The Best Of: Kindle Unlimited & Prime Reading #6

Welcome to the festive edition of this post. I wouldn’t normally upload a festive-themed post outside of December but A. I didn’t realise just how many of the festive books I’ve read are available on Kindle Unlimited and B. I didn’t think of making this a separate series for Blogmas.

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh

I read this last year and it was one of my favourite festive reads of the year. I’m a big fan of friends to lovers in festive romances and this one takes place over 10 years, so it gets extra points.

The outrageously chaotic nature of the first half of this book is amazing. I’d usually find this too over the top, but for some reason, this book has nailed it. I think the fact that they had such amazing chemistry made it bearable. Their romance was undeniable in my opinion.

This is also a book where the man loves Christmas and not the woman, refreshing.

The 12 Books of Christmas: Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh

Synopsis: She’s meant to be catching flights, not catching feelings…

Molly and Andrew are just trying to get home to Ireland for the holidays, when a freak snowstorm grounds their flight.

Nothing romantic has ever happened between them: they’re friends and that’s all. But once a year, for the last ten years, Molly has spent seven hours and fifteen minutes sitting next to Andrew on the last flight before Christmas from Chicago to Dublin, drinking terrible airplane wine and catching up on each other’s lives. In spite of all the ways the two friends are different, it’s the holiday tradition neither of them has ever wanted to give up.

Molly isn’t that bothered by Christmas, but—in yet another way they’re total opposites—Andrew is a full-on fanatic for the festive season and she knows how much getting back to Ireland means to him. So, instead of doing the sane thing and just celebrating the holidays together in America, she does the stupid thing. The irrational thing. She vows to get him home. And in time for his mam’s famous Christmas dinner.

The clock is ticking. But Molly always has a plan. And—as long as the highly-specific combination of taxis, planes, boats, and trains all run on time—it can’t possibly go wrong.

What she doesn’t know is that, as the snow falls over the city and over the heads of two friends who are sure they’re not meant to be together, the universe might just have a plan of its own…

Santa Maybe by Mary Jayne Baker

This has major You’ve Got Mail energy, even though I don’t think it was inspired by the film. An independent toy shop is struggling because of the major department store around the corner. Ah, I love it.

This was another read from last year and it was very festive and fun. It does include the miscommunication trope though, which I hate. I know most romances have this, it’s needed for dramatic reasons, but it does suck, let’s be honest.

Fun fact: my review is quoted in the synopsis of this book which is very cool.

The 12 Books of Christmas: Santa Maybe by Mary Jayne Baker

Synopsis: It’s going to be a holly jolly Christmas…

Toy Store owner Elodie Martin is not one to get into the festive spirit but nothing gets her fired up more than the chance to get one over on her nemesis, Callum Ashley – the frosty, infuriatingly handsome owner of the local department store.

Christmas is the only time she can compete thanks to her grandad Jim, everyone’s favourite Santa Claus. But when he has to unexpectedly hang up his red suit, Elodie is at risk of losing the business for good and has no choice but to rely on last-minute replacement out-of-work actor Nick Winter.

Can a sprinkling of Christmas magic warm Callum’s heart and help Elodie find her happily-ever-after? Or is it just possible that love is to be found a little bit closer to home?