This book was fun. A Christmas lover and a grinch find love. It was fun, sweet, all the feels and some good spice. But I’m also mad. You see the story both does and doesn’t have a good ending. I was not aware of that when I got the book so I’m disappointed but I also really liked the story. I’m also not happy that it looks like the next book doesn’t come out until September and it’s about a different brother. So I’m unsure how I feel right now. But the story itself was great until the end. But without my HEA and no idea when or if I’ll get that has me a bit anxious. So beware it’s going to be a ride.

Ok! I absolutely adored this novella it definitely felt like a spicy hallmark movie and I was not mad about it! I just wish it was longer!!! I hope to see this couple again! 😍
Now I have to think of which brother I will like in the end because I sure do hope they are all getting a book!

ALC 🎧

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book was PHENOMENAL!!

OUACT is the prequel to the Valentine Nook chronicles and sets up the Burlington boys perfectly! I can’t wait to read each one’s story.

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is a dual pov and narrated as a duet by CJ Bloom and Shane East. Both narrators did a superb job - especially when CJ Bloom’s Haven had to speak as the English aristocrat Alexander.

This was a perfect quick listen that contained bough spice to take out Haven’s family tree farm.

Thank you Valentine PR 🎄

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is the perfect fun Christmas romance audiobook! Take this one to that long line at the post office or while wrapping a stack of presents and time will fly by!

Tropes:
-dual POV
-holiday novella
-opposites attract
-British MMC (Shane East narrates him)
-billionaire romance
-grumpy x sunshine
-vacation romance

(ALC) Once Upon a Christmas Tree by Lulu Moore, narrated by Shane East and CJ Bloom. Oh man, I enjoyed this one. It was a novella that teased the relationship we got to see. I need more! I can’t wait to read the series when it comes out. Shane East’s voice is always delicious, and CJ did a great job too.

🎧 Audio Review 🎧

Rating: 4⭐️

Book: Once Upon a Christmas Tree
Author: Lulu Moore
Narrators: Shane East & Cj Bloom

After his brother gets left at the altar, Alexander plans a trip for him and his siblings to escape to Aspen away from prying eyes in December. For someone who hates the holidays, the last thing he thought would happen was meeting someone and forming a connection.

Haven has a lot on her plate with working multiple jobs to pay off her parent’s debt. She loves Christmas and is hosting the town’s gingerbread decorating competition. She didn’t expect to meet Alexander.

Thank you to valentine pr for the alc!

Well this was delightful!

First and foremost, anything Shane East narrates I’m going to listen to, he just automatically makes everything sound so deliciously sexy. Add that to a fun little christmas story and I am hooked.

This one is a prequel novella and to say I am salivating for the rest of the books would be an understatement. The setup, the backstory, the spice, and the brothers... not a single complaint about this one!

It's the perfect short read to squeeze in if you’re still trying to hit your reading goal or if you want something festive in your earholes! Highly recommend!

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is the prequel to the new series "The Valentine Nook Chronicles". It's a small town, opposites attract, one night stand romance.
Alex is the Mr. Grinch hero in this holiday read and Haven is the sweet opposite heroine. This story is full of all the feels, witty banter, and intense chemistry. This book will keep you entertained from start to finish. I can't wait for more in this series.

CJ Bloom and Shane East did a great job with this story and these characters.

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is a prequel novella to a new series from Lulu Moore! I thought it was a really cute story and a great set up to this new series!

Alexander hates Christmas, but this year he has to set his feelings aside for his brother who just called off his wedding. Alex and his brothers escape London to get away from it all and go to Colorado for a snowy Aspen vacation. Haven has been the last several years working like crazy trying to pay off her parent’s medical debt. Working at her Christmas tree farm as well as taking on every additional job that she can. What she doesn’t expect this holiday season is a hot British Christmas hating stranger. It doesn’t take long for Haven to start changing Alex’s mind. He might always dislike Christmas, but a fling with Haven might make this year a little more bearable. That is if he can leave her and their undeniable connection behind.

This story was really cute! Definitely a fun and spicy festive read! The town and all the Christmas antics were so fun! Haven and Alex had immediate chemistry and I loved watching their brief relationship unfold. Even though they’re so different they did have a lot in common and could relate to one another. It was nice to see them both open up! I’m definitely curious to see how their story will pick up in the upcoming Valentine Nook series! I’d love to see more from them!

🎄 Holiday Novella
❄️ Vacation Romance
🎄 Small Town
❄️ One Night Stand
🎄 Grinch x Sunshine
❄️ Aristocrat MMC x Christmas Tree Seller FMC
🎄 Opposites Attract
❄️ Spicy

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed both narrators! They were great for the characters! Thank you so much Lulu Moore, Valentine PR, and Netgalley for an ALC! 💚

Thank you Lulu Moore, Valentine PR, and Netgalley for providing me an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

‘Tis the season for holiday reading, and I’m thrilled to have had the chance to listen to this book! Alexander, visiting America with his family after his brother was left at the altar, has a strong aversion to Christmas and the holiday season. Haven, our main female character, now runs the Christmas tree shop she inherited after her parents passed away. As their worlds collide, they find themselves drawn to one another.

If you’re looking for a book with plenty of spice, this one will likely be right up your alley. It was a little steamier than I personally prefer, but if you enjoy that, then it’s definitely worth a read! I just wished the characters had more chemistry and that the story wasn’t so focused on steam (again, just my personal preference).

The narrators did a great job, and CJ Bloom really brought it to life.

Thank you again for providing me with an ALC of Once Upon a Christmas.

what a cutie Christmas treat!! the audio was so enjoyable and I can’t wait for the full length!! the spice was sooooo hot

4.5 Stars

Once Upon A Christmas Tree is a prequel read from the one and only Lulu Moore. A holiday vacation romance that promised a tease and a look into something that was yet to come in future, full-length novels.

As a rule and with my own personal ways to read, I don't dive into prequel reads without already having the series available immediately after to see if after finishing said prequel, if it is worth continuing onto the main series. This includes when my authors write a prequel novella or full-length book AFTER a main series to provide more content for their readers. Though to some that may seem pointless, but it does help answer some questions that may have arisen while reading the main series or weren't answered in any of the books.

Lulu got ahead of the chase here on that one, giving us the prequel read so we will have all of the information and background into where things could potentially go with Alex and Haven should it actually go anywhere.

Speaking of going somewhere, stop what you're doing. Go make your favourite Christmas drink, light a candle and settle in all nice and cozy, it's time to head to Aspen to meet Alex, Haven and his aristocratic brothers.

It has hardly been made a secret by Alex, A.K.A Alexander, A.K.A Lord Burlington, that he hates Christmas and anything that is remotely associated with the 'most wonderful time of the year'. The holidays for him, are days upon days of festive nightmares.

However, duty calls and he must fold away his loathing for it when his time and dedication is needed to help his eldest brother who has not long unfortunately been left at the alter of what would have been his wedding and thus, the happiest day of his life. As it turns out, it was not only the worst day for him but it was one that sent shockwaves through British high society.

So, what does one do when becoming the latest talking topic of the ton? You get the f**k out of dodge and escape to where no one knows your name. In this case, that is Aspen, Colorado. Swiftly, Alex and his brothers make a mad escape from London to the snow-capped mountains, and to their chalet and home from home.

In hindsight, going to Aspen in December when its at its most Christmassy, probably wasn't the best call for a man who could out-Grinch the Grinch. Lesson learned, kind of. Alex would go just about anywhere--even here--if it means it will start to help mend his brother's broken heart.

Haven Wylder has been hard at work over the course of the last four years to do one thing and one thing alone. Pay off any and all debts her parents left behind when they both died. A lot of work, time and effort for one person to achieve, but she was determined to do it regardless of whatever it took. Which means she not only took a job working on her ranch, at her Christmas tore and any other job she could get her hands on and get stuck in with doing. All of this left little time for any fun. Almost.

The holidays always put a smile on Haven's face, no matter what she was doing or however run-ragged she was from all of the jobs she committed herself to. That and of course, the annual gingerbread decorating competition. An event she always took place in joining and knew what she was getting herself into with.

What she didn't see coming or expect, was a tall, handsome stranger with an accent that would cause anyone with a beating heart to melt into a puddle at a single syllable, to not only cross her path but to HATE Christmas.

On top of everything she's juggling at the moment, this gives Haven a new task to perform. A miracle for Christmas, if you will. She's set out to and is determined to start changing Alex's mind and his outlook on the holly jolly Christmas season. Alex, surprisingly, seems to be going with her idea and it totally has nothing to do with the colour of her lips, the mesmerising colour of her hair or the biggest pair of doe eyes that has him entranced. No. Not at all.

Alex might not ever not despise Christmas, but going along with wherever his time with Haven will take him--and them--will make things just that little bit more bearable for him right now in the present moment.

That is, if he can find and gather up all of his strength to leave her and their unforgettable times together behind when the moment calls for him to head back home, and to the life he cannot abandon.

Every now and then, things happen by chance. A happenstance. Sometimes those chance encounters are good and others, not so much. This was one of the good ones this time, thankfully. My NetGalley tab was already open on my laptop and all I did was hit refresh, and there Lulu's audiobook was. Ready and ripe for my requesting to listen to it.

This audiobook automatically ticked three boxes for me before I even listened to it. Firstly, Lulu is a brand new-to-me author. Until seeing this listing, I was completely unaware of her. I don't get to read new authors as much as I would like to, so this was a godsend. Secondly, Shane East. Say. No. More. If that man were to read all of the side-effects on an American medication packet at top speed, I'd probably listen to it. I'm immediately sold as soon as I see his name. No question. Thirdly, Christmas/holiday romance. We were coming out of autumn and as we were coasting through the final days, this was the perfect bridge into getting into those festive books. Tick, tick and tick again.

I was left in genuine awe--of the good kind--after I finished listening to Alex and Haven's story. For a first time author read to blow me away as it did with two astonishingly captivating narrators at the helm was THE perfect start to my own festive reading season. I hear all the time about how certain narrators are chefs kiss perfection when chosen for the roles that they have narrated and most of the time, I can happily nod in agreement after finishing. Not in this case. I was praising those audiobook gods from within the first chapters. It was an instant 'yes!' and a prayer of thanks to the author for choosing Shane and CJ Bloom to double-team this festive fling romance.

Additionally, it also gave me chance to expand by CJ Bloom listening repertoire. I have maybe one or two other narrations of hers under my belt in total--compared to the dozens of Shane's already there--, so I'm happy to expand that number by one more audiobook with hopefully more to come next year.

Special mention has to be made with that ending. Like with prequel reads, I usually avoid books with that ending--which if you have either read or listened to this book, you'll know what I am talking about--, but this time I wasn't mad at coming across it. Why? Well, all of the above plus the fact that we got not only Alex and Haven introduced to us, but Alex's other brothers and several supporting characters, too. The mix of main and supporting characters gave enough flavour of what we now know will be coming our way next year with a brand new series, that it makes up for being left on the edge of our seats and then some.

Already that feeling in my gut that I have when I can tell a book--or series--will be good is bubbling away, and we're several months from the first book in the series. I'm talking September 2025, off the top of my head. For me to get that feeling--which I'm usually spot on for my own reading tastes--already, I can tell a winning series is already on the cards.

For those who are not as satisfied with the ending (for now) as I was, Lulu herself has said:

' One note I wanted to share, while Once Upon a Christmas Tree focuses on Alex and Haven, this prequel is as much an introduction to the Burlington family. As such ends with an HEA to be continued, because it wouldn't be fun if it was over too quickly'

Being told that we will be seeing more of Alex and Haven in the future, regardless of how long that will be, is very reassuring and I can hand on heart say that the time between now and then will be worth it tenfold. We've been promised 'more spice and a pumpkin-spiced latte, all the banter & stockings full of swoon', and I will be here to soak up every word Ms Moore will craft for us to devour.

Be good boys and girls, for there will be be a Burlington under our trees in the near future. That, we can be sure of.

⭐⭐⭐️⭐️/5 Plot
🌶️🌶/5 Spicy
💃💃🏽💃🏽💃/5 Characters
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5 Audio

This was the perfect book to start the holiday season with. It's Grumpy/sunshine or, in this case, Grinch/Cindy Lou Who coded but in the best way possible. Alex, our MMC, hates Christmas because of trauma from his past. His eldest brother was left at the altar and needed a distraction, so they decided to go to Aspen to escape London. In comes our FMC Haven. She is the epitome of the Christmas spirit. She runs a Christmas store and works in a bakery holding an annual gingerbread house competition. This book defines finding what you need at the right time.

I loved both Alex and Haven. They both had so much depth in such a short story, and it kept me wanting to listen the entire way through. Ooofff and the spicy scenes, Alex sir, your mouth 🥵🥵🥵 I was provided an ALC for an honest review. I can honestly say our narrators did a fantastic job portraying these characters and completing a British accent. In my head, both Shane East and CJ Bloom are these characters. The audiobook was completed in duel narration, and honestly, I didn't find it affected the progression at all.

If you are looking for a short and spicy read this holiday season, look no further. However, I will warn you you probably will be itching to read the other stories in the series next!

I really enjoyed this book! It was a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish. The story was well-paced, and the characters felt real and engaging. I’m grateful to the publisher for providing an early copy—it was a pleasure to read!

This was such a short and fun read! I absolutely loved the narration and the world building that was done for the series. Alex was so grumpy but boy did he get HOOKED!!

Haven was such a driven and hard working woman and I loved that about her.

I was honestly so sad this was only a novella because I would have loved more of Alex and Haven. I can’t wait to see what is to come of The Valentine Nook Series!

4/5⭐️
1/5🌶️

ALC Review
Once Upon a Christmas Tree by Lulu Moore
Series: The Valentine Nook Chronicles

Narrated by Shane East and CJ Bloom - Dream team narration!

There is something about a grumpy x sunshine Christmas romance. It was a lot of fun to see the British aristocrat figuring out how to woo the small town Christmas darling. The book set up the rest characters in the Valentine Nook Chronicles.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
◾ Holiday romance
◾ Grinchy MMC x Christmas tree seller
◾ Grumpy x sunshine
◾ British aristocrat MMC
◾ Spicy & swoony
◾ Cozy dates (less)

If Lulu writes it I am going to read it! This was fast paced, funny, and spicy! 🌶️ Alex and Haven have amazing chemistry from the beginning and it made it hard to put down. I loved that there were some sweet moments sprinkled in. The gingerbread house competition was my favorite part of the book. 🥹I was in tears laughing at the banter between the Burlington brothers. Once Upon A Christmas Tree truly is a fantastic set up for the rest of the series and I am so excited to see what Lulu has in store for us! 😍👏🏻

About the narration:
This audiobook is narrated by the amazing and super talented Shane East and CJ Bloom Good narrators make books so much better and these two are some of the best of the best!

Read if you love:
- vacation romance 
- british mmc
- spice
- billionaire 
- funny side characters

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is my first Lulu Moore book. This is told in dual POV, first person present tense. It is narrated by Shane East & CJ Bloom in dual style narration.

Tropes include:
Holiday Romance
InstaLove
Grumpy/Sunshine
Opposites Attract
She Loves Christmas
He is a Scrooge

Haven loves the holidays. Alex is not sold on them. His relationships and banter with his brothers makes this all the more enjoyable. This is set up as a prequel or a book 1 in a series, so we do have to wait for the next installment.

I loved Shane's narration, I always do. CJ did a great job as well. :)

This was such a great set up for the Valentine Nook series!

📖 Once Upon Christmas Tree by Lulu Moore
📚 book 0.5 • Valentine Nook Chronicles
🎙️ CJ Bloom & Shane East

⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: open door

💭 overall thoughts:
I’m looking forward to all the brothers’ stories, this prequel novella had me intrigued 🧐

As for Haven & Alexander, I’m really looking forward to continuing their story in book 2 (coming November 2025).
Their chemistry was 🔥 and I love the bond that they formed, having more in common than they realized.

I’m extra excited since Lulu announced their tropes! 😍

🎙️audiobook thoughts:
The audio brought this book up to another level! I adore both CJ Bloom & Shane East and would gladly listen to anything they narrate 🥰

read if you love:
❄️ holiday vacation fling
🫶🏻 family & found family
💰 British billionaire/royalty mmc
🧁 baker/Christmas tree farm owner/bartender fmc
🎄 small town
💞 dual 1st person pov

Thank you to Dreamscape Select for an advanced audio copy. All opinions are my own.

Once Upon a Christmas Tree - Lulu Moore

Series: The Valentine Nook Chronicles
Series Number: 0.5 (Prequel)
TON (Type of Narration): Dual by CJ Bloom and Shane East
Audiobook Length: 5h 39m
Audiobook Rating: 4/5
Release Date: November 15, 2024
POV: Dual POV
Genre and Sub Genre: Romance, Christmas Novella
Main Location(s): Aspen, Colorado; England
Tropes: christmas hater MMC x christmas lover FMC, british aristocrat MMC, one night stand, vacation romance
Micro Tropes: gingerbread house competition, he helps her when she’s busy, family group chat
TW/CWs: death of a parent (mentioned, cancer, car accident), cheating (side character), grief, debt
On KU?: Yes
HEA: Happy For Now (more books to come)
Rating: 3.5/5
Spice: 2/5 (chapters 10, 13, 16)

Summary:
Alexander, Lord Burlington, is a grumpy aristocrat who despises Christmas but finds himself reluctantly spending the holiday season in Aspen after his brother’s scandalous wedding disaster. Enter Haven Wylder, a hardworking rancher and Christmas enthusiast. Between running her ranch, managing her Christmas shop, and judging the town’s gingerbread contest, she doesn’t have time for anything—or anyone. But when Alexander crosses her path, sparks fly despite their opposing holiday outlooks.

As Haven’s charm and love for Christmas begin to thaw Alexander’s icy heart, their connection becomes undeniable. But with Alexander viewing their romance as a fleeting distraction, the question remains—can he leave Haven behind, or will this unlikely holiday fling change his outlook forever?

This cozy, festive prequel to The Valentine Nook Chronicles is filled with holiday cheer, sizzling chemistry, and the magic of unexpected love.


Review:
Once Upon a Christmas Tree had all the makings of a cozy Christmas novella, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was a fun start to the holiday season. The festive vibes were definitely the highlight—skiing, the bakery, gingerbread house contests, and the snowy tree farm really set the scene. I also loved the brothers’ dynamic, which brought some humor and banter to the story and has me excited for the rest of the series.

The romance, though, left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Alexander being grumpy, insanely rich, and a total Christmas hater, paired with Haven’s love for the holidays and her struggles with debt, set up a classic opposites-attract story. But their connection felt more lust-driven than emotional. There wasn’t much beyond their physical attraction, and while the explicit scenes were okay, they didn’t live up to the spice I expected based on the buzz around the book.

The story was a bit chaotic, with a lot of characters and drama introduced all at once, making it hard to focus on Alex and Haven. The ending is a happy for now ending, if you can even call it that. Their relationship ends with a “maybe we’ll see each other next year”, after like a week of them knowing each other. It felt more like a setup for a future book than a proper resolution, but I don’t think they’re even the next book in the series. I’m hoping they get a full novel or their story gets expanded as the series progresses because I’d love to see where they end up.

Overall, this was cute and had plenty of Christmas cheer, but it wasn’t particularly memorable. If you’re looking for something light and festive with vacation fling vibes and some fun holiday antics, it’s worth a read. I’ll probably keep going with the series because I’m curious about the brothers and where the author takes their stories. Plus, the narrators were fantastic, which made it an enjoyable listening experience even when the story itself wasn’t blowing me away.