Audiobook Review: A Christmas Truce by Emma Bennet

Author: Emma Bennet

Narrator: Stephanie Racine
Title: A Christmas Truce

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 20, 2023
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Photographer Libby just got fired. Again . Then she gets home early to find her boyfriend in bed with another woman. And just like that, her dreams of a Christmas Day proposal are shattered.

Libby lands a new job as a personal assistant to enigmatic businessman Seth Coleman. He’s terse and demanding — it’s no wonder Libby keeps messing up.

Then one day an adorable Golden Retriever puppy is delivered to the house. As Libby helps Seth train Barney, she realizes that there’s a surprisingly sweet side to this CEO . . .

But everything goes wrong when Libby finds out that Seth’s company just bought the community centre where they’ve been training Barney. It’s not only puppy classes, it’s a lifeline for the whole village. Libby is devastated when Seth says it’s ‘just business’. So she packs her bags.

Until disaster strikes and Libby is forced to spend her favourite time of the year with a man who doesn’t even own tinsel. It’s up to Libby to bring some much-needed Christmas spirit. Starting with a truce, since they’re going to be stuck together whether they like it or not.

But Libby might just find magic under the mistletoe after all if she can encourage Seth to open his heart to Christmas . . .

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this little number, and it was short and Christmas-y...so why not?

Here, we follow Libby, who simply can't catch a break. She has just been fired...again...and found out her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Christmas is around the corner! What can she do? She is in luck...she lands a nice assistant job to a famous businessman, Seth. Catch is she has to live onsite and deal with his grumpy and particular ways. One day, he buys a dog without a warning to Libby. She teams up with Seth to train this dog. Could this dog change the overly serious and grumpy Seth? Maybe, just maybe, there will be a Christmas miracle.

This was very sweet. Seth is for sure a grump, but he has a heart of gold. He donates a lot of money and does a lot for his staff. I loved Seth, and I got his mindset about buying the community center. It was up for sale, so why not?

Libby is super judgey and not reliable. She seems like a nice girl, but damn she is ready to quit after EVERYTHING. Like, dude. Nothing is perfect...grow up. She really needed to grow up seriously. I'm obviously not Team Libby.

BUT I did like that Libby and Seth are super flawed, and they seem to balance each other out really well. It was lovely seeing them find a balance professionally and then personally. Their Christmas hangout was sweet.

BARNEY was the true star of the show. Loved that lil puppers.

The narrator was alright. All the girl voices sounded the same, and all the guy voices sounded the same, so you have to really pay attention.

In the end, I did enjoy this. Some moments made me roll my eyes, but it was a nice holiday read. I'll give this 4 stars.

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #60

Audiobook Review: Sweet as Sin by JT Geissinger

Author: JT Geissinger

Narrator: Teri Clark Linden
Title: Sweet as Sin

Series: Bad Habit #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: July 14, 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Twentysomething Kat Reid is loving life as an in-demand Hollywood makeup artist. She has absolutely no interest in rock ’n’ roll, but in order to pay the mortgage, she agrees to work on the set of a rock video for the world-famous rockers known as Bad Habit…which brings her face-to-face with Nico Nyx, lead singer of Bad Habit and Adonis in the flesh.

However, the fiercely independent Kat isn’t impressed by the hard-living, womanizing rock star. But when Nico’s model girlfriend shows up to the set drunk and Kat is tapped to replace her as the video’s sexy bride, her combustible chemistry with Nico suddenly threatens to consume the set. Nico feels it, too—and becomes determined to win Kat over, body and soul. Yet behind his rock god swagger, Nico hides a dark secret. Can he rock Kat’s world forever, or will he just break her heart?

Review:

Yayy! Last book of this reading challenge! And look at that!!! Waaaay before the end of the year. ;)

Here we follow Kat Reid who is an in-demand Hollywood makeup artist. She has seen the underbelly of the Hollywood and music world and she wants no real part in it, but she likes doing makeup and paying her bills. Last minute she is dragged into being in a rock video with Bad Habit. This brings her face-to-face with Nico Nyx...the lead singer. She has no real interest (yes, he looks like a Greek God) but he is determined to make her his. 

I do not think I like rock stars. I've read a couple over the years and they aren't my favorite. Mmmmmm. 

I especially wasn't a huge fan of Nico. He is pushy and possessive. Oh and his temper? Eh. LOTS of red flags with this fella. Yes, he has trauma from his past and the secrets he's holding, but that doesn't excuse a lot of his behaviors. KAT RUUUUUUUN! That boy needs some serious help. I love a bad boy, but there were a lot of things that I didn't like. 

Kat also has some issues, but I wouldn't consider her a red flag. Her biggest thing is fear of commitment and people-pleasing. 

Some of the band mates seem okay. The next book is about one that also seems to have red flag vibes. I may stop while I'm ahead. 

The narrator did a good job. 

But yes....maybe not for me. The drama was fun but I couldn't really get past the worrisome red flags. 

2 stars. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #59

- Romance Reading #25 (MC is a rockstar)

Book Review: Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Title: Dime Store Magic

Series: Otherworld #3

Genre: Paranormal Romance, UF, Fantasy

Format: ebook

Pages: 448

Published: February 10, 2004

Where I got It: Library

Summary: 

Paige Winterbourne was always either too young or too rebellious to succeed her mother as leader of one of the world's most powerful elite organizations- the American Coven of Witches. Now that she is twenty-three and her mother is dead, the Elders can no longer deny her. But even Paige's wildest antics can't hold a candle to those of her new charge- an orphan who is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil... and evil is all too willing to claim her. For this girl is being pursued by a dark faction of the supernatural underworld. They are a vicious group who will do anything to woo the young, malleable, and extremely powerful neophyte, including commit murder- and frame Paige for the crime. It's an initiation into adulthood, womanhood, and the brutal side of magic that Paige will have to do everything within her power to make sure they both survive.

Review:

I put this series on hold yeeeaaaaaarrrrsss ago. I can't remember the precise reason, but I do remember being cautious because the series switched from our clan of werewolves to this witch lady. I get nervous when series do that. 

But yes, we are back in the Otherworld. We follow Paige who no one thinks is good enough to replace her mother one day as the leader of the American Coven of Witches. That one day has arrived and the Elders can no longer deny her. However, things will take a nose-dive when her new charge is presented. This orphan is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil and she is being pursued by a dark faction. Will Paige be able to save her charge and bring her back to the light? Or will darkness consume her. 

Overall, I did enjoy this for what it was. It was nice coming back to this world but I didn't recognize any from the first two books. I mean...it has been years and maybe there was an old face I didn't recall. But I missed our wolves. Witches are fun, but I do prefer wolves and vamps. 

Paige was kinda meh to me. Boring and predictable. I've seen her kind a million times. By the end I was amused with her, but still....meh. 

Savannah was annoying. I get it. She had a tough life and the darkness seems like an easy way. I wanted to smack her. 

Cortez was meh. Boring as well. I couldn't even remember his name. I had to look at another review to remind myself. 

The drama and fights were fun....I will say that. 

In the end, this was just okay. Not my favorite group of heroes. I miss the old crew. 3 stars. 

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #31

Best of November

Here are the best of the bests for November!!!! 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Lake Silence by Anne Bishop

"You know, yes I will choose my re-listen! Best book!"

Carole -  A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong

"This was so unexpectedly good. I loved it! Def the best book!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  Nuremberg (2025)

"Blew my mind. So good."

Blodeuedd - Various Xmas movies

"No time for any other movies than Hallmark Xmas movies. It is the season. So these are not the ones I have watched. I just watch them all"

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Haunted Hotel (s1)

"I watched this one...I am sure there is another one I am forgetting too."

Carole - The Rookie (s7)

"I honestly forgot about this gem. We got back into s7. Nearly done...just a couple episodes left but it was the best of the month."

Best Cover of the Month:

Blodeuedd's pick

 

Carole's pick