A sizzling, feel good holiday romance by the one and only Tessa Bailey!

When Stella stops outside the windows of Vivant department store and scoffs out loud at their pathetic holiday display, she catches the attention of their charming general manager Aiden. He challenges her for better ideas, then offers her a job as their window displayer. Of course Stella jumps at the chance to prove herself. And the fact that her boss is a hottie? Well, that didn't factor into her excitement at all.

Window Shopping was such a fun and festive read. If you love a good holiday romance, then you might enjoy this book.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy!

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey is a Christmas romance set in New York City. Full of second chances and witty dialogue this is the perfect book for the Christmas season!

(4/5 stars) Tessa Bailey is once again delightful in her ability to write dirty talk from the mouth of a seemingly wholesome man. I'll pick up whatever she writes. A great holiday read for anyone looking for some spice.

Tessa Bailey is always a reliable author for me and this book didn't disappoint! With a cinnamon roll turned dominant sex god in the bedroom and a shy, afraid to trust, recently released from jail heroine, we get tons on chemistry abd two main characters that you can't help loving and rooting for! The addition of Christmas at a department store in New York acted like a whole other character in the book and I was here for it! This book is branded as a short story/novella but it didn't feel like it at all. The story was well constructed so that it didn't feel rushed and I didn't feel like I was missing out of their whole love story because I got it all

Thanks to Avon by way of Netgalley for an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

I love a good Tessa Bailey romcom but this one was not my favorite. I couldn’t mesh with the hero nor heroine and usually I love a reverse grumpy-sunshine dynamic but these characters were just not it. The plot was weak but that’s to be expected given it’s practically a novella but I was still hoping for more coziness and I just did not get comfort holiday vibes, unfortunately. This one was a miss but I’m still seated for Bailey’s sports romances coming next year!

Window Shopping was a mix of insta love with grumpy/sunshine. I did like how Stella and Aiden met-original and amusing. Aiden knew that there was something special about Stella and he couldn't but help but close to her. There was a push/pull, will they/won't they phenomena happening. I was interested to see how it would play out. I liked Aiden-he was very sweet. Though he did have a hidden side to him. Stella was not as grumpy as I thought. She just had a rough go of it and to keep Aiden at a distance, grumpy it was. However that did not seem to deter our hero. These two were more alike than they thought and it was nice seeing them come together.

I have been waiting for years to get my hands on Window Shopping, so I was so excited when I was finally able to read it. I absolutely loved it.

The plot was interesting and kept me hooked the whole time. I love when a character has an unusual career. I've never read about someone being a window decorator, and it was so fun to be able to dive into a career and setting I don't usually get to see.

And speaking of journeys I don't usually get to read about, Stella was such an interesting main character. This book had a short timeline, but I felt like I really got to know Stella as she goes through this emotional journey and works her way out of her past.

Aiden and Stella just felt made for each other. There was so much chemistry that at one point I thought that Aiden was magical. He was just so perfect for Stella. Definitely a couple that I wouldn't mind reading a whole other story of just fluffy happily ever after scenes.

I just loved this book so much. For a cute romcom about window decorating, I wasn't expecting to be taken for such an emotional ride. I laughed really hard and I also cried. My last note that I took while reading simply said "Amazing".

I can't wait for my next Tessa Bailey book.

This is the 1st book i finish in 2025! What a great way to start the year. I love Tessa Bailey books and Window Shopping did not disappointment me. Window shopping is a great winter book, all you need is a cozy blanket and a hot drink.

Window Shopping takes place in my hometown of New York City! Stella was recently released from prison and is looking to start a new life in NYC since her family did not want her in their home. Stella's dream has always been to be a window dresser, but with her federal record she has not hope to achieve her dream. One day she is stopped by Vivant's window and that is when she was approached by Aiden. Aiden was amazed by Stella's view that he told her to apply for the job.

However, Stella's crime partner reaches out to Stella and tells her that she is also going to be released. Stella is in a delima because she does not know how to tell her best friend she does not want the same childhood friendship and she wants a better life.

Window shopping has a lot of spice and romance. Aiden is a guy that follows the rules but he is not so nice of a guy behind close doors.

<i>Window Shopping</i> was a cutie little spicy romance at christmas time. A down on your luck girl who always seems to make all the bad decisions gets out of jail and falls into a best case scenario to turn around her life. Her chance encounter turns into a lot of foreplay and a little butt play to round it all out.

This was a quick read that wanted to get deep, but stayed pretty close to surface level. (There might be pun intended there but I haven't decided.) I really like the department store window dressing storyline. All of the characters were super likable even if they were a little atypical. The Aunt Edna stories were a little off the rocker type stuff that would have made me roll my eyes and walk away. But apparently in person, they are endearing.

Window Shopping is a charming, holiday-themed romance filled with warmth, humor, and swoon-worthy moments. Tessa Bailey delivers her signature wit and steamy chemistry while weaving a heartfelt story of redemption and second chances. The quirky yet lovable characters, combined with the festive NYC backdrop, make it a delightful and feel-good read. It was perfect for curling up and reading this holiday season for a cozy night.

I normally love Tessa Bailey but this was a miss for me. I had really no connection to the characters and it was way too insta love for me. A week after knowing each other and they are thinking of saying "I love you" and looking at engagement rings? It was just so cringey. There are much better Tessa Bailey books and much better Christmas romances to choose from.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey and Avon for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

“I want to believe that I’m the kind of person worth standing up for.”

I enjoy everything I read by Tessa Bailey, but I went into this one blind and was pleasantly surprised by how different this one was.

I think the last thing I was expecting from a Tessa Bailey holiday romance was an ex-con for our FMC (Stella). And I’m SO grateful she wrote this story, providing a deeper insight into how mistakes, peer pressure, and life can take a turn for the worse. How owning our own mistakes is important, but that there is always the ability to start over.

“She’s window-shopping, while I’ve already bought out the whole damn store.”

This book was so much more than a a lighthearted holiday romance and I loved every moment of it. I loved the quirkiness of Aiden, who is the people-pleasing optimist—almost to a fake degree. I love his dual dynamic though, because he is NOT “super nice” when it comes to the bedroom…ha!

“This isn’t about me carrying you, it’s about us walking together and deciding where to go, all right?”

Also, the Aunt Edna stories? Wow she makes my family look boring. I want someone this quirky in my life.

This story was uplifting, heavy, and rewarding. It was about redemption, making the most out of life, and recognizing that the holidays are a great time to start over. More than that though, it shows that it’s possible to start over on your own, but that it’s easier when you have a helping hand.

Tropes:
- Ex-con FMC
- Holiday romance
- Workplace romance
- Boss x employee
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Forced proximity
- He falls first and hard

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey
Standalone Romance Novel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars

This was a fun and sweet Christmas novel to read. I loved the MMC in this book! He is portrayed as sweet, nerdy, and loves Christmas. The FMC is looking for a second chance and someone to believe in her while she is trying to turn her life around. This definitely has a reverse grumpy X sunshine trope and I felt like it was done really well. Stella and Aiden meet outside Aiden's family store when he asks for her opinion on the window display and Stella not knowing who he is tells him just how terrible it is, immediately he is trying to get her to come work for him, but Stella has a secret. When she finally decides to apply she knows he will find out about her record and her just getting out of prison but she hopes he will give her a chance. He does hire her on a trial basis. As she works to show she deserves this chance they end up spending a lot of time together and start falling for each other. They have such a sweet romance and it was such a fun story to read and get into the holiday spirit. I really enjoyed their banter and learning more about each character, their chemistry was obvious and made it a great read. I would definitely recommend this to romance readers looking for a nice easy holiday read. Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book.

While I am typically a huge Tessa Bailey fan and love the complexity she gives her characters and stories while also providing the perfect amount of romance, this book was not my favorite of hers - maybe I had high hopes of a holiday Tessa Bailey novel, but I felt there were a few big holes in the story line that were glazed over. While I thought it was enjoyable, I'd highly recommend some of her other novels if you've never read her work before.

I read this entire book in just a few hours. It was super cute and engaging but also had a food plot to it. I loved how Christmassy it was and really was able to get immersed in Christmas

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

This was fun. Short and sweet. I’m ok with a cinnamon roll, insta love kind of MMC if there are obstacles to overcome before they can get together. Bailey managed to bring the tension, interesting side characters, and a character growth arc for both MMC and FMC in around 250 pages. I thought we deserved more aunt Edna though.
Fun premise, lots of Christmassy vibes, solid execution. One star deducted largely because I’m tired of dainty little FMCs with giant MMCs who can carry them around like a baby.

Tessa Bailey is the queen of romance and this Christmas book is no exception. It’s a cute, feel-good, steamy, grumpy-sunshine, holiday romance that’s perfect for the season!

An amazing cute Christmas story that is a must read! Tessa Bailey’s books are always must reads for me.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

This book is very heavy on the spice, missing the backbone. It’s all just too much too soon. It is heavy on the Christmas which I appreciate for a Christmas romance since ultimately that is the point. It was a very easy and quick read though if you want something steamy to pass the time. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book started out strong for me but then turned on me fast. I think I was just bothered by the insta love aspect of it. I loved the story of her being in prison and getting a second chance at life and I guess would have liked a slower build up to the romance.

Recommended for Tessa Bailey fans and those who like a spicier Christmas romance.