Holidating by Sarina Bowen is live!
Featuring two previously-released and one brand new novella, these are not strictly holiday-related stories, but they are great reads that can all standalone, and I loved this collection.
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Review
Sarina Bowen has released a collection of novellas! Featuring two previously-released and one brand new novella, these are not strictly holiday-related stories, but they are great reads that can all standalone, and I loved this collection.
Boyfriend – 4 stars
Sold separately (68,000 words)
A fun fake boyfriend/girlfriend romance, this is such a gorgeous read!
Weston is a college hockey player who hires himself out as a fake boyfriend for Thanksgiving. Abbi works at the local sports bar where the team hangs out, and she jumps at the random opportunity to hire her crush to accompany her to an awkward family dinner. Turns out Weston has been crushing on Abbi too, and their date goes so well that when Weston needs a date to go home to his family for Christmas, he invites Abbi to return the favour and come along as his fake girlfriend.
I love a fake romance set-up, and these two are so freaking cute together! They have moments of awkwardness, but their friendship is easy and natural, and their banter is so much fun. And when the ‘dates’ are all over and done with and neither of them are ready to say goodbye to the other, their friendship continues, and their not-so-secret attraction builds until they finally act on it.
I’m driving her wild, and I feel like a superhero. If the superhero were a super horny, college guy who’s fallen deeply in like with his fake girlfriend.
I love these characters! Abbi has had a really hard life but she’s brave and strong, and I love her resilience and determination. Weston is a genuinely good guy, and he’s so much fun. He’s exactly who Abbi needs. But while Abbi is desperate for love and a connection with somebody, Weston actively shuns love and doesn’t want a relationship. They have a lot they need to figure out, and it’s a gorgeous journey watching them do just that.
This is such a cute read. It’s quite short, so it moves pretty quickly, but there’s still quite a bit of depth in Abbi and Weston’s backstories. There’s a bit of drama and minimal angst before a very satisfying ending, and I finished this book with a big smile on my face.
4 stars.
Blonde Date – 3 stars
Available in EXTRA CREDIT – The Ivy Years novella collection (30,000 words)
This is a fun little novella that follows on from book #2 in The Ivy Years series, The Year We Hid Away.
At the end of the last book, Scarlet set up a blind date between her roommate, Katie, and Bridger’s friend, Andy. Spoiler alert: based on the noises overheard from Bridger’s dorm room, it clearly went well. Now, we get to see that night in glorious detail as shy and nervous basketballer, Andy, gets the chance of a lifetime with his secret crush, Katie.
Andy is gentle, sweet and caring, just the guy that Katie needs as she is still reeling from a cruel frat joke. From a sorority party to alone time back in Andy’s room, it’s really cute to watch these two get to know each other and start something that has real potential.
This was a great little extra, and I’m glad we got to have some bonus time with these characters.
3 stars.
Crossroads – 4.5 stars
Brand new novella (35,000 words)
OMG, this is a gorgeous little novella! It’s a sweet, emotional romance for Damien Rossi (of the Rossi family seen in the True North and Giltmaker series – though this can be read as a standalone).
Damien is a taxi driver with big dreams for his life, but with a big family and little money to spare, he’s just not sure how to make it happen. Nicolette Overland comes from the wealthy part of his small Vermont town, and though their families could not be more different, when Damien picks her up in his taxi to take her to the airport to begin college, they share an immediate connection.
Damien continues to pick Nicolette up whenever she’s in town. Taxi rides become shopping excursions, coffee and meals, but though their time together is effortless and they’re both feeling the attraction, they’re never in a position to do anything about it.
This story follows Damien and Nicolette over the years as they come in and out of each other’s lives, and OMG, I was SO on board for all of it! I loved the ease of them together, the way they obviously cared for each other, and the long-distance longing had my romantic heart all fluttery. As they both miss opportunities to say how they feel, the story twists and turns in directions I wasn’t expecting, until the stars align, they finally get their shot, and I loved watching this story play out!
I loved these characters, everything that happened felt so real, and my only complaint about this story is that I wish it was longer. I needed more of these two! But it’s a gorgeous little read, and I loved this story so much.
4.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
Check out our Sarina Bowen Author Spotlight for more awesome reads!