Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth

Links to order Tinsel My Heart: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
Becca Huntley’s produced the Lyndale Park Players’ over-the-top Christmas show for ten years. It’s a beloved Minneapolis tradition, and the theater’s main fundraiser. But this year’s production is in danger of being canceled when their director disappears into rehab. Good thing his directing partner steps in to save the day. Except for the minor fact that he hates everything about Christmas.

Jack Whittaker wiped this town off his shoe with his graduation tassel and never looked back. But duty compels him to fulfill Tyler’s promise to direct the show. Even though it means working with Becca, the girl he always wanted, lost to Ty, but never forgot.

It’ll take more than a few handfuls of tinsel to soften Jack’s heart toward Becca’s favorite holiday. Steamy kisses that melt the snow right off his boots are a step in the right direction. They’ll both discover that Christmas is about making each other’s dreams come true. But will it require sacrificing their chance at a happily-ever-after together?

Review:

Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth is a sweet Christmas romance novella.  I love Barth’s Aisle Bound series, and decided to read this book, which is part of an anthology by Carina Press, All I’m Asking For: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology.  Knowing that I will enjoy this fast read, as Barth always does a great job creating wonderful couples, and a fun story.  Tinsel My Heart continues that thread.

The backdrop of this story takes place in a small town in Minnesota, where the residents are planning their annual Christmas play.  It starts off when they find out the director, who usually handles this annual event, is in rehab and cannot come.  Despite their concerns that they do not have the funds to hire another director, things do work out, as another famous director has promised to fill his friend’s shoes as a favor. 

Becca is our heroine, who is also the producer of the play.  She knows both directors, and was pleasantly surprised to see Jack Whittaker, who will fill Ty’s shoes and direct the play.  Becca, Ty and Jack were childhood friends, with Ty and Jack becoming famous directors, and partners.  Our hero, Jack, has always had a thing for Becca, but backed away in deference to Ty.  But Becca and Ty remained only friends, which Jack thought was more.  What Jack didn’t know was that Becca always had a thing for him too.

What follows is a sweet story about Jack taking over preparing the cast and crew of the play in time for Christmas, as well as Jack realizing how much he still cares about Becca, despite the years passed.  Becca treats Jack like a long lost friend, not able to truly open her heart, since she is afraid to get hurt.  Watching the two of them slowly fall in love was great, as they made a great couple.  Each had their own issues; Jack hating Christmas for many reasons, including his childhood, and trying to move on without Ty.   Becca afraid to move on to further her career as a producer, since she gave everything up after college to take care of her grandmother, who recently died.  Together they face their flaws, and help each other overcome them.  The Christmas backdrop, the play, and a wonderful couple makes this a fast and enjoyable read.  As usual, if you want a romance with a HEA, a fun story, and a great couple; look no further then Christi Barth. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author