Love and Latkes: A Friendships and Festivals Novel

by Stacey Agdern


This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "You can't make a latke without breaking a few eggs...Batya Averman is ecstatic when a latke fry-off committee chooses her as its web designer-until she learns the event is in Rivertown, New York, the hometown she fled years ago. But she's no longer the girl with an embarrassing history and an unrequited crush on Abe Neumann. This delicious competition is Batya's chance to further her career, and this time she won't run. Abe Neumann can't pass up the opportunity to enter the town's latke contest. He dreams of throwing caution to the wind and leaving his accounting firm, opening a Jewish deli, and choosing his own happiness. The prize money would bring him closer to making his dream a reality, but when Batya comes back to town, Abe remembers that a deli isn't the only thing he's wished for. When the fry-off's celebrity host has to pull out of the competition, Batya is determined to step up to the challenge. This Hanukkah, can Abe fix the past and convince Batya that dreams, like latkes, are better when they're shared?"

 

Friendship & Festivals #3

Written in the Stars

by Alexandria Bellefleur

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "A lighthearted holiday romance inspired by Pride and Prejudice depicts the experiences of a free-spirited social media astrologer who agrees to a fake relationship with a no-nonsense actuary to appease their respective families."

 

 

 

Written in the Stars #1

Kiss Her Once For Me: A Novel

by Alison Cochrun

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "The author of the "swoon-worthy debut" (Harper's Bazaar) The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord...only to fall for his sister. One year ago, recent Portland transplant Ellie Oliver had her dream job in animation and a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore that led her to fall in love over the course of a single night. But after a betrayal the next morning and the loss of her job soon after, she finds herself adrift, alone, and desperate for money. Finding work at a local coffee shop, she's just getting through the days-until Andrew, the shop's landlord, proposes a shocking, drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie's financial woes and isolation. They make a plan to spend the holidays together at his family cabin to keep up the ruse. But when Andrew introduces his new fiancée to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it's Jack-the mysterious woman she fell for over the course of one magical Christmas Eve the year before. Now, Ellie must choose between the safety of a fake relationship and the risk of something real. Perfect for fans of Written in the Stars and One Day in December, Kiss Her Once for Me is the queer holiday rom-com that you'll want to cozy up with next to the fire."

Shine a Light: An Orchard Hill Romance

by Rebecca Crowley

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title

"When Ellie Bloom's life literally goes up in flames after an apartment fire, she slinks back to her sister's house in the St. Louis suburb she's avoided since her mom died. Ellie quickly caves to her nephews' pleas to direct the temple Hanukkah play--her mom's pride and joy--and by the time she's lighting the first candle in her menorah, she doubts she'll ever escape her hometown. And then she spots the cute fireman who rescued her lighting his own menorah in the window next door. Firefighter Jonah Spellman may have dropped out of seminary, but he still has deep roots in his Jewish faith. Hoping to mend fences with his Rabbi father who can't forgive his career change, Jonah agrees to direct the Hanukkah play, never expecting to clash with his beautiful, fire-starting new next-door neighbor. By day they spar--Ellie's desperate to live up to her mom's legacy while Jonah's driven to impress his dad. But by night they return to their secret candle-lighting ritual. Will their love burn as brightly as the Hanukkah flames?"

 

Orchard Hill #1

Royal Holiday

by Jasmine Guillory

 

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can't refuse. She's excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn't expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain Private Secretary and his charming accent and unyielding formality. Malcolm Hudson has been the Queen's Private Secretary for years and has never given a personal, private tour...until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling. Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy fling come New Year's Day...or are they?"

 

The Wedding Date #4

The Highlander's Christmas Bride

by Vanessa Kelly

 

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "Being thrown over by the man she expected to marry was humiliating enough. Now that Donella Haddon, grandniece of the Earl of Riddick, has also proven a failure as a nun, she has no choice but to return to her family's estate. The brawny Highlander sent to escort her is brash, handsome, and the only thing standing between Donella and a gang of would-be kidnappers. But the scandal in her past can't be so easily outrun...Wealthy widower Logan Kendrick was expecting to meet a plain, pious spinster - not a gorgeous, sharp-tongued lass who can hold her own in any ambush. Though she's known as the Flower of Clan Graham, Donella is no shrinking violet. In fact, she might be the perfect woman to bring happiness back to his lonely little son's life, just in time for Christmas. But first he must protect her from ugly gossip and a mysterious threat - and convince her that their wild, unexpected desire is heaven sent." --Publisher's description.

 

Clan Kendrick #2

A Holly Jolly Diwali

by Sonya Lalli

 

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "One type-A data analyst discovers her free-spirited side on an impulsive journey from bustling Mumbai to the gorgeous beaches of Goa and finds love waiting for her on Christmas morning. Twenty-eight-year-old Niki Randhawa has always made practical decisions. Despite her love for music and art, she became an analyst for the stability. She's always stuck close to home, in case her family needed her. And she's always dated guys that seem good on paper, rather than the ones who give her butterflies. When she's laid off, Niki realizes that being practical hasn't exactly paid off for her. So, for the first time ever, she throws caution to the wind and books a last-minute flight for her friend Diya's wedding. Niki arrives in India just in time to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, where she meets London musician Sameer Mukherji. Maybe it's the splendor of Mumbai or the magic of the holiday season, but Niki is immediately drawn to Sam. At the wedding, the champagne flows and their flirtatious banter makes it clear that the attraction is mutual. When Niki and Sam join Diya, her husband, and their friends on a group honeymoon, their connection grows deeper. Free-spirited Sam helps Niki get in touch with her passionate and creative side, and with her Indian roots. And when she gets a new job offer back home, Niki must decide what she wants out of the next chapter of her life-to cling to the straight and narrow like always, or to take a leap of faith and live the kind of bold life of which the old Niki never would have dreamed."

The Christmas Duet: A Novel

by Debbie Macomber

 

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "A solo holiday trip inspires one woman to rediscover her passion--and remember that, sometimes, duets are more fun--in this romantic Christmas novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber. Hailey Morgan's life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of composing her own songs, but the reality of life has led her to working as an assistant high school band teacher in Portland, Oregon. As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of Christmas with her meddling family, where she'll have to play nice while dodging their traditional expectations. When Hailey's close friend offers her family's empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy. However, her arrival in small-town Podunk, Washington, is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin is occupied by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the mayor's son--who happens to be an incredibly charming former musician--is more than willing to help. Soon Hailey and Jay are nearly inseparable, chopping down and decorating a Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa in front of a cozy fire, and best of all, playing music together. Jay's encouragement and feedback inspire Hailey to believe she might succeed as a songwriter after all. But even in her snow-dusted oasis, family holiday drama still finds Hailey, threatening her newfound peace and confidence, while she realizes Jay might be more than he presents himself to be. Suddenly her Christmas paradise has become a winter storm and Hailey must weather through the challenges to stand up for herself and embrace the holiday spirit."

The Matzah Ball

by Jean Meltzer

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "When her publisher insists that she write a Hanukkah romance, Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt, a Jewish woman with a secret career as a Christmas romance novelist, unexpectedly finds inspiration when she encounters a childhood aquaintance at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah. Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she's hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach. But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah's not magical. It's not merry. It's not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel's determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy-Jacob Greenberg..."

 

The Holiday Trap

by Roan Parrish

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "Greta Russakoff loves her tight-knit family and tiny Maine hometown, but they can't seem to understand what it's like to be a lesbian living in such a small world. When an act of familial meddling goes way too far, she realizes just how desperately she needs space to figure out who she is. Truman Belvedere's heart is crushed when he learns that his boyfriend has a secret life including a husband and daughter. Reeling, all he wants is a place to lick his wounds far, far away from Louisiana. Enter a mutual friend with a life-altering idea: swap homes for the holidays. For one perfect month, Greta and Truman will have a chance to experience a whole new world...and maybe fall in love with the partner of their dreams. But all holidays must come to an end, and eventually these two transplants will have to decide whether the love (and found family) they each discovered so far from home is worth fighting for."

 

 

Snowy Mountain Christmas

by Sharon Sala

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "In early December on the way home from a research trip through Arkansas, mystery writer Trey Austin, anonymously writing as "Chapel Hill", is traveling on a dirt road, trying to get back to the main highway when he drives into a thunderstorm and wrecks, leaving him upside down and unconscious in a flooding ditch. Hailey Beaumont has been in the Arkansas hills coaxing a couple of old-time recipes from a local woman to add to her menu at her B&B, which is closed for three weeks due to renovations. She is on her way back to Colorado in the thunderstorm when an angel leads her down that same dirt road, right to Trey. Hailey rescues him from the flooding car, calls 911, and comforts him as he drifts in and out of consciousness while they wait for emergency services to arrive. Soaked and shaken to the core, she doesn't realize she's lost a shoe in the mud until the ambulance takes him away and she walks back in her car for her long drive home. Trey wakes up in the hospital with a concussion, but immediately asks the patrolman about the woman who found him. The patrolman holds up the bagged muddy little shoe and tells him she left before she gave anyone her name. Two nights later, Trey is released and all he can think about his Cinderella. He posts the shoe and his story on social media, hoping that someone can help find her. Many women come forward, but none match his memory of the woman who saved him. Weeks pass when Hailey stumbles upon it and responds, inviting him to her B&B for Christmas. His instantly recognizes her and agrees. The delightful holiday is just the beginning of a fairytale romance together--one that ends with their own HEA."

Let It Snow: A Novel

by Nancy Thayer

This is a book cover image that links to the library's catalog page for this title "Christina Antonioni is preparing for the holidays at her Nantucket toy shop, unpacking last-minute shipments and decorating for her loyal Christmas shoppers. But when her Scrooge of a landlord, Oscar Bittlesman, raises her rent, it seems nearly impossible for Christina to continue business on the wharf. Even so, Christina hopes there is a warm heart underneath Oscar's steely exterior. When she bonds with Wink, his sweet, young granddaughter who frequents the shop, it becomes clear that perhaps he isn't so cold after all. And with the help of Wink's uncle, who happens to be a charming and very handsome bachelor, this may be the best Christmas any of them could have ever imagined. Nancy Thayer's enchanting Nantucket setting provides the perfect backdrop for this holiday love story."