I will read anything Tessa Bailey puts out. Although this one wasn't my favorite, I still really enjoyed it.

I loved the New York Christmastime vibes. It sort of reminded me of that old movie Mannequin...minus the mannequin coming to life. Stella is hired as a department store window dresser and of course falls for her boss, Aiden. I actually loved them together and their story. It did feel a bit rushed, but it's a fast paced, easy read, so I didn't really mind.

What I didn't really care for was Stella's back story. It felt lacking. She was in jail for 4 years, but we only get glimpses into what actually happened. It just didn't go with the Christmas vibes of the story.

Read if you like:
Opposites Attract
Workplace Romance
Boss/Employee
Christmas Romance

Thanks to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.

3 stars (which feels a little generous) because I read it quickly, wanted to know what would happen between minor and major characters, and I also love Christmas.

However, the MMC feels unrealistic, and the 🌶️ takes up too much of the book for me personally. I would have liked to see more relationship growth between Stella and Aiden. I also felt like the plot line with Nicole was not a realistic ending, it was so abrupt.

I just don’t think I enjoy her style of writing romances, but I gave this one a shot because of Christmas.

I wanted to read a holiday romance and got approved for this one so here are my thoughts:

Likes:

+ Has anyone here watched the 80’s movie Mannequin? With Kim Catrall? I LOVED that movie as a kid lol…the mannequin came to life. Anyway this book sorta reminds me of that minus the mannequins coming to life. None of that happens here but the book centers around a department store, during the holidays and a young woman who’s dream is to design storefront windows. She gets the job, but of course falls for her boss.

+ The romance has a lot of spice and maybe a little too much for me. The attraction is instant and usually I want some build-up but this is a short book so I get why it built up quick. Anyway, if you like your holiday romance spicy, you’ll like this one.

+ I did feel the holidays vibes – department store, Christmas shopping, romance.

Dislikes:

~ Though I thought their romance was cute, I didn’t really feel invested. Also did he really just hire Stella because he was attracted to her? There were some things in the story that just made me go hmmm…

~ There was nothing about Stella’s window creation that hit me in the feels and I think for a holiday romance, I want to feel cozy, heartwarming feelings and I didn’t really feel it with this one.

Final Thoughts:

This one was just okay for me but if you like spicy holiday romance, you might give this one a try. Also, this one is on Kindle Unlimited so if you have that you can find it there.

Take a hallmark movie but make it porn. So much spice and little plot and it’s Christmas time. If that’s your jam you’ll love this book.

4 Stars OMG, I loved this one! I always love when books have cute character covers but are actually spicy lol Window Shopping is the perfect sweet and spicy romance novella to kickstart your holiday season! Tessa Bailey is the queen of spicy scenes.

4 Stars OMG, I loved this one! I always love when books have cute character covers but are actually spicy lol Window Shopping is the perfect sweet and spicy romance novella to kickstart your holiday season! Tessa Bailey is the queen of spicy scenes.

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey had all the ingredients for a cozy holiday romance, but it fell a bit flat for me. The opposites-attract trope and festive New York setting sounded promising, yet the story didn’t quite deliver the charm I was hoping for. Stella and Aiden’s romance felt rushed, and while their banter was meant to be playful, it sometimes came off as forced.

Stella’s character had potential, but her past and struggles felt more like plot devices than fully developed aspects of her personality. Aiden, the charming store owner, was likable but almost too perfect, making their dynamic feel unbalanced. While Bailey’s writing style is typically engaging, here it didn’t quite capture the holiday magic. If you're a fan of her other works, it might still be worth a read, but it wasn’t my favorite holiday romance.

This was 0 to 60 in seconds flat and HOT. I loved the take and the psychology of window displays and buying patterns, a lovely story of redemption and second chances outside of romance. There was a lot going on aside from the main love story and all of it was captivating. And whoa the spice!

#arc
#netgalley
#windowshopping

Two things that give this book 5 stars, Tessa Bailey and Christmas! This was a feel good Christmas story that made me happy happy! This will be purchased for my shelf so that I can \have the hard copy! Thank you!

A Naughty and Nice holiday romance that was fun, steamy, and festive!

Stella finds herself employed by a department store making window displays after unknowingly giving her opinion to Aiden, the store owner. Stella, who could really use a second chance after getting out of jail, throws herself into doing the best job she can do. She is a likeable, creative character with a keen eye and determination. Aiden is a charming and upbeat man who believes in second chances, Stella's ability, and the joy of the season.

There is more than meets the eye with both characters. As their attraction grows, things get flirty, steamy, and fun! This book was equal parts charming, endearing, fun, and festive. I enjoyed the characters, their banter, their steam, and their openness to each other.

Wonderfully written, charming, captivating and sexy!

Tessa Bailey always delivers and Window Shopping hits the spot! I loved the emphasis on second chances, romance, opposites attract, and steamy scenes.

Tessa Bailey never disappoints. Although her female characters are insufferable to me in the beginning, they always get better. They just needed some love.

Window Shopping is a feel good story of Stella, a recently released inmate who meets her Prince Charming, the rich Fifth Avenue department store owner. They both have baggage but face it and become better, together.

My favorite laugh out loud moment was when Leland whipped out the lighter!! That’s all I’ll say so I don’t spoil it for others but it’s a definite “hell yeah” moment!

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ex convict FMC and goofy awkward MMC...say less.

Stella has recently been released from prison and she is trying to get her bearings and put her life in order. Prior to her crime she was studying to be a designer, specifically for department store windows. Her attention is caught on one window in particular that is horrible. When a handsome stranger asks for her opinion and then tells her to apply, she figures she has nothing to lose. She does not thing that she has a chance at getting hired with her background. However, she gets an interview and then tries to back out when she realizes that the interviewer is none other than the stranger from the street. She ends up getting the job on a trial basis. She has three short days to prove herself.

Aiden is captivated by the woman gazing at his window display. He knows that it is terrible, and there is something about the way she is smiling at the display. He asks her opinion and then encourages her to apply for the position. He has no way of knowing which application is hers since he did not get her name, so he interviews everyone. He is disappointed that he has not seen her and the last interview looks like a no show. That is until she sees a flash of movement and realizes she is leaving. He chases her down and offers her the job on a trial basis in order to avoid issues with the board due to her criminal history.

This was such a cute story. I loved that Stella owned her past and did not try to brush over it. She was clearly upset and had remorse over what she did. I also loved the way Aiden did not push her to tell her story and let it come naturally, and then when they were tested, he stood strong instead of instantly blaming her due to her past. Aiden was such a great MMC, he was a little weird and quirky and that just added to his charm. He was also very responsible and honest. The fact that all he wanted was acceptance from his family was so heartbreaking.

I loved their romance and their attraction for each other. I was glad that Aiden put the brakes on, it showed his character. This was a quick and easy read with very little angst or drama.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage and NetGalley for this title. This is my very honest review.

Window Shopping is re-release of Tessa Bailey’s holiday steamy romantic comedy originally published in 2021. It is a stand-alone opposites-attract, workplace romance told in dual points of view. It’s a fast-paced story taking place during the last three weeks of December in Manhattan.
25-year-old Stella Schmidt has recently been released from Bedford Correctional Facility after serving four years and is staying at her uncle’s Chelsea apartment while she re-groups. Stella dreamed of designing window displays and completed three years of online design and marketing courses before participating in a crime and going to prison. She is adjusting to life outside prison and feeling remorse about her previous criminal activities. She misses her lifelong best friend, Nicole, who is still incarcerated.
Stella is standing outside Vivant, an upscale Manhattan department store, when a handsome stranger asks her opinion on the window display in front of them. When she calls it “Penguin Chernobyl,” he suggests that she apply for a window dresser job at Vivant. Stella rebuffs his suggestion but later applies for the job, disclosing her criminal record.
32-year-old Aiden Cook is the CEO of his family business, Vivant Department Store. While he is an uber-handsome 6’ 4” specimen of manhood, his Golden Retriever personality and “nice guy” personality has been problematic in previous romantic relationships. He wears silly bow ties and always walks around smiling, no matter how he feels on the inside. He feels emotionally disconnected from his father and grandmother, who both sit on the Board of Vivant. When Aiden was a young boy, he was sent to Tennessee to live with his Aunt Edna, who mostly raised him. Aiden’s closest friend is his Personal Assistant of three years, Leland.
Aiden is fascinated by Stella, who is his polar opposite. He decides to interview all of the candidates for the window dresser position after realizing that his mystery woman is probably the candidate with the prison record. He gives her four days to create a new Christmas display to replace “Penguin Chernobyl”, offering her a trial position. He is impressed by her work ethic and attitude of accepting responsibility for her past mistakes while also fighting his growing attraction to her. He is very aware of his company’s policy prohibiting management from fraternizing with employees. With it being mid-December, the success of the window display will affect sales.
For her part, Stella isn’t interested in romance. She is focused on re-starting her life and doesn’t want to blow her only chance at her dream job of creating window displays. She is all-work and no-play, but she is unable to resist Aiden’s kindness late at night. They are opposites in every way, but his golden retriever personality wears her down. If only they can find a way to have a romantic relationship while allowing Stella to be employed at Vivant.
Window Shopping is a very tender romance with engaging characters and a gripping story; I couldn’t put it down! The author wrote Stella in such a way that she is a sympathetic character who the reader will root for. Aiden is a perfect specimen of man who really doesn’t fit in Manhattan; his utter kindness will leave readers swooning. Aiden’s Aunt Edna stories are hilarious but realistic for the Deep South. The descriptions of how Stella creates her window displays are very informative, and the store employees add extra color to the story. Window Shopping is now my favorite Tessa Bailey story. Window Shopping contains some profanity and sexual scenes.
I purchased a paperback copy of this book in 2023. I received an Advance Review Copy ebook (ARC) from NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager in 2024 for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Stella is trying to find her footing after a four year stint in prison. When she least expects it, a hot and handsome man strikes up a corny conversation. Aiden is probably my favorite male love interest that Tessa Bailey has created. He is shameless in his telling of Aunt Edna stories, Dad jokes, and wearing of dorky bow ties. Bailey makes a big deal about an office romance. I believe she got the reaction from me that she wanted: discomfort. I much prefer "Wreck the Halls" to "Window Shopping" simply because of the specific tension Tessa Bailey created in this book. You recognize the hot topic of the work romance, but you are really rooting for these two. Oh yeah, and it takes place two weeks prior to Christmas. You can smell the peppermint!

This is a spicy holiday treat I would recommend.

I love a good Christmastime story, and this one was no exception. The fact that the FMC, Stella, just got out of prison and was attempting to make a fresh start was so beautiful. Aiden’s cheer was everything that a Christmas story needs, and I love how he saw the beauty inside Stella. This story was the perfect balance of festiveness and spice.

WINDOW SHOPPING by Tessa Bailey
⭐️ rating: 8/10

read if you like:
🎄 holiday romcoms
📍 New York City
🙌🏼 opposites attract

summary:
The first of my holiday reads! This book is about Stella, a recently freed convict who finds herself in New York City right before the holidays, and Aiden, the manager/owner of a famous department store who hires Stella as his newest window dresser, right in time for Christmas. They immediately hit it off, and despite coming from completely different worlds, they can’t resist each other. Will they be able to make it work, despite the fact Stella works for him?

This is a quick, light, smutty read perfect for anyone who loves Christmas in the city. I liked the angle of Stella being recently released from prison, as it’s an angle we don’t usually see. It follows the typical “opposites attract” trope, in a passionate and intense way. Aiden is your typical rich-kid-breaking-away-from-his-family, in a cute and romantic kind of way. There isn’t a lot of depth or character development, and hardly any conflict (it gets resolved so quickly!) but if you want to get in the holiday spirit in New York, this is a fast and spicy read!

Thanks to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this advanced copy! Add this to your holiday reading list today!

The perfect holiday romance to warm your heart! Tessa Bailey’s Window Shopping delivers a charming, festive love story that’s as sweet as hot cocoa and as cozy as your favorite holiday sweater.

Stella and Aiden are pure opposites with irresistible chemistry. Stella’s sarcastic honesty and Aiden’s cheerful optimism make for a fun and electric dynamic—she’s got a difficult past, while he’s all warmth and positivity, creating that perfect opposites-attract magic. Bailey weaves in humor, warmth, and just the right touch of spice to keep you grinning and turning the pages.

The holiday backdrop adds so much sparkle, from the bustling streets of Manhattan to the gorgeous window displays that bring Stella and Aiden together. It’s a heartfelt journey about second chances, self-discovery, and taking risks—all wrapped up in a swoon-worthy romance that’s impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a feel-good holiday read with a sizzling romance, this is it. Stella and Aiden’s story will have you smiling, laughing, and totally hooked!

*republishing this year
After unknowingly brutally roasting a holiday window display to the companies CEO- ex con Stella gets hired under ‘Mr Happy’ Aiden to make better windows. She tells herself she’s only in it for the money, but Aiden isn’t letting that stop him.
This book was so much fun! It was everything I would want out of a holiday read, and more! I love how Tessa took some old tropes and combined them with new/less used tropes. It made the book so much more enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for an eARC of this book!

I was given an advanced copy in exchange for my review. This is my honest opinion I am giving voluntarily. I LOVED this book!! It’s a perfect Christmas short story. Tessa yet again sucks you into a world where a grumpy FMC fights so hard not to let a bubbly golden retriever man into her heart, spoil alert she loses that fight. The book was a good that I wish there was more! I highly recommend, you won’t be dissatisfied!

A quick, fun naughty little Christmas read to get you in the holiday season! I loved me a good grumpy & sunshine trope.