
Member Reviews

My favorite Christmas romance of the season so far! This book is a romance between a down on her luck romance author, and an extremely attractive firefighter! This novel is a slow burn, with some really fun spice!

Christmas in the summer is just what I needed. This book reminded me of the Hallmark Christmas movies. I am so glad I was able to read an ARC copy. This is not my first read from this author and it will not be my last.

First of all, Thank You, netgalley for the ARC granted. Another great christmas story written with delicacy, romance, spicy scenes and a little bit of light-hearted drama all combined into a clear and well structured narrative.

3.75⭐️ rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
It’s never too early for a Christmas book right? This book was so cute and festive with so much chemistry. Based in Santa Claus Indiana, Saira who is an best selling author struggling to find inspiration for a new Christmas romance decides to spend Christmas away from the Miami heat and book a rental in Santa Claus Indiana in order to get inspired. Little does she expect the owner of the rental to be a hot fireman who immediately catches her eye.
Full of chemistry, fun and lots of snow this book will definitely have you feeling Christmassy.

Overall, I enjoyed this. It was a quick, breezy read. Sometimes it’s refreshing to read something and not get bogged down with a bunch of subplots. This delivers exactly what it says it will - a cute holiday romance. I loved Saira’s confidence and strength of character and Dorian’s compassion. Their chemistry was spot on.
The only thing I found slightly odd was the level of detail. Details can make or break a story and I somehow found this book doing both simultaneously. I think it’s important to share a realistic level of detail - it makes the characters feel real. I don’t, however, need to know how many strips of bacon are on a character’s plate if that information doesn’t serve the plot. It’s a nit-picky thing, I’m sure, but the oddly specific level of detail distracted from the story.

Saira is a succesful romance writer but her latest books hasn't been so popular as the other so her publisher tells her she must write a Christmas novel or they will drop her . So she has few weeks to find inspiration to write , so she travels to Santa Claus, Indiana the week of Christmas away from her family . What she didn't exept was to meet her landlord sexy volunteer firefighter Dorian . From the first meet their attraction is on and they decide to spent the week together . Dorian is a widower and she is first woman who made him feel something . But is he really ready to let his love of his late wife and move on with Saira ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

"A Novel Christmas" follows Saira, a writer struggling to find inspiration for her next Christmas-themed romance novel. Despite her lack of enthusiasm for holiday romances, Saira heads to Santa Claus, IN, a town brimming with Christmas spirit. There, she meets her Airbnb landlord, Dorian, a man still mourning the loss of his wife and vowing never to love again.
Over a magical, snowy week filled with festive decorations, Christmas carols, and the warmth of newfound friendships, Saira embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She delves into Dorian's past, learning about his heartbreak and his resistance to opening his heart again. Amid the twinkling lights and holiday cheer, Saira finds herself drawn to Dorian, hoping to melt the ice around his heart.
This heartwarming tale captures the essence of Christmas, with themes of love, healing, and the magic of new beginnings. I devoured this book in just 4 hours, unable to put it down. Every page is infused with holiday charm, making it a perfect Christmas in July read and the spice was a definite 4/5! Highly recommended!
Thanks to NetGalley, Black Odyssey, and Charity Shane for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this was a really cute Christmas story. Some parts I found didn’t get with the story but overall I enjoyed it and would read more by this author in the future.

Very cute holiday read!! Loved how this played out like a Hallmark movie and how we got to see these two help each other love, heal and believe. I want to visit Santa Claus!!

If you love a classic Hallmark movie, this is right up that alley.
Saira is an author who is about to lose her publishing company if she doesn't come up with a best selling Christmas book. So, with that looming over her head, she fly out to Santa Clause, Indiana, to get all the inspiration that she needs to save her job.
Along the way, she finds more than just inspiration for her book, she finds a community and a love interest in the very hot, Mr. December (calendar) firefighter.
I give a 4 star review because of a repeat word that just drove me up the wall (like moist for some people) and a timing situation that took me out of the story scene. Beside that, 100% recommend this book for the feel good Christmas vibe.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odessey Media for the ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! While Christmas novels can feel redundant, I felt like Charity Shane truly did a wonderful job of adding her own flare to it. This was cozy, steamy, and Christmas worthy! I loved how both of the main characters had previous pain but fit together beautifully. I truly rooted for Dorian! Such a beautiful story. It gave me all of the feels!
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media to read/review. All if the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

This book gives some hallmark movie vibes, as if we were at Cristmas time.
It tell the story about an romance novel author, who is not on best period and her publishing wants her to change her ways and write a holiday romance, with a deadline The problem is to get in the holiday mood. So, to get inspiration she goes to the small city of Santa Claus, and there is where she meets Dorian. He his a firefighter and coaches the high scool kids, and is a widower still grieving. When they meet the atraction is immediate. During the week she spends in this small town she reconnects with Christmas and they fall in love.

"A Novel Christmas" by Charity Shane is a delightful, heartwarming holiday read that captures the magic of the season. From the first page to the last, this heartwarming novel weaves together love, family, and the true spirit of Christmas.
In the charming town of Evergreen Falls, bookstore owner Emily Collins is struggling to keep her beloved shop afloat. The holiday season brings both hope and challenges as she faces dwindling sales and the threat of a big-box bookstore moving in next door. But when a mysterious stranger named Nicholas enters her life, everything changes.
Nicholas, with his twinkling blue eyes and enigmatic smile, seems to know more about Emily's past than she does herself. As they spend time together, Emily discovers that Nicholas has a secret—one that could change her life forever. Is he the answer to her prayers or a figment of her imagination?
Our endearing protagonist, Emily, is a bookworm with a heart of gold. Her determination to save her bookstore and her unwavering belief in the magic of literature make her instantly relatable. From quirky townspeople to loyal friends, the secondary characters in "A Novel Christmas" are well-drawn and add depth to the narrative.
Shane's prose is like a warm cup of cocoa on a snowy day: comforting, inviting, and impossible to put down. She effortlessly transports readers to Evergreen Falls, making us feel like part of the community. Her descriptions of cozy book nooks, twinkling lights, and snow-covered streets evoke the holiday spirit beautifully.
"A Novel Christmas" explores the idea that love can bloom even in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Emily and Nicholas's relationship is a testament to the magic of serendipity. The townspeople of Evergreen Falls rally around Emily, reminding us that the holiday season is about more than just gifts, it's about coming together and supporting one another.
Do you adore heartwarming holiday stories that tug at your heartstrings? Do you believe in the transformative power of books and the magic of Christmas? Are you looking for a cozy read to curl up with by the fireplace? Then this book is your must-read, and dare I say, the perfect choice.
"A Novel Christmas" is a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and holiday cheer. Shane's storytelling is like a twinkling string of Christmas lights: bright, warm, and utterly captivating. So grab a mug of hot cocoa, snuggle under a blanket, and lose yourself in this enchanting tale. You won't be disappointed!
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A sweet Christmas romance that would be perfect edition to anyone's Christmas book rotation. I know it will be on mine.

A fast paced, quick burn, small town romance with Christmas vibes.
A fun way to spend an hour.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

Saira Wright is a successful romance author. But recently her reviews and sales figures haven't been very great so her publisher has given her an ultimatum: she must give them a good Christmas Holiday romance story of be dropped by the major Black publishing house! For inspiration, she finds a small town called Santa Claus, in Indiana, a place very different from where she's from whether it's the weather or the people.
This book started off very promising. It has a nice Christmas feel and had me hooked. But I wasn't a fan of the writing and some of the language confused me many times as well. Overall, a good read and satisfying ending too.

I enjoyed reading this novel. It was fun and easy to read. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

I am a newcomer to Charity Shane's books and this book definitely sealed the deal for me! I am a fan! She has such a way of writing- she is creative yet doesnt over-extend to the point the story feels like a farfetched fantasy, she adds details vivid enough to make the reader really feel and get into what's happening, and most importantly, her words just flow. She created the perfect characters in this novel, along with the perfect storyline, perfect realistic obstacles, and I loved every bit of it!
Saira Wright is a best-selling author and has been writing for Brownstone Literature's black romance division for 5 years. Saira knows she is great! She has had several of her books hit #1, with multiple holding top spots simultaneously. However, her confidence takes a hit one day when her publisher notifies her that her last 3 books have not done as well as her other books and presents Saira with an ultimatum- write a Christmas romance and get back on top or leave Brownstone for good. Saira finds herself booking a flight and airbnb in Santa Claus, Indiana in hopes of finding some Christmas inspiration. What she ends up finding, however, is Dorian Black. He is fine, he is a former football player, now coach of his city's football team, he owns and manages rental properties, he is a volunteer firefighter and Mr. December, but he is also a widower and not looking for a relationship. Saira is tasked with not only writing a top selling Christmas romance (in an environment completely foreign to her, with her being from Miami), but also fighting her feelings for Dorian.
There is so much I loved about this novel! I loved the characters- both Saira and Dorian are very confident individuals however, they are both dealing with hurt. Saira's last relationship failed after 2 years, and Dorian lost his wife unexpectedly to cancer. Needless to say, they both find it hard to open up and trust someone.. until they meet each other and all of that changes. You can literally feel their chemistry through this book! And the steamy moments.. wow! I absolutely loved how they were each other's perfect match - they fit together like a puzzle! There were also other characters that I loved, like Linaya, Saira's best friend and agent, who felt like every black girl's best friend, and Keith, who felt like that one uncle! (If you know, you know!) I also strongly connected with the location being in Indiana. Saira is from Miami, and being in Indiana was a major cultural shock for her, given the lack of diversity. I am originally from the Bronx and I moved to Denver 5 years ago - the change in diversity is drastic! I loved that Saira was able to find community in Indiana, and I felt like it added so much more to each character's traits. I was able to feel how close-knit the other firefighters were, along with Dorian's influence on the kids he coached. It added a lot to his character and had me rooting for him hard! As far as Dorian and Saira, watching their character growth was wonderful! I absolutely loved them and loved their story!
Thank you NetGalley, Black Odyssey Media, and Charity Shane' for this heartwarming ARC!

This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

I really liked the overall story, and it's a great book to read to get into the holiday spirit. That being said, the author's writing style was difficult for me and it was hard to keep my interest in some places. I usually like whirlwind romances so that part didn't bother me, but there were some sections that seemed to be added more for a higher word count rather than adding to the story line.