4.5 Wine Glass #Audio #Review for Merry Christmas, Baby by Katie Reus

Title: Merry Christmas, Baby
Author: Katie Reus
Narrator: Sophie Eastlake
Format: Unabridged Audiobook, Two hours and 12 minutes
Published: 17 October 2016 (KR Press LLC)
ISBN: ASIN: B01MAVWZS4
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Audible
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Warm up with a sexy holiday tale of love and romance from USA Today bestselling author Katie Reus... 

After unexpectedly inheriting a bookstore, Nora and her younger sister settled in Holly, NC, a place where it’s Christmas year-round. As the legal guardian for her sister the past few years, romance has been the last thing on Nora’s mind. But she broke her rules for the town’s golden boy—former SEAL Jackson O’Connor.

When Jackson does something stupid and almost loses Nora for good, he realizes just how far he’s willing to go for the woman who’s stolen his heart. But it might take a Christmas miracle to get Nora to give him a second chance. 

Linda's Thoughts:
“You fight dirty,” she murmured, taking the tin from him.
“I play to win.” 

Merry Christmas, Baby, by Katie Reus is a sweet and hot second-chance-at-love romance set in the small town of Holly, North Carolina, where it is Christmas-time year-round. I listened to the audio, but also own this novella in kindle form as part of the previously available All He Wants For Christmas box set. It is a quick stand-alone read – perfect for delving into during the holidays – or anytime – when you fancy a lighthearted dose of love and warm-fuzzies romance.

The nice and likable lead characters are Jackson O’Connor, a former Navy SEAL, and Nora a bookstore/coffee shop owner. Their story is fast-paced, but since the characters are already acquainted when we meet them, their instant attraction is wholly believable. Their bantering and dialogue left me alternately laughing and swooning. Being that this tale is from quintessential romantic suspense author Katie Reus, this story includes a slight suspenseful slant.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Merry Christmas, Baby:

He could traverse any terrain on the planet, kill someone countless ways with his bare hands and can and had survived behind enemy lines with his team on more than one occasion. But the thought of Nora going out with someone else twisted him up.
--- 

He gripped the back of her neck again in that purely dominating way that made her melt. “We’re finishing this when we get back.” His voice was a low, raspy growl.
--- 

“Tell me if you want to stop.” His voice was surprisingly unsteady as he stood back.
Her heart was pounding. She was glad to know she wasn’t the only one so affected. “No way.” Moonlight and streetlights streamed in from her two windows to give them more than enough illumination. “Now strip.”

Sophie Eastlake aces the narration of this book. If you enjoy audios, the audio edition is the way to go! Sophie has a clear, concise and pleasant voice and she hits all the right notes with pauses, enunciation, expressing emotions and differentiating the characters. Her performance sounds natural and exponentially enhanced my pleasure in the story.

Merry Christmas, Baby pulled me in from the very beginning. The story is condensed into seventy-two pages on my kindle, but it’s not lacking in any way. The couple’s tale is predictable, but delightfully delicious. If you crave a quick, entertaining and sexy holiday escape, think Merry Christmas, Baby!