Audiobook Review: How My Neighbor Stole Christmas
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn
Publisher: Hot-Lanta Publishing LLC
Release Date: October 15, 2024
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
Every Kringle in Kringletown celebrated Christmas a lot.
But Cole Black on Whistler Lane, unfortunately, did not.
As his fellow citizens decorate their quaint town, brimming with carols and glad tidings, Cole wants nothing more than to hibernate the winter away. But his dreary plans are thwarted when his Christmas nemesis, Storee Taylor, moves in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Immediately, the new neighbor turns his life into a real nightmare before Christmas, especially when she decides to enter the town Christmas Kringle contest in honor of Cindy. And better yet, Storee is determined to win.
Over Cole’s dead body, she will. With help from his friend Max, Cole decides to enter the competition as well, to beat Storee at her own game by pretending that this hometown grump’s heart has grown three sizes this season and he’s fallen for the girl next door. And unfortunately for Storee, she has to follow his lead to have a chance at the Christmas Kringle title.
But the competition isn’t the only thing that heats up. Cole and Storee’s fake relationship becomes very real, and before they know it, they’re attempting to hide it from Aunt Cindy. Things get complicated, the competition gets tough, and all it takes is one single night for someone to steal it all…
[Said in my best Stefan from SNL voice] How My Neighbor Stole Christmas has everything: enemies to lovers, fake dating, grumpy sunshine, small town romance and lewd acts involving a candy cane.
As a child, Storee Taylor spent Christmas with her family visiting her Aunt Cindy in Kringletown, the town that celebrates Christmas year-round. She returns after a ten-year absence to take care of her Aunt Cindy as she recovers from a broken hip. When she runs into her childhood crush, Cole Black, in town, things do not go well. He’s upset with Storee for things that happened ten years ago.
When Storee enters the annual Christmas Kringle contest at her aunt’s behest, Cole enters too. He’s on a mission to exact his revenge on Storee by winning the contest. He’s forced suppress his grumpy side and act like he has Christmas spirit.
Part of his plan is to pretend that he’s fallen for Storee. If she rejects him, the town will think she’s cruel for breaking his heart, so she reluctantly agrees to fake date him. But you can guess what ends up happening…
I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book. The banter between Storee and Cole was top notch. As was the banter between Cole and his best friend Max. I was laughing out loud. I listened to this book but also wanted a print copy because I was so engrossed, I wanted to be able to read it when listening wasn’t feasible – like when my kids are creating chaos and I need to keep an ear out to make sure no one gets hurt. But I couldn’t find one – it was sold out everywhere!
The spicy scenes were very spicy. And yes, the rumors are true, a candy cane is involved. The only thing I didn’t like was that a hefty amount of spooge was involved and that turned my stomach. That’s a personal preference though – I’ve always been grossed out by discussion of spunk. Even just writing this is nauseating me.
That’s my only complaint. How My Neighbor Stole Christmas was a super cute and really funny holiday romance. It’s perfect for the season and should definitely be on your list if you’re a romance lover. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. It’s a duet and has a full cast. Meghann Quinn has an extensive backlist and I’m looking forward to reading more by her.
