Cute. Thats the word. really couldn't get invested. Background stories were good. Lots of spice. Well written, so why didn't I care about them? Overall it's a fun holiday romance if you are looking for something short and sweet

Tessa Bailey does it every time with a fresh story full of humor, deep emotions, and the richest romance.

Not my favorite Tessa Bailey, but a lot of fun and Christmas cheer-filled. Stella and Aiden don't naturally make a ton of sense, but are very much drawn to one another. Aiden breaks a lot of rules to hire her and then to date her, which sort of rubs me the wrong way, but he was also adorable so I let it slide. Stella is rough around the edges, but Aiden helps get her out of her shell and back on her feet.

The spice was spicy (thanks Tessa Bailey) and the Christmas windows were vibrant at Vivant!

A solid holiday romance featuring an ex-con and a department store manager. This is a heartwarming and cozy story good for a snowy day!

Another great romance from this author! This creative story centers around department store window display design and the hard work and imagination that goes into the construction of each design. From the start I enjoyed the dynamic between Stella and Aiden. The tension between these two sizzled from their first meeting and continued to escalate as they supported one another and helped each other be their best selves while also exploring the fizzing chemistry between them. All in all, a great holiday romance!

Read if you enjoy:
🎄grumpy (her) + sunshine (him)
🎄forced proximity
🎄a second chance at life
🎄forbidden workplace romance
🎄steamy chemistry

Mixed baga again for me on Tessa Bailey - good set up but the characters were just not fully fleshed out enough for me and there was some real trauam in the female lead's past which was used for story but wasn't taken seriously in my opinion

Stella has just been released from prison. Having been turned away from her parents, she has landed in New York staring at department store window and worried about what to do next. When a man approaches her with his silly bow tie and weird stories, she tries to get away from him. But when she really looks at him there is an undeniable attraction and she doesn’t like that at all. He encourages her to apply to the window dresser and against all odds she gets the job. Then she finds out he is the general manager and 60% owner of the store. What unfolds then is what we expect from Tessa Bailey; an employee expected romance and LOTS of spice! I enjoyed every minute of it!

This one was just ok. The characters were likeable, but the plot was so unrealistic for me that it didn't work. I think if one of the elements had gone away, I would have liked it more. Either have her be fresh out of prison, or have him be her new boss, but not both. I did really enjoy the window dresser part of the story - it was fun to see Stella's creativity and how it impacted the store.

3.5 Stars.
Stella is recently out of prison when she meets Aiden who owns the Vivant Dept Store. Stella ends up working for Aiden.
The book was a bit slow for me and is the typical Christmas holiday romance book. There seemed to be a lot of spice for a book this short. Maybe more plot and less spice next time.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Stella is an ex-con trying to rebuild her life when she strikes up a conversation with a stranger outside a department store. She shares with him all she would do to change the window display to get more traffic in the store. What she doesn’t know, is that the stranger is the owner of the store. That conversation leads to an incredible opportunity for her to become their window display designer AND a little bit of a forbidden romance with this man.
NYC holiday window displays are my favorite and pairing that with a steamy Tessa Bailey romance made for a fun holiday story. One thing I appreciated about this forbidden romance is how aware Aiden was of the power dynamic and how he really worked to make sure Stella did not feel uncomfortable or taken advantage of in any way. This is a super quick read and there were times I did wish it was longer to be able to get more details, but overall it is a fun one!
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Cute, cheesy, Christmas romance.

Stella Schmidt is recently out of prison, stops outside a store's window display and starts laughing. Some man with a bow tie asks what she was laughing about, but then tells her to apply to be a window decorator. Low and behold said man in bow tie is the manager, Aiden Cook.

Skip ahead and Stella is working for Vivant and her and Aiden can't stay away from each other. The tension is THERE. But Stella's past, especially so intertwined with her best friend Nicole (who was the reason she ended locked up for 4 years), keeps her from committing or accepting the good things in her life. While Aiden is trying to get over his need to please people in his life who don't appreciate him.

Did I mention that while Mr. Aiden Cook might seem like an adorable cornball, he is also quit dirty and dommy in the bedroom (well once on the patio too...) 🥵

The pacing of the book felt a bit slow for me. The build up to Nicole was so much for such a small portion, that honestly felt a bit lack luster. While they didn't really do anything until 70% 😮‍💨 and while yes, it was extremely hot, that was it and then it just jumped off a cliff into, "ok wrap up the story in the next 2 chapters," and rushed the pacing at the end. Overall it was enjoyable, but not my favorite.

This was such a heartwarming story of second chances. It’s the perfect holiday read to make you feel warm and cozy inside.

Stella is just out of prison and looking for a fresh start. While standing in front of the Vivant department store window she scoffs at their horrible display. Aiden, the general manager, happens to hear her and challenges her to apply for the job. Stella gathers the courage to do so despite her history.

Aiden believes in Stella and his belief in her slowly helps her rebuild her confidence in herself. Aiden is all sunshine and rainbows and pure goodness. And his confidence in Stella is so heart warming. Not only does he help rebuild her confidence in her work self but also in her worthiness of love. It’s just a beautiful story. Go ahead and grab this if you’re looking for a beautiful Holiday read that will help restore your belief in goodness and second chances.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this review opportunity.

Not my favorite Tessa Bailey book. It's my fault. I did not read the description I saw her name and the cute cover. The heat was hot though. Not mad.

This was such an easy, holiday book. Tessa, as always, brings a fun, quirky rom com with spice. I never read a story about a window decorator, truly something different and unique (in my opinion). There was tension but no gut-wrenching drama which I desperately needed after reading some pretty heavy books this month. If you're looking for a palate cleanser or just a quick read - I highly recommend this one!

This was my first Tessa Bailey book, and it didn’t meet the hype. The male lead felt like a "dream man" checklist: successful, geeky-hot, no baggage, and somehow a "dominating sex god" too.

The protagonist lacked depth, and without engaging side characters, the story felt flat. While the premise—a felon-turned-window-dresser under pressure—was intriguing, it quickly felt unconvincing.

Unfortunately, this didn’t inspire me to pick up more of Bailey’s work anytime soon. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager publishing for the advanced copy!

2.5
There have been some Tessa Bailey books I have enjoyed so I was a little disappointed in this one.
It is good-ok. I think those who love the cozy hallmark style will like it more than I did. The tropes used were ones that bother me so made sense that it turned me off. I just needed more. I did not even need a backstory. I just wanted to know what happens now. I would say give it a try if boss-employee stuff does not bother you and you like the simple sweet hallmark style reads.

5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This man smiles constantly.
I hate him.”

Window Shopping is a standalone holiday romcom following Aidan and Stella. Stella is a girl down on her luck dreaming of someone willing to take a chance on her. A chance encounter in front of a shop window of the famous Vivant department store leads her to meeting Aidan, a man willing to take a chance on her by offering her a job. Can they handle the chemistry between them or will they find themselves lost to the holidays?

This book is adorable and perfect for the festive time.

Stella is trying to rebuild herself after a long string of mistakes. She is determined to rebuild herself and you can see the passion she has for the work she's offered. She is really working through herself and I enjoyed the strength we see in her.

Aidan is a sunshine character and I adored the dynamic. He sees the good in everything and he is very much by the book. Yet he does have an intensity to himself...specifically in the bedroom department…

In terms of spice this book is a 3 spicy pepper. The spice is slow burn but the intensity and explicit element really ramped it out. It had such an amazing payout for the delicious tension between Stella and Aidan. There is foreplay, gratuity, and so much more. It really took this book to the next level by giving us a different perspective of our characters and I had such fun.

“Nothing in my life has felt as amazing as you, either. Nothing.”

The story itself follows Stella finally getting a job of her dreams (on a trial basis) thanks to making some comments on window displays in front of Aidan, who happens to be the store manager. Stella feels the chemistry but doesn't want to risk her shot. Aidan is enamored by Stella but he is a by the book kind of guy and his company has strict fraternization policies. There are additional conflicts with old friends and family that help shake things up. I adore the forbidden romance, the dirty talk, and the intimacy of these characters. It was such an effortless read I devoured on the plane ride home. And the ending?!? It truly brought this story together.

Tessa Bailey once again wins me over in the holidays!

Thank you Avon for this review copy!

Well, this book was delightful. This is not your Hallmark Christmas book, this one is more HBO. Stella is standing in front of famous The Vivant Christmas windows when Aiden asks what she thinks. She is the first person who gives him an honest opinion.
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This book is about second chances, first romances and Christmas spirit. I loved it.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley’s for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review

This book ending up being so very different from what I expected when looking at the cover and title. I would have preferred a novella with way less prison drama. The FMC bugged me and I didn’t feel connected to the romance. Still a favorite author but this book wasn’t for me.

This was the just right Christmas season book. Tessa Bailey never lets me down when I want something with humor in addition to romance and I love when the female is the ‘grump’ in the grumpy / sunshine trope. Short and sweet with enough story to give the characters time to develop beyond what you typically get in a novella. Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the ARC.