Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells: A Hamilton Christmas Novella

Holly Berry Bennett (yep, that's her real name!) hated Christmas. Holly's mother loved it. So much so that she runs a Christmas novelty store. Well the time came for Holly's parents to retire so they decide they are giving her, their only child the store and they are moving to Florida! This might not sound so bad, but Holly lives in London, England! Taking a few weeks off, Holly decides to head back to Willow Creek, VA to try and decide what she should do. While she is there she see's Sean Gallagher. He was the guy who was a few years older than her in school that she crushed on from afar. Boy, he was even better looking now! Sean Gallagher comes from a large, crazy Irish family. For generations his family has run Gallagher's restaurant and now that his parents are both gone, he is in charge. After attending the Culinary Institute in New York and earning his degree, he is using his new talents at the family restaurant. Imagine his surprise when he sees Holly Bennett getting out of a cab. Wow...she is even prettier than he remembers. Sean always had a crush on Holly but she'd never give him the time of day. Deciding he missed out on a chance at her once, he decides to go and talk to her. Of course sparks ignite. Sean keeps pushing her for a date....she keeps putting him off since she doesn't even know if she is staying in Willow Creek. After spending more time together things start to heat up. When things are looking like there may not be a happy ending, Holly finds a diary and realizes it may have to do with someone from Sean's family. Throughout the mystery of the diary, Holly starts to realize that her happiness just may be with Sean in Willow Creek if she only can take that last leap of faith. I just adored this story! Such heart and warmth with Christmas mixed in was perfect! A great fun read for the holidays!

4 Star review of Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells by Donna Kauffman I love any story that is centred around my favourite holiday of the year, Christmas and is a time for family and friends to get together; I love everything there is about the holiday season, the decorating, the carols, the cooking, the shopping for the presents for family an friends and honestly, I would love to have been in Holly Berry Bennett’s position. Holly hates Christmas, despite the fact that her mother absolutely adores it and even runs a Christmas novelty store. When her parents decide to retire early, Holly is given the store and she is not to happy. When her old friend Sean (whom Holly had a crush on) decides that he is going to help her turn her feelings towards the holiday season around he has not idea what he has started. Unbeknownst to Holly, Sean had also had a crush on her so now he decides to see what “sparks” are between them. This was a fun , quick read filled with the holiday spirit which will get you ready for Christmas and one I really enjoyed. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

Loved Holly and Sean. Holly has returned home after her parents left her mother's Christmas Shop to her as they have retired to Florida. Holly has never liked Christmas but her childhood friend, Sean hopes to change her mind. Sean owns the local restaurant after his parents have died. Sean has always had a crush on her growing up but were very different. There is an instant chemistry between the two but Sara tries to fight it because she is there only temporarily unless Sean can change her mind. This is the second book in the Hamilton collection, originally published in the Kissing Santa Claus anthology. A fun short read that is perfect for this holiday season.