Member Reviews

A Snowy Little Christmas is a collection of three Christmas stories that are sweet and light. The first, Starry Night by Fern Michaels features radio program host, Jessie Richmond. She is alone for the holidays and decides to visit her uncle’s bookstore in rural New York state and finds herself snowed in. She meets the man of her dreams. The second story, Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets, features real estate agent Layla Gentry, who has her dream home on Pine Cove Island. She’s is happy until an old acquaintance from her childhood , Sebastian, comes to town. They are brought together by a snowstorm and a kitten. The third story, Missing Christmas, by Kate Clayborn, two longtime friends-turned-business-partners Kristen and Jasper are each attracted to each other but neither one realizes the feelings the other has, until they kiss. It takes an unpredictable blizzard in New England to seal the deal. The stories are a great way to escape the pressure and stress of the holidays.

Was this review helpful?

A Snowy LIttle Christmas by Fern Michaels is about Jessie Richmond, the host of a radio program, a host of a radio program for the lovelorn. Jessie is feeling lonely for the holidays and travels to her uncle’s bookstore in rural New York State. She becomes snowed in during a speed dating event.
Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets is about Layla Gentry and her dream home on Pine Cove Island. She is reunited with her childhood nemesis, Sebastian, during a snowstorm, but now he’s all grown up.
Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn is about two longtime friends and business partners who share a kiss and change their lives permanently. It takes a blizzard in New England to straighten this outs.
Three lovely stories about life, love and laughter during snowstorms during Christmas. Nice, New England, cozy, novellas. A good read during Christmas.

Was this review helpful?

A trio of stories that are just right for reading during the holiday season. All three stories are written by good authors, and you will enjoy the storyline of each one. These have just the right amount of light romance and the sparkle of the season.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A Snowy Little Christmas is an anthology of three Christmas stories: “Starry Night” by Fern Michaels, “Mistletoe and Mimosas” by Tara Sheets and “Missing Christmas” by Kate Clayborn. In this piece, I’m reviewing Kate Clayborn’s novella.

Clayborn is such a skilled writer. She writes the minutest of emotional nuances with such sensitivity. Jasper and Kristen are beautifully complex characters thanks to her carefully handling. She doesn’t hurry Jasper through his conquering of his fear — she allows him take his time. She also gives Kristen the patience to await Jasper’s bold new step with anticipation and allow herself the space to feel his love for her and her love for him.

There are brave steps and some scared step-backs from both of them, each hesitant of the other’s feeling every step of the way. Falling in love takes such audacity and such wholehearted vulnerability, that for people who are used to shielding their tender heart, it can become an instinctive shying away. Watching Jasper and Kristen pluck up their courage and reach for happiness is a joy to read.

https://frolic.media/book-of-the-week-a-snowy-little-christmas-missing-christmas-by-kate-clayborn/

Was this review helpful?

Kate Clayborn: third on the cover, first in my heart.
*
I’ve read and loved 4 Kate Clayborn books this year. When I saw she had a novella in this Christmas-themed collection, I couldn’t smash the ‘Request’ button on Netgalley fast enough, and her story “Missing Christmas” absolutely delivered. More than partners! Angst and pining! Snowed in WITH ONE BED, I know, I KNOOoow. You don’t have to have read her Chance of a Lifetime trilogy to enjoy these characters but if you have, this is such a wonderful redemption song for a side character in one of those books—a dude I had only just remembered I disliked before Clayborn had me falling for him. And sure, the point of this book is romance, and the romance was great—two interesting people with believable chemistry, a heap of angst threaded through with some VERY finely-wrought tension—but just as joy-giving is Clayborn’s way with words. Multiple sentences brought a grin to my face and/or made me wriggle with delight.
*
Tara Sheets’ “Mistletoe and Mimosas” was also a great read. It features a snowstorm, a cat, and high-school nemeses on Christmas Eve. After striking out hard on the first story, I was gun-shy about this one. But it turned out to be a ton of fun, and made me want to check out more of her stuff.
*
The first and longest story in the collection (Fern Michaels’ “Starry Night”) was, I am sorry to say, boring, lukewarm garbage. My SIL recently sent me a storybook my 6-year old niece wrote for school and the quality differences between that and Starry Night were...not vast; but my niece’s writing is less regressive. In the spirit of the holiday I’ll leave it at that here (but romance deserves better).
*
In conclusion: come for the Kate Clayborn, stay for the Kate Clayborn! You’ve probably seen this one racked at the grocery store or Target, and if you want a sweet holiday buzz, the 2nd & 3rd stories are more than worth the cost of mass market paperback admission.
*
*
Thanks to @kensington and @netgalley for the chance to read a dARC. I bought a hard copy of this, but never managed to photograph it with a bacon breakfast platter, so you get the iPad.

Was this review helpful?

Lots of romance set in the seasonal period with a taste of delights from three romance authors. Great if you like romance. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

Was this review helpful?

I'm a huge Fern Michaels fan. I one click on her books all the time. So I was excited to download thia holiday story. I wasn't disappointed. I really enjoyed my afternoon of coffee and a good book.

Was this review helpful?

A group of Christmas novellas. 3 unique stories of love set at Christmas time., gives you all the feels.

A bookseller leaves his niece his store and as she prepares to sell it, she meets people and makes connections. So cute and Christmasy.

The next story was that of a second chance love.

And finally a story of finding love where you least expect it business partners get snowed in. Friendship turns to love.

These stories gave me all the Christmas feels. I really enjoyed them.

I was given this book through Net galley for my opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This is a nice collection of Christmas stories, with varying levels of success.
The first by Fern Michaels, is small town romance, you can go home again, instant attraction between the two main characters. There is a lot of "tell" instead of "show" in the storytelling. While the town sounds charming, and you can't help but love the set up of an old bookstore full of books and memories, I didn't connect much with the characters. I have not read Fern Michaels before, so I can't speak to how this compares to her others. It's simply a nice small town romance, no sexy times here. 3 stars.
Second is Tara Sheets' story, former high school acquaintances, each with unrequited attraction to the other, and misconceptions abound about their lives growing up. For a novella, a good examination of not making assumptions. Attraction between the two MCs is good. Only cringe-worthy time was the heroine's mother always asking if she found a "big strong man." With the backstory being about she and her mother making it through thick and thin (mostly thin), I would have hoped more for a really strong mother figure instead. Thankfully that wasn't the heroine's idea success either. Hot veterinarian is a nice change of pace, too. Adopt, don't shop. No sexy times, but good chemistry between the characters. 4 stars, I enjoyed it and would try for more from this author..
Third is the jewel of the book, by Kate Clayborn. Anyone who has read her Chance of Lifetime series, specifically book 1, Beginner's Luck, will know Jasper. It's a fun way to reconnect with a character. Jasper and Kristen have great chemistry. I love the coworker angle, no power play going on her. The long burning attraction is done really well, Clayborn does slow burn brilliantly every time. I love the snowed in, the stories about their families at Christmas and yes, One Bed! Sexy times on the page. All the tropes are here, all the fun, this one is worth the purchase price alone. 5 stars all the way.

Was this review helpful?

I loved these Christmas novellas and they are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. They differ in styles of writing but all are good.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This books is filled with the most festive and gorgeous holiday short stories. They were the perfect peek of a blossoming holiday romance for three couples.

Starry Night by Fern Michael's was a beautiful romantic short story with a ton of possibilities open for the readers to determine what's next for the two involved. I loved the modern twist of second chance love.

Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheets was so cute! I loved the changes in the characters and the past v present events. The characters were so real and I loved the unique community.

Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn was my favorite and pushed this book to a 5-star. The romance was contemporary and engaging and the friends-to-lovers was very well done. I also enjoyed how the story had a bit more closure with a snapshot of one year later.

I loved how all three novellas had the same theme of being stranded in the snow. Each story showed how life can change when you least expect it and sometimes the beauty of Christmas is all you need to open your heart to the possibilities.

Was this review helpful?

A Snowy Little Christmas was a pretty good read. I enjoyed these fun stories and recommend it for other reader's Christmas reading.

Was this review helpful?

Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn- This story is connected to the Chance of a Lifetime series and probably best enjoyed if you’ve read the first book in that series. I don’t read many Christmas stories, but this was very good. It is a quick read but packed with emotions and sexy times. Kristen and Jasper are stuck in a snowstorm and are staying in a cottage that only has one bed! Jasper is a soft boy wrapped up in a sexy man package and I was here for it. I think if you’ve read Beginner’s Luck and enjoy Kate’s writing, you will enjoy this story as well.

Was this review helpful?

First novella was a DNF.

Second novella was a 1.5

Did I mention I basically hate novellas? So few can execute this art form satisfactorily, particularly in romance, where you have to count on intimacy without barfing it up in word soup on the page. There's gotta be tension too, because what is the point otherwise?

So now, we have Kate Clayborn up to bat to save this trio of novellas from, well, the garbage pile.

Friends, I swooned. Like usual, Kate Clayborn makes her ordinary love stories feel intimate and extraordinary and isn't that just the best thing about her? This absolutely could be your best friends love story. Or yours. Why? How? Things like this:

“My dad’s a singer, did you know that?”
“I did.” She told me once, not long after we first met, out at a bar in Houston with Ben. He may have asked all the questions, but I remember all the answers. Mac Fraser . Classically trained at a conservatory somewhere in Ohio.

But I remember all the answers. Look at this consistency-from Ben's unguarded interest in people to Jasper still using that information for his ambition.

Her use of kissing/missing, friendship, and here, Jasper clearly established as a trouble maker but follows all the rules for Kristen.

Kristen is a lovely character, and this is a strong novella. I wish I knew her better. Whether Jasper was so clear or dominant character, I'm not sure but I did feel like Kristen didn't feel as strongly (though still very strongly) characterized.

So, whew, the rare breed of fully satisfying, even swoony holiday novella? Just skip right to this one, which I give a 4.5.

Was this review helpful?

Cute little feel good fluff stories! Very PG romances that are predictable but nice. Gets you in the Christmas spirit!

Was this review helpful?

Three modern day women find that your life can change over the course of the Christmas holiday even if you don't want to change your life. They realize that the life they've been living could be so much better when you give in to love and desire with the man of your dreams and when you spend A Snowy Little Christmas together.

A Starry Night Fern Michaels
Jessie Richmond doesn't have a very good track record with relationships with men. She loves her life in Philadelphia, but when her uncle gives her his book store it brings her back to her hometown. The community embraces her from the beginning. Selling the book store is the plan until Jessie realizes that her life and the feelings of community are what she's been missing. The attraction to Evan Becker, the contractor hired to do the renovation has Jessie taking a chance. Evan hasn't dated in a long time and think he'll stay single for the rest of his life. Jessie changes Evan's thinking. He impresses her by decorating the store and helping with the events planned around it's closing. A visit from a friend and a snow storm put everything into focus. A New Year's Eve date with Evan has Jessie telling him her secret. She decides to move back to her hometown and renovating the book store.

Mistletoe and Mimosas Tara Sheet Holloway Girls Series
Layla Gentry isn't thrilled to realize that Sebastian Harrington is back in town. What she likes even less is the feelings she has when he's around. Layla is fine with her life. Sebastian is also a reminder of the most embarrassing moment in her life. Her best friend's animal shelter has her fostering a kitten. Sebastian and Layla are thrown together when she takes over as his real estate agent. A Saturday looking for a house has Layla letting down her guard. Unfortunately, old high school classmates bring the past to the forefront. Sebastian is confused by why Layla has pulled away. Christmas Eve, Layla comes home to find her kitten missing, and realizes that he'd gotten out earlier in the day. She finds the kitten only to realize that she needs a veterinarian and immediately takes him to Sebastian. There's a blizzard so they get caught at his office. It gives them time to work through the past and realize their feelings for each other. A New Year's Eve party has them being in separable and looking toward the future.

Missing Christmas Kate Clayborn Chance of a Lifetime Series
Kristen Fraser and Jasper Sorenson have been best friends & partners for years. Each has been secretly in love with the other. When Kris dares Jasper to kiss her their lives take a surprising turn. A problem with a client has them spending the holiday trying to save the account. When a storm keeps them from leaving, they must face their feelings for each other and figure out how to work and live together as a couple. Jasper is determined to give Kris the Christmas she'd planned on with her family. A few missteps lead to misunderstandings. Jasper reveals his past. His wants to show her that they can work and be a couple but it goes wrong until he gets advice from his host. Kris invites Jasper to come have Christmas with her family. A year later, they continue their holiday tradition from the year before but Jasper has something special in mind.

Three well known authors continue their popular modern day series with novellas that bring back some favorite characters for the Christmas Holiday to enjoy A Snowy Little Christmas. Always a holiday favorite Fern Michaels you A Starry Night with a woman who's uncle surprises her by retiring and leaving her his book store. Mistletoe and Mimosas by Tara Sheet brings the reader back to Pine Cove Island for a woman who likes her life just fine as it is. And finally, the story by Kate Clayborn of longtime friends & business partners who take that next step in Missing Christmas.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really good collection of 4 stories by different authors. There is something here for everyone. Each story has characters that are well developed & easy to connect to. A great collection of Christmas stories, each one is different but carries the America’s vibe. Really enjoyable collection to read.

Was this review helpful?

I quite like the forced proximity trope that each of these novella have in common so I was pretty excited to read this book. The authors’ success was varied and my enjoyment was across the board with this anthology.

Starry Night by Fern Michaels
The heroine has been feeling increasingly isolated even in the hustle and bustle of her life and she decides to spend the holidays in the country closing up the bookstore left to her by her uncle. The hero is the contractor whom she hires to help with renovations before she can sell.

This is probably the weakest story of the three. There was a huge info dump about the heroine and her life without much emotion attached to it, with the same happening when we meet hero. The heroine catalogs how attractive he is and his various attributes, but it felt pretty clinical and I ended up not caring about either character. After a few chapters of telling and not showing, I ended up skimming this book.

Mistletoe and Mimosa by Tara Sheets
The heroine in this book has pulled herself up from humble beginnings and made a good life as a successful real estate agent. Then, one day her high school nemesis, the hero, returns to town and she keeps bumping into him.

I really enjoyed this author’s writing style and the characters were engaging. The push and pull of their interactions was convincing and the cute kitty and strategically placed mistletoe drawing the protagonists together was a nice touch. However, I felt that the story did not suit a novella format as there was quite a few unresolved issues stemming from the hero being a bully towards the heroine in their youth. I would have liked to see the hero make proper reparations to the heroine and how they deal with his co-bullies. Because of these issues, their coming together felt rushed and not quite convincing.

Missing Christmas by Kate Clayborn
The characters from this novella are new business partners in a headhunting firm and have worked together previously for six years. Right before Christmas, one of their most important recruits wants to pull of a crucial contract and they go haring off together to try to save the deal.

This was my favourite novella of the bunch! The author has a real knack in attaching emotion to even the mundane and I could feel how much the hero secretly pined for the heroine. Unbeknownst to him, the heroine has also harboured feeling for him for a long time but feels that she needs to hide it. GAH! The secret yearning between the characters made my heart happy and having the grinchy hero determined to save Christmas for the heroine was just the cherry on top.

Overall, this was a pretty good anthology as I enjoyed two out of the three novellas. I would recommend this just for Kate Clayborn’s contribution as it definitely ended the anthology on a high for me.

Was this review helpful?

‘‘Tis the season to see another anthology with title author Fern Michaels. A yearly must read. All three authors bring their talents to bring stories to enjoy. One of the best Christmas anthologies this season.

Was this review helpful?

A delightful book of Christmas stories by three wonderful authors. I definitely recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?