Road to Gingerbread Grove

Holiday Rivals, Book 2

De: Kimberly Hanson

Narrado por: Lisa Lynn Sandlin, James Blackmore

Can an elf save Christmas?

Avery

I love being an elf. No, really, that’s my job title. Head elf at C.O.C.O.A., where we make Christmas wishes come true for those who would otherwise do without. It means that I get to live and breathe Christmas all year long.

While coming home from an elf convention, I find myself single, stranded, and dressed like I just escaped the North Pole. That’s when I use my elfy charms to get a handsome stranger to let me tag along when he snags the last rental car and just happens to be heading my way.

It’s then I find that I can rescue him just like he’s doing for me. It might not be with Santa’s magic or a sleigh, but rather by helping him in his Christmas-loving hometown by pretending to be his girlfriend for the Yuletide Games. Now, I find myself immersed in a Survivor-style holiday competition that may test more than just my elf abilities, but also my heart.

Matthew

I promised myself I would never go back to my hometown of Gingerbread Grove, and I’ve been able to keep that promise for almost ten years. But after a call from my mom, I find myself booked on the next plane there.

Next thing I know, my flight is cancelled, I have to drive five hours in the pitch black during a snowstorm, and I find myself stuck with Avery, a hitchhiking elf.

While I cringe at all of the over-the-top Christmas requirements of the town, I find myself in the Christmas I used to love, all through my happy-go-lucky elf, who seems to find joy in pushing me outside of my comfort zone.

But when the darker side of the town starts to emerge, rumours are spread, and secrets are revealed, putting everything we’ve worked so hard for in jeopardy, including my not-so-fake feelings for my little elf.

Road to Gingerbread Grove is a full-length standalone book within the Holiday Rivals series. This is a closed-door, kisses-only romantic comedy.

©2024 Kimberly Hanson (P)2025 Kimberly Hanson

As sweet and cozy as a gingerbread house!

This is the cutest Christmas romance between an elf (her day job) and an anxious but dashing computer geek. I loved the rivalry with the mayor and his wife, the wacky Christmas games that felt like an episode of Survivor, the mystery to be solved, and the faith references. Lisa and James deliver stellar performances, making Gingerbread Grove come alive. Grab yourself a mug of honey oat gingerbread latte and curl up for a sweet listen!

Holiday fake dating

This book was well done and appreciated the dual narration . It’s like a hallmark movie come to life. What happens when you hitch a ride with a stranger and then end up fake dating. This was a cute romance about coming back to town and town secrets

Meant to meet

A really lovely Christmas romance with mystery and intrigue.
I loved the way this story started and as it proceeded it just got better.
Avery and Matthew met unexpectedly and end up sharing a rental car together, the conversations on the road trip stilted at first and then becoming fun.
Both having had terrible break up experiences Avery offers to help out Matthew once he gets home to Gingerbread Cove.
This is where this sweet kisses only fake relationship story, potentially leads to more.
With a town set on competitive Christmas games the couple find themselves caught up in all the fun and chaos that it involves.
Plus the more time they spend together they really start to like each other.
Can they work out why there are strange things happening in this little town or do they leave it for others to work out?
Will Avery and Matthew leave their past hurts behind and allow their feelings to grow?
An excellent storyline with some really great characters plus a few mean ones as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this Christmas story which was narrated by Lisa Lynn Sandlin and James Blackmore, their performances were fun and kept me engaged.

fun listen

Audiobook Review - Narrated by Lisa Lynn Sandlin and James Blackmore

- 1st person, Dual POV (Matthew & Avery
- romantic comedy
- kisses only romance
- Series: Holiday Rivals, Book 2

Road to Gingerbread Grove was an ALC Audiobook listen for me and I really enjoyed it. The narrators were fantastic and did a really great job bringing the main characters to life. It's always so much easier to connect with the story and characters in an audiobook when you have good narrators who can draw you in.

The story itself was so sweet and fun. I loved that there was also a little side mystery to solve. My interest was held the entire way through and I ended up falling in love with this little world full of holiday antics and lovable characters.

I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR for the season. While you're doing that, I'll be adding the rest of Kimberly's books to mine.

Perfect Holiday Story

This is technically book 2 but can be enjoyed in any order. Here we join Avery and Matthew in Gingerbread Grove. Avery is a Christmas loving “elf” (No this isn’t a fantasy book, Avery just loves Christmas and works as an elf at C.O.C.O.A where they make wishes come true. Matthew isn’t so Christmas obsessed, though his hometown of Gingerbread Grove is. He now must return home where his parents require his help. And his ex-girlfriend is now married to the mayor. This is a fake dating trope story and so well done as the chemistry between Avery and Matthew are perfect. This festive little town has an adorable holiday competition that is couples only and very competitive. This feel good Christmas tale has humor, joy, cuteness, and some mystery tossed in at just the right time.

🎄Narration Review: The narration is a dual narration. We get to enjoy the animation and excitement Lisa brings to the story for all of Avery’s POV’s and we also get Matthew’s POV through James narration. I’m not always a huge lover of male narrators, nothing against them their voices are just often rougher and deeper than I prefer. That being said James voice has a softness that while still is masculine it also complements Lisa’s voice perfectly. I fully enjoyed listening to Lisa and James work in tandem to bring this adorably cute Christmas story to life.