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.

This review is already solid, but a few tweaks can enhance its flow and add depth. Here's an improved version:

If you're looking for a cozy, low-stakes romance that feels like a warm hug, this book is perfect for you. The title might suggest a brewing conflict between the two main characters, but surprisingly, the "war" isn't what you'd expect, which made for a refreshing twist! I can easily see myself picking this up during the holiday season, especially while staying with my in-laws—it’s a clean, feel-good read with just enough romance to keep you hooked.

The characters are well-developed, though I found myself wanting more from the male lead’s perspective. The third-act conflict was a solid choice, but I do wish it had come earlier in the story, giving more time for the resolution to breathe. That said, the pacing didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment.

Highly recommend this for anyone impatiently counting down the days until the holidays. It’s a festive, heartwarming read that will get you in the seasonal spirit!

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.

Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “The Christmas Cookie Wars” by Eliza Evans

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

’Tis the season for holiday baking and cheer! Things aren’t looking much like Christmas for Melody Monroe, however, as she fears her sons have lost the Christmas spirit after their father’s death, and the school’s Yuletide Cookie Club is thinking about shutting down due to disagreements in team-building. Determined to make this Christmas memorable for her sons, she takes leadership of the club and unintentionally starts a small-town bake-off. Can she pull off this seasonal event? Could this be what brings her family closer than ever? Furthermore, why is the school principal and her baking rival, Jonathan Braxton, suddenly making her heart rise like cookie dough in a baking oven?

After reading Eliza Evans’s debut book “The Christmas Café” last Christmas, I just knew that her future novels would become new holiday staples that I couldn’t miss out on! With her second book, “The Christmas Cookie Wars”, I was proven right! Eliza Evans’s writing and world-building have all the makings of the fun “Lifetime” and “Hallmark” holiday romance storylines we all know and love: a protagonist who overcomes grief and attempts to find the holiday spirit for herself and others, holiday treats and festivities, an irresistible rivals-turned-romance plot, and a dash of small-town hijinks! The chemistry between Melody and Jonathan, in particular, was truly entertaining to read and follow as Evans perfectly combines comedic banter with wholesome feels, and you can’t help but root for the two to have their holly-jolly happily-ever-after. I could go on about this book, but something tells me you need to check out this contemporary romance when it hits shelves on October 22, 2024, if you want to get in on this seasonal literary treat!

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 1/5 🌶

Tropes to Expect: Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Cozy Vibes, Lifetime/Hallmark Movie Vibes, Small-Town Romance Narrative, Single Baking Club Mom x Single Professor Dad, Rivals-to-Lovers, Baking Contest, School Baking Club Narrative, and Found Family Narrative.

Trigger Warnings: Discussion of Loss of a Loved One and Grief, Relationship Conflict, Depictions of Societal/Parental Cliques, and Family Conflict.