Window Shopping Book Review | by Tessa Bailey
If you’ve ever been entranced by the beautiful shop windows of the department stores in New York City, you just might want to check out this Christmas romance novel by Tessa Bailey. It’s a story about fresh starts and happily ever afters. And the main characters are just so opposite of each other, it works! Keep reading for my full Window Shopping book review.
And if you enjoy Christmas fiction, you can read more of my reviews here.
What is Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey About?
A sizzling, standalone, feel-good holiday romance from Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer.
Two weeks before Christmas and all through Manhattan,
shop windows are decorated in red and green satin.
I’m standing alone in front of the famous Vivant department store,
when a charming man named Aiden asks my opinion of the décor.
It’s a tragedy in tinsel, I say, unable to lie.
He asks for a better idea with a twinkle in his eye.
Did I know he owned the place? No. He put me on the spot.
Now I’m working for that man, trying to ignore that he’s hot.
But as a down on her luck girl with a difficult past,
I know an opportunity when I see one-and I have to make it last.
I’ll put my heart and soul into dressing his holiday windows.
I’ll work without stopping.
And when we lose the battle with temptation,
I’ll try and remember I’m just window shopping. (from Amazon.com)
How it Started
The main characters in this novel first met outside of the Vivant department store. Stella Schmidt is eyeing up the pathetic holiday display when Aiden notices her inquisitive start. He asks her what she thinks of it and she lets loose, letting him know how she really feels.
But what she doesn’t know is that Aiden Cook is the general manager of the Vivant department store. But while Stella is a broody young lady, Aiden’s character is easily amused. He takes the criticisms in stride and invites Stella to apply for the window displayer position that they are currently hiring for.
Decorating the windows of the high-end department store Vivant would be a dream come true for Stella. It’s too bad that she can’t take the job. She’s just been released from prison after four years and she knows there’s no way that they would hire her with a criminal record… Even if she’s caught the attention of their charming general manager Aiden.
This Book is Steamy! Lol
I was expecting more of a Christmas romantic comedy, but this book is very light on the comedy and very heavy on the romance if you know what I mean. There are quite a few intimate scenes between Stella and Aiden that happen very quickly. It wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea because I don’t really like insta-love stories but if you’re into that kind of thing I think it will work for you.
Stella’s Character
I did like Stella’s character a lot. She’s made some very big mistakes in her past but she’s working hard to create a new life for herself. I liked how even though window dresser seems like a super random job, it actually makes a lot of sense for her because she has a history with taking fashion marketing courses.
I loved that Aiden was willing to give her a chance. In this situation I have a feeling it’s because he found her beautiful. But Aiden is a really kind and gracious character and so it felt like he was the kind of person who would really want to help anyone.
Aiden’s Character
Aiden is a good man with a cheerful soul. I read so many romances where the male character is aggressive or grump and so it’s nice to have a kind and thoughtful male main character. He and Stella truly came from different worlds but he was so sweet to her, especially when he tried to give her a fresh start. I really believe that Aidan Cook is a character that readers will want for their book boyfriend.
The Sexual Tension is Kind of Off the Charts
Like I mentioned previously, this is a pretty steamy holiday romance. Lol. So if you like romance novels with a lot of sexual tension this is the book for you. I mean, the enormous restraint it took for them not attack each other in the town car on the morning of the window display reveal?
That was wild. Lol.
‘Tis the Holiday Season
This book isn’t super Christmas-y in that it doesn’t feel over the top. But there are a lot of fun Christmas scenes, like when Stella and Aiden both stay late and go on a gift hunt for each other. Christmas in NYC is just so fun. It’s the best kind of magic.
In Conclusion
After I finished reading this book, I closed my eyes to try and imagine Stella’s displays. The windows of Vivant department store just sounded so beautiful and she did such an amazing job. It was so sweet that Aiden was willing to give her a second chance because it really changed her life.
This is actually my first Tessa Bailey novel and I really enjoyed it. It’s the ideal combo of finding Christmas cheer and dealing with drama (like Stella trying to work things out with her old friend Nicole, and Aiden’s family situation). There were a lot of cute elements to this story like Aiden’s bow tie collection and Stella’s plan to re-establish herself in the world.
I hope you enjoyed my Window Shopping book review. This romance novel has the typical Christmas book vibe, but it also delves into some deeper storylines. I would definitely recommend it as a fun holiday romance to read at Christmas.
