Reviews

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Emma Chase, Melody Anne, Kristen Proby, Jennifer Probst, Kate Meader

steph01924's review against another edition

I didn't finish all 3 short stories before I had to get this back to the library, and I wasn't really upset. The first was was alright but I just don't think I was in the mood for it anymore.

anasatticbookblog's review against another edition

4.0

Adult Contemporary Holiday Anthology. Books are original to this.
I'm a sucker for sexy holiday romances. With 3 authors I have read and loved, and two new-to-me authors, Baby It's Cold Outside was a perfect anthology for me.

 

Searching For You by Jennifer Probst

Searching For You, I found out after reading, is part of Jennifer Probst's Searching For Series. I did not realize this, and loved it anyway. It was honestly everything I love in a Christmas novella. Fun banter, sexy as hell, and totally romantic.

Riley is CEO of a major publishing conglomerate. Always working and striving for success, Riley is ready to find a man to share her life with. So she signed up with Kinnections, a dating service that has had a lot of success (apparently the women who own Kinnections are from the Searching For series). Riley has very particular tastes, and knows EXACTLY what she is looking for in a partner, so when the woman at Kinnections found a full match for her, they were surprised. Full matches never happen.

Dylan has been with Kinnections for 2 years and has been on loads of dates, mixers and socials, but he just can't seem to find the right chemistry.

They're personalities are completely opposite, yet the computer is sure Dylan and Riley belong together.

Turns out they know each other. Well. They were rivals in college, but they couldn't deny their sexual attraction to each other. But Dylan is the irresponsible playboy, and Riley is the uptight hard worker. Can they work out together?

"Don't you remember Cornell? We drove each other nuts. I'm a planner. I'd be early to class, you were late. I did all my homework, you got people to do it for you....You partied. I studied. You messed up the dorm and made it disgusting. I cleaned it up. Opposites."

Riley is pushing away, but Dylan is pushing closer...and being caught in a blizzard is the perfect way to get in there.

I totally loved Dylan's alpha, dirty-talking, commanding presence, and the playful banter is my favorite thing in a book.

"By the time I taste your pussy, you'll beg me to let you come against my tongue. And I'll demand it, Riley. Every last bit of it is mine."

Searching for You is a perfect 5 star read. I have only read one of Jennifer's books in the past, but I will have to get more if they are anything like this.

With banter, humor, sexual tension, romance, funny moments and very steamy parts, I loved the whole story. I never felt like it was part of a series and I missed something. Searching for You was it's own story, and can be read at any time during the series, or on its own and it was a very full story for a novella.

SERIES: Searching for Someday | Searching for Perfect | THIS STORY | Searching for Beautiful (coming in May) | Searching for Always (Coming in June)

Novella Rating: 5 stars, 5 Heat

It's a Wonderful Tangled Christmas Carol by Emma Chase

Oh how I love Drew Evans! If you are not familiar with Emma Chase's Tangled Series, I highly advise a read. Drew reminds me of Ferris Bueller. He talks to the reader, breaking down that 3rd wall, and he is such a guy. It's awesome reading a book from the guy's POV that is funny, sexy and romantic. This Christmas Carol-esque story can totally stand alone if you've not read the series.

Drew and Kate are so happy. They have a baby, and their lives together are great.

"Christ, you feel good, Kate. Always so goddamn good."
It's true. And it's got nothing to do with the fact that Kate's is the only pussy I've ever been in without a rubber.
It's her. The life we've made together--the way she matches me in every way--her desire, her humor, her mind.
Her soul.

Drew has fucked up again (what else is new?). It's Christmas Eve, and he left his lovely wife and baby on Christmas Eve to go to the office to prepare for a big conference call he has at 9 in the evening. He thinks Kate should understand, after all, she is ruthless in business too. But Kate knows where her priorities lie. In the darkened office, he is visited by three ghosts...you guessed it: past, present and future.

Emma Chase did a brilliant job with this one. It was a perfect Christmas story. I loved checking in with one of my favorite couples, and reading Drew's take on things for a while is always fun and refreshing. I laughed, I even cried a bit, and I enjoyed seeing glimpses of the hidden Drew.

SERIES: Tangled ~review~ | Holy Frigging Matrimony ~review~ | Twisted ~review~ | Tamed ~review~ | Tied ~audio review to come~| THIS STORY

Novella Rating: 5 stars, 4.5 Heat

Saving Grace by Kristen Proby

Saving Grace is part of the Love Under The Big Sky Series, but it's not a cowboy book, oh no, it's about a sexy ski instructor. Grace's friends have plans for a bachelorette weekend in Aspen. Even though they live in Montana, Grace is a known klutz, and has never learned to ski. Her friends decide it's time she learned, and get her a weekend at the local ski resort, complete with lessons. Then they send her off with some advice:

"If you can't bang the billionaire, bang a hot ski instructor," Lo says.
"I'm not banging anyone!"
"Why not?" Jenna asks. "You're hot. You should bang someone."

When Grace is directed to her ski instructor, she walks over to the man talking to a teenage boy in the lobby. When she sees him, her first thought is:

"Jesus, down girl"

And then..."Holy Jesus on a stick, the man has a British accent."

Grace is having a hard time concentrating as the gorgeous hunk of man tells her all about bindings and wax and other things she didn't care about.

"Understand?"
"Sure"
"What did I say?"
"You said something about bondage and hot wax."

Grace and Bax were a fun couple. I really loved Grace, she was Klutzy and funny as hell, and I loved her "accents". Bax was adorable and sexy. The story moved a little quickly, but hey, it is a novella. I never even realized it's part of a series, it can totally stand alone. But I am now way more interested in reading this series!

SERIES: Loving Cara (Love Under the Big Sky) | Seducing Lauren (Love Under the Big Sky) | THIS STORY | Falling for Jillian (Love Under the Big Sky) 1/27

Novella Rating: 4.5 stars, 5 Heat

Safe in his Arms by Melody Anne

I've not read Melody Anne yet, so it was a great way to get to experience a new author. The meddling townspeople of Sterling, Montana need to replace the elementary school teacher and Christmas Pageant coordinator who left her position. Since they don't get many new people in their town, they also want to find a girl for Hawk, a good looking long-time resident of Sterling. The meddlers are on the school board, and are tasked with finding a new teacher. Luckily, all the resumés come with pictures.

Natalie Duncan finished college, and has been interning at an elementary school in her native southern California when in November, she finally gets the call she has been waiting for. Her own teaching position....her very first. The small town in Montana wasn't really where she wanted to go, but it was a great stepping stone. Until she arrives in her smart little suit and pumps, and quickly realizes she has no clue how freaking cold and icy it could be in Montana.

When her cab pulls up to her rented house, she meets Hawk Winchester, landlord and firefighter. And the zing of attraction is something she has never experienced. After he rescues her from falling because of her stupid shoes, he takes off. Natalie knows she needs to get to town to get some new, warm clothes, so she heads to town without snow chains on her tires. You can imagine the trouble she gets in, no snow tires, no warm clothes and brand new to town. Luckily Hawk is there to rescue the damsel in distress.

“She’d never before experienced the intensity she was feeling at this moment, looking at Hawk. As this stranger held her gaze, she couldn’t seem to shake the irrational vision of the two of them entwined together in reckless passion. Oh this was bad. So very bad.”

This was a cute story, I especially loved the firetruck scene, but the heroine was just a little to stupid for my tastes. I mean really, who uproots their life, moves to another state, and has no clue that it's a cold and snowy place! She teaches school, she should realize that it's freezing in Montana mountains at the end of November. Then, to go out shopping on Thanksgiving and not realize it's Thanksgiving? DUH, she just traveled, did she not notice anything?

This is related to the Billionaire Bachelors Series.

Novella Rating: 3 Stars, 4.25 Heat

Rekindle the Flame by Kate Meader

I had not read or even heard of Kate Meader, so this was all new to me. Darcy grew up in a very wealthy Chicago suburb. She has since changed her life and gone out on her own, but back in Chicago near her family, she had to look the part for the family Christmas photo. After that much time with them, it was time to blow off some steam at a local bar with her friend Mel. Darcy quickly realized that Mel had dragged her to the bar owned by the family of the guy who took her virginity and broke her heart years before, Beck Rivera, and she basically falls into his arms.

Beck is still the hot as fuck young boxer she had fallen for, but now he added the military background and firefighter career making him even more delicious. To him, she was 'the one who got away' but now there is a chance for a do-over.

"Except she was still so far out of his league she may as well be crater hopping on the moon. And oh yeah, he had dumped her without explanation in the name of doing her a favor."

Beck and Darcy's chemistry was still there alright, and his sexy spanish endearments were hot! But when he gets all macho bossy on her, she's done- she just got away from her father, nobody else will be controlling her.

When Beck tracks her down...he realizes she is certainly not the same Darcy he remembered, when he finds his 'princesa' working as an artist at a tattoo shop, with plans on moving to Texas to take over another shop.

I finished this book about about a week ago, and finally getting a chance to review it. I honestly had a really hard time remembering this story, and had to go back to the book and almost re-read the whole story to refresh my memory. It was a decent second chance at romance story, but there was nothing very memorable to me. I guess I just didn't connect with the characters as much as I would have liked.

This is the beginning of a new firefighter series, coming out next year.

Novella Rating 3.75 Stars, 4 Heat

 

Overall

 

Baby it's Cold Outside is definitely worth it just for the first 3 books. the other two were enjoyable bonuses. I don't think you need to read any of the other series to love this anthology, but if you have, I think this should be a must-read.

Rating: 4.5 Stars, 4.5 Heat

Purchase Baby It's Cold Outside

Amazon | BN.com

jaimejustreadsromance's review against another edition

5.0

Searching For You – 5 Stars

I absolutely love Jennifer Probst and the Searching Series. This short story is the perfect introduction to the whole Kinnections crew for those who haven’t started the series. I highly recommend that you get on that right away!
I really enjoyed Dylan and Riley’s story for two reasons. First, it’s a second chance romance and second it all takes place while they are stranded during a snow storm. These are my favorite types of Holiday romances and I was not disappointed in any way, shape or form.

“Everything. By the time I taste your pussy, you’ll beg me to let you come against my tongue. And I’ll demand it, Riley. Every last bit of it is mine.”
It’s a Wonderful Tangled Christmas Carol – 5 Stars

I feel like at this point there is nothing more to be said about a story that involved Drew Evans. I mean, HELLO IT’S DREW EVANS, the story is going to be hilarious, sexy and sweet. In true Emma Chase fashion, she brings to life the male POV, as it pertains to the Christmas spirit this time, like no other author out there. You will swoon, you might even cry (I did, don’t judge me) and you will absolutely laugh your ass off. Is it possible for us to get a new short story for every holiday for…well forever?

“Want to sit on my lap…or my face…and tell me if you’ve been a nice girl this year?”

Saving Grace – 4 Stars

Three words. Hot British Billionaire. Do you need more incentive to read this?

“Fuck the women, Grace. I haven’t looked at another woman since the day you fell at my feet and charmed me off mine. I don’t give two shits about any other woman. It’s only you. And I’m telling you, I’m promising you, it will only ever be you.”

Safe in His Arms – 4 Stars

A small town, meddling family and neighbors, a new teacher in town and the town prince who doesn’t want to settle down. Clearly this is a recipe for a great holiday novella.

“I don’t think that’s it at all, Natalie. I think what happened between us was pretty damn spectacular, and now you’re running away scared instead of facing it like an adult.”

Rekindle the Flame – 5 Stars

This is my first Kate Meader read, but I promise after meeting Beck and his hot, firefighting foster brothers, it won’t be my last. I loved the storyline of this one (duh, second chance romance!) and the quirky one-liners/catch-phrases (sex point average, nonversation) were the best! The heat, the sweet and the funny, this story had it all! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to utilize my one-click finger on this Hot in the Kitchen series I just discovered.

‘”Find ’em hot, leave ’em wet,’ he murmured. “Well-known firefighter maxim.”‘

tsukikomew's review against another edition

4.0

Searching For You (Searching For Bk 2.5) by Jennifer Probst

I am the first person to tell you about my issues with the last book in this series (I really didn't like it) but I picked this anthology up for a different author and figured I'd read all of the novellas anyway. Well let me start by saying I loved this one. When I say loved, I mean it was one of my favorites. That's hard to say because I really enjoyed the whole book.

The novella (which can be read without the other books in the series) follows reunited frenemies from college. Riley was Ms. Perfect in college, perfect grades, perfect future, and all around stick in the mud. Dylan was the perennial party boy who managed to get straight A's anyway. They hated each other so much they wanted each other. Years passed between college and a blind date set up by Kinnections (matchmaking agency). When Riley gets stranded at Dylan's home they try to decide if maybe "so wrong it's right" works for them.

This is a series that requires you to suspend disbelief a little since one of the matchmakers can sense soulmates via touch. They set up these two without the 'touch' but wonder if they've made a mistake since the couple are opposites in every way. Well it's funny because they really are not so different after all.

The story is one of those great 'stranded in a snowstorm' reads and I adore those. I love how close it requires the hero and heroine to become since there are no others stumbling around interfering. All conflict typically comes from the couple, not the external world.

While the story was a tad rushed, it worked for a cute holiday story. I loved the discussions the two had as they discovered appearances weren't always what they seemed back in college.

3 Stars

It's a Wonderful Tangled Christmas Carol (Tangled Bk 4.5) by Emma Chase

I'll start by saying I have read none of the series...at all. I've heard of the Tangled series but I've never managed to sit down and actually read about Drew and Kate (can you say on my 'to read' list?). This story asks you to suspend disbelief since it hybrids "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Carol". It did it well.

Drew has to work Christmas Eve but sees nothing wrong with leaving his family to the holiday in order to make money. Kate, his wife, is upset how he disregards her and their son's feelings. When Drew heads to the office he encounters his guardian angel and later three spirits (?) who show him Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Can he learn the errors of his ways before it is too late?

The story itself followed a predictable pattern. It's a romance and for those of you who have seen these movies, know how those end. So in the end of course things would work out. What I loved was how they used spirits who were people he knew. From his niece, to his sister, to a frenemy, Drew encountered those he knew as he experienced what had, is, and could have happened. Yes, that's right, in a twist Drew doesn't see his future but rather what would have happened if Kate and him had not met.

It was a fun story and it made me want to read the series. This time I will.

3.5 Stars

Saving Grace (Love Under the Big Sky Bk 2.5) by Kristen Proby

I tried Ms. Proby years ago during the Seattle series but couldn't get through it. So I was not optimistic about this one. I was wrong. It was a really fun story and I loved the level of realism injected in the end.

Grace is a klutz and her friends sign her up for ski lessons before their weekend in Aspen. There she mistakes the billionaire owner for her ski instructor and he is completely willing to play along. As Grace learns to ski and Jacob pursues her relentlessly, they banter playfully about his British accent. It was a lot of fun to read. Their interactions were flawless.

I really loved how they both had insecurities. Grace really didn't like being lied to or manipulated (who would?) but Jacob always worried people liked him for his money. With Grace he got to experience a relationship first and then she found out. It gave him the opportunity to see she liked him versus his billions. A typical plot but it worked well in the short novella.

I always dislike how some novellas end after a few days romance and everything is sparkles and rainbows. Real life is not like that and I have trouble getting over it. In this case we get a glimpse of long-term romance for those of us who need a little more realism in our stories.

3.5 Stars

Safe In His Arms (Unexpected Heroes Bk .5) by Melody Anne

I've never read Ms. Anne before and I'm not quite sure how I felt about this one in the end. The story was a typical like for me with a teacher moving to a new area and the landlord. I was ready for hot, hot, hot and I was ready for the charming small town. Unfortunately it didn't deliver for me. I never really felt the romance worked. It seemed a little forced. Also, what was up with the matchmaking elders. They hired a woman in order to marry off one of the bachelors. Who does that? If it had been me, I would have been upset as the teacher to find that out even if it had worked for the best.

In my opinion, this was the weakest of the bunch. It's wasn't bad just not up to par with the others. I felt the story struggled a bit and while it was a stepping off point for a new series, it didn't endear me to it if we are going to have matchmaking elders running around willy-nilly.

2.5 Stars

Rekindle the Flame (Hot in Chicago Bk .5) by Kate Meader

Okay so this was the one I wanted and it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved Ms. Meader's "Hot in the Kitchen" series and cannot wait for the Fireman series next year. This is the series jumping off point about a group of foster siblings and their work with the fire company. In this one we have reuniting lovers after a bad breakup.

Years before Beck, the foster kid from the wrong side of the tracks, broke up with Darcy, Miss Rich, for reasons unknown to her. Seven years later they reconnect and begin a flirtation during the short time Darcy will be in town. Darcy is still upset about the boy she loved breaking her heart and making decisions that changed her life just as her father continues to do. Beck never felt good enough for Darcy and even now questions if he's good for her. It was only when he discovered how her life had changed so drastically, did he see a real future for them.

I loved the romance so much and it actually reminded me of one of my favorite authors. Lauren Dane wrote these books about tattoo artist (two of them with a new series forthcoming) and I was reminded of them in such a good way. In this case Miss Rich had become an inked, tattoo artist instead of a trophy wife. I loved that so much and I loved how Beck saw her as beautiful with her ink and vulnerability.

I was actually bummed how short the story was in the end. I could have seen this one being a full length novel with Darcy dealing with her family a little more and watching Darcy and Beck navigate their happy relationship. Instead we got introduced to some of the upcoming heroes/heroines of upcoming books.

I have the series on my 'must read list' and I think you should too!

4.5 Stars

The Anthology:

I really enjoyed this anthology and eagerly recommend picking it up. It's a great way to read 'new to you' authors and also find some fun, holiday stories.

3.5 Stars
Published by Pocket Books
October 28, 2014
544 Pages
Provided by--NetGalley

caity1987's review against another edition

4.0

this is a book of love stories around the winter holiday's. It is very refreshing and shows what some will go through to get the love that they want and that will endure.

lissherondale's review against another edition

3.0

3 stars just for Emma Chase and the amazing Drew Evans!! Without her will be like 1...

Here my thoughts of each novella:


"Jennifer Probst's story "Searching for you" : at the beginning I was expecting a cheesy and stupid romance (because a matchmaking agency?? Seriously???) but it turns out that I enjoyed it! The chemistry between Riley and Dylan is obviously and it's kind of funny see them fighting but at the end when they begin to "find each other" I got bored.. ****3 stars of 5****

"Emma Chase's story "It's a wonderful Tangled Christmas Carol" : loved it! I love Drew and Kate and the adorable James so much. Drew's POV never disappoints he's always hilarious and Sexy. This was a truly Christmas Carol: funny, with some sad moments but at the end with the left feeling of love, family and all the little sacrifices we do for those memories that last forever. ********4 stars of 5******

"Kristen Proby's story "Saving Grace" : it's a novella from some series of the author wich I don't know and I don't have interest to read. It was so cheesy so ordinary and very predictable, it was Mehh. Because 2 stars is Ok and 1 is don't like it here on Goodreads I'll say ******1.5 of 5 stars******

"Melody Anne's story "Safe in his harms" : MEEHH so far I'm very disappointed. Another cheesy story with idiotic characters. It was soooo boring! ******0.5 of 5 stars ******

"Kate Meader'# story "Rekindle the flame": I just... No. ******0 of 5 stars *******

cherryredsreads's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this book! It totally has me into the holiday spirit and also loved that all my fav authors & my fav characters are all rolled into one book. Extra treat for the fans of these excellent authors :)

michellesantiago's review against another edition

4.0

I liked all 5 stories, with Emma Chase's my favorite. Full review to come.

bookishnicole's review against another edition

4.0

These were perfectly steamy and christmas perfect. I also found some new authors I can't wait to read more of!

wchappus's review

4.0

"It's a Wonderful Tangled Christmas Carol" by Emma Chase
“Saving Grace” by Kristen Proby