Thanks to Amazon and NetGalley for the audio arc! Friends, this is light on the romance, heavy on the smut. Nothing wrong with that, I just actually liked the romance elements a lot and would've enjoyed more of that. Sometimes there is too much of a good thing.

This was a super short read so a lot of spice was packed in. No pun intended hahaha. This is not your sweet little holiday read although it does have a sweet outcome. Was this a Holiday masterpiece... no, but it is what Tessa Bailey does best. The narrator had a pleasant voice and did a great job.

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audio book.

Thank you Brilliance Publishing!

First, I love TB and her spice is usually so good for me. But I’m just not into insta-love. The FMC made some choices which were questionable for the timeline of this relationship 😅 I’ve read/listened to some novellas that do the relationship justice in a short amount of time but this one just didn’t work for me. What I did love were the narrators. They did a great job and I’d definitely listen to them again 😍

Maybe romance novellas just aren’t for me… This was too much way too quick and I do understand that it is a novella but holy moly i am in no way a prude (i love dark dark romance) but if people think these thoughts and then actually voice them to each other in real life this quickly such as “he’s daddy and my pussy needs his come” lord help us. This storyline would have a lot of potential if it wasn’t a novella because the vibes are cute - small town, cowboy (farmboy), single mum romance with a bit of an interesting backstory! but then this dude goes on to say “they don’t make jeans that fit me or women that fit me either” BRUH i need some mouthwash for my brain 🙃 however the writing was fun as tessa’s books always are and I think I could’ve really enjoyed this if there was more build up! The audiobook was well done though and Luke’s voice was quite sexy it was just the things coming out of his mouth that was a bit concerning at times lol!

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review!! 💜

If you remember the @amazon short stories from Valentine’s Day, they are back with some holiday shorts! Merry Ever After by @tessabaileyisanauthor runs at about 59 pages so I’m really talking about a short story.

It was cute, sweet, spicy and touch festive. It’s a single mom, small town farmer romance. It was the perfect book to start off my holiday reads for the year.

The #underthemistletoe collection comes out Nov 12 and is only available on Amazon or audible. I listened to the audio and loved that awe shucks farmer! Thank you @brilliancepublishing for my advanced copy.

hmmm...

I think I am quite literally speechless.

Merry Ever After

I was SO not expecting this.

What I thought I was getting was a wholesome little cookie cutter romance. What I received was a whole lot of spice and a dark husky farmer.

Tessa Bailey, has done it again.

Although, I was quite honestly, shocked by the way they straight up went at it early on, I am assuming that is to be expected with a short story.

For whomever is looking for a short, panty dropper, this one is for you.

Check out this teaser :

A single mother working in a thrift store. A gentle giant farmer who can’t find jeans that fit. When opposites attract, they find themselves making alterations in more ways than one in this smoking-hot short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

Evie Crowe is starting over in a strange town with her newborn, and men are the furthest thing from her mind. If only the quiet, hulking farmer, Luke Ward, would stop coming into the thrift shop and piquing her reluctant interest. Evie wants to stay single all the way—she can’t trust anything more than friends-with-holiday-benefits. But Luke is in it for the long haul. He’s fixed on making this a Christmas Evie will remember forever. If she gives him a chance.

Tessa Bailey's Merry Ever After is a delightful, heartwarming novella that brings together a cast of lovable characters, steamy romance, and a touch of holiday magic. In her signature style, Bailey delivers an opposites-attract story that's both sizzling and sweet, packed with emotional depth and just the right amount of humor.

The story unfolds quickly, but Tessa Bailey makes every page count. The chemistry between Evie and Luke is electric, with some sizzling moments that are balanced perfectly by their tender, more vulnerable exchanges. Bailey expertly combines heat with heart, creating a romance that feels both steamy and emotionally fulfilling.

In typical Bailey fashion, the novella is also steeped in charm. The small-town setting, complete with its cozy thrift store backdrop, adds a seasonal warmth that ties perfectly into the Christmas theme. The holiday setting gives the romance an extra layer of sweetness, as Luke is determined to make this Christmas unforgettable for Evie. It’s a love story that feels like a holiday gift: unexpected but deeply satisfying.

Merry Ever After, part of the Under the Mistletoe collection, missed the mark for me. While it had potential, the high level of spice felt excessive for such a short read, with little depth behind the scenes—it seemed more about shock value than meaningful connection. The narrators did a fine job, but their efforts couldn’t quite lift the story beyond a surface-level romance. If you’re looking for a quick holiday romance with a focus on deeper emotions, this one might not satisfy.

I am glad I got approved for this one but I was sad there was very little Christmas theming :( I did enjoy both Luke and Evie and their pull toward each other but it felt extremely rushed even for a novella.

4.5⭐️.
It's getting hot in here yall🔥🔥🌶🌶. The single mom gets the hot guy, I'm swooned. I fell inlove with Luke Ward instanly. A giant who falls first, n its gentle, and a beast when it counts and can take care of a baby? Count me in. Evie and Luke were just a perfect fit, I kinda like the whole insta love thing that was going on. As usual Tessa Bailey didn't disappoint. But for a holiday read I didnt really feel that Christmas-y vibe,
But hey it's a short story so I'm not complaining.
I loved the narrators especially the MMC, His voice was 😍😍.

Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing / Amazon and the author for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in advance.

This short novella left my head spinning! The storyline was sweet and had so much potential, but the insta love was just not my cup of tea! I need more depth and development before things get so.... ummm hot?! The spice was definitely spicin' and a bit cringe-worthy at times!
I get that it's a novella and things have to move quickly, but this was to the point of being unrealistic and just yuck.
If you are in the mood for a quick, spicy read- this could be the one for you. If you are a Tessa Bailey fan- you may absolutely love it, but if you are looking for a heartfelt, Hallmark channel: Christmasy vibe, you will not find it here.

Classic Tessa Bailey. That's all I'll say. This book is classic Tessa Bailey.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first Tessa Bailey read and unfortunately just wasn’t for me. I don’t mind insta lust one bit nor do I mind insta love but this felt really rushed for both. We get a high dose of insta lust in my opinion without any building blocks. It all hits in the first chapter and I think giving the characters more than one interaction would have helped here. It also felt a bit rushed on the plot and how the characters connected again after their first talk in chapter one. It felt like maybe I’d missed something as it went on so I think maybe this book just needed an extra chapter or two in my opinion. Overall I think this story just wasn’t for me.

This would be a great read for anyone who is looking for an insta lust/love, single mom, farmer cinnamon roll holiday romance that jumps right into it without too much fluff. It’s an easy read and low stakes so it’s perfect for anyone looking for that!

The narration however was fantastic for both and I especially liked the narration for our MMC, will be looking into their other titles because I enjoyed his work so much!

In true Tessa Bailey fashion, this novella has everything: fun characters, delightful banter, spice that sizzles, and a tender happy ending. Plus, the narrators were lovely, and it made listening to the book that much more enjoyable.

This short story is a delightful blend of sweetness and sensuality that captivates from the very first page. It beautifully balances romantic moments with steamy encounters, creating an engaging and immersive reading experience.

The characters are well-developed, each bringing their unique charm and depth to the narrative. Their chemistry is palpable, making the intimate scenes not only thrilling but also heartfelt. The author has a knack for crafting vivid imagery and emotional resonance, allowing readers to fully invest in the characters’ journeys.

What stands out most is how the story explores love and desire without sacrificing warmth and tenderness. It serves as a perfect reminder that romance can be both passionate and gentle, making this a truly enjoyable read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a lovely escape filled with both heat and heart.

Merry Ever After was a fantastic novella. Tessa was able to bring heat, independence, found family and vulnerability in only a few chapters. Luke is a farmer who is a large man. His clothes don't fit, and while trying on clothes in their small town vintage shop he rips the pair. Embarrassed he tries to pay and leave but Evie sees him and figures she can do a kindness for him. As a single mother she knows how those little kindnesses mean the world. This is something she can do that doesn't cost her anything but a bit of time.

I adored how they came together. This one was heartwarming and fun. Grab your audiobook copy of Merry Ever After because narrators Summer Morton & Connor Crais were fantastic. I need more of them in my audiobooks. Where have they been. The voices perfectly matched the characters.

Grateful to Brilliance and Netgalley for the audiobook.

Tessa Bailey is an author that I have not read any books by yet but have constantly wanted to check out. Unfortunately Merry Ever After was not the best book to show off what makes her a bestseller.

Merry Ever After is part of the Under the Mistletoe series but except for the day being mentioned a couple of times I don’t know what’s Christmas about this story.

Evie is a single mom who works in a thrift store. A local farmer Luke continuously comes in trying to find jeans that fit him but he is just too large. Evie volunteers to make clothes for Luke and she then hand delivers them to him which starts the awkward romance scenes.

This book is a short story so I felt there were not enough pages to show how their relationship grew before it got to the intimate moments. The intimate moments came off very awkward. The actions and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural.

The narration was great and kept me engaged, the overall story was interesting but the interactions between Luke and Evie just didn’t feel right to me.

What a fun, short, and spicy holiday novella! I loved Merry Ever After! It was a great listen. I enjoyed it in one sitting.

Single mom Evie first meets Luke at her job in a second hand clothing store. Luke is a giant farmer (yay for size difference trope!), who has a hard time finding clothes that fit. Evie is a budding clothing designer and decides to make him a pair of pants that will fit. Sparks fly from there.

This story had humor, spice, and Luke was super swoony as he cared for Summer’s baby. Summer Morton and Connor Crais did a great job with the narration.

I loved this so much and wish it was longer!

A giant farmer who busts out of jeans AND he's a baby whisperer....
This felt more like a Jessa Kane novella than a Tessa Bailey. Which I enjoy a Jessa book but it just wasn't what I was expecting here as a Christmas novella. The audio was great though dual with Teddy. .
🎄 Holiday SHORT
🎄 Great audio
🎄 Single Mom (5 month old)
🎄 Very INSTA
🎄 Small Town
🎄 He falls first

5 ☆
-
Merry Ever After is a must-listen/read! This novella was great. I enjoyed how the single mom gets the hot guy, and the spicy scenes were amazing! Tessa Bailey did a good job writing this novella. This is my first book by her, and I will definitely read her catalog. 59 pages of pure greatness!
The audiobook is great, and the narrators did a great job. I truly enjoyed this audiobook!
-
Thank you, Netgellay and Brilliance Publishing Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.