Review: Big Nick Energy

Big Nick Energy by Kristen Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kay is a librarian in North London who also has a side business writing children's stories. Whilst browsing in Covent Garden antiques stalls for Christmas presents for her parents and Nana she runs into Nick, the boy she dated in college eight years ago, the boy who dumped during a pub quiz at Christmas out of the blue.

Despite initial misgivings, after Nick apologises profusely, Kay and Nick start sort of dating. They still have great chemistry, he's proper grown-up with a job in finance and a swanky flat, he still finds her funny. Everything is screaming that this could be a second-chance romance with potential, Nick is even saying long-term type things. He is too good to be true so Kay nicknames him Saint Nick.

Then when visiting her best friend at her temporary place of work (an upmarket Christmas tree farm) where she works as an elf, after a boozy party with Nick's work goes awry, Kay accidentally gets dragged into the Christmas tree netting machine and needs to be rescued by her friend's boss, the grumpy Nick North, who just happens to be dressed as Father Christmas. Santa Nick, as Kay refers to him, might be grumpy but there is also a frisson of something when he attends to the gash in her knee.

Now Kay has two Nicks in her life. Saint Nick wines and dines her, takes her on special dates, and talks about long-term plans. Santa Nick doesn't seem to understand any of Kay's jokes, but he is unfailingly kind to small children and the elderly. Saint Nick seems a little embarrassed that Kay works in a library and writes children's books, when he introduces her to his colleagues he says she works in publishing. Santa Nick might be breathtakingly beautiful but he hasn't done anything to suggest that is attracted to Kay.

How will she decide which Nick is right for her?

I generally love Kristen Bailey's books, although they can verge on the slapstick at times. After requesting this book, I got cold feet, mainly because of the title I think, and didn't get around to reading it. Also for some odd reason I thought there were three Nicks involved.

Anyway, loved it. Wonderful feel-good holiday romance. The love triangle is resolved carefully and kindly. No-one had to act out of character or throw a wobbly. All's well that ends well.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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