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wasauthor's review
5.0
[b:Secret Santa: A Limited Edition Christmas Romance Collection|56606303|Secret Santa|Mandy Melanson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610245940l/56606303._SY75_.jpg|88436092] is a truly massive anthology. Based on Kindle and eReader estimates, it comes to 3,092 pages or 1.2 million words, between two volumes (the second volume is downloadable via a link in the first).
I purchased this book because the royalties - for the very small price you pay - go to Ronald McDonald House, a more than worthy cause. I decided to read the entire thing in two days (I've made smarter decisions; 1.2 million words in two days does funny things to you), so I can provide a detailed review on my website (see the link below).
I'm not someone who is an avid romance reader. While I do enjoy stories where it forms an element of the story, full romances are not a genre that I gravitate towards. But I read the entire collection, and did not come away disappointed. At all.
There is not a single story contained within Secret Santa that I didn’t enjoy. Obviously, as is the way with any anthology, I enjoyed some more than others, but I don’t feel I wasted my time with a single one of them.
Each story has been well-crafted and edited. Some are happy, some not so much, others are funny, and others are not so much. And to bring this review back to the Christmas theme, some of these stories are nice; others are naughty. Very naughty.
Secret Santa comes in two volumes. The first includes all the “nice” stories.. The naughtier ones come in a second volume, downloadable via a Bookfunnel link included in the first - this will give you the option of downloading a Mobi (Kindle) or ePub (everything else) file.
And as an added bonus on top of everything already included, you can also get a Christmas cookbook by the authors! I can't recommend this highly enough - even if you only have a passing interest in romance and erotica, you really can't go wrong.
For my full review, with my thoughts on every single story, click here.
I purchased this book because the royalties - for the very small price you pay - go to Ronald McDonald House, a more than worthy cause. I decided to read the entire thing in two days (I've made smarter decisions; 1.2 million words in two days does funny things to you), so I can provide a detailed review on my website (see the link below).
I'm not someone who is an avid romance reader. While I do enjoy stories where it forms an element of the story, full romances are not a genre that I gravitate towards. But I read the entire collection, and did not come away disappointed. At all.
There is not a single story contained within Secret Santa that I didn’t enjoy. Obviously, as is the way with any anthology, I enjoyed some more than others, but I don’t feel I wasted my time with a single one of them.
Each story has been well-crafted and edited. Some are happy, some not so much, others are funny, and others are not so much. And to bring this review back to the Christmas theme, some of these stories are nice; others are naughty. Very naughty.
Secret Santa comes in two volumes. The first includes all the “nice” stories.. The naughtier ones come in a second volume, downloadable via a Bookfunnel link included in the first - this will give you the option of downloading a Mobi (Kindle) or ePub (everything else) file.
And as an added bonus on top of everything already included, you can also get a Christmas cookbook by the authors! I can't recommend this highly enough - even if you only have a passing interest in romance and erotica, you really can't go wrong.
For my full review, with my thoughts on every single story, click here.
ree128's review
3.0
Variety
This was an interesting read with a variety of genres and authors. I almost stopped after the first short story because there were so many errors that it made the story horrible to read, but I'm glad I didn't. There was over 1200 pages of other short stories to read at my pace and I was glad I stuck with it.
This was an interesting read with a variety of genres and authors. I almost stopped after the first short story because there were so many errors that it made the story horrible to read, but I'm glad I didn't. There was over 1200 pages of other short stories to read at my pace and I was glad I stuck with it.
frazzledreader's review
4.0
His Christmas Muse by Helena Novak and Natalia Prim
Witty characters come together in a whirlwind of snow, passion, and surprisingly sweet Christmas cheer. Our sweet thief is young, naive, and in need of a firm, gentle hand. Our hero has never found what he’s needed until he finds his little thief: a soft, feisty, strong-willed kitten who needs him to be her Daddy. While the temperature might be freezing outside, the heat between these two characters is off the charts. This is a great story for those who want a sweet and spicy daddy/dom Christmas treat! It does not disappoint!
*I was given an ARC for my unbiased review of this book.*
Witty characters come together in a whirlwind of snow, passion, and surprisingly sweet Christmas cheer. Our sweet thief is young, naive, and in need of a firm, gentle hand. Our hero has never found what he’s needed until he finds his little thief: a soft, feisty, strong-willed kitten who needs him to be her Daddy. While the temperature might be freezing outside, the heat between these two characters is off the charts. This is a great story for those who want a sweet and spicy daddy/dom Christmas treat! It does not disappoint!
*I was given an ARC for my unbiased review of this book.*
sarasbooktalk's review
4.0
Review for Mistletoe & Margaritas by Maci Dillon.
Another short fantastic read by Maci!
Another short fantastic read by Maci!
the_bibliophilic_world's review
5.0
I'm reviewing Son and Country by Emmannuelle Snow
This is Abby and Andy's story. Stuck in the airport one night, they experience the best Christmas of their lives.
Emmanuelle Snow's short Christmas read is the perfect addition to this Christmas romance anthology. It's short, sweet, and fun. There's drama and excitement lurking around every turn. The characters are delightful and endearing. Their chemistry is intense, and they are made for each other.
This is Abby and Andy's story. Stuck in the airport one night, they experience the best Christmas of their lives.
Emmanuelle Snow's short Christmas read is the perfect addition to this Christmas romance anthology. It's short, sweet, and fun. There's drama and excitement lurking around every turn. The characters are delightful and endearing. Their chemistry is intense, and they are made for each other.
mrsmar10thereader's review
4.0
She's home from the big city.
He's escaping from the big city.
Could this be love at Christmas on the Ranch??
Skye is back home after years in Nashville trying to get her big break. She realizes she really missed her family and the ranch they run and that's where she's supposed to be. When Ric and his precocious daughter Lucy show up for a taste of the dude ranch life, an instant connection is made. These two have past hurts so there's apprehension but hope. At Christmas, there is always a chance of a miracle, and these two may just get the miracle of love.⭐⭐⭐⭐
He's escaping from the big city.
Could this be love at Christmas on the Ranch??
Skye is back home after years in Nashville trying to get her big break. She realizes she really missed her family and the ranch they run and that's where she's supposed to be. When Ric and his precocious daughter Lucy show up for a taste of the dude ranch life, an instant connection is made. These two have past hurts so there's apprehension but hope. At Christmas, there is always a chance of a miracle, and these two may just get the miracle of love.⭐⭐⭐⭐
kazza248's review
5.0
Company Christmas
Cory and Liz are married, they live together, work together and it just gets too much for him, he feels like he is being suffocated, but don't know what to do about it, so suggests that they separate, which encourages Liz to work harder at their business.
after being apart, Liz sets up him an interview at a different place so he could still be a silent partner in their firm and to try to get their marriage back on track.
can they make it happen?
Christmas Rider
I loved this short story about the motorcycle group, this was mainly about their women and how they support them but now i need to read more so will have to start "The Lost Saxons" book from the start.
Miracle at Midnight
This was a sweet story of broken hearted musician meets the love of his life and lifts his spirits
Carrie had broken up with Ethon six weeks before Christmas, he was totally heartbroken, then a new member of the bar staff Ava came into his life, they were both attracted to each other from the start, but she was warned he still wanted Carrie, but as the weeks went by he know that it was her he wanted, till he made a mistake and had to beg for her forgiveness. Can he save the relationship that they have?
Under the Mistletoe
I loved this story it was a sweet Christmas romance.
Lila was living in LA as a struggling actress, but when the call came from her sister to say that her gran had hurt her ankle and she was needed at home she got on a plane and went to help in the family bakery.
Grant had known and liked Lila since graduation but messed it up, now he was home and working with his father in their doctors practice. while out for a jog they literally bumped into each other and the spark was there, that was until Lila got an offer of a lifetime, which would she choose, the job in LA or the man in their home town?
Mr Christmas
This is a short but sweet story, when Liv went to ask for a donation from Ben, she knew is reputation but had to try anyway. When Ben heard that it was Liv that was coming he made an exception to see her after he had fallen for her before at a party. Ben had enough money to help out and get the home finished for Christmas, just shows that love can melt the hardest of hearts.
A very Bradypus Christmas
This was a brilliant short story, I loved Skyylar and Xavier from the start, it shows that alpha males don't always get the women, that the shy and quiet ones win sometimes.
Skyler had never really noticed Xavier before, just thought of him as the geek that did the drawings, little did she know he was about to become famous for his plush toy, he didn't brag or tell anyone, but did rescue her when Rick was making her life hell, and got his own back on him too.
I loved this story
Fairy-tale Christmas
This is not the type of genre I usually read but it had me intrigued from the start and I know i had to read it to the end, I'm not saying that I understood it all but I really enjoyed it.
A cabin in the snow
a sweet romance of young love, Peter had arranged a cabin to show Amanda how much he loved her and was planning on proposing, they had a great day and then he got down on one knee and proposed, and of course she said yes.
Miracle on Christmas Tree Farm
Sweet romance where Liv had a crush forever on her best friends brother, but when they got stuck together and no one else could reach them at the farm he realised how much of a crush she had and they kissed and realised that they both liked each other.
Christmas Captive
This was short but left you wanting more, wanting to know what happens next and can she save her sister.
Wintertide
This is another genre that i wouldn't normally read, but it was really well written and had you turning the pages wanting to know more.
Love in the dumpster fire
This was a sweet second chance story during the pandemic, showing that you can get things wrong about someone and they can change
Mari thought Kyle had dumped her and taken someone else to the prom and for years she hated him for it, but she had got it all wrong.
Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Max and Lou were childhood best friends but one kiss ruined everything, they hadnt seen each other for five years but this year they were both home for the holidays, as they organise the school carnival together their feelings grow, can they be together as the live in different states, but then Max overhears something and everything changes, can they mend it and be together again?
I loved this sweet second chance romance story.
The Reindeers' Christmas Secret
This is a sweet short story, not my usual genre but I really enjoyed it.
#Santa
What a sweet story of teenage love and rekindling the love of a long lost father, i just wish it was a bit longer I want to know what happened next
Her Christmas Duke
I don't usually read period romance but this was wonderful, it reminded me of Bridgerton.
Verity had lost her husband to war and when her in-laws invited her to go and live with them she thought her worries were over until she received a letter while travelling there telling her she wasn't welcome. Then he stayed and looked after Maggie, but soon realised she was pregnant with her late husbands child.
Daniel's father wanted him to marry and produce an heir, but then he died. while out riding he met Verity and fell in love, but didn't reveal who he was he wanted her to fall for him and not his title. When he realised she was pregnant he settled her in one of his cottages with a maid to look after her.
After their periods of mourning they were both free to do what they wanted, and Daniel went to her in-laws home he found out that it was their younger son Jasper that had stopped her from going.
I loved this story, was refreshing
His Heart Beats For Her
This was a really sweet story, Cole and Kate in a toy store squabbling over a toy for their nephews, then things got worse when her plane home got cancelled due to bad weather, so she ran out and got into the cab that Cole was in the one she had just got out of. After searching New York for a hotel room they found only one a run down place in a rough area, so Cole invited her to stay with him. They got on really well, and soon cared for each other, there is a massive twist towards the end that i wont spoil but it was brilliant.
Christmas in the Wheatbelt
a sweet small Australian town romance, between the fire station manager and the new nurse in town, Cole had lived in Kookaburra Creek all his life, and proud to be part of the community, Erin has just moved there and knows no one, they meet at the Christmas Fair and just clicked, both single although she has a secret and a past, can they overcome it?
Unforgettable Hearts
Warren and Molli's story is uplifting, they live a long way apart but meet as often as they can, and after a hard time he wanted to do something nice for her for Christmas, and buying a truck like the one she used to have was the best Christmas present he could have bought her. I look forward to reading the rest of the series
Merry Christmas, Henry
This book was not what I expected but I really enjoyed it, I didn't see the end coming. Henry had been in love with the women in the painting for years, then one Christmas he decided to cheer the painting up by adding colour to it.
I enjoyed all of the stories in this book.
Cory and Liz are married, they live together, work together and it just gets too much for him, he feels like he is being suffocated, but don't know what to do about it, so suggests that they separate, which encourages Liz to work harder at their business.
after being apart, Liz sets up him an interview at a different place so he could still be a silent partner in their firm and to try to get their marriage back on track.
can they make it happen?
Christmas Rider
I loved this short story about the motorcycle group, this was mainly about their women and how they support them but now i need to read more so will have to start "The Lost Saxons" book from the start.
Miracle at Midnight
This was a sweet story of broken hearted musician meets the love of his life and lifts his spirits
Carrie had broken up with Ethon six weeks before Christmas, he was totally heartbroken, then a new member of the bar staff Ava came into his life, they were both attracted to each other from the start, but she was warned he still wanted Carrie, but as the weeks went by he know that it was her he wanted, till he made a mistake and had to beg for her forgiveness. Can he save the relationship that they have?
Under the Mistletoe
I loved this story it was a sweet Christmas romance.
Lila was living in LA as a struggling actress, but when the call came from her sister to say that her gran had hurt her ankle and she was needed at home she got on a plane and went to help in the family bakery.
Grant had known and liked Lila since graduation but messed it up, now he was home and working with his father in their doctors practice. while out for a jog they literally bumped into each other and the spark was there, that was until Lila got an offer of a lifetime, which would she choose, the job in LA or the man in their home town?
Mr Christmas
This is a short but sweet story, when Liv went to ask for a donation from Ben, she knew is reputation but had to try anyway. When Ben heard that it was Liv that was coming he made an exception to see her after he had fallen for her before at a party. Ben had enough money to help out and get the home finished for Christmas, just shows that love can melt the hardest of hearts.
A very Bradypus Christmas
This was a brilliant short story, I loved Skyylar and Xavier from the start, it shows that alpha males don't always get the women, that the shy and quiet ones win sometimes.
Skyler had never really noticed Xavier before, just thought of him as the geek that did the drawings, little did she know he was about to become famous for his plush toy, he didn't brag or tell anyone, but did rescue her when Rick was making her life hell, and got his own back on him too.
I loved this story
Fairy-tale Christmas
This is not the type of genre I usually read but it had me intrigued from the start and I know i had to read it to the end, I'm not saying that I understood it all but I really enjoyed it.
A cabin in the snow
a sweet romance of young love, Peter had arranged a cabin to show Amanda how much he loved her and was planning on proposing, they had a great day and then he got down on one knee and proposed, and of course she said yes.
Miracle on Christmas Tree Farm
Sweet romance where Liv had a crush forever on her best friends brother, but when they got stuck together and no one else could reach them at the farm he realised how much of a crush she had and they kissed and realised that they both liked each other.
Christmas Captive
This was short but left you wanting more, wanting to know what happens next and can she save her sister.
Wintertide
This is another genre that i wouldn't normally read, but it was really well written and had you turning the pages wanting to know more.
Love in the dumpster fire
This was a sweet second chance story during the pandemic, showing that you can get things wrong about someone and they can change
Mari thought Kyle had dumped her and taken someone else to the prom and for years she hated him for it, but she had got it all wrong.
Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Max and Lou were childhood best friends but one kiss ruined everything, they hadnt seen each other for five years but this year they were both home for the holidays, as they organise the school carnival together their feelings grow, can they be together as the live in different states, but then Max overhears something and everything changes, can they mend it and be together again?
I loved this sweet second chance romance story.
The Reindeers' Christmas Secret
This is a sweet short story, not my usual genre but I really enjoyed it.
#Santa
What a sweet story of teenage love and rekindling the love of a long lost father, i just wish it was a bit longer I want to know what happened next
Her Christmas Duke
I don't usually read period romance but this was wonderful, it reminded me of Bridgerton.
Verity had lost her husband to war and when her in-laws invited her to go and live with them she thought her worries were over until she received a letter while travelling there telling her she wasn't welcome. Then he stayed and looked after Maggie, but soon realised she was pregnant with her late husbands child.
Daniel's father wanted him to marry and produce an heir, but then he died. while out riding he met Verity and fell in love, but didn't reveal who he was he wanted her to fall for him and not his title. When he realised she was pregnant he settled her in one of his cottages with a maid to look after her.
After their periods of mourning they were both free to do what they wanted, and Daniel went to her in-laws home he found out that it was their younger son Jasper that had stopped her from going.
I loved this story, was refreshing
His Heart Beats For Her
This was a really sweet story, Cole and Kate in a toy store squabbling over a toy for their nephews, then things got worse when her plane home got cancelled due to bad weather, so she ran out and got into the cab that Cole was in the one she had just got out of. After searching New York for a hotel room they found only one a run down place in a rough area, so Cole invited her to stay with him. They got on really well, and soon cared for each other, there is a massive twist towards the end that i wont spoil but it was brilliant.
Christmas in the Wheatbelt
a sweet small Australian town romance, between the fire station manager and the new nurse in town, Cole had lived in Kookaburra Creek all his life, and proud to be part of the community, Erin has just moved there and knows no one, they meet at the Christmas Fair and just clicked, both single although she has a secret and a past, can they overcome it?
Unforgettable Hearts
Warren and Molli's story is uplifting, they live a long way apart but meet as often as they can, and after a hard time he wanted to do something nice for her for Christmas, and buying a truck like the one she used to have was the best Christmas present he could have bought her. I look forward to reading the rest of the series
Merry Christmas, Henry
This book was not what I expected but I really enjoyed it, I didn't see the end coming. Henry had been in love with the women in the painting for years, then one Christmas he decided to cheer the painting up by adding colour to it.
I enjoyed all of the stories in this book.
megs004's review
4.0
Mistletoe On the Range by Sofia Aves
I really liked this story. It was cute and I loved how loyal Rhys was and how he was devoted to make Eve happy. I wish we got more background information about Rhys and Eve but I still enjoyed the story. Hopefully we will get more stories about Rhys, Eve, and the ranch sometime soon!
leanner's review
5.0
I'm sure this will be an awesome anthology based on the story I've read so far.
Yesterday's Crush by Susan Horsnell
This was a second chance for a secret admirer. He's not the same geeky teen anymore. She's missing and he's determined to find her.
A Christmas miracle is needed here, is she dead or alive?
I read this in one sitting, so I'm guessing the stories are all a similar size. Perfect for a bedtime read and sweet dreams.
Yesterday's Crush by Susan Horsnell
This was a second chance for a secret admirer. He's not the same geeky teen anymore. She's missing and he's determined to find her.
A Christmas miracle is needed here, is she dead or alive?
I read this in one sitting, so I'm guessing the stories are all a similar size. Perfect for a bedtime read and sweet dreams.
arhodes202's review
4.0
What a fun Christmas read. It's a short, sweet, feel good read with all the feels. It's a best friends brother romance. I absolutely loved Nora and Gray. They had great chemistry and I loved their banter. It's a heartwarming story with an HEA. I just wish it were a bit long. 4.5 Stars for me.