Ella Goode

This is a collection of short stories by amazing authors that takes place in Winter Falls. It is a great way to immerse yourself in some super steamy, insta love, holiday reads. These are the ones I have read so far but I intend to go back and read them all because they are so cute and fun.

Lincoln and Bethenny by Fiona Davenport
Lincoln is traveling to Winter Falls to spend Christmas at his friend’s parents house but a turn of bad luck has him delayed, missing his rental car, no hotel room, and stranded in a blizzard. This bad luck seems to turn into good luck when he finds a house that not only has a generator but the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Bethenny is the mayor of Winter Falls and has a heart of gold especially when she decides to help a complete stranger take shelter in her home. Their attraction is instantaneous and they can’t fight it at all so they decide to let things play out. The steam is off the charts, their connection is instant, and they fall easily for each other. This was such a steamy yet cute read and a great way to introduce us to Winter Falls.

Nicholas and Quinn by Frankie Love:
Nicholas has left his family behind to spend a Christmas away from their meddling and conniving ways so he has rented a cabin in Winter Falls. He decides to place call for a delivery of groceries what he doesn’t expect is to find an instant attraction to the other voice on the phone. Quinn helps her grandfather run their local market and when she gets a phone call from a sexy sounding man asking for a (wink wink) big package she knows she just has to make this delivery. Getting stuck during the blizzard with a stranger isn’t what either one expects but things really heat up and they can’t seem to stop their instant love they find. These two were really steamy and instantly fell hard, I loved it!

Gavin and Tory by Rochelle Paige:
These two are one of my favorites because their attraction may be instant but there seems to be something deeper to them. Gavin helps Tory in two different situations and being stranded in a snow patrol safe haven isn’t what they expected but it does bring them closer together. As things heat up they can’t deny what is happening between them and neither of them want to let it go. Tory’s ex best friend has caused her trouble and I was glad to get to see that closure and the way Gavin also stood up with her. These two are perfect for each other.
… (mere)

Ward's Castle is a novella about a billionaire who finds a teenager and her toddler brother in the basement of his business building and promptly takes guardianship. I liked the premise better than the execution though. Although romantic and sexy, the writing was clunky, the plot was thin and there was little character development. On the other hand it's a novella and they tend to be very hit or miss.

It was just too abrupt. It's hard to buy love when they don't seem to even like each other or have any positive exchanges. The only interaction that Lila and Hendrix have is their brief meeting at the start and then he sends her away to boarding school for two years - sending her money and short notes - it was hard to believe she felt anything more than gratitude without any other interaction between them. And I found it hard to believe any man would take a teenager and a toddler in without something more than what was shown - instant attraction or not.

I did like the letters at the start between Lila and Hendrix and Hendrix and the various staff employed to look after Lila. It just wasn't enough to build up the relationship between them. Beau (the brother/toddler) was amusing but not enough to redeem a higher rating.

2 stars.… (mere)