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A Dickens Holiday Romance #11
Sasha's Secret Santa
After a terrifying incident derails Sasha Charles’ career and confidence, she moves back to her hometown of Dickens to heal, reorganize, and start over.
The only problem? The paralyzing panic attacks that plague her whenever she thinks about going back to nursing. Sasha is mentally, and emotionally stuck, and has no idea how to move forward.
Steve Caldwell is the new Director of Services at Dickens Memorial Hospital. After witnessing her save the life of a local resident in Dorrit’s Diner, he knows Sasha would be perfect for the new trauma center he’s planning. When she refuses his job offer outright, he sets out to change her mind.
But Sasha has thick, protective walls erected around her so Steve must first break through them. With patience and kindness, he does. As the two grow closer, each begin to have second thoughts on what their futures should look like, until idle, small town gossip threatens to derail their budding relationship.
With the imminent arrival of Christmas, will Steve be able to convince Sasha he has her best interests at heart?
The only problem? The paralyzing panic attacks that plague her whenever she thinks about going back to nursing. Sasha is mentally, and emotionally stuck, and has no idea how to move forward.
Steve Caldwell is the new Director of Services at Dickens Memorial Hospital. After witnessing her save the life of a local resident in Dorrit’s Diner, he knows Sasha would be perfect for the new trauma center he’s planning. When she refuses his job offer outright, he sets out to change her mind.
But Sasha has thick, protective walls erected around her so Steve must first break through them. With patience and kindness, he does. As the two grow closer, each begin to have second thoughts on what their futures should look like, until idle, small town gossip threatens to derail their budding relationship.
With the imminent arrival of Christmas, will Steve be able to convince Sasha he has her best interests at heart?
- GenresRomance
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2022
4 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Peggy Jaeger
76 books1,668 followersPeggy Jaeger is an award winning author of contemporary romance.
https://linktr.ee/peggyjaeger
Peggy is a contemporary romance writer who writes #RomComs about #strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them.
#Family and #food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes there is nothing that holds a family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are as real as they are loving, Peggy brings all topics of daily life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she has created the families she wanted as that lonely child.
Her #hobbies include #painting #crafting #scrapbooking and #decoupaging old steamer trucks that she then gives as gifts to her friends
As a lifelong diarist, Peggy caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit her at peggyjaeger.com where she's blogging about life, writing, and stuff that makes her go "What??!" daily.
She's a lifelong and avid #romance reader and writer, is a member of RWA and her local New Hampshire RWA Chapter
https://linktr.ee/peggyjaeger
Peggy is a contemporary romance writer who writes #RomComs about #strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them.
#Family and #food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes there is nothing that holds a family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are as real as they are loving, Peggy brings all topics of daily life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she has created the families she wanted as that lonely child.
Her #hobbies include #painting #crafting #scrapbooking and #decoupaging old steamer trucks that she then gives as gifts to her friends
As a lifelong diarist, Peggy caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit her at peggyjaeger.com where she's blogging about life, writing, and stuff that makes her go "What??!" daily.
She's a lifelong and avid #romance reader and writer, is a member of RWA and her local New Hampshire RWA Chapter
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 7, 2022
Will Christmas bring Sasha healing and love or will she be plagued with guilt forever?
As someone who loves the holidays, I start my holiday romance reading early. Peggy Jaeger is a prolific writer who comes highly recommended. I went in with an open mind and was blown away. This book has everything you could want in a holiday romance.
The characters were engaging and well-written. The human emotion was ingrained in each character, and I quickly became attached. Sasha was a woman after my own heart. I wanted to hold her and tell her it was going to be okay.
The narration was lush with description and emotion. Every detail was stunning and thrust me into the story. I truly reveled in the Christmasy vibe layered throughout the story.
The romance surprised me with its realism and tenderness. The romance unfolded naturally which I savored. Peggy Jaeger allowed the characters to be themselves while stumbling now and again. That kind of romance is my reading jam. I wish other romance authors would do that too.
If you are a hardcore holiday romance reader, you need to kick off your season with this book. Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Sam
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
As someone who loves the holidays, I start my holiday romance reading early. Peggy Jaeger is a prolific writer who comes highly recommended. I went in with an open mind and was blown away. This book has everything you could want in a holiday romance.
The characters were engaging and well-written. The human emotion was ingrained in each character, and I quickly became attached. Sasha was a woman after my own heart. I wanted to hold her and tell her it was going to be okay.
The narration was lush with description and emotion. Every detail was stunning and thrust me into the story. I truly reveled in the Christmasy vibe layered throughout the story.
The romance surprised me with its realism and tenderness. The romance unfolded naturally which I savored. Peggy Jaeger allowed the characters to be themselves while stumbling now and again. That kind of romance is my reading jam. I wish other romance authors would do that too.
If you are a hardcore holiday romance reader, you need to kick off your season with this book. Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Sam
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
October 8, 2022
I can’t imagine doing the high stress job Sasha worked even before the incident that broke her. Steve sees her as the answer to his prayers professionally and also as a desirable woman. But she has panic attacks and jumps to conclusions which threaten their budding romantic relationship. Steve was very understanding about everything. He seemed to put the time into their relationship that he hadn’t with his ex wife. I loved the secret Santa gift ideas and catching up with the rest of the Charles growing extended family.
August 31, 2022
This reviewer is no stranger when it comes to author Peggy Jaeger. Peggy has a distinct way of taking crisis moments in real life and blending them into a whirlwind of emotion and romance—sending her readers right along for the ride. This installment of A Dickens Holiday Romance (Dorrit’s Diner) delivers all you could ever want in a love story. Simpering sweet you won’t get, but those fortunate to read Sasha’s Secret Santa will be delighted. Sasha Charles takes her role as an Emergency Room Trauma nurse seriously. Spending hours on her feet in life changing moments is what she is good at and loves. But one night trying to revive a gunshot victim, her own life is at stake when an armed shooter terrorizes the E.R. Not everyone is fortunate enough to walk away as Sasha does, but she takes with her a crippling PTSD that follows her when she decides to leave the lights of New York to go home for Christmas. Deciding she no longer wants to be a first responder, she takes a waitress job at her mom’s diner. Sasha is satisfied with her new life, but everything begins to fall apart when she meets the new Director of Services at Dicken’s Memorial Hospital.
Steve Caldwell is tired of politics when it comes to patients. He makes the move to Dicken’s, so he won’t have to shred so much red tape when it comes to getting care for the citizens of his new town. He’s looking for someone to take over the E.R, and believes he’s found the right person in Sasha Charles. Her quick thinking during an emergency in the town’s diner makes all the difference in a life or death situation. Yet, she shuts him down when he asks her to come on board at the hospital. Despite her denials she is a nurse, Steve is intrigued, and once he begins to investigate what Sasha is hiding, he becomes personally involved in helping her manage the anxiety plaguing her when it comes to nursing. Sasha wants to believe Steve is not just wooing her to get her to agree to work for him, but she fears that Christmas this year is going to be just as lonely as she thought it would be—regardless of her Secret Santa leaving all sorts of yummy gifts. Will the holiday bring joy or a sack of coal for Sasha? If you want to find out, check out Sasha’s Secret Santa!
Steve Caldwell is tired of politics when it comes to patients. He makes the move to Dicken’s, so he won’t have to shred so much red tape when it comes to getting care for the citizens of his new town. He’s looking for someone to take over the E.R, and believes he’s found the right person in Sasha Charles. Her quick thinking during an emergency in the town’s diner makes all the difference in a life or death situation. Yet, she shuts him down when he asks her to come on board at the hospital. Despite her denials she is a nurse, Steve is intrigued, and once he begins to investigate what Sasha is hiding, he becomes personally involved in helping her manage the anxiety plaguing her when it comes to nursing. Sasha wants to believe Steve is not just wooing her to get her to agree to work for him, but she fears that Christmas this year is going to be just as lonely as she thought it would be—regardless of her Secret Santa leaving all sorts of yummy gifts. Will the holiday bring joy or a sack of coal for Sasha? If you want to find out, check out Sasha’s Secret Santa!
September 7, 2022
I enjoyed revisiting Doritt's Diner.
What I liked.
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: A Dickens Holiday Romance (Dorrit's Diner)
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Michael's?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Booksprout.
What I liked.
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: A Dickens Holiday Romance (Dorrit's Diner)
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Michael's?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Booksprout.
November 7, 2022
Love this story!
Take a nurse with a trauma in her past, a handsome man who works for a hospital, and a small town at Christmas, sprinkle it with a healthy dash of feels and you get Peggy Jaeger’s Sasha’s Secret Santa. Often, holiday themed romances can give you a serious case of diabetes but Jaeger delivers a solid romance with great characters, a compelling storyline, and a more than satisfying HEA, all without the need for insulin. I highly recommend this feel good story. Happy Holidays regardless of when you read it.
Take a nurse with a trauma in her past, a handsome man who works for a hospital, and a small town at Christmas, sprinkle it with a healthy dash of feels and you get Peggy Jaeger’s Sasha’s Secret Santa. Often, holiday themed romances can give you a serious case of diabetes but Jaeger delivers a solid romance with great characters, a compelling storyline, and a more than satisfying HEA, all without the need for insulin. I highly recommend this feel good story. Happy Holidays regardless of when you read it.
October 10, 2022
I absolutely loved this beautifully written story. After a traumatic event at work, Sasha moves back to Dickens and goes to work for her mom, Amy, at Dorrit’s Diner. Sasha is a skilled nurse, but she knows she’ll never work in a hospital again. Luckily her knowledge comes in handy when one morning, Bud Harriman chokes and then collapses in the diner. Sasha springs into action. She saves his life and gives the EMTs her diagnosis before they take him to the hospital. Steve Caldwell, the new Director of Services at Dickens Memorial Hospital, witnesses her in action and is impressed. Sasha and Steve start spending time together and she starts to fall for him. Eventually, she tells him about her traumatic event at the ER in New York. She thought he really cared about her until Kane, an EMT, tells her about the conversation he overheard at the Dickens Memorial Holiday party. Sasha confronts Steve and without letting him get a word in, she breaks things off. Is this the end for them or will a miracle happen and they reconcile? I won’t say what happens, but I will say I loved catching up with the other Charles’ family members and I really hope we’ll get to read Michael’s story in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 13, 2022
A great addition to the series! You're pulled in from the start and can't stop reading until you read the last word. The characters are enjoyable, easy to get to know and realistic. A holiday romance you'll be glad you added to your TBR list.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2022
This is a sweet, small town romance. I enjoyed the storyline and charming characters. Everyone knows everyone else’s business but there’s also a very touching sense of community and caring. It's a perfect Christmas read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 9, 2022
This book was amazing to read. Sasha has returned home because she was going through some emotional issues. She is not even sure that she can return to being a nurse. Steve believes that Sasha is the answer to his prayers for a nurse at his local hospital. Their impending romance does add to some confusion for them. Steve is kind and gentle where Sasha is concerned. He’s a keeper!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 12, 2022
4.5 // Christmasy Hallmark perfection. Sasha moves home after a troubling work incident as a nurse, and takes back her old job at her mom's diner. It's Christmas time in her small town, and though she's close to her family, she feels a little lonely and has those "this isn't where I'm supposed to be in life" thoughts. Enter a new face in town, Steve. He takes an interest in Sasha after he watches her save a man from a heart attack. She's a little wary of him at first, but they slowly become friends by spending time together at town Christmas events and on their own. As the story goes on we see Sasha learn to trust and open up to Steve and see them become a cute couple.
Sasha's family - particularly her adopted mom and sister- were great side characters.
Sasha's family - particularly her adopted mom and sister- were great side characters.
November 13, 2022
Warm and wonderful holiday read
Peggy Jaeger has done it again, with another delightful holiday story that's sure to leave you smiling. Her characters are real and down to earth, strong and sweet at the same time. She weaves the warmth and spirit of the season throughout, making for a truly satisfying Christmas tale, like a Hallmark movie playing out on the page. While the characters appear in other books in this series, this is a standalone story and doesn't need any previous context. However, if you enjoy this tale, I totally recommend checking out the previous books, as well as others by Jaeger, who is always on my auto buy list for her new releases. 5 sparkling Christmas stars for this story and this author.
Peggy Jaeger has done it again, with another delightful holiday story that's sure to leave you smiling. Her characters are real and down to earth, strong and sweet at the same time. She weaves the warmth and spirit of the season throughout, making for a truly satisfying Christmas tale, like a Hallmark movie playing out on the page. While the characters appear in other books in this series, this is a standalone story and doesn't need any previous context. However, if you enjoy this tale, I totally recommend checking out the previous books, as well as others by Jaeger, who is always on my auto buy list for her new releases. 5 sparkling Christmas stars for this story and this author.
November 14, 2022
This was a lovely feel good holiday romance. Peggy handled the sensitive subject of PTSD with aplomb. Really enjoyed this story.
November 4, 2022
Rating: 4.5/5.0
A delectable holiday-themed book wrapped with emotions and finished with a big red bow on top!
Read full review in the 2022 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
A delectable holiday-themed book wrapped with emotions and finished with a big red bow on top!
Read full review in the 2022 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 28, 2022
Emotional, romantic, realistic, and sweet with spice. Love Jaeger's Dorrit's Diner holiday stories.
July 9, 2024
I loved this book!! I needed a romantic read and even though it is a Christmas book it could be read anytime of the year. I loved Sasha and Steven. I loved Sasha’s story of being an ER Nurse in NYC and because of a horrible tragedy she goes home to Dickens to reset her life. She meets Steven who weaves his way into her life in such a sweet way and brings joy back into her life. I have read two other books in the Dickens Holiday Romance series and loved them equally as much. I have one to go. I highly recommend this book by author Peggy Jaeger.
December 22, 2022
A great holiday romance! Peggy Jaeger includes gtreat characters and emotional moments, but manages to keep the story sweet and uplifting as any good holiday romance should be. Wonderful reading!
December 5, 2022
Christmas is coming and what better way to get in the mood then with a Christmas romance! This was my first Peggy Jaeger book but won’t be my last. Sasha quit her nursing job and is working back home at her family’s diner when she eventually bumps into customer Steve. There’s the perfect amount of mystery about why Sasha quite her nursing job and about why she’s having so much anxiety in certain situations. I appreciate how Steve considers Sasha’s boundaries and she doesn’t have to tell him things twice. I really enjoyed this book because it was just the right amount of everything. Not too fluffy, not too deep, just a perfect Christmas romance. So if you’re looking for your next Christmas romance book…here it is!
November 27, 2022
so sweet
This is a sweet Christmas time story!! I loved this story of Sasha and Steve. Sasha is a nurse who has come home after a tragedy and is hiding from her emotions. Steve is the new guy in town who can’t seem to stop wanting to break her barriers and get to know her. Can Sasha let him in and start to heal? Can Steve understand her? Loved this story
This is a sweet Christmas time story!! I loved this story of Sasha and Steve. Sasha is a nurse who has come home after a tragedy and is hiding from her emotions. Steve is the new guy in town who can’t seem to stop wanting to break her barriers and get to know her. Can Sasha let him in and start to heal? Can Steve understand her? Loved this story
October 6, 2022
Another story set around Dorrit's Diner, this one tells the story of a nurse who's come home to recover from a traumatic event at the New York hospital where she worked and the new-in-town administrator of the local hospital.
It's full of romance, small town charm, the gossipy but well meaning patrons of the diner and the entire Charles clan.
It's sort of a Christmas story, with most of the action taking place during the holidays but this one's as good a read in the steamy July heat when you're longing for cooler temperatures and a little snow as it is curled up with a cup of hot chocolate and your favourite fuzzy socks.
It's full of romance, small town charm, the gossipy but well meaning patrons of the diner and the entire Charles clan.
It's sort of a Christmas story, with most of the action taking place during the holidays but this one's as good a read in the steamy July heat when you're longing for cooler temperatures and a little snow as it is curled up with a cup of hot chocolate and your favourite fuzzy socks.
April 28, 2023
City Life
Understanding how a person working in the ER could suffer from the trauma of the job takes a lot of patience and time. I am so glad Steve had that quality. I found it difficult to put this book down. Patience paid off.
Understanding how a person working in the ER could suffer from the trauma of the job takes a lot of patience and time. I am so glad Steve had that quality. I found it difficult to put this book down. Patience paid off.
October 11, 2022
Sasha is back home in Dickens. Unable to continue working as an ER nurse, she's working at her mother's diner, needing the comfort and support that only her mother can give. Amy is always my favorite character in the Dickens world. But Steve is running a close second. He asks Sasha once about working at the hospital, then lets it go. His attitude allows her to trust him enough to tell him about her heartbreaking story and the resulting PTSD. It's a great story, filled with old and new family traditions, and tons of love. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews