Holidays in Manhattan

Jennifer Gracen

Oct 2019 · The McKinnon Brothers Book 5 · Tule Publishing

About this ebook

They didn’t believe in holiday magic… until it happens to them.

Anna McKinnon is a free spirit. As a bartender in New York City, she answers to no one, keeps what she calls “vampire hours” – and likes it that way. She secretly wishes to find real love, the forever kind her brothers have all found. But love has not only eluded her, it’s burned her badly. Keeping things light is how Anna copes.

David Beren is a high-powered, intense investment banker in the heart of Manhattan. His 80-hour work weeks took over his life long ago, but now, at 35, he’s ready for something more. But what? And then he meets Anna. She’s unexpected – full of light, color, and laughter. Anna knocks him off his game and his feet, and he’s never been happier. 

Can total opposites – a feisty, bold girl from Ireland and a quiet, straight-laced Jewish guy from New Jersey – find love at the holidays? With the double whammy of a Hanukkah miracle and some Christmas magic, they just might.

Ratings and reviews

This is a story about two people from very different walks of life, a real tale of opposites attracting. When free spirited Irish Catholic Anba bumps (literally) into serious, straight laced Jewish investment banker David, sparks fly, but is there any way they can fit into each others very different lives? I haven't read the earlier books in this series but this worked very well as a standalone. The two main characters are developed really well, making you aware that they move in incredibly different circles. Anna is feisty with tattoos and multi coloured hair, David is a quiet, smartly suited workaholic. Although this story could be read all year round, it is lovely to see Anna and David sharing their different holiday customs with each other, so we get a lovely blend of Christmas and Hanukkah. Although things do not always go smoothly for them, it was a joy to share their journey and watch this very different couple grow and develop, and adapt to each other's worlds. I loved their banter and they are both wonderfully likeable. Anna's childlike excitement and wonder at all things Christmas is really endearing, as is David's thoughtfulness. They both make mistakes but in the end they overcome, and that's what matters. If you are looking for a heartwarming opposites attract story with some holiday magic, I highly recommend this book.

Holidays in Manhattan is book five in the McKinnon Brothers series by Jennifer Gracen. This is Anna McKinnon and David Bergen’s story. A sweet romance between two totally different people. Anna wants to find true love but has a hard time trusting due to past experiences. David and Anna’s first meeting was hilarious. Even though they are totally opposites they are attracted to each other and seemed drawn to each other. I really loved David’s character and how he treated Anna so well. Will the differences keep them from finding true love? The story was fun and entertaining but would have loved an epilogue. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Anna and David’s love story in Holidays in Manhattan by Jennifer Gracen, book five in her McKinnon Brothers series, reminds us that opposites do attract which can be beneficial to each of them; bringing out the hidden traits of their personalities. We have a funny meet that could have gone good or badly, followed by a pretend relationship when Anna encounters a lying ex. Then there’s the good Jewish boy and sassy, tattooed Irish lass with the Irish lass trying to learn about his Judaism and help him celebrate his holiday as well as expose him to her love of all things Christmas. His being a financial wizard while she worked as a bartender at her brother’s pub brought back bad experiences for Anna but David was not that guy. Learning to trust, encourage and accept that one is merely defined by their job, but that there is a depth within tells us so much about these two. Lastly, David’s big gesture to prove or show that he is not embarrassed of his love for Anna is swoon worthy. I felt like I was there, witnessing these two as they figured out each other and move forward with their relationship. Ms. Gracen wrote a wonderful and sexy story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and endearing characters giving Anna and David a chance to find a forever love. I highly recommend Holidays in Manhattan to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.