Reviews

Sleigh Belle by N.D. Testa, N.D. Testa

readingwithsha's review

4.0

This is just the perfect cozy Christmas book. I finished this book in 1 day and it was extremely fun reading it. It reminds me so much of those hallmark movies and I love that. I also loved the mystery sub-plot! Thank you to the author for sending this book to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

lala001's review

4.0

“Home is not a place… Home is whatever makes your soul happy!” Best quote from the book!!! Ok so on to the book. I absolutely loved it!! Such a cute cozy Hallmarky book. Belle and Jake’s story is soo good and has the best cutesy moments. The writing style is great and kept me hooked the entire time. I love the backdrop of Falls Village and the entire town is great. I felt like I was in the book seeing it all for myself. This was such an easy read and I loved every bit of it.

katlikesreadingbooks's review

4.0

Overall, it was a cute story—a hallmark story with some beauty and beast retelling. I enjoyed the Christmas vibe of the story. Many Christmas Easter eggs that I enjoyed. Grab a blanket and fall for the beast or in this case, James. A feel-good novel with a feel-good ending. Trauma, growth, and growing together. The book also has some mystery to keep you on your toes. A Christmas romance read you need.

jusbookshelf82's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

nellierod_reads's review against another edition

5.0

⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️(5/5 Stars)

N.D. Testa’s holiday romance, Sleigh Belle, is an adorable retelling of Beauty and The Beast with a Hallmark channel feel. This is a clean romance with zero spice, but it still gave me all the romantic holiday feels. I’ll admit that I have a proclivity for Beauty and The Beast as well as The Hallmark Channel so this book was a win-win for me. It is told from the point of view of the MFC, Belle, as she encounters the grumpy heir (“The Beast”) of the town’s most beloved, and recently deceased, Holiday benefactor. 

thecatinthestacks's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 This book was so sweet and a perfect little holiday pick-me-up! If you have ever watched a Hallmark movie and wondered what a book version might look like – here’s your chance to find out!

Belle Winters has just moved back to her hometown in Vermont after losing her job in New York City. On her first day back she has a less than friendly run-in with Jack Frost, the estranged grandson of a local philanthropist, who the town has dubbed the “Beast of Frost Manor”.

A riddle and small gift left for Belle in Jack’s grandfather’s will, sends her on a holiday scavenger hunt to locate an item that is an essential part of a Christmas tradition done on the estate for over a decade. Belle enlists Jack, despite his apparent dislike for all things Christmas, to help her figure out his grandfather’s riddles.

Throughout their excursion of Frost Manor, Belle learns that Jack is hiding a battered heart under his surly and unpleasant exterior that he shows everyone else…and that maybe love and a little bit of Christmas magic can thaw two frozen hearts.

*Thank you to the author for gifting me an advanced copy!* 

smixxonreads's review against another edition

mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

carriebreanne's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Super cute story! It was like Beauty And The Beast meets Hallmark. Lighthearted, predictable, and sweet. I definitely recommend! Especially to those who love Hallmark movies

violetjean4's review

inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bookameme's review

funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A Cute Holiday Romance

Quote:📖
Home is not a place. Home is whatever makes your soul happy.

Thoughts: 💡
This was a really cute Christmas story where the down on her luck FMC melts the grumpy hero’s heart of ice. The side characters were cute and I loved how close Belle was with her family.
The relationship was adorable and exactly what you would expect from a hallmark-esque Christmas romance.

Writing Mechanics: ✍️
The writing was well edited, the characters had depth, and the plot was cute and well put together. It wasn’t the deep dark plots I usually read but it was enjoyable for a holiday romance.

Fun Bits:
⚜️ Hallmark Christmas Movie Vibes
⚜️ Close Knit Family
⚜️ Small Town Setting
⚜️ Broody MMC Finds His Soft Side


Note:✨
Standalone

Stats:📊
Clean Romance
Character Dev: 5 💙💙💙💙💙/5
Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance📕
Tropes: Beauty & The Beast Retelling, Small Town, Hallmark Vibes, Grumpy x Sunshine📘
POV: Single 💃🏻