E-book, 243 pages
Release Date: October 19, 2021
Published by: Kindle Edition
Read from: October 22-November 20, 2021
Stand-alone
Source: Bought
TW:
For Readers Interested In: Holidaze (Christmas), Romance, Diversity (PTSD from prison), Contemporary Romance, Sparkly Covers, Spice Level 4, Grumpy/Sunshine, Office Romance, Realistic Fiction, AdultA sizzling, standalone, feel-good holiday romance from Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer.
Two weeks before Christmas and all through Manhattan, shop windows are decorated in red and green satin.
I’m standing alone in front of the famous Vivant department store, when a charming man named Aiden asks my opinion of the décor.
It’s a tragedy in tinsel, I say, unable to lie.
He asks for a better idea with a twinkle in his eye.
Did I know he owned the place? No. He put me on the spot.
Now I’m working for that man, trying to ignore that he’s hot.
But as a down on her luck girl with a difficult past, I know an opportunity when I see one—and I have to make it last.
I’ll put my heart and soul into dressing his holiday windows.
I’ll work without stopping. And when we lose the battle with temptation, I’ll try and remember I’m just window shopping.
*MY THOUGHTS*
When I saw Tessa Bailey had a book coming out I didn’t stop and think about it. I just clicked “One click.” And this time was no different. Thank you TikTok for letting me know about this one. It was definitely what I needed to get me in the (Christmas) mood.
It’s 2 weeks before Christmas and Stella has just been caught staring at the window to Vivant, by the store manager himself. She has no idea who he is, so she just tells him all the ways she could make it better. He’s intrigued, so he hires her to fix it. She’s iffy since she doesn’t think these good things should be happening to her, but she’s going to take the opportunity and do her best. And if things go on from there…… So be it.
I gotta be honest. Two things drew me to this. It was written by Tessa Bailey and it was about Christmas. Now it did take me a while to get through, but it was only because I wasn’t quite in the Christmas mood yet. (I don’t normally get there until Black Friday) But for whatever reason this year I’ve already read 3 holiday romances! This is not the norm for me lol I don’t know who I am anymore. But whatever, I heard Christmas and I saw that it was grumpy/sunshine and that’s all I needed. And sure enough, putting it with a romance by Tessa Bailey made it festive and filthy. Definitely something I would read anytime of year.
The romance was just like I said… Filthy. Aiden was super conservative at first (because he is the boss) but once they finally cross that line? Oh its on! He is a dirty talker who seems super sweet outside the bedroom, but when he gets Stella in the bedroom? Yeahhhhh he turns into someone else. There is some “peach” play, so if that’s not your jam, be advised that its there. So all in all I would say this is a Nikki Spice Level 4. Although there is some explicit talk, it doesn’t constantly happen. In fact it doesn’t happen until about 60%.
There is also a bit of serious in this as well. Stella has just been released from prison and still has some PTSD. I love that Bailey explored this and didn’t act as if she was immediately ok. (Speaking from family member experience) they are rarely the same. I was also glad she showed Stella’s journey with her friend. It was also something else I thought needed to be shown. It showed Stella’s growth and the effect that Aiden had on her. Or at least in my opinion it did.
This book was a lot of fun and I really hope that Tessa Bailey gives us more holidays they will enjoy together. I don’t care if its Easter, 4th of July, or whatever. Just something to get some Aiden back. I need more of that bow tie wearing dirty talker, and once you read it, you will too!
Overall, I give this
