Book: The Twelve Loves of Christmas by Alexandria Bellefleur
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4/5
The Twelve Loves of Christmas: An Advent Romance Collection
⭐⭐⭐⭐¼ (4.25/5)
Overall, I found this collection of holiday romances super cute and pretty wholesome. While a couple of stories get spicy, most stop at kisses. Anthologies can be hard for me to get through sometimes since one bad story can make me stall out, but I really enjoyed this one and was able to breeze through. It helps that I already know and love many of the authors.
1 — A Merry Little Christmas by Jessica Joyce
Eleanor unexpectedly reconnects with ex-boyfriend Max, the one who got away. Despite the short page count, I felt the weight of their history and the depth of their feelings for each other. I even teared up a little while reading.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
2 — Decking His Halls by Alexis Daria
Noelia moves in with her older brother Nando's BFF/her childhood crush, David, and torments him with extreme Christmas decorations. I was a little irked that Noelia immediately jumped to trying to annoy David for funsies when he was doing her a huge favor by letting her move in. I liked that my expectations were subverted more than once, keeping me on my toes.
⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
3 — I'll Be Home for Ex-Mas by Alexandria Bellefleur
Exes Francesca and Benji reunite at an airport when their planes are grounded due to a storm. Like the first story, I quickly got a sense of their history and the heartbreak they felt when they separated. I was rooting for them to find a way to make things work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
4 — Someone to Hold On To by Elise Bryant
Simone meets Henry during a stakeout when cookies go missing from the baked goods stand she sets up in the retirement community where her mother and his grandmother live. Henry is adorable, wanting to pull Home Alone-style hijinks to catch the thief, but Simone is a stick in the mud and kind of a butthead to him. I found this story to have the least amount of chemistry.
⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
5 — Ho Ho Oh No by M.A. Wardell
Grinchy Phillip fills in as Santa Claus when cheerful coworker Brad Lee needs someone to stand in. They end up snowed in together, and sexy times ensue. I live for a great queer romance, and Phillip and Brad Lee delivered. I love that Phillip feels like himself for the first time with another person—someone who will accept all of him.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
6 — Twelve Seconds to Forever by Rebecca Jenshak
This is the story I picked up the anthology for because I am a HUGE Rebecca Jenshak fan. Laney "hates" BFF Jess's older brother Alex, a pro football player who is missing from Jess's wedding festivities. When she is tasked with finding him, they are forced to confront their history and why they haven't spoken in three years. I immediately fell for Alex, who is a champion-level yearner.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
7 — A Solstice Kiss by Olivia Dade
I love that FMC Ellie is a little older, in her early 40s. On a work trip to Sweden, she must decide whether to keep living her stable but boring life or take a chance on a new adventure with handsome museum docent Felix. I absolutely devoured this story. Ellie and Felix's night of mini romantic adventures captivated me with its sweetness.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
8 — All Roads Lead Home by Joss Richard
Elle and Ryan were best friends until her parents divorced and she moved to Florida with her mom after their senior year of high school. Now Elle is back in New York, and sparks fly when she unexpectedly runs into Ryan. This story owned my whole heart. The connection between Elle and Ryan, the tease of what they could have been, and the possibility that they may have missed their time all had me on the edge of my seat.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
9 — Skipping Christmas by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Ashley and Micah are neighbors who finally connect after years of noticing each other around the building. Ashley is hilarious, reminding me of Principal Ava from Abbott Elementary, which is a HUGE compliment. Her inner monologue had me cracking up. I am obsessed with what a boss Ashley is. She doesn't need a man to take care of her, but she will let smooth and sexy Micah try.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
10 — Holiday Blackout by Susan Lee
Yuna and Ian are workplace rivals who get locked in when a late-night blackout knocks out the power. I love that Ian had to do a bit of introspection and groveling to Yuna after icing her out for the past two years following a steamy night together. I was surprised by how sexy this story was—in the best way.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
11 — Hope This Helps by Sarah Hogle
Audrey, mother of thirteen-year-old Kaylee, exchanges emails with Kaylee's English teacher, Joel, in an attempt to raise Kaylee's grade enough that she can attend the winter dance. This was the funniest story in the book, with each email becoming increasingly more hilarious and snarky on both sides. When Audrey and Joel finally meet in person, the banter and chemistry are already there. My favorite story in the book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
12 — Is It New Year's Yet? by Zakiya N. Jamal
Win and Ben, together with Win's sister Brea, are childhood best friends. They haven't spoken in the last year due to an incident that left Win embarrassed, but they are forced to reunite at a New Year's Eve party. Their story was very sweet and quite sexy. A great way to end the book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Thank you to all of the authors, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing an ARC.