November 21, 2025

* Review * MERRY MAYHEM by Erin Nicholas

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Merry Mayhem by Erin Nicholas
Published by EN Fiction on November 21, 2025
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In Rebel, Louisiana, Christmas isn’t a holiday—it’s a full-contact sport.

As a firefighter, I thought I’d seen holiday chaos before—fires caused by too many string lights, a Santa stuck in a chimney, one unfortunate incident with a candy cane—but this small town takes Christmas to a whole new level.

It all starts when I'm asked to pose as a fake boyfriend for the town’s annual holiday competition. Easy gig: play games, drink cocoa, smile big, take home the trophy.

But my "date's" plans go sideways—literally—and while she’s in the hospital, I’m left to handle all the plastic candy canes, Grinch impersonators, and deconstructed gingerbread houses with her sister instead. Single mom Thea is the calm, practical one who wants nothing to do with small-town drama… or me.

Too bad sparks fly anyway. Between her no-nonsense attitude, that soft heart she tries to hide, and the way she looks at me in the dark hallway when everyone else is asleep? It's not the tree at risk of going up in flames. Because this feels real and now I know exactly what I’m asking Santa for this year.

Christmas in Rebel isn’t just Merry—it’s absolutely Mayhem.

Humorous and downright addictive! Nicholas sure knows how to deliver on unforgettable characters and humor! This book will hit a particular high for her die hard fans because we get a cameo from a few of our favorite cajuns! I loved the premise of the book and it was fast paced and highly entertaining. The development of their backgrounds and their relationship wasn’t top notch, but it was enough to make me feel comfortable with them and want to see them succeed and be together. There’s almost a separate story playing out with the fun loving comedy of the holiday contest event being front and center, but the side note of trying to get Josh and Thea panned out into a believable match up. I loved their characters and loved the laughter. If it was an ongoing series, I would definitely want better development, but as a one off filled with Christmas spirit, I was happy!

* Review * ALMOST ROTTEN by Abby Millsaps

Almost Rotten by Abby Millsaps
Series: Men of Evercrisp Orchard #2
on October 29, 2025
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He called me his wife.

My brother’s best friend and star hockey defenseman Tytus Tremblay stood in front of the Dean, declared we’re married, and bullied the man into bending to his will.

To Ty’s credit, it worked. My job is safe. The Dean has no idea who else was in the video with me.

But as the reality of the situation sinks in, I realize just how instrumental Tytus was in orchestrating this nightmare.

He’s delusional.

Tytus and I aren’t married, even though I used to dream about a future with him. That was before I met Mercer and Noah and allowed myself to fall for two older men.

Embarrassingly, when we’re locked away in my dorm, I give in to Ty’s delusions. I can’t help but push the limits, catapulting us toward his fantasies.

Now I’m torn between three men, so agonizingly confused I feel myself starting to slip away.

When Ty casually calls me his wife in front of his professional hockey team, I break.

I can’t go on like this. I can’t keep playing this game.

Every version of the future I dreamed of is slipping between my fingers. Irrevocable damage has been done, and I’m afraid nothing will ever be the same again.

Dramatic continuation of the Men of Evercrisp Orchard trilogy! Very addictive, emotional and saga like. I really began to dislike Ty in this installment of the series. He’s becoming delusional and vindictive and not the guy I thought we saw in him when he and Sawyer were close prior. She also is showing her childish side by letting him control and waylay her when she was finally living for herself for a change. I’m not sure how this is all going to play out in the end, but there was definitely a lot of that college age mentality in this leg.

Noah and Mercer were both much more developed in this second book and we got to know a lot about their situations and what makes them each tick. I enjoyed the closeness they developed by letting Sawyer into their life.

There is a cliffhanger again leaving Tytus in a precarious position after he got a little bit of revenge played on him for his part in the drama that played out for Sawyer throughout this book. I’m way hooked and anxious to see how it all ends in the final book!