The Naughty List

Merry & Bright Farm #2

by Victoria Ellis, Dee Lagasse

An all new enemies-to-lovers holiday romance novella from authors Dee Lagasse and Victoria Ellis

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Romance, Novella, Enemies To Lovers

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2023

About the author

This author is also published under the pen name Eve Parrish.

Victoria Ellis (V.K. Ellis) is a multi-genre author that publishes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, and Romance novels. She is also the author of two poetry collections.

Victoria is the founder of Cruel Ink Publishing, LLC.

She resides near Chicago, Illinois with her husband, newborn daughter, and an abundance of animals.

Reviews

[Meegz Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4 Stars*

ARC kindly received for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this short story - I liked both main characters and I loved the family dynamic of Elliot's family. Would love to read more about these guys in the future or more from this world. Would recommend.

Follow me on:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
The Storygraph

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5*s
This book, like the first one is super cute
I loved that this story was less focused on the two main characters as a couple & more so on the female main character & her sort of son. This book was super choppy in some places but other than that, a super cute slow burn holiday read!

[Santana Walls · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thanks to the authors for an ARC of this cute holiday novella!!

God I think my teeth have rotted with how sweet this was. I know this was just a novella but I could read an entire book for Tillie and Elliot. Their banter was so well written and I adored them together.

This is was honestly just what I needed to get in the holiday spirit. I can see myself rereading this as a tradition because it’s so quick and it feels like a Hallmark movie in shorter form.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading, The Naughty List. This was the sequel to the book (The Nice List) I had just finished the other day. This was an enemies to lovers, he's the small town guy who's protective of his family and farm, and she's the new girl who's been hurt by her family so she finds it hard to trust people. They start off on the wrong foot, but they keep being thrown together, and as they do they see parts of each other they hadn't seen before and the chemistry builds. This was a sweet Christmas read! ❤️📚

[PP's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Naughty List by Victoria Ellis and Dee Lagasse is short, sweet, spicy and full of warm holiday cheer! If you are looking for a novella with all the best parts of Christmas and all the feels, this is your next read. Elliot and Tillie made me smile and swoon so hard. They had that crazy instant chemistry that heats up the coldest winter evening.

What can be a better set up for a holiday romance than a famous Christmas tree and caribou farm? Tillie is excited and anxious to organise the annual Christmas event for The Merry and Bright Farm as it will be amazing for her event planner portfolio. She has a lot on plate, including taking care of her nephew Sawyer. Yhe youngest son of the farm owners( who are amazing), Elliot doesn't like an outsider in middle of their traditions & they started on the wrong foot at the local speed dating event. But their animosity is just beginning of their happily ever after.

Tillie grew up in unstable family, courtesy her mother and that's why she wants her nephew to have the best. She is so kind and sweet and also..resilient. She loves easily and deeply. It's amazing how she has become this big hearted beauty even after all the trouble. Her stepfather definitely played an important role. Elliot wanted to run away from their small town as he wanted to make a name outside his family. But he realises that the city life as engineer feels hollow. He misses his cozy small town and all the incredible people. He misses his family like crazy. So when he came back on a long break to help the family during the holiday rush, he didn't like someone intruding. He definitely had some misconception about Tillie. They definitely didn't like each other but they also felt the sizzling hot chemistry. Slowly, as Tillie spent time with his family and in the farm, Elliot started seeing her pretty and intriguing sides. Tillie realised Elliot is just overprotective of his family.. not an enemy. Rather, he is charismatic and charming and drop dead gorgeous. The job gave her a beautiful and loving family and that meant so much to her. It's just so heartwarming to read a romance where everything is cheerful and cozy and picture perfect!

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

[Samantha Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Naughty List 🎄📚 by Victoria Ellis & Dee Legasse

5/5 ⭐️ ~ 2/5 🌶️

I devoured this adorable holiday novella in one sitting— just like I knew I would! Tillie and Elliot meet at a small town speed dating event that takes a turn for the worst, only to find out that Tillie is now working for Elliot’s parents at Merry and Bright Farm! Now they’re stuck together until the event is over. This novella was short and captivating, with a delightful sprinkle of spice. I loved Tillie and Elliot’s story! Another perfect holiday read for anyone who is in need of some happy holiday vibes by the tree. ❤️

[Catherine Cervone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I’m a HUGE fan of what I’ve read from these authors so far! The Nice List was so good and I may have even liked The Naughty List better! Great character development, quick pacing with a storyline that still made sense, and wonderful character dynamics. Can’t wait to read more from these authors!

Thank you to the authors for this eARC in exchange for a review!

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, very quick read. I like enemies to lovers and holiday romances are fun. Since it was so quick, there was a lot I was missing. If you just want a quick holiday novella, this was cute.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt rushed and sloppy - several editing mistakes. Mostly showing no telling. It’s a shame, especially after the first book was so fun and had potential for growth.

[Cassy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 star really.

It was a cute, enemies to lovers book. I actually really appreciated how fleshed out the characters were. They had diverse backstories, problems, elations, and everything you want in a well rounded character without ever feeling like you’d been infodumped on.

It had a very “Lovelight Farms” feel to it, so if you enjoyed that book, this would definitely be one to read.

There was a little spice to it. One solid open door scene.

My biggest hangup was there was a lot more time dedicated to the “enemies” portion of their relationship than the “Lovers” part. There were three weeks skipped over, which was fine but there was a ton of their relationship skipped. I never really got to see them falling for each other. Just “you really annoy me” to “Oh. Turns out you really don’t” and I never got to see how we got there.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Christmas corniness: 🎄🎄🎄/5 (Takes place near Christmas at a Christmas tree farm.)
Best line: "If I see another guy kissing you, I’m going to need to be bailed out of jail.”
Worst line: none

[ReadingWithNikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC Read***

***Possible Spoilers***

Hallmark movie with spice! Also, who doesn't love a book where Gilmore Girls is referenced and you can totally picture that town events in Stars Hallow. This is the sequel to The Nice List by Victoria and Dee! Loved this one as much as I loved the first one. I was a great quick, holiday, spicy read. This is the story of Tillie and Elliott (Bennett's brother) and an enemies-ish to lovers story. I say this because they aren't quite enemies when they are introduced, thanks to Clara and her speed dating. Clara is sweet and thinks they will be perfect together but they both have strong opinions on the other. Tillie is trying her best to be the perfect parent figure to Sawyer but also wants to be carefree. A few weeks working together and being around each other on the family farm change everything. This 2 book series does not disappoint!

#ARC #EnemiesToLovers #HallmarkVibes #HolidayRomance #SmallTown

[Lucy Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

5/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️

Firstly, Tillie and Elliott are so cute and perfect for each other. I love them so so much!!

Tillie, oh how my heart breaks for you! Tillie is just the perfect fmc. I love her whole character, her background, her interactions with her chosen family.

Elliott, I love how protective you were over your family and your families farm. I love how much you love your family. You were so sweet and cute, even if you were a little mean in the beginning.

@deelagasse & @authorvellis

This short and sweet novella was brilliant, I love your writing, your character building, plot and everything else! Both of these novellas were everything needed for a short and sweet escape from the stress of the holidays. These are just such a good, fluffy feel good romance.

Thank you!!

[Tammy - · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little holiday novella that's heavy on the holiday spirit and low on angst.

Tillie has just become guardian for her nephew and started a new job, planning the annual Christmas festival at Merry & Bright Farm. She doesn't have time for dating, but she attempts a speed dating session only to regret it when she meets Elliott Winters. Too bad, Elliott happens to be her new boss's son. Elliott wants to leave the corporate world behind and return to his family's farm to plan their annual festival. Too bad, the woman from his disastrous speed dating session already has the job.

I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance, and this book definitely has that feel although it's a lighter version of it. I enjoyed the chemistry between Tillie and Elliott, and their story definitely put me in the Christmas spirit. This is a quick read that kept me turning the pages. Enjoyable read!

[Ambers Book Nest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victoria and Dee have once again proven to be a talented team. The Naughty List is the second book in their Merry and Bright novella series, a heartwarming Christmas series following the two Winter brothers. I really enjoy enemies-to-lovers romance story lines, and this one did not disappoint. The chemistry between the main characters was electric, and their journey from enemies to a couple was beautifully portrayed. This one wasn't as spicy as the first, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I'll definitely be interested in reading it if Victoria and Dee work on another project together in the future.

"For the first time in my life, all the stars have aligned. All of the people that matter to me are in one place. For the first time, I know this is where I belong. In this perfect snow globe town. On Merry & Bright Farm. With Elliott"

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Nice List, I could not wait to read this book. It did not disappoint. In fact, I was laughing so much that I might have shed a few laugh tears. My face hurts from grinning so hard. Tillie was being a grump during their first meet and greet, so in a way I don't blame Elliott for calling Tillie out on her attitude. Yet, Tillie put Elliott in his place and thus the nickname "Firecracker".

With each interaction, the chemistry does start building more and more. Well maybe more for Elliott in the beginning. Once these two realized they were better off with each other then as enemies, what out for the fireworks! There was a "naughty" moment.

If you are looking for your next laughable, holiday read, pick up a copy of this novella.

[Dawana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and Quick!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

The Naughty List is a cute and fast story of enemies to lovers that will capture your heart immediately. From the start, Tillie makes you fall in love with her heart, uncertainty, and snarky comments. She meets Elliott at a speed dating event where his first words to her were grumpy and judgmental. Their banter started right then.

I loved how we get to see more of this wholesome, small town family at the Christmas Tree farm. Elliott is a good man. Tillie is strength…she is perfect! When they finally hook up, it is hot. If there was more of that, they would have been a higher ranking for sure. 😂

I love this series and can’t wait to read more from these authors.

[Lizs.book.nook ||Elizabeth|| · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so adorable!! Elliott and Tillie are sugar, spice, and everything nice. They might not start out of the best foot with first impressions, but as they start to be around one another and get to know each other, the sparks fly. I love the back and forth between them, the slow burn, and the explosion that happens. This gave me all the holiday feels and a huge smile on my face. I couldn’t put this book down! This is a book I see myself re-reading every holiday season, I just love it so much. And I can’t not give a shout-out to the this family and group of characters, they just give you all the warm fuzzy feels.

[K. Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written I wanted more!

There really is nothing better than feeling on top of the world after becoming mom to your nephew but scoring a great job to help you take on that responsibility.
With the people that matter most in your corner, you can do anything.....that is until the boss's son is home for Christmas.
He puts the bug is Bah-hum-bug!
If you didn't know any better though this man follows you watching you closely because he likes you....

After an incident with your nephew, Scrooge is quickly becoming someone you want to spend time with, but do you ruin chances with this amazing job and he's leaving anyway at the end of the season...I mean right?

[Amanda Lobato · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was such a cute and quick read from Dee and Victoria. This story is book 2 in the Merry & Bright novella series and this time gives you major holiday, Hallmark, enemies to lovers vibes with a perfect mix of sweet and spicy. This story is about Bennett’s brother Elliott and Tillie who was hired on as an event planner for their family’s yearly event. Naturally Elliott thinks his family doesn’t need the help and they start off as enemies who can’t help but still be attracted to each other. I really enjoyed this short holiday read.

[SiSi ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, cozy winter read. It's perfect for the Christmas feel! I enjoyed the bad vibe turned good between the two main characters and the way the family was so sweet throughout the whole story. I enjoyed the first book and wanted more so I knew I would like this one just as much. This family makes you want to be apart of theirs, fictional or not. Everything about it was cute and it's the perfect read to get in at the end of the year since it's under 100 pages and gives that Christmas feel. 😊

[Melissa Jimeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say I enjoyed seeing how things developed with Elliott and Tillie…I was already invested because of Bennett and Clara’s story with The Nice List. I enjoyed the spin on speed dating in a small town. The banter between the characters was refreshing. It was also nice that the plot focused on Tillie raising her nephew and their connection as well. In certain places I felt the story line was a bit choppy but was easy enough to follow. By the end I was wanting to know more about both couples from the Merry & Bright series.

[Elsa Gomes (BookishAurora) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭒ Rating: 2,5 stars

The way the first novella was so good and this one flopped... Don't get me wrong, still love the family and loved the single mom vibes and Elliot. But the way this was written eh. The beginning was so slow and there was no need and then the ending was too quick and it just messed it all up for me.

Also, while the title of book one made sense and even had a cute special scene between the characters, this one didn't and didn't make sense at all. It's the little things for me...

[Piper Brintnall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say, I was way more intrigued by Elliot’s book when he was mentioned in the last book that I was actually reading his book. His chemistry with Tillie was flat and neither character was all that interesting. Tillie had some backstory to her, which was nice but I feel like her story was too much for a novella. There was too much to unpack in such short amount of time. And I didn’t think their chemistry translated to spice when they came together. There was no build up.

This book was fine but kind of a take it or leave for me.

[Ellie Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

FMC was horrible for no reason to the MMC and when he dished it back, she was furious and her internal monologue for 70% of the book was about how he was such a jerk and she would not tolerate him talking to her like he did (which was literally only him treating her the same way she treated him) and how she would be nice and not tell his mom, etc how mean her son was as if she was not the one to be unbelievably rude because he was friendly- literally she snapped at him because he was too nice. Like wtf.

[Heather Mulvihill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tillie is working at Merry & Bright Tree Farms as a helper and is taking care of her nephew,Sawyer since his mom, Prissy, who is Tillie’s sister got into trouble. Eloise’s dad, Will and her wife, Catherine act as Sawyer’s Papa & Mimi. Will is Tillie’s former stepfather.. Tillie, under Eloise’s advisement goes to a speed dating event at the coffee shop near the tree farm.

I absolutely loved this novella I need more of Elliot, Tillie, Sawyer and the whole Merry & Bright Family

[Marissa Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book I was confused when the description said “enemies to lovers” as the first one was so small town best friends to lovers. I wouldn’t said this was enemies per say. More like two people who didn’t get a good first impression. But the book was super cute and seeing the family accept Tillie was adorable. So was her caring ways and wanting to give sawyer a better life than she had.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️

5/5 ⭐️ 2.5/5🌶

Loved this short, sweet, and sprinkle of spicy holiday novella.
Tillie and Elliott are a perfect match, and I really enjoyed reading their story. It's giving:

✨ enemies-to-lovers
✨ workplace romance
✨ single guardian
✨ snowed in
✨ holiday spice
✨ warm fuzzy feels

This is a fantastic follow-up to The Nice List and definitely recommended for a quick, fun, feel good read!

[Megan Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book

It was such a sweet book I enjoyed it and got sucked into this snow globe town. I love hallmark movies and this feels exactly like that I loved the characters and out of the 2 books with these characters this one is my favorite the only thing I wonder is what happened with Clara’s friend Noelle and her fiance Michael he was only mentioned a couple times but Noelle was actually in it and unhappy.

[Caitlin U. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella, which was a follow up to The Nice List. Elliott and Tillie are a great contrast to Bennett and Clara from The Nice List as enemies to lovers and I loved seeing their relationship evolve over the book. As with the first novella, I would LOVE to see more of this couple as a full length!

[Amanda Davanzati · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Naughty List was such a cute and enjoyable read! This enemies to lovers romance has some great characters and a swoony hallmark type story. I love Elliot and Tillie. They were absolutely adorable and I love their chemistry.

This was definitely a great quick and easy holiday read! Perfect for anyone! I definitely recommend this for all!