This was my first Christi Barth book and I loved that it was a holiday book - my favorite time of the year! AND it was a second chance romance, which is one of my favorite tropes!

I felt that the book dragged at times, however, it didn't take away from the overall magic of this book. If you are a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies, then this is the book for you.

Loved reading this book and author if you haven't read it yet I highly recommend her and her books. Happy reading

It was ok, I found it slow moving. I personally did not care for Scott after what he did to Mariana, when they were in graduate school, he did her dirty all so that so he could move up in the world, yeah wouldn't have trusted him. However now that Mariana has a big project which her helper fell thru, she needs Scott and has to work with him even though it won't be easy. Most of the book they are working out their issues.

The Christmas Project was a sweet romance following two former friends who must overcome their past to work together to save a historic building.

Mariana Vasquez has always been passionate about historic preservation with the Brampton Mansion in Baltimore being her newest project. But to save the building, Mariana has to get a designer showcase pulled off by Christmas and one of her designers just dropped out. After his latest renovation project goes off track, Scott Ashford needs a new project with great publicity to smooth things over. The offer to help restore the Brampton Mansion is the perfect project but it's being headed up by the friend he abandoned ten years ago on his journey to the top. With barely enough time to finish the project by Christmas, Mariana and Scott will need to work closely bringing up a lot of old feelings.

Mariana and Scott were incredibly close in graduate school before Scott abruptly dropped Mariana and their plans to work together after graduation. To be honest I had a hard time forgiving Scott for what he did as he did it purely to advance his own career with no regard for Mariana. It does take the pair quite a while to work through their issues because of this and ultimately the romance takes a while to develop because of that. If you're a fan of slow-moving romances then this book is perfect for that. Also, this romance does not contain explicit scenes between the characters so if that's the kind of romance you like then this book falls into that category. Personally I prefer my romances to be more on the steamier side so I was a bit disappointed by that aspect. The book does end with not all of the couple's issues worked out and I would have liked an epilogue or something showing how things worked out for the pair.

Overall The Christmas Project was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it if you're looking for a cute holiday read.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

I am actually sad, i did not finish reading this. I want to say it is my fault for that i mean i have my own opinion on what i like/love and to me i was just sorta bored. I am excited i made it atleast 39% in i just wish my timing of reading this and my own views on reading a Christmas Romance was fully here this year.

I might have to rethink what types of books i like or how/when i plan to read them.

This was just not for me, however i am sure someone who loves Christmas romance and Second chances would love to read this.

This book is totally Christi Barth's love letter to Baltimore and Maryland - as much as it is a second chance love story between Mariana and Scott. Mariana and Scott met in graduate school and were a non-romantic pair throughout that time. They were each other's best friend and support network and planned to open a business together after graduation. Then Scott got an opportunity of a lifetime and left Mariana and Baltimore to go after it without a backward glance.

He definitely was in the wrong - and spends a good portion of the book showing he knows what he did wrong and is going to make things right with Mariana. I will say, however, that it was EXTREMELY refreshing that once the apologies have been made and Scott shows Mariana he means it - she makes a point of not continuing to hold it over his head. I adored that - and it really showed the growth of the characters.

This is very much a slow burn - and has only closed door sexy-times. But that really fits with the characters. I also liked the diversity of the book - which mirrors the diversity of the city it is set in.

Overall - this is a solid book and a sweet holiday romance.

I received it as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Oh boy. Sadly in my hunt for a 2021 Christmas favorite, this does not make the cut. The Christmas Project focuses around second chances: a second chance for a crumbling house and a second chance for former friends Scott and Mariana and while we are all for second chances, the mark was missed for me. The Christmas element seemed to be lacking and the dialogue just felt…weird? We were told how they were inseparable ten years ago, but they seemed very aloof together. I did not see the previous friendship at all. I am glad we got a HFN but I am a huge sucker for an HEA so maybe it could have been extended slightly to give us that.

Beautiful, Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this book. I can just imagine the city, covered in snow, with the gorgeous Brampton Mansion in the backdrop.

Mari has taken on more than she probably should have when she has some designers step back from the Brampton project. She's on a time crunch and she's got no other option but to contact her best friend, Scott. Scott broke her hear years ago, and if Mari is honest, she never got over it, over him.

After some professional set backs, Scott, feeling down, receives an amazing gift basket with hits toward Baltimore. Upon further inspection, it's from Mari begging for help. Scott decides to help and after the initial "off" they began to function as they had before.

They weren't very lovey-dovey, they only shared a kiss, it makes you wonder if they're truly in love. I enjoyed the book, it was a nice read, and look forward to more titles by this author. I just reviewed The Christmas Project by Christi Barth. #TheChristmasProject #NetGalley

I wish there was more to this. But don’t get me wrong it was still a cute book to read to get into the Christmas spirit. It just wasn’t for me though.

It's always a treat to catch up with some holiday romance during November and December -- especially when the stories have a little holiday magic. In The Christmas Project, Mariana Vasquez is in trouble with the historical renovation she's managing. It could mean dire consequences if she doesn't get the project completed on time. The one person she can think of to help finish the project is probably the last person she'd want to see under normal circumstances.

Scott Ashford is established as a highly sought-after historical renovation expert in New York City. Ten years ago, he left Mariana unexpectedly, dashing her hopes that they would be partners in work, and maybe in love, too. But after the way he left her, she's not eager to open herself up to that sort of heartache again -- but she'd love to know why he left when he did.

With Scott's expertise on board, Mariana has more time to examine just what happened between them ten years ago in between handling the usual catastrophes of electrical and missing materials. The Christmas Project is a sweet second chance romance holiday story that I found entertaining and interesting.

I really liked the fact that Scott and Mariana were serious about their chosen professions and some of the decisions they made were based on what was best for their career rather than what was in their hearts. I suspect that many career-minded reader can relate to this situation -- I know I did and it was what kept me reading.

It takes most of this novella for Scott and Mariana to put aside pride and guilt and really talk to each other about their feelings, but when it happens it's just so doggone wonderful. Scott is terrific. I really liked his easy-going attitude. Mariana has a bit more to work through, namely a ten year old broken heart, so it takes some time for her to see that she's got another chance at happiness.

Things do happen very quickly at the end and I wished for a little more build-up to the big moment, but it didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the story.

So if you are looking for a second chance holiday romance between two career minded professionals, The Christmas Project might be just right for you, too.

A complementary copy was received from the publisher. This is my honest review.

Mariana and Scott get a second chance to turn their long-ago friendship into something more. Cute holiday story about these two designers who join forces to save a historic building. Wonderful setting, great characters.

Thank you Netgalley for a pre-release. Do you enjoy reading Christmas novels? You need to add this book to your list! The Christmas Project is a fresh take on Christmas novels. This book is about second chances, striving to accomplish your dreams/goals, friendship, and so much more. I would love to see this made into a movie!

Thank you NetGalley and Tule Publishing for this complimentary copy for an honest review.

The Christmas Project
Christi Barth Publication: November 16, 2021

This was a sweet, second chance, Christmas romance—but kind of low on the actual romance. The story revolves around Mariana and Scott who were best friends who both secretly longed for more during grad school. With plans to become partners in a restoration business after graduation, Scott up and leaves Mariana for “greener pastures.” Fast forward ten years and Mariana has to put aside her pride and hurt to reach out to Scott to help save a historic building project she is desperately working on. The two have to figure out how to work together again after all these years, reestablish a professional and personal relationship, overcome past hurts and find forgiveness as well as discover if what they have rebuilt with each other now is worth saving like their historic building project…

Cover Appeal: 3.5 stars

Synopsis: When Mariana Vasquez gets the opportunity to to earn the Brampton Mansion a second chance and the money to pay for its upkeep with a designer Christmas showcase after Baltimore City inherits it she can’t wait to save the historical building that has succumbed to years of neglect. Except the project seems jinxed and she needs a designer that can work some magic on a short deadline.

Scott Ashford has taken a hit to his business and his confidence after his last renovation and needs a new project that he challenges him and is good publicity. When his old friend who he hasn’t spoken to or rather has been spoken to by comes to him with the perfect project to donate his time and money to he jumps at the chance to not only mend the mansion but also his relationship with Mariana.

What I Loved: I always love a dual point of view. I liked this couple and even though you know right away that they belong together the characters are engaging and so likeable you want to go along for their ride.

What I Liked: A sweet Christmas romance that can easily be seen as a Hallmark movie! I liked the supporting characters also. Mariana’s assistant and Scott’s partner complete the picture. I also enjoyed the realism and juxtaposition of two people who are both career focused, but in different places and success in their careers. A lot of time a romance will be all heart decisions, but this one has some head decisions sprinkled in there.

What I Would Change: Although I loved the story, the ending seemed a little rushed. A higher climb to the climax and a slower build would have made this a 5 star book, but still a great read.

If you are looking for a second chance Christmas romance then jump into the Christmas project, you will not be disappointed.

A complimentary copy was received by the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Overall Stars: 3.5 rounded up to a 4

#NetGalley #tracythebibliovert #professionalreader #thechristmasproject

A second chance romance. Scott and Marianne had been best friends in grad school and had plans to start a business together before Scott up and left her for a better deal. Now it is 10 years later and she needs a restoration expert, so she contacts him to help her restore an old mansion in Baltimore. Sweet Christmas romance that was easy and fun to read. Would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

I can see this story being turned into a Hallmark movie. It was a very sweet and clean romance.

The setting is Baltimore, MD. A historic mansion is desperately in need of restoration. The problem is if it can't support itself, it will be demolished. It is up to Mariana Vasquez to accomplish the task. A big problem is one of the bigger designer has quit and fallen through one of the treads of the staircase. She is down a designer and now there is a safety hazard on site! The only one who can save the mansion is her BFF from 10 years old. Unfortunately he left her after grad school to make a name for himself in New York City instead of starting a business with her as they planned.

Scott Ashford, is a big-time designer but there was a snafu on his last project. Scott received a gift package with all the wonderful treats from Baltimore. He knows a bribe when he sees one. The only thing, getting away and working on this charity project with his old BBF, Mariana, is how he left her. He left and then sent her an email!! Ouch! This project though is one that he also needs desperately.

This story is about two people overcoming their past to create a masterpiece of a time-capsule in the form of the mansion. Can these two survive the hurts and mistrust to get the job done? You will have to read the story for yourself.

I adored the dual POV format. Getting the glimpse into both of the characters thoughts, really help me as a reader to connect to them, this was especially true for me on Scott's side.

If you love a sweet, clean romance with a Christmas time setting, then you should give this a try. The only down side for me, it was a HFN ending and not a HEA. I wished there was an Epilogue with their future being nicely tied up together. To me that is the ultimate in romance.

~~~ I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~~~

Christi Barth is a new-to-me author and I found The Christmas Project to be a pleasant surprise- it is truly a wonderful holiday story! This is the second-chance romance story of Scott and Mariana, two college bff's. They reconnect as they work to save and renovate a historical, dilapidated mansion located on the shores of Baltimore, MD. The Christmas Project features a nice spin on the traditional college-friends-second-chance-romance plot. It is a nice quick, well written, and engaging book that I really found myself connecting with. The overall themes of this book are love, forgiveness, trust, friendship, and Christmas. I look forward to reading more books by Christi Barth in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

I'm from Maryland so I was really excited to see a book take place in Baltimore! I get tired of the same old settings like New York. This book really got me in the Christmas spirit and showed the magic of a Christmas in Baltimore. I kept picturing the Clyburn Arboretum as I was reading this (even though it isn't by the harbor). I also really enjoy visiting historic houses so that was fun to read about. Being set in Baltimore with an historic house restoration made this book very unique.

What an quick fun enjoyable read. A second chance romance between 2 interior designers and an old mansion in Baltimore in need of a major refurbishment along with a quick turn around time made for fun reading. Both Mariana and Scott were good characters who had been friends in graduate school and were now trying to become friends once again. It was a sweet romance.

I am thankful to get an ARC for this book and this book gave me totally Christmas vibes!!! I have been looking for a lot of Christmas books to read and this book really brought me the mood for Christmas even though we did not have Thanksgiving yet 😂

I am usually not a huge fan of second chance romance but I really enjoyed this book due to all the emotions this book made me go through and especially the Christmas project made me smile and giggle to myself HAHAHA

The chemistry between Mariana and Scott were well done especially during their time when fixing up their projects but the portion where these characters do not talk deep about their past really had me shaken up!!! The tension of one giving up on the other is not deeply felt and it felt natural for Mariana and Scott to be there for each other :)

My favorite part is how the concept of this book is about two interior designers falling in love with each other after being 10 years apart! I have never read a book about the main characters being interior designers but this book really did a great job highlighting both their jobs and passion and the romance between each characters! Usually if the characters are 10 years apart, its hard to create a plot with great chemistry between the characters but the Christmas Project was fantastic with this role!!!

Mariana and Scott are both interior designers and both have their own projects to complete. They haven’t met each other for the past 10 years and the project requires their path to overlap, will this project be a second chance for Mariana and Scott to fall in love with each other or will they find no love and leave each other once their project is over?