A clean Christmas romance isn't my usual type of read, but what the heck... I was feeling somewhat festive and in need of a pick me up, and this certainly fit the bill. Resting Scrooge Face is a cute little story about a pair of ex-lovers exchanging penpal letters, only they have no idea who is on the other end of the pen and stationary. See, Nola is back in town and doing everything to avoid Cade. Unbeknownst to either of them, the elderly mailman who's friends with Cade sneaks one of Cade's letters into her mailbox and then acts as a secret go-between. I couldn't help but question Arden's oath as a postal carrier, given his fervent commission of mail fraud, but it's all in the name of Christmas love, so I guess that's OK. This is basically a Hallmark Christmas movie in prose form, and sometimes you just need that kind of stuff to make your soul feel a tad bit better. It's a quick, quirky read that doesn't overstay it's welcome and isn't the least bit mentally taxing, and the characters are pretty fun and amusing, even if they don't have a whole lot of depth. I doubt I could have read a novel-length version of this story, but as a novella it's actually pretty fun!

Two people who dislike Christmas, mysterious letters, and old flames back in town. Nola is fresh from a bad breakup and has decided to return to her quaint hometown of Bright Harbor, Maine to renovate her parent’s old home and to spend time with her grandmother. The only issue is that Bright Harbor is infuriatingly charming and cheery, and it is making her mood worsen and worsen. It doesn’t help that Caleb, the boy who broke her heart years ago, is still living in town and she knows she’ll end up running into him eventually. She wants nothing more than to avoid him, yet while doing so, she runs into the local mailman who gives her a mysterious letter who just happens to be a fellow Scrooge and so begins a fun pen pal relationship....

Caleb dislikes Christmas, from the cheery couples to the cookies and music... but most of all he hasn’t been the same since he broke up with Nola. He’s regretted it ever since.. but when he finds out she’s back in town... this might be his chance to fix things, if only his pride didn’t get in the way and if only they weren’t constantly fighting every time they talk to each other.

Can Caleb and Nola get over their past ghosts or will this pen pal relationship fizzle out... or can they write their own love story? This was such a cute second chance romance Christmas read. Nola and Caleb were a cute couple and the story was perfectly wrapped up! Definitely give it a read this holiday season!

*Thanks Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

When you're having a bad day & you pick up a new book that puts you into an instant happy mood>>

This short story is like drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate on a snowy morning. It's all the warm and fuzzy feelings you feel during the holiday season. It's pure joy.

The relationship between Nola and Caleb is absolutely hilarious. The situation that the pair put themselves into is instant comedic relief that I love in a romance.

And I mean....how can I hate two characters that are Harry Potter fans??

Thank you Amazon Original Stories and Meghan Quinn for the advanced reader copy of this absolute adorable holiday story. After reading this sweet story, I will be checking out more of Meghan Quinn's romance novels in the future.

Second chance romance AND two grumpy scrooges? This is the book for me. Christmas romances are always hit or miss for me, but this one hit. I loved that Caleb knew that he messed up and that he grew up enough to realize he had to fix it. This had all the You've Got Mail vibes in it and since that is one of my favorites, this was a win. I am all about novellas and usually they satisfy me with their length, but I did want more of Caleb and Nola because I felt like it was a little rushed a the end. Overall, this was a sweet holiday romance that will satisfy your Christmas scrooge and hopefully make you a little bit merrier.
Thank you to Meghan Quinn, Amazon and Netgalley for an early copy.

This was so stinking cute! I wish MQ would write shorter stories more often - not necessarily ‘short stories’ but this was a refreshing change of pace for her. Definitely pick it up! 4.5 stars

This was a cute second chance Christmas short story. It had the lol moments I’ve come to expect from Meghan Quinn’s books. I could have definitely seen this as a full novel, and am hoping for some spin-offs.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

In true Meghan fashion, this is a laugh out loud , hilarious story! I love how Meghan makes you forget your everyday problems and sucks you into the story!!
If you need a quick read or want something to get you into the holiday spirit … this book is for you!! I highly recommend this book!
Christmas is the vain of their existence for Caleb and Nola. But can they come together and find happiness…. Together? Or will the past tea them apart ?
I adore Meghan’s books! I’m a fan for life and I regret nothing !! They always get me in my feelings , always!! And let’s not forget… they make me like laugh no other author!! I can’t wait to see what Meghan has in store for us next!!

Thank you Netgalley for this short story. It was easily predictable, but I found the interactions in the letters between the two characters charming and humorous. Definitely a fast feel good Christmas novela.

Such a fun novella! This is my first book by Quinn and this You've Got Mail letters trope story brought me so much joy and a few out loud laughs as I read on the couch. It was sweet and cute and so much fun. I loved the town and the banter and the super fast pace. Holiday novellas are absolutely winning for me this year.

An adorable second chance, small town holiday romance romance!

I loved the backstory of Caleb and Nola. I loved the back and forth letter writing between "Resting Scrooge Face" and "Ho Ho No" and watching them bond over what first they hate, and then love, about the holiday season. The sharing of their lives, bit by bit, not knowing they were writing each other.

I ADORED Grandma Louise and Arden.

A cute holiday romance that gives you all the things you want in a holiday read. The only downfall is that it is a novella and not a full on novel!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Super short Christmas read with just the right amount of adorable and funny! Loved the meddling grandparents and small town feel.

What a title and cover!

A short story full of festive cheer. If you could package up a cheesy Christmas rom com and make it a book you read in one sitting - this would be it.

It was light hearted, full of puns and humour, and just what I needed to feel Christmassy.

Don't expect any major plot twists, but if you want a quick light-hearted seasonal read this is for you!

𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘨𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘦 follows Nola who's back in her hometown after an excruciating recent event that has stolen all her holiday cheer. Another someone who seems to be undergoing the same dilemma is Caleb who's triggered by the news of Nola's coming back, after all she was the one who got away.
With some intervening from their loved ones and anonymous sharing of letters over their mutual hatred for the Christmas season, Nola and Caleb find their way back.

- ~ -

For a short story of some fifty pages, I had a lot of fun reading it and there was surprisingly a good bit of humour.

There's always some magic in smalltown romances and Bright Harbour was no different. Especially with its people who make the place a home both Nola and Caleb can't live without returning to.

Nola and Caleb's reconnection was undoubtedly the best part but the letters they exchanged was a close second.

Also I got to know that Nola is Ryot's sister from the author's other book Untying The Knot? Now I can't wait to dive into that one.

- ~ -

3.85 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Resting Scrooge Face is a short Christmas-themed story by American author, Meghan Quinn. Dumped by the boyfriend, Nola Bisley quits their Upper East Side apartment and heads home to Bright Harbor, her only refuge. While her parents are off on a Christmas vacation, she’s helping to gut and restore her childhood home. She just hopes she doesn’t run into the man who broke her heart years ago, Caleb Butler.

Ever since Nola returned to Bright Harbor a month ago, Caleb has been in a foul mood. He knows he did the wrong thing when Nola wanted to pursue her dream of becoming an interior designer, in New York City. His irritation with all the Christmas cheer around him stems from anger at himself, for losing the woman he loved, and still loves. He vents in a letter he signs Resting Scrooge Face, then discards into his hardware store’s waste paper basket. But somehow, it ends up being delivered to Nola, via the town’s seventy-year-old mailman, Arden. Nola replies in kind, signing hers Ho Ho No.

Their first in-person encounter sparks anger and strong words, but Arden and Nola’s Grandma Louise eventually manoeuvre the pair into a truce that soon becomes more. A short and sweet Christmas Happy Ever After.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.

This was such a fun short read. I read it in about 45 minutes and I laughed hysterically. My husband was getting angry that I was shaking the bed- it was that funny.

Nola and Caleb were super cute, I loved their banter and wish this was a full length book!

I have to admit, I was waiting for the spice, and I was a bit sad when I didn’t get any.

I received an ecopy of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for my review.

Super quick and super cute holiday pen pal story about two grumpy exs. Nola moved back to her hometown just in time for the holiday season and just can’t get into the spirit of the season while also avoiding her ex Caleb. Nola was the one that got away after Caleb broke her heart when he let his fears get the better of him but now with Nola back he wonders if they can ever get to a good place again. Through their mysterious letters, Nola and Caleb soften their distain for the season and start to wonder who they are writing and secretly hoping it’s the other.


Thank you @netgalley and publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
Huge fan of Meghan Quinn & so happy she takes us back to Port Snow (love that series) in a quick-read novella set in nearby Bright Harbor. Fun story but way too short! Great idea with the letters back and forth, and who can't resist matchmaker Arden?

I did not know I needed this book and yet it came at the right time and I am in love. When an author can write a holiday book with deep layers of sexy sweetness as well dropping in cameos from previous characters! I loved it all.

The story was a short read full of great banter, sweet second chances, an adorable small town, and Meghan Quinn's classic humor.

Read this book and then go read all the rest of her books and then come and thank me because I know you will love all of it!

I loved this!! Just a short, fun, holiday read. Caleb and Nola are grumpy/grumpy about the holidays and the letter-writing is charming. I finished it with a goofy smile on my face. It delivers all the holiday feels!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a really cute Christmas story, and it’s perfect if you’re looking for something sweet & short to read for the holidays!

I loved the letters included in the story and I thought they did a great job at showing the progression of Caleb and Nola’s relationship.
I do wish the story had been a little longer so we could’ve seen more of Caleb and Nola interacting outside of writing letters to each other, but overall I really liked this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and Meghan Quinn for for an eARC of this book!