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Where Love Begins #2.5
One December Night
**One December Night is a short story companion to the full-length novel HERE TO STAY.**
Librarian Pennilynn Baxter likes life the way she likes her bookshelves—neat and tidy, arranged just so. Niggling doubts aside, getting engaged to the nice man she’s been dating for two years is the obvious next step, right?
But on the snowy evening of the expected proposal, Penn discovers someone’s been squatting in the old Victorian house she inherited from her grandparents. She finds herself back in picturesque Whisper Shore, Michigan, facing off with an intruder named Will who may not be what he seems.
As charming as the house he’s taken over, Will pushes past the reserve that has kept Penn from living the brave life she craves. And one December night in the house she used to love in the town she used to adore changes everything.
Librarian Pennilynn Baxter likes life the way she likes her bookshelves—neat and tidy, arranged just so. Niggling doubts aside, getting engaged to the nice man she’s been dating for two years is the obvious next step, right?
But on the snowy evening of the expected proposal, Penn discovers someone’s been squatting in the old Victorian house she inherited from her grandparents. She finds herself back in picturesque Whisper Shore, Michigan, facing off with an intruder named Will who may not be what he seems.
As charming as the house he’s taken over, Will pushes past the reserve that has kept Penn from living the brave life she craves. And one December night in the house she used to love in the town she used to adore changes everything.
38 pages, ebook
First published December 5, 2014
3 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Tagg
25 books1,673 followersMelissa Tagg is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and Carol Award-winning author of swoony and hope-filled small-town contemporary romances. She’s also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 20, 2018
Oh gracious, this was so adorable. <3 This cute little story made me want to drink hot cocoa and read books in a drafty old house.
August 9, 2018
Cuteness! So worth the 20-30 minute read! 😄❤
December 22, 2018
This was very, very cute! And very much like a Hallmark Christmas movie--but in the self-aware way that's even cuter and funnier ("you should be the city girl who couldn't wait to get away from small-town life..."). :)
I was seriously curious about Will's backstory and reason for being there, and I loved the way it worked out. No spoilers, but it didn't fall into any of the cheesy Christmas cliches I could think of. ;) I loved his personality, too! I could totally relate to Penn's "safe and predictable" routine, although going on your own to confront an intruder in an abandoned house was probably not the smartest way to break the mold. O.O I loved the way their relationship developed and the way everything worked out.
Content--one use of "Good Lord"; mentions of gambling and theft
I was seriously curious about Will's backstory and reason for being there, and I loved the way it worked out. No spoilers, but it didn't fall into any of the cheesy Christmas cliches I could think of. ;) I loved his personality, too! I could totally relate to Penn's "safe and predictable" routine, although going on your own to confront an intruder in an abandoned house was probably not the smartest way to break the mold. O.O I loved the way their relationship developed and the way everything worked out.
Content--one use of "Good Lord"; mentions of gambling and theft
February 14, 2015
In this delightful companion novella to Here to Stay, Melissa Tagg brings us back to Whisper Shore, a place I so want it to be real! Pennilynn Baxter is a librarian that does not like to take risks, but she does not know that her life is about to change right before Christmas. She just needs to listen to her heart and understand her deepest desires... with the help of a perfect stranger!
What a lovely short story! I am in love with Ms. Tagg’s writing style and her characters. She manages to create sweet and beautiful stories with simplicity, and by telling us the magic of love and friendship. This one is very fun and cute, and I really enjoyed reading it. If you have never read anything by this author, I would recommend to get to her novels as soon as you can! I am so looking forward to her next books!
What a lovely short story! I am in love with Ms. Tagg’s writing style and her characters. She manages to create sweet and beautiful stories with simplicity, and by telling us the magic of love and friendship. This one is very fun and cute, and I really enjoyed reading it. If you have never read anything by this author, I would recommend to get to her novels as soon as you can! I am so looking forward to her next books!
February 15, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
One December Night by Melissa Tagg is a charming glimpse of a story. I always enjoy spending time in the fictional Whisper Shore, and this small tale was just the delight I needed today.
Since this story is so brief, it felt a bit rushed to me. But I still adore it and recommend it to those who like lighthearted romance and/or romantic comedies.
One December Night by Melissa Tagg is a charming glimpse of a story. I always enjoy spending time in the fictional Whisper Shore, and this small tale was just the delight I needed today.
Since this story is so brief, it felt a bit rushed to me. But I still adore it and recommend it to those who like lighthearted romance and/or romantic comedies.
February 4, 2016
Cute tie-in to Here to Stay and lovely little Christmas story.
November 16, 2017
I've only read one other book by this author, so I wasn't sure what I was getting. It was such a fun read! There was no kissing, no places that made me roll my eyes, and just enough glimpse of the town for me to want to go visit. It was short and ended a bit suddenly, but I didn't feel it was a bad thing. It just made me want more.
My one complaint was one use of the Lord's name in a way that I felt was dishonoring.
Otherwise, I enjoyed this story.
My one complaint was one use of the Lord's name in a way that I felt was dishonoring.
Otherwise, I enjoyed this story.
December 28, 2014
This is a fun, little companion novella to the full-length novel, Here to Stay. I loved reading about this side-story and hope to see more of these two characters some time in the future. This is just a sweet, light read that is enjoyable during the holidays.
March 9, 2015
For being only 38 pages, I loved this book! So fun to be back in Whisper Shore. :)
December 7, 2014
Adorable and perfect! Just what I've come to expect from Melissa. I hope she takes the time to develop these characters into a novella or full length novel - I'm definitely interested!
November 27, 2015
Aw, that was cute.
February 23, 2016
Perfect for Christmas. Cozy novella, written in small town spirit complete with "blizzard," handsome stranger and inherited historic house. Snowball fights, breaking free from regrets of the past to "wide open spaces," pregnant BFF's and a crackling fire -- One December night has it all :)
I can't wait to read more of Melissa Tagg.
I can't wait to read more of Melissa Tagg.
December 6, 2014
Cute short story that definitely makes you want to read the next in the series. I bought it and will start reading it.
December 21, 2014
Short and sweet. I loved this story!
January 3, 2015
Perfectly done Christmas novella that ended too soon, love Melissa's stories!! :)
December 8, 2014
Cute and funny. Perfect.
December 21, 2014
This was a cute novella.
September 9, 2015
A very fun "Hallmark movie" novella. Enjoy!
April 27, 2019
"Your story isn't over unless you believe it is."
Cute short story. It kept me guessing about who the characters were and what was going to happen.
Cute short story. It kept me guessing about who the characters were and what was going to happen.
April 8, 2018
This was really so short, it was over before it got going. It just didn't give me time to connect with the characters.
July 18, 2023
cute, wish it was wayy longer tho. would have been so much better then:)
January 17, 2016
The recent novella , One December Night, by Melissa Tagg, was an interesting journey to take with a very disillusioned librarian!
Pennilynn Baxter is not quite sure what step to take next in her life. She thinks her boyfriend,Graham, of two years might be ready to propose; but, instead of going on a date with him, Penn decides to travel to the house she inherited from her grandparents to check out a rumor that someone is squatting on her property!
As Penn enters the house alone, she runs smack into the squatter! After demanding that the man immediately vacate her premises, Penn finds that this man seems to know too much about her. Next the story takes an interesting twist. After Penn learns that this intruder's name is Will, she seems to be slowly becoming friends with this man!
When Penn finally discovers that Graham hired Will to prepare the house for a future sale, she knows what the next step in her life needs to be: saying goodbye to her boyfriend of 2 years!
This short story leaves you wanting to read the sequel when it comes out to learn how exactly Penn and Will's relationship ends up!
Pennilynn Baxter is not quite sure what step to take next in her life. She thinks her boyfriend,Graham, of two years might be ready to propose; but, instead of going on a date with him, Penn decides to travel to the house she inherited from her grandparents to check out a rumor that someone is squatting on her property!
As Penn enters the house alone, she runs smack into the squatter! After demanding that the man immediately vacate her premises, Penn finds that this man seems to know too much about her. Next the story takes an interesting twist. After Penn learns that this intruder's name is Will, she seems to be slowly becoming friends with this man!
When Penn finally discovers that Graham hired Will to prepare the house for a future sale, she knows what the next step in her life needs to be: saying goodbye to her boyfriend of 2 years!
This short story leaves you wanting to read the sequel when it comes out to learn how exactly Penn and Will's relationship ends up!
March 13, 2015
What an adorable quick read! Melissa Tagg does it again with inviting her readers back to Whisper Shore. Tagg does a good job at creating characters who are lovable. I hope she writes a longer story with Penny and Will. I would love to return to Whisper Shore and find out what happens with their love story. As for the description of Whisper Shore at Christmas time, Tagg does a great job at drawing the reader in and wrapping them in a shower of snow and garland with the strains of Christmas music playing in the background. I felt like I was in this little town during a white Christmas. I really enjoyed the short read. Being 38 pages, anyone can finish this novella while sitting at the doctor's office or waiting at a soccer game. Just be prepared to smile and your heart will yearn for more from Melissa Tagg. Melissa Tagg is definitely one of my favorite contemporary romance writers.
December 29, 2014
Loved every page of this short novella. Melissa Tagg is an amazing author, and this book is definitely worth the read. It is sweet, light, fun, comical, and romantic all rolled up into 38 pages. I would recommend this to anyone who wants something sweet, easy and fun to read. I loved getting to know Penn, she is corky, funny, and predictable… or is she!? Will love to read more about her, and will even check out the rest of the series. We're Jumpin' Books
December 28, 2014
I haven't read Here to Stay yet, but I didn't feel lost at all with this one. Pennilynn (aka Penn) likes to have things very orderly. She was expecting a proposal from her long-time boyfriend, but instead, goes off to find out who's been staying in her house. Well...in her grandmother's house that she now owns.
I loved the encounter she has with the squatter, Will, and the way she shows him what's what. She's so no-nonsense, yet she's in for a few surprises that really had me laughing.
Content: Clean!
I loved the encounter she has with the squatter, Will, and the way she shows him what's what. She's so no-nonsense, yet she's in for a few surprises that really had me laughing.
Content: Clean!
December 28, 2014
Loved this 38 pg Christmas novella and intro to a witty, skilled new to me author, Melissa Tagg. Delightful storyline as protagonist comes to face her inner destructions while discovering space may be more what she needs than closure. Characterizations personable, romance palpable, and setting has my creative side longing for an onsite peek!
Amazingly, it's free for download! Don't miss your copy.
Amazingly, it's free for download! Don't miss your copy.
August 13, 2015
Only 37 pages long, this short story is absolutely delightful. Ms. Tagg brings the small town of Whisper Shore to dazzling, Christmas-y life, and Penn and Will's serendipitous meeting brought a smile to my face and heart. I'd love to read a full-length novel featuring these two characters. (Hint, hint!)
October 15, 2015
What? Did I miss something? I'm a Melissa Tagg super fan and have read all her books, and this one was no exception, until it just stopped?!!! I know it was ONE December night, but come on, there's a story to tell here, and this just felt incomplete. Even novellas have more story to them than this! Why the 4/5 star ratings? This is not a story!
December 7, 2014
Sweet story. I thought Will and Penn were totally adorable. I had already read Melissa's two other books so I knew she was a great author. I would love to see more of this couple. This story definitely helps get the reader in the Christmas spirit. Recommended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews