Naughty but Nice is a novella by Donna Kauffman that was previously published in the The Naughty List anthology and has now been rereleased as an ebook as part of the Hamilton Christmas series in time for the holidays.

Melody gave up a stressful career and big city life and hasn't looked back once since she became a baker in a small town. She loves the more relaxed pace of life in her small but charming town so is absolutely horrified when she finds out a developer wants to give the place an upgrade to put it on the map. The last thing she wants is to see an influx of tourists destroy the friendly atmosphere she moved here for so she is determined to work alongside other small business owners to stop the development from going ahead.

Griffin is struggling to deal with the revelation that he had a whole other family that he never new about and the fact that he is the heir to the Hamilton fortune. Unfortunately things aren't all what they appear in Hamilton Industries and unless he manages to turn things around Melody's town is going to be in serious financial trouble. He knows exactly what he needs to do to make things happen and he has a track record of getting it right but first he needs to get Melody and the other locals to accept his plans and help him implement them.

This story is more of an enemies to lovers trope. Melody is determined to stop Griffin from making the changes the town needs but she doesn't understand the motives behind his choices. The attraction between them is instant and since this is a novella the romance moves at a quick pace between them but it was still a fun story and it was nice to see the conclusion to questions about the Hamilton family that were raised in the first book in the series, Unleashed. Overall I've really enjoyed this series, it got me in the mood for the holidays and was a perfect December treat.

Melody Duncastle runs a small-town bakery and is no hurry to change Along comes developer Thomas Griffin Gallagher, with all sorts of ideas about how to “develop” the town, much to Melody’s dismay. However, when Griff walks into her bakery, Melody feels an instant attraction, as does Griff. Attraction aside, Griff feels the same as Melody, so neither can fully understand why this attraction exists, as they both vehemently oppose each other and their ideas. Makes for an interesting tale--how they hope or manage to figure things out is this story. Be it as it is.

This story is part of an anthology, which I have not read or even heard of, though it was published years ago. I found the story difficult to get into, to be honest. I liked neither of the main characters, Melody or Griff. He seems too smug and ready to take on things though other opposed them without finding out their reasons for distrust/dislike. She was just as smug and ready to fight, fight, fight for what she felt. As I said, should make for an interesting story, to say the least—though it did not in this case. I found myself reading the story only because I said I would. I just could not get into it. As I said, I did not like the two main characters or how they acted throughout. Yes, there was passion, but it all seemed too hurried and phony for me. I think this would have been better as a full-length story/book, as there would have been more time for character and story line development. I guess I expected more. I have read a lot by this author, and, for me at least, this one just did not come up to her standards. I received this form NetGalley to read and review.

I wasn't to thrilled with this book. It is supposed to be a Christmas novella but there really wasn't anything Christmassy about it. There was no dialect between the town people. Just Griffin and Melody except for right at the beginning and right at the end. All we have is these 2 telling each other about their plans and the next thing we know they are in bed together and then you get told a few things that happened at Thanksgiving and a few things until Christmas and then it is 4 years later. There was no connection for me at all.

This is the third and final book in the Hamilton Christmas series, as with the previous two it's a novella. It continues the Hamilton family story. This is Melody and Griffin's story. Fast paced and an enemies to romance type of story. Who can resist a book full of yummy scrummy cupcake making? Nice character development and I look forward to reading even more by this author.
Pub Date 30 Oct 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book had awesome witt and humor throughout it ontop of a wonderful storyline. I haven't read the other Hamilton based books but now it's on my list of books to check out! Good holiday read.

I picked this one up expecting a humorous and fun holiday read, but what I got was a big fat disappointment. I am guessing if you are reading this author and whatever series this novella ties into, it might make more sense, but in my opinion this one does not work as a stand alone novella.
Basically, the story starts with a successful Irishman coming to a small American town after he learns the truth about his lineage. I won’t go into the details, but bottom line, he learns he was adopted and has relatives in the United States. There is a lengthy section about his family and all that which was boring.
Griffin arrives in town and meets the town baker, Melody. Sparks fly when the meet until she learns who he is and why he is in town. Melody then throws up resistance because she doesn’t want her town changed.
Later, Griffin visits her bakery after hours to talk to her. They sort of get to know each other while baking and the hostility turns into smexy time, and that is the gist of the novella.
I don’t know why this was billed as a holiday novella because there is only a couple of quick mentions of the holiday season. All the cheer and coziness of the season isn’t present. The romance goes from zero to sizzle in an instant and not much else happens. It wasn’t fun or flirty. It was downright boring.
I would not recommend this at all if you are looking for a holiday novella. It has no holiday cheer and a ridiculous insta romance. Snooze.
I received a copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

This story needs to be a Hallmark movie! I have read many books by Donna Kauffman and this novella did not disappoint me in the least.

You know what this is? It's the Hallmark movie we all needed in our lives in written form. I think that's the highest praise a romance novel can receive because I live for the Hallmark channel.

Will she keep her small town life? Will he keep her and his dreams for a resort town? Well read the dang book and find out ok?! No seriously... read it.

Love Love Love this book!! I am rereading again and already bought a few copies for my book buddies!! Check it out!

His life took an unexpected turn that brought him to her village. She has a successful bakery/coffee shop that was her dead best friends dream. A contentious meeting has her trying to fight her attraction to him. He wants to charm her to his side of the changes. Can they change each the other's mind or will a not so secret affair change their lives forever?

Griffin want to change Hamilton into a resort town. Melody doesn't want the town to change. When she finds out who he is, she kicks him out of her shop. He's completely captivated on first seeing Melody and hearing her cursing. A heated exchange at a town council meeting has people of Hamilton wondering. Griffin stops by to make an appointment for a meeting to talk about the changes. He ends up helping her with her baking. A very passionate kiss leads to a night of passionate love making. Both Melody & Griffin reveal their pasts, while they're working. He can't believe how truthful he's being and talking about things he's never told anyone. That one night leads to many and them not wanting it to end. It's a well known secret that they're having a romance. Just before Christmas Griffin comes to tell Melody that he needs to leave for home. She's devastated by the news but when a proposal is forth coming and declarations made on both sides then a yes. Plans are talked about moving her and her business to his home town. Four years later a trip back to Hamilton shows how fast and much things have changed since they left. A memorial service is held for a recently deceased relative. As the cousins reunite for the service and reception all are delighted to see each other. A toast is made and a surprising announcement is made that full of joy and fear.

Donna Kauffman's Hamilton series is brought to a close with the story of the unknown relative who wants to change his family's town. Only to be blindsided by the attraction and love for the bakery owner who is happy with her shop as it is. The instant attraction is what brings them together but the love for each other keeps them together. A story of love of home, and family shows that you can have both with some compromise and laughter even when in the beginning your strangers.

A kind of "love at first sight" theme, with the usual opposing sides of a situation, and steamy scenes.

I especially enjoyed Donna Kauffman’s novella, “Naughty But Nice” because I’m hooked on Hamilton and the continuing drama that surrounds this idyllic town and it’s mysterious benefactor. The latest newcomer is an Irish bloke named Griffin who takes a fancy to bakery owner Melody and her scrumptious confections. A delightful holiday read! I read a complimentary copy of this book provided by Kensington-Zebra through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.

I enjoyed reading Trevor and Emma’s story in Unleashed by Donna Kauffman, book one in her Hamilton Christmas series. This holiday love at first sight romance features Emma Lafferty and Trevor Hamilton. Emma is pet-sitting at the Hamilton House, for Trevor’s uncle, and expected the mansion to be empty. The trip getting there was difficult given the winter weather. However, once she arrives, she is surprised to find another person in the house when she was supposed to be alone. Trevor came to the mansion while his uncle was away so he could search for a family secret, knowing he will find the answers somewhere in the house; he just wasn't expecting the pet-sitter to already be there. Thanks to a full-on blizzard outside, they are forced to stay together in the house while searching for that family secret. One thing leads to another and sparks are flying between Trevor and Emma; leading to them having a very good time.

Ms. Kauffman wrote a wonderful and moving story filled with sexual chemistry, wonderful dialogue, banter and endearing characters that is not to be missed. I highly recommend this book to other.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

This is the third installment of the novella trilogy. This is a re-release. The story is a great way to start off the holiday season and put you in the holiday mood.

Donna Kauffman has been around for a while but the more you read of her the more you want to.

You do need to read Unleashed and Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells before reading this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Another sweet Christmas story from Donna Kauffman.

Thomas Griffin Gallagher is a businessman and heir to the Hamilton family fortune who has big plans to turn the small town of Hamilton into a global entity.

Melody Duncastle is the town baker who wants Hamilton to remain the same and keep all of its small town charm.

Griffin’s Irish brogue is irresistible and, as much as Melody wants to resist his Irish charm, she finds herself falling for the man who has plans to “revitalize” her home town.

Naughty But Nice is a delightful addition to the Hamilton Christmas series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book

A witty, funny, Christmas romance.


Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I've read a lot of Donna Kauffman's romance novels, and this short novel is a bit less interesting than the others. The story picks up a minor story line from the "Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells" short novel, and expands it. Griffin Gallagher is the heir apparent to the Hamilton Industries fortune, having just learned that he was adopted and that his birth mother was an heir to that fortune. He has come to the small town of Hamilton, all the way from Ireland, to propose a "facelift" for the town. He immediately crosses paths with (and finds resistance from) Melody, who runs the local cupcake shop. But, a romance is kindled (really fast, by the way) and this forms the basis for the rest of the book.
I guess if you believe in "love at first sight" this might be believable, but I found that the physical part of the relationship happened a bit too fast for my liking. And, it was a bit more graphic than I'd care to read. I would have preferred to see a bit more romance than sex in their relationship. But, some may find this just right.

by Maggie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Amusing Christmas novella
November 3, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
I just finished 'Naughty but Nice", volume 3 of Donna Kauffman's Christmas novellas set in Hamilton Virginia. It was a satisfying ending to the trilogy and settled some of the dangling bits from the other two novellas. As with the others, this one is a light-hearted quick read with a cute guy, an independent but sexy girl, and sparks. I guess I am not as fond of the novella length as novels, I would have preferred a bit more development of the characters and story. It somewhat feels like the proverbial quickie....

Naughty but a Nice is the third novella in the A Hamilton Christmas series it was originally published in the Naughty List Anthology but is now being published as part of a Christmas Collection and it can be read as a stand-alone.
Melody Doncastle runs a small town bakery she is happy and wants nothing to do with big ideas from a big developer problem is when Thomas Griffin Gallagher walks into Cups & Cakes there is an instant attraction will the attraction be strong enough to get past the development ideas....
I love Christmas and I love this series of Christmas Novellas, I hadn’t read any books by this author before I picked up the first in A Hamilton Christmas Novella Series but I can assure you I will be looking at her other works. If you live the holiday season do yourself a favour and one click these perfect holiday reads.

well written story. I like the descriptions of different characters. I can see this novel being adapted for a Hallmark Christmas movie. Fans of romance novels and Christmas will enjoy this novel.