RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥
Elisha Rowe has a problem. She promised her hometown Piney Peaks' Christmas House to the sequel of the holiday classic Sleighbells under Starlight. Unfortunately, she has not quite secured permission to use the location from its owner. Actually, he might even have said no. Now her mission is to convince Piney Peaks' Scrooge to change his mind not just about the house, but even about the holidays.
As a Filipino, I am THRILLED to start the holiday romances early this year. It might actually help with getting me into the holiday spirit in a couple of months.
This was definitely a good start. I love the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Ves and Elisha. It brought dimension to their journey as Elisha tries to persuade him to open the doors to the Christmas House and enjoy the holidays. There is also an element of fake dating as Elisha convinces Ves to be her pretend boyfriend to keep her ex-fiancé at bay. Their chemistry was oh-so-good that the slow burn -- and yes, I mean SLOOOOOW burn -- was driving me wild.
The festive backdrop that Lillie Vale builds around our main characters was incredibly fun. I especially enjoyed the treats (BIBINGKA!). I love how the holiday backdrop weaves in nicely to the love story.
If you adore Hallmark Christmas movies, you will absolutely love this read.
** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Lillie Vale, Penguin Group Putnam, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **
ABOUT THE BOOK
In its heyday, Piney Peaks and its beloved Christmas house were made famous by Sleighbells under Starlight , a romantic holiday movie. Fifty years later, the small town is ready for a new love story.
As a successful film liaison, Elisha Rowe has her heart set on one thing and one thing putting her hometown back on the map. So, when she gets the chance to secure the long-hoped-for sequel to Sleighbells under Starlight , a beloved holiday movie, she's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everything goes smoothly. Unfortunately, that includes claiming to have already gotten permission to film at the historic Christmas house—permission she was very much denied by the gorgeous new owner.
City boy Ves Hollins is only back in Piney Peaks long enough to sell the house he inherited from his great-aunt. The holidays have always been tough for Ves, and it's not any easier when he's distracted by memories of a Christmas long, long ago, and the irresistible charm of neighbor Elisha. He has no plans to put down roots or fall in love...even if Elisha unravels his hesitations like a bad Christmas sweater.
There's no question the two are opposites in every way. Ves is undeniably frosty. Elisha is brimming with warmth. He doesn't do commitment. She never runs from a challenge. But as the two grow closer, they quickly realize that the growing spark between them may be just what the season calls for.
MEET LILLIE VALE
Lillie Vale is the author of books for both teens and adults, including The Decoy Girlfriend, Beauty and the Besharam, The Shaadi Set-Up and Small Town Hearts, an American Library Association’s 2020 Rainbow Books List selection. She writes about secrets and yearning, complicated and ambitious girls who know what they want, the places we call home and people we find our way back to, and the magic we make. Born in Mumbai, she grew up in Mississippi, Texas, and North Dakota, and now lives in an Indiana college town.
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