No Ordinary Christmas by Belle Calhoune | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Mistletoe, Maine, is buzzing and not just because Christmas is around the corner! Dante West, local cutie-turned-Hollywood hunk, is returning home to make his next movie. Everyone in town is excited . . . except librarian Lucy Marshall. When Dante took off for LA without warning—or even a goodbye—he broke Lucy’s heart. She swore not to spend one more minute thinking about her ex, but Dante makes an offer Lucy’s struggling library can’t refuse: a major donation to film on-site.

Dante is thrilled to help boost his hometown’s economy and finally begin making amends to the people he hurt years ago when he left, starting with Lucy. But seeing his former best friend on set every day feels a lot less like closure and more like a fresh start. It’s one thing for Dante to fall for Lucy all over again, quite another for a famous movie star and a small-town librarian to find lasting romance. Can the magic of the holiday season give Lucy and Dante’s first love a second chance?

Why Did I Listen To No Ordinary Christmas by Belle Calhoune?

When I saw No Ordinary Christmas by Belle Calhoune pop up as one of the request audiobook options for Hachette Audio, I KNEW I had to listen. I am such a big fan of Christmas themed romances. Plus, this would be the second Christmas themed romance I’ve listened to featuring two Black leads. For me, it is so important to read and support BIPOC authors. Additionally, the concept really pulled my attention too!

What’s The Story Here?

Set in Mistletoe, Maine No Ordinary Christmas stars Dante West who is a movie star. He grew up in Mistletoe and then left after high school, rarely to return. Lucy Marshall is the local librarian. She also grew up in Mistletoe. Once, Lucy and Dante were the best of friends. Then, something more. That is, until Dante left for Hollywood without a glance back at Lucy. When Dante arrives back in town and proposes using the library as a movie set in exchange for a generous donation to the library which really needs the money — Lucy just has to get through it. As it turns out though, seeing Dante again and frequently, stirs up old feelings.

How Did I Like No Ordinary Christmas?

No Ordinary Christmas by Belle Calhoune was the perfect book to start the season with. I found that I really liked Lucy and Dante individually. Dante is trying to make up to Lucy for essentially abandoning her in the past. And well, you all know how I am such a sucker for a second chance romance trope. I loved that the happily ever after is truly earned. Additionally, the way that Lucy and Dante rebuild and regain trust is very well written. I appreciated how this book was plotted as well as the character development. Also the setting is just perfect.

@aprilbooksandwine

#Inverted thanks @hachetteaudio @readforeverpub #MakeABunchHappen #smallbooktoker #momsofbooktok

♬ Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Michael Bublé

How’s The Narration?

The audiobook of No Ordinary Christmas is narrated by Tre Hall and Mela Lee. It is eight hours and forty six minutes. Both Hall and Lee were new to me narrators. I felt like their voices worked very well for the story – for Lucy and Dante. This audiobook was so easy to listen to and be carried away with. The dual narration worked so well – particularly as the book is also written from both Lucy and Dante’s perspectives. Although Christmas may be over as I am writing this, I think that this is a book you can pick up each year to get into the holiday mood – and especially listen to.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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