I’ve just finished reading another heart-warming romp of a romance from Peggy Jaeger.  As always, her stories are strong on voice,that distinctive quality that makes the characters real enough to step off the page fully formed. This short Christmas romance is perfect for reading in those rare moments of peace we get between holiday chores and celebrations. I love the way Jaeger portrayed an Italian-American family Thanksgiving and Christmas in all their foodie glory without ever sinking into saccharine holiday clichés. In fact, this novella incorporates many romance tropes—the heroine’s a baker,the hero is rich, there’s a big misunderstanding—but handles each in a way that’s surprising and satisfying.

Regina, known as Reggie to family and friends, defied her parents’ old-world expectations by running off with a boy they hadn’t chosen for her. He wasn’t even Italian—horror of horrors. That spurt of bad judgment results in tragedy. Afterward, Reggie’s family embraces their prodigal bellissima figlia, and she loves them dearly, even if their interference sometimes makes her want to pitch a plate of pasta at the wall. You’ll love the colorful characters and realistic teasing banter in this famiglia. They’re loud, funny, pushy, but always loving. You’ll also learn lots of Italian phrases along the way.

So many romance heroines get bogged down in their tragic pasts that I get sick of their whining, you know? Reggie’s grief is palpable, but her balance of determination and humor make her someone I’d want to have coffee with, along with one of her marvelous cannolis.

The chemistry between Reggie and Connor, the rich philanthropist who orders a magnificent cake for a charity event, delivers a satisfying slow burn. The ending is truly touching, so have tissues ready.

As soon as I finished this one, I made a big pot of beef ragù and uncorked a bottle of Chianti, to celebrate a satisfying ending to a tasty tale. Buon appetito e buon Natale!

Come chat with me on Monday, December 17th! I’ll be real-time chatting in the Night Owl Romance chat room, along with Shana Gray, Claire Marti, and Daphne DuBois. 

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Start time: 5 p.m. Pacific, 6 p.m. Mountain, 7 p.m. Central, 8 p.m. Eastern.

Location: https://nightowlreviews.com/v5/Chats

Each author will have a prize for a lucky active chatter. 18 and over. Shipped prizes USA only. Digital (mine), open to the world. 

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