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A review by lauriereadsrom1
Christmas Chaos by Kelly Kay, Evie Alexander
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Six strangers become unlikely friends after getting stuck in an airport lounge together. This book follows two of those characters through interconnected novellas as they live out their HEAs while navigating a few unexpected disasters. Both stories made me snort laugh, but I also shed a few tears along the way.
In the first story, Alexander's "No Way in a Manger," change is coming to Kinloch: Zoe is expecting a baby, and Rory's not ready. He's terrified that he will follow in his father's footsteps and be a terrible parent. As if preparing for a baby weren't enough, Zoe has thrown herself into plans for an elaborate Christmas celebration at the castle, and it's almost more than the two of them can handle - especially after Rory's mom and her new husband, wacky actor Brad, decide to lend their "help." Will Rory make it through the holidays with his wits intact?
It still amazes me how big, tough, grumpy Rory just melts for Zoe. His love for her is so pure, and all he wants to do is protect her, even though she's strong enough to stand on her own and doesn't need his protection. They really are #couplegoals! They went through a lot in this story, but after a lot of laughs (and a few tears), they ended up in exactly the perfect place.
In the second story, Kay's "No Crib and No Bed," Tabi and Bax desperately need a break after multiple miscarriages and failed rounds of fertility treatments, as well as losing their beloved foster kids. As much as they love being Aunt Tabi and Uncle Bax, spending time around so many pregnant women and young children feels too difficult for them right now, so they've decided to take a 3-week vacation in Brazil rather than spend Christmas with their extended families. The plan gets derailed when their ramshackle old farmhouse collapses - with them inside - on the same night they learn that they've been chosen as adoptive parents for a baby due to be born at any moment. They're thrilled, terrified, and totally unprepared, but it seems as if Tabi and Bax are about to realize their dream of being parents after all.
I definitely shed some (happy) tears while reading this story. Sometimes good things really do happen to good people - even if those people happen to be fictional. Bax and Tabi's zany relatives added the perfect touch of humor to the story while still managing to come through for them when they needed help the most. Like Rory and Zoe, Bax and Tabi went through a lot in this story, but I loved where they ended up.
I can't recommend "Christmas Chaos" highly enough for all romantic comedy fans. I look forward to whatever Kay and Alexander write next. (Sidenote: I couldn't help but notice a reference to this series as "Volume 1" of the Holiday Disasters series. I hope that means there will be a Volume 2 in the future because this collaboration has been such a delight!)
*Review copy provided by the authors. All opinions expressed are my own.
CW: Pregnancy; Miscarriage; Infertility
In the first story, Alexander's "No Way in a Manger," change is coming to Kinloch: Zoe is expecting a baby, and Rory's not ready. He's terrified that he will follow in his father's footsteps and be a terrible parent. As if preparing for a baby weren't enough, Zoe has thrown herself into plans for an elaborate Christmas celebration at the castle, and it's almost more than the two of them can handle - especially after Rory's mom and her new husband, wacky actor Brad, decide to lend their "help." Will Rory make it through the holidays with his wits intact?
It still amazes me how big, tough, grumpy Rory just melts for Zoe. His love for her is so pure, and all he wants to do is protect her, even though she's strong enough to stand on her own and doesn't need his protection. They really are #couplegoals! They went through a lot in this story, but after a lot of laughs (and a few tears), they ended up in exactly the perfect place.
In the second story, Kay's "No Crib and No Bed," Tabi and Bax desperately need a break after multiple miscarriages and failed rounds of fertility treatments, as well as losing their beloved foster kids. As much as they love being Aunt Tabi and Uncle Bax, spending time around so many pregnant women and young children feels too difficult for them right now, so they've decided to take a 3-week vacation in Brazil rather than spend Christmas with their extended families. The plan gets derailed when their ramshackle old farmhouse collapses - with them inside - on the same night they learn that they've been chosen as adoptive parents for a baby due to be born at any moment. They're thrilled, terrified, and totally unprepared, but it seems as if Tabi and Bax are about to realize their dream of being parents after all.
I definitely shed some (happy) tears while reading this story. Sometimes good things really do happen to good people - even if those people happen to be fictional. Bax and Tabi's zany relatives added the perfect touch of humor to the story while still managing to come through for them when they needed help the most. Like Rory and Zoe, Bax and Tabi went through a lot in this story, but I loved where they ended up.
I can't recommend "Christmas Chaos" highly enough for all romantic comedy fans. I look forward to whatever Kay and Alexander write next. (Sidenote: I couldn't help but notice a reference to this series as "Volume 1" of the Holiday Disasters series. I hope that means there will be a Volume 2 in the future because this collaboration has been such a delight!)
*Review copy provided by the authors. All opinions expressed are my own.
CW: Pregnancy; Miscarriage; Infertility
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy