I don’t have many books to talk about today. I was so busy last weekend participating in 7 panels at the Maryland Romance Writers stage at Baltimore Book Festival. It was so much fun and I got to talk about books and I absolutely love it. I will try to write a wrap up this weekend. 

I did manage to finish one book this week. That is kind of love for me, but the time change has been kind of brutal. I hope next week I will be back to a better sleep pattern.

All I Want for Christmas is You by Miranda Liasson– I love Hallmark Christmas movies but I rarely read Christmas romance novels. I am a complicated woman. Anyway, this year I want to try to read a few more winter holiday themed books. I read Puppy Christmas a few weeks ago and that was a let down. So after Miranda’s recent post about friends to lovers reminded me how much I love that trope, I had renewed interest in this book. 

CW: Accidental pregnancy, deceased parent, mention of car crash and a deceased character’s pregnancy loss 

The heroine, Kaitlyn, runs a small coffee shop in a small town. She’s had feelings for her friend Rafe for a long time. A few months ago they both had a little too much to drink at a wedding and had sex. They used at least two forms of birth control, which is explained in the book, yet Kaitlyn got pregnant. I LOVE an accidental pregnancy. Especially if it truly is an accident and not, oops we had unprotected sex and now they are pregnant. 

Anyway, now that Kaitlyn is pregnant, it gives her and Rafe a chance to connect as more than just friends and actually fall in love. The story is sweet and sensual and has some tension to it. Rafe had a previous relationship that ended and he thinks he isn’t over it. He thinks he isn’t worthy of love and that he has no love to give. But of course we as the reader know that isn’t true. They work it out and all the things come together perfectly. Well at least perfectly for this couple. 

There is a plot point where Kaitlyn is trying to win a cookie contest and it felt like the weakest point of the book. At least the actual contest. She submits the recipe but doesn’t have to actually bake it for the contest. In the age of reality tv baking shows, that felt a little too quaint for me. 

This book is cute and sweet and truly did remind me of a Hallmark movie. Small town, large family, some meddling by a sort of ailing grandparent, a troubled niece, and a couple falling in love. Overall this was an enjoyable read and I would be willing to read Liasson again.

Grade: C+
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