NOEL I WON'T brings all the Christmas cheer in this holiday romance. A big city chef returns to his hometown and finds a lot of reasons to stay, including the boy he used to have a crush on in high school.
From the blurb:
When my first head chef gig implodes and I find out my dad has a health crisis, I go home for the holidays.
Only to find the lovable farmboy next door has moved in.
He's helping my parents run our family's Christmas tree farm. Has moved into my house. Has seemingly *replaced* me.
He may be gorgeous and a hard worker and even sweet when he wants to be, but I can't step aside for him. Can't let my parents continue to struggle with the farm.
Not even when we find new life for the farm--and for me as a chef.
Not even when Hopper warms my bed every night.
I might be falling in love--with Hopper, with my hometown, with a life I could never envision when I was eighteen and desperate to leave. But I vowed long ago that I'd never be happy in small-town Nebraska.
But when Hopper asks me not to leave him, what can I say except...
Noel I Won't.
Molly Otto's review:
Absolutely adored all the cameos from all of DJ worlds to see each of these couples come together in this fun holiday read! Noel got out of his hometown to pursue his dream of being a chef and be safely out in the open. Hopper has taken over helping the Griswold farm in Noel's absence and with his return the tension is thick. These two men never knew each other in high school, so didn't really actually see who they really were. With the holidays in full swing these two are able to see the real person and cannot help but find their home. The dynamics of the family along with all the side characters leaves you smiling with this beautiful addition to this years holidays line up. When I heard Christmas Falls wasn't returning for a third season, it was nice to see DJ kept on with the tradition in their own way with this story. Seriously though all the cameos eep gives you that big magical holiday hug you want during this time of the year.
SNik's review:
Holiday standalone. Small town. Former classmates. Found family. Dual POV.
Holiday standalone. Small town. Former classmates. Found family. Dual POV.
Noel returns home after losing his job as a head chef in the big city, only to feel replaced by the boy next door that has been working and living on Noel’s family tree farm. Hopper can’t help his attraction to the spitfire Noel, but knows Noel will be leaving soon, and why wouldn’t the talented chef have bigger dreams than staying in Nebraska.
This story has many elements of discovering what you took for granted, making new dreams and plans, finding comfort and family in familiar places, and realizing that an unexpected love may be the connection you need for long term happiness. I enjoyed all the moments between Hopper and Noel, from their butting heads to lusting after each other to falling in love. Hopper and Noel appreciate and support each other in their hard work and dedication to the Grisold family farm. For fans of this author there are a ton of fun cameos from the author’s other series, and plenty of holiday traditions that really bring the feeling the joy of the holidays.
Angel's review:
I always look forward to all of the holiday releases this time of year, and there are a few authors in particular who I know are going to have great holiday stories. And DJ is definitely one of those to look forward to!
Noel and Hopper have a rocky start but eventually, overtime, they slowly warm up to each other and realize things aren't always as they seem. Noel is currently unemployed after the restaurant he ran closed down, seeing as how he hasn't been home in over a decade he decided to go home just for a few weeks... Or so he thought.
Hopper's family used to run their own farm when he was a kid, but after his mom passed away and his dad turned to alcohol, Noel's family took him in. Gave him a purpose, a home, and a family. If only their fancy chef son would come home and visit... Except, when the prodigal son does return home, Hopper has to deal with feeling like an outsider and inadequate... Turns out, one conversation and lots of flirting can change everything.
In the beginning, Hopper and Noel definitely have an enemies to lovers vibe going on, these two could not stand each other at the start. Thankfully as time went on and they spent more time with each other, they started realizing that they might not hate each other as much as they thought. In fact, they quite like each other!
I loved where this story took place, what's more Christmas-y than a Christmas Tree farm?? And I loved how Noel was so passionate about hosting different Christmas events so families could create memories that would last for years. Plus, all the delicious descriptions of food was also enjoyable to read about!
I liked the slow burn between these two, there wasn't any insta-love which I appreciated. I enjoyed how these two men got to know each other gradually, nothing felt rushed or forced, the pacing just made everything feel smooth and natural.
The characters themselves were great! Especially the side characters!! We got appearances from characters that are apart of several of DJ's other series, which was so fun!! I loved all the nods to other series and the appearances from familiar characters, that just added a whole other magical element to the story. A wonderful holiday book!!
Heather's Review:
This is a neighbours/rivals to lovers story that just makes you want to smile... set on Noel's family Christmas Tree farm, where Hopper has taken on much of the workload, jealousy and sparks fly as Noel returns home after losing his job as head chef of a prestigious restaurant and feels slighted by how Hopper has fit into his family's life...
Their chemistry is off the charts, DJ Jamison's trademark banter and just the right amount of tension make this an enjoyable read that feels like the story is just shy of slow burn status before it turns up the heat!
Adorable small town setting, lots of great interactions with characters from previous series and a truly memorable holiday story!
Noel I Won't is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
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