They couldn’t be more different. Or more perfect for each other. New York Times bestselling author Shannon Stacey returns with a warm and cozy opposites-attract Christmas story. Zoe Randall is busy living her life as she damn well pleases. She’s back in her favorite town, her divorce in her rearview mirror, and living out her childhood dream of running a bookstore with her cousin. She has no … cousin. She has no interest in the uptight nerd who opened his boring-ass business next to her shop…until he complains about one of her sexy window displays.
Then it’s game on.
Preston Wheeler knows he takes life a little too seriously. But when the saucy bookseller next door starts pushing his buttons, he can feel that changing. Beautiful, vivacious Zoe challenges him in all the best ways, and soon he’s pushing her buttons right back: teasing and flirting all the way through the holiday season.
As Preston loosens up and Zoe is treated to the man behind the suit (particularly his forearms), she realizes she’s more interested than she cares to admit. And Preston comes to see the beauty–the absolute delight–in adding Zoe’s bright splashes of color to his once very black-and-white existence.
This book is approximately 34,000 words
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One Christmas Eve by Shannon Stacey was everything I want in a Christmas romance! I’ve been reviewing a lot of Christmas books already this year, but One Christmas Eve has to be one of my favorite this year. This novella didn’t leave me feeling like I was cheated out of really knowing the characters like most novellas do. From the first Zoe/Preston encounter I knew I was in for a really good story. Ms. Stacey’s characterization was superb. She definitely painted a picture of what the snarky Zoe and the nerdy Preston were like instead of just telling the reader. The story was lighthearted almost all the way through and just delightful to read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
Zoe Randall would never be attracted to an uptight, suit-wearing, prudish guy. Or would she? Zoe’s first encounter with handsome, sexy Preston Wheeler doesn’t go at all well. Zoe owns Cedar Street Books with her cousin Carly. She was in the middle of taking down the store’s front window Halloween display when Preston first walked by. Gosh darn! The display wasn’t really all that risque. The witch was sexy looking and the paranormal romance books had some steamy covers. But still. Yet this man outside the window disapproved. Prude! A hot, sexy prude though! As it turns out the hot, sexy prude, Preston Wheeler is opening an estate planning office right next store to Cedar Street Books. There’s no avoiding this guy then. Of course, Zoe really doesn’t want to avoid the guy. She is way too attracted to him to ignore him.
One Christmas Eve by Shannon Stacey is the second book in her Cedar Street series. This story is filled with humor, steamy scenes and Christmas fun. Essentially this story falls into the “opposites attract” genre and I always find those stories fun to read. I loved the instances where Preston cuffs his sleeves to expose his forearms. Zoe’s reaction to this is hysterical. There’s plenty of Christmas decorating, Christmas parties and presents to make this a truly delightful Christmas romance.
“One Christmas Eve” (Cedar Street Book 2) by Shannon Stacey is a wonderful read. I loved Zoe and Preston’s story. This is a fun, holiday read, with romance, passion, humor, family, and more. This is the first book in this series that I’ve read, and I’m definitely going to get “One Summer Weekend” (Cedar Street Book 1) so I can read Carly and Noah’s story. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, holiday stories, small-town life, family, and series.
Charming short read that warms the heart and makes you smile!
This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last! I loved the characters Zoe, Preston Carly and Noah, and the story had lots of “feels” – flirtation, temptation, fun, heartache, clarity…
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley- this is my honest review.
A charming and light novella to get you in the holiday spirit, One Christmas Eve is well written and moves quickly. It’s got a great enemies to lovers feel with a couple that’s easy to like, and at such a short length there isn’t a wasted moment.
The story follows Preston, an estate planner who knows he’s boring. He’s just moved to town and opened his own business, but the book store next door is showcasing some rather scandalous books, and he’s not okay with that. When he confronts the owner, his concerns just spur her on to think of other racy displays. Zoe’s ex-husband tried to stifle her sexuality, and now she won’t be silenced by anyone – even the uptight guy next door who she loves to see unruffled. They might seem like a strange pair, but Zoe’s feistiness balances out Preston’s seriousness perfectly.
The writing here is great, and I enjoyed this pairing quite a bit. The enemies to lovers vibe gives the story a fun feel, and there are definitely some sexy times within the story. My only real issue with the book is it’s length – given the fact that this is a novella, it’s a lot to ask that these two move from strangers to foes to lovers within such a short timeline. I didn’t really buy that they’d be exchanging those three little words by the end, but there’s nothing I didn’t like about the story. It was also great checking in with the couple from the first book in the series, though this can easily be read as a standalone. Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. I am voluntarily leaving a review of this holiday romance.