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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Oh, man, did I need something light and easy after my last one. Window Shopping is a relatively shortish novel about Stella and Aiden, who have their meet-cute on a NYC sidewalk just before Christmas. She has a past! He has daddy issues. One has money, one does not. But the attraction is - of course - undeniable and we follow them through their sweet path to happily ever after. It’s a lovely little Christmas-y tale and typical of the author. Fun and easy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Do you have bowties for every season? Or just Christmas?
Tessa Bailey HAS DONE IT AGAIN. Aiden and Stella are incredible. I think this has been my favorite holiday read yet.
-grumpy x sunshine
-boss x employee romance
-nice on the outside dirty on the inside
-holiday bow ties
These tropes. loved the inversion of the typical grumpy x sunshine, where the girl was grumpy and the guy was the sunshine. I typically don't LOVE boss and employee romance, but it was incredible. It was done in such a respectful and honest way. Aiden was such a character and his personality was steeped in southern stereotypes. As someone who is from TN, I cackled at all his stories.
Stella was such a refreshing character. I rarely (if ever) see the grumpy trope be the female. Fresh out of lockup, she dazzles Aiden by critiquing his store window design. He decides to hire her to elevate their holiday window displays.
I have never read a book where the jobs were so different. I didn't know window dressers were still a thing that people did. I think that this job was a great way to show how department stores are combatting the online shopping uptick and the pandemic. In response to both of these, Vivant (the store) had to get creative. Aiden saw to the at personally and it made for such an interesting read.
"I don't think anyone else has a bowtie with wreath-wearing walruses on it."
Their love story was adorable. give them a high rate of lasting past the page. I think they really saw each other. Aiden worked hard to understand Stella and in turn, Stella worked hard at opening up to Aiden. I loved the emotional intimacy that came with this book. Both of the characters worked at the relationship and (even though it was a novella) the depth was there.
The circumstances around Stella's lock-up made me understand the truly toxic nature of childhood friends. I also know that some people choose to cut those people out and never contact them again. However, I like how the author showed this without cutting off the friend. It was more of a growing up and growing apart, rather than just throwing away the relationship and writing it off.
Overall I loved this short holiday read. It was exactly what I needed.
TWs: emotional abuse, toxic friendships
Do you have bowties for every season? Or just Christmas?
Tessa Bailey HAS DONE IT AGAIN. Aiden and Stella are incredible. I think this has been my favorite holiday read yet.
-grumpy x sunshine
-boss x employee romance
-nice on the outside dirty on the inside
-holiday bow ties
These tropes. loved the inversion of the typical grumpy x sunshine, where the girl was grumpy and the guy was the sunshine. I typically don't LOVE boss and employee romance, but it was incredible. It was done in such a respectful and honest way. Aiden was such a character and his personality was steeped in southern stereotypes. As someone who is from TN, I cackled at all his stories.
Stella was such a refreshing character. I rarely (if ever) see the grumpy trope be the female. Fresh out of lockup, she dazzles Aiden by critiquing his store window design. He decides to hire her to elevate their holiday window displays.
I have never read a book where the jobs were so different. I didn't know window dressers were still a thing that people did. I think that this job was a great way to show how department stores are combatting the online shopping uptick and the pandemic. In response to both of these, Vivant (the store) had to get creative. Aiden saw to the at personally and it made for such an interesting read.
"I don't think anyone else has a bowtie with wreath-wearing walruses on it."
Their love story was adorable. give them a high rate of lasting past the page. I think they really saw each other. Aiden worked hard to understand Stella and in turn, Stella worked hard at opening up to Aiden. I loved the emotional intimacy that came with this book. Both of the characters worked at the relationship and (even though it was a novella) the depth was there.
The circumstances around Stella's lock-up made me understand the truly toxic nature of childhood friends. I also know that some people choose to cut those people out and never contact them again. However, I like how the author showed this without cutting off the friend. It was more of a growing up and growing apart, rather than just throwing away the relationship and writing it off.
Overall I loved this short holiday read. It was exactly what I needed.
TWs: emotional abuse, toxic friendships
He leído mejores historias en la editorial Harlequín y más creíbles. Yo quería algo bonito de navidad y tal vez algo jocoso pero esto no :(.
The Ted Lasso X Wednesday Addams Christmas fanfic I needed
Window Shopping, by Tessa Bailey, is a spicy grumpy-sunshine with holiday vibes! This holiday romance hit the spot! I love it when the grumpy one is the female because this grump can relate! Tessa always does a great job with character development… either you love them or hate them. Oh, and the tension she builds between characters - chefs kiss!
The book focuses on Stella, FMC, a grump with a past who is trying to leave that all behind, and Aiden, MMC, a sunshiney store owner who loves Christmas. The instant attraction between these opposites is fantastic. I love the tension and the witty banter. Who doesn’t love a workplace romance??
I loved that this book also had a secondary romance between side characters that I was totally invested in!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tessa Bailey for gifting me an eARC of Window Shopping. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3 1/2 stars
I enjoyed this book and the characters especially Aiden, but
the reason that Aiden notices Stella
the only reason he engages her on the street is because she's pretty. Then he goes way out of his way first to interview her and then to offer her a trial position.
While all this is happening the only thing I could think of, ashamed that I had never even considered it before. What about all the other people who have committed a crime, done there time, and know that because a serious mistake on there own part they will never have a chance of a good job, a good life. Whats the point of rehabilitating someone if after your done your time you now have less a chance to make something of your life. It's like we just want to force parolees to re-offend.
I really like that Aiden is a nice guy, and his portrayal throughout the book bears that out. I know the heart wants what the heart wants but often times I wonder in books and movies how the characters can choose to be with awful people especially when a very nice character is available to them.
I enjoyed this book and the characters especially Aiden, but
Spoiler
the reason that Aiden notices Stella
But before I ever stopped to engage her, I saw that half smile reflected in the window and I couldn’t seem to quit trying to get it back on her face. To make her lips tick up again.
Her half-smile was beautiful. It stopped me dead in my tracks.
the only reason he engages her on the street is because she's pretty. Then he goes way out of his way first to interview her and then to offer her a trial position.
While all this is happening the only thing I could think of, ashamed that I had never even considered it before. What about all the other people who have committed a crime, done there time, and know that because a serious mistake on there own part they will never have a chance of a good job, a good life. Whats the point of rehabilitating someone if after your done your time you now have less a chance to make something of your life. It's like we just want to force parolees to re-offend.
I really like that Aiden is a nice guy, and his portrayal throughout the book bears that out. I know the heart wants what the heart wants but often times I wonder in books and movies how the characters can choose to be with awful people especially when a very nice character is available to them.
The way I saw one TikTok that hyped this up and went straight to amazon only to get it and be disappointed!!!! Sigh, I really was so excited for this one. I was ready for the cute smutty hallmark moment, but I had my hand over my face (literally) while reading most of it because it was so embarrassing. Don't get me wrong, the hallmark energy is there and it's a cute little story, but the SMUT? Out of pocket and out of place. Idk the past few books Ms. Bailey puts random @n@l play into it and like do you but these folks knew each other for a few days...seems out of place to me! Aiden was a bit overbearing for me, he was in love by chapter 5 which is odd. I get it's a short story but it was just...the whole thing was out of place to me. Nicole's role was pointless along with the feels bad and guilty for a friend who doesn't have a good home life narrative. Again, it was just out of place for the other details. The smut was so cringy along with Aiden's "I'm SUCH a bAd gUy" kink. It gave me a laugh though. Anyway, don't fall for the Booktok hype on this one.
What a nice steamy Christmas read!! Stella has served time in prison, just basically fresh out, starts a new life in New York Coty. Stella finds herself in front of a stores(Vivant) window display, not very impressed with it. Hot store owner strikes up a convowith her about it, she not knowing that Aiden is the owner. To make a long story short Stella lands a job at Vivant as the stores window dresser, a dream job of hers. Falls in love with Aiden with sparks a flying.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Window Shopping
By Tessa Bailey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•••
Summary:
Stella was just released from prison and she’s trying to get her life together. After her release from prison, her parents gave her enough money to start a new life in New York City. Christmas is quickly approaching and Stella is having a hard time adjusting to her new freedom. One day, Stella finds herself entranced by a horrific storefront window design at Vivant, a luxury department store. It’s always been Stella’s dream to design storefront windows. It’s not until Aiden, Vivant’s part-owner/manager, asks Stella her opinion of the design that she realizes she really would do anything to have that job. Aiden casually mentions that they’re looking to hire a new window designer after this fiasco. Stella goes back and forth on whether to apply…. I mean who would hire an ex con? But what if Stella can take a chance on herself? Will she get the job? Hopefully she will, because now she really can’t stop thinking about that bow tie wearing manager.
•••
My thoughts:
Tessa Bailey does it again… the steam
By Tessa Bailey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•••
Summary:
Stella was just released from prison and she’s trying to get her life together. After her release from prison, her parents gave her enough money to start a new life in New York City. Christmas is quickly approaching and Stella is having a hard time adjusting to her new freedom. One day, Stella finds herself entranced by a horrific storefront window design at Vivant, a luxury department store. It’s always been Stella’s dream to design storefront windows. It’s not until Aiden, Vivant’s part-owner/manager, asks Stella her opinion of the design that she realizes she really would do anything to have that job. Aiden casually mentions that they’re looking to hire a new window designer after this fiasco. Stella goes back and forth on whether to apply…. I mean who would hire an ex con? But what if Stella can take a chance on herself? Will she get the job? Hopefully she will, because now she really can’t stop thinking about that bow tie wearing manager.
•••
My thoughts:
Tessa Bailey does it again… the steam