The Naughty or Nice List

The Love List #5

by Ellie Hall

I’m on Santa’s nice list. He’s on the naughty list, but now he wants a second chance. I’m fresh out of charity...and cookies.

Rachel
I’d like to say I’m back in my hometown with bells on to see the annual Christmas parade and light show. Instead, I’m here to help my ailing mother survive the holidays. When I literally run into my high school sweetheart who is now a pro football star—okay, I was out for a jog then trying to hide from him—I’ll need a miracle (and some egg nog) to make it to the new year.

Rylen
Going back home wasn’t on my Christmas wish list this year, but running into my high school sweetheart is a gift I didn’t realize I wanted. And it keeps on giving when I have the chance to play Santa at her mother’s care center. The only bah humbug is that my father’s will stipulates I get married by Christmas or lose the money to fund my non-profit.

Then we find a lost kitten.
He bakes some cookies for me.
And we get snowed in together.
She reminds me what love is.
Miracles do happen.

The field clock and the countdown to Christmas are on, and we’re left with the choice to forgive the past or lose each other forever.

USA Today bestselling author Ellie Hall presents a Christmas romantic comedy with sweet and swoony sizzle minus mature content. If you like heartwarming Hallmark style love stories, read this now. Each book in this series stands alone but go best together like cookies and milk.

Genres: Holiday, Christmas

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2023

About the author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

♥

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllieHallNL
Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com
Facebook: http://www/facebook.com/elliehallauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elliehallauthor

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Series and suggested reading order:

The Only Us Sweet Billionaire Series
•these billionaires have everything, but will they find love...?•

1. Only a Date with a Billionaire
2. Only a Kiss with a Billionaire
3. Only a Night with a Billionaire
4. Only Forever with a Billionaire
5. Only Love with a Billionaire
6. Only Christmas with the Billionaire
7. Only New Year with the Billionaire

♥

The Hawkins Family Clean Romance Series

•five brothers, torn apart and the women who help put them back together...•

1. Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

2. Finding Forever in Hawk Ridge Hollow

3. Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard

4. Going Home to Hawk Ridge Hollow

5. Christmas in Hawk Ridge Hollow

♥

The Blue Bay Beach Reads Romance Series

•a small-town restaurant, a dating dare, and happily ever afters...•

1. Summer with the Marine

2. Summer with the Rock Star

3. Summer with the Billionaire

4. Summer with the Cowboy

5. Summer with the Carpenter

6. Summer with the Doctor

♥

Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance Series

•Cowboy hats & kisses with small-town charm•

1. Rustling the Cowboy’s Heart

2. Lassoing the Cowboy’s Heart

3. Trusting the Cowboy’s Heart

4. Kissing the Christmas Cowboy

5. Loving the Cowboy’s Heart

6. Charming the Cowboy’s Heart

7. Saving the Cowboy’s Heart

8. Wrangling the Cowboy’s Heart

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Falling into Happily Ever After Rom Com

• Sweet, heartwarming & uplifting romantic comedy

1. An Unwanted Love Story

2. An Unexpected Love Story

3. An Unlikely Love Story

4. An Accidental Love Story

5. An Impossible Love Story

6. An Unconventional Christmas Love Story

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Forever Marriage Match

• Five friends have to find true love or else...romcom

1. Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss

2. Dare to Love the Guy Next Door

3. Dare to Love My Fake Husband

4. Dare to Love the Guy I Hate

5. Dare to Love My Best Friend

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Home Sweet Home Small Town Romantic Comedy Series

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love

Designing Happily Ever After

The DIY Kissing Project

The True Romance Renovation

Extreme Heart Makeover

Building What's Meant to Be

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The Costa Brothers Cozy Christmas Comfort Romance Series

Tommy & Merry and the 12 Days of Christmas

Bruno & Gloria and the 5 Golden Rings

Luca & Ivy and the 4 Calling Birds

Gio & Joy and the 3 French Hens

Paulo & Noella and the 2 Turtle Doves

Nico & Hope and the Partridge in the Pear Tree

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The Love List Series

The Swoon List

The Not Love List

The Crush List

The Kiss List

The Naughty or Nice List

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Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key

The Romance Situation

The Romance Fiasco

The Romance Game

The Romance Gambit

The Christmas Romance Wish

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On the Hunt for Love

The Grump and the Girl Next Door

The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

The Secret Son and the Sweetheart

The Ex Best Friend and the Fake Fiancé

The Best Friend’s Brother and the Brain

Select titles are available in audiobook, paperback, hardcover, and large print formats. Happy reading!♥

Reviews

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There’s only so much I can say. So that leaves only one thing. Do. I will show you how big and strong my love is for you no matter how long it takes. I will prove it today, tomorrow, and Christmas, no matter if it takes the next sixty years.”

Rylen is on the naughty list after running away from Rebecca five years ago. When they reunite in their hometown, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get on the nice list, and win back her heart and trust.

This was a super cute high school sweethearts, second chance romance that takes place in the mountains of Colorado at Christmastime. It hit all the right spots for me and was a lovely Christmas in July read!

What I loved:
🎄 All the Christmas feels
🎄 Kittens
🎄 Themes of forgiveness and trust
🎄 Faith elements
🎄 Rylen’s gestures
🎄 Christmas miracle
🎄 Mistletoe
🎄 The naughty and nice list
🎄 HEA

The Naughty or Nice List was a really sweet and enjoyable conclusion to The Love List Series. It can be read as a standalone.

[Tricia Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need a Christmas in July read? This is a sweet friends-to-lovers, high school sweethearts, second chance story set at Christmas time in a small town.

Things I Loved:
-Post-dramatic-stress
-Kittens
-The plot thickens
-Bridget
-“Or should I say, it was Rylen, in the SUV, with the snow tires? No known victims.”
-“It’s okay to be scared sometimes. It doesn’t feel good at the moment, but facing uncertainty helps you build strength and resiliency.”
-The Naughty or Nice List
-Christmas tree
-Praying together
-Mistletoe
-The journal
-“So that leaves only one thing. Do.
I will show you how big and strong my love is for you no matter how long it takes. I will prove it today, tomorrow, and Christmas, no matter if it takes the next sixty years.”
-Thistle and Bea
-The end and adorbs epilogue

This was a great wrap-up to the Boston Bruisers, it was fun “going back in time” and getting to see who Rylen and Rachel are after hearing about them in the other books. This book can totally be read as a standalone or really at any point in this series.
I so appreciate the light faith elements throughout this whole series—just glimpses of the characters’ personal faith showing in their story.




Trigger Warning: Medical emergency of a parent and the past loss of parents/dealing with grief is a theme. This is a HEA read and does not get too heavy. ♥️

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grad student Rachel Moore is back in her hometown of Blizzard Bluff, Colorado to care for her sick mother when she literally runs into her former high school sweetheart, professional football player Rylen Murphy. Their awkward conversation is interrupted by the sound of kittens crying; they manage to rescue them, but in the meantime, the light snow falling around them has turned into a full-blown storm. Unable to return to her mother's house, Rachel is forced to take shelter with Rylen, his brother, and his sister-in-law at the Murphy family ranch until it's safe to travel again. It could be exactly the chance they need to figure out what went wrong between them years ago - if only Rylen didn't have the mistaken impression that Rachel is married to someone else. Those aren't the only wedding bells he's hearing, either; under the terms of his father's will, if Rylen isn't married by Christmas, he'll lose the inheritance intended to fund his non-profit. But Rachel's the only woman he's ever loved, and the only one he could imagine marrying. Can they work through all of the misunderstandings and baggage of the past to find their way back to each other?

This funny, sweet, and heartwarming story was a perfect Christmas in July read. Despite their years apart, Rachel and Rylen's connection and chemistry were as strong as ever. They each made mistakes along the way, but I loved that they came together to talk through their fears and forgive each other. The book's secondary characters were also a ton of fun, particularly Rylen's brothers and his Boston Bruisers teammates, who were featured in previous books of The Love List series. (If Rylen's brothers don't already have stories, I hope the author will consider writing them in the future!)

Overall, I very much enjoyed "The Naughty or Nice List" and highly recommend it for all fans of sweet/closed door contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever Ellie Hall comes up with next!

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone

– this is told from Rachel & Rylen’s points of view

– Rachel’s mother is in the hospital for most of the story

– Rylen’s mother died in an accident & his father passed away (both past events)

Review:

I’ve been anticipating Rylen’s story with every mention of him in the previous books and I am thrilled with his book! It’s my absolute favorite of this series (followed by The Crush List and The Swoon List – for anyone that’s wondering)! I loved Rylen and Rachel’s Christmas second chance romance so much! I loved their story in it’s entirety, including our close side characters and their hands in helping the story along. Some of my favorite scenes/moments in the book included: Rylen trying to atone for leaving Rachel behind, running into each other, cuddling kittens, making cookies, an accidentally given gift, decorating for Christmas, Rylen with the other Bruisers, and Thistle’s talking to with Rylen.

Summary:

Rachel never wanted to return to her hometown, but when her mother ends up in the hospital that’s what she has to do. With her unexpected visit comes an unwanted blast from the past in the form of a Boston Bruisers football player. Rylen and Rachel used to be high school sweethearts until Rylen ran off without a word to her. Rachel can’t allow him to have further hold of her heart, not after it broke beyond repair, so she pretends she is married to try and get him to back off. But he was her best friend and the one person who could see through her. Lies may be a difficult thing to get past him…

Rylen hadn’t wanted to return home with the bad memories just a turn away, but he needs to in order to support his charity and hopefully find another way to fund it that isn’t by following through with his father’s will’s stipulations of marriage. The one woman Rylen ever wanted to marry he left behind and broke her heart, never to be seen again. But fate steps in and Rylen sees Rachel when he returns to his hometown. His feelings flare up around her and he can’t seem to want to leave her presence. Too bad she claims to be married (and has a ring to prove it) even though she isn’t willing to give a name or anything beyond flimsy details about her husband. Though Rylen knows something is up about her story, he chooses to be respectful and just atone for his mistake platonically. But if he finds out that Rachel’s story is a lie, could they have a chance at finding love together once more?

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️/5
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Plot: 5/5

Series: The Love List #5

Place:

Tropes: Sports Romance, Holiday Romance, Christmas Romance, Football Romance, Second Chance, Clean Romance, Friends To Lovers, High School Sweethearts, Small Town Romance, HEA

TW: Medical emergency of a parent, loss of parents, grief

Main Characters: Rylen & Rachel

This was the perfect ending to the series! I loved this Christmas storyline! I am a die hard Christmas lover and this was exactly what I needed when it came to the series. I really enjoyed the banter between R & R, because it essentially picked up where they left off but with more questions than answers.

There is the most minimal amount of spice within these pages. Kissing passionately is the most you get. I think that having that intimacy show through is so much more powerful.

Abandonment whether it be intentional or tragically is one hurt thay is hard to heal. Even over the years, no matter who or how. But with peace of mind and the right people these characters learned that they could trust and love again.

Rachel has so much to lose but so much more to gain when she trusts Rylen, and she learns that you need to depend on others because you cant always fix everythint yourself. Granted rich hunky football players you once loved doesnt hurt when he shows up and knocks your socks off.

The community around these two couldnt have been better. I absolutely loved Rylens beothers and wives rhay we got to see within these pages. Bea and her husband were so cute! I want to see so much more into their story as well. I think it would be an amazing book to read!


I received a complimentary copy via the author. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited to read Ryan and Rachel's story as they have been mentioned in all of the other books in the series. Ryan had just gotten married so he was away when the other Bruisers did their prank on their new team member that got them sent to the etiquette school.

Ryan and Rachel has a history going back to their days in school as the two of them had a secret relationship in HS. When Ryan's mother died in an auto accident, his reaction was to run from home and from Rachel. Her heart was broken when he wouldn't return her calls allowing her to help comfort him. He ended up playing football fro the Bruisers and she eventually left her hometown to become a Marine biologist working in Florida. It's been years since they have seen each other but this Christmas situations will bring both of them home at the same time.

Will Ryan realize Rachel is still the only woman for him? Will he be able to get her to forgive him for breaking her heart when he ran away due to his pain of losing his mom?

He decides to come up with a Nice list to overcome the Naughty list of leaving her. Ryan will find ways to help Rachel through her mother's hospital stay and having to sell her home to pay for the hospital bills. Watching them get a second chance was wonderful and this book was fun with all of it's Christmas cheer.

Of course all of his other team mates showed up at a critical time in this story to help him out.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

They were starting their Happily Ever After until he ran away.
This book explores the hurt that can come when someone allows fear get in the way of love. Rachel and Rylen had been together in high school, although they had been keeping it secret. When college came, they headed in different directions but Rylen had plans for their relationship to become official sophomore year in college. Then suddenly he lost his mother in an accident and instead of turning to Rachel and his family, he ran away to pursue his football dreams. Now, five years later, he is successful but haunted by his past actions. Rachel has moved on approaching the end of her doctoral studies. Christmas and the health of Rachel’s mother bring them both back to their small hometown, will it be a chance to put fears and hurts aside, or will the problems from the past prevent healing in the future. Mix in not one but two inheritances tied to marriage, two others chasing after Rachel and Rylen, and a glowering chef and you have a fun book you will enjoy. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Jerrye Tellmeagreatstorylove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last Boston Bruiser story and I was both excited and sad to get to it. I’ve loved getting to know these ride or die teammates and see their love journeys play out. This is a Christmas story meets second chance meets small town romance and I enjoyed every page of it. Rachel and Rylen are each other’s perfect foil and perfect match. They have the history of love but also the pain of break up and loss. Seeing them both grieve together and forgive each other for hurts was just beautiful and made the story so good. How the story ended might be my favorite of the series, mainly because it featured all the guys. But that bonus epilogue was fantastic too - the best ending for this series. Definitely get this series on your TBR if you haven’t already, it’s going to be a favorite for you too, I’m positive.

I received a complimentary ARC of this story from the author via BookFunnel. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[Carmela Agatha Enriquez (agathafeelingg.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @elliehallauthor for an early copy of The Naughty or Nice List. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

The Naughty or Nice List is a romantic comedy about Rachel and Rylen, who were once high school sweethearts. It has been five years since they last saw each other, and now that both of them are back in their hometown, brought about by Rachel’s mother’s health and Rylen’s inheritance.

This last installment of The Love List feels like a warm hug on Christmas; it feels like a heartwarming Hallmark Christmas movie. I enjoyed the stories the characters shared as they rehashed their past and I loved how the author was able to convey Rachel and Rylen’s chemistry and romance regardless of how long it has been since they last saw each other, like no time has passed at all.

The Naughty or Nice List is a perfect Christmas read even in July 😅. Rating this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5. Releases July 15th, 2023!

[Michele Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly do not know where to start! This was such an emotional, sweet, faith filled story. I laughed, I cried, I got mad at them. Rylen and Rachel wee high school sweethearts when his mom passed away and he ran away. They’ve never moved on from each other. Now, both are back in their small town and adjusting. The emotions were so real, the sadness was raw, the happiness was contagious. My heart broke and healed reading this story. When Rachel said “goodbye, Rylen”, I cried. This is a must read!

I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dylan and Rachel

Quick thought: during the month of December, football is in high gear. How is Shown able to go home for so long without supposedly missing any games? If he missed any games, surely that would have been commented on by several different people... Right?

Regardless of that important plot hole, I have to say that the Naught or Nice list is my favorite in The Love List Series. I've thoroughly enjoyed each and every book, but this one is the best in my opinion. Is it weird that I especially love all the kissing scenes and only wish for more...? 💜💛💚💙💖🍪

[Meg (thyme.for.books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel is back in her small hometown to spend the holidays with her sick mother. That last person she expects to see is Rylen, the one who got away. Rachel and Rylen were highschool sweethearts and had planned a future together until Rylen left town to play professional football. While Rachel wants to repair their friendship, Rylen hopes for more.

The Naughty or Nice List is the fifth and final book in The Love List series. It is a bit shorter than the other books and the only one that I would consider a stand-alone. This is a non-spicy Christmas romance.

If there’s one thing Ellie Hall can really write, it is a Christmas book. I enjoy all of her books no matter the type of romance but her holiday romances are just a little extra special. She always manages to capture the coziness of the season. Rylen may be the biggest cinnamon roll of an MC she’s written yet. Both of the MCs are so sweet that you can’t help but want these two to get back together.

I am sad to have reached the end of The Love List series but it finished out in the best way possible. I still have quite a bit of Ellie Hall’s backlist to go through but I’m excited to see what she has next for her readers.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was so cute. The interactions between the characters are so fun. Rylan & Rachel were high school best friends/more. They went two separate directions, and it was 5 years before they saw each other again. And they were shocked to see one another, and their meeting was funny, entertaining made me smile. This book talked about other characters in this series, but this book can also stand alone. I recommend this sweet Christmas romantic comedy, it is fantastic!

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit to being a tad wary of this book before starting. My Boston Bruisers were wrapped up nicely and I was…going back in time? Hmm. But! This was a great read that engaged me from the start. I loved our characters and their history. Their pains and deadlines and families. A small town. A celebrity. High school sweethearts. Inheritance issues. And more! A great book for Christmas in July.

I received a ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rylen and Rachel

The Naughty and Nice List is the perfect ending (beginning) to the Love List series. I love that Rylen was honest and focused. And that he made lists! I love that Rachel was able to forgive and work through her family, physical, and emotional worries and problems. I absolutely loved the 12 days of Christmas with Rylen’s brothers and teammates. You’ll want to grab this book.

[Wren Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaaaah Rylen, naughty or nice?

Want to wear a goofy smile while reading? Well this book is for you. For someone who’s been born lucky, it sure threw him for a loop when something really bad happened and he ran. (Very naughty). Now he’s got a lot of ground to make up (football pun) to prove himself to his girl ( very nice list). Can they let their past rule them, or will they be able to run together? Loved this book. Clean.

[Abby Huffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet best friends-to-lovers, high school sweethearts, second chance ❤️ I love Rylen and Rachel and that they never lost the love they had for one another🥰 I love his naughty & nice list and that he worked so hard to show his love to her & to atone for his part in their high school breakup. This was a great conclusion to the series and I’ve enjoyed the Boston Bruisers🖤🤍❤️🏈

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a sweet, full of emotion and chemistry, hard to put down and easy to get pulled-in romance. The characters are endearing with their sweet and swoony romance. This is a fun story filled with misunderstandings at times and wonderful love. It was enjoyable right down to the surprise ending. I loved it!

[Susi Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book!

This book was such an emotional roller coaster. Two young people fell in love but when his mother dies he falls apart and leaves. She's done left alone. During this time neither has even looked at another because they both knew that they belong to each other. Beautiful story!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

High school sweethearts
Second chance romance
Countdown to Christmas
Charmer

I Loved the Snowed in. Arriving in Santa's sleigh. All the reddened cheek situations. The stolen truck. The Nice List. Cookie baking. The Murphy gift tradition. Hauling Rachel and the tree. Mistletoe. Journal from Rylen's mom to him. Mrs. Moore's talk with Rylen. The Grand gesture.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean Standalone Rom-Com Interconnected Series

Part of an interconnected series with overlapping characters. In the interconnected storyline it falls chronologically first. It can be read as a standalone but you may want to read it first.
Second chances
Health scares
He's all in
Old rivalry

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not quite so light hearted as the others in the series but is a delightful second chance romance between former high school sweethearts Rylan and Rachel. I loved how Rylan took care of Rachel with deeds as well as words. Really enjoyed this romance.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Second Chance story

This light-hearted tale about a selfless good woman turns into a religious story about forgiveness and marriage Etc. Sounds like cookies were burned in the creation of this book.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I enjoyed meeting Rylan and Rachel. Their story was fun and filled with humor. I enjoyed the banter as well as the nostalgic feel of things with them remembering the past and deciding to move into the future.

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really did not want to put this story down. Great characters, great story, and a fun list to read. I do enjoy how this story comes together and ties up any loose ends from the other stories in the series especially with Rylen. Overall a good end to the series.

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest in Love

Rachel and Rylen have a history that ended on heartbreak. As personal responsibilities bring them both back home at Christmas, confessions, forgiveness, and honesty all come into play. It's a beautiful story of trust, love, and Christmas miracles.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super cute romantic comedy for the holidays.. I liked it very much! Lovely conclusion..

[JimandWendy Voitl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stopped running

Catching a Christmas miracle after they stopped running from their past to their future. Loving through the good and bad.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance at Love

Well written story with strong and believable characters.
Fun story so want to read more of this series. Think you would
enjoy it too. joy943

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second chance Christmas romance!

I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.