The Ugly Sweater Party: A Forced Proximity Workplace Romance Novella

By: Odessa Alba, Aurora Alba, Rusty Ogre Publishing

Narrated by: Odessa Alba

Ascending to a holiday party on the thirty-second floor of a Manhattan skyscraper, the building's only elevator breaks down, trapping grinchy curmudgeon "Nasty Nate" DuPont and the stubborn Director of Finance, Twila Henderson, inside. With bumbling maintenance workers en route and emotions running high, Twila and Nate struggle to stay civil. As hideously dressed co-workers mingle feet beyond their blocked exit, stuffed emotions bubble to the surface over the captive duo's seemingly forgotten past.

Bursting with heat and humor, this third-person steamy laugh-riot will leave you with an HFN that will warm your heart on even the coldest winter night. From the Alba sisters (authors of The Billionaire's Assistant & Call of the Wyl) comes a spicy standalone contemporary romance novella for fans of forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance, grumpy boss, holiday romance, & romantic comedy tropes.

©2024 Odessa Alba (P)2024 Erica Summers

Irreverent humor + holiday romance

This cute holiday novella brims with sass. The banter was clever and snarky. I really liked this story but as with every good novella, I didn't want the story to end. I wanted more: more snark, more character development, more storyline. For a novella, though, it packed a lot into a little bit of time. A few secondary characters had interesting side storylines going and I hope to see those developed into more.

The narration was well done by one of the authors.

love it

The Ugly Sweater Party is a delightful holiday audiobook that brings humor, heat, and holiday spirit to life in a way only great narration can! Set against the backdrop of a festive Manhattan skyscraper, "Nasty Nate" DuPont and Twila Henderson—two very different coworkers with a complicated past—find themselves stuck together in a broken elevator on their way to the office ugly sweater party. The tension and humor build as old grievances and simmering chemistry come to the surface, all beautifully brought to life by the narrator’s engaging performance.

Odessa Alba’s witty dialogue and quick pace shine in audio format, especially with the narrator’s spot-on portrayal of Nate’s grumpy, unfiltered side and Twila’s spirited resilience. This audiobook makes the most of every steamy, funny moment between these two characters, transforming a classic enemies-to-lovers holiday romance into a cozy listen that’s hard to pause. Perfect for fans of festive forced proximity, The Ugly Sweater Party is the ideal feel-good holiday listen!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Ugly Sweater Party

The Ugly Sweater Party by Odessa Alba is a good, and enjoyable spicy holiday forced proximity workplace romantic comedy read. The story has a great entertaining world building story line. The characters are great, and they have great chemistry. This story is a very entertaining fun quick workplace romance read. The narration was great and well done by one of the authors. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Great audiobook

This audiobook is great it is a fun and funny novel the Narrator did a great job telling the story I very much enjoyed this audiobook I will Definitely recommend this book/audiobook.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Ugly Sweater Party!

This is a fun and short holiday story. It is an workplace and office romance with an enemies to more and grumpy boss plot. The story is mostly about Twila and Nate, who they have dubbed "Nasty Nate". The story can be a little bit hard to follow since their are some many people in the story along with the back and forth between characters. It is the evening of the holiday office party and the annual ugly sweater event. Twila and Nate end up stuck in an elevator together. The dynamics, antics, banter and chaos of the rest of the party attendees is fun. I love the side romance between Phil and Beth, elevator repair workers. This is a cute, entertaining and fun story. I like the characters! The narration is nicely done as well.

Nate and Twila

Grinchy curmudgeon "Nasty Nate" DuPont and the stubborn Director of Finance, Twila Henderson get trapped inside an elevator when it breaks down. Phil and his trainee Beth the elevator repair workers come to their aid. This is a two couple romance that I enjoyed reading. This is a new Author to me. I enjoyed listening to Odessa Alba narrate their story.

What happens at the Christmas party

What happens when you get a group of people together and the punchbowl is spiked at a Christmas party. This is a laugh out loud story of a company party where different scenarios are occurring. I enjoyed the story from beginning to end.

I received a free copy of this book via Book Sprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

slow burn

Twila is on her way to her office Holiday party when she finds herself stuck in the elevator with her boss Nathan (Nasty Nate). With the tension and annoyance building between them the hotter the elevator gets. Literally hotter wait to be rescued halfway up to the 32 floor of their office building. Great story I definitely recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Cute Contemp Romance: Forced Proximity

A super cute, short contemporary romance using the forced proximity (stalled elevator) trope with a hint of previous one night stand. Author narrated....and well presented.

Short. Funny. Sexy.

This novella was adorably funny. I loved all of the Hanukah jokes inside a Christmas book. “”Guilt and matzah balls”