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A review by beckyyreadss
Big Nick Energy by Morgan Elizabeth

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read this book in December; I'm just late as always to my reviews that I'm writing a Christmas book review in June. I read the first book Christmas book in this series as part of book club’s pick of the month in 2023; I have carried on with the series and thought it would be the perfect time to read the second Christmas book in this series in 2024.  

When Connor Finch insists his one-time Tinder match, Shae, comes to his dad’s house for Thanksgiving with her two young daughters, it’s because he refuses to let them be alone on her first-holiday post-divorce. But when she arrives at the Christmas tree farm and ranch, he grew up on. She meets his father – the crazy tall, built, golden retriever cowboy who tells her girls all about the magic of the stupid elf on a shelf. Of course, when she later corners him and tells him thanks a lot for nothing and that she’s way too overwhelmed to deal with yet another responsibility, he feels terrible. So terrible, he finds himself driving two hours every night just to deliver an elf, move him about, and create some Christmas magic for her girls. But what happens when he decided meeting her the way he did was some kind of Christmas miracle, and he needs to convince Shae to give him a shot?  

I went into this book thinking it was going to be the same as Tis the Season for Revenge, but I absolutely loved Nick. He was so adorable and sexy and just wanted to help out as much as possible. He was patient and communicated with Shae and made sure she was comfortable and that he was willing to wait however long for her. I loved Connor being sneaky and how he knew that Shae and Nick would be perfect but knew he couldn’t rush them to be together. I liked the friendship that was still there between Connor and Shae and the girls but the girls going from Uncle Connor to Brother Connor was funny to describe to a stranger. I loved that Shae was protecting her children’s heart as well as her own and she was willing to give up a relationship with Nick in order for the girls to have a father figure in their life and how she went from being stand offish with him and doors closed and released that he wanted to break down her barriers and she wanted that as well. I like how the book shows how difficult it can be for women who have been in a violent relationship with children to find love after something like that and how difficult it can be not to have a support system.  

The insta-love did kind of put me off but obviously with it being a short book, there wasn’t going to be a slow-burn or a lot happening. I didn’t like the time jumps that kept happening of Nick being worried about Connor getting involved with an older single woman and then it would jump to the present where he is kissing the ground she is walking on. I missed the friendship group aspect of this. Within this series, the group of women have already helped each other, besides the fact that Abbie was picking up the girls, there was no girl group or bonding. I would have liked to see Damian kick the ex-husband's ass and bond with Nick and Abbie squealing and blushing with Shae. 

I adored this book and considering I was struggling with The Fall of Bradley Reed this was a breath of fresh air. I cannot wait to see finish this series with Ick Factor.  
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