Review & Giveaway - - Pickle Perfect

Pickle Perfect

by Ilana Long

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: October 28, 2025

Reviewed by Santa

Lulu Gardner only takes predictable shots. After faulting on tennis stardom at eighteen, Lulu, now a thirtysomething single parent, is in control of her game. But when an unanticipated blunder threatens her teaching job, Lulu’s stable, well-planned—okay, boring—world spins out. And somehow, her godparents convince her to join them for a “de-stressing” destination pickleball vacation in Costa Rica. Maybe an all-inclusive picklecation is just the pick-me-up she needs to loosen her grip.

Or it would have been if she wasn’t backhanded by the sight of her high school fling Tyler Demming on the beachside courts. Fresh off the pickleball pro tour, the reigning bad boy of paddle sports is as studly and snarky as ever. Even though his public image took a hit with a ballsy publicity stunt, Tyler seems to be the big shot he’s always been.

But Lulu’s had years to steel herself against his rugged good looks and hypnotic charm. Despite the changes she sees in Tyler since their teenage days, Lulu will have no problem keeping her head in the game and her heart on the sidelines. Or so she tells herself….

Santa Says:

Pickle Perfect by Ilana Long is a heart warming book about second chances. A 4 star read for me. It’s a bonus that it takes place in beautiful Costa Rica. The main characters Lulu and Tyler were high school sweethearts, best friends and teammates on their school’s tennis team. However, young love can be fragile. Tragedy follows and defines them, especially Lulu, whose parents are killed by a drunk driver while they were out frantically looking for Lulu. Amidst her pain Tyler seemingly abandoned her in her grief. She felt immense guilt over her parents’ deaths and Tyler’s abandonment would go on to shape her.

Life did take Tyler and Lulu in different directions. Lulu was taken in by her godparents, Aunt Laverne and Uncle Rooster, who anchored her. She became a teacher which helped pay her bills especially when she became pregnant and her partner abandoned her. Again, her godparents took her in again and became instant grandparents to her daughter Zoe.

Tyler became a successful tennis player until an unfortunate series of events dimmed his light. Tyler bounces back and lands on his feet in the world of competitive pickleball. He became an instant sensation here, too. Of course, he did.

Lulu’s life also took an unexpected turn when an email that was critical about her students was mistakenly sent out. Her school strongly suggested she step back for an undetermined period of time. She was at a loss once again but her godparents once again pulled her back from the edge of the cliff. Her godfather’s love of pickleball earned him a trip to Costa Rica for a tournament. They convince Lulu and her daughter to join them at minimal cost to her. I mean where better to ponder your future than on a tropical island.

In a cruel twist of fate Tyler is also part of the tournament. Uncle Rooster teaches Lulu the basics of pickleball when they arrive. Suddenly, she is swept up into touring the island with the official team. This guarantees close proximity to Tyler and all those memories and feelings come to the forefront for Lulu. Tyler hopes that they can also become closer. 

Ilana Long writes a beautiful love story of young love reborn. Do they resolve all their issues? Their happily ever after sparks a renewed drive in Lulu in figuring out what she wants to do in her life. Their love is like those Chinese bowls with veins of gold that not only repair it but makes them stronger. Bonus points for Tyler showing up. Extra points for Lulu’s growth. Extra credit for Zoe getting a happier mom, for Tyler kneeling down to her level and opening his heart to her, too. Pick up Pickle Perfect! You won’t be disappointed.

Fun fact: My youngest was in Costa Rica at the same time that I was reading the book! I am pretty sure she visited some of the places written in the book! Alas, she was not in a pickleball tournament. A case of art imitating life.

~~~~~~~~~

Do you play pickle ball?

Do you enjoy books that take characters to faraway places?

Have you ever visited Costa Rica?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 31 will receive a print copy of Pickle Perfect.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - A Little Holiday Fling

A Little Holiday Fling

by Farah Heron

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: October 21, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

There are two things that Ruby Dhanji loves with her whole entire heart: Christmas and anything to do with the UK. For Ruby the holiday season means joy, generosity, and warm memories with her late mother. And now she’s on the verge of realizing the dream she and her mom always had: moving to England and opening a cozy inn. The only problem, Ruby needs some hotel experience first. 
 
Rashid just doesn’t get all the holiday hype. But when he meets a woman dragging home a Christmas tree alone from the Winter Market, he has to offer to help—even if he soon finds Ruby adores all the things he dislikes. When Ruby discovers that Rashid’s family owns a luxury boutique hotel chain in Britain, she offers him a proposition: she’ll help him give his young nieces an amazing Christmas if he’ll facilitate an introduction to his family. 
 
As Ruby and Rashid get closer, she realizes that the great big grump loves his large, eccentric family fiercely. And when their friendship turns to something more, she’s afraid she’s falling for someone weeks before she moves across the Atlantic and she’ll soon have to decide which dream she wants to chase. 

PJ's Thoughts:

Need a little nudge to kick start your Christmas spirit? This grumpy-sunshine romance is sure to put you in a festive frame of mind...and maybe booking tickets to Toronto to indulge in a Ruby holiday tour. 

I adored Ruby from the start, with her upbeat, sunshiny spirit and love of the holidays. Rashid, on the other hand, was a bit of an acquired taste. For the first quarter or so of the book, I found myself hoping he wasn't really the hero (such a jerk) but I stuck with it and wow, did he surprise me. By the end of the book, I was firmly in his corner, cheering him on. 

These two took me on a lovely, heart-tugging journey from a rocky start to a blossoming friendship to much, much more. There was substantial growth on both their parts, evolving organically throughout a series of friendship dates with Rashid's twin nieces as Ruby guided them through some of her favorite Toronto holiday experiences. It was so much fun to watch the girls blossom under Ruby's enthusiasm and even more fun to watch Rashid begin to open both his mind and heart to the joy of Ruby and her wellspring of positive energy. 

There was plenty of humor sprinkled liberally throughout this book but Heron tempered it beautifully with heart-tugging emotion, especially as it related to Ruby's evolution. My heart hurt for all she had been through and was still going through as she struggled to find her "place." I wanted to do unspeakably unkind things to Ruby's father (who so deserved them) but, conversely, wanted to smother Ruby's friends and Rashid's family with all the hugs. I also wanted to party with them because...so. much. fun. 

If you're looking for an enjoyable grumpy-sunshine romance with cultural representation, holiday joy, humor, ride-or-die friends, complicated family dynamics, emotional depth, drool-worthy food (it's the holidays, right?), and a satisfying HEA, add A Little Holiday Fling to your holiday reading list. 

Review - - Operation Blackout

Operation Blackout

by Maria Lokken

Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 28, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Her identity is erased and replaced with a criminal record

A stranger is the only man she can turn to for help

When Jordan Logan infiltrates a company’s mainframe, the world-class hacker becomes the hunted—by the very people who hired her. Only by teaming up with Max Ramirez can she clear her name and restore her life. But convincing the cybersecurity expert that she’s the real Jordan Logan is as challenging as the attraction simmering between them. Max can’t trust Jordan…and Jordan doesn’t trust anyone. They’ll create a plan to bring down the culprit. But will their intimate, conflicted dynamic prevent justice from being served?

PJ's Thoughts:

One of the facets that makes this book so compelling is the frighteningly realistic premise. The advancement of cyber technology has brought with it many life improvements but with those improvements have also come a dark underbelly of criminal opportunity. It's that dark element that takes center stage in Operation Blackout, creating an intensely suspenseful story that reeled me in and held me in its grasp right up until the final page. 

Imagine waking one morning to discover your entire life (identity, money, possessions...all of it) has been given to someone else and you are now not only penniless but also have a criminal record and, even worse, are suspected of murder. Scary, right? And that's only the beginning. Maria Lokken grabbed me by the throat with that opening. There was no way I was putting this book down until every one of my questions had been answered. 

I really enjoyed the blend of suspense and romance in this book. The pace never lags and the intensity continues to build throughout. The characters are well drawn, with intriguing back stories and layers. I became emotionally invested in both Jordan and Max. Nothing brings two people together like running for your lives while attempting to save the world from a deviously brilliant villain. I was right there with them, cheering them on from the edge of my seat, enjoying their ever-growing closeness while trying to figure out how in the world they would ever defeat the villain and regain their lives. This well-crafted story kept me guessing right up until the end. 

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed the warm, loving Ramirez family and the roles they played in this story. I'm hoping the author has more stories planned for them. 

Review - - The Captain

The Captain

by Christi Caldwell

Publisher: Montlake

Release Date: October 21, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Miss Linnie McQuoid Smith has spent a lifetime dreaming of love, but the man she’s always longed for is no longer the one she remembers. Captain Jeremy Tremaine, once a devoted family friend, is now consumed by vengeance, his heart hardened by betrayal at sea.

Lord Culross, on the other hand, offers Linnie the kind of future she ought to want. Yet his quiet devotion and steadfast affection pale in comparison to the intoxicating and undeniable pull she feels toward Tremaine.

But Tremaine’s thirst for power threatens to eclipse their desire for one another, and the demons he carries may destroy them both. As shadows close in, Linnie must decide: the safe path of a love freely given, or the reckless passion that could cost her everything.

PJ's Thoughts:

Having read the earlier McQuoid books in which Captain Jeremy Tremaine is a charming, caring, very likable secondary character, I was not prepared for the changes he had undergone between those books and The Captain. In fact, during the first reading (I've read the The Captain twice), I found him eminently unlikable. So much so that there were points where I wasn't sure if I should be pulling for him or hoping for Linnie (I adored her!) to turn her affections in a different direction (yes, this is a love triangle). But what is evident on the surface does not always match what is churning underneath and in this book, that's a truth for more than one character. 

Throughout the second reading, already knowing the final outcome, I was able to focus more intently on the evolution of the main characters, not only Linnie, Jeremy, and Culross but other members of the McQuoid family who are integral to the events that play out over the course of the book. There are so many layers to explore with multiple characters, layers that Caldwell peels away with care and precision, brilliantly painting a picture of shifting relationships, self-realization, smoldering rage, and unexpected healing while eliciting a variety of visceral emotions within both the characters and me, the reader. I would note here that not all relationships are mended and not all characters are redeemed. I'm hoping that means there are more books within this world on the horizon. 

The Captain is a dark, angst-ridden, explicit story with a distinct old-school romance vibe. Yes, there is humor, heart, and a hard-won happy ending, but there is also danger, betrayal, jealousy, and morally ambiguous characters and events that play out over the course of the book that may not be everyone's cup of tea. The author uses those scenes - and feelings - to allow readers a deeper look into the psyches of the main characters and while explicit and perhaps uncomfortable at times, the interactions never feel gratuitous. At least, they didn't feel that way to me. 

I'm looking forward to more McQuoid and McQuoid Smith books from Caldwell, especially after learning today the identities of the main couple in her next book, The Villain. I can hardly wait! 

Review - - Rebel Bride

Rebel Bride

by Kate Meader

Chicago Players - Book 2

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: October 21, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Summer

I can’t marry him.

I have no good reason to jilt my hockey player fiancé, except that the closer we get to the big day, the more I feel myself shrinking to a hollow shell. Two minutes after I slip into the church bathroom to calm my pre-wedding jitters, I jump out the window to make my escape …

… and land on Hatch Kershaw, my fiancé’s teammate on the Chicago Rebels.

This guy has always hated me for reasons I can’t fathom. Half the time he looks right through me, like I’m no better than the ice shavings on his skate blades. The other half? That brooding green gaze strips me bare and sees right into my soul.

Neither option is good for me, so I really shouldn’t want his help … should I?

Hatch

The bride hit me like a ton of bricks.

The last thing I expected was for my teammate’s bride to ask for my help in fleeing her wedding. Make that the second last—even more unexpected is that I said “yes.” Before I know it, I’ve driven her to my family’s vacation home because I’m a nice guy and she needs to catch her breath.

Only now, I can’t breathe around her.

Summer Landry and I have never hit it off, so why the hell am I going along with this madness? Every stolen glance and accidental touch tell me she’s off-limits, while each torturous second with her in our lakeside hideaway has me questioning everything I thought I knew about who she is and what she’s hiding.

No one can know what I did—not my teammate, not my family, not the media—or all hell will break loose. Most of all, Summer can never know why I dislike her so much.

Because if she did, I might not recover.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've read Rebel Bride twice. I'll no doubt visit it again. That seems to be the norm for me and Kate Meader's books. The books in her Chicago Rebels and Rookie Rebels series all sit on my keeper shelf. But, as if the heart-tugging goodness of those books wasn't enough, here she comes with a new series featuring the children of everyone's favorite Rebel, Theo Kershaw. And, let me tell you, these Kershaw offspring do not disappoint!

I was so eager to discover the cause of the friction between Summer and Hatch that was clearly evident in Sweet Thing (Chicago Players - Book 1). Turns out there was a whole lot of sumpin' sumpin' simmering beneath the surface of the eldest Kershaw child and I couldn't be happier. Hatch and Summer together was everything I could have hoped for. First, I love a runaway bride and Meader's special touch with that whole opening chapter was *chef's kiss*. The surprise. The laughter. The tension. The getaway to the Kershaw cabin in Saugatuck. Which brings me to the second thing I loved: Forced Proximity. 

It was pure pleasure to watch these two slowly lower their guards and open up to one another. Being a Meader book, it's filled with humor, sparkling dialogue, tender emotion, vulnerability, and in Hatch's case, yearning. So much yearning. Also cheese. There's a lot to be said for a good triple creme Brie. And then there's the steam. I do love me some Kate Meader steam. Of course, the initial getaway is only the beginning of the journey for these two. There's much to explore for both Hatch and Summer, both personally and professionally, before an HEA is even on the horizon. And that's where everyone else comes into play.

One of my favorite aspects of these books is the family, friends, and teammates who all are such an important part of the story. I love these characters and relationships so much. They add laughter, well-intentioned meddling, wisdom, support, love, motivation, and flat-out fun. Also conflict in some cases, but that's part of what keeps these characters real and the relationships authentic. If you enjoy big families who are bonded by unconditional love and support, laughter and fun, but also up in one another's business constantly, you're going to love the Kershaws. Just like I do. And Summer. For a woman who is without family and searching for her place in the world, the Kershaw family is an almost irresistible place to land. 

Another part of this book that I especially enjoyed is the Midwest vibe. If you've never visited Chicago, Meader brings that vibe to life through her descriptions as well as her characters and if you've spent time there, those same descriptions and character banter will reinforce all the things we love about this city on the lake. And, yes, Kershaws, I agree with you. There's nothing like a good cheese board and it will always be the Sears Tower. 

If you're looking for a funny, endearing, steamy, complicated contemporary romance with family, friendship, character growth, sweetness and sass, hockey brotherhood, sports-loving women, and happy endings earned through time and work, pick up a copy of Rebel Bride. I loved it!

Winner - - A Scar in the Bone

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a signed print copy of

A Scar in the Bone by Sophie Jordan is:

Patricia B

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winner - - The Earl That Got Away

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a print copy of

The Earl That Got Away by Diana Quincy is:

Glenda

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - The Man Next Door

The Man Next Door

by Sheila Roberts

Publisher: MIRA

Release Date: October 14, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

  

Zona never thought her life was headed this way, but here she is, newly divorced and moving back in with her mom, Louise. After her gambling addicted ex-husband lost all of their savings, including their daughter's college fund, she doesn't really have a choice. She's cutting every coupon she can and she's going to help put her daughter through nursing school, even if it kills her.

This wasn't Louise's plan, either, laid up at home with a broken leg after one unfortunate tumble on the senior singles cruise she'd been looking forward to for months. But if she's going to spend all her time at home, at least she's got her daughter there with her. And there's some hot new eye candy next door to distract them both from their troubles. He appears to be single and just around Zona's age. Could his arrival be the universe making amends for everything it's put her through?

Maybe the universe isn't feeling as generous as Louise hoped. There’s something lurking under that mans surface charm, something…dangerous? And who's the woman they can hear him in all-out shouting matches with on the other side of the fence? When the woman seems to disappear without a trace, imaginations run wild. Or at least, Zona hopes it's just her mother's imagination...

PJ's Thoughts:

In the mood for humor, three-generations of women, witty dialog, flawed (but relatable) characters, a splash of romance, and a bit of suspense? Have I got a book for you. Sheila Roberts' The Man Next Door is filled with all that and more.

One of the things I most enjoy about Roberts' writing is her ability to craft characters who elicit a range of emotions from snort-laughter to heartfelt tears. They are fully dimensional, relatable, and could easily be your own woman - or man - next door. I found myself fully invested in each of the main characters as well as a few of the side ones. When I find myself yelling at a character for what she does or is about to do, cheering another for regaining her confidence, telling yet another to just "grow up," or wanting to pull yet another into a great big hug, the author is to be commended for an outstanding job of pulling me not only into the story but into those characters' lives. Their authenticity, as well as the situations they get themselves into, give this book an immersive quality that keeps me eagerly turning pages to discover what is planned for them around the next corner. And, in this book, there are more than a few unexpected corners! 

If you enjoy stories bubbling over with humor, heart, and multi-generation family, pick up a copy of this book. If too many true crime shows or podcasts have you giving your neighbors a second look and wondering, "what if," get this book. If you enjoy watching women gather their strength and start over after betrayal or loss, with plenty of laughter, tears, and honest conversation, read this book. And finally, if you enjoy characters finding love the last place they expect it, grab a copy of The Man Next Door. It's a gem. 

Review & Giveaway - - The Earl That Got Away

The Earl That Got Away

by Diana Quincy

Sirens in Silk - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

American Naila Darwish always regretted calling off her engagement to the man she loved because he wasn’t successful enough for her family. Eight years later, she travels to England for her sister’s wedding and gets the shock of her life when she runs into Basil again. Overjoyed, she wonders if the fates have given her a second chance at love.

But Basil Trevelyn is not the same carefree young man Naila rejected all those years ago. Having unexpectedly inherited a noble title, he is now the Earl of Hawksworth, one of England’s most sought-after bachelors. Still bitter after Naila’s heart-wrenching rejection all those years ago, Hawk is cold and distant, suspecting Naila is after his money and position.

When the two lost lovers are repeatedly thrown together, they discover that the chemistry between them burns brighter than ever and that some feelings are too strong to deny. Will they allow pride and lingering resentment to keep them from seizing their last chance at happiness?  

PJ's Thoughts:

Diana Quincy is an author I turn to when I'm in the mood for Victorian romance brimming with layered characters, complicated family dynamics, and rich cultural representation. She never fails to take me on an emotional journey with a hard-won happy ending. 

The Earl That Got Away is a second-chance romance featuring an Arab-American spinster and an English earl. They met once before in Philadelphia, when he was a commoner and she, a young woman heavily influenced by the restrictions of her Arab-American family. Mistakes were made that separated them but are regretted to the day, several years later, when they unexpectedly meet again in London. However, their reactions to that reunion could not be more different. 

The journey on which Quincy takes Naila and Basil is a roller coaster of ups, downs, conflicts, attraction, and deep emotions. It's clear they both have feelings for one another but there are a boatload of feelings that need to be handled with forgiveness and understanding before there's even a hope of reconciliation on the horizon. If you like your romances with angst, you're going to love these two. 

Naila's family members play vital roles in both the separation and reunification of this couple, as is to be expected in a Persuasion retelling. Let's just say some of them elicit very strong feelings. 

As with the first book in this series, The Duke Gets Desperate (click to read Santa's review), Quincy imbues this second story with the traditions, challenges, and rich cultural representation of her own Arab-American heritage. I enjoy learning more about the author's culture through the characters of her books and am looking forward to whatever she has planned next. 

Have you read any of Diana Quincy's books yet? 

Do you enjoy reading about other cultures?

Do you enjoy Jane Austen retellings? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 18 will receive a Mass Market Paperback copy of The Earl That Got Away.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - A Scar in the Bone

A Scar in the Bone

by Sophie Jordan

A Fire in the Sky - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: October 14, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

It’s been a year since Tamsyn transformed. From royal whipping girl in the palace of Penterra to the bride of Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands. From the enemy in the Beast’s bed to the wife he sacrificed himself to save. From an ordinary girl...to a dragon. And not just any dragon—a powerful fire-breather...and the best hope to keep magic from flickering out forever.

With Fell gone, torn from her side in the dangerous swirling mists of the Crags, Tamsyn is heartbroken and alone among the dragon pride. An unwelcome outsider still learning to survive in this fiery skin of hers within a new cutthroat society, she trains in the arena until her muscles burn and her blood spills. Slowly, Tamsyn forges herself into a warrior in the shadow of Fell’s enigmatic brother, Vetr, whose silver eyes track her with distrust...and maybe something more.

But is Fell truly beyond her reach? Their bond pulls at her, as fiercely as the drive to protect both humans and dragonkind from the growing threat posed by Stig, once her closest friend, now a relentless enemy determined to hunt her down and destroy her—and with her, all things magic.

Magic stirs in the darkness, strengthening all who believe in it. But will it be enough to save Tamsyn, the pride, the kingdom...and a fiery love fated to endure for centuries, as deep as a scar in the bone?

PJ's Thoughts:

Tamsyn's journey continues in this second book of Sophie Jordan's A Fire in the Sky series. A Scar in the Bone picks up the story one year after the end of book one. I admit, it took me a bit to figure out what was going on in this book, why Fell, the lead male character from book one was missing, and what roles all the new supporting characters would play. Once I settled in, though, I was once again eagerly flipping pages to find out what would happen next. 

This book takes Tamsyn in directions I was not expecting. The angst level is high, with unexpected twists and life-altering decisions looming about which I have opinions. Strong opinions. This is a dark fantasy romance and Jordan does not hold back. Tamsyn faces a lot of adversity that results in both physical and emotional trauma but also leads to growth in her character, again, both physically and emotionally. She needs that growth to survive the challenges and decisions she faces that will ultimately lead her to the necessary self-confidence and conviction within that will guide her to her happy ending. I was pulling so hard for that happy ending!

The world building within this book is well written with vividly depicted descriptions that had me believing dragon shifters are real (they are, right???) and action sequences that had me on the edge of my seat. My emotions took a hit not only from those physical  challenges but from the personal interactions as well. Tamsyn is put to the test time and again and I was right there with her, urging her to make the right decisions for her happiness every step of the way. At least, the decisions I thought were right. As mentioned above, I had very strong opinions about which decisions were the right ones. 

The end of the book offers a happy ending for Tamsyn and her chosen mate but there are storm clouds on the horizon for the world in which she lives and certain characters who have yet to play their final card. That makes me all the more eager for book three, set to be published summer 2026. Some characters from books one and two will be in that story but I'm told it features a new lead couple and can be read as a standalone. Not so for A Fire in the Sky and A Scar in the Bone. I strongly advise readers to read those two in order. Both books are currently available in print, ebook, audio, and through Kindle Unlimited. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Have you read A Fire in the Sky, A Scar in the Bone, or any other of Sophie Jordan's books?

Do you enjoy "other" worlds in your reading? 

What is it about those dragon shifters? Do they engage your interest as much as they do mine?

I attended a discussion and book signing with Sophie Jordan last night (and, yes, that is Sarah MacLean on my other side!) and came home with a signed hardcover copy of her newest release, A Scar in the Bone. It will be winging its way to one randomly chosen reader who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 17. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Date Night in December

Date Night in December

by Jaqueline Snowe

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: October 14, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

He has one month to make a Christmas miracle happen.
 
Laney Reynolds knows there’s only one place that can help her heal a broken heart: Cherrywood Creek. The small town where she grew up, with its holiday festivals and snow-covered streets, is exactly where she needs to be this December. It feels good to leave the bustling city, where her husband was too busy climbing the corporate ladder to notice the growing distance between them. But she’s got his attention now . . .

          Connor received his wake-up call loud and clear when Laney left, and there’s no way he’s giving up on his marriage. If that means dropping everything and trading high-rises for gingerbread houses to sweep his wife off her feet in her hometown, then so be it. This time, he’s listening; but it’ll take more than hot chocolate dates and even hotter nights to win Laney back. Can he prove that being a CEO is nowhere near as important as being her husband?

PJ's Thoughts:

Two years ago the lovely PR ladies at Forever sent me a copy of Snowed in for Christmas, a forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine, holiday romance that introduced me to the writing of Jaqueline Snowe (click for review). I was thoroughly charmed and an annual reading tradition was born. Last year, it was Snowe's Christmas Sweater Weather, with over-the-top Christmas shenanigans, single dad heroes, heroines you'd like to be besties with, and steamy, heartfelt romance that helped me usher in my holiday reading (click for review). But it's this year's Date Night in December that is my favorite so far.  

Is there anything more heartrending than a marriage ending, especially when the couple is still very much in love? That's the case with Laney and Connor but Christmas is the season of miracles and Connor, who has finally realized he may have lost the one person he loves more than anything else, isn't going down without a fight. 

These two. I couldn't have been more invested in their story, more emotionally engaged with them and their second chance. No one person was totally at fault here, though it may seem that way in the beginning. I appreciated the layers of both lead characters, the way they each grew over the course of the book, and how they finally voiced their thoughts, fears, hopes, and opinions. How they each began to own their individual contributions to the unraveling of their marriage. Laney, especially. And how hard they worked (I'm looking at you, Connor) to start over and build a new future together...the right way. I could feel their emotions every step of the journey. I cried with them, laughed with them, cheered for them. 

Snowe surrounded Laney and Connor with a well-developed supporting cast of characters who added conflict, humor, and support while never overshadowing the lead couple. Then there's the small town of Cherrywood, a character in itself, wrapped up in colorful decorations, ice skating rinks, scavenger hunts, community dinners, cookies galore, and can't miss holiday festivals. I want to visit. I want to hang out with Connor, Laney, Petra, Matt, Laney's parents, and the rest of the warm, welcoming people who call Cherrywood home. 

If you're looking for a second-chance, heartwarming, marriage-in-crisis romance with steam, humor, substantial character growth, emotional depth, unexpected twists, and hard-won happy endings, kick off your 2025 holiday reading with Date Night in December by Jaqueline Snow. It's a heart-tugging, second-chance, hot chocolate - with sprinkles - warm hug of a book.