'Tis the Gingerbread Season by Monique Brasher: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

The Book

Coming home for the holidays was never part of the plan, but sometimes the sweetest path is the one you never expected to take.

Laila

You know how they say, “Follow the trail to your heart”? In my case, that trail leads straight to gingerbread cookies, enchanted snowflakes, and a lot of complicated feelings. I’m back in Enchanted Hollow. Home.

When I’m forced to work side by side with Holden on the Gingerbread Trail event for the Christmas market, there’s more than just typical town magic at play. There are sparks that could ignite a whole holiday fireworks show between us..

Every time we’re together, it’s like the world shifts and the magic of this little town pushes us a little closer together. But that’s just it—magic. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that magic always comes with its own set of rules.

I’ve felt lost for so long, I can’t help but wonder if maybe this time I should stop running away. Maybe Holden is the fairy tale trail I should have been following all along.

Holden

I’ve spent years avoiding the spotlight, keeping my distance from everything that could turn my life into a soap opera. I’ve got my family to care for, my bakery to run, and a lot of responsibility. But Laila? She’s different.

Every time she comes back here, even if it’s just for a weekend, I’m like a moth to a flame. And this time is no different. If anything, there’s something more. There’s something about the way the gingerbread houses glow in the distance, the way the wind whispers secrets, that has me questioning why I haven’t fought to keep her here–with me–where she belongs.

She may insist we can be more than friends for a weekend, but that ending hasn’t worked out so far. Maybe it’s time to choose a different path—and step into the mysterious unknown--so we can truly experience some magic.

'Tis the Gingerbread Season is a closed door, rom-com retelling of Hansel & Gretel with magical elements and sizzling kisses! While it is technically a standalone (short) romance, it is advised to read stories within the Enchanted Hollow romance series in order to get the most enjoyment from this story.

The Author

Monique writes sweet, no-spice, small town romances. While they might have a smidge of angst, you'll always find a happily ever after with swoony couples and character growth. When she's not writing, she can be found watching The Big Bang Theory or Friends (or a Marvel movie), on the water with her family, or reading a book. She lives in Texas with her husband of 18 years, four kids, two dogs (Thor and Loki), and a cat. 

Book Review

'Tis the Gingerbread Season is part of the Christmas Kisses and Cookie Crumbs series- a multi-author series of short and sweet standalone holiday romances. It is also part of the Enchanted Hollow series and while I think there are aspects of the story that you may appreciate more if read in order, I do think it could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. 

It is no secret that I absolutely adored the first book in the Enchanted Hollow series, so I was super excited to have another chance to visit this magical little town--- even if just for a short visit! And a visit at Christmastime!? Even better! This story did not disappoint in the slightest! Much like Meet Me at Midnight, this story had all the Stars Hollow meets Once Upon a Time vibes... with some Family Man blended in there with this one too--- small town charm, magic and little nods to Hansel and Gretel all rolled into one sweet story that I absolutely adored! It was a super quick, bite sized holiday read easily read in under an hour... which is great because once I started reading, I absolutely did not want to put this one down! If you're looking for a magical holiday read, this is one you'll definitely want to check out. 

'Tis the Gingerbread Season is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4gtntVz