4 stars!

I had a great time reading this Christmas novella!
We follow a late twenties woman named Starr. She is laid off from her job, so she goes home for the holidays with this secret. We also follow an early thirties dude named Waylon who sounds like a very fine man😁 Waylon is Starr's brother's best friend. Yep, it's a brother's best friend trope. Mmmhmm, yes please.

There is also a big pile of family drama since Starr's sister, Angel, is getting married to Starr's EX-BOYFRIEND. Yeah, not cool. We don't like Angel at the beginning.

Starr's brother asks Waylon to befriend Starr so that she isn't so lonely this holiday. Of course Waylon agrees because Starr is cute and who wouldn't want to be her company? lol.

Story goes from there. It's short, but there's a lot in it!

What I liked:
-the cold, cozy, Christmas vibes
-Starr and Waylon = adorable
-the faith! Toni's signatures "I'll be praying for you," "Have you prayed about it?" lines are much appreciated
-clever lines. her characters are funny and I like seeing their thoughts during conversation

Misses for me:
-the family drama with Angel felt immature and it was annoying to read. Could have done without that. I wish the conflict there was something else.
-I'll be honest - it is insta-love. Big time. So there was some cheesiness that made me roll my eyes a little.

I would totally recommend this book! A great Christmas novella to add to your TBR.

I was sent this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and the author!

Readers who enjoy Christmas stories will enjoy this sweet tale. Starr, as the youngest of five, always felt left out in her high achieving family. This story deals with family emotions and self worth as Starr struggles to find her way. I really liked Waylon's personality. Angel was such a self absorbed person that it was hard to believe that her family had not addressed her attitude.

Rounded up from 3.5
Now jobless, Starr is home to spend the Christmas season home with her family and help her sister with the festivities leading up to her Christmas Eve wedding with Ashton, Starr's ex. When Waylon, her brother's best friend, attends Thanksgiving with them, he is amazed at how stunning Starr has grown up to be. And when his best friend asks him to be a friend to his sister, he can only oblige.
This is a brother's best friend, holiday romance, and it is Hallmark movie worthy. The Christianity of it was a bit too present for little atheist me, and I wish I'd known about it before getting into it. It's told in third person POV, which is not my favorite. And the cheese in this one is layered on so thick it had me rolling my eyes so hard and so many times I have a headache now. I also felt the dialogue was forced at times, and the romance fell flat. And Angel is a selfish bitch. She does have some sort of redemption at the end, but sister or not, I wouldn't have forgiven her. At that point in the book, I was too mad at her to care about her apology. Also, I am getting a little bit sick of the trope where you go home for some sort of holiday and you lost your job but you're hiding it from your family because you're ashamed. I feel sorry for people who live in the kind of family who makes you feel ashamed if you lose your job or are single. I am blessed with a very supportive family and I would never hide anything like that from them or fake a relationship for them like is so often seen in these books (or Hallmark movies). OK. Rant over lol. All in all, it's a cute and super quick (200 pages) Holiday read.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

You Make It Feel Like Christmas has all the most wonderful Christmas feels that you would want from a book with “Christmas” in the title as well as an illustrated on a cover with a gorgeous Christmas tree and snow. Speaking of the cover, um can we say just how absolutely adorable it is?? Anyway, moving on. There’s plenty of talk of holiday festivities like tree lightings and Christmas shopping as well as the added joy of Waylon running his late mother’s all year round Christmas shop.

This book was short and sweet but didn’t feel rushed. I just devoured it. Starr and Waylon had known each other for so long that it felt reasonable for them to have an easy going relationship so early on, but it wasn’t like they were confessing love in two seconds, which feels so forced in most books. They had great chemistry as well as some great banter. I was really rooting for them and I loved the mature way they handled a possible separation that would result in a long distance relationship. On another note, I could not believe how oblivious Angel was to Starr’s feelings. Like who wouldn’t feel some kind of way about their boyfriend dumping them for their sister and then have to watch them get married?? Come one girl.

I would definitely like to continue reading the stories for the other Lewis siblings. I know this story is a refreshed makeover of the author’s previously written novella and I’d love to see this for the rest of the Lewis family too! (Cough, cough, hint, hint Bethany House!)

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I’m leaving an honest and voluntary review.

This is such a sweet book. It has its moments where you want to jump into the book and slap a character or two around or at the very least give them a stern talking to. But in the end, it’s a big sigh because it all worked out.

Starr is going home for the holidays. But this year she’s going home without a job. And she’s going home not just for the holidays but for her sister’s wedding. The wedding that is taking place between her sister and her own ex-boyfriend. She can’t help but feel betrayed by this. They didn’t even wait after the break-up.

But having her sister be insensitive is not the first time, sadly. Starr is not sure how she’s going to make it through. And she’s not telling anyone that she doesn’t have a job. They don’t need to know that.

Starr has a great family. Older brothers, a sister (okay so maybe she’s not the greatest) and loving parents. But currently, she’s single, unemployed, and not sure what she’s going to do next. Other than trying to survive this holiday season.

Enter Waylon. He’s a friend of her older brothers, a friend of the family, a local guy, and the owner of a Christmas shop that he inherited from his mother. When he decides to make it his mission to help her out and be sort of her protector things get interesting fast.

Maybe he’s going to be the answer to the not having a boyfriend issue. But what will Starr do about the no job? Maybe he can fix both? And what to do about the sister issue?

This book read like a Hallmark Christmas movie. It read quickly with appropriate amounts of drama and love/romance. Nothing unseemly though. It was sweet and cute. I highly recommend it.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Toni Shiloh delights with her new release Christmas novella and stirs up all the warm and cozy feelings of the season as romance flares between Starr Lewis and her big brother’s best friend, Waylon Emmerson.

Returning home for the holidays is particularly challenging for the newly unemployed Starr, exponentially so with the looming wedding of her sister to Starr’s ex. Not that Ashton is worth missing, but Bridezilla could at least apologize for stealing him. Fortunately, Waylon has a knack for stepping in to make the unbearable much more bearable. And a knack for making Starr’s pulse skitter like a church mouse. Toni Shiloh pens a delightful and easy read to get us all in the mood for the most festive season and put stars in our eyes. I am here for the one liners and easy banter between Starr and Waylon, as well as the way they put their future in God’s hands and pray for Him to show them the way. It’s a wholesome and wholly entertaining story that holds the attention from beginning to end.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

It was fantastic getting into the wintery Christmas spirit as I sat on a several-hours plane ride bound for a town pushing 103 degrees. What better activity than to read? In Toni Shiloh’s You Make it Feel Like Christmas, we meet Starr Lewis and her family, a family she’s dreading spending time with over the holidays. She’s hiding being laid off, and feels a bit like an outcast before even setting foot in the door.
Waylon Emerson has been Starr’s older brother’s best friend for years. He’s alone this Thanksgiving and is invited to the Lewis’. When Starr opens the front door, she is not at all the gawky teen he remembers.
Wayne seems to notice how Starr is feeling, without her saying a word. He befriends her, and she gives him some help with his business.
As they spend time together and grow closer, can they each trust that the Lord will give them clear direction for their futures? Could those futures blend into one shared together?
You will want to find out! I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.

My sincere thanks to Bethany House, LibraryThing Early Reviewers, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read You Make It Feel Like Christmas and give my unbiased opinion of it in the following review.

If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, you will love this novella by Toni Shiloh. In You Make It Feel Like Christmas, we meet Starr and Waylon who have known each other for a long time. Starr has just been laid off from her job and has come home for Thanksgiving and the holiday festivities which will include Starr's sister Angel getting married to Starr's ex-boyfriend. Needless to say, there is a little tension there even though Starr isn't interested in her ex anymore. Waylon is a friend of Starr's older brother and immediately takes notice of how "all grown up" Starr is now. Starr is also feeling a connection to Waylon but plans to leave after the holidays when she finds a new job. How will this work out? Well, the story is cute with just a tiny bit of drama but really no real angst. Because this is a novella, there is not the character development that I personally prefer in a romance. I enjoyed it and expect that many others will too. Perfect for getting in the Christmas spirit.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
You Make It Feel Like Christmas is a sweet inspirational Christmas novella that pulls from some common holiday romance tropes, like complex family drama and lack of holiday spirit for one reason or another. I really felt for Starr right away, especially as her sister did not respect Girl Code, and now said sister is marrying her ex. Waylon, meanwhile, is grieving his mother’s passing, and is invited by his friend (and Starr’s brother) to join the family for Christmas. With both of them not doing so well going in, I appreciated that they had each other to lean on. And while it seemed like a temporary, surface-level holiday relationship, I enjoyed seeing how the relationship deepened between them. And even though there are some tense moments for Starr, courtesy of the sister/ex drama, the rest of the family try to still be supportive, and they also welcomed Waylon into the fold, providing him a safe haven for the holidays.

Even better than a Hallmark Christmas movie! Toni Shiloh is quickly becoming a favorite, must read author. I love her relatable characters and the natural way she weaves faith throughout her stories. You Make it Feel Like Christmas is a fun, funny, age gap, brother’s best friend, quick read with a sweet, swoony romance, and all the Christmas feels. It left me with a huge smile on my face, completely satisfied, yet not ready to let go of Waylon, Starr, and her delightful family.

After recently being laid off from her New York job and with her sister’s upcoming wedding to her ex-boyfriend, Starr Lewis isn’t looking forward to coming home for the Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays. She decides it isn’t too bad though when her older brother’s handsome best friend, Waylon Emmerson comes for Thanksgiving dinner. Dealing with her sister Angel and seeing her ex-boyfriend isn’t easy, but Waylon is always there with fun, holiday adventures to take her mind off her problems.

Waylon’s still recovering from recently loosing his mother. He’s inherited her Christmas shop & Starr is just the expert he needs to help him keep it afloat. As Waylon keeps Starr’s spirits up after her bridezilla sister’s shenanigans, she helps him with new, exciting ideas for his shop. As their relationship grows, both have important decisions to make regarding their futures. Will their decisions take them far apart or make their Christmas dreams come true?

There was so much packed into this sweet novella. I loved how it explored mending fences, and strengthening sibling relationships. I enjoyed Starr’s fun, close knit family dynamics. Waylon’s adorable and I loved his funny one liners and slightly cheesy pickup lines. I loved the unique candle gifts, the ornament, and all the Christmas holiday adventures. I also appreciated how faith was a natural everyday occurrence in the characters’ lives and didn’t seem forced or in any way preachy. These characters quickly became friends you hate to leave.

Highly recommend this fun, delightful, Christmas romance! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are completely my own and voluntarily provided.

You Make It Feel Like Christmas was such a wonderful and heartwarming Christmas novella! I loved the way Starr and Waylon felt attraction growing between them right from the first moment of their reintroduction to each other. They knew each other previously because Waylon was Starr’s oldest brother’s best friend. They were definitely a swoony couple!

This story dealt with hurt feelings on Starr’s side, as she navigated the upcoming wedding of her sister to Starr’s ex-boyfriend. I really felt for Starr as she tried to be kind even as those two did not make it easy. Waylon struggled with grief as he entered the first holiday season since his mom had passed away. I loved the way Starr’s family pulled him into all of their activities.

This novella was a great way to feel as if the Christmas season was already upon us! The romance was beautiful and the characters were both strong in their faith. This title is an expanded and updated version of an earlier novella titled, I’ll Be Home.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was and easy to read romcom that had some nice moments of faith and family relationships.

I loved that the spiritual aspect wasn't too heavy.
The sibling relationships were relatable and cute.
There were some good lines like this one... "If I knock myself out, just kiss me awake."
The Christmas atmosphere was nice.
The writing overall was good.

THOUGHTS:
The romance was fast food. Rushed and not as good as advertised.

A novella is round 160 pages. This book is 171. (It's a freaking novella) There was no time to develop anything of substance. Also, The MC would only compliment Starr on how pretty she was. " You look fantastic"... "It was the glow from your beauty." There's more to a woman than how pretty she looks with makeup on.

The dialogue had a few good lines and scenes but overall, I was bored out of my mind. There's nothing particularly memorable about this book for me but I can see why people would like it.

OVERALL:
This is quick and easy to read. It has a fast romance with faith throughout. It didn't work for me but It might work for you.

*All opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you Netgalley for a free copy.*

#BookReview : 🎄YOU MAKE IT FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS by Toni Shiloh

This book, which was first released under the title "I'll Be Home," remains as enjoyable to me today as it was when I first read it over a year ago. I still find the Lewis family and their close bond to be heartwarming.

Starr is back home for Christmas and her sister's wedding. She was recently terminated from her job and is having difficulty reconnecting with her sister and finding her footing in her career. I enjoyed the realistic conversations and emotions in the story. It wasn't easy for Starr but I was glad she was able to let go and forgive. I like her new career choice too!

Waylon's Christmas store is a lot of fun. Starr was a big help in bringing the store back to life, and they found love along the way. Their romance was sweet, and I think they're a great couple. I also like how supportive they are of each other.

This was a sweet novella and I love the cover. I can't wait to read the stories of the other Lewis siblings.

Rating : 4 ⭐
Pub date : 05 Sept 2023

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

A heartwarming tale about family, faith, and love. Starr and Waylon have a great dynamic. The weaving of faith and fun was well balanced. Perfect to jump into the Christmas season.

One of the first books I read by this author was I’ll be Home. The publisher is reprinting this book under a new title, You Make it Feel Like Christmas and with more content! I loved revisiting this book with the added story. I wanted to snuggle up and stay in Waylon and Starrs world. Immerse yourself in Washington DC during the holidays. Don’t forget the Christmas cookies!

4 Star Review You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh

I love stories set around Christmas. It’s a magical time of the year for family and friends to come together.

Unemployed, Starr Lewis reluctantly returns home for the holidays and to attend her sisters Christmas Eve wedding; to make matters worse, the groom is Starr’s ex-boyfriend.

Meeting her brothers’ best friend Waylon Emmerson at Thanksgiving is a bright moment in an otherwise dark time for Starr. As Starr and Waylon get to know one another the sparks fly. Starr is at a crossroads and needs to decide what she wants out of life.

Can the magic of the holiday season, bring a Christmas miracle for Starr?

One click and find out.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

This one is on NetGalley because nowhere did it state that this was a CHRISTIAN romance. I am purposefully not Christian, I left the church, I am not in support of Christianity as an institution. But alas I now have this ARC on my hands and I’m going to try to rate it fairly.

I did not expect there to be so much “prayer”
in this book. The mcs regularly ask “the lord” for their guidance in form of inner monologues or discussions. It is absolutely wild to me that people would make decisions on what they think a sky wizard told them to do. Just thinking about a grown ass banker and a shop owner waiting on a magician old man to show them the way makes my insides shrivel. The “lord” is referenced 42 times throughout a 208 pages book…. Now that I know that this is written by a “christian author” who writes christian romances I know why that is. As an atheist, I’m a little bit too stunned to speak.

All those “lord”-thingies aside, I have to say that I really enjoyed the romance aspect of this book. Starr and Waylon are a sweet bunch but because of their limitations because of some faith based rules, their emotional relationship doesn’t strive farther than that of two high school sweethearts. That’s a real shame unfortunately, they could have had one hell of a chemistry.

Trying to set all the religious things aside I don’t think that I would have rated this book much higher. There wasn’t much happening (as short a book that it is) in the story an the romance fell flat because of their self imposed restrictions. I hoped that the conflict between the sisters was explored more deeply and maybe also why there was zero support for Starr from her parents.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

You Make It Feel like Christmas by Toni Shiloh is a wonderful Christmas story. Starr is one of five kids and she is coming home for the holidays. She has not told her family that she has recently lost her job in New York, and she also will be attending her sister’s wedding to her ex-boyfriend. Waylon Emmerson has been her older brother’s friend and now owns a Christmas Shop that could use her expertise. They reconnect at Thanksgiving.

This had all the feels for me. It as fun to watch Starr and Waylon’s relationship grow beyond friendship. I enjoyed Waylon’s one liners, watching them both figure out what they really want in for a delightful setting. Starr’s sibling and parents were great secondary characters and I enjoyed the family dynamics.

The themes of family, valuing sibling relationships, and figuring out what matters most resonated with me. The faith part of this book was well done. It was not preachy, but genuine. Starr and Waylon’s chats with God added to the book.

This is a lovely Christmas story that has all the feels. I highly recommend You Make it Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh.

I was give a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I love that it takes place during Christmas and that the main characters were easy to love. I loved that faith was in the forefront of the story where the characters talked openly with God and prayer was a regular occurrence.

I think for the length of the book the story was well written and felt believable. I loved the main characters Starr and Waylon. They balanced each other out well and I love that they had years of getting to know each other as they were growing up.

This was definitely a sweet Christian romance that I enjoyed reading. If you are looking for a book that has the perfect Christmas time feel to it, some family drama, finding faith and prayer, and just a well written novel give this one a go.

Physical Intimacy: Lvl 1
Zero Swearing
Christian Aspects
Brother's Best Friend

I liked how the author invited readers to join in the celebration and holiday fun. Starr is trying to stay away from the family gathering. But she’s not doing a good job of it. Oh, she loves her family, but since she suddenly lost her job and her apartment, her life has been completely flipped upside down.

Starr was worried as she wondered how to inform her parents of her predicament. Then there was the wedding drama with her sister. Starr is still having a hard time letting go of the idea that her sister would marry her ex-boyfriend. She had to push through and get past this.

Starr finally receives an incredible gift her life is not ready for. Her brother's close buddy Waylon Emmerson has been invited to their house to celebrate Christmas because this is his first Christmas without family.
I loved seeing Waylon and Starr’s relationship develop. I enjoyed this charming Christmas story brimming with joy, a hint of faith, lots of love, humor, and a splash of romance. You might want to include this on your TBR stack for holiday reading.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/