A wonderful old fashioned Christmas story. Chase is guardian to his teenage half sister and he and she are not getting along very well. Madison works at the local youth center and has befriended Stella. When Chase is hurt in an accident Stella calls Madison for help. As the three work together to get through the holiday there is a Christmas miracle within reach if they want it. This is book 7 in the Welcome to Starlight series and is a complete stand alone.

Michelle Major’s Starlight and the Christmas Dare is a heartwarming romance about the ties that bind, belonging and falling in love that ticks all the right boxes.

Nobody had been more surprised than glassblower Chase Kent when his estranged father had named him as guardian to his teenaged half sister in his will. A loner who keeps his heart firmly under lock and key, Chase had always believed that his father had wanted nothing to do with him and it was this experience that had forced him to keep everyone else at bay and to put all of his time, energy and efforts into his art. Chase doesn’t know the first thing about looking after a teenage girl and with his half-sister having got in with a bad crowd, he finds himself at his wits end – until he crosses paths with volunteer counselor and chef Madison Maurer.

Just like Chase, Madison prefers to keep everyone at arm’s length and she has built impenetrable defenses which few people can breach. However, that slowly began to change the minute she set foot in the charming small town of Starlight. The kind-hearted townsfolk had refused to take no for an answer and for the first time in her life, Madison has friends who care for her and look out for her. When Chase is injured and finds himself needing a place to stay over the holidays, Madison opens up her home to him and his sister, unaware that this kind-hearted act of generosity could end up leading to a love that could last a lifetime…

The more time Chase and Madison spend in one another’s company, the more they find themselves falling head over heels in love with one another, but are they ready to face their demons, vanquish old ghosts and give their love a try? Or will their fears and insecurities end up costing them everything?

It’s always a joy to lose yourself in one of Michelle Major’s uplifting and emotional contemporary romances and she has penned another winner with Starlight and the Christmas Dare. A spellbinding tale about two flawed characters who never believed they deserved to fall in love finding their soul mate, Starlight and the Christmas Dare is a tender and touching romance with two fantastic characters that will keep readers riveted to the page.

A compelling tale about finding somewhere to belong, second chances and the healing power of love, Starlight and the Christmas Dare is another enjoyable romance by Michelle Major.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

A Sweet Christmas read where to unlikely people and a bitter teenage girl may find that together they do make up the perfect family. This one is a sweet read, but there are two steamy scenes and some language. But it does have the magic of a small town at Christmas.

Terrific book that I could not put down once I started reading it. Though part of a series, this book can easily be read as a standalone. I loved revisiting Starlight and seeing characters from earlier books and was very happy to see Madison get her own story.

Chase is a famous glass artist known for being anti-social and grouchy. Because of events from his childhood, he has thick walls around his heart. After the deaths of his estranged father and stepmother, Chase became the guardian of his teenage stepsister, Stella. He feels completely overwhelmed and unsuited to the task, especially when she gets into trouble at school. Then an explosion in his studio leaves Chase badly injured, needing rehab and help.

Madison is the chef at Starlight's popular bar and restaurant. She, too, is known for the abrasive personality that protects her heart. She grew up with a negligent mother and the need to protect her little sister, Jenna. She blames herself for failing Jenna when she needed her most. She tries to make amends by helping Jenna with kids in need at the teen center. She connects with Stella, who reminds her of herself at that age. Though Madison takes her life day-by-day, when Stella calls in a panic after Chase's injury, she is there to help.

I loved watching the developing relationships in this book. Chase and Madison believe they are terrible people who aren't good for those they care about. Stella is lost after her parents' deaths and needs to feel that someone cares about her. The relationship between Chase and Madison was fun to watch. Chase hates needing her help, and his initial resentment is obvious. Madison doesn't hesitate to call him out on his attitude, and their snarky interactions are amusing. Though neither one believes in love or the spirit of Christmas, they find themselves partners in their desire to give Stella a good holiday experience.

I loved seeing the changes in Madison as she grew to love Stella and Chase. I laughed out loud at her coworker's statement that hugging her has progressed from hugging a porcupine to hugging a hedgehog. I loved seeing her open up to her friends and Stella and let them into her heart. Acting like a family with Chase and Stella has her hoping for something she never believed possible - a family of her own. Her feelings for Chase grow stronger when the sparks between them become too much to resist.

Chase was a harder nut to crack. He is so convinced that he is incapable of giving Stella the life she deserves that he considers transferring guardianship to another person. His actions show that he loves Stella and wants what is best for her, but he can't see that he is it. The same goes for his relationship with Madison. He'll admit to the attraction but believes that anything more is impossible. I wanted to shake him when he let his fears come between them. It takes an honest conversation with Stella (finally!) for him to see what is really important. An unexpected event adds some drama to the ending, but Chase's big moment with Madison is sweet and adorably awkward.

I look forward to future Starlight books and seeing more of these characters.

Starlight and the Christmas Dare is a nice festive Christmas romance. The book follows 2 "damaged souls:" Chase and Maddie. Chase is guardian of his grieving and lost younger sister, Stella, who befriends Maddie. A series of events occur and force them all together, where of course, feelings develop between Maddie and Chase- which they fight. This is a nice story of healing and finding your way to your mate against all odds. The book was intriguing and kept my attention. It's got a little spice, but not over the top. Great holiday read!

This is a Christmas Romance, and this is the 7th book in the Welcome to Starlight series. I found this book to be cute and hard hitting at times. The storyline pulled me into it and I did not want to put this book down. I really loved the characters, and I loved how much they did overcome. The ending was good and I did not guess the little twist in this book. This is a great read, but it did take me a minute to get into the story. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Special Edition) or author (Michelle Major) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

After the death of her parents Chase is now the guardian to his teenager half sister who keeps landing herself into a bit of trouble. Madison is a volunteer counselor trying to help them out after Chase injures himself and she can't help but end up caring for the two.

This was a nice contemporary holiday romance type of book. There isn't too much to say about the book that won't give it away but I did enjoy getting to konw the characters. It was tough seeing how much Chase cared about his sister but came off more or less that he didn't care too much by trying to pass her off to another family member concerned he isn't parent material. There was plenty going on to keep any reader wanting to stick around and overall I really did enjoy this book. Also it takes place during the holiday season so if you like reading books that match the season check this book out.

Chase is guardian for his teenage half-sister. Counselor Madison can see he's in over his head. After he's injured, Madi invites him and his sister to stay with her until he recovers. Will the fling between Chase and Madi turn to love?

This is a heartfelt story about picking up the broken pieces and building a new family. Chase and Madi are both accomplished in their professional lives but struggling with past hurts. Together, they're able to heal and provide stability for Chase's sister.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This is the 6th book in Major’s Starlight series and the series still delivers heartwarming stories with memorable characters. There’s no worry if you haven’t read the installments that came before, while the cast of secondary characters grows with each new book, the stories themselves stand beautifully alone.

Chase is a renowned glass artist dealing with a world of hurt that’s caused him to close his heart off from further potential pain. Unfortunately, that’s just not gonna work. The death of his estranged father and his new wife make him the sole guardian of his young step-sister, Stella. Chase can’t understand why his father would have trusted him with a daughter that he clearly doted over in a way he never loved Chase. He’s still grappling with this new reality when a sudden explosion almost kills him, leaving him in need of extensive re-hab...and help.

Madison has built her own set of walls around her heart. She grew up with a little sister she needed to protect from their mother’s many mistakes. But instead of keeping her sister safe, Madison can’t forgive herself for failing when it counted the most. Now she’s helping her sister by volunteering with kids in need, making a particular connection with Stella, while also building a new life as a chef in Starlight.

For Madison, it’s a day-by-day thing, so she has all the complications her life can take. Then Stella calls for help after Chase his hurt and she can’t say no when it’s clear they need a place for Chase to recover. None of them realized they wouldn’t just be healing Chase’s broken body, they’d be healing all of their souls.

Starlight’s Christmas magic, and the hearts of these three special people make this a heartwarming read anytime of the year.

Chase and Madison are well matched. Both are Scrooges and stubborn as mules. Madison bails Chase and his stepsister Stella out when Chase is severely injured after his studio exploded.
I knew Chase and Madison would chafe and spark off each other and I loved their hissing at each other.
Each believes they’re damaged beyond repair, but they need to wake up and realize they’re each other’s missing half.
I struggled to like Stella, especially after I found out a certain part of the plot. No way did she receive adequate punishment for all the harm she caused.
It’s a Christmas miracle and epiphany kind of story, perfect for the holidays!

Starlight and the Christmas Dare is a very well written romance. Good plot and character dynamics. I didn’t want to put this book down. I definitely recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley.

Starlight and the Christmas Dare is a small town holiday romance by author Michelle Major.

This Harlequin romance had all the components a want in a holiday story. Small town, close friendships, found family, helping others, Christmas activities from picking out the perfect Christmas tree to caroling, and falling in love. This one is a bit unique in the fact that both the lead characters are very much grinches when it comes to the holiday season. However, they are brought together to help make a struggling teenager have a good holiday.

While I really enjoyed the story for the most part. Madison and Chase have an entertaining dynamic with sarcastic banter and flirting. Yet, I found Chase's lack of character growth frustrating. Madison grew as she opened herself up to Chase's sister and those closest to her, but Chase was stubborn and hard-headed the entire time. I just found him really unlikable, even by the very end, where he has a full change of heart within the last handful of pages.

Overall, Starlight and the Christmas Dare by Michelle Major is a small town holiday romance between two grinches, a teenage girl finding her footing in life, friendship, a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, holiday cheer, stray kittens, and a happy ending.

Chase is guardian to his troubled half-sister and meets Madi at the community center for troubled teens where she volunteers. When there's an explosion at his glass blowing workshop and he's injured he calls her to help. She ends up taking Chase and his sister back to her ranch style home to recuperate.

She's a recovering alcoholic who empathizes with their situation. She and her sister lost their parents at a young age, entering the foster care system. Chase at least was appointed guardian to his half sister when their dad and her mom died in a car accident. But he doesn't understand why he was appointed to be her guardian.

Madi helps him come to terms with the past, face his shortcomings, and accept the responsibility to make a life for them. A lovely holiday story of what makes a family.

4 1/2 STARS!

An emotionally heart wrenching return to Starlight! Michelle Major wraps a small town around her readers’ heart easily time and again but this story brings even more angst and family turmoil than normal to her plot and it was handled well. Strong characters with compelling back stories and a whole lot of drama to overcome in their path to forever.

Madison and her surly grumpiness has been a mainstay in this series as she slowly lets people of the town into her heart and learns to ease up on herself. It’s really sincere to see her move forward from her past and find happiness.

Chase is a complex character. He’s a sincerely nice guy, but he doubts himself and believes so poorly of the influence he can have that he does more harm than good in come circumstances.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a small town filled with good hearted folks and loads of drama along the way to happily ever after.

This was quite a "Christmas" read. I didn't expect this romance to be so centered in trauma. I just didn't connect to the main characters like I wanted to do. Madison and Chase both had a lot of pain to deal with it and the Christmas season should have been the perfect time to find love. They found something but I'm not clear if it was love. I do believe they found their person they could lean on so happily ever after could happen.

Triggers Warnings: death of parents not on page, explosion, car accident

What a great book! It has carols, snowflakes, friendship, romance and new beginnings. There's even kittens! It's the perfect holiday book to cuddle up with by the fireplace. Thanks #NetGalley #Harlequin

Chase is a well-known blown glass artist that is his half-sister’s guardian. He has been on his own for years and had a strained relationship with his dad. He is doing all that he can to help his teenage sister stay on the straight and narrow after an incident has landed her doing some community service where she has met Madison. Madison is a prickly chef that has had a difficult past. Life has not been easy for Madison, but she strives to ensure that others don’t follow the path she did. When she meets Stella, she knows that the girl is lost and just needs someone to show that they truly care. After an accident, Chase has to entrust his care and Stella’s to Madison while he works to heal. Chase and Madison have a hot/cold relationship as neither don’t allow people to come close to their circle. That is until they make a dare and that is all it took. The problem is, as one learns to open up and try to trust, the other has decided that they will never be enough and pushes away. Can these two figure out how to find common ground or will this just be a Christmas Dare? This was a good story. There were a couple times I felt a little confused about the direction, but Ms. Major does a great job clearing it up. I do like that we have two people that are a little hedgehog like and find that trusting someone and falling in love makes life extra special.

I would like to thank Harlequin and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book early. It definitely helped to put me in the holiday spirit!

I honestly couldn't really get into this novel. I don't know if it was just me or not but I didn't click with the people within the novel. I definitely wanted to like this but it was a DNF for me.

While reading Starlight and the Christmas Dare.. It didn't give me the feels of a Christmas holiday story I did enjoy the storyline 3 stars read 🌟🌟🌟


I was provided an arc e-copy by the publisher Harlequin for honest review. thank you so much for sending me a copy.

Happy Reading Lisa 📚

This story takes place in the town of Starlight (love the name) where Chase, an artist, is taking care of his troubled teenage sister Stella. Stella spends a lot of her time at the youth centre where Madison, a great cook with a big and somewhat abrasive personality works. When Chase gets into an accident, Madison helps them get back on track and falls in love with Chase in the process.

This was fine. I was really looking forward to reading a nice, cosy Christmas book and this wasn't quite the charming novel I was looking for. No fault of its own but the character each had really complicated lives and it was a bit much for me for that particular holiday where i'm looking for is fluffy fun.

Endless thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy.