Can a grumpy ex-con and a perpetually cheery department store manager find love amidst the glitz and glamour of the holiday season? This is the premise behind Window Shopping by Tessa Baily that throws that most unlikely pair together in this spicy romantic comedy after they meet through a chance encounter.
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The heroine in this novel is Stella Schmidt, far from your usual Christmas enthusiast. Freshly released from prison, she’s more of a “Bah Humbug” dark thinking Goth girl than the merry “Jingle Bells type that is staring intensely at the Christmas display in the department store’s window.
Aiden Cook, the department store’s optimistic general manager and co-owner (though Stella doesn’t know that at first!), a walking ray of sunshine in a perfectly tailored suit and bow tie that after setting his eyes on her studying the display is instantly attracted and determined to know her much better.
Stella can’t help but give a critique to its atrocious Christmas window display. Little does she know, but Aiden overhears her scathing review. What follows is a hilarious clash of personalities as bubbly Aiden tries to understand Stella’s dark aesthetic and hidden talent for window dressing.
Reluctant to waste time on Aiden, Stella finally reveals her long-held dream of becoming a window dresser, crushed by her past mistakes. But Aiden, instantly smitten with her grumpiness and sharp eye for design, has a surprise up his sleeve (or rather, in his online job application portal).
As a fluke, Stella fills out the online application though she expects rejection with her criminal history. To her surprise, she finds Aiden behind the offer and in the position that could lead to following her dream to become a window dresser. Therefore, she takes on the window dressing challenge and seizes the chance. In the process, sparks fly between her and the ever-cheerful Aiden.
Will Stella embrace the holiday spirit and allow herself a second chance that includes love? This delightfully sexy romance created by Tessa Bailey in Window Shopping unfolds against the backdrop of a magical Christmas season in New York City.
Their contrasting styles provide the perfect recipe for fun with their teasing banter and undeniable chemistry as their relationship finally evolves into a love connection. But it is not all smooth sailing once a threat from Stella’s past resurfaces, testing the strength of the bond of these characters, both trying to come to terms with their own unique problems from their pasts. Yet, this is the time of year when love and hope prevail.
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey delves into the complexities of love, desire, and redemption. This book offers a twist on the holiday romance genre with plenty of witty dialogue along with some very steamy sex scenes that may not appeal to all. If you enjoy a lot of sexy steam and talk in your holiday romances, then this book has it along with a good dose of grumpiness to balance out Christmas cheer. Find this holiday romance on Amazon.
Thanks to Harper Collins for the gifted book for this review.
