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A Town Called Noelle
Just a few days before Christmas, high-flying city exec Brooke Hawkins is forced to return to her small home town due to the death of her mother, who she hasn’t spoken to since she left for college over a decade before. The town, Noelle, is as full of the Christmas spirit as its name suggests. Brooke is more of the “Bah, Humbug” persuasion. She has a funeral to attend, property to sell, and she wants to do it and leave—preferably before December 25th. Unfortunately, the weather and the pace of small-town life both conspire to keep her right where she is.
Small-town baker Holly Jackson gets a nasty shock when she receives the news, just days before Christmas, that her little shop is about to be sold from under her by her late landlady’s estranged daughter. In the years since her husband died in a tragic accident, she and her daughter Maya have been getting by, healing and rebuilding. Holly was beginning to really enjoy life again. She doesn’t plan to let some woman she hasn’t seen since high school come in and ruin everything.
When Holly and Brooke cross paths, sparks fly—and not in a good way. Brooke is determined to sell up and get out of town—and outrun her bad memories in the process. Holly is determined to make her business work. When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, can the spirit of Noelle change minds… and melt hearts?
Small-town baker Holly Jackson gets a nasty shock when she receives the news, just days before Christmas, that her little shop is about to be sold from under her by her late landlady’s estranged daughter. In the years since her husband died in a tragic accident, she and her daughter Maya have been getting by, healing and rebuilding. Holly was beginning to really enjoy life again. She doesn’t plan to let some woman she hasn’t seen since high school come in and ruin everything.
When Holly and Brooke cross paths, sparks fly—and not in a good way. Brooke is determined to sell up and get out of town—and outrun her bad memories in the process. Holly is determined to make her business work. When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, can the spirit of Noelle change minds… and melt hearts?
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Published December 2, 2019
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About the author
M.K. Hardy
7 books29 followersMK Hardy is the pen name for two geeky women living and writing together in Scotland.
Their debut Sapphic Gothic Horror, The Needfire, is out now from Solaris Books!
Their debut Sapphic Gothic Horror, The Needfire, is out now from Solaris Books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 2, 2019
3.50 Stars. I thought this was a cute holiday romance. In keeping my pledge to read some holiday stories this month, this book easy caught my attention. This is a novella length story and my first read by the Hardy ladies. I did enjoy this and it was the kind of sweet holiday story I prefer, but I did feel it had a few bumps.
This is one those stories about a relative dying and leaving property to another relative. Brooke hates the small Christmas town of Noelle and just wants to sell her mother’s property as soon as possible. What she didn’t realize is that Holly, the tenant and owner of the bakery Brooke is trying to evict, won’t let her business go without a fight.
This book had a little bit of the Grinch Who Stole Xmas vibe with Brooke being a grump, and hating this Christmas town. And how that changed the more she let the people in including a cute kid that was very Cindy Lou Who-ish. Mix that with some Hallmark Christmas movie romance, and that combo will give you a good feel for this book.
As I mentioned before, I enjoyed this and was glad that I read it but I did feel like it was missing something. I think the biggest thing I was missing is I wanted a bigger connection with the characters. I know it’s hard to do that in a novella but it’s possible. In fact I just finished a novella where I grew attached to the characters in such a short time. With this story, I felt like I wanted to go a little deeper with both of the main characters. Holly is fighting for her bakery but I think we only see it once. Why does it really mean so much to her? And Brooke we know why she didn’t want to come back but were there more reasons for her hatred of the town? I could be imagining this and I apologize if I am but I thought there was a line about how she might have been bullied? It was never talked about again so I’m actually questioning if I’m imagining it. My whole point is both characters needed a little more depth for my tastes. When the characters actually spoke about important topics, their conversations were short. I wish there was more dialogue during those times so we could really get to know them.
My last slight issue and it’s not too big a deal, was a few times I had trouble knowing who was speaking or whose POV we were in at certain times. There were times I felt for sure I was in Brookes head but then she said she was looking at Brooke. How can Brooke look at Brooke without a reflective surface? I don’t know that answer so it would cause me to have to stop and reread the paragraph to figure out whose POV I was actually in. As a reader who reads at a reasonable speed, I always find having to stop and reread very jarring. Luckily this didn’t happen often but I was scratching my head a few times.
Overall, this is a sweet and enjoyable holiday romance. It’s not my favorite that I have read so far but I do think most people will enjoy this. It’s nice to have these cute stories to read this time of year since we all know there are no lesfic holiday movies for us on the Hallmark channel. One more thing, I forgot to mention that there are no explicit sex scenes in this romance.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
This is one those stories about a relative dying and leaving property to another relative. Brooke hates the small Christmas town of Noelle and just wants to sell her mother’s property as soon as possible. What she didn’t realize is that Holly, the tenant and owner of the bakery Brooke is trying to evict, won’t let her business go without a fight.
This book had a little bit of the Grinch Who Stole Xmas vibe with Brooke being a grump, and hating this Christmas town. And how that changed the more she let the people in including a cute kid that was very Cindy Lou Who-ish. Mix that with some Hallmark Christmas movie romance, and that combo will give you a good feel for this book.
As I mentioned before, I enjoyed this and was glad that I read it but I did feel like it was missing something. I think the biggest thing I was missing is I wanted a bigger connection with the characters. I know it’s hard to do that in a novella but it’s possible. In fact I just finished a novella where I grew attached to the characters in such a short time. With this story, I felt like I wanted to go a little deeper with both of the main characters. Holly is fighting for her bakery but I think we only see it once. Why does it really mean so much to her? And Brooke we know why she didn’t want to come back but were there more reasons for her hatred of the town? I could be imagining this and I apologize if I am but I thought there was a line about how she might have been bullied? It was never talked about again so I’m actually questioning if I’m imagining it. My whole point is both characters needed a little more depth for my tastes. When the characters actually spoke about important topics, their conversations were short. I wish there was more dialogue during those times so we could really get to know them.
My last slight issue and it’s not too big a deal, was a few times I had trouble knowing who was speaking or whose POV we were in at certain times. There were times I felt for sure I was in Brookes head but then she said she was looking at Brooke. How can Brooke look at Brooke without a reflective surface? I don’t know that answer so it would cause me to have to stop and reread the paragraph to figure out whose POV I was actually in. As a reader who reads at a reasonable speed, I always find having to stop and reread very jarring. Luckily this didn’t happen often but I was scratching my head a few times.
Overall, this is a sweet and enjoyable holiday romance. It’s not my favorite that I have read so far but I do think most people will enjoy this. It’s nice to have these cute stories to read this time of year since we all know there are no lesfic holiday movies for us on the Hallmark channel. One more thing, I forgot to mention that there are no explicit sex scenes in this romance.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
November 30, 2019
I used to love Christmas as a child, then as the parent of a young child, but I don’t so much anymore. Dealing with family isn’t as easy as I wish it were. I still love the idea of Christmas however, and Christmas novellas are like tiny presents with all the Christmas spirit inside them. When they’re good, they hold everything I love about Christmas: the lights, the smells, hot chocolate and love. They might be a tad (or a lot) cheesy, but it’s Christmas, so it’s okay.
Brooke Hawkins left Noelle, Michigan, as soon as she could, fleeing both the town and her mother. Ten or so years later, just before Christmas, her mother’s death brings Brooke back. A snow storm derails her plans of sorting out her mother’s will before Christmas and getting away again as soon as possible. To make matters worse, Brooke gets into all sorts of arguments with Holly Jackson, owner of a bakery called Buns’n’Roses, the premises of which Brooke inherited and has agreed to sell to a spa company. Before her landlady’s death, Holly had finally been feeling like her life was on the right track again, five years after the accident that left her a widow and a single mother. She’s not ready to let anyone pull the rug from under her feet once again, especially not someone she hasn’t seen since high school and who doesn’t seem to care about the town she, herself, loves.
A Town Called Noelle includes almost everything you’d want in a Christmas movie or novella. Brooke is the grumpy, standoffish character whose heart can only be melted (but not immediately) by Holly, the warm and fiery one. Of course, Brooke’s apparent coldness stems from pain inflicted on her by her bigoted and narcissistic mother, and the more she realizes the town is not as closed-minded as her mother made her believe it was, the more she opens up to its inhabitants, and to her feelings for one of them in particular.
If you’re looking for heartwarming and sweet, you’ve found it.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Brooke Hawkins left Noelle, Michigan, as soon as she could, fleeing both the town and her mother. Ten or so years later, just before Christmas, her mother’s death brings Brooke back. A snow storm derails her plans of sorting out her mother’s will before Christmas and getting away again as soon as possible. To make matters worse, Brooke gets into all sorts of arguments with Holly Jackson, owner of a bakery called Buns’n’Roses, the premises of which Brooke inherited and has agreed to sell to a spa company. Before her landlady’s death, Holly had finally been feeling like her life was on the right track again, five years after the accident that left her a widow and a single mother. She’s not ready to let anyone pull the rug from under her feet once again, especially not someone she hasn’t seen since high school and who doesn’t seem to care about the town she, herself, loves.
A Town Called Noelle includes almost everything you’d want in a Christmas movie or novella. Brooke is the grumpy, standoffish character whose heart can only be melted (but not immediately) by Holly, the warm and fiery one. Of course, Brooke’s apparent coldness stems from pain inflicted on her by her bigoted and narcissistic mother, and the more she realizes the town is not as closed-minded as her mother made her believe it was, the more she opens up to its inhabitants, and to her feelings for one of them in particular.
If you’re looking for heartwarming and sweet, you’ve found it.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 8, 2019
My first read by this author and I’m definitely going to look forward to her new books !
This was a short, sweet and cute read. Obviously it’s a novella and I felt it was very smooth!
I can’t say there were fireworks in the storyline, but I can say I enjoyed it. The thing is with novellas it’s tough getting that deep connection between the MCs, it rarely does work. And with this read, it wasn’t different, the connection wasn’t amazing.
Having said that, if you’re looking for a fluffy read that won’t take so much time and will entertain you, I would recommend this.
I liked both MCs, liked the story and the writing was very decent.. there was a hint of angst, which I liked a lot but there was no sex scenes (not that I have to have my sex scenes in a read, but it’s worth mentioning in a review)..
my rating for this is a 3.5 rounded up to 4 ..
“I received an ARC for an honest review.”
This was a short, sweet and cute read. Obviously it’s a novella and I felt it was very smooth!
I can’t say there were fireworks in the storyline, but I can say I enjoyed it. The thing is with novellas it’s tough getting that deep connection between the MCs, it rarely does work. And with this read, it wasn’t different, the connection wasn’t amazing.
Having said that, if you’re looking for a fluffy read that won’t take so much time and will entertain you, I would recommend this.
I liked both MCs, liked the story and the writing was very decent.. there was a hint of angst, which I liked a lot but there was no sex scenes (not that I have to have my sex scenes in a read, but it’s worth mentioning in a review)..
my rating for this is a 3.5 rounded up to 4 ..
“I received an ARC for an honest review.”
December 11, 2019
Lights out.
Brooke has to visit the town she fled years ago to take care of some loose ends as a result of her estranged mother's death. She was left with some property that she is eager to get rid of. But there is a feisty owner of a bakery who doesn't appreciate the gift of eviction
I loved how Holly didn't know how to play nice with Brooke. She would try and then become so upset that she could not control what she would say. I'm always up for a good enemies to lovers story. Since this is novella length, it didn't get too carried away. But there was enough conflict to make things interesting.
Both women were dealing with sad things from their past and trying to move forward the best way they knew how. I wish that we would have had a few more scenes with the two getting to know each other so that I could feel a deeper connection. Again, this was so short, there really wasn't the opportunity for that. Emotions did come across, though, so the author did well considering.
There was some uncertain texting that made me smile.
Overall, this was a cute holiday read. It was exactly what you would expect from this type of story.
I recommend to those who like to read about romance, small towns, small business, estranged family, overcoming loss, and drinking to take the edge off.
I received an ARC from NineStar Press for an honest review.
Brooke has to visit the town she fled years ago to take care of some loose ends as a result of her estranged mother's death. She was left with some property that she is eager to get rid of. But there is a feisty owner of a bakery who doesn't appreciate the gift of eviction
I loved how Holly didn't know how to play nice with Brooke. She would try and then become so upset that she could not control what she would say. I'm always up for a good enemies to lovers story. Since this is novella length, it didn't get too carried away. But there was enough conflict to make things interesting.
Both women were dealing with sad things from their past and trying to move forward the best way they knew how. I wish that we would have had a few more scenes with the two getting to know each other so that I could feel a deeper connection. Again, this was so short, there really wasn't the opportunity for that. Emotions did come across, though, so the author did well considering.
There was some uncertain texting that made me smile.
Overall, this was a cute holiday read. It was exactly what you would expect from this type of story.
I recommend to those who like to read about romance, small towns, small business, estranged family, overcoming loss, and drinking to take the edge off.
I received an ARC from NineStar Press for an honest review.
December 4, 2019
Spending Christmas in a small town called Noelle, especially if the weather is snowy and cold sounds like a wonderful idea unless you are Brooke Hawkins. Brooke has traveled from her home in Boston to Noelle, Michigan for her mother’s funeral. She has no desire to be in this town, and plans to stay only long enough for the funeral and to sign the papers needed to sell her mother’s property. The weather doesn’t help her plans though, since a huge snowstorm swoops in just as Brooke gets to town and closes most everything including the roads for several days. While she is snowbound in Noelle, she meets Holly Jackson and her young daughter Maya. Holly is a baker and rents one of the properties being sold by Brooke. When Holly finds out about the sale, and that she will have little time to relocate even if she could find a place, she is not pleased with Brooke, and it shows. But there is also a strange attraction between the two.
A Town Called Noelle by M.K. Hardy is a lovely novella that I enjoyed reading. This is the type of story where you have one of the main characters who seems on the surface to be if not heartless, at least caring more about their self than those around them; a bit of A Christmas Carol type of story with Scrooge being Brooke. Of course, this means that there is some angst as the tale progresses. The authors (M.K. Hardy is a pen name for two authors who write together) did a good job with the small town setting. The characters are also well-developed and real. I had difficulty connecting with Brooke at the beginning, but then, she is a bit of a Scrooge during that part of the story. I did have a bit of trouble once or twice figuring out who was talking or thinking, mostly between Brooke and Holly which caused me to break from the story a couple of times. Overall I enjoyed the story and it left me feeling good at the end. If you want a feel good holiday story that you can read in a day, this might be a good book for you.
Trigger warning: This novella deals with the funeral of a mother of one of the main characters. The two had been estranged for years because of homophobia and emotional abuse. If that would cause you problems, you might want to give this story a pass.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NineStar Press for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
A Town Called Noelle by M.K. Hardy is a lovely novella that I enjoyed reading. This is the type of story where you have one of the main characters who seems on the surface to be if not heartless, at least caring more about their self than those around them; a bit of A Christmas Carol type of story with Scrooge being Brooke. Of course, this means that there is some angst as the tale progresses. The authors (M.K. Hardy is a pen name for two authors who write together) did a good job with the small town setting. The characters are also well-developed and real. I had difficulty connecting with Brooke at the beginning, but then, she is a bit of a Scrooge during that part of the story. I did have a bit of trouble once or twice figuring out who was talking or thinking, mostly between Brooke and Holly which caused me to break from the story a couple of times. Overall I enjoyed the story and it left me feeling good at the end. If you want a feel good holiday story that you can read in a day, this might be a good book for you.
Trigger warning: This novella deals with the funeral of a mother of one of the main characters. The two had been estranged for years because of homophobia and emotional abuse. If that would cause you problems, you might want to give this story a pass.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NineStar Press for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
December 14, 2019
Brooke returns to her hometown after many years away to settle her mother’s estate and sell off all the properties she owned. She clashes with bakery owner Holly who has finally begun to turn a profit with her shop. Holly stands up for herself but grumpy Brooke is reluctant to spend any more time in the town she hates. Cue the endless snowstorms, forced togetherness and eventual thawing of hearts.
It’s hard to develop characters enough to capture the reader's interest in a novella. The little bit of world building required, setting up the back stories and meeting the locals and family all take away from the relationship development between the mains. Of course it’s a Christmas tale and lightweight clearly defined grinch and heroine roles make for nice easy reads.
A sweet Hallmark version of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
It’s hard to develop characters enough to capture the reader's interest in a novella. The little bit of world building required, setting up the back stories and meeting the locals and family all take away from the relationship development between the mains. Of course it’s a Christmas tale and lightweight clearly defined grinch and heroine roles make for nice easy reads.
A sweet Hallmark version of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
December 17, 2019
3.5 Stars for this Christmas novella
Advertising Executive, Brooke Hawkins is forced to return to her hometown, Noelle, Michigan after her mother dies. Brooke and her mother had been estranged such that, Brooke hadn’t had any contact with her mother since she left for college. Brooke needs to finalize her mother’s will so she can also finalize selling her Mother’s various properties to Heartspring Spas. She is hoping to have everything done before Dec. 25 and forever leave and forget Noelle. One of those properties is leased to a baker, Holly Jackson. Holly is determined to change Brooke’s plans to sell and perhaps extend her lease.
I enjoyed reading this story, with its requisite quirky small town characters. Brooke is the Bah Humbug Scrooge character who hates all that is Christmas, probably stemming from her unhappy childhood in Noelle. A town that embraces all that is Christmas. You have to connect the dots that she was bullied in high school (hinted at by Holly’s brother) and at home. Holly is the well-loved, native resident and Baker. As you can guess, this is an opposite attract, fast burn romance. Poof! Normally, fast burn romances don’t bother me (although I prefer slow burn) however, I felt that the romance between Brooke and Holly was too fast. I just didn’t feel the connection between the two. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book overall and a nice feel good, Christmas read.
This is my first book by writers, M.K. Hardy. I look forward to reading more from them and hopefully another Christmas romance.
Advertising Executive, Brooke Hawkins is forced to return to her hometown, Noelle, Michigan after her mother dies. Brooke and her mother had been estranged such that, Brooke hadn’t had any contact with her mother since she left for college. Brooke needs to finalize her mother’s will so she can also finalize selling her Mother’s various properties to Heartspring Spas. She is hoping to have everything done before Dec. 25 and forever leave and forget Noelle. One of those properties is leased to a baker, Holly Jackson. Holly is determined to change Brooke’s plans to sell and perhaps extend her lease.
I enjoyed reading this story, with its requisite quirky small town characters. Brooke is the Bah Humbug Scrooge character who hates all that is Christmas, probably stemming from her unhappy childhood in Noelle. A town that embraces all that is Christmas. You have to connect the dots that she was bullied in high school (hinted at by Holly’s brother) and at home. Holly is the well-loved, native resident and Baker. As you can guess, this is an opposite attract, fast burn romance. Poof! Normally, fast burn romances don’t bother me (although I prefer slow burn) however, I felt that the romance between Brooke and Holly was too fast. I just didn’t feel the connection between the two. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book overall and a nice feel good, Christmas read.
This is my first book by writers, M.K. Hardy. I look forward to reading more from them and hopefully another Christmas romance.
December 15, 2020
I FINALLY GOT A CHRISTMAS HIT!
Very cute and sweet Holiday read. Short at an hour and a half. But things do not feel rushed or forced. It feels natural and touching.
Holly is a small business owner of a bakery in the town of Noelle, Michigan. She's a single mother to 10 year old Maya - her husband died in an accident 5 years earlier.
Brooke comes to the town she had grown up in, after her Mother had passed on, to deal with her estates. Including the building where Holly's business is. All she wants to do is get in and out of town quickly, get rid of the properties, and move on from the pain she still holds inside, of growing up there. (Her and her mother were estranged, and her mother did her best to set her apart from the town, and had infact called her a deviant because of her sexuality.)
Holly and Brooke clash at first, but Holly also senses a lot of grief from Brooke, as does her smart caring daughter, Maya. They end up in each others orbit a lot, and the town is quite welcoming to Brooke which makes her question the things her mother put in her head, and has her wanting to stay and make some new memories.
It was quite lovely and I also enjoyed the year later epilogue.
Very cute and sweet Holiday read. Short at an hour and a half. But things do not feel rushed or forced. It feels natural and touching.
Holly is a small business owner of a bakery in the town of Noelle, Michigan. She's a single mother to 10 year old Maya - her husband died in an accident 5 years earlier.
Brooke comes to the town she had grown up in, after her Mother had passed on, to deal with her estates. Including the building where Holly's business is. All she wants to do is get in and out of town quickly, get rid of the properties, and move on from the pain she still holds inside, of growing up there. (Her and her mother were estranged, and her mother did her best to set her apart from the town, and had infact called her a deviant because of her sexuality.)
Holly and Brooke clash at first, but Holly also senses a lot of grief from Brooke, as does her smart caring daughter, Maya. They end up in each others orbit a lot, and the town is quite welcoming to Brooke which makes her question the things her mother put in her head, and has her wanting to stay and make some new memories.
It was quite lovely and I also enjoyed the year later epilogue.
December 18, 2019
I received an arc of this book on NetGalley
TW: brief mentions of homophobia
This book was like reading a hallmark Christmas movie with a F/F romance. There were so many Christmas romance tropes. For example, misunderstandings, awkward run ins, snow storms, power outages and so many other things that made this book such a quick and enjoyable read. Though, I do wish that there was more mentions of the bakery that one of the main characters owned because it was such a big part of the plot, also I just love reading about food.
Definitely recommend for people who enjoy cheesy Christmas romances.
TW: brief mentions of homophobia
This book was like reading a hallmark Christmas movie with a F/F romance. There were so many Christmas romance tropes. For example, misunderstandings, awkward run ins, snow storms, power outages and so many other things that made this book such a quick and enjoyable read. Though, I do wish that there was more mentions of the bakery that one of the main characters owned because it was such a big part of the plot, also I just love reading about food.
Definitely recommend for people who enjoy cheesy Christmas romances.
December 18, 2019
A genuine old fashioned, feel-good holiday tale. Holly is a single mother who works tenaciously to succeed with her bakery. A do it all woman who isn’t going to let obstacles get in the way of making a better life for Maya, her daughter, and herself. But then comes the news that the new building owner is going to sell.
Brooke has bitter feelings towards the town and does not even blink at what’s going to happen to her old school mate once she’s sold the property. Since it belonged to her estranged mother, she wants it out of her hands as soon as possible. But when Holly, Maya, and everyone else open their hearts to Brooke during Christmastime, she can’t help but love them back.
Brooke’s character seemed a little under developed but Holly really stood out and I hope the authors carry her story forward. Break out the hot chocolate for this one.
Brooke has bitter feelings towards the town and does not even blink at what’s going to happen to her old school mate once she’s sold the property. Since it belonged to her estranged mother, she wants it out of her hands as soon as possible. But when Holly, Maya, and everyone else open their hearts to Brooke during Christmastime, she can’t help but love them back.
Brooke’s character seemed a little under developed but Holly really stood out and I hope the authors carry her story forward. Break out the hot chocolate for this one.
December 4, 2019
Liked this Christmas story. The romance developed very fast but was nice. 3.5 stars
January 4, 2020
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I read this just before the holidays bit haven’t had a chance to post my review. This is a nice enough Christmas novella. It features Brooke, who is returning to the home town she hates to bury her mother and settle her mother’s estate and Holly who owns a bakery, is a single mother, and is about to be evicted by Brooke. Brooke’s kind of a Scrooge or grinch, not sure which, but she hates the town and Xmas, and unfortunately for her is snowed in and stuck in town over the holidays. After a rocky start she and Holly keep getting thrown together, and get to know each other. This leads to a thaw in Brooke and they spend the holiday together and eventually manage a HEA.
Because it’s a novella, there’s not a lot of substance to this, there’s way too many characters and situations going on, which means that there’s not enough time to get to know the leads or really establish their relationship. Still, it’s an enjoyable enough read. 3.5 stars.
I read this just before the holidays bit haven’t had a chance to post my review. This is a nice enough Christmas novella. It features Brooke, who is returning to the home town she hates to bury her mother and settle her mother’s estate and Holly who owns a bakery, is a single mother, and is about to be evicted by Brooke. Brooke’s kind of a Scrooge or grinch, not sure which, but she hates the town and Xmas, and unfortunately for her is snowed in and stuck in town over the holidays. After a rocky start she and Holly keep getting thrown together, and get to know each other. This leads to a thaw in Brooke and they spend the holiday together and eventually manage a HEA.
Because it’s a novella, there’s not a lot of substance to this, there’s way too many characters and situations going on, which means that there’s not enough time to get to know the leads or really establish their relationship. Still, it’s an enjoyable enough read. 3.5 stars.
December 7, 2019
Quick and easy read, but it wasn't alot of characterbuilding in this novella, everything went fast, too fast for my taste.
December 30, 2019
This sounded like a perfect read for me but unfortunately I just couldn't get on board with the romance here. I feel like this was meant to be an enemies-to-lovers romance but I just never truly felt that there was any real anonymity between Holly and Brooke so the development between them seemed strangely paced to me.
*ARC copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
*ARC copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2019
A great read.
This was a cute Christmas romance, adorable and enjoyable. I don't read very many novellas so I don't compare with others. I mention that there are no explicit sex scenes in this romance.
If I recommend this book? absolutely!
This was a cute Christmas romance, adorable and enjoyable. I don't read very many novellas so I don't compare with others. I mention that there are no explicit sex scenes in this romance.
If I recommend this book? absolutely!
October 30, 2020
This story rather follows the typical Hallmark style Christmas movie setting, which was overall pleasant. Noelle follows the story of Brooke and Holly, two women with different agendas. Brooke wishes to severe all connections with the quaint town of Noelle, even if that means selling the bakery that Holly uses to support herself and her dreams. Over the course of the book, one is brought into the bustling town of Noelle and the people within it. I found it fascinating to see how the two lives of Brooke and Holly would come together.
However, there was one thing I was puzzled about. Though there was some mention of the Brooke's mother, the reason she had to come back to Noelle in the first place, I found that the person I was most interested in hearing about was Holly's husband. He was barely mentioned and yet, the few times he was, it seemed that Holly deeply loved him still. I feel that knowing that she was married to a man would've have brought some extra tension to the building relationship between Brooke and Holly, and I was disappointed to see it never really addressed in the story. Some more tension, as was hinted in an early blackout/snowed in scene made me think it would have happened. Surely Holly would've had some concerns about falling for a women when she supposedly never had such inclinations before, unless she had repressed them all her life? Was she bisexual all along? Maybe I missed something in my reading of the book, but I feel that things were a bit rushed in this story because these things weren't full addressed. Overall, I found the story a comfortable read to enjoy by the fire place in the evening with a nice cup of cocoa. The characters for the most part felt real and their interactions were something I believe I could relate to and so could anyone else. It is a nice Christmas themed story that would make for a decent film if it were ever adapted.
However, there was one thing I was puzzled about. Though there was some mention of the Brooke's mother, the reason she had to come back to Noelle in the first place, I found that the person I was most interested in hearing about was Holly's husband. He was barely mentioned and yet, the few times he was, it seemed that Holly deeply loved him still. I feel that knowing that she was married to a man would've have brought some extra tension to the building relationship between Brooke and Holly, and I was disappointed to see it never really addressed in the story. Some more tension, as was hinted in an early blackout/snowed in scene made me think it would have happened. Surely Holly would've had some concerns about falling for a women when she supposedly never had such inclinations before, unless she had repressed them all her life? Was she bisexual all along? Maybe I missed something in my reading of the book, but I feel that things were a bit rushed in this story because these things weren't full addressed. Overall, I found the story a comfortable read to enjoy by the fire place in the evening with a nice cup of cocoa. The characters for the most part felt real and their interactions were something I believe I could relate to and so could anyone else. It is a nice Christmas themed story that would make for a decent film if it were ever adapted.
December 25, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Holiday story coupled with the snowed in trope? This was an easy pick for me, despite never having read this author duo before. Fortunately for me, Hardy didn’t disappoint with this story, which is classic holiday in the best of ways.
Brooke’s childhood was fraught with a mentally abusive mother, and Brooke is stuck with the fact that the town’s perception of her late mother is nothing like who she actually was. On top of that, Brooke’s own perception of the town has been seriously colored by her mother’s attitude. So of course Brooke isn’t happy to be back, and of course she can’t see the townspeople for who they are. I thought the authors did a particular good job letting the reader see into Brooke, her thought processes, and how she was dealing with everything from the past and how that was coloring her present. She definitely has a change of heart throughout the story, but more than that, she becomes comfortable enough to show her true self.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Holiday story coupled with the snowed in trope? This was an easy pick for me, despite never having read this author duo before. Fortunately for me, Hardy didn’t disappoint with this story, which is classic holiday in the best of ways.
Brooke’s childhood was fraught with a mentally abusive mother, and Brooke is stuck with the fact that the town’s perception of her late mother is nothing like who she actually was. On top of that, Brooke’s own perception of the town has been seriously colored by her mother’s attitude. So of course Brooke isn’t happy to be back, and of course she can’t see the townspeople for who they are. I thought the authors did a particular good job letting the reader see into Brooke, her thought processes, and how she was dealing with everything from the past and how that was coloring her present. She definitely has a change of heart throughout the story, but more than that, she becomes comfortable enough to show her true self.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
December 17, 2019
If you're looking for a Hallmark movie in a book, and gay, I have just the book for you. It takes about as much time to read as to watch a holiday-themed movie, and it's an adorably sweet story. Bonus for those not into the steamy scenes, this one's a solid PG-13.
Brooke is coming home to bury her mother at Christmastime and sell off her assets. Her mother was pretty beloved by the town, but none of the townsfolk had to live with Brooke's mother and her abusive tendencies. Holly rented her bakery space from Brooke's mother, and at the news she's selling out as fast as she can, Holly offers a less than warm welcome upon Brooke's arrival. As they spend time together, mostly arguing about the fate of the building, they become friends, and maybe something more.
It was the perfect way to spend a rainy day, and if you're looking for something cute and cozy for the holidays, pick this one up.
Brooke is coming home to bury her mother at Christmastime and sell off her assets. Her mother was pretty beloved by the town, but none of the townsfolk had to live with Brooke's mother and her abusive tendencies. Holly rented her bakery space from Brooke's mother, and at the news she's selling out as fast as she can, Holly offers a less than warm welcome upon Brooke's arrival. As they spend time together, mostly arguing about the fate of the building, they become friends, and maybe something more.
It was the perfect way to spend a rainy day, and if you're looking for something cute and cozy for the holidays, pick this one up.
December 9, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
This was a cute fluffy Christmas romance.
Brooke doesn't want to return to her small-town in Noelle, Michigan but when she has to settle her mother affairs she wants to do it in a hurry so she can leave.
Holly is a baker and she has a daughter name Maya when she learns the owner daughter plan to sell the building where her business is at let's just say when they meet it's fireworks and not the good kind.
When Brooke is stuck in town due to blizzards and she and Holly get to know each other and it wasn't smooth sailing even when you tell there a attraction there.
This was overall good read that can easily be on hallmark Christmas movies.
This was a cute fluffy Christmas romance.
Brooke doesn't want to return to her small-town in Noelle, Michigan but when she has to settle her mother affairs she wants to do it in a hurry so she can leave.
Holly is a baker and she has a daughter name Maya when she learns the owner daughter plan to sell the building where her business is at let's just say when they meet it's fireworks and not the good kind.
When Brooke is stuck in town due to blizzards and she and Holly get to know each other and it wasn't smooth sailing even when you tell there a attraction there.
This was overall good read that can easily be on hallmark Christmas movies.
May 17, 2020
Brooke is basically Scrooge, and she has to return to the Christmas-loving small town she grew up in when her mother passes away, to sell her mother's property.
Brooke's mother used to be Holly's landlady, who has a coffee shop in town. She's not happy to hear Brooke will be selling. So needless to say, these women don't get along well at the start of the book.
What I didn't understand though, was how much they switched between being civil, and even friendly, with each other, and then going back to being angry with each other over Brooke's decision to sell. I felt a little like the tension between them was created to have an enemies to lovers dynamic, but it didn't feel like this progressed naturally, as they were mostly civil with each other and their fights seemed a little forced.
Overall, I didn't feel any real chemistry between these women, mostly because their emotional development was awkwardly paced. Unfortunately, this book just didn't really work for me because of that.
CWs: death of a parent, funeral, past death of a partner, past abuse by a parent
Brooke's mother used to be Holly's landlady, who has a coffee shop in town. She's not happy to hear Brooke will be selling. So needless to say, these women don't get along well at the start of the book.
What I didn't understand though, was how much they switched between being civil, and even friendly, with each other, and then going back to being angry with each other over Brooke's decision to sell. I felt a little like the tension between them was created to have an enemies to lovers dynamic, but it didn't feel like this progressed naturally, as they were mostly civil with each other and their fights seemed a little forced.
Overall, I didn't feel any real chemistry between these women, mostly because their emotional development was awkwardly paced. Unfortunately, this book just didn't really work for me because of that.
CWs: death of a parent, funeral, past death of a partner, past abuse by a parent
December 8, 2019
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a solid 4-star read for me. If you're looking for a quick holiday novella that features a sapphic relationship, I'd highly recommend picking this one up. It definitely wasn't perfect but it was so nice to read a wholesome, warm holiday romance that didn't feature a straight couple.
I don't read very many novellas so I don't have much to compare this one to. It did feel like the relationship wasn't fully fleshed out and I would have loved to see them grow individually first but I still loved the romance between Holly and Brooke. I usually don't find hate-to-love romances believable but I think since the two main characters "hating" each other only lasted briefly, I understood the sudden shift in their relationship much better than I usually do. Maybe I can only take hate-to-love in small doses. Or maybe, I just have a higher tolerance for what I'll put up with when reading a female/female romance since it's so criminally underrepresented in romance books. I will admit, if the romance in this book was m/f, I would have given it a lower rating.
I also think the novella could have benefited from a little more editing in the epilogue. It definitely seemed to be an afterthought and it felt rushed. I didn't have the same warm, fuzzy feelings the rest of the book gave me which was a shame, since it left a sour taste in my mouth at the very end. I think if the epilogue felt more complete, I may have given this a 5 star rating instead.
This was a solid 4-star read for me. If you're looking for a quick holiday novella that features a sapphic relationship, I'd highly recommend picking this one up. It definitely wasn't perfect but it was so nice to read a wholesome, warm holiday romance that didn't feature a straight couple.
I don't read very many novellas so I don't have much to compare this one to. It did feel like the relationship wasn't fully fleshed out and I would have loved to see them grow individually first but I still loved the romance between Holly and Brooke. I usually don't find hate-to-love romances believable but I think since the two main characters "hating" each other only lasted briefly, I understood the sudden shift in their relationship much better than I usually do. Maybe I can only take hate-to-love in small doses. Or maybe, I just have a higher tolerance for what I'll put up with when reading a female/female romance since it's so criminally underrepresented in romance books. I will admit, if the romance in this book was m/f, I would have given it a lower rating.
I also think the novella could have benefited from a little more editing in the epilogue. It definitely seemed to be an afterthought and it felt rushed. I didn't have the same warm, fuzzy feelings the rest of the book gave me which was a shame, since it left a sour taste in my mouth at the very end. I think if the epilogue felt more complete, I may have given this a 5 star rating instead.
December 18, 2019
This could've been a Hallmark movie. If, you know, queer people existed in the Hallmark world.
A few days before Christmas, Brooke Hawkins is forced to return to Noelle, the small town she grew up in. She has to attend her mother's funeral and sell off the real estate she has inherited. She wants to get in, take care of business, and leave again as soon as possible. But bad weather gets in the way of that. To make matters worse, Brooke keeps running into Holly Jackson, a single mother who is being forced to close down her little bakery soon because Brooke is selling the building. Holly is determined to save her bakery and wants to convince Brooke to change her mind. Equal in their stubbornness, Brooke and Holly keep butting heads. But then they start to look beyond first impressions and bad childhood memories.
This was a cute F/F holiday romance novella. It's very trope-y, but it mostly gets away with it. I would've like to have seen more of a connection between the main characters, but the story length really got in the way of there being more emotional development between Brooke and Holly. There is some angst in this, and some mentions of homophobia , but for the most part it's pure fluff.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley and NineStar Press for an honest review.)
A few days before Christmas, Brooke Hawkins is forced to return to Noelle, the small town she grew up in. She has to attend her mother's funeral and sell off the real estate she has inherited. She wants to get in, take care of business, and leave again as soon as possible. But bad weather gets in the way of that. To make matters worse, Brooke keeps running into Holly Jackson, a single mother who is being forced to close down her little bakery soon because Brooke is selling the building. Holly is determined to save her bakery and wants to convince Brooke to change her mind. Equal in their stubbornness, Brooke and Holly keep butting heads. But then they start to look beyond first impressions and bad childhood memories.
This was a cute F/F holiday romance novella. It's very trope-y, but it mostly gets away with it. I would've like to have seen more of a connection between the main characters, but the story length really got in the way of there being more emotional development between Brooke and Holly. There is some angst in this, and some mentions of homophobia , but for the most part it's pure fluff.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley and NineStar Press for an honest review.)
November 20, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
A Town Called Noelle is told from two different points of view. The first one is Brooke whose mother has recently died causing her to go back to her hometown in order to deal with the arrangements as well as her will. Then you have Holly who rents one of Brooke's mom's storefronts where she is a baker.
Brooke wants to sell all of the properties as quick as possible and get back out of Noelle as she doesn't have many good memories there and was told by her mom that the town didn't like people who were deviant which she considered Brooke to be because of who she is attracted to.
however, Holly and her daughter end up showing Brooke what the town is really like and help her see some good in it.
Overall this story is very short and we don't get to see a lot of Holly and Brooke together. What we do get to see though is nice, and I liked that we got to see them again a year later to catch up with what they were doing then and if Brooke had changed her mind fully about Noelle at all.
This one was a quick read that isn't super Christmassy or romantic. Instead, it's more about Brooke realizing that the stuff her mom told her about the town was a lie and that she did have people that cared about her no matter who she is attracted to.
A Town Called Noelle is told from two different points of view. The first one is Brooke whose mother has recently died causing her to go back to her hometown in order to deal with the arrangements as well as her will. Then you have Holly who rents one of Brooke's mom's storefronts where she is a baker.
Brooke wants to sell all of the properties as quick as possible and get back out of Noelle as she doesn't have many good memories there and was told by her mom that the town didn't like people who were deviant which she considered Brooke to be because of who she is attracted to.
however, Holly and her daughter end up showing Brooke what the town is really like and help her see some good in it.
Overall this story is very short and we don't get to see a lot of Holly and Brooke together. What we do get to see though is nice, and I liked that we got to see them again a year later to catch up with what they were doing then and if Brooke had changed her mind fully about Noelle at all.
This one was a quick read that isn't super Christmassy or romantic. Instead, it's more about Brooke realizing that the stuff her mom told her about the town was a lie and that she did have people that cared about her no matter who she is attracted to.
March 29, 2020
A Town Called Noelle by MK Hardy is about high-flying city exec Brooke Hawkins who is forced to return to her small home town just a few days before Christmas due to the death of her mother. She hasn’t spoken to her mom since she left for college over a decade before. The town, Noelle, is as full of the Christmas spirit but Brooke plans to get through the funeral, sell the property and be gone by December 25th. A man named Greg is trying to connect with Brooke.
Small-town baker Holly Jackson gets a nasty shock when she receives the news that her little shop is about to be sold from under her by her late landlady’s estranged daughter. She is a widow who takes care of her daughter.
When Holly and Brooke cross paths, sparks fly—and not in a good way. Brooke is determined to sell up and get out of town. Holly is determined to make her business work and take care of her daughter.
The town of Noelle has it’s own influence on all.
This book started out with Brooke and Holly fighting each other and their interests but they end up best of friends. Snow and Christmas Spirit bring the book along. This is a good book to read by the fire on a snowy day.
Small-town baker Holly Jackson gets a nasty shock when she receives the news that her little shop is about to be sold from under her by her late landlady’s estranged daughter. She is a widow who takes care of her daughter.
When Holly and Brooke cross paths, sparks fly—and not in a good way. Brooke is determined to sell up and get out of town. Holly is determined to make her business work and take care of her daughter.
The town of Noelle has it’s own influence on all.
This book started out with Brooke and Holly fighting each other and their interests but they end up best of friends. Snow and Christmas Spirit bring the book along. This is a good book to read by the fire on a snowy day.
December 4, 2019
I wish there was a way to give 1/2 star ratings here. I would give this a 3.5 instead of just a 3. I very much enjoyed the storyline and it is a very cute holiday novella. With it being a novella, the storyline is rushed a little bit. The main characters hate each other at the very beginning of the book, but it seems like their turn toward friendship takes a hard and fast turn. It felt like more needed to be told to get the characters into that friendship role than was presented. I did enjoy the gradual melting of Brooke's attitude toward the town and toward Christmas. I wish there had been more backstory as to why she disliked both so much apart from struggles with her mother growing up. There are not any hot sex scenes, but I did very much enjoy the kissing scenes.
I believe the story would have been better if it had been extended into a full-length novel to fill in some additional story elements. That said, the story is very sweet and is a good holiday read.
I was provided with a free ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
I believe the story would have been better if it had been extended into a full-length novel to fill in some additional story elements. That said, the story is very sweet and is a good holiday read.
I was provided with a free ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
December 3, 2019
I received a copy of A Town Called Noelle by MKHardy via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. One thing I expect from a story set in a quintessentially US town in the northern Lower Peninsula, such as I lived in as a child, is US spelling. Stumbling across multiple British spellings pulled me out of the story. Central air means air conditioning, which few use during a snowstorm. The story lost a star due to not using US English. I had to google some of the British expressions (whist, really?), which is not conducive to an involved reading experience. Other than that, the story was sweet, with Brooke being redeemed through the love of a good woman Holly. The author found the reality of small towns, both good and bad. The epilogue took the tale in a direction I would not have predicted, but it rang true nonetheless.
December 15, 2019
The beginning of this book is slow, with occasionally clunky writing, but once the heroines started talking to one another this turned into a sweet, low heat f/f Christmas romance with an enemies to lovers plot. Holly’s personality shined, and I loved her interactions with her precocious but kind daughter, Maya (who quickly attaches herself to Brooke and brings her into their lives whether Holly likes it or not). Holly comes out to herself through discovering her feelings for Brooke.
Brooke’s transformation from sullen and uncompromising landlord, to an uncertain but hopeful love interest was less believable. There’s some drama and damage in Brooke’s relationship with her toxic mom that’s glossed over.
I enjoyed the last third of the story, once these two started to tentatively open up to one another. I’m glad I didn’t give up after the first few pages.
Brooke’s transformation from sullen and uncompromising landlord, to an uncertain but hopeful love interest was less believable. There’s some drama and damage in Brooke’s relationship with her toxic mom that’s glossed over.
I enjoyed the last third of the story, once these two started to tentatively open up to one another. I’m glad I didn’t give up after the first few pages.
December 9, 2019
A Town Called Noelle is an enjoyable Holiday romance. This novella moves pretty quick, so don't blink. Brooke goes back to her hometown of Noelle to bury her mom and sell off her properties as quickly as possible. The problem is Holly has a bakery in one of the properties that is set to sell. Brooke and Holly get off to a rough start, but as they are forced to spend more time together, Brooke begins to lighten up and has a decision to make. These two initially don't have a ton of chemistry (mainly because of the circumstances), but as time moves on the chemistry develops. Again, I liked this one, but it did move a little to fast for me.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
December 8, 2019
Very cute Christmas novella. A short and sweet enemies-to-lovers story.
Brooke is forced to return to small-town Noelle, Michigan to settle her late mother's estate. Looking to sell off the properties quickly to an outside developer, Brooke is held up by a series of blizzards and her growing concern/attraction for Holly, a soon-to-be evicted tenant in one of the properties.
Short book, ten days to lovers romance. Sure it's fast; sure Holly's never fallen for a woman before. Don't over analyze, just sit back and enjoy the story.
Brooke is forced to return to small-town Noelle, Michigan to settle her late mother's estate. Looking to sell off the properties quickly to an outside developer, Brooke is held up by a series of blizzards and her growing concern/attraction for Holly, a soon-to-be evicted tenant in one of the properties.
Short book, ten days to lovers romance. Sure it's fast; sure Holly's never fallen for a woman before. Don't over analyze, just sit back and enjoy the story.
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December 16, 20194 stars
Method read: ebook
This was such a delightful Christmas read. It's so fluffy and sweet with so much kindness and softness and healing. It's everything I could want in a Christmas romance. I wish it had been longer because I wanted more of Brooke and Holly! I did wish the characters had had more chemistry but that's one of my only complaints.
This made me so happy to read and really left me feeling cheerful and Christmas-y. I'm so glad I read this and might get a copy so I can read it next year too.
Method read: ebook
This was such a delightful Christmas read. It's so fluffy and sweet with so much kindness and softness and healing. It's everything I could want in a Christmas romance. I wish it had been longer because I wanted more of Brooke and Holly! I did wish the characters had had more chemistry but that's one of my only complaints.
This made me so happy to read and really left me feeling cheerful and Christmas-y. I'm so glad I read this and might get a copy so I can read it next year too.
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