Saira (Suh-eye-rah) needs some inspiration
Dorian needs a light at the end of a tunnel

Can they find what they need in each other? Or will the past haunt them like a ghost?

Sometimes, I need a good old Hallmark Christmas-esque book to break the monotony of my reading. This book did that. I enjoyed watching Dorian open up after tragedy and how Saira stood on business about her worth. Cuz if he ain’t gonna come correct….BLOCKED! Yep, she and I might be related.

Want a nice weekend read when it’s cold outside? Grab this book with a mug of hot chocolate or any other adult beverage. You’ll be glad you did.

A wonderful and emotionally satisfying Christmas tale. Perfect read to get romance lovers into the holiday spirit. It would make a great movie! I hope the networks are paying attention.

This started off well for me however I think I'm not a fan of the author's writing. That being said I can see how others would love it. It's a small Christmas town romance and it is very cute. Saira is a romance author and Dorian is a firefighter and former NFL athlete. It takes place in Santa Clause, Indiana and will truly give the Christmas vibes that most people crave around the holidays!

For me things started to go downhill when the fmc gets catty with another woman for being a little flirty. And while I can understand that the way that she handled it was immature and I didn't appreciate the way she talked about the other woman behind her back. The mmc also refers to the fmc in a "not like other girls way" that I found offputting. I also just found a lot of the dialogue to be cringey.

A slow burn with all the holiday feels! All this one to your holiday wish-list. Perfect for romance readers who like to build up the anticipation!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ooohh!! Loved, loved, loved this one. What a wonderful, cute, and spicy read. Dorian, Dorian, Dorian!! Welcome to the hall of book boyfriends. This man was thoughtful, considerate, kind, protective, sexy, strong, fine as hell, emotionally connected, successful, gentlemanly, and everything you want in a man! I loved Saira, the FMC, as well. She was too cute, emotionally available, self-aware, sweetheart, knew what she wanted, and was not afraid to walk away from what didn't serve her. I loved their romance in this story. The side characters were also great and a few memorable, funny. And cute moments with the MCs that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was short, sweet, and gave all the beautiful Christmas vibes and had me blushing through the entire book. I would absolutely recommend this to others who are looking for a great, cozy, seasonal read to put them in the mood.

Thank you, Netgalley, and the publisher for providing me with an arc.

I don’t know what I was thinking at not reading this immediately. I said I wanted to wait until Halloween was over, but after seeing so many people talking about it, and then when it got randomly cold where I live, I knew I couldn’t wait anymore.

Y’all know I’m a sucker for a Christmas romance. And even more so when I see that its diverse in some way. (Because let’s be honest, they’re always better) And this one has Black main characters. AND THEN its a Christmas romance about a Black romance novelist! Y’all also know how I am with books about books. So basically, this had everything in it for it to become my favorite book lol And there was enough Christmas in it so I was happy with that too. (I hate when I’m reading a Christmas story and there’s not really a Christmasy feel to it. )

Ok so the characters in this were my favorite part. I think about Sarita and what she was going through with her family a lot. I couldn’t imagine what she was going through to not have her mom there or family there over a holiday. I get that she was going there to write, but I just felt so sad for her. And Dorian was just… idk how to explain it? If you don’t know, firefighters are the ONLY men in a uniform I like to read about. (Ok so EMTs count too lmao) So basically when I heard that’s what the MC did AND he was a calendar fire fighter?! He went on the book boyfriend list immediately lol But I think what I liked most about him was the amount of layers he had. He had so much depth. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see any growth in him tho until the very end. Like it started when he let her in, but then completely stalled. It felt more like lust than something turning into love. If that makes sense. But I get it. There needed to be an ending conflict. That’s the only reason I wasn’t super annoyed.

The little town that there in was my other favorite part. I have a bad habit of letting the setting itself take me away. (No pun intended) If the descriptions and the imagery is there, I will fall head over heels for the story. And that’s exactly what happened here. Here in Texas it was like 85 degrees when I read this, but I still snuggled under a blanket to read this. I loved that the author described the way the cold was bone chilling to someone from Florida, because as someone from Texas, that’s exactly how I would think it felt. And the way she described feeling a little more warm because of the boozy hot chocolate? And the way she was able to describe all the Christmasy things they did, like the bonfire and the thing at the station and the parade? Ugh it was all good!

The romance itself was cute. Like I said I did want him to come to that conclusion a bit earlier because it was not fair to keep stringing her along like that. It was obvious that things were happening between them. She was ready to put her whole life on hold where he wasn’t. Even I was worried he wasn’t ready to settle down. However, they were organic and it actually felt real. Even the love story between her and her fans lol I just know that’s how authors feel sometimes. They love us but need their own time. Just like moms. And for that, I can’t fault them. But that’s what I mean. Literally everything felt real in this one.

This was such a cute book! Definitely a perfect way to kick off this year’s holiday season. Out of the three that were released at the same time, this is my favorite. Very clear example of why holiday reads are some of my favorites and will always be!

Real Rating was 4.5

Cute holiday read to get into the festive season. Good chemistry and banter, but had its emotional moments. Spicy and sweet and seasonally right.

A Novel Christmas is a sweet Christmas romance that follows Saira Wright and Dorian Black. Saira is facing pressure from her publisher to write her next bestseller. Catch is, it has to be a holiday romance. To help her get in the holiday spirit, she travels to Santa Claus, Indiana to spend Christmas in the place named after the (2nd) mascot of Christmas himself. Here is where she meets Dorian, a firefighter and Mr. December who is struggling with his own challenges.

Dorian is struggling with finding life after the loss of his wife. After an out-of-towner rents one of his properties for the Christmas season, he finds himself feeling things he hasn't since his wife. Dorian works through grief to make his own Christmas story come true.

The chemistry between Saira and Dorian is undeniable. This was a cozy read and I truly felt the holiday spirit.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Sad Bois are great lovers and I will not be convinced otherwise.

This was a really great time, and although I'm reading it in prime spooky season, it was a delightful seasonal time. It was a little slower moving, and had my favorite snowed in trope. Having someone who has never experienced snow and doing that with them, is top tier and I'm so happy that I got all my fave tropes in one lovely holiday read.

I am obsessed about the little Christmas town and the small town-ness of it all. The Firefighter calendar situation of it all is hilarious to me, and I really enjoyed all the small town touches here and there.

I listed to this one via audiobook, and it was expertly narrated and it was a really good time.

Thank you to Black Odyssey Media and Netgalley for an e-copy.

I thought this was a super sweet, festive read. It really gives off the feel-good, hallmark vibes that you want in a Christmas book.
I loved the connection between Dorian & Saira, it felt genuine & full of chemistry.

This story was a cutesy cozy romance. It was so vivid that I felt transplanted right on the story. It was so detailed that I had to look up Christmas places in the US to visit myself. Both MCs were so likable, the setting was remarkable, and the storyline was brilliant. I only wish the female MC wouldn't have made a big deal about where he lived. Great writing, I would love a where are they now.

Overall: 4
Spice: 2

FMC is being forced to write a Christmas book, MMC not looking for love after the death of his one and only. Add in snow and small-town magic and you have a cute love story. They both fight falling in love but will they give in.

This was okay. The story had potential but I was left wanting more. I was hoping for a bit more with Saira and the novel. I felt like there was barely any mention of it after she spent the first day in Santa Claus. I mean that was the whole reason she came and I felt like that was lost. And the ending felt a bit rushed. Otherwise the story was good. Thank you Net Galley and Black Odyssey Media for the e-ARC.

I enjoyed this. It’s a Christmas romance that is actually a Christmas romance. Small town. Grieving fire fighter. A writer looking for inspiration. There is lustful chemistry. They spend time together creating moments. They find happiness with each other during Christmas. If you love a small town holiday romance then you should give this one a try.

I am a first reader of the author Charity Shane. I do so love reading a good Christmas novel. Saira is a romance writer and she has hit a bit of a slump in her writer career and book sales are down. Dorian is a super sexy widowed volunteer firefighter, little league football coach and Mr. December for the annual fundraising calendar. Saira is at her wits end when she is given the ultimate task of writing a Christmas novel or be dropped from the prestigious publishing house. To get herself in the mood Saira finds herself head to a Christmas town to get herself in the mood. Saira and Dorian find themselves being neighbors. As Dorian is still moaning the loss of wife his he is not looking for love. The two are great together as they navigate their attraction, chemistry love for each other. Saira has found her muse and inspiration of writing her next best-selling Christmas novel and Dorian has found love again even though he was not really ready to give love a try again. Awesome Christmas romance with great characters and a plot that held me captive.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media and I am leaving my review voluntary.

My goodness did this book have ALL the feel good vibes of a Christmas movie. Was it kinda predictable? Yes, as are most Christmas movies. Was it absolutely enjoyable? Also yes! I inhaled this book in less than 24 hours.

First of all, I really love the main characters. Saira is in a writing slump, and just so happens to go to Santa Claus, Indiana and runs straight into Mr. December, also known as Dorian the super hot chocolate fireman! There was just enough swoon moments, where it did not feel redundant, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to brief meet all the residents in Santa Claus! I don't always love books about authors, who are writing books - it can come off too meta for me - BUT Ms. Charity did it so well, that i have no complaints!

This is my first book by Ms. Charity and I cannot wait to read another! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to NetGalley, Black Odyssey Media and Charity Shane for the eARC. LOVEDDDD it.

A Novel Christmas was a fun, festive read with good characters and the right mix of flirty banter and emotional moments. I would definitely recommend this book if you were looking for something with a great main couple, as well as supporting cast of characters, and an immersive holiday feeling- definitely one to read when getting in to the festive feeling!

Thank you to NetGalley, Black Odyssey Media and Charity Shane for an arc of this book.

This was cute and spicy. Definitely wasn’t expecting all of the spice but i enjoyed it. I loved the touch on grief and managing it and how the author didn’t just glaze over it.

A Christmas romance story for Saira and Dorian. She is in his small town to find her Christmas spirit and channel it in to a holiday romance she is writing. Will they have a chance, or is he still not over the loss of his wife? Great festive read.

Saira Wright, a famous author of Black romance books has a huge following and is signed with a top publisher of African American works. She's quite surprised one day when she receives a call from the publishing house saying they want a Christmas romance book from her. Ms Wright doesn't do Christmas books, but her sales have taken a slump just like her love life. She has a choice, write that best-selling Christmas romance or her contract is gonzo. Needing a little inspiration, she goes to the best Christmassy town she can think of.
Renting a half of a duplex with the owner on the other side is no problem, that is until she sees who it is. Mr. December on the firehouse calendar, Dorian Black. Firefighter, football coach and widow.
He's not looking for a relationship, he's had plenty of people try to matchmake for him, but his late wife's memory is still too strong.
When Saira and Dorian meet though it's as though they were made for each other in this spicy winter romance. Saira seems to fit right in with the folks in town and all his friends as if she'd been there for a lifetime and he feels the same way. I enjoyed seeing the interaction between the two as the sparks ignite bright. I think she has all the inspiration she needs for this upcoming romance book. Loved this uplifting full of great humor book. Filled with the holiday season you'll want to read this more than once.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.