What happens when a girl who believes in love at first sight actually falls in love at first sight? And the boy is gorgeous and perfect but totally taken? But they have to hang out together all the time in romantic locations to plan his sister's wedding? This book is the answer, and it's adorable.

Swoony and sweet, this YA holiday romance is third in a series but works just fine as a standalone. Compared to the previous series entries, it's more straightforward - there's no alternate-universe plot device, no dual POVs. Despite the wedding-at-Christmas setting and the improbably perfect (and wealthy) love interest, the story feels realistic because the main thing keeping the characters apart is themselves. I loved reading this book, but didn't give it five stars because most of the plot movement and character development is on the part of the love interest rather than the main character.

If you think the only thing better than a holiday romance is a holiday wedding romance, this is the book for you. 4.5 stars.

I absolutely adored this book and I'm so glad NetGalley allowed me to have the whole series. All I Want for Christmas Book 3

Given By Netgalley for an honest review: Pretty okay book. I wasn’t a fan of some the the stereotypes, but this is a very Hallmark type book, so I guess it is to be expected.

This books was an absolute great find. After reading I would 100% read more from this author. The story was well put together, there weren’t any plot holes. It came together beautifully. The characters were well built and the descriptions were fantastic.

I read this book thinking it would be a good way to start the Christmas season. The synopsis did not seem like it really related to the holidays, and honestly it didn't. I would say the title is a little misleading if you are expecting a Christmas story.

I was not a fan of the characters in this book either, and I did not realize it was the third in a series. It seems they read well by themselves but I may have enjoyed it more if I had realized and read the other two first.

This was a sweet romance and I was rooting for the couple nearly the whole time. I wanted nothing more than Isla to get her deserved romance. I also love the holiday premise of the entire series. However, I could not stand the cheating in this book. I can't stand it and find it nearly impossible to pull off in an adult romance but I find it really out of place and detracting in a YA romance. As a reader, there's just no way for it to not taint the character who cheats and the relationship as a whole.

* this book releases on December 1 *

Reader’s Notes:

– this book is part of a series, but you do not need to read the other books to understand this one

– this book takes place from early October – early December

– this is narrated by Isla

– there are less than 5 curse words

Review:

Isla is such a sweetheart! And August is a perfect romantic interest for her. ❤️ They give me a bit of fish-out-of-water vibes and the couples of sweet romantic movies.

Isla is in love with the idea of love. She is always on the lookout for her One True Love, but until then she enjoys helping her mom plan weddings for those who already found their loves. She’s ready to go all in when her mother is requested by a million dollar wedding client, but then she’s entranced by the bride’s younger brother (August).

Unfortunately for Isla, said brother already has a gorgeous girlfriend. So Isla attempts to keep August out of her mind and focus on his sister’s wedding planning. But that’s hard to do when August comes to each meeting and talks with Isla on more than just wedding things. And keeps proving (in her mind) that August is her One True Love.

Will Isla be able to get August out of her mind? Does August like Isla back? And if he does, what about his current girlfriend?

Enjoy this sweet romance as it is recognized and grows, as it suffers through hardships, and shows both our main characters that they are more than they believed.

ARC received from Net Galley

RATING: 2/5⭐

REVIEW

Let me start off by saying I love this series. I love the writing. I love the Christmas vibes. I love the romances, and I have loved all the couples so far. Unfortunately, I had to have a least favorite in the series, and this book was it. This is my least favorite solely because it involves cheating. I can't stand cheating, even if the person being cheated on is so horrible that you don't feel sorry for them. I just wish things would have begun differently.

However, as stated, I still love this series. One of my favorite things about these books is the writing. I am excited to read the finale!

This is the third in the All I Want For Christmas series all of which are new for this year. The author is good at writing YA novels. These are about good kids trying to figure out love and life. They skip the drama of sex, drugs and alcohol and focus on relationships and family. They can each be read as stand alone but seemingly take place about a year apart. (The couple from the last book are now in their first year of college.)

I'm going to blame storyline preferences but this was the least interesting to me of the books so far. Isla Riddle helps run her moms Bridal Boutique and Wedding Planning business. Their first million dollar budget wedding walks in the door but with a tight six-week time frame. The younger brother of the bride, August Harker is perfect. He is kind, attends an elite prep-school an hour away, loves rom/coms and his family is private airplane rich. But he has a girlfriend. The two become friends as he tags along on cake tastings, venue looking etc. Soon the two are texting and watching movies together over the phone. I should love this more with many rom/com references and a date to the MET in NYC but I had a hard time relating to August. In reality his whole time he is with Isla he is cheating on his GF. And I was confused why his dad would think that he could get an internship at Yale law reserved for college seniors when he is still finishing High School. (Unless prep-school means something different on the east coast.) In my mind the drama of his choosing whether to go to law school was about 4 years pre-mature because he could still go to college and study business which would help him someday if he did open a restaurant which is his dream. There were a lot of family expectations from relationships to occupations that were battles that didn't need to be fought at the moment. With all that being said I'm enjoying the series but rating this one lower. Thank you to NetGalley and Wise Wolf Books for eARC in exchange for an honest review. (2.5 stars)

I have received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book is technically the third installment in the All I Want For Christmas series, but I haven’t read the others and think it could be read as a stand alone.
Isla and her mother run the small Riddle Wedding Planning business, and they manage to score the wedding event of Kathleen Harker. It is a big budget wedding, and would be life changing for Isla and her mom. She meets Kathleen’s younger brother and immediately loses all her cool in the most teen way. Isla and August have such strong chemistry and have such good banter. Over the course of the 6 week planning process they become very close and are both playing hard to get to keep their hearts safe.

This book is so sweet and is perfect as a YA Christmas romance story. Chelsea Bobulski keeps the story moving without any dead spots. I loved how Bobulski includes the whole fall season and Halloween as the lead up to the wedding. It helps to keep the timeline clean and feel like there is space between these scenes. This story really got me in the Christmas spirit and ready to binge all the Christmas rom com movies!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wise Wolf Books for my copy of All I Want For Christmas is the Boy I Can't Have by Chelsea Bobulski in exchange for an honest review. It publishes December 1, 2021.
Goodness! I really just love this series, Bobulski writes YA in the most perfect way. Relatable references, sweet friendships and relationships, drama, but age-appropriate without being annoying, and doesn't need sex, drugs and partying to make the story interesting.
Definitely pick these up!

This is an adorable Christmas book! If you’re looking for a feel-good holiday novel then this is it. I loved this.

3 stars.

This is an entertaining installment in the "All I Want for Christmas" series by Chelsea Bobulski. I felt it was a bit weaker than the first two; ironically, it had less language than either (which were my main sticking points with them). For some reason, I just didn't connect as much with the characters as I had previously. But, I did very much enjoy the ongoing rom-com debate (Nora Ephron and "You've Got Mail" for the win, imho)!

And, the book absolutely captures the teen experience--the highs, the lows, and everything in between. :) Perhaps my favorite part was the inclusion of Halloween and the fall season, especially since I started reading it right on Halloween--not planned, but effective! :) That certainly got me feeling festive and fully set up for all the excitement of the run up through to Christmas.

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

All I Want For Christmas is the Boy I Can't Have was my favorite book out of the three. When Isla meets the brother of her mom's new wedding client she thinks she's found the boy of her dreams. The only problem is he has a girlfriend. But, Isla and August grow closer throughout the weeks leading up to the wedding . She starts to develop feelings for him but knowing he has a girlfriend Isla is afraid to tell him. I loved this story Isla was a hilarious character I liked how she kept saying her thoughts out loud.

this one just didn't hit the spot for me. i have really enjoyed Chelseas other two books in this series but this one just was a bit of a miss. the characters were younger, but also came across that ay which made it harder for me to relate to.

Perfect young adult christmas novel. You can't avoid falling in love with the story and characters.
I can't wait to read 4th book in the series.

Welcomed back to Christmas, Virginia. This time it’s Isla and August’s story. This is another great read by this author.
Wonderful characters. Funny, warm, sweet!

Found out this is the third book? I've never even seen or heard anything about the first 2 books. Decided not to contulinue because I didn't sign up for a 3 book commitment.