The book had a good premise, but the main characters were very immature. This read like a romance between 17 year olds.

The scenes where they fight were really awkward where it seemed like they were just talking normally and then all the sudden one of them was storming out. I legitimately never had any idea what they were even fighting about.

in the end, this book was pretty predictable and very frustrating to read.

Holiday romance meets country musics’ American Idol (with a Christmas twist). Mac and Sadie meet as contestants in a music reality show and start fake dating their way through the show. It has a last Christmas and this Christmas section.

Overall, this was a fine read. Had little spice and I found the characters to be extremely stubborn and was frustrated with their choices. There was many added characters and plot lines towards the end that I could’ve done without.

Thank you to Net Galley and Putnam for an advanced copy!

Mixed response... rounded up to 3 stars.

On the plus side, there were main characters with real chemistry and a setting, within the world of singing competitions and country music not to mention Banff, that I enjoyed and the Christmas holiday made for a nice background to the story. Well done take on the enemies to lovers and fake relationship tropes.

On the down side, the first half of the book just didn't grab me and I'm a fan of televised singing competitions! Something was off for me... a bit cliche?. Then there was the repetition, most notably the miscommunication/storm off cycle and the dangling details (why were there fresh strawberries in a store with dusty boxes of strawberries? who sent the letter? made the phone call...???

I both finished and enjoyed <i>All I want For Christmas</i> as a pre-holiday read but with a bit more editing (?) it could have been even better.

FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All I Want for Christmas is fun for fans of country music, Nashville and American Idol type singing competitions. Sadie and Max are cute and frustrating, if they would just talk to each other then things would be so much easier for everyone. The bright spot is definitely Sadie’s grandma and her love for music and her granddaughter

I adored Maggie Knox's last book The Holiday Swap and was really looking forward to another Christmas time book! Honestly though this was a little disappointing for me. It started off really strong with the reality show, work place rivals being forced to work together. The "past" was a little slow and did take up 40% of the book, but honestly I was still really excited because it felt like it was more world building and really setting up for things to happen in the present timeline. Unfortunately I don't feel like much happened. I loved when Sadie went to Max in Banff and that was really great. After though they just seemed to constantly having misunderstanding and miscommunication right after another and it was honestly just a little much. I then just couldn't wrap my mind around why they even liked each other, or why I even liked them as characters. The ending seemed to wrap up too quickly as well and too happy for all the stuff they dealt with. I wish this one hadn't been so angsty because I think when the characters where acting right they were so sweet together and I did enjoy them in those moments a whole lot.

I had to kick off December with my most anticipated holiday romance! It did not disappoint! If you enjoy watching The Voice or Nashville you’d love this book.

Sadie and Max are competitors on a reality tv singing show that is set in Nashville. The two had undeniable chemistry when paired together for a duet that the viewers went wild over. To keep them both in the competition Sadie and Max start fake dating despite hating each other. Will they make it to the show’s holiday special and see their dreams come true or will they end their careers??

I loved the Nashville setting and how the book included classic country music references. Despite the book being filled with miscommunication problems and dragging at times, I still found myself invested in Sadie and Max. I sympathized with the two navigating their careers, love, and grief all at the same time.

Thank you @netgalley and @putnambooks for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was very excited to read this book because I liked this author's last holiday romance novel, The Holiday Swap, however, I tried to get through this book, and I was just not drawn into this story. I found the transitions from scene to scene were too choppy. I also did not find a connection with the characters, so I found myself not really caring what happened to them in the end.

#AllIWantforChristmas #NetGalley

Overall I really enjoyed the concept of this story. What I didn’t like was that the main characters seemed to get into so many fights over simple miscommunications. I just wasn’t convinced that they’d actually be happy together in the end, based on how many arguments they had over the short course of this book. I think it could have been much better if there were less fights and showed more of their love for one another.

Sadie and Max's fates cross when they end up on a singing reality show that is set to end around the holidays. Max is concerned that Sadie is his main competition and Sadie is upset at having to cross paths with Max who had previously brushed her off when she was starting her career. The pair are forced to unite to win the competition and are pushed to pretend that they are a couple. As the trope goes, the fake dating turns real and as usual leads to misunderstandings. This book reads as your typical Hallmark Christmas movie so if that's the holiday pick me up you're looking for, this is definitely the read for you.

Christmas books are rated on a much different scale than the rest of the books I review. They can get away with over the top cheesy characters because that's what I've come to expect (and adore) from them.

However, I cannot get behind this dude. Big no. How can I root for a couple, when he can't get his life together enough to follow through with his contractual obligations and commitment...Even if it means screwing over the person he's supposedly in love with.

With that said, I LOVED the John Denver references. John Denver Rocky Mountain Christmas is without a doubt the BEST Christmas album ever. 🤍

Ok first, this cover is adorable. Second, so is the story! I love the fact that Maggie Knox is releasing Christmas content right on schedule every year, already looking forward to next years!

Sadie and Max are contestants on a reality singing show . While there might have been an initial spark, they quickly get on each other's bad sides. Max comes from country singing royalty and Sadie is about ready to through in the towel on her singing dreams. Despite their animosity, the show asks them to combine forces and compete as a duet. As they get to know each other , their feelings become complicated. However, their relationship seems to take one step forward and two steps backwards as their own insecurities get in the way of honest communication.

While their lack of communication and poor interpretation of each others' actions might be somewhat realistic, I struggled with it. I just wanted them to go to therapy and learn how to talk to each other!

Thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

A classic enemies to lovers/fake relationshipromance with a Christmas twist. Sadie Hunter and a max Brody are competitors on the country music Starmaker TV show. One thing leads to another and the pair are told by their managers and producers to fake a relationship in order to win the show. Problem is, they can’t stand each other. Of course, shenanigans ensue over the remainder of the competition and into the future.

A cute story and I found myself rooting for their relationship, even though there were things that both characters got worked up over that drove me mildly crazy. But would it even be a rom com without such things?

Maybe it's because it's almost December and i'm a hopeless romantic who loves the city of Nashville, but I REALLY enjoyed this love story. Sadie and Max are two young country music hopefulls shooting their shots on a popular singing competition. Eventually, they're paired together because the chemistry is UNDENIABLE and that's business baby. As you can expect there is a sketchy force in the music industry that finds it's way in between Sadie and Max, starting with that they are each others competition - later we meet some not so great industry people who do their best to ensure that #Saxie never happens.

Semi enemy to lovers/fake dating trope leads to the expected ups and downs but comes together in the end for a beautiful romace. I'm a big fan of both of these tropes because I love a good slow build. Give me all of the tension, it makes me so giddy! I loved the christmas back drop and I especially loved having some time in romantic colorado rocky mountains.

My only real complaint is that some of the spacing was weird, a little bit of hurry up and wait type vibe. And towards the end I was so over Max being incredibly dumb and flying to conclusions immediately (but I think that was intentional). I could have used a little more spice, but not mad at the level it is at now. I would feel very comfortable with my teenager reading this book with no problem.

This was such a cute book and a perfect cozy holiday read! I loved the alternating perspectives between Sadie and Max and really liked the way that the passage of time was handled. Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!

This is the perfect book for when you're in the mood for a cheesy feel good holiday love story!

Max and Sadie are contestants of the hit reality show Starmaker. After getting paired in the duet week and the viewers go crazy for their on stage chemistry! This makes them start a fake dating relationship to help their chance at winning the show! They soon see their true selves and realize there might be a reason for their immediate chemistry.

I needed this book for this time of year! I love picking up easy holiday reads in November and December that help me get through my busy schedule and in the mood for festive everything! Grab a cup of hot chocolate or hot tea, light a festive candel and treat yourself with All I Want for Christmas!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this title in exchange for my honest thoughts!

I loved this book! 😍
I was just in Nashville a few months ago, so reading about the familiar tourist spots was so fun!
I also enjoy country music so this was strictly the country version of American Idol for me!
There was drama, triumph, love, and so many laughable moments!
This was my first Maggie Knox book, but it sure won’t be my last!!

I loved this setup, especially with the story being so much more than that. Also touching on grief and industry toxicity, it was surprisingly emotional. I really enjoyed the combination with the otherwise cheerful mood holiday romances bring.

🎄 Book Review 🎄

All I Want For Christmas
Author: Maggie Knox
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you love:
🎸 Christmas
🎸 Romance
🎸 Country Music

#AllIWantForChristmas by #MaggieKnox is the second holiday novel I’ve ever read and it reminds me a lot of an edgier, steamier Hallmark Christmas movie. It was much cuter than I expected and is a fun way to welcome the holiday season.

I would recommend this book if you are in the mood for a light read to get you in the Christmas spirit. My favorite part about it has to be the fact that it made me want to visit Nashville during the holidays.

Wasn’t really a fan of this one. I just felt like to much stories where trying to be told in this one. When all I really needed was a cute romance. Favorite part where the heroine’s family story. Also the miscommunication in this felt to much. As did the year they went without communicating. I think a solid story was hear and it just got bogged down to to much stuff. I would like to try this author again sometime, but this one was a three star read.