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Christmas Wishes and New Year's Kisses

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Christmas Wishes and New Year's Kisses is a wonderfully festive collection of holiday-themed novellas and short stories from some of the world's most loved indie authors.

Authors contributing to this set include:
Award-winning and International Bestselling author Kathleen Ryder
A.M. Olenick
Ava Bari
USA Today and International Bestselling author Amy Stephens
Jakki Frances
Suzanne Cass
USA Today Bestselling author Katherine Moore
Susannah Kade
Ruby Rare
International Bestselling author Pandora Snow
Adelyn Zara
USA Today Bestselling author Melonie Johnson
Cynthia Terelst
Keighley Bradford
USA Today Bestselling author Amy L Gale
Debra Ann
Caitlyn Coakley
Debra Deasey
USA Today Bestselling author Renee Lee Fisher
Holly Hanzo
Lulu M. Sylvian
USA Today Bestselling author Jeanine Lauren
Sharon Wray
Jordan Elizabeth

Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2022

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About the author

Kathleen Ryder

43 books843 followers
An international bestselling and award winning author of sweet contemporary romance, Kathleen's novels showcase thought provoking plots and strong emotions that have been likened to a Hallmark movie. Featuring feisty heroines and strong heroes, where everyone gets a happily ever after.

To discover more about Kathleen: https://linktr.ee/KathleenRyder

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5 stars
37 (74%)
4 stars
12 (24%)
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1 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Eileen.
2,088 reviews
October 31, 2022
I totally enjoy holiday anthologies, like Christmas Wishes and New Year's Kisses, a collection of holiday-themed novellas and short stories from some of the world's most loved indie authors, reminding me of the magic of holidays. Also, the stories are short enough you can read one or two of them whenever you have time and it introduces me to new authors and new series. There is plenty of romance, humor and surprises for everyone within the stories.

So far I have only read Who Are You Doing New Year’s Eve by Melonie Johnson, a short but sweet story. It’s New Year’s Eve and Heather Walsh is full of anticipation because tonight, she believes her boyfriend Bill is finally going to propose. But when the long-awaited proposal never comes, Heather fears instead of celebrating an engagement, she’ll be spending the hours leading up to midnight crying over a break-up, alone. Until she meets architect Dustin Ford, also newly single, and discovers the end of her relationship might be exactly the fresh start she needed. A short read, which makes you want more. My plan is to read other stories in the future.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Profile Image for Janet.
4,267 reviews44 followers
October 23, 2022
An anthology of short stories ideal for a lunch time or when you’ve a spare hour or so
Who are you doing New Year’s Eve? - Melonie Johnson
It’s New Year’s Eve and Heather Walsh is brimming with anticipation because tonight, her boyfriend Bill is finally going to propose. But when the long-awaited proposal never comes, Heather fears instead of celebrating an engagement, she’ll be spending the hours leading up to midnight crying over a break-up, alone. Until she meets architect Dustin Ford, also newly single, and discovers the end of her relationship might be exactly the fresh start she needed. A short read, which makes you want more.
I look forward to reading the other stories
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Profile Image for Linda Dossett.
923 reviews4 followers
October 22, 2022
A holiday anthology of short stories by many exciting authors. Who Are You Doing New Year’s Eve by Melonie Johnson, a short but sweet story with a promise of more to come. My plan is to finish all the stories in the future, what a great buy, so much to look forward to.
Profile Image for Jakki Frances.
Author 25 books76 followers
November 10, 2022
2022 brings us another seasonal feast of Christmas and New Year flavoured romance and I'm sure you're all going to love it - I know I do.

There's really something for everyone in this anthology. No matter what you're wanting for your holiday season - from sweet 'Hallmark movie-esq' romance with snow and men in flannel shirts, to a hot sweaty menage that is the Xmas wish of an elf... Well, this book has it and more. It's all about finding love in whatever shape or form you're asking Santa to bring you this year. So settle in and make it a very merry Bookmas in 2022. I highly recommend embracing the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod - the tradition of giving, receiving and reading books for Xmas.
Profile Image for PelicanFreak.
1,567 reviews
March 10, 2023
My review is for Sealed with A Pooch Smooch by Cynthia Tereslt ...



This is so perfect, if you’re looking for a quick but still-hot read!
It really is a short read, but packs:

Amazing characters.
Heartache.
Lovable pets / animal rescue, etc.
Holiday vibes.
Second-chance romance, MMC is a widow.
Steamy scenes.
Friends-to-lovers.
Lots of pain / internal struggles / growing pains and a bit of angst.

And more. Highly recommend. 4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️



description 
1,332 reviews8 followers
November 3, 2022
I read “A Mate for Christmas “ by Lulu M. Sylvian. This was a funny, short story about Lyra and Stone and how they meet. My only problem with this story is that is is too short. I would love to see the author make this a novel. If the other stories are like this then this book is worth getting. I received a free book and the views and opinions are my own.
3,171 reviews30 followers
November 7, 2022
This is a Holiday Romance Collection by Various Authors. This is my review for Second Chance Christmas by Kathleen Ryder and it is Angie and Rhys story. Angie and Rhys have history as they had been so in love and when he proposed she said yes only for him to break it off the next day leaving her heartbroken. Angie is back in Bingara to help her parents rebuild there shop What's A Scoop after it was destroyed in the bushfires but Angie never forgot Rhys and still loved him to this day. Will this be Angie and Rhys second chance and have the happy ending that they both deserve. This might be a short story but it is definitely worth reading and you will not be disappointed.

I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Collection.
Profile Image for Sherry Brown.
639 reviews76 followers
October 22, 2022
One of the stories in this book THE CHRISTMAS LILY by Sharon Wray was such a wonderful story! It touched by heart and definitely got me in the Christmas spirit. It reminded me that you should never give up on what you truly feel in your heart and want to do. Loved it!!!
Profile Image for Cheri Lynn Griffith.
122 reviews2 followers
November 1, 2022
Reviewing g for The Christmas Lily by Sharon Wray. This book was a sweet small town Christmas story. Loved the setting and the characters and made me feel like I was there. Great read!
Profile Image for Katie Meyer.
475 reviews25 followers
December 31, 2022
I loved all of these mini stories, they were perfect for December! I can’t wait to venture outside of this book and read works from these newly discovered authors.
Profile Image for Barbara Lack.
1,275 reviews21 followers
October 26, 2022
The Christmas Lily by Sharon Wray

This was such a heartwarming story about one woman’s wish to bring the town together for Christmas Eve Mass. Juliet is such a sweet person. Rafe, her husband, would do anything to make her happy.
Profile Image for Belinda.
989 reviews11 followers
October 16, 2022
My review is for All She Wants by Jakki Frances. This short story was a little bit sexy and add in a little bit of hotness and you get a whole lot of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
8,414 reviews113 followers
December 15, 2022
This is a great anthology of short Christmas reads.

This review is for Second Chance Christmas by Kathleen Ryder
This is a sweet holiday second chance romance between Angie and Rhys. The author packs a ton in this short story and delivers a great Christmas romance. It's well written with descriptive scenes, moves quickly and smoothly and is an enjoyable read.


This review is for A Mate For Christmas by Lulu M Sylvian
This is a short, fast paced fated mates story between Lyra, a human and Stone, a wolf shifter. He knows she's his mate the moment he scenes her .. but she's lacking self confidence and can't believe he's serious in his pursuit of her. The author paints her scenes perfectly and delivers a quickie Christmas novella.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Wanda Jewell.
921 reviews3 followers
November 4, 2022
I read A Mate for Christmas by Lulu M Sylvian. It was a good short story. A werewolf stripper and dance instructor, happy to be as single as the day is long until Lyra came for dance lessons then she taught him a thing or two. I enjoyed the characters and the warmth of the story. It was easy to read and entertaining. I would recommend it. I have not read the other stories in the book, but I am sure there are many good ones.
Profile Image for Amanda Marlowe.
1,667 reviews17 followers
November 9, 2022
Second Chance Christmas Kathleen Ryder
Rhys and Angie were a couple years ago, she was off to Brisbane, and accepted his proposal, but then it all changed. What made him change his mind? Would they get a second chance?

Coming Home for Christmas A M Olenick
Holly and Cooper were a couple, until six years ago when she was offered her dream job and he wouldn't leave Christmas Cove to go to Boston with her. Can they sort out their differences?

All She Wants Jakki Frances
Reece is acting as Father Christmas for his brother, Ryan, together they run the Gemini agency. Sue Ann is the elf helping Father Christmas with children and mothers. An entertaining read.

An Unexpected Gift Suzanne Cass
Mila is climbing a mountain in Tasmania, when the weather changes dramatically, first rain, then snow. On her way down she hears a man calling for help. Griff slipped off the path and is on a small ledge. Can Mila rescue him or will they rescue each other? A great read, as usual, from Suzanne.

The Second Christmas Star Meg Napier
Danny is sent by her grandmother into the roof to find an angel, imagine her surprise when she seems to walk into a desert. Nathaniel is there to meet her and show her around. It takes her a while to come to terms with what's happening.

Mystic Mistletoe Amy L Gale
Eve is a florist in Mystic Pines, she's doing the flowers for Jack's sister's wedding. She had a crush on Jack but he left to join the Coastguard, now he's back! A great Christmas short story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A lot of good short Christmas stories
Profile Image for Becky.
3,132 reviews128 followers
November 14, 2022
I picked this up because of Melonie Johnson's book, and that one (though way too short, of course!) did not disappoint! The other 2 stories that I've read so far weren't nearly as satisfying and I've got other reading commitments to get to, though since these are all holiday stories there's a chance I might try some more of them later. If that is the case, then there will be more reviews to come.

Who are You Doing New Year's Eve by Melonie Johnson is another installment in the author's MILFs Just Wanna Have Fun books--Heather's book, for those who are keeping track. It's a fun little read--just the *very* beginning of a fresh start for Heather, whose previous relationship ended (badly, of course) early into the story. Ms Johnson has plans to expand on it later (once the anthology is no longer for sale) and I can't wait! What we have here is a lot of fun, but I always want more ;)

Rating: 4 stars / A-

Second Chance Christmas by Kathleen Ryder is pretty much what it says it is--a second chance romance set at Christmas. The story felt a bit rushed--honestly, I find it hard to believe they let such a manufactured conflict go on for so many years yet one convo fixed it in minutes--and the typos and run-on sentences, which I *really* hope were fixed in the final version, were beyond distracting.

Rating: 2 1/2 stars / C-

A Mate for Christmas by Lulu M. Sylvian is--as you can probably guess from the title--a paranormal romance. It shifts (see what I did there?) between first and second person POV depending on which character is narrating, and leans a little too hard into how plain everyone else sees Lyra compared to how hot Stone is. I mean sure, some people are still in middle school about these things, but everyone around her...?

Rating: 3 stars / C+
Profile Image for Penny Leidecker.
2,493 reviews25 followers
November 16, 2022
This is a fantastic collection of twenty-one quick reads which take place during the Christmas or New Year’s holidays. If you enjoy stories full of love, you are sure to find something in this collection. I’m only telling something about the first four stories, but they’re all wonderful reads.

Second Chance Christmas by Kathleen Ryder
This is a beautifully written second chance romance about Angie and Rhys.

Coming Home for Christmas by A.M. Olenick
This is another second chance romance and it’s centered around Holly and Cooper.

All She Wants by Jakki Frances
This is a fun read centered around Sue-Ann and her crushes on Reece, who plays Santa and her boss, Ryan. She doesn’t know that they’re brothers. Read and see what happens when she finds out.

An Unexpected Gift by Suzanne Cass
This story is centered around Mila and Griff. They met years ago and were attracted to each other, but they were both married at the time. They next meet, when Mila saves his life after he went over the ledge of the trail he was hiking. This is a beautiful story dealing with grief, regrets, but most of all love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,230 reviews5 followers
November 15, 2022
The Doctor's Holiday Gift - Pandora Snow

Dixie Cunningham grew up in Carolina Beach and became a nurse. Her parents retired and she renovated the house she grew up in.

One day, Brodie Kent arrives next door. His parents recently retired and Dixie thinks Brodie is back to get the house ready to sell. Brodie left for college in Boston. He became a doctor. Little does Dixie know that Brodie is back for good and he wants to fulfill his childhood fantasy of having the girl next door.

What happens when Brodie takes a job at the same clinic that Dixie works? Can Brodie convince Dixie that he loves her? Can they have a Merry Christmas?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,083 reviews4 followers
November 26, 2022
What a great collection! These are mostly new-to-me authors, and their stories are all centered around the holiday season. One thing I particularly like is that the book isn't excessively long; the individual stories are short enough that I was able to read one here and there, reading a complete story in a short sitting. My favorite is Second Chance Christmas by Kathleen Ryder. Angie is back in town to help her parents with their business. And now she has a second chance with Rhys. It's truly a heartwarming story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Donise.
1,023 reviews2 followers
November 15, 2022
There are so many feel good stories in this anthology that even if you don't particularly like all of them, I'm sure that there are plenty that you will like. There are stories of second chances, lost loves, mature loves, paranormal, funny, touching and lots of meddling characters. Read one a day and make them last or have a long marathon. I love anthologies because of the variety and it is a good way to find new authors.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,229 reviews17 followers
November 25, 2022
Great anthology

I did read all of the stories, but my review is on the last one by Pandora Snow. Brodie is back in town and when he sees Dixie the feelings that he's had for her are still there. He's trying to flirt his way back into her life and she's trying to avoid his advances. Will he be able to get her back?
773 reviews6 followers
December 6, 2022
Christmas Wishes and New Year Kisses is a lovely collection of Christmas Novellas. There are a large number of authors contributing so there is something for everyone. The short books means this is perfect if you want a short read.

I recommend you grab your favourite drink and take your pick. You will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Keighley Bradford.
Author 20 books44 followers
January 28, 2023
The stories by my co-authors in this collection are absolutely amazing. It was nice to read a range of stories and get a taste of each author's style of writing, in turn allowing me to get a better sense of which author's I'd enjoy reading full-length novels. I look forward to reading more of their work in the future.
1,570 reviews5 followers
November 3, 2022
The Christmas Lily by Sharon Wray
Rafe just wants to make his wife happy. It's Christmas Eve and she wants to make Midnight Mass special si she decorates the church. The whole town shows up even though the weather is bad.
8,775 reviews53 followers
November 7, 2022
These amazing authors have come together to bring us a wonderful selection of stories with this collection. Each story pulls us into the lives of the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Laura Carter-Alexander.
550 reviews9 followers
November 10, 2022
A beautiful anthology comprised of sweet and steamy romances when the men are brought to their knees and shown the meaning of Christmas by the women who aren’t afraid to show them what they want.

Profile Image for Kate.
39 reviews6 followers
November 13, 2022
This is such a great compilation of holiday novellas that is sure to give everyone something great to read this holiday season!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
912 reviews7 followers
November 14, 2022
Christmas Wishes and New Year’s Kisses is a great collection of quick Holiday stories by a few different talented authors! You will definitely enjoy these! Happy Holidays!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Johnston Cotton.
1,270 reviews25 followers
November 14, 2022
What a cute second chance romance to make you feel good. Loved the characters, so enjoyable and such a quick and easy read. Highly recommend all the books in this holiday collection.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Heather Gibbard.
639 reviews2 followers
November 15, 2022
I received this collection from Booksprout as an arc copy for a voluntary review. This is a great holiday collection full of sweet and steamy with a holiday feel.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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