Happy Holiday insta-love
4 stars

This is the second in a trilogy of Christmas insta-love stories by Melissa Williams. Each story stands completely alone although they all focus on a member of a bell ringing group (I know, right? How fun!) and do have some crossover (that you wouldn’t even notice if you decide not to read all three books).

This story features uptight Nadia - someone who always puts work ahead of everything in her life. She doesn’t trust easily and isn’t really a cut-loose, let her hair down, kind of girl. So she’s as surprised as anyone when she heads down to her company’s Christmas Jolly Hour and instead of staying for 10 minutes, finds herself sipping way too many Christmas cocktails and getting it on with a sexy stranger.

Despite knowing each other a relatively short time, you definitely feel a connection between Nadia and Ajay and that translates delightfully into their sex scenes. This is an insta-love story but there’s definitely a distinction between how Nadia and Ajay react to those feelings. Nadia is understandably wary while Ajay is just delighted.

And that’s one of the main things I liked about Ajay. He sees Nadia and he is smitten. He’s happy he’s found his person and is looking forward to having her in his life. He’s still a strong, alpha man, but it was so sweet that he was so all-in. I liked Nadia, too, and was pleased she acted true to her nature but even happier that she found someone who understood her.

This was a sweet, fun and Christmassy story that delivers exactly what you want and expect from an insta-love tale. I’ve been enjoying Ms Williams’ stories of late - especially the way she weaves festive magic in with the hot romance. This is a book that will have you reaching for your own Christmas cocktail and handheld bell. 4 stars. ( )