This Time Next Year: Probably the most heart-warming of the anthology. This story had me rooting for the romance and really loving that moment on the porch a year after!

A Rare Gift: Calliope is the best character in the anthology! She is full of spunk and spice. She knows what she wants and goes after it. Took a bit for me to like Wyatt but you root for Calliope to get what she wants.

It's Not Christmas Without You: Austin and Carrie had the most heart-mending romance in the anthology. While neither character jumped out at me, their story was just heart tugging.

Mistletoe and Margaritas: Overall the best story in the anthology. I love Shannon Stacey's storytelling abilities and can't wait to read more by her.

It's been a while since I read this book and it was a DNF for me. I didn't connect with the characters, the story or the writing style. At the time, it was also a mood thing. I had plans to get back to it, only that never happened. I did purchase a copy of the book though.

I love holiday anthologies and I was excited to read this one because it features authors I’ve read a lot and while I did enjoy it, I found that I had already read two of the stories included in it previously. I’m not disappointed because I always enjoy re-reading books I’ve enjoyed but I guess my warning to readers is, when buying an anthology check to make sure you haven’t read the books before. With novellas by Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon, Alison Kent, and Shannon Stacey you really can’t go wrong and I enjoyed this anthology immensely.
This Time Next Year by Allison Kent 4.5 stars
On her way to spend Christmas with her grandmother before going to Africa as a nurse in a humanitarian relief effort, Brenna Keating finds herself in trouble when her car skids off the road. She is rescued by Dillon Craig, a former Army doctor now living on her grandmother’s mountain and trying to deal with everything he’s seen and done.
This is one of those stories where two people meet, the attraction is unmistakable but they are at different places in their lives. It was hard not to love and admire Dillon, after leaving the military he chose a much different path than most doctors would but for him, it was what he needed to do. A very complicated man trying to make peace with the choices he’s made in his life. Brenna was just so full of life but it was easy to see that she was at a crossroads and was truly torn as to what path to take.
I loved the build up and passion between these two and the fact that Brenna’s grandmother already knew and loved Dillon made this story more special. While short, it was a wonderful story and I would so love to these two again!
A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton 4.0 stars
I’ve enjoyed the books in this series by Jaci Burton and I did like this one but I’m really not sure I could ever date much less have sex with my sister’s ex-husband. I’m not judging and I’m sure there are plenty of women who have dated their sister’s ex but it kind of squiggys me out. Despite that though, this is a sweet yet hot story with very likeable characters and a satisfying ending.
Calliope has been in love with Wyatt since her sister brought him home when she was 15 years old. It’s not like she’s sat back pining for him but with them divorced going on three years, and him working on her day care she’s decided to finally make a move. Wyatt was really put through the wringer during his relationship with Calliope’s sister and while he knows she’s not her sister, he has a hard time separating them in his head. However, the more he sees her and watches her he realizes how different they are. He really tried to stay away knowing he’s much older and way more experienced but Calliope just calls to him. Hot doesn’t begin to describe their intimate moments! Although Calliope is younger, she has a good head on her shoulders and realizes that for Wyatt to truly be happy again he has to confront his past even if she knows it’s not something he wants to do.
Although I’ve read this novella before, I was happy to revisit it again. Jaci Burton always writes sexy stories with heroes you can’t help but love and heroines who can stand their ground and A Rare Gift is a prime example!
It’s Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon 4.0 stars
I’ve loved the Halloway series by HelenKay Dimon but until this anthology I hadn’t read It’s Not Christmas Without You. I’m so excited to finally read Carrie and Austin’s story. A story of a love that has had its ups and downs, a story of a man loving someone enough to let them go but never giving up, a story of a woman who wants it all but doesn’t think she can have it, a story of a couple who finally figures out that true love is worth compromising and fighting for.
When Carrie was offered her dream job of working in a prestigious museum in Washington, D.C. she never questioned if she’d take the job. It was something she’d wanted her whole life. She’s hoped her long time boyfriend, Austin, would understand and offer to go with her but instead he let her go. Now he’s set up a Christmas tree lot across the street from her apartment in hopes of winning her back and in hopes she’ll want to leave the city and return home with him to West Virginia.
It was so evident that despite their obstacles Carrie and Austin loved each other deeply. There was just a connection that you could see and feel between them. I admire Austin for ditching everything to try and make Carrie understand how much he loves her and wants her to be with him.
Unfortunately Austin just didn’t understand how important Carrie’s career is to her. Carrie of course finds it hard to resist Austin’s dedication to her but she knows in her heart that she can’t live the life he wants her to live.
This is one of those stories where I began to wonder if they’d be able to work through their issues. Despite the obvious love for each other, they want every different things out of life and neither one seemed willing to change. It was quite heartbreaking to watch as they realized just how far apart they were on what they want.
I enjoyed this story immensely; it wasn’t easy and both characters had to do a lot of soul searching and both had to come to the realization that what they might want wasn’t exactly good for the other person. While not a light and fluffy read, It’s Not Christmas Without You has a realness about it that makes it a perfect holiday story.
Mistletoe And Margaritas by Shannon Stacey 4.5 stars
I love stories of unrequited love and Mistletoe and Margaritas is a prime example of this theme but with a twist. How do you tell your best friend’s widow that you’ve wanted her since you met her? How do you tell your late husband’s best friend that you want more than the friendship he’s been so kind to offer? I really felt for both Claire and Justin because they haven’t done anything wrong but they both feel they are betraying Brendan with their thoughts and putting the past behind you is something they both are beginning to realize they must do.
This is one of those books that you can’t help but root for the couple to figure things out. They both have good intentions, they both have valid concerns for not pursing their feelings but you can just feel the sexual and emotional tension burning between them. It was so hard reading how much their actions affected them and how much they beat themselves up for them. With help from a very unlikely source, they managed to find their way to each other but it was an emotional and hard journey for them both.
It’s never easy to get past the death of a loved one, but Mistletoe and Margaritas showed that sometimes you just have to let go and accept the love around you. Another fine offering from author Shannon Stacey!