Susan's Review of A Dash of Christmas by Samantha Chase

With a dash of Christmas magic...


Two people who have spent most of their lives being rivals... Learn a little something about following their hearts...

Carter Montgomery broke the family mold when he went to culinary school. Now a successful restauranteur, he's at a crossroads: should he continue on his successful path or look for a new challenge? What he needs is time alone to think things through. But his matchmaking family has other ideas...

Emery Monaghan's no-good fiancé has embroiled her in scandal and she needs a way out. When mentor Eliza Montgomery offers her a refuge, she's relieved―until she realizes that the deal means rubbing elbows with Eliza's son Carter―Emery's childhood nemesis


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A Dash of Christmas is Carter Montgomery and Emery Monaghan’s enemies to friends to lovers story! Loved the characters backstory-they were childhood rivals-and how Eliza Montgomery’s holiday cookbook project brought them together.

Emery learns that her politician boyfriend has been cheating on her. To add to her humiliation, he has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior. By employing this current events storyline, the author makes Emery a relatable heroine. Everyone understands being disappointed by friend or lover but, Emery has been embarrassed beyond belief. Eliza Montgomery offers Emery the perfect place to regroup and hide out from the media; her family’s condo in New York City and enlists her help in a charity project.

Eliza knows that her son Carter,who is helping her with the cookbook, is scheduled to stay at the condo. Eliza makes sure Carter and Emery are at the condo at the same time—she’s learned a lot about matchmaking from her sister- in -law! Sparks fly when the couple realizes they are both working on the same project!

I loved the dynamic between Carter and Emery—they are total opposites and their conversations are fabulous. Samantha Chase is an excellent storyteller—Emery and Carter’s story draws the reader in from the first chapter. Loved that famous chef Carter was appalled that Emery’s breakfast choice was chocolate pop tarts—I could imagine his expression- and that Emery nudged him by saying that grape jelly was her favorite fruit. Carter loved creating his fancy ingredient meals from scratch while Emery had no problem eating frozen pizza!

As Carter and Emery spend time together working on the cookbook-their mutual attraction sizzles and it’s such fun to have them fall in love while arguing about gouda, pop tarts and kettle corn! Their visons of a holiday meal are totally opposite; Carter wanted to create a fancy over the top meal while Emery wanted to eat a traditional turkey dinner with stuffing and mashed potatoes and a few cookies for dessert. Loved that Carter got Emery to try different foods and that Emery’s idea of simple, comfort foods resonated and inspired Carter.

A Dash of Christmas brings the west coast Montgomerys to New York for a mock Christmas dinner comprised of recipes from the cookbook. Loved that Emery spent time with Meghan, Summer, Gabriella and Maylene. Carter and Emery’s story has all the feels—it’s a heartwarming celebration of family, food and love. I am sad that my favorite series has ended and loved that Ms. Chase gave the Montgomery family a perfect Christmas card ending!

Thank you Samantha for writing a fabulous series! I loved William Montgomery and his charming, over the top, matchmaking schemes, adored Gina and Mac, related to Summer, Maylene and Ethan’s romance and cheered for Zach to recover and realize that Gabriella was his perfect match! Megan and Alex’s story will always be special to me—it’s my comfort read. This series is a fan favorite because everyone needs a little magic in their life!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the Author