I didn’t love the first book in this series, however, I’m really glad I gave the second on a try. I adored this one. Helen Crane is another Mayor Marsha – I miss Mayor Marsha! – and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her bring people together; even as I was terrified and glad she isn’t part of my family. This will definitely be on my reread shelf as we get closer to the holidays.
4.5 stars

It was an entertaining enjoyable read even it's the best I read by this author. I enjoyed the plot, love the setting, and rooted for the characters.
I didn't always understand the character's choices but the plot kept me hooked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A sweet Christmas story set in Wishing Tree, Washington. Loved all the characters and their journey to find love and happiness. Will definitely put you in the holiday spirit.

Camryn Neff had to give up her life in Chicago to come home to Wishing Tree to raise her 15 year old twin sisters, Lily and Victoria, and run the family wrapping paper business when her mother died, and she only plans on staying as long as it takes for the twins to graduate from high school and go off to college. Needless to say, romance is off the table, as is anything that could keep her from moving on when the time comes for her to resume her life in Chicago. River Best is an introvert who is new in town and who is surprised when she actually makes some good friends who are determined to bring her out of her shell. Jake Crane is a rich hotelier who has come close to marrying before, but always manages to screw it up (his words, not mine), And last but not least, we have Dylan Tucker, Jake's best friend, who is also from Wishing Tree, who runs a successful woodworking business, and is keeping a pretty big secret from the whole town.

My favorite thing about this book is the setting, Wishing Tree, Washington. I mean, seriously, how can you not love a town where the street names include West Mistletoe Way, Jolly Way, and Mittens Avenue, and where the shops around The Wreath ("Wishing Tree's answer to the traditional town square) include Blitzen's Pub, Long John's Pajama Shop, and The Egg Nog! The characters were all likeable, although I found Helen, Jake's mom, way too nosy and who interfered enough that by the end of the book I just didn't like her at all. The romances were cute, if not predictable, but I loved the relationships between the girls and their families the most.

All in all, I found this a sweet, heartwarming holiday story, and wholeheartedly recommend it.

5/5 stars.

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, Harlequin Romance, and Susan Mallery for the opportunity to read and review this book.

HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS – Susan Mallery
HQN
ISBN: 978-1-335-93400-0
October 4, 2022
Contemporary Romance

Wishing Tree, Washington – Present Day

Camryn Neff is only in Wishing Tree until her twin half-sisters turn eighteen and she can return to her former life in Chicago. She arrived two years ago after their mother died and she now runs the family gift wrapping store. One day Camryn is summoned to Helen Crane’s mansion, where the wealthy woman informs her that she is on the list of possible brides for her only son, Jake. Camryn is not interested and informs Helen of her decision. To drive the point home, she goes to Jake’s office and lets him know what his mother is doing. They have a good laugh about it, but soon sparks are flying between them.

Newcomer River Best lives in the apartment above the wrapping store. While the town has welcomed her, she is still reserved when it comes to making friends and dating. Part of it is due to her checkered past, one that she is ashamed of. River is a computer tech and helps people with their websites. Camryn and two other women are friends with her, and it is they who convince River to apply for the Snow Queen position. It’d be a good way to get involved in the annual Christmas celebration—until she realizes it will mean appearing alongside the Snow King, Dylan Tucker.

Jake and Dylan are best friends but neither has found Ms. Right yet. Both face trust issues that mostly involve women who are looking to cash in on a rich husband. Jake also fears he could end up like his father—a cold, cheating husband. For Dylan, it’s about the secret he’s carrying. He’s the town secret Santa, but where is he getting the funds since he works in construction and lives modestly?

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS definitely needs to be put on the top of your Christmas book reading list. Camryn had a successful job and a fiancé in Chicago but gave both up to take care of her mother, who died of cancer over a year ago. Last Christmas wasn’t the best for her and the twins, so Camryn is determined to make it better this year. She hasn’t told her sisters that once they are off to college, she plans to return to Chicago. Because of her plans, she doesn’t want to get involved with any man in Wishing Tree. But after an attraction develops between her and Jake, they agree to have a temporary fling that will end once the holidays are over. Jake, like Camryn, isn’t looking for a spouse, which means his mother’s meddling in his love life is embarrassing. Meanwhile, Helen Crane continues her mission to find a bride for her son. Will this lead to complications between Jake and Camryn?

Dylan is a nice guy and after meeting River, he’s attentive to her. River soon relaxes around him, even dreaming about what it would be like to be kissed by him. But even as she enjoys working with Dylan on the Christmas activities in Wishing Tree, she wonders if she should come clean with him about her past. How will he react knowing she was once a criminal? Yet, Dylan appears to be keeping secrets from her, which is something that makes her leery. Can she trust him? Their romance grows slowly, burdened by trust issues. Will they come clean with each other by the end of this tale?

The romance is up and down in HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS as love is never a smooth road for the two couples. Surrounding them are the people who care and love them. Christmas is in the air. You can almost smell the freshly baked Christmas cookies. Camryn has decisions to make if she wants to stay with Jake. River and Dylan have to learn to trust each other. Will our couples find happiness by the end of HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS? Find out the answer by grabbing a copy of this engaging tale.

Patti Fischer

I love the idea of Wishing Tree and all the characters that live there. The themes of family, friendship and loyalty are heart-warming. I enjoyed the parallel stories of the 2 couples and how they worked their way to a happy ever after. I was frustrated with Camryn's single-minded plan to leave Wishing Tree in 3 years and was relieved when she realized she was where she belonged, with the man she belonged with. Very satisfying read.

Home Sweet Christmas is story about family, grief and love. Camryn Neff is grieving the lost of her mother while taking care of her twin sisters. She's moved them all to Wishing Tree and she's looking forward to going back to Chicago when her sisters go to college. She meets Jake and everything changes for her. River is also new town and is hoping to find her place. She meeds to Dylan and they hit it off but she has hard time letting him in. Camryn and River both end up falling in love with eh town of Wishing Tree. The two story weave together pretty nicely, but honestly they could have been two books. It got a little confusing at first but I really enjoyed my time in Wishing Tree,

Trust and romance collide in this newest Christmas Novel. Susan Mallery brings the holiday spirit to life, only to find distrust and loss issues. This is an amazingly good story, with heart felt and broken hearts along with a sweet little Tinsel to melt the hardest heart. Do not miss this one, it put me in the mood for some early holiday cheer.

This is a lovely Christmas story with just enough depth. I flew through this one and found myself deeply invested in the characters. Cute, sweet, and a fast read!

This story is set in the small town of Wishing Tree. It is a predictable light romance with likable characters. If you want a light easy read this is it, perfect for a lazy summer day. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

"Home Sweet Christmas" is book 2 in her Wishing Tree series. It can be read as a standalone. Susan is a great author.

Another winner from Susan Mallery. There are 2 storylines in this book about 2 sets of best friends. All have reasons not to get involved and one woman making sure they do. Truly a wonderful story everyone should read.

Okay fans of Susan Mallery, you will not be surprised with my opening for the review of her latest SWEET HOME CHRISTMAS. Enchanting, delightful, heartwarming and spot on glorious for another look at the winter season. Family is always at the heart of a Susan Mallery masterpiece and there is a lot of family to get acquainted with, lucky for us. Once again, we are treated to snappy, smart, sassy dialog. We get to meet folk that jump off the page right into our hearts. Welcome to Wishing Tree and SWEET HOME CHRISTMAS.
Holidays are both challenging and glorious depending on where you are in your life. Camryn and her twin teenager sisters have hopefully emerged from their immense grief over losing their mother. Camryn has taken over her mother’s business Wrap Around The Clock. Working diligently to increase its visibility and viability. So she is willing to meet with people whose business just might have a need for her special services. And that is how Camryn get embroiled in Helen Crane’s project. Looking for Helen’s son Jake’s bride. The town Wishing Tree is inundated with businesses that incorporated the season into their branding. Local bookstore – Yule Read Books. You’re smiling already.
As with any review brevity is a goal and that also goes for plot discussion. But here goes. Helen’s finding Jake a bride is going full blown. Camryn is currently the top candidate, especially since Helen wants grandchildren and set her sights on Camryn’s twin sisters. Helen is loving and generous but a supreme meddler and has perfected the art of mother’s guilt. Private note here – as mother of two adults I too took advantage of that guilt.
But Helen also set her sights on another match. And as we quickly learn Helen has a knack for getting things done. Most important is her results seem to become happy endings. Never underestimate the power of a mother driven by her heart.
There’s a very good reason I am such a devoted fan of Susan Mallery. I connect and identify with her characters and dialog. For example – Compliment Her On Her Shoes. Well immediately realized she did it again. Once of my favorite lines from a guilty pleasure movie American President. Obviously Mallery shares my taste.
SWEET HOME CHRISTMAS belongs on everyone must read list regardless of what holiday you subscribe to. Family is family. Traditions are traditions. Love is love and SWEET HOME CHRISTMAS is packed with all three. Haven’t met a book or characters that I simply adored and make it a practice to never pass on the joy of reading and reviewing anything by this talented, prolific author. SWEET HOME CHRISTMAS is what the winter season embodies and will entertain and leave you with a huge smile. Guaranteed.

I do enjoy the writing of Susan Mallery, The Vineyard at Painted Moon one of my favorite romance novels, but her books are becoming interchangeable between Fools Gold and Wishing Tree. The names of the males and females are different, as are their occupations, but it has become too formulaic.

When I think of women's fiction, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels. This is a perfect book to snuggle up with on any day.