Wish List

I usually don' t read romance novels, but when I do I expect a good story to go with it. This book did not give me that. It is maybe 100pages long and took me about 30 min to read. The content was lacking and I was disappointed since this could have been a good book.

The other day I was going through my library catalog and checking the authors I usually read. Lo and Behold, Sylvia Day had a new audio book in the system. What?! So I clicked on it and put it on hold. I hadn't heard of it so I did some digging. This story was released by Ellora's Cave in 2005 as part of their "White Hot Holidays" series. Now I'm not sure why Brilliance Audio released this audio book years later but I'm so glad my library system picked it up.

Stephanie Martin wants Nicholas James naked and wrapped in a bow and she gets her wish. Once Nick figured out Steph was into him, he pulled out all the stops on fulfilling her Nick Want List for Christmas. When she caves to the inevitable she meets Nick for a night of unforgettable passion. Unfortunately for Nick, he's got a runner on his hands and needs to convince Steph the player wants to settle down.

I'm not a huge audio book fan. I'm cool with them as a whole but I only have a 25 minute commute each way. That means a five disc set takes me about two weeks to get through. I have no issue with that but I read books within about two days so I struggle with taking two weeks to read a book. In this case the novella was 1hr 12 minutes. I got through it in two days of driving and I was totally looking forward to my drive.

This was also my first erotic audio book. I was so scared to listen to the hot, spicy scenes which might have sounded terrible. It was sexy and attractive and I was loving the language while I drove to and from work. Some of the phrasings were hilariously funny because it didn't come off as sexy but the overall feel was a hot, steamy drive.

I loved Nick. I want a Nicholas James of my own and I think any girl out there would feel the same. He took a possibly humiliating list and turned it into a steamy, holiday gift for the woman he wanted. No matter how impractical or how embarrassing it could be for him, he ran with it. Naked cooking? Check. Naked and a bow? Check. He made it a holiday Steph would never forget. Frankly I'm not sure I'll ever forget it.

If you have a little commute or an hour alone, pick this one up! It was a great listen, great read, and an enjoyable down-time on my way home from a tiring day. The audio is pretty decent and easily understood. This was a top of the line holiday story with an erotic twist.

3.5 Stars
Originally Published by Ellora's Cave/Audio produced by: Brilliance Audio
December 2, 2005[e-book]/October 1, 2013 [audio]
40 Pages/Running Time 1hr 12 minutes
Provided by--the Library

I love Sylvia's Crossfire Series. I noticed that my local library had most of her book on e-format! I thought I would give this a chance. I knew that is was a novella... a really short one, only about 41 pages, so I knew there would be a quick romance and HEA. That statement could not be more true, there were only four chapters.

Nicolas James found coworker's Stephanie Martin's wish list! At first he was going to discard the holiday themed note paper but after he saw his name appear six times on her "naughty" list he could not help but fulfill every wish she had on the list. Forgoing the fact he was also listed once on her "nice" list. Even with every fantasy almost filled Stephanie does not know if she can accept the intensity of Nicolas James.

Spoilers:
I liked the story but like I said it was just TOO quick! If I am not mistaken, this was a part of a collection of erotic Christmas tales. I like how we have the strong woman, with her own job, who is not afraid of the possibly of men being afraid of her power. Nicolas was way pushy and annoying for me. He wanted Stephanie at any cost and just made the story not as wooing for me.

I bought and read this because I wanted to try something of Sylvia Day's without spending too much time on something with a heel on the cover. I'm thinking I made the right choice.

From a technical perspective, Day writes very well. Grammar, story structure, and other basic details have been thought through as have the characters and characterisations. But. As much as I liked the words, I didn't particularly like the story they were telling.

I realise this is a short story and an erotica. It's supposed to be a fantasy and it's not supposed to be bogged down by such small details as lengthy discussions and explicit consent, but I don't think this worked without those in the front. Stephanie is too determined against having any fun for Nicholas' forced seduction(s) to read as anything other than borderline rape to me. She tells him to stop too many times for me to fully immerse in the fantasy weekend off she's supposed to be taking. And his refusal to take a no for an answer seriously hinders my ability to consider him as a romantic hero.

Day tried but it didn't work for me. I've not yet given up on her as an author, but I'm not in a hurry to read more from her either.

This short story was outrageously, shockingly perfect. It will definitely get you in a festive mood for the holidays!

Day's Christmas tale is ridiculously captivating. She uses extremely vivid descriptions to draw you further and further into this tale. The narrator does a brilliant job with this tale. She heightens the story to an extent that you can't help but love it. She takes the very vivid, brilliant descriptions that Day has set forth and makes them pop.

The main characters are very well developed for a novella. You come to know and love them. The way that they interact with each other and with the supporting cast allows you to know them on an even deeper level.

Overall, this was a brilliant, heart-warming tale that automatically puts you in the Christmas spirit. It's a quick short read (or listen) that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

Stephanie Martin has had her eye on her co-worker Nicholas James for a long time but past relationship struggles brings fear to her life as does a secret. Nick realizes his attraction to Stephanie and will do anything to fulfill her holiday wishes, but will Stephanie' s fears and secret bring her and Nick together or break them apart. Great story a true tale of romance and trust

This was a short, sexy Christmas story. I am a huge fan of Sylvia Day and this novella was a perfect little read over the holiday season. The author managed to pack in lots of detail within these pages. Well worth a read.

This is a story about hidden mutual attraction, giving into desires and taking a leap of faith. :) ~Ava

It was a quick and fun read but it straight to the point. It was positive all the way through there wasn't actually any issues for the characters to over come. Not exactly what I expected but still a fun read.

Couldn't get into the relationship of the characters therefore this was not a good read. I love the author but this was not one of her best books. Was very disappointed. Thankfully the author has many more books.

When the first page already uses coarse language I read no further. A good story does not need foul language and this is an author whose book I will never read. This is library loan or I would ask for a refund.

Book was a nice short read... Good bedtime story for nice holiday dreams, yet every single professional lady's dream to find a man that sensitive. I like that Sylvia still kept the reality of "safe sex" in the mix. Perhaps a continuation of the development of their relationship and adjustment to family life would be neat.

This book was trying to be like the 50 Shades trilogy. I found it to be completely stupid. The characters had NO depth and the sex was just blah. No work up to anything. How do you go from a Christmas Wish list and a hot and heavy relationship in 20 pages? Stupid, ick, there is a lot more erotica out there that is better written.