The best holiday gifts aren’t always under the tree … Christmas and to him. When they uncover a diary concealing secrets involving both their families, this could be the Christmas that changes their lives forever …
Praise for Donna Kauffman and her novels
“Kauffman’s stories show that the bravery to reach for a connection is all we need to discover joy; she excels at expressing the struggles and joys of giving in to love.”
—Publishers Weekly on Sandpiper Island
“We all know where there’s Donna Kauffman, there’s a rollicking, sexy read chock-full of charm and sparkle. Kauffman’s characters are adorably human and so very magnetic.”
—USAToday.com
“Kauffman pens a touching romance . . . a quirky community and secondary characters with enough personality to make readers want to come back. A light romance with a touch of heat, a pinch of intensity and a dash of mysterious small-town magic.”
—Kirkus Reviews on Pelican Point
“Sassy, witty, and sexy.”
—Library Journal on Snowflake Bay
“Charming characters, emotion galore, a small town—you’re going to love Donna Kauffman!”
—Lori Foster
Previously published in KISSING SANTA CLAUS
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
Holly Berry Bennett left her small Virginia town to travel across the pond for college and except for a few short visits home has made a life for herself there. Now her parents have other ideas. They have decided to sell their home and retire to Florida. They have also left her mother’s Christmas shop to Holly for her to take over or dispose of as she sees fit. So again she is home trying to figure out with the mess she had been left with.
Sean Gallagher runs the family restaurant right across the street from the Christmas store. He sees Holly arrive by taxi with just one suitcase and he rushes right out to welcome her back. Childhood friends who had secret crushes on each other, Sean hopes that this will be their time. He just needs to convince her to give him a chance.
While Holly is sorting through inventory at the shop she finds an old diary. After reading it she does a little investigating and learns the secrets revealed in the diary could mean changes for both the Gallagher’s and the Bennett’s.
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Like the first book in this series, Ms. Kauffman gives readers characters we can fall for quickly which is good due to the novella length. She does an excellent job filling us in on their backstories and writes a romance that takes place quickly but realistically. I enjoyed that a little mystery theme was continued.
I was disappointed in Holly’s parents though. Dropping their decision on her and leaving town did not sit well with me. I realize her mother would have a hard time dealing with her shop’s future but it was totally unfair to put everything on Holly’s shoulders. They could have had her come home and worked things out together instead of just expecting her to drop her life while they just moved along with theirs. This is where the novella-length took away from the story, there just wasn’t space to have two more key characters to be present to make their decision less jarring.
That being said I finished this book and immediately started the third book in this series, Naughty But Nice.
Lock, Stock, and Jingle Bells is an entertaining romance with just a touch of mystery set in a little Virginia town. A nice mini escape to curl up with on a snowy afternoon.
Holly Berry Bennett returns to her home town from England to take care of the business her mother has run for most of her life. Sean Gallagher, Holly’s high school crush, owns the restaurant across the street from Santa’s Workshop, her mom’s Antique/Christmas business. Her parents retired and left the business to Holly to run. Holly has no interest in running the business. She plans to liquidate it and return to her life in England. Sean has other ideas.
This is the second in the Hamilton series of Christmas novellas. It is a small town/second chance romance with a touch of mystery. I really enjoyed the light holiday reading.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.
In this second book of the Hamilton Novella series we meet Holly, a young woman who hates Christmas for so many reasons. It never helped that her mom owned a Christmas themed store and she was made to help out whenever she could, or that her birthday falls on Christmas Eve. Holly moved as far away as she could as soon as she graduated high school and only comes home during the Thanksgiving holiday. When her parents surprise her with the fact that they are moving to Florida but taking a cruise before they do she is shocked, Holly never thought they would leave the life they had built for themselves. Even more shocking her mother has left Holly her Christmas store to do with as she likes. Is this an early inheritance or an albatross around her neck? Holly returns to figure out just what she is going to do with the store and ends up running into an old crush. Sean is happy to see Holly back in town, he has always felt a connection with her but never had the nerve to do anything about it. Follow along as the two do an age old dance, Sean takes a step forward and Holly takes a step back. Sean is ready to make his move and see just where he can fit into Holly’s life, Holly on the other hand isn’t sure where her life is headed and isn’t sure if she should take the chance. Will they end up dancing together or will Sean be left on the sidelines alone?
A great holiday short story originally published as part of the Kissing Santa Claus anthology. It’s the second of three holiday novellas in the Hamilton Christmas series that are being released individually this season. In this one we get to know Holly Berry Bennett who returns home to decide what to do with the Christmas shop her mother left her, as well as Sean Gallagher who runs the restaurant across the street. Sean always had a crush on Holly but she never seemed to notice him. Now that she’s back he plans on making her take notice!
Great read that gives you all the Christmas feel goods! I definitely recommend.
I loved reading Sean and Holly’s story in Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells by Donna Kauffman, book two in her Hamilton Christmas series. Holly moved to England as soon as she graduated high school to study art while Sean stayed close to home to learn culinary skills. Sean ended up back in his hometown to take over his parent’s restaurant after they were both killed while Holly stayed in England. Holly just learned that her parents have retired earlier than she expected and she now has to deal with her mother’s Christmas store, back home. While back in town she runs into Sean. They grew up together in their small town. Both had crushes on the other while they were in high school but neither acted upon it. Now that they are both in their thirties and they are ready to see if what they felt when they were younger could be the start of something. During this journey they discover the secret that was focused on in the first book Unleashed.
It was so easy to fall in love with Sean. He was so patient, kind, caring and totally hot. He knew what he wanted and he went for it. As for Holly she wants to stay friends since she doesn’t know if she is going back to England or not, and I was really pulling for her to fall for Sean. She had never had the love and support that Sean had; but when he takes her into his family, she realizes that she may have found her home after all. These two friends definitely had more than just friendship between them.
Ms. Kauffman wrote a wonderful and moving story about friends finding their soulmate, filled with great dialogue and endearing characters that is not to be missed. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This Novella is a short on it’s own, but I read it as book 2 of the Hamilton Christmas novella series. I love meeting new characters but feel more invested with characters from a previous book. Donna Kauffman crafts her stories well. I highly recommend any book by her but if you’re interested in a holiday love story, this one fits the bill.
Book 2 in the Hamilton Christmas Series but each book can be read as a stand-alone as each novella features it’s own characters with fleeting mentions of characters from previous books.
Holly can’t belive her parents have retired to Florida and handed over their Christmas and Antique Store to her to run, she may have been born on Christmas Eve and been given a name that makes you think of the holiday season but that doesn’t mean she has to love the holidays as much as everyone else does in Willow Creek. Sean Gallagher can’t believe the girl that got away is finally coming back home can he give her a reason to stay and will the timing be right this time around……
A second chance romance set in my favourite time of year, this book may be short but it still packs a punch and it has adorable characters. This is a really enjoyable seasonal read and it’s a great addition to the Hamilton Christmas Series.
Loved Holly and Sean. Holly has returned home after her parents left her mother’s Christmas Shop to her as they have retired to Florida. Holly has never liked Christmas but her childhood friend, Sean hopes to change her mind. Sean owns the local restaurant after his parents have died. Sean has always had a crush on her growing up but were very different. There is an instant chemistry between the two but Sara tries to fight it because she is there only temporarily unless Sean can change her mind.
This is the second book in the Hamilton collection, originally published in the Kissing Santa Claus anthology. A fun short read that is perfect for this holiday season.
I really enjoyed reading Donna Kauffman’s lovely, romantic and well-written Christmas novella.
Holly Bennett has returned to Willow Creek after her parents’ unexpected retirement to Florida. They left her to deal with Santa’s Workshop, the Christmas-themed store that had been their life’s work.
Anticipating Holly’s return is Sean Gallagher, who has known and had an unrequited crush on her since high school. He thought she was so poised and sure of herself that she wouldn’t give him the time of day.
“What I didn’t know, and was too chicken to find out…was if the one person who seemed completely unaffected by me would return my interest…or turn me down flat. I didn’t want to risk the rejection. Not with you. It would have mattered.”
Sean is determined to take advantage of this second-chance opportunity. I absolutely loved Sean and how he fought for the relationship, especially upon learning he had been the focus of Holly’s adolescent fantasies too.
“I already lived with the regret of not pursuing you once. I don’t want to make that mistake again.”
Sean knows what he wants and won’t let Holly give up on them. He is supportive and helps her see all the possibilities for the future.
The book is part of Kauffman’s three-book Hamilton Christmas series but can be read as a stand-alone. Now, I need to read the other books!!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4 Star review of Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells by Donna Kauffman
I love any story that is centred around my favourite holiday of the year, Christmas and is a time for family and friends to get together;
I love everything there is about the holiday season, the decorating, the carols, the cooking, the shopping for the presents for family an friends and honestly, I would love to have been in Holly Berry Bennett’s position.
Holly hates Christmas, despite the fact that her mother absolutely adores it and even runs a Christmas novelty store. When her parents decide to retire early, Holly is given the store and she is not to happy. When her old friend Sean (whom Holly had a crush on) decides that he is going to help her turn her feelings towards the holiday season around he has not idea what he has started.
Unbeknownst to Holly, Sean had also had a crush on her so now he decides to see what “sparks” are between them.
This was a fun , quick read filled with the holiday spirit which will get you ready for Christmas and one I really enjoyed.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.
Sweet and speedy holiday story. Holly was shocked when she found out that her parents had decided to retire and move to Florida. She was even more flabbergasted when her mom turned over her Christmas and antique store to her. Holly has never been a big fan of the holiday season. Born on Christmas Eve, her birthday always got lost in the holiday season. Not only that, but Christmas was an all year, 24/7 event. As she put it “When you hear the words ‘Santa is watching you’, it was the literal truth. There were Santas everywhere.” It was bad enough that when she graduated from high school, she went to college in England and stayed there, returning home only once or twice a year. Now she has taken time off her job to come home and decide what to do with the store. Keep it open, lease it, or sell it? Within moments of arriving at the store, she encounters Sean, her high school crush, who runs the restaurant across the street.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Sean and Holly. Sean was a couple of years older and had been the popular sports star who always had a crowd of people around him. He has a large, boisterous Irish family. Holly was the quiet, nerdy, only child of older parents. She had a huge crush on Sean, but was too shy and intimidated to do anything about it. Though he’d smile and wave at her, she never felt that she was his type. Unknown to her, Sean had just as big a crush on her. He may have been popular, but always felt that he wasn’t the type to appeal to someone so smart. Not wanting to risk rejection, he didn’t pursue his interest. When he saw Holly arrive, he was determined not to let the chance slip through his fingers.
There are sparks between Sean and Holly from the start. Sean quickly learns about Holly’s antipathy toward Christmas and is determined to show her how wonderful the season can be. Holly resists Sean’s advances at first, as she doesn’t expect to stay in Virginia once she deals with the store. But Sean’s persistence, coupled with the sparks between them, starts to break down her defenses. I loved the sweet way he’d look out for her, bringing her meals and getting her to take breaks. Things start to heat up between them, but Holly is still not sure she’s ready to risk everything by making that big of a change. The discovery of a diary containing a big secret brings them closer together as they search for the truth. I loved seeing Holly realize that staying in Willow Creek might be exactly what she needs if she can let herself take the chance. I loved the twist that gave her the push she needed.
I enjoyed the mystery of the diary. This is a continuation of the secret that made its first appearance in the earlier story, Unleashed. Sean and Holly were surprised by what they found out and not sure what to do with the information. I liked the way they worked on it together. There was an appearance by Trevor and Emma from the previous story, as they discussed the ramifications. I’m looking forward to the next story to see how it all works out.
This story was originally published in the anthology Kissing Santa Claus (Brava – Oct 2009)
I really enjoyed this Christmas novella. It is just right for a short holiday read.
I loved the way Sean put his feelings right out there for Holly. He realizes that this is his only chance with her, and he completely goes for it. It is very romantic.
Holly was very brave to try something new with Sean when her whole life had been turned upside down. I was proud of her.
I totally fell in love with Sean. He was so patient, kind, caring and totally hot. What’s not to love about him? He knew what he wanted and he went for it. As for Holly, I can understand where she’s coming from but did it have to take her so long to get there? It seemed like she was in forever decision making mode when the clear choice was so obvious. But I am happy that they were able to reach their HEA and that the mystery from Unleashed was revealed. Now onto The Naughty List.
Very good continuation of the Hamilton trilogy. I loved the story of Holly and Sean, getting a second chance at love after both secretly crushing on each other in high school. Enter in the Hamilton mystery and it made for a delightful read.
Holly Berry Bennett (yep, that’s her real name!) hated Christmas. Holly’s mother loved it. So much so that she runs a Christmas novelty store. Well the time came for Holly’s parents to retire so they decide they are giving her, their only child the store and they are moving to Florida! This might not sound so bad, but Holly lives in London, England! Taking a few weeks off, Holly decides to head back to Willow Creek, VA to try and decide what she should do. While she is there she see’s Sean Gallagher. He was the guy who was a few years older than her in school that she crushed on from afar. Boy, he was even better looking now!
Sean Gallagher comes from a large, crazy Irish family. For generations his family has run Gallagher’s restaurant and now that his parents are both gone, he is in charge. After attending the Culinary Institute in New York and earning his degree, he is using his new talents at the family restaurant. Imagine his surprise when he sees Holly Bennett getting out of a cab. Wow…she is even prettier than he remembers. Sean always had a crush on Holly but she’d never give him the time of day. Deciding he missed out on a chance at her once, he decides to go and talk to her.
Of course sparks ignite. Sean keeps pushing her for a date….she keeps putting him off since she doesn’t even know if she is staying in Willow Creek. After spending more time together things start to heat up. When things are looking like there may not be a happy ending, Holly finds a diary and realizes it may have to do with someone from Sean’s family. Throughout the mystery of the diary, Holly starts to realize that her happiness just may be with Sean in Willow Creek if she only can take that last leap of faith.
I just adored this story! Such heart and warmth with Christmas mixed in was perfect! A great fun read for the holidays!
A nice holiday tale with a family mystery proves for a great continuation to the history of the Hamilton’s. As Holly comes back to her hometown to deal with her family’s holiday themed shop, she faces life changing choices and an unexpected complication involving her heart and her childhood crush of Sean Gallagher. Sean’s life hasn’t gone the way he expected either but he’s determined to make Holly take a chance on the sparks between them. Throw in a long forgotten diary, a hidden family secret and a little bit of Christmas magic and what a lovely little story. Can’t wait to see what else unfolds with the Hamilton’s.
As usual a wonderful book by Donna Kauffman!!
Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells is the story of Holly and Sean and how love can truly help you find your way.
Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells is a standalone however it is book two of a set of novellas about a mysterious “secret”. For this story, Holly is living in London but is called back to the US as her mother has bequeathed her the family Christmas novelty store…but at her mother’s retirement, not her demise. Holly has run long and far to get away from what she considers an oppressing holiday theme (that’s around all year long!) yet here she is, back in her hometown. Dealing with a store she doesn’t want to run. Living in the US, not her London home, trying to decide what to do with her “new” life.
Enter an old friend, Sean. Sean stayed in town, where Holly left, and runs HIS family’s restaurant. Although they knew each other all their lives, Holly always considered Sean out of her reach. He was very outgoing and gregarious where she was a bit of a nerd. Her words.
Sean makes it his mission to show Holly that the season can be wonderful, and loving, without being TOO pushy. They are a hoot together and come up with their own mystery to solve. Again, standalone story but a definite big part of the overall mystery in the three books. Truly enjoyed reading this story again, as Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells is a re-release. Great fun!
This wonderful Christmas novella by Donna Kauffman brings Holly back to America from her home and job in England to take over her mother’s Christmas store. The only thing is, Holly doesn’t want it. She’s really at a crossroads as to what to do with her life. She thinks she has the store thing all figured out, but the hunky guy who’s restaurant is across the street is a complication in a huge, sexy way.
This is a second chance at love trope and a Christmas story. You can’t go wrong with Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells. It will warm up your heart and get you ready for snow and Christmas!