Thank you @avonbooks @netgalley for a copy of this book.

I love this series and was so excited to read Matteo's story. Unfortunately, this one did not work for me. There was too much focus on Cara's job and why the watch company is losing so much money. I was really bored and not vested in Cara and Matteo's attraction. Their conversation seemed very stiff and formal and had to see the connection. The story did pick up a bit about 75% in.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

So This is Christmas is the third in Jenny Holiday’s trilogy of Christmas romcoms, and my favorite of the three. It can be read as a stand-alone, although there are some connections to the other books for readers who have followed each book so far.

What makes this one stand out from the other two was that it has a ton of personality and heart. Not that book one didn’t, but I feel like that one was very by-the-numbers Royal Hallmark or Netflix-esque romance. And I can’t say much about book two, because I bailed pretty early on due to not caring for the hero (although apparently my issues with the book aren’t shared among other readers). But this one? Both characters and their dynamic grabbed me immediately. And given my growing mixed feelings about monarchy as an institution, it’s interesting to pivot away from the royals and aristocrats to see what life is like for those working for them, who may still come from a somewhat better background than average, but aren’t overly privileged and insulated. And Matteo offers that. I love his insights about the contrasts of his upbringing, being raised somewhat within the upper crust, but not being uber-wealthy. It gives him a traditional view of things, while also being able to connect with those who may not always fit the mold.

Cara is the perfect match for Matteo, even if it’s not initially obvious. As an American, she’s definitely an outsider to all the pomp and circumstance, but like Matteo, she’s also very career-driven and is able to get things done when they need to be done.

And while things start off being purely professional, I really liked seeing things develop on a personal, romantic front. Their lively banter about the merits of Star Wars (prequel slander excepted) vs. Star Trek and Jane Austen lit up the book for me. And there’s an ultimate romantic gesture that will excite any lover of old, rare books that absolutely had me swooning.

I really liked this book, and feel this is the high point of the series. If you’re looking for a fun opposites-attract romance for the holidays, you might like this one.

Jenny might be my new favorite Christmas romance author! This book is another hit, full of charm and great characters. It focuses on a consultant sent to Eldovia to help keep the country from financial ruin. Her all-business attitude immediately clashes with the king’s closest advisor.

This is technically the third book in the series but you can absolutely read it as a standalone. In fact, I still have to go back and read the first book!

Cara and Matteo's chemistry is enemies to lovers perfection! They are both workaholics in pursuit of their own goals and immensely passionate about their work. The Eldovian setting is a delight to read and I loved how Cara thawed to the country and its traditions while still maintaining her work demands.

Heat Factor: Two encounters toward the end of the book
Character Chemistry: Two obviously compatible people working against each other because of external circumstances
Plot: Modernization vs tradition, fought out against a backdrop of twee mountain villages.
Overall: Do you like competence porn? If so, this is the book for you

If you read Jenny Holiday’s previous books set in Eldovia, an unbearably twee micro-monarchy in the Alps, you might recall a certain Mr. Benz, equerry to the king, hanging out in the background and being competent and low-key meddling in the love lives of others. Now, he gets his own story.

The first thing to note is that Mr. Benz is 30, and I definitely thought he was like, 55 after I read A Princess for Christmas. I guess young guys can seem old when all they do is wear very formal suits and be really really good at their jobs?

Anyways, Mr. Benz is thrown for a loop by the arrival of one Ms. Cara Delaney, whose aesthetic is corporate goth and whose job is downsizing people. Plus she’s an American. But he is very attracted to her very dark red fingernails and is very confused by his pants feelings.

On the surface, it might seem like Ms. Delaney and Mr. Benz have nothing in common. Ms. Delaney is an efficiency expert, hired to bring the luxury watch company run by the Eldovian monarchy into the 21st century; Mr. Benz is a staunch traditionalist who doesn’t see why this watch company has to modernize, anyway. Once you get deeper, it becomes quickly apparent that they are both family-oriented workaholics who care deeply about doing the right thing by the people who rely on them. Plus they are both nerds of the highest order, though they disagree about whether Star Trek or Star Wars is a superior franchise.

Holiday really excels at writing interesting, well-rounded characters who—even if I find some of their actions questionable—I like spending time with over the course of the book, and this case is no different. Matteo and Cara could easily be written as flat caricatures who simply decide to have hate sex and then catch feelings, but they’re not. Furthermore, Holiday manages to balance the needs and desires of these characters without them having to give up their careers. This is so clutch, because often (at least in the Hallmark movies that Holiday is paying homage to in this series) the career types give up their jobs once they find true love. Matteo and Cara might be feeling a bit lonely and burned out as the holidays approach, but they also both love and excel at their jobs, and their HEA takes their work into account.

I will say that I found this book less funny than other books by this author. I would not describe it in any way as a comedy; it’s more like a quiet drama. Other books by Holiday have walked the line of hilarious moments balanced by the characters processing their (sometimes not inconsiderable) trauma. Here, we don’t have the big highs of laugh-out-loud scenes, but we also don’t have the big lows of gut-punching turmoil. It’s also less sexy than other books I’ve read by this author, though there is the requisite scene of the characters’ first sexual encounter not including penis-in-vagina intercourse because they don’t have condoms with them. (My sister binge-read the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series, noticed that dynamic, and now I can’t help but notice the fact that this happens in every single one of Holiday’s books.)

All of which is to say, while this is a solid romance and a well-written book, it didn’t quite hit for me. I wanted higher highs and lower lows and sexier sex.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

I really wanted to like this one but I was bored for most of it. I didn't think the love story was believable and there wasn't anywhere near enough time with all the characters from the previous books. Not my favorite installment at all.

Jenny Holiday is one of my favorite romance authors, and I'm sad to see her Hallmark-with-steam Christmas trilogy come to a close! In the third, and final installment, we see high-powered business consultant Cara traveling to Eldovia to help save their dying luxury watch empire, and main source of income for the nation. But the King's equerry, Matteo, butts heads with her as soon as she touches down, resenting her attempts at modernization of a very traditional nation and industry. But the more time the two spend together, the more then begin to understand about each other, their values, and their potential future.

Duke, Actually (book number two) remains my favorite of the series by far, but I enjoyed reading this follow-up, as well. I enjoyed seeing the high-achieving non-royal leads going after their dreams and supporting their families in a non-resentful way. While this book was less steamy than her others, it still isn't a sweet romance, that's for sure.

Thanks to Avon for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 8/10

This was......cute.

I've loved this series and enjoyed it, but maybe the series has just run its course?

I loved jumping back into this world, but did I need this book? No. I found my mind drifting easily and often.

This was an easy read, but I don't think it will stay with me at all.

Wah. I wanted to love this one so so badly. Paradise Cove is one of my all time favorite romance novels so when I saw this on NG I snagged it. Sadly it was missing just about everything I loved from PC.
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There was ZERO chemistry between these two. It was, for a lack of a better word, dull. The characters were dull, the dialogue was dull, the plot was dull. It didn’t feel like the Jenny Holiday I’d read before. I’m not sure what was missing here for me, but it was definitely something significant. By the end they’re professing their love and he’s planning to move across the globe, but I just didn’t see how they possibly got there.

I adore this series by Jenny Holiday. I remember when she first promoted A Princess for Christmas and explained it as a Hallmark movie with steam. It's the most accurate description ever. This story of Cara, the career driven New Yorker, and Matteo, equerry to the king of Eldovia, is exactly what we want from our Hallmark movies with all of the heat and steam that we love from Holiday. The light version of enemies to lovers provides tension and conflict without being pranky and over the top. The Christmas setting is perfect and Holiday uses it to all of her best advantage. It's the best kind of break for your brain and exactly what we want to get into the holiday spirit.

Jenny Holiday brings us back to Eldovia as an outsider is tasked with helping save the economy.

Holiday continues to plant these minor nefarious plots in this series, but the star of this story was Eldovia’s holiday magic and dear sweet Matteo. If you have read the previous books, you will remember Matteo being one of the forces that helped makes those love matches. Well, now it’s his turn, and he seemed to find that spark with someone he never expected.

Matteo saw Cara as the enemy. An outsider coming in to change how things were done, to mess with the traditional ways. What he found was someone he had more in common with than he thought, and someone who challenged and excited him. The standout moments definitely involved family, Matteo and Cara’s outings, as well as Matteo’s secret Santa mission. I can’t express to you, the hold Matteo had on my heart due to his actions. His love for his family, friends, and his country made me misty. Super heartwarming stuff.

I am going to be honest, some of the early reviews almost convinced me to pass on this book, but I am glad I didn’t. It had just as much charm as the pervious books in the series, and I loved getting to see Matteo, who pushed all the other couples together, get his HEA. He and Cara were a fun match, and there were plenty of sweet and heart-melty moments to make me happy, snappy banter, and an ending that filled me with glee.

**2.5 stars rounded up**

I was so excited for Matteo’s story after reading Duke, Actually last Christmas of which I rated five stars. But, yikes. So This Is Christmas is not the book I was expecting.

1) Matteo came off as way too pretentious and clueless. I kept picturing him as 50 year old and not the 30 year old he is.

2) Cara and Matteo lacked chemistry.

3) I was completely bored……I skimmed a lot of it. Cara and Matteo’s conversations were mundane for the most part.

4) Part of the plot was an injustice to Pride and Prejudice.

Like I said before..yikes.

So This is Christmas reminded me how much I like Jenny Holiday’s writing style. It’s funny, sweet, and her characters are well drawn. I quickly got a sense of who Cara and Matteo were and liked them very much. I especially enjoyed getting to see characters from the previous two books.

It was a little slow going at times but overall is a very enjoyable book and everything you’d want in a Christmas romance. I really like the cozy, wintery world of Eldovia that Holiday has created in these books. It was like being inside a snowglobe. A total delight. The story was delightful as well up until the third act breakup.

Cara was awful to Matteo for what felt like no reason other than as a plot device to precipitate the breakup. And afterwards she proceeded to come up with ways to cash in on Eldovia’s Christmas spirit and commercialize it to bring in tourism revenue. This felt cynical to me and like it went against everything that makes Eldovia charming and wonderful.

I honestly thought this was such an enjoyable, lovely story up until the end. The unpleasantness that cropped up in the final 20% seemed unnecessary and brought the whole thing down for me. Also, there was a sweet subplot with side characters Torkel and Sebastien that just ended up disappearing at its climax which seemed really odd to me. So the end was pretty underwhelming for several reasons. But overall I did very much enjoy this sweet, funny book. It will definitely make you want to curl up in front of a fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate while you read.

3.5 stars out of 5

I am going to start off by saying I don't think Jenny Holiday's writing is for me. I read Duke, Actually and I didn't like that one. Since Duke, Actually is the first book I had read by Jenny Holiday, I figured I would give her another chance. But my goodness this book was bad. I felt zero chemsity between the main charaters. I was bored reading this book. This book really did not give me all the warm fuzzy christmas vibes I expected in a Christmas themed book. So I do not think I will read anything by Jenny Holiday again. She is just not the author for me.

Thank you NetGalley, and Avon books for the ARC of this.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! It was kind of strange reading a Christmas book in September, but this was another delightful read from the master of Christmas romance’s, Jenny Holiday. Cara is a New York City business consultant who is sent to Eldovia to help the royal kingdom sort out its struggling watch or clock business. Matteo is the equerry (administrative assistant) to the Eldovian king. Both of them are serious workaholics, who immediately butt heads when they meet, though an attraction is clear. Can they make it work with their jobs and geography working against them? Probably like most people, I did not like this book as much as Holiday’s prior book Duke, Actually (but to be fair, Duke, Actually is my all time favorite holiday romance). But saying that, this book was well written, sweet, and had a lot going for it. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but I think part of that was setting the scene to how seriously both Cara and Matteo take their jobs. I think this competency attraction worked, and I think the slow build to their feelings for eachother was sweet, calming, and matched their personalities perfectly. I also liked that under the gruff exterior, Cara and Matteo are both nerds, who love Star Trek, Star Wars, their jobs, and their families. I think Holiday did a great job being true to these characters that took some time to open up, express love, and get over their prejudices (I am a sucker for Pride and Prejudice references in romances), and when they did, they found their perfect match. Overall, I recommend this book to fans of Holiday’s other works (acknowledging this one is different and that’s ok), Christmas romances, and nerdy attraction.

So This Is Christmas is book #3 in A Princess for Christmas Series by Jenny Holiday

I have read an loved the Matchmaker Bay Series' such amazing books.
So I knew I was going to have fun with this book.

I truly enjoyed this story. I thought it was very engaging and with a nice group of characters who were very well developed.
Matteo and Cara were an amazing couple. Their chemistry was was perfect.
The characters are all very likeable, you can very easily connect and enjoy their journey. and the pacing is great, it's a nice and easy to read and would be great for those winter days.
This book drew me in from the first page. I was sad to see it end so soon.

Overall, I believe Holiday is an amazing writer and she really crafts emotions in a deep way and makes you feel for her characters. I

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Avon,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

Unfortunately, I found this really dull. I loved Duke, Actually, the previous book in this series, and enjoyed A Princess for Christmas, the first installment. But this one had none of the charm of the rest of the series. Right from the start I found both MCs unmemorable and felt zero chemistry between them. I knew going in this would be Hallmark movie-esque, but the other books in the series played into those tropes while adding additional surprises and fun. This book felt bland and completely run of the mill. I forced myself through it because it was an ARC, but I'd have abandoned it by chapter three if I'd have picked it up on my own because I was already bored at that point. I did like that there were queer side characters. The setting is still enchanting. And I still found some of the other side characters endearing. But the main characters and romance in this were utterly blah for me, I'm sorry to say. Maybe this will be a hit with other readers looking for a predictable holiday romance, but it missed the mark for me.

4/5 stars!!! another hit for jenny holiday <33 fast becoming an automatic buy-author for me :')

Matteo Benz has spent his life serving at the pleasure of the Eldovian crown. His work is his life and his life, well...he doesn’t have much of one. When he is tasked to aid a management consultant who has been flown in to help straighten out the king’s affairs, he is instantly disturbed by her brash American manner—as well by an inconvenient attraction to the brainy beauty.

Cara Delaney is in Eldovia to help clean up the king’s financial affairs, but soon finds herself at odds with the very proper Mr. Benz. As intrigued by his good looks as she is annoyed by his dedication to tradition for its own sake, she slowly begins to see the real man behind the royal throne.

As they work together to return Eldovia to its former glory during the country’s magical Christmas season, Matteo discovers he is falling hopelessly in love with the unconventional American. But a man who has devoted his life to tradition doesn’t change easily. Can he become the man Cara needs, or will their love be another sacrifice to the crown?

Cara Delaney, 35-year-old business consultant, has to miss Thanksgiving with her family for a business trip to Eldovia, where she’s conducting a review of the watch manufacturing company that provides 60% of the small country’s GDP. She smells something fishy as she starts conducting interviews, though, when the CEO is very disappointed that the original analyst - laid up with a broken hip - isn’t available. The King of Eldovia is a shareholder (as is his daughter, the princess from book 1 in the series), and so the king’s equerry Matteo Benz is Cara’s main contact. Matteo is as starchy and proper as they come, and Cara may be buttoned up, but she’s still an American from New York, so clashing personalities and Cara’s business mission put the two of them at odds. And yet, the more time they spend together, the more they realize their similarities make them allies rather than at odds.

This was really cute, and I liked Cara as a driven heroine, and Matteo as a very buttoned up hero. As someone who works in operations to improve efficiencies, I really liked Cara’s approach to her job, and as someone who was previously an executive assistant I appreciate Matteo’s diligence and attention to detail. Two people married to their jobs at Christmastime can be a recipe for disaster for a plot, and yet as their relationship develops, it’s nice to see them spend more time together outside of their work environment,

I did think there were a few too many plot elements going on. I love a good Star Wars vs Star Trek debate, but it felt out of place to get ten or so pages of it here, including a long debate on monarchical threads in Rise of Skywalker. Ok look, i totally *agree* with their conversation (and it was a cute way to get the two of them to agree on something ), and generally fall on Matteo’s Star Wars side of the argument… it's just a lot of extraneous commentary for a Christmas book. I think I could have gone with either the Pride and Prejudice analogies OR the Star Wars vs Star Trek conversations. Ultimately, I would have preferred extra pages be spent with the business component.

So This is Christmas definitely feels like a spicy-ish Netflix holiday movie, which isn't a bad thing, it just didn't have a lot of "extra" to offer for me. It’s a really fun read to help get in the Christmas spirit. You do not need to read the other books in the series first, but it might help introduce you to Eldovia.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars for holiday spirit.

Thanks to @avonbooks and @Netgalley for the eARC of this for review. You can start Christmas early, as this one comes out 10/4/22.

This was a fun, opposites attract, dual POV, enemies to lovers, relationship of convenience that turns into more as we revisit Eldovia when New York City business consultant Cara is hired to help improve the country's economy.

Not quite as good as Duke, Actually in my opinion, this was still a very entertaining holiday romance and I really enjoyed getting to see a new side of seemingly stiff, grumpy king's advisor Matteo.

Recommended for fans of A pint of contention by Susannah Nix or Royally not ready by Megan Quinn and great on audio narrated by Cynthia Farrell. Much thanks to NetGalley and @Libro.fm for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book I have read by Jenny Holiday and I swear, if it was real, I would book a trip to Eldovia this holiday season!

While I do not believe you need to read "Duke, Actually" before reading "So This is Christmas", it does give you a small idea of who some of the characters are that are mentioned in the story. If you read this first and decide to go back and read "Duke, Actually" (GREAT story by the way) - you will just have a lot of “Ah, ok” moments and one particular secondary story will be spoiled.

The best way to describe the pace and intensity of this book is to imagine an ice cube that has been left out. Initially, it takes a bit before it begins to melt (setting the layout of the story, the interactions between Mr. Benz and Ms. Delaney, and the state of Morneau and its impact on Eldovia). Eventually, you start to see drips fall (stolen moments, unexpected reactions, the development of trust and alliances), signs that the room temperature is combating the temperature of the ice. Finally, the room temperature overtakes the ice - increasing the speed until it has completely melted (jealousy, proposition, and declarations.)

What I liked about the story: I enjoyed how Jenny Holiday alludes to the idea that while we all have many sides to ourselves, we choose which one to present to the world and protect the others. Mr. Benz was equerry to the King. Despite being a son, a brother, a military officer, his role first and foremost was to the throne and his country. That was all people knew, that is how he chose to be seen. Ms. Delaney was an achiever, digging herself up and pushing through each achievement in life - she was climbing each rung of the ladder until she made it to the top, and nothing was getting in her way. She chose to be seen as logical, professional, determined, and tough. To watch the two of them come together and suddenly feel exposed, to have someone else see another side they had worked so hard to hide/protect - it just fueled the story in an incredible way.

What I didn’t like about the story: Going back to the ice analogy, the story did move very slowly at the beginning. I mean snail pace kind of slow when Cara was initially dealing with Morneau (to the point that I did yawn and made the “move it along” hand gesture).

All in all, Jenny Holiday may start off slow but when the story gets going, hold on tight! When Mr. Benz kissed Ms. Delaney (unexpectedly) - I actually sat up and said “Whoa!” She had me so settled in how the story was going that she shocked me back into full attention and kept it until the last page.