2.5 Stars. Sheila’s best friend Natalie convinces her to spend Christmas in Chestnut Ridge, an idyllic small town that holds an annual Christmas Tree Stroll competition. She meets Tucker, the local fire captain, while helping a family in need, and feelings spark between the two in the days leading up to Christmas in this charming town.

I typically love a sweet and cozy Christmas book, but I struggled to connect with this story and the characters. Perhaps this is partially due to the book being second in a series, and while it works as a stand-alone I’m sure I missed out on some key details that may have changed my opinion of the story. I did absolutely love the idyllic Christmas town setting, and I felt transported there through the pages of the book—the Christmas Tree Stroll sounds incredible! However, the characters and story were almost too sweet and cheesy, so it felt a bit inauthentic. Some parts of story also were over descriptive and slow, causing my attention to drift. While this wasn’t the right fit for me, if you want a sugary-sweet, holiday escape, give it a chance for yourself!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for my gifted e-copy!

This charming holiday romance seems straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, so I wasn't surprised that the author has written several of those. Recently divorced Sheila allows her friend to persuade her to spend two weeks over the holiday in mountain town Chestnut Ridge. Sheila hopes to get some Christmas spirit, but doesn't expect to become so drawn into the life of the small town. She especially does not expect to find romance with the fire chief, Tucker.

A delightful distraction from real life, this novel will keep you turning the pages, even if you're cynical like me and can't help thinking that small town life is unrealistically romanticized. But it's a nice diversion for a few hours. #ChristmasinChestnutRidge #NetGalley

I love the way Nancy Naigle writes and sets her stories up. This is a picturesque, Christmas novel with some romance, but I would consider it “light” with no steam. The main character takes a trip to Chestnut Ridge to spend time with her friend and it changes the course of her life forever. With a fun Christmas tree competition and an enchanting relationship that grows through the Christmas season, this is the perfect holiday read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ahh... there is nothing like a small town romance during the holidays to really get me into a cozy festive mood! This book is packed with all the goodness of a Hallmark Christmas movie. I hate to use that to compare all the holiday romances too, but its just such a good summary of the feel good vibes that it gives.

“Once you experience Christmas in Chestnut Ridge, you’ll never forget it.”

I loved all of the townspeople of Chestnut Ridge and it really made reading this book feel like coming home to a warm hug. This was mt first of the Chestnut Ridge books, but I will certainly be going back for more!

I enjoyed this visit to Chestnut Ridge and felt transported to the Christmas season,. This is a story of love and giving that will bring cheer to your holiday.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Review for Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle is a charming and heartwarming holiday romance that’s perfect for the season. Set in the cozy town of Chestnut Ridge, this story follows a delightful cast of characters as they navigate love, family, and second chances amid a festive small-town backdrop.

Naigle’s writing is filled with warmth and the spirit of Christmas, making it easy to fall in love with Chestnut Ridge and its people. The main characters are relatable and likable, and their chemistry is natural, creating a romance that feels genuine and believable. The holiday setting adds a lovely layer of magic to their story, with traditions, snow-covered streets, and plenty of Christmas cheer that make you want to sip hot cocoa by the fire.

While the plot is somewhat predictable, it’s that familiar, feel-good predictability that makes this book so enjoyable. Sometimes, you just need a comforting story that reminds you of the joy of the season, and Christmas in Chestnut Ridge does that beautifully.

If you’re looking for a festive, heartwarming read to get you in the holiday spirit, this book is a perfect pick.

When Sheila's best friend convinces her to help decorate a tree in the annual Christmas Tree Stroll fundraiser, she immerses herself in all things Christmas within the small town of Chestnut Ridge. Sheila soon finds the sense of belonging she needed. As she helps fire captain Tucker assist a family with four young children who have just lost their home to a devastating fire, other sparks begin to fly.

This is a cute Chestnut Ridge novel, following And Then There Was You. Natalie had decided to settle in Chestnut Ridge, and called Sheila to help with the fundraiser. Sheila immediately gets drawn into the town's needs, and flirting with the cute fire captain doesn't hurt. The two were drawn to each other even prior to the fire, and Sheila selflessly dives in to help the family, order things to help furnish a temporary home and spend time with the Mom so she doesn't feel so alone. Her city home is fairly empty, and even on a vacation when the office shouldn't need her, they continually call or text to get her opinion. She jokingly doesn't know what a vacation is, but this is more and more evident as the novel progresses. Sheila is always on the go and full of plans, and doesn't know how to slow down and relax.

The romance itself is sweet and both are genuinely nice people getting together. It comes to a head at the end due to their tangled feelings and differences, but they sit down like rational people and actually discuss them! I really like how they are able to talk through their differences, realize how much they care about each other, and how much they want a future together. Sheila bends a lot more, but it's her choice to do so and Tucker would have worked with her if she wanted to stay in the city. Both value their jobs and their families, and I liked that it was part of them and their concerns, and not glossed over. They're adults about the conflicts, and that's what allowed them to bond and have their Christmas miracle, just like the family they helped.

Christmas in Chestnut Ridge is the second book in Nancy Naigle’s Chestnut Ridge series. Sheila Aldridge’s best friend Natalie Maynard moved to Chestnut Ridge, about six hours from Richmond, to take possession of her late husband’s cabin when that was really all she had left. Sheila has visited several times during the year or so Natalie has been there and is looking forward to spending a few weeks with her friend at Christmas.

Sheila’s life pretty much revolves around work. She is a successful real estate broker with her own business and quite a few employees. Even three years after a distressful divorce, Sheila is dealing with the aftermath. Having a place to spend the holidays and recharge is very welcome.

In the small town of Chestnut Ridge, Sheila is feeling more relaxed and is excited to be a part of the Christmas festivities. The first event, on the evening she arrives, is a community dinner to kick off the season. Unfortunately the evening ends up with a major house fire displacing a family of eight. Sheila is taken by their loss and steps in to help find shelter for the family while their home is rebuilt. In this endeavor, Sheila makes the acquaintance of fire chief, Tucker, and the attraction is fast and mutual. However, the distance between where they live is too far and she doesn’t believe that long distance relationships are doable.

This is a lovely, heartwarming story of finding a new beginning and navigating the murky future that lies ahead. I very much enjoyed this book, as well as the first in the series, and do recommend it!

What a sweet holiday cozy romance. I enjoyed this book. It was heartful and touching. A small town romance vibe. Perfect for the Christmas season.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(3.5/5)

Cute, cozy Christmas read. I can so see this as a Hallmark movie. Small town charm, everyone gets along, likeable characters, what should we do dilemma, minimal drama. In other words, a good distraction to the craziness of the season. Easy to read. Curl up with a glass of wine or hot cocoa and your favorite blanket.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

Slow Burn Hallmarkie Christmas Romance. If you like Hallmark Christmas movies and maybe the CBS show Fire Country (vs NBC's Chicago Fire, featuring a fire dept, yes, but in a big city rather than a small town ala Fire Country), you're likely going to enjoy this book. If neither one of those are your thing... you'll probably enjoy it less.

This is one where the romance itself almost takes a back seat at times, it is *so* slow burn. But if you enjoy crafting, particularly Christmas related crafting, there's quite a bit for you here. There's also a strong tale of neighbors helping neighbors - which may be a good thing to remember in the aftermath of the Helene and Milton hurricanes and as we wind up the 2024 election and begin to get ready for the holiday season. But again, the romance itself... can seem secondary (or even tertiary) at times. So for those looking for a more hot and heavy, romance centered tale... this aint that. Instead, this is once again on the "cleaner" / "sweeter" side - which is perfectly within Naigle's normal approach.

Ultimately a fun and solid tale of its type, and clearly a type that has a lot of fans to boot.

Very much recommended.

Christmas in Chestnut Ridge, by Nancy Naigle, is a sweet, warm-hearted, atmospheric, festive romance. The story is set amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains and we get our fill of all the holiday festivities. This story features friendship, slow-burn, closed door romance, a strong, supportive community and the importance of giving and helping others. Christmas in Chestnut Ridge is charming, cozy, quaint and a feel-good, seasonal read.

I received an ARC of this book. I love this series! This latest book returns to Chestnut Ridge with a heart-warming story. I love these characters and when I read these books they feel like friends I'd love to have. Makes me want to live in Chestnut Ridge. Highly recommend!

Sheila wasn’t really looking forward to Christmas this year. Having to visit her mother in the memory care facility the family had to place her in was draining and difficult, and her mother didn’t recognize her anyway. Still, she was determined to make her mother’s Christmas special, somehow.

Visiting Chestnut Ridge to see her best friend was a true Christmas experience, and Sheila was able to see it all, from helping in the annual tree decorating competition, to the delicious food whipped up by Orene, and finally meeting (and falling in love with) the handsome fire chief of Chestnut Ridge.

I really enjoyed this Christmas romance! Chestnut Ridge sounds like a wonderful place, with friendly people who pull together in a crisis. Sheila’s realization that career isn’t everything is a huge shift, and I applaud her transformation.

Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle is a heartwarming romance. Sheila is invited by her friend Natalie to visit Chestnut Ridge and her help to create a Christmas tree for the Christmas Tree Stroll. Sheila is a big city girl, but cares about her friend Natalie. Tucker is the town’s fire captain and an all around great guy. Sheila and Tucker realize how much they enjoy helping others and becoming better friends.

This was such a sweet story that drew me and made we want to move to Chestnut Ridge. The characters were so engaging and I loved watching them grow, find peace, and find love. The story had a special charm that was like a warm hug. The themes of friendship, family, and serving others resonated with me.

This was a delightful story filled with sweet romance, a wonderful small town in the mountains, and shared the beauty of giving. I highly recommend Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle.

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

This book is filled with love, romance and kindness. I love the descriptions of the town, the trees and the people. This book makes you feel like you are really there. The situations these people got into are also too funny. I loved all the characters and can't wait to continue to get to know them!

A Hallmark Holiday movie in the form of a book. Cheesy romance + Christmas joy. I loved the community of Chestnut Ridge and how they supported each other in the small town.

I am a big Nancy Naigle fan and the biggest Christmas lover so I had high hopes for this book and I was not disappointed! Shelia agrees to visit her best friend who moved to Chestnut Ridge and help decorate her tree for the annual Christmas Tree Stroll. When Shelia arrives in Chestnut Ridge, she falls in love with the town, the people, and the holiday season there. Tucker, the town fire captain is leading the charge to help a family whose house recently burned down and Shelia is one of the first to step up and help. They spend lots of time together and Shelia starts to wonder if she could imagine a life in Chestnut Ridge.

I loved this cheesy story that followed up with Natalie and Randy from the previous book and of course Ms. Orene. Tucker seems like the greatest guy and I wanted him to make his move on Shelia so bad. It was a slow burn romance for sure and closed door, but oh so sweet. It got me very excited for Christmas and I wish my town did something similar to the Christmas Stroll. Overall, this was an excellent read!

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This was an okay read for me. Real estate agent visits friend in small town and meets the local fire chief. Nice setting and community with a quick romance set during Christmas time.

If you like a cozy Christmas romance you will enjoy this book.

Christmas in Chestnut Ridge is a holiday romance. Stella decorates a tree for the Christmas Tree Stroll fundraiser and finds she is enjoying the Christmas season. She connects with Tucker, the town's fire captain, as he works to make Christmas special for a family with four young children.

I wanted to read this book because I love holiday romance. This is such a heartwarming story with likable characters and a charming small town atmosphere - like a Hallmark movie on the page! I recommend it for other fans of Christmas fiction and for anyone looking for a cozy holiday read.