Culinary arts student, Hope Mastriano, is down on her luck. Homeless on Thanksgiving Day, she’s caught trying to break into her cousin’s apartment by her sexy boss and lifelong secret crush. Since getting dumped seven months ago, head chef Vinnie DiFrancesco has been in a frustrating holding pattern. He returns relaxed from a retreat, but his life is sent into a tailspin when he offers Hope, the event coordinator at his family’s trattoria, temporary housing. With the trattoria’s traditional Italian Christmas Eve charity dinner slated to be featured on a local TV segment and things heating up in his apartment, the two must set aside their different visions to make the event a success. When a computer glitch threatens their plans, Hope proposes a risky solution. Vinnie must believe in Hope and his heart in order to secure the future of the restaurant and make it a Christmas to remember.
This was a pretty quick and cute book. It flowed really well and both characters are very likable. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Vinnie is Hope's boss at his family-owned restaurant. When she needs a place to stay after dumping her boyfriend and moving out, Vinnie offers her a chance to stay at his place. After a few days, a mutual attraction blossoms. Can they explore their relationship while keeping things professional at the restaurant?

I was intrigued by this title because I was looking to explore holiday-themed romances. This one was not at all my cup of tea. Boss-subordinate relationships are unethical and can be dicey in the best of circumstances. Not only that, but I feel Hope sold herself short by not demanding a raise from her employer after taking on extra responsibilities. In addition, in order to become Vinnie's business partner, she basically needed to dump her life savings into his business, a risky move on her part. Vinnie had to make very few sacrifices when it came to Hope. She just had to be there and be willing to support his goals, shouldering most of the burden of their working relationship with her practical skills.

I realize I'm likely taking the premise of this romance novella entirely too seriously, but if I'm going to read romance any more, I'd appreciate a more empowered heroine. I would not write off this author or publisher entirely based on this book, but I would not recommend this book to any romance-loving friends of mine.

Hope was a culinary student in her last semester of schooling. She already had a computer science degree but wanted to own an event planning business. In the meantime, she was working in a family restaurant. The restaurant was owned by the parents of her childhood friends, the DiFrancesco family.

Vinnie DiFrancesco was the son who ran the restaurant and was the head chef. His heart had been broken seven months earlier and after some time away he had returned home to find Hope trying to break in to the apartment across the hall from his. Technically, her cousin told her she could stay with her when she left her cheating boyfriend, but the key she was given didn't work and her cousin was out of the country on a cruise. Vinnie let Hope stay with him overnight until she could get ahold of her cousin or the super of the apartment building. Little did he know that he was not opening his home to Hope, but possibly his heart.

I loved the chemistry between the family members and Hope. It was obvious to everyone that Hope and Vinnie were meant for each other. I didn't particularly love the descriptive sex scenes, not my cup of tea but otherwise the story was well written and fun quick read.

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A feel good story that moved at a quick pace! Exactly what's needed between opening gifts, and eating Christmas dinner. Hope and Vinnie are made for each other, and it takes serendipity and a change of attitude on Vinnie's part to see it! Recommended read.

This is exactly what I love to read for a Holiday story. A nice heat level to some fun and light scenes had me smiling all the way through to the end. I'm looking more for stories like this one.

Believe in my Heart is a well written romance. I enjoyed the plot, characters and setting. I recommend to readers who enjoy relaxing with a good romance.

This has a real feel good factor
Some nice characters, good situations and a quick read making it ideal for a holiday read..