A review by tsukikomew
Baby, It's Cold Outside: Cinque storie d'amore by Emma Chase, Melody Anne, Kristen Proby, Jennifer Probst, Kate Meader

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