A sweet Christmas romance that would be perfect edition to anyone's Christmas book rotation. I know it will be on mine.

A fast paced, quick burn, small town romance with Christmas vibes.

A fun way to spend an hour.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

Saira Wright is a successful romance author. But recently her reviews and sales figures haven't been very great so her publisher has given her an ultimatum: she must give them a good Christmas Holiday romance story of be dropped by the major Black publishing house! For inspiration, she finds a small town called Santa Claus, in Indiana, a place very different from where she's from whether it's the weather or the people.

This book started off very promising. It has a nice Christmas feel and had me hooked. But I wasn't a fan of the writing and some of the language confused me many times as well. Overall, a good read and satisfying ending too.

I enjoyed reading this novel. It was fun and easy to read. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

I am a newcomer to Charity Shane's books and this book definitely sealed the deal for me! I am a fan! She has such a way of writing- she is creative yet doesnt over-extend to the point the story feels like a farfetched fantasy, she adds details vivid enough to make the reader really feel and get into what's happening, and most importantly, her words just flow. She created the perfect characters in this novel, along with the perfect storyline, perfect realistic obstacles, and I loved every bit of it!

Saira Wright is a best-selling author and has been writing for Brownstone Literature's black romance division for 5 years. Saira knows she is great! She has had several of her books hit #1, with multiple holding top spots simultaneously. However, her confidence takes a hit one day when her publisher notifies her that her last 3 books have not done as well as her other books and presents Saira with an ultimatum- write a Christmas romance and get back on top or leave Brownstone for good. Saira finds herself booking a flight and airbnb in Santa Claus, Indiana in hopes of finding some Christmas inspiration. What she ends up finding, however, is Dorian Black. He is fine, he is a former football player, now coach of his city's football team, he owns and manages rental properties, he is a volunteer firefighter and Mr. December, but he is also a widower and not looking for a relationship. Saira is tasked with not only writing a top selling Christmas romance (in an environment completely foreign to her, with her being from Miami), but also fighting her feelings for Dorian.

There is so much I loved about this novel! I loved the characters- both Saira and Dorian are very confident individuals however, they are both dealing with hurt. Saira's last relationship failed after 2 years, and Dorian lost his wife unexpectedly to cancer. Needless to say, they both find it hard to open up and trust someone.. until they meet each other and all of that changes. You can literally feel their chemistry through this book! And the steamy moments.. wow! I absolutely loved how they were each other's perfect match - they fit together like a puzzle! There were also other characters that I loved, like Linaya, Saira's best friend and agent, who felt like every black girl's best friend, and Keith, who felt like that one uncle! (If you know, you know!) I also strongly connected with the location being in Indiana. Saira is from Miami, and being in Indiana was a major cultural shock for her, given the lack of diversity. I am originally from the Bronx and I moved to Denver 5 years ago - the change in diversity is drastic! I loved that Saira was able to find community in Indiana, and I felt like it added so much more to each character's traits. I was able to feel how close-knit the other firefighters were, along with Dorian's influence on the kids he coached. It added a lot to his character and had me rooting for him hard! As far as Dorian and Saira, watching their character growth was wonderful! I absolutely loved them and loved their story!

Thank you NetGalley, Black Odyssey Media, and Charity Shane' for this heartwarming ARC!

This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

I really liked the overall story, and it's a great book to read to get into the holiday spirit. That being said, the author's writing style was difficult for me and it was hard to keep my interest in some places. I usually like whirlwind romances so that part didn't bother me, but there were some sections that seemed to be added more for a higher word count rather than adding to the story line.

Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley provided an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

This was a super cute Black holiday romance story with:
✅ Hot cinnamon roll MMC
✅ Small town setting
✅ Forced proximity
✅ Spicy scenes

The third act made me roll my eyes a little bit, but that’s pretty standard for holiday romances.

Still an enjoyable story that I could totally see as a made for TV movie.

#ANovelChristmas #NetGalley

I love Christmas books with a hallmark feel good feeling and this book gave me all the good hallmark vibes. It was well written and fast pace. Character development was great and I enjoyed every bit of the love story from beginning to end

I am a sucker for Hallmark Christmas movies and this book felt exactly like that, only spicy. It was engaging and well-paced with fun and endearing characters. I enjoyed the setting, Saint Nicholas and I loved that in that small town they had built such an amazing community. All of this was portrayed well on the page, so much so that I had a running film in my head. Dorian was the perfect, imperfect man and I loved him together with Saira. Their chemistry was palpable in the story, you could feel it as you read, which is always amazing. This was a new author to me, but I know I will look for more from her, as I enjoyed the storytelling. I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

"A Novel Christmas" was a truly enjoyable read with just the right mix of romance and heartfelt emotion. The concept of a romance author like Saira finding her muse in a place as festive as Santa Claus, Indiana, and stumbling into her own love story is both charming and engaging. Dorian, known as Mr. December, is a character with depth, and his past scars add layers to the budding relationship. I was cheering for Saira and Dorian as their connection unfolded, despite the whirlwind timeline. The book's portrayal of Dorian's grief is touching yet not overwhelming, striking a good balance that adds to the story's depth. If you're in the mood for a sweet holiday romance that warms your heart this is a good pick!

I just finished "A Novel Christmas" by Charity Shane', and let me tell you, it's the perfect feel-good holiday escape.

The story follows Dorian and Saira, two strangers whose paths cross during the most magical time of year. Can true love really blossom in just a week? This book had me completely invested in their whirlwind romance, rooting for their happily ever after the entire time.

Dorian's journey resonated deeply. Charity Shane' beautifully portrays his internal struggle with grief, making his emotional growth all the more satisfying. Plus, the Christmassy small-town setting practically leaped off the page. I could practically smell the gingerbread and hear the carols while I was reading.

If you're looking for a heartwarming instalove story with the perfect pace to keep you engaged, "A Novel Christmas" is definitely for you. It left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a renewed belief in the magic of the season.

***below review was posted on StoryGraph and private Facebook bookclub group****

This book was the perfect combination of sweetness and depth. The way Dorian’s grief was written was relatable without being heart shattering. I rooted for the couple with every page. I love the relationship with Dorian and Crystal. I sometimes shy away from books that are very descriptive however this one was just right. I felt like I was watching a movie. This was my 1st book by this author and I look forward to reading more of their work.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this a lot! Though I don't know how realistic it is to fall in a week, the book was well-written and detailed. I really liked Dorian (Mr. December) and Saira. I loved how their relationship developed. Both of them had some scars- Dorian, more than Saira- but they were able to make it work. I liked the storyline being that Saira was a Black romance author who had lost her spark and needed inspiration. She found it in Santa Claus, Indiana and she got a whole lot more! Getting her own love story was the best inspiration! (P.S. I wouldn't mind a little follow-up story for Crystal and Mike.)

If you're in need of something festive for the upcoming holiday season, A Novel Christmas is the book for you. This was a fast paced holiday romance with a cute plot that felt reminiscent of some Hallmark movies. I also loved the banter between the characters.

This holiday romance by Charity Shane is perfect for a cozy read by the fireplace with a cup of cocoa! The story moves quickly and offers plenty of festive vibes, making it a great pick for the holiday season. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging, although there's room for improvement. While some readers may find the pacing a bit fast, Dorian's charm adds an irresistible allure to the story. With its satisfying length, this book is ideal for reaching your reading goals and getting into the Christmas spirit. Grab it in late November or early December for maximum holiday magic! Thank you for the ARC!

Very fast paced romance - but super cute for the holidays with a cup of cocoa! The characters were complex and the plot was great. Could have been a little better - 3 stars

If you are looking for a great holiday romance, A Novel Christmas by Charity Shane should definitely be on your list! This is a slow burn with some killer Christmas vibes. I loved this book & will read it again closer to the holidays.

Thank you NetGalley & Black Odyssey Media for an ARC copy of this book.

This marks my inaugural dive into holiday romance, and the festive atmosphere truly swept me away. The characters boasted depth, and the storyline was captivating.

Yet, as an aficionado of slow-burning romances, I found the pacing a tad brisk for my taste. While the writing style didn't quite align with my preferences, Dorian's charm managed to overshadow any reservations.

Clocking in at a satisfying length, this book is ideal for padding your reading goal and serves as a delightful prelude to the holiday season. Consider picking it up in late November or early December to bask in its Christmas magic.

This is the first holiday romance I’ve ever read and the Christmas vibes were amazing. The characters were complex and the plot was great.

However I love a slow burn so this book moved way too fast for me. The writing style wasn’t my cup of tea but for Dorian, I overlooked it :)

This book is a great length to bump up your read goal and would be great to read late November/early December to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Read Time ⏱️ 2.5 hours