Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was in the mood for a Christmas romance, and I’m always in the mood to read what Tessa writes, so this was perfect timing! For fans of grumpy/sunshine, a golden retriever mmc, a bit of insta love, and no third act breakup, this one is for you.

Stella is a standoffish rebel with a messy past and Aiden is a polished manager with a fondness for candy cane bow ties. Their worlds collide—literally—outside a botched holiday display in New York City. What starts as a chance encounter quickly becomes a steamy, opposites-attract workplace romance.

With dual POVs, witty banter, and an irresistible mix of naughty and nice, this book delivers humor, heart, and surprising depth. Stella’s journey to self-acceptance and Aiden’s struggle to cut loose create a dynamic pairing that had me rooting for them.

Window shopping was a sweet and spicy holiday read!

At the start of the book, Stella is ready for her second chance. She made some pour choices in her youth and is just getting out of prison. She meets Aiden outside of his families department store and they discuss the window display. Stella has a background in fashion and Aiden encourages her to apply for a job at his store designing and creating the window displays.

Aiden and Stella could not be more different. Stella is actually trying to figure out who she is now that she is free again. Aiden is a bowtie wearing golden retriever in the streets and a freak in the sheets. He always follows the rules and Stella pushes his boundaries. I really like them together!

I can’t wait to see what this author decides to release next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tessa Bailey for this ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 3.5 Stars

This was an adorable holiday book that I had a lot of fun with! A tad repetitive at some points and lost a little interest, but overall super cute!

Tessa Bailey sure knows what she’s doing.

When I got approved for this book and started reading it, I realized that I had already read it when it originally came out in 2021. I enjoyed reading it for the second time now maybe even more than the first time and this is the perfect short spicy romance book for the holiday season (which starts after thanksgiving fyi).

This book is all about new beginnings, second chances, and overcoming that little voice in the back of your head that says you don't belong AKA imposter syndrome. With super charming characters and a Christmas in New York setting, I couldn't help but devour this story.

This Tessa Bailey book nails it :) loved Stella’s character development and it had a good balance between plot and spice.

I'm am so here for all of the Holiday romances that are popping up. There's nothing better than curling up with a feel good book full of love, laughter and holiday cheer.

Tessa Bailey has quickly become on of my favorite authors and I'm chomping at the bit to get through her back log. Yet again, she did an amazing job with this book. It's a grumpy/sunshine trope but with a twist. This go around, our sunshine comes in the form of the adorably sexy, bow tie wearing, Aiden and our grumpy is Stella. She's a recently released ex con just trying to figure out how to live in a world that's moved on without her after four years.

"She groans. 'I can practically hear the bow tie in your voice,' 'It's a Mrs. Claus theme today. That woman doesn't get enough credit for holding down the fort."

Both characters are relatable, loveable and multi dimensional... hallelujah! Even though Aiden gives Stella the chance of a lifetime, she refuses handouts and he gives her the space to succeed or fail on her own. While this story is set during the holidays, it's not over the top filled with holiday cheer. There's an actual storyline that sucks you in and keeps you reading long into the night. Just like with her other books, Tessa delivers that heat in just the perfect way. Hiding behind those Christmas themed bow ties is a man with all the alpha we love to see in the bedroom!

This book was the perfect book to start my Holiday Romance reads and I'm so looking forward to many more from Tessa Bailey. Excuse me while I head to Target and start buying Christmas decorations that I don't need

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC Novella.. I’m a big fan of Tessa Bailey and this book did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the premise of the book that even though your past was troubled, it doesn’t mean that your future can’t be bright. Stella has a Criminal past and turns her life around when she means Aiden and she starts working for him and his department store. I love the opposites attract trope. I love the business relationship and I love these characters so much. I thought they were very well-developed, I love the humor and the heart that this book had. I would highly recommend this author and book!

This book is grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract romance with a golden retriever MMC and black cat FMC. Fresh out of prison, Stella is wandering the streets of New York City when she is stopped in her tracks by a terrible window display in a department store. Aiden notices her and strikes up a conversation about said window display, then encourages her to apply for an opening at said department store to redesign the window. Turns out, Aiden is the owner and manager of the store, and he finagles it so he can hire Stella after liking her ideas during their conversation (and after being attracted to her and wanting to see her again).

I enjoyed both Stella and Aiden as characters, though they were a bit one-dimensional at times. If you like workplace romances, you’ll probably like this book, but I found it hard to get past some of the boss/employee dynamics at play. Overall, this book delivers on what I’ve come to expect from Tessa Bailey’s books - a fun, steamy, and enjoyable story that’s a fast read and easy to dive into.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

No argument here, I enjoy every book Tessa Bailey puts out. A wonderful story about second chances and a dream-worthy relationship. Stella and Aiden are great characters, & the spice was just the right amount. Nice & SPICY.

A cute little reverse grumpy/sunshine romance book just in time for Christmas. He is sunshine and rainbows and happens to own the glamourous department store in NYC. She is newly released from prison and not seeing things as all that great. She is trying to get back on her feet when an unbelievable opportunity falls into her lap. Does she have enough faith in herself to accept a job to decorate the famous store window in time for Christmas?

Not much of a storyline, but it is a cute easy read with a hint of spice. I love Tessa's other books, but this one was just a typical run of the mill meet/cute.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and @netgalley for this ARC. It was released October 1, 2024.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for providing me with a copy to read and review.

I was disappointed by this novel. It had such an interesting/cute premise, but the character development was shallow and basically occurred in the course of a week. I’ve read others by the same author and know she’s capable of more. This one did seem a bit shorter, like it was more of a novella or even a rough draft/outline of the book to come.

A lot of the dialogue was very cringe-inducing.

I love a good Tessa bailey Book. Especially a good Christmas one.
This was so so cute and I adored this book.
But do't let the cute cover fool you! It's also hot! soooo hot.

Its the perfect grumpy sunshine with him being the sunshine. The fact that our couple had such incredible chemistry and this was also such a feel good Christmas themed romance was just chef's kiss.


I give it 3.5/5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley for the Arc. All opinions are my own.

❄️𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞
🎄𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭
🎁𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
❄️𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐱 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞

✨Thoughts✨
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 cute holiday romance was such a treat. The main characters were truly lovable, each bringing their own unique qualities to the story. Stella, the female main character, has just been released from a correctional facility for a crime she committed a few years back and finds herself lost in thought outside a store window. That's when a handsome stranger with a southern drawl catches her attention, igniting a spark in her heart. Their chance encounter marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in Stella's life, filled with optimism and self-confidence.

𝐀𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧, the main male character, is a kind-hearted man with a sunny disposition that contrasts perfectly with Stella's grumpy demeanor. I loved how Aiden was not scared of the prickly Stella; he made her feel seen. When Stella was unfair with herself, he was the one that centered her.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 short story is a sweet holiday romance with some steamy moments, but it also conveys a great message about starting anew in life.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒.𝟓⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝟑/𝟓🔥

Although I love a workplace romance, this book was not as enjoyable as I hoped. It fell very flat and felt like it was missing a lot. There were a lot of moments where I found myself cringing, especially toward the end. The ending itself left me very confused. I'm not sure what I just read, but it wasn't it.

Thank you NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC.

I didn’t care for this at first. The window and jail thing were corny and I didn’t really like Stella. But Tessa does spice well, despite him comparing his erection to gravy thickening on the stove 🤮 I enjoyed the second half much more than the first.

Window Shopping is your standard Tessa Bailey fare. It has lots of lust, some heart and usually someone in need of emotional saving. It was enjoyable and had a little Christmas cheer embedded into it. A little light on complications and misunderstanding so it was an easy read.

Stella walks past a Christmas shop window when she's let out of prison and trashes the look to the man standing next to her -- and he's the owner of the store. He likes her ideas and encourages her to apply for a window dressing position at the establishment. It's Stella's dream job, so she can't mess it up by falling for the super hot owner or by letting her record become public knowledge. But this is a romance novel, so we all know what's going to happen before the happily ever after...

Not the best of Bailey's work, but a nice Christmas read.

Representation: formerly incarcerated main character

Window shopping was a modern take on a Christmas romance that brought swoon worthy moments and nostalgia with main setting being a department store. I had never read a romance with the FMC Stella being a convicted felon just out of jail, but it was something different and Tessa wrote her in a way that you empathized with her and wanted her to be happy. Aiden was a swoon worthy MMC. He was kind and I enjoyed his southern manners and the way he wanted what was best for Stella. I had such a great time reading and recommend for the romance as well as the nostalgia of Christmastime in a department store.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC!