Bartender River Lundqvist has a damn good reason for hating Christmas. Bangers Tavern is the perfect place to lay low over the holidays—until Charlie walks in. His first encounter with the saucy server nine years ago was utter humiliation. Her reappearance stirs up powerful desires and hopes for a new start. But the timing is all wrong.
Back in Tacoma to care for her estranged dad over the holidays, freelance web designer Charlie Khoury braces herself for the suckiest Christmas ever. A temporary job at Bangers Tavern gives her a chance to escape Dad’s criticism and blow off some steam. But why does the hunky bartender seem to hate her?
A pretend girlfriend is just what River needs to keep his family off his back—until a kiss under the mistletoe flares hot enough to melt the North Pole. When greedy developers threaten Bangers Tavern, River and Charlie must team up to save it. Their sizzling chemistry feels like the real thing—but everyone knows rebound relationships don’t last.
Come to Bangers Tavern for an enemies-to-lovers tale of reconciliation, found family, holiday cocktails, and the sexiest Christmas miracle ever.
Excerpt:
Dawn nudged the bartender. “Kiara, say hi to Charlie. She’s gonna step in for Carla.”
Kiara flashed a bright smile. “Howdy, Charlie. Is it Charlene?”
“Charlotte.” She popped a tot into her mouth. Just as crispy as she remembered. “I’d shake your hand, but—” She waved her greasy fingers. “You all alone back there?”
The bartender rolled her eyes. “River’s late. Again. If he weren’t so charming, Dawn woulda canned his ass long ago.”
“Oho, charming, am I?” A deep baritone voice at her elbow spun Charlie around, but the guy had already slid behind the bar. Tall. Blond. Broad shoulders beneath a crisp black shirt. Lean but muscular, more like a dancer than a football player. His hair flopped into his eyes as he bent to scrub his hands. His short golden beard framed plush lips. Mismatched earrings: a small oval onyx on the left, a silver anchor on the right. Thick brown lashes.
Blue eyes, I’ll bet. Breath held, Charlie waited.
Greenish hazel with flecks of amber. His gaze flicked up and held hers for a moment that seemed to stretch on and on. Then those bright eyes scanned her from top to bottom. One eyebrow flicked up as his lips spread in a devilish smile. “Hello, new girl.”
Happy little fireflies danced in her stomach. Words stuck in her throat.
“Not so new.” Dawn smacked a stack of papers onto the bar.
Totally focused on pretty boy’s dazzling smile, Charlie hadn’t seen her old/new boss approach. She took the pen Dawn proffered, cleared her throat, and began scribbling her contact information.
“Charlie used to work here, about—what was it, hon’?”
“I, uh—started in ‘09, I think. And I left in ‘14.”
In an instant, River’s expression shuttered—brows lowered, eyes narrowed, lips clamped in a tight, straight line. He picked up a bar towel, flung it over his shoulder, and silently turned to the beer taps.
Dawn scowled and elbowed him. “Don’t be rude, River. Say hello to Charlie. She’s taking over for Carla.”
“Hello, Charlie.” His voice dripped icicles.
Kiara hip-bumped him. “Be nice, River. Who pissed in your Cheerios?”
Without further comment, he moved to the far end of the bar where a gaggle of college-age girls awaited refreshment. When River greeted them, they erupted in giggles. His high wattage smile reappeared as he muddled mint and cucumber in tall glasses, his forearm muscles flexing beneath tight sleeves.
Kiara leaned on the bar and sighed. “Real lady killer, that one. Earns more in tips than the rest of us combined.”
“I feel sorry for his girlfriend.” Charlie tilted her head toward the too-pretty jerk.
“Oh, he doesn’t—”
“Enough gossip.” Dawn shooed Kiara away, then leaned closer. “Sorry, kiddo. River’s usually such a charmer. I’ll have a word with him.”
“No worries, boss. I don’t need to join his fan club to work here.” She tilted her chin toward the end of the bar where River whipped out drinks with impressive speed and flair. “And I’ll give him a run for his money on those tips.”
Praise for Christmas Rekindled:
What do I like best about Sadira’s books? EVERYTHING. Her stories are anything but cookie cutter, the characters are relatable, flawed, and genuine, and most of all…the writing is sublime. She excels at writing about a community of found family, those people who know us and accept us for who we are, just as we are. Ms. Stone’s stories are steamy. Very steamy. You’ve been warned.
The first story in Sadira Stone’s new Bangers Tavern series, Christmas Rekindled brings all the heat and sometimes gaudy sparkle of the season. When the tavern they love is threatened with closure by developers, Charlie and River team up with the other workers at the tavern with ideas to save Bangers. Will their rebound love affair be over in the new year or do River and Charlie have what it takes for the long haul? It was fun finding out. Sadira Stone’s trademark strength is bringing a community of disparate people together as friends and lovers. Here we met River and Charlie, as well as a host of friends and family-the found family who will no doubt be featured in the future stories in this series. I can’t wait to read more.
–Romance Author Charlotte O’Shay
I loved this story. Charlie and River have amazing chemistry with both of them having their own baggage.
The Christmas vibes gave me all the feels. A perfect escapism. I especially appreciated how Charlie is part Lebanese as it gives snippets of a different culture.
A feel good holiday romance where the love scenes were quite spectacular.
–Bookbub Review by Romance Author Liv Arnold
