The Trouble with Christmas

Amy Andrews

Sep 2019 · Credence, Colorado Book 2 · Sold by Entangled: Amara

About this ebook

"[W]ill generate holiday spirit in even the most Scrooge-like reader.” Kirkus Review, Starred Review

All Suzanne St. Michelle wants is an over-the-top, eggnog-induced holiday with her best friend in Credence, Colorado. But when her hoity-toity parents insist she come home for Christmas in New York, she blurts out that her sexy landlord is actually her boyfriend and she can’t leave him—Joshy loves Christmas. The more twinkle lights the better.

Rancher Joshua Grady does not love Christmas. Or company, or chatty women. Unfortunately for him, the chattiest woman ever has rented the cottage on his ranch, invited her rich, art-scene parents, and now insists he play “fake rancher boyfriend” in a production of the Hokiest Christmas Ever. And somehow...she gets him to agree.

Apparently, he’ll do anything to get his quiet life back. At least there’s mistletoe every two feet—and kissing Suzy is surprisingly easy. But in the midst of acres of tinsel, far too many tacky Christmas sweaters, and a tree that can be seen from space, he’s starting to want what he lost when he was a kid—a family. Too bad it’s with a woman heading back to New York before the ball drops...

Each book in the Credence, Colorado series is STANDALONE:
* Nothing But Trouble
* The Trouble with Christmas
* Asking for Trouble

Ratings and reviews

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it. First just let me say that I didn't particularly care for this book. But now that I say that just because this book didn't resonate with me doesn't mean that other readers may enjoy it better. These are just my feelings for me personally. I had to put this book down and go on to read other books to get over the way I felt about Suzanne. As I hate to not finish a book, I forced myself to come back and finish it. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book of this series and was looking forward to this one. I was a little disappointed as I LOVE cowboy romance. I really didn't care for Suzanne. I didn't connect with her at all. I felt she was self-centered and egotistical. She gets mad at Grady for not getting back from his morning chores on Christmas and doesn't give him time to explain why he was late. He had a logical explanation as one of his bulls had gotten sick. Later when she finds out why he was late, she then gets mad AGAIN for not telling her. SAY WHAT?! I don't know if I didn't connect with her as I am in my 50's but I felt she was selfish and didn't try to understand what ranch life entailed as she was busying with her things and her worries and didn't try to understand him and his concerns at all. Poor Grady had to almost bend to her will. I cheered when he demanded the paintings back one by one. I also felt that one of the lies about Grady over doing Christmas was okay but then she goes and buys the gaudiest, most tasteless ornaments. Now you can go over board with funny decorations but that wasn't the case here. I just felt it was in poor taste. The only good thing for me was having it written in a dual POV format. This is a spicy book so I don't recommend anyone under 18 should read this.

Oh, I loved this romance! I went into this book rather blindly. I had not read any of Amy Andrews work before this book. This is the second book in the Credence, Colorado series but it works perfectly well as a stand-alone novel. I do want to go back and read the first book though but that is just because I liked this one so much. I really had a fantastic time with this story. Suzanne is an artist who is looking for a change of scenery. She rents a cabin on Grady's ranch to get away and work to find her muse again. Her career has consisted of reproducing art for museums and other clients but she would love to create original art. Unfortunately, her muse gets stuck on Grady. Grady wants nothing more than to be left to work his ranch. He likes to be left alone and doesn't need anything more in his life. A visit from Suzanne's parents changes everything. Suzanne and Grady must try to make them believe that they are head over heels in love. And that Grady is really into Christmas. They go straight into over the top cheesy Christmas with tacky decorations and lights everywhere. Oh...and did I mention that Grady is not at all into all this Christmas stuff? I had so much fun with this book. Grady and Suzanne were great together and had fantastic chemistry. I loved watching them inch closer and closer to each other over the course of the story. I loved that there was some humor worked into the book and it seemed to show up at just the right moment. Both Grady and Suzanne were complex characters whom I grew to love over during this story. I really felt like these two deserved to find happiness together. I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I was totally swept away by this wonderful romance and didn't want it to come to an end. I will definitely be reading more from Amy Andrews in the future! I received a digital review copy of this book from Entangled: Amara via Bookish First.

This return to Credence has the gaudiest Christmas I've ever experienced. Suzanne and Grady couldn't be more different. An artist who is engaging and a rancher who is basically a hermit. The instant attraction nearly shorted out my kindle but the heat kept me wanting to read more. I loved the opposites attract, fake relationship and while I don't normally love angst in my holiday books, this one felt right. There were some parts that dragged on for me and I would have loved a little more effort from Grady but this hilarity in this book definitely made up for that. I can't wait for more visits to Credence! Everyone in that town needs a HEA!!

About the author

Amy is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written sixty plus contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets. She's sold two million books and been translated into over a dozen languages.