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Just A Pretty Face
Henry hates Christmas. It's tacky, the event lasts far too long considering it's only supposed to be one day, and it reminds him of everything he's lost. So, no, he doesn't help decorate the tree in the office, and no, he doesn’t want to do Secret Santa with his colleagues. All he wants is to avoid his family and get through the season in one piece. It's been the same every year for thirteen years, and it will be the same until he dies behind his desk.There's no Christmas miracle for him this year.
Until he walks into a bar, sees a girl, and slips…
Maddie hums along to Christmas songs the moment the leaves turn a shade of orange. She's ready with fairy lights and baubles the second the summer smell fades. This year, she thinks she got her Christmas wish months early. She's moved into an apartment back home, has finally finished her education, and is hopefully about to start the job of her dreams.She doesn't need anything else this year. Maddie's not even sure what else she’d ask for.
But then he trips into her life, and he’s so pretty. Maybe Maddie has been extra good this year…
Until he walks into a bar, sees a girl, and slips…
Maddie hums along to Christmas songs the moment the leaves turn a shade of orange. She's ready with fairy lights and baubles the second the summer smell fades. This year, she thinks she got her Christmas wish months early. She's moved into an apartment back home, has finally finished her education, and is hopefully about to start the job of her dreams.She doesn't need anything else this year. Maddie's not even sure what else she’d ask for.
But then he trips into her life, and he’s so pretty. Maybe Maddie has been extra good this year…
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2023
29 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Jasper
11 books122 followersCan we talk about love? I'm dying to talk about love.
Hi!
Thank you for reading my books! No need to wait to post a review, I'm not fussy about reviews before publish date as I will run from GoodReads so fast xxxxx
Hi!
Thank you for reading my books! No need to wait to post a review, I'm not fussy about reviews before publish date as I will run from GoodReads so fast xxxxx
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 5, 2023
Another perfect read for a cosy season filled with festive vibes! Set in the UK, which I find a lot of great festive reads aren’t, so I loved that about this book. The miserable weather and the streetlights and the relatable setting.
The characters were relatable and so so likeable, and the character development of Henry was like no other I’ve seen in a festive novel before. Maddison was a wonderful FMC, full of relatable quotations, interests (LOTR, Gilmore Girls, board games), she’s family driven. She offers so much intertextuality, and is genuinely just a completely normal girl.
““I’ve seen Mads in love twice in her entire life. The only time it’s come anywhere close to how she is with you, his name was Aragorn, and she couldn’t get to Gondor if she wanted to.”
Through her, the author also comments tastefully on sensitive topics such as racial discrimination in the workplace and the insecurities it can bring. The two had completely different backstories, each entirely relatable in their own way, and when combined, their support for each other was admirable and added so much value and depth to their characters.
“I’d buy you the world.”
“Would you burn it down for me too?”
There were so many tropes that I love in this book, the workplace romance, the found family, views on money/rich vs poor in romance, elements of “who did this to you”, the redemption of complex family backgrounds… and for a book with so much spice, there was such a slow burn!
There was the right amount of predictability, so that you knew exactly where the characters’ relationship was headed, but all plot twists still surprised me!
Genuinely, I’d kill to read this again for the first time. Thank you so much J.S. Jasper for allowing me the privilege of this ARC read.
The characters were relatable and so so likeable, and the character development of Henry was like no other I’ve seen in a festive novel before. Maddison was a wonderful FMC, full of relatable quotations, interests (LOTR, Gilmore Girls, board games), she’s family driven. She offers so much intertextuality, and is genuinely just a completely normal girl.
““I’ve seen Mads in love twice in her entire life. The only time it’s come anywhere close to how she is with you, his name was Aragorn, and she couldn’t get to Gondor if she wanted to.”
Through her, the author also comments tastefully on sensitive topics such as racial discrimination in the workplace and the insecurities it can bring. The two had completely different backstories, each entirely relatable in their own way, and when combined, their support for each other was admirable and added so much value and depth to their characters.
“I’d buy you the world.”
“Would you burn it down for me too?”
There were so many tropes that I love in this book, the workplace romance, the found family, views on money/rich vs poor in romance, elements of “who did this to you”, the redemption of complex family backgrounds… and for a book with so much spice, there was such a slow burn!
There was the right amount of predictability, so that you knew exactly where the characters’ relationship was headed, but all plot twists still surprised me!
Genuinely, I’d kill to read this again for the first time. Thank you so much J.S. Jasper for allowing me the privilege of this ARC read.
December 28, 2023
This was just so freaking cute🥹💓
November 28, 2024
I'm on the fence with how to rate this book. It's a super sweet Christmas romance. I was really loving the first half.
(A couple things didn't make sense in the beginning. Ex: Not realizing the last name of the coworker you email and IM? Huh?) Despite that, it was a stinking adorable love story. I also felt it started to drag on towards the end.
(A couple things didn't make sense in the beginning. Ex: Not realizing the last name of the coworker you email and IM? Huh?) Despite that, it was a stinking adorable love story. I also felt it started to drag on towards the end.
November 9, 2023
First Christmas read of the year and I LOVED it!!!!
Review to come ❄️🎄🎁❤️
Review to come ❄️🎄🎁❤️
December 28, 2024
I enjoyed this book.
From the start of the book it was off the races with steamy scenes in chapter 1 and humor filled quips about never even needing to know names or becoming friends.
Both characters were set in their ways and it was enjoyable to watch them both try to deny and ignore the obvious.
It was a fun read and a good page turner to relax and enjoy both the season and holiday romance.
From the start of the book it was off the races with steamy scenes in chapter 1 and humor filled quips about never even needing to know names or becoming friends.
Both characters were set in their ways and it was enjoyable to watch them both try to deny and ignore the obvious.
It was a fun read and a good page turner to relax and enjoy both the season and holiday romance.
November 9, 2023
Thank you J.S. Jasper for my ARC of this lovely one ☺️
📖 Bring back christmas romcoms rn 🫠 this is a workplace romance that starts as a one night stand and need I say more? yes! cause its also a meet cute, cinnamon roll mmc x slightly stabby fmc, grinch x christmas fan, millionaire romance with lots of pining and gift giving oh and spice 😋 Maddie and Henry will steal your heart with how adorable they are 💖
❤️🔥 What I liked:
•The banter was yummy delicious and got me swooning like a teenager
•Henry the cinnamon roll of my dreams i love him so much 🥰
•THE COPY ROOM SCENE 🫣
•Benji 🥹
•The commentary on workplace racism and misogyny and economic differences that gave a little more nuance to the story.
•sooo many cozy Christmas scenes if you love the holiday like me you’ll be veryyy happy 🎁
❤️🩹 What I wasn’t a fan of:
•The beginning was so cute then i was like oh wait where are they going? then ohh ok! 😅 then at the end another plot twist and overall id like to sue Jess for the jumpscares I wasn’t counting on with this one
🎁 Wrapping things up:
This is my 3rd book by Jess and probably my fav one so far, a cute cozy story with its share of past trauma to overcome and idiots in love who are oblivious to their own feelings 🫠 you’d love it too!!
📖 “Just a pretty face” releases Nov. 10 and you don’t want to miss it trust me ☺️
Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
TS Song: You are in love + Labyrinth
📖 Bring back christmas romcoms rn 🫠 this is a workplace romance that starts as a one night stand and need I say more? yes! cause its also a meet cute, cinnamon roll mmc x slightly stabby fmc, grinch x christmas fan, millionaire romance with lots of pining and gift giving oh and spice 😋 Maddie and Henry will steal your heart with how adorable they are 💖
❤️🔥 What I liked:
•The banter was yummy delicious and got me swooning like a teenager
•Henry the cinnamon roll of my dreams i love him so much 🥰
•THE COPY ROOM SCENE 🫣
•Benji 🥹
•The commentary on workplace racism and misogyny and economic differences that gave a little more nuance to the story.
•sooo many cozy Christmas scenes if you love the holiday like me you’ll be veryyy happy 🎁
❤️🩹 What I wasn’t a fan of:
•The beginning was so cute then i was like oh wait where are they going? then ohh ok! 😅 then at the end another plot twist and overall id like to sue Jess for the jumpscares I wasn’t counting on with this one
🎁 Wrapping things up:
This is my 3rd book by Jess and probably my fav one so far, a cute cozy story with its share of past trauma to overcome and idiots in love who are oblivious to their own feelings 🫠 you’d love it too!!
📖 “Just a pretty face” releases Nov. 10 and you don’t want to miss it trust me ☺️
Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
TS Song: You are in love + Labyrinth
November 7, 2023
In this sweet Christmas story, we meet Henry, a guy who's a total Grinch when it comes to Christmas. He's at a bar waiting for a blind date. On the other side of the festive spectrum is Maddison, who absolutely adores the holiday season. She's just waiting to hear about a job while meeting up with her sister at the same bar.
Henry and Maddison have a brief chat before Henry's date shows up, but things take a surprising twist. He decides to bail on his date and goes in search of Maddison. They end up having a hot and steamy night together, both thinking it's a one-night stand.
But life has other plans for them. Maddie lands the job she was hoping for, only to realize that her boss is none other than Henry. As they navigate their professional relationship, they find it hard to keep things strictly business. The more time they spend together, the less professional they become.
Maddie ends up being a healing presence in Henry's life, helping him deal with his family issues and opening his heart to love, family, and the Christmas spirit. This story is full of surprises, keeping you guessing.
Can Henry finally get into the Christmas spirit and embrace the holiday with all the trimmings, including a Christmas tree? Are Maddie and Henry just a passing fling, or is there something more meaningful between them? To find out the answers and boost your holiday cheer, dive into this cozy book that's sure to warm your heart this season!
November 9, 2023
⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 2/5
.
A total favourite Christmas setting story ❄️💙
Where oh where do I begin … the plot , the twists … oh the spice 🥵
J.S. Jasper does it again and gives yet another fav ✨
.
Tropes : ( be careful of spoilers⚠️)
✨one night stand
✨workplace romance
✨secret identity
✨found family ❤️
.
An amazing novel that will leave a warm and cozy feeling deep inside you 🥰
.
.
Maddison a Christmas-spirt in the flesh just happens to fall into the arms of our “grinch” Henry … you can call it fate .. I call it an amazing story plot !!✨
And there is where our story begins .. how a one night stand can turn in to something more with a little bit of …. holiday magic!🎄
.
I a 10000% recommend ❄️
🌶️ 2/5
.
A total favourite Christmas setting story ❄️💙
Where oh where do I begin … the plot , the twists … oh the spice 🥵
J.S. Jasper does it again and gives yet another fav ✨
.
Tropes : ( be careful of spoilers⚠️)
✨one night stand
✨workplace romance
✨secret identity
✨found family ❤️
.
An amazing novel that will leave a warm and cozy feeling deep inside you 🥰
.
.
Maddison a Christmas-spirt in the flesh just happens to fall into the arms of our “grinch” Henry … you can call it fate .. I call it an amazing story plot !!✨
And there is where our story begins .. how a one night stand can turn in to something more with a little bit of …. holiday magic!🎄
.
I a 10000% recommend ❄️
November 11, 2023
A Christmas Feel Good Read!!!
If you want a Christmas read that has all the feels of a Hallmark movie. This book is for you. I absolutely loved Madison and Henry. Their interactions ranged from witty, romantic, and hot. I adored Maddie and my heart broke for Henry. These two were made for each other.
This is the first time I have read anything from this author, and it will not be the last. Her writing style is easy to read. She has crisp dialogue, and she built a world full of family, love, and forgiveness. This story you need for that wintery afternoon when you are looking for that perfect book to curl up with while lounging on the couch.
If you want a Christmas read that has all the feels of a Hallmark movie. This book is for you. I absolutely loved Madison and Henry. Their interactions ranged from witty, romantic, and hot. I adored Maddie and my heart broke for Henry. These two were made for each other.
This is the first time I have read anything from this author, and it will not be the last. Her writing style is easy to read. She has crisp dialogue, and she built a world full of family, love, and forgiveness. This story you need for that wintery afternoon when you are looking for that perfect book to curl up with while lounging on the couch.
November 14, 2023
i loved this book so much!
henry definitely made it into my top 3 book boyfriends, i absolutely adored him.
maddie is such a strong woman and is just so likeable, i mean who doesn’t love a woman that can stand her own ground??
i loved how maddie made henry enjoy christmas again, and how there wasn’t really anything they wouldn’t do for each other.
they tried to deny their chemistry and stay friends but the better they got to know one another, the more they got pulled towards each other.
this book has the perfect combination of drama, comedy and romance, and let’s not forget to mention the good amount of spice.
henry definitely made it into my top 3 book boyfriends, i absolutely adored him.
maddie is such a strong woman and is just so likeable, i mean who doesn’t love a woman that can stand her own ground??
i loved how maddie made henry enjoy christmas again, and how there wasn’t really anything they wouldn’t do for each other.
they tried to deny their chemistry and stay friends but the better they got to know one another, the more they got pulled towards each other.
this book has the perfect combination of drama, comedy and romance, and let’s not forget to mention the good amount of spice.
January 7, 2025
After a spat of bad books, this was a pleasant surprise. The love story was fleshed out and both MCs were enjoyable. The third person writing was a little clunky at times, see the overuse of the characters names, but overall well written. However, I am assuming the author is British because throughout the book there would be British vernacular or colloquialisms even though the book was set in NYC. Bum, jumper, lift, pound, trouser, baubles. While it isn’t a big deal I tended to be hyper fixated on the oddities and couldn’t place the location until a Brooklyn bay or the Hamptons were mentioned.
December 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this Holiday themed book about grumpy Henry who quite literally falls for Maddie. Their initial meet cute was exactly that. Their steamy, agreed upon " one-time" hook up is now hard to forget because Madison has just started working in the same office as Henry.
Madison really likes Henry and she's going to be professional about the matter. She chooses to be his friend because for the life of her she can't understand that everyone in the office dislikes him.
If you want to read about a grumpy rich MMC that falls head over heels for our FMC with a bit of yearning, workplace romance. I highly recommend this one!
Very cute, sweet, with some spice.
Madison really likes Henry and she's going to be professional about the matter. She chooses to be his friend because for the life of her she can't understand that everyone in the office dislikes him.
If you want to read about a grumpy rich MMC that falls head over heels for our FMC with a bit of yearning, workplace romance. I highly recommend this one!
Very cute, sweet, with some spice.
November 10, 2023
I loved this book so much! The story between Maddison and Henry is absolutely adorable and just felt so right. Henry is such a swoon-worthy man too. The slow-burn romance is done so well and there’s no pesky third act break up to clutter up the story. I also felt like each character was so well developed and the supporting characters were more than just talking pieces, which can be annoying. Everyone had a purpose and a thought out story that made them enjoyable to read about.
I highly recommend for anyone wanting a hallmark movie in a book.
I highly recommend for anyone wanting a hallmark movie in a book.
November 23, 2024
This book was exactly what I needed to start my holiday reading.
This was so cute and sweet. I was laughing, I was screaming and kicking my little feet, I even shed a few tears. I love a book that makes me feel all the emotions 🥹
Maddie was such a beautiful main character- she’s smart and extremely kind, the love she has for people felt so good to read about.
Henry, our Christmas grump, hates everyone but her and it was such a treat to read them fall for each other.
This book is told in dual POVs and is in third person.
Now to read the rest of the author’s backlog 🥰
This was so cute and sweet. I was laughing, I was screaming and kicking my little feet, I even shed a few tears. I love a book that makes me feel all the emotions 🥹
Maddie was such a beautiful main character- she’s smart and extremely kind, the love she has for people felt so good to read about.
Henry, our Christmas grump, hates everyone but her and it was such a treat to read them fall for each other.
This book is told in dual POVs and is in third person.
Now to read the rest of the author’s backlog 🥰
November 8, 2023
Another great Christmas read this year!! The Grinch of a boss meets the Christmas- loving girl of his dreams!! There’s office romance, no third act breakup, and them constantly denying their feelings. It is a slow burn with spice. It deals with wealth differences and some racism as well. The family dynamic of Maddison’s family in contrast with Henry’s is a nice touch that adds to them being total opposites in every way!!
December 4, 2024
A perfect cozy romance for anyone in need of a heartwarming escape. The authors writing is a blend of lightheartedness and depth, making the characters feel authentic and relatable.
The romance is sweet without being overly dramatic, unfolding at a natural pace. It’s the kind of relationship that feels realistic: two people learning to trust each other, heal from their pasts, and navigate the uncertainties of love.
The romance is sweet without being overly dramatic, unfolding at a natural pace. It’s the kind of relationship that feels realistic: two people learning to trust each other, heal from their pasts, and navigate the uncertainties of love.
November 19, 2025
Amazing and cute love story that was wayyyy too long.
If she chopped 100 pages I would have rated this a four.
I’m obsessed with low stakes romance. The only tension present was the fact they were coworkers (didn’t stop them from fuckin in the copy room though).
Such an obvious match and they both deserved happiness. This story was comfort food for my love starved heart.
Just wayyyy too long.
If she chopped 100 pages I would have rated this a four.
I’m obsessed with low stakes romance. The only tension present was the fact they were coworkers (didn’t stop them from fuckin in the copy room though).
Such an obvious match and they both deserved happiness. This story was comfort food for my love starved heart.
Just wayyyy too long.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2023
✨ARC Review✨ ,This book was just the perfect way to start the holiday season. When I say I loved the banter between Henry and Maddison I mean I loved it . I loved how Maddison turned this grinch of a man into a man of holiday cheer per se lol. This is a slow burn with a good amount of spice . Thank you J.S Jasper for the ARC copy can’t wait to read more of your work 💕
January 7, 2026
Dear lord, please let me have chemistry and funny banter like Henry and Maddison in the future I beg!!!!! Their communication together is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read. Don’t even get me started on their nicknames for each other. Oh my goodness love those two!! Happy tears the whole entire time ᵒ̴̶̷̥́ ·̫ ᵒ̴̶̷̣̥̀
November 10, 2023
Good message
This well written book is thought-provoking, in regards to self worth and social classes. Not the average spicy romcom but has a good message. I absolutely appreciate the author's thoughtful content warning at the very beginning, also.
This well written book is thought-provoking, in regards to self worth and social classes. Not the average spicy romcom but has a good message. I absolutely appreciate the author's thoughtful content warning at the very beginning, also.
November 10, 2023
This was a nice cute Christmas romance, Henry and Maddie were so adorable and I loved them together. I got bored toward the end as nothing exciting was happening so it would have been better as a novella or shorted book but a nice read overall.
December 13, 2023
All the feels
I loved every second of Henry and Maddie’s story. This story was equal parts sweet and feel good and just gave me all the feels.
🎄Workplace Romance
🎄One Night Stand
🎄Secret Identity
🎄Boss/Employee
🎄Billionaire
I loved every second of Henry and Maddie’s story. This story was equal parts sweet and feel good and just gave me all the feels.
🎄Workplace Romance
🎄One Night Stand
🎄Secret Identity
🎄Boss/Employee
🎄Billionaire
December 24, 2024
Good Story…
I liked the story, but the miss match between location and them being from the UK was a bit disconcerting, I liked that she talked about race, class and how they navigated it without making it the center of their relationship.
I liked the story, but the miss match between location and them being from the UK was a bit disconcerting, I liked that she talked about race, class and how they navigated it without making it the center of their relationship.
November 26, 2023
This book was brilliant! The banter between the main characters was so fun and the spice was on point!!! A must read for romance lovers this holiday season 🤩🎄
December 5, 2023
4 ⭐️’s
I love the way the love each other. This book was really well written and you could feel the love the characters had for each other.
I love the way the love each other. This book was really well written and you could feel the love the characters had for each other.
April 14, 2025
loved maddie & hen ✨✨✨
December 17, 2025
This book was just insanely cute 🥰
December 29, 2025
3.75 rounded to 4 Stars.
Pleasant read but did drag towards the end. I do think 100 pages could have been taken out.
Pleasant read but did drag towards the end. I do think 100 pages could have been taken out.
March 6, 2024
Henry has been shaped by his childhood and his dysfunctional family unit. He lost her mother when he was fairly young and his family never recovered. He does not do relationships and is considered to be unapproachable at his family owned business. When he meets Maddie she is everything lovely and loves his least favorite holiday: Christmas. They have a one-night stand but are soon in each other's orbit when Maddie is hired at his company. This story is beyond cute and the slightly broken Henry is a delightful boyfriend. My only quibble and it is a minor one...the story is written in present tense...slight ewwww.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews