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98ghostwriter's review
4.0
For this being my first Piper Rayne book, I was captivated and absolutely enjoyed Single and Ready to Jingle. This is a quick, fun holiday read with a bit of spice! Andrew and MacKenzie are opposites until they weren't. A blind date gone wrong but a total 180 change in these two. This was the cutest story. I will definitely be reading more of Piper Rayne.
taetahlia's review
2.0
SUMMARY: Contemporary Holiday romance. Dual POV. Standalone novel.
TROPES: Grumpy / Sunshine, Brother’s Best Friend, Minor Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Minor workplace romance, Opposites Attract.
SPICE: 3 stars (s*x scenes but overall was vanilla / traditional s*x).
* * * * *
PLOT: Mackenzie (Kenzie) Montgomery is a Christmas loving, 28 years old, event planner trying to kick start her own business. Andrew Wainwright is a litigation lawyer, who is Kenzie’s brothers best friend. Kenzie and Andrew talk on a dating app under aliases and agree to meet up for a date. Kenzie is running late from a Christmas themed event and doesn't have time to change, so she turns up at the date wearing a Christmas Elf costume. Andrew is immediately embarrassed by her as he doesn’t like Christmas, and the date doesn’t go well.
Andrew is trying to make Partner at his law firm and tries to assist management out of a bind by recommending Kenzie as an Event Planner for the office Christmas party. Kenzie only agrees to plan the Christmas party if Andrew agrees on two conditions. The first condition is that given she is a one woman operation and the event is in 7 weeks, she requires Andrew’s assistance with some of the grunt work for the event. Secondly, Andrew has to agree to let her take him out to 3 holiday themed activities around the city in the coming weeks, (in which he needs to attend with an open mind) to get him to love Christmas as much as she does.
* * * * *
MY THOUGHTS: The story was predictable overall, which is basically the promise of a hallmark holiday type premise.
I liked that Kenzie was a bit quirky with her various cheeky holiday pun themed sweaters. I feel like the author did a good job of showing and not telling that Kenzie was really into Christmas and the sweaters were just good fun. I thought Kenzie being uncomfortable over confrontation felt relatable and I liked that Andrew tried to encourage her to stand up to people like pushy neighbours and to correct incorrect food and beverage orders.
I really didn’t like that a lot of this novel is based on the fact that Kenzie is trying to convince Andrew to like Christmas (bearing in mind she thinks these thoughts on like their second catch-up): “I just want him to love Christmas, to see how magical this time of the year is, and it drives me crazy that I cannot get him to feel the way I do.” Kenzie doesn’t take into account Andrew’s feelings, and she doesn’t really try and understand that Christmas can be really hard for lots of different types of people due to family trauma or tragedy, financial difficulties, usual holiday stressors etc. There’s lots of reasons why people don’t enjoy the holidays and that’s okay, but it almost reads as if people need to like Christmas and need to be changed and that’s not a good message at all.
I didn’t like how rude, arrogant, and dismissive Andrew was on their first date. I understand that he was uncomfortable given he doesn’t like Christmas, (MINOR SPOILER) has a fear of group embarrassment due to past trauma and was just put off as he caught off guard, but it was a bit over the top. There were kinder ways he could’ve dealt with it but he just comes across terribly and treats her poorly knowing that Kenzie is Finn’s younger sister.
MINOR SPOILER: I was also completely taken aback when he m*sturbates to Kenzie wearing the elf costume in the shower the very next morning! It was two extreme reactions and Andrew himself says that it was: “bloody asinine after the events that took place”. I also don’t like that he refers to a semi-erection as “half-chub”. Ick!
Overall, besides the first elf costume scene this story and characters don’t stand out at all in my mind. I’m not sure that either character had real chemistry and the whole story read a little flat, although, ticks the boxes if you’re wanting a light, hallmark type holiday romance.
MINOR SPOILER: This story surprisingly included some backstory trauma for both the main characters, which made the characters more real, and I liked that minor extra dimension.
SPOILER: I really didn’t like how the Christmas party scene at the end played out. Kenzie didn’t know she was drinking alcoholic beverages, really?! I just had major second-hand embarrassment and I thought Kenzie should’ve been the one grovelling not Andrew.
TROPES: Grumpy / Sunshine, Brother’s Best Friend, Minor Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Minor workplace romance, Opposites Attract.
SPICE: 3 stars (s*x scenes but overall was vanilla / traditional s*x).
* * * * *
PLOT: Mackenzie (Kenzie) Montgomery is a Christmas loving, 28 years old, event planner trying to kick start her own business. Andrew Wainwright is a litigation lawyer, who is Kenzie’s brothers best friend. Kenzie and Andrew talk on a dating app under aliases and agree to meet up for a date. Kenzie is running late from a Christmas themed event and doesn't have time to change, so she turns up at the date wearing a Christmas Elf costume. Andrew is immediately embarrassed by her as he doesn’t like Christmas, and the date doesn’t go well.
Andrew is trying to make Partner at his law firm and tries to assist management out of a bind by recommending Kenzie as an Event Planner for the office Christmas party. Kenzie only agrees to plan the Christmas party if Andrew agrees on two conditions. The first condition is that given she is a one woman operation and the event is in 7 weeks, she requires Andrew’s assistance with some of the grunt work for the event. Secondly, Andrew has to agree to let her take him out to 3 holiday themed activities around the city in the coming weeks, (in which he needs to attend with an open mind) to get him to love Christmas as much as she does.
* * * * *
MY THOUGHTS: The story was predictable overall, which is basically the promise of a hallmark holiday type premise.
I liked that Kenzie was a bit quirky with her various cheeky holiday pun themed sweaters. I feel like the author did a good job of showing and not telling that Kenzie was really into Christmas and the sweaters were just good fun. I thought Kenzie being uncomfortable over confrontation felt relatable and I liked that Andrew tried to encourage her to stand up to people like pushy neighbours and to correct incorrect food and beverage orders.
I really didn’t like that a lot of this novel is based on the fact that Kenzie is trying to convince Andrew to like Christmas (bearing in mind she thinks these thoughts on like their second catch-up): “I just want him to love Christmas, to see how magical this time of the year is, and it drives me crazy that I cannot get him to feel the way I do.” Kenzie doesn’t take into account Andrew’s feelings, and she doesn’t really try and understand that Christmas can be really hard for lots of different types of people due to family trauma or tragedy, financial difficulties, usual holiday stressors etc. There’s lots of reasons why people don’t enjoy the holidays and that’s okay, but it almost reads as if people need to like Christmas and need to be changed and that’s not a good message at all.
I didn’t like how rude, arrogant, and dismissive Andrew was on their first date. I understand that he was uncomfortable given he doesn’t like Christmas, (MINOR SPOILER) has a fear of group embarrassment due to past trauma and was just put off as he caught off guard, but it was a bit over the top. There were kinder ways he could’ve dealt with it but he just comes across terribly and treats her poorly knowing that Kenzie is Finn’s younger sister.
MINOR SPOILER: I was also completely taken aback when he m*sturbates to Kenzie wearing the elf costume in the shower the very next morning! It was two extreme reactions and Andrew himself says that it was: “bloody asinine after the events that took place”. I also don’t like that he refers to a semi-erection as “half-chub”. Ick!
Overall, besides the first elf costume scene this story and characters don’t stand out at all in my mind. I’m not sure that either character had real chemistry and the whole story read a little flat, although, ticks the boxes if you’re wanting a light, hallmark type holiday romance.
MINOR SPOILER: This story surprisingly included some backstory trauma for both the main characters, which made the characters more real, and I liked that minor extra dimension.
SPOILER: I really didn’t like how the Christmas party scene at the end played out. Kenzie didn’t know she was drinking alcoholic beverages, really?! I just had major second-hand embarrassment and I thought Kenzie should’ve been the one grovelling not Andrew.
pattyfgd's review
5.0
Single and Ready to Jingle
By Piper Rayne
Narrated by CJ Bloom and John Lane
Want to get in the holiday spirit? Piper Rayne has the story for you! A Grinch and a lover of Christmas. We all know that blind date is not going to work out. Especially when the date turns out to be your brother's best friend. Andrew is rude, condescending and not a person Kenzie wants to spend time with. Kenzie is perky, fun and full of holiday spirit and Andrew's best friend's sister. But now he needs her help. An event planner, Kenzie is building her business and now Andrew needs her help to plan their company Christmas party. This could help pave his path to partner. But will she be willing to help him, especially if they have to spend more time together? This fun story takes us on their journey to love as they deal with work, secrets, big brothers and trust! It's heart warming, funny, spicy and just the story to start the holiday season!
CJ Bloom is Kenzie, and as always, she brings it all to the table. Her spunky personality is forefront, and I love how she brings the joy into Andrew! John Lane is fabulous with his British accent as Andrew. Stuffy and rude, he is perfect. Their duet narration brings a cast of characters together, each a specific voice fitting their characters and making the story come alive. I enjoyed this performance!
By Piper Rayne
Narrated by CJ Bloom and John Lane
Want to get in the holiday spirit? Piper Rayne has the story for you! A Grinch and a lover of Christmas. We all know that blind date is not going to work out. Especially when the date turns out to be your brother's best friend. Andrew is rude, condescending and not a person Kenzie wants to spend time with. Kenzie is perky, fun and full of holiday spirit and Andrew's best friend's sister. But now he needs her help. An event planner, Kenzie is building her business and now Andrew needs her help to plan their company Christmas party. This could help pave his path to partner. But will she be willing to help him, especially if they have to spend more time together? This fun story takes us on their journey to love as they deal with work, secrets, big brothers and trust! It's heart warming, funny, spicy and just the story to start the holiday season!
CJ Bloom is Kenzie, and as always, she brings it all to the table. Her spunky personality is forefront, and I love how she brings the joy into Andrew! John Lane is fabulous with his British accent as Andrew. Stuffy and rude, he is perfect. Their duet narration brings a cast of characters together, each a specific voice fitting their characters and making the story come alive. I enjoyed this performance!
pixiepages's review
5.0
This book was so fun. The scrooge meets jolly sunshine. This book will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit.
Spicy: 2
Spicy: 2
alyssanicolereads's review
4.0
Loved this Christmas story and the narration was EXCELLENT!
4.5 ⭐️s
2.5
4.5 ⭐️s
2.5
camille_a's review
2.0
A generic holiday romance read. It was easy going and there were some cute scenes, but overall pretty repetitive and I couldn’t get behind the characters. It’s a “grumpy guy/ ray of sunshine” trope, but I saw a lot of reviewers saying Andrew was more than grumpy, and was actually very mean. I disagree; I found his behaviour more believable than Kenzie’s. I assume most people are bothered by Andrew’s reaction to the Christmas party scene- but I cringed through that entire scene and understood Andrew’s response to that horror. Yikes. Kenzie annoyed me and I found her hypocritical. She was so bothered that Andrew’s past life experience still impacts his life and behaviour, meanwhile she lets her own past drive the bus. They both need a little therapy.
hellowhitnie's review
3.0
“Kenzi and I could not be more different or ill-suited for one another...”
Kenzi and Andrew’s meet cute was anything but cute—starting with a disaster of a blind date, where they end up realizing that Kenzi is the sister of Andrew’s best friend. This realization does NOT help the date, in any way, and ends with Kenzi leaving feeling angry and rejected. The story gets pretty entertaining when Andrew realizes he must ask a favor of Kenzi in order to secure his partnership at the law firm where he works. This is where the groveling commences in order to get her to agree!
This brother’s best friend romance kept me entertained and engaged, as it progressed quickly into a light, heartfelt story with just enough spice to appease even the smuttiest of book lovers! I gave it 3-stars, as I felt the ending was rushed a bit, but do recommend if you’re looking for a quick holiday read with a happily ever after!
Kenzi and Andrew’s meet cute was anything but cute—starting with a disaster of a blind date, where they end up realizing that Kenzi is the sister of Andrew’s best friend. This realization does NOT help the date, in any way, and ends with Kenzi leaving feeling angry and rejected. The story gets pretty entertaining when Andrew realizes he must ask a favor of Kenzi in order to secure his partnership at the law firm where he works. This is where the groveling commences in order to get her to agree!
This brother’s best friend romance kept me entertained and engaged, as it progressed quickly into a light, heartfelt story with just enough spice to appease even the smuttiest of book lovers! I gave it 3-stars, as I felt the ending was rushed a bit, but do recommend if you’re looking for a quick holiday read with a happily ever after!
readingwithstrangers62's review against another edition
4.0
@authorpiperrayne is always an automatic buy for me and this book lived up to the hype. It was an adorable cover with a spicy inside. Kenzie is a woman who absolutely lives for Christmas and is an event planner. She matches with Andrew, a lawyer, on a dating app to discover he HATES Christmas and is her brother’s best friend that she never met.
They do not hit it off, making for an awkward date. Andrew ends up realizing he needs an event planner for work so teaches out to Kenzie. Kenzie agrees to help in exchange for making him fall in love with Christmas. However Andrew falls in love with Kenzie and his grand gesture was perfect! I also liked the visit from the Mancini family, I love when authors incorporate other book characters into new stories.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
They do not hit it off, making for an awkward date. Andrew ends up realizing he needs an event planner for work so teaches out to Kenzie. Kenzie agrees to help in exchange for making him fall in love with Christmas. However Andrew falls in love with Kenzie and his grand gesture was perfect! I also liked the visit from the Mancini family, I love when authors incorporate other book characters into new stories.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
mistysreads's review
4.0
Kenzie and Andrew's first date, was a blind date, and it turned into a bit of a dumpster fire. Kenzie was running late and instead of running home to change clothes she decides to go to the date wearing an elf costume. Andrew thought that was completely disrespectful for an adult. Kenzie realizes that Andrew is her brother's best friend.
Andrew's boss' fiance needs a party planner to plan the company Christmas party, but no one is available, so Andrew recommends Kenzie. Kenzie realizes that he needs her more than she needs him, and because Andrew hates Christmas it quickly turns into a deal between them. She helps him with the company Christmas party, and she shows him what makes Christmas so great. They start spending a lot of time together and does their relationship recover from the dumpster fire of a first date.
I will admit when I first figured out that she was going to show Andrew why Christmas was the best time of the year, it reminded me of a movie and I was thinking I was not going to enjoy this book. Boy was I wrong! I thought this was a very cute book and I really enjoyed watching Andrew and Kenzie's relationship blossom. They were so worried about her brother finding out about their relationship, but once he finds out the truth he fully supports their relationship and it just makes everything that much more sweet. I thought this was so cute book and I recommend this Christmas story.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review.
Andrew's boss' fiance needs a party planner to plan the company Christmas party, but no one is available, so Andrew recommends Kenzie. Kenzie realizes that he needs her more than she needs him, and because Andrew hates Christmas it quickly turns into a deal between them. She helps him with the company Christmas party, and she shows him what makes Christmas so great. They start spending a lot of time together and does their relationship recover from the dumpster fire of a first date.
I will admit when I first figured out that she was going to show Andrew why Christmas was the best time of the year, it reminded me of a movie and I was thinking I was not going to enjoy this book. Boy was I wrong! I thought this was a very cute book and I really enjoyed watching Andrew and Kenzie's relationship blossom. They were so worried about her brother finding out about their relationship, but once he finds out the truth he fully supports their relationship and it just makes everything that much more sweet. I thought this was so cute book and I recommend this Christmas story.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review.