3.5 stars

This was sweet and heartwarming.
I liked Cass and Jayden, they were absolutely adorable with each other.
I wish it wouldn't have been such a long slow burn for them to actually be together but overall this was a cute holiday read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review

I love a feel good Christmas romance and N.R. Walker serves up a fantastic one in Christmas Wish List. A chef heads to the small town of Hartbridge to work for two weeks in a newly renovated bed and breakfast before he plans to move on once again, what he doesn’t expect is the inn’s owner to be so charming, welcoming, and a bit scattered as the countdown is on before his first guests arrive. These two while different in many ways were both searching for something, and before long they find it in each other. Good food, family, friends, the magic of a small town Christmas, and two people finding each other made Christmas Wish List a holiday treat.

Moving to America from Australia when he was just a kid, Jayden Turner now calls it home albeit he doesn’t really have a home, but he’s beginning to think he wants to find a place to settle down long term. Leaving his last job wasn’t an option for him so he’s thankful for the temporary job he found to tide him over during the holiday season where he prefers to be busy as he has no family and no friends to celebrate with. When he arrives in Hartbridge he feels like he’s driving through a holiday movie set, but getting lost trying to find his new job leaves him a bit defeated. Once he meets the owner who seems nice and sees the B&B he knows this is going to be a perfect short term job in an idyllic setting.

Coming back to Hartbridge after telling his wife he was gay and beginning work on the old manor turning it into a B&B has kept Cass Campion busy for the last year which is exactly what he needed. He will always love his ex-wife, but finally being true to himself was what he had to do. He’s thankful he and his ex have maintained a good relationship for the sake of their two children. With the B&B about to open and offering full meal service through the holiday season, he knew he needed to hire a chef. Jayden comes highly recommended and being that he arrived early is something Cass appreciates, seeing how hard he works and pitches in to get everything ready is a bonus. He can admit he’s attracted to Jayden but knows a relationship isn’t what is best for business.

These was much I loved about this story including the way Jayden just comes in and kind of takes over not only the kitchen but keeping Cass on track with the final touches on the inn. There was no doubt the attraction between them from the start, but Cass was pretty inexperienced and a bit freaked out with Jayden suggested they act on it. I liked the way their friendship evolved and how the heat between them grew. I loved seeing Cass as a dad and how easily Jayden jumped in to show the kids how to bake when they asked.

As Jayden endears himself not only to some of the locals, but the guests as well, Cass begins to wonder if they can make it long term despite Jayden’s intentions of moving on. While there was this bit of “will he stay or go” this wasn’t an overly angst filled book and in fact I found I loved the way Jayden helped Cass work through his feelings of being out and living his best life.

I loved every sweet and sexy minute of Christmas Wish List.

I just love the author's MM romance stories!

They are so heartwarming and it feels so good reading them.

I got the same vibes reading this new book in the series. There's nothing I need to complain about the writing and the characters.

However, I felt like the story could have been a bit better. Maybe because I was really too hyped up when I got the ARC and read it as soon as I received it.

The romance is slow burn even when it looks and sounds like insta love.


I love the chemistry and the romance. Two aloof people met and they have found their soul partners finally. And I was the one really happy about them.

All the winter vibes! The book just got published. Hope many read this heartwarming book. It's actually difficult to stay away from my favourite MM author's works. Really happy having read this one!

Thank you, author and the publisher, for the advance reading copy.

Calgon, take me away to Hartbridge, MT!
I loved this second installment in the Hartbridge Christmas series, it was so sweet, fun, and completely heartfelt! Jayden is darling and I just wanted to wrap Cass up in a great big hug.
And I absolutely want to live in Hartbridge, it sounds like the cutest little town! Has anyone watched Candy Coated Christmas, streaming on Discovery+? The town featured in it is how I picture Hartbridge during Christmas, and the house is exactly how I imagine Cass's B&B- I want to schedule a vacation ASAP!

Christmas Wish List is a wonderful holiday read. Jayden and Cass were meant to be and I'm so happy they found each other, they were just what the other needed!

This was a cute, quick read. It was instalove but done well and a lovely read for heading into the holiday season. The two MCs were very likable and sweet and I liked all the secondary characters too. It was a bit repetitive in some places (especially in the opening chapters - the overlap between the narration between the two characters was unusual) and there were times where I felt the flirting/innuendo was forced but it didn't take me too far out of the book.

Nous voilà de retour à Hartbridge pour les Fêtes et une fois encore, c'est un Australien de passage qui va voler le coeur du local de l'étape.
Comme à son habitude, N.R Walker nous offre une histoire toute douce et mignonne, avec ces deux hommes qui sont aussi seuls l'un que l'autre. J'ai aimé les descriptions de la gigantesque maison de Cass, dans laquelle j'adorerais séjourner, encore plus en période de Fêtes ! C'est un décor vraiment très sympa, un parfait écrin pour une romance de Noël, d'autant qu'il y a en parallèle tous ces petits éléments de la small town romance, avec ces habitants qui essaient de faire rester Jayden, pourtant seulement de passage le temps des Fêtes.

L'ambiance de Noël est bien présente, un brin féérique, mais elle n'est pas non plus excessive, ce qui compense avec tout le sucre de la romance. Car oui, on est dans une romance ultra fluffy et sucrée, mais malheureusement trop plate à mon goût. Ce n'est pas un livre très long (dans les 250 pages), pourtant j'ai trouvé qu'il souffrait de longueurs, et je me suis parfois fort ennuyée durant ma lecture.

Une lecture un poil ennuyeuse donc, mais elle offre de jolis moments mignons et une ambiance chaleureuse qui fait toujours le job à cette période de l'année.

Oh this was so sweet. Like picture perfect snow days, curled up in front of a fire with some hot cocoa.

If it weren't Christmas (well. almost), I would probably get a cavity from all the perfect small town sweetness, but as with the first book in the series, I'll take it as a Christmas miracle and shut up about the fact that the book only covers a few days (plus an epilogue a few months down the road).

Both characters were extremely loveable, reasonable people who *gasp* have actual conversations when one of them starts panicking or jumping to conclusions, and they work it out together. I loved the fact that Cass is still friends with his ex-wife, that his family accepted him and Jayden, and everyone was just. Really nice. There's no drama, no misunderstandings (that don't immediately get cleared up), just a lovely story about two lovely people finding happiness. And really, what more can you ask for?

This was soooo sweet. I love N.R. Walker and was anxiously waiting for this book after finishing Tic-Tac Mistletoe, but this one was even better. I loved how the relationship that developed between Cass and Jayden and was so happy Cass got what he wanted (Jayden too). This was a perfect sweet Christmas-sy read. The whole atmosphere was perfect and the family dynamic only made the romance more perfect. * I was sent an e-arc of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* #ChristmasWishList #NetGalley

One of the best and most well-rounded Christmas romances I've read in a long while.

I was more than a little excited to head back to Hartbridge, and honestly, anything with "'N. R. Walker" on the cover jumps to the top of my immediate TBR, no questions asked.

This time around we're following another Australian ex-pat, though one that has been drifting through the US for over a decade. Jayden Turner is a chef who moves where his job takes him, passionate about his job and extremely talented to boot, Carter "Cass"' Campion can't say no to him when he applies for the job as the Holiday Chef on the opening week of his B&B. Small town shenanigans ensued,

With a magical Christmas atmosphere, sweet (and steamy) romance, and adorableness all around - in short, what you can expect from NRW.

But this gave me even more than that. I loved seeing Jayden bring Cass out of his shell, help him make friends, reassure him and comfort him. And, of course, I loved checking in with Ren & Hamish from the first book.

Overall, this book just struck something in my heart, and I see myself revisiting it every holiday season.
Or, knowing me, and random intervals whenever I feel like it.
And sign me up for the audiobook - and to have it be narrated by Glen Lloyd is going right at the top of my Christmas Wish List.

The characters mention Hallmark several times in this book, and for good reason, because it’s exactly like a novelization of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Well, if they would produce one with gay leads, anyway.

It really would make a perfect film for the network. The setting is a quaint small town getting ready to celebrate Christmas. A chef increasingly tired of moving from job to job is hired for a brief stint at the grand opening of a B&B. His new boss is a divorcee who has been pouring all his energy into his business to distract himself from how lonely he is. When the two of them meet, sparks fly, and even though it would be a bad idea for them to get involved, they can’t deny their attraction. Feelings grow throughout the holiday season, and in the end, two men looking for home find forever in each other. And of course, in true Hallmark fashion, the small town is idyllic, the leads are both charming, and their romance is very sweet. (But with some actual heat because this is a novel, after all.)

If you’ve ever sighed happily in front of your TV watching one of those movies, this is the perfect book for you.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Christmas Wish List was a cute and sweet feel good romance with all the holiday feels. Jayden has just taken a temporary chef job at a B&B and will work there before moving on to another new place and another new job. Cass has spent a lot of time and money restoring and remodeling his aunt's large estate and after all his hard work, it is finally open for business. Cass and Jaydem immediately hit it off and Jayden offers to help when it seems like Cass is a little behind with the opening, which has them spending some extra time together and getting to know each other better.

I adored both Jayden and Cass as the main characters. Jayden was open and caring and helpful and truly wanted Cass to just be happy, whatever that meant for him. Cass was hard-working and a wonderful father, but harbored so much guilt over his past decisions. My heart truly went out for him. I thought Cass and Jayden had some wonderful chemistry and I was fully invested in the story from beginning to end. I loved the holiday feel and how great Jayden was with Cass's kids. I did not want the story to end and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I love everything about Hartbridge and was so excited to go back and visit! I loved Tic-Tac-Mistletoe and knew I was in for another treat with Christmas Wish List. I loved Jayden and Cass - who they are individually and, even better, who they are when they're together. I always know I'm going to love N.R. Walker's books and this one was no different!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

☕️ Q: do you drink any special drinks around the holiday season? I’m all about Starbuck’s Christmas Blend.

When I saw N. R. Walker’s Christmas Wish List was available I requested it so fast. A Christmas setting, a chef + a B & B owner, a this is only a temporary thing set-up…yum.

Australian Jayden Turner has lived in the US for years, bouncing around from one city to another. He’s just signed on to work a short Holiday job at a new Bed & Breakfast in Hartridge, Montana, a place that turns out to be charming & picturesque.

Even more noteworthy is the bed & breakfast owner, a hottie single dad named Carter “Cass” Campion who’s only come out to a few people including his ex-wife.

Sparks fly but this is only temporary…& Jayden’s there to do a job.

The romance between Jayden & Cass is sweet & nurturing & moves quickly. There’s a real foundation of care between both of them & it moved me to see how moved Cass was by Jayden’s nurturing gestures.

It’s not all light—Cass has a tremendous amount of guilt for dissolving his family—but if you’re looking for a heartwarming romance between two people finding a home with each other you might enjoy this holiday read!
4 ⭐️. Release date: 11/25.

CWs: Cass has a distressing physiological response to telling Jayden he’s gay. Cass once extended the offer of an affair to a gay friend when he was married to his wife, a decision which he explains & regrets in the book.


[ID: an ebook rests on a velvet red backdrop. From left to right, there are also an advent calendar with a sprig of berries & a station wagon ornament with a Christmas tree on top; then a red & white striped ornament; then a mug that says “a little naughty never hurt…” It’s supposed to say “anyone” but got cut off 😆.]

Recently out, single dad Cass has hired Aussie ex-pat Jayden as chef at his B&B in a small Montana town during the holiday season. An attraction quickly develops between them. But Cass is Jayden's boss, and Jayden isn't planning to stay past Christmas. Can they find a way to stay together?

Cass and Jayden are adorable together. Cass's kids are a nice addition. If you're looking for a heartwarming, low-angst, small-town gay romance this holiday season, don't miss this book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Carter "Cass"  Campion is a recently divorced and recently out gay owner of a grandiose manor he bought from his great-aunt and he's been so busy renovating it that he has no time for a man in his life. And let's face it, it's slim pickings in Hartribrige, Montana...

Jayden Turner, a chef,  is an Aussie ex-pat who is in need of a change of jobs and scenery.  When a temporary job as a chef in a B&B in Montana for the Christmas period shows up, he packs up his whole life and takes it. That's just what a he needs: a quiet, small, idyllic town to reboot in and then figure out where to go and what to do with his life. What he wasn't expecting was the magic of Christmas... and Cass. 

I picked this book up on NetGalley to start my holiday reading. I wasn't expecting to love it so much! It's a sort of an age gap romance, with Carter being in his thirties and Jayden in his twenties, and at the same time a "coming of age" of sorts, but where Cass is the one growing into his own true self. 

It's a little insta-lovey, but it's Christmas time and Christmas miracles happen. I love that it was mostly insta-love and not insta-lust. The way Jayden understands and respects what Cass is going through is so cute and adorable. Cass is so sweet and nice, like a newborn foal learning to walk. And Cass couldn't have a better ex-wife or cuter kids! The side characters also make a great ambience for this little magic place. 

So, if you are looking for a Christmas romance, take a chance on this one! It has the right amount of steam and a ton of love! Loved it!

This was such a cute, adorable read and I absolutely loved it. It was fast-paced and easy to read and I enjoyed it all the way through.

Both of the MCs are interesting and well developed and their chemistry is evident and compelling, I was rooting for them from the first page. The side characters are also great and I'd love to read more set in this little town. This is the second book in this series but is a standalone and you don't need to have read the first one to read this one. I haven't read the previous one, but I intend to.

I'm not usually a huge fan of Christmas-themed books but this was definitely an exception to the rule. It's light and fluffy and well worth the read. It is a little trope-y and predictable but honestly it 100% works for this story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

You don't have to read book 1 in this duology to be able to read book 2, though there's a deliberate tie-in to book 1 that surfaces twice, but I didn't find either element interesting enough to check book 1 out.

This started off well enough, though there was a contradiction about Jayden's accent that just seemed like a bit of missed editing, or possibly something inorganic, and sadly, for me, that set the tone of the tale. It was written with the author's trademark warmth and likeability., but it felt - inorganic. I got to 30%ish of the tale, where the chef character talked about prepping veg and food and Cass's mind, which seemed to dawdle at the best of times, suddenly went to PrEP, which as a gay man who supposedly hadn't been active at all since outing himself, didn't ring true. I left it there.

Thanks to the author and promoter for the ARC.

I love Christmas romance stories and this one didn’t disappoint at all. If you like an m/m Christmas romance story
this is a book for you. I also read from this author in the past which was why I selected this book. Jayden and Cass were two lonely guys not looking for love but found it anyways. Cass hired Jayden as his chef in his new B&B business. They were both delightful and sweet men that just needed love. Overall. I liked it so much.

I received this ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. Christmas Wish List is adorable. It is very much aware of its place in the holiday movie genre, but it manages to successfully walk the line between sweet and cheesy. There is definitely some instalust going on, but Cass and Jayden are just so dang cute together that nobody cares. This is a fast-paced novel (the whole book is maybe a week long), but because they take the time to talk about all of their feelings and ideas, it actually feels believable. Overall, this is a fun, cute, and low-angst holiday treat.

This is such a fun M/M Christmas romance, and realizing it's the second in a series, I just purchased the first one (although it can definitely be read as a stand-alone). The two heroes are charming and the Montana small town works its own magic. Highly recommended.