Jingle Bell Hell by Denise Grover Swank and AR Casella
Description
She’s a sexually repressed control freak. He’s a muscular ex-con with heavier baggage than Santa’s toy bag. They’re everything each other never wanted.
Mary
I’m usually the first person on my block to decorate for Christmas. This year? Humbug.
My six-year-old son, Aidan, just had a meltdown after learning some hard truths from a drunk Santa impersonator, and I can no longer deny we both need help. Change is hard for Aidan, and right now he’s dealing with several big ones, including A) his father abandoning us, B) our move to Asheville, and C) the Santa snafu.
And me? I’m a control freak, and my life is more out-of-control than a sled on ice.
That’s why I agree to let Aidan join Butterfly Buddies, a group that matches kids with adult mentors.
It’s also why I agree to a mentor of my own—terrifying, pink-haired Nicole, who wants to help me live life on the wild side. Her advice is strangely compelling, especially after I meet Aidan’s new “buddy,” a gorgeous tattooed hunk of a man who makes me wish there weren’t cobwebs in my…well, you know.
*********
Jace
Mary O’Shea is sexy as hell, but she doesn’t know it.
She also doesn’t know I’m an ex-con, and if she finds out that I served three years in prison, extenuating circumstances won’t matter to her.
The last thing I should do is get attached to her kid…or her, but I didn’t get in this position by making good decisions.
Publication date 7/10/2021
My Review
Jingle Bell Hell is book 2 in the Bad Luck Club Series.
This is Mary and Jace’s story. And I dare you not to fall in love with the characters, especially Aiden (Mary’s son, who has autism) After her husband leaves both Mary and Aiden, she decides to move closer to home and her parents. She definitely needs all the support she can get. Raising her son isn’t an easy task, and young Aiden (who is adorable) is struggling with moving schools and life in general!
You have to give the authors credit for highlighting a story with a child who has special needs. The school have a system called the “Butterfly Buddies” and that’s where we meet Jace…..
Jace becomes Aiden’s buddy and they just hit it off almost immediately, the bond they have will bring a tear to your eye. Mary is surprised with Aiden as he doesn’t usually take to strangers so quickly. We find out the reason Jace is so good with young Aiden. He had an autistic nephew, and spent a lot of time with him, that was until his sister decided to cut off all communication with Jace. And you can tell he’s upset with that decision!
Jace is a great character, in fact he spends more time with Aiden than his own father does! And the connection between Jace and Mary….It’s slow at first, but picks up speed. Both are hesitant at starting a relationship as both are worried how Aiden would react if he lost Jace in his life.
I laughed through most of the book, in fact I had to put it down at one point as I was making so much noise with my laughter! I also had to grab a few tissues for the sad moments. Steam wise….. not to be read where someone can look over your shoulder! 😉
This might be a Christmas story, but it’s such a wonderful read, you’ll be picking it up throughout the year!
So if you love a feel good (Hallmark movie type of read) then this one is for you. And can we have the next book please 😉
🦋
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