“The perfect blend of heart and sass.”—Publishers Weekly for Holiday SpiceWith a dash of Christmas magic… Two people who have spent most of their lives being rivals…Learn a little something about following their hearts…Carter Montgomery broke the family mold when he went to culinary school. Now a successful restauranteur, he’s at a crossroads: should he continue on his successful path or … crossroads: should he continue on his successful path or look for a new challenge? What he needs is time alone to think things through. But his matchmaking family has other ideas…
Emery Monaghan’s no-good fiancé has embroiled her in scandal and she needs a way out. When mentor Eliza Montgomery offers her a refuge, she’s relieved—until she realizes that the deal means rubbing elbows with Eliza’s son Carter—Emery’s childhood nemesis.
The Montgomery Brothers series:
Wait for Me (Book 1)
Trust in Me (Book 2)
Stay With Me (Book 3)
More of Me (Book 4)
Return to You (Book 5)
Meant for You (Book 6)
I’ll Be There (Book 7)
Until There Was Us (Book 8)
Suddenly Mine (Book 9)
Dash of Christmas (Book 10)
Praise for Samantha Chase:
“Utter rock star perfection. I dare you to stop reading until the end.”—Rachel Van Dyken, New York Times Bestselling Author, for One More Moment
“Chase’s three-dimensional characters leap off the page, encouraging readers to sit down, put their feet up, and enjoy…charming.”—Publishers Weekly for Until There Was Us
“Chase just gets better and better.”—Booklist
more
This is the final book in the fantastic Montgomery series. I’ve enjoyed reading each story develop with matchmaking being a central theme as to how each couple gets together. This time, Montgomery matriarch, Eliza, focuses on her son, Carter and his childhood friend, Emery. Their story, like all of Chase’s stories, is wonderful and fun to read. I hate to see the end of this fun series about an entertaining family. I think this last book just might be the best, which says a lot. As with all the other books, I would say it could be read as a stand alone. It’s just more exciting if you have read the others since so many characters from throughout the series pop up in each book. I am grateful to Samantha Chase, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read in exchange for my honest opinion.
Finally, Carter Montgomery! This has been a long time coming and made us wonder who was going to be his forever girl. It had to be someone special, with a love for a big family and able to love his cooking.
So here comes Emery!!! Who loves his family but is hiding out from hers, doesn’t want the spotlight at all and doesn’t like his pretentious cooking. It’s love at first sight.
Except first sight was 20+ years ago and she is more like family, the tomboy girl he watched grow up and was his biggest pain for most of his life.
This is the final story of the incredible Montgomery family. If you haven’t read them all, you can easily read this as a stand alone but you will want to go back to the beginning and catch up on all of the Montgomery’s. Watch them fall in love, suffer loss and stick together. It is truly an incredible series and Carter and Emery are an awesome way to end it. Thank you Samantha Chase for sharing them with us. Now back to Magnolia Sound…..
Samantha Chase has done it again! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… I have another favorite read! ‘A Dash of Christmas’ is a wonderful, heart-warming frenemies to lovers romance with the magic of Christmas woven in beautifully.
I adored Emery and Carter’s banter. Loved how they each pushed and pulled and just brought out the best of each other in every way. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow. I will warn you, though, you may find yourself a little hungry with the mouth-watering descriptions… of the food you dirty devils, lol. Samantha gives you all the feels but keeps the details to your imagination.
Please, oh please, do not let this be the last of the Montgomery series. They are such a wonderful family that I have grown to love dearly. I’m sure Eliza and Monica can find someone to work their magic on!
Carter Montgomery is the last of the Montgomery kids to be paired off. He is just too busy with his restaurants to be bothered. Emery Monaghan is hiding from the world since her world imploded. The two of them have known each other since grade school and have been rivals ever since.
I really liked these two characters. Nothing that Emery did resulted in her hiding but she has every right to do so. She has to find her strength again and Carter can help her see that. He has a successful business but was the foundation built on the wrong things? She can be his rock if he lets her. Both of these characters have a stubborn streak ten miles wide but they challenge each other in the beat of ways.
What a perfect and fitting end to the Montgomery series. I loved these two from their initial meeting, minus the fainting part, through the ups and downs and the way this book ended was great. I really felt for Emery not only for the bad situation she was in but also with having to deal with her unfortunately misguided parents. Hats off to our matchmaking duo of Monica and Eliza for helping things along with these two. Of course this couldn’t be the final book without seeing our favorite Montgomery’s we’ve come to know and love. I just really enjoyed Carter and Emery and joining the on their journey to their HEA. I have to admit I was enjoying Emery and her food choices, definitely very similar to me. Loved Maylene and mini Maylene (now known as Comet) and of course the finishing touch on this great book were the family newsletters to give us our final updates. One of my favorite quotes from this book was, ‘I want to be your knight in shining armor, Em. I can’t help that.’ Samantha Chase this was the cherry on the top of the sundae of an amazing group of Montgomery stories.
A Dash of Christmas was a fun, sweet romance that puts you in the holiday spirit. Carter is focused on opening his new restaurant and doesn’t have time to work on the cookbook his mother wants to do for charity. Emery’s life is falling about between her cheating boyfriend and the lack of support from her family. When Carter’s mother reaches out and offers her a place to stay and a project to work on she is happy for the break…too bad Carter wasn’t aware of these plans. Carter and Emery have known each other for years and was and it was so nice to see their feelings grow for each other. I loved Carter’s loving and protective side when it came to Emery. This book is full of love and holiday spirit and probably one of my favorites in this series.
Deliriously In Love With This Book! I loved this swoon-worthy, sweet, sexy, and incredibly entertaining, enemies to lovers story. I loved reading it and fell completely in love with Emery and Carter. This was such a heartwarming read and it left me with a huge smile on my face.
After a life long rivalry since fifth grade, these two are brought together when Eliza Montgomery uses a charity cookbook to throw them together in hopes that her scheme of matchmaking will result with a love match.
Emery Monaghan is in a middle of a scandal, when her fiancé of two years, Congressman Whitman is accused of multiple accounts of inappropriate sexual behavior. Unable to continue her everyday life, or standby her man, Emery is thankful when Eliza calls her with a job and a place to hide out. Of course there is a negative as well. Having to work alongside Carter Montgomery. But she was ready to to help him as a favor to his mother.
Carter Montgomery is struggling with what his next step will be with his restaurant business. After having great success with his other restaurants, he just doesn’t know what to do with this one. His other problem was his mother and the charity cookbook she had requested his help with. What he thought would be a few recipes and a foreword, was snowballing and his mother just wasn’t taking no for an answer.
When he arrives to the family condo in Manhattan to find Emery Monaghan, and then finds out why she was there, he was furious with his mother. He had known Emery since elementary school and she had always been a pain in his ass. She would make him crazy, annoy the hell out of him. There would be no way she would let him win with this cookbook project.
But what these two never saw coming, through their snarky comments, filled with competitive attitude, and their rage while arguing, was their instant magnetic attraction, that consumed them with heat. Heart racing, desire, delicious anticipation, an eagerness that over whelmed them. These two are just so deliciously happy, so deliciously sexy, and so deliciously infuriating together. And when they kissed it consumed them. A slow simmer was bubbling up to something more, and it was glorious to watch as these two come together.
Don’t miss this Fantastic story about family, traditions, and love. And the cutest little pug named Maylene. 😉 😉
Samantha Chase does it again with a great story filled with wonderful characters all wrapped up with a Christmas bow in A Dash of Christmas, the tenth book in her Montgomery Brothers series.
Carter Montgomery bucked family tradition and became a very successful chef and restaurateur. His mother, Eliza, asks for assistance with a holiday cookbook, and Carter thinks he can just “phone it in,” but Mom is wily. It is just the tool for her to do some matchmaking!
Eliza has offered the family condo to Emery Monaghan as a refuge after a scandal with her fiance blows up in the news. When Emery says she wants to repay the kindness, Eliza has the perfect solution. Emery will assist Carter and use her marketing skills to make the holiday cookbook a winner – and the die is cast. Emery never backed down from a challenge where Carter Montgomery was concerned, and Eliza is counting on that.
Chase draws Carter and Emery into a loving relationship as fierce as their rivalry. In exploring their respective strengths and weaknesses, they find that they complement and complete each other.
Comfort food, family dynamics, sweet romance and Christmas – what more could you ask for?
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I heartily recommend it!
Rivals from growing up, but now they need to listen to their hearts. Carter, a successful restaurateur needs some down time, so he heads to the family apartment only to find his rival from his school days, Emery, who needs some space after a scandal involving her past boyfriend. Carter’s mom is now asking for them to come together for writing aholiday cookbook. All I can say is the Montgomery matchmaking is at it again!!
They are both stubborn in their own ways and the banter that they throw at each other, will have you laughing out loud. The chemistry between the two is ideal. They both have baggage that they need to overcome before moving forward. Do not read this book hungry, I could have easily gained weight while reading all the delicious foods.
It’s sad to say goodbye to the Montgomery family but what a great ending!! You can read this book as a stand alone, but I loved the whole series!!
A Dash of Christmas by Samantha Chase is book #10 in The Montgomery Brothers Series. Christmas books are one of my favorite type of books. Even though this is book #109 in the series it can very well be read as a standalone but reading these books in sequence makes them more amazing. I was drawn in from the very first page until the end. I did not want to put this book down. This is once again is another a homerun for Samantha Chase. The characters are well developed and likeable. This story is very well written. I enjoyed catching up with some of the other Montgomery characters. This book will definitely keep you turning the pages it did me I ended up reading this in one sitting. If you like a friend to lover storyline this is definitely a book for you. I highly recommend this book to everyone you will not be disappointed. This was a very enjoyable read.
The Perfect Holiday Read!
I love a good Christmas story…but I prefer to read them after Thanksgiving so when A Dash Of Christmas began in the fall I was so happy – the best of both worlds a Christmas story in September that wasn’t only set at Christmas!
Then I actually started reading the book and I was even happier! Carter and Emery are middle school rivals who find themselves sharing an apartment during a turning point in both their lives.
I loved watching Carter fall for Emery and not fight it just as I loved watching Emery see herself through Carter’s eyes. I was a little sad that this was to be the last Montgomery book but then that epilogue it made everything right in their world and made saying farewell so sweet.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
Carter and Emery’s love story was amazing, emotional, and proof that there is a fine line between love and hate or foe and friend. I absolutely loved A Dash of Christmas by Samantha Chase book ten in her Montgomery Brothers series. Carter Montgomery, a successful chef and restaurateur, is unsure which road to follow next; stay the path and keep things the way they are or look for a new challenge and change things up. He decides he needs some alone time to figure things out but his matchmaking mother has a different idea. Emery Monaghan is in a bad place. Her no-good, cheating fiancé has embroiled in his scandal and she needs a place to hide from everyone; media included. Carter’s mother, Eliza, reaches out and offers her a safe haven, which it is, at least until Carter arrives; her childhood nemesis. Carter and Emery have spent most of their lives as rivals so sharing an apartment would be a major challenge. Spending time together Carter and Emery discover how similar they are; stubborn, passionate and independent. What they didn’t expect was to find a shared attraction and chemistry that was not only off the charts but sparked fireworks. Following their hearts mean Carter and Emery need to find someone who is their soul mate; their perfect fit; the yin to his yang. Before these two former rivals can commit to love and a future together they both need to figure out what their next move, career-wise, will be.
Ms. Chase provided an emotional tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, strong family connections and endearing characters; providing Carter and Emery a little Christmas magic along with a chance for happiness, a future together, and everlasting love. I highly recommend A Dash of Christmas to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
ARC for honest review with no compensation received from NetGalley
A Dash of Christmas is book 10 in the Montgomery Brothers series by Samantha Chase
Emily Monaghan’s philandering fiancé is accused of sexual harassment and when her parents side with him instead of having her back she accepts the offer of a safe haven from Eliza Montgomery. Little does she she know that there’s more to the offer…
Carter Montgomery, successful chef and owner of several restaurants is at a crossroads…open another restaurant or find a new passion? His mother has asked him to help write a cookbook for a fundraiser but she also has another reason that he is totally not aware of…matchmaking…
When Carter and Emily who have been rivals for years are thrown together to write this cookbook…sizzle happens, hearts are opened and long deep seeded feelings rise to the top…
Immediate re-read….. and I have BAGS under my eyes
I. Loved. This. Book.
Here’s what I loved. Characters, characters, characters … oh! and the dialogue! Carter and Emery have been dancing around each other for years. Each one is at a crossroads in their lives and is seeking a path out. Due to a mix up (!), they end up sharing an apartment … and soon start sharing meals, thoughts, and more. The dialogue, especially Carter’s, will make you swoon!
If you’re familiar with Ms. Chase’s books, and even more if you’re familiar with the Montgomery series, A Dash of Christmas is like an early Christmas present. Carter is what we’ve come to expect from the Montgomery brothers. Emery is a perfect foil for him…. she’s strong-willed and coming into her own. As she starts to stand up for herself, everyone around her (ok, nearly everyone) falls a little bit in love with her. …. and Carter is no exception.
Here’s what I didn’t like … nothing … actually, the end of a fabulous series. I’m a little bit in mourning over that fact, but all of these books have been immediate re-reads. This one, like the others, have been familiar friends to me as I’ve needed an escape. I started the book at 10 pm and thought I’d read something as I fell asleep. What a mistake! The next day was tough at work and there wasn’t enough concealer to camouflage the bags!
If you’re looking for a book to kick off the holiday season, or just a good book in general, download this book. You won’t be sorry.
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
Emery and Carter have been going at it for YEARS. I mean REALLY going at it and you’d think at some point someone may have suggested that one or the other “doth protest too much”. Yeah, but no…they simply saw the rivalry not the potential feelings beneath. Good thing there are meddling family members to intervene! Good thing (only not actually “good” good) there are scandals to make significant others run from their every day life, seeking the shelter of those who truly care. Good thing there those that we can call family that somehow don’t even share a single drop of our blood. Good thing that bad times aren’t known to last forever, especially if one is willing to try again.
Honestly, I found this potential couple to be refreshing and fun. They weren’t hung up on each other, yet you couldn’t call them bitter rivals as they never played dirty. Their lives were very different, but deep down they never lost the friendly part of their competition and mutual respect they had for each other…though that part they never planned on sharing…nor the looks…or the embrace…or the, and I’m getting ahead of myself. Trust me, they are characters to know and love, as are the meddlers in their lives that only have their best interests at heart. Now that doesn’t mean their path to ANYTHING runs smoothly…like I said, scandals, and parental nightmares, and just so many things try to steal their moment…but they’re both made of stronger stuff and when they make up their minds about something, come heck or high water, you best believe they’ll achieve it.
**eARC for review; opinions are my own
I started the Montgomery series late in the game and every time I read one the books now, I kick myself for not making the time to go back to the beginning … yet. They’re all sitting on my kindle … waiting. *sigh* one day!!
I love this family Samantha has created. They’re sweet and fun and a joy to read. Best of all, there’s no surprises with her. When you pick up a Samantha book, you’re going to get a well written, low angst, sweet romance. Every time. Yeah Yeah, some are better than others lol and she isn’t perfect (who can please everyone all the time???) but she’s a go-to for me if I want a guaranteed feel good romance.
Okay, so Emery and Carter have been in a love/hate relationship since they were kids LOL Mom decides to meddle. Let the games begin ….. Adult Carter and adult Emery somehow manage to channel their rivalry into passion instead of one-up-manship and we get a glorious little holiday themed story full of excellent banter, chemistry, family and sweetness!
While I’m sad that the Montgomery series is ending, I’m thrilled that it went out with a bang in A Dash of Christmas!
I really enjoyed the snarky chemistry between “frenemies” Carter and Emery. While these two had a lot in common as far as their competitiveness was concerned, they each came from very different families. Even though Chase and his siblings didn’t have a great relationship with their dad, the rest of their family more than made up for his last of support. Poor Emery was just a pawn to make her own parents look good.
This bickering duo made me both laugh and cry; they both had so many feelings stored inside themselves, it seemed that arguing was their fall back way to express themselves. That is, until they stopped fighting the inevitable and just went at it!
I loved the cameo appearance from other family members, especially since I’ve read the whole series! Definitely a stand-alone book, but just that sprinkling of characters added to the sense of family that emanates from every Samantha Chase book.
All the feels and Christmas too! So very sorry to see the end of the Montgomery clan but this one was done in the best way possible. Carter finally, FINALLY gets his happy ending and who would have thought it would come at the hands of his nemesis, Emery Monaghan. They have been competing with each other since grade school and now when she needs a safe place after her life blows up Eliza, Carter’s mom, finds the perfect job for her…helping with the cookbook Carter is supposed to be working on but not putting any effort into. Watching these two banter and work together and finally take the plunge it was spectacular. Make sure you read all the way to the end. Love those letters! This could be read as a standalone if you really want to but why would you want to?
I can’t believe this is the end of the Montgomery Brothers series! But I definitely think Ms. Chase saved the best for last.
A Dash of Christmas has all the best pieces of second chance romance, enemies (or frenemies) to lovers, “meddling” parents, sassiness and snark!
I loved it and did not want it to end!
So happy there is another book in The Montgomery Brothers series, at the same time I’m so sad it’s the last one.
This book is about Carter and Emery. Carter did what no Montgomery did, he choose different profession, he is chef and he is trying to open his fourth restaurant. His mother needs help and he promissed her to put some recipes together for Christmas cookbook with profits for charity.
Emery, just find out that her fiancee cheated on her and is accused of inappropriate sexual behavior. She needs run away, hide but there is no one to help, till, Eliza Montgomery offered help. So she goes and stays in their apartament in Manhattan. Eliza didn’t tell Carter that Emery was staying there and she’ll help him with cookbook.
What she and Carter doesn’t know, that Eliza and Monika have a plan for them.
Book was awesome, characters are great, reading about other Montgomerys was a big plus too.
Thank you Mrs. Chase for introducing us to Montgomery Family.