A full-length standalone holiday romcom from USA Today Bestselling author, Delancey Stewart! I’ll just admit it right up front—I don’t love the holidays. In fact, Christmas makes me downright cranky. Call me the Grinch if you must, but if your dad chose that day to decide he was wrong about that whole wanting a family thing, you’d grow up miffed about mistletoe too. Every candy cane, ugly … wanting a family thing, you’d grow up miffed about mistletoe too. Every candy cane, ugly sweater, and falalalala reminds me of the worst day of my life.
So when my uncle—a bigwig network executive—gives me one last shot to salvage my disastrous TV production career on a show called Holiday Homes, I’ve got no choice but to suck it up, head to the small town of Singletree, and fake festive.
The problem?
Callan Whitewood. The sexy, sullen former pro-soccer player might be the one person on earth who hates the holidays more than I do. After a devastating injury ended his career, he’s left with a limp, no idea what to do with his future, and a cheerless attitude worthy of Ebenezer Scrooge. But I’ve got a TIME LIMIT to convince the gorgeous grump to allow his home to be featured as the pinnacle of the Christmas episode of the show that’s going to save my career.
That is, if I can keep my hands off him… but I’m having a bit of trouble sticking to the task.
SHAKING THE SLEIGH is a standalone holiday romantic comedy with a satisfying happily ever after, plenty of festive chuckles, some sexy times and a few chinchillas. Maybe a cat. (And there might be a wombat because wombats really do fit into almost any story.)
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This was a really fantastic holiday story! I loved the characters, especially Annabelle.
April Hall, hates Christmas because he father left them at that time. She asks her uncle for a chance to produce another TV show. He gives her Holiday Homes. She travels to a small town in Maryland to film the series of homes. Callan Whitewood has recently moved into the small town to be near his recently widowed brother and nieces and to hide from the press after his career ending accident on the soccer field. His plantation home is one of the chosen homes for the series. He initially does not want anything to do with the show, but gives in when she tells him she will lose her job. They end up starting a relationship. When her uncle asks her to do something she knows Caplan will not approve, they have a falling out. He gets the whole town to help him get her back and they have a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Singletree, Maryland is a far different place from Los Angeles and a place that does Christmas in a huge way-unlike April Hall who is only going there to produce an episode for a show, ‘Holiday Homes’. Callan Whitewood is an ex-soccer star who arrives in Singletree from San Diego looking forward to complete anonymity. Meeting up creates an interesting situation for the two characters.
There are some darker elements that are sadder more than dark. These are handled well and show a realistic touch, especially the family based ones. To balance this out there is a lighter side with some great humour. The banter between the characters at times had me outright laughing as well as some scenes too-the sick lizard one comes to mind immediately.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with its great characters, detailed descriptions and fast paced storyline that leaves you feeling fantastic. This is the first book by this author I have read however I can definitely say it won’t be the last!
Callan and April were two broken souls coming together in Singletree to find magic at Christmas time. Both had trust issues they had to work out and in the end they had their HEA. I hope Cormac (Callan’s brother) gets his own story. He is also in need of some Christmas magic!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an absolutely delightful holiday rom-com. Callan and April’s story will make you smile, laugh and swoon. I simply loved these two together. The well written and engaging storyline provided a just right balance of emotional and fun. With a sprinkling of sweet cuteness and some sour grinchy-ness for that little something extra and you have a winning combination. This heart warming read is a perfect holiday treat for any romance fan and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this wonderful series.
Shaking the Sleigh is the first book in a new series by Delancey Stewart. It’s also slightly connected to the ‘Movie Stars in Maryland’ series as characters from that appear here. It’s not necessary to read it first though as these are complete standalones.
This is April and Callan’s story.
April is a TV producer on her last chance with her uncle’s company, she’s been forced to produce a holiday show and is less than keen.
Callan is a retired soccer player, forced to give up what he loved due to a devastating injury. Neither is looking for love but it finds them nonetheless.
I loved how these two came together, their banter and chemistry was spot on and I was rooting for them from the start.
Preparing the show while falling back under the spell of Christmas was part of April’s charm and Callan, well, he tried to hide his soft heart but love proved more than he could battle.
This was a sweet and sexy story with just a tiny bit of angst. You’ll fall in love with all the characters, not just then main ones but the secondary ones too. Cormac and his two young daughters Maddie and Taylor almost stole the show. I hope their story is next.
Shaking the Sleigh is a wonderful romantic Christmas story. It has all the elements of the Hallmark movies I love to watch this time of year. The story keeps you engaged with many laugh out loud moments, a little drama, characters you want to have a beer with, and romance that makes you sigh. Perhaps someone should start working on that script!
Delancey Stewart developed characters that you want to know. They are lovable, believable, relatable, and some, a bit quirky. She developed a town that feels just real enough you want to visit. There is more to come from the town of Single Tree. I look forward to the next story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh my gosh what a wonderful Holiday Romance. The author has written a funny, sexy, romantic Christmas romance that has me loving the holiday season even more than I already do, even if the main characters don’t exactly agree with me. I mean who doesn’t love Christmas? Well I guess if you had a traumatic event happen at Christmas, like April’s had or if your life has taken a major turn for the worse, like Callan’s, it would put a damper on the season. But when these two come together, in a town that changes its name from Singletree to Christmas Tree during the month of December and the entire town is all about the holidays, all bets are off.
The storyline had me laughing and hoping for some type of HEA, for not only the two main characters but the secondary ones as well. The quaint little town of Singletree is almost like living in a storybook world. The people are loving and neighborly, ok maybe more like zany and eccentric, but you can’t help but fall in love them.. Cats, chinchillas, wombats and tipsy townsfolk included.
Callan and April’s story will warm your heart like a “Punch Bowl” and “Old Bay” from Sam’s Shack or maybe like the “Half Cat Distillery’s Moonshine (once you read the book, you’ll get what I mean). It left me smiling and feeling happy. I highly recommend grabbing up Shaking the Sleigh and curling up in your easy chair and simply enjoying. 2 Thumb Up and 5 Stars.
this was an ok story not amazing but good enough that i finished it, i would still read more from this author
3.5
Cute
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Dual POVs
Part of a series: Seasons in Singletree
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Booksprout.
Excellent!!! This truly defines what I call a romantic story because it has feeling and prompts tears of joy. In addition to the romance being on point, the characters commonly are in need of the happiness of the Christmas atmosphere. Two grinches for the price of one, lol, aside from their lack of holiday cheer, I like them & think they make a great couple. Their attraction and this town really opens their hearts, helping them to see that a chance to love again is a risk worth taking if they are willing to dig deeper and be brave enough to go for it, instead of settling for the lonely life that they think they prefer, they can rekindle the joy of Christmas surrounded by love & supportive family and friends.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a fun and festive read! You have the small town, Christmastime, and two lonely people that fall in love with the town, it’s people, and each other. I really feel the need to start decorating now. And get a chinchilla…
~ I was given this book ahead of time and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~
I loved Shaking The Sleigh the first book in a new series by Delancey! I mean in my book you can never go wrong with a Christmas story and Shaking The Sleigh was fantastic. April, a TV procedure is sent to the small town of Singletree where she meets Callan, a retired pro soccer player who used to play for the “San Diego Sharks” and has moved to the small town of Singletree to be closer to his brother who is a single dad to two adorable little girls! I really loved April and Callan’s story. It’s full of romance, humour and wonderful characters. It’s the perfect holiday read! I would highly recommend it.
Wow! Shaking the Sleigh is incredible. I loved it! The characters are wonderful and relatable. April and Callan are so perfect together. I love the small town setting and the quirky people of the town. This is the most perfect Christmas romance! It is full of Christmas cheer, romance, humor, and fantastic, lovable characters. This book will fill you with Christmas cheer. It is amazing! I highly recommend it.