Scrooge-ish by L.B. Dunbar

I hate Christmas.

I don’t know who thought every female must love shopping, wrapping, baking and hosting but I missed the memo. On top of that, I manage an upscale department store. Sprinkle in the fact I’ll be turning forty during this holiday season, and my life is a Christmas cookie recipe gone wrong.

And every year I become a little more Scrooge-ish. 

But the spirit of the most wonderful time of the year <insert sarcasm> seems to have a plan for me and my midlife-crisis attitude.

First, my past returns when I attend a high school reunion happy hour and run into that boy—the one I had a summer fling before I left for college, then promptly ghosted me.

The torture continues because that boy is now a man, worldly and wise and sexier than I remember. And he invites me to attend a holiday work party with him.

That’s where I learn this forty, fine, former NFL quarterback, now fireman has a new role: single father to the sweetest little girl, putting me at risk of falling for both of them. 

However, I have my reasons not to believe in love and the happiest time of the year. And the first twenty-five days of December tests all my strength.

Just what the Dickens is happening? Charles himself might approve of this plot.

Even I’m a little curious to see how it all plays out.

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4 Heart Review by Ashley

I loved L.B. Dunbar's twist on the grumpy-sunshine trope in Scrooge-ish. It was sweet and witty and reminded me of a Hallmark movie...just what I was looking for to get the holiday magic flowing.

I adored Eva. She was so hard working and a bit of a grump when it came to the holidays. With good reason too. Even an unexpected reunion with her high school fling, Zebb, wasn't enough to buoy her spirits. Until Zebb turned on the charm and brought the spirit of the season into her heart.

But I think my favorite thing was how Zebb showed her through his actions, not just his words, that there was more to life than work. That there is happiness to be found in the little moments. And that the past doesn't have to define us.

Eva and Zebb's second chance romance was a treat on every page. I got small town feels even in the big city and all the whimsy and joy that Christmas brings. Fingers crossed to see them again sometime soon.

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