Read if you like:
🎸 Country Music
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🎙️ Singing Competitions
💋 Fake Dating
❄️ Snowy Settings

This one has all of the classic romance tropes mixed in with holiday vibes. I was truly so excited for this one after reading The Holiday Swap and loving it last year, but the sophomore follow up was not everything I was hoping for and maybe my sites were set too high to start with.

I was hoping for more of the singing competition but it was only part of the book before the book jumped ahead a year in the future.

I just also wish that the characters were more likable as they definitely had a good lot of flaws and at times was hard to read with immaturity and rudeness the characters were displaying in a holiday book where I thought I was getting sweet and fluffy.

Thank you Putnam books for the gifted copy.

All I Want For Christmas is another cute holiday-ish romance out this season. Sadie is in Nashville for a singing competition (a la American Idol but country) and she is an underdog, but still very popular with the fans. Especially when the producers strike a deal to pair her up with Max, the son of a country legend, to compete as a pair. Sadie has a grudge against Max from a prior meeting, but what starts out as unfriendly turns VERY friendly, if you catch my drift.

Then they win, and things happen, (a TON of miscommunication, which is my LEAST favorite trope), and they split up for a year. Until they are supposed to pair up again to record and perform a Christmas song at the competition a year later.

There are a lot of things thrown in the mix during that year, but the crux is a lot of miscommunication between them. It got kind of frustrating, because I don't think it would have happened quite that much in real life.

Overall, this is a cute read, and I think it could be a great Hallmark-ish movie!

I’m sad to say that I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I had hoped. I really enjoyed Knox’s debut novel last holiday season, but this one feel short for me. There was a lot packed into this story and it felt like a bit much for me. I wanted more holiday magic from this but the miscommunication between the two main characters was so frustrating.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I did not like this book. I really just didn't. Spoiler-free version: This was supposed to be a romance book, but I found it very unromantic. The love interest was veryyyyyy... unlovable. He was such a jerk and extremely self-obsessed. What was even more annoying was the fact that the book would make him seem self-aware, so it's he's like "oh wow I understand this is a special opportunity for people" but then his actions completely go against this. Also, I felt the story to be very surface-level. Many things happened (kind of), but there was barely any depth beyond the event itself occurring.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

Another thing I really didn't like in addition to the horrible love interest is the sexual harassment that took place. Like how is that romantic? Why is that in a Christmas romance book? And why did the main dude allude to knowing that the bad guy was a bad guy and then when suspicious things kept happening he just was like omgggg she likes him. Like bro what. No. Have more than two brain cells please. Also the main girl apologizing to HIM at the end????????????????????????? NO. you're joking right??!!!!!! Why ON EARTH would she apologize to him?

What could have made this better? Better love interest with more consistent morals and zero harassment

3.5 This was a cute romance for fans of reality singing shows all set in a backdrop of Nashville at Christmas. This story follows Sadie and Max two contestants on a country reality dining show. Sadie is trying one last time to make it big before moving back while Max,son of a famous country singer, try’s to break free of his father image. When they are paired together for duet week the fans fall in love with Saxie! This leads to Max and Sadie fake dating but maybe their are more real feelings involved than they expected.

This was a cute book that I really wanted to love but Max was my least favorite character in a long time. With Max getting on my last nerve I felt like I was being pulled out of the story. I also felt the characters felt a little flat and had some parts in this book I really had to push to get through. I would pick up more from this author in the future though I enjoyed the premise and look forward to seeing if maybe another character might draw me in. I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

American Idol but add a country twist? Two country artists are coerced into a fake dating relationship to boost ratings and, well you know the rest! Sadie and Max are your typical grumpy to sunshine trope. The only problem i had with this is, i hate the miscommunication trope more than anything. When the protagonists clearly have feelings for each other but we have to pretend for 300 pages that they dont. All in all it was cute and i flew thru it but im not sure id recommend it as a Christmas read?

The Maggie Knox writing duo does it again!!! I can’t even get chores done with my partner, but they can create masterpieces and relatable characters?? Tell me how!!

I loved ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS & so did everyone in my book club🎄

A fake dating between two country singers. Told in dual timelines and dual POV. It was a little hard to follow at times but the setting of Nashville and Banff were nice to visit.

There was a lot of miscommunication in this one which I don’t mind as a trope.

The reality star singing show and industry stuff was interesting.

I just love that he crochets and makes people clothing items. Though there was constant miscommunication and doubting each other it was only because they were holding back from each other and couldn’t anticipate each other.

Eek. This fell so flat for me. Neither of the main characters were likeable and the romance didn’t feel believable at all as in the chemistry just wasn’t there. I felt like I was being told they liked Evan other but not shown it. The plot could’ve been good but in execution I was left wanting so much more - more real connection between the characters, more spice, etc.

I tried to read this one but ending up not finishing it. I can’t pinpoint what exactly was wrong with the story, but it just wasn’t grabbing me. The dialogue felt too forced and it was a bit cheesy for my taste. I really loved their first book so I was disappointed this didn’t work for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

All I Want for Christmas is a fun, festive, musically -themed Christmas novel by the fabulous due known as Maggie Knox. Sadie has her chance at a big break in Nashville; as a contestant on an American Idol-like country reality contest she is paired with music royalty Max Brody. Max is determined to get out from his father's shadow and make a name for himself. Sadie and Max make magic when they sing together-but can't stand each other. However, producers and agents want to manufacture a relationship and soon #Saxie is trending. Sadie and Max are each navigating personal heartache and struggles and while the story features an enemies to lovers trope, the holiday backdrop and music prominently featured make it feel fresh. This is a delightful story to read any time of year but especially during the holiday season.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest feedback.

I have heard so many good things about this one that I needed to try it out for myself and I'm so glad I did because I absolutely loved it. its like a hallmark movie but better! highly recommend for this time of year.

⁉️Do you read holiday themed books?
I really try every year and usually fit a couple in, but they never hit the same as my favorite rom coms do. Why is that?! 🙈

BOOK REVIEW
All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox
October 4, 2022
352 pages
@vikingbooks

Two aspiring music artists meet and compete on a tv competition show like American idol, but make it country. There’s a lot, A LOT, of will they won’t they, but I mean, of course we know they will.

I’ve read my fair share of books with a reality television show plot. That doesn’t usually work out well for me, but sometimes it surprises me. This didn’t. First, the competition only even exists for the first third of the book maybe? And then we’re basically just following Sadie and Max while they get together, miscommunicate and break up over and over . . . And over and over.

If you want something minimally holiday themed and especially if you’re into 1. Competition shows and 2. the country music scene, I think you might really dig this little romance.

Unrelated, did I take this shot in @barnesandnoble, because I only had the kindle version? Uh, yes 😅🤣

Thanks to @netgalley and @vikingbooks for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#maggieknox #alliwantforchristmas #christmasbooks #holidayreads #christmasreads #holidaybooks #bookreview #netgalleyreads #netgalley #bookish #bookthings #netgalleyreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksta #instareaders #booksoninstagram #arcreview #christmasvibes #bookstore #barnesandnoble #bookshop

I enjoyed The Holiday Swap - it was a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form (and I LOVE those cheesy Christmas movies)! But this one went a step past that for me and was almost hard to read at times.

The ending really bothered me too. The sexual harassment felt glossed over - it was like this little anecdote was being shared to show solidarity with the female MC, but it was actually horrifying… the male MC’s sister was also harassed… at 12! And nothing was done about it! But how great that she had this story in her pocket to take the offender down all these years later and back up the female MC’s claims?

And ugh, the male MC’s use of “darlin’” and “sweetheart” just did not read/sound genuine at all.

Two country singers are coerced into fake dating to help boost the ratings of a singing contest. Both are at different stages in their singing careers and need to win their competition. I adored their chemistry when they were together however a good majority of the book they were at odds with each other due to miscommunication which got a little repetitive. Based on the title I was hoping for more Christmas elements.

Another holiday review for you!

Thank you so much @netgalley and @vikingbooks for allowing me to read All I Want For Christmas by Maggie Knox.

In this romance we are following Max and Sadie as they are about to compete on a singing competition reality show. They both have their reason why they need to be successful. However it appears that due to publicity they would do better on the show if they competed together. Better yet it would be even better if they were in a relationship. So a fake dating situation ensues. We all know how that turns out.

❤️Review❤️

I have to say for the most part I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters as individuals and their plot lines. I even loved the chemistry of them together. The fun nods to the holidays were also great. However, the two characters suffer greatly from miscommunication. I could have looked past it, but man it happened so often it made me want to scream. So if we could have cleaned that up a little more, I would have definitely given this a higher rating. I hope they continue to write holiday romances though because I’m already impatiently waiting for next years.

3 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#Bookstagram #Books #BooksBooksBooks #BookReview #NetGalley #2022Books #NewBookRelease #HolidayReads #WinterReads #Reading

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC of ‘All I Want For Christmas’ by Maggie Knox.

This book is a 4 star read (3.5, rounded up) for me. It was a pretty light, easy holiday read.

Her entire life all Sadie has ever wanted is to be a country music star. With the encouragement of her Grandma, she lands a spot on reality show ‘Starmaker’. She works hard, has grit and a beautiful voice, and thinks she might even have enough to win.

Max, son of a country legend, however.. is kind of just there. Or so it seems. But because of who he is and the ratings he brings to the show, he cannot be voted off.

It all comes to a head when they are forced together as a duo. Follow along as they try to work together on and off set.

Even though it’s based on a reality show, a lot of it seemed quiet unrealistic. Sadie was admirable in pushing for what she wanted and holding true to herself. Max drove me insane at his stubbornness, but it all came together nicely at the end.

If you want an easy, holiday read, this is for you!

Review will be posted on 12/15/22

Sadie Hunter has one more chance to make it in the country music business. She has a spot on the reality show, Starmaker, and she has to make this work. She has quit her job as a waitress and has her eye on that recording contract. It's go big or go home for Sadie, whereas Max, another contestant, has something to prove. His father is a famous country music star, so Max wants to show the world that he can make it without the help of his father or his father's name. On duet night, Sadie and Max get paired together and the chemistry is amazing. So much so that the producers of Starmaker want Sadie and Max to fake a relationship for ratings. There's one major problem here though. Sadie and Max hate each other. Can they really pull this off until the holiday special or will their dreams come crashing down around them? Maggie Knox's All I Want for Christmas is a cute holiday romance that's perfect for fans of country music.

I liked Knox's previous novel, The Holiday Swap, so I was excited to dive into this one. Sadie is a character that you can really root for, as she is the underdog, and Max is a complex character in his own right living under his father's shadow. If you like the enemies to lovers trope as well as country music, you will especially appreciate this romance. However, I feel like it lacked the holiday magic that her previous novel had, so I think this one can be enjoyed all winter and doesn't necessarily need to be saved for Christmas.

I really did not like this. Lots of showing and very little telling. Extremely disappointing as I loved The Holiday Swap!

I thought this was cute and I liked the concept!
I did find their relationship quite annoying at times. They had so many miscommunications- too many. I also thought this could’ve been longer. Or at least that some parts could’ve been delved into more.