This was cute and has a little spicy in it. But it was equivalent to a hallmark Christmas movie. I’m not sure I’d read it again, but I would like to read the other two books in the series. I wish it had a bit more christmassy feel to it in the middle of the book. It has a bit to much corporate talk for my liking and my brain.

I've truly loved this series by Jenny Holiday, but oof, this book was so underwhelming. It was incredibly slow and honestly was the very definition of "just fine". Also - what was with all of the talk about the nails and feet and hands?? I mean, tingling cuticles? Why?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found this one to be really dull. I
Couldn’t relate at all and didn’t get that warm feeling I was expecting. Just not really for me.

I loved the first 2 books in this series and was equally charmed by the third installment. Jenny Holiday always gives me holiday romances to look forward to.

Nice holiday read. I personally love a corny lighthearted romance novel around the holidays. It definitely hit a lot of marks. Great book to add in around the holidays to break up bigger serious reads.

This didn't say it was the conclusion to the series under the title, but now I need to go back and read this whole wonderful series!

Book Review:
Title: So This Is Christmas
Author: Jenny Holiday
Rating: ⭐️⭐️/2 stars

If I was a DNF'er, I'd have quit early on. I just couldn't get into this book, and I really don't think I'd label this as a Christmas book as there were very minor mentions of the holiday. I made myself finish, but it was rough!

Cara Delaney is sent to Eldovia to advise on new ways to improve the country's finances and economy as she is a management consultant. This could result in layoffs, which doesn't make Matteo Benz happy, to say the least. Mr. Benz has spent many years of his life serving the Eldovian crown, and he'd like to see changes that don't result in his people losing their jobs. This would probably qualify as a grumpy sunshine troupe as the two eventually find themselves falling for one another. I personally wouldn't recommend diving into this one, but you don't have to take my word for it!

Published: October 4th, 2022

Thank you, @netgalley and @avonbooks, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really loved the other two books in this series, but I didn't love this one sadly. It never really gripped me. Maybe it's because the Eldovian setting didn't feel new or exciting anymore, or maybe it's because I never fully bought into the main characters' relationship. I also felt like there was a lot of build up and then the resolution happened quickly at the end.

A bit of a struggle to get through this one. I LOVED Duke, Actually, so I figured this one would be just as wonderful and it just wasn’t. Both main characters were grumpy, which was a cute twist on grumpy sunshine, but I couldn’t deal with all the grump. I couldn’t connect with either of the main characters and their love story just felt so… forced? So not real? Just enough to make me go ehh, not worth it. Both characters were whiny, both were immature, and both had their own issues. It was a slow burn for sure, but it was sooo sloooow that it almost felt like the burning didn’t happen. Overall, was not super impressed with this one as I was with the previous stories. Bummed, but still grateful for the opportunity to read!

This book is one of those fun holiday reads perfect for escaping the craziness of the Christmas season. Cara is sent to Eldovia last-minute in place of her employee when he is unable to do so. She is in charge of helping the country's leading business find ways to turn things around so they do not completely go bankrupt. Matteo, right hand man to the King, doesn't trust Cara one bit. In fact, he resents her presence.

This is a class enemies-to-lovers romance full of sweet romance and perfect holiday scenes. While this is the third in the series, it can read alone on its own. That being said, I loved returning to Eldovia with all its snow and magic. There is a forced proximity situation when these two get stuck in a blizzard. There is a magical sleigh ride. There is a local bar scene that brings a small-town feel to the book. And there is chemistry.

There are a lot of holiday reads out there, but Jenny Holiday brings something different with this book. It is very reminiscent of The Princess Diaries and I am here for it. I highly recommend this to anyone look for a fun, flirty read for the Christmas season.

Cara was hired by the king of Eldovia to help clean up finances within the Eldovian watch company that is partially owned by the royal family. When she arrives, she immediately clashes with Mattero, who has spent his life supporting the king and is tasked with helping Cara throughout her month-long stay. As the two have to work together over the magical holiday season, sparks begin to fly.

While this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, I still enjoyed returning to Eldovia and seeing some of the characters I have grown to love. While there were sweet holiday moments, this really ultimately felt more like a workplace romance which didn’t necessarily give me the holiday vibes I wanted. That being said, I LOVED Matteo and was so excited he not only got his own book but got an HEA of his own. I’m hoping for more books in this series!

Thank you to Avon Books for the gifted copy.

This is the most perfect holiday rom com of all time. Thank you, Jenny Holiday, for bringing this book and my new book boyfriend Leo into the world. My only complaint is that I can’t read this again for the first time!

This was a cute Christmas read with a headstrong fmc and an Eldovian royal mmc. I enjoyed the banter and the connection between the two. I didn't read the first two books in the series, but this one worked as a standalone. Loved the Thanksgiving and Christmastime setting, too! Recommended for those looking for a cute, royal, holiday read.

*dreamy sigh* the Christmas vibes, though. Jenny Holiday strikes again, convincing me during any season that I need to book a flight to Eldovia post haste. Maybe I'll find a hot husband, but definitely, I'll get some hot cocoa out of the mix, and who'd say no to those odds?

We get a new style of drama in this installment of the series because there's the matter of corporate espionage as one major vein of the plot (in addition to the rivals-to-lovers romantic plot and a ~very~ heart-warming, Scrooge-melting secret Santa plot). Cara Delaney arrives on the scene with boss bitch slash corporate goth energy, which makes sense because only a confident queen like that could go toe to toe with Matteo Benz and emerge the victor. And on the matter of toes, Matteo is particularly fixated on her edgy nail polish colors, which I found wildly entertaining. We're familiar with Mr. Benz from previous books in the series, the equerry to the King with a forbidding exterior and a heart for kindly meddling.

Both Matteo and Cara are past the point of burnout when the book kicks off, which is a highly relatable start. Cara's filling in on this project last minute, consulting on how to modernize and optimize Eldovia's primary export of luxury watches. She's been working her butt off since forever, supporting her parents and aiming for partner so she can finally do all the other things she said she'd do with her life that don't involve work and traveling for work. Matteo has a bunch of irons in the fire per his official duties, but he's also helping a friend plan his proposal and continuing his secret annual tradition of being the Santa some in Eldovia need.

The two clash from the start because Cara's purpose in Eldovia has Matteo rattled. He fears the inevitable layoffs she'll recommend and bristles at the concept of some American coming in to muck up all the traditions that he likes just as they are. Imagine the horrors of producing a smartwatch! It only fuels the flames that both Matteo and Cara are so tired and so constantly "on" that it's invigorating to be blunt and unlikeable with someone else without fearing repercussions. Things start to thaw when shared aims encourage them to make a temporary truce. And when they discover they like their banter even more under those conditions. It also turns out they have a lot in common-- a devotion to family, a keen sense of responsibility for others, and a passion for work that's led to accusations of workaholism. They both want to do something meaningful in their lives and have let that take precedence over relationships. And they're surprised to discover a shared love of science fiction with plenty of Star Trek and Star Wars references to keep nerdy readers entertained. There's also a nice set of Pride and Prejudice references for a different kind of nerd (I'm both kinds, so I was in a great mood).

I enjoyed my reading experience with this one, as I always do in Eldovia. I'll admit, though, that the transition from antagonism to love in the romance lacked some build-up for me. Especially since the first two books crafted their romantic journeys so meticulously. While not instalove, it did feel kind of sudden once things developed between Matteo and Cara. After a long period of resistance, things just come together. It's a flick of a switch rather than a slow ramping up of tension with a lot of little moments to cherish along the way. The pacing didn't exactly bother me, but it's not my favorite, either.

This return to Eldovia put me in the Christmas spirit well in advance of my usual schedule, but I'm not mad at it. Cara and Matteo make a fierce couple that I would not want to face off with in any scenario. I like that they get the happily ever after that works for them, and it's a reminder that love doesn't have a set schedule or blueprint. Thanks to Avon for my copy to read and review!

"So This Is Christmas" by Jenny Holiday is a heartwarming and enchanting holiday novel that captures the spirit of Christmas and the magic of unexpected love. Holiday's storytelling prowess shines as she crafts a tale of second chances, family, and the joy of the festive season. The book's relatable characters and charming plot create an immersive reading experience that resonates with fans of both romance and Christmas stories. Holiday skillfully weaves together themes of forgiveness, connection, and the power of love, adding layers of depth to the narrative. "So This Is Christmas" is a delightful reminder that the holiday season has a way of bringing people together and reigniting the spark of romance, leaving readers with a warm and contented feeling as they immerse themselves in the characters' journey of love and holiday cheer.

This was an adorable Hallmark-esque winter feels book. Highly recommend if you want those warm holiday fuzzies.

Cara, a management consultant, visiting Eldovia for work has a friends to lovers relationship with the royal advisor, Mateo. All set to the backdrop of Eldovia in the holiday season and trying to bring the country's watch company into the 21st century. I enjoyed seeing the friendship develop between Cara and Mateo, and really between Cara and all the supporting cast of characters. Though the relationship moved the story, there was a lot of external influence on the story. I enjoyed this one. Great Christmas read.

I really loved book 2 -- I haven't read book 1 yet -- but this one was a bit hard for me to get into. The characters lacked the fun banter and big personalities I enjoyed in book 2. I told myself to read and judge this book based on this book alone so taking that into consideration, I have to say this one was just meh for me. I found myself skimming more than reading -- which is a big no no for me as a reader. Matteo was a bit of a stuffy jerk and gave me old man vibes. Because of this, I didn't buy the connection between him and Cara. Their conversations were so robotic. Maybe it's me on this one but this coupling and story didn't work for me.

Think of this as Hallmark with steam.

Cara, the career driven New Yorker
Matteo, equerry to the king of Eldovia

The light version of enemies to lovers provides tension and conflict without being pranky and over the top. But it's so much more than a love story- their friendship truly brought out the best in each other and the way they supported each other was positively endearing. The ending may have been predictable- but it was cinema-ready and I loved it!

Did not finish at 38%. I really gave "So This Is Christmas" by Jenny Holiday every chance I could. I started reading it three separate occasions, just to see if I wasn't in the mood for a book like this, but nope. Matteo and Cara are just not the kinds of protagonists I want to read about. This book is 80% business and is very light on the romance, even early on. I don't foresee me caring about these characters in another 10%, 20%, even 30%... I can't for the life of be feel any connection or chemistry between these two people. They are obviously going to bond more and more as Cara continues to work on the King of Eldovia's monetary affairs, but he is such a grumpy jerk and she is such a staunch businesswoman that I don't want them to get closer because I just don't care about their relationship (in love, in dislike, or otherwise). Holiday should have focused more on the romance, less on the business. It's like reading a text book at times between that and its poor, plodding pacing.

Thanks to NetGalley, Jenny Holiday, and Avon and Harper Voyage for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.