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A review by frahhn
Reindeer Games: A Holiday Romance Anthology by Adriana Anders
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!