I was very excited to read this book because it kicks-off a brand new series from this author. Overall, I thought it was a good book and an enjoyable read. The writing was well done, the characters likable and the setting charming. Add in lots of heart, Christmas cheer and some crafts and you have a book that is hard not to be entertained by. That being said, I ended up feeling that having two romances unfolding in this one book was a bit of a disservice to them both. Neither one received the full-on spotlight or depth it deserved. Still though, A good read that I liked and it left me anxious to return to Wishing Tree very soon.

Susan Mallery does Christmas right.

I appreciated the intertwined, second chance romance for sisters, Reggie and Dena. I particularly related to Micah and Dena's storyline. Micah has known loss and Dena is already pregnant. Micah was delicious. He's in need of a second chance. Though I did find it odd that Dena, who was proactive in her pregnancy and life choices, was suddenly a teenage girl when it came to Micah, though I guess its understandable.

Recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for the Advance copy of this book and exchange for an honest review.
Susan Mallery writes another feel good novel based and Wishing Tree, Washington. The town is every bit as cute as it sounds. The two main characters are sisters Reggie and Dena Somerville. Reggie is the baby of the family and lives in Seattle with her human like Great Dane Belle.
Dena inherited a B&B from her grandmother so she runs that in Wishing Tree and teaches third grade.
Reggie hasn’t been back to Wishing Tree in a year after a whirlwind event of getting engaged on Friday, engagement party on Saturday and being dumped on Sunday. She’s avoided everything about the town. But her parents wedding anniversary is coming up and they want to have a big wedding since they eloped the first time. Reggie runs Into her high school boyfriend Toby who much to her surprise has moved back to Wishing Tree.
Dena, Has spent the last couple of years trying to fall in love and start a family. And without much luck, she decides to be artificially inseminated and have her own child. Enter rockstar Micah, he books a month long stay at the B and B to get some writing done and visit a fellow musician. He’s so nice and super helpful with the morning sickness that has been plaguing Dena for weeks.
Will both girls find the love and families they so desire? You’ll have to check out The Christmas Wedding. Book 1 in the Wishing Tree Series by Susan Mallery. On sale 9/28/2021

The Christmas Wedding Guest
by Susan Mallery
Pub. Date: Sept. 28, 2021
HQN books

Thanks to NetGalley and HQN books for the ARC.
Great book, but slightly disappointing for me knowing and loving the work that Mallery usually does.
Something was missing in this novel for me. Part of the problem felt like with the two romances going on, the story is juggling four characters and their stories, along with holiday elements and the mother's wedding. Ultimately it felt like the romances were missing a real spark and chemistry.
However, I do feel if you're looking for a light holiday romance this could be the book for you.
(this definitely had Hallmark Christmas movie stamped on it).
I am not recommending it but it is a good read.
3 stars

Mallery has the touch for creating lovely little towns with special themes. Readers want to visit or even move to those communities because they are so inviting and warm. Two sisters in Wishing Tree are helping their mother plan a very special occasion. Both are embarking on life changes, that will include two hunky men. Reggie runs into two exes from her last and Dena has a special guest at her B & B who needs to make music. I liked all the characters, especially the dog. Honestly, what is there not to like about a Susan Mallery book?

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. A great start to another series by Susan Mallery. This set of books is set in Wishing Tree in the Pacific Northwest. It is a great story of two sisters that have issues to overcome finding love with two men that also have issues to overcome. The trials and tribulations that the two couples must go through to find their true love together is, funny, poignant and entertaining. I loved the traditions that this town observed over the holiday season. I loved that the business names were holiday based and that the main centre of the town was call "The Wreath". This was a great holiday read and I am looking forward to more books in this series!!!

I loved the town of Wishing Tree and all the variety of residents. I liked that there were two romances going on, one for each sister. A loveable dog and all things Christmas added to the charm. I found myself smiling often and looking forward to what was going to happen next.. I was very satisfied with the endings to all the story lines and look forward to more in this new series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader's copy.

Another enjoyable read from Mallery ! It was a fun story, that kept you turning the pages. A book to read at holiday time.

The romance surrounding two sisters was slightly disappointing for me as big fan of Susan Mallery's romance series (although I never really got into her women's fiction novels). This novel features two romances. First there's Reggie getting a second chance at romance with her high school sweetheart Toby who is a single father. Then there is her sister Dena who is having a baby on her own and has just met the amazing Micah, a rock star struggling to write after the loss of his wife and unborn child. Both of these romances are progressing over the holiday season in a Christmas centered town in the weeks before their parent's vow renewal wedding.

Something was missing in this novel for me. Part of the problem felt like with the two romances going on, the story is juggling four characters and their stories, along with holiday elements and the mother's wedding. It left scenes feeling not fully developed and a little bouncy as the reader had to switch gears. Ultimately it felt like the romances were missing a real spark and chemistry. So much of it was them going back and worth about whether or not to explore things or arguing that he doesn't like her that way, they're just friends. Neither couple even ends up a real couple until the end of the book, so it didn't seem to fit the romantic arc I've come to expect. It just seemed like a lot going on and the wooing and spark got lost in my opinion.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a sweet romance with minimal heat and a lot of Christmas charm (this definitely had Hallmark Christmas movie stamped on it), then this book would be right up your alley.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Liked, did not disappoint. Enjoyed getting to know this quirky little town. Hope there are more books to come!
Formatting complaint- lots of spaces between words that start with f and second letter of word. Kind of distracting, but small inconvenience.
Predictable, but did have a few twists. Another great read by one of my fave authors.

The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery is a fun and lively romance. The family dynamics add to the reality of the story.

Everyone loves Christmas! The town of Wishing Tree is the place to be with all the quaint traditions that will make readers envious. The two sisters are so different in ways but also alike in others. I admired their caring nature and attitudes. Belle was definitely an unique dog! Cute story complete with it's own Cruella. The emphasis on sex was a little over done.

Total comfort-reading for the upcoming winter holidays! In a town that's all about Christmas, two sisters find romance in unexpected ways. I look forward to recommending this to readers who are hooked on Hallmark Christmas movies, and those who enjoy books by Sarah Morgan, Debbie Macomber, and Sophie Kinsella. Heartwarming and uplifting.

I like Susan Mallery's work and this was a fun, light-hearted Christmas story. A good read in-between some of my more serious reads.
This will be a well liked Christmas story this fall.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

This book is really sweet and the characters are pretty fabulous, kind of like a movie world. Things can be a little unbelievable but it's not a bad way to while away a few hours and escape into someone else's world.

There is absolutely nothing I can say about this book that hasn't been said about all of Mallery's books. She writes a story that is appealing to all. Two sisters have two very different reasons for facing Christmas with misgivings. the least of which - one is pregnant and on her own.

I thought this book started out a bit slow but then it picked up and I was completely absorbed. I’m glad this is the start of a new series. I enjoy books by Susan Mallery and like that she keeps old characters mixing with new ones in her series

This is the story of the Somerville sisters. They each have established good independent lives without significant others. Basically they have given up on men. Reggie has just recovered from an embarrassing breakup, Dena has given up on finding Mr. Right and is starting a family on her own. Both sisters are helping their parents plan a Chistmas vow renewal wedding. Enter potential mates, a mournful song writer with writer's block and the high school beau who disappeared. The characters are likable and the writing is good; overall it is a pleasant holiday read.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC.

This book is set in a small town and revolves around two sisters, Reggie and Dena. It has a cast of likeable characters and a predictable plot. There are two dogs that are a cute addition to the story. If you are looking for a feel good easy read this book is for you. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Wishing Tree is a town that celebrates Christmas. Reggie and Dena’s mother is renewing her wedding vows around Christmas so both of them help with prep while dealing with their own things. Trademark Susan Mallery. ARC from NetGalley.