This holiday season, there’s more than gingerbread in the oven.
I was always a type-A kind of girl— and that’s exactly what got me into trouble with Sterling Ahren.
Having a baby before thirty didn’t work out, so I took some time off to sort out my life. Sterling’s my new landlord… and he doesn’t plan anything.
He’s a billionaire playboy who can’t stand the holidays. A recluse of the worst kind, … holidays. A recluse of the worst kind, Sterling makes Scrooge look like a generous soul… except Ebenezer was never this sexy.
He doesn’t want a family— until the night we have a spontaneous one-night stand, and forget to use condoms. I can’t have a baby with a disorganized, free spirit like him. Between my overprotective brothers and his crazy fans, I already know this isn’t going to work out.
Except Sterling isn’t willing to let me go. He wants me home for the holidays… and this is my last chance to make a Christmas miracle happen.
One thing I know for sure: when Sterling and I collide, it’s going to be anything but a silent night.
Funny, touching, and delightful, this smoking hot billionaire holiday rom-com by Claudia Burgoa will make you feel the magic of Christmas.
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5* Big Love Stars
The love story of Juniper (June) and Sterling is not your typical, boy meets girl and they fall instantly in love. June meets Sterling when she was not looking for love or commitment, in fact she is on a mission to fulfil her dream of having a baby on her own. June is quite a control freak about her life and plans her schedule like clockwork to avoid any unnecessary surprises. Sterling Ahern is totally the opposite of June and a recluse who is quite selfish and broody. After agreeing to a one-night stand where their passion was off the charts, they agree to never see each other again or even share their names.
When fate brings them back together again the chemistry between them is still strong, but they want different things in life. I enjoyed watching sassy June work her magic and disarm Sterling. I felt sorry for him and understood why he felt the way he did due to his upbringing.
There was some wonderful banter between the two of them and laugh out loud moments.
It was great to catch up with the very controlling Jackson Spearman and the rest of June’s siblings.
This was such a fun and sexy read of opposites attract and is a nice treat to read leading up to the holiday season.
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(This is a review for the audiobook)
Want to get your holiday cheer on, then this is the novella for you. June is a woman who planned her life out to a T. However, when things do not go as planned she makes a decision to take some time off and reevaluate. Sterling is a famous artist who has lost his holiday spirit. When these two fall into the same orbit, the laughter and sparks abound. Ms. Burgoa has given readers a wonderful story brought to life by two of my favorite narrators and a new voice that I plan to hear more from. Aaron Sheldock and Sebastian York’s voices are utter perfection and new narrator to me, Emma Wilder’s voice blends seamlessly with perfect articulation of June’s nuances. This is one audiobook that you may consider adding to your holiday traditions and celebrate all year long.
Another visit to the Spearman family. June had her future all planned out, keeping secrets from her family, and giving up on love. Enter Sterling. He turned her world upside down. Sterling was a very creative person. His artwork had made him a popular person, and all he wanted to do was hide away. They found each other and brought the best out of the other, but their doubts, beliefs, held them back from understanding their true feelings. I felt invested in their journey, and I had tears at the end. I recommend this story as I really enjoyed it.
The narration by Aaron Sheldock, Emma Wilder, and Sebastian York made the story come alive. They all did a wonderful job voicing the many varied characters.
I was given the audiobook, and this is my unsolicited review.
I read this book a while back and I have to say listening to Aaron Sherlock, Emma Wilder and Sebastian York had me remembering why I loved Once Upon a Holiday.
What’s not to love about a romance set in the magical holiday season and for me this story was made perfect by the joining of the Spearmans and the Aherns in this wonderful stand-alone.
June and Sterling are complete opposites, she loves to plans and live her life with no surprises while he throws caution to the wind taking life as it comes, she is a happy loveable lady and he is broody and grumpy but fate stepped in when these two got thrown together because this romance really is a case of opposites attract….
This couple may think they want different things but when it comes down it they both want love even if that’s not obvious, together this couple realise they just need to put some trust in each other and let love take them by the hand and give them both the HEA they so deserve. This is a story that will captivate you, it’s a entertaining heartfelt read that has all the feels you expect in the magical holiday season. I highly recommend this sweet and passionate read.
The narrators did a wonderful job bring a magical read to life.
4.5 Star Review of Once Upon A Holiday by Claudia Y Burgoa
AUDIO REVIEW:
What’s not to love? It’s the most magical time of the year and also happens to be my most favourite holiday. I love any story that is centred around Christmas; it’s a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate life.
All June Spearman wants is to have a baby and now that she is thirty three she feels the pressure. Sterling Ahren is your typical hot, sexy, billionaire playboy, who happens to hate the holidays and has no plans to have a family.
I Enjoy Ms. Burgoa’s style of writing and was entertained from the first to the last chapter. There were times I was frustrated with both June and Sterling although they really do make a great couple.
Not only was it humorous but the chemistry between June and Sterling was intense. A delightful book that will certainly get you in the mood for the holiday season. The narration by Aaron Shedlock, Emma Wilder and Sebastian York was entertaining and brought the story to life for me. Their voices are easy to listen to and added to my listening pleasure.
Received in exchange for a honest review.
I liked Sterling more than I liked Juniper. Why? He was like a Scrooge and Grinch rolled into one with Christmas and you could understand his attitude towards holidays and other things as well. Sterling was a marshmallow underneath the tough exterior. An exterior created due to his mom and dad but also his fans. He may have been raised with money but he gained his wealth and fame on his own hard work. Only it came at a cost for him and that was basically his freedom. He kept people at a distance due to the fear they would be hurt by those that are fans or by him as well I think. He was smart, funny, and a real sweetheart. He had a heart of gold and loved his brother and nephew. Only he kept them at a distance so they wouldn’t be hurt. That is why I like him he is a big softee stuck in a tough situation He got where he is on determination, hard work and stubbornness. He didn’t excuse his behaviour but owned it even when it seemed atrocious to others. And he grew the most in this book. when he first hears Juniper’s voice, he is intrigued. So much so that he wants to meet her. And his fascination and attraction only grows from there. She found him to be rude and arrogant at first. As she learned more about him and saw his softer side she fell for him.
Juniper is strong willed and smart. A family girl and wants a family of her own. She is a successful business owner and has some extremely protective brothers. And let me say they weren’t thrilled with her being with Sterling at first. They had partied with him as he made his name. But they didn’t realize he had changed as did they. Sterling was now one who was alone alot and boy when it came to Juniper he stood up for her and what she wanted, respected her choices and supported her. They did have some miscommunication along the way that drives you batty but it wasn’t a angsty batty. Just a ugh batty. They helped one another grow and see things in different perspectives. I loved watching Sterling get excited about things and want his life to be different. I liked how she put Sterling in his place. And I loved how they were honest and real with each other. They didn’t hide their moods, feelings, thoughts or views from the other. They had a crazy attraction and learned about one another as they acted on their attraction. These two were strong willed and great together. His heart grew that christmas and his gifts to Juniper were so so adorable and wonderful. His heart grew two sizes and he lost his miserly ways when Juniper came into his world and he became the marshmallow that you can fall in love with.
A wonderful holiday story on love, family, wishes and friendship.
Juniper “June” Spearman’s life is not working out as she had hoped. By now June was hoping to be married and starting to have a family….instead she is painfully single and longing for a baby so she decides to take matters into her own hands unbeknownst to her overprotective family. Deciding to try IVF to have a baby, June decides to head to Denver for a doctor who specializes in it. While trying to find a place to rent for a month, June has a run-in with sexy voiced, rude man at The Art of Real-State. He may be rude but June is enjoying sparring with him.
While in Denver June spends time with her family for Thanksgiving but first ends up meeting a mysterious guy in a bar and decides to have one last fling before hopefully getting pregnant. What she doesn’t know is that he is the same sexy voiced, rude man who also happens to be Sterling Ahren, a renowned artist, and owner of the house she is renting while she is in Denver!
When arriving at the rental, she accidentally locks her keys in the car and is left out in a blizzard while waiting for someone to show up. When Sterling finds her almost frozen to death, he decides to bring her back to his penthouse instead to take care of her. When June finally wakes up she realizes that he is the man from her one night stand but doesn’t realize that he is Sterling Ahren, so he introduces himself and that is when the fun begins. Sterling is so drawn to her and wants her to stay with him but she keeps fighting him all the way. When he finally convinces June to stay he feels content. As June and Sterling spend more time together things heat up really quick. They find contentment in each other. Just when it looks like things are going perfect between the two of them, a little wrench gets thrown into the mix and everyone’s well planned out lives take a one-eighty degree turn! It will take a whole lot of soul searching between these two to finally get to their happy ending but when they finally do it was well worth it! I just loved June and Sterling. The one thing June always wanted, Sterling thought he never did but it’s funny how life can change. Together these two just worked. This was a wonderful holiday story!
Claudia Burgoa makes me so happy after reading her books. She’s one author I can always count on to give me romances, dream and laughter all wrapped in one amazing, heartfelt book. Her chat after s are always relatable and make you feel like part of their family.
Juniper and sterling. They make my heart so happy. Complete opposites. But after one night, they realize what they could have. Their story has emotional chemistry, mixed with heartfelt parts as well. A great Christmas story you will fall in love with.
Can’t wait to read more of Claudia’s books! I adored June and Sterlings’s love story. Original, endearing and inspirational!
June & Sterling
Ahhhh this was so good!!! I love the chemistry between June & Sterling. Sterling being so arrogant at times but also the sweetest and best humor ever and June! She’s working so hard to have her life on track and every T crossed and every I dotted! Until she meets Sterling and her axis is tilted till no end.
For someone like Sterling to be so strong and stubborn to find someone like June. Someone he thought he would never want or have in his life.
June teaches Sterling the most important part he’s missing from his life LOVE!
“If you ever leave me, I’ll be an incomplete piece of clay.
Finish me, make me the man you deserve by just being with me.”
This book will not disappoint! You will fall in love with Sterling and June (Juniper).
I also love how Claudia intertwines her characters with her other books!!!
Claudia is still surprising us with the great stories she writes.
June is a planner and enjoys having her whole life planned out, seriously thinking about every step she has to take while Sterling lives his life in the moment, not wanting to commit to anything.
After accidentally meeting each other in a restaurant, they spend a night together and all of June’s plans crumble.
Sterling wants to keep June and their little miracle around, even though she has to dodge some stalkers, while she’s not so sure they can work together.
This story is very well written and funny, and the characters are fantastic. I highly recommend the reading.
We met Sterling Aherns in the Chaotic Love series and Junipter Spearman in Maybe Later. Now it is their story and it’s interesting to see how Ms. Burgoa brings together 2 fictional families together.
Sterling Aherns has always done things his way and acts like he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He has always felt worthless because that’s how he was treated growing up and then by his girlfriend. Now Sterling is a famous artist and being a billionaire also gets him on all the rich bachelor lists and has women wanting him for what he has and not who he is.
Junipter Spearman has some very overprotective brothers who treats her like a kid even though she is the one that is always there for them and helps them through their difficult times. When her siblings starts to settle down, Junipter decides to make so life changes so that she could aslo have what she wants, which is a family of her own.
When Junipter and Sterling first met, it was in the men’s restroom! Junipter decides to have one last fling before her life changes so they have a one night stand – no names, no numbers. After a few weeks, Junipter drives to the home that she had leased in Denver to start on getting what she wants. What she doesn’t realize is that Sterling is the owner of the property and their “reunion” was not how Sterling had planned.
When each of them find out more about the other, they are still hesitant about wanting to see where the relationship could go but Sterling decides Junipter with her life changes. When Junipter finds out about her condition, she is definitely shock and so is Sterling. But they decide to just proceed as they plan but Sterling starts to realize that he acts differently with Junipter than he does with other woman. He enjoys their talks and he wants to spend time with her.
These two individuals have been hurt by love in the past so they are struggling with their feelings for each other. It takes some time and understand for each of them to realize what they want in life…which is each other and a family!
Other great book from Ms. Burgoa and what a great idea to bring two characters from her different books/series together. And the updates of the other family members a fun to read.
4 Stars
Sterling and June are both scarred in their own ways and living their best lives. Their paths cross by chance and when they cross a second time they decide there must be a reason. June organizes everything and has a plan for her dreams to come true, and has decided no one needs to be by her side to do it. Sterling has resigned himself to being alone because it is best for himself as well as everyone around him. What happens when they are forced together because fate has other plans? A path to a happily ever after. I loved this book but will say they are both frustrating characters who took way to long to turn that corner and trust. I did love the personalities of these characters though and how they compliment one another.
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Juniper(June) Spearman is a bit of a control freak. But that’s because she’s the youngest sister to her twin and her three over protective brothers who all think they have to take care of her because she’s the “baby” by three minutes! Sterling Ahren is a world famous artist, who has a cynical attitude about many things.His parents never thought he would amount to much, and didn’t value his art. He was close to his brother Wes, but kept his distance.Because of his fame, he had to have security around him at all times. Sterling and June meet one evening as June is having dinner with her twin Jeanette and Jenn’s wife. When June leaves, she runs into Sterling, they stike up a conversation, much to his security’s dismay. They end up spending the night together with no expectations of ever seeing each other again.
June has made some life changing plans. With no significant other, and and no expectations of having one any time soon, June desperately wants a baby. Unable to conceive, because of a medical condition she is readying herself for IVF fertility treatments. She’s making some major changes in her life by selling off her business and taking a month off to put her plan into motion. She plans to rent a house for a month to set her plans in motion. The agent she talks to is an ass on the phone and in emails. The “agent” turns out to be Sterling. It’s one of his houses she is trying to rent. After June suffers a near death experience, Sterling convinces June to stay with him. He’s not been able to forget the woman who rocked his world. What follows is a book you can’t put down! Misunderstandings, overbearing brothers, and two people who really need to talk to each other! I loved this book by Claudia, and I’m confident that you will too!
I love Sterling. He is no stranger to us, since he is Wes’s brother from Begin With You and Back To You. We also meet June’s family in her brother Jason’s book Then He Happened. However, if you haven’t read these previously there is no need to worry, Sterling and June’s story is a standalone.
June is tired of waiting for happiness, and has decided to go out and take it. She is following an unconventional path to reach her dream, but she is determined and she has a plan. Sterling is convinced he does not deserve love and would be a terrible partner. He is resigned to a lonely life. Stalkers and crazy fans lead him to push his brother and sister in law away in order to keep them safe. Neither of them are looking for a relationship.
But accidents happen and plans change. People change, as well.
I loved this story. I knew Sterling had a heart underneath that armor. And June was so good. Her relationship with her family and the way she stood up to her brothers was perfection.
This is a perfect holiday read. Get it now!
I am normally not the holiday book reader but this book absolutely filled my heart. This story was all about finding something where you least expected and packed in all the feels for me as a reader. Truly an enjoyable read
This was such a wonderful holiday story. I loved reading it. This story had a wonderful flow easy to read. The characters had great chemistry. If your looking for a holiday read this is the one to read. This is definitely going to be a reread for me. How about you?
Such a sweet little holiday story!! Sterling and Juniper were smoking hot together. What starts out as a no names given night turns into something very different than what either of them could have expected.
Oh I do love a holiday romance and now add into it opposites attracting !! June and Sterling could not be more different. He is a brooding artist that lives in the moment. No plans on finding true love or having a family. June is planning everything and anything that she can right down to having a child on her own …if necessary ! A misunderstanding , a holiday away, overprotective families and a lot of steam to melt the snow !!!! Loved them and their sassy witty banter !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Beautiful and interesting things
Sterling is pushing forty, jaded, he marches to his own drummer and is an artist. Who notices beautiful and interesting things.
He notices June one night and they hook up, no names. No birth control.
June thinks she can’t get pregnant. She can. She does.
We met June’s brothers previously. We met Sterling’s brother.
Now, when they meet, its an instant, but very temporary connection.
Until it isn’t.
Cuz Sterling is gonna be a father.
Recommend.
Voluntarily reviewed