by Julie Brannagh
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Holly Reynolds has a secret. Make that two. The first involves upholding her grandmother’s hobby of answering Dear Santa letters from dozens of local schoolchildren. The second ... well, he just came strolling in the door. For the last two years, Holly has not been able to stop thinking about gorgeous Seattle Shark Derrick Collins. His on-field exploits induce nightmares in quarterbacks across the NFL, but she knows he has a heart of gold. Derrick has never known a woman he wanted to bring home to meet his family, mostly because he keeps picking the wrong ones—until he runs into sweet, shy Holly Reynolds. Different from anyone he’s ever known, Derrick realizes she might just be everything he needs. When he discovers her holiday letter writing, he is determined to play Santa too. And as the pair team up to bring joy to one little boy very much in need, they discover the most precious Christmas gift of all: love.
Holding Holly is a holiday romance novella, in the Love and Football series by Julie Brannagh and takes place in the town of Noel at the peak of the holiday season. Cute, clean and filled with good will towards men, this is a delightful way to spend an evening.
Espresso review of Holding Holly
Holly is home in Noel to help her grandmother while school is out for the holiday. Between working at the local coffee shop and helping to answers letters to Santa, she is quite busy. Brannagh introduces the friends to lover’s troupe when Seattle Shark Derrick Collins brings his favorite ladies shopping in Noel. His favorite ladies happen to be his Mom and grandmother. While they are buying out the fabric store, he steps in for coffee and recognizes the shy girl behind the counter. Holly works the coffee shop at the stadium while in school. Both are shy and drawn to other. It was sweet, and we learn they both have been curious about the other. The tale that unfolds has sweet dates, good will towards men, and all the gooeyness of a Hallmark Channel movie.
Holding Holly was a nice introduction to the author and series for me, and we meet some of the other characters in the series but this held its own as a sweet quick holiday read.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Quinn's Book Nook
I recently read this. It was cute, but a little too much for me. I mean the characters were sort of perfect. But I did enjoy reading this. I’m just not sure I will read any more by the author.
kimbacaffeinate
Like I said Hallmark read all the way..filled with gooey goodness..LOL
Karen
Since I have been binging almost non stop on Hallmark Christmas movies this sound perfect :-))
kimbacaffeinate
hehe..I have watched all of the new ones this year too
Lily B
sounds really cute for this season!
kimbacaffeinate
It was cute Lily 🙂
Diana Leigh
Aww. I love a story that gives me the warm-fuzzies. And, how adorable is that cover?!?
kimbacaffeinate
Isn’t it though..just screams cute 🙂
Grace
I love everything about this one…novella + friends-to-lovers + holiday read + great review! Sounds like a perfect combination!
kimbacaffeinate
It was adorable Grace, light and fuzzy
Adriana Garcia (
Oh I love when two shy people get together in books! It gives me hope for the future haha 😛 Have you noticed the great amount of MC’s with the name Holly with Christmas movies/books?
kimbacaffeinate
Me too and it was nice they had a shared history/friendship before this book
Adriana Garcia
Oh yay! Even better <3
Christy
Aww sounds so sticky sweet.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes small does or you will get a toothache
Alreem
more holiday reads … I love seeing your review … it really but me on the right mood for holiday 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Alreem, I think I have one more before Christmas:)
Jess
This sounds like a very sweet read. The themes make it a nice holiday read. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Katherine
I love shy characters and this sounds fun! I’m a little saturated in holiday romances right now but maybe I’ll go on and get it to have it read for next year. It’s not early to start planning my holiday reads for next year is it?
kimbacaffeinate
Lol not at all 🙂
Angela Adams
“Cute, clean and filled with good will towards men, this is a delightful way to spend an evening” — Great recommendation. Thanks for the post!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Angela 🙂
blodeuedd
Aww sounds sweet
kimbacaffeinate
it was adorkable 🙂
aurian
This sure sounds cute, glad you enjoyed it Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Aurian 🙂 it is always fun to try a new author
Braine Talk Supe
I miss the Hallmark channel, they have heartwarming b-rated Christmas movies there… I just realized yesterday that I haven’t read a holiday themed anything this year!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah…I do some eye-rolling and giggle when watching them..lol
Heidi
I am glad you liked this well enough. I read Covering Kendall and it was not for me. I have an ARC of this, but I am going to pass since I was not a fan of Kendall.
kimbacaffeinate
This my first by her and it is very sweet and clean
Nick
This certainly sounds like a sweet story. And the cover is making me feel all warm and fuzzy! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
The cover is adorable
Candace
I’m not sports fan, but it sounds like that’s not really important or a big deal at all. I love that she works at a coffee shop. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
No, there was no gaming at all..LOL
ShootingStarsMag
Sounds like a cute read – definitely one of those “Hallmark” type stories.
kimbacaffeinate
Absolutely 🙂
Sophia Rose
It sounds adorable and its part of a football romance series. I just got into sports romance this year. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes it looks like the series deals with members of the team
Debbie Haupt
Aw thanks Kim with so many reads on my plate I Love having a short read to cherish and this one looks like my kind of holiday tale.
kimbacaffeinate
This is a nice escape from all the,hustle and bustle
In the Hammock
This sounds just adorable!! Thank you for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
It was cute 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I agree..to me the romances always feel a little magical
Laurel-Rain Snow
Cute and sweet books are the kind to read during the holidays…they bring up moments in our lives, or maybe dreams we had.
Thanks for sharing!
Lily
More holiday reads! Kim I love when you review them because they get me excited for them and excited for the holidays!
kimbacaffeinate
They always get me in the mood too Lily 🙂
Rita
Cute cover and blurb. Sounds rather sweet and light, and short, so sounds like something I would enjoy, but I don’t think I will get to it this month, honestly. Thanks for constantly stretching in all directions in your reading and reviewing, and not just sticking to one genre 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love mixing it up Rita and I am glad you enjoy it
Jenny
It has been way, WAY too long since I’ve seen a Hallmark channel movie Kim! I miss the fluffy sweetness of them, so I think I’ll pick this book up as a nice substitute:) I need these cute, warm reads in my life.
kimbacaffeinate
This was sweet Jenny:) I have been watching all the new movies for Hallmark christmas 🙂
Trish
Sounds like a sweet read just perfect to get into the Crimbo mood 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah this is a quickie but adorkable 🙂
kindlemom1
I love the friend to lovers trope, it is so hard to resist and this sounds like a fun and cute holiday short.
kimbacaffeinate
It was cute Ali 🙂
Rosa
This book seems like a great Christmas reading. Thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
Ah your welcome Rosa it was a cute read
Jennifer Bielman
Awwww, it sounds adorable. And I like the cover. I can totally feel the feeling the girl model feels!
kimbacaffeinate
The cover is adorable Jennifer 🙂
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
I have still yet to read a Christmas themed book this year! I probably will have to pick up Dash and Lily this weekend from the library, yes? I’m glad that you found this to be enjoyable as a general consensus!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh good choice…enjoy it
Melliane
Oh great! I always love to have a nice novella like that. I did many romances this week.
kimbacaffeinate
This is quick and cute.