Taming Scrooge by Sophia Summers
Ezra Stone wishes Christmas would go away.
Star Henley wants to save it.
When a desperate city council, panicked about losing their iconic main street, urges Star Henley to charm her way into developer Ezra Stone’s life, they hope to change his mind, unaware they could break his heart.
If the small town, Sanders Corners, can’t save its tree festival and protect their Main Street festivities, her father’s tree business and her Christmas shop will go out of business along with the rest of the town. She can’t let that happen, even if it means ingratiating herself into the cold, hard life of their town’s one and only billionaire nemesis. When a conniving city council forces them to work together on the festival of trees, the two clash as often as they connect, but everything could change on December 25.
He reached into the decorated boughs and her heart pinged just a tiny amount in sympathy. Balls fell and clattered down around him, his whole arm lost in the decorated greenery. It wasn’t easy, and she did want the tree to stay intact for the short drive. “Look, I’ll call Colton up here to help you.”
“Yes, you’d better.” When he pulled his hand back out, he pinched his fingers together and released them, the adhesive obvious.
She smirked. Sap was a bear to wash off.
“This soon becomes more trouble than it’s worth.”
“Pardon me?”
“This giving of the tree thing. I appreciate the help loading. But no one will be there unloading.” He seemed to stop himself, but his irritation was obvious.
“Well, I suppose our apologies are in order.”
He waved his hand. “It’s ok, I understand tradition and all that. Look, I’ll try to load it and we’ll make sure someone plants it afterward.” He reached his hand back in and started sliding the tree closer to the back of the truck.
Colton arrived, threw burlap over the top, wrapped it securely, and then he and another man hefted the tree up into the truck.
Mr. Stone nodded. “Thanks.” He climbed up into his truck. Then his appraising glance returned. “I’m here for the duration of the build. Wanna go to dinner sometime?”
“What?” The word, her tone, escaped her lips before she could stop it. “Are you asking me out?”
He grinned, a smile that she guessed women melted over. “I am, you free?”
“No, I’m not.” Was he for real?
His face became a mask, then he nodded. “Good enough. Thanks again.” His truck door closed, and he pulled out of the parking lot.
Clinton clucked his tongue, watching him pull away. “Wait, is he driving your truck?”
She groaned. “No. He has the same one.” Too bad such a remarkable looking man with great taste in trucks was so ungrateful, involved in destroying her town and her store and entirely void of holiday spirit.
A fun, clean, quick Christmas story. I liked the loose references to A Christmas Carol. Great escapist.
This book was written so well that I could picture myself in town on main street at the Christmas Shoppe!! Only other thing I will say is, grab a cup of hot chocolate, a blanket and curl up in your favorite comfy reading chair because you won't want to put the story down until it's finished!
I loved this book! It is funny, heartwarming and romantic. What can you do when you are both attracted and infuriated with someone?
A very good book.I very much love Christmas stories. This is one of the best Scrooge stories I have read... a good clean book for everyone.
Truth and trust win out in this sweet romance with Scrooge getting his Star! I could picture this town and their quaint shops. Sophia Summers continues in her engaging writing style.
Author Sophia Summers
Billionaires, Royals, Marriages of convenience, Cowboys, and Spies. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?
Sophia Summers is an award-winning author who just wants to relax a little and enjoy a great beach read. She lives in a quiet southern town brimming with an extra dose of hospitality and a whole lot of charm.
She writes historical romance under a different name.
