The Christmas Wedding Guest offers us a two-in-one romance novel. One is a second chance and the other brand new. I adored sisters Dena and Reggie, their closeness, their support of another. They were both very strong characters who also deal with self-doubt, hope forgiveness, the sisters were very strong characters, courage – put it out there. The Christmas spirit spills off the pages. I loved the plot, the characters, the setting. A fantastic Christmas romance to devour!

Two love stories combine creating a novel of endearing qualities. Sisters reunite for their parents vow renewal. Neither one has love in their minds but it truly finds them.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I think of literary fiction, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and can satisfies just about every reader's heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

What a lovely, magical story set at Christmastime in the most wonderful town imaginable! Wishing Tree is a small town built around the theme of Christmas and with citizens who all know and support each other. Dena is running a B & B that she inherited while also dealing with morning sickness from her artificially inseminated pregnancy. Her sister Reggie has returned to town from Seattle for the renewal of wedding vows by her parents, a really big affair since her mom wants the dream wedding that she had never had. The entire book is like a dream, with love, romance, conflict and dogs that add humor to the story. The characters are realistic, just sarcastic enough that I could hear the author’s voice as she wrote their dialogues. Perfect casting! The plot moves along at a steady pace, with the story switching back and forth from Dena to Reggie and their love interests. I laughed aloud more than a few times and really enjoyed the antics of Belle, the Great Dane, being fearful of the little dachshund Burt. The addition of a precocious child was absolutely endearing! All in all, this is a sweet Christmas treat that everyone should enjoy, any time of the year, because it will make you feel good.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, and I also purchased my own copy from Barnes and Noble. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery is a wonderful delightful holiday novel. The story centers on the Sommerville Sisters, Reggie & Dena, who both have given up on finding true love.

Reggie works and lives in Seattle, and when she learns her parents are renewing their vows, she agrees to return home to Wishing Tree, Washington for the holidays (Thanksgiving/Christmas) to help. Reggie has not been home for a year, since her bad breakup (short engagement), avoiding the gossip in her home town; she drives back to Wishing Tree with her wonderful dog Belle (Great Dane). Dena is the oldest sister, and very well-liked teacher in Wishing Tree, who is also pregnant (artificial insemination), since she had no hope of finding the right man for her; though she is suffering early pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea. Dena is also the owner of a B&B she inherited from her grandmother (Reggie got money); having a great manager and a wonderful chef.

It was wonderful to see the closeness between Reggie and Dena, and the wonderful friends they shared. Reggie runs into her former high school boyfriend, Toby, who has a sweet 8-year-old son, whom Belle (Reggie’s dog) falls in love with. Their friendship and attraction resumes, though Toby having had issues in the past, is afraid of any kind of permanent relationship.

Dena finds herself attracted to one of the guests, who is not only a hunk and charming, and to her surprise, a famous singer/songwriter. Micah enjoys Dena’s company, and even though she is pregnant, he finds himself falling for her. Dena also feels the attraction, but tries not to fall for him, as she has no confidence that he would be interested in her, especially being pregnant.

What follows is a delightful, heartwarming, fun romance, with a fantastic group of characters; two wonderful couples; a fantastic dog, who had cute holiday outfits; girls friends, who were great; mother & father; Harrison (Toby’s cute son), etc. I loved both sisters, who were terrific. Micah finds his inspiration again, knowing that Dena was the one for him. Toby knows he has to get past his past issues, and with help from his son and Reggie, true love will prevail

The Christmas Wedding Guest was a fabulous holiday story, filled with family, love, friends, dogs and second chances. This was very well written by Susan Mallery. I suggest you read The Christmas Wedding Guest.

This latest book by Susan Mallory is about 2 sisters, Dena and Reggie. Friendships, love, a wedding … it has it all in a little town named Wishing Tree. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book release in exchange for my honest review. Published September 2021.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for a free ARC of The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery.

Rating 4 star
Genre Holiday Romance

If you are looking for a holiday book, this is a cute one! I enjoyed the story! I wish each characters perspectives had been in separate chapters, but other then that it was entertaining!

I love Susan Mallery's books & this new Christmas one didn't disappoint!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this story and it's characters. You instantly fall in love with Dena & Micah and are rooting for them. You fall in love with all of these characters and I enjoyed falling into their lives so much!!!!!! I didn't want this book to end. I highly recommend this book

Susan Mallery has the magic touch when it comes to writing beautiful stories. Her creativity and ability to write with touching emotion that tugs on the heartstrings always leaves me with a smile.

The story combines so many pieces that just make you happy. From celebrations for the first snowfall, Mom & Dad getting married again, two romances brewing at the same time, and amazing characters that you just wish could be your own friends. Mallery pours on the sugar and spice to bring us a wonderful, warm, and witty romance for the ages.

It is hard to find a romance that covers everything, but Mallery seems to have conquered it. Even the dog is a dream!

Do you want an amazing gift this holiday? Read this one!
I loved it

Thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery.

Susan Mallery sets her novels in the cutest towns with such fun and quirky personalities. I now want to move to Wishing Tree. I know these places don't exist in real life but a cute small town where they have the best Christmas traditions such as the first snowfall celebration and other wonderful celebrations == yes please. I want all of my romances to be set in these magical small towns.

I read the novella Say You'll Stay which is book .5 in the Wishing Tree Series prior, but The Christmas Wedding Guest is book 1 in the series, so you can start here (but the novella is super cute -- Christmas in July!)

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I love a great cover, and this first book in a new series by Susan Mallery has one! The white wedding dress is gorgeous, and it hanging in front of that red door really makes it pop.

It’s Christmas all year in the tiny town of Wishing Tree, Washington. It’s a magical place most of the year, but during the Christmas season, it’s amazing.

“The Christmas Wedding Guest” features two sisters and a dog named Belle---a 120-pound Great Dane with a nervous condition.

The last time Reggie, short for Regina, had come home, she had the world’s shortest engagement. Jake proposed on Friday, the couple celebrated with a party on Saturday night, and on Sunday afternoon, he dumped her. Luckily he has moved away from Wishing Tree, and she won’t haveto run into him while she helps plan her parent’s vow renewal.

Reggie’s sister, Dena, is a pregnant single mom---by choice---who is tired of the dating scene and looking for Mr. Right.

Things are about to change when Reggie’s high school sweetheart, Toby, moves back to Wishing Tree with his son. She wonders if the sparks are still there, but Toby is a much different person than he was back then. He has a lot of scars that he’s not willing to sacrifice anymore of his heart. Toby owns and operates Judy’s Hand Pies, a fleet of food trucks, that have made him a multi-millionaire.

Speaking of multi-millionaires, Dena is about to meet one too. She runs a local B&B and Micah checks in for the holidays. Micha’s a rock legend who has come to Wishing Tree to be inspired. He hasn’t written a song since his wife and unborn child were killed in an auto accident. Luckily, he goes mostly unnoticed by the people of Wishing Tree.

What transpires is typical holiday romance, but the hilarity arises when Great Dane Belle has to maneuver around Reggie and Dena’s parent’s 22-pound dachshund, Burt. Burt is always trying to intimidate Belle, and most of the time, he succeeds. Until one day.

I enjoyed this novel. I see it as two separate Hallmark Movies for the holiday season. They fit the mold. “The Christmas Wedding Guest” receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

A new Susan Mallery series is always cause for excitement for me and I have to say this one is off to a strong start. You have the cutest little town with some zany traditions that everyone takes seriously, TWO romances in this installment, and heartfelt storyline set around the holidays. Need I say more?! Ok fine, it also has the authors trademark humor and wit, she always writes these endearing characters with a great sense of humor, you know the kind of people that you wish you could be friends with for real? Those kind. There’s also super cute kids, super cute dogs and a supporting cast of characters that added so much to an already engaging read. When I’m looking for a holiday read I want something that will bring the season to life and also make me feel warm and fuzzy by the end and this delivered. I’ve also taken to listening to most of the authors books because I really enjoy Tanya Eby’s narration, she has a delightful voice and she brings some added charm to the book. Definitely recommend adding this one to your December TBR it was lovely.

Two-For-One Christmas Romance. This is one of those Christmas Romance novels that almost seems destined to be made into a Hallmark Christmas movie - you've got the quirky town, the various leads that have no interest in an actual relationship, the innkeeper, the local shop owner, the mysterious stranger, and even the unusual-yet-cool career... and *none* of them are actually looking for romance. And yet... Mallery has a lot to cover in nearly 400 pages, and does a solid job of showing the two relationships - one new, one second chance - building throughout. If you're looking for a book where the couple is already together a quarter into the book... this isn't that. This is one of those where they finally actually get together closer to the end (which isn't a spoiler due to genre ;) ), and it is indeed a satisfying conclusion. It will be interesting to see where Mallery takes Book 2 of this new series, with a couple of interesting possibilities there. Very much recommended.

Both of the Sommerville sisters just haven’t met “the one” yet. They are starting to doubt if it will ever happen for them. As Christmas approaches, Reggie travels home to celebrate with her parents as they are renewing their wedding vows soon. Reggie runs into her first love Toby and the sparks seem to be back! Will they rekindle their old love once again?

Dena is single and pregnant, but she chose this path. In comes Micah to rent a room at Dena’s inn. Micah is a songwriter who has lost his inspiration since he lost his wife. He admires Dena’s determination to be a mother and draws inspiration from it. Could this rock star fall for a small town girl?

Festive as ever, Susan Mallery delivers another heartwarming story in CHRISTMAS WEDDING GUEST. The author has the ability to make these sweet feel-good stories come to life with plenty of humor thrown in. This one will put you in the Christmas spirit for sure!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

When the Somerville sisters get the message that their parents want to renew their wedding vows at Christmas, Reggie comes home to Wishing Tree. She left after her short engagement ended and she needed to get away. She is very successful and keeps busy. She returns home to help with the planning and to spend time with her sister, Dena. Dena is a teacher, runs a B&B and is a single woman who chose to have a child alone, giving up on love. Dena is nearing the end of her pregnancy and is tired of people telling her she will never find a husband now. What Reggie wasn't ready for when she returns home is that her highschool boyfriend, who she still loves, will also be home in Wishing Tree.

This was a wonderful story. We have so many great characters who I fell in love with. The two male characters who become important to the Somerville sisters were well written and developed. Micah is a singer/songwriter who is hoping a snowy Christmas season will give him inspiration to write a new song. He does get that inspiration, but it is from a certain teacher. As Dena and Micah spend more time together they help each other heal, trust and love again. Toby, is a single father, entrepreneur and all round great guy. He has some secrets that have cause him not to trust again, and those walls need to be broken down. Toby's son and Reggie's dog steal the show for me. I love them both, especially as they bring Toby and Reggie together. This is a story of family, friendship, grief, secrets, second chances, love and Christmas.

Wishing Tree sounds so much like the perfect place to visit for the Christmas aficionado. Very high maintenance for the residents but so much fun. Two sisters find their lives upended, dealing with romance angst and drama, wondering whether they will have the wonderful life each did not expect, yet find themselves dreaming of. Grab this newest and sweet Christmas story gift.

I loved following two sisters in their quest for love, all the while preparing their parents' vow renewal. Dena had gotten tired of kissing frogs, so she was pregnant by artificial insemination and donor sperm, and really wanted to concentrate on herself and her pregnancy. Only, fate had other plans for her.

Reggie met her first love again after many years, and the chemistry was still there, and it was so strong my kindle almost melted! I'm such a sucker for second-chance romances, and Toby and Reggie really, really did it for me.

There was a lot of humor, beautiful romance, a fantastic dog, and a son who was all for his dad finding someone to love.

Susan Mallery, author cheerfully invites you to Wishing Tree, where Christmas comes to life.
The Somerville sisters believe in love, but they’ve lost faith it will happen for them.
Reggie hasn’t been home since the end of the world’s shortest engagement. When her parents decide to renew their vows, she buffs up her twinkle to help with the Christmas wedding.
Unexpectedly, Toby, her first love, is back too, and the spark between them shines as brightly as ever. In the spirit of the season, will they let go of past hurts and greet the New Year together?
Done waiting for the one, Dena is pregnant and on her own—on purpose. But then a gorgeous, sad-eyed songwriter checks in to a room at her inn.
Micah, unable to write since he lost his wife, finds inspiration in Dena’s determination to be a mom.
This two-in-one romance starts a new series that Mallery’s many fans will devour like a Christmas cookie.
This great story is amazing, funny and poignant one.
With the parents renewing their vows, and the two sisters falling in love it is a real treat.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery . A small town Christmas season with second chance romances for two sisters. Toby and Micah are a good fit for Reggie and Micah. Enjoyed reading about the town Christmas traditions and the way the townspeople and visitors were involved. The first snowfall tradition to put out the snowmen decorations was a favorite. Likeable and reliable characters. Belle and Burt were fun and sweet addition to the story. Enjoyable holiday read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to the Susan Mallery, Harlequin Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Susan Mallery has come up with another great story in the town of Wishing Tree, where magic happens for two sisters.

Dena and Reggie Somerville believe in love just from observing their parents. But neither of them have been lucky in that department. Reggie got engaged and dumped all in one weekend. But her parents have decided to renew their vows and she returns to Wishing Tree to help with the arrangements. She has no idea that her first love, Toby, is now living in Wishing Tree along with his 8-year old son. They have not seen each other since high school and their painful breakup but it is very apparent that the spark still exist.

Dena is a school teacher and also runs a B&B who gives up on waiting for the right man to come along so she decides to start a family on her own by getting artificially inseminated. But when a gorgeous, sad-eyed songwriter checks in to a room at her inn sparks start to ignite. Micah has been unable to write since he lost his wife. But meeting Dena gives him inspiration as well as wakes up feelings that had died.

As the Christmas wedding draws closer, the Somerville sisters find unexpected Christmas treasures.