notguilty's reviews
1806 reviews

Swoony Christmasy Best-Friends goodness with a classic Elle Keaton side of mystery and suspense.

There’s nothing better than best friends mutually pining for each other.  I love the familiarity they have and I love watching them fall completely.

I especially love watching Dakota find his person and his home.  That boy deserves all the love and to realize how amazing he is. 

Tad’s a great guy, always ready to stand by Dakota, but also his own person.  A journalist who can’t help himself when a crime takes place and a sketchy business deal has people buzzing.

It’s a fun side story while watching them fall in love.

Ps. you’ll love the connections to other of her stories.

 

I love Annabelle’s writing style - it’s soft and beautiful.

This small town is so lovely, and though everyone knows your business, they are welcoming and caring. I want to move there.

Jerry and Reed’s story is a slow burn, and bless Jerry for his patience and kindness. He’s such a warm guy. And I wanted nothing more than for him to find the love he deserves.

Reed is understandably apprehensive about starting a new relationship, but there were still multiple times I wanted to shake him and tell him not to let Jerry slip through his hands!

Thankfully neither let that happen, and their relationship is as sweet as sweet can be.  

 

This was classic Christmas Falls.  Lots of holiday cheer and town events, childhood classmates sorting out past misunderstandings, animals, and an awesome dad driving his kid a little crazy!

Seriously Remy’s dad is fantastic, and I really want his story! But I digress…

Jett and Remy will melt your heart. Especially Jett and his longstanding crush just trying to get oblivious Remy to see him.  As a slightly awkward person, he speaks to me.

Remy is great too. He’s been hurting, and a little confused about his relationships, but I love the clarity that he gets through his friendship with Jett. And the pub scene was perfect!

There are lots of sweet moments, but I especially love Remy’s inner monologue he’s definitely a bit emo.  

Come visit Christmas Falls and the Diner with Remy and Jett.

Now give me Adam (Remy’s dad) and Rob’s story!

 

I’m a sucker for a supe fighting his true being and then finding the one person that allows him to be his true self. Not to mention Human and Demon…I may have a Demon kink. FYI.

Priest is a good soul, and I’m all in for his possessive and caring love for Oliver. It’s hot and adorable.

Oliver is also amazing. He’s full of surprises, but definitely not in his deep love for Priest. He is fierce and passionate.

There’s also a great suspenseful storyline throughout the series that I’m wholly devoted to following.

 

A fun story between band manager Jesse, and photographer Evert.  Evert loves to push Jesse’s buttons and manages to really draw him out, sometimes against his will!

There’s some hurt/comfort from two men who have experienced some deep losses, which works as common ground for them and gives them a chance to bond.  As well as working in the same industry.

Ava is a master at novellas and shorter novels - you never feel like I’m missing anything, and the setting - behind-the-scenes members of Wayward Lane is a lot of fun.

 

It’s impressive that Roman spent 3 years in Christmas Falls before succumbing to the holiday cheer.  Of course, that has something to do with cheery, pet-loving Elias. And a dog (or twenty).

It really was inevitable that Roman fell into Elias’ world, and it was cute the way he helped bring calm to Elias in the face of disaster and chaos.  They were super lovely together. And the dynamic was such classic Christmas romance that you can’t help but swoon.

Lee Blair is made for low-angst, small-town Christmas.

 

This is a sexy story. 

I really enjoyed this age-gap hookup turned coworker romance. They are pretty damn sweet with each other, and it was full of flirting, coy looks and secret touches.

Sully is starting over in Collier’s Creek when he meets Hayes, a younger man who turns out to be his colleague and nephew’s best friend. But they are just too perfect together to let those things get in the way.

Hayes is adorably energetic, and despite his confidence, he also has a little bit on vulnerability that’s hard not to fall for.  

A great addition to this multi-author series set in a Christmas-loving small town that knows everything about you by breakfast.

 

Another absolutely stunning story from Jay and Mackenzie County. I’m completely enthralled by this series, its setting, of course, its people.

When it finally clicked that this was Terry from Painted Bay I squealed a bit. I’ve been wanting his story for ages. I love him and the complete disaster that he is contemplating sending his daughter to boarding school. Personally, disability or not boarding school at 14 seems too young.

But I can tell you, he absolutely needs Spencer in his life. And in truth, Spencer needs him.  It’s time for both these men to find something for themselves.

Gah, I adored everything about this, including a few tears that I shed.  

 

A shorty but oh so good.  I love the cheery dad and the grumpy younger neighbour. It made for some adorable interactions.  

I can totally picture Adrian, slightly bewildered, trying to figure out how he’s gotten himself into this situation!

Victor is a wonderful man, with some awesome kids who are so warm and thoughtful. And their journey to a lovely blended family is superb.

If you are looking for a quick holiday read to make you warm and fuzzy, this is it.

 

I really enjoyed this marshmallow grump meets upbeat lover of Christmas.

It’s a mutual crush but Dean has so many locks on his heart - and oh man so heartbreaking to know he’s lived so many years unable to live for himself.

Echo is a warm, kind soul who manages to draw out the beautiful grump and help him live again (along with some meddling townfolk).

It’s a lovely Christmas story with plenty of Santa and Elfness.

I would say, Dean is sold as being in the closest - but it’s more like his celibate/closed off.