Member Reviews
This is a good book. The two main characters are Andi and Matt. Andi is a designer. Matt is a lawyer, who is going for a coding degree. They meet when he comes to Christmastown. Andi is helping with the design and Matt has come to do an audit. There is an instant attraction. They start dating. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.
Oh I really loved this is was festive, sweet and gave me all the joy and love I needed whilst I’m felling sad and down.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This would make a great hallmark movie, predictable but in a comforting and cozy way, everything you want in a Christmas book.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
If you're a fan of hallmark movies, you have to read this book. It's SO CUTE.
Last year, I was looking for a heartwarming story to read during the holidays, so I got my hands on this ARC. Unfortunately, life got busy and I only managed to finish it now. However, it still managed to transport me back to the Christmas spirit for a few days. It was refreshing to read a story where dreams hold more importance than money. I got emotional a few times, especially seeing how much Christmastown means to Liam (and Andi and Matt too). I highly recommend it - not just in December. Feel free to read it whenever you want. I promise you'll feel the magic.
Thanks to Moxie Publishing for the ARC.
A sweet Christmas romance that tended to be a little on the predictable side but still good. It was also a fairly quick read.
Andi Carter is going through a broken engagement and has sworn off men, so she goes back to her hometown and finds work looking after a elderly widower. Liam Quinn owns Christmastown, a holiday-themed amusement park that is shut down but he wants to reopen it. She wants to help him but things take a turn when Matt Taylor shows up to audit the park. The story is well written with a very good storyline that held my interest until the end. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely adored this book--it was SO CUTE!
One of the things that really stuck out to me about this book was the banter and just the love between Matt and Andi. When you can really feel the connection between the characters, it just makes it that much easier to get caught up in their story. I was also very impressed by the ADHD rep in this book. Being married to someone who has ADHD has really put a lot of things into perspective for me, and I really appreciated an author taking the time to show how it's so much more than the stereotypes that are out there. On a less serious note, I really enjoyed the premise of this one--it was so unique, and I think the idea of a Christmas theme park sounds like the coolest thing ever, so I'm gonna go ahead and need that to be a thing ASAP.
Overall, this was an easy-to-read, ADORABLE Christmas romance that hooked me right in. Definitely recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
Look, I love Christmas and Christmas romance stories are something I enjoy reading, no matter how obvious the plot can be. I really liked the fact that the name really makes sens for the story, because sometimes I feel like people don't really choose fitting titles.
After a broken engagement, Andi is going to try and revive and old Christmas themed amusement park. Of course, it's not gonna be easy and it feels like a downgrade from her big city job. but as I said, I wasn't reading for the plot, I was reading to enjoy a cosy Christmas love story, ok?
For me, it has a CAWPILE score of 9, mostly because it wasn't dragged so I didn't get bored and I enjoy Christmas stories.
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What I really liked is the fact that he encouraged her to try and get the job in London and she actually went there and did not pick the guy she knew for so little time, no matter how special he was in her eyes
I just finished a very cute holiday book: Leanne Treese’s The Santa Games!
If you’re looking for a lovely book to get you into the holiday spirit, give this book a try! It has a lovely Hallmark feel to it, has a light dash of spice and a lot of holiday hope.
Andi Carter just got out of an engagement and has left behind her work in theater and finds herself taking care of Liam, a retired man who has sunk his money into a Christmas theme park, a dream of his deceased wife to overhaul and reopen. Matt works for Liam’s daughter in a law firm job that he hates and only really has because his family’s money. Matt is sent out to audit the theme park and build a case for Liam to be put under a conservatorship, however he falls head over heels for Andi and the idea of the theme park.
Both Andi and Matt find themselves entwined in feelings for each other, however Andi sees a picture of Matt online with a gorgeous woman, and thinks he is taken. She has already proclaimed to him that she is not ready for a relationship anytime soon, so their friendship buds while they try to raise money and attention for the theme park to reopen. One of the great ideas is to open a few attractions and host all the Santa’s who go to a Santa college nearby to come and play in The Santa Games on premises, which Matt, who has started to take a class in programming has created an app for. Unfortunately they only attract one investor who has other ideas for the theme park.
With a lot of twists and turns, a slow burn/low spice, low anxiety problems, and a non traditional villain, this story does deliver some feel good Christmas cheer and is just what Mrs. Claus ordered!
This book is available wherever you can buy books and I suggest you go read it! Thank you Leanne Treese, Moxie Publishing and NetGalley for my free ARC copy!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun book. I agree with another reviewer who said this feels like a Hallmark movie. It definitely did.
Perfect holiday season reading fate. Andi Carter goes to assist Liam adopting his and.his.late wife's dream to revitalize Christmastown and make it a fully functioning theme park. His daughter, a high powered lawyer, worries that this is another impractical dream where he is likely to lose his money. So under the guise of an audit of the facilities, she sends a junior lawyer, Matt, in to gather evidence to back up a claim for conservatorship. A sweet story of joy and love and all the goodness of the season with interesting characters you will root for.
Andi and Matt have things in common but both have issues too. Enjoyed this one, but at times felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie plot. Nothing wrong with that, just had that feeling. Would recommend for a quick and easy read.
"The Santa Games" by Leanne Treese
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Leanne Treese's "The Santa Games" is an enchanting holiday tale that captures the spirit of Christmas in a heartwarming and delightful narrative. Set in the picturesque backdrop of a small town, this book invites readers into a world brimming with festive cheer, competition, and the magic of the holiday season.
Treese's storytelling prowess shines through her vivid descriptions, effortlessly transporting readers into the charming town of Jingleville. The author skillfully weaves a tale centered around the town's beloved tradition, "The Santa Games," an annual competition that brings the community together in a joyful celebration of Christmas spirit. The competition not only sparks friendly rivalries but also fosters unity and camaraderie among its participants.
The characters in "The Santa Games" are beautifully crafted, each with their own quirks and endearing personalities. From the determined protagonist striving to uphold her family's legacy to the spirited competitors and supportive townsfolk, Treese excels in creating a cast that feels relatable and authentic. Their emotional depth and growth throughout the story resonate with readers, adding layers of depth to the narrative.
What truly sets this novel apart is its ability to evoke a myriad of emotions. Treese effortlessly balances heartwarming moments with subtle messages about the importance of community, friendship, and embracing the true spirit of the holidays. The themes of love, hope, and second chances are woven seamlessly into the storyline, making it not just a Christmas tale but a timeless reminder of the power of compassion and togetherness.
Moreover, Treese's narrative unfolds at a perfect pace, keeping readers engaged and eager to discover the outcome of the Santa Games. The palpable sense of anticipation and the delightful twists sprinkled throughout the plot make for an engaging and enjoyable read from start to finish.
In conclusion, "The Santa Games" is a delightful, feel-good story that captures the essence of Christmas. Leanne Treese's captivating storytelling, coupled with memorable characters and a charming setting, makes this book a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming holiday tale. It's a testament to the magic of the season and the joy found in embracing the spirit of giving and unity. This book is a perfect addition to the holiday reading list and is sure to leave readers with a warm, fuzzy feeling long after the final page is turned.
The Santa Games is a typical Holiday Romance story with all the trimmings. This little gem has all the expected tropes that romance lovers enjoy. A broken-hearted woman has moved to a new town and a new job to find herself. A man enters her life and magic, misleading, and misunderstandings ensue. The picturesque setting is perfectly described, the characters are lovable, and the ending will make you smile.
After calling off her engagement, Andi is not looking for love. All bets are off and she takes an off the road job at Christmastown ... Or what might be Christmastown one day.
This is a fairly predictable book; the characters are likeable and the plot easy to follow but it was all a little 'meh' for me. I enjoyed parts of it but it lacked a real hook.... Which is a shame as it sounded like a feel good festive read!
Well, this was all kinds of fabulous. The initial heartbreak is forgotten as I followed Andi into a creative dream of a role alongside romantic possibility Matt and a great cast of supporters. There is Christmas running through the book and it adds sparkle to the story. The book doesn’t rush, it takes its time, helping to make Andi and her bruises and pain understood and to see her progress from her heart break to new interests. It always helps that there are a few pets involved, and all of that alongside the magic of a theme park filled with sparkling lights.