4.4 stars

The blurb drew me in. The title really got me too. I was expecting just a fast story. What I got was so much more. It had actual sustenance to the story. The characters and build up to why things happened the way they did were great. I had issues with the relationship with Reed and his childhood. I'm not sure I'd be as receptive if that had been me as a child. Nor would I have been so accepting of it had I been Joa. ( )

It's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. Exmas is a duel of hearts. Will they or won't they? Should they or shouldn't they? Joa and Reed are caught up in an epic battle of wills that could cost them their chance at a happy ending. Renshaw is the queen of bait and switch. Just when things are falling into place, the rug is pulled out from under you. Sexy meets sassy and creates magic. ( )

**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest voluntary review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**

There's a lot to like about this book!

This was a a very cute, heartfelt story! I loved these two and their hate-to-love-you romance. They had such great chemistry together so it was a treat to watch their story unfold. Sometimes, flashbacks to the past can be distracting but here I think it truly cemented their relationship and shaped them as characters. Otherwise, I would have wanted more from the present day plot because they don't interact that much romantically. The flashbacks sold me on the second chance romance aspect.

My reason for the lower rating is that I wanted a little more from the drama. While I liked the mystery behind why Reed got the job, it was kinda predictable so that blew some of the wind out of the anticipation. Getting his POV gives his motives away even if I understand the reason behind his actions. I think that's why I enjoyed the flashback scenes so much; in a way, it gave me something to look forward to.

It's a little light on the Christmas aspect but that's ok. You could read it any time of the year but if you are reading it around the holidays, it'll bring out the best in the season.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: https://wp.me/p7hLUw-2Mw
Actual Rating: 4.5/5 ( )

REVIEW: “I never pried because getting him to talk about it was like trying to give a cat a bath. Seemed like it was more work than it was worth.” In the months that Reed and Joa spent “with benefits”, neither really got to know the other very well. But their love bloomed in spite of their arrangement. The betrayal, the secrets, and his haunting past contributed to their angst. Delightful outcome, with the help of several quirky characters. This is my voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW:
This Christmas, I’ll be getting a visit from a man in a suit, only it won’t be Santa.

Let me first say: Reed York was never my boyfriend. He was the pen. I was the company ink. Though if you want to get technical, we were more like colleagues-who-hated-each-other … with benefits.

Everything was fine until the charming jerk went behind my back, stole my promotion, and became my boss—literally overnight.

Refusing to work beneath him (professionally speaking and otherwise), I transferred 2,014 miles away to our Chicago division, and I’ve spent the past year trying to remember how much I hated his panty-melting smirk so I can forget how much I secretly loved the way his ocean eyes lit every time I walked into the room.

But he’s just announced a last-minute site visit the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and on top of that, he’s audaciously designated me as his ‘right hand gal’ during his visit. If he thinks he has a snowball’s chance in this hell at getting back in my good graces, he’s got another thing coming.

Reed York might be a man used to getting everything he’s ever wanted, but Joa Jolivet is a woman that never forgets.

He can put me on his Christmas list all he wants, but everyone knows naughty boys only get coal ( )