This was just pure dumb fun. I think it's great YA, age appropriate with well written characters who feel like real teenagers. It's kind of cringe at times. It's supposed to be.

The premise of this book is Winter Wonderland, a year round christmas theme park where people can stay for twelve days. To have a year round Christmas feel, this theme park is built on an island just north of Alaska within the arctic circle.

It was kind of weird reading such a christmas book in the middle of the summer, but to be fair I did read it within the arctic circle in Lapland surrounded by reindeer so I think it's fine.

The main character is Aaron. Aaron is not particularly into Christmas, but when his brother Casey wins the Winter Wonderland lottery and gets to stay for twelve days for free with his family, Aaron is happy to go along, hoping Casey will get over his break up with his long time girlfriend Raquel.

Casey was easily the cringiest character in the book, but he was also sweet. He's obsessed with hallmark christmas romcoms. He's obsessed with everything christimas. Everything he does or says is cringy. This is kind of the point. Casey's girlfriend Raquel was just as obsessed with christmas, and these two did everything together and were in Aaron's word very codependent. Aaron has a point.

Aaron is convinced this holiday will distract Casey and allow him to make Christmas memories that are not about Raquel. Unfortunately, turns out Raquel is also staying at Winter Wonderland for the same twelve day cycle and she's sort of dating a staff member. Casey decides it's a sign from the universe he should try to win her back. Aaron is covinced Casey is better off without her and needs to learn to be his own person and decides to sabotage Casey's attempts. What could possibly go wrong?

The second POV character is Kris and he's a teenager living in Winter Wonderland. His parents work there, he goes to school there and he also works as an elf. If you think this whole arrangement is kind of exploitative, yes it is and the book does touch on that even if it's not the main point. The kids growing up in Winter Wonderland are kind of assumed to go on and work there as adults and aren't really encouraged elsewhere. Kris and his year group have this thing where the first one of them who gets a guest to confess their love to them wins a trip with the owner's teenager daughter to her parents' house in New York. Kris is determined to win this trip to convince the owner to hire his uncle back to be the park's first gay Santa.

Aaron needs Kris's help with his sabotage, and Kris believes Aaron is the perfect person to win the race with, but real feelings begin to catch. What could possibly go wrong?

I really liked what this book did with the characters. Aaron and Kris both have a strong ARC. Aaron is convinced he's all that's keeping his family together since his mom left, and is convinced he has to fix Casey's problems. Meanwhile, Kris has become detached from everything living at Winter Wonderland and while some mockery of the tourists is justified, the race has them playing with real people's feelings and he doesn't really see that at first. Both have to grow to become suitable for each other, and I really liked how we get to the reasons behind Aaron's actions. He does some dumb stuff trying to sabotage Casey, but I do think it makes sense for his character and he learns from his mistakes.

My only criticism: male reindeer do not have antlers around christmas, those shed before then, and some of the male reindeer are described as having antlers. Doesn't really take away from this book but I did learn this about reindeer just before reading this book. I can imagine the author didn't know though. Female reindeer do have antlers this time of year as they shed later.

I'd recommend this for fan of christmas romcoms, but even if you're not super into those, neither are the two main characters so I think you might still like it if you like dumb queer teen romcoms with great character work. I would recommend reading it sometime in the holiday season rather than in summer like I did.

Schemes and dreams connect two adorable teens in this holiday rom com with shenanigans galore. Sweet holiday read is a must this season.

an adorable christmas rom com with the right amount of fluff. kris is a very strong, smart, and exciting lead that is able to figure out what they need to do, when they need to do it. based on a small island that is a christmas wonderland, this book is the perfect little read to get you ready for the holidays. absolutely would recommend!!

Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for the eARC, these opinions are my own! Two Jason June books again this year! Kris has spent his whole life on the Winter Wonderland Island, the place for the eternal wonders of Christmas. But when you’re raised around it the whole meaning starts to lose its wonder. Especially after the board turned down his Uncle Toby’s request to be the first openly queer Santa. And his uncle left. Now he’s determined to get his uncle back and get him the queer Santa position he deserves. So when the 12 days before Christmas begin he’s determined to find a fling among the tourists who will tell him they love him. If he does he’ll get a change to plead his case to Kris Kringle. Aaron is determined to help his Christmas obsessed brother get over his ex girlfriend by visiting the Christmas Island at Christmas time. When the two meet sparks will fly. Aaron’s not looking for anything at the moment but he’s drawn to Kris like he’s never been before. Aaron’s forced to get Kris’s help when an unexpected visitor arrives. As the two work together they begin to feel things neither have ever felt. But will Kris’s plans be derailed if Aaron finds out? Will Aaron’s own schemes end in disaster? Will the Christmas Cheer be all it’s cracked up to be? If you’re really into Christmas you’ll love this book! A perfect rom-com to get you in the holiday mood! Fun, cheerful, and fantastic! Definitely recommend for a good holiday read or if you enjoy Christmas year round!