A Novel Christmas is a sweet Christmas romance that follows Saira Wright and Dorian Black. Saira is facing pressure from her publisher to write her next bestseller. Catch is, it has to be a holiday romance. To help her get in the holiday spirit, she travels to Santa Claus, Indiana to spend Christmas in the place named after the (2nd) mascot of Christmas himself. Here is where she meets Dorian, a firefighter and Mr. December who is struggling with his own challenges.

Dorian is struggling with finding life after the loss of his wife. After an out-of-towner rents one of his properties for the Christmas season, he finds himself feeling things he hasn't since his wife. Dorian works through grief to make his own Christmas story come true.

The chemistry between Saira and Dorian is undeniable. This was a cozy read and I truly felt the holiday spirit.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Sad Bois are great lovers and I will not be convinced otherwise.

This was a really great time, and although I'm reading it in prime spooky season, it was a delightful seasonal time. It was a little slower moving, and had my favorite snowed in trope. Having someone who has never experienced snow and doing that with them, is top tier and I'm so happy that I got all my fave tropes in one lovely holiday read.

I am obsessed about the little Christmas town and the small town-ness of it all. The Firefighter calendar situation of it all is hilarious to me, and I really enjoyed all the small town touches here and there.

I listed to this one via audiobook, and it was expertly narrated and it was a really good time.

Thank you to Black Odyssey Media and Netgalley for an e-copy.

I thought this was a super sweet, festive read. It really gives off the feel-good, hallmark vibes that you want in a Christmas book.
I loved the connection between Dorian & Saira, it felt genuine & full of chemistry.

This story was a cutesy cozy romance. It was so vivid that I felt transplanted right on the story. It was so detailed that I had to look up Christmas places in the US to visit myself. Both MCs were so likable, the setting was remarkable, and the storyline was brilliant. I only wish the female MC wouldn't have made a big deal about where he lived. Great writing, I would love a where are they now.

Overall: 4
Spice: 2

FMC is being forced to write a Christmas book, MMC not looking for love after the death of his one and only. Add in snow and small-town magic and you have a cute love story. They both fight falling in love but will they give in.

This was okay. The story had potential but I was left wanting more. I was hoping for a bit more with Saira and the novel. I felt like there was barely any mention of it after she spent the first day in Santa Claus. I mean that was the whole reason she came and I felt like that was lost. And the ending felt a bit rushed. Otherwise the story was good. Thank you Net Galley and Black Odyssey Media for the e-ARC.

I enjoyed this. It’s a Christmas romance that is actually a Christmas romance. Small town. Grieving fire fighter. A writer looking for inspiration. There is lustful chemistry. They spend time together creating moments. They find happiness with each other during Christmas. If you love a small town holiday romance then you should give this one a try.

I am a first reader of the author Charity Shane. I do so love reading a good Christmas novel. Saira is a romance writer and she has hit a bit of a slump in her writer career and book sales are down. Dorian is a super sexy widowed volunteer firefighter, little league football coach and Mr. December for the annual fundraising calendar. Saira is at her wits end when she is given the ultimate task of writing a Christmas novel or be dropped from the prestigious publishing house. To get herself in the mood Saira finds herself head to a Christmas town to get herself in the mood. Saira and Dorian find themselves being neighbors. As Dorian is still moaning the loss of wife his he is not looking for love. The two are great together as they navigate their attraction, chemistry love for each other. Saira has found her muse and inspiration of writing her next best-selling Christmas novel and Dorian has found love again even though he was not really ready to give love a try again. Awesome Christmas romance with great characters and a plot that held me captive.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media and I am leaving my review voluntary.

My goodness did this book have ALL the feel good vibes of a Christmas movie. Was it kinda predictable? Yes, as are most Christmas movies. Was it absolutely enjoyable? Also yes! I inhaled this book in less than 24 hours.

First of all, I really love the main characters. Saira is in a writing slump, and just so happens to go to Santa Claus, Indiana and runs straight into Mr. December, also known as Dorian the super hot chocolate fireman! There was just enough swoon moments, where it did not feel redundant, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to brief meet all the residents in Santa Claus! I don't always love books about authors, who are writing books - it can come off too meta for me - BUT Ms. Charity did it so well, that i have no complaints!

This is my first book by Ms. Charity and I cannot wait to read another! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to NetGalley, Black Odyssey Media and Charity Shane for the eARC. LOVEDDDD it.

A Novel Christmas was a fun, festive read with good characters and the right mix of flirty banter and emotional moments. I would definitely recommend this book if you were looking for something with a great main couple, as well as supporting cast of characters, and an immersive holiday feeling- definitely one to read when getting in to the festive feeling!

Thank you to NetGalley, Black Odyssey Media and Charity Shane for an arc of this book.

This was cute and spicy. Definitely wasn’t expecting all of the spice but i enjoyed it. I loved the touch on grief and managing it and how the author didn’t just glaze over it.

A Christmas romance story for Saira and Dorian. She is in his small town to find her Christmas spirit and channel it in to a holiday romance she is writing. Will they have a chance, or is he still not over the loss of his wife? Great festive read.

Saira Wright, a famous author of Black romance books has a huge following and is signed with a top publisher of African American works. She's quite surprised one day when she receives a call from the publishing house saying they want a Christmas romance book from her. Ms Wright doesn't do Christmas books, but her sales have taken a slump just like her love life. She has a choice, write that best-selling Christmas romance or her contract is gonzo. Needing a little inspiration, she goes to the best Christmassy town she can think of.
Renting a half of a duplex with the owner on the other side is no problem, that is until she sees who it is. Mr. December on the firehouse calendar, Dorian Black. Firefighter, football coach and widow.
He's not looking for a relationship, he's had plenty of people try to matchmake for him, but his late wife's memory is still too strong.
When Saira and Dorian meet though it's as though they were made for each other in this spicy winter romance. Saira seems to fit right in with the folks in town and all his friends as if she'd been there for a lifetime and he feels the same way. I enjoyed seeing the interaction between the two as the sparks ignite bright. I think she has all the inspiration she needs for this upcoming romance book. Loved this uplifting full of great humor book. Filled with the holiday season you'll want to read this more than once.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

3.75 stars

This is my first Christmas book of the season!!
This was so sweet and fun. I like the setting and the characters.
The main couple was sweet to read, and I like the slow burn romance.
Overall, this was a sweet story that I can't wait to reread during the Xmas season.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was charming, fun, steamy and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and I would read more books by this author.

I enjoyed reading this book so much! I enjoyed the storyline so much! It definitely put me in the Christmas spirit. I enjoyed the characters and their journey to love.

📖: A Novel Christmas-standalone

✍️ By: Charity Shane-new to me author

📃 Page Count: 260 eBook

🗓️ Publication Date: 9-24-24, Read 9-22-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Black Odyssey Media, and Charity Shane for this ARC 💚! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

🌎Setting: Miami to Santa Claus, Indiana (3% black population)

Genre: AA Interests, Holiday Romance

Tropes:
🎄small town
🎄forced proximity
🎄Christmas
🎄holiday romance
🎄cinnamon roll H
🎄romance author/volunteer firefighter

POV: dual, 1st person

⚠️TW: grief, breast cancer-H's wife died 3 years ago, lack of racial diversity in town, black stereotypes-playing spades or dominoes, women braiding their hair to go on vacation, R&B music, NFL player

💭Summary: Saira is signed to the most successful African American publisher Brownstone Literature and had plenty of bestsellers in her five years there. Her last 3 books didn't perform well so Saira's boss sends her on a "working holiday" to research and write a good Christmas romance or be dropped from the publisher.


🚺 Heroine: Saira Wright-African American romance author, ex bf Rashad.

🚹 Hero: Dorian Black- (35) Santa Claus Fire Department (SCFD) volunteer unit, a widower-wife died 3 years ago, former NFL player, now manages rental properties and coaches AAU football team Warriors

🎭Side cast:
• Merle-Saira's publisher
•Linaya-Saira's BFF and agent
• Tyra-Saira's sister
• Mike-assistant coach to Warriors, likes Crystal
•Crystal-works for SCFD, matchmaker for Dorian and Saira
•Keith-Crystal's uncle
•Devyn-Crystal's aunt married to Keith


🤔My Thoughts: I loved the cover first, and the holiday romance just got me in the fall mood. Saira and Dorian are instantly attracted to each other and their sexual chemistry was off the charts. Dorian was great book boyfriend who showed his generous side with Jerome and Shavon. He still thought about his wife Mya and felt guilty for falling for Saira.


Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 4/5
😭: Emotion 4/5
❤️: Couple 4/5
⭐️: Rating 4/5

A Novel Christmas by Charity Shane is most definitely a five star holiday romance story!
Such a heartwarming and feel-good story that I’m pretty sure I did not put this book down.
This is a first for me by this author but will not be my last. It was such a cute story! The writing style is great and I loved the characters chemistry.
I absolutely loved this book! It is a very realistic romance.

Thank You NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and BOM for this read. This was good and fun to read before Christmas. I enjoyed it and the rest in this series.

A Novel Christmas gets you ready for the season!!! Fall in love with all the butterflies!!! This writing of a firefighter and a holiday romance? Yes, yes, yes!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️💋💋💋💋💋💋💋