Didn't really work for me. Found a few of the scenes more creepy than romantic. ( )

I'm a bit shocked, I've never read this author and found this a great little Christmas Novella. For the record, the 'grump' is in no way the hero here, who is that kind of annoying and confident that is endearing and funny.

There were editing issues, with multiple strikethrough notes showing, so that was weird, and I was impressed I didn't notice more issues that got left in. ( )

4 stars

Fun holiday story. This felt like a Hallmark movie(except with steam) , even down to the name of the heroine.it definitely was a cute read and got me in the mood for the holidays. ( )

The Grump Who Stole Christmas
Kringle Family Christmas, Book 1

I Picked Up This Book Because: Recommended on Litsy or Bookstagram, I’m not sure which

Media Type: eBook
Source: KindleUnlimited
Dates Read: 11/28/21 - 12/7/21
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s):

The Characters:

Paul McCleer:
Kristen Kringle:
Chris Kringle, Ethan Kringle, Lexie Platzski, Jasmine

The Story:

Review to come.

The Random Thoughts: ( )

Fast, festive and hugely funny
5 stars

Oh my Christmas stars - this book was amazing! I’ve never read S. Doyle before but having read this story, that will definitely change as this was everything I love in a romance. This is also the first story in a new, multi-author series about 3 siblings trying to save their family’s Christmas inn. Each story comes complete with its own couple and HEA starting first with Kristen, the eldest sibling.

From the minute Kristen and Paul meet, the electricity flies even if at first it’s in dislike. I was worried when we first encounter Kristen as I feared she might be too abrasive and city-chic for me to get behind. But by the end of the first encounter I was hooting with laughter and just like that, I loved Kristen and her ever so slightly neurotic personality.

Paul (which struck me as an odd name for a romance hero for some bizarre reason!) wasn’t quite what I imagined. He was big, burly, bearded and sure he was a bit grumpy - but he was also so funny and met Kristen toe to toe. I adored him and every little (or big) thing about him! I did wonder if Kristen was meant to be the 'grump' in the title but in the end, I enjoyed this book regardless so I don't really care who ultimately was the grump!

The best thing about this book was - hands down - the interactions and ultimate relationship between Kristen and Paul. They had the perfect blend of, well, everything, that a couple should have. As well as their chemistry, they have the kind of banter that I adore in a romance - the back and forth over the Boss Lady mug nearly had me crying with laughter. I loved that they each instinctively seem to know each other; that they accepted each other and didn’t think the others flaws were actually flaws. So here for it, I can’t even tell you. But what was best was the smiles. I feel that the smile is so under utilised in romance novels but this story brought it back with a vengeance. Both Paul and Kristen would find themselves smiling after their interactions and I felt those smiles right in my heart. Definitely swoon worthy.

As I mentioned, this is the first in a series about 3 siblings. As far as I can tell, the 3 stories are all happening at the same time so we get snippets of what’s happening with the other siblings in a way that makes us want to know what’s happening with those stories, too.

I loved the writing in this story. It was so engaging that I just kept reading and reading - never wanting to put it down. It was also deliciously sexy and will warm readers up as much as it warmed up Kristen and Paul. I mean, it’s pretty cold in Colorado, apparently!

If I have to make one teeny tiny complaint it was that I finished the book and pressed the button to move my kindle to the epilogue. And pressed. And pressed. I near started hitting my kindle but alas, there was not to be an epilogue. I would have adored an epilogue for this story just to round things off and also to spend just a wee bit more time with Paul and Kristen. As much as a lack of epilogue annoys me, I can’t let it take away from what is a fast, festive and hella funny romance. 5 stars. ( )