The Christmas Makeover

A former Broadway costume designer strikes a sweet deal with a pastry chef in this low-angst, friends-to-lovers romance, the third in Lute’s Angel Point series (after Wanted by the Marshall). Costumer Faith Hathaway moves home to Angel Point, Ore., to take care of her grandfather. When baker and cookbook author Grant Reed, Faith’s best friend in town, receives a negative response from his publisher on his proposal for a new Christmas cookbook, Grant enlists Faith’s help making a series of cooking videos to win over his editor. In exchange, he offers to get the scrooge-like Faith into the holiday spirit with a festive tour of Angel Point. Faith slowly but surely falls for Grant somewhere between designing the costumes for the town’s holiday play, managing her boutique, and making grudging changes to Grant’s quirky but endearing wardrobe to get him camera ready. Meanwhile, Grant crushes on Faith, but neither communicates their feelings, leading to some drawn out pining that’s not resolved until the happily ever after. The charm of the holidays in the quaint town adds welcome color to the slow-building love story. Readers will enjoy the atmosphere, but many will long for more drama. (Oct.)