12/07/2025
Thrilled to be notified my short story, "Holiday Prankster," Amazon.com/dp/B0FYHS2WNH was awarded a 5 Star Review!
Reviewed by: Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Review Rating: 5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review!
"Valerie Allen’s Holiday Prankster is a short story that follows Alissa and her boyfriend, Randy, as they head to a holiday dinner with his family. It’s the first time she’ll be meeting them, and she’s nervous because it’s important. When they finally gather around the table, the traditions, chatter, and anticipation all settle in like familiar holiday background noise. Everything builds toward the arrival of the dessert.
Holiday Prankster by Valerie Allen is a quick, light, and fun read. The writing is relaxed and conversational, feeling almost like I was right there at the table, eating with them. Randy’s family’s love of pranking elicited thoughts of my favorite Christmas movie, Home Alone. I think .. this book is all about teasing and silly moments that culminate in something bigger. I enjoyed the humor and how it reminds readers that old childhood memories can stick with us longer than we think (or want them to, sometimes). The ending was unexpected and had me laughing out loud. It’s a short story full of charm that is easy to visualize. I could also see it becoming a book series. I highly recommend it."
