There’s mistletoe aplenty, but can they find love beneath it? Holiday Hoopla Halle Adams needs a loan to keep her store open. Blake Ellison needs a fake date for all his Christmas events. They agree to help each other out until New Years and part ways as friends at the end of their agreement, but will a business deal between the two strangers get hoodwinked by holiday hoopla?
Christmas Clash When long time foes Luke Carrigan and Candace Ellison are forced to work together to stop city government from taking their businesses, it will take a miracle for them to get along. But Christmas is a time of miracles - will the season bring happiness to Luke and Candace, or the destruction of everything they love?
Candlelight Conspiracy Sophie Graystone is a florist by day, guitarist by night. When her apartment building loses power, she’s left with no light and a rumbling tummy. Marc Sizzo is too busy making his restaurant a success to fall in love... until he ends up sharing confidences by candlelight with his neighbour, Sophie. Will the New Year blaze new hope, or snuff out this fledgling flame?
Grab some hot chocolate and settle down with these three festive novellas, published for the first time in one perfect Christmassy collection. A gorgeous read for fans of Jenny Hale and Karen Swan.
Dana Volney lets her imagination roam free in Wyoming, where she writes romances and helps local businesses succeed with her marketing consulting company. Splitting her time between telling sexy, fast-paced suspense stories and sweet holiday romances, she likes to try new adventures in real life whenever she can (which, let’s face it, means tasting all sorts of delicious cuisines). Dana is bold, adventurous, and—by her own admission—good with dogs, having kept a tri-color corgi named Sealy Two Delta happy for over five years.
I have spent the last three days reading both Holiday Hearts and Kisses for Christmas simultaneously, a collection of six Christmas related romance novellas brought together in two books. And it was three reading days well spent! Set in Casper, Wyoming all six novellas introduce new characters but who are in someway related to characters mentioned in previous stories. The setting is absolutely gorgeous and since all the stories take place around Christmas time, the description of the town turns it into a wonderland of sorts. The likable characters, the clean romance and the overall Christmasy feeling these stories bring together make for a perfect Christmas read along with a hot mug of hot chocolate or coffee or chai to go with it ☕🎄💖!
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Canelo and the author Dana Volney for the e-Arcs of both the books.
Kisses for Christmas has feel good,happy time holiday novellas in it, kisses guaranteed. The light shines brightly on this holiday book you'll be wanting to reading this holiday season with hot chocolate instead of out visiting. You'll be much safer with this book than out socializing. Kisses for Christmas is one book you won't mind being immersed in while you loose track of time. It's just that great!
Pub Date: 05 Nov 2020 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
First sentence of Holiday Hoopla: Halle Adams leaned against the counter and propped herself up on her elbows. She stared at the pink, bottlebrush Christmas tree on the jewelry case. The glittered star shimmered in the Christmas lights. So simple. So pretty. So… She sighed.
Premise/plot: Halle Adams, our heroine, and Blake Ellison, our hero, agree to "date" one another for the holiday season. He needs someone to attend ALL the holiday functions and help him schmooze. She needs a loan from the bank to help save her business. Will this business arrangement be complicated by attraction and feels?
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this mostly clean--if not entirely clean--holiday-themed romance novella. I enjoyed seeing these two fall for one another and while the attraction was instant the relationship was not. I don't like instant relationships--not in comparison to those that are actually crafted and developed over many pages.
First sentence of Christmas Clash: Luke Carrigan crumpled the unwanted letter in his hand and swung open the glass door to the flower shop with the other. Silver chimes cheerily flickered above him, and if he could’ve turned around and karate chopped them down, he would’ve.
Premise/plot: Christmas Clash is set in the same small town of Casper, Wyoming. It actually stars--for its heroine--the sister of the hero in Holiday Hoopla. Candace Ellison, our heroine, owns a flower shop. Luke Carrigan, our hero, owns a bar. Both businesses are in danger from the City Council's upcoming plans to build a convention center. These two have a history of clashing--going back to elementary school--but it will take team work to save the day. Can these two overcome their obstacles?
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I did. It was probably my favorite of the three. Maybe. It was just a treat to read. Again, it was mostly--if not entirely--clean. There is a LOT of attraction going on--thinking, daydreaming, etc.
First sentence Candlelight Conspiracy: Sophie Graystone stepped out of the shower as steam burst past her, filling the tiny bathroom. Her achy muscles finally relaxed after a day spent working at Kiss From A Rose flower shop and playing a full set at the Bombay Club.
Premise/plot: Sophie is a character introduced in Christmas Clash. She works part time at the flower shop Candace owns and part time as a musician in a band. She's a singer/songwriter too. She has a super-cute but super-unfriendly neighbor, Marc Sizzo. He's a chef. When the lights go out--and they often do--these two neighbors get together for some friendly chats--that go deep--and some meals. But what both of them really want is a physical relationship without complications....
My thoughts: Since the first two novellas were on the cleaner side of romance, I wasn't expecting all the smut to be piled into one little novella!!! It almost overwhelms the poor little story. If you are looking for adult content, then this may be for you. Especially if stories about strangers connecting during power outages is your thing. But if you are looking for clean, sweet romances without so much smut...well...this last story might be worth skipping? The story wasn't poorly written--for the record.
There’s something magical about a holiday romance that captures not just love, but the spirit of hope, second chances, and the quiet beauty of connection during the most nostalgic time of year. Dana Volney’s Kisses for Christmas is more than just a cozy collection of novellas, it’s a reminder of how love often blooms in the most unexpected ways, when hearts are at their most open.
Each story carries its own charm. Holiday Hoopla sparkles with playful chemistry, as Halle and Blake’s “business deal” slowly turns into something tender and genuine. Christmas Clash struck me deeply because it’s about letting go of pride and old grudges to discover what truly matters, a lesson that feels as universal as it is timely. And Candlelight Conspiracy was perhaps my favorite; there’s something so intimate about Sophie and Marc’s candlelit conversations, two people stripped of distractions and realizing how much they need each other.
What ties these novellas together isn’t just the season, but Volney’s ability to weave warmth, humor, and emotional depth into every page. She doesn’t write love as a perfect, polished fairytale, but as something fragile, complicated, and worth fighting for, made all the more meaningful when framed against the backdrop of Christmas lights and quiet snow.
This collection left me smiling, teary-eyed at moments, and completely wrapped in its warmth. It’s a book that reminds you why holiday romances endure, they rekindle belief in joy, love, and the small miracles that change lives.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming, feel-good holiday read, Kisses for Christmas deserves a place on your shelf, and maybe even becomes part of your yearly Christmas tradition.
I picked this book because I fancied something Christmassy, and a collection of short stories/novellas seemed like a great idea, as full length books were struggling to hold my attention.
I enjoyed this collection overall. There’s a definite Christmas and New Year’s atmosphere, and I like the fact that each story focussed on a supporting character from the previous one.
I liked the first story, it was very Christmassy, and I enjoyed the bargain the characters made, and how they gradually got to know one another.
The second story was okay, but I struggled to stay interested. I didn’t really take to Luke (though I don’t know why), and I found the way the characters didn’t communicate properly throughout quite irritating.
However, I loved the third story. It was by far the shortest, but it was full of spark and fun. The characters actually communicated pretty well (though not always telling the whole story), and the atmosphere of the power cuts and the candlelight was magical.
Overall, this is a fun collection of Christmassy romance novellas, with different story lines, and plenty of fun.
I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review. This is a collection of 3 Romance novellas set at Christmas time. I also read them over Christmas 2020. Maybe because it was 2020 and all that’s gone on this year, maybe because I personally have a lot on my plate right now, maybe because I prefer a more of a slow burn romance, rather than a super fast falling in love story, but I struggled to really connect and invest in these love stories. I did prefer the first story, but like I say, I think I am maybe not in the right headspace currently for this book, and it is definitely more the fault of the reader and wrong timing rather than the writer. I thought the writing flowed very well and I did enjoy the dialogue. I didn’t think it was overloaded with Christmas content, so if you prefer a lighter touch when it comes to that, this may be perfect for you. Although I have to say I thought the cover was stunning and gave me all the Christmas feels.
This is my first Dana Volney book - or rather collection of stories. This book includes three Christmas stories - Holiday Hoopla, Christmas Clash and Candlelight Conspiracy. All three of these stories take place in the same Wyoming town and the characters from each story are interrelated.
This is a cute collection of stories and they are fast, easy reads. Because they are so short, you can't really go deep with each of the characters, but I feel you go deep enough to understand their situation and appreciate the stories.
I thought these stories were cute - although a little too Insta love for me. They put you in the holiday mood and served as the perfect activity on a cold, rainy afternoon for me.
I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.
Synopsis: Three holiday novellas that will leave you warm and fuzzy. Stories have connected characters.
Holiday Hoopla - Heroine and hero agree to fake date through holiday season. Will this stay a business arrangement?
Christmas Clash - A flower shop and bar, among other businesses, are in danger of being forced to move. The owners of the bar and flower shop have been enemies since school days but are forced to team up. Will they remain enemies?
Candlelight Conspiracy: Lights go out in an apartment building, woman and man share candlelight nights, but both want more. Can they form a connection when the lights stay on?
My thoughts: Quick light hearted read with cute characters. If you are looking for a holiday read with short stories, consider this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you NetGalley, Dana Volney and Canelo for the book Kisses for Christmas. This is my personal review. What a nice collection of short stories in one book. Each story had a little different vibe to it, but each was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit of love and fun. Holiday Hoopla – Christmas Clash and Candlelight Conspiracy are the three stories, and each are quick reads. I enjoyed them all but found I liked Holiday Hoopla the most.
Warm, festive stories sure to please the holiday-hungry love story seeker. Stories are lighthearted, offer encouragement and easy to read. The first one is the best, in my opinion, but the others are also enjoyable. The characters are connected and fun to get to know. A clean romance sure to delight those looking for enjoyable short stories. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
Another sweet and heartwarming collection of novellas by this authors. It's a highly enjoyable and engrossing read. The characters are fleshed out and the festive atmosphere made me wish it was Christmas. Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This book of 3 short stories was cute and easy to read. Almost too easy I think. I was hoping for a little more Christmas considering the title and the cover, but I liked the love stories. Blake and Halle were my favorite. I wanted to like Candace and Luke, but their love story felt a little rushed.
Wasn't a fan of this book. It's quite repetitive and a bit cringe worthy in parts. The stories were obviously very heavily influenced by Hallmark movies which I should've loved, but didn't. Luckily it was a quick and easy read.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.