Member Reviews

BFF's and Christmas. Great read. Lots of Christmas traditions which I love in a book. Likeable characters which is really important in a Christmas story.

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This is a good book. The two main characters are Allie and Nick. They have known each others all their lives and been best friends. Allie comes home after having a dancing career in New York. Nick has come home as a chef after having run a restaurant in New Orleans. They have an attraction. They work together at Nick’s family restaurant. Allie doesn’t know what she wants to do now. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

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I adore this book. I wanted to live at the Sleigh Cafe!! The story was so cozy and warm, all the feel good feels! A delightful Christmas read!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This was such an enchanting Christmas romance. I love how these two were BFFs growing up and going their separate ways into their careers. Allie Jameson is a professional dancer living in New York. She is currently back home in Christmas Mountain while her right foot heals from its stress fracture. She is coming to terms about the life span of a dancer especially since she doesn't sing nor act. She feels her time is coming to an end but she never planned for the next phase of her life. Nick Stocking, is a master chef. He comes home and helps work in his family restaurant. Can these two figure out if they have a future together? Will New York call her back for more dancing?

I think if the book was written in a dual POV format and getting to see Nick's thoughts really would have brought more to the book.

This is a clean romance with just some kissing involved.

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Allie Jameson is the small town girl who made it big dancing in New York. at least that is what everyone in Christmas Mountain thinks. She has returned home for the holidays, but also to figure out what is next for her career. The show she was in has been canceled and she has a broken bone in her foot. She takes a temporary job working in the Sleigh Café with her BFF, Nick Stocking. Nice left town to make his name as a big time chef, but has returned to help his family at the café. Things are changing around town and one of the biggest changes is her own family. Can she figure out what she really wants before it is too late? Will she be able to help her family find their footing and what about Nick?

This was a relatively short story (142 pgs) but it pulled me in. I really liked both Allie's and Nick's characters. It was obvious how Nick felt about Allie, it just took her awhile to see it. The small town welcomed her back with open arms and as small communities do, they all wanted to know what was going on. As Allie begins to find her way, she is supported by everyone, except her mother, who wanted to live vicariously through Allie. There are a couple of serious issues such as giving up your dreams for your family, midlife crisis, small towns closing up etc. and Melinda Curtis does a great job adding these issues into the story in a very realistic way. This was a sweet Christmas romance that I do recommend.

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Christmas at the Sleigh Café

by Melinda Curtis

I was delighted that Christmas at the Sleigh Café met my expectations for a Melinda Curtis clean and sweet romance with some serious themes. This was a quick read for me because I was enjoying it so much. The story takes place in Christmas Mountain, Montana. Allie Jameson has not made her fame or fortune in New York City as her family expected. She is passionate about dancing, but bad breaks, including one in her foot, have led to a bus ride back home to regroup. She is met by her long time best friend, Nick, a trained chef who has also returned to Christmas Mountain to help his family and decide on his future.

Allie quickly becomes involved in helping others as a barista at Nick’s family’s coffee shop, a substitute dance teacher, and a designer in setting up her mother’s new business. Nick is always there to support Allie as she works through various issues, but what is it that Nick wants out of life? Is friendship really enough for either of them or might a kiss destroy that friendship?

Christmas at the Sleigh Café is a wonderful story to read at Christmas time, but the themes and issues are relevant all year long. I recommend this book for characters, setting and plot. These elements merit at least four stars, but my enjoyment of the book, including Allie’s inner dialogue and the gentle humor, ramp it up to 5 stars for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Romance, Women’s Fiction

Notes: I realized when writing my review that this book is part of a multi-author series, the Christmas Mountain Romance Series. It seemed like a standalone to me so I recommend it even for readers who have not been following this series.

Publication: October 25, 2022—Franny Beth Books

Memorable Lines:

“And I suspect my time as a dancer is over.” The words cut me. They cut inside where I kept my dreams wrapped in gossamer wings.

“As for the meaning of life…” He shrugged. “I think it’s to be kind to one another, find something you’re passionate about, and love someone.”

I stumbled as I turned, probably tripping over pieces of my heart. I couldn’t see for the tears that suddenly filled my eyes.

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Nick and Allie have been best friends forever. Both left the small town of Christmas Mountain to pursue their dreams. Nick returned home permanently to work as a chef in the Sleigh Café. Allie returned briefly. She’s unsure what she wants to do with the rest of her life but knows it isn’t going to happen in Christmas Mountain. She’s a dancer but sustained an injury and is having second thoughts about returning to NYC and her career.

And what’s up with these feelings she’s suddenly having about her best friend, Nick? The longer she stays in town the stronger her feelings for Nick become and the more she sees that leaving home again might not be the best thing after all.

A heartwarming story with a HEA.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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This is a sweet heartwarming Christmas story that was a joy to read. Allie and Nick's story is a feel-good Christmas romance that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.
I received a complimentary copy from Franny Beth Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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A cute and sweet holiday romance about best friends who kiss and find out they need to take the chance for true love and happiness.

Along the way they reveal their dreams and aspirations for the future. Is it worth it to move beyond being best friends to explore a romantic relationship ?

Their families factor in to the decision. But help reveal what the future holds.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Christmas at the Sleigh Café is a wonderful story that takes place in a magical town. By Melinda Curtis thoroughly enjoyed this story even more than I thought that I would. Thinking it was just a story of a dancer coming home to heal then leave again is such a small part of the overall story. It is more of a story of what that dancer, Allie Jameson finds by returning home that makes this such a heartwarming, charming read.

I loved everything about Christmas Mountain but especially the way cards are given at the Sleigh Café. The characters are likable with normal flaws, fears, and struggles. I loved the scene where Allie meets with her high school crush one evening not what she expected but laughable none the less. Then the best friend Nick, what a lovable guy he is. There are a lot of scenes where Allie is with him that are just so swoon worthy. Such a lovely clean romance that it didn’t matter that I knew how it would end. The great part was reading about how they got there.

Fans of Debbie Macomber, Shanna Hatfield, and Ciara Knight will love this story, wanting to add this author to their TBR list. Be sure to get this before the price goes up because this story is worth so much more.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Allie headed home to Christmas Mountain after the show on Broadway she was dancing in was cancelled. She was going home to make decisions on what she was going to do next after hurting her foot. She was not sure if she wanted to go back to dancing or find a new path in her life.
Back at home was Nick. Nick was her best friend and maybe more for her. Nick is working at Sleigh Café that his mother owns. Needing a job to keep herself busy Nick suggested she work at the café while she is there.
Spending time together makes them both aware that there may be more than friendship between them.
This is a sweet easy romance book that filled me with joy as I read it.
Thank you NetGalley, Melinda Curtis and Franny Beth Books for the copy of Christmas at the Sleigh Café. This is my personal review.

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Christmas at the Sleigh Cafe is Book 6 in the Christmas Mountain Romance series. This is the first book I’ve read in the series but it can be read as a stand-alone.

Allie Jameson is a dancer in New York who returns to her hometown after the Broadway show she was in was canceled and also to continue recovering from an injury. Allie is at a crossroads in her career and not sure what she really wants. She takes a job at the Sleigh Cafe where her best friend Nick works as a chef for his mother. Nick and Allie have been best friends since childhood who both left to pursue their dreams but are both back in Christmas Mountain. Christmas Mountain remains the same except for the mysterious uplifting notes being left for the patrons and of course Allie at the Sleigh Cafe.

The uplifting notes was one of my favorite parts of the story along with Allie and Nicks friendship growing into something more. I love Christmas Romance books and this one did not disappoint. This was such a fun cozy Christmas story about friends to lovers with a happily ever after. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

A special thank you to Netgalley and Franny Beth Books for the eARC I received in exchange for my honest review.

My review will be posted on Goodreads and Amazon on 10/29/22 @ Marian Sherry.

5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Christmas at the sleigh Cafe is a sweet Christmas story. The characters will warm your heart as the friendship turns to love. You'll enjoy following their lives as they find true love

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I love Melinda Curtis books. This one is not my favorite but a great book. Allie is a dancer and has come home from New York City with a stress fracture in her foot. Nick is home to help his family in the Cafe. Allie's mother wants her to go back to New York to "make it big". That's not what Allie wants. Until they can all admit to themselves what they really wants out of life they are stuck in the drama of small town life. I would love to have more books set in this town.

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Allie has come home from NYC for Christmas. She is a dancer and has an injured foot and needs to rest. She's not sure she wants to return to NYC. Nick is home help run the family cafe and is a chef. He and Allie have always been best friends since childhood. They both are deciding what they now want out of life.

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