I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was as I expected. Cute cheesy holiday read for when you're in the mood for a light happy book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5–4 stars)
Scroog-ish by L.B. Dunbar is a cozy, slightly steamy holiday second-chance romance that’s perfect for a quick festive read. Eva, a forty-something store manager who hates Christmas, reconnects with Zebb, her high-school fling turned single-dad firefighter, and their chemistry reignites amid holiday chaos. These are mature characters with emotional touches, though sometime's Eva’s grumpiness was a bit much and the rekindled romance a little rushed. Still, it’s heartfelt, fun, and hits that comforting “Hallmark-with-heat” sweet spot.

This was an enjoyable read about a second chance in love and loving Christmas. Eva hates Christmas because of her past and then she sees her high school summer fling again. He's determined to get her back with him but also loving Christmas again. There is some lack of communication that's annoying sometimes. But the cute storyline makes up for it. There are some sad storylines for both of them as well.

A perfect Christmas read. Everything tasted lika a sweet ginger bread cookie while reading this. It has the right spice level for this kind of book and the characters are easy to like.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free eARC. All my opinions are my own.

This was a Christmassy, second chance romance novella which I finished in one sitting.

Eva the Scrooge-ish FMC has major trust and abandonment issues due to her parents and never celebrates Christmas.
Zebb the hot fireman MMC who she hooked up with the summer after high school finished, has reappeared in her life and he’s now a single dad.

I must admit Eva drove me a little crazy. She’s 40 years old and still acting like a kid refusing to celebrate Christmas because of her childhood. I know childhood issues can cause lifelong difficulties but it felt like she wasn’t even trying to process what had happened or move on, she was stuck in a self pity cycle.
They both talk about how important communication is but then don’t talk to each other about important things that could potentially prevent issues.
I did like Zebb though. He was a total sweetheart and everything a girl could wish for. Tam was adorable too.

The style of writing was funny and incredibly cheesy at times. There was around 3 spicy scenes in total, which weren’t too explicit but nicely written.
I liked the pace of this book and at less than 200 pages it was quick and easy to devour.

This was easily a 4 star read for me. I think if Eva wasn’t so frustrating I would have rated it higher. I did enjoy the epilogue though.

Scrooge-ish is a witty, warm, and wonderfully human take on what it means to rediscover joy — in love, in the holidays, and in oneself.

Such a good Christmas romance!
This is my first book by this author and will definitely not be the last.
Really good characters and storyline.
Love the cover for this book.
Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review

I enjoyed reading Scrooge-ish by L.B. Dunbar. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

This novella is much more than a vehicle for the “I hate Christmas” trope. Rather, it is blend of “naughty and nice” with some serious issues – abandonment, maternal demise, birth defects, single parenting, attempted suicide, and death – underpinning the storyline.

Eva Nazar has well-founded reasons for her disillusionment with Christmas. Her life is filled with work and little else until she reluctantly attends a high school reunion and rekindles her relationship with Zebb, an old flame.

Zebb has also had his challenges as a professional NFL player turned firefighter and single father, but he has matured into a sexy, dependable, kind man. The question is whether he can convince Eva to lower her guard and take a second chance on love with him.

There is a sweetness to the story with just the right balance of realism in Eva’s slow transformation in her attitude toward Zebb and Christmas. That is the “nice” part. The “naughty” part is revealed in the graphic descriptions of their intimate encounters – or as Eva self-describes one such event as their “sex-a-thon” in a department store dressing room.

Overall, it was an enjoyable, quick read highlighting romance between two 40-ish people embracing a second chance at love. The surprise was the unexpected explicit sex scenes; if this is not to your liking, you may want to pass on this book (or skip over multiple passages).

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Scrooge-ish by L.B. Dunbar is a heartwarming, midlife holiday romance that reimagines the classic “Scrooge” tale through a modern lens. Eva Nazar, nearly forty and disenchanted with Christmas, finds her carefully guarded heart challenged when a former summer fling reappears—now a charming single father. What follows is a tender, emotional journey of second chances, forgiveness, and rediscovering joy. Dunbar balances humor and heartache beautifully, giving readers a heroine whose cynicism feels real and earned. The holiday backdrop is festive yet grounded, making Eva’s gradual softening feel authentic rather than forced. While the plot follows familiar seasonal romance beats, its emotional honesty and mature perspective set it apart. Scrooge-ish is perfect for readers who love cozy Christmas stories with genuine depth—a reminder that it’s never too late to believe in love, or the magic of the holidays. A feel-good, 4.5-star read.

I loved loved loved this book! I could relate so much to the MC as it hasn’t been the merriest of Christmas’ for me for a long time due to personal reasons health, family, ect it was nice to have a book for someone who doesn’t always feel the holiday spirit yet finds a way to experience joy. The writing was like reading a journal. I can’t wait for more form this author. 10/10

Scrooge-ish is a spicy, snarky, and surprisingly sweet holiday romance that flips the usual festive script. Eva Nazar is a delightfully grumpy FMC with zero patience for Christmas cheer—until a high school reunion throws her back into the orbit of Zebb, her summer fling turned firefighter and single dad. Their chemistry is off the charts (hello, dressing room scene), but it’s the emotional depth and slow thaw of Eva’s icy heart that really shines. I loved seeing two forty-somethings navigate love, regrets, and glittery chaos. If you like your holiday reads with sass, steam, and soul, this one’s a treat!
4/5 stars

I absolutely devoured this book! It was a great second chance romance about a grumpy female character the reunites with the boy she loved in high school. He is now a single dad and sparks definitely fly. Thank you for creating characters in their 40s! It is so refreshing to actually read a romance for characters that have lived a bit of life and are older and wiser, and can be mature about romance. I absolutely love that! Would highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley, LB Dunbar, and Victory Editing Group for allowing me to review this ARC!!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!

Such a cute and cozy Christmas read. Loved the plot and the characters. It was nice to see some growth in the main character. I even enjoyed the secondary characters. Such a great premise. Holiday romances are always a hit for me.

This is spicy and sweet and a little sad. It’s a short read but no insta-love for Eva and Zebb. This is a rekindled affair between two mature adults. I love that they are older

Super cute second chance holiday romance with a different take to the norm, she’s the grump.

Life has brought so many hardships on Eva and Zebb, but Eva doesn’t cope well with the hand she has been dealt. This is a heartwarming story of Zebb and Eva meeting again after 22 years, and Zebb helping Eva as she starts to enjoy the holiday season for the first time in a very long time.

Very sweet second chance . The FMC Eva dose have some issues she needs to work through . I feel like she should have seeked therapy but no she was all of a sudden fine ! Idk ending felt rushed

I love a good holiday romance. I liked that you covered life from being to end with the roller coaster of emotions in between. I love that there is a pregnancy late on cause I am almost 30 so it makes me nervous but knowing it can happen that late even if its in a book gives me comfort.