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The December Deal
After her dad is diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, Lilia Carrigan returns home to Wyoming. The insurance company won't cover the costs for an experimental trial that offers his best chance at surviving, and she needs a way to raise funds fast. Vincent Morgenstern has had a year to fulfill the clause in his dad's will that says if he doesn't marry, he'll lose out on inheriting the family business he loves so much. The deadline is New Year's Eve, and he's determined to get down the aisle, even if he has to pay the bride to be on his arm. When Lilia overhears his predicament at a coffee shop, the crazy solution to both their problems seems obvious. What's one year of faking it? But as the holiday season works its magic, their platonic partnership threatens to get very personal. Will Lilia and Vincent's December deal stay professional, or will real feelings ruin everything? Sensuality Behind Closed Doors
- GenresRomance
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2015
37 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Dana Volney
36 books72 followersDana Volney lets her imagination roam free in Wyoming, where she writes romances and helps local businesses succeed with her marketing consulting company. Splitting her time between telling sexy, fast-paced suspense stories and sweet holiday romances, she likes to try new adventures in real life whenever she can (which, let’s face it, means tasting all sorts of delicious cuisines). Dana is bold, adventurous, and—by her own admission—good with dogs, having kept a tri-color corgi named Sealy Two Delta happy for over five years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 1, 2015
What a tale! Volney has created a wonderfully romantic tale that held my attention throughout. The story was well written and seamlessly plotted. Volney’s descriptions brought everything to life in an easy to picture manner that drew me into the story. I loved how easily I connected with the characters and how easily I found myself in their world.
Romance, unforgettable characters and a joy to read, what more can a gal ask for? Once again Volney has created a novel that is cute, sweet, and completely embodies both romance and Christmas. It’s a fantastic read for the season.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
Romance, unforgettable characters and a joy to read, what more can a gal ask for? Once again Volney has created a novel that is cute, sweet, and completely embodies both romance and Christmas. It’s a fantastic read for the season.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2015
From the beginning, The December Deal by Dana Volney had me smiling. The premise of the story, being a guy hiring a girl to marry him for career advancement or to secure a position in the family company isn’t anything new. However, Dana has managed to put a little spin on this premise.
The characters of Lilia Carrigan and Vincent Morgenstern are both great. Lilia is adventurous, carefree, and spunky, but she would do absolutely anything to help out her dying father. Vincent is a true workaholic who doesn’t realize anything is missing in his life until Lilia barges her way into it.
A chance encounter results in Lilia suggesting they can each help the other out. Neither expects their one year contract to result in actual friendship, much less love, but fate has a different plan.
Dana Volney is a new author for me and I can’t wait to go back and read her other books, especially Holiday Hoopla and Christmas Clash that has crossover characters.
**Received a copy from Crimson Romance for an honest and unbiased opinion.**
The characters of Lilia Carrigan and Vincent Morgenstern are both great. Lilia is adventurous, carefree, and spunky, but she would do absolutely anything to help out her dying father. Vincent is a true workaholic who doesn’t realize anything is missing in his life until Lilia barges her way into it.
A chance encounter results in Lilia suggesting they can each help the other out. Neither expects their one year contract to result in actual friendship, much less love, but fate has a different plan.
Dana Volney is a new author for me and I can’t wait to go back and read her other books, especially Holiday Hoopla and Christmas Clash that has crossover characters.
**Received a copy from Crimson Romance for an honest and unbiased opinion.**
March 30, 2017
This story line had so much potential and unfortunately in the author's goal to write a novella it fell incredibly short. The characters were just being developed when the story comes up an abrupt end. Without giving away the end of the book, the ending felt like it came out of left field. I didn't feel like the romance or relationship had been developed enough to get to the point that the two characters were at by the end of the book.
Next time, take your time and write a full length novel where the story and the characters could be more developed.
** ARC received from Netgalley **
Next time, take your time and write a full length novel where the story and the characters could be more developed.
** ARC received from Netgalley **
November 21, 2017
it was a cute, sweet but of romantic fluff. the characters were nice but nothing real memorable about the story.
December 1, 2015
I admit it - back when I lived in the south and began missing the snow, few thing brought back that winter feeling like a cozy holiday romance, where you can practically taste the hot chocolate and feel the snow flakes. This year, I got lucky and receive an ARC of The December Deal, which hit all those warm fuzzy notes and gave me a serious hankering for ice cream.
World wanderer Lilia returns to her home town when her father takes ill. No matter how much she crunches the numbers, she can't afford his treatment. Businessman Luke has plenty of money, but needs a bride to keep ownership of his family business. With a chance meeting in a bar, the strangers decide to help each other out. I love how the characters played their motives close to the vest - even after a quickie marriage. It's a credit to the author that the marriage of convenience comes off as believable in a contemporary setting. As for the rest, no spoilers, but Volney does a great job tugging those heartstrings without drifting into cliché.
This is a quick read, but perfect for a cozy afternoon on the couch to reaffirm the good in this world.
World wanderer Lilia returns to her home town when her father takes ill. No matter how much she crunches the numbers, she can't afford his treatment. Businessman Luke has plenty of money, but needs a bride to keep ownership of his family business. With a chance meeting in a bar, the strangers decide to help each other out. I love how the characters played their motives close to the vest - even after a quickie marriage. It's a credit to the author that the marriage of convenience comes off as believable in a contemporary setting. As for the rest, no spoilers, but Volney does a great job tugging those heartstrings without drifting into cliché.
This is a quick read, but perfect for a cozy afternoon on the couch to reaffirm the good in this world.
December 16, 2015
I thought that his was a really sweet story. He needs to get married to save his company from his loser uncle. She needs a solution to finding the money to pay for her dad's cancer treatment.
January 18, 2016
Short romance, okay, not great.
December 1, 2017
http://celebrityreaders.com/2017/11/3...
2.5 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
Yeah, this one just left me feeling very meh. I didn't end up being that captured by either character...we dive right into the story fairly quickly, and so we really don't get to see who either of them are before it's about the two of them together. I think this kind of storyline, where there's the forced relationship that turns into love, just doesn't work well in novella format. Or perhaps I'm just too cynical for love to happen to complete strangers in a few weeks. I guess sometimes I'm OK with that, but I wasn't in this case. In the end I really just don't understand what they each fell in love with. I didn't see their connection, I didn't see enough chemistry. I guess I could see if they were *starting* to fall in love and wanted to give it a shot, but this was a full blown "I'm totally in love with you" situation, and that was too far for me.
Both Vincent and Lilia seemed like fairly nice characters overall, but there wasn't a whole lot of spunk to either of them...they felt a bit boring to be frank. I did appreciate how much they each loved their families, and that at least there wasn't anything screwed up there. And I suppose that brought them together a bit in the end. I couldn't figure out her twin though...but maybe it was supposed to entice me to find her story.
Honestly, I could try to dive further into the whys and hows of my feelings, but it all comes down to believability, chemistry, and how compelling the story was. And this novella was meh in all those avenues for me. *shrugs*
2.5 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
Yeah, this one just left me feeling very meh. I didn't end up being that captured by either character...we dive right into the story fairly quickly, and so we really don't get to see who either of them are before it's about the two of them together. I think this kind of storyline, where there's the forced relationship that turns into love, just doesn't work well in novella format. Or perhaps I'm just too cynical for love to happen to complete strangers in a few weeks. I guess sometimes I'm OK with that, but I wasn't in this case. In the end I really just don't understand what they each fell in love with. I didn't see their connection, I didn't see enough chemistry. I guess I could see if they were *starting* to fall in love and wanted to give it a shot, but this was a full blown "I'm totally in love with you" situation, and that was too far for me.
Both Vincent and Lilia seemed like fairly nice characters overall, but there wasn't a whole lot of spunk to either of them...they felt a bit boring to be frank. I did appreciate how much they each loved their families, and that at least there wasn't anything screwed up there. And I suppose that brought them together a bit in the end. I couldn't figure out her twin though...but maybe it was supposed to entice me to find her story.
Honestly, I could try to dive further into the whys and hows of my feelings, but it all comes down to believability, chemistry, and how compelling the story was. And this novella was meh in all those avenues for me. *shrugs*
September 7, 2017
Lilia needed to raise a lot of money and now she was setting in a coffee shop. Lilia had a travel and food blog called Made To Wander. Lilia’s emotions were all over the place the last couple of weeks. Writing about stabilizing subjects had helped her feel normal again and not like and not like her world was falling apart around her with her father’s cancer diagnosis and the need for a lot of money for a new very expensive treatment. There was a very handsome man sitting Lilia but she was trying to ignore him as she had to make a miracle happen. There had to be a way to get her dad the treatment and Lilia was going to find it. The man needed a wife and if he didn’t marry he would lose control of his fathers company to his loser uncle Lilia said she would marry him for the right price she said half jokingly and half serious. The guy then asked Lilia how much after he found out she was single But it made Lilia feel dirty as they were talking about falsifying a marriage. But if the gut was for real and had enough money all her dads problems would be solved The guys name was Vincent Morganstein who is a workaholic who has no time to date much less find a wife. Then Lilia and Vincent came up with a one year contract.
This was a sweet fun romance. It was a quick read. I do have to say I have read the theme of this book many times a man needing a wife but I still enjoyed this book. I do wish this had been longer. I don’t really care for the insta/love-lust but it wasn’t too bad in this case for some reason. I liked Vincent and Lilia together. I wish I could have rated this as a 3.5 or 3.75 but couldn’t so three it will have to do.
This was a sweet fun romance. It was a quick read. I do have to say I have read the theme of this book many times a man needing a wife but I still enjoyed this book. I do wish this had been longer. I don’t really care for the insta/love-lust but it wasn’t too bad in this case for some reason. I liked Vincent and Lilia together. I wish I could have rated this as a 3.5 or 3.75 but couldn’t so three it will have to do.
February 9, 2017
This is the first time reading any of Dana's book and definitely read more.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
February 23, 2017
The story and characters weren't evolved and developed enough for my liking. Story needed to be longer, however, great plot.
December 5, 2017
The December Deal review
The December Deal is the first sweet and short book in the Christmas in Casper series written by author Dana Volney.
The December Deal is the first sweet and short book in the Christmas in Casper series written by author Dana Volney.
January 22, 2021
Unrealistic. Written for young readers.
Don't bother taking the time to read this very predictable and unrealistic story, especially if you are an adult reader.
Don't bother taking the time to read this very predictable and unrealistic story, especially if you are an adult reader.
October 11, 2016
A nice quick read quite enjoyed this great for a rainy day worth a read
September 21, 2016
Sweet quick read
December 6, 2015
I know in novellas the hero and heroine fall in love faster than in a long length book but I still appreciate when in spite of the short time they spend knowing each other, I'm sold the idea they are in love. Didn't happen in here.
'The December Deal' started entertaining and promising with the idea of both hero and heroine needing to get married to save a company and have money for a medical treatment. It was a bit awkward to see them agreeing so fast but I was looking forward to hilarious and romantic moments between them because the deal also included pretending they were in love.
Never happened.
The hero mentions how he's falling for her. The heroine hints at her feelings changing. BUT THEY NEVER GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER! All they do is lie about their lives, especially the heroine, and I couldn't comprehend how they could be falling in love.
Then a ridiculous argument comes between them (to break them apart) thanks to their lack of communication, and pretty soon it's quickly fixed with the main characters saying they're in love. Yeah, right.
Definitely not my kind of holiday novella. Two stars for the beginning but overall: didn't like it.
'The December Deal' started entertaining and promising with the idea of both hero and heroine needing to get married to save a company and have money for a medical treatment. It was a bit awkward to see them agreeing so fast but I was looking forward to hilarious and romantic moments between them because the deal also included pretending they were in love.
Never happened.
The hero mentions how he's falling for her. The heroine hints at her feelings changing. BUT THEY NEVER GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER! All they do is lie about their lives, especially the heroine, and I couldn't comprehend how they could be falling in love.
Then a ridiculous argument comes between them (to break them apart) thanks to their lack of communication, and pretty soon it's quickly fixed with the main characters saying they're in love. Yeah, right.
Definitely not my kind of holiday novella. Two stars for the beginning but overall: didn't like it.
October 19, 2016
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I liked this book. The premise was cute. I enjoyed the build but the ending came too quickly for me.
Desperate times call for desperate measures and both Lilia and Vincent are in need of a quick fix. But when they barely know each other and agree to walk down the aisle what can go right?
Lilia is trying to help pay for an experimental cancer treatment for her father. Vincent is trying to save his father’s company from his family’s greedy hands. Both have a large fear of commitment, but something about the other makes them comfortable enough to move forward with this arrangement.
This book is a feel good read that will put a smile on your face, but for me I thought the last few chapters were rushed. Still a great ending but I just wanted the switch to take a little longer to flip.
I liked this book. The premise was cute. I enjoyed the build but the ending came too quickly for me.
Desperate times call for desperate measures and both Lilia and Vincent are in need of a quick fix. But when they barely know each other and agree to walk down the aisle what can go right?
Lilia is trying to help pay for an experimental cancer treatment for her father. Vincent is trying to save his father’s company from his family’s greedy hands. Both have a large fear of commitment, but something about the other makes them comfortable enough to move forward with this arrangement.
This book is a feel good read that will put a smile on your face, but for me I thought the last few chapters were rushed. Still a great ending but I just wanted the switch to take a little longer to flip.
December 17, 2016
3.5 stars - An entertaining quick read, The December Deal is a tale of a marriage of convenience. Vincent needs a wife or control of his company goes to his uncle. Lilia needs money to make sure her father gets a potentially life saving treatment. The two strike a deal for one year. Sounds cold blooded & practical. Or is it?
This was an entertaining quick read that kept my attention. The writer managed to establish a connection between the reader & the characters quickly & that keeps you reading. I felt it was too short but I assume the writer was trying to stay the length of a novella. You won't be disappointed with this story!
This was an entertaining quick read that kept my attention. The writer managed to establish a connection between the reader & the characters quickly & that keeps you reading. I felt it was too short but I assume the writer was trying to stay the length of a novella. You won't be disappointed with this story!
October 8, 2016
Very short, sweet read. I liked the Christmas setting and the idea of the book. The idea of insta-love isn't a turnoff for me, but in this case it wasn't believable. I didn't feel the connection between the mcs. It was well written and I would read another book from the author. I enjoyed the writing and think it would have been a great read if the couple had spent more time together. It would have made it more believable.
ARC provided by netgalley for an honest review
ARC provided by netgalley for an honest review
December 26, 2015
Short & Sweet Story
I really enjoyed this short story. The only main flaw was the rushed ending. It read like someone was close to reaching their word quota and didn't want to write more. A little more of the story would of been nice. I hope there is a follow up to find out more about the characters.
I really enjoyed this short story. The only main flaw was the rushed ending. It read like someone was close to reaching their word quota and didn't want to write more. A little more of the story would of been nice. I hope there is a follow up to find out more about the characters.
January 25, 2016
An okay story. As I think back on what I just read, I'm still kind of confused. Most of the story was clear and up front but the last third, from the Christmas party at the pub, I don't know. The exchange between Lilia's sister Lena and Vincent just didn't make sense. The story really lost something there and I never got back into it again.
March 13, 2016
Sweet and enjoyable. The story line holds your attention and the characters are engaging. I liked that both Vincent and Lila both fell so quickly. No it's not insta-love but close to it. They each have difficulty admitting their feelings but they're obvious. Vincent proves he's a kind, caring man and Lila will do anything for her family. The ending is wonderful.
All read
All read
October 8, 2016
The December Deal
What started as a chance encounter, overheard conversation. Lilia meets Vincent and he is needing a wife to keep his company, and she is needing money for a treatment for her dad, what started as an arrangement with no strings, eventually becomes a tangled web, of emotions and feelings. ❤️Great story
What started as a chance encounter, overheard conversation. Lilia meets Vincent and he is needing a wife to keep his company, and she is needing money for a treatment for her dad, what started as an arrangement with no strings, eventually becomes a tangled web, of emotions and feelings. ❤️Great story
November 5, 2016
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review! I enjoyed the story, it moved rather quickly which I understand has to occur in a novella. The characters of Lilia & Vincent drew me into the story. I would have liked a bit more insight into each of their back stories. But, overall it had the elements needed for me to enjoy it, Christmas time, family, HEA!
January 18, 2016
Dana Volney writes a beautiful loves tory. She turns a business deal into a delightful story of sacrifice and love. I don usually read love stories but this booki s refreshing. I recommend it as as a fun book for all.
January 30, 2016
Cute story
Well written. A book that makes the reader smile. A bit unbelievable as a plot . I wish that more time was put into the development of the characters and their love for each other.
Well written. A book that makes the reader smile. A bit unbelievable as a plot . I wish that more time was put into the development of the characters and their love for each other.
January 31, 2016
Light read and very enjoyable.
Very enjoyable! Light read liked the happy ending
☺would read more of her books.
This book was romantic and is appropriate for a teenage population.
Very enjoyable! Light read liked the happy ending
☺would read more of her books.
This book was romantic and is appropriate for a teenage population.
February 17, 2016
Good story but I think the twin sister interfered too much. They would have eventually worked things out amongst themselves but her insidious remarks made the situation worst & weren't all that helpful.
January 10, 2017
Too short
It would've been nice to read a longer version of this story to witness the growth of their relationship. As it stands, falling in love this quickly is not realistic and ruined the to be of their relationship for me.
It would've been nice to read a longer version of this story to witness the growth of their relationship. As it stands, falling in love this quickly is not realistic and ruined the to be of their relationship for me.
December 11, 2023
I love this novella. Lilia and Vincent agree (on the spur of the moment) to get married as a business deal . . . moments after a chance meeting. But neither counted on the instant attraction for one another. This is a charming, heartfelt story of the magic and love of Christmas time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews