In the first book in their new Cherryville series, the writing duo using the pen name Jenny Alexandra offer a holiday-themed rom-com starring an ex-cult member who tries to withstand the charms of a sexy Grinch.

Growing up in small-town Ohio, Melody Whitaker and her family were members of a Christian cult that denounced anything with “pagan origins,” including Christmas. Now, six years after leaving the cult, 28-year-old Melody cherishes her freedom but still misses her family and the warmth of communal connection. That’s why she’s committed to volunteering; this year, she’s agreed to play Mrs. Claus at Forest Park Assisted Living.

As a holiday fanatic, Melody is excited to spread festive cheer—until she meets Mr. Claus. Eben Golding has been moonlighting as Forest Park’s Kris Kringle for a few years, but he despises the holiday. However, forced to work with Eben on the nursing home’s annual holiday pageant, Melody starts to realize Eben is more than meets the eye. Will the pair’s chemistry bloom into a real romance?

Melody and Eben form a strong emotional bond rooted in their respective dysfunctional family dynamics. The characters are ride-or-die opposites who push each other to be better versions of themselves. Small-town Ohio is depicted as a believable, lived-in backdrop for Melody and Eben’s growth as a couple.

The narrative weaves in familiar character and narrative tropes, which unfold in entertaining ways. However, Melody’s history as an ex-cult member often feels misaligned with the book’s lighthearted, bubbly tone. Melody’s lingering trauma is mentioned, but nuanced opportunities to explore her pain are pushed to the background; the heaviness of enduring decades-long emotional and psychological abuse is written merely as a character quirk.

While some might not be able to overlook the seriousness of Melody’s backstory, others will eagerly follow the couple’s flirty, heated courtship, aided by well-placed spicy sex scenes that keep the book from treading into the saccharine sheen reserved for the Hallmark Channel.

Also available as an ebook.