The Accidental Text by Becky Monson

Synopsis:

Wrong number. Right guy?

Once upon a time, Maggie Cooper lived for adventure. Jumping out of planes was child’s play. Now she can’t even work up the nerve to ask out her coworker. For a bit of self-therapy, she begins to text her recently deceased mother’s phone—the only problem is that the number has been reassigned and for weeks she’s been unknowingly texting a stranger her deepest thoughts and feelings. There have also been some not-so-deep texts, like the ones about her appreciation for her coworker’s butt.

When Chase Beckett, the unsuspecting stranger who has more in common with Maggie than he’d like to admit, texts back, Maggie is beyond mortified. But message after message and night after night, Maggie realizes that Chase’s wit, charm, and advice are exactly what the doctor ordered. Is it enough, though, to get her back up in the sky? And what about her heart? Can she risk taking a leap of faith for the man on the other end of her accidental texts?

My Review: 4.5 Stars

Y'all. I did not read the description before I started reading this book. Had I done so, I would've been a little more prepared. I lost my mom unexpectedly when I was 27 years old. So many emotions and feelings came floating to the surface while I was reading but also a sense of peace. While this wasn't what I was expecting, I still enjoyed it. 

Maggie and Chase were fantastic! I couldn't help but fall in love with these two from the very beginning. I loved watching them go from strangers to friends to lovers. (Yes... I know Hannah is probably giving me the death stare right about now... I couldn't resist! 😂) These two were absolutely perfect for each other. They were just what each other needed when they needed it the most. I seriously adore these two! 

But y'all. I've come to a conclusion. I am not a fan of slow burn romance. I find myself getting extremely frustrated at the characters, shaking me kindle, and growling at them to JUST KISS ALREADY! Was this book swoony? Yes. Was I letting out little dreamy sighs? Again, yes. Did I enjoy the book? Absolutely! But I feel gypped dang it! I wanted more kissing! Lol. 

All in all, it was a cute book and I had a really hard time putting it down. I stayed up past my bedtime reading and woke up extra early just so I could sneak in as much reading time as possible. 

I have loved every book of Ms. Monson's that I have read so far. I really do need to catch up on her books! They always give me that break from reality that I crave. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting... *dreamy sigh* I. Am. In. Love! What do you think?

How to Ruin the Holidays by Becky Monson

 

Synopsis:

After a disastrous family Thanksgiving, all I wanted was to avoid anything holly and jolly this year, so an unexpected business trip seemed like the perfect escape plan . . . until I landed smack dab in the middle of a freaking winter wonderland, otherwise known as Carole Cove, Montana. It’s merrier and brighter than the North Pole. The town even comes with its own Mr. Holiday—Noel Holiday, that is. Not only is he holly and jolly but he’s hotter than the lattes he sells at his café. And for some reason he would love nothing more than to share the magic of the season with me.

Unfortunately, this little trip of mine isn’t exactly filled with good cheer. But Noel’s kisses have a way of making me believe in Christmas miracles. And a miracle might be exactly what it takes to keep the holidays from being ruined forever.

My Review: 5 Stars!

Confession. I hadn't even finished reading The Holiday Ex-Files before I was reaching out to Ms. Peel begging her to tell me that Mara was getting her own book. I'm not going to lie, when she told me yes and Ms. Monson would be writing it, I squealed so loud that I'm sure my neighbors heard me and were probably rolling their eyes at me. No one around here seems to understand my reading obsession.. 😂

Y'all. I wish Mara was my best friend! She's loyal, loving, protective, puts others needs before her own, and is always willing to help the people she cares about. If I had to describe her in two words it would be absolutely amazing! 

And now that I've said all that, I'm going to have to say ditto to Noel! Y'all that man had me swooning like there was no tomorrow! I fell in love with him right alongside Mara. He had me letting out all kinds of dreamy sighs... especially when it came to all those sizzling kisses. YOWZERS! I was a big ol' pile of goo!

Guys... the setting for this book was perfect! I've always wanted to live in a small town. There's just something about it that calls to this introvert. Maybe it's the slower pace of life. Maybe it's the cute and quaint shops. Maybe it's the closeness of the town folks. Maybe it's the out of the way location. Maybe it's a bit of all of the above and more. All I know is I want to be there! 

If you guys are in the mood for a small town, Hallmarkish Christmas romance, then I highly recommend grabbing this book! But beware! Once you start, you are not going to want to put it down! Trust me! I literally had to talk myself out of calling in sick to work just so I could finish this book! But shhhh... don't tell my boss... 😉

I adore Ms. Monson and her books! I've loved everything of hers I've ever read! I seriously need to bump the others up on my TBR list. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!  

As for my casting... eeeeeek! Guys! I love them! What do you think? 

The Love Potion by Becky Monson

 

Synopsis:

Can a magic love potion help her see what’s right in front of her?

Ally Hawkins, ever cheerful and always willing to see the bright side of things, has never had a date for Valentine’s Day. But this is her year. She can feel it in her little optimistic heart. Even if she, a full-grown woman, resorts to believing in a love potion she bought at a county fair. After all, the day she accidently got some of the smelly concoction on herself, the object of her desire asked her out to lunch. That can’t be a coincidence, can it?

But ever since the potion came into her life, Josh Wise, Ally’s coworker and office BFF, has been acting strange. He’s been pulling away from her, and she finds that she’s missing his playful antics and the way he can always make her laugh and smile. The potion, it would seem, is lifting the curtain on a reality that Ally has been blind to. But will she recognize what’s been right in front of her all along before it’s too late?

My Review: 4 Stars

Confession. I have never really been a big fan of Valentine's Day. To me, it's just another day. And I'm sure if Ally ever heard me saying that, she would be appalled! 🤣

Ally is such a sweet, fun character. I think we all could use a friend like Ally. She's always looking for the best in people, even when they don't deserve it. She's extremely optimistic and looking on the bright side comes easy for her. It's one of the many things her best friend, Josh, loves about her. 

Y'all. Josh is seriously the best. He's very supportive of Ally and her happiness. You can tell from the very beginning he only wants the best for her. I think I fell in love with him from the start. 

While there was some romance in the book, the main part of the story (at least for me), was watching Ally become a better version of herself. One where she doesn't lose her optimism but is able to see things without the rose-colored glasses on. Her "Ah-ha!" moment with Hazel was the best! ❤️

I really enjoyed this book. It was super cute! But I found myself wanting just a little bit more. An epilogue would've been perfect. Maybe of a certain special date? 😉

I just realized while I was reading that I haven't read very many of Ms. Monson's books. I have loved all the ones I've read so far. I see some binge reading happening in the near future!

And of course, I can't forget my casting. What do you think?!

Once Again in Christmas Falls by Becky Monson

Synopsis:

In one day, London Walsh finds out her ex is going to be her boss and that her parents are getting a divorce—and they want her to referee the situation. So when she’s offered the chance to spend the holidays in her old hometown of Christmas Falls, far away from all the drama, she jumps on it.

But the quaint town doesn’t feel quite like the home it once was. London shed the goth image that defined her in high school long ago, but no one recognizes the woman she's become.

Except for Andy Broll, London’s childhood next door neighbor. He recognizes her immediately, which sends London’s heart fluttering as she starts to see Andy in a whole different light. But when her time in Christmas Falls doesn’t go as planned, will London face it head on? Or will she find a reason to run?

My Review: 5 Stars

London is having the worst day of her life. She's quit her job, her parents are getting a divorce, and her childhood mentor, Miss Anna Cate, is dying. Can't anything ever go right for her? In a bold move, she buys a plane ticket and runs home to Christmas Falls. 

Upon returning, she wonders if she should've even come in the first place. No one remembers her. How can they just forget her like that? Of course she's no longer in her "goth" phase. But shouldn't they remember her for who she was, and not what she wore?

She's contemplating going to her parents to "referee" their divorce until she runs into Andy, the boy next door, her childhood best friend. Her heart will be crushed if he doesn't remember her. But she has nothing to worry about because one look at her and he knows exactly who she is! And to her surprise, nothing has changed between them... it's like they picked up where they had left off. 

But something has changed... something inside. She feels nervous whenever she's around him... her heart beats double time, she's got butterflies, and her mind is constantly running with "what if's?". What are these feelings she is feeling? She and Andy are just friends, right? He can't possibly have the same feelings in return, can he? One mind blowing kiss with him lets her know that he most certainly can and is feeling the same feelings she is. *dreamy sigh*

However, one phone call from her mother ruins it all. According to her, London is doing what she does best... running. Her mind is filled with all kinds of doubt. Is any of this real? Is Christmas Falls home? Or is it just her next stop on the list of places she's running from? And what about her feelings for Andy? Are they real? Or is he just another escape for her? 

Too many conflicting feelings sends her running to Miss Anna Cate. If anyone can help her to see and understand what's really going on, it's her. One heart to heart later and she knows exactly what she needs to do. She refuses to run again. This is going to be a fresh start, one that she's determined to fight for. For the first time in her life, she is grabbing hold of everything she wants in life and not letting it go... including Andy. 

*dreamy sigh* Can I just say that I am loving Christmas Falls?! This is the perfect escape! I am so glad these authors decided to band together and create this wonderful world for us! I can't wait to see where we go next! 

Can someone please tell me why I haven't read any of Ms. Monson's books before now?! She sucked me in from the very beginning, had me laughing out loud, tearing up and letting out little dreamy sighs. I can tell you that her other books that have been sitting on my kindle will be read sooner rather than later! ;) 

And of course I just cannot forget my casting! *dreamy sigh* Oh how I love these two!