All I Want for Christmas

Rose Gardner Investigations #7.5

by Denise Grover Swank

A Rose Gardner Christmas novella taking place the December after It All Falls Down

Rose Gardner and her best friend Neely Kate have one wish this to celebrate their first holiday season with their babies, surrounded by love and joy. But life, as always, has other plans.

For Rose, sharing custody of her niece and nephew with her brother-in-law Mike’s parents proves to be more challenging than she ever imagined. The tension escalates, threatening to overshadow the festive season. Meanwhile, her husband Joe faces a surprise visitor who brings unexpected complications to their already chaotic lives.

Neely Kate, determined to make this Christmas her best yet after years of heartache, is blindsided when Carter Hale, former attorney to the Fenton County crime lord, delivers devastating news. It’s a revelation that could unravel not just her perfect Christmas but the life she’s built with her husband, Jed.

Told from the perspectives of Rose, Neely Kate, Joe, and James “Skeeter” Malcolm, All I Want for Christmas weaves a story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. Will these beloved characters find their holiday miracles, or will this Christmas become yet another battle to overcome?

Genres: Christmas, Mystery

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2024

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visiting Rose and the gang during Christmas is always wonderful but this was just special.
Getting the chance to see how Rose, Joe, Neely Kate, Jed, and the kids are doing and how they celebrate Christmas together was great.
To avoid spoilers, this novella must be read after you have finished reading, 'It All Falls Down'.
There are some lingering questions that I had that were answered, and I was very surprised to see someone who shall not be named make an appearance. I was also very surprised, although I probably shouldn't have been surprised to see James as well. *Sigh* That man just knows how to tug a bit at my heartstrings. This is a Christmas novella you didn't know you needed but it heals your soul.

[Megan Cowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear I fall more and more in love with James in every single book. It’s so gut wrenching to see how much he cares about and loves Rose and Hope, how much he sacrificed for them both.
I wish Rose knew the extent to what he’s done for her.

I love Rose and Joe together. I love the life they’ve created and that they always support each other in every decision they make.

I love Neely Kate, I do. But sometimes when I read about her, she makes me so irate. I will never understand why she didn’t confide in her husband about what was happening, or why she feels the need to go behind his back to see Skeeter. If there’s anything we know about Jed, it’s that he supports NK no matter what, even if he doesn’t agree with her.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holidays and unanswered questions

I loved this Rose Gardiner holiday novella. I am always happy to fall back into Rose’s world. As always with this series, the story had the perfect balance of humor, heartwarming love, real life issues, deep emotions and spice. Plus it answered all the unanswered questions after It All Falls Down and before Trouble Comes in Threes. We get some chapters from Neely Kate, Joe and Skeeter’s POVs. Despite being short, the story was well written, the characters had dimension and the storyline was engaging. However, this novella is not really a standalone, it needs to be read after the previous book in the series.

[Sheri P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I inhaled this story! And now I’ve finished and…Sigh! Being set at Christmas, the magic of the season is woven into this brief glimpse into Rose Gardner’s world. While their blood families may be disappointing, the found family Rose and Neely Kate have forged has stronger connections and they will do anything for each other. It was a delight to catch up with the characters, seeing how they are handling their new roles and insights into what’s driving their choices. I hope we get more from this world soon!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun novella! I devoured this. I had a lot of questions after It All Falls Down and many of them continued after the start of Harper’s series and even into Trouble Comes in Threes. A lot of them were answered here, which was nice! We get to see Neely Kate, Jed, Rose, Joe, and all the kiddos enjoy their first Christmas season after everything that went down. I loved every minute of it. We also visit James, and he will forever have my heart. Quick novella, but so satisfying!!

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love James (Skeeter). This story made me love him even more… and feel even more sad for him, especially because I have read the spin-off series with him in it (I REALLY don’t like the FMC in that series). He deserves SO much more.

As for Rose, Neely Kate et all, just a slice-of-life look at what’s happening in their lives. HATE how Neely Kate keeps things from her husband repeatedly, though.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quick yet satisfying read answers many of the lingering questions readers of the Rose Gardner Investigations series have at the end of It All Falls Down—questions that aren't addressed in Trouble Comes in Threes.
Have you been wondering: Is Skeeter keeping tabs on Rose and her daughter? Whatever happened to Joe’s mother? How did Rose manage to gain custody of Ashley and Mikey? How did Jed avoid being noticed by the feds when they took down Skeeter?
All this and more are revealed. Thank you for another great read, Denise!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite series. Can’t get enough of Rose.

[Sondra Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the novella

Love seeing Rose and Joe and Hope…and Nellie Kate who,is such a sweetheart! And even Skeeter who cares and protects those he claims even if they don’t know! Such a sweetheart novella for all us Rose fans!

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Rose and Neely Kate, please!

I just can't get enough of Rose Gardner and her best friend Neely Kate! Let's be real! There is a reason why Denise Grover Swank is a one - click, rush to pre-order, and Must Read author for me. From the first Rose Gardner mystery I read over several years ago, to her paranormal suspense such as Curse Keepers and even her contemporary rom-coms, Denise Grover Swank has been capturing my imagination for years. I admire her personally (read her bio) as a working mom and a strong, independent woman. I love her writing and wish I could grow up to be just like her!

So, when All I Want for Christmas was released, there was no question I would purchase the novella as soon as it was released. I was correct in thinking it was just what I needed to put me in the Christmas Spirit (far superior than dogs barking Jingle Bells!).

As usual, Denise Grover Swank's well-developed characters are so real they could be your next door neighbors! I can relate to Neely Kate going overboard with her determination to provide a perfect first Christmas for her daughter, Daisy. I have been there! I laughed out loud at the disaster at Ned's X-mas Tree Farmpozium (yes, that is a thing!) Denise had to be creating that scene from real-life experience! It was too detailed to be anything but a true story. It was like watching a scene out of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! It was so over-the- top ,hillarious, I fell out of my chair laughing! I remember taking Christmas photos with my one-year old daughter and my sister's son. It was not exactly the same disastrous outcome but close enough. I never took commercial Christmas photos again!

Visiting with Denise Grover Swank's iconic sassy characters was the perfect uplift I needed to kick off my own Christmas season. Thanks, Denise, for the perfect Christmas gift you could give to a devoted fan!
As always-
Keep on writing, and I, your devoted fan, will keep on reading!

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a novella, “All I Want For Christmas “ pack a powerful punch. It is a delicate tease of increasingly intriguing and complicated plots to come in the Rose Gardiner series.

This time Neely Kate is excited about her first Christmas as a family. She has coaxed Joe and Rose along with Hope to go to a cheesy Christmas tree farm that promises a delightful time. Rose tries to warn Neely Kate that it is not as advertised but Neely Kate isn’t hearing it.

Meanwhile, Neely Kate gets a surprise visit from Carter, Skeeter Malcolm’s attorney warning her that the FBI is planning to question Jed the first of the year. He warns her to get a good attorney.

If that is not enough, Rose’s niece and nephew are being forced to spend time with Mike’s parents and they are absolutely horrible grandparents. The hiss hate it and Rose has pleaded with Mike for full custody.

Oh, did I mention that Joe’s mother shows up at his house and wants to reunite and be a part of his life with Rose? Lol, she thinks she can make up for all the wrong she has done. Joe has enough foresight to know she is up to something.

There is a lot going on in this gem of a read. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that because it is a Christmas novella it will be chocked full of frivolity. No, it is a wonderful Christmas story that will leave you wanting for more. Definitely, pick this little gem up and start your reading adventure!

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so surprised when I heard about this umbrella coming out from the series. I really thought the series was long done and over but I am so happy it's back. We get to see the characters we get to see Rose as a mother as a wife and just being so good with her family and her friends. I felt like this was a very quick read. It was really sweet and cute and still in the Rose fashion. Left us with a little bit of a mystery at the end. Cuz now I'm wondering what James Skeeter is going to ask Neely Kate for in return. There wasn't really a big mystery which is okay cuz it's a novella. It's more of like the in between of book 7 and book 8. And since I read trouble comes in threes first before this novella which takes place before book 8. It also puts more introspective from book 8 where we were left off where there might be another criminal organization coming up from the blue and it's making me think what James Skeeter already knew before. I did get a very big laugh with hope and head butting Santa until he broke his nose. I found that just hilarious. And even if we didn't get a big mystery for this, we got a little bit of hints of the next book that's going to come out, which I can't wait to read. But I probably should read the Harper Adam series if it can impact the continuation of this series.

[P.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella that takes place between It All Falls Down and Trouble Comes in Threes. Neely Kate is determined to have a perfect Christmas with her young family and Rose is trying to make things as special as possible for her niece and nephew. Their father is in jail and she and Joe are sharing custody of the kids with their not very nurturing grandparents. Of course, life throws multiple wrenches in their goals.

The story is told from multiple POVs, mainly Rose and NK with a sprinkling of Joe and James, so you do get to get inside the minds of several characters. Unlike the main novels, there isn't a mystery to be solved, but it does fill in a lot of gaps between the two stories. I also found it to be nice to spend some time with these awesome characters without fearing for their lives!

[Cheryl Jewhurst · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story could be summed up in 1 or 2 paragraphs. Neely Kate hears that her husband might be questioned by authorities about his association with Skeeter Malcolm so decides her only option was to visit Skeeter in prison and ask him for a favor.

During her conversation with him, he naturally asks about Rose and is told of the problems regarding custody of Rose's sister's kids that their father and his parents were inflicting on Rose and Joe.

Once Neely Kate's visit with Skeeter was over, both problems were fixed that very same day!

End of Story.

I am probably done with any further books in this series since it's obvious the author has run out of fresh stories to tell.

[Denise Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet & special novella, with multiple points of view, to fill in the blanks after It All Falls Down.

It’s so bittersweet to finally see Rose, Neely Kate, and Joe all happy. We get explanations and time line fill ins that we didn’t have before or with Trouble Comes in Threes.

It truly felt like coming right back home to a family friend, diving back into this book. If you’re a Rose fan, you absolutely need to read this!

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

another amazing instalment!

Rose Gardner is one of my favourite characters of all time along with the others in her life. The characters drive these stories and always feel so real, each book is like catching up with friends. This was no different and despite having read all the others it was nice to have this little bit backfilled and the loose ends tied up neatly! Some lovely Christmas anecdotes too, definitely one not to be missed by fans!

[Linzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always appreciate the different perspectives of the characters. I’ve been reading this series for years and I eat them up book after book. Call me crazy but I could never hate Skeeter Malcom! Rough and rugged but secretly has a big heart. His perspective wasn’t surprising at all, I knew he did the things he did to protect the ones he cares about most.
I would absolutely die for a Skeeter Malcom series! Denise pllllease make it happen lol

[Jenni Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when DGS writes novellas with other POVs. This one was a nice cute one that gives us a picture of how Rose and the gang are doing after the events of the last book. The James POV may have been my favorite because we see that even though he didn’t want Hope, he cares for her and wants to make sure she’s taken care of when she gets older. So glad that Rose & Joe have custody of Ashley & Mikey too!

[Julie Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rose Gardner Christmas Novella that I brought this book months ago but kept it to read in December and another amazing read for part of the Rose Gardner Series.
Denise Grover Swank keeps you hooked as always!
A story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship ready for the Christmas spirit despite all the trauma that happened all through the amazing series - only short but perfect part of the series in full and part of Christmas!

[Chrystal M Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting a glimpse into Rose and the rest of the gang was so much fun. Having it set at Christmastime made it even more special. We finally get many answers to many questions that left us wondering at the end of It All Falls Down. Rose, Neely Kate, and the gang will always have a special place in my heart.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was perfection! If you’re looking at this book then you must already love Rose, Neely Kate and the gang*, so you’ll love this festive novella and the catch up with our friends. I’m so happy we still get to hear from Rose, and can’t wait for the future adventures in this world.



* if you’ve not read Rose’s story yet, start with 28 and a half wishes - you’ve got so much fun ahead

[Cf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Christmas gift.

I never get tired of this series and the continued trials and tribulations of all of the characters. Skeeters has always been a favorite and to find him emerging again is great. You just never can tell how things are going to work out for the rest. Just know that I always look forward to the next book.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to be back in Rose’s world! What a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas while catching up. This may be short but Denise did a wonderful job of bringing a bit more closure to the Rose series and filling in some gaps between other series with some of these characters. There a POVs from Rose, Joe, Neely Kate, and Skeeter. If you are a Rose Gardener fan you won’t want to miss this book!

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trouble seems to pursue Rose and Neely Kate and near Christmas they have two crisis . Rose with the sudden appearance of Joe’s mother and the shared custody of Violet’s children. And Neely Kate with the possibility of her husband Jed called to speak with the FBI. Can she find a solution for both problems for free or will she need to compromise and keep a secret forever? Amazing as always.

[Nichole Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

This was a beautiful, heartwarming Christmas novella, sharing what happened the first Christmas after It All falls Down. It answered some questions that I had from the last book, and also some new questions. I am so excited to see what is next!

[Shazza_d2002hotmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

Oh I just love this series and so happy to have more rose and the gang. This novella answers some questions I’ve been wondering for a while. I really hope there is more Rose and Neely Kate to come as I will never tire of their story

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect novella to give readers who love Rose and the people around her a glimpse into the first Christmas season after the close of It All Falls Down. It ends in a way to make you want more. We can never have enough Rose.

[Natasha's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, of course, I'm going to rate a Rose Gardner book five stars. This short holiday novella brings back most of our favorite series characters and has around four different character POVs. I love that we are getting caught up in the series and seeing where certain characters are now.

[Marilyn Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I love that this book goes back to explain what happened to ensure that Rose had the kids. Denise continues to write great stories and if a person picks up the books they will be hooked.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite series ever so I was super excited to read a Christmas novela.
I adore James Malcom and always love it when he pops up in a DGS series.
Overall, short read but so worth it for me.