Review: Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey
A HUGE thank you to Tessa Bailey for my early copy. All thoughts are my own!
If you didn’t know, Tessa Bailey is having a MOMENT. It Happened One Summer has taken over the book community and when I learned she was releasing a Christmas romance, I knew I had to have it. This book is billed as “If Ted Lasso was kinky” and…it delivered.
I love Christmas, we know this. But when it comes to my Christmas books, I do not like cheesy or sweet. This is one that has the warm magic you expect from a holiday story but it has some delicious spice when it comes to the romance. it was super cute and a light, fun holiday read.
Synopsis:
“Two weeks before Christmas and all through Manhattan,
shop windows are decorated in red and green satin.
I'm standing alone in front of the famous Vivant department store,
when a charming man named Aiden asks my opinion of the décor.
It's a tragedy in tinsel, I say, unable to lie.
He asks for a better idea with a twinkle in his eye.
Did I know he owned the place? No. He put me on the spot.
Now I'm working for that man, trying to ignore that he's hot.
But as a down on her luck girl with a difficult past,
I know an opportunity when I see one-and I have to make it last.
I'll put my heart and soul into dressing his holiday windows.
I'll work without stopping.
And when we lose the battle with temptation,
I'll try and remember I'm just window shopping.” —Amazon
What I Liked:
The Concept—I love a spicy holiday romance. Christmas is my favorite so give me all the romances that still feel real and fun without all the Hallmark cheesiness.
The Trope—Reverse grumpy/sunshine is slowly becoming one of my favorite tropes. I loved Aiden’s optimism and sweetness and thought Stella’s grumpiness came from a really realistic place. She was going through some ISH!!! She wasn’t just an asshole.
The Setting—The Saks 5th Avenue Holiday Windows have always been a staple visit for me so I could so perfectly envision where this story was taking place.
What Didn’t Work:
The Trope—There is insta love in addition to grumpy/sunshine, which can be SO tricky to pull off. I think this is the one “holiday magic” aspect to just accept and roll with if you read this book.
The Pace—It was a little quick, so I felt like I didn’t fully know Aiden and Stella for a while, BUT it is a holiday romance. Sometimes we just have to roll with it if we’re choosing to read them!
Content Warnings:
Recently released from prison, shooting (in the past/description minimal)