What a cozy holiday romance! It was fun to see the relationship grow through the years. I fell in love with the characters. The actual current travel day seemed rather long written. The steamy scenes were very well written and fun to read ❤️ 3.75 out of 5 stars.

For the last 10 years, Molly and Andrew have been travelling back from Chicago to Ireland to spend Christmas with their families. They’re not “together”, but they are friends. The chapters alternate between present day and some of the journeys over the last 10 years and give us a glimpse as to how their friendship has bloomed over this time! The cover of the book immediately caught my eye, and I loved how fun this story looked! It perfectly encapsulates the essence of the story and, although there were some serious moments and topics throughout the book, the majority of it was fun, flirty and fabulous!

Molly and Andrew are great characters! Our first meeting of them when Andrew is about to get dumped by Molly’s friend sets the scene for the rest of the book. I loved how the next year when Molly realises again, she is sitting next to him, you can actually hear her mouth hitting the cabin floor, but then year after year it just becomes better and better! Andrew is a great character, so likeable and, let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to be sat next to him! As the book moves on and we stay more in the present day, the story does become a little bit more emotional and not as flirty as it was. This does however let you see the characters in a different light, which was lovely!

This is a great Christmas themed read and if you’re not in the Christmas spirit by the time you read it, you certainly won’t be far behind! The characters are all likeable, the locations are wonderful and it’s a fabulously heart-warming and easy to read book! Filled with love, family and friendships, this book comes highly recommended by me!

Can I rate this more than 5 stars? This had all the right ingredients for being exceptional. Perfect romance, comedy and writing. I haven't laughed out loud this much while reading in such a long time.

Andrew and Molly were perfect. To be honest, everything in this book was perfect. It just made me so happy. I finished this feeling well and truly content. Plus the chemistry was off the charts. The build-up was *chef's kiss*. There was no way I could put this book down.

I'm so glad I read this and I honestly can't wait for more by Catherine Walsh!

Thank you to the publisher for kindly providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Wow. Just wow. This book was spectacular. 10/5 stars. I will never stop recommending this book and I will support Catherine Walsh for the rest of my days. I loved this book (if you couldn’t tell) and could not put it down. I loved every single character in this book which is usually rare for any book. But I loved them all.

My new book boyfriend is Andrew. He is dreamy and super sweet and a total sunshine guy. There is the sunshine/grumpy trope here with Andrew being the jolly Christmas guy and Molly never celebrating (and hating) Christmas.

Not only does the book follow the present day, but it also has some scenes from the past in it. Specifically, all of the years that Andrew and Molly have been traveling home and wound up on the same plane. I loved this addition to the book because it made it seem like their relationship was 9 years in the making and their feelings for each other weren’t just sprung on us.

I could probably talk all day about how much I love this book, but I’m sure most people have signed off by now. When Holiday Romance is released, I will be buying a copy immediately.

I fully expected this book to be a typical, cheesy holiday romance. You know the kind, the book version of a Hallmark movie. Wow, was I wrong.

The book follows Molly and Andrew as they try to make it to Dublin from Chicago, despite everything going wrong. We get flashbacks spanning over ten years as their friendship builds.

It's a friend's to lovers trope, which usually isn't my favorite, but wow did it work in this charming romcom.

If you are looking for a cute, romantic holiday book- this is definitely it. Even if you aren't into holiday themed books, I'd still recommend this.

✅ Festive Vibes 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
✅ Original, Well-executed Premise 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
⚠️ Romance Radar ⭐⭐ (Irreparably Faulty towards the end, unless you like Super Sweet)
⚠️ Likeable Characters, until they are Flattened ⭐⭐⭐


Holiday Romance is a case in point of when a potentially solid story starts going downhill midway through the book -- and the trouble, of course, is with the faulty Romance radar. The premise, though simple, is initially developed into a thrilling to-and-fro between past flights and the Now: the yearly airport encounters between Molly and Andrew, who travel from Chicago to Ireland in order to spend Christmastime with their respective families. This build up serves to reconstruct the burgeoning intimacy, honesty, and closeness of their friendship, only to then miserably fail the elemental transition -- the friends-to-lovers trope -- in the second half, when their enjoyable dialogue and the comfortable pleasantness of the story exit the pages, taking with them my interest in finishing the book.

Sure, the story does have some redeeming qualities, even beyond the intriguing chapter alignment. What is particularly successful, I would say, is the investment in 'a Christmas spirit' -- even through the amusing cousin, Oliver. Andrew's family also reminded me of the Weasleys, which is always a good thing. But it was rather heart-warming to assist to Molly's -- not Weasley, the Molly of this book -- own change of heart and perspective on her family.

In what I am here referring to as Part 1, Walsh also proved to be fully able not to succumb to unappetising, over-sentimental, unidimensional relational exchange. Which therefore begs the question: why the unnecessary OTT-ness of part 2? Why hollow out her characters and their romantic experience to that extent? What makes it all the more frustrating is that this book has all the makings of a romance right from the outset, which means that the sweetness intoxication taking over by the end of it was ultimately unproductive and completely avoidable. It also regrettably reframes the perceived enjoyment of what at first seems to be a decently well turned story.

In other words, the happy ending did not need to do as much as it forced itself to.


Thanks go to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC of this book.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…. Holiday Romance is the perfect Rom-Com y’all need to start holiday cheer early!

Catherine Walsh does it again! In Holiday Romance Molly and Andrew are two Irish peeps living in Chicago who end up taking the same flight home for 10 years in a row - over which time they become friends.

The comedic banter is off the charts and you will find yourself laughing out loud several times throughout the story. I read this one in one sitting and did not want it to end. Ever.

Hoping this gets made into a movie (think The Holiday) - as I would love to see this up on the big screen!

Catherine Walsh is a must read author for me, and she proves it once again with Holiday Romance!

Thank you NetGalley, CW, and Bookouture for this ARC - all opinions are my own.

I can't express how much I loved this book! It had my favorite tropes - Christmas romance, friends to lovers. I stayed up way too late reading this because I couldn't get enough of Molly and Andrew. #chefkiss

This adorable Christmas story follows the relationship between Molly and Andres - past and present.

Molly, an Irish woman going to college in Chicago, has a seat next to Andrew, a fellow Irishman, who is Molly's soon to be ex-friend's soon to be ex-boyfriend. Both Molly and Andrew are heading home to Ireland for Christmas, but have very different traditions. Molly's family is very low-key - no decorations, cash as gifts, where Andrew's family goes all out - ugly jumpers, big dinner, lots of presents.

Molly and Andrew have kept in contact throughout the years, emailing and texting, with occasional face to face lunches. However, they always fly back to Ireland together.

This year is their 10th flight anniversary and their flight is grounded due to a massive storm. As they scramble to find alternate transportation to Ireland, they find themselves attracted to each other. Will they be able to maintain a romance after the holidays?

This is my perfect example of a Christmas romance - perfectly cheesy, lots of Christmas cheer, snow, mild drama, happy families. This is funny without being over the top, and I really enjoyed reading it with a smile on my face. There's slow-burning tension, in both a sweet and sexy way. Molly and Andrew are both great, and I loved all the interactions with their families. This book is like a great Christmas hug, highly recommend if you love a sweet, low-drama, holiday fill read. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very entertaining story about friends, Molly and Andrew, who met every year whilst flying home from the US to Ireland for the Christmas holidays.

Molly and Andrew initially met when Andrew went out with one of Molly's friends (it didnt' last), but over the years have kept in touch through various relationships, always staying just friends, and sharing their flight to Ireland at Christmas every year. This year though a storm nearly puts paid to getting home, but Molly decides that no storm is going to stop Andrew getting home to his family for Christmas. Molly can take or leave Christmas, but Andrew is full-on Christmas and celebrates a lot with his family.

There follows various flights, boats, trains, etc. in order to get back to Ireland in time for Christmas, during which time their relationship takes a turn when they are sharing more time with each other, and they start wondering what if there was more to their relationship than just friends.

This was very entertaining read with great characters that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This was friends to lovers PERFECTION. I absolutely love Catherine Walsh’s writing style, it’s the perfect mix of witty and cozy. This was exactly the feel good holiday romance I needed. Also, I loved the minimal third act conflict.

Oh this one gives all the feels! It has adventure, and family, and holidays, plus a little bit of grinch and toss in a little added international fun for this Christmas Romcom. It’s truly a breath of fresh air. It makes me want to turn on the Christmas lights, turn on some Mariah Carey, and cuddle up with a blanket to reread this one! Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy…. Everyone needs this on their Christmas list.

This book was a DELIGHT! I love a good "Holiday Romance" and whoever came up with that title is a genius! (It is simple, to the point and will probably get a lot of google searches.) I started reading it at 9pm and did not stop until I finished. It made me laugh and I felt like I was right there with Molly and Andrew. Such a sweet friends to lovers story that emphasizes how important it is to follow your heart. I can picture myself reading it again in December curled up by the fireplace next to my Christmas Tree.

A huge thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Ah, Catherine Walsh's Holiday Romance deserves a million, billion gazillion stars! I stayed up until 3 am reading because Molly and Andrew's story was just so perfect.
This book has the holiday feels, the friends-to-lovers trope, travel; simply everything.
Molly and Andrew both live in Chicago and go home to Ireland every year for Christmas.
Andrew comes from 'that' family, the one who celebrates and loves Christmas. Molly's family isn't as festive and she wouldn't be caught dead in a Christmas sweater.
Their friendship spans over 10 years until a canceled flight and "I'll be home for Christmas" dilemma challenges the foundation of their entire friendship.
I can't recommend this book enough. I kind of want to read it again right now because it made me feel beyond joyful. I expect this to be a definite re-read on my shelf when I need that comfort, festive, easy read to make me feel grounded. I adore this book so much!!!

Thank you to the moon and back Netgalley and Bookouture for my eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Holiday Romance is out October 4, 2022!

Blog will be posted on September 12, 2022 @ www.jourdanawebber.com
Instagram will be posted on September 12, 2022 @ www.instagram.com/jourdanawebber

'Holiday Romance' is like a mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day. It warmed my heart and made me feel all the feels of a great romcom! Molly and Andrew have been traveling home for the holidays, and they meet up at the airport in Chicago to fly home to Ireland. Their friendship blossoms from their 7 hour flights home, and they quickly begin to look forward to their long trips at the holidays. Molly and Andrew take these holiday flights home together for 10 years, but is their 10th anniversary flight the start of something more than friendship? Only a little bit of mistletoe, snow, and holiday cheer can give the answers!

I have been in a reading funk lately, and it seems like all of the books that I read are dark or depressing. 'Holiday Romance' took me out of that funk, and it swept me off of my feet! I was transported to a busy airport in Chicago, and I was swept up by the snow filled countryside of Dublin, Ireland. I have visited Chicago, but I have never been to Ireland. After reading this book, I want to visit Ireland soon! I read this book in one day because I couldn't put it down.

I love the way that the author, Catherine Walsh, jumped back in time between the 10 different holiday flights that Molly and Andrew took together. Each flight showed a different part in their friendship: sometimes one was in a relationship, sometimes one was being broken up with, and sometimes, one of them was dealing with the stresses of family and career. Showing the different flights allowed me to understand the complexity of Andrew and Molly's friendship. They were always there for each other, and their flights became a tradition that both of them looked forward to.

This is the perfect romcom! I laughed, I cried, and I smiled so much while reading this book! If you are looking for a feel good romcom to melt your reading blues away, this is the book for you! I loved it!

Thanks to BookOuture and NetGalley for the ARC of this amazing book!

"Something as simple as getting home for Christmas should not be this complicated..."
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Molly and Andrew have been catching flights home to Ireland together every Christmas for the past ten years. There's no reason for Molly to assume that this year is going to be any different. No reason at all...until a freak storm hits and all flights are grounded. But that won't hold Molly back who pulls out all the stops - and cashes in a Christmas miracle, or two - in an attempt to get festive-loving Andrew back home to the Rebel County on time. But along the way, a fateful run in with some mistletoe might bring about a different kind of Christmas cheer that Molly didn't count for.
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"He kisses me like I’ve never been kissed before. Like he’s been waiting his whole life to do it. Or maybe just ten years..."
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I read this book with a big smile plastered on my face throughout. It was such a feel good and fluffy romance filled with festive cheer (that Molly would roll her eyes at 🤭). I loved Molly and Andrew, their friendship, their chemistry and how perfect they were for eachother! The reverse grumpy/sunshine was refreshing as was seeing their relationship grow through flashbacks over the past ten years interweaved with the events of the present day. As an Irish reader, I loved how the banter and jokes flowed, feeling so much like home but knowing that other readers would also 'get it'. Catherine Walsh is an autobuy author - she has perfected the ultimate Rom-Com formula and I'll preorder anything and everything she writes! I honestly think Netflix needs to jump on the Irish/American romance bandwagon because her stories would look amazing on screen...
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"Because I know in my soul there will only be him. There’s only ever been him..."

I was given an Arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was so cute! The caption on the front is what caught my attention! “She’s meant to be catching flights, not catching feelings”.

This was so cute and fun to read! The characters were all very likable! I’ve read one Catherine Walsh book before and she is now definitely a favorite of mine!

5/5 and will be buying a physical copy for my shelf!

a very sweet holiday romance full of second chances, travel mishaps, and Irish culture. Andrew and Molly are a sweet couple you root the entire time for. I enjoyed the writing style and found this to be a great balance between cheesy holiday romance but still peppered with realism. Thank you for the arc in exchange for an honest review. This books is out in October!

This book in 3 words: Sweet. Fun. Exhilarating.

Holiday Romance follows Molly and Andrew as they try to make it back home to Ireland for Christmas. While getting through some travel woes, will the 2 be able to get back in time?

This is a holiday book that makes me crave the winter months. Barely light days, cold weather, comfort food, all while spending time with friends and family. I think the ability for an author to get a reader to feel these nostalgic emotions is the sign of a solid holiday book.

The structure of going back to different flights where Molly and Andrew were together was lovely. It was a change of pace and allowed us to see growth and arc from each character, in a short amount of time.

Molly and Andrew are just so sweet. I couldn’t get enough of Molly’s strong and sometimes prickly (understandably so) personality. Andrew, on the other hand, is definitely a level-setter. The 2 of them together is so swoon.

I was interested, beginning to end, laughed aloud and smiled until my cheeks hurt. I definitely recommend this book for some light holiday reading.

Molly and Andrew are friends who have been travelling home from Chicago to Ireland for the past nine years. They have some contact throughout the year, but this 7 hour trip is their time to catch up. On year ten, a snowstorm threatens to cancel their plans. Molly works out a "plan B" to get Christmas loving, Andrew, home. It involves taxi's, planes, trains, ferries and cars, plus three continents and gets him home to his family as he loves Christmas with them.

Holiday Romance is a friends to lovers, sweet, holiday romance. Catherine Walsh writes such a wonderful romance with well crafted dialogue, interesting relationships and a series of mishaps that really give you the feel of the holiday spirit. I was rooting for Molly and Andrew from the first chapter, and their story is so sweet an endearing.

The banter in this book between Molly and Andrew is top notch. They are so awesome together. Friends to lovers is a hard trope for me, because you don't often get to be there when the relationship begins, and I like to see that start. In this book you did (nearly). Sure, Molly knew Andrew as her acquaintances boyfriend, but you really see the beginning of the relationship through the use of the flashback scenes of the different Christmas flights they have taken.

This isn't just a love story. This is a story about family, about finding yourself and about believing that you are worth it. I loved this story, I loved the characters and I loved the setting! I can imagine this book as a movie with some of the antics that happened.

Catherine Walsh has quickly become an auto-read author for me. Her stories are so interesting, fun and wonderful. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.