Christmas Like This

A Love Like This #2

by Carina Taylor

I know exactly what I’d like to put in Trey’s stocking: the biggest lump of coal I can carry.
Unfortunately, I won’t get the chance, because our boss has delivered an ultimatum: plan the company Christmas party with Trey and learn to get along, or else.
After only one day of trying to plan the Christmas party, I’m ready to pick the “or else.” Is it possible to learn to get along with the most aggravating, overprotective, handsome guy I’ve ever known?
We’re about to find out if we can get our names off the naughty list or not.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Contemporary, Holiday, Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance, Novella

148 pages, ebook

Published November 14, 2019

Reviews

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story, I just didn't really connect with it as much as I would have liked.


Content Rated G

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute Christmas Novella

This is a cute, quick Christmas novella. Enemies to lovers stories are always best when they get over the enemy part fast and start kissing. 😊 I had fun reading this one! It was perfect for my quiet Christmas Eve morning.

[Anastasiia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
Мені сподобалась ця історія від ворогів до закоханих. Така тепла, місцями сумна, а місця смішна. Взаємодія головних героїв мені сподобалась

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

IT WAS CHRISTMASY AT LEAST.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

This is a novella, so my review will be shorter than usual. I am on a quest for some great Christmas reads, this could have been better.

I think this actually would have been more enchanting if it was longer. Things happened way too fast and background information was thrown out haphazardly and inconsistently. I know there was sadness and drama put in to add an emotional component, but I wasn’t feeling much towards anyone.

The banter between them did get better over the novella. At first, it honestly seemed flat out mean and made me cringe. The push to create the enemies to lovers trope flew off the handle and I was happy when it turned down and they were able to communicate civilly with each other.

Definitely great Christmas vibes and I loved the plot of them having to plan the Christmas party together. I did like the writing, just felt like everything needed a bit more.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary romance novella
- Language: none
- Romance: some kisses
- Violence: car wreck

[Jes Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely adorable short story. You can't go wrong with hate-to-love or office romance, so put them together and what do you got? Christmas magic. I loved both these poor, lost souls, and their great banter- and chemistry. This is probably my favorite Christmas romance of December 2019, so be sure to mark it on your calendars for next year, folks!

Review first published on my blog: https://agencyofbooksandspies.blogspo...

[Happy Reading Watching · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 2021 I stayed up way to late 12:42am
So cute loved this reread, gosh why were the leads so flippin adorable!!!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...."
Christmas Like This by Carina Taylor.
Really enjoyed this one, no surprise there I love her books.The way Carina Taylor writes her characters is relatable! Trey and Marla are two coworkers who don't really get along, and now are forced to plan the office holiday party!
A big reason I enjoy her books so much is that it's not only a romance, there is always more to the story. The layers of her plots are thought out and make them unique.
This books was lots of fun and perfect start to the holidays! A sweet, fun, clean Christmas novella! Christmas Like This will be available November 14 2019, you can preorder it now!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 (5 stars)
I received a copy of this book by the author, all my thoughts are my own and this is my honest review:)

[Mary Cameron | What MC Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to Holiday Reads, there are only a few things that I want - a Hallmark feeling, lots of festive cheer, and good chemistry between the characters. I could see Christmas Like This being a storyline for a Countdown to Christmas Hallmark movie - the fun banter between the main characters, the Hallmark-esque plot, and the Christmas setting made my Christmas-loving heart sing. The happy twist at the end was too much for my heart to handle - it was such a sweet moment! The ending made the novella for me. If I had to critique anything, I wish the book was a little bit longer to give more time for character development and unpacking the theme of grief with the main characters.


𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝? ✨ I I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a fast-paced, cute novella to get you into the holiday spirit. I read it in two days, but you can totally read it in one because you just want to see how the story unfolds.

[Alicia (aliciasbooksanctuary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OVERALL STAR RATING: 5/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5

Ok Miss Carina Taylor – I see you DEFINITELY excel at writing sassy characters with ALL the amazing banter. I read and LOVED Neighbors Like That and couldn’t wait to pick up this Christmas novella which is book two in the series. It delivered and it delivered WELL. The perfect workplace RomCom that brings everything we love in a good enemies-to-more story.

Marla and Trey are coworkers and can’t seem to get along. Ever. LOL Suddenly they’re assigned to plan their work’s big staff Christmas party together. They have no choice but to suck it up and spend hours upon hours together. Maybe they didn’t REALLY despise each other as much as they each lead the other to believe. Maybe all the in office fighting and bickering was them putting up walls to prevent them from falling for something they weren’t ready for.

Marla and Trey both have a heavy amount of hurt and loss that they’re recovering from. When they’re forced to work on party planning together, it allows them the opportunity to be more open and honest with each other.

I HIGHLY recommend this novella…no matter the season. It’s short, sweet, VERY funny and will leave you smiling.

Content warning: Topics of a car wreck, grief and loss. Zero language and zero spice.

For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary

[K. Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carina is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! Her stories are fun, witty and full of humor all while adding a perfect touch of romance. This Christmas story is just as good as the other books. This is a quick read and leaves you in the Christmas spirit with all the feels.

[Shalee Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of you’re looking for a fast-paced, quippy, Christmas-themed novella, this is your book! Christmas Like This is cute, but it also handles the emotions of grief and betrayal. The ending was especially sweet! PS: I can’t stress enough that this is a quick read. I read it in one evening!

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good!!! It had me laughing and squealing through the whole thing! I loved Trey and Marla’s bickering/flirting. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Car accident

[Pixie Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My full review can be found here: bit.ly/2r7Cfhd

“You should raise your keyboard like I told you to.”

After Trey made that little remark, I loved him right away. How could I not?? Marla might have thought that he was just being a pain (as always), but I knew betterrrrrr!!!

I loved this book. I really did. And I honestly feel like it had a little bit of everything: humor, sadness, banter, family, and of course, romanceeeeeeeee!!!

As far as content goes: CLEAN! Carina doesn't disappoint. 😉

So, let's do a quick recap. Shall we?

Christmas? Check. Hate-to-love? Check. Sassy attitudes/dialogue? Checkkkkkk.

Sound good? Then you need to go get this book NOW!🎄💗



~I received an e-copy of this story from the author, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.~

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awe! If you need a cute, super fast, light hearted, adorable, “hate” to love, forced proximity, work place, Christmas romance this is for you!!

This story was super sweet, with way more packed into that I originally thought. Yes it moves super fast (it’s barely 100 pages) it flowed to well! Once the characters started talking they had wonderful communication to work well with their chemistry!

The grief that Marla is going through in the book palpable! And I LOVED that Trey stayed by her side once he knew what she was going through.

I’m so excited to read more of Carina’s books! Especially the rest of this series!!
4/5 stars

*not cf but clean!*

[Tiffany ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨"Wait! I need my shoes. And to fix my face." I looked her in the eye. "You look beautiful just like this. You know that, right?" She leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "You're so sweet when you want to be. But I still need to get my shoes and fix my face." "Shoes, but no face. you're perfect the way you are."✨

This was just so cute and so funny🥰

[Summer Dowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun Christmas read! I love the hilarious dialogue and bantering Carina is so good at writing. A great feel-good, romantic comedy!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute RomCom Christmas Story

This was a cute, fun, Christmas novella. I enjoyed the banter and the growing feelings. This was a cute, light story!!

[mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

they some losers.

[Kasandra Setrakova · Rating 5 out of 5]

⁦🤶🏻⁩Christmas Like This By Carina Taylor⁦🎅🏻⁩

היי חברים וחברות,
קראתי את נובלת חג הזו, ונהנתי מכל רגע *-*

הנובלה הזכירה לי את 'משחק השנאה' רק שהיה קליל יותר ונעים יותר 😍

הספר שלנו מספר על מרלה וטריי,
שניהם עובדים במרקטינג, והם לא מסתדרים,
ככה שהבוסית שלהם מחליטה לעשות משהו בנידון

⁦🎅🏻⁩I won’t have a contentious workplace any longer. If you show me you can put together the annual Christmas party without killing each other, I’ll think about not suspending either of you.⁦🤶🏻⁩

יאיי הם צריכים עכשיו לבלות זמן איכות ביחד 😍
טריי ומרלה ממש מאושרים מזה 🤣

⁦🤶🏻⁩We glanced at each other and smiled. “We’ll get along just fine. Trey has so much... holiday cheer.” His smile grew a fraction. “Marla is wonderful at... shopping.” “Get along.” Susan wasn’t fooled by our compliments. “Or else. I’ll have all the information for you tomorrow. Now get out of here. I have a conference call in five minutes.”⁦🎅🏻⁩

מרלה מנסה להסביר לנו למה הם לא מסתדרים

⁦🤶🏻⁩Any time I tried to be kind or sympathetic to him, he acted even meaner.⁦🤶🏻⁩

ואילו טריי מתרכך

⁦🎅🏻⁩“You’ve got to be more careful.” He kept a firm grip on my arm as we started down the stairs. “I’m fine, really,” I said as I tried to shake him off. “Let’s just make sure you make it to the bottom of the stairs in one piece. I can’t learn to get along with you if you end up in the hospital with a cracked head.” “Wouldn’t you like it if that happened?” He sighed. “No, I wouldn’t. I would never wish that on you.”⁦🤶🏻⁩

חששתי שהסופרת תגזים פה, ותתחיל להראות שטריי כזה מותק ומרלה כזו כלבה אליו בגלל שהוא לא היה נחמד בהתחלה... אבל לא, הכל היה פה במידה הנכונה *-*

כי טריי מהמם!

⁦🤶🏻⁩“Why do you think we haven’t got along?” “Bad timing,” I answered without hesitation. “What? You answered that so quick.” She stabbed the last scallop and left me with only the noodles in the box. “I think we met at a bad time in both our lives. I think if we had met at a different time—or even a different place—we would be dating right now.”⁦🎅🏻⁩

וגם לדאגה הבאה שלי הסופרת מצאה פיתרון... חששתי שלא יהיה פה עומק, שהדמויות יהיו בנאליות.. אבל לא, הסופרת הסבירה את כל ההתנהגויות שלהם, והפרטים הקטנים האלו הם אלו שהופכים את הספר למעולה *-*

⁦🎅🏻⁩“What about your friends?” I snorted. “You find out who your real friends are when you face a crisis. Nobody knows what to tell someone who’s grieving. So they avoid you. I haven’t heard a word from several friends ever since my parents passed.” “That’s why you got busy with work.”⁦🤶🏻⁩

והם זוג כזה פאשושי *-*

⁦🤶🏻⁩They were surprisingly tasteful and I had only one complaint: Trey was holding a sprig of mistletoe over my head. “No. Absolutely not.” He nodded. “We can’t have a Christmas party without mistletoe.” “I’m going to strangle you.” “How about kiss me instead?” I tapped my foot loudly. “I am not going to kiss the man-child who keeps trying to get mistletoe at the Christmas party.” “Grinch.”⁦🎅🏻⁩


עוד ציטוטים

⁦🤶🏻⁩“Great, the Christmas police must have banned all Christmas color from your tree.” I looked up sharply to find him standing there. He would mock my Christmas decorations because he was the ultimate joy thief.⁦🎅🏻⁩

⁦🎅🏻⁩“When I took my shirt off, I discovered a trail of teal glitter, all over the back of it. Then I asked myself, ‘who could have put it there?’” I sighed as I studied his features. Roman nose. Strong jaw. Thick eyebrows drew attention to his brown eyes. “You’ve really got to stop talking to yourself. I’m beginning to worry about you.” “You put glitter on my shirt.” “I didn’t!”⁦🤶🏻⁩


⁦🎅🏻⁩She wasn’t mad about the fact I’d had my arm around her—or even the picture—she was mad about her messy hair. I’d never been a selfie taker, but I was quickly becoming addicted.⁦🎅🏻⁩


⁦🎅🏻⁩ But come Monday morning, I’m going to start doing my best to convince you it’s a good idea to date me.”⁦🎅🏻⁩

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I think we met at a bad time in both our lives. I think if we had met at a different time-or even a different place-we would be dating right now.”
She started choking and I pounded gently on her back until she could breathe again.
“Dating? You think we would be dating right now if we had met at a different time?”
I nodded. It was go big or go home, and since I was already home, I knew what I had to do.

Grief wasn’t something you worked through-it was something you learned to live with.

“Then you hurt. There isn’t a magic potion when you lose someone you love. It’s okay to hurt. You hurt because you love them. Because they meant so much in your life, and even their death can’t take away that bond from you.”

I know exactly what I’d like to put in Trey’s stocking: the biggest lump of coal I can carry. Unfortunately, I won’t get the chance, because our boss has delivered an ultimatum: plan the company Christmas party with Trey and learn to get along, or else.
After only one day of trying to plan the Christmas party, I’m ready to pick the “or else.” Is it possible to learn to get along with the most aggravating, overprotective, handsome guy I’ve ever known?

Even though this was a novella, I felt like the plot, setting and the characters were flushed out. The story didn’t feel too rushed for me. I thought that Carina Taylor did a great job with the theme of grief. I know for me, grief isn't something that I can get over, but I have learned over years to live with it. I smiled and swooned so much during the second half of this book. The banter, the sass, the spunky between Trey and Marla was fun to read. 4.5 stars.

[Manee Contreras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book: here we go!

This book is a small novella, involving two previous characters that worked with Kylie in the first book. As it is a small novella, the story is fast-paced. I finished it in one day. I just couldn't stop reading.

I enjoyed the banter between Tyler and Marla. The situation that caused the rift was so well addressed by Tyler. I love that he owned his mistakes and tried to get along with Marla. Their chemistry was good 👌🏻 I have come to start thinking that Carina's ability to write first kisses is out of this world 🔥🙌🏻.

I loved so much how their relationship unfolded 💞. All the small details that lead them together 🍶☕🎄🎅🤶. I enjoyed so much Tyler's honesty and approach to her. It is so refreshing seeing no miscommunication in these stories regarding major problems. I love how they discuss it and solve it as it should. I wanted to hug Marla throughout the story with all she went through. You can understand where her fears are coming from.

I can't express how much I loved Tyler's protectiveness. How much he cared for Marla and how he wanted to he there for her. The final gesture was so thoughtful 💚❤️ I just loved it. And I loved Tyler's family, they were awesome. I definitely wanted more from all of them!!

🍁
TW: car accident, death of a loved one.

[Issy Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas Like This by Carina Taylor

Heads Up! This is 13 Chapters (short ones too) with a fast-paced love story.

These characters, Marla and Trey, were introduced in the first book. Marla has no family left (parents died 2yrs before) and Trey was betrayed by a friend at his last job. Their relationship, when they first met, started out because they were both dealing with things and didn't really try to resolve the bad first impression.

They work at SV Marketing and bicker over every little thing. Their boss, Susan, makes them work together to plan the Christmas company party. And she actually forces them to (so no splitting the to-do list). This is when their relationship goes from enemies to friend-ish to friend. They grow closer, especially after Marla's accident (she's ok). When Trey finds out that she has emotional trauma from the accident (because of how her parents died), he makes it his goal to help her through it. With Christmas closing in, and Marla expecting to be alone again, Trey invites her to his family party. She agrees but backs out last minute, he goes to her and takes her anyway, which she is thankful for, and they enjoy the evening at his parents' house.

[Lena Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger Warning: car wreck, loss of loved ones, grief.

Trey and Marla are coworkers who cannot get along, they have been arguing and fighting ever since Trey was welcomed to the team two years ago. Now, thanks to their boss, they are in charge of planning the Christmas party together while getting along or losing their jobs.

The banter between Trey & Marla is amazing. I loved their back and forth picking. Once they had time to peel back the layers of their miscommunication and office arguing, I was happy to see that Trey and Marla both held themselves accountable for their actions and reactions. Trey made it clear that he treated Marla the way he did was not about her, but due to a previous female coworker.

I enjoyed seeing their relationship unfold and see them come together in a romantic way. I also loved the twist at the end. I kinda saw it coming but wasn't set on how that had all worked out.

Overall, this is a cute Christmassy novella. If you love enemies to lovers, coworkers to lovers, grumpy/sunshine.. this book is for you.

[Ashley Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What did you get last year?” He held up the pen in his hand. “This pen.” “Oh wow. Whoever had your name really went all out.” I shook my head. “They at least could have gotten you a pack of pens.” I gave him my best pitying look. Knowing he was obsessed with pens. Knowing that I was really the one who had picked out that designer pen for him. A two-hundred-dollar pen to be exact. “I’ll have you know know this is no ordinary pen.” He held it up to the light. “This pen is so nice that it thinks for itself. Try and top that.” I fought a giggle as he cradled the pen in his hands. “Looks like a dollar store pen to me.” -
-
Christmas Like This by Carina Taylor is so cute and witty. I LOVE the banter. Taylor is so good at creating characters who have a love hate relationship, and their humor and fights over silly things is just my favorite. It’s light, it’s sweet, and it’s perfect for the holidays! ❤️ I love love her books!! -
-
5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas party planning

Reader’s Notes:

– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone

– this is told from Marla and Trey’s points of view

– a character is dealing with grief throughout the book (loss due to a car accident)

Review:

Marla and Trey were very funny! I liked that they both threw each other into roles that they hadn’t wanted in a way that they couldn’t back out of. It made their back and forth bickering more interesting with the constant goal of one-upping each other and sticking to/with something they knew the other would hate just for that purpose. And I liked that when their bickering slowed down, they also were slowly liking some of the things the other did. It made the transition from hate to love more gradual and interesting!

Marla and Trey have a love/hate relationship.

Marla thinks Trey looks great and at one point had hoped to get to know him better, but now she can’t get past how he puts down her ideas and messes with her at work.

Trey likes Marla, but had so long ago put her in the hate zone to protect himself that now she doesn’t to want anything to do with him. Except to get back at him.

Their feud doesn’t go unnoticed by their coworkers, and one day their boss has them work on the Christmas party together. She requires that they work together on every aspect and not just divide up the tasks so that they can learn to get along.

Will they be able to work together? Or will this year’s Christmas party end up a bust?

[Vibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 stars) - my favorite Christmas story of the year! 

Marla and Trey are like oil and vinegar - they do not mix well at all. For some reason, they really enjoy provoking each other. The more you read, the more you wonder not just why, but whether *they* even remember why.

When their boss tells them to work together planning the company Christmas party OR ELSE, they eventually end up sorting things out. And it's kind of surprising what they discover about each other - and a whole lot of sweet. 

It's a lovely Christmas romance, but the funnest part about Carina Taylor's books is the characters' snarky comments & witty banter.  Her stories always make me laugh.  She's now on my list of Drop-whatever-your-reading-cuz-guess-who's-got-a-new-book-out Authors!  😄

*Clean romance level: passionate kisses 

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
Marla and Trey are colleagues at the marketing business owned by Susan. It’s two weeks away from their staff and client Christmas party and the only thing organised is the venue. Susan asks the pair to put aside their differences and get stuck in arranging the party. At first they struggle to work together but soon they can see behind the work persona to what lies beneath.

𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
A Christmas novella in March?! 😁 Oh well, I am catching up on the stories I have missed in this series so it is what it is 😉. It’s a fun, sweet read and my favourite part is where Trey fetches Marla to come and spend Christmas Day celebrating with his family. Too precious. It was always going to be an enemies to lovers situation, and this is done sweetly ❤️

Read on Kindle Unlimited
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[BookishJibberJabber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved the first book in the series. That was just a great way to start a series. But I have a little problems with this one. Maybe because this one is so short, yes I know it is a Novella, but I just needed some depth.
I am always for some enemies to lovers romance, and yes, love me some office romance.
The theme was there, the characters are great and so loveable. But I just needed more od them.
And there was a hurt and lose, and how to deal with a huge lose of loved ones. But it is only mentioned. There isn't depth to that, but the story just needed to go deeper.
And after two years, will they /won't they... The just get together really easy...

All in all... Great story, bur poorly delivered. I just expected much, much more...

Only 3.5 stars...

[Beau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Carina y'all
I'll say it again her books are just perfect..
Well just like weather today it's chilly
I'm in bed with pillows and soft blankets to keep me warm from the cold Breeze coming from window and this soothing moonlight is casted.. it's a beautiful night and carina's book made it even more beautiful.
I'm always so lucky and greatful to discover this writer and her books I love em I love your writing and I love u for writing these books ... sometimes after having a tough day you just need Carina Taylor's books
I will never Stop recommending these books and I'll never stop loving this books


This was such a sweet novella
I love the simplicity in your books
I loved the characters
I loved it all ♥️❤️

[Kaci Bonar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is the perfect Christmas morsel when you need a fun witty-bantered closed door romcom! Marla and Trey have been forced by their boss to play nice in setting up and organizing the work Christmas party! It’s important to note, these two have butted heads since Trey started with the company two years ago and they have been anything but chummy! Once they realize there is more to each other than workplace tension as well as an endless supply of sarcasm, the pair pulls off a fantastic party and allow honesty to win the day! Can’t say much more or risk to spoil everything! But this was a great read and continue to explore Carina’s writing! Job well done! Also who wouldn’t love Chester?!