Anne Holt died from breast cancer in the fall, but her daughters, Caroline and Daphne want to spend Christmas at the cabin like they always did. Caroline is an editor in New York, following in her mother's footsteps, but is suffering from burn out and has been given an ultimatum about bringing a book to be published by the end of the winter, or possibly lose her job. She is dealing with her grief and hoping Christmas at the cabin will help her find closure. When she arrives at the cabin, Daphne is already there with a surprise. She is engaged and had her fiancé in tow. Caroline is blindsided and to get away from Daphne, begins sorting through her mother's things. First she finds a stack of letters, then she finds a letter addressed to her mother, in a red envelope. The return address is Santa’s Little Red mailbox, in Aspen, Colorado, and when she opens it finds out that a man declaring his love for her will be waiting there on New Year's Eve day at 3:00 p.m. This is just what Caroline needs, a mystery and time away from Daphne and her new fiancé. She gets the next flight to Aspen to meet her mother’s mysterious lover. As well, Daphne and Luke decide to fly to Aspen and elope and spend Christmas with Caroline. Caroline meets a man, who is handsome and charming, but she is not looking for a relationship. As she spends time with Max, they begin to have feelings for one another, but Caroline has her rules and she will only have flings, she is not looking for love. With all this going on, she finds an author to work with, there are letters to her mother that is reading about one of her clients and she is trying to convince Daphne that she and Luke don't know one another well enough to get married. Throw in Christmas activities and winter fun and there is a lot happening in this story.

I really enjoyed this book. Caroline was an interesting character. I felt for her, but she was frustrating at times. She tended to be judgmental and treated Daphne like her child, not her sister. I know her actions came from the right spot, but it didn't mean she was right. Max was a sweetheart. He was caring, lots of fun and was willing do follow Caroline's rules, even though he wanted more. His niece Lily was my favourite character. She was very precocious and I loved how she tried to get Max and Caroline together. The book angle was interesting. Nick, the author, told his own story to Caroline as he edited the book to understand what was missing. The letters from Nina, an author who was trying to make a comeback in her 70s added another story within the story. Although Daphne and Luke are in love, there are secrets he is keeping that almost derail their relationship, but is is Lily that gives advice. I really enjoyed this story and it held my interest from beginning to end. With romance, family issues, grief, love, booklovers, secrets and more, I am glad I finally picked this one up.

While I really thought the premise to this story was super cute and somewhat heartwarming I found myself having a hard time getting invested. I am really not sure if it was because I couldn’t find a connection with the characters or if my mood just wasn’t right for a slower holiday read. I think many others will enjoy this story!

Take one burnt-out New York editor, add a mysterious letter, mix in a holiday trip to Aspen, and you’ve got the recipe for a snowy, secret-filled Christmas getaway. Caroline Holt, still reeling from the loss of her mother, finds a note suggesting that her mom had a whole hidden past waiting to be uncovered. Naturally, instead of staying home and sipping cocoa like the rest of us, she packs her bags and heads to glitzy Aspen to chase down the truth. Along the way, she stumbles into family secrets, romance, and enough holiday magic to make even the most cynical New Yorker believe in fate.

The Aspen setting is straight-up dreamy, with twinkling lights, cozy cabins, and all the snowy elegance of a Hallmark Christmas movie on a ski resort budget. Caroline’s journey of self-discovery is sweet, and the romance? It’s there—but it never quite sizzles the way I want it to. The plot has its cozy charm, but some of the twists feel a little predictable, like a Christmas cookie recipe you’ve seen before. It’s still a warm, comforting read, just not one that completely swept me away.

I’m giving “Christmas in Aspen” 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s festive, fun, and full of holiday cheer, but if you’re looking for something fresh and surprising, this one plays it pretty safe. If you love small-town Christmas vibes, a hint of mystery, and a whole lot of Aspen glam, it’s still worth a spot on your holiday reading list—just don’t expect too many surprises under the tree.

Anne Holt's passing from breast cancer in the fall could have shattered her daughters' holiday spirits, but Caroline and Daphne chose to honor their mother's memory by spending Christmas at the cabin, just as they always did. Caroline, an editor in New York, had been struggling with burnout and was given an ultimatum to produce a publishable book by the end of winter or risk losing her job. As she navigated her grief, Caroline found solace in the hope that Christmas at the cabin would bring her the closure she desperately needed. Upon arrival, she was surprised to find Daphne already there, engaged and accompanied by her fiancé, Luke. Feeling blindsided, Caroline sought refuge in sorting through her mother's belongings, where she stumbled upon a stack of letters and a mysterious red envelope addressed to her mother. The return address, Santa's Little Red mailbox in Aspen, Colorado, sparked Caroline's curiosity, and she discovered that a man professing his love for her mother would be waiting there on New Year's Eve day at 3:00 p.m. This unexpected mystery was just what Caroline needed to distract her from Daphne's news and her own emotional turmoil. Without hesitation, she booked the next flight to Aspen, eager to uncover the truth about her mother's mysterious lover. Daphne and Luke, meanwhile, decided to fly to Aspen, elope, and spend Christmas with Caroline. In Aspen, Caroline met Max, a charming and handsome stranger who kindled feelings within her, despite her initial reluctance to engage in a relationship. As Caroline navigated her emotions, she also discovered a new author to work with, thanks to letters her mother had exchanged with one of her clients. Amidst the chaos, Caroline found herself trying to convince Daphne that she and Luke were rushing into marriage, while also exploring the beauty of Aspen and the magic of the winter season. This story is a testament to the power of love, family, and resilience. Caroline's journey is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope and healing can be found. With its rich tapestry of characters, including the delightful and precocious Lily, this tale will captivate and inspire readers from start to finish.

Caroline finds herself at a crossroads with her job as a book editor. Keeping her job depends on finding new authors and manuscripts, but she is struggling to do that. When she finds a mysterious letter in her deceased mother's mail, Caroline plans to go to Aspen at Christmas to meet the person who wrote the letter. While she is there, Caroline meets Max, who changes all her "dating rules." Her sister Daphne has become engaged after a whirlwind romance and follows Caroline to Aspen with plans to have her Christmas wedding there.

This novel is really several stories in one. The main plot concerns Caroline and her determination to meet her mother's "mystery man." Subplots deal with Daphne's wedding plans, and the relationship between the two sisters, and with Caroline's romance with Max. Finally, there is the story of Caroline's search for manuscripts, including correspondence between her mother and an author, as well as Caroline's discovery of a small press publication by a local Aspen writer and the story behind it. There is a lot going on in this book!

I liked the characters, but wished the novel focused on just one of the threads. I got bogged down in the middle of the book, although the ending seemed rushed. Maybe this book would have been better as several novellas, with a tighter plot for each of them.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Another great Christmas novel by Anita Hughes I am always adding her to my list of Christmas Must Reads! Christmas in Aspen will of course be on the list!

The characters were well developed, the setting was cozy, and it was a quick easy read. I love the Aspen setting and will be including that on my list of "location Christmas novels".

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

I enjoy Anita Hughes novels about Christmas and winter and this felt like a warm hug!

Synopsis:
Editor Caroline Holt is on her way to her late mother’s upstate cabin in Hudson to spend the holidays. She was supposed to be in London, having a holiday romance. But this Christmas, she isn’t in the mood to get her heart broken again. Caroline loves being an editor, but in the last year burnout has taken over. She has been mourning her mother, and she is looking to get that spark back.

In the cabin, Caroline finds a letter addressed to her mother. It’s in a red envelope, and the return address is Santa’s Little Red mailbox, in Aspen, Colorado. The letter is from a man declaring his love for her mother. He’ll be waiting for her in front of the Little Red Mailbox at three pm on New Year’s Eve.

Thoughts:
I enjoyed the book overall. But to be honest it didn’t feel like a holiday/Christmas book at times. I still recommend it!

This is the first Christmas for Caroline and Daphne Holt without their mother. They had planned on spending it at their mother's cabin, but after finding a mysterious letter, they head to Aspen to try to find their mothers secret lover. Daphne is eagerly planning on getting married, but Caroline feels it is too soon. Caroline keeps running into a local man that intrigues her, but she is scared to put her heart on the line.

This is a fun Christmas story with a great plot and a few side stories that keep you totally engrossed. I would recommend it!

Christmas in Aspen is a middle of the line holiday romance novel. It is magical but not very memorable after you are finished. The protagonist, Caroline, is experiencing her first Christmas after the death of her mother when she finds a letter address to her Mom from an unknown sender who asks to meet the mother on New Year's Eve in Aspen. Curious about the relationship, Caroline travels to Aspen to find out more and through out the plot slowly falls in love with the town and one man in particular.

My issue with the characters are how self centered each one is, allowing only their beliefs to be the way the world should be laid out. I understand Hughes was trying to illustrate how Caroline and her sister Daphne are opposites in many ways, but the underlying current of "it's my way or the highway" was incredibly distracting to me as the reader.

All in all it is a charming holiday read, but I am not sure if this Christmas novel is one I would recommend to others. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Anita Hughes used to be a favorite author of mine, but I haven't loved her stories quite as much recently. This one had so much promise, but it fell flat for me, unfortunately.

Christmas in Aspen is a heartwarming holiday read, perfect for curling up with during the Christmas to New Year's period. Anita Hughes captures the festive magic of Aspen beautifully, making me feel as though I was strolling through its snowy streets, sipping hot cocoa, and enjoying its many winter activities. The setting was so enchanting that it almost became a character in itself.

While the story had its moments, I found it unnecessarily long and repetitive at times. Some sections felt like they could have been trimmed without losing any of the charm or plot progression. Daphne came across as quite immature, making it difficult to fully connect with her journey. Similarly, Caroline’s character was frustrating, often taking one step forward only to take three steps back.
Nina’s letters were a unique element, but they felt overly long and disrupted the flow of the narrative for me. On the other hand, Max and Lilly were delightful and brought a refreshing dynamic to the story. They added much-needed warmth and balance to the cast of characters.
Despite my frustrations with certain aspects, the book kept me intrigued enough to finish it. While Christmas in Aspen isn’t my favorite novel by Anita Hughes, it still offered a cozy escape into a winter wonderland, and for that, I’m glad I gave it a read.

If you’re looking for a festive story to get lost in during the holiday season and love immersive settings, this one might just be worth your time.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC of Christmas in Aspen! All opinions in this review are my own.

I didn't love this one as much as I loved A Magical New York Christmas by the same author, but it was a sweet Christmas story dealing with grief and finding love.

This is the second Anita Hughes Nobel I Read. I had Read Christmas at the Lake and I feel like the author used exact same formula, and it almost flet like I was reading the same story.

I thought the story developing into the letters was completely ridiculous. The two sisters were characters hard to enjoy. I also had a hard time believing in the sub-story with Nick, the young author.

I won’t be reading any other books from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I was really looking forward to reading a cozy Christmas romance set in a ski town, but this one was just slow and not for me. Didn't get into the characters at all. DNF for me, I'm sorry for that.

Let’s talk dnf’s.
I always feel bad to dnf a book. But I won’t finish a book I can’t get into or that I’m not enjoying.
Do I love this author? Yes.
Do I especially love this author’s Christmas books? Yes.
Do I really, really, hate to dnf a book that I have an arc of? Absolutely!
But I have spent three days reading this book and here’s why I’m stopping:
There are so many storylines and so many characters. Too many. There’s three, atleast three, maybe four? Separate stories going on here.

Caroline finds a letter written to her mother by a mysterious man before her death asking her to meet on NYE at a particular spot in Aspen.

So Caroline goes to Aspen intending to meet him herself and tell him about her mom passing.
Before she leaves she also grabs a stack of letters written to her mother decades earlier by a famous author (her mom was also a book editor).
The author is telling Caroline’s mom about her writing career and her relationship with a man named Teddy.

Then we get to Aspen where Caroline meets a man who has written a book and tells the story of his relationship with the woman who inspired it.

We also have Caroline’s story about meeting Max when she gets to Aspen and Caroline’s sister’s story about her sudden engagement and upcoming elopement.

At 36% in it’s already Christmas and the rest of the book takes place after Christmas.

I was very excited about this book and am especially disappointed it didn’t work out for me. Please consider me for upcoming books from this author, I think and hope this is a one off for me.

2.5 out of 5. I really wanted to love this one, but i just fell in a tepid like on this one. The Great thing that is has going for it is the setting. Like most Anita Hughes books the setting is amazing, and Aspen lends itself to great descriptions, activities and you really want to go there. What I wasn't that into where the characters and the premise. The premise is absurd for this day and age of cellphones. Absolutely absurd. You mean to tell me that a love interest would jsut wait six months to re-meet in Aspen and never text in between (given that they had communicated before via text) and not know their lover is dead. Not logical. I love an illogical cute plot as much as the next person but this was too much. As for the characters both could have used a good dose of therapy, there were issues a plenty. I came for the setting but was not loving the rest.

Christmas in Aspen, by Anita Hughes, tells the story of sisters Caroline and Daphne Holt as they share their first Christmas since their mother’s passing. Caroline doesn’t do relationships and has strict 30 day rules for herself. On the other hand, her younger sister Daphne has just announced her engagement and imminent marriage to restauranteur Luke Harper who she has known only a short time.

When Caroline discovers a special red envelope postmarked from Aspen, where her mother had attended a literary conference in the summer before her cancer returned rapidly robbing Anna of her life, she feels compelled to follow the request for a special New Year’s Day meeting by the red mailbox where the letter was posted. Whoever her mother had met at the conference was unaware of Anna’s death and Caroline didn’t want to leave him standing. Luke, her sister’s newly introduced fiancé, with Daphne for Christmas, Caroline quickly makes her reservations and heads for Colorado only to soon be followed by Daphne and Luke.

On Caroline’s first night at her Aspen hotel she makes the acquaintance of rye whiskey distiller Max Carpenter. Although she appreciates both his appearance and personality, she plays it cool but does take the information when he invites her to a Christmas open house at his mother’s home in the historic part of town feeling she won’t attend. But after Daphne’s arrival, she changes her mind.

In fact, as Caroline awaits the New Year’s meeting, she spends quite a bit of time with Max without following her usual modus operandi. Whatever does that mean?

This is an interesting and heartfelt tale examining how grief and life experiences effect people and how each person, even those closely related, react differently. With well drawn characters, a winter wonderland setting, and a very surprising climax, this is a lovely holiday story with some well placed messages. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!

Anita Hughes has crafted a beautiful story with not one Christmas love story but several! This story covers the complexities of family, of career vs relationships and most importantly, how important it can be to follow hour heart. Beautiful book! Thanks #NetGalley #StMartinsPress

Book editor Caroline Holt is feeling burnt out and a little bit down. It's her first holiday without her mother. And she's lost the drive for the job that she loved. With the holidays approaching, she heads to her late mother's cabin hoping for some quiet time and something that just might recharge her missing spark.

At the cabin, Caroline finds a letter addressed to her mother from a man declaring his love for her mother. The return address is Santa's Little Red Mailbox in Aspen. He says he'll be waiting for her mother at the Mailbox on New Year's Eve.

Feeling a bit of excitement for the first time in a long time, Caroline decides to head to Aspen to meet her mother's mystery man. While there she meets another man in town, one who she is continually running into. Perhaps this trip is just what she needed to recenter herself.

Unlike most of the reviews I've seen, I liked the change of pace this "non Christmas" Christmas story provided. It was still filled with plenty of holiday spirit, I can only read so many sickly sweet Hallmark type romances before I need something with a bit more substance. Being a bit burnt out myself, I could identify with some of what Caroline was experiencing. The idea of heading to Aspen provided that first step in her efforts to reclaim the parts of herself she felt she had lost. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I like to see a character grow and conquer their fears, even in a holiday story.