thank you netgalley for the e-arc. this is a great, heartwarming christmas book for sure. i loved seeing melody being such a good mother when her kids need it to matter. especially during the holidays, i can imagine it being hard not having all your family with you. the writing and plot was really well done.

The Christmas Cookie Wars
By Eliza Evans

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (4 out of 5)

Publishing date: 10/22/2024

Single Mom Melody, is trying to help her sons find their holiday spirit. Her boys have recently lost their father, and unfortunately aren't feeling the Christmas magic.  When Melody learns the school Cookie Club is in need of a new leader, she volunteers... even though she will have to deal with the grumpy principal, Mr. Braxton.
  SOMEHOW, Melody gets involved in a bake off with the principal and isn't sure what to do when her frustrations turn into....romance?

Review:
One of my least favorite things about a chrismas book, is when it doesn't put me in the holiday spirit. But this one did the opportunity!   It definitely had a ton of Christmas aspects throughout the book, and it also made me want cookies. 🤣

It kept my interest, and I enjoyed the characters! I really liked Melody and Jonathans relationship. It was sweet.

It's not a super memorable read for me, but it was enjoyable while i was reading it. 😊

Thank you @goodreads and @putnambooks
For the early read opportunity! Very much appreciated!

This was such a sweet story. I giggled, I smiled way too hard here and of course rooted for melody and Johnathan the entire time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for an advance copy to read!

If you want a cozy, low-stakes but enjoyable romance read, this is the book for you. While the title might lead you to think that the war is between the two main characters, it really isn't, which was a refreshing surprise! Overall, I could imagine myself reading this during the holiday season when I'm staying with my in laws. (Hint: clean-ish romance that is enjoyable.)

The characters were pretty well-developed, but I do wish I'd had more of the MMC's perspective. The third act conflict between the two main characters was a great choice, however I do think it could've happened a little earlier, so that there was a longer space for the ending.

Highly recommend this for anyone wanting the holiday season to be here yesterday.

#thechristmascookiewars #netgalley

Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of "The Christmas Cookie Wars" by Eliza Evans in exchange for an honest review.

Single mom and business owner Melody Monroe has her hands full. Between raising her 10-year-old twin boys (the blurb says 9 but that's incorrect) and running her fashion boutique, it's a struggle every day just to get them to school on time. Then the holidays roll around and Melody is now overwhelmed with daily life PLUS fitting in all the holiday traditions she's clung to since the death of her husband. It's therefore pretty bewildering when she decides to take over heading the school's cookie committee after the reigning queen bee president disbands the organization. Yes, it's for a good cause but it's hard to understand the choice when Chapter One starts with her waking up with cookies stuck to her face because she fell asleep while decorating.

This decision, of course, sets up her in direct conflict with said Bee, but also the alarmingly handsome but stern school Principle Jonathan Braxton. He's spoken to Melody several times about the importance of having the boys at school on time, and this sets the basis for the deep antipathy she apparently feels for him. (Again, hard to understand how personally she takes that chiding. He's totally in the right.)

What follows are holiday themed shenanigans, including a live bake-off and a holiday-themed race, all topped off with dastardly sabotage. Oh, the scandal that erupts when someone sabotages Jonathan's cookies by switching the sugar and salt! It's yet another episode that leaves Melody both sullen AND attracted to Community Darling Jonathan.

It's not a great book. The focus is all off. It can't decide whether it's a clean romance novel or a family holiday romp. At first, it seems likes it's more of a PTA-Mommy-Wars situation, as the Queen Bee drama takes up more attention than the principle. But that quiets down and Jonathan finally enters the picture. It takes a while, but somehow Melody miraculously pulls off her overly ambitious plans AND gets over her defensive attitude toward the handsome principal.

The characterization is messy too. Melody is supposed to be 37 years old but she comes off like she's in her early 20s. She's deeply immature for someone who has experienced the death of a spouse, single-motherhood, and the establishment of her own fashion business. She and Jonathan go on ONE date, with a little making out, and suddenly she's in looooooooove. Ugh.

All that said, this book will still please some readers. Recommended for anyone who wants a clean, family focused holiday romp. If you want low-stakes during the Christmas season, this is the book for you.

3.25 ⭐️

What a sweet, heartwarming holiday read! Melody is the kind, patient, and friendly woman I strive to be. Jonathan was buttoned up, but had a surprising gentle and fun side. I adored their story, and reading about their friendship turned relationship.

If you are looking for a quick holiday read, this is the book for you. There was cookie baking, holiday traditions, fun contests, a mystery, and a sweet relationship development.

Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam Sons for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cute read for the festive season! This was quick and light hearted and just what I needed to get ready for the holiday season.

I received this as an e-ARC via NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
The premise of this book had me hooked because I love a good Christmas romance. Very reminiscent of a certain feel-good movie channel for holiday movies but it was right up my alley.

I loved the story, loved the characters, and loved the ending!

I’d gladly pick another from this author again.

Overall, an easy read and a great feel-good holiday book!

I was originally interested in this book because as a PR/Marketing pro, I experienced by own #utahcookiewars in 2023 and it had a huge impact on my life and how I view cookies. Now, that makes this book more personal and therefore I know I might like it more than others.

The Christmas Cookie Wars is a perfect, light, fun book to curl up with during the snowy/holiday season. With tropes of single mom/widow with kids, a divorced MMC with a child as well, small town setting, friendly bets and Christmas traditions, there is so much to love in this book.

The aspect of grief in this book is there, but light and well handled. The intimacy level is kissing only and very clean. I devoured this book in 3 days!

This is a cute and heartwarming Christmas story. I think mothers especially will relate and enjoy this one. It briefly touches on loss and grief but the hope and magic of Christmas are strong. Think Hallmark Christmas movie. There's a little mystery going on which I enjoyed too and an enemies to lovers trope so come on, that's perfect recipe for a cozy Christmas read!

Started out great but limped over the finish line. I can’t pinpoint where the book went off the rails but by the end I was praying for it to be over.

This book was so cozy and wholesome. Easily felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie & who doesn't love those?! I loved the whole Christmas cookie committee and that being something that carried throughout the whole book.

The Christmas Cookie Wars is a great book to read while curled up on the couch with a nice warm cup of tea or cocoa.

This cozy Christmas story was a light hearted, quick and enjoyable read. The characters were very relatable even down to the school bully.

I do wish some of the cookie recipes had been included.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Fun, if predictable, holiday comedy. If you're looking for an entertaining, Hallmark movie-style book, this is the one for you!

This is a cute, closed-door romance, perfect for fans of just about any Hallmark movie. Melody is a single mom of twin boys whose father passed away several years ago. All she wants is to keep her Christmas traditions alive. Honestly, this is a quick fireplace read, perfect with a cup of hot chocolate or eggnog.

The plot of the book is pretty formulaic, though at least the kisses and longing stares have way more chemistry than your typical Hallmark movie. I liked that Melody had her own successful business and she had flaws. When she agrees to take over the annual Christmas Cookie events, it's made clear she isn't a good baker. I thought this was a cute addition and it provided a way for the main characters to bond. I liked breaking the traditional gender roles and having the male main character be the one good at cooking.

Honestly, this book was just very average. I don't really have great things to say about it, but I also don't have bad things to say about it. If you like a good quick romance read with no spice, this is a good book for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was cute! Perfect heartwarming Christmas story. Quite relatable characters. We love a hallmark Christmas moment!

Super cute story about a widow who falls for her twin’s principal. I found this one to be the perfect holiday romance. Melody’s family is so supportive and amazing, the baking was so fun, and the romance between Johnathon and melody was super cute! ill be recommending this one this holiday season!

I loved Eliza's book from last year, so was super excited to see another christmas book. melody is raising twin boys after the death of her husband. Enter the principal, who makes her ready to date again. While they start with a love/hate relationship (of sorts), we all know Christmas books have happy endings. I am not ready for Christmas yet, but def makes one look forward to the snow, Christmas lights, and being with family. This book had family drama, school bullying, and mean moms! Great Christmas book with likeable characters and true life scenarios.

3.5/5

The Christmas Cookie Wars was like reading a Hallmark movie. It was a feel good book that I enjoyed reading. It will be great in the colder months with a cup of hot chocolate. A few of the plot points felt slightly forced but a good holiday read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Melody Monroe has twin boys and will make sure they have a wonderful Christmas. The school principal Jonathon Braxton seems to have it in for her and the boys, seems she can't get the boys to school on time.
When she learns that the school's cookie committee has been disbanded, she decides to take it over this year. As she works with Jonathon, she learns he is not as he seems, and he learns she is actually very organized. Jonathan was taught to bake by his grandmother and seems to win the baking contest every year. So, Melody sets out to pull the win off this year, even though she doesn't bake.