REVIEW: Jingle Bell Harbor by Tracy Brogan

Jingle Bell Harbor by Tracy Brogan: Due to her grandmother breaking her hip, Kelsey is stuck in Bell Harbor for the holiday season instead of in Hawaii with her boyfriend, and she’s not too happy about it. Working for a company where she has to promote Christmas all year long has sucked the joy out of the holiday season for her, as evidenced when she goes shopping for a Christmas tree with her sister.

“Uh, they were alive. Now they’re dying. They’re going to die a slow, agonizing death from dehydration inside a house with no sunlight while draped in gaudy tinsel. Then they’re going to be pitched out on the curb by people who no longer think they’re useful. What a waste. I hate waste. Honestly, Christmas must be an evergreen’s worst nightmare.”

When she runs into Drew, she’s surprised; he’s the not the awkward teenager she used to know. She finds herself more attracted to him then to her boyfriend, which solidifies her belief that Blake is not the man for her.

Drew always had a crush on Kelsey, even going as far as pretending to be bad in science so she would have to tutor him. He was shy though, and could never bring himself to make a move. Now that she’s back in town reevaluating her job and her life, he wants to take the shot he never did back in high school.

A lot of times in novellas the characters aren’t well developed, but this isn’t the case here. Drew and Kelsey are likable, relatable characters, and we get to see their relationship grow, building off what they had in high school.

There are a lot of funny moments in this book, some of them provided by Kelsey’s grandmother and her grandmother’s best friend, Dody, in regards to several of her outfit choices.

“Don’t you have anything a little plungier?” Grandma called from the couch. “You can’t very well expect to get his lord a-leaping in that dull outfit.”
Dody nodded emphatically, her jingle bell earrings causing a ruckus. “Exactly. not a creature will be stirring, especially in his pants, if you don’t make some effort. Sometimes Santa needs a little helper.”

While this novella is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. As it mainly focuses on Kelsey and Drew, you can easily follow along without having read the previous books.

Jingle Bell Harbor by Tracy Brogan is about discovering what you want, deciding what you need to finally be happy, and rediscovering a love of the holidays. It’s a quick, easy read filled with laughter and enjoyable quirky characters. If you’re in the mood for something light and funny, I would recommend Jingle Bell Harbor by Tracy Brogan.
 

Book Info:

Publication: October 20,2015 | Montlake Romance | Bell Harbor #3

As assistant buyer for the world’s second-largest Christmas store, Kelsey Parker feels like a holiday harlot. She’s contractually obligated to promote the yuletide season. All. Year. Long. And it’s taking a toll on her spirit. But when her clueless, self-absorbed boyfriend goes on their long-anticipated romantic vacation—without her!—Kelsey is beyond disappointed to find herself tromping through the Bell Harbor snow instead of lounging on a tropical beach.

Drew Hampton is considered quite a catch among the Bell Harbor bachelorettes, but when his high school dream girl, Kelsey Parker, shows up at his grandfather’s Christmas tree lot complaining about her love life, he decides it’s long past time to get her under the mistletoe himself.

As things heat up between the two, a surprise visitor arrives, making Kelsey an offer she can’t quite believe. Now she must decide what matters most, and she just may discover the key to her happiness.