let the celebration begin...

 

ten things tuesday

❤️ Valentine’s Day: The "Ten Things" Survey ❤️

1. Sweet or Savory: Are you hoping for a box of chocolates or a fancy charcuterie board? hmmm...that is a tough choice!  I think I'll go for a charcuterie board

2. The Classic Debate: Do you think red roses are a timeless romantic gesture or a bit cliché? timeless romantic gesture

3. Movie Night: What is your ultimate "comfort" romantic comedy to watch? When Harry Met Sally or You've Got Mail

4. Galentine’s vs. Valentine’s: Do you prefer a night out with your best friends or a quiet evening with a partner? my besties

5. The Soundtrack: What is one song that always makes you think of "love"? the Beatles' Something

6. Handmade or Store-Bought: Does a handwritten card mean more to you than a tangible gift? I am thrilled with either

7. The Menu: If you’re staying in, what is your go-to "special occasion" meal to cook? pizza

8. Childhood Memories: Do you remember the specific style of Valentines you used to hand out in elementary school? I think, if I remember correctly, they were always Peanuts-themed

9. Flower Power: Besides roses, what is your favorite flower to receive (or buy for yourself)? I often buy myself Gerbera daisies

10. The Vibe: Describe your ideal Valentine’s Day in just three words. hugs and laughter

new year's meme

The Three Threes

1) Three things that have changed since the beginning of the year: I bought a new car, I started focusing on real self-care, and my boundaries--calling people on their nonsense.

2) Three things that didn’t change: my weight (not necessarily a bad thing), my address, and surpassing my reading goal!

3) Three things you want to change this year: I want to be a better friend, I want to be a better daughter, and I want to set some realistic goals for retirement

three on thursday

 

Thing 1:  it was a lovely, lovely day.  I am so very lucky I got to spend it with my parents.  As they get older, I sense their slowing down and need to prepare for when they will be gone.

Thing 2: the sentiment of the card I got Dad meant so much to me.  I was deflated that my sister got him the same card.

Thing 3: I am loving this Christmas vibe--the tree is twinkling, the music is playing softly, and it's lightly snowing.  (This is the only time that snow is tolerated)

finished reading

This is the second book in the series and what I enjoyed is that it is a long-married couple who are juggling the demands of careers and family and lost their intimacy.  As a romance, it's about enduring relationships, which is a different take.  Part of the issue is that with career success and increased income, the children have become spoiled rotten.  

From the publisher:

My kids are a**holes.

Yeah, I said it. I said the thing no father is supposed to say about their children, and I’ll say it again because I miss my wife.

Serena’s checked out and now resides in ‘yes dear’ robot mode, complete with a new eye twitch. Reason being, the impish elves we spawned are currently sucking the life out of her—daily. Thanks to Gracie and Peyton, my patience is hanging by the last orange bulb on a very thin green wire. Thank God we’re headed to Triple Falls. A week of Ruby’s eggnog and a little change of scenery could be just what the woman I love needs to find her way back to herself—and to me. But the closer we get to packing up, the shorter my fuse becomes . . . and the more I’m starting to get ideas of taking drastic measures.

And by drastic, I mean our little goblins won’t be the only ones making Rudolph’s naughty list. I’ve had enough. I’m not giving in this time. No amount of alligator tears or fake apologies are going to cut it.

Ironically, the more I man up and take charge, the more Serena and I are starting to reminisce about the good old days, which is quickly adding up to some heated nights.

Come hell or high water, this Christmas, our kids are going to learn to appreciate the parents they’ve got because I’m getting my girl back . . . even if the two little hellions we created have to pay to bring her back to me—little f*ckers.

The Sleight Before Christmas is book #2 in The Holiday Hijinx series. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it is highly recommended that you read The Plight Before Christmas first.

*Fair Warning- Both books in Holiday Hijinx are packed with adult shenanigans, laugh-out-loud outrageous content, colorful language, adults behaving badly, as well as hefty doses of spice.

finished reading

Whitney, the female main character, is experiencing the worst time of her life.  With one calamity after another, she arrives at her family's Christmas celebration only to find her college ex-boyfriend crashing the gathering.  So, this second-chance romance isn't insta-love, and watching the relationship rebuild was quite a storyline.  Although this is a romance, there are some serious issues addressed sensitively: childhood illness, grief, and mental health issues.  

From the publisher:

Clark Griswold was onto something, at least with his annual holiday meltdown. And since the last three weeks of my life have been riddled with humbug—another breakup, a broken toe, an office promotion I deserved and didn’t get—I’m not at all in the mood to celebrate nor have the happ, happ, happiest Christmas EVER.

When Mom insisted that we all gather at my Grandparent’s ancient cabin for an old school family Christmas, I fully intended to get into the holiday spirit with the help of the three wise men, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. But those boys did absolutely nothing to offset the shock or temper the sting of seeing my EX on our doorstep the first day of our holiday soiree.

Apparently, Santa missed the memo, and this elf is pissed.

Stuck for a week with the man who obliterated my heart nearly two decades ago, I did the only thing I could do and put on my game face, thankful for the home advantage.

I knew better than to drink that last cup of eggnog.

I knew better than to get tongue tangled beneath the mistletoe with the only man to ever break my heart.

I knew better than to sleep with Satan’s wingman on the eve of the Lord’s birthday.

I could blame the nog. I could blame the deceitful light blue eyes, thick, angelic hair, and panty evaporating smirk…but mostly, I blame Eli because he always knew exactly which of my buttons to push.

I foolishly thought a family Christmas filled with nostalgia was going to turn my inner Scrooge around, but this year’s festivities went up in flames. Leave it to the ghost of my Christmas past to be the one to light the match.

Fa la la la la, la FML.

finished reading

This insta-love story had a fun premise: being trapped in an elevator with your nemesis and realizing they're not so bad after all.  I enjoyed the twin elements of the main female character and how family expectations shape relationships.  And the main male character was swoon-worthy.

From the publisher:

When a secret billionaire and his obnoxious(ly pretty) upstairs neighbor get stuck together on an elevator, their sparks could light a Christmas tree.

Juliet

I go through crushes faster than a little kid goes through presents on Christmas morning.

But when I crash into my annoying(ly hot) nemesis and we get stuck on the elevator during a blackout, the last thing I expect is to develop feelings for him. Nate Cruz is opinionated, a stickler for justice, talks with his hands, and is the space heater keeping me safe while we’re stuck on this freezing metal box.

He’s also the first person to ever push past my defense mechanisms and see me as more than “the girl who messes up everything” that my family sees. And when the blackout ends and we’re back in the real world, he’s the first person to ever stand up to my family…for me.

Now that I’ve fallen for Nate, I’m determined not to mess up things with him, and I know exactly how: we’ll fake date to get through the holidays.

Because a fake relationship can’t leave me brokenhearted on Christmas.

Right?

Nate

Juliet Shippe is the loudest, most obnoxious(ly pretty) upstairs neighbor in the world.

But after six hours on an elevator with her, I’m fighting feelings deeper than I’m willing to admit. And after the power is restored and she manages to drag me to my apartment and give me my insulin shot, I’m all in.

When Jules suggests I come to her identical twin’s wedding as her “fake date,” I agree, but only if she comes to my ultra ambitious parents' holiday party as my real one.

Because I know the truth she’s too scared to admit: she isn’t faking. And I’ll do everything I can to help her realize it.

All I want for Christmas is Jules.

Single All the Way is a sweet closed door romantic comedy in the vein of your favorite festive Hallmark movie, but with more swooning and a lot more banter. Happily ever after guaranteed!

finished reading

I liked the behind-the-scenes life of a young mayor.  The main male character was flat for me; I wanted more of his story.  But the small-town feel of this romance was like a cozy Hallmark film.  I was rooting for the happily ever after.

From the publisher:

Stella Jackson loves being the youngest mayor of Hickory Falls, Michigan, a charming town she's turned into a Christmas destination. But when her ambitious plans to host a holiday movie shoot spiral into chaos, Stella finds herself juggling frustrated citizens, delayed production schedules... and a growing attraction to the movie’s leading man.

Daniel Banks is the Ever After Channel’s go-to Christmas hero, but he’s tired of playing in someone else’s story. When a messy production and a fiery small-town mayor force him to confront his own dreams, Daniel starts to wonder if Hickory Falls (and Stella) could be his real happily ever after.

With the clock ticking to wrap the movie by Christmas, Stella and Daniel must navigate studio politics, small-town drama, and their own fears to craft a story worth believing in. But will their love survive the ultimate rewrite?

finished reading

This bittersweet novella got me thinking!  It's a poignant tale of reflection and regret.

From the publisher:

A father and a son are seeing each other for the first time in years. The father has a story to share before it’s too late. He tells his son about a courageous little girl lying in a hospital bed a few miles away. She’s a smart kid—smart enough to know that she won’t beat cancer by drawing with crayons all day, but it seems to make the adults happy, so she keeps doing it.

As he talks about this plucky little girl, the father also reveals more about himself: his triumphs in business, his failures as a parent, his past regrets, his hopes for the future.

Now, on a cold winter’s night, the father has been given an unexpected chance to do something remarkable that could change the destiny of a little girl he hardly knows. But before he can make the deal of a lifetime, he must find out what his own life has actually been worth, and only his son can reveal that answer.

With humor and compassion, Fredrik Backman’s The Deal of a Lifetime reminds us that life is a fleeting gift, and our legacy rests in how we share that gift with others.

finished reading

This is a confection of a novel, almost too sweet.  I especially enjoyed the sections about the Queen and Prince Philip, and Jack's culinary journey.  It was eye-opening to watch Olive navigate the world of work in the early 1950s as a single mother.  The subplot of Olive's parents was sweet.

From the publisher:

’Tis the season! The Crown meets When Harry Met Sally and Bridget Jones’s Diary, in the latest heartwarming historical novel from Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, bestselling authors of Meet Me in Monaco and Three Words for Goodbye.

December 1952. While the young Queen Elizabeth II finds her feet as the new monarch, she must also find the right words to continue in the tradition of her late father and grandfather’s beloved Christmas Day radio broadcast. But even traditions must move with the times, and the Queen faces a postwar Britain hungry for change. 

As preparations begin for the royal Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk, two old friends—Jack Devereux and Olive Carter—find themselves reunited for the festivities. A single mother, typist at the BBC, and aspiring reporter, Olive leaps at the opportunity to cover the holiday celebration, despite self-doubts. When a chance encounter with the Queen presents an exciting opportunity, Olive begins to believe her luck might change. 

Jack, a grief-stricken widowed chef originally from New Orleans, accepts a last-minute chance to cook in the royal kitchens at Sandringham. When he bumps into a long-lost friend, an old spark is reignited.

Despite personal and professional heartache, Jack and Olive’s paths continue to cross over the following five Christmas seasons and they find themselves growing ever closer. Yet Olive carries the burden of a heavy secret. 

Christmas Day, December 1957. As the nation eagerly awaits the Queen’s first televised Christmas speech, Olive decides to reveal the shocking truth of her secret, which threatens to tear her and Jack apart forever. Unless Christmas has one last gift to deliver… 

finished reading

This breezy, fun romance had great characters. I especially liked the community's winter festival and the games they pulled together. It's the first of a series and I'm excited to read more!

From the publisher:

A misunderstanding sparks an enemies-to-lovers romance between an outdoorsman and an aspiring writer in this funny and festive Christmas-themed novel.

So far, no man in Mistletoe, Idaho, has measured up to the literary heroes in Delilah Gill’s favorite books. Anthony Russo is no exception. She’s not sure why the steamy smooch they once shared suddenly turned frosty, and she’s tried to keep her distance ever since. But she’s had enough of being serially single, and she decides it’s the perfect time to put herself out there.

Anthony isn’t interested in playing games and he doesn’t like being used—especially not to make his own best friend jealous. Still, a bruised ego doesn’t stop him from imagining kissing Delilah again when she shows up to the local watering hole looking like a million bucks and the other single men in town start to notice her considerable charms.

As December approaches and the Christmas festivities ramp up, both Delilah and Anthony find themselves roped into Mistletoe’s seasonal happenings. It won’t be long now before proximity turns loathing into interest and ultimately a romance that could lead to a very happy holiday indeed . . .

finished reading

The third installment of the series has the professional hockey-playing youngest Kringle finding love with his former high school sweetheart.  Matt and Jasmine have a second chance at love, and I am all for it.  Matt, who is injured from his high-profile hockey career, returns home to help his family's Inn and Christmas tree farm. Jasmine has been hired by Matt's sister to create a PR campaign to fill the Inn.  

From the publisher:

My to do list:

Revive my crashed PR career.

Turn around the Kringle family business by Christmas.

Convince my ex-boyfriend, NHL legend Matt "the Mountain" Kringle, to help me, even though I broke his heart when we were seventeen.

Easy, right?

Matt is huge, he's hot, and he's the grumpiest player in the league. I'll have to brave his bad attitude and his sexy beard if I want him to help bail out the family business and put my career back on track. I'll also have to try to forget - again - what an amazing kisser he is.

None of it is going to be easy. Not when Matt's arrival in town leads to the Airport Incident and the Candy Cane Scandal - talk about embarrassing. But as Matt and I navigate disaster after disaster together, I'll have to get over the fact that I never got over him. And that love with Matt is a game I just might want to play.

finished reading

This series is a lot of fun.  Ethan is a straight-and-narrow wannabe local politician who whimsically (drunkenly) marries a Vegas showgirl but doesn't remember it.  When Lexi shows up in his hometown and fits right in, the story takes off.  It's playful and light holiday fun.

From the publisher:

Ethan

I’ve got my hands full.

Running for mayor of my home town in Colorado. Trying to save the family business—and doing my best to survive Christmas without murdering my brother. Nowhere on this list is room for Lexie to show up a year after our epic one-night stand.

Vegas show girl, owner of the meanest dog I’ve ever met, and the star of every fantasy I’ve had since I came home. And apparently… my wife? And she wants me to sign divorce papers.

Hell no.

Lexie

I do not get drunk married. That’s what tourists do in Vegas, not locals. But even I am susceptible to gorgeous eyes and an excellent jaw line.

I was so sure Ethan was different from the jerks I usually fall for, until I woke up married without a groom or a way to get a hold of him. A year later, I finally see him splashed all over the internet—fighting with his brother at a Colorado airport.

So, what’s a showgirl to do? Put on my best heels, put my dog in a hand bag and go find my husband so I can end my sham marriage. But as soon as I arrive in Salt Springs, that plan goes out the window.

Ethan hasn’t forgotten me and the chemistry between us is real and explosive.

Now that I’ve found him he doesn’t want to let me go.

Was our wedding a Vegas mistake? Or a Christmas miracle?

wordless wednesday

 

finished reading

Another quick holiday rom-com read, this time the first of a series. I liked how the characters from the other titles in the series are brought into the books.  I was a bit disappointed in the cliche of the main female character:  uptight corporate daughter comes to save the family's country bumpkin business.  Other than that, it was a fun story.  And the main male character sounds rather dreamy.

From the publisher:

Home for the holidays…

That should be a good thing, right? Eggnog and Christmas carols. Mistletoe and family. Except my dad broke his leg hanging the family wreath. My brothers are at war over taking proper care of Dad. Oh, and I just found out our family business, the Kringle Inn, is failing!

The last thing I need is this mysterious new guy, who runs the Kringle tree farm, interfering. He’s big, bearded and grumpy. He wears a lot of flannel and he does NOT like taking orders. Especially from me. We can’t agree on anything other than saving the business.

Even if we have to kill each other doing it. Or kiss each other doing it…Because I might be falling for the guy.

My name is Kristen, don’t call me Kris, Kringle and this is a Christmas Romance Emergency!

finished reading

There were a few situations in this rom-com that had me chuckling out loud.  I could envision the food truck situation.  I'm not entirely sure where the title came from, but it was a fun, lighthearted holiday romp.

From the publisher:

If there’s one person Gemma Marshall can’t stand, it’s her office nemesis Theo Campbell, who just so happens to be her boss’s nephew. Whether Theo’s pulling her off a major account or hogging the office microwave, he constantly rubs her the wrong way…plus he has no business looking that sexy.

But everything changes when Gemma accidentally sends her uptight boss Eleanor a highly NSFW holiday gag gift meant for her bestie. Theo catches Gemma freaking out and offers her a an invite to his aunt’s exclusive Christmas party in the festive holiday destination town of Tinsel, where she can intercept the inappropriate gift before it’s unwrapped.

For Theo, helping the woman upon whom he has an unrequited crush is a huge win. It’s a chance to spend time with her and finally get off her naughty list…and if they both lose their hearts along the way? Well, all’s fair in love and Christmas.

finished reading

I enjoyed this holiday rom-com with fake dating.  The meet-cute takes place on a flight from Florida to Colorado, where the female main character is seated next to a handsome hunk male main character. The banter was witty.  I was slightly annoyed at how Olive's heavily hinted-at big reveal fell flat, as it was not really a plot twist.  Other than that, I loved how technology is used.  And I loved the setting.

From the publisher:

Olive Moore has been avoiding her hometown for three years now. But a phone call with her mom has her agreeing to spend the holidays back home with her family, she lets it slip she will be bringing a boyfriend with her. The only problem with that is she has no boyfriend. That is until she meets a handsome-albeit annoying-stranger on the plane who makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Finn Beckett has always had good luck, as demonstrated by the gorgeous blonde he's seated next to on a flight to Aspen. One drink too many leads to Olive spilling her problems in his lap, and he feels compelled to help. So he makes her an offer: he'll pretend to be her boyfriend to keep her family off her back and make this the best Christmas ever.

Olive and Finn spend the next two weeks going on spirit-filled Christmas dates with her family. Their ruse is working perfectly, but Finn can't help but notice Olive is holding something back. Something that could ruin everything.

Their relationship may have taken off smoothly, but with all this turbulence, will they ever make it to baggage claim?

finished reading

I liked the premise--saving a beloved iconic community business, and I liked the details about tree farming.  This was a charming story, and the characters, although predictable in a good way, were quirky and fun.  I especially liked the cozy feeling from the PG romance.

From the publisher:

A second chance with your first crush.

Doesn’t happen often.

For Liam Fisher, that first crush was his next door neighbor, Olive Witherby.

Childhood was lazy summers, treehouse stargazing, and endless games of hide and seek at Pine Creek, the Christmas tree farm that’s been in Liam’s family for generations.

When Liam moves away, he and Olive say goodbye the only way they know how—with a fumbling first kiss neither of them will ever forget.

Even though twelve-year olds’ promises of keeping in touch feel eternal, time and distance eventually make Olive and Liam practically strangers.

Twenty years later, Liam’s parents announce they’re retiring and selling the tree farm.

Twenty years later, Pine Creek is the last place grown-up Liam wants to be. Inherit this legacy? Not on your life.

And twenty years later, grown-up Olive is stuck.

Her work life is a lot like her love life—floundering. After a humiliating business failure, loads of debt, and one too many laughable first dates, she’s in no hurry to put herself out there again, in business or in romance.

When Olive is hired by Liam’s parents to rekindle the lost magic of the farm one final time before it’s sold, she sets out to make this the last, best Pine Creek Christmas, for the town and for a very cranky, not-so-talkative, surprisingly attractive Liam.

Part of her mission? Convince the crank to fall in love with Christmas.

The other part? Not fall head over heels in the process.

Christmas with a Crank is a grumpy/sunshine, childhood crush, opposites attract romance with plenty of sizzle, but none of the steam.

ten things tuesday

🎄Time for Some Festive Fun: Christmas Q&A! 🎄

The halls are decked, the cocoa is hot, and the holiday rush is officially underway! But before we dive headfirst into wrapping paper and gift lists, let's take a moment to soak up some serious Christmas spirit. Here are ten fun, easy questions designed to get us thinking about the best parts of the season--from our silliest traditions to our favorite festive tunes.

1.  What is your absolute favorite tradition that you must do every single Christmas season, and why does it mean so much to you? I must attend my father's choral society concert because he's been conducting them for almost fifty years!

2.  Describe the best or most memorable Christmas gift you have ever given to someone else. What was their reaction? I got my parents tickets to see Manheim Steamroller one year and they LOVED the concert

3.  If you could only listen to five Christmas songs for the rest of the month, which ones would you choose, and what's the scenario that makes them the perfect five? "Driving Home for Christmas" by Chris Rea, "River" by Joni Mitchell, "In the Bleak Midwinter" by James Taylor, "Merry Christmas Darling" by Carpenters, and "On Christmas Morning" by Michael McDonald, with a bonus track of "Christmas Spirit" by Donna Summer.  These are the perfect five non-traditional and lovely songs that I bet a lot of people haven't gotten sick of

4.  What's the one Christmas movie you could quote line-for-line, and what's your favorite scene from it? probably Love Actually is the movie I can quote--and my favorite scene is Hugh Grant getting his groove on and getting caught

5.  You have to make a giant batch of a classic holiday treat for a party--is it sugar cookies, gingerbread men, or fudge? Which one, and what's your special ingredient or twist? although I make a mean fudge (I am always asked to make it), I would make a batch of Chex Mix

6.  What's the most unusual or funniest Christmas decoration you own, and where/when did you get it? I do not have anything unusual

7.  If you could spend Christmas in any fictional town (e.g., Whoville, Bedford Falls, North Pole), where would you go and what would be your first activity there? definitely the North Pole and I would want to see Santa!

8.  What is one thing you bought or did this year to make your holiday decorating easier or more fun? I got a gnome topper for my school tree  

9.  Describe your ideal cozy Christmas Eve setting, right down to the food/drink, the outfit you're wearing, and who (or what pet) is sitting next to you. ideally, I'm in pajamas or lounge clothes by myself, with Chinese food, and listening to a Christmas audiobook and coloring/playing Pyramid on my iPad or watching a favorite movie (any version of A Christmas Carol, The Holiday, Elf, Love Actually, or Christmas in Connecticut)

10. What is one simple, non-gift act of kindness or service you plan to do (or have already done) for someone else this holiday season? tracking down a Tourtière for Dad

finished reading

I wish I could spend the holidays in London!  This book charmed me from the start.  Even though it was an insta-romance over a week, it seemed plausible.  I liked how the characters were adults and not whiny, immature characters.  Although there is a whiny, immature secondary character.  

From the publisher:

If there is one thing she has learned in England, it's that not all Englishmen are created equal.

Because this guy was turning out to be a real pill.

Tired of spending the holidays throwing up on cruises with her parents and, you know, being dumped by ex-boyfriends, Claire Frost is determined to change her luck this Christmas. Taking time off from her flower shop, she follows her friend to London, ready to enjoy all-things England. And boy, does she. The frost-covered flowers. The frozen green hills. The bright red telephone boxes. The festive Christmas markets.

Also the men. Definitely the men.

Except, of course, her friend's cousin. Liam Everhart is super attractive, super swoony, and super English. Too bad he's also a super jerk. A super jerk whom she now has to spend every minute with. What a blessed, blessed relief that his Darcy/Poldark looks are overshadowed by his Darth Vader/Malfoy personality. She had enough Christmas baggage to deal with, so why would she ever add a swoony Englishman to the mix?