4.5 Stars

This was such a heartwarming (and honestly HOTT) holiday romance. The grumpy ex-con falling for the perpetually happy bow-tie wearing boss was *chef’s kiss*. And I couldn’t get enough of the side characters and the winter NYC setting. It truly felt like I was reading the inside of a NYC tourist snow globe. Adorable and spicy and everything you could want in a holiday romance!

Tessa Bailey is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! Window Shopping is an adorable story that hits all of the right notes. Funny and spicy with a side of emotion, and a whole lot of Christmas magic, this story will enchant you. Tropes are he-falls-first, office romance, grumpy x sunshine, and holiday romance.

Aiden and Stella were complete opposites. He's a billionaire department store teddy bear filled with naughty spice. An alpha in the bedroom, he wears kitschy Christmas bowties, bends over backward to make people happy, and oozes swoon and charisma. She's an ex-con, hardened by her past trying to rediscover herself and start a new life after being released from prison. She keeps her head down, struggles with self-confidence, and doesn't see all her wonderful traits. She's literally the caterpillar that becomes the butterfly. They have a meet-cute in front of Aiden's store and the story takes off from there. I love how Aiden took a chance on Stella and gave her the start she needed. There was a ton of chemistry between these two and I loved watching it play out. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention how much I love Aiden's Aunt Edna stories! This man is beautifully complex! Their relationship isn't easy and it takes a while for Stella to catch up to
Aiden but eventually, they find a happily ever after.

Bailey delivers a fun, festive story that readers will quickly inhale. It's a quick, easy holiday read that will entertain from start to finish. Don't miss it! 4.5 stars

I absolutely adored this. It was an absolute joy to read! Once I started, I just didn’t want to stop. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I am not going to fall prey to Tessa Bailey books anymore. Her romances just don't work for me, and this one like the ones I read before, left me with an ick factor. I am sure it appeals and, if you enjoy Bailey's romances, this one will surely deliver. I just had a very difficult time warming up to either character and, more importantly, their chemistry. First, they fall into effectively insta-love especially on the part of Aiden which just seemed so out of character for either of them as they got more fleshed out in the story. And then he orchestrates a job for her without really assessing her in contrast to the other applicants. Then, it gets worse, as he effectively stalks her despite trying not to pressure her as her boss.

I have read books where the characters are colleagues, and that works. But I have always had a hard time with romances when the power dynamic is off and one of the characters is in a position of authority over the other. I also think that these being re-released is not doing the books a service, because there have been changes in perception since 2021 when this was first published. Sure, it's only been 3 years and the Me Too movement pre-dates that, but the vibe here is very much the kind that would have raised alarm bells for sure.

The characters are fine. The story moves and is not too long. And there are some sexy scenes. Just couldn't see past the boss-employee relationship, even with the paperwork, to say that this book was a winner for me. Again, if you liked Tess Bailey's other books, I'm sure this one will be a hit. Just a miss for me.

Window shopping by Tessa Bailey was so cute. The characters left off the page it’s been several days and I still am having trouble separating myself from the main characters. What a delightful treat.

Stella just got out of prison and she's desperate for a clean start. She stops outside the windows of Vivant department store and beings to criticize the holiday window display; she catches the attention of their general manager Aiden. He challenges her for better ideas, then offers her a job as their window displayer. The chemistry between Stella and Aiden was instant but now as an employee there are lines that they cannot cross unless they let HR know. Stella does not want to tell people so soon as she does not want them to think she got her job that way. How long can she stay away before those lines with Aiden become a distant blur?

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC.

I love Tessa Bailey and she doesn't disappoint with this sweet, fun holiday second chance at life romance with some spice!
I loved watching Stella get a chance to rebuild her life and get her HEA and Aiden was just perfect. A man who is holiday spirit personified and wears a bow tie but who like to talk dirty, sign me up!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! It was a great kick start to my holiday reading!

WINDOW SHOPPING was a fun, quick, and festive read. It had all the elements of a classic Tessa Bailey book with warm characters, some humor, and a lot of sizzle. While the relationship between Aiden and Stella was fun, some of the back story was tedious and a bit overdone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read and review WINDOW SHOPPING.

3.75/5

A grumpy-sunshine holiday romance! I enjoyed the balance between Aiden’s lighthearted stories about Aunt Edna and Stella’s troubled past that she was trying to move on from. There was depth and character development mixed with sweet, Christmas joy. The perfect read to get into the holiday spirit!

I really liked this one! Tessa Bailey always writes amazing heroes and Aiden was just that. He wears adorable bow ties and dirty talks in private. I liked Stella's unique backstory. I'm glad Aiden's terrible family was in the story as little as possible. This was the perfect holiday romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon Harper Voyager for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #tessabailey #windowshopping #avonhapervoyager

I wanted to love this but I was not my favorite at all. I was really hopefully but it was a bit disappointing.

I love Tessa Bailey books, but this one didn’t hit the spot for me. I think because it was so short. I loved the plot, and the idea is so unique. I love the depth of Stella, I just wish we could’ve read more about her story! I feel like the ending was really rushed. Honestly I could’ve read another 100 pages if it was at a slower pace. Overall, cute vibes though and a quick holiday read!

I cannot get over how much I adored this novella! The reverse grumpy vs. sunshine trope, an FMC everyone will root for and the dirty talking MMC . And who knew bow ties could be so sexy!

This is going to be a yearly holiday read for me! It is the perfect holiday novella bringing that dash of spirit and the spice we all need! From the second chance Stella receives after her release from prison for armed robbery to a man who is holiday cheer personified, I loved how Aiden from the moment he met Stella recognised her potential and supported her every step of the way. I can see the Ted Lasso inspiration for Aiden and it makes me love his character all the more. I would take a hot Ted Lasso for Christmas!

There was so much internal and external conflict for Stella, and her journey was an inspiration. She was an FMC that felt unique and very Tessa Bailey. I love how she knew from the outset that she was the person who was her own rescuer. And I loved how Aiden knew this as well and only wished to offer whatever assistance he could and stand beside her as she rescued herself. I was nearly brought to tears when Stella was falsely accused and adored that never for one moment did Aiden entertain the thought that Stella did anything wrong. How he literally ran to find them and how the other store employees believed in Stella too. Again the perfect holiday vibes of hope and joy.

This is a short feel good holiday romance with a little spice. I loved watching Stella rebuild her life and how she gets her HEA.

Thank-you Netgalley, and Avon & harper for this opportunity

Let me just say that I am a huge Tessa. Bailey fan, this book was great, a short holiday book two hundred and fifty pages about. The character growth, the spice, the artsy background, and it gave me that mannequin because of the dressing up the front store windows. I loved it.

Short, sweet and spicy is the perfect holiday copy. I read this in one sitting (it’s only 250ish pages) and it was a holiday delight! As someone who used to do windows at Gap, I loved Stella’s character and creativity. She was passionate and fiesty. While insta-love isn’t my thing, this was more insta-lust which I could get down with.

A cute holiday story. I really liked Stella and Aiden and how opposite they were- yet they fell in love. I loved the growth of both characters and I loved the book was set around Christmas!

Very cute!

Ahhh Cute holiday read!! Tessa Bailey never fails
Grumpy/Sunshine and window decorating. If you're looking for a book you can breeze through without having to think too much this is the book for you. Tessa never fails to get me excited for some spicyyyyy scenes

"Window Shopping" by Tessa Bailey was a great story about how second chances are a good thing. This was a quick read that was hard to put down.
Stella is restarting her life and wants nothing more to design the window displays at a shop. Aiden is the head of a business and the sales are starting to slip. When he runs into Stella and is blown away by her vision for the window he knows that he has to have her. As they spend more time together they start to fall for each other. Will their past keep them apart? Or will they find a way to be together.
Highly recommend this story for the holiday season.

I loved Aiden! Aiden is boyfriend goals for sure! I loved that this story featured a career I had never even considered before and a situation that many had never considered which is the reinstatement to normal life after incarceration. I think it may have oversimplified the process a bit, but it was a fun novel that I really enjoyed. Aiden was perfect!