Member Reviews
Where in the world does Tessa get all of these great storylines from!? Cute, but real problems, story about two people with troubled pasts. Stella's more than Aiden's. It's great watching them grow emotionally to get over the past.
This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.
Aiden and Stella's romance is so wholesome. I don't mean that it's not spicy, because IT IS SPICY. But it's also very tender and sweet. This is a relatively low stakes, low anxiety kind of romance that's perfect for folks who just want to watch two people fall in love at Christmas.
Window Shopping follows Stella, a recently released inmate who dreams of dressing shop windows, and Aiden, the department store general manager who hires her to re-do their window designs. Window Shopping is pretty light on the Christmas content. Yes, it's Christmas in New York, but the book doesn't place a heavy emphasis on time of year. These two have nearly instant chemistry and their relationship borders on insta-love. This usually annoys me, but in this case Tessa Bailey makes me feel like they're meant for each other in the best way.
If you're looking for a low anxiety romance with explicit content and a light Christmas setting, then Window Shopping will be right for you.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC copy of this book for my review.
This was such a cute workplace romance! As always, Tessa Bailey created two characters with undeniable chemistry, When you add the nostalgic Christmas feelings, this book was a standout among her huge catalog.
Christmas is early this year with this opposites attract romance that have you craving some holiday cheer mixed with those scorching scenes that Tessa never disappoints to provide...
The way that Aiden is described in this novel took me by surprise I cannot lie. Stella and Aiden, two individuals from different worlds with different personalities meet under a mutual circumstance that make their meet cute one of a kind. And with time, Tessa has written a romance novel that has me craving for me. Craving for Aiden's personality in every single male character that I read from now on. Cheerful and full of life, Aiden is the persona you always want to be around. But when the drapes come off and he shows his inner cave man, a protective possessive man towards Stella, you just know that he is one scorching torch. While Stella, a broody young lady with a past that she does not want her to follow her, learns that accepting help from others is not always a bad thing to do.
These two, together make one heck of a couple. With struggles of their own, but with Aiden involved and the strong urge of protecting what is his, Stella becomes the target of his desires and needs. Not only that, but emotionally he knows that having her as his is what he has been striving for his entire life. Her being his true soul mate is what seals the deal, because he knows that being with her than without her is what makes him or brakes him. But with time, both of them realize that being together is the best kind of magic there is.
Tessa has once again, and not even the tiniest bit surprised outdone herself with her magical fingers and brain to write such a fantastic novel that will have everyone truly on their knees wanting for more. With that being said, I can officially say that I am obsessed with having our male characters as the cheerful loving ones, and the females as the broody type with a stone hear, needing their one true mate to melt them. I cannot wait to see what is up next for Tessa!
Part of what I love about Tessa Bailey, is I tend to know what to expect: a fun (and a touch silly) plot, a fair amount of spice, and great banter. This title didn't disappoint! The main characters were so different, but had such great chemistry. Stella had a heavy amount of baggage and I loved how she worked to prove one's past doesn't always define them. Aiden was a great partner for her and it was beautiful to see him support Stella and help her become more confident. Any Tessa Bailey fan should love this title.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for this ARC.
I know when I sit down to read a Tessa Bailey book, I am in for a good time! I think this book was the PERFECT Christmas romance. I loved that it was equally cute and steamy. which for me, is on par with all the other TB books I've read and absolutely loved. The switcheroo of the grumpy + sunshine trope but where the heroine is the grump and the hero is the sunshine was "chefs kiss" perfect!!! All of that wrapped in Christmas spirit and festive bowties = 5 stars from me!
Window shopping is a rich give everyone a chance meets a lost woman who just got out of jail who is ready to find a better life. Tadaa there is your rich Prince Charming
Ahhhh! I loved this so much. Aiden is so, so dreamy. Sweet yet rough and the best support system you could ever ask for. Stella is tough and learning to trust (others and herself). Such a lovely, sexy holiday romance. Thank you to NetGalley for a digital copy.
A holiday romp (emphasis on the romp) featuring a hard ex-con and bow-tied department store owner. Stella is just out of prison and straightening her life out and she meets Aiden in a NYC sidewalk. She gives her opinion on the window dressing of his store and he falls instantly for her and gives her a chance to do better. Steamy scenes ensue.
Well, wow. That was a hot one! The spice level in this novel is off the charts, and honestly, the writing is way better than many of Bailey’s previous novels. The plot is cute (and different - she’s the previous prisoner, he’s the straight-laced love interest) and their romance is believable and hot. I do hate that it’s insta-love, but I overlooked it due to overall arch of the story. It’s festive, steamy, and a very quick read. All in all, I think it is worth a read, especially if you’re interested in a spicy holiday story! Definitely different and I was sad to see it end.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Okay, you've heard this from me before and you will hear it again: I believe in the Tessa Bailey supremacy!!! It's TRUE! She is a magic woman, a wordsmith of smutty goodness, and a must read for me. I am feral, feral I say at this traditional publication of the originally self-published holiday novella Window Shopping. This is a classic opposites attract tale with so much heart, and heat all wrapped up in a candy cane bow! Aiden is sunshine, Stella is grumpy, and they complement each other so well. Stella is such a beautiful character and watching her get to heal and fall in love is so cathartic. It's a holiday must read!!
Love Love Love this book, its so flirty and fun and the banter OMG its great. And it gets you right in the mood for Christmas. Ma0kes me think of the window displays I seen in Chicago and at a mall in Missouri.
Tessa Bailey can be hit-or-miss for me, even within the same series. This one didn't work for me personally, and I stopped after chapter 1 (7%). I feel like her hard-core fans will be all about it though.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.
Tessa Bailey does it again and needs to write faster! This book was everything you wanted it to be. Holiday themed, but not too Christmas-sy. Just the right amount of spice. Unexpected traits on both MCs. I adored it and could just visualize the windows! It's going to be the perfect holiday read!
I absolutely ADORED this! I finished it in under a day and couldn't stop reading it it was so good.
I am a huge tessa bailey fan and this one hit the mark for me! my god, why was this SO good?!?!?! Aiden was SUCH a fun and cute mmc (a man in his thirties that wears walrus bowties?!?!) but he had such a spicy side to him. I was PANTING. and Stella's story was so invigorating and I loved her character. I was so happy she got her fresh start.
Aiden was so charismatic and I loved his silly little stories. He was timid around stella and hello??? he would go into the window room and just look while she was away??? to feel closer to her??? IS THAT THE SENSATION OF MY OVARIES FLUTTERING????
Their reluctance to get together wasn't drawn out, but it was believable. He was her boss and well that is an abuse of power. On top of all else, she just got released from prison and all of a sudden had all of these things. It made sense that she felt like it wasn't for her. And honestly, her 'best friend' was the worst (Nicole I think?) and I'm so glad that TB decided not to make that a huge conflict when Nicole got released.
I especially loved the part when someone misplaced earrings and Aiden immediately knew it wasn't Stella. Not gonna lie tho, I was worried maybe it was and especially because she was wearing that necklace Aiden got for her but it wasn't her!!! And screw all of Aiden's family FOR REAL
This was a perfect little holiday romance in the streets of NYC, black cat fmc and golden retriever mmc, spice, sweetness, and all around gooey goodness. I will definitely be rereading this once it publishes. One of my fav TB books to date for sure!!!
The perfect Christmas read! Fluffy and spicy with all the holiday feels. I love Stella and Aiden. Their relationship is so well written. I love them separately and also together. So romantic and sexy and passionate.
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey is a festive holiday romance that sparkles with charm and wit. The story follows Stella, who gets an opportunity to design holiday windows for the renowned Vivant department store after a chance encounter with its charismatic owner, Aiden. The sizzling chemistry between these characters is on full display as Stella navigates her new job and the undeniable attraction she feels for Aiden with their lively and fun banter! You can feel the holiday spirit on every page, from the detailed descriptions of the festive window displays to the enchanting New York City setting. The author captures the magic of the season, making it an ideal read for anyone looking to get into the holiday mood!
This was a super quick read. It takes place during the Christmas season but it doesn't quite check off all the boxes of a "holiday romance". I feel like there was potential here to explore the challenges of re-entry, but it wasn't done in depth. Outside of that, it was a fast paced romance with a quirky opposites attract couple you want to root for.
This is the PERFECT christmas romance. This is sexy, hilarious, grumpy/sunshine written by Tessa Bailey. Need I say more?
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tessa Bailey has done it again with this wonderfully written Christmas romance! This book is sure to make you feel holiday cheer and maybe even attracted to men who wear funny bow ties.
Stella has a lot of baggage to unpack at the beginning of this book. She spends the book trying to prove to everyone (and herself) that her past does not define her. She’s ashamed of her past and how she still deals with her friend that got into this mess with her. Readers get to watch her grow out of her shell, embrace who she is, and stand up for herself. Aiden plays a huge role in this journey for her. His constant optimism and caveman style love for her was refreshing to see. I love a normal grumpy x sunshine trope, but putting it in reverse was a game changer. Let our heroine’s be grumpy!
The spice in this one is unmatched. I haven’t read every single book that Tessa has written, but this one was hot. If you’re looking for a quick and fun holiday read with more spice than plot, this is the book for you.
Favorite moments and quotes:
A: I’m not even sure I can make myself care about being caught when I’m this hungry for her.
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I received this as an arc through Netgalley.