Review - - Snowed in for Christmas

Snowed in for Christmas

by Jaqueline Snowe

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

Sorority mom Becca Fairfield is used to guys not taking her seriously. She’s too blond, too quirky, or Just. Too. Much. So she’s ditched dating to focus on her job and a house filled with drama and plenty of tea. Now with the holidays and a major blizzard on her doorstep, Becca has everything she needs to survive the next two weeks on her own. Hot cocoa, plenty of books . . . and the memory of a steamy kiss with a certain sexy, grumposaurus next-door neighbor to keep her warm.

Only Becca’s seriously underestimated this Snowpocalypse. So when the power goes out and Harrison Cooper—football coach, master crank, and the guy who acted mega-awkward after said steamy kiss—offers her shelter, it only makes sense to accept. They’ll just be Blizzard Buddies. Hang out, stay safe, and maybe indulge in a little R-rated cuddling. Becca knows that Harrison isn’t the dating kind, and what happens during the storm lasts only as long as the storm. But are they keeping warm . . . or playing with fire?

PJ's Thoughts:

In the mood for a snowed-in, forced-proximity, sweet and steamy, grumpy-sunshine, holiday romance? Have I got the book for you!

I loved this story. It's funny, awkward, emotional, sexy. It gave me so many feels on so many levels. Becca is a quirky, out-of-the-box character who is humiliatingly aware that some people find her annoying and "too much." Shoot, Harrison (who ghosted her two years ago after one date) admits he did so because he thought she was high maintenance. Also, because his head wasn't in a good place at the time but still...he ghosted her! Kudos to the author for not glossing over that. I loved how Becca held him accountable for it, how they brought it into the open, how they communicated, that Harrison owned up to his behavior and sincerely apologized. There were many behaviors (between the main couple) that I was happy to applaud in this story. 

This book has all the ingredients for a light, fun, steamy rom-com - and there's plenty of that - but Snowe takes it deeper and I am here for it. I love Harrison's growth, the fact that he becomes open to it, in both his personal and work life, and that it's initiated by the time he spends with Becca. I appreciate the time taken to show the toxic results of actions by certain members of his family and the changes that occur when he finally stands his ground. Becca is a character I admired and happily cheered on. She readily admits she's not everyone's cup of tea but I found her endearing, admirable, and bubbling over with life, love, and the right priorities firmly in place. These two match like the last two pieces of a puzzle. They just needed a "snowpocalypse" to force them to look below the surface of who they thought the other was and discover the endearing complexities that make them the perfect fit for each other. 

I had not heard of Jaqueline Snowe before reading Snowed In for Christmas (twice) but you can bet I'll be checking out her back list immediately. I love her writing voice and am excited to read more of her work. This one has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Review & Giveaway - - Snowed in for Christmas

Snowed in for Christmas

by Sarah Morgan

Publisher: HQN

Release Date: September 20, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

A family gathering

This Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal—to avoid their well-meaning family’s endless stream of prying questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention.

An uninvited guest

Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone and the prospect of losing her job. Unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller, the season promises to be anything but festive. She’ll just deliver her proposal to his family home and then leave. After all, she wouldn’t want to intrude on the Miller family’s perfect Christmas.

A Christmas to remember

When Lucy appears on the Miller family’s snow-covered Highland doorstep, she's mistaken for Ross’s girlfriend. By the time the confusion is cleared up, they're snowed in—she can’t leave, even if she wants to! But does she want to? As secrets spill out like presents from an overstuffed stocking and the chemistry between her and Ross ignites, this is going to be either Lucy's worst Christmas ever or the best mistake of her life.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED***

PJ's Thoughts:

One of my favorite holiday treats I look forward to each year is a new book from Sarah Morgan. This year's entry aims straight for the heart with a slight detour to the funny bone along the way.

Sarah Morgan is a master of setting scenes. Her descriptions bring the locations of her stories to life, fully immersing me into the story and leaving me wanting nothing more than to jet off to, in this case, a snowy village in the Highlands of Scotland. Logistically, getting snowed in with strangers a few days before Christmas isn't ideal, but in the hands Morgan, it's a sure-fire recipe for a story that kept me gleefully flipping pages from beginning to end.

With the Millers, Morgan has created a family with whom many of us can relate. I loved the dynamic among the siblings. These three are a strong unit but, like most siblings, aren't above throwing one  another under the bus if it's to their benefit. Hence, the family thinking Lucy is Ross's girlfriend when she lands on their doorstep, a scene reminiscent of some of my favorite old-school rom coms. But this story isn't only about the younger generation, their careers and romantic woes, or their complicated relationships within the family. The Miller parents, and grandmother, all have significant roles and interesting journeys of their own; everyone in this family is at a crossroads. I especially enjoyed the heart-to-heart exchanges that occur between the generations, the sometimes difficult discussions between parent and child, and the wisdom dispensed by their grandmother, in her direct and frequently hilarious way. I love multi-generation stories where each character is given a chance to shine, and to grow. Morgan is one of my favorite authors who does this so well. 

Lucy is such an endearing character. My heart ached for the heartache life had tossed her way and I couldn't help but cheer her on. Morgan draws her into the center of the Miller family's joyous holiday traditions while also showing in small, poignant ways the outsider she actually is. Don't worry, everything ends happily. In fact, everything ends happily for all the characters though the path to that end is littered with more than a few emotional pot holes. But that's life, right? 

Some of my favorite scenes in this book take place in the kitchen. Have you ever noticed how the kitchen is the hub of the home, of the family? There can be a roaring fire in the living room, a table laden with food in the dining room, but it's the kitchen where the important work takes place, where emotions are laid bare, life-changing advice is dispensed, eye-opening revelations realized. If you can't have the important conversations over tea, sizzling bacon, or the making of the family's delicious shortbread then where can you? 

If you're looking for a charming, heartwarming story to add to your holiday reading list this year, look no further than Sarah Morgan's Snowed in for Christmas. It's a gem of a treat that will no doubt have you looking for more books from this talented author...to read in your cozy kitchen while the tea steeps and your favorite cookies bake. 

Have you read Sarah Morgan? Do you have a favorite of her books?

Christmas wouldn't be complete at the Miller's house without their famous shortbread. What's your favorite holiday treat to make or eat?

Feel free to share recipes!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED***

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 25 will receive a print copy of Snowed in for Christmas. (Thanks to HQN for the giveaway!)

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited