I was expecting a Hallmark movie with a bit of spice, and I was not disappointed! This book packed so much into its pages that could have easily felt cliché, but somehow it all just worked. You’ve got the rich (but doesn’t know it) grumpy man from another country who hates Christmas, and the overworked woman who owns the store where you can buy everything from Christmas trees to decorations, helps out the local bakery hosting the crucial Gingerbread Competition, and works at the resort serving food and drinks. Throw them together, both hoping for a one-night stand, but unable to say goodbye—and you’ve got the perfect setup for an OPEN-ENDED BOOK! (Yes, we’re warned right from the start.) But it leaves you wanting more, and happy that it didn’t end like every other traditional Christmas book.

First, thank you to Valentine PR for the ALC!

I loveeeee Shane East’s voice so much and I ate this little story up. It was less than 6 hours at standard speed but I listen at 2X so I had it done in 3. The banter between not only the main characters but between all of the Burlington brothers was so fun. Both characters having lost their fathers in a tragic way made their connection special and really added to the emotional aspect of some of their POV 🫶 I loved seeing Alex come around to finally enjoying Christmas again thanks to Haven 🎄
The way it ended on basically a “to be continued” makes me really hopeful that we will get to see a continuation of their story and the epilogue makes me excited to see Lando get over his heartbreak and find love again after the betrayal from his fiancée 😬

I received an audio arc of this book (thanks!) and right upon starting it, they let you know that its a prequel and you’re not going to get the ending. I was sooooour right from jump upon hearing this but I want YOU to know, dear reader, you DO get a HFN. I did not walk away from this with it feeling unfinished or irritated because I wanted answers. What you’re left with feels peaceful and complete with the option for the author to continue the story.

I am very excited about this series- you start off with all the brothers experiencing the aftermath of a cancelled wedding. You get a feel for each of their personalities in this opening. They all gather to take the bride-less groom to Aspen to get away from the fall out.

Our MMC finds himself in a town that loves Christmas. He is repeatedly running into our MFC who not only loves Christmas but runs almost all the Christmas activities in town- including owning a Christmas tree farm. This was the hallmark movie we all want and by that I mean, Hallmark with hot hot sex. Grandma can’t watch this one.

This book was cute and it served its purpose of setting the stage for everything to come. Can’t wait for book two and I’m DYING to read about the witch 😉

A great way to kickstart the holiday season, this book introduces The Valentine Nook Chronicles series about the aristocratic Burlington siblings. It starts with the eldest brother Lando calling off his wedding and heading to Aspen for Christmas. There, younger brother Alex, something of a Grinch, meets Haven, his opposite in every way. She’s struggling to pay off her parents’ medical bills and at the same time make Christmas special for everyone around her. It’s important to be aware that the book is intended as a prequel novella, (despite being on the long side), to introduce the family and secondary characters. As such Alex and Hayden have a ‘happy for now’ ending - hopefully something to be resolved in the main series.

The narrators are excellent and well suited to the characters, with the male narrator portraying the English Burlington brothers authentically and the female narrator effortlessly handling both male and female American characters.

Now this is a holiday romance! Alexander is grumpy as he truly hates Christmas and Haven loves Christmas. He is on vacation with his brothers when they met while she worked at one of her many jobs. The chemistry is fantastic! I loved every minute of the book! The romance is hot and well written, and the plot has heart. There is enough holiday cheer to have the vibes I really want during this time of the year. The secondary characters well developed to be more than just place holders.

I want more of Alexander and Haven! For a novella, Once Upon a Christmas Tree is a fully developed and well executed romance. The romance book is fantastic! Shane East and CJ Bloom were cast as Haven and Alexander! This was my first Lulu Moore book, and it won’t be my last. Now I have to wait Lando’s book!

Thank you to Lulu Moore and Valentine PR for an ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was the first book I have listened to by Lulu Moore. The narrators Shane East and CJ Bloom did a wonderful job telling this story. They held my attention and kept me entertained throughout the book. I absolutely loved Haven. She a character I respected so much because she is working so hard to pay off the debt her parents left after their passing. Even though she works hard and has struggled she has the best attitude. Alexander character is a grump because he doesn't like Christmas. But once you get these two characters together he starts melting a little. These characters are well written and I enjoyed getting to know them.

I also loved how this town comes together every year for a Gingerbread making contest every year. I think that would be so much fun! Just wait until you find out what Alex ends up making.

This is a fun, grumpy/sunshine, holiday romance! I would definitely recommend this audiobook!

Thank you Dreamscape Select & Lulu Moore for allowing me to listen to this ALC for my honest opinion.

To support his brother Alexander agrees to a Christmas trip to Aspen that includes him and his three brothers even if Christmas is a season that he would rather avoid due to this past. When he meets Haven, the sparks fly and now he goes from wanting the trip to be over to spending as much time with her as he can.

Despite the losses she has endured Haven embraces the holiday season and everything that goes along with including the Christmas tree farm she owns and the bakery that features a gingerbread decorating contest that she manages. Even though she knows that Alexander’s stay is temporary that doesn’t diminish the connection between them.

The is a great start to a new series. Even though Alexander and Haven are very different due to their lifestyles and their view of Christmas they have more in common than they realize and the heat between them radiates off the pages. I adored the performance by the narrators including the swoony English accent for Alexander.

I was provided an ALC via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a really fun and spicy holiday romance. It was also a nice introduction to Moore's new series coming out in 2025.

Shane East is one of my favorite narrators and he plays Alex perfectly. CJ Bloom is a great narrator as well and has narrated several books I've loved. She plays a perfect Haven. They both capture the spirit of the holidays, or in Alex's case his dislike of the holiday season, which I very much related to. Not everyone loves Christmas, and while I love holiday baking, building gingerbread houses, and spending time with family, like Alex Christmas and the holiday season can be upsetting. Haven on the other hand was like the president of Christmas as she inherited the family Christmas tree farm and the local Christmas Shop selling all sorts of holiday gifts and decorations. She spends her time helping out at the other local businesses and spreading the holiday cheer to the tourists and locals.

This is a prequel to The Valentine Nook Chronicles and introduces us to the Burlington brothers, who are all members of the British aristocracy. This installment follows Alex as he and his brothers escape to Aspen, Colorado when the eldest of the brother's wedding is cancelled mere hours before they take their vows. Alex hates Christmas, but while in the winter wonderland the brothers take time to have fun together and he makes a connection with local Haven who's entire livelihood revolves around Christmas. Haven and Alex have instant chemistry, and they have some heated encounters during their short time together. This book gets very spicy!

This left Haven and Alex's story unfinished, however I'm hoping that they get a proper novel in the series or as the series progresses we find out where their relationship ends up. This was a great start to the series and I'm looking forward to seeing where things go. I've never read Lulu Moore before, but this has me hooked and I the little bit I've learned about Valentine Nook has me intrigued.

This was okay. I was able to finish it in a day. It was more open door than I expected. I don’t think it’s very memorable but again, not many holiday romances are for me. I found it unbelievable when the FMC had six orgasms in one night and found herself wanting more from the MMC. But then again, maybe I haven’t been that into someone in a while.

Lulu Moore writes the most amazing stories! In this book, we’re introduced to a new portion of the Luluverse! This book is getting me into the Christmas spirit- I need a trip to Aspen for skiing stat! I need to find me an Alexander 👀 This book is so steamy- it’ll have you swooning and kicking your feet!

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is a prequel to the new series Valentine Nook Chronicles. It’s an opposites attract romance.

Alex was a grinchy hero, but definitely had his reasons for not liking the season. Haven was a sweet heroine that fit Alex in every way. The growing chemistry was intense and consuming. You could feel it building until they could not hold back anymore. The wit and banter was entertaining from all these characters. I’m excited for more!! This was my first book from Lulu Moore, and I’m hooked!

Shane East and CJ Bloom did a phenomenal job narrating this book. Excellent choice to portray Alex and Haven.

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is a charming holiday novella that will put you in the holiday spirit. This prequel centers around the Burlington family, focusing on Alexander, who dislikes Christmas, and Haven, who embodies the joy and charm of the holiday season. Despite their different feelings about the holiday, their immediate attraction sparks a heartwarming romance filled with undeniable chemistry, witty banter, and lots of steamy moments.

Alex and Haven are complete opposites but great together. I loved how Haven's love for the holiday began to melt Alex's grinchy heart and how Alex gave Haven the space to be herself. The relationships between Alexander and his brothers add a fun family element to the story, and I can't wait to read more about them. As this story sets the stage for a new series, it ends with a cliffhanger that leaves you eager to know what happens next. This quick read is perfect for those looking for a mix of romance, humor, and a touch of holiday magic.

Narration:
CJ Bloom and Shane East did a wonderful job narrating this story. They provided the perfect voices for Haven and Alex. Their performances made it easy for me to finish it in one sitting. I was fully transported into Aspen and didn't want to leave. CJ and Shane are two of my favorites, and I always enjoy listening to them.

A swoony, one night stand, holiday, vacation romance! It’s a lot of fun filled with sweet and spicy moments. Alex and his grumpy Grinch character and Haven who loves all things Christmas. While they may seem like opposites they have so much in common. This book includes so many fun holiday traditions like finding a tree, building a gingerbread house, and spiked eggnog.

🎧 narrated by Shane East and CJ Bloom. These two together are such fun duo. Their voices really brought the story to life and the characters of Alexa and Haven. I got so lost in the story I finished it in a day!

This short, festive prequel sets the perfect holiday mood, and made me so excited for Lulu Moore’s upcoming Valentine Nook Chronicles series. I loved the Burlington family, with their big personalities and English aristocratic background. And Haven was such a fun character to get to know. I loved the Aspen setting, and the vibes of everything she had going on there. Alex despises Christmas, and it’s practically Haven’s whole life. The chemistry between these two was off the charts, and I hope we get more of them in the future. Their story was full of humor and heart. The only negative is that I have to wait for the next book! It can’t come soon enough.

The audiobook is narrated by Shane East and CJ Bloom, and they both gave incredible performances! Their voices were the perfect matches for Alex and Haven. Shane is always a favorite of mine to listen to and does grumpy so well, and CJ really pulled me in with this one.

Thank you Valentine PR, Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and Lulu Moore for the ALC!

4 ⭐️
2.5 🔥
Holiday Romance
British MMC on Holiday
Grinch MMC
Christmas Tree Farm Owner FMC
Family Antics
Gingerbread Competition
Great on Audio! 🎧
“Like Theo James soaked himself in a vat of honey.” 🤤I mean, if that doesn’t sell you on this book, I don’t know what will! This book is about Lord Alexander Burlington, or the lovingly dubbed “Grinch” & Haven Wylder, Aspen’s Christmas Tree Farm Owner, that has spent the last few years working multiple jobs to pay for the medical bills of her late parents. When Alex helps his brother become a runaway groom, after catching his fiancé in bed with his “best friend,” the brothers come to the conclusion it’s time for a boys, family vacation in Aspen. The problem is, after losing their father during Christmas in childhood, Alex has blamed himself for his death & has since, hated everything Christmas. Going to the winter wonderland that is Aspen, during Christmas time, was not something Alex was looking forward to. That is until meeting none other than Haven, Aspen’s very own Christmas enthusiast. He finds himself quickly taken by her, doing anything he can to get close to her. He even enters a Gingerbread contest that she is hosting & judging. There isn’t exactly an HEA in this one, because Lulu has made this book the prequel to her new series The Valentine Nook Chronicles that she will be publishing next year. We get to follow the whole crazy Burlington family in this series & I can’t wait for Alex & Haven’s HEA!

Thank you Lulu Moore, Valentine PR & NetGalley for the ALC!

Fabulous Story & Narration🎧Charming & Delightful!

Wow, this is not only a wonderful holiday story, but it is also a wonderful introduction to the characters of Lulu Moore’s newest series, “The Valentine Chronicles”. It is also my first Lulu Moore, and I loved everything about it, from her fabulous writing style to the characters and storylines she created to the perfectly cast narrators who bring it all to life, from the pages to your ears. We meet the Burlington brothers, all royalty, the eldest, Orlando “Lando”, the Duke of Oxfordshire, and his younger brothers Lord Alexander and twins Hendricks and Miles. I loved camaraderie amongst the brothers, the dynamics between them, and how they were there for one another in the time of need. After a scandalous event involving Orlando, his fiancé, and his best friend, the brothers need to get away, so they head to Aspen, Colorado, until things settle down. Alexander, who has his reasons, is not a fan of Christmas and they call him the Grinch, and despite hating the holidays, he involved himself in some holiday festivities, all because of her, Haven Wylder. Haven runs the family Christmas tree farm, which she inherited after the passing of her father, along with the debt he left, so she also works at the bakery in town and the bar. Alex and Haven meet each other at the bar and there is an instant connection, and then he runs into her other places of employment. This novella sized book packed a lot of story and I loved how it all played out, with a perfect balance of drama, charming and heartwarming moments, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. Lulu Moore, thank you for this fabulous story and emotional rollercoaster ride. A fabulous story to start your holidays or to enjoy anytime of the year.

🎧📚🎧 CJ Bloom and Shane East did a fabulous job portraying the characters, giving each a voice that was fitting and was believable in every role. East is a natural as British royalty and CJ Bloom nailed it as Haven, each grasping their character’s personalty and demeanor perfectly. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and have you feeling them all. These two made a great team, with voices that complement each other and a performance that elevates this already wonderful story to another level. Thank you for another amazing listen.

This was such a fun, short, and spicy listen!

Alex and his brothers have taken it upon themselves to fly their Duke elder brother to Aspen for a weeklong getaway, after he called off his wedding due to his fiancés infidelity…with his best friend. Unfortunately for Alex, Aspen is full of Christmas cheer at the moment, and he is definitely a Grinch. But then he meets Haven, the Christmas Tree/Shop Owner, and a definite Christmas lover. And somehow, sparks still fly.

So this a prequel novel, setting up a series that I assume will revolve around The Burlingtons, a British aristocratic family (4 brothers, 1 sister) from Valentine Nook. (Yes, I am hoping there will be more seasonally related books in this series! 🤞)

Along with the budding (and 🔥) romance between the two MCs, we also get to know the four brothers, and I’m definitely excited to see where the series takes us with them. Besides the MMC in this one, there’s also a single dad, a playboy, and the Duke himself. And that epilogue has me so excited for the Duke’s book…do I sense enemies to lovers? 👀

As this is a “prequel” we don’t quite get our MC’s HEA, but it is definitely a happy for now, and I’m actually very happy about that, because I’d love more time with these characters than this little snack.

Audiobook notes: Shane East is really working hard this Holiday Romance season voicing these British MMCs, and I’m loving it! CJ Bloom is amazing as always; definitely one of those voices that always pull me in immediately. Maybe it’s just the books she tends to narrate, but her voice always has me feeling super cozy vibes.

Thank you to Lulu Moore and @valentine_pr_ for providing me an early copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

What this book is giving:
✅ Holiday Romance
✅ Prequel
✅ Dual POV
✅ Christmas/Tree Shop Owner
✅ British Aristocratic Grinch
✅ F—king Eggnog
✅ Intro to new characters
✅ Happy for now

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

Right off the bat this is not your typical holiday romance. 30% into it and our MMC & FMC still had very little interaction. You have been warned, this is a prequel not a holiday novella. Which I know it says on the book but I still wasn’t expecting it. 🙈

That being said it’s a great audiobook. Alexander & Haven are sizzling together and I can’t wait for more. 🥵 Both narrators do a fabulous job but I was putty for Shane East’s accent. The whole Burlington family is a riot, you can see the potential there for some much more. That epilogue left me wishing book 1 was going out sooner.

Thank You Lulu Moore and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All my opinions are my own.

What a cute, spicy Christmas romp!

If you're looking for a quick holiday read, this is a good one! It's about 4 English aristocratic brothers who escape to Aspen during the holidays for a week to help their eldest brother, who just got cheated on by his fiance and best friend! When they arrive, their intentions are to have some quality time, ski and have fun, but when Alexander, the second eldest brother, meets Haven, a local townie, all bets are off.

Haven loves all things Christmas and works multiple jobs in town to help pay off debts from her parents after they've passed, but when she meets Alexander, a blatant holiday hater, the intrigue is there and the attraction is instant. Their flirty banter and hot chemistry made this story a lot of fun. And it's a prequel, so I'm interested to see how the rest plays out in future novels.

CJ Bloom and Shane East are a lot of fun on this title and add so much color to the story! CJ Bloom is my favorite female narrator and this one did not disappoint. Her performance was hilarious 😂 I haven't listen to a title with Shane in months and I don't know how that happened but I hope it doesn't happen again because he's such a great performer.

This audiobook was exactly what I needed to kick off my holiday reads. Set in Aspen, a grinchy Lord Alexander Burlington comes into town to help his brother escape his failed wedding, and in the process, meets Haven, a local who holds just about every job in town. Haven loves the holidays and most of all, the town gingerbread decorating competition. Alex does everything he possibly can to get closer to her, and in the process, decides maybe the holidays aren’t so bad after all.

This was a really fast listen, and the narrators were a perfect match for these characters. The spice was great and was the perfect amount to balance the cuteness of this story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!