Community Reviews
this was the worst book i have ever had the misfortune of reading and i am upset with everyone who recommended it
This book was simply wholesome and comforting. We follow Stella Schmidt and Aiden Cook. Stella is a newly released ex-con who is trying to navigate through the norms of society after four years. We also have Aiden who is a die hard people pleaser because his father and his paternal Grandmother never accepted him as a child but he runs Viviant, an essential Christmas Shop, that father and Grandmother are board members in. With the aspirations of Stella and the gravitating presence of the Viviant, we watch as their story goes from grumpy to the intimate matching robes couple that they become. Some lines and references were cringy, but in a laughable way. The banter is top tier also. Aiden Cook is a wonderful book boyfriend
A total guilty pleasure read. Get ready for a spicy winter holiday read! This author is a must-read for me, always leaving me blushing and giggling.
In this story, ex-convict Stella Schmidt is trying to rebuild her life when she meets Aiden while window shopping. He asks for her opinion on the displays, and she gives it honestly, only to find out heâs the general manager of the department store. Suddenly, she is their new window dresser, and she needs to make it a hit or risk shattering her dreams. Does she have what it takes to repair her inner doubts and demons or will her family be right to think she is nothing but trouble who can't do anything right?
Told from both Stellaâs and Aidenâs perspectives, we get to see their minds inside. Aiden is all about being nice, starkly contrasting to Stellaâs âcynical girlâ attitude. Do not let the bow tie fool you. You can be a nice guy and still be a tiger between the sheets, on the desk, or anywhere in a dark corner of a room.
The chemistry between Aiden and Stella is undeniableâhot and passionate. Aiden loves a challenge and helps soften Stellaâs jaded outlook on life. Heâs charming and fun, while sheâs brutally honest with a no-holds-barred attitude.
Looking for a fun holiday gift for yourself? Pick up this book! It hits the shelves on October 1, 2024.
Plot: Easy to read and feel-good vibes.
Pace: A slow burn but it does get steamy!
Characters: Fun to read.
Rating: 3.5 stars but rounding it up to 4 stars
In this story, ex-convict Stella Schmidt is trying to rebuild her life when she meets Aiden while window shopping. He asks for her opinion on the displays, and she gives it honestly, only to find out heâs the general manager of the department store. Suddenly, she is their new window dresser, and she needs to make it a hit or risk shattering her dreams. Does she have what it takes to repair her inner doubts and demons or will her family be right to think she is nothing but trouble who can't do anything right?
Told from both Stellaâs and Aidenâs perspectives, we get to see their minds inside. Aiden is all about being nice, starkly contrasting to Stellaâs âcynical girlâ attitude. Do not let the bow tie fool you. You can be a nice guy and still be a tiger between the sheets, on the desk, or anywhere in a dark corner of a room.
The chemistry between Aiden and Stella is undeniableâhot and passionate. Aiden loves a challenge and helps soften Stellaâs jaded outlook on life. Heâs charming and fun, while sheâs brutally honest with a no-holds-barred attitude.
Looking for a fun holiday gift for yourself? Pick up this book! It hits the shelves on October 1, 2024.
Plot: Easy to read and feel-good vibes.
Pace: A slow burn but it does get steamy!
Characters: Fun to read.
Rating: 3.5 stars but rounding it up to 4 stars
All the Christmas stars!
How does Tessa Bailey do it to us? Give us the cutest setting and wonderful script between two leads?
Also the guy has a bubble butt and the female lead just got out of prison. Yes, its amazing.
How does Tessa Bailey do it to us? Give us the cutest setting and wonderful script between two leads?
Also the guy has a bubble butt and the female lead just got out of prison. Yes, its amazing.
Rate: 3/5
Audible read. I love audible reads however I was not prepared for the "southern Tennessee accent" I was not expecting so some sections of this book was just to hilarious. The sex scenes with the accent just killed me. I think when I read sex scenes my characters voices are just different.
I loved the Christmas theme idea however I did not feel a connection with these two characters. Aiden who is seemed to be a nice, nerdy and person pleasing strong man falls for Stella, a previous inmate with a past that is to follow her. Will Stella be able to move on and find a new life?
I understand that Stella is trying to adapt to a new environment and change her life for the better, however I would have liked to see her make more friends and create that single life. Plus more tension built up between her and Aiden I felt was needed. Like stolen looks, or more banter between them vs the physical lust that there was. I personally enjoy smutty stories with a little more. I mean this is her boss and its "against the rules" until the contract is signed. Where is the flirting to notice the spark and then build the tension to where little by little they wore each other down more.
Stella being insecure and not feeling like she had earned this life or deserved this life I feel was spot on when it comes to how there are layers to anyone who is released from prison (like her friend Nichole she didn't have any support and Stella did) If Stella wouldn't have would she have just fallen back into that life? I would have liked to have seen that temptation and read about the growth there vs the board automatically suspecting Stella for stealing. Like yall she pulled a failed armed robbery. If she is gonna do something she would have went big. (eye roll) Also I think a deeper dive into that friendship because we didn't get really anything from her therapy sessions on how toxic her relationship with Nichole was until the very end when she stands up for herself.
Aiden finally standing up to his family was so amazing to read, I loved that he finally let them have it and humble them. I also wish we got more of Aunt Edna at the end. We kept getting these stories which coming from a mid-west family we have those stories all the time. I would have liked to have seen her more vs just the stories about her.
The ending with Aiden sending photos of her success was the absolute sweetest ending of this storyline because that helped me see his actual affection for her and for Stella to see her parents are proud of her and are happy that she is able to move on from her past.
This wasn't Tessa Baileys best in my opinion, she has written better. I just wanted more with it being a Christmas/holiday storyline.
Audible read. I love audible reads however I was not prepared for the "southern Tennessee accent" I was not expecting so some sections of this book was just to hilarious. The sex scenes with the accent just killed me. I think when I read sex scenes my characters voices are just different.
I loved the Christmas theme idea however I did not feel a connection with these two characters. Aiden who is seemed to be a nice, nerdy and person pleasing strong man falls for Stella, a previous inmate with a past that is to follow her. Will Stella be able to move on and find a new life?
I understand that Stella is trying to adapt to a new environment and change her life for the better, however I would have liked to see her make more friends and create that single life. Plus more tension built up between her and Aiden I felt was needed. Like stolen looks, or more banter between them vs the physical lust that there was. I personally enjoy smutty stories with a little more. I mean this is her boss and its "against the rules" until the contract is signed. Where is the flirting to notice the spark and then build the tension to where little by little they wore each other down more.
Stella being insecure and not feeling like she had earned this life or deserved this life I feel was spot on when it comes to how there are layers to anyone who is released from prison (like her friend Nichole she didn't have any support and Stella did) If Stella wouldn't have would she have just fallen back into that life? I would have liked to have seen that temptation and read about the growth there vs the board automatically suspecting Stella for stealing. Like yall she pulled a failed armed robbery. If she is gonna do something she would have went big. (eye roll) Also I think a deeper dive into that friendship because we didn't get really anything from her therapy sessions on how toxic her relationship with Nichole was until the very end when she stands up for herself.
Aiden finally standing up to his family was so amazing to read, I loved that he finally let them have it and humble them. I also wish we got more of Aunt Edna at the end. We kept getting these stories which coming from a mid-west family we have those stories all the time. I would have liked to have seen her more vs just the stories about her.
The ending with Aiden sending photos of her success was the absolute sweetest ending of this storyline because that helped me see his actual affection for her and for Stella to see her parents are proud of her and are happy that she is able to move on from her past.
This wasn't Tessa Baileys best in my opinion, she has written better. I just wanted more with it being a Christmas/holiday storyline.
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