Member Reviews
A cute holiday rom-com! Good for a quick read with a cozy blanket in the winter.
eARC provided by NetGalley!
This may be my favorite Falon Ballard book yet! It had all of my favorite tropes in one book (forced proximity, second chance romance, grumpy/sunshine).
The banter between Nick and Jess is spot on. I also loved how, as a reader, you aren’t 100% sure if they were going to end up together or not.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I adore Falon Ballard and this short, but sweet, holiday romance was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
Jess is a romance writer who wants nothing more than her own happily ever after, but those dreams were dashed when her ex-boyfriend and fellow romance writer, Nick, broke her heart. So when they find themselves snowed in at a work event and no rooms left at the inn, Jess finds herself bunking with Nick (because of course HIS reservation went through) and the tension is palpable — but it's also fuel for these two writers facing writers block. Deciding to work on a story together, Nick and Jess find themselves getting closer, but can they rewrite a happier ending to their own love story?
I really liked the premise of this book and its commentary on the romance genre and how women still have to work twice as hard to get the recognition they deserve, even in spaces that are primarily for them. The character growth on Nick's part was so important and so well written, because truthfully when he explained why he broke up with her, I wanted to strangle him. But on the flip side, I understood Jess' thought of 'would I have been able to be happy for him and his success while I was struggling to make it in the same industry?' Sometimes people have to fall apart to come back together stronger, and I think the time and space did them both some good.
ALSO! HOLY SPICE, FALON! I was not expecting this to be so steamy but your girl can write some HOT scenes. Guaranteed to keep you warm on a cozy night in while reading.
This was a delightful, steamy, uplifting, and raw holiday romance that I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to PRH Audio for the complementary audiobook and to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!! I am a hardcore November 1st girlie when it comes to celebrating the holiday season, and I have a great roundup of holiday reads to get me through the next few months. If you are looking for a book to get you feeling festive, look no further. All I Want is You is the perfect cozy book to warm your heart.
Nick and Jess (LOVED the New Girl reference) are romance writers with a complicated history. Before either of them became published authors, they were in a relationship, and it didn’t end well. Five years later, Jess is asked by their shared publisher to present an award to Nick, and she can’t say no because it would be great exposure for her and her (not quite as successful) career. Only the hotel they are both staying at gets snowed in, and there is a mishap where Jess somehow doesn’t have a room, and of course, the hotel is sold out due to the storm. Luckily, Nick offers to share his room and these former lovers are stranded with only one bed.
Let me just start by saying I adored this book. Also, how cute is a romance book about romance writers!!! I’m obsessed. This is the sweetest second-chance romance with a hint of spice and the most incredible grand gesture. Plus the bonus of the holiday season. This book truly has it all. The flashbacks to Nick and Jess’s prior relationship gives us insight into their past and allows us to see just how far they’ve come, which made rooting for them even easier. The banter and chemistry between them was incredible. Honestly, I could just keep going with all the things I loved about this book.
I listened to the audiobook of All I Want is You while putting up my tree and burning a pine-scented candle (gotta make up for the lack of smell with a fake tree) and let me tell you, the vibes were immaculate. This book was just what I needed to get me in the holiday spirit. The audiobook was narrated by Sarah Naughton, Marwan Salama, and Falon Ballard herself and it was done so well! I truly wanted to keep listening forever.
Okay, this is going to be a complicated review because I have very complicated thoughts on this book. Let me start things of with saying that this was fun, quick, and very Christmasy read. It definitely delivered on those fronts. So there's that. However, I also had MANY issues with it.
The romance was very underdeveloped, in my opinion. I feel like it was all about the great sex they have (I don't know how many times they told us that, but it was A LOT) and how great they are at writing while they are together. That's quite literally it. Oh, and he grew to like Christmas because she loved it. That's quite literally all we know about their relationship in the past, but in the present it also never gets deeper than that. I also feel like we didn't really resolve the issues that made them break up in the first place. So I have a hard time believing these two are in it for the long haul.
I also wasn't the biggest fan of Nick. He definitely isn't the worst love interest I have ever come across in romances. However, throughout the book there were some small things that gave me an ick. I could have easily ignored those things though because like I said they were only small things. However, then we get the reason for their break up, and it basically was Nick being the biggest egotistical prick you have ever seen. He also never really takes accountability for his actions. He does say he made the biggest mistake of his life or whatever, but he still totally puts the blame on his friend and even Jess herself, even though she never did anything wrong. It totally put me off from him.
Now, I can hear you think: those are some big complaints, and yet she rated this four stars. I know. I can't fully explain it either. Despite all those issues I had with this book I still had such a good time reading this. It was just super addictive, and I got MEGA invested in this book as well. I teared up at several points. For me enjoyment goes first whenever I rate something. So that means that this ended up with a high rating, even I though I can say that this wasn't the best read ever. So yeah, I don't know what that means when it comes to recommending this one. Figure it out yourself, I guess, based on what I wrote here.
“All I Want Is You” is quick, easy read that is told between the present day Christmas season and flashbacks to prior Christmases. Nick and Jess (new girl reference) had me giggling because that’s exactly who I pictured when their characters were introduced. They are both writers, and ex’s, stuck together during a winter storm. I really liked both of the characters!
Unfortunately, I felt like the book was too short and it was really fast paced. Because of this, I felt it lacked depth and I found it to be predictable. I couldn’t get behind their emotional connection but their physical connection was great though! 🌶️
It was also heavy on the tropes and I felt like the author made a list of what she wanted to include in her book because they kept being referenced..
**Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC and the chance to read and review. All opinions are my own**
It’s like this book was written specifically for me! A second chance romance featuring enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and ONLY ONE BED. And it’s a holiday romance, too!
This was on the shorter side but it never felt rushed. I was rooting for these two characters from start to finish. I loved that they were both romance writers and the author incorporated that into the plot.
This was the perfect holiday romance and I think it will really resonate with readers as we get closer to the holiday season.
All I Want is You is a delightful holiday read about two authors- and exes- being forced to work together. The characters were likable and relatable, and I loved their banter back and forth. Definitely recommend! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.
“All I Want is You” by Falon Ballard was so cute. It was an easy read and reminded me a bit of “Beach Read” except in a mildly holiday setting.
Nick and Jess are writers for the same publishing company— and they are exes. Jess gets asked to present an award to Nick at a ceremony, and when they finally see each other for the first time in years, sparks fly. The hotel loses Jess’s reservation, and she ends up staying with Nick. Banter and Hallmark Christmas movie vibes ensue.
There were points where I wished we could see more of there dynamic beyond how hot they found each other, but the epilogue was so sweet.
This is for you if you like:
✨HEA
✨second chance romance
✨Christmas love
✨One bed
✨Exes to lovers
✨Miscommunication
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was the cutest holiday romance. It may have been short but it certainly wasn't lacking all my favorite troupes! A perfect little read in between other longer reads. A definite must read in my opinion! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ All the way!
I don't really know what to say except I love this book and I wish I had 10 more to read throughout the holiday season. A romance book about two romance writers that had all the best tropes (enemies to lovers, second chance romance, one bed!!). Falon Ballard has done it again.
Jessica is living her dream of being a romance writer, but so is her ex-boyfriend and now rival Nick. She is forced to present him an award at the publishers holiday party and they subsequently get snowed in... cue the one bed mentioned before. Should they really get back together after he broke her heart? Why does it seem like writing her next book is easier when he's around?
Just read this book for the holidays, trust me.
Thank you Putnam Books and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy of this book.
This was a cute, spicy, slightly festive second chance rom com. I say slightly festive because it felt more like a rom com that happened to take place during the holidays than a holiday story. It was a cute story overall. It started strong for me, but I felt my interest come and go throughout. It's an easy, light read with holiday vibes if you're looking for that.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.
Nick and Jessica are both romance authors working for the same publishing company. They are also exs who haven’t spoken to each other in five years. Jessica is selected to present Nick with a publishing award at the company holiday party. While she wants to refuse, it is strongly encouraged by her agent to follow through for the sake of her career. They get snowed in and finally address the end of their relationship.
Tropes:
- Forced proximity snowed in at the same hotel.
- One bed when Jessica’s hotel reservation falls through.
- Nick is grumpy and Jessica is sunshine. She loves Christmas and he is a bit of a grinch.
- Second chance romance
- Career rivals
This is like the Hallmark movie of holiday books, but add in about three open door spice scenes . It’s a cute, easy read. Nothing too deep or triggering. I read this in about a day. It will get you in the holiday spirit and will leave you craving a peppermint mocha by the end.
Thank you to PRH, the author, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Falon Ballard book is always a must for me, and this story does not disappoint. It is about second chances at believing in love and the power of the holidays. Can two people find themselves in love again or has to much time passed? It was funny and everything Ballard stories are, I am so glad she wrote Christmas love story I was all in.
Bitter exes, and one bed, what could go wrong?
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnan's Sons for a copy of this story for my honest review.
Jessica has several published romance novels, but can't seem to bring herself out of mid tier and afford to be able to write fulltime. Meanwhile, Nick, her ex-boyfriend, ex-critique partner, and now writing rival has become a household name and made many bestseller lists. When Jessica is asked to present a romance writing award to him at their publisher's annual holiday ball, she feels like she can't say no to the executives and is forced to see Nick five years after he broke her heart. With a revenge dress and and all the will she can muster, Jessica makes it through the evening... only to be snowed in at the inn for several more days with only one room with only one bed left for her and Nick.
Ballard is such a fun writer to read. She's not all romantic prose or flowery bedroom scenes, rather, she's writing like she's your best friend telling you all the dish. Her characters are real and raw and funny, and sometimes they swear and sometimes they sleep together and, yes, sometime they make grand gestures. There's something about her voice that really resonates with me and has made me enjoy every book of hers. This holiday romance is perhaps a bit sweeter than her previous--but still brings the spice--and full of wonderful, book-loving holiday cheer. It's a great seasonal read to cozy up to a warm fire with.
Thanks to Putnam for my eARC and finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 starts - 9/10
Once again, Fallon knocks it out of the park. Another book I couldn’t put down! Her writing makes you feel like you are stuck in the snowstorm with the characters. Definite read! The connection with the characters is so real and raw - you feel like you are right next to them through their love story. The second chance romance they found is one for the HEA!
Another great read from Falon Ballard! A second chance romance about writers writing a second chance romance! Absolutely loved it!
**Thank you to Putnam Books for this free digital review copy.**
This was my third Falon Ballard novel, and it sits at a comfortable 3 stars, just like the other two. I enjoyed spending a lazy Saturday morning reading this, but it isn't going to be one I want to revisit year after year. It was a quick read (and I did skim some scenes, making it an even quicker read). The story was cute, if cliche, and the characters were actually both really likable. While miscommunication was certainly a part of the backstory, they dealt with the current situation in a way that felt mature and satisfying. The cozy Christmas inn setting was adorable, and the group chat was immaculate. Overall a fun Christmas read.
What a fun, quick and easy holiday romance. I loved the second chance romance. Nick was a great MMC. I appreciated how he respected what Jess wanted but still made his feelings know. There were some chapters that felt a little redundant but overall this was a fun read.
This was truly the perfect holiday read! I am a huge Hallmark movie lover, and this had all the same feel good scenes I love when watching those movies!
The spice was HOT, and I am such a huge fan of second chance romance that I truly enjoyed this from start to finish.
A short and sweet read that is perfect for the upcoming holiday season, can’t wait to read more by this author!