Reads for the Holidays

November 25th, 2015 Kimberly Review 62 Comments

25th Nov

readsforholidays

Today I am sharing two reads for the holidays that will curl your toes and pull at your heartstrings. A Bad Boy for Christmas by Jessica Lemmon and Unwrapped  by Katie Lane.  Jessica Lemmon has become a go to author in contemporary romance for me. This was my first read by Katie Lane but it will not be my last. Go grab some hot cocoa and settle in for my reviews. You are going to want to snuggle up with these titles.

Holly

A Bad Boy for Christmas by Jessica Lemmon is the third book in her yummy Second Chance romance series. Each book can be read as a standalone and I have loved them all.  Conner McClain and Faith Garrett’s story had all the elements I love in a romance from the perfect chemistry to delicious banter.

We meet Conner and Faith in the previous novels as Faith had a come to Jesus moment when she saw Conner working on Donovan Pate’s estate in the quiet lakeside community of Evergreen Cove. Faith, coming off a nasty breakup is best friends and business partners with Sofie Martin.  I loved Faith. She is strong, confident and sassy. Conner is best friends with Donovan and has recently returned from Afghanistan. The man is gorgeous inside and out, but also troubled from his time abroad. Seeing his protective nature, and uncovering his, romantic side was delicious.

Lemmon added danger and a snow storm to bring our commitment shy couple together. The sparks, teasing, and bickering had me smiling and swooning.  She created a wonderful holiday setting highlighting one of the sweetest Christmases ever. I adored this couple and consumed this tale in a single afternoon during the Ho-Ho-Ho readathon. It was the perfect feel good romance to put me in a holiday mood.

Foodie lovers be warned there is wicked talk of cupcakes, cinnamon buns and bakery devil dogs you will crave. Thankfully, there is a recipe for them!

If you haven’t read Jessica Lemmon’s books yet, I totally recommend curling up by the fire with A Bad Boy for Christmas.

Holly

Reads for the Holidays
Unwrapped
by Katie Lane
Series: Hunk for the Holidays #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame

Good things come in sexy packages... Jacqueline Maguire has a problem tying the knot. After fleeing the altar (again), the runaway bride drives off with no particular destination in mind. Which is how Jac finds herself stranded in a snowstorm with a hot, hard-bodied stranger who treats her to the naughtiest night of her life... but come morning, he's long gone. Contractor Patrick McPherson is deeply committed to his bachelor lifestyle. No strings, no rings. As the Christmas season approaches, however, Patrick still can't quite forget his curvalicious one-night stand. Then Jac shows up unexpectedly, and all holiday hell breaks loose. Because this year, Patrick is getting the biggest Christmas surprise of his life...

Holiday hot ROMANCE smartfunny

Not gonna to lie folks, I accepted Unwrapped by Katie Lane because of the cover. Yep, I wanted to unwrap it. After, I realized this was book three in the Hunk for the Holidays series. Thankfully, it totally works as a standalone and was deliciously good, so I will grabbing the first two for future holiday reads. Win-win.

Unwrapped had a wonderful set-up. The author unwraps the plot in the first chapter and it was hilarious and heated. Lane even weaves in a little mystery allowing me to slip in with a sigh and a giggle.

Jacqueline is a little flawed, but good at the core and while you may initially find her shallow, Lane soon has you caring for her, even as you laugh and roll your eyes. Patrick is a contractor and quite the bachelor, but has not been able to forget Jacqueline. The author used a familiar trope to bring these two together again and it worked. Both characters see growth as their relationship developed adding depth. She then weaved in interfering Aunts, a vivacious best friend and a sister you do not want to mess with.

The story was balanced and while at times heated, it had a small-town vibe and was set in Denver Colorado. I loved the page time spent on family and friends as these two worked towards their happy. Unwrapped was a great little romance for the holidays that will leave you with a smile.

 

I hope you add A Bad Boy for Christmas by Jessica Lemmon and Unwrapped by Katie Lane to your reads for the holidays.

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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

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62 Responses to “Reads for the Holidays”

  1. Ksenia

    Lol I totally agree with you about the cover to Unwrapped. Thanks for the recs! Both books sound like enjoyable reads for the holidays.

  2. Lexxie

    Both of these sound delicious, Kim! But especially Bad Boy for Christmas 😀 who wouldn’t want just a little bit of badness to go with the season? 🙂
    Plus, you know I just can’t resist food in books! This one would be perfect for me, I’m sure!
    Thanks for sharing.

  3. Wattle

    A Bad Boy for Christmas sounds like it might be my kind of thing (it’s always an added bonus when there’s recipes involved!) thank you for sharing! 🙂

  4. Lark

    Both these authors are unknown to me, so thanks for the introduction! I”m glad you enjoyed them. Time to get into the holiday spirit, now that Thanksgiving is over!

  8. Angela Adams

    Thanks for the great reviews. “Hunks for the Holidays” — I’d like to shake the hand of the marketing person who thought up that series title (smile!). Happy Thanksgiving!

  10. Heather

    These look so good, I am hoping to read lots of festive books next month (I can’t believe it is only next week!) and these books judging by their covers looks hot! Thanks for sharing and have a good Thanksgiving!

  11. Kathy

    I’m in need of some heart-warming holiday reading and haven’t even looked at holiday books, yet. Thank you!

  12. Lorna

    I usually read a couple holiday books every year. Last year they were all paranormal. I have to say these both look like fun reads. I may have to check at least one of them out on Amazon. Thanks for sharing, as usual you tempt me 🙂

  13. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh both sound good and these are my kind of holiday reads! *waggles eyebrows* 😀 At least it will keep me warm. 😉

    Btw, Denver is our big city! Okay, I’ve talked to others that actually live in big cities and laugh at me when I say that. I guess I just live in a teeny town. LOL

    Happy Thanksgiving!

  14. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    There are very few things I love more than a good holiday read. I always save them for when I actually stop working for the holidays. They always make my mood complete. I’ll keep these in mind.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I use to take the holidays off, but now work from home in my Pajamas. I am unplugging though. I did it last year and it really recharged me. Enjoy your holiday reads Maja!

  16. Alahna

    I have Bad Boy For Christmas on my TBR list! Glad you enjoyed it! I’ll have to check out Unwrapped.

  17. Sophia Rose

    Yep, those both do sound delicious. I’ve read Katie Lane’s books before and loved her blend of humor, small town, and passion. Still need to try Jessica Lemmon’s books. I’ve had them on the list since the first one in there series.

  19. Nick

    The Jessica Lemmon book sounds like it would be right up my alley with Christmas, snow, mystery AND a second chance romance!
    I cracked up at why you picked up Unwrapped, Kim! Haha! I feel you! I would totally do it for the same reason. 🙂 It’s set in Denver so I might have to pick it up. Hopefully, it won’t have me going around looking for someone who looks like that for Christmas, LOL! 😀

  21. Candace

    I sometimes read a novella or something that is holiday themed but this year I read a book from a series I’m already into and it was perfect. It was a little early but it kickstarted my holiday ‘mood’ I guess.

  22. Quinn's Book Nook

    Perfect timing! I’ve been craving some holiday romances. I read the first book in the Jessica Lemmon series and enjoyed it. And I really liked Faith. I do need to read that one.

  25. Katherine

    I’m loving the Christmas romances right now and Jessica Lemmon’s books have been on my TBR for awhile. I’ll definitely have to check it out!

  26. Bookworm Brandee

    Alright, alright…you’ve twisted my arm. 😉 I’m going to break down and read a holiday-themed book or two! *ha* I’m glad you enjoyed Lemmon’s story, Kimberly, although I’m not surprised. 😉 I’ve read several from Lane but not Unwrapped. It’s set in Denver? Score! I’m glad it was a good read as well. I really enjoyed her Deep in the Heart of Texas books. 🙂

  27. Debbie Haupt

    Oh Kim my favorite romance is of the second chance variety so yes to number one, besides who can resist a bad boy, And number two I’ve seen around and wow the cover has me saying sure. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

  30. Christy LoveOfBooks

    While not my favorite of the series, I still really liked Bad Boy for Christmas. I’m all holiday’d out with the reading, so I’ll have to save the other one for next year.

  31. melliane

    AH Christmas books are always so nice! I have some and I know I need to read them but so little time, it’s terrible!