Scoring over the Holidays: A Holiday Sports Anthology
Short Stories by Alexia Chase, Alexis Anne, Cathryn Fox, Daniela Romero, Kimberly Readnova, Lisa Lang Blakeney, Melissa Ivers, Megan Ryder, Mira Lyn Kelly, Samantha Lind Se Rose, Sierra Hill, Stacey Lynn, Stephanie Kay and Victoria Denault
Self-Published
When center fielder Rhett Ryan and professional cyclist Hope Crawford meet, they both know they’re looking for…something.
What, neither of them is sure of, only that they want a repeat. So Hope tempts Rhett with a promise: meet her in the same place on Christmas Eve and he can have her as a present under the tree.
Age Recommendation:
18+
Genre:
Contemporary Romance
Short Story
I would like to thank Mira Lyn Kelly and the other authors of this anthology for providing this book for free to their newsletter describers for a short period of time.
Because these are short stories, my reviews of each story will be short and to the point. My rating will be for the anthology as a whole.
Holiday Home Run by Alexis Anne
Very steamy
Two main characters on equal footing is a plus
Doesn't have insta-love, so the relationship feels more natural
Freak: A Holiday Arrangement by Lisa Lang Blakeney
Too many typos and a continuality error that made it hard to focus on the story
Flow was weird, and felt like I was getting whiplash with where these characters were heading
The Mistletoe by Alexia Chase
Didn't vibe with the characters. Saylor's insecurity was too much, and Knox was too intense.
No natural flow. Felt too rushed. Apparently this does have a full length novel out, but I didn't feel a need to continue.
When Saylor tells Know about her parents, the whole moment comes off as INCREDIBLY awkward and cringy
Secret Santa Face-Off by Victoria Denault
Cute. Very Hallmarky, but with some spice.
All In by Cathryn Fox
One of two authors I'm familiar with, and felt a bit let down by this story
Cute second chance story, but so incredibly rushed. I KNOW its a short story, but ---------spoiler-------> an engagement hours after they first get together? NOPE! <----------------
Didn't feel connected with the characters.
Holiday Hole in One by Sierra Hill
Fucking golf. Ugh. Writing wasn't bad, I just really hate golf.
Felt like the flow was good for a short story, until BAM, we get I love you's. Too fast.
Jingle Devil by Melissa Ivers
Oh my fucking goddddd this is HOT. Like seriously, HOT.
Writing is good. While everything was very quickly developing, I at least went in knowing they have been working with one another for months at the beginning of the story, and both secretly liking each other.
Mistletoe Misconduct by Stephanie Kay
Cute, Hallmark-esqe short story that has some heat.
Well-written, another insta-love, but it seems like the running theme with this anthology.
Dirty Christmas by Mira Lyn Kelly
Cute, short, love at first sight romance
Despite hating insta-love, it felt genuine, and the characters were interesting and fun
A sneak peek at the next Slayers novel?
Holiday Hat Trick by Samantha Lind
Jumpy storyline. They meet, BAM one month later BAM six months later.
Final Shot by Stacey Lynn
Woah, I need to finish this story
Characters initial issues felt a little juvenile, but I liked it overall
Christmas Curveball by Kimberly Readnour
Really liked it. Sweet, friends to lovers, second chance type romance.
Holiday Sext by Daniela Romero
Felt refreshing, because it was barely an athlete story (male MC is the brother of an athlete from a series of books Daniela writes)
Fun, sexy story
A Forward Holiday by S.E. Rose
This was a sweet, fun short little story. Would have loved to read a longer version of this.
Holiday Heat by Megan Ryder
Cute. Wasn't a huge fan of the misunderstanding.
All in all, these anthology was okay, but not great. There were a lot of editing issues, and considering that a lot of these stories listed the editor they went through, it was kind of bad advertising for them in some cases. Some typos are not a big deal, but enough of them take you out of the story. That being said, if you like romances that are short and sweet, include an athlete, and are steamy, you might want to read this, to get you in the holiday spirit.
