My mother wants all her kids and grandkids to spend Christmas Eve at her house and wake up on Christmas morning together.
Sounds reasonable, right?
And it would be.
If it weren’t my mother.
My husband, Declan, is protesting any involvement, though he’s openly intrigued by the idea of claiming his territory by having sex in my childhood bed.
And by intrigued, I mean a series of really hot … by intrigued, I mean a series of really hot suggestions that make me whimper when I have to say no.
Wait — why am I saying no, again?
Mom has turned her house into a Christmas showcase that makes Frankenmuth look like the picked-over clearance rack at Target on December 26. You know those crazy people on Etsy who make felted gnomes out of belly-button lint and use… a certain kind of hair… to make thatched roofs on little decorative elf homes?
Those people are saner than my mother.
There is no force of nature stronger — or more emotionally volatile — than a fifty-something grandmother determined to create holiday memories.
Wait a minute. Maybe there is.
My husband.
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Hysterical and a must read for fans of Julia’s Shopping series!
Light of heaven, I hurt. My eyes are teary, my throat’s scratchy, my ribs ache, and my abs make my every move agony. I haven’t laughed that hard since I read the last Shopping series book. As anyone who’s read any book in the series can attest, when any event involves Marie (and especially Chuckles), the worst that can happen will. This means we get to witness a slapstick comedy Christmas. Including, but not limited to, a pet rodeo, visits with emergency services, and Declan and Andrew trying to outdo one another. And amid all that hilarity are some beautiful, poignant moments about family, Christmases past, and loved ones who are no longer with us. The set up for what’s coming next in the series has me sweating with both anticipation and pure terror.
So in love with this crazy couple and their over the top family…. Loved this holiday visit and was so thrilled with this awesome emotional roller-coaster of a first Christmas…. Funny, engaging, sexy, sweet, thrilling, heartwarming, passionate this holiday family get together has it all and so much more…. Loved it!!!
Welcome back to the world of Julia Kent. It’s a wild and crazy world, to be sure! I haven’t visited for a while and so it was good to catch up with Declan, Shannon, Amanda, Andrew, and the whole gang. In Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas the whole Jacoby family has gathered at Marie and Jason’s house. Yes, even Declan is there. He even does some pretty un-Declan like things. As usual, Ms. Kent had me laughing out loud (there may or may not have been a couple of snorts involved) that had my husband giving me the side-eye. I almost rolled off the couch… If you’re looking for laughs and pure entertainment you can’t go wrong with a Julia Kent book!
Julia Kent is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely love the Shopping series and this book is another great addition to the series. One would think after so many books in the series, it would get boring…….no way! This book is about the first Christmas for Shannon and Declan’s little girl. They have decided to spend the holiday with Shannon’s family. What could go wrong? Oh my, so much can and does go wrong. This book, like all of them in the series, is absolutely hilarious.
I loved how we got to see how all the characters were spending their Christmas. Lots of “laugh out loud” scenes, sexy scenes and another HE A and a continuous for the next book. Do not read this book without starting this series from book one. You will fall in love with these characters and pets and this book is just another step in the lives of Shannon and Declan. Julia Kent never disppoints! Happy reading
This latest installment of the Shopping series is everything I thought it would be: a lot of funny, a lot of crazy, and a little bit of angsty goodness.
Shannon and Declan are celebrating Ellie’s first Christmas but this family doesn’t do anything by half. It’s like Christmas Vacation times a million. And the competition between Declan and Andrew has no end in sight. I already can’t wait for the next one!!!
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
Hilariously funny; a joy to read
Okay, I’m just going to come out and say it—this is my first book by Julia Kent *cringes*. I know, I know, why did I wait so long? Believe me, I’m asking myself the same thing. But I can say that as much as I loved this as a standalone (and it worked really well for me read that way), I’m sure long-time fans will love it even more.
I loved the banter between Shannon and Declan and the story felt very grounded, which just made those funny moments more hilarious. From the realities of trying to have an intimate relationship with your partner with a baby in the house, to dealing with families and all the emotional baggage of the holidays, the humor was spot on without going overboard.
There were plenty of great secondary characters, from baby Ellie herself, to parents, siblings and assorted other relatives, friends and acquaintances, all adding their own twist to the story, whether those moments were funny, sweet or touching. And of course, Declan and Shannon managed to sneak a little bit of steam in there as well.
A hilariously funny holiday story that was a joy to read. 5+ stars
B2B Kelly
Julia Kent is full of holiday love and laughter with her newest release, Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas! I don’t even know where to start with this review because this book was everything!! I love the “Shopping With” series and this book was so much fun! Life has changed for Declan and Shannon in more ways than one and it was great to see them both coming into their own with baby Ellie and her first Christmas. Throw in hilarious family members, matching jammies and a winter ice storm and you have the recipe for one great time (not that Declan agrees…). Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas was just what I needed to start off my holiday season!
This is Shopping For A Baby’s First Christmas, book 15 of Julia Kent’s amazing Shopping For A Billionaire series. We have been with Shannon and Declan from the very beginning, since she had her whole arm down a public toilet all the way through to their little girls very first Christmas. Of course it won’t be a normal holiday…that is never possible with this couple and their extended family! Add in the pets, an ice storm and….and…. you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, so buy them and read the whole series! You will only be sorry that you hadn’t done it sooner!!
I cannot tell you how much I have loved this series!
To see the life changes in the Jacoby and McCormick families is fantastic!!
This is Ellie’s first Christmas and only Ms. Kent can make the holiday a catastrophic hilarity!
You get to see all the major players in her past Shopping series make an appearance.
Just when you think Declan can’t get any more swoony…he just does!
You get to see Shannon embrace motherhood in her own special way.
You get a lovely little holiday treat. You get so much funny, so much love and so much family that it just oozes from the pages!
If you are looking for a holiday treat, get your hands on this! Get you hands on ALL of the shopping series! Ask Santa for them!
Julia Kent is the queen of laugh out loud romantic comedy!!!!
Such a fun story. Shannon insists she, Declan and their baby, Elllie spend Christmas Eve into Christmas at her parents. Poor Declan barely holds it together. His crazy mother in law Marie is having menopausal moments which were on spot at the authors description. As a new mother, Shannon is starting to see why her Mom has so many traditions. The rambunctious event has many bumps in it which are quite amusing. Lots of fun stuff in this book. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
With a totally stellar cast, Julia Kent beings us a completely insane, ridiculous, wonderful, hilarious Christmas adventure, which has had me laughing out loud and planning a repeat date with Shannon, Declan, Ellie and the clan asap!
Julia Kent posses a fantastic gift of incredibly witty, comedic writing which is written with huge confidence and flair.
I have highlighted the living daylights out of this book so it is virtually impossible to pick quotes, but here’s one which caused a coffee spitting response..Declan and Shannon at Shannon’s family home, Christmas Eve:
“I’d rather go naked.”
“You do know that ‘chestnuts roasting on an open fire’ is a line from a song and not a family tradition, right?”
Oh my god, I’m laughing again, thankfully without coffee volcanoes this time!!!
And for all you poultry lovers out there, a chicken is, albeit briefly, mentioned.
Make your Christmas a total joy and add this to your collection immediately!
Shopping For A Baby’s First Christmas is book #15 of Julia Kent’s amazing Shopping For A Billionaire series. We’ve seen and done a lot with Declan and Shannon, from their first meeting, first kiss, first smexy scene all the way to having a baby. Now, it’s little Ellie’s first Christmas and they want it to be special. Well, what parent doesn’t, huh? But, with this couple huge, crazy extended family, one thing is guaranteed. It won’t be quiet. There’s a multitude of family, pets and wild weather to contend with.
It’s a mad cape, laugh a minute, wonderful holiday story and will leave you smiling and so glad you One-Clicked this merry little Ho-Ho-Ho of a book.
Judith Szabó’s Reviews > Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas
Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas by Julia Kent
Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas (Shopping, #15)
by Julia Kent (Goodreads Author)
U 50×66
Judith Szabó’s review
Dec 03, 2018 · edit
bookshelves: to-read
I have just finished reading my advanced copy. Because I enjoyed it so much I tried to make it last longer but no matter how slow I have read it, eventually I had to finish it. This book is so full of love, beautiful emotions, fun, hilarious moments that it should be prescribed for depression. I love all of Julia’s books and this one is especially adorable. And what more NOT A SINGLE TYPO which made it even more enjoyable!
Julia Kent has another hit on her hands. Marie is up to her old antics, trying her best to gather her family and friends together in one place for the holidays. Between snowstorms, tree fires, unexpected visitors, crazy outfits for humans and pets alike, and of course, the normal antics of Shannon and Declan – this book is probably one of the best in the series. A definite must read and be prepared to laugh out loud as the zaniness unfolds.
Shannon Jacoby McCormick and her Billionaire husband, Declan McCormick, have been married 5 years now and their baby daughter, Ellie, is 7+ months old! Their relationship grows deeper, more loving & more tender with each book. They are perfect for one another, despite Declan growing up in privileged family Shannon grew up in a loving middle class family. Each holiday, Shannon & Declan are meshing their pasts into their family traditions.
Shannon’s parents, Marie & Jason, invite Declan, Shannon & Ellie (and Shannon’s crazy cat Chuckles) to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the rest of the Jacoby family in their suburban Boston home. Everyone wants to enjoy baby Ellie’s 1st Christmas! Predictably, Marie goes overboard this holiday. Julia’s characters are so very real-with traits & flaws, both good & bad. All our families likely have such quirky & interesting people at holiday family gatherings, so the reader feels in the moment throughout the book. The plot takes a few hilarious twists and turns, resulting in an unforgettable Christmas! And the ending has a big surprise too! I can’t wait for the next book-please write & publish faster Julia Kent! To me, this is one of Julia’s best books in the Shopping for a Billionaire series!
I was thrilled to be given this ARC & I agreed to write this honest review. I’m a huge fan of the series, and to me, this is one of the best books yet! It can easily be read as a “stand alone”. Know you’ll enjoy this laugh out loud book as much as I did, especially if you’re already a fan of this series. If not a fan yet, this book just might hook you on the Shopping series so you’ll want to read the entire 14 book series!
So seriously, we’re 15 books in and it’s still as wonderful as book 1. What’s not to love? A hot billionaire, who’s a loving husband and wonderful father, and did I mention HOT? Declan’s family haven’t “done” Christmas since his mother died when he was a teenager, so what could possibly go wrong with spending Christmas with Shannon’s family and waking up together to the festivities? Short answer – everything! Long answer – you’ll have to read the book. Loved the bumper sticker line “I stop for naked hitch hikers” – a shout out to another Julia Kent series. And with Andrew’s last words in the book, I feel more rivalry will be happening! Basically, this is a series you need to read!
You would think after 15 books in a series that it would get old…but let me tell you this series NEVER gets old. Julia Kent has a way of bringing us not only the levity that we so appreciate in all of her books (if you are feeling down or even if you just need a good laugh — her books will bring that to you and then some), she also is bring us into this family’s lives complete with love, laughter, tears and chaos. It is always fun to read the places you know and have been to “locally”, picturing the drive they take to get from point A to point B. The competition between the brothers, the crazy factory that is Marie and the ability of Shannon and Amanda to create a situation that defies explanation is what Julia does best. But my favorite part of this story (besides the cute Ellie) is Declan. The depth of feelings that we are seeing from him is complete gold to me and his quick wit has me wanting to marry him too lol. Way too many funny moments to describe but Chuckles plays in part in one of my favorites 🙂
Oh it’s Christmas time again. Our first with our seven month old. We’re going to my parents, what could possibly go wrong? For Shannon, Declan and the rest it should be what ‘won’t ‘ go awry. This is another great chapter to the Shopping series. It is funny, emotional and so close to home! Julia takes you back to remembering your own Christmases past. From laughter to tears you can’t put it down.
I so love this series, Julia Kent had me as a fan with book 1! She does it again in this book number 15 in the series. This is baby Ellie’s first Christmas and it should be perfect right…not…have you met the McCormick and Jacoby families? If not why not? You do not know what you are missing! This book has everything, laughter to the point of tears, sighs, sexy moments, gasps and oh no that did not happen! We see our normal cast of family members Marie, Amy, Shannon, Declan, James, Hamish, Carol and her boys Jeffrey and Tyler, of course Chuckles the cat! We also get a little Andrew and Amanda. Ellie is so perfect even with diaper explosions! Marie (Shannon’s mom) is up to her old tricks- man are her antics funny to the point of tears funny. Declan is willinly thrust into this family because of his love for Shannon, but even he gets overwhelmed. The Jacoby/McCormick family Christmas is perfect except for a snow/ice storm, no power, a small fire ( thanks Chuckles) and boys and girls matching pajamas. This book has an ending that I did not expect but it makes me want more of this family. I want to thank Julia Kent for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance of its release.