Already had read this but never shelved it! ( )

A Bella Flora Christmas by Wendy Wax is a Ten Beach Road Novella (#5.5). It is almost Christmas at Bella Flora in Pass-a-Grille, Florida. Kyra Singer is worried about losing Bella Flora thanks to the loan she took out to finance the remodel of the Sunshine Hotel (and get control of their show Do Over). Kyra will be hosting Christmas for family and friends at Bella Flora before decamping. She has rented out Bella Flora to a mystery tenant who will be arriving at the beginning of January. Kyra also needs to decide whether to let her son (Dustin) act in Daniel Deranian’s (Dustin’s biological father) new movie. The money will be helpful, but it will mean six weeks in the company of Daniel’s wife, Tonja. Nicole, Avery, Madeline, Kyra, spouses, significant others, children and friends come together for Christmas. It is a joyful holiday only marred by an unexpected and unwelcome arrival. What decision will Kyra make about the movie? Can they save Bella Flora once again?

A Bella Flora Christmas is a very short novel. I recommend reading the Ten Beach Road books in order. While details from the previous books is rehashed in A Bella Flora Christmas (unfortunately), new readers to the series will be confused (all the characters, various relationships). I wish the author had not tried to make it a standalone. A Bella Flora Christmas was too short, and it left fans of the series disappointed. I wanted more Christmas and less reiteration. There is more drama between Kyra, Daniel and Tonja along with the Christmas celebration. Kyra makes her decision and then the book ends (rather abruptly). The story alludes to the mysterious renter, but readers are not told the persons identity. We will have to wait for Best Thing Ever. I was entertained by the names the ladies came with for Dustin’s new puppy. The book is nicely written, but the pace was a little slow. Kyra agonizing over decision dominated the book (with characters being introduced in between). I found myself yelling at my e-reader telling her to decide already (she really needs the money and it is only six weeks) and to quit lusting after Daniel. The series has well-developed characters that people will like and relate to with the exception of Tonja (every story needs a villain). While I found A Bella Flora Christmas lacking, it will not keep me from reading the next book in the Ten Beach Road series. ( )

Wendy Wax returns with her popular Ten Beach Road Series, following (2017) One Good Thing with A BELLA FLORA CHRISTMAS.

Read all my reviews of the Ten Beach Road Series

Love catching up with my favorite gals in Florida for A BELLA FLORA CHRISTMAS. This go around Kyra has some difficult decisions to make and the adorable beach cottages at Sunshine Hotel are getting occupied quickly by the ladies for new beginnings. (Enjoy novellas and a fan of cottages).

Things are tense this Christmas season with the approaching deadline of New Years Day.

Kyra is less than happy with the idea of Dustin (her son), portraying Daniel and his real-life moe star wife, Tonja Kay's son. There is no more time for hedging. She has to commit or refuse by New Year's Day.

She agreed to rent Bella Flora to a mystery tenant for an amount that gives Kyra the option of turning down the million dollars Daniel and his wife offered for Dustin to play their son. She does not want to ruin their holiday.

The idea of strangers living in the house the women have worked so hard to hang onto is devastating; however, renting it out seems a better solution than losing her completely.

The anonymity is making everyone anxious.

If she cannot find a way to pay off the entire loan she took out, it could be the last holiday they would get to spend in Bella Flora.

Love these ladies and totally invested in the series. Best of all, we get a preview of BEST BEACH EVER Coming May 22, 2018 —with more Maddie, Kyra, Avery, Nikki and the crew! (Maddie is still my favorite of the women, even though I love them all.)

Wendy Wax, "you are killing me!" Talk about tempting . . . I was swiping, dying to find out the mystery tenant of Bella Flora. Talk about a cliffhanger . . . . Could not pre-order this one fast enough.

Please, someone, grant me an ARC for Christmas. Not sure I can wait until May for the unveiling. Seriously, I LOVE the cover and this series. Please do not let it end!

Highly recommend (one of my favorite authors) — if you have not read the series, start with book one and read them all. Even though the author does a great job of catching you up, you do not want to miss a thing!

A special thank you as always to Berkley and NetGalley for an early reading copy. Also purchased the e-book and audible book narrated by Amy Rubinaqte.

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