Title: Scrooge-ish
Author: L.B. Dunbar
Release Date: November 22, 2022

Blurb:

I hate Christmas.

I don’t know who thought every female must love shopping, wrapping, baking and hosting but I missed the memo. On top of that, I manage an upscale department store. Sprinkle in the fact I’ll be turning forty during this holiday season, and my life is a Christmas cookie recipe gone wrong.

And every year I become a little more Scrooge-ish.

But the spirit of the most wonderful time of the year <insert sarcasm> seems to have a plan for me and my midlife-crisis attitude.

First, my past returns when I attend a high school reunion happy hour and run into that boy—the one I had a summer fling before I left for college, then promptly ghosted me.

The torture continues because that boy is now a man, worldly and wise and sexier than I remember. And he invites me to attend a holiday work party with him.

That’s where I learn this forty, fine, former NFL quarterback, now fireman has a new role: single father to the sweetest little girl, putting me at risk of falling for both of them.

However, I have my reasons not to believe in love and the happiest time of the year. And the first twenty-five days of December tests all my strength.

Just what the Dickens is happening? Charles himself might approve of this plot.

Even I’m a little curious to see how it all plays out.

+ + +

What to expect:

❃ prickly heroine

❃ cinnamon roll, single dad hero

❃ the spirit of Christmas

❃ reunited lovers second chance

Caroline's Review
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Loved this second chance romance so much. It was hot, sweet and emotional.

"I've never been able to forget you."

"Did you want to forget me?"

"No. Not ever."

Eva Nazar hates Christmas - with good reason. She's single, about to turn 40, and is very much alone. So, she works. A lot. When her colleague cajoles her into going to her own high school reunion at a local bar, she unexpectedly bumps into Zebb Scroggs. The guy she had a secret summer affair with before they went their separate ways to college - he had NFL dreams and she wanted to own a boutique store in a small town. What they don't realise is that they've been back in the same city for the past twenty years.

"How do I look at you?"

"Like I could be your world, if you let me."

I loved this story so much. Eva was prickly and mistrustful of good things that came into her life. Everybody that was ever important in her life left her. She was alone and lonely and she filled the emptiness with work at a famous department store. My heart squeezed for all her hurts and made me feel pretty emotional. I adored Zebb! He was cheerful, thoughtful and so caring. I giggled at some his cheesier lines and loved how determined he was to break through Eva's walls. He was a fabulous dad to his cute daughter, Tam. They were pretty hot together - I loved their intimate moments that were not only sexy but also about connection. Fab, festive read!