A harried single-mom baker. A lost soul playing Santa. A Christmas Eve crash neither saw coming.

When enterprising baker-to-the-stars Anna bumps into an infuriatingly and possibly, maybe, slightly handsome Santa, their accidental meeting is anything but cute. Crumbs fly, tempers flare, and dreams deflate faster than a falling soufflé as Anna races to fix the orders for her VIP clients -- including one of the potential angel investors for her coveted second shop.

More than anything, James just wants to get to the children's hospital Christmas party on time to fulfill a longtime promise and make it through the next two hours—without his defensive walls crumbling.

Obstacles mount as the clock ticks toward the investors' Christmas Eve gala Anna must attend if she has any hope of fulfilling her business dream. But spending an afternoon together in the tiny, is-it-hot-in-here-or-is-it-just-me back room of her bakery with James reveals more in common than just delicious chemistry.

Over the span of only a single day, Anna and James help each other begin to heal deep wounds, but responsibility, loss, and emotional scars weigh heavy. Can two strangers who have sworn off relationships find the courage to unwrap the midlife gift of a second chance?

Sprinkled with humor and dusted with spice, the realistic characters in this low-conflict Christmas romance explore what it means to face heartbreak, follow dreams, and discover precious connections to the past where—and when—we least expect them. A contemporary holiday romance novel with cozy vibes and a touch of Christmas magic -- smart, funny, tender, and quietly sexy, this heartfelt, character-driven story is a slice-of-life treat.

Content notes

This novel is based on and significantly expanded from the author's previously published short story, "Santa and Anna," part of the California Dreams Christmas Romance Collection.
Dual point of view (POV)
Mature themes but low steam; no open doors.
Includes themes of past infidelity (secondary character), grief over (past) loss of a child and a parent, and terminal illness of a minor character.

Editorial reviews

"If you've ever sat alone on Christmas Eve with a cup of cocoa and thought about the mess and magic of life, this book will hit home. It's warm, hopeful, and just a little bit magical, the way the best holiday stories always are." -Literary Titan

"Sugar, spice, and everything nice are the main ingredients in this cozy holiday romance….[Blaine's] true strength is balancing Anna and James's perspectives and respective emotional journeys." -Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize

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