Homemade from the Heart

I love romantic Christmas novellas, as they bring all the magic and excitement of Christmas to life with plenty of heartwarming passion.

This story builds over a number of weeks, and heats up so beautifully, almost innocently. Grant skirts around his attraction as he completely misunderstands the relationship between Aubrey and Josh, which is both cute and funny. I loved his inventiveness and the fun he had in the craft sessions. The culmination of the classes, and the last-minute mercy dash, all added to the fun that finally got him the guy.

Thank you, Ms. Baker, great story and it inspired me to go and do some crafty projects of my own!

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Stocking Stuffers: Homemade from the Heart by Bru Baker to read and review.

Great way to start my Christmas morning. A great precocious child helping two clueless and timid guys get it together. This is a sweet start to a new relationship. And the Star Wars joke was a fun little bonus.

Homemade from the Heart was a sweet Christmas short that follows a blooming relationship between the owner of a crafting store and a store patron. The main characters were personable and I liked the easy dialogue and sweet storyline. Unfortunately, this short story ended a little too early.

In Homemade from the Heart the reader gets to know the store owner, Grant, first hand, learning about his love interest Josh through his interactions with Grant and relying on Grant’s impressions of Josh. To a degree, that worked, but I wanted more and the story finished before I got it. Though I’m not usually opposed to a lower key happy-for-now ending, sometimes it’s a big letdown as it was in Homemade from the Heart. I think if I’d had a single glimpse into the couple actively together versus flirting and planning a date, this could easily be a 4 star holiday story I’d happily revisit. As it stands, I’d read something else by the author, but won’t likely reach for this title next year.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Glass, dome-type Christmas themed ornament nestled amidst pine boughs. Strong title font. Good author font. Cute sounding short holiday story, involving a matchmaking child!

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-Person

In the midst of the harried holiday hordes, Josh and Aubrey walk into MAKE AND TAKE to participate in an art class that's been sold old since the beginning of November. Josh's mild and courteous manner stun Grant into inviting them to take private classes on his one day off. Aubrey's exuberant personality is truly adorable. There's an "a-ha" moment toward the end that makes you want to go back and reread it right away. Well done! While the ending does not contain a solid HEA, they are guaranteed to have a Merry Christmas, and perhaps later, the story can be expanded upon.
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Rating: [G/PG] ~ Score: 4.275 ~ Stars: 4

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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐