My Review:Title: Christmas in the City
Author: L.J. Shen, Helena Hunting, Corinne Michaels, Melanie Harlow, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Sierra Simone, Kennedy Ryan, Penny Reid, L.H. Cosway, Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy
Series: Imperfect Match #1.5, All the King's Men #2.6, Him #2.5
Published by: Indie
Release Date: November 26, 2019
Format: Kindle Book
Pages: 325
Genres: Contemporary, Holiday, Romance
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2021 Backlist Reader Challenge, Lenoreo's 2021 COYER Fall, Lenoreo's 2021 Diversity Reading Challenge, Lenoreo's 2021 HoHoHo Readathon
Find it: Goodreads
My rating:
Blurb:Twelve bestselling authors have come together to brighten your holiday with six ALL NEW co-written novels. Travel through six cities and fall in love with these enchanting love stories.
L.J. Shen & Helena Hunting
Just The Tip
It’s not every day you meet a stranger who knows how to jingle your bells…Corinne Michaels & Melanie Harlow
Baby it’s Cold Outside
My Christmas list did not include a broken heart, freezing temperatures, or my tree stuck in the door to my apartment building, but that’s what I got. Just when I thought Santa had failed me, I got something I never thought to ask for …Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Kissmas in New York
It was just supposed to be a simple kiss with a stranger. I'd done it to prove a point--that I hadn't lost my sense of adventure. But you know what they say about the best laid plans. Maybe I'd get something in my stocking after all this holiday season...Sierra Simone & Kennedy Ryan
The Christmas Crown
Noelani, queen of Manaroa, has one mission on her diplomatic visit to the States: forge strategic alliances for her homeland. When she meets brooding security specialist Brock Grimsby, their unexpected alliance heats up the holiday. One night. No promises, but come Christmas, will either be able to walk away?Penny Reid & L.H. Cosway
Songbird
Two lonely souls find companionship in Dublin for one magical night. Broderick Adams doesn't mind his solitude, until she walks in. Ophelia Kelly sings to heal her heart, but has no idea he's listening.Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
EPIC
Jamie and Wes are having a blast living and working in Toronto. Until a scout for another team swoops in to make one of them an offer that might complicate the life they've built together.
OVERALL: 4 stars — Huh, this was actually a really solid anthology. Pretty great Christmas vibes (some more than others), solid romances, lots of variety. Obviously I enjoyed some more than others, but there wasn’t one I didn’t connect with at least a little, which is kind of rare for anthologies!
JUST THE TIP by L.J. Shen & Helena Hunting
3.5 stars — This one started off pretty solidly, and there were definitely some great moments with some good steam…but then the weirdness took over, and I just couldn’t vibe anymore. Basically, if you’ve read Ms. Hunting’s Pucked book, and all that beaver stuff was too much for you, it was a bit like that. I mean, it even pervaded the steamy scenes, which…well, didn’t work for me. But if you enjoy that kind of crazy, then no worries! Horace’s POV was originally much better (less crazy), but even that devolved by the end…and thus if this were a normal book, I’d round down.
BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE by Corinne Michaels & Melanie Harlow
4 stars — Solid, fun, romantic and sexy. I’ve not read either of these authors (though god knows I probably own books by them), but this was nice and light (which isn’t always Ms. Michaels brand from what I understand). No angst, just romance. The names amused me too (Harlow and Michael): I see what you did there.
KISSMAS IN NEW YORK by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
4 stars — Solid Christmas novella romance. Had some good chemistry between the characters, they were both pretty likeable, it was just solid. I’m not sure I was in the mood for these kind of characters at the moment, so that’s probably why not higher.
THE CHRISTMAS CROWN by Sierra Simone & Kennedy Ryan
4.5 stars — Woooo…*wipes forehead* Damn that was hot. Definitely the steamiest of the 6, and chemistry out the wazoo! Great writing that had me highlighting, as I seem to do with all of Ms. Ryan’s work (haven’t read enough of Ms. Simone’s). I liked that it felt complete, but I really want them to give me the promised next chapter for Grim and Lani. Too bad COVID might have derailed that plan, since I can’t find it.
SONGBIRD by Penny Reid & L.H. Cosway
4.5 stars — These two were adorable. Honestly I’m mostly bummed that it felt like a prequel, but I don’t know to *what*. Because I would read Ophelia and Broderick’s full length story in a heartbeat. It had humour, heart, and great chemistry (though only kissing). I guess if this is really all I’m ever going to get from these two, then it’s more like 3.5 stars. I’m rating based on potential, but I really need someone to tell me there will be more.
EPIC by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
5 stars — I mean, really, it’s Wesmie…you just can’t go wrong. I smiled and laughed in so many moments (many times courtesy of Blakey), and I loved the concept of Jamie being at a career crossroads. A perfect bonus novella of our favourite boys. Basically, it was epic.
COYER Scavenger Hunt #2: Read a book with a red item on the cover. Red coat and red shoes.
I read this one when it came out. It really was a solid holiday novella book. EPIC was my favorite, too. How can it not be? I’ll never get enough Wesmie. I wish they would write more WAGS books.