Ex convict FMC and goofy awkward MMC...say less.

Stella has recently been released from prison and she is trying to get her bearings and put her life in order. Prior to her crime she was studying to be a designer, specifically for department store windows. Her attention is caught on one window in particular that is horrible. When a handsome stranger asks for her opinion and then tells her to apply, she figures she has nothing to lose. She does not thing that she has a chance at getting hired with her background. However, she gets an interview and then tries to back out when she realizes that the interviewer is none other than the stranger from the street. She ends up getting the job on a trial basis. She has three short days to prove herself.

Aiden is captivated by the woman gazing at his window display. He knows that it is terrible, and there is something about the way she is smiling at the display. He asks her opinion and then encourages her to apply for the position. He has no way of knowing which application is hers since he did not get her name, so he interviews everyone. He is disappointed that he has not seen her and the last interview looks like a no show. That is until she sees a flash of movement and realizes she is leaving. He chases her down and offers her the job on a trial basis in order to avoid issues with the board due to her criminal history.

This was such a cute story. I loved that Stella owned her past and did not try to brush over it. She was clearly upset and had remorse over what she did. I also loved the way Aiden did not push her to tell her story and let it come naturally, and then when they were tested, he stood strong instead of instantly blaming her due to her past. Aiden was such a great MMC, he was a little weird and quirky and that just added to his charm. He was also very responsible and honest. The fact that all he wanted was acceptance from his family was so heartbreaking.

I loved their romance and their attraction for each other. I was glad that Aiden put the brakes on, it showed his character. This was a quick and easy read with very little angst or drama.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage and NetGalley for this title. This is my very honest review.

Window Shopping is re-release of Tessa Bailey’s holiday steamy romantic comedy originally published in 2021. It is a stand-alone opposites-attract, workplace romance told in dual points of view. It’s a fast-paced story taking place during the last three weeks of December in Manhattan.
25-year-old Stella Schmidt has recently been released from Bedford Correctional Facility after serving four years and is staying at her uncle’s Chelsea apartment while she re-groups. Stella dreamed of designing window displays and completed three years of online design and marketing courses before participating in a crime and going to prison. She is adjusting to life outside prison and feeling remorse about her previous criminal activities. She misses her lifelong best friend, Nicole, who is still incarcerated.
Stella is standing outside Vivant, an upscale Manhattan department store, when a handsome stranger asks her opinion on the window display in front of them. When she calls it “Penguin Chernobyl,” he suggests that she apply for a window dresser job at Vivant. Stella rebuffs his suggestion but later applies for the job, disclosing her criminal record.
32-year-old Aiden Cook is the CEO of his family business, Vivant Department Store. While he is an uber-handsome 6’ 4” specimen of manhood, his Golden Retriever personality and “nice guy” personality has been problematic in previous romantic relationships. He wears silly bow ties and always walks around smiling, no matter how he feels on the inside. He feels emotionally disconnected from his father and grandmother, who both sit on the Board of Vivant. When Aiden was a young boy, he was sent to Tennessee to live with his Aunt Edna, who mostly raised him. Aiden’s closest friend is his Personal Assistant of three years, Leland.
Aiden is fascinated by Stella, who is his polar opposite. He decides to interview all of the candidates for the window dresser position after realizing that his mystery woman is probably the candidate with the prison record. He gives her four days to create a new Christmas display to replace “Penguin Chernobyl”, offering her a trial position. He is impressed by her work ethic and attitude of accepting responsibility for her past mistakes while also fighting his growing attraction to her. He is very aware of his company’s policy prohibiting management from fraternizing with employees. With it being mid-December, the success of the window display will affect sales.
For her part, Stella isn’t interested in romance. She is focused on re-starting her life and doesn’t want to blow her only chance at her dream job of creating window displays. She is all-work and no-play, but she is unable to resist Aiden’s kindness late at night. They are opposites in every way, but his golden retriever personality wears her down. If only they can find a way to have a romantic relationship while allowing Stella to be employed at Vivant.
Window Shopping is a very tender romance with engaging characters and a gripping story; I couldn’t put it down! The author wrote Stella in such a way that she is a sympathetic character who the reader will root for. Aiden is a perfect specimen of man who really doesn’t fit in Manhattan; his utter kindness will leave readers swooning. Aiden’s Aunt Edna stories are hilarious but realistic for the Deep South. The descriptions of how Stella creates her window displays are very informative, and the store employees add extra color to the story. Window Shopping is now my favorite Tessa Bailey story. Window Shopping contains some profanity and sexual scenes.
I purchased a paperback copy of this book in 2023. I received an Advance Review Copy ebook (ARC) from NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager in 2024 for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Stella is trying to find her footing after a four year stint in prison. When she least expects it, a hot and handsome man strikes up a corny conversation. Aiden is probably my favorite male love interest that Tessa Bailey has created. He is shameless in his telling of Aunt Edna stories, Dad jokes, and wearing of dorky bow ties. Bailey makes a big deal about an office romance. I believe she got the reaction from me that she wanted: discomfort. I much prefer "Wreck the Halls" to "Window Shopping" simply because of the specific tension Tessa Bailey created in this book. You recognize the hot topic of the work romance, but you are really rooting for these two. Oh yeah, and it takes place two weeks prior to Christmas. You can smell the peppermint!

This is a spicy holiday treat I would recommend.

I love a good Christmastime story, and this one was no exception. The fact that the FMC, Stella, just got out of prison and was attempting to make a fresh start was so beautiful. Aiden’s cheer was everything that a Christmas story needs, and I love how he saw the beauty inside Stella. This story was the perfect balance of festiveness and spice.

WINDOW SHOPPING by Tessa Bailey
⭐️ rating: 8/10

read if you like:
🎄 holiday romcoms
📍 New York City
🙌🏼 opposites attract

summary:
The first of my holiday reads! This book is about Stella, a recently freed convict who finds herself in New York City right before the holidays, and Aiden, the manager/owner of a famous department store who hires Stella as his newest window dresser, right in time for Christmas. They immediately hit it off, and despite coming from completely different worlds, they can’t resist each other. Will they be able to make it work, despite the fact Stella works for him?

This is a quick, light, smutty read perfect for anyone who loves Christmas in the city. I liked the angle of Stella being recently released from prison, as it’s an angle we don’t usually see. It follows the typical “opposites attract” trope, in a passionate and intense way. Aiden is your typical rich-kid-breaking-away-from-his-family, in a cute and romantic kind of way. There isn’t a lot of depth or character development, and hardly any conflict (it gets resolved so quickly!) but if you want to get in the holiday spirit in New York, this is a fast and spicy read!

Thanks to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this advanced copy! Add this to your holiday reading list today!

The perfect holiday romance to warm your heart! Tessa Bailey’s Window Shopping delivers a charming, festive love story that’s as sweet as hot cocoa and as cozy as your favorite holiday sweater.

Stella and Aiden are pure opposites with irresistible chemistry. Stella’s sarcastic honesty and Aiden’s cheerful optimism make for a fun and electric dynamic—she’s got a difficult past, while he’s all warmth and positivity, creating that perfect opposites-attract magic. Bailey weaves in humor, warmth, and just the right touch of spice to keep you grinning and turning the pages.

The holiday backdrop adds so much sparkle, from the bustling streets of Manhattan to the gorgeous window displays that bring Stella and Aiden together. It’s a heartfelt journey about second chances, self-discovery, and taking risks—all wrapped up in a swoon-worthy romance that’s impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a feel-good holiday read with a sizzling romance, this is it. Stella and Aiden’s story will have you smiling, laughing, and totally hooked!

*republishing this year
After unknowingly brutally roasting a holiday window display to the companies CEO- ex con Stella gets hired under ‘Mr Happy’ Aiden to make better windows. She tells herself she’s only in it for the money, but Aiden isn’t letting that stop him.
This book was so much fun! It was everything I would want out of a holiday read, and more! I love how Tessa took some old tropes and combined them with new/less used tropes. It made the book so much more enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for an eARC of this book!

I was given an advanced copy in exchange for my review. This is my honest opinion I am giving voluntarily. I LOVED this book!! It’s a perfect Christmas short story. Tessa yet again sucks you into a world where a grumpy FMC fights so hard not to let a bubbly golden retriever man into her heart, spoil alert she loses that fight. The book was a good that I wish there was more! I highly recommend, you won’t be dissatisfied!

A quick, fun naughty little Christmas read to get you in the holiday season! I loved me a good grumpy & sunshine trope.

I wasn’t a fan of this one. It felt forced and lacked chemistry. I found it to be pretty boring and didn’t love the concept as a whole.

I am a self-admitted book worm, and I have been the majority of my life. Here lately, I gravitate towards suspenseful books. Ultimately, at my core I am still a fan of romance. Because of this, I was very excited to read this book. The first Tessa Bailey book that I read was “The Au Pair Affair.” Since then I have been pretty much hooked. That’s why I was super excited to read this one.

I can’t remember the last time that I rooted this hard for a female lead in a book. Stella is one of those characters that you want to win. Her background was a little “heavier” than I’m used to, which I think made me root for her even more. Absolutely adore the relationship that she has with Aiden in this book.

I absolutely loved this book, and am kind of sad that I am done reading it. I read many books that are a part of a series, so when I read a standalone (which is what this is), I always find myself wanting more so that I can read about secondary cast members. They also give a glimpse into the future for the main couple in the previous books. I guess the most I can hope for is a bonus epilogue on day! That being said, I definitely recommend this book, and can’t wait to discuss another Tessa Bailey book.

**A received an advanced reader copy of the re-release for my honest review**

This was the perfect book to get into the holiday spirit! It is two weeks before Christmas in Manhattan when Stella is standing outside a store's front window, critiquing its holiday display. Aiden approaches and asks for more direction about the display - little did she know that Aiden owns the store. Aiden genuinely cares about his store's display as he does like the holiday times, so he hires Stella to re-vamp the front window display. This is great for Stella, as she is looking for a boost in her own life, too. She wants to do well and prove herself, except that there is an attraction between the two.

I really enjoyed this book. It had the right dash of holiday spirit, spice, and banter. I also really enjoyed some of the secondary characters in this book, the store staff lending many of those characters. This is more than just fluff, though; a strong theme in this book is redemption and self-worth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tessa Bailey writes books with fun premises and interesting characters. I enjoy the books. And then about two-thirds of the way through, the couple starts hooking up and the rest of the book is almost constant sex scenes with a bit of the plot interspersed. I don’t mind the sex scenes, but that’s not what I’m reading the books for. I enjoy the character development and the plot development. The switch from an interesting rom-com is a bit abrupt for me.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Window Shopping was my first intro to Tessa Bailey and this cute holiday romance did not disappoint!
The story follows Stella, an ex-felon who finds herself in the right place at the right time, landing a coveted job as a window decorator at Vivant, an upscale department store.
Cue Aiden, a gorgeous, golden retriever personality MMC who has just the right dash of nice with a bit of naughty mixed in. I loved the contrast of his bright and cheery personality to Stella’s grumpy and pessimistic tone.
I loved watching their relationship grow and the confidence that Stella gained throughout. Opposites really do attract, and these two were perfection!
If you’re looking for a fun, cozy holiday read, this book is absolutely for you!

I love the theme and storyline that Bailey chose for this book. An edgy, slightly broken, down-on-her-luck window dresser who seems to be the complete opposite of the sharp-dressed sweetheart of a boss.

Their interactions spark from the get-go and Aiden is a smoldering beast who is fiercely protective of Stella and falls first, head over heels.

Bailey kills us with her intense connection between the two and how they grow together and not separately then try to find each other again. These two are funny, steamy, and sizzling. The author develops a perfect dynamic between them that builds trust and support as they find their footing and grab you for a wonderful ride along the way.

I know that this author is staying on my must-read list. I love her deep, sensual, and touching stories.

She's a grumpy felon, he wears bow ties year-round and smells like peppermint. Oh, and he's her new boss. This was a cute story- fun but the characters weren't as developed as Bailey normally writes them. Worth a read!

Summary:
Stella is making a fresh start in her life after 4 years in prison, and when she gets the chance to go for her dream job, she can’t pass it up. But when her boss is also the handsome stranger she connected with on a busy New York street, is it just too complicated for her already-complicated life?

Title: Window Shopping
Author: Tessa Bailey
@tessabaileyisanauthor
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5

Tropes:
Black Cat/Golden Retriever
Holiday Read
Workplace Romance

Triggers:
Bow tie in the streets, freak in the sheets
Incarceration

Whitney’s Thoughts:
Nothing will live up to the greatness that is Wreck the Halls, but this is a fun and light holiday romance that I really enjoyed. I love the sweet and spicy juxtaposition of Aiden and the black cat vibes from Stella! I will always love a Tessa Bailey read! Thank you NetGalley for the e-copy.

After reading a very tough book sometimes you just need to pick something up with a little levity and fun. If you’re looking for a quick book about the holiday season while sneaking in some steamy scenes in the file room at work… this is the book for you.
What’s the best of this book is that Stella isn’t magically fixed in her new situation, but sometimes all it takes is someone believing in you to help your imposter syndrome

Tessa Bailey knows how to write the perfect romcom. But throw in some Christmas magic and damn it is even better.

Stella stops outside a stores window display and openly states her feelings on it to a man nearby… a very hot man… and unknowingly to her, the owner of the store. He then hires her to do something better.

The chemistry between Stella and Aiden is off the damn charts and you will not be disappointed in the 🌶️ especially if you have read other Tessa Bailey books!

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey is a cute Christmas story, which I somehow missed when I decided to read it in early February. That said, it didn't matter one bit because this book could be read anytime of year and still be enjoyable. I listened to the book and didn't care much for the lead male narrator, but it wasn't enough to take away from the story. This is a book of second chances, pretty much instant attraction, and lots of spice!

2nd Reading: This time I read the Kindle version of the book and preferred it that way since I found one of the narrators to not be to my listening-liking the first time around.