Living in a year around Christmas town has it’s drawbacks. The caroling, the decorations, the insanely cheery spirit, it never disappears. It’s why I like to hibernate away in my cave–I mean house–keeping a healthy distance from the holly jolly spirits.
And all was going according to plan until my nemesis, Storee Taylor, moved in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Without blinking, she turned my simple world into a real nightmare-before-Christmas, especially when she decided to enter the town Christmas Kringle contest – which she was determined to win.
Well guess what? Over my cold-hearted body.
There was no way I was going to let her win, not after the history we’d shared.
So despite my promise to myself of never participating in the sickening Christmas season, I entered the competition as well. That’s right, I planned on beating Storee at her own game by pretending this grump’s heart grew three sizes this season.
And it was working until feelings between us started heating up.
We pretended to date.
We kissed.
And well, sparks flew from there.
Which led to one explosive night involving Christmas lights, the competition, and a ladder. Don’t let me convince you who stole Christmas, I think you need to find out for yourself . . .
Storee is a California girl so the prospect of spending winter in the mountain Christmas town is not at all appealing but she’d do anything for Aunt Cindy. She envisions herself making meals and helping Cindy with her walker so she certainly didn’t plan to enter the town’s Christmas Kringle contest. Unfortunately for Storee, her aunt has already submitted Storee’s (forged?) application and she’s been chosen as one of the five contestants. Never mind her crippling fear of performing in public, Aunt Cindy has a diabolical plan to make the most of her broken hip by ensuring Storee finally succeeds where Cindy has failed by being named the Christmas Kringle. Last year was close when she was named runner-up, but second place is still losing and Cindy wants that title, even if she has to live it vicariously through her great niece.
As unappealing a prospect as it may be, Storee begrudgingly agrees since she clearly would do anything for her aunt. How bad can it be, after all? Santa has assured her that her past transgressions have been erased so she enters the competition with a clean slate. But just as she decides she can do this, a new obstacle appears in the form of her grumpy neighbor Cole, aka Snow Daddy, and his jolly helper Max.
They haven’t seen each other in a decade but Storee always thought they were friends, so she’s shocked at Cole’s absolute disdain for her and his determination to do anything to steal this title. The town is shocked to see Cole competing as it’s common knowledge that his heart is three sizes too small and he’s best known for his distinct lack of Christmas cheer. And cheer in general. He’s basically a no cheer zone all year long. But Storee does not deserve the town’s most coveted honor and he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she doesn’t win, even if it means coloring himself green and gyrating for elderly women who will haunt his nightmares.
I loved the characters and couldn’t put this book down. It’s laugh-out-loud funny and full of great characters with a lot of heart and plenty of heat. The snippets of Grinch-like poetry throughout add extra cheer and make this one of the most fun Christmas stories I’ve ever read. I did consider withholding a star since Storee says Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie and that feels like a personal attack, but I got over it because I loved this book so much. I’d like to thank the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
