Cheery Charlee runs a positivity podcast and every years runs a competition at Christmas time. This year's winning submission comes from a small fishing village where the villagers haven't celebrated Christmas in four years and someone is desperate for some Christmas cheer to return to the village and its residents. Easy right? Well that's what Charlee thinks, until she meets Jack, Mr Scrooge himself. But despite the fact that he's against her project, and she's determined to do her job despite what he thinks - there may be something between them that they both just can't ignore...

This is a lovely, wintery Christmas story and a fantastic debut by the author. I loved the idea of Charlee's podcast, the fact that she wanted to help spread positivity and help people despite the things that she's faced in her life. Cape Sunset sounds like a gorgeous little village (although the weather is pretty atrocious for most of the time Charlee is there!) and the people sound so lovely; it would definitely be on of those places you'd want to visit.

The characters are fabulous. I particularly loved Tabby and Rusty, both made me chuckle but were full of wise old words. Charlee is a fantastic lovely character with a heart of gold, and Jack is a complicated man. He's been through a lot and at times can be frustrating but he has his reasons for it. I loved them all though and was actually a bit sad when the book and my time in Cape Sunset was over.

Overall, if you're looking for a heartwarming romance in a wintery (cold, wet and windy!) setting to give you some Christmassy feels, this is for you!

Who doesn’t love a small-town Christmas story that is packed with a sweet love story, memorable characters, and the heartwarming feelings of Christmas!? Seriously, this book is the perfect holiday read! I liked how this story has a very modern touch since one of the main characters is a podcaster. I also adored how this is an enemy to lovers type of story about helping someone realize the magic of the season! Great read for the holidays.

I enjoyed this story overall. The Christmas themes were very strong, which made it the perfect Christmas romance for me. The heroine was a charming delight. I admit to having a few issues connecting with the hero, so I wasn't entirely convinced by the romance. Still, the writing was very strong, so I look forward to reading more from Mary Shotwell.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a perfect Christmas read. It has it all , great characters, plot and perfect ending. I would highly recommend this book! This is the first book I read by this author but I will be reading others by her.

Christmas Catch is such a great holiday read! I really enjoyed the second chance romance, and loved the small town setting. I could totally see this becoming a Christmas movie one day.

When I pick out books for the holidays I look for three things. First, I want a good romance, full of heart. I want the perfect scenery to offset the holiday spirit. And finally, I want a happy ending. You can’t write a book and call it a ‘Holiday Read’ if it doesn’t have a happy ending. It’s a must, and the most important of all. Christmas Catch has a happy ending.

I also love when your grumpy hero is fighting a love story that’s inevitable. He knew the moment he laid eyes on Charlee he felt an attraction, yet he tried to keep her away, and sometimes it hurt but most of the time it was funny as hell. They had fire.

Unfortunately, what I’m always afraid of, shortly after reading it I forgot all about the plot. I had to sit and work to remember, which is never a good sign. So, while I enjoyed reading it when it was in my hands, I can’t rave overly hard.

Christmas Catch by Mary Shotwell is Great holiday HEA Romance. This is heartwarming and will put you in the Christmas spirit. Recommended read.

I really thought I would read a lot more Christmas romance novels this season, but the whole time thing got in the way. I did get to read Christmas Catch and I am glad I did because it was a perfect Christmas romance. Both of the main characters have stopped celebrating Christmas. Charlee stopped because she is busy with her podcast and granting other peoples Christmas wishes. Jack stopped because he lost his fiancée during Christmas and just blames the whole holiday for his loss. The whole town stopped celebrating Christmas in support of Jack because they cared about him and he brought in a lot of business. Cheery Charlie (her podcast persona) is determined to bring Christmas back to Sunset Cove and to Jack. She has a lot of work ahead of her and some unexpected feelings toward Jack.

I feel like I learned some things about the East Coast fishing industry by reading this book :) I think if you feel like you need a bit of Christmas spirit, this would definitely be a good read. It was sweet, fun and cheerful. I like all the characters and their portrayal in a small town setting. The dialogue was funny and I really like the premise of Charlee being a podcaster who was making a living doing it. It’s kind of a cutting edge job right now, so I love that the author picked this career for the main character. Don’t want the Christmas feelings to leave just yet? Read this book! The cover is super cute too.

In ‘Christmas Catch’ we meet “Cheery Charlee” Ridgeway. Charlee has been a podcaster sending positivity around for almost five years now. And now Charlee is close to getting her one millionth follower. She wants to do something big to get there, but she has to find a great story first. When Charlee receives a submission from a small fishing village, telling her that they haven’t celebrated Christmas for four years since Jack Fortner lost his fiancé. Charlee knows this is her story. But getting Christmas back with Jack in town will prove to be hard.

‘Christmas Catch’ was from the beginning an enjoyable story. The whole Cheery Charlee thing was something I really enjoyed. What’s not to like about someone who wants to spread positivity around? But obviously there is more to Charlee’s story, and I enjoyed reading about her and how determined she was to get Christmas back to Cape Sunset. Charlee’s character was easy to like and I loved getting to know her.

Jack’s character was also one I enjoyed. He was this hardworking guy who lost his fiancée years ago and hasn’t been able to move on. I got why he didn’t want to celebrate Christmas. What I didn’t really get was why the town also didn’t celebrate. But maybe that’s because that kind of thing just wouldn’t really happen where I come from. But since this is a story, I enjoyed reading how Charlee slowly got Christmas back to the little village.

But most of all I enjoyed reading about this little town and the many different characters. It just had this charming vibe about it and I loved that. Add these kind and interesting mix of characters like Miss. Kathy and Tabby and I definitely had fun.

The romance part about this book was not my favorite, it felt a little to sudden. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy insta-love-stories, and I definitely believe in love-at-first-sight, but I just didn’t really feel the romance between Charlee and Jack. There weren’t that many interactions between Charlee and Jack and I felt like they didn’t really know each other yet. I wished I had more time with them.

But overall ‘Christmas Catch’ was a very enjoyable Christmas read that definitely sends a great Christmas message.

If you've been following my blog for the past month, you know I've been on a Christmas romance binge. Well I think Christmas Catch may have just secured its spot as my favorite Christmas romance of the season. It's such a heartfelt story about more than just a man and a woman falling in love during the beautiful Christmas season. It's about learning feel and live again after experiencing a devastating loss. I adored seeing Jack and Charlee go from enemies to lovers and helping each other heal from their painful pasts.

I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas Catch give me me all the worm cozy feelings and put in such a Christmas mood, no I just can't wait for December. :)



Charlee has a Podcast with almost million followers. Every Christmas she pick an entry to make special Christmas episode and now she picked a town that stopped celebrating Christmas. She moves to town for few days to bring cheer and Christmas spirit. Only she doesn't count on making friends and falling in love, especially with the town Grinch, who might not be so bad after all. As she slowly discovers the story behind it, she get closer to Jack and starts to understand him and maybe thaw his hearth. :)



It's such a lovely story, full of feels. I read it in one sitting, just fling through the story. It took me a while to love Jack, but he is no so bad after you get to know him.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
A cute story about two people who refuse to celebrate Christmas. One, because it brings back too many sad memories and the other because she's too busy granting other people’s Christmas wishes.

Jack lost his fiancée suddenly four years ago during the town's annual Christmas parade. Blaming the holiday festivities, he petitioned the town council to cancel the parade and all outward signs of the holiday. Now, out of respect for him, the town as a whole does not acknowledge the day, but in private Christmas still lives.

Charlee is alone in the world, except for her friends. She likes bringing cheer and goodwill to others during the Christmas season and this year, it’s to bring Christmas back to Sunset Cove. She starts slow by putting up a few decorations here and there and will end it with a huge Christmas Ball.

Except that she's running into opposition from Jack. Just the sight of the decorations causes him to confront the day his Jenny died in his arms during the parade. Charlee doesn't mean to cause Jack more pain, but rather wants him to deal with the emotions he's feeling and learn to accept that there is nothing that he could have done to save Jenny that awful day.

And then there is the attraction that they have toward each other. Does letting go of the past mean that Jack doesn't love Jenny anymore? Does accepting Jack to always be there for her mean that Charlee has to let go of her fears of being alone?

Two people have a lot to learn if they really want a Christmas miracle.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really enjoyable, perfect for getting you in the Christmas mood romance. It is a lovely story of ignoring-one's-past meeting up with refusing-to-move-on, and realising that there is a place of common ground. It works because both characters have flaws and whilst they wear their mantles of choice well, we get to see their foibles too. Clearly two attractive, intelligent, and lovable beings, one has earned the respect of the town; the other comes in and charms it out of the locals.

I enjoyed very much the mixing of modern podcasting to earn a living with a town which relies on fishing to keep it alive.

If you only read one Christmas book this winter, you will not regret choosing this one.

Sort of Sleepless in Seattle for the modern world. Cute and sweet. I enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.

Jack doesn’t do Christmas
Cheerie Charlee a podcaster, likes a challenge
A great story of how grief affects a whole close community so much so, they haven’t celebrated Christmas in over 4 years.
Let the Christmas festivities begin....... or will in be a challenge to much for Charlee?
When I first started reading I must admit the story didn’t grab me, but I’m so glad I persevered, great characters and a believable storyline, plus a christmassy romance or two thrown in for good measure.

Yes, I'm already reading Christmas books. It was not planned, it was a necessity. The world is a dark and gross place with now, so I needed something bright and cheery. Christmas Catch did the job.

While I did not flip head over heels for the story, I really had fun reading it. The story itself is a little bit (a lot) unbelievable, but it is a CHRISTMAS STORY! Charlee was appropriately Cheery, and Jack was a tough and grumpy man. Bring the two together and they sort of evened each other out.

This book ends up so sticky sweet that I could have rolled my eyes at it all and dismissed it. But when you need to take a walk outside of yourself, take a moment to forget all the crap of the world, and loose yourself in a little town that gets its happy ending, this is the book.

A really good start to my holiday reading.

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was one of those feel good, heart warming, hometown Christmas reads that just make you love a sweet Christmas romance. Easy, entertaining and packed full of quirky but completely nice neighbors. In the end, its a story of healing. Healing a child's broken heart hiding under the facade of a cheery adult at the loss of her father and then mother. Healing a man's heart for the woman he loved and lost. Healing a town that has been hiding its heart trying to help a man that has become a hometown hero. Grab a glass of wine or cup a tea, cuddle up and enjoy!

I received this ARC copy of Christmas Catch from Harlequin - Carina Press. This is my honest and voluntary review. Christmas Catch is set for publication November 19, 2018.

My Rating: 5 star
Written by: Mary Shotwell
Print Length: 244 pages
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: November 19, 2018
Sold by: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp.
ASIN: B07G49R9H7
Genre: Holiday Romance

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Catc...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chri...

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What a good romantic. I enjoyed the plot, characters and the author’s writing. I was pulled immediately into the book and couldn’t put it down. Fans of romantic fiction will love this one. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Book Info
Kindle Edition
Expected publication: November 19th 2018 by Carina Press
ASIN B07G49R9H7
Other Editions None found
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB



Can an unlikely romance return the magic of Christmas to an entire town?

All podcaster “Cheery Charlee” Ridgeway wants for Christmas is to land her one-millionth follower. But first, she needs a really good story. Amid hundreds of submissions, one stands out: a plea from Cape Sunset, a small fishing village that hasn’t celebrated Christmas since Jack Fortner lost his fiancée four years ago.

It’s the perfect pitch, but who knew Jack would be such a downright Grinch—or so heart-stoppingly handsome?

Jack’s comfortable crab-fisherman routine is shaken when Charlee blows into town with bells on. It’s not long before the pretty podcaster is breathing new life into Cape Sunset, captivating everyone—including Jack, who’s feeling things for Charlee he once thought he’d never feel again. Not that he shows it.

Despite Jack bah-humbugging her every move, the show must go on. But the closer Charlee gets to Jack, the more growing her audience is the furthest thing from her mind. Thankfully, Jack has a few surprises waiting under the tree…including a love that will last a lifetime.

This book is approximately 70,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!


My Thoughts


Podcaster “Cheery Charlee” Ridgeway's story starts with her closing in on her One Millionth subscriber after over 2 straight years of her shows and 100 total podcasts.

That being said she also is having trouble with submissions for her next story as nothing so far seems to "Inspire her or give her that elusive spark of energy and creativity" that Charlee looks for when choosing the next subject for a new podcast.

All of her fears and worries leave upon receipt of her latest submission though, one sent in by Mother and the younger Brother of a man who has lost his way in life. A man who lives from one Catch Season to the next but rarely allows himself any kind of outside pleasures anymore.

Sunset Cape, a small fishing village, is the home of crab-fisherman Jack Fortner who had found and lost "The One" in his life years before.

However since that time Jack had never found someone else like Jenny to connect with, and honestly had stopped trying.

In support of his feelings for all those years the townspeople of Cape Sunset bowed to Jack's wishes and Christmas celebrations became a thing of the past.

Cheery Charlee however believes that she can change that outlook and bring Christmas back for everyone in town and especially for Jack himself if only she has the chance.

With that goal in mind and a new lease of creative energy our intrepid Podcaster sets out for the small fishing village not realizing that perhaps she herself might just find what she has been missing from life as well.

Sweet, magical hometown Christmas romance. A story of 2 people whose lot in life at an early age seemed to be rife with disappointment, disillusionment, heartache and pain.

Not everything though stays the same when one allows hope, joy and love back in their life as both Charlee and Jack find out. Along with others in Cape Sunset these two are given the chance for a new beginning, one that they never planned but one that was sorely needed for all concerned.

As a new-to-me author Mary Shotwell proved her ability to bring to life her characters, their hopes, dreams and fears she did so in a way that gave me enjoyment as I read.

From beginning to end there was never a dull moment and the finale to the story was emotionally uplifting as well as exactly what I had waited for and more.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

A wonderful Christmas romance, perfect for a cozy afternoon when it's raining outside and you want to feel good.
I loved everything in this book: from the style of writing to the plot and the characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Carina Press and Netgalley for this ARC

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!