Review: The Office Games by Whitney G

Book Summary

All I wanted for Christmas was for my most-loathed coworker to get hit by a bus.

Unfortunately, Santa decided to give him a promotion: my BOSS…

I couldn't afford to quit, so I suffered through his egotistical reign and hoped that my wish would be granted next season.

Does Santa even read our lists anymore?

Between an ice storm for the ages, getting arrested for “breaking and entering,” I wind up trapped inside his car for a never-ending road trip, and any time I think the journey home can't get worse, the universe throws me another wicked curveball.

The games are just beginning...

The third book in the bestselling Holiday Homecoming Collection.

Review

The Office Games was a very disappointing read. Unfortunately, there is little that I liked regarding this story. Taryn and James have worked at the same marketing company for years. They have a rivalry and have been trying to sabotage each other. For example, Taryn had her assistant slash James’ tires, and James had locked her out of the building. Both are up for the same promotion. James is promoted over Taryn for a reason that isn’t explained nor does the book attempt to prove why either deserved the promotion. Instead, the book skips one year later after a few short chapters.

Something that happened before the skip is worth mentioning. James visits Taryn’s house and they have dinner together and watch television. It’s alluded that this is something that has happened often. That little detail would have made the book more compelling if it had been explored more. Two rivals who hate each other at the office but secretly find comfort in each other outside office hours? I would have loved that if done correctly. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen in The Office Games. As mentioned before there is a one-year time skip, and canceled flights force Taryn and James to drive together to Colorado for the holidays. Taryn and James lack real chemistry and almost all their interactions felt forced and rushed. I don’t for once second believe any of their love confessions. Not only that but the plot points are weak and predicted, and everything feels disconnected. I haven’t even touched on the memory loss plot.

Back when she was a teenager, Taryn was involved in an accident and lost her memory. While in college, she made a Christmas pact with a friend (Cameron) that if they were single when they were turn thirty, they would get married. I don’t understand how Taryn didn’t immediately see red flags when talking to Cameron. Like James, he had cringy dialogue, but he was much worse and so much pushier. It’s obvious how the memory plot will play out as the story progresses, and it’s a lackluster conclusion.

Final Thoughts

The Office Games was poorly written with a lackluster romance, cringy dialogue, and a weak, predictable plot. There’s zero emotional depth here. And the most hideous crime is that for a book called The Office Games, there is barely any time spent in the office. Most of the time is spent in the car. 

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Review: Failure to Match by Kyra Parsi

About the Book

He’s the arrogant, grumpy billionaire bane of my existence... and now I’m his full-time, live-in dating coach.

I’ve never failed to match a client—until him.

Jackson Sinclair has dragged me through eight months of matchmaking hell, and I have the carnage of broken hearts to prove it.

But I refuse to get fired from my dream job because of some infuriatingly gorgeous billionaire and his absurd criteria for a wife.

The plan is simple.

All I have to do is infiltrate his penthouse, pretend to be his blind date, and figure out what the actual f*ck his actual f*cking problem is.

It’ll be fine. He doesn’t know what I look like.

Except I nearly drown in Satan-clair’s massive pool, he figures out who I am, and now I’m forcibly glued to his side for the next 30 days.

It’s a nightmare, until it’s not.

I hate him, until I discover everything he’s been hiding.

We fight, until the tension boils over into sizzling temptation.

Jackson Sinclair may not believe in soulmates, and he may not believe in love, but little does he know, he’s finally met his match…

Review

Failure to Match is a new perfect romantic comedy.  I have zero to no complaints. Every page was needed, and the book kept getting better and better. It’s witty, steamy, and entertaining. The push and pull between the characters is so addicting. I couldn’t put it down. It was just so deliciously good.

It was Jamie’s job to find a romantic partner for Jackson; however, Jackson ended up being one of the worst clients on the planet. To save her job, she goes undercover to figure out why they can’t seem to find a partner for him. That ends up being a hilarious disaster, and not long after, she’s forced to work strictly with Jackson and live in his home.

Of course, they are misperceiving each other. Jamie isn’t just a matchmaker. And Jackson isn’t just this brooding CEO who is an awful client. There’s so much more with each of them—especially Jackson. The book is solely told in Jamie’s POV. However, Parsi did a perfect job of giving hints about Jackson’s feelings and thoughts through his dialogue and his body language. Sidenote, I adored that Jackson was so determined to win Jamie’s cat over. I found that to be so fun and adorable. Not to mention that Jackson was completely down bad for Jamie and would do anything for her.  

From the beginning, Jamie and Jackson’s chemistry is apparent, and they have such top-notch banter. And they only continued to get better as the story progressed.

Final Thoughts

I devoured Failure to Launch. It’s such a great rom-com, and everyone should drop everything and read it immediately. The author perfectly captures a dislike-to-lovers romance and there is so much nuisance with these characters and their romance. Jackson and Jamie are addicting and have such an amazing dynamic. 

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Review: Once Upon a Christmas Tree by Lulu Moore

About the Book

Alexander, Lord Burlington, hates the holidays.

But duty calls. This year he’s willing to set his feelings aside for the sake of his eldest brother who’s just been left at the altar - sending shockwaves through British high society - as they escape London for the snow capped mountains of Aspen.

However, it soon becomes obvious that Colorado in December wasn’t the best place to go for someone who usually out-grinches The Grinch.

Haven Wylder has spent the last four years paying off debts her parents left when they died. Between working on her ranch, or in her Christmas store and taking on every other job she can, there’s been no time for fun. But if there’s one thing guaranteed to put a smile on her face it’s the holidays and the annual gingerbread decorating competition.

What she wasn’t expecting was the tall, handsome stranger with the accent to die for who, *gasp*, hates Christmas.

It doesn’t take long for Haven to start changing Alex’s mind. It has nothing to do with her berry red lips and glossy caramel curls tumbling down her back, or her big doe eyes as green as the Christmas trees she selling. Or the way she fills out her jeans.

None at all.

Alexander will never not despise Christmas, but a fling with Haven Wylder might be just the thing to make it a little more bearable. That is… if he can leave her and their unforgettable connection behind.

Review

Once Upon a Christmas Tree was a good Christmas novella. I’ll go as far as saying it’s a good introduction to Moore’s new series. I’m excited to continue, especially with how this one ended. I will admit I was a little worried about how Haven and Alex’s story was going to end. I was fearful that the author was going to make it too instant love. However, that didn’t happen. Instead, Alex and Haven’s story ends on a cliffhanger, and I will be patiently waiting to see what happens next. I did research a bit and found their tropes for the next installment, and I’m excited to see how everything is going to play out. I don’t often prefer second-chance romances; however, I think Moore has me sold.

Alex and Haven were cute—in that holiday Hallmark way. She’s a hard-working, ordinary woman who enjoys Christmas and works almost every job in the town. However, her main job is a Christmas tree farm that was passed down to her when her father passed. Tragically Alex doesn’t enjoy the holiday seasons and is only in town for a few days. Oh, and to mention he’s a Lord of England.

Haven isn’t aware of Alex’s true identity when she meets him, just that she has this attraction to him. Almost at the beginning of the book, Alex is willing to do anything to get close and impress Haven, including signing up for the gingerbread competition at the bakery where she works. That was adorable. All in all, they are a sweet and lovable couple.

Final Thoughts

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is a good start to Moore’s upcoming series. There are some faults. The main one is that Alex and his brother didn’t feel like Lord’s to me. Instead, they felt like regular men. However, it’s still a good holiday novella. Alex and Haven have a great romance, and I’m excited to see where Moore takes them.  

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Review: Under the Mistletoe Collection: Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood and Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

About the Book - Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

For two former childhood friends, a blustery winter storm stirs some frosty—and scorching—memories in a delightfully sexy short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

All newly minted pediatrician Jamie Malek wants is to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, that requires her to interact with Marc—her best friend’s troublemaking brother, who’s now a tech billionaire. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who broke his heart. Outside, a howling blizzard. Inside, a crackling fire. Suddenly, being snowbound with the man she never expected to see again might not be such a bad way to spend a winter’s night.

Ali Hazelwood’s Cruel Winter with You is part of Under the Mistletoe, a collection of sexy December romances to warm the cold winter nights. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

About the Book - Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

A single mother working in a thrift store. A gentle giant farmer who can’t find jeans that fit. When opposites attract, they find themselves making alterations in more ways than one in this smoking-hot short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

Evie Crowe is starting over in a strange town with her newborn, and men are the furthest thing from her mind. If only the quiet, hulking farmer, Luke Ward, would stop coming into the thrift shop and piquing her reluctant interest. Evie wants to stay single all the way—she can’t trust anything more than friends-with-holiday-benefits. But Luke is in it for the long haul. He’s fixed on making this a Christmas Evie will remember forever. If she gives him a chance.

Tessa Bailey’s Merry Ever After is part of Under the Mistletoe, a collection of sexy December romances to warm the cold winter nights. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

With the holiday season upon us, I decided to get in the mood by reading the first two books in the Under the Mistletoe Collection.  Of the two, I much preferred Cruel Winter with You by a long shot. I found it to be entertaining. I liked Marc. He was incredibly kind and so down bad for Jamie—even though she didn’t realize it at times. However, he had said some rude things to her while they were growing up, and I would have loved to know his feelings at that moment. I don’t recall him apologizing to Jamie either. There are quite a few time jumps within the novella; however, I think they are perfectly placed and much needed.

Merry Ever After didn’t feel like a holiday novella. The plot could have taken place in any other season, and almost nothing would change. It was too fast-paced and so much unnecessary smut. I liked the tropes in this one, but I didn't like the writing and execution. Evie’s son felt almost nonexistent and there was no emotional depth.

Final Thoughts

Cruel Winter with You feels like a holiday novella with two characters being forced to communicate while snowed in. Marc and Jamie had known each other for years, and for most of his life, Marc had crushed on Jamie. The book is unfortunately slightly hurt without the POV of Marc. All and all, it’s a short and sweet holiday novella.

With Merry Ever After, I decided to give Tessa Bailey another chance after avoiding her books for years. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one. The dialogue felt silly, and the pacing was just too fast.

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Review: All by My Elf by Olivia Dade & Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria (Under the Mistletoe Collection)

About the Books

All by My Elf – Olivia Dade

Secret crushes, spicy Christmas treats, heinous holiday traffic, and a fateful snowstorm bring good friends together in a funny, sexy short story by bestselling author Olivia Dade.

Nina and William are underpaid adjunct professors at the same university, where winter break is no break at all: ’tis the season to make extra money. When their holiday side hustle has them stranded by a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere, there’s nothing to do but cuddle up for warmth and play a hot and bothered game of Never Have I Ever to pass the time. But in the game of love, secrets never stay secret for long…

Olivia Dade’s All by My Elf is part of Under the Mistletoe, a collection of sexy December romances to warm the cold winter nights. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

Only Santas in the Building – Alexis Daria

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially for a comic book illustrator whose late-night naughty fantasies become real in a festive and spicy short story by bestselling author Alexis Daria.

All Evie Cruz wants for Christmas is a nap. And maybe some ornaments for her naked Christmas tree. And while she’s making a list, she wouldn’t mind unwrapping her sexy upstairs neighbor like a present. Luckily, the building’s Santa-themed party and a surprise sprig of mistletoe give her just the opening she needs to make all her wishes come true.

Alexis Daria’s Only Santas in the Building is part of Under the Mistletoe, a collection of sexy December romances to warm the cold winter nights. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting

Review

Out of the four novellas in the Under the Mistletoe Collection, All by My Elf certainly felt the weakest. I struggled to get through it and often found myself confused. When I finished reading it, I had to go back and reread the beginning because I was missing bits of information. The information had been provided in the beginning, but it confused my brain. In addition, I didn’t particularly see any chemistry between Nina and William.

Only Santas in the Building is the strongest novella in the collection. I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of my favorite things about it is that it felt like a holiday novella while reading. Evie has been struggling to decorate for the holiday season due to work deadlines and the emotions tied to losing her grandmother. However, a neighbor within the building has anonymously been leaving ornaments at her door. It’s predictable, but still a very cute read.

Final Thoughts

Only Santas in the Building emerges as the current victor from the Under the Mistletoe collection. It has the most depth, the best relationship, and feels the most like Christmas. On the other hand, All by My Elf falls flat, suffering from a confusing start and lackluster romance.

Buy on Amazon:

All by Elf: Amazon Kindle | Audible

Only Santas in the Building: Amazon Kindle | Audible

Review: My December Darling by Lauren Asher

About the Book

Catalina

Playing the part of my sister’s maid of honor is easy even if she’s marrying my ex.

But playing nice with the best man? An impossible task given our history.

Sure, Luke Darling may be suspiciously kind, incredibly handsome, and stubborn to a fault, but regardless of how hard he tries to make me see otherwise, I’m not interested.

It’s on me to remind him that he’s my ex-boyfriend’s best friend.

And the one I’m secretly starting to wish I met first.

Luke

My job as the best man is a simple one, except for one minor issue.

I’ve spent so much time avoiding my best friend’s ex that I didn’t consider what could happen if I started craving Catalina Martinez’s company instead.

She is only in Lake Wisteria for the winter wedding, but her January departure date won’t stop me from pursuing her.

Getting her to date me would be nothing short of a Christmas miracle, but I’m determined to make her mine.

‘Tis the season to fall in love…even if I’m the only one taking the risk.

Review

The romance between Catalina and Luke was the weakest part of this story. I won’t lie and say that they didn’t have any cute moments because they did. I adored that they both loved Legos and that that was something incorporated into their romance. However, other than that, I was not blown away by their spark. I felt that they would have done better as a supporting romance rather than the main romance.

What was more surprising to me about My December Darling was how Asher handled the trope of a sibling getting with the main character’s ex. It was refreshing to see no toxicity and read about how Catalina’s sister and ex, genuinely wanted her to be happy and pushed her towards Luke. I appreciated Catalina’s relationship with them both and loved her maid of honor speech. I thought it was nicely done. I also loved the growth of the relationship between Catalina and her mom. They were on rocky terms, and it was sweet that they could work that out.

Final Thoughts

The romance in My December Darling is the unfortunate weakest part of this novella. However, that should not discourage readers. It’s a sweet read. Despite the disappointing romance, Asher does deliver on several other things. The book provides a heartwarming family dynamic and also does really well with highlighting friendships. In addition, the book feels like the holiday season.

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