bureau-of-holiday-affairs-by-andi-marquetteThe Bureau of Holiday Affairs by Andi Marquette is a fantastic romance for the holiday season. The third installment in Ylva’s Twice Told Tales series, it follows Robin Preston, a business executive secure in her role as a corporate shark following years of backstabbing her way up the ladder.

After filling out the paperwork for two employees to be let go right before Christmas, Robin is visited by Agent Elizabeth Tolson from the Bureau of Holiday Affairs who has a warning for her. It’s time to change her ways if she wants to redeem herself, and three visitors are coming to help. Agent Tolson has her doubts about Robin, having begun her road into “asshole-ness” following the death of her mother, and her girlfriend Jill breaking up with her in college, but hey—it’s a retelling of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Maybe even the most irredeemable jerk can make it.

The Characters

I love the characters in this book. Robin really is an asshole at the beginning, as she often notes, but her journey is incredible, even if she’s practically kicking and screaming her way through it. Jill is sweet and sexy and knows who she is in a way she couldn’t in college, and I particularly appreciated how she supports Robin with advice we could all use sometimes.

The three visitors. Oh my. I don’t want to spoil anything, but the author’s interpretation of the three ghosts isn’t to be missed.

The Writing Style

This is a very fun book that moves at a good clip. Almost all of it is from Robin’s perspective, and that works well, with her personality infused throughout.

The Pros

Everything? Seriously though, the pacing is good, the characters are fun, and I love a character reformation story done well, so this worked for me. It also has one of the sweetest love scenes I’ve ever seen.

The Cons

I can’t think of anything.

The Conclusion

I’ve been on a tear through a bunch of holiday lesrom stories lately, and if you only read one, this is the one to pick. It’s funny and sweet and fun and a great second chance story. I’ll be reading this again next year.

Excerpt from The Bureau of Holiday Affairs by Andi Marquette

“I didn’t order a limo—” Had Cynthia been spying on her? Was this one of her scenarios?

“Not consciously, no.” He tipped his hat and motioned toward the car. “Lady Magnolia will see you now.”

Robin stared. What the hell was this?

“Come on, sugar,” said a voice from inside the limo. “Getting a cab in this city is impossible.”

Robin stooped slightly to see who was in the car. An absolutely stunning woman smiled at her. She carried the kind of glamor Hollywood had fifty years ago, and she wore a form-fitting red evening dress with matching gloves that made her look as if she was about to host the Oscars. The white stole around her neck added a nice touch.

The driver smiled, encouraging. “We’re here for Robin Anne Preston,” he said. “Date of birth June 15, 1978.”

Robin stared at him and her chest tightened. “Oh, no. Hell, no. This is the last thing I need tonight.”

“Which is why you need to sit your cute, little, lesbian ass in this car,” said Lady Magnolia. “Because Mama don’t take no shit. And girl, you better hope I don’t have to get out of this nice warm car to throw you in it.”

 

Get It Online

When you use the links in this review and buy within 24 hours of clicking then we get a small commission that helps us run the site and it costs you nothing extra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Bits and Bobs

 

Note: No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site.