#BookReview ~ A Quarterback for Christmas by Linda West ~ #SportsRomance #Romance #Football #Christmas

When pro quarterback Nash Jordan tears his ACL, he gets drafted to his hometown team the Buffalo Bills. Humiliated, broken and in need of healing, he finds the perfect solution to his problem is the girl that broke his heart...

Title: A QUARTERBACK FOR CHRISTMAS

Author: Linda West

Publisher: Independent

Publish Date: October 14, 2025

Pages: 177

Genre: Holiday Romance

Format: Kindle / FREE on Kindle Unlimited

About the Book:

He’s Buffalo’s hometown hero. She’s the one who got away. When fate and a little Christmas magic bring them back together, love might just score the biggest comeback of all.

When Buffalo’s hometown quarterback Nash Jordan gets traded back just before Christmas, his career—and his heart—are both on thin ice. A lingering injury threatens his future, until help arrives in the most unexpected form: Eden Landers, the woman he never stopped loving.

Eden’s a talented chef with a hint of magic in her kitchen, and healing others is what she does best. But moving into Nash’s guest house to help him recover stirs up more than old memories. Between snowstorms, laughter, and late-night meals, love begins to simmer again.

Can they trust each other enough for a second chance? Or will fear and fame keep them apart once more?

Heartwarming, wholesome, and full of Christmas cheer, A Quarterback for Christmas is a cozy holiday romance about love, forgiveness, and finding your way home.

My Review:

A Quarterback for Christmas is a delightful sports romance filled with magic. The story is filled with misunderstandings, longing, and hopefulness. I love the second chance romance trope and this story delivers. I really loved Sir Wolfgang. He has his own sections at the end of some of the chapters and love his POV. As a Michigander, it was exciting to "watch" the Superbowl in this story. I may not be a sports fan but I still love it when my state is represented.

This is a heartwarming tale that kept me entertained from the very beginning.

Previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 

The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

A Quarterback for Christmas is available at Amazon.

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#BookReview ~ Holiday Hideaway Mary Kay Andrews ~ #HolidayRomance #ChildhoodAcquaintancesToLovers

 

From New York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews comes a charming holiday romance about a newly single thirtysomething whose unauthorized vacation rental turns into a hilarious game of hide-and-seek when the new owner unexpectedly shows up.

ASIN: ‎ B0D3J6GLD9
Publisher: ‎ Amazon Original Stories
Publication date: ‎ October 29, 2024

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About the Book:

Tilly Farriday isn’t feeling very jolly this season. Recently divorced and broke, she’s squatting in one of her rental agency’s properties until her new home is ready. The sprinkles on top of the burnt Christmas cookie that is her life? The new owner shows up early, forcing Tilly to hide in the attic to save her job…and what remains of her dignity.

George Holloway is here to sell his granduncle’s house—and to reconsider whether he and his fiancée are right for each other. Amid home repairs, George notices strange noises and missing food, but as much as he gets his rental agent on the phone, Tilly dodges every invitation to meet. He’s sure that someone’s here with him, and it’s certainly not the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, or Future.

As Tilly and George circle each other, they both wonder where their lives are headed and if, maybe, meeting each other is just the Christmas miracle they need.

My  Review:

Holiday Hideaway is a cute novella with a winter/Christmas setting. The premise is interesting but almost not believable. A woman loses everything to her ex-husband in court and in order to survive until her new apartment is ready, she jeopardizes her job by staying in one of the rental properties her company manages. The home has been empty for at least a year so Tilly "moves" in temporarily until said homeowner shows up unannounced. Tilly scampers to the attic in hopes that whomever it is will leave so she can go about her squatting life. Except, he doesn't and Tilly finds herself in quite the predicament. 

Fortunately, while story seems a bit farfetched, I understand that this is a work of fiction. I was able to quickly suspend my disbelief and enjoy the story for what it's for and about. Tilly is a great character. She's spontaneous, impulsive, and doesn't think about consequences, otherwise she wouldn't be living in an empty home she doesn't own that just happens to be managed by her place of employment. George  is a great character too. He's there to get the property ready for sale but deep down, his escape from Boston is for a different reason. He just needs a old high school friend who is caring and considerate to pop back into his life in order for him to see a path to a better future than the road he's on currently.

I enjoyed this short holiday read with a light mix of romance. It was a very quick read. The book has some humor and snark, conflict and unhappiness, but is also lighthearted, with a childhood friends/acquaintances to lovers romance woven in between the pages. I like the author's writing style, the quick world-building for both Tilly and George, and the character development. 

While I'm familiar with this author, Holiday Hideaway is the first book of hers that I've read. I'll be grabbing some of her other work in-between other commitments.

I obtained an ecopy of this book through my Amazon Prime membership.

My Rating:

#BookReview ~ Inherited Holiday by M. Robinson ~ #mrobinson #nowavailable #nowlive #newrelease #grumpysunshine #smalltown #holidayromance #newbookalert

Inherited Holiday

M. Robinson

Release Date: November 21

About the Book:

Bah freaking humbug.

I hate Christmas—always have, always will. From the gaudy trees to the over-the-top decorations and the traditions everyone clings to like they’re sacred.

Particularly my family.

They own Mistletoe Town—a Hallmark movie come to life and a place most people only dream about. Thanks to an unexpected inheritance from my great-grandfather, it’s my personal nightmare.

I’m stuck running this Christmas-obsessed town with an avalanche of memories I’ve spent thirteen years trying to forget.

But it’s not just the town I abandoned… it’s her.

And no matter how much I play the Scrooge, I’m about to find out some ghosts from the past can’t be ignored—or outrun.

Especially now that she’s my sweet new employee, baking spirits merry and bright.

If I want to stay off the naughty list, I have to learn how to play nice.

And let go of the past.

My Review:

Inherited Holiday is a steamy, second chance, holiday romance.

Noelle Woods moved to Mistletoe Town when she was fourteen. Her very first friend was Nicholas Saint Clair, grandson of the town's owner. They were best friends, right up until he left Mistletoe Town and didn't look back. Now that his grandfather has willed Mistletoe Town to him, Nicholas returns to take over running a town that lives for the very holiday he hates - Christmas.

The first thing Nicholas wants to do when he returns is rekindle his friendship with Noelle. However, Noelle is resistant. He hurt her when he left and didn't keep in touch. I love their second chance at love, which they both are in but deny it through much of the story. 

Noelle and Nicholas are wonderful characters. I love their banter, flirting, and ever so electric interactions. Their chemistry is off the charts and so evident from the first second of their reconnection. The author created a magical setting, likable characters, and a plot that pulls the reader in and keeps them engaged. This book is a unique spin on Christmas.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Grab Your Copy:

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#BookReview ~ Santa Maybe by Carla Luna ~ @casacullen @rararesources ~ #HolidayRomance #SantaMaybe #Santa #Christmas #Fauxmance

Santa Maybe

About the Book:

Have yourself a merry little fauxmance—with a dashing Santa who just might make it real.

Rosie Gonzalez isn’t having a wonderful Christmas time. Not when she’s at risk of losing her job as assistant manager of the Duchess—Victoria’s oldest boutique hotel. If she and her team can’t bring in more guests by the end of December, she’ll be let go. Adding to her stress is a calendar filled with family gatherings where her mom will inevitably nag her for still being single.

Drew Richardson isn’t faring much better. As if working alongside his ex at Northlife Fitness wasn’t bad enough, now she’s invited him to her December wedding. And since all his coworkers will be there, bailing isn’t an option. To get through it, he’ll need a plus-one for moral support.

So, when Rosie recruits him to play Santa for her hotel’s activities, he also proposes a fake-dating scheme to benefit them both. Just for the holidays—nothing more. But as things between them turn from nice to naughty, they’ll have to decide whether a real relationship could be the best Christmas gift of all.

My Review:

Santa Maybe is a cute and fun holiday fauxmance. Rosie and Drew are fantastic characters. Her job is on the line unless she can increase occupancy at her boutique hotel by Christmas. He's been invited to his ex's wedding and doesn't want to show up without a date. 

Part of Rosie's plan to increase hotel numbers involves family activities including events with Santa. Drew makes a great Santa and he's totally in but has a request of his own. Rosie is going to be his plus-one to his ex's wedding. There has been a connection between Rosie and Drew since their first meeting, Unfortunately, any potential relationship is waylaid when Drew started dating a co-worker. When they come back together, we get a spectacular story about friendship, support, and love.

Drew, Rosie, and her friends, family, and coworkers are fantastic, well-developed, and written well. The world was well crafted and I was able to visualize the story. There are other themes threaded throughout the book providing an additional layer of realism. I'm excited to read the next book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Purchase Link:

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#BookReview ~ Merry Kissmas by Piper Rayne ~ Close Proximity, Holiday Romance, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance Romance @PiperRayneRocks

About the Book:

Six years ago, he was her one-night stand, and now they’re sharing a villa for the holidays.

I thought I was over him. That his good looks and British accent couldn’t affect me anymore. But the minute our eyes lock across the elevator, all those feelings come roaring back to life.

Then I find out we’re competing for the same job.

Next comes the realization that we have to spend a week together on a ski vacation because of some six-degree-of-separation nonsense.

The real kicker is when I find out the two of us have to share a villa. A very small, very cozy villa.

Needless to say, this Christmas getaway is starting off rockier than the mountains we’ll be skiing down.

I’ve stayed away for years, what’s one week? But I forgot how much easier it is to ignore him with an ocean separating us—especially when he’s determined to win me back.

My Review:

Her one-night-stand  reappears in her life after six long and lonely years.

Merry Kissmas reunites two lovers who were never the same after their one-night-stand. During her semester abroad, Brynn connects with a stranger and she spends a glorious weekend with him. When she shows up to class the following Monday, Pierce is also in the same class as Brynn. To both of their surprises though, she's the student and he's the TA. 

Six years later they meet again by happenstance and it seems like fate has things all planned out. They are competing for the same job, which is uncomfortable and highly unlikely. Especially since Pierce is British, Brynn is from Oregon, and the job is in New York. What are the odds?! Then comes the vacation destination and Pierce's previously unknown ties to Brynn's family.

I really enjoyed this close proximity, second chance romance. Brynn and Pierce are terrific characters. They were perfect for each other from their first interaction. Brynn was understandably hurt by Pierce's actions six years ago, but Pierce has made it known that he wants to right the wrong and get her back. He blends perfectly into her family, who nudge Brynn into making really thinking about her happiness and if Pierce fits.

Merry Kissmas is cute, cozy, Christmasy, competitive, and a bit steamy! I could not put the book down, and enjoyed this holiday novel. Brynn and Pierce are fun to get to know. I love seeing Brynn loosen up while celebrating Christmas with her family and Pierce. The chemistry between Brynn and Pierce is off the charts and I loved watching their relationship blossom.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Download today on Amazon

Meet Piper Rayne:

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write "heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle" about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

Connect with Piper Rayne:

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

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#BookReview ~ Once Upon A Christmas Tree by Lulu Moore ~ #HolidayRomance #VacationRomance #OppositesAttract

A swoony, one night stand, holiday, vacation romance by bestselling author, Lulu Moore

About the Book:

Alexander, Lord Burlington, hates the holidays.

But duty calls. This year he's willing to set his feelings aside for the sake of his eldest brother who's just been left at the altar - sending shockwaves through British high society - as they escape London for the snow capped mountains of Aspen.

However, it soon becomes obvious that Colorado in December wasn't the best place to go for someone who usually out-grinches The Grinch.

Haven Wylder has spent the last four years paying off debts her parents left when they died. Between working on her ranch, or in her Christmas store and taking on every other job she can, there's been no time for fun. But if there's one thing guaranteed to put a smile on her face it's the holidays and the annual gingerbread decorating competition.

What she wasn't expecting was the tall, handsome stranger with the accent to die for who, *gasp*, hates Christmas.

It doesn't take long for Haven to start changing Alex's mind. It has nothing to do with her berry red lips and glossy caramel curls tumbling down her back or her big doe eyes as green as the Christmas trees she’s selling. Or the way she fills out her jeans.

None at all.

Alexander will never not despise Christmas, but a fling with Haven Wylder might be just the thing to make it a little more bearable. That is... if he can leave her and their unforgettable connection behind.

My Review:

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is written with a few different, perfectly matched tropes. My favorite is the opposites attract trope. I love them all - Holiday Romance, Vacation Romance, ONS (one-night stand) but these two main characters are polar opposites when it comes to...

...Christmas.

Alexander is one of four Lord Burlingtons from across the pond, who are in Aspen, Colorado. They came to America as the support system for their oldest brother, the Duke of Burlington, after his wedding is called off. Christmas is Alex's most hated holiday. Leaving home and traveling over 4,000 miles away seems like a good idea at first. Alex won't have to spend the holidays at home dredging up old memories. He wasn't expecting to walk straight into Christmas town.

Haven loves Christmas. She grew up with parents who loved Christmas so much they built their own Christmas tree farm and Christmas store. Her parents might be gone now but she's been maintaining and building their legacy. Catching up on a mountain of bills and keeping the farm and store running have left her with very little time to have fun. Until Alexander wanders into the bar where she's working.

Haven and Alex hit it off from their very first interaction. Drawn like moths to flames, they seek each other other whenever in the same location. Their chemistry is palpable, their thoughts, and eventual actions, are steamy, and they can't stay away, which sucks because they only have a week to explore one another. And that's exactly what they do. I hope we get more of Haven and Alexander in this series because I'm not finished with them.

The supporting characters (I'm looking at you Saylor, Miles, and Hendricks) are fantastic. I love all of them. Lando is cool too but just coming off of a cancelled wedding does not a fun character make him. He is, however, written wonderfully as a man who is broken inside, and has every right to be.

I've never read anything by Lulu Moore until now and I can't believe it's taken me this long. I love the author's writing style. This story is well-written, has spectacular character development, and enjoyable world-building. I felt like I was right in Aspen with them. The book is fast-paced, enjoyable, and engaging. I was was pulled right into the book by the synopsis and the author's storytelling.

I can't wait for the rest of this series to kick-off!

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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#Review ~ Claus and Effect by Piper Rayne ~ @PiperRayneRocks #HolidayRomance #Romance @valentine_pr_

Claus and Effect by Piper Rayne is now live!

Two strangers who couldn’t be more opposite find themselves on an unexpected cross-country road trip days before Christmas where whatever can go wrong, does.

He’s an Army Ranger.

She’s a baker.

He’s organized and rigid.

She’s messy and carefree.

He doesn’t do relationships.

She’s following her heart.

His family chat blows up his phone.

She just buried her last living relative.

The holiday season doesn’t seem so jolly as they venture from one mode of transportation to the next. But, they have to become friends and rely on each other if they’re going to survive all the obstacles thrown their way.

As the miles grow shorter, vulnerabilities are shared, and by the time they reach their destination, neither one of them is sure what they really want for Christmas anymore.

My Review:

Military and down-on-her-luck collide during a trip across the country.

Claus and Effect takes the reader on a wild ride across the country involving two strangers on a plane, in a car, and via train. Tessa is chasing love across the country and Tre is going home after being on active duty. Enter one disaster after another as both try to go from the east coast to the west coast. Forced together due to several unfortunate events, this couple of opposites find themselves traveling together to get to their destinations before Christmas.

This book is a stand-alone novel but ties back to Single and Ready to Jingle. We get to see the two main characters from SaRtJ, one of whom just happens to be Tessa’s bestie, but the interaction is light.

I love the opposites attract trope. Tessa and Tre were clearly not right for each other upon first meeting. Everything about them screamed oil and water. However, that’s the beauty of this story. Tessa and Tre were in a forced proximity scenario, without a lot of input from people they knew (which we all know can be good sometimes, but also causes a lot of problems), allowing them to really open up to one another (eventually). When they are forced to share modes of transportation, they find they are more compatible than they first though.

Tessa and Tre are fun to get to know. Coming from different familiar structures, I wasn’t sure how things would pan out, but the authors did a wonderful job creating, developing, and drawing them out. While the timespan of the story is short, they both grow and develop throughout the pages, and I love seeing them together. The chemistry between them is off the charts.

My Rating:

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

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Audio Narrated by: Lee Samuels & Brooke Bloomingdale

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Meet Piper Rayne:

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write "heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle" about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

Connect with Piper Rayne:

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

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