All I Want For Christmas

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Wendy Loggia

Synopsis: Bailey Briggs is counting down the days to Christmas: she lives for holiday music, baking cookies, going on snowy sleigh rides, and wearing her light-up reindeer ears to work at Winslow’s bookstore. But all she really wants this year is the one thing she doesn’t have: someone special to kiss under the mistletoe. And she’s 100 percent certain that that someone isn’t Jacob Marley–athlete, player, and of questionable taste in girlfriends–and that Charlie, the mysterious stranger with the British accent, is the romantic lead of her dreams. Is she right?

Review: Not only is this book perfect for those who love Christmas but also bookworms.  Not only is it a holiday aesthetic but also many mentions of Bailey in the bookstore as an employee

Scoring: 5

Christmas At Copper Mountain

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Jane Porter

Synopsis: Widower Brock  needs things taking care of at the Copper Mountain Ranch over the holidays, and Harley seems like the ideal hard-working housekeeper. Until she discovers he and his kids have never had a proper Christmas together. Suddenly, the ranch is full of festive cheer—and the passion between Brock and Harley steams like mulled wine! But Harley’s not looking forward to the New Year… because she’ll be saying goodbye to this handsome, taciturn Montana cowboy, who doesn’t know how to open up, or share or love…

Review: This book is not something I thought I'd love but this one was definitely a diamond in the rough,  This book is definitely perfect for the holiday season or beforehand if you're already in the Christmas spirit

                                                      Scoring: 4

The Christmas Dare

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Lori Wilde 

Synopsis: A jilted-at-the-altar bride reunites with her high school sweetheart in Lori Wilde's sensational new Twilight, Texas Christmas novel.  

Review: I saw this at the library and thought there would be lots of romance and lots of Christmas. Both were underwhelming.

Scoring: 2

Christmas Dessert Murder

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Joanne Fluke

Synopsis:  This book features two classic mysteries set in Hannah Swensen’s Cookie Jar bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota: Christmas Caramel Murder and Christmas Cake Murder. 

CHRISTMAS CARAMEL MURDER

Hannah and her good pal Lisa have agreed to provide all the goodies for the town’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. But before anyone can say “Bah, humbug!” the actress playing Mrs. Claus exits stage left for good. As murder suspects pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, it might take a visit from ghosts of Christmas past to wrap up this mystery in time for the holidays...

CHRISTMAS CAKE MURDER

Hannah’s life matches the hectic December hustle and bustle of Lake Eden when she agrees to help recreate a spectacular Christmas Ball in honor of Essie Granger, an elderly local in hospice care. But instead of poring over decadent dessert recipes, Hannah’s surprised by Essie’s secret talent for penning crime fiction. She’s even more surprised when the story turns real. It’ll be a true miracle if she can prevent another Yuletide disaster by solving a mystery as dense as a Christmas fruitcake...

Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!

Review:  This book was great. The dialog is alright. However, the storyline makes the story so worth it.  While it is about murder, it’s not graphic. It's not supposed to be horror it's actually supposed to be about Christmas. More of a murder mystery rather than something that the average reader can't stomach.

Scoring: 4

A Christmas To Remember

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Jenny Hale

Synopsis: Carrie Blake loves children, so being a nanny was fitting for a time. Now she feels like taking care of other people’s children is getting in the way of her meeting her goals in life. Carrie takes one last nanny job for Adam. He has two adorable children that are twins. As Carrie starts her job, she notices that Adam is a workaholic and struggles to spend time with his kids. She seeks to rectify the situation by getting Adam more involved. Will Carrie be able to get Adam to realize the importance of family?

Review: This is a perfect book for the holidays due to the book's immersive Christmas setting. A Christmas to remember is about a nanny, Carrie, who has been so consumed with her job that she forgot to focus on love. That is until she meets Adam Fisher, a single father who is now her new boss. This is a Christmas classic about the importance of family and falling in love when you least expect it  I highly recommend it. It's perfect for this time of year. 

Scoring: 5

 

The Forgetful Bride

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Debbie Macomber

Synopsis: Caitlin Marshall's trying to go home to Minnesota for Christmas, but at the last minute she gives her airline ticket to a stranded soldier. So Cait spends the holidays with Joe Rockwell, who was a childhood friend - and is still a terrible tease, claiming that Cait's his wife. Oh, sure, they were "married" in a pretend ceremony when she was eight, but now Joe wants to make their "marriage" real!

Review: This book was a great concept and was perfectly executed. This is one of my all-time favorite holiday reads. I highly recommend this one for the holidays

Scoring: 4

Friends-And Then Some from Holiday Lights

Reviewer: Kaile Brogran

Author: Debbie Macomber

Synopsis: Lily Morrissey decides it's time to find a husband, preferably one who can look after her. It's a strictly practical decision, so she enlists the help of her best friend, Jake Carson, in the Great Husband Search. But then Lily's feelings for Jake start to change... Could they become more than friends

Review: This is a slow read until around the middle of the story. However,  this story is so worth it. 

Scoring: 4

The Holiday Swap

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Maggie Knox

Synopsis: When Chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the bead on the LA set of hit reality baking show she can no longer taste or smell anything. Meanwhile Charlie's identical twin Cass is frantically trying to hold her own life together in the small quaint mountain town and dealing with a breakup that won't end. With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie and Cass switch places. Everything is fine until rugged fireman Jake and gorgeous physician Miguel are thrown into the mix 

Review: This book is a little confusing. On the other hand, it's so cute sappy and romantic. 

Scoring: 5

In A Holidaze

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Christina Lauren

Synopsis: In a Holidaze is a romance about a woman who is granted a wish that enables her to change her future and find happiness with her one true love. Maelyn Jones finds herself reliving Christmas over and over again in a Groundhog Day style narrative. In each version, Mae must make choices that lead to happiness.

Review: I love the idea of this book. It's a very unique book but not my favorite holiday read

Scoring: 3

Mistletoe Between Friends

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Samantha Chase

Synopsis: All lifelong friends Lily Cavanaugh and Cameron Greene want is a chance to enjoy the Christmas season. What's stopping them? Their matchmaking parents who seem determined to set the two of them up on some of the worst blind dates in the history of dating.

They've identified the problem and have come up with the perfect solution - they will pretend to be dating in order to get their parents off of their backs and finally have a chance to enjoy a peaceful Christmas.

It was a simple concept; spend some extra time together pretending to like one another. But neither of them expected long-hidden desires to come to the surface or that a pretend relationship could suddenly feel very real.

Review:  This audiobook was perfect for the holidays. It was short and sweet to read and listen to.

Scoring: 4

Sugar And Spice from Holiday Lights

Reviewer: Kaile Brogan

Author: Debbie Macomber

Synopsis: Librarian Jayne Gilbert needs a man she can bring to her high school reunion. So, naturally, Jayne turns to a book: How to Pick Up a Man. And it works, even if she attracts the attention of good-looking Riley Chambers only because she's carrying that book, not because she followed its advice!

Review:  Sugar and Spice is one of the three stories in a book called Holiday Lights.  The story was very sweet, but it wasn't the most immersive book for the holidays and the storyline was a little confusing. I hope you guys enjoy this story even though it wasn't a top 5 for Christmas books.

Scoring: 3.5