YOURS FOR CHRISTMAS is book 15.5 in Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold series, following UNTIL WE TOUCH. I think readers new to this series would still be able to enjoy this delightful Christmas romance because Susan Mallery does a great job establishing who the main characters are and what their relationship is. However, as a longtime fan of the series and having looked forward to this story, I think reading the past few books provides a slightly richer reading experience. Even though YOURS FOR CHRISTMAS is only a novella, it feels like a very satisfying resolution to the storyline involving Kenny and Bailey, and doesn't feel unfinished or rushed in any way.

For the past few books in this Fool's Gold series, it's been evident that former NFL player Kenny Scott and single mom Bailey Voss have developed an attraction to each other. The problem is that, after being badly burned in the past, Kenny refuses to become romantically involved with a single mother. Susan Mallery does a wonderful job of making Kenny a sympathetic character. His reasons for his behavior are completely understandable and reveal his vulnerability. He's afraid of getting too close, only to have the mother walk away with the child, leaving him with an extreme sense of loss. I like that he is completely honest with Bailey about his reasons for trying to keep his distance from her. I hate stories in which the hero says insulting things to the heroine in order to push her away for her own good. Kenny's honesty is a refreshing change.

I like the story being told from both points of view. Like Kenny, Bailey comes across as a very sympathetic character. She is a sweet woman who is educating herself and trying to create a better life for her and her daughter. She seems very real because she always puts her daughter first, but she also realizes that she has needs of her own. I like that she's not bitter or a whiner. The romance between Kenny and Bailey is both very sweet and full of sexual tension. I loved the exquisite torture of waiting for them to finally get together.

YOURS FOR CHRISTMAS is a tender romance between two people who deserve a happy ending. The supporting characters, like Bailey's daughter Chloe and Kenny's buddies, make great additions to the overall story. Susan Mallery shows yet again why Fool's Gold is such a fan favorite fictional town. The town itself is another character in the story. The sense of community in YOURS FOR CHRISTMAS adds to the warm, fuzzy Christmas glow. I look forward to next installment in this always fabulous series by Susan Mallery.

Book Summary

Step out of the winter chill and into the warmth of Fool's Gold, California, the charming small-town setting for a new holiday novella from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery

Famous former NFL stars don't date single working moms like Bailey Voss. She'll allow herself to daydream about Kenny Scott's muscles and killer smile, but wanting more would lead to post-holiday regret. Then Kenny volunteers to run a toy drive with Bailey, and she learns that he's not just hot…he's also generous, funny, nice. The whole package—tantalizingly out of reach.

The ache of past loss reminds Kenny why he needs to avoid getting too close to anyone. Especially to a gorgeous redhead and her adorable little girl. Mess it up, and he'd lose them both. Yet Kenny can only resist Bailey for so long. And as festive spirit spreads throughout the town, he's all wrapped up in Bailey's sweet, sexy kisses and determined to make this the first of many Christmases together…