If you ignore the fact that literally EVERYONE was emotionally cheating on one another, this was a pretty okay book. I swear this book had more drama than Glee. On the bright side, All I Want For Christmas is the Girl Next Door wasn't boring at all, though the book was really predictable. I called that ending on page 17. On top of the predictability, it was a bit repetitive. For most of the book, he would go on not-dates with Piper only to go see Sarah right after so he can remind himself how much he loves her.

I liked how short it was. This was a quick holiday read, perfect for helping you complete your Goodreads goal. I wanted to curl up next to the fire with this book while it snowed outside. Too bad it doesn't snow in early November...

I really liked the setting of the book. Christmas, Virginia seems like such a cute town.

For the majority of the book, I felt like screaming at Graham. When I tell you this dude is so unbelievably stupid, it's an understatement. The guy couldn't get one thing right. He kept messing up time after time. He made me cringe so many times! And he was so obsessed with Sarah, it was creepy. Like stalkerish creepy.

Graham could also be a bit of a jerk at moments. He spent a lot of the book leading Piper on and then the moment she wanted to go on a date with some dude from the book store, Graham was like absolutely not. Then, he tries to join's Sarah's family (who hate his guts) in a tree decorating contest. They take it so seriously, but Graham doesn't even try.

When he finally gets his wish and dates Sarah, he's awful to her. I feel so bad for this girl because she's gone through so much already. Every time he sees Sarah, he starts a fight with her.

What a cute YA romance!

The story follows along with Graham, a slightly nerdy, bookstore working, teenage boy, who is in love with Sarah Clarke. He’s been in love with his neighbor pretty much since they met. Problem is, she’s in love with his best friend and has been dating him for two years now. On a super cold winter night, he sees a shooting star and makes a wish: All I want for Christmas is Sarah Clarke. He wakes up the next day and something isn’t right. His entire reality has changed and he finally has what he wants. Or does? Through a series of crazy circumstances and witty banter, Graham finds out what he truly wants more than anything in this coming of age romance.

This was CUTE. It was not what I was expecting at all. I loved the characters and their love triangle… or square? The owner of the bookstore was my favorite. I do wish we got to see more of her. But other than that, it was a quick and almost perfect holiday read.

All I Want for Christmas is the Girl Next Door: 4 ⭐️

I thoroughly enjoyed reading “All I Want For Christmas is the Girl Next Door” by Chelsea Bobulski. It was a thought-provoking holiday read that was easy to read in one setting. Graham has been in love with his neighbor and friend, Sarah, for years but the problem is that Graham’s best friend is the one dating Sarah! One night Graham wishes on a shooting star that Sarah is his girlfriend instead and the next morning he wakes to find that his long-harbored dream has come true. However, Graham learns that sometimes things you wish for are not what is best for you. It was refreshing reading a holiday romance/realistic story that was from the guy's point of view!

Reader’s Notes:
- this is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone

– there are less than 8 curse words

– there is a comment made about there being only one thing some guys want from a girl, no more than that in description

– there is a young character who drowns towards the end (kinda; this story is similar to It’s a Wondeful Life in that by the end it reverts back to real life prior to the wish)

Review:

This was a fun Christmas read! I enjoyed the idea that the author presented and how she went about it. I also liked that (even without the book’s description) I could easily figure out who Graham was actually supposed to be with.

Graham (our narrator) has been in love with his neighbor/best friend Sarah for a long time. Unfortunately for him, she is happily in love with and dating their other best friend Jeremy. And it doesn’t look like their relationship will end anytime soon, if ever.

So after a particularly frustrating day, Graham sees a shooting star and on a whim makes a wish on it. The next morning, he discovers that his wish came true and he has been dating Sarah all this time. As time goes on, Graham realizes that more than just who is dating Sarah has changed.

But he goes with it, thinking that wishes only come true if it was meant to be. Though as more changes come up and Graham feels something for the new girl in town, he wonders if that was really the purpose of the granted wish.

ARC provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 4/5⭐

REVIEW

I was so excited to read this one because it is a Christmas rom-com. We follow a boy, Graham, who is in love with his best friend and next door neighbor, Sarah. The catch is that she is dating his other best friend, Jeremy. When Graham wishes on a star that Sarah was his, he finds out that things maybe aren't as great as they are in his head.

This story was really cute, and of course, I loved the Christmas aspect. There could be an argument made that this story involves emotional cheating. I am someone that is so against cheating and I hate reading about it. However, the emotional cheating happened in the alternate wish world, so it wasn't so bad knowing that this was in the alternate world. This was almost like A Christmas Carol and Graham sees what his world would be like if he dated Sarah.

I also loved the added detail of Graham working in a bookstore, anytime that is added into a story I love it. The writing was fun, and it was such a quick read. I can't wait to read the others in this story!

All I want for Christmas is the girl next door. Graham and Piper work for a bookstore. Graham wishes up a star to be with Sarah. But Graham cannot understand why he has such strong feelings for Piper. Piper is the girl next door who has been his best friend forever who teaches him how to dance so he can go to the dance with Sarah who wants to be a ballerina. What an ending. Book should be called Wish upon a Star and all your dreams will come true. But All I want for Christmas is the Girl Next door is an appropriate title too.

We all know what it's like to wonder "what if". To want something to be true so badly it hurts. But what do you do when you wake up one morning and you find out that the one big wish you had made, has actually become your reality? In small town Christmas, VA, Graham Wallace is in love with the girl next door. Madly and utterly in love with her. So what's the problem? She's dating his best friend. Friends for over 10 years, Sarah and Graham have become the best of friends. They're always there for each other. They know each others dreams and aspirations. One night when Graham finally decides to open up and admit his undying love for Sarah, they get into a huge argument and he is left asking himself if he has completely destroyed their amazing friendship. When Sarah walks away, he makes a wish. But when his wish is granted and he suddenly has what he has always wanted, he begins to question where his heart truly lies. Has Graham entered a life in which he can truly be happy or was his judgment so clouded by what he thought was true love prevent him from seeing what was in front of him all along?
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Chelsea Bobulski, and Wise Wolf Books for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book. This was such a heartfelt and fun book to read. I would have gotten it read in one sitting had I had the time. Sure it was kind of cheesy, but sometimes I just really enjoy a feel good kind of book and this is definitely one I'm glad I picked up. If you love the Hallmark Christmasy feel good movies they have around the holidays, you will certainly enjoy this book. I rate this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐.

Truthfully, I was unimpressed by this book. I ended up skipping like 6 chapters in the middle. It's cheesy and predictable...and fine. If you want a super light read, this is it.

Alternate Title: "A Christmas Carol But It's Just Emotionally Cheating Teenagers"

Yeah, no, this wasn't for me. There were cute moments of Christmassy fluff, but - for me - they were completely overpowered by the insufferable main character and his complete lack of care for anyone other than himself. Even when Sarah (his best friend since third grade) starts showing signs of an eating disorder, he only cares whenever it affects him.

And then, you know, he doesn't even wait two days in the alternate universe before objectifying another girl because she was wearing a skirt. The book literally tells us we can only see her knees, but that Graham feels it's far too risqué. Even going so far as to warn her away from other guys that will get the wrong idea from her outfit.

When the only guy we see getting suggestive ideas from her outfit is our "hero".

I don't know why so many YA books I've read lately (written by women) have written the male protagonist to be such sexist, objectifying douchebags but I'm over it. There's a line between being extremely physically attracted to someone and hmm, I don't know, acting like she's asking for it by wearing a knee high skirt.

Super bummed out I didn't enjoy this one. I appreciated the Christmas vibes, but that's really all this story had going for it.

All I Want For Christmas is the Girl Next Door is a charming "It's A Wonderful Life" retelling. Graham has been in love with his neighbor and best friend Sarah since they were kids. He's always been the third wheel watching Sarah date their friend Jeremy. Graham gets to see what his and Sarah's life would be like after he makes a wish on a star one night just before Christmas, and nothing is what he thought it would be.

I enjoyed this book, I think it's well written. The characters are consistent and believable. The plot is sweet with a bit of heartache and a good twist. All that being said, it just wasn't for me. I am, admittedly, probably, too old (in my late 30's) to really love the innocence of this book. I'm sure I'm not the target audience, I do love a good YA, but I also want it to have a little bit of angst and grit. However, I would absolutely buy this for my niece in high school or recommend it to others looking for a clean YA.

3.5*

All I want For Christmas was a sweet, easy, feel good kind of read.
Although Graham has been in love with Sarah forever, he missed his chance with her when she started dating his best friend. But Christmas is the time of miracles and with a wish upon a star, Graham finally gets everything he always wanted.
Although it turns out what you think you want might not be what you really need, which Graham finds out over the course of the book. Because his wish not only alters his reality, but everyone's around him.
I enjoyed seeing Graham grow throughout the story, as he realizes maybe things were better left as-is.
I could definitely see this being made into a television movie, it has that cute, cozy kind of feel to it.

I have a strict No Christmas Before Black Friday Rule, but October put me through the wringer and I decided to treat myself to some early Christmas cheer.

When I was offered a chance to review an early version of All I Want for Christmas is the Girl Next Door, I said yes because I'm that reader who puts down her YA contemporaries and binges Hallmark movies when December rolls around. That being said, I read the synopsis was and was totally expecting a cheesy, predictable, forgettable story. And then I met Graham, the wry, unexpectedly relatable protagonist of this holiday romance. Making jokes about kale and donuts canceling each other out? Unintentionally creepy for noticing/remembering things? Always on the wrong end of an unrequited love? We're basically the same person except he's some white dude living in some small town, and I'm...not.

This was everything I love about those feel-good Hallmark movies I both enjoy and mock but with a little bit of sass. It's a cheesy Christmas movie with a shot of sarcasm, and and someone who's new favorite brand of romance is "love stories for cynics," it was the perfect read for a gloomy, sleep-deprived morning. There's some light angst, cute banter, sweet moments, and holiday vibes. Christmas, VA is the small town of my dreams and the best backdrop for the story.

My only major issue with the story is the fact that the resolution with Sarah didn't feel very satisfying, but overall, the book was a light, fun read. It definitely put me in the Christmas mood, and now I just want to drink hot cocoa and blast Christmas music 24/7.

3.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this festive read, especially the last 1/3 to 1/2 of the book! Christmas, VA, sounds like such a fun place to be (especially because I adore the Christmas holiday). I'd definitely get along with Graham's mom; she and I have similar approaches to the season!

The read also brought back a lot of memories from high school--some good, some less so. I was one of those that never got asked to school events, and I'm grateful for the couple of times I womanned up and went with a group of friends! This certainly captures the struggles both girls and guys go through in that regard.

And man, that last portion of the book--talk about a mic drop. Loved it; so many things underlined.

The disappointment for me was the language; it felt at odds with the religion component (and I preferred the latter). I expected a cleaner read. But, I do plan to pick up the other books in the series as available.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A feel good book where what you wish for isn't always what you want in the end. Graham has been "in love" with the girl next door and thanks to a wish on a shooting star Graham gets to experience his dream come true for a while. What he gets may not make him happy though. His new life as Sarah's boyfriend isn't all that he was wishing for and maybe the new girl in town is really what he is looking for. A quick read that will keep you entertained. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was a wonderful combination of the Christmas vibe and a precious story. Within this book Graham learns what love really is, and that it's not always what he had expected.

The use of the slight fantasy element of a wish being granted and waking up in a new scenario if his life was done really well. This story gave me a feeling much like Hallmark Christmas movies give me which is a good thing.

Graham makes a wish on a shooting star to have the girl next door he has had feeling for for a while to be with him instead of with his friend. After waking up in a scenario with that wish having come true he starts to think they were always meant to be. But as him and Sarah bring out the worst in each other and he starts falling for the new girl in town he starts to wonder if the wish came true in order to show him what wasn't meant to be.

This story and these characters have set me even mote into the Christmas spirit than I already was.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this novel.

A sweet YA romance with It's a Wonderful Life vibes.

Graham has been in love with his best friend, and girl next door, Sarah. Problem is that she has been dating his best friend for the past two years. One night, Graham wishes desperately on a shooting star that Sarah be dating him. The next morning everything in his life is a little different, and he's the one who has been dating Sarah for the past two years. But things aren't as great as Graham thought they'd be, and he starts to wonder if things were better off the way they were.

This was a really sweet romance. I really enjoyed seeing Graham's relationships with the people around him and the subtle but important way they changed when his wish was granted. I also really liked that the book spoke about finding one's true self and not changing to suit any one person.

Thank you to Wise Wolf Books for sending me an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Who doesn't love a good book that involves Christmas? This book follows Graham who has been in love with his next-door neighbor Sarah for 10 whole years! What is he waiting for?! Oh, that's right, she is dating his best friend. Doing what it says in Pinocchio, Graham wishes upon a star, and the next morning wakes up and he is dating Sarah. But as it turns out dun dun dun, they aren't a good couple. Cue the new girl to stir up feelings and Graham questioning everything. I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie, only better. No hard feeling Hallmark, I still love you!

Thanks #NetGalley @WiseWolfBooks for a complimentary eARC of #AllIWantForChristmasIsTheGirlNextDoor upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Sixteen-year-old Graham has been in love with Sarah, the girl next door, for several years. However, she’s been dating his best friend for the last two years. Graham makes a wish upon a star….all he wants for Christmas is Sarah. In the morning, Graham wakes to a new reality…..he is the one that has been dating Sarah for two years, not his best friend. As he spends more time with Sarah, he wonders whether or not they are right for each other. Further complicating the situation is that Graham is spending a lot of enjoyable time with the new girl in

It’s becoming more difficult to find appropriate reads for young YA. If you’re looking for a light romance with a heartfelt, page-turning story for this target audience, you will enjoy All I Want For Christmas. I appreciate that the writing is appropriate for the young YA audience (no profanity and a few innocent kisses). 13-16

I also appreciate that this story is told from the boy’s point of view. It’s a refreshing and sweet perspective. The main characters are around sixteen.

I think the fanciful premise of an alternate reality might be entertaining for young teen readers who have probably watched many movies with the same premise. Adults will need to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the story!

A Christmas setting is always fun and festive (Christmas dance, tree trimming, and Christmas cookies) and lends itself to a sweet gift for your holidays! For added enjoyment, the story is set in the small town of Christmas, Virginia (a subtle reference to a favorite movie!). Here, the spirit of Christmas lives year round, and as a special treat for book lovers, part of the story takes place in a book store!

I loved the themes of being with the right person, wishing for something that might not be right for you, having the courage to admit the mistake in judgement, valuing friendship, making things right, experiencing first love, and accepting support from family and other adults.

***May Contain a Spoiler***
Content Consideration: in the alternate reality there is drowning incident

I’m enthusiastically recommending All I Want For Christmas is the Girl Next Door for teen readers (13-16), for parents looking for gifts with appropriate content for young teens, and for adults who are young at heart and love YA contemporary fiction. It’s a sweet read!

this book was amazing! i absolutely loved graham and piper. the relationship between them was so sweet and i’m so glad they worked out. i loved the theme of wishes aren’t always right and this book was absolutely perfect! such a sweet romance and i will definitely read the rest of the series.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4308983755

I received an ARC of this by netgalley and i love it!! WILL reread for Christmas time. Very much Its a wonderful life vibes!!