A Wolf is not Just for Christmas by J.F. Holland

A Wolf is not Just for Christmas Reviews

• 
  Linda Rea

  This a such a sweet Christmas story! Syd lost everything and Christmas just was a bad memory so every year she would spend two weeks away at her cabin in the woods. Riley was her boss at the firm and he knew from the start that she was his mate but she avoided him like the plague until she was guilted into going to the work Christmas party and he kissed her under the mistletoe. Once in the comfort of her cabin safely hid away she finds she is stuck there with no phone or car but a howling causes her to find an injured wolf and she has to depend on herself to help him but maybe he is really helping her. This story was funny sweet and sometimes so sad but the spirit of magic and Christmas made this a perfect holiday read.
• 
  Rhonda

  I loved this story and felt so bad for Syd but at the same time, I really wanted to reach through the book and just shake her. Riley knows she is his mate but she doesn't do Christmas because it reminds her of everything she lost. Can Riley give her good memories to replace the bad ones? Loved it and I highly recommend this book!
• 
  Shannon

  Cute fun shifter romance. Narrator on audible was good too.
• 
  Angie Hackett

  Dud
  
  I tried with this book. I really did. It just didn’t hit that sweet spot for me.
  
  The beginning was a bit limp, the middle was almost sweet and the ending was a bit generic. Syd was interesting to a point but her insecurities got a bit much by the end. Riley was ok but his ego was to large for me. The use of ‘joy stick’ and ‘Mr Happy’ had my eyes rolling so much that I caught a glimpse of another dimension. The writing style was a little off too, and really could have done with a better proofreader.
  
  I wasn’t sure if this author was British and trying to appeal to an American audience with the use of pants for trousers and panties instead of knickers, or if she was American trying to be British. Either way the whole story stunk of trying to feel like America. I mean no offence by this. It’s just either make the story feel one way or another.
  
  I really ended up just feeling frustrated by this book.
• 
  Rosie Chapel

  Thank goodness, Ms Holland has taken me back to Lower Lunaton (well almost) for Christmas. We meet Sydney, a young woman bound up in grief, who wants nothing more than to retreat to her cabin for Christmas. Her friend persuades her to go to Liaisons for their office Christmas party, where she is kissed under the mistletoe by the dangerously attractive Riley, a man she tries to avoid at all costs. Syd's reaction freaks her out and she flees. Thinking she is safe at her cabin, Syd, although perplexed that a wolf (are there still wolves roaming the wilds of England??) has been trapped by a vicious snare... rescues the injured creature, taking it to her cabin where she tends its wounds, completely unaware that there is more going on than meets the eye.
  A captivating tale about two people who have known heartache and terrible loss, who are afraid, or unwilling, to open their hearts and risk them being broken all over again. A Wolf is not Just for Christmas is funny, sassy, poignant and heartwarming. If you enjoy a riveting paranormal story - this is the perfect tail (yep, I did it again) for Christmas.
  Easy 5 stars!
• 
  Joshua Griffith

  A wonderful shifter story with several twists
  
  A wonderful read and perfect love story for the holidays. At first, I didn't realize that it was a shifter story so I was pleasantly surprised. The story revolves around Syd, who lost he parents and fiancee around Christmas time. Three years pass and she refuses to be with any one and hides during the holidays in a secluded cabin. Riley her boss has his eyes set on her and with one kiss under the mistletoe, he discovers that Syd is his mate. She freaks and runs because of her guilt of betraying her dead ex so a matchmaker vampire intervened by hexing Riley. There's plenty of drama, heartache and humor to keep you intrigued and wanting to learn more. No spoilers but I can say you enjoy it. I highly recommend this one!
• 
  Spunky N Sassy

  Spunky N Sassy Rating: 5.0
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~Julie's ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
  
  This book was fabulous. Syd doesn’t like Christmas at all. Her world was ripped apart 3 years ago and she has become a woman without a life. She works but that’s about it. Riley has known Syd is his special one for a long time. When he kisses her at the company party, everything goes haywire. With the help of magic, these two are put in a situation that will bring them closer. Syd think she has lost her mind but in truth she has found her world if she will only let herself have some happiness. Excellent writing with a storyline that will make your heart melt.
• 
  Sally Wareham

  Fantastic christmas story.
  After loosing everything she loved Syd never celebrated christmas at all ..all reminded her of was her loss so she shut herself off from the world. Then along
  Comes along Riley Carter a shifter who unbeknown to syd also lost his family. Can she move on from her loss and be happy or will her fear and guilt always get the better....?
  Amazing story with amazing characters including the usual humour and heart felt emotion portraed through the strong characters and storyline.
• 
  Anita Louise

  Even for those who might not usually read this genre, if you're a fan of romance, you'll enjoy JF Holland's, "A Wolf is not Just for Christmas."
  
  Dealing with the loss of loved ones has a dramatic effect on a person's life. Syd's way of dealing with tragedy is to escape to a mountain cottage where she can be alone with her grief. Even though it's been two years since losing her fiancé & her parents, the pain still holds Sydney in its grip.
  
  Finding herself attracted to her boss, Riley Carter, simply fuels her guilt. It is only under the cover of Riley's shifter identity that he is able to finally connect with the woman he knows is his mate.
  
  What happens once Sydney learns Riley's true identity brings the reader to a satisfying conclusion.
  
• 
  Lindsay Crook

  I absolutely adored this Christmas story and loved that it was set around the fictitious town that JF Hollands PNR series are based in..
  Filled with her usual sassy humor but mixed with the sadness of loss and loneliness we meet Syd and Riley two lonely hearts in need of each other and the meddlesome Selena that pushes it to happen..I laughed and got a little teary but loved every page.
• 
  Sadie Forsythe

  2.5, round up
  
  I think whether people like this book or not will come down to personal tastes.The characters are likeable and the writing is readable. Watching Syd unthaw was sweet. It even has the requisite "It's a Christmas miracle" ending. But I can't help looking back at it and recognizing that the two characters who are supposed to be fated mates almost literally don't speak for the whole book. What kind of romance is that?The reader doesn't get to see them fall in love AT ALL.
  
  He's a wolf and she doesn't know he's a shifter. So, while he may have gotten to observe her, she didn't have the same opportunities. They didn't get to know one another even a little bit, even by the end of the book. There was no spark between them because there was almost literally no them for there to be a spark between.
  
  The only sex scene happens while she is asleep (consent issues anyone?) and there is no build up to it. And then when he finally was human again, he stormed off in a petty huff before she'd even had time to get her head around the existence of shifters. It was absurd. Lastly, I didn't see any reason why, after Syd idolizing her dead fiance for the whole book, the author would then go and undermine the importance of their relationship at the end.
  
  I have to address the narrator too. He did a fine job. But, in my opinion, he was the completely wrong narrator for the book. For one, the book's main character is female. So, why was a male narrating her story? It created a lot of unnecessary distance between the reader/listener and her. Secondly, he sounds like an older man. (I don't know if he actually is, only that he sounded like he is.) Which means it felt like having my dad read a sex scene to me.
  
  All in all, this wasn't a winner for me. But there is a heartfelt message here about grief and moving on. So, I think the book will find an audience. I'm afraid I just wasn't it.
• 
  Dorothea Lynne

  Such an incredible, compelling read. The author has a unique way of touching on some subjects we all deal with. Such a different kind of romance that will keep you on your toes...or paws (insert wink here). I highly recommend this wonderful book.
• 
  Anmarie

  A reasonably quick, festive paranormal romance.
  The plot was ok. There were some really good aspects that made me laugh or empathise with Sid/Riley and it has a lot of potential.
  I liked it still though, it was a good standalone for a quick read.
• 
  Julie Jackson

  Reviewed for SNS
  
  This book was fabulous. Syd doesn’t like Christmas at all. Her world was ripped apart 3 years ago and she has become a woman without a life. She works but that’s about it. Riley has known Syd is his special one for a long time. When he kisses her at the company party, everything goes haywire. With the help of magic, these two are put in a situation that will bring them closer. Syd think she has lost her mind but in truth she has found her world if she will only let herself have some happiness. Excellent writing with a storyline that will make your heart melt.
• 
  C.A. King

  Would you try to help an injured wolf if you found one - alone in the wild? That's exactly what Syd does! I feel as if there should be a don't try this at home warning somewhere - that scenario might not play out the same in real life!
  
  It's an interesting story from there with a touch of shifter magic and love.
  
  
• 
  Mary Roya

  A Wolf is not
  
  Great love story. I like how the story held my interest. I liked how the heroine could see the animals in the people she saw. Great ending.