🎄💍💗 "Fairytale Christmas With the Millionaire" (Once Upon a Fairytale #3) 💗💍🎄 - Book Tour & Review #FCMPrism
He thinks he has it all
until he meets his spirited Cinderella!
Under threat of eviction, Alina Martin finds herself making a deal with infamous CEO Graham Toliver. He may be used to getting what he wants, but Alina's not going to back down. Yet as Alina gets to know Graham, she realizes that there is more to the charming CEO than she initially thought could their arrangement lead to her happily-ever-after in time for Christmas?
From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.
About the Author
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and autographed copies of the first two books in the Once Upon A Fairytale series: BEAUTY AND HER BOSS and MISS WHITE AND THE SEVENTH HEIR (US only, if winner is international digital copies will be sent instead)
Ends December 16, 2020
Thank you in advance to the author, Jennifer Faye, for providing a review copy through Prism Book Tours. A positive review was not required in any way, nor was it requested. All words are my own.
This is the third book in the author’s “Once Upon a Fairytale” series. And, despite being part of a series, this is easily a standalone read. Other than having a fairytale type story, they do not seem to be connected.
I’ve been a fan of the author since reading the first book of her “The Bartolini Legacy” series earlier this year, as well as her Christmas book from Hallmark Christmas in Bayberry. There is a slight difference in the writing in the Harlequin books as opposed to the Hallmark one.
But, Faye’s Harlequin Romances don’t have explicit scenes or foul language which makes them a perfect beach or “cozy” day read. Most of the “scenes” are written respectfully and discretely so readers who enjoy some romance without explicit content are not offended or caught off guard. In fact, the one “scene” occurs about halfway (½) in and is truly “closed door”.
The premise of this book is interesting, and having been evicted from a few places in the past (and one time was around Christmas), I could definitely identify with the panic of having to find a new home that is affordable, along with another pet peeve of mine – I HATE MOVING. I know, strong emotion, but I really do hate the process. Packing/Unpacking, that’s okay, moving? Uh, no!
Anyway…
Faye highlights some of the problems associated with moving – money, packing, finding a new place, in some cases needed help due to age. Alina also points out that bonuses don’t last very long and it costs a LOT of money to relocate, not to mention being able to afford rent on the new place. These are some things I don’t think others consider. So, Faye’s ability to create a romance and keep certain things real is amazing.
I think this is something that a lot of people can identify with. Moving around Christmas? Whether one wants to or not, that definitely adds a LOT of stress to the process. So the plot is alternately cute and yet realistic. It does have a “Hallmark movie” like vibe to it.
Also, I LOVE Christmas stories. A romantic one? I honestly couldn’t resist reading it, and I am SO glad I was able to!
The cover is romantic, yet subtle. There is nothing inappropriate here at all. It is definitely charming.
The main characters are (obviously) Alina, who is working two jobs – at the café and as the building manager, a job she inherited from her late father who was the previous one.
And, there is Graham Toliver, who wants the building for an office tower.
The minor support characters were all wonderful and had their own gifts. Merryweather was a surprise – pleasant one at that! The worst, of course, was Alina’s step-mother and those step-daughters. Though, the step-daughters didn’t have much to say or do (thank goodness).
Faye really gets the story going with a running start – not even before the end of the second chapter – Alina and Graham are having dinner.
But, the dinner is no real date. What it does is buys each of them time – Alina in hopes of saving the building, the only home she has known; Graham is given time to get the “eviction” or rather “incentivized moving” process going. As Alina points out, and this is true no matter what – actions do have consequences.
Faye was able to present a balanced perspective into both Alina’s reasons for keeping the building as well as Graham for wanting to demolish it. And, Graham was definitely fascinated by Alina as she didn’t seem to care what he thought.
Alina is hoping for a Christmas miracle, but Graham doesn’t believe in the holiday. That made me want to keep reading – what was his angle there? He was right in telling her that she didn’t really know him, and she didn’t.
The two eventually strike a bargain – Graham works in the building and Alina agrees to get everyone to agree to move out by the appointed time. Well … if it is necessary.
Along the way, the two develop a mutual attraction to each other.
Graham watches as Alina works (to an excess) and he knows it is because of his choices. He also notices how quickly she gives help, but doesn’t accept it. He then sees the challenges in moving – Alina really can’t afford it, her neighbors are her family, and she grew up in the building. Still, he knows his company has to expand and the apartment building as seen better days.
Graham realizes that while he has been busy, he hasn’t been “happy”. He also knows that his parents’ marriage wasn’t ideal. And, while he admired his father – his father wasn’t a good business man either.
Graham also realizes the bond the people of the building have when he accidentally invites some prospective business partners to a party he isn’t throwing. The residents of the building chip in to help without expectations.
That leads to an incident with Alina and her step-mother, but Merryweather steps in to “rescue” the day with a Cinderella like offer.
Graham almost sabotages everything when he confronts Alina’s step-mother, but as most romances go – this has a very happy and unexpected ending that shows everyone can get “close” to what they want if they work together. It also shows that happiness isn’t about the big things in life, but the little ones. Truly a “fairytale” ending with a realistic slant.
Watching Graham and Alina work together is a beautiful and different type of story – they almost immediately stopped being adversarial and worked together to find a solution for everyone. And, it was both heart-warming and heart-breaking as Faye presented both sides as to why the building should be kept, and really needed to go.
I truly enjoyed this as evidence by how fast I read it and how much I really loved it!
This particular book is written in relatively short chapters compared to the other books of the line. That, along with pacing that really moves the story along, made this a super fast read. I was over 2/3 done within several hours. And, I don’t read continuously. Usually I take about 20-30 minutes at a time as I was setting up my Christmas tree. This was such an addicting little read that I kept wanting to turn the pages. Definitely an easy read. Fastest read “romance” line book!
Fans of the author, genre, and those who’ve read the first two books will more than likely enjoy this little read. I always enjoy Jennifer Faye’s books and look forward to reading them!
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
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