November 18, 2024 – My Sanctuary

Christmas Cancellation By Evie James

Noelle Nichols must make it back to her small hometown for the most important deadline of her life. She’s jobless, newly single, and desperate to claim her inheritance before Christmas Eve—or risk losing everything.

When a snowstorm throws Noelle’s plans into the kind of madness only New York winters and canceled flights can bring, she lets loose on the wrong man: Captain Kol Vinter, the tough, ex-military airline pilot who’s suddenly in her way—and, annoyingly, the only person who can help her get home.

Stuck at LaGuardia, at the mercy of a snow apocalypse blowing in and airline chaos, Kol’s not exactly thrilled with Noelle’s fiery complaints about his airline, but something about her unguarded tears pulls him in.

When Kol catches Noelle wishing she’d never been born, he makes her an offer that could change both their lives: a one-way trip to Saratoga Springs, the quintessential Christmas town that’s lost all its magic for Noelle…until now. Kol stopped believing in holiday magic long ago. After offering this sassy spitfire a ride, all Kol can think about is how bad of an idea this is. What begins as a bumpy ride soon turns into something steamier than hot cocoa by the fire, with moments that ignite hotter than any flaming marshmallow. But Kol isn’t your typical holiday hero—he’s got scars of his own and walls he’s not keen to let down.

Noelle’s sassy exterior can only keep them both at arm’s length for so long, especially as she rediscovers the joy of the season in the town she used to call home. He may be a grumpy “guardian angel,” but what if he’s exactly who Noelle’s been waiting for? Will Kol’s protective heart and smoldering presence be enough to remind her that life—even when it’s messy and shadowed by loss—can still be wonderful? Filled with snowball fights, spicy encounters, and small-town holiday charm, Christmas Cancellation is a heartfelt retelling of a Christmas classic that will have you laughing, crying, and believing in love all over again.

Cowboy Max Romero is a married man—even if he hasn’t seen his bride since their impulsive Reno wedding. When the seriously sexy Brit Phoebe Creighton-Smith suddenly shows up in his life again, the last thing he expects is a request to play man-and-wife in front of her family. But it sounds like a challenge to the mischievous Max, who offers Phoebe one in return—give up proper English etiquette for riding the range like a real rancher’s woman.

Phoebe is willing to rope a stallion, if it means she can convince her grandmother to release the trust fund she’s entitled to after marriage. She’ll just have to pretend that her deliciously brawny “husband” isn’t tempting her to total abandon every minute of every day—and night. But just when the heat between them crackles into a blaze, Phoebe’s snobby clan forces Max to make a choice, he knows he’ll risk everything to convince her that with them, true love is a sure thing . . .

About The Author

My Review

Max, known for his unpredictable nature, returns with a newfound maturity and direction in life. Despite his efforts to prove himself, his friends remain skeptical of his intentions with Phoebe, which saddens him. Phoebe, married to Max for four years but estranged, finds more understanding from Max and his friends than from her own family. Misunderstandings plague their relationship, causing repeated hurt. While they eventually reconcile, the conclusion feels rushed. Overall, it is a good read to me.

My Rating