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eesh25's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars
This is my favourite Christmas book so far. It is just the sweetest story that still requires some suspension of disbelief because the MCs have to fall in love in less than a week. But I've always believed that if an author can execute a romance well enough, then it shouldn't matter how many days it takes. And Walker definitely executes it well.
The story follows Cass and Jayden. Cass moved back to his hometown of Hartbrigde after his divorce and started working in a B&B. And three years later, he's about to welcome his first guests. Jayden is his chef for the holidays. Jayden is an Aussie ex-pat who moves around a lot. But recently, he's become disenchanted with the life of a wanderer and wants to find a home. Of course, he doesn't expect that home to be in Hartbridge.
The story is set in the few days leading up to Christmas. Cass and Jayden click almost immediately, in that they like to talk to each other and spend time together. Jayden is in awe of how sweet, humble, and hardworking Cass is. And Cass loves Jayden's generosity and free spirit.
Saying that Cass and Jayden are adorable together would be an understatement. The two of them are so fucking cute, and I couldn't stop smiling the whole book. The story is entirely free of angst, yet there's not a dull moment as the protagonists spend their days working, talking and flirting (lots of flirting). They spend a lot of quality time getting to know each other. And that, plus the lightheartedness of the book, was what really sold the romance for me.
I liked the first book in the series too, but it felt like there wasn't enough, or that something was missing. Nothing was missing here. I loved Cass and Jayden together, I loved the setting, and I loved the warmth of the tone. This was a very sweet story, and I highly recommend it.
This is my favourite Christmas book so far. It is just the sweetest story that still requires some suspension of disbelief because the MCs have to fall in love in less than a week. But I've always believed that if an author can execute a romance well enough, then it shouldn't matter how many days it takes. And Walker definitely executes it well.
The story follows Cass and Jayden. Cass moved back to his hometown of Hartbrigde after his divorce and started working in a B&B. And three years later, he's about to welcome his first guests. Jayden is his chef for the holidays. Jayden is an Aussie ex-pat who moves around a lot. But recently, he's become disenchanted with the life of a wanderer and wants to find a home. Of course, he doesn't expect that home to be in Hartbridge.
The story is set in the few days leading up to Christmas. Cass and Jayden click almost immediately, in that they like to talk to each other and spend time together. Jayden is in awe of how sweet, humble, and hardworking Cass is. And Cass loves Jayden's generosity and free spirit.
Saying that Cass and Jayden are adorable together would be an understatement. The two of them are so fucking cute, and I couldn't stop smiling the whole book. The story is entirely free of angst, yet there's not a dull moment as the protagonists spend their days working, talking and flirting (lots of flirting). They spend a lot of quality time getting to know each other. And that, plus the lightheartedness of the book, was what really sold the romance for me.
I liked the first book in the series too, but it felt like there wasn't enough, or that something was missing. Nothing was missing here. I loved Cass and Jayden together, I loved the setting, and I loved the warmth of the tone. This was a very sweet story, and I highly recommend it.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
Another easy breezy Christmas story set in the quaint town of Harbridge!
Just like its predecessor [b:Tic-Tac-Mistletoe|55878628|Tic-Tac-Mistletoe (Hartbridge Christmas, #1)|N.R. Walker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605041884l/55878628._SX50_.jpg|87091772], the holidays bring two people together, making them connect and take a chance on happiness.
As per the blurb, Jayden’s sorta a drifter with no ties to anyone or anywhere. A two week stint as the chef for a newly opened bed and breakfast is the perfect segue before he continues west. Owner Cass has finally found a new lease on life after divorcing and coming out of the closet. It soon becomes evident that though business and pleasure should not be mixed, Jayden and Cass work perfectly together on and off the job.
Again, nary a bit of angst, these two find in the other the happiness and strength they were missing all along. A sugary sweet mild sexy story to top off your holiday reading!
Another easy breezy Christmas story set in the quaint town of Harbridge!
Just like its predecessor [b:Tic-Tac-Mistletoe|55878628|Tic-Tac-Mistletoe (Hartbridge Christmas, #1)|N.R. Walker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605041884l/55878628._SX50_.jpg|87091772], the holidays bring two people together, making them connect and take a chance on happiness.
As per the blurb, Jayden’s sorta a drifter with no ties to anyone or anywhere. A two week stint as the chef for a newly opened bed and breakfast is the perfect segue before he continues west. Owner Cass has finally found a new lease on life after divorcing and coming out of the closet. It soon becomes evident that though business and pleasure should not be mixed, Jayden and Cass work perfectly together on and off the job.
Again, nary a bit of angst, these two find in the other the happiness and strength they were missing all along. A sugary sweet mild sexy story to top off your holiday reading!
mx_t_books's review
4.0
Sweet and fluffy with nice characters. More Hartbridge Christmas magic. The audiobook was perfect for this I probably wouldn't have read it otherwise.
netslummer's review
4.0
Jayden Turner is a bit of a nomad right now. While trying to figure out his next move he agrees to take a short-term position as chef in a new bed and breakfast over Christmas in Hartbridge.
Carter "Cass" Campion, recently out and divorced dad, bought his great-aunt's old country manor and has bene fixing it up to open a b&b. He hired Jayden to get a bit of buzz and early reviews for opening week and doesn't plan to offer three meals a day all the time, just for the opening. What he didn't expect was that the chef he hired would be so great with his kids and so helpful around the manor and be so cute.
Obviously you can see where this is going. The story is a little formulaic for the tropes it employs but that's to be expected. Cass and Jayden are really cute together and I really enjoyed this more than Tic-Tac-Mistletoe, the previous book in the series. Christmas Wish List has a lot of swoon and a few misunderstandings which are addressed immediately. God, nothing turns me on more than communication. There is spice but not too much.
My biggest gripe with this again is a personal one in that I don't really like the "basically insta-love" trope in romance. Its very unrealistic and takes me out of the book a bit. I can forgive it for holiday romances, I guess, as the holidays only last so long.
Carter "Cass" Campion, recently out and divorced dad, bought his great-aunt's old country manor and has bene fixing it up to open a b&b. He hired Jayden to get a bit of buzz and early reviews for opening week and doesn't plan to offer three meals a day all the time, just for the opening. What he didn't expect was that the chef he hired would be so great with his kids and so helpful around the manor and be so cute.
Obviously you can see where this is going. The story is a little formulaic for the tropes it employs but that's to be expected. Cass and Jayden are really cute together and I really enjoyed this more than Tic-Tac-Mistletoe, the previous book in the series. Christmas Wish List has a lot of swoon and a few misunderstandings which are addressed immediately. God, nothing turns me on more than communication. There is spice but not too much.
My biggest gripe with this again is a personal one in that I don't really like the "basically insta-love" trope in romance. Its very unrealistic and takes me out of the book a bit. I can forgive it for holiday romances, I guess, as the holidays only last so long.
pewterwolf's review
3.0
2.5ish stars. Rounding up to three.
Middle of the road. Like that it was no angst and was sweet, but I wanted something more from it. Really liked Cas but, at time, Jayden (while I liked him) was a bit much.
Christmas 2021 Mini-Review can be found on The Pewter Wolf Reads
***eProof gifted by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review/reaction***
Set several years after the first book set in Hartbridge, [b:Tic-Tac-Mistletoe|55878628|Tic-Tac-Mistletoe (Hartbridge Christmas, #1)|N.R. Walker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605041884l/55878628._SX50_.jpg|87091772], aussie ex-pat Jayden Turner agrees to a short-term chef position at a Bed and Breakfast over the Christmas holidays. After all, how hard could it be in a small town in the mountains of Montana? But after meeting Carter “Cass” Campion, owner of the Bed and Breakfast, who has recently come out and is determined to get it ready for the busy holiday period.
But Christmas is a time of magic and a spark between the two, can a Christmas romance be on the cards?
This feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie: very sugary, very sweet, very fluffy with no real angst (which is surprising as Case is a recently divorced and has two kids. In most romance, the vengeful ex-wife or the bratty kids are usually a troupe to rock the fledging romance, but here, no drama. The ex is lovely and the kids are sweet).
It was a lovely, hot chocolate of a MM romance to read at Christmas, and I did like it. But, for a reason I can't figure out, I never really warmed to the story. Maybe I do need a little hint of angst in there, but both Cars and Jayden got over the issues in a refreshing way: they talked and listened (no miscommunication troupe here - thank f*** for that! I LOATHE that troupe in romance. That and s****y parents). Maybe it's because this book, while taking place over several days, had a mix of slow burn/instalust. I'm not sure, but I couldn't fully fall for this book.
But I do want to try this author again. And Tic Toe Mistletoe has been on my radar for quite some time...
Middle of the road. Like that it was no angst and was sweet, but I wanted something more from it. Really liked Cas but, at time, Jayden (while I liked him) was a bit much.
Christmas 2021 Mini-Review can be found on The Pewter Wolf Reads
***eProof gifted by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review/reaction***
Set several years after the first book set in Hartbridge, [b:Tic-Tac-Mistletoe|55878628|Tic-Tac-Mistletoe (Hartbridge Christmas, #1)|N.R. Walker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605041884l/55878628._SX50_.jpg|87091772], aussie ex-pat Jayden Turner agrees to a short-term chef position at a Bed and Breakfast over the Christmas holidays. After all, how hard could it be in a small town in the mountains of Montana? But after meeting Carter “Cass” Campion, owner of the Bed and Breakfast, who has recently come out and is determined to get it ready for the busy holiday period.
But Christmas is a time of magic and a spark between the two, can a Christmas romance be on the cards?
This feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie: very sugary, very sweet, very fluffy with no real angst (which is surprising as Case is a recently divorced and has two kids. In most romance, the vengeful ex-wife or the bratty kids are usually a troupe to rock the fledging romance, but here, no drama. The ex is lovely and the kids are sweet).
It was a lovely, hot chocolate of a MM romance to read at Christmas, and I did like it. But, for a reason I can't figure out, I never really warmed to the story. Maybe I do need a little hint of angst in there, but both Cars and Jayden got over the issues in a refreshing way: they talked and listened (no miscommunication troupe here - thank f*** for that! I LOATHE that troupe in romance. That and s****y parents). Maybe it's because this book, while taking place over several days, had a mix of slow burn/instalust. I'm not sure, but I couldn't fully fall for this book.
But I do want to try this author again. And Tic Toe Mistletoe has been on my radar for quite some time...
a_ab's review
4.0
Another simple, charming, kind and sweet holiday story. Very true to the tone set by the first book. Although the flip side of that is the stories seeming a little too similar, so I would not recommend reading them too close together.
andrea_author's review
4.0
Recently out, single dad Cass has hired Aussie ex-pat Jayden as chef at his B&B in a small Montana town during the holiday season. An attraction quickly develops between them. But Cass is Jayden's boss, and Jayden isn't planning to stay past Christmas. Can they find a way to stay together?
Cass and Jayden are adorable together. Cass's kids are a nice addition. If you're looking for a heartwarming, low-angst, small-town gay romance this holiday season, don't miss this book.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Cass and Jayden are adorable together. Cass's kids are a nice addition. If you're looking for a heartwarming, low-angst, small-town gay romance this holiday season, don't miss this book.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.