2-in-1 Short Story Reviews: Billionaire for Christmas & Home for Christmas

Author: Laurie Baxter

Title: Billionaire for Christmas

Series: Sweet & Swoonworthy Billionaire Rom-Coms #0.5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Short Stories

Format: ebook

Pages: 52

Published: November 1, 2023

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A brilliant billionaire boss. A crush she can’t shake. A Christmas she’ll never forget.

Ivy Steadman is not in love with her boss. Because first of all, technically speaking, she’s an independent contractor, so he’s not her boss. And second of all, she’s way too professional to fall for someone she works with. Someone it’s her job to sell to the public. Someone who only thinks of her as a colleague, or, at best, a friend. Only a fool would fall for their own marketing like that.

Alec Ames is completely in love with his PR Specialist. He’s tried to keep it professional, but there’s no denying the chemistry between him and Ivy. He thinks she just might feel the same way. There’s really only one way to find out.

His plan? Sweep her off her feet at the big holiday party he’s throwing for all the employees. He’s got the perfect night planned, from the lush and elegant Christmas decor to the string quartet ready with her favorite holiday song. What could possibly go wrong?

Review:

Love Xmas shorts. I just don't have time for super long ones during the holiday season. Eeee.

Ivy is trying to not crush on her boss. Alec also is fighting his feelings for his PR specialist. He's tried to keep it professional, but alas...the chemistry is too much. His plan is to sweep her off her feet at the big holiday party he's throwing for all the employees. What could go wrong?

Cringe, but a cute cringe. Does that make sense? LOL the chemistry was there but man....................all around awkward. I get that Alec wanted to impress her, but at the Christmas Party? Weird. 

But they are cute and perfect together. I'm curious to see what is in store for them. I don't think book 1 is about them, but I'm sure we'll see them around and the backlash. 

Cute and slightly awkward. Nice quickie read for the holiday. 

3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Adorkable

Author: Carol Burnside

Title: Home for Christmas

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Short Stories

Format: ebook

Pages: 36

Published: November 26, 2013

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Joseph and Danni were college friends who abandoned their relationship after a flash-hot affair one Christmas weekend. When their paths cross again on another snowy Christmas Eve, fate gives them a rare second chance. Can they push beyond past hurt and finally find a home with each other for Christmas?

Review:

Another short one! 

Joseph and Dannie were college friends who abandoned their relationship after a couple of nights together. One Christmas Eve, fate gives them a second chance to fight through the hurt and finally be together. 

I needed this to be longer. I wanted to maybe see them when they were friends and then fall for each other and then fall apart. I think I would've appreciated them a touch more. I just didn't see it. 

In all honesty....they need therapy before getting back together. They have a LOT of issues.

Lots of talking in this one. I would've loved to see more kissing or something. Eh. It was a nice baseline, but I think this really needed more meat and flesh. 

2 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lackluster

Audiobook Review: Home for Christmas by Melissa McClone

Author: Melissa McClone

Narrator: Loretta Rawlins

Title: Home for Christmas

Series: Bar V5 Dude Ranch #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Western

Format: Audiobook

Published: October 31, 2013

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon...the smells of Christmas. The smells of home.

Rachel Murphy longs for home and family. Since childhood, she's dreamed of owning her own pastry shop, but after being burned by a celebrity chef and losing her new bakery in Arizona, Rachel's spending the holidays with her brother in Montana. To keep her dream alive, she's creating custom gingerbread houses and selling them around town. All she needs is a bigger kitchen...and to stay away from her brother's handsome boss.

Former venture capitalist Nate Vaughn has embraced his inner cowboy and now runs a successful dude ranch where Rachel's brother works. Nate's commercial kitchen is perfect for Rachel's baking needs, and seeing the cute blonde's business acumen, Nate knows she'd be the perfect partner for a new venture. When he makes her an offer she can't refuse, he discovers he's interested in more than her gingerbread.

While Nate could make her dreams come true, Rachel's heart, as well as her head, tells her mixing business with anything else could be a recipe for disaster. Should she return to Arizona, and leave Nate and her new eager-for-more customers behind? Or can Nate convince her that, here with him in the mountains of Montana, she's already home? For Christmas...forever.

Review:

Christmas in March?? Sure. It's snowing outside.

Rachel has had some bad luck. Between crappy exes and ex-friends who too everything from her. She decides to visit her brother in Montana. To keep her dream alive, she's creating custom gingerbread houses and selling them around town. All she needs is a bigger kitchen...and to stay away from her brother's handsome boss. Nate wants to help Rachel succeed and keep her in town...JUST to keep his friend and co-worker to stay in Montana. However, will feelings blossom this Christmas?

This made me miss Xmas. I KNOW, I KNOW. I do want the summer sun, but I miss the Xmas feelings. This for sure does have some good Xmas nuggets. Gingerbread houses, snow, decor, small town, Xmas movie references, and hawt cowboys. Yes indeed. 

I had fun, but this seemed to drag on and on and ON. For being a novella/shorter story it seemed to take forever. Just KISS ALREADY! *shakes fist* But yes, some bits seemed slightly boring. Many scenes could've been slimmed down a bit. 

Besides for that, I liked Nate and I liked Rachel. They were adorable. I am curious about that brother of Rachel's though. He's a good egg who deserves love. Maybe book 2?

The narrator was okay. Her male voices all blended together so you for sure had to pay attention. 

All-in-all, this was very sweet. A cute couple and Xmas feelings. Fun if you need some Xmas joy. Some slow bits there, so be aware of that. 3 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Okay

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #15

- Romance Reading Challenge #11 (Xmas Setting)