The Christmas Competition by Susan Hatler.
Ruby always knew her best friend’s older brother was handsome, but she’s caught off guard when a holiday competition ignites unexpected feelings for Connor that has her longing for more than a new sweater for Christmas.
A lovely feelgood read. 5*.

Ruby Curtis is the proud owner of a doggie daycare, grooming, and training business in her small town of Christmas Mountain. Divine Doggie Spa and Training is so successful, Ruby doesn't have enough space to board all her clients nor enough room for her staff to function properly. When the local PE teacher dies, she leaves a rather large building to the community with very specific stipulations. A competiton between the Christmas Mountain business owners, the one who shows the most holiday spirit and receives the most votes wins the building. Ruby has her sights on gathering the most votes.

Conner Reed is the older brother to Ruby's best friend. The Reed family is one of the most prestigious in town. The Reed Bank has been in the family for generations and Conner struggles to prove to his father he knows how to run the business. If Conner can win the Christmas Competition he will finally be able to prove to his father he is willing to do what it takes to move the bank forward.

Conner and Ruby have a relationship that has developed and evolved throughout the years. Conner may have been the older brother to Ruby's best friend but there early years were friendly with some teasing; hence Conner's special nickname given to Ruby of 'Rudolph'. As they got older, their relationship blossoms, becoming closer, there is a mutual give and take. Over the years they have both come to realize that they feel something deeper for one another.

While reading 'The Christmas Competition' I had the urge to curl up on my couch, besides a warm fire with my favorite blanket, drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate. Ruby and Conner's story is exactly what I want to read during the holiday season. A beautiful love story between two people who have always had a deep respect for one another and who truly want the best for their partner. There is a lot of emotion throughout the story and I could feel the characters love and angst coming off the pages.

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Heartwarming and uplifting story of friendship that grows into love

The Christmas competition is the 10th Christmas mountain story. In this lovely new addition we get to know Ruby Curtis. She has a cute small-town doggie spa. Things are going very well, but because of the growth the location is not big enough anymore. She needs a bigger location. The perfect chance arrives when the holiday competition is announced. Ruby could win a renovating building off Main Street, that would be perfect!
Connor Reed is her best friend's older brother. He is also in the competition, practically the whole town is. For Connor there are some personal reasons to win the building besides wanting it for his family's bank.
Connor is always teasing Ruby, he has done so since they were kids. But now that they are spending more and more time together, sparks begin to fly. Ruby starts to realise that Connor is more than the annoying older brother of her bestie. He is actually pretty nice (and really hot) but giving in to those feelings might risk their friendship.

The best thing about this book is that it really sucks you right into that lovely small town and the holiday spirit. The surroundings are beautiful, the characters are heartwarming and it is so great to see how a childhood friendship evolves into a beautiful love story. The holiday spirit is everywhere, the setting with the competition doesn't bring mean streaks but is ever inspiring and uplifting. Ruby and Connor don't ever put the other one down to get the building. It's warm and emotional to see them growing closer. The ultimate Christmas love. A very enjoyable and sweet story.

Although Susan Hatler is a New York Times bestselling author, this was the first book I read of her. I will make sure to read more!

Thank you Netgalley and Hatco publishing for letting me read an ARC. I offer my opinion freely.

Ruby lives in a small town and runs a doggie spa. She has more business and needs a bigger building. Connor is her BFF brother and runs the local bank and needs more room to expand.
The is a competition going to win a new bigger building and both are now competing.
Connor has loved Ruby for a long time will them both working to win the building bring them to realize they actually love each other?
Cute story.

Thank you NetGalley, Susan Hatler and Hatco Publishing for the copy of The Christmas Competition. This is my personal review.
Susan Hatler has a way of writing a romance story that fills me up with happiness every time I read one of her books.
Ruby and Conner have known each other their entire lives, Conner is the brother of her best friend.
This story has Conner and Ruby together a lot which gives their feelings for each other a chance to grow.
I recommend this and any other book written by Susan Hatler to be on your list of books to read!

A quick, easy and cute read that was well written with a lovely story and well developed characters who were relatable and believable. It certainly got me in the festive mood.

I absolutely loved this book and it hit all the right Christmasy feels. This is a quick read about an aptly named town of Christmas Mountain. They are holding a competition for its business owners. The prize? A free, newly renovated building donated by a longtime resident. The rules? Spread Christmas cheer!

Two of the contestants are Ruby, owner of a doggie spa and her best friend's brother Connor, who is the local bank manager. Both are highly motivated to win.

As Ruby and Connor work towards the goal, their friendship also is evolving into something more.. Will thier newfound closeness be able to withstand the competition?

It’s finally Ruby and Connor’s story. I just loved these two. There’s a lot of humor throughout the book. It’s also loaded with Christmas magic. I enjoyed this book a great deal.

I really enjoyed this book!

It had a great storyline that was well developed and an easy read. I loved the attention to detail and that the author kept to the main story.

The characters were well developed and I loved their interaction, it was a book that genuinely made me smile and it was a lovely Christmas read.

I thought it was a great story – it had romance, it was sweet and it was full of feelings

It is 4 stars from me, I really enjoyed it – highly recommended!

Yeah I like a good competition. This was a good story about how Christmas brings people together through competitions. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher

I love Halter's Blue Moon Bay Series! If you haven't checked those out you should.
I was very excited to start TCC.

The Christmas Competition by Susan Hatler is wonderful!
This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters.
I loved how the characters really connected well with each other and all the other characters in the story. I could really feel a great emotional connection with them. (And the characters name is Ruby) 🥰
The book had all the feels for me. Loved Connor and Ruby.
A beautifully written book, brimming with emotions.
It's a sweet Christmas time romance that leaves your heart happy and full of all the holiday feels.
The author has done a great job of captivating the reader in the story and letting them escape everyday life within the pages!
This book has me reading long into the night.

An uplifting story of friendship blossoming into love that will warm your heart.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Hatco Publishing,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

Ruby and her best friend's brother, Connor, are competing to win free business space. Their simmering attraction flames to life—but will their families come between them?

This is a sweet holiday chick lit with a klutzy heroine and cinnamon roll hero. Connor is adorable in the way he pursues Ruby. She's clueless at first but finally realizes they're perfect for each other.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.