Scan barcode
stormiclouds's review
4.0
It Must by Christmas is combination of three adorable short stories to get you in the Christmas spirit. The stories have not only romance, but some steam and even a little action. My favorite of the three stories was Christmas at Seashell Cottage. I mean who doesn't love a story with a sexy ex-SEAL? Plus, Jewell Cove sounds like my dream Christmas town!
cstoeger's review
4.0
Read my review here: http://cbabblings.blogspot.com/2016/12/it-must-be-christmas.html
aprilk's review
3.0
I love Christmas stories! So I was super excited when I received an exclusive advanced copy of It Must Be Christmas. I am familiar with Jennifer Crusie's writing and thought this would be a fun Christmas read and a good way to possibly discover two new authors to read.
Hot Toy 3.5 stars
I liked this one pretty well. At times the plot did seem a bit much for such a short story but overall it was quick and fun. I liked the main character's kind heart and her feistiness. I thought the blooming romance between Trudy and Nolan was fun. He did make me smile by showing up at the end to save Christmas.
Christmas at Seashell Cottage - 4.5 stars
Wow! This story was much longer than the first and was very well developed. I really enjoyed the scenery of the town and it's residents. The main characters were likeable and the baby just made the whole thing come together into a wonderful story. It was just magical and exactly the type of Christmas story that I love. I actually liked this one so much that I am going to look into the authors other books right away!
Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher - 3.5
I really liked the plot of this one and think it would be interesting to read more about the brothers in this book but I can't stand the author's overuse of a particular curse word. She uses the a curse of God's name way more times than I cared to count. It seemed like she was purposely shoving it in even when it messed up the flow of a sentence. Which is a shame because otherwise I would want to read the rest of this series. The characters were very appealing.
It Must Be Christmas - Overall rating 4 stars
This was a pretty good anthology. I enjoyed getting familiar with a couple of new authors writing styles and I always love a good Christmas book. :-)
Hot Toy 3.5 stars
I liked this one pretty well. At times the plot did seem a bit much for such a short story but overall it was quick and fun. I liked the main character's kind heart and her feistiness. I thought the blooming romance between Trudy and Nolan was fun. He did make me smile by showing up at the end to save Christmas.
Christmas at Seashell Cottage - 4.5 stars
Wow! This story was much longer than the first and was very well developed. I really enjoyed the scenery of the town and it's residents. The main characters were likeable and the baby just made the whole thing come together into a wonderful story. It was just magical and exactly the type of Christmas story that I love. I actually liked this one so much that I am going to look into the authors other books right away!
Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher - 3.5
I really liked the plot of this one and think it would be interesting to read more about the brothers in this book but I can't stand the author's overuse of a particular curse word. She uses the a curse of God's name way more times than I cared to count. It seemed like she was purposely shoving it in even when it messed up the flow of a sentence. Which is a shame because otherwise I would want to read the rest of this series. The characters were very appealing.
It Must Be Christmas - Overall rating 4 stars
This was a pretty good anthology. I enjoyed getting familiar with a couple of new authors writing styles and I always love a good Christmas book. :-)
verityw's review
3.0
****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review****
Ok. So it turns out that I've already read the Jennifer Crusie story in this - which I didn't realise when I requested it - there's a review of that here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1461077198
I hadn't read anything by Donna Alward or Mandy Baxter before and so I was curious to read them - as I like Jennifer Crusie. Both stories were ok - but had some problems.
In Christmas at Seashell Cottage we meet Doctor Charlie who ends up with more than she bargained for when a handsome ex-Navy SEAL discovers a real baby in the town's Christmas manger. I liked the idea of this, and Charlie and Dave's relationship is interesting to watch- but I thought that there were some impractical elements in there (Charlie looks after the baby, seemingly without childcare whilst continuing too work as a doctor) and the baby story line is hard to resolve satisfactorily - it does have a mother after all.
In Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher, newly minted billionaire Nate wants to give all his money away because he doesn't want to accept it in his Father's will. Chloe is looking for donations to save her children's sport foundation, but soon she's too tangled up with Nate to ask - in case he thinks she's a gold-digger. I'm not a big reader of Billionaire stories, but this actually worked ok for me - once I got past the fact that the Hero and Heroine's initial sexual encounter felt a little bit too...pushy and gropey on his part. There was a lot of conflict here and a big backstory to resolve which felt a little rushed in the time available but mostly worked out ok. And as far as billionaire stories go, this was much more equal than many I've come across - Chloe is smart and successful and Nate doesn't want to take over her life and make her work for him!
Ok. So it turns out that I've already read the Jennifer Crusie story in this - which I didn't realise when I requested it - there's a review of that here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1461077198
I hadn't read anything by Donna Alward or Mandy Baxter before and so I was curious to read them - as I like Jennifer Crusie. Both stories were ok - but had some problems.
In Christmas at Seashell Cottage we meet Doctor Charlie who ends up with more than she bargained for when a handsome ex-Navy SEAL discovers a real baby in the town's Christmas manger. I liked the idea of this, and Charlie and Dave's relationship is interesting to watch- but I thought that there were some impractical elements in there (Charlie looks after the baby, seemingly without childcare whilst continuing too work as a doctor) and the baby story line is hard to resolve satisfactorily - it does have a mother after all.
In Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher, newly minted billionaire Nate wants to give all his money away because he doesn't want to accept it in his Father's will. Chloe is looking for donations to save her children's sport foundation, but soon she's too tangled up with Nate to ask - in case he thinks she's a gold-digger. I'm not a big reader of Billionaire stories, but this actually worked ok for me - once I got past the fact that the Hero and Heroine's initial sexual encounter felt a little bit too...pushy and gropey on his part. There was a lot of conflict here and a big backstory to resolve which felt a little rushed in the time available but mostly worked out ok. And as far as billionaire stories go, this was much more equal than many I've come across - Chloe is smart and successful and Nate doesn't want to take over her life and make her work for him!
offbeatlover's review
4.0
I'll be totally honest, I only read the Jennifer Crusie. As always her humor just shines through. Fun fast holiday read. If I read the other 2 stories in this book, I'll update.
ctorretta's review
5.0
This has three fabulous and very cute romance stories. One I had already read prior to getting the book and didn't realize.
The first I actually had the book from Netgalley! So this was even more of a win. Hot Toy was super cute and a great intro to the holiday season. The characters were fun to read and even more fun when they were arguing. As a short story it is very fast and there isn't enough time to delve very far into the characters but it is enough to wet your whistle. Review coming soon!
The second is a fun book about a doctor that does not have enough time to get out and date and probably wouldn't even if she did have the time. Charlie Yang is thrown off when the guy she has been watching (secretly at lunch every single day) startles her and starts talking to her.
This one has a bit of a push/pull between the characters that I didn't like. I do not know how they ever understood each other. They both have their issues and because of their baggage they keep secrets from each other but not because of the new relationship (sorta) but because they do not trust one another. That is so obvious that it was hard for me to read through some of their conversations.
Somehow they get through the talks but the tension never really leaves. I enjoyed the story even more when Daniel showed up. Although don't let that throw you, this is not a love triangle. Daniel just throws a different kind of tension into the mix and I love those parts! In short, the story was fun and I enjoyed it even through the tense conversations.
Christmas with a Billionaire Rancher was a good enough story that I remembered even though I read it last year. This is another fast, easy read with really fun characters. There is even more of a character arc, which I love! Full review for Christmas with a Billionaire Rancher.
The first I actually had the book from Netgalley! So this was even more of a win. Hot Toy was super cute and a great intro to the holiday season. The characters were fun to read and even more fun when they were arguing. As a short story it is very fast and there isn't enough time to delve very far into the characters but it is enough to wet your whistle. Review coming soon!
The second is a fun book about a doctor that does not have enough time to get out and date and probably wouldn't even if she did have the time. Charlie Yang is thrown off when the guy she has been watching (secretly at lunch every single day) startles her and starts talking to her.
This one has a bit of a push/pull between the characters that I didn't like. I do not know how they ever understood each other. They both have their issues and because of their baggage they keep secrets from each other but not because of the new relationship (sorta) but because they do not trust one another. That is so obvious that it was hard for me to read through some of their conversations.
Somehow they get through the talks but the tension never really leaves. I enjoyed the story even more when Daniel showed up. Although don't let that throw you, this is not a love triangle. Daniel just throws a different kind of tension into the mix and I love those parts! In short, the story was fun and I enjoyed it even through the tense conversations.
Christmas with a Billionaire Rancher was a good enough story that I remembered even though I read it last year. This is another fast, easy read with really fun characters. There is even more of a character arc, which I love! Full review for Christmas with a Billionaire Rancher.
book_tangled's review
2.0
Both of my stars belong to the first story by Jennifer Cruise, the other two were really boring. I didn't laugh nor did found the romance mesmerizing.
booking_along's review
4.0
3.75 stars.
this book is a nice mixture of three romance stories that are based during christmas time.
They are cheesy and cute and short and basically everything one can love about a typical holiday story.
I have had read "Hot Toy" by Cruise before reading this book so i already knew that i enjoyed that story, and i still found it cute and entertaining during the re-read. Its mostly very silly and very overdone but i do love that its the crazy aunt that has the problems with the gifts and i do love the idea of one of those over done christmas stories that you read and then look at your own christmas chaos and can say "at least my christmas doesn't involve that!". I always enjoy Cruise's writing and her specific kind of humour and that she has this way of making her characters snarky and sarcastic but not mean.
Its a cute story and its defiantly worth a read if you want something funny and overdone christmas-y.
The story that really stood out to me and i loved was "Christmas at Seashell Cottage" by Cove.
Her writing was beautiful, her characters wonderfully fleshed out -especailly for such a short story!- i got a real feel for the town the story took place in, the characters and what they were going through. I loved that the story wasn't just a romance book and that the sex wasn't the main thing of this story, but a different event was what the story was based around. I also loved that the two characters didn't meet and fell in into bed, but it took a bit any romance to happen.
I will defiantly see if i can find something else by this author and can't wait to read and hear more from her! Defiantly recommend this specific story!
And now to the last story....
"Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher" by Baxter.... that story didn't really work for me. It is very insta-lovey for me. The two main character have sex basically three seconds after meeting -and i am not even kidding! And then the typical drama ensues that always happens in that kind of story line where the characters get mad at each other because - surprise surprise!- they didn't know anything about each other before hand and so when they learn about each other something doesn't sit well with either or both of them so drama ensues.
As you can clearly hear from my tone of writing i wasn't the biggest fan of this. But that is because of personal reasons. I don't enjoy stories where the characters see each other and fall into.... - put appropriate word here (for this story "Bed" would be the one).
I don't mind a fast building romance or even if characters have sex very fast in a story. Especially in short story you don't have 150 pages to build up a relationship if you don't even have 150 pages total! So i get the fast part. But can i at least get a real introduction before the guy says he wants to see "the girls pussy"?
As i said, personal preference but since its my review i get to rant a little about the stuff i didn't love in this particular story.
BUT if you are are someone that loves the fast and hard romance stories? I am sure you will enjoy this.
All in all this book is nicely done.
It has a very nice mixture of stories: A funny one, a cutesy one and a sex/porn-y one. So basically every type of romance lover covered!
I would defiantly recommend it for any romance holiday book lover, even if i personally enjoyed "just" two of the stories. Just for those two i think it is worth reading this book for.
And who knows? Maybe you will love the story i didn't enjoy the best? You never know until you try, right?
*Thanks to NetGalley, St. martin's Press and the authors for providing me with the e-arc of this book in exchange for a honest review*
this book is a nice mixture of three romance stories that are based during christmas time.
They are cheesy and cute and short and basically everything one can love about a typical holiday story.
I have had read "Hot Toy" by Cruise before reading this book so i already knew that i enjoyed that story, and i still found it cute and entertaining during the re-read. Its mostly very silly and very overdone but i do love that its the crazy aunt that has the problems with the gifts and i do love the idea of one of those over done christmas stories that you read and then look at your own christmas chaos and can say "at least my christmas doesn't involve that!". I always enjoy Cruise's writing and her specific kind of humour and that she has this way of making her characters snarky and sarcastic but not mean.
Its a cute story and its defiantly worth a read if you want something funny and overdone christmas-y.
The story that really stood out to me and i loved was "Christmas at Seashell Cottage" by Cove.
Her writing was beautiful, her characters wonderfully fleshed out -especailly for such a short story!- i got a real feel for the town the story took place in, the characters and what they were going through. I loved that the story wasn't just a romance book and that the sex wasn't the main thing of this story, but a different event was what the story was based around. I also loved that the two characters didn't meet and fell in into bed, but it took a bit any romance to happen.
I will defiantly see if i can find something else by this author and can't wait to read and hear more from her! Defiantly recommend this specific story!
And now to the last story....
"Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher" by Baxter.... that story didn't really work for me. It is very insta-lovey for me. The two main character have sex basically three seconds after meeting -and i am not even kidding! And then the typical drama ensues that always happens in that kind of story line where the characters get mad at each other because - surprise surprise!- they didn't know anything about each other before hand and so when they learn about each other something doesn't sit well with either or both of them so drama ensues.
As you can clearly hear from my tone of writing i wasn't the biggest fan of this. But that is because of personal reasons. I don't enjoy stories where the characters see each other and fall into.... - put appropriate word here (for this story "Bed" would be the one).
I don't mind a fast building romance or even if characters have sex very fast in a story. Especially in short story you don't have 150 pages to build up a relationship if you don't even have 150 pages total! So i get the fast part. But can i at least get a real introduction before the guy says he wants to see "the girls pussy"?
As i said, personal preference but since its my review i get to rant a little about the stuff i didn't love in this particular story.
BUT if you are are someone that loves the fast and hard romance stories? I am sure you will enjoy this.
All in all this book is nicely done.
It has a very nice mixture of stories: A funny one, a cutesy one and a sex/porn-y one. So basically every type of romance lover covered!
I would defiantly recommend it for any romance holiday book lover, even if i personally enjoyed "just" two of the stories. Just for those two i think it is worth reading this book for.
And who knows? Maybe you will love the story i didn't enjoy the best? You never know until you try, right?
*Thanks to NetGalley, St. martin's Press and the authors for providing me with the e-arc of this book in exchange for a honest review*
booksuperpower's review
4.0
It Must Be Christmas: Three Holiday Stories by Jennifer Crusie, Donna Alward, and Mandy Baxter is a 2016 St. Martin’s Press publication.
This collection of holiday tales is an eclectic mix of contemporary short stories with something for nearly every taste.
The anthology starts off with ‘Hot Toy’ by Jennifer Crusie.
Despite that suggestive title, this story is cute and funny, with just a dash of emotion.
Trudy Maxwell needs a toy for her nephew. Not just any toy, of course, but the hottest toy of the holiday season, but she’s not having much luck. In one of the biggest toy stores, she winds up becoming inadvertently involved in a covert operation with a guy who had once disappointed her, but there may be more to him than she originally thought.
I had read this story as a stand alone last year, but it was so short and easy to read, I didn’t mind giving it a second look.
This story is a madcap adventure, and is a little bit silly, but it was cute and fun.
3 stars
The second book in the trifecta is a heartwarming story by Donna Alward – ‘Christmas at Seashell Cottage'.
This story centers around Charlie Yang, a doctor whose life is built around her career. Although she’s lonely, she has no plans to get involved with anyone, especially on a temporary basis.
But, then she meets Dave Ricker, an ex-SEAL, who is new to the area, at the local Christmas tree lighting. But, both their lives are disrupted when someone abandons an infant the nativity scene manger.
I loved the story about the baby and Charlie is an amazing example, as helps people so selflessly.
Dave, on the other hand, gave me some big problems. I felt like I needed to pull him aside and issue a stern warning not to hurt Charlie or I would have to kick his butt.
But, of course the magic of the holiday season brings about a wonderful and heartfelt happily ever after for one and all.
This was the strongest story is the group, in my opinion and gets a 4 star rating.
The third and final story, is ‘Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher by Mandy Baxter.
This story is for those who like a little bit of extra steam with their holiday romances.
When Nate’s father dies, he becomes the executor of the will and a billionaire, something he’s not really all that thrilled over. Of course he becomes very popular with money seeking gold diggers, and Chloe Baxter definitely wants his money…
But not for the reason you might think.
Chloe needs money for her charity and with Nate’s huge windfall, he’s seems like the best bet for a charitable donation.
Naturally, the couple finds money is not the only thing their relationship is built on.
Nate and Chloe go back and forth, as Nate struggles with a past betrayal which causes him to make a few mistakes, but between the charity work and Chloe’s patience, Nate makes some serious progress.
I love stories set in Texas, so I was happy to see this one included in the collection. I was a little concerned with Chloe’s motives and how far she was willing to go, had me wondering, but the chemistry is sizzling hot right from the start with no build up required.
This is a nice mixed bag of holiday themed short stories with steamy passion, touching drama, and a few laughs, to balance everything out. So, no matter what mood you are in, one of these stories will have just what you are looking for.
The anthology as a whole is 3.5 stars, rounded to 4
This collection of holiday tales is an eclectic mix of contemporary short stories with something for nearly every taste.
The anthology starts off with ‘Hot Toy’ by Jennifer Crusie.
Despite that suggestive title, this story is cute and funny, with just a dash of emotion.
Trudy Maxwell needs a toy for her nephew. Not just any toy, of course, but the hottest toy of the holiday season, but she’s not having much luck. In one of the biggest toy stores, she winds up becoming inadvertently involved in a covert operation with a guy who had once disappointed her, but there may be more to him than she originally thought.
I had read this story as a stand alone last year, but it was so short and easy to read, I didn’t mind giving it a second look.
This story is a madcap adventure, and is a little bit silly, but it was cute and fun.
3 stars
The second book in the trifecta is a heartwarming story by Donna Alward – ‘Christmas at Seashell Cottage'.
This story centers around Charlie Yang, a doctor whose life is built around her career. Although she’s lonely, she has no plans to get involved with anyone, especially on a temporary basis.
But, then she meets Dave Ricker, an ex-SEAL, who is new to the area, at the local Christmas tree lighting. But, both their lives are disrupted when someone abandons an infant the nativity scene manger.
I loved the story about the baby and Charlie is an amazing example, as helps people so selflessly.
Dave, on the other hand, gave me some big problems. I felt like I needed to pull him aside and issue a stern warning not to hurt Charlie or I would have to kick his butt.
But, of course the magic of the holiday season brings about a wonderful and heartfelt happily ever after for one and all.
This was the strongest story is the group, in my opinion and gets a 4 star rating.
The third and final story, is ‘Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher by Mandy Baxter.
This story is for those who like a little bit of extra steam with their holiday romances.
When Nate’s father dies, he becomes the executor of the will and a billionaire, something he’s not really all that thrilled over. Of course he becomes very popular with money seeking gold diggers, and Chloe Baxter definitely wants his money…
But not for the reason you might think.
Chloe needs money for her charity and with Nate’s huge windfall, he’s seems like the best bet for a charitable donation.
Naturally, the couple finds money is not the only thing their relationship is built on.
Nate and Chloe go back and forth, as Nate struggles with a past betrayal which causes him to make a few mistakes, but between the charity work and Chloe’s patience, Nate makes some serious progress.
I love stories set in Texas, so I was happy to see this one included in the collection. I was a little concerned with Chloe’s motives and how far she was willing to go, had me wondering, but the chemistry is sizzling hot right from the start with no build up required.
This is a nice mixed bag of holiday themed short stories with steamy passion, touching drama, and a few laughs, to balance everything out. So, no matter what mood you are in, one of these stories will have just what you are looking for.
The anthology as a whole is 3.5 stars, rounded to 4