Aiden comes from a judgmental, rich and successful family who is part owner in the store where the two are employees.

Stella is trying to find footing in her life while the past keeps calling. Bailey utilizes the classic grumpy-sunshine trope in Stella’s character while adding in forbidden romance as Aiden is her employer.īut not all is as well as it seems. While these two seem like they would have little to nothing in common, they get along strikingly well. Aiden, however, wears a candy cane bowtie and a bright smile, practically radiating optimism. Stella is newly released from a four-year stay in prison, skeptical and dressed in all black with heavy eyeliner. It is clear that these two are polar opposites. She is hired for the job on a trial basis, yet Aiden is concerned that it might look suspicious if he hires her without any formal experience on her part. After receiving her application for the job, Aiden reviews it, realizing she has a background in fashion and design as well as a prison record. Despite her denying him, she goes home and promptly applies for the job wishing to change her life. Stella is quick to deny him, seeing as this was a high-end retail store and she was an ex-convict. Aiden quickly says she should apply for the job, secretly hoping to see the beautiful girl again. Eventually, giving in to his southern charm, she trashes the original design and paints out a beautiful vision of a window display. She tries to blow him off by remaining silent, but that did not deter Aiden.

Suddenly, a man appears next to her, our second main character, 32-year-old Aiden Cook, whose perspective is seen in the next chapter.Īiden asks Stella’s opinion on the window display, yet Stella is not engaging. While walking past many stores, she stops at one window showcasing a rather unfortunate Christmas display meant to entice shoppers inside. Stella is strolling on Fifth Avenue in New York City two weeks before Christmas. The story starts from the perspective of the main character, 25-year-old Stella Schmidt. In 2021, New York Times Bestseller and one of my favorite steamy-romance authors, Tessa Bailey, came out with a short holiday novel entitled “Window Shopping.” As I looked at my results, I knew I had found the right choice. I quickly looked to Google to find the perfect holiday romance. When I was asked to do a book review this week, I knew it had to be something holiday related.

Window shopping tessa bailey