Title:  It Must Be Christmas
Series: -Anthology-
Author:  Jennifer Crusie, Mandy Baxter, Donna Alward
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published:  October 4, 2016
Publisher:  St Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

t’s the most wonderful time of the year, when love is in the cold and frosty air—and desire reaches the boiling point. . .

Hot Toy
From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Crusie comes a hilarious, sexy story about a determined shopper who grabs the last action figure off the shelf, only to find herself plunged into the arms of a sexy secret agent. Mayhem under the mistletoe ensues. Business as usual this Christmas season…right?

Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher
Nate wants to stay away from all the women who want his money in Mandy Baxter’s story set deep in the heart of Texas. But when gorgeous do-gooder Chloe Benson comes knocking at his door—in search of funds for her charity—Nate can’t ignore the passion he feels for her. Maybe love is priceless after all?

Christmas at Seashell Cottage
’Tis the season in Jewell Cove when local doctor Charlie Yang finds her quiet, steady life disrupted by both an abandoned baby in the nativity manger and ex-SEAL Dave Ricker. Are these turn of events too good to be true? Or is Christmas working its magic—for real— Donna Alward’s heartwarming holiday story?

 Anthology

All three stories in this anthology have been released before.  Combined together in this anthology is new.  So while I’m definitely not being a Scrooge, be sure that you do not already have these stories separately on your bookshelf.

I enjoyed re-reading two of these Christmas tales and one brand new to me story.  All are full of Christmas fun – some sweet, some a bit sexy and all completely magical in a Christmas kind of way.

Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher (Billionaire’s Club: Texas Heartthrobs #1)

While Nate didn’t want one single penny of the inheritance from his father, there were plenty of ladies out there who would just love to help him spend it.. on them, for as long as it lasted. There were few things Nate hated with a passion in life – gold diggers definitely made that hate ’em list.

While gatecrashing a funeral wasn’t on Chloe’s high points in life list, she was determined – okay, let’s be honest here, she was desperate for a very large donation for a charity that would have to close its door before Christmas. Unless she could convince this particular billionaire to part ways with his father’s money and hand it over into her safekeeping. All for a very good cause. Trouble happened when she lost sight of the money the moment she got close enough to Nate to ask him for it. She didn’t know if she believed in love at first sight – but lust? Hell, yeah.

After an extremely passionate one night stand, can Chloe convince Nate that she’s not after the money but for the man… and still save her charity as well. Guess you’re going to have to read Christmas With The Billionaire Rancher yourself to find out for sure.

I enjoyed this novella very much. Yes it was short, but there was a fun, very sexy and charming story packed into those pages. As you read this you I’m certain that you will discover that not everything is as it seems on the surface. And secrets are usually more trouble than they’re worth in the end. Find out how this couple finds love in spite of the circumstances.

Christmas at Seashell Cottage (Jewel Cove #1.5)

A baby left in the nativity scene brings two unlikely people together in a most Christmas magical way.  Charlie never felt she fit into her new hometown.  A small town with established friendships and relationships, Charlie loved it here, she felt free here but she still didn’t fit in.  Suddenly she’s got a baby and a most handsome man to consider this Christmas.  Maybe not the traditional way to go about things, but oh, she was tempted.

Dave has moved to Jewel Cove to be near his daughter, Nora.  While the marriage didn’t work out, the child they share is worth every moment of a failed relationship.  He’s not looking for a forever relationship ever again, yet he’s constantly running into the town’s doctor.  Charlie is lovely and definitely grabs his attention.  She’s a forever kind of girl, he’s a not going there again kinda guy.  The attraction is strong but each have different needs from this relationship.

Until a baby in the manger makes all the difference in the world.

An emotional story, Christmas at Seashell Cottage brings Charlie and Dave together and lets the magic of love and the season take over.  I enjoyed this story and it fits perfectly in the Christmas must read again list.

Hot Toy

Hot Toy is a really short story so do not look for a lot of character development in these few pages. But… do expect to laugh yourself silly, snort embarrassingly and maybe even belly laugh a bit.

Trudy had no idea that trying to find one of the most popular toys for this Christmas season for her nephew would be so difficult – or so cutthroat either. Man, some of these people out there are vicious in grabbing toys right out of your hands.

Toss in people you thought you knew but they are really far from what you ever expected… a crazy secret agent thing going on with hidden agendas …and mix that with a sweet romance and you have a laugh a minute experience.

Honestly, just take an hour sit back and dive right in for some much needed laughter this holiday season. And maybe lower you head in embarrassment when you recognize yourself from your own desperate search for that must have toy that everyone else is after too.

Hot Toy is funny, charming and simply a slice of good old fashioned much needed Christmas cheer. Go ahead and enjoy, you deserve it.

Sit back, grab a hot chocolate and indulge yourself in some fun, magical stories as you get ready for your own Christmas magic this year.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*

I have previously reviewed two of these stories and parts of those reviews were used here.

Available in paperback and for the Kindle