One Christmas Eve by Shannon Stacey Pages: 118
Series: Cedar Street #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also by this author: Heat Exchange
Goodreads
They couldn’t be more different. Or more perfect for each other.
New York Times bestselling author Shannon Stacey returns with a warm and cozy opposites-attract Christmas story.
Zoe Randall is busy living her life as she damn well pleases. She’s back in her favorite town, her divorce in her rearview mirror, and living out her childhood dream of running a bookstore with her cousin. She has no interest in the uptight nerd who opened his boring-ass business next to her shop…until he complains about one of her sexy window displays.
Then it’s game on.
Preston Wheeler knows he takes life a little too seriously. But when the saucy bookseller next door starts pushing his buttons, he can feel that changing. Beautiful, vivacious Zoe challenges him in all the best ways, and soon he’s pushing her buttons right back: teasing and flirting all the way through the holiday season.
As Preston loosens up and Zoe is treated to the man behind the suit (particularly his forearms), she realizes she’s more interested than she cares to admit. And Preston comes to see the beauty—the absolute delight—in adding Zoe’s bright splashes of color to his once very black-and-white existence.
This book is approximately 34,000 words
One Christmas Eve by Shannon Stacey gives us a book store owning recent divorcee as a heroine and an uptight, by the book hero. This is a good hate-to-love you story with great banter. Zoe is free spirited and a tad wild, and Preston is a no nonsense kind of guy. They are oil and water from the beginning and I was loving it! Overall, the story is simply adorable! It really was one of those super cute love stories that just makes you smile. Both of them have just enough past drama to make them interesting. If you want a quick holiday read that will warm your heart, One Christmas Eve is a perfect pick!
Want to check out all 12 books featured? Just click on the banner at the top of the page and get 12 great Christmas reads from Harlequin!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: enemies to lovers
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton, An Alaskan Christmas by Jennifer Snow, Christmas Inn Love by Samantha Chase…then you will probably like One Christmas Eve!
One Christmas Eve
“I have to go back to Boston for a few days and finalize a few things, so I won’t be around. You know, in case you wonder why the office is closed next week.” He was rewarded with what might have been a glimmer of disappointment in her expression, but it cleared so quickly, it was possible he’d imagined it.
“I hear you’re coming to Thanksgiving dinner at Granddad’s,” she said.
“I was invited.” He gave a little shrug. “And it was more like he told me to come when I said I wouldn’t be joining my family for the holiday.”
“That’s kind of how he is.”
“But I didn’t want to commit to accepting until I got a chance to talk to you. If you think it would be weird for me to be there, I won’t go.”
Her lips tilted into a slight smile. “And will you post pictures on Instagram of your bowl of ramen soup you’re eating all alone?”
He laughed. “Ramen soup? You don’t think I can do any better than that?”
“I’m sure you can, but you don’t have to. Of course you’re welcome at Thanksgiving dinner.”
“You’re sure?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He couldn’t really bring up the sexual tension simmering between them without introducing the possibility it was all in his head, so he didn’t really want to spell it out for her. “Just checking. I don’t want to intrude on family time.”
She opened her door, but before sliding into her seat, she looked at him. “It’s not intruding. So…have fun in Boston, I guess. And if I don’t see you before Thanksgiving, I’ll see you at Granddad’s?”
“Sounds good.” He really wanted to kiss her goodnight, but he figured if she was thinking the same thing, she wouldn’t have put her car door between them. “I’ll see you there.”
Thanksgiving felt like forever away, and as he watched her drive away, he knew he’d be thinking about her the entire time, even though it didn’t make any sense. Wanting her so badly didn’t make sense. Not being able to keep her out of his thoughts didn’t make any sense.
He couldn’t make sense of his attraction to Zoe Randall, but he could feel himself nearing the point he didn’t care anymore.
To hell with sense.
I really love this author and need to get started on this series. Fabulous review!
[…] December 17th: The Book Disciple – One Christmas Eve by Shannon […]
Definitely one of my favorite tropes, and it’s a fast read, so I need to get this one on my list! Thank you for being on this tour. Sara @ TLC Book Tours