Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsSweet and Steamy Christmas
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2021
Jana and Joel are co-workers and friends. They find a baby abandoned in a manger in front of the church. A hastily scrawled note on the diaper says the mother will return for little Gabriel by New Years. Jana decides to give the mother a chance to return and promises to care for the baby and Joel agrees to help. This time together allows the couple to talk about their pasts and heat up the sparks that are between them.
This book is the 12th novel in the Twilight series by the author and there are also 7 additional novella's. I read it as a stand alone but clearly there is a lot of history with the various characters and couples in the story. If you're a reader of the series this is a must read. As a holiday romance for someone who has not read the series this is decent story but there are issues. The book is a little slow at peeling back Jana's history, explaining why she is such a private person. Also I didn't like that when Joel shares her secrets with his twin brother he brushes it off with, I share everything with my family, instead of validating her feelings of betrayal. Lastly, other than the baby in the manger the story seemingly could have taken place anytime.
This is sweet and steamy without being overly graphic. I enjoyed the book but the 3 star rating reflects the fact that I didn't immediately put the series on my TBR list. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
