Suzanne Hare
Holly Jameson is hired by Santa to be an efficiency expert despite her negative feelings about Christmas. Nicholas Claus, Santa’s son is charming and Holly is drawn to him but he appears to be the opposite of efficient. Can two opposites come together. This is a charming, light-hearted, Christmas romantic comedy set is the magical place of the North Pole. The characters are fun, full of determination and some totally filled with the magic of Christmas. The storyline is easy to read and is chalked full of elves, wonderful Christmas scenes and of course obstacles to the romance. The best part of the story is how Holly works toward making life altering changes. I love easy to read, heart warming, Christmas stories like this. They help me get into the holiday spirit. What a wonderful story to read to get your Christmas going. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Emily Pennington
Efficiency expert Holly Jamison handed her resume to Santa. The last week before Christmas was a busy time, and Santa could always use the help. But at the question of what Christmas meant to her, Holly’s answer was not satisfactory. She had to tell Santa about all the wonderful, kind things she and mom did for others, but it was all for the wrong reasons. Her father had left them on Christmas so, by the end of their hectic, exhausting round of doing good deeds, her mom would cry herself to sleep. Santa apologized that he hadn’t taken action because he told her Christmas is about joy and happiness, it’s not something to be merely endured. So Santa offered her the job with one condition: she would be working directly with his son Nicholas, who had Christmas in his heart year-round, but he is not an organizer. Holly assumed that meant he was a dead-beat! She could just put him in the corner with a coloring book! Nick and his elf friend, Rapz, watched the interview on a cam and agreed Holly looked like trouble with her attitude that she would “save Christmas”. Nick didn’t mind what she did, as long as she didn’t interfere with his special project. Then both of them began to make a mess of Nick’s office so Holly would have something to occupy herself. When they heard the knock at the door, Nick told Rapz to remember to treat him like the happy go-lucky good for nothing son of Santa, to further fool the new hire. Much to her dismay, Santa turned her over to Nick who would be her primary contact and answer all her questions. She already thought him arrogant and full of himself, and telling her to call him “Saint Nick” bothered her. Santa wanted a report of their plans at dinner that evening, so when she debated between Powerpoint slides or a paper report, Nick said to just tell him, no big deal. Santa chuckled at her reaction and said they would be the perfect pair! They started on a tour, beginning with the gift wrapping department. Nick was proud of the elves and their friendly greeting. They had the most extensive gift wrap choices to please absolutely everyone. Then Holly pulled out her notebook. Instead of seeing the wonderful display around her with happy elves enjoying their task, she saw only ways to maximize toy production, cut waste, and implement new measures to cut both time and cost. She definitely needed to lighten up on the intensity, have fun and enjoy Christmas or she would miss the whole point of the holiday. Nick told her it works out perfectly every year and this one wasn’t any different – to which she responded, “Oh, yes it is, because I’m here now and we’re going to do things my way.” Nick grinned, ready for the challenge. There is so much more to come! This was an adorable story to put the reader in the mood for the Christmas holidays. Aside from helping the reader get to know the characters well, the author expertly calls out emotions that make it all very real. Holly definitely misjudges Nick as an entitled rogue with no work ethic. She almost ruins Christmas for many children when she impetuously cancels Nick’s special project without learning what it’s all about. Can Nick teach her what the Spirit of Christmas really is? Can he open her heart and mind to the love and joy that is there for her?
Beth McDaniel
What a fun and quirky story when Holly gets a job to help organize with Santa before Christmas. Only she has to work with his son Saint Nick, who has a side kick elf named Rapz. Nick doesn’t want anyone to know he’s actually good. They have quite the time getting ready for Christmas. Fun read I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.