Book Review: Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery

Title: Christmas on 4th Street

Author: Susan Mallery

Series: Fool's Gold #12.5

Published September 24th 2013 by Harlequin HQN

There's nowhere better to spend the holidays than with New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery in the town of Fool's Gold, where love is always waiting to be unwrapped... Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That's why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool's Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that's magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Gabriel's memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year's eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle...and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can't stop sharing.

Gabriel didn't think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse....

Christmas on 4th Street is a very sweet romance filled with realistic characters with dark pasts but a bright future! Gabriel doesn't have good memories from his past Christmas and he isn't a family guy, but he needs to recover from an injury and that means spending the holidays with his parents and brother's family. It's not going to be a fun time except for Noelle, the pretty and happy owner of a Christmas shop in town.

Noelle is all about Christmas, and she is a sweet girl. I was surprised when I found out about her rough past, but she definitely is optimistic and falls easily in love with Gabriel even when knowing he wasn't the right guy. Gabriel doesn't believe in marriage and still have the same problems with his father. But between kisses everything starts to change and soon it's difficult for him to stay away from Noelle.

I thought Gabriel and Noelle were a cute couple. I liked their chemistry, and as always with Susan Mallery books, it was a well written romance and enjoyed the addition of family issues. Gabriel was a little too difficult to convince, and he ending was a too fast and cheesy for me, but still liked the HEA and enjoyed their story.

Overall, Christmas on 4th Street is totally recommended for this season when you need to read about cute couple with lots of snow and love. It can be read as a stand alone, actually I've only read another holiday novella from this series called Only Us.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Review: Only Us: A Fool's Gold Holiday by Susan Mallery

Title: Only Us: A Fool's Gold Holiday

Author: Susan Mallery

Series: Fool's Gold #6.5

Release Date: November 1st, 2011

Publisher: HQN Books

Age: Adult

Pet groomer Carina Fiore wants nothing more than to confess her feelings to the man she loves. She's drawn to veterinarian Cameron McKenzie's good looks, caring nature and especially his devotion to his young daughter. But he's also her boss and a good friend. Putting her heart on the line could cost Rina both her job and their friendship forever. Since his divorce, Cameron hasn't been willing to trust his heart—or his daughter—with anyone else. For months he's pushed away all thoughts of taking Rina in his arms and kissing her, unwilling to risk their friendship for a single night of pleasure. But when a kiss under the mistletoe unlocks the simmering passion between them, Rina and Cameron may just find love for the holidays after all... 

An ebook exclusive Fool's Gold series novella.

I decided to read this one because a lot of people like Susan Mallery's books, so reading this novella I could get an example of her writing. Also because it was free on amazon, and because it got me when I read the protagonist are a veterinarian and a pet groomer.

Christmas is coming and all Carina "Rina" Fiore wants to do is confess her love to veterinarian Cameron McKenzie. She has been in love with him since the day they met, and she already loves his daughter. She's ready to became one of their family, except Cameron isn't so sure about it.

Being a novella, it was a very short and fast story, but I think it worked. If you have read the series (which I haven't), you are probably more familiar with the characters, but I must say the author did a good job explaining the situation and describing the characters quickly. The story was very sweet, and I loved that Cameron's daughter played a big part in it. 

I liked that Rina was so brave and decided to pour her feelings, and even when Cameron was a little difficult, I liked the way he was portrayed, as a very sweet and protective man. Of course I wanted the story to be longer, I wanted more details!!

Overall, if you are looking for a short and sweet holiday clean romance, this one is for you. It's easy to love the characters, and it got me on the mood to read more of Susan Mallery's books.

More about this novella at www.susanmallery.com, Goodreads, Amazon.