Lighting Up My Christmas by Cindy Ray Hale: Book Review

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

The Book

When a sunshine boutique manager and a grumpy firefighter team up to save Christmas, sparks fly.

Mads

At my mom’s beach boutique, I’m known for my over-the-top holiday displays. When the fire chief breaks his leg and the town’s parade is in jeopardy, I step in. Enter Asher Lennox, a gruff firefighter who surprises me by encouraging my ideas instead of shutting me down. He rolls up his sleeves, never complains, and teaches me my sunshine is enough. But can I risk my heart again?

Asher

At Mom’s Bookaholics Anonymous holiday meeting, I get roped into saving Christmas with Mads Cooper. Now I’m playing Santa and falling for the brightest woman I’ve ever met. But if I let her—or Twin Waves—down, I’ll lose more than a holiday. I’ll lose the woman who makes me believe I’m enough.

Can opposites risk their hearts, or will the season end in heartbreak?

Lighting Up My Christmas, a firefighter novella, is book 8 of the Letters to Mrs. Claus multi-author series—a kisses-only romantic comedy collection bursting with holiday cheer. Each story is linked through Mrs. Claus’s Operation Mistletoe Match, where she receives a letter from a meddling friend or family member about someone lonely, heartbroken, or closed off to love. With her timeless wisdom, Mrs. Claus pens a tailored message to the subject of the letter, offering an inspiring note that tackles their romantic roadblock. Packed with hilarious mishaps, flustered blushes, and courageous adventures as they chase their happily-ever-after in this no-spice, swoon-worthy series!

The Author

Cindy Ray Hale loves to write romcoms set in small towns and has been writing and publishing books since 2012, all the while laughing at her own funny stories. As a busy mom, she juggles family life with her passion for storytelling.

She loves nerding out on video games, creating book covers, and drinking too much caffeine. When she can find a moment, she loves to sing and play the piano and often includes acting and singing somewhere in her stories.

Born and raised in the hills of Tennessee in a large, crazy family, she's lived all over the United States before settling down in a small mountain town where she loves to go hiking, boating, and digging in her garden.

Book Review

A grumpy firefighter who has to take on the role of Santa to save a small beach town's Christmas? Yes, please! This story truly had all the makings of a Hallmark Christmas movie... and as someone who loves Hallmark Christmas, I was absolutely here for it! I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Asher and Mads... though he definitely has a softer side beneath the gruffer exterior too. This story takes place in the same town as the author's Twin Waves series, which I had not personally read. I was still able to enjoy this story just fine, though I know there were some characters from those previous books who make appearances so I'm sure that those who HAVE enjoyed that series will appreciate it all that much more. This was a super quick read, easily read in just a sitting or two, making it a perfect choice for just the right amount of holiday romance during the busy season! This was another super cute addition to the series! 

Lighting Up My Christmas is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Letters to Mrs. Claus series, a multi-author series of holiday novellas that can all be enjoyed as standalones. 


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