All Suzanne St. Michelle wants is an over-the-top, eggnog-induced holiday with her best friend in Credence, Colorado. But when her hoity-toity parents insist she come home for Christmas in New York, she blurts out that her sexy landlord is actually her boyfriend and she can’t leave him—Joshy loves Christmas. The more twinkle lights the better.Rancher Joshua Grady does not love Christmas. Or … love Christmas. Or company, or chatty women. Unfortunately for him, the chattiest woman ever has rented the cottage on his ranch, invited her rich, art-scene parents, and now insists he play “fake rancher boyfriend” in a production of the Hokiest Christmas Ever. And somehow…she gets him to agree.
Apparently, he’ll do anything to get his quiet life back. At least there’s mistletoe every two feet—and kissing Suzy is surprisingly easy. But in the midst of acres of tinsel, far too many tacky Christmas sweaters, and a tree that can be seen from space, he’s starting to want what he lost when he was a kid—a family. Too bad it’s with a woman heading back to New York before the ball drops…
Each book in the Credence, Colorado series is STANDALONE:
* Nothing But Trouble
* The Trouble with Christmas
more
All she wants in an over-the-top, eggnog-induced holiday with her best friend, but her parents insists she comes home for a boring Christmas in New York, so Suzanne St. Michelle does what any sane rational woman would do, she claims her landlord is really her boyfriend who really loves Christmas. He does not love Christmas or company or chatty women, unfortunately Joshua Grady finds himself agreeing to Suzanne’s charade.
This ‘Credence Colorado’ holiday romance an emotional gripping tale with the most delightful hokiest Christmas ever to tickle the readers’ holiday spirit . Although a bit hard to get into at first, the story soon picks up and the strong, captivating characters subtly draw readers into their story and before readers know it, they are hooked. The chemistry between Suzanne and Joshua is quite electrical and leaps off the pages but this relationship is one where the hero fights tooth and nail against opening his heart and letting anyone due to his past and the heroine has her own issues to deal with, so while this couple ‘fits’, the relationship is full of sparks, clashes and emotional turmoil that keeps things quite interesting.
The plot of the story happens at a steady pace and is quite suspenseful as readers wonder how this unlikely couple will manage to pull this elaborate charade. This results in lots of chuckles and fun, especially as the couple go to some pretty cut throat negotiations to get through this holiday and readers just have to turn the pages to find just what will happen next as it spreads some holiday cheer the readers’ way.
This book was just what you need during a chaotic holiday season! Funny, sweet, sexy and a joy to read! LOTS of holiday themes!
There was a thread of reality/angst running through the novel (especially with the hero Joshua) which I love. Very nice tension and chemistry between Joshua and Suzy. This wasn’t a fall-in-love-immediately scenario. We really get to see them find each other.
Amy Andrews is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. She always pairs strong, capable heroines with sexy (devestatingly sexy!) heroes and THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS is the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. A wonderful feel good romance!
THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS is the second book in the Credence, Colorado series. It stands on its own, but I’m whining that I want the first book any way!
This story was full of sexy irreverent fun, blackmail, and silly Christmas sweaters. The fire between Suzanne and Josh was ignited from the moment they met. I’ve been to after-Christmas bonfires that looked like mere match flicks in comparison.
What I loved the best about this book was that it wasn’t Hallmark ready. There was very little sweetness. There was way too much cussing for TV and there were giant penis cookies for Santa and the reindeer!
No, this is not going make anyone say, “Aww.” Instead, it’s real. It made me laugh aloud and cheer. Suzanne and Josh deserved to find their happiness together.
I loved all of the tacky, silly Christmas traditions that Suzanne and Josh created in their first year together. I can’t wait to see what next year may bring!
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS
Series: Credence, Colorado #2
Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Received from: Amy Andrews (as an ARC gifted copy)
This wonderful book made me laugh, made me cry and made me fall in love! What more can I ask of a book.
This book is the LOL, sexy romp you need to give yourself this Christmas. Amy Andrews can do no wrong.
OH SO GOOD!! This is Christmas Gold! It deserves all the stars and more. I was immediately hooked, by this opposites attract story and I didn’t want this to end. Filled with so many LOL moments, tacky Christmas sweaters, x-rated Christmas cookies, over-the-top Christmas decorations, and a fake romance with a-hot-surly rancher, that was an erotic author’s wet dream. I think the cover captures Joshua perfectly, a seriously hot rancher with a subdued confidence.
I was totally taken by Joshua Grady, all sexy-broody-looming-silent-hunk of a rancher with his quiet, solitary life. But every December is extremely difficult for him, as he has to deal with the anniversary, and the loss of his parents and high school sweetheart.
So when Suzanne St. Michelle a artsy, curvy, talkative woman arrives much to his dislike, to stay a month in the cabin next to his ranch, he has no intentions of being friendly. Suzanne is there to find her muse and to paint the scenery that is all around her. But one look at Joshua and her muse is all about painting him. You could cut the sexual tension between them with a knife. The heat is electric between them. She shook him to his core with her constant chatter, and womanly curves. Spine tingling heat!
But when Suzanne tells her parents a big white lie, that she is spending Christmas with her new boyfriend Joshy, who loved all things Christmas and had decorated his place for her. Her parents are on their way to meet him. Now Suzanne just had to get Josh to play along. He knew she was trouble, he just thought he could resist her. Their banter is hilarious. And their times together will touch your soul.
Get ready to get your Christmas spirit on. You don’t want to miss this one! Oh how I LOVE an Amy Andrews’ story and this is her best yet!
What a wonder Christmas time romance, even though our lead character, Grady. Hates the season. The author has written a very funny, heartwarming and touching story with characters so well defined, you’ll not only love them but you’ll feel every once of their emotions. Characters that you’ll grow to love and root for too.
Grady, a rancher in Credence Colorado, is a loner who just wants to tend to his ranch and be left alone. Especially around the Christmas holidays, as they bring up tragic memories from his past. So when his uncle rents out the cottage on the ranch for the holidays, Grady is not a happy camper. His mood gets even more grouchy when Suzanne, a New York City painter, shows up and won’t quit talking and driving Grady crazy over the craziest of this. From the time she shows up at the ranch I laughed to the point of tears. But matters go from bad to worse when Suzanne unintentionally ends up telling her parents she has a boyfriend and her parents end up at the ranch as well. The banter between Grady and Suzanne as they try to pull of the Hokiest Christmas ever while trying to convince her parents they are a couple is beyond hilarious. Storms, Mistletoe, intriguing paintings and Christmas lights believe it or not make for one funny romance to don’t want to miss.
2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars for a great addition to the Credence Colorado series and may everyone’s holidays be as exciting as Grady and Suzanne’s. I loved the heartwarming story and Highly recommend grabbing it up. You won’t regret you did.
Blog Tour & Review: THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS (Credence, Colorado #2) by Amy AndrewsNo ratings yet.
Author: vox libris September 22, 2019 0 Comments
Christmas joy, hot hero, romanceAmy Andrews
I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Trouble with Christmas by Amy Andrews
Series: Credence Colorado #2
Published by Entangled on Sept. 24, 2019
Genres: Christmas joy, Romance, Hot Hero
Format: ARC
Source: Author
I live for Hallmark’s cheesy Christmas movies. I live for Lifetime’s cheesy Christmas movies and UPtv’s and any other cheesy Christmas movies I can find. So when I saw Amy Andrews’ new book, I jumped on it like an elf on a candy cane.
And then it turned out that Amy Andrews’ The Trouble with Christmas isn’t cheesy. It’s sweet, yes, and sometimes corny, but it’s also blazing hot and more than a little poignant. It’s fun and swoony, and it’s Christmas!
Suzanne needs a fiancé STAT. Otherwise, she will have to leave the Colorado cottage she rents and her gloriously gorgeous landlord Grady to spend Christmas with her snooty parents in New York. Fortunately, Grady agrees to pretend to be said fiancé when Suzanne’s parents decide to come to Colorado for the holidays.
Yeah, you know where this is headed. Those kisses under mistletoe, the “fake” hand-holding and cuddling–it all becomes a little too real. But Suzanne’s stay in Colorado is supposed to be temporary, so even though the fake feelings start to feel legit, Suzanne and Grady resist.
I loved the snow and the decorations and the food and all of the things that make Christmas Christmas in this book. But more than that, I loved Grady and Suzanne. He’s grumpy, she’s noisy, and together they work. You root for them, and you hold your breath to find out how Amy Andrews will keep them together because they must be kept together.
Put on your Santa hat, grab some hot cocoa, and dive into this delight. Then please let me know what you think.
Santa Baby. My review of The trouble with Christmas.
Naughty or nice? I would definitely say both. lol. Artist Susanne St. Michels rents a cottage at a ranch in eastern Colorado in order to reconnect with her muse and paint. The owner and landlord of the said ranch is hottie Joshua Grady. He is an ex-Marine suffering from a past he would love to forget. He is grumpy and miserable and absolutely does not want to have anything to do with his new alluring tenant. She is too bright and happy all the time and she is sexy as hell. Josh doesn’t need that in his life right now. Susanne attempts to make friends with her brooding landlord which always ends with the pair bickering instead. Until she is desperate and needs Josh to be her fake boyfriend and fake “The cheesiest Christmas ever,” campaign for her mother and father when her mother invites herself to the ranch for Christmas. Susanne guarantees that the “cheesiest Christmas ever.” will drive her mother and father who are not for the commercialization of Christmas, back to New York before the week is through. Josh refuses in the beginning until he makes a deal she cannot refuse. Boy was this book steamy. I expected the sex scenes to be explicit however not this much, and I loved every bit of it. It was a good change of pace from the sappy, syrupy sweet romantic comedy I usually read. Though, I love them too. I thought this was a wonderfully fun book to read in any month of the year. I laughed out loud many times as i read this book. The dialogue was crisp and sharp. It reminded me of the old romantic comedies of the 30s, 40s. The witty banter and sharp writing. Like another reviewer said. Amy Andrews writing is impeccable. It was well-written and sharp. It grabbed my attention from the beginning to the end. This is the first book I’ve read from Amy Andrews and will not be my last. I will be looking out for more of her books on Amazon, Goodreads, etc. I would like to thank Bookish.com for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book.
LOL fun!! I love reading Amy Andrews books and The Trouble With Christmas is filled with crazy holiday fun, a grinch-like rancher, crazy faux inspired paintings and one dominatrix Barbie Christmas tree topper. This is a holiday book you do not want to miss.
What could possibly go wrong when Suzanne St. Michelle tells one tiny lie to her parents in hopes that they won’t visit her while she’s staying in Credence, CO this holiday season? What is this tiny lie you ask? She’s dating the grumpy rancher, Joshua Grady, whom she’s currently renting the cottage from. She may have also embellished the small lie and told her parents that Josh LOVES Christmas. That he is something like a Christmas fairy, sprinkling that stuff around like fairy dust in his good cheer. Josh in fact tries to avoid anything to do with the season, but I’ll get to that. You see, Suzanne was only trying to keep her parents in New York. She only wanted to spend Christmas with her friend, in a very over the top way like a Hallmark movie. So there was nothing wrong with a little lie…right? Try telling that to the grinch…I mean Josh.
Joshua Grady prefers solitude. He also prefers answering people with one word replies if asked anything. You see, Grady, as he prefers to be called, isn’t much for conversation or people. So when Suzanne rents his cottage, he isn’t thrilled, but he’s able to stay away, so no harm no foul. But when Suzanne approaches him about this hairbrained scheme to be her fake rancher boyfriend when her parents decide to visit for the holidays…well he has more than just one word to say about that. He doesn’t like the holidays for a reason and he certainly doesn’t like his solitary alone time to be encroached upon…but she also offers up a deal that he can’t refuse. If only the deal doesn’t break Suzanne’s muse in the process.
I love the town and the townsfolk of Credence, Co. They add so much color and life to the story. Grady and Suzanne have great chemistry, along with a great back and forth that will have you chuckling out loud. The holiday items mentioned that are outrageously over the top had me laughing so hard. This was like watching Clark Griswald light up his home on TV, but better because it was Grady’s. Amy Andrews filled every nook and cranny with a garish Christmas item and I loved the creative touches her mind came up with. Pulling Grady out of his grinch-ish mood was a fantastic transformation to read and I loved every moment.
This book was great! Aside from being a Christmas story (which I love!), it contained two of my favorite things I enjoy reading in a book – humor and a bit of snark. The hilarity of the romance façade the couple tries to keep in place for her parents was just that…laugh-out-loud fun! The story was well-paced, engaging and heartwarming and Suzanne and Grady were charming characters that took a crazy, roundabout road to a sweet romance. Amy Andrews is a new author for me and I will definitely be seeking out more of her books in the future; I really enjoyed her writing style.
Thank you to Bookish First for the ARC of this book. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
The Trouble with Christmas is the first book by Amy Andrews that I have read and I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this story! It is a sweet romance filled with holiday festivities, characters you will love, funny moments, a fake relationship and small town gossip that keeps Grady and Suzanne on their toes. Even though their relationship started out as a way to not have to spend the holidays with her parents, nothing happened the way she planned. The biggest surprise was the feelings that she and Grady had for each other even though they fought those feelings as long as they could. I think it was Suzanne’s quirkiness that warmed Grady’s heart and opened him up to possibilities he never thought he would have again.
First, after reading what it was about, I was almost immediately interested in reading it.
It at first seems like one of those Christmas books where the main female lead is trying to find a fake boyfriend for the holidays. But after reading this book, I learned that it takes that plot into a completely new direction.
In this book, Suzanne is a New York artist, who paints replicas of other famous artwork. She comes to the small town of Credence, Colorado, hoping to find her muse. She is desperate to paint something original and all her own. Once arriving on the ranch where she will spend the holidays, she meets the owner, Joshua Grady, or Grady as he prefers to be called. There is an instant attraction between the two of them. But neither want to address it. Later, Suzanne comes to him, with an idea. She told her parents she wasn’t coming home for the holidays, because she wants to spend the time with her new ‘rancher boyfriend’. They say they will come to her. So she goes to Grady and makes him a deal. If he will pretend to be her boyfriend, and she will give him something he wants in return. Paintings shes painted of him. He agrees.
The thing that is different about this story is the fact that Grady has avoided any type of holiday, or relationship for the last 17 years. He hates the holidays.
I greatly enjoyed reading this book. It was funny, and sweet, and heartwarming. This was the first book from this author that I have read, but it will not be my last. I definitely recommend this book. Especially if you are looking for a quick, fun read.
I loved book one in this series and this one was just as good.
This time the story belongs to rancher and former soldier Joshua Grady and legit art forgery painter Suzanne St . Michelle.
He is a man who suffered great losses at an early age, and never truly recovered. Since his return from the Army, he keeps to himself, isolated in his ranch until his uncle rents the cottage on his ranch to Suzanne. To say he’s upset is putting it mildly, even though sparks fly during their meeting. As well as each being annoyed by the other.
Though Suzanne is trying to find her muse and wanting to get away from her mother’s shadow, when she realizes her parents are close to divorcing, she invites them to the ranch and proceeds to create the tackiest Christmas ever, much to Joshua’s displeasure.
While the plot was engaging, and at times funny, and at others heartbreaking as well as heartwarming, the story was more than the basic plot.
It’s a story about allowing yourself to love someone for however long that love lasts. Sometimes fear keeps up from doing just that , and we miss what could be the best part of life.
The characters were complex and likable and while seemingly opposites, in fact they were perfect for each other.
Another touching story by this talented author.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Entangled. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
What a cute book! This is the first book of Amy’s that I’ve read and definitely was not disappointed! What’s not to love? A brooding rancher and an upbeat New Yorker…what could go wrong? Well everything. Joshua Grady likes his peace and quiet. Especially during the holidays. But that changed when Susanne St. Michelle pulled up in her Scooby Van. She was chatty and an artist trying to find her muse. Well she found it…Grady! But when she painted him, only part of the painting was actually of Grady. And when he found them…didn’t go well. But these paintings did come in handy when Susanne needed help. She needed a pretend boyfriend who loved Christmas. Her parents were coming and she needed them to believe in her new life in hopes they would head home early. Well that plan backfired as well. During the make believe things started to become real. Grady tried to fight his feelings. Did not want a repeat of his past. And Suzy never saw it coming until it hit her canvas. This book had me laughing in parts and angry in others. But as the book came to an end, I was smiling and very happy. I think reading this book during the holidays is perfect. So for your holiday season, definitely pick up this book!
This is a great entertaining Christmas, the season of good will and holiday cheer read, it’s a laugh out loud hilarious romance with just the perfect mix of sarcasm and snark. This may be a Christmas tale but i firmly believe it will read over and over and loved at anytime of the year. The characters are loveable and the banter they share flows so naturally throughout their story.
Suzanne has escaped New York and arrived in Credence to try and get her mojo back and get creative with her art work, she rents a cottage on a ranch and that’s where she meets Joshua the owners nephew. Joshua doesn’t understand why she is there and he really doesn’t want to deal with her but from the moment they meet the banter and sarcasm will have you snorting out loud. I love Christmas and I loved this book and I really didn’t want it to end, i found myself crying from laughter and the story captivated from the first page to the last line. This author has fast become one of my must read authors and I’m sure if you one click The Trouble with Christmas you won’t be disappointed. Celebrate the holiday season with this entertaining read.
The Trouble With Christmas is a fantastic holiday romance by Amy Andrews. Ms. Andrews has provided readers with a well-written book loaded with an outstanding cast of characters. Grady just wanted to work his ranch and be left alone. Suzanne just wanted to paint her own paintings, not copy other’s works. Suzanne and Grady’s story is loaded with drama, humor, sizzle and holiday shenanigans that will put a smile on your face. I enjoyed reading The Trouble With Christmas and look forward to reading more from Amy Andrews in the future. The Trouble With Christmas is book 2 of the Credence, Colorado Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is my second Amy Andrews ARC. I got this through NetGalley.
The blurb lured me in—hook, line and sinker! I love everything Christmas. I may not be as crazy as Suzy and Joshy pretended to be in the story but yes, I’m a Christmas person. Growing up, as far as I could remember, my Christmases were all perfect—as perfect as an excited kid looking forward to Santa’s visits and deliveries. And like they say, Christmas is for the kids and kids at heart. And I am a big kid. I’ve always been a big kid despite all the adulting I had to do… So yes.
It started slow for me. I don’t know why but it did. It picked up when I was about 35% in… Even though it started slow for me, when it started picking up, it sure did pick the heck up. Like all pretend relationships go, you can’t wait to know what happens next—the bickering, the tension… there’s a build up of anticipation especially when your male protagonist is all sorts of cranky, has walls up to a mature oak tree, and seems to be immune to your heroine.
As I was reading I kept on thinking, boy I wanted to see this on the big screen. I wish someone would turn this into a Hallmark or a Netflix Holiday movie… I mean we’re already in September so the Christmas season is already starting.
Who doesn’t want to read about holiday cheers and a sexy rancher? It’s light and swoon-worthy. It’s everything you’d want in a holiday romance. I definitely recommend.
This is my second Amy Andrews ARC. I got this through NetGalley.
The blurb lured me in—hook, line and sinker! I love everything Christmas. I may not be as crazy as Suzy and Joshy pretended to be in the story but yes, I’m a Christmas person. Growing up, as far as I could remember, my Christmases were all perfect—as perfect as an excited kid looking forward to Santa’s visits and deliveries. And like they say, Christmas is for the kids and kids at heart. And I am a big kid. I’ve always been a big kid despite all the adulting I had to do… So yes.
It started slow for me. I don’t know why but it did. It picked up when I was about 35% in… Even though it started slow for me, when it started picking up, it sure did pick the heck up. Like all pretend relationships go, you can’t wait to know what happens next—the bickering, the tension… there’s a build up of anticipation especially when your male protagonist is all sorts of cranky, has walls up to a mature oak tree, and seems to be immune to your heroine.
As I was reading I kept on thinking, boy I wanted to see this on the big screen. I wish someone would turn this into a Hallmark or a Netflix Holiday movie… I mean we’re already in September so the Christmas season is already starting.
Who doesn’t want to read about holiday cheers and a sexy rancher? It’s light and swoon-worthy. It’s everything you’d want in a holiday romance. I definitely recommend.
https://benderdreamergirl.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-trouble-with-christmas-by-author.html
The Trouble with Christmas by Amy Andrews a four-star read that should come wrapped in a bow. This is the second story in the Credence series, but they can be read as stand-alone as I haven’t read the first and didn’t feel like I missed the story, I will be going back to catch up. I totally fell for Suzanne St.Michelle, she just wanted a simple life, but things just keep getting thrown in hr path, the humour that her muse brings just blew me away, the part of the Muse was well done, she was so lifelike. I loved the whole Christmas dilemma her folks added to the sordid tale, this one will leave you with a twinkle in your eye and a melting snowflake in your heart. Joshy will melt even the coldest of winter mornings, he has a hard story, but one you will fall for so easily.