The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley is a feel-good Christmas book. The characters were well thought out. The storyline – while predictable – kept me interested. Each of the characters had some adversity in their lives. They have each overcome that adversity and are moving on but are missing something. They find that missing piece in this upbeat Christmas romance.

Who doesn't love a second chance romance? Add in the Christmas theme and this book really has me ready for the holidays! Definitely a feel-good kinda book and I appreciated that after reading several thrillers. This was my first time reading this author and am excited to see what else she has to offer.

A cozy little G-rated weekend read.

Synopsis: Riley lost her job before Christmas and heads home to Cape Cod to help her mother, who broke her leg, at the inn. Beth, Riley’s mother, gets a second chance at love. Aidan, Riley’s high school boyfriend, and his son are staying at the inn for the holidays. B&B lodger Franny lost her sister and was left four unopened letters. A book of second chances and found family — and lots of food and wine.

This is a very straightforward, clean, cute Hallmark-style book. There are no real plot twists nor crazy climaxes, which is totally fine. The characters don’t really have distinct voices or personalities; they all talk the same, almost robotic: “This is wonderful.” “That was a good choice.” “This is delicious.”

As other reviewers have mentioned, there is a heavy emphasis on wine and food throughout the book. Entire paragraphs and pages were dedicated to describing a recipe in great detail — but then would be described in flavor by a character as “good.” Very detailed recipes, very lackluster taste descriptors. “Good” and “nice,” but not “decadent,” “rich” or “savory.”

I don’t think Riley was written to be unlikable, but who brings a tuna sandwich for lunch in an open cubicle?! She was also with her boyfriend for two years, and they didn’t live together, didn’t say “I love you” and didn’t talk for days at a time. (Girl, run!)

Thank you to #NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced reader copy of #TheChristmasInn. To be published Sept. 24, 2024.

What a wonderful cozy Christmas read!

Riley is from Chatham in Cape Cod and moved to Manhattan working in web design. She is currently in a 2 year relationship with Jack, an attorney working towards becoming a partner so he has long hours which leaves Riley alone a lot.

Riley’s mother Beth who owns an Inn has accident which left her with a broken leg so she goes home to Chatham to help her mother. Riley’s high school sweetheart Aidan happens to be staying at the Inn.

What I liked best about this book is the characters brought to life by the author who has this ability as a literary artist. The author also described the town to make me fall in love with it.

This book has such sweet parts, and just a wonderful easy read. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a Christmas read.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you're looking for a feel-good story about love, family and second chances, I highly recommend reading The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley. This is the perfect book to kick off your holiday reading season.

Riley never expected to get laid off right before Christmas, but the timing works out perfectly because her mom has broken her leg and needs help at the bed and breakfast she owns, The Chatham Coastal Inn. Riley packs her bags and leaves New York, heading to Cape Cod for the holiday season. Upon arrival, Riley learns there is a guest staying in the inn that she knows...her ex Aidan and his young son, Luke. Seeing and spending time with Aidan again causes Riley to examine her relationship with Jack, her boyfriend for the past two years. Jack is so focused on his career that he doesn't have much time for Riley. Riley is now questioning if that's enough for her, especially since feelings for Aidan are starting to emerge.

The story that unfolds is a clean and wholesome feel-good story with an amazing cast of characters. Although Riley and Aidan are the main storyline, the supporting cast of characters each have something happening in their lives as well. Riley's mom, Beth, has a potential love interest after too many years of being alone. Then we have Franny, an older woman staying at the inn after the death of her sister. Her sister has left her four letters, one to open every week and she has to follow the instructions in each one. As with Franny, we don't know what the objective is behind the letters, so it's interesting to see what happens with that.

Overall, this is the perfect holiday story. It has a bit of everything in it...love, family, friendships, and second chances. The characters are wonderful and Luke will steal your heart! I absolutely loved The Christmas Inn, and I know you will, too!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. My views are my own, and are in no way influenced by anyone else.

Such a sweet holiday romance. I enjoyed all the different romances, the friendships and the town of Chatam.
Don’t go into this book hungry. So much good food happening in this book. Food, wine, the holidays, a bookstore and book club include some of the good things about this book.

The Christmas Inn: A Novel by Pamela Kelley has a Hallmark Christmas movie feeling to it. This was a perfect escape from the lingering summer heat. Riley Sanders unexpectedly loses her job at the same time her mother has broken her leg. She goes home to help run the inn where her high school sweetheart is staying with his son. The great location and characters make this a heartwarming read.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The Christmas Inn by Pamela M Kelly
Contemporary holiday check lit, and romance. Multiple POV.
Riley Sanders losses her marketing job in New York right before Christmas. She travels home to Cape Cod to help when she finds out her mother has broken her leg and is struggling to keep up with the work at the B&B, the Chatham Coastal Inn. Riley can also use her marketing experience to boost demand which has been slowing.
Franny loses her sister at seventy-eight. She’s already arranged everything and paid for the gathering to be a celebration rather than a sad event. She’s also left Franny four letters that’s she is to open each week as she stays at the Inn.
Riley, her sister Amy and their mother Beth, reconnect more than they would have if Riley was in town just a couple of days for the holiday. Franny, Aiden, and Luke, guests at the Inn all benefit from the additional family and holiday celebrations.
Cape Cod is special to all of them and it’s going to be an enriching holiday season.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker who does a wonderful job with the multiple couples and various family members. There aren’t a lot of volatile emotions in this story but I was able to hear the concern for the mother, the sadness from the loss of a sister, the worry from the father and the joy of Christmas from the child. This narrator has done hundreds of books and the professionalism shows in the flawless production. I did listen at 1.5 since that more closely matches my reading and speech patterns.
I enjoyed the audiobook a lot but between the two formats would recommend the print version because of the multiple POV’s. The first couple of sentences of each chapter does include the name of the POV that chapter is for, but it’s easier to identify that by seeing the name than waiting for the name to be heard. Having the chapter number announced does help to know the POV has changed. The child’s joy of Christmas and trains did endear me to the audiobook format.

A heartwarming story of love, made family and knowing what you want in the next phase of life.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher MacmillanAudio.

A cozy romance that celebrates the holiday spirit

Author Pamela Kelly opens THE CHRISTMAS INN with drama that throws our heroine, Riley Sanders, for a loop. Good thing she has family to help her navigate the season.
Helping her mom at the family inn is not what Riley expected to do, but she discovers that time away has softened her heart. She was so eager to leave her small town for college and the big city. Now, however, she can recognize the charms of her hometown.
The cast of characters — both family and friends — that surround Riley are delightful. And there are three romantic storylines spread among them.
Overall, immersing myself in THE CHRISTMAS INN felt like huddling under a warm quilt with a hot drink on a cold day. It was the perfect way to start thinking about the holidays.

Enjoyable Hallmark-like movie in book form. And I’m here for it!!

The Christmas Inn, by Pamela Kelly, is a sweet, charming holiday romance. It is set in Cape Cod during the holidays which sounds magical! Riley Sanders is working at her dream job in NYC doing content marketing when her entire department is down sized and replaced with AI. Riley calls her sister to discuss and finds out that their mom had broken her leg and needs help running her B&B. Perfect timing! The story is charming. My favorite part is seeing Riley slowly realize how lonely her life was in NYC and how much more meaningful it is to do life day to day with friends and family. Throw in a holiday romance and delightful food descriptions and this book is a treat for holiday romance lovers!

GIVE ME ANYTHING FROM PAMELA. I will eat up anything she puts down.

This was a lovely read and i truly feel it will be a staple around the holiday for all the readers.

This is a hug in a book.

The Christmas Inn is a Hallmark movie of a book (and it actually contains lots of references to the genre)!

Ms. Kelley's newest cozy, feel good novel takes place in Chatham, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, over a period of several months in the lives of Riley, her mother, Beth, and a cast of supporting characters. Shortly before Christmas, Riley learns that she and her entire department of content/marketing staff are being laid off. The holidays are usually her favorite time of year in NYC, but the layoff and her somewhat tepid relationship have put a serious damper on her usual festive mood. It was an easy decision for her to return to Cape Cod to help her mother with running of her Bed and Breakfast.
The book has somewhat slow pacing, but does include excellent book recommendations and great food descriptions (I'm still thinking about the honey goat cheese). I loved the appearance of a number of characters from Ms. Kelley's earlier novels. And there's a love story for almost every generation in the book!
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read The Christmas Inn in exchange for an honest review.

Pamela M. Kelley’s The Christmas Inn is a heartwarming holiday tale that wraps you in the warmth of love, family, and second chances. Set against the cozy backdrop of Cape Cod, the story follows Riley Sanders, who returns home to help her mother at the family inn after losing her job right before Christmas. What starts as a temporary stay quickly turns into something more meaningful as Riley reconnects with her high school sweetheart, Aidan, and his charming nine-year-old son, Luke. The inn, decked out for Christmas, provides a magical setting that amplifies the warmth and holiday spirit throughout the story.

Kelley masterfully balances the feel-good holiday vibes with themes of grief, healing, and self-discovery. Franny’s subplot, involving letters from her late sister that encourage her to embrace new experiences, adds an emotional depth to the otherwise lighthearted narrative. Riley’s journey toward rediscovering herself, her family, and her place in the world is both touching and relatable. The Christmas Inn is an uplifting and delightful read, perfect for anyone seeking a cozy escape with a cup of hot cocoa during the holidays. A solid 4-star read!

The Christmas Inn by Pamela M. Kelley is a heartwarming holiday novel that perfectly captures the spirit of the season. Set against a charming backdrop, the story unfolds with delightful characters that are both relatable and endearing. (I received an advance copy and all opinions are my own.) This feel-good tale is a perfect escape for anyone looking to embrace the magic of Christmas, making it an ideal read for the holiday season!

This was the first book I've read by Pamela Kelley. It was an easy read that I could not put down. Finished it in two days. I really was like watching the perfect Hallmark movie. It made you feel like you were there in the story. I really could feel Riley’s sadness and regret when she went back to Manhattan. It was so sweet when she went back home to Chatham. Will be reading more of her books.Can't wait to read more by Pamela Kelley.

The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley was a nice read. There was great food, company, love interests and family. The novel was a wonderful read that only needs a cup of tea to make it better. It doesn’t hurt that the characters drank a lot of cinnamon tea in the novel. The inn is located on the Cape and is more of a bed and breakfast.

Riley just found out that she is out of a job. She also just found out her mother had broken her leg. Riley took this as an opportunity as a chance to go home, help her mom out and figure out her next step. As marketing is Riley’s gig, she offers some great new suggestions to help her mom’s place grow. While there, she had the opportunity to see her sister, nieces and people from the past. The long term renters become a big part of the story as do various characters from the past. Riley continues to look for jobs in Manhattan, but you can feel her hesitation about returning.

With the holiday season, Christmas trees, holiday festivities, and a number of things happen to create the warm family novel that Pamela Kelly is known for. Riley’s reluctance to stay while wanting to go back to her life makes the novel more interesting. I loved the story and wished I had read it during the Christmas season. The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley was a good read! Don’t forget the cup of tea!

This was a great book. Pamela Kelley is one of my favorite authors and this one didn't disappoint. It's one that I could sit down and read and not put down. I tend to listen to audio books and this was one I could sit down and focus on. I haven't found one of Pamela Kelley's books I haven't liked and keep waiting for more. It's a good reminder that sometimes things happen for a reason and you have to find the good in those situations.

I enjoy Pamela Kelley’s easy comfort read writing style. I like her beach reads that are usually set on Cape Cod. Her characters are likable and dealing with life issues and one or more will get a romance. There will also be yummy food and wine pairings. This is all true for this holiday themed story.

Riley Sanders loses her job a couple of weeks before Christmas. When she learns her mother has broken her leg she packs her bags and heads to help her at the Cape Cod Inn mom owns. There are a couple of main storylines in this book involving people at the inn. Franny is spending a month there as she settles the affairs of her recently deceased sister. The sister leaves her four letters that bring back happy memories of growing up and living on the Cape. Aidan, who was Riley’s high school boyfriend, is living at the inn with his son while repairs are made on his home. It is a time for reconnection. And Riley’s mom also gets a little romance as well.

The story is likable with no villains. It is more saccharine sweet than other books I’ve read from the author. Maybe that is because it is a Christmas story. Riley has a boyfriend in NYC for most of the book. He even visits the Cape. I like Riley, but I would have liked the boyfriend relationship to be resolved so I could invest myself in a potential relationship with Aiden.

The story is heartwarming and Kelley’s fans won’t be disappointed. I wanted a little more conflict or less predictability. I liked the story but have enjoyed other books from the author more. If you want a low angst, holiday, feel-good read this works. (3.5 Stars)

I love the fact that Pamela Kelley’s books are so comforting to me. No mattercwhatbis going on in my life when I pick up a Kelley book I am immediately transported to a cozy little town where everything is within walking distance, where everyone finds their perfect mate, and on any given day someone is having friends over for excellent wine and apps. I guarantee you will soon be stalking the shelves for that same wine!

In The Christmas Inn- Riley Sanders loses her job at the perfect time. Her mother fell and broke her leg so Riley offers to come home to Cape Cod to help her mother run her bread and breakfast. Just as Riley is having doubts about her boyfriend in NYC- her high school friend Aiden is staying at the in with his young son. Hmmmm…

Let the holiday reads begin. And this one was straight out of a Hallmark movie. Even referencing the similarities to the locale in the book. I loved the idyllic small town cape cod setting. But then again I'm a sucker for a small town romance in general. As well, I really enjoyed the wide cast of characters and that we essentially get three romances rolled into one. Again along the veins of a Hallmark movie.

That said, I did find the pacing a bit slow. And parts of the story became repetitive ( detailed descriptions of every breakfast morning at the inn), that felt like overkill. I also wasn't as connected or drawn to our MC's love story (it was quite bland). Instead finding myself more invested in Riley's mom and Sean's romance as well as Franny's story. I adored her.

Overall this was a fast read despite the pacing. A perfect cute and cozy Christmas story to start off my holiday reading.