Holiday Hiccups

by S.S. Bazinet

Gloria Bentley is determined not to let her lack of culinary skills stop her from trying to prepare a perfect Thanksgiving feast for family. After all, she's a confident, business woman and a top-notch real estate agent. Gloria is used to being successful at whatever she tackles. However, she panics when pots start bubbling over, something's burning and a very messy accident leaves her kitchen covered in gravy. Luckily, an unexpected guest arrives early and rescues dinner and Gloria.

In the days that follow, Stanley's also the perfect guy to help Gloria look at all the things she's hidden from herself. He might even be the person who helps her take a chance on love.

Genres: Christmas

113 pages, ebook

Published November 14, 2019

About the author

My passionate world of writing is about letting go of mental structures and simply having fun. By giving myself that freedom, wonderful things happen. The story unfolds in new and exciting ways.

Maybe that’s why I love writing. It allows my emotions and deepest feelings to surface. When I’m writing, my soul is unfettered. There’s no emotional denial, no holding back. My characters are allowed to explore their lives in ways that open up my own heart again. Hopefully my readers will enjoy their stories.

My website: http://www.ssbazinet.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SSBazinet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSBazinet

Reviews

[Emmy Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Hiccups was a cute cozy romance. A wonderful read for those feel good moments. Look forward to reading more from this author.

[Veronica Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gloria is hosting Thanksgiving dinner for her family, frantically trying to make everything just perfect. Her parent's divorce has impacted everyone and she wants to make this dinner a festive occasion. Her brother has invited childhood friend Stanley Bickerman over as a last minute guest--his early arrival gallantly saves Gloria from more than a few Thanksgiving near misses in the kitchen, making her dinner a pleasant gathering for all.

Stanley's calming presence unexpectedly brings out many buried emotions for Gloria--she's a successful realtor, is in a relationship with a successful businessman, so why is she having an emotional meltdown? As she ponders the options for her future, will Gloria take a chance on new love, shaking free from her preconceived notions, or remain in her safety zone?

Author Bazinet invites us into a heartwarming story of a woman and her family working through the emotions of the past, and finding strength and courage to change, buoyed by their love and hope in this charming holiday tale. A great read for the holidays, highly recommended!

[Ivy Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes we feel that we are strong and brave and handling life brilliantly. And then it take one small thing to go wrong and our life is crumbling around us. Glory has everything in control, a great career , a perfect boyfriend but then there is one cooking disaster and she meets Stanley and suddenly she realizes what has been missing from her life. She keeps trying to hold on to the person she was was but her heart isn't in it anymore. She finds herself reaching out to her mum she's been overly harsh to in the past and finds herself growing more understanding as her eyes open to her past follies. As Glory begins to accept herself she sees Stanley through fresh eyes and begins to realize that what he really means to her .
Holiday's are usually about perfection. But Author S S Bazinet through this thoughtful story shows us that it a time we might come face to face with a less than perfect life and you know what it is okay. You can waddle through the mess and find the person you are meant to be, find the person you are meant to be with. Don't sweat about the small stuff or the big stuff- Holidays are meant for hiccups but in the end hidden somewhere deep inside the turkey at thanksgiving or in Santa's stocking there is sure to be some holiday cheer for you.

[Cathleen Maza · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Holiday Hiccups" is a festive novel by author S.S. Bazinet. The main character in this story, Gloria, is under the impression that she needs to have perfection in her life. But after the divorce of her parents, she meets her match when tasked with preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for the first time. Completely overwhelmed, she is saved at the last minute by a friend of her brother's who has been asked to join the feast. Stanley, who is calm and collected about everything, strikes a chord in Gloria and she begins to re-evaluate her life. These two distinct personalities find themselves drawn to each other as various situations pop up that place them together between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is a quick, fun read for the holiday season...recommended for fans of sweet, holiday romance.

[Threasa Champagne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was just so unrealistic. It was all I could do to finish it. The main character Gloria is so wishy-washy and immature for her age. It just got to the point where she was just annoying. The part that really tanked the book for me was when she had a cold and told her boyfriend not to kiss her because she did not want him to catch a cold to which he replies. I won’t and then proceeded to kiss her. The next day he comes down with a cold and Gloria is crying in her bed to her mother that he lied to her because he said he wouldn’t catch a cold and now she thinks she needs to break up with him.

[Martha Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gloria Bentley wanted a positively perfect Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends coming to the party, and she is in a panic when her cooking goes wrong from pots overflowing.

Nothing is going right and getting more fearful by the minute. Gloria was scared to see the food she made just be criticized for her cooking skills. Gloria is an emotional mess.

The story brings drama, romance, love, chaos just in time for the holidays. The talented author whipped up a wonderful recipe. I highly recommend the festive holiday treat.

[Soulla Christodoulou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and it was a sweet story and easy and quick to read. I liked the way the characters bounced off each other in an authentic way, making them real people. Life is what we make it and accepting we can’t do it all is a lesson for us all including Gloria who works so hard to make things perfect for her family. A surprise stranger makes her realise that the road to true fulfilment is paved with the love, understanding and support of family. A beautiful story for this time of year and one I really enjoyed reading.

[Mary Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Hiccups

I loved this story. For one, "happily-ever-afters" appeal to me as does a shorter length novel. The best part of this book is reading about each character and feeling the way they feel internally. Being able to connect in such a personal manner speaks highly of the writer's story telling ability. Happiness isn't having a perfect life, it's about the ups and downs and loving regardless. Five stars.

[Amy]

DNF @ 9%

I can't do this. The sentences are choppy, there is weird comma usage, and the main character is an immature twit. She asks a dinner guest a question, but immediately tells him to shut up the second he starts to answer.

[Amber Althoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy quick holiday book

This book is quick, cozy and Christmas filled. The main character Glory, was a little too dramatic for my taste but if you're looking for a fast Christmas romance with no spice this is the book for you.

[Jan Carkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman needs to read this!

This book spoke to me. I married the right guy for me. This book tells you to know who you are and look for that person who fits. Great book!

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK. It’s hard for me to keep giving out sympathy/empathy when someone keeps on acting the same. I got tired of Gloria’s going back and forth of doubting herself.

[Ann Marie DaRocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glory and Stanley

I knew Glory and Stanley would end up together I finished the book in one sitting.cant wait to start the other book

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy holiday book, great read

[Bibiana Krall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Hiccups by S.S. Bazinet takes the reader on a relatable journey of self-discovery to find happiness in interpersonal relationships and what one might become.

Gloria outwardly has it all together until upheaval in her family throws her into a starring role that she's quite uncomfortable with. The hostess who makes the perfect holiday meal looks so easy, but is it?

What she finds is that it isn't quite so simple to navigate holiday traditions for the next generation and even more difficult is the pursuit of romantic love when you're haunted by daunting expectations of the past.

What I enjoyed the most was the emotional growth of Gloria and her understanding that to find lasting happiness... one must let go of stale assumptions, accept the things they cannot change and to recognize that choices and to know the things we tell ourselves can hold us back or send us forward to a better place.

Someone once told me that 'We spend our adult lives getting over our childhood' and in this story that lesson is omnipresent and resonates.

The magic in this novella is the honest and sometimes melodramatic reveal of what is, what isn't and the beautiful possibility of what may be.

I recommend this story to anyone who feels stuck in their life and who like me for many years dreaded family gatherings, (especially the holidays) until I changed my perspective and let go of what didn't serve me.

Happy Holidays!