11th
Oct
Title: Jingle Bell Hell
Page Count: 400
ISBN: B097KVC5F1
Goodreads Rating: 4.69
She’s a sexually repressed control freak. He’s a muscular ex-con with heavier baggage than Santa’s toy bag. They’re everything each other never wanted. Mary I’m usually the first person on my block to decorate for Christmas. This year? Humbug. My six-year-old son, Aidan, just had a meltdown after learning some hard truths from a drunk Santa impersonator, and I can no longer deny we both need help. Change is hard for Aidan, and right now he’s dealing with several big ones, including A) his father abandoning us, B) our move to Asheville, and C) the Santa snafu. And me? I’m a control freak, and my life is more out-of-control than a sled on ice. That’s why I agree to let Aidan join Butterfly Buddies, a group that matches kids with adult mentors. It’s also why I agree to a mentor of my own—terrifying, pink-haired Nicole, who wants to help me live life on the wild side. Her advice is strangely compelling, especially after I meet Aidan’s new “buddy,” a gorgeous tattooed hunk of a man who makes me wish there weren’t cobwebs in my...well, you know. ********* Jace Mary O’Shea is sexy as hell, but she doesn’t know it. She also doesn’t know I’m an ex-con, and if she finds out that I served three years in prison, extenuating circumstances won’t matter to her. The last thing I should do is get attached to her kid...or her, but I didn’t get in this position by making good decisions.
When I saw that cover of ‘Jingle Bell Hell’ it immediately sparked my interest. I mean.. Isn’t gorgeous? So when I read the book description, I knew this was a book I wanted to get my hands on. And when I received the ARC a little while later, I couldn’t wait to start reading.
‘Jingle Bell Hell’ is the story of Mary and Jace. Mary is a single mom, to a six year old autistic boy. All her life Mary has done everything she was supposed to. Go to college, marry the responsible guy and be a good wife and mom. Now her life has been turned upside down and she definitely could use some help. What she didn’t expect to need was Jace. A broke, ex-con who is extremely handsome. Jace is everything she never wanted. But things need to change.. and maybe Jace is exactly what she needs.
This story was definitely one I loved. After a slow start, I got pulled into the story of Mary and Jace. Mary’s character honestly made me think of myself most of the time. A control freak, who apologizes a lot and never really does something nice for herself. Yep, that sounds a lot like me most days. And her interactions with her ‘friend’ Nicole, made me laugh out loud several times.
Then there is Jace. This hardworking, handsome, tattooed guy who made a bad decision when he was young. Now all he wants to do is make something of himself. He works hard, stays out of trouble and helps out his elderly neighbor. What is not to like about him?
The chemistry between Mary and Jace is definitely intense. And you easily get swept away by there intense connection. I loved how they where both so different, but also so right for each other. And there where several moments that gave me all the butterflies. Sigh..
A nice side note to this story was Mary’s son, Aiden. He is autistic and definitely need a different approach than most 6 year old’s. I enjoyed reading about him and how Jace got close to him. And then there is Mary’s friend Nicole. Ow boy.. That girl made me laugh out loud so much. I definitely got some worried glances from my husband while reading about her. LOL!
‘Jingle Bell Hell’ was a great read I definitely loved. It was my first book by these two authors.. and I definitely want to read the first book in this standalone series too.
Available at (*affiliate):
Amazon US * Amazon Worldwide Apple Books Kobo Nook Google Play
Add to Goodreads
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in her own mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Newsletter | Website |
A.R. CASELLA is a freelance developmental editor by day, writer by night. She lives in Asheville, NC with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and a variable number of fish. Her pastimes include chasing around her toddler, baking delicious treats, and occasional bouts of crocheting. Any Luck at All, co-written with New York Times bestselling author Denise Grover Swank, is her first book.
Facebook | Website | Amazon | Instagram |
I received an ARC by Social Butterfly PR in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.
Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
I’ve only read a book by Denise Grover Swank and I didn’t know of the author author but now I’m curious
It was such a fun read. It was my first time reading both authors and I absolutely loved it.