The Book:
The Christmas Wager by Annabel Monaghan
Published: September 26, 2023 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Date read: November 19, 2023
The Characters:
Bella and Jesse
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The Plot (from Goodreads):
One rivalry. Eight days until Christmas. Let the holiday games begin.
When LA-based real estate developer Bella Ross arrives in the sleepy, mountain town of Maple Falls, she has one mission: to acquire the local failing Christmas shop, Always Noelle, securing the promotion of her dreams. Nothing can get in her way. Except the shop owner’s stubborn grandson, Jesse Harrison.
Both refuse to budge, until an unlikely wager is struck: Bella and Jesse will compete in the Maple Falls Holiday Games, an annual tradition of eccentric feats of strength and skills. Winner decides the selling price. They’ll give each other a run for their money, but as the competition heats up, Bella and Jesse’s icy feelings toward each other begin to thaw. It’ll take a Christmas miracle for them to admit there’s a spark, but what if it’s just another game?
My Review:
The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love when authors genre-swap to write a Christmas romance, because you can always tell it’s a project from the heart.
Maple Falls was the most wonderful setting–a perfectly quaint Christmas-loving small town and home to a Christmas-themed store called Always Noelle. I absolutely adore the “save the small business” trope, especially at Christmastime. Always Noelle is run by the MMC’s grandfather, who is the most lovely old man. You’ll be wishing Clarence was your own grandpa!
I will say I wish the Holiday Games took up more of the plot–more closely to The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon. I LOVED seeing what those creative old ladies dreamed up, and wanted more of Bella and Jess facing off!
My other hangup with this book is that the romance didn’t quite feel realistic. Jess and Bella jumped jarringly from enemies to wanting to be more, and there wasn’t enough time to let their relationship develop before the third-act conflict. I enjoyed what we got but just wanted MORE of it!
Overall, a very cute holiday read and exactly what I”m looking for this time of year.
I’m excited to see that there will be another Holly Cassidy holiday rom-com in 2024!
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For more holiday reads, check out this list.
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