!!
Thank you @amyalves.author for the ARC!
Release Date: December 9, 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
all_bookedup19's review
5.0
5 Stars
3 Chili Peppers
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Grumpy/Sunshine
Age Gap
Smalltown
Dual Pov
I honestly wish I could give this more than 5 stars, that's how much I loved it. It is the perfect holiday read, with spice, sass, and enough sexual tension to knock your ugly Christmas sweater off.
"No one comes into my bakery and thinks, oh look at the sexy baker rocking that messy ponytail, a plain black, flour-caked apron, and the cloying scent of vanilla exuding from her every pore. Come sit on my face sweetheart."
Dani owns her own bakery. She’s smart and funny, she can hold her own. She knows what she wants and goes after it. And when she sets her eyes on Declan, she doesn't stop until she gets what she wants.
Declan is a grinch and is the Fire chief, and after a scandal with the old Chief, he is focused on running his station with no distractions. When Dani asks him out, he turns her down, but that doesn't stop her from pursuing her.
I absolutely loved Dani. Her sassy attitude made me laugh more than once. Declan is so grumpy that it's almost funny. Also, Can we talk about the dirty talk in this one? Not just from Declan, but from Dani as well. I mean I may have blushed a time or two.
I also want to mention the other characters. Grace is a little spitfire. I cannot wait for her book. Jaxon and Jenson are up to their usual brotherly antics. Fighting more with each other than they get along.
I could go on and on about this book, but I don't want to give anything away. Maybe just some sprinkle cookies, IYKYK! ;)
Thank you Amy for this ARC!
3 Chili Peppers
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Grumpy/Sunshine
Age Gap
Smalltown
Dual Pov
I honestly wish I could give this more than 5 stars, that's how much I loved it. It is the perfect holiday read, with spice, sass, and enough sexual tension to knock your ugly Christmas sweater off.
"No one comes into my bakery and thinks, oh look at the sexy baker rocking that messy ponytail, a plain black, flour-caked apron, and the cloying scent of vanilla exuding from her every pore. Come sit on my face sweetheart."
Dani owns her own bakery. She’s smart and funny, she can hold her own. She knows what she wants and goes after it. And when she sets her eyes on Declan, she doesn't stop until she gets what she wants.
Declan is a grinch and is the Fire chief, and after a scandal with the old Chief, he is focused on running his station with no distractions. When Dani asks him out, he turns her down, but that doesn't stop her from pursuing her.
I absolutely loved Dani. Her sassy attitude made me laugh more than once. Declan is so grumpy that it's almost funny. Also, Can we talk about the dirty talk in this one? Not just from Declan, but from Dani as well. I mean I may have blushed a time or two.
I also want to mention the other characters. Grace is a little spitfire. I cannot wait for her book. Jaxon and Jenson are up to their usual brotherly antics. Fighting more with each other than they get along.
I could go on and on about this book, but I don't want to give anything away. Maybe just some sprinkle cookies, IYKYK! ;)
Thank you Amy for this ARC!
readingforamoment's review
4.0
another chance to return to small town Vaughn and read some steamy age gap featuring a Chief grinch? I was so sold.
This was a quick read, clocking in at 146 pages, but I really appreciate that Amy didn't rush getting Dani and Declan together. This did mean we didn't get quite as much of them *together* as I might normally want (just because Amy writes A+ steamy scenes), but it also didn't feel forced or too convenient, the way novellas sometimes can (which is out of necessity! It's a short page count!)
I also really loved how Dani's character was written. She was a woman who was looking to take ownership of her sexuality and what she wanted out an interlude with a man, and then when it came time to stand up for herself, she did so.
I received an ARC of this book from the author so I could leave this honest review.
This was a quick read, clocking in at 146 pages, but I really appreciate that Amy didn't rush getting Dani and Declan together. This did mean we didn't get quite as much of them *together* as I might normally want (just because Amy writes A+ steamy scenes), but it also didn't feel forced or too convenient, the way novellas sometimes can (which is out of necessity! It's a short page count!)
I also really loved how Dani's character was written. She was a woman who was looking to take ownership of her sexuality and what she wanted out an interlude with a man, and then when it came time to stand up for herself, she did so.
I received an ARC of this book from the author so I could leave this honest review.