ctsquirrel's review against another edition
3.0
Below was written while I was reading this. This one suffered the curse of me marking it "Currently Reading" in Goodreads. Without fail if I mark a book CR I never finish it. The problem could be that it's always anthologies that I get bored with after the first few stories, but let's just call it a curse. I'm marking this finished, but I did only read the first three. Started on a high and plummeted quickly. Got my money's worth with the first two though.
****Nice variety of erotic Christmas short stories all with a "snowed-in" (or in the Southern Hemisphere "locked-in") theme. (My Kobo edition has a different cover and some obvious editing issues, but I shall press on. I like this ornament cover better than the reindeer one, so I'm a little miffed.)
His for the Holiday by HelenKay Dimon
4/5
Second chance M/M story between an anxiety-plagued professor and a former grad student turned professor. Takes place over six years at a college in D.C. and a cabin in Maryland. Jonah is super patient with relationship-shy Cam so it's a slow burn for a novella, but hot once it gets there.
Dysfunctional by Eve Dangerfield
3.5/5
Insta-love M/F story between a down-on-her-luck Australian girl who has taken a vow of celibacy ("VoC" per Jessica) and a rich American (born in Melbourne raised in Georgia) who just bought into the country club she works at. Almost the polar opposite of the first story, these two were swapping more than spit within an hour ofmeeting being locked in the function room together. Great chemistry, great sex (oral on conference table because there's no condoms in the function room), and funny. Austin taking the place of the missing waitress was adorable, but his fascination with vibrators was hot.
Saved by the Mountain Man by Adriana Anders
2/5
Poor "fat" girl escapes lecherous boss and drives off a cliff, is rescued by surly, reclusive, arborist, disabled veteran. Lots of sex is had.
Snow Angel by Tamara Lush
TBR
Grievances and Glitter by Kelly Maher
TBR
All They Want for Christmas by Andie J Christopher
TBR
Stuck by Aisnley Booth
TBR
Have Yourself a Billionaire for Christmas by Tracey Livesay
TBR
Waiting in Vain by Charlotte Stein
TBR
****Nice variety of erotic Christmas short stories all with a "snowed-in" (or in the Southern Hemisphere "locked-in") theme. (My Kobo edition has a different cover and some obvious editing issues, but I shall press on. I like this ornament cover better than the reindeer one, so I'm a little miffed.)
His for the Holiday by HelenKay Dimon
4/5
Second chance M/M story between an anxiety-plagued professor and a former grad student turned professor. Takes place over six years at a college in D.C. and a cabin in Maryland. Jonah is super patient with relationship-shy Cam so it's a slow burn for a novella, but hot once it gets there.
Dysfunctional by Eve Dangerfield
3.5/5
Insta-love M/F story between a down-on-her-luck Australian girl who has taken a vow of celibacy ("VoC" per Jessica) and a rich American (born in Melbourne raised in Georgia) who just bought into the country club she works at. Almost the polar opposite of the first story, these two were swapping more than spit within an hour of
Saved by the Mountain Man by Adriana Anders
2/5
Poor "fat" girl escapes lecherous boss and drives off a cliff, is rescued by surly, reclusive, arborist, disabled veteran. Lots of sex is had.
Snow Angel by Tamara Lush
TBR
Grievances and Glitter by Kelly Maher
TBR
All They Want for Christmas by Andie J Christopher
TBR
Stuck by Aisnley Booth
TBR
Have Yourself a Billionaire for Christmas by Tracey Livesay
TBR
Waiting in Vain by Charlotte Stein
TBR
turophile's review against another edition
Read back in 2018 and just don't remember much.
frahhn's review against another edition
4.0
TLDR; This is a super stand-out anthology and definitely more than worth the money!
His for the Holiday by Helenkay Dimon: A little bit meh for me. I found the story rushed, like Dimon took a novel and chopped out bare essentials to make a novella. I wasn't quite sure what
attracted the characters to one another to begin with--I didn't see them spend any time together honestly, and then suddenly there's a big, unexpected The second half is much stronger than the first, but it still didn't quite recover for me, especially considering it leads the anthology.
Dysfunctional by Eve Dangerfield: Cute, made me laugh out loud, especially the dedication. Dangerfield does a great job in such a short space, a satisfying novella is hard to pull off!! Go Eve!
Saved by the Mountain Man by Adriana Anders: Didn't love the hero, during his POV he kept thinking about how long he's gone without sex and intimacy but in generic terms and it felt kinda meh when the heroine was thinking very specifically about him. Another rush job perhaps? Also, he The ending was very romantic and I think this would have been excellent as a whole novel rather than a novella.
Snow Angel by Tamara Lush: Ah, the childhood friends trope, not a personal fav but well done here! I was a little nervous we were going to get a very tired trope but instead Also, I cackled out loud during the climax of the novella, I had such a great time, it was very funny. Lush also gave a nice touch of intricate family dynamics, flushing out the characters while still keeping the focus on their relationship. Another great novella! The hero has two siblings and I cannot wait to catch their books next!
Grievences and Glitter by Kelly Maher: Enjoyed this a lot! A rocker/mathematician (i love romance novels) and a successful lawyer, some family stress and hope.
Have Yourself a Billionaire for Christmas by Tracey Livesay: I was excited to see a biracial heroine even if it doesn't quite come up until the end, unfortunately I hated the hero. He was pretty believable but not romantic.
All They Want for Christmas by Andie J. Christopher: I love a well-done M/M/F ! This was definitely rushed but it had good enough bones that I was willing to overlook that, one of my favorites from the anthology!!
Stuck by Ainsley Booth: I'm not one for second chance romances (and tbh this anthology is big on that) but I loved this story! I just felt...great as it was ending, very warm and hopeful. I definitely will be seeking out more from this author.
Waiting in Vain by Charlotte Stein: Here's the thing, I definitely bought this anthology just for this story, but I am almost 100% positive it's a re-release, and I am equally sure I don't care! I am a Charlotte Stein stan and will be until the end of time, probably. God, I love her writing so much!! All the feelings you just feel so wrecked in the absolute best way. Loved it!
His for the Holiday by Helenkay Dimon: A little bit meh for me. I found the story rushed, like Dimon took a novel and chopped out bare essentials to make a novella. I wasn't quite sure what
attracted the characters to one another to begin with--I didn't see them spend any time together honestly, and then suddenly there's a big, unexpected
Spoiler
time jump. One hero pines for six years!!! And comes back after all that time to try again when they never really got to try once!! He takes a semi-permanent job to try again! The other hero is pining too, so it's not like sadly one sided. There are actual important issues to be worked out!Dysfunctional by Eve Dangerfield: Cute, made me laugh out loud, especially the dedication. Dangerfield does a great job in such a short space, a satisfying novella is hard to pull off!! Go Eve!
Saved by the Mountain Man by Adriana Anders: Didn't love the hero, during his POV he kept thinking about how long he's gone without sex and intimacy but in generic terms and it felt kinda meh when the heroine was thinking very specifically about him. Another rush job perhaps? Also, he
Spoiler
saves her from an incredibly traumatic wreck and she kind of couples this with some hero worship that definitely would need to be unpacked for me to believe the HEA.Snow Angel by Tamara Lush: Ah, the childhood friends trope, not a personal fav but well done here! I was a little nervous we were going to get a very tired trope but instead
Spoiler
he's the virgin who didn't seem to want anyone but her, AND he's not toxic and upset about her sexual experience.Grievences and Glitter by Kelly Maher: Enjoyed this a lot! A rocker/mathematician (i love romance novels) and a successful lawyer, some family stress and hope.
Have Yourself a Billionaire for Christmas by Tracey Livesay: I was excited to see a biracial heroine even if it doesn't quite come up until the end, unfortunately I hated the hero. He was pretty believable but not romantic.
All They Want for Christmas by Andie J. Christopher: I love a well-done M/M/F ! This was definitely rushed but it had good enough bones that I was willing to overlook that, one of my favorites from the anthology!!
Stuck by Ainsley Booth: I'm not one for second chance romances (and tbh this anthology is big on that) but I loved this story! I just felt...great as it was ending, very warm and hopeful. I definitely will be seeking out more from this author.
Waiting in Vain by Charlotte Stein: Here's the thing, I definitely bought this anthology just for this story, but I am almost 100% positive it's a re-release, and I am equally sure I don't care! I am a Charlotte Stein stan and will be until the end of time, probably. God, I love her writing so much!! All the feelings you just feel so wrecked in the absolute best way. Loved it!
fictionbrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Some 5* stories from my favorite authors balanced out with a couple 3* (and maybe one 2*). Those are better averages than most of my recent anthology reading.
bookjunkie57's review
4.0
*This review is only for Stuck as the individual book is not listed on Storygraph yet
Stuck
Secrets and Lies, Book .5
I Picked Up This Book Because: Blurb sounded good.
Media Type: eBook
Source: Amazon/Kindle
Dates Read: 8/11/21 - 8/14/21
Stars: 4 Stars
The Characters:
Sam:
Hazel :
The Story:
Sam and Hazel have an interesting history. I’m excited to see what their future brings
The Random Thoughts:
Stuck
Secrets and Lies, Book .5
I Picked Up This Book Because: Blurb sounded good.
Media Type: eBook
Source: Amazon/Kindle
Dates Read: 8/11/21 - 8/14/21
Stars: 4 Stars
The Characters:
Sam:
Hazel :
The Story:
Sam and Hazel have an interesting history. I’m excited to see what their future brings
The Random Thoughts:
firewhiskeyreader's review
4.0
His for the Holiday by Helen Kay Dimon - 2 stars
Usually I love Dimon's writing, but something about this story just really did not work for me. It's a m/m romance though and I do appreciate that it was included.
Dysfunctional by Eve Dangerfield - 3 stars
I absolutely loved the snarky heroine, but I don't buy the HEA for this couple. I'm not totally sold that they'll have an HFN longer than a few weeks.
Saved by the Mountain Man by Adrianna Anders - 4 stars
The premise of this novella is wild (our hero saves her by pulling her out of her car that once she's out topples over the cliff!) but Anders writes it in a way that I was glued to my Kindle the entire time. Also, I really would like a full length Anders novel in my future.
Snow Angel by Tamara Lush - 4.5 stars
Oh my goodness, this reunited childhood friends turned lovers thing absolutely blew me away. It's quite sexy and the hero is a virgin who does not care at all that our heroine is very much not. It's the small things.
Grievances and Glitter by Kelly Maher - 5 stars
I loved this one. Tina and Jericho had an explosive one night stand about a year ago and now they're snowed in together. It's fantastic.
Have Yourself a Billionaire for Christmas by Tracey Livesay - 4.5 stars
While I wasn't sold on the hero, this novella says something about philanthropy and millennials that made me talk about it to an IRL friend, which I think says a lot. Livesay weaves in themes of social justice with ease and really left me cheering for these two characters.
All They Want for Christmas by Andie J. Christopher - 3 stars
In a full length novel, I think I would have loved this, but instead I felt like this polyamorous book really left me wondering if these three are really going to make it. I just wanted more. (It is super steamy and great though so maybe just go in expecting something a little different than me?)
Stuck by Ainsley Booth - 3 stars
I liked this one, but there was something about it that kept me from being totally on board and I can't say much without spoiling this one. It's a really fun reveal so I don't want to do that.
Waiting in Vain by Charlotte Stein - 4 stars
Hi, yes, a full length novel please? Written in classic Stein form, this short story follows a woman who is at her brother's in-law's for Christmas, again, because he is her only family. Well, one of the in-laws is finally making a move on our heroine and it is super sexy. I really enjoyed this one.
Usually I love Dimon's writing, but something about this story just really did not work for me. It's a m/m romance though and I do appreciate that it was included.
Dysfunctional by Eve Dangerfield - 3 stars
I absolutely loved the snarky heroine, but I don't buy the HEA for this couple. I'm not totally sold that they'll have an HFN longer than a few weeks.
Saved by the Mountain Man by Adrianna Anders - 4 stars
The premise of this novella is wild (our hero saves her by pulling her out of her car that once she's out topples over the cliff!) but Anders writes it in a way that I was glued to my Kindle the entire time. Also, I really would like a full length Anders novel in my future.
Snow Angel by Tamara Lush - 4.5 stars
Oh my goodness, this reunited childhood friends turned lovers thing absolutely blew me away. It's quite sexy and the hero is a virgin who does not care at all that our heroine is very much not. It's the small things.
Grievances and Glitter by Kelly Maher - 5 stars
I loved this one. Tina and Jericho had an explosive one night stand about a year ago and now they're snowed in together. It's fantastic.
Have Yourself a Billionaire for Christmas by Tracey Livesay - 4.5 stars
While I wasn't sold on the hero, this novella says something about philanthropy and millennials that made me talk about it to an IRL friend, which I think says a lot. Livesay weaves in themes of social justice with ease and really left me cheering for these two characters.
All They Want for Christmas by Andie J. Christopher - 3 stars
In a full length novel, I think I would have loved this, but instead I felt like this polyamorous book really left me wondering if these three are really going to make it. I just wanted more. (It is super steamy and great though so maybe just go in expecting something a little different than me?)
Stuck by Ainsley Booth - 3 stars
I liked this one, but there was something about it that kept me from being totally on board and I can't say much without spoiling this one. It's a really fun reveal so I don't want to do that.
Waiting in Vain by Charlotte Stein - 4 stars
Hi, yes, a full length novel please? Written in classic Stein form, this short story follows a woman who is at her brother's in-law's for Christmas, again, because he is her only family. Well, one of the in-laws is finally making a move on our heroine and it is super sexy. I really enjoyed this one.
bandherbooks's review
5.0
I love when I can find romance stories that embrace both the spirit of the holiday seasons along with a nice dose of raunchiness. This anthology features a wonderful selection of authors, some new to me and some well loved, all writing stories with characters who are "snowed-in" and fall in love.
My only mild grievance the utter lack of Reindeer names for characters. Missed opportunity, hah!
I especially enjoyed the following:
Eve Dangerfield's Dysfunctional, featuring a country club waitress having some sexy times with a customer after being locked into a meeting room.
ALL THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS by Andie J. Christopher. I loved this story of second-chances and expanding personal boundaries when three people come together to form the perfect relationship. So naughty!
STUCK by Ainsley Booth had a perfect surprise moment for me, and perfectly capture the "what-if" feeling of getting a second chance with someone who broke your heart.
My only mild grievance the utter lack of Reindeer names for characters. Missed opportunity, hah!
I especially enjoyed the following:
Eve Dangerfield's Dysfunctional, featuring a country club waitress having some sexy times with a customer after being locked into a meeting room.
ALL THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS by Andie J. Christopher. I loved this story of second-chances and expanding personal boundaries when three people come together to form the perfect relationship. So naughty!
STUCK by Ainsley Booth had a perfect surprise moment for me, and perfectly capture the "what-if" feeling of getting a second chance with someone who broke your heart.
More...