Sweet Christmas Romances 2017 is exactly what it says on the box... a collection of five Christmas romance books which are sweet - in more ways than one. All of the heroines are bakers, either amateur or professional, and the sweet Christmas treats they produce are in some way instrumental to their story. At the end of each book, the author shares a recipe which has been featured in the story - and they all look really yum. I've definitely planning to try out the Bourbon Bacon Cupcakes and the Chocolate Kiss Cookies, at the very least!
Recipes aside, let me quickly run through and rate the stories for you.
Evie's Chocolate Christmas Kisses by Sharon Kleve
This was probably my least favorite story, to be honest. I found it to be very rushed and insta-love, which isn't my cup of tea.
Analeigh's Christmas Cupcakes by Jennifer Conner
I really loved this one about a cupcake baker on her way to a wedding whose work is wrecked by a hit-and-run and the tow truck driver who comes to her rescue. It's actually really nice to read a 'normal' hero... i.e. someone who isn't a billionaire or a Navy SEAL, but just a regular working-class guy who still manages to be a hero to somebody.
Chrissy's Christmas Sugar Cookies by Angela Ford
This one's a little bit insta-love too, but my God, I loved the heroine. Chrissy is sassy and fierce and won't let anyone get her down, not even the Bugatti-driving billionaire who's about to ruin her dream.
Amy's Christmas Casserole by Tammy Tate
I really liked Amy, a recovering assault victim, and Cass aka Casanova, the Navy SEAL she stumbles over. However, this book also featured an awkward love triangle with Amy's trusted friend Logan which really detracted from the story, for me. I was actually hoping it would turn into a threesome, to be honest!
Margie's Magic Cookie Bars by Laura Strickland
Probably my favorite story in the bunch. Margie's got a hopeless crush on a co-worker and can't see that he's a self-centered pr*ck, so she misses the shy, charming guy who has heart-eyes for her - until a little Christmas magic saves the day.
Overall, this is a strongly written and edited bunch of stories, and while they weren't quite to my personal taste (I normally like a little more spice in my romances) I know anyone craving a dose of pure sweetness will love them, at Christmas or any other time of year. I'm happy to give this collection 5 stars.

Baking Magic. A variety of stories of different lengths, the shortest being five chapters and the longest twenty. What they have in common is Christmas, baking and romance. Liked the fact that the authors have included recipes.

Evie’s Christmas Chocolate Kisses by Sharon Kleve
It is love at first sight when Evie lays eyes on handsome veterinarian Nick Tucker when she goes to a pet adoption event. I found this story very quick and rather superficial. Recipe: Chocolate Kiss Cookies.

Analeigh’s Christmas Cookies by Jennifer Conner
Danny comes to Analeigh’s rescue, firstly with his tow truck after she has a fender bender and then in helping to salvage her wedding cupcake order. Recipe: Bourbon Bacon Cupcakes.

Chrissy’s Christmas Sugar Cookies by Angela Ford
Chrissy is drawn to the handsome businessman who comes into her bakery until she realises that he is intending to buy the farm that has special meaning for her and sell it to investors for a strip mall along with a coffee franchise. Nick makes a deal with her for dates in exchange for the annual dance being held at the farm and hopes she will see him in a different light. An enjoyable story. Recipe: Christmas Sugar Cookies.

Amy’s Christmas Casserole by Tammy Tate
Amy moved to Sawyer Creek from San Antonio four years previously as she didn’t feel safe after being attacked by a purse snatcher. Despite therapy she is still afraid of men and being approached by a large male at night, at the back of her cafe throws her into a spin. Cass an ex navy seal has been shot by a stranger and needs Amy to remove the bullet or he will bleed out..... This is the least Christmassy of the tales and also the longest at 20 chapters, it was also probably the one I enjoyed the most. Note: in my ARC copy, chapters 13 & 14 had been reversed. Recipe: Chicken Dorito Casserole.

Margie’s Magic Christmas Bars by Laura Strickland
Margie can’t see Bryan as she only has eyes for Trent, despite the fact that the only time he seems to notice her is when she brings treats into the office. Both Margie and Bryan hope their office’s secret santa exchange will give them their hearts desire. Will Margie finally see that the love she wants is right in front of her? Recipe: Magic Christmas Bars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.