Naughty-ish by L.B. Dunbar [Review]

Naughty-ish (Holiday HOTTIES #2) by L.B. Dunbar
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: December 22, 2023

Holiday HOTTIES
1. Scrooge-ish
2. Naughty-ish - Paperback | Kindle
3. Grouch-ish

L.B. Dunbar
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

With the name Holliday, you’d think I’d be all about the Christmas season. Most years, I am, but this one not so much. Between my ex being a real Scrooge-in-the-backside, re-entering the workforce, wrangling my two children, and evading my eight-year-old’s questions about Santa’s existence, I’m struggling to believe in the magic myself.

Enter Nick, my next-door neighbor. My very hot, single, fireman neighbor. He’s full of the seasonal spirit from hanging my outdoor Christmas lights to playing Santa for the local church breakfast.

Funny thing about Nick, he kind of resembles the man in red, in a younger, sexier, silver fox way, complete with snow in his beard but rather tight abs suggesting cookies are not part of his diet when they are a staple of mine.

Anywho, he’s sweet in a rugged sense, and if he were the man making a list and checking it twice, I’d like to be in his naughty column. Because something tells me being a little naughty-ish with Nick from next door might bring me tidings of comfort and restore my joy in this season.

When he discovers I have a seasonal list myself, he’s determined to help me accomplish all the to-dos, only falling in love with my next-door neighbor wasn’t one of them.

Thoughts on Naughty-ish: A lady who's having a tough time finding her Christmas spirit and a man who is almost overflowing with it. Okay, I might be exaggerating a little. Nick definitely has the spirit and he's definitely happy to help Holliday find hers, but overflowing? Ehh. Maybe there's a little overflow.

Anywho. Holli is struggling as she reenters the workforce, has to single-parent her kiddos (given how flaky her ex is), and is pinching peenies to give her kids some sort of Christmas that won't totally blow. Her sexy as heck neighbor is on her radar as someone to eyeball when he's working outside shirtless, but she doesn't think she has anything to offer him what with all her baggage.

BOY IS SHE WRONG.

Because Nick? He likes the sassy lady next door more with every one of their interactions. Soon he's helping her cross items off her (sort of private) seasonal list like a man on a mission.

A handy next door neighbor, an ex who isn't great at playing dad, some seasonally appropriate outings, and a lady who falls and falls hard for the fireman next door. GOOD TIMES.