My first Emily Stone read! I enjoyed the storytelling and depth of topics but this was a very slow burn for me. While I liked the characters, the storyline fell flat. Throughout the story I kept waiting for something to happen or a problem to arise but much of the book was day to day events. There was a lack of connection and spark between Lexie and Theo that I was hoping to see evolve as the story progressed and they got to know one another. However, I appreciated the sentiment of “the wishes” throughout the story and thought it wrapped up nicely.

. I think I would have liked this more if it were shorter and less repetitive. I liked the concept and the characters well enough, but it was just the same thing over and over which got pretty boring for stretches in the middle.

This was a heartwarming holiday romance that explores themes of grief, love, and the rediscovery of joy. The story follows Lexie, a woman navigating life after loss while learning how to run her father’s travel company. It’s a slow burn romance with Theo, her new business partner. The book is full of charming characters and fun settings (Madrid, Menton, and Ireland just to name a few). Lexie shows tremendous growth throughout the book. The romance is minimal, but sweet. It’s the perfect cozy, feel-good holiday read .

When Lexie discovers her father has passed away and left her half of his company, she’s thrust into an unexpected partnership with Theo, the owner of the other half. As they navigate the challenges of running the business, they must also confront the complicated emotions brewing between them. While the enemies-to-lovers trope offers some enjoyable banter, the lack of substantial character growth made it hard to fully invest in their relationship. I found myself indifferent to whether they ended up together or how the story concluded, as the emotional stakes never quite landed for me. While the premise held promise, the execution left me wanting more depth and connection.

Book Review :  A Winter Wish by Emily Stone. I usually like reading this author but this one fell flat for me. The characters and story were lack luster. Unfortunately I DNF this one.

Absolutely adored this holiday book about a woman whose estranged father passes away and leaves her a business she didn’t even know he had. Forced to run the business with her father’s prodigy, she begins to realize maybe her dad wasn’t exactly who she thought he was. Loved this one and already purchased it for multiple gifts!

A simple, everyday sort of formulaic story based on anger, misconceptions, family dysfunction. Throw in a very good looking guy with a chip on his shoulder, a girl with a million feelings of rejection and loss, a middle aged woman who arbitrates with keen sight, and a travel agency that bills its specialty as “celebrations. Not a bad idea, not a bad book, entertaining in places, sad and angry in other places, a bit of sizzle in there as well. It was worth the time I devoted to it.

Thanks to Dell and NetGalley for a copy.

This book had some heavier aspects but it still had great holiday vibes! Miscommunication isn’t my favorite story line but I still very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it to a friend.

This has some great holiday romance tropes – unexpected inheritance, enemies to lovers, one bed, kisses in the rain and snow! – and I really liked how it all came together in this book. It is especially great if you enjoy layered backstories, sweet Christmas traditions, and gorgeous European settings for your holiday reads!

This book wasn’t really what I was expecting for a Christmas romance, it was extremely sad and the two main character, didn’t have much chemistry or really anything in common. Also I understand people go through things in life, but I wish this book didn’t focus so much on the trauma.

I ended up not finishing this book. I couldn’t get into the plot and the characters had no chemistry.

A Winter Wish by EMily Stone is a very cute, Hallmark-esque romance with likable characters and a great plot.

I jumped blindly into this book and I’m glad I did. I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy quick read. I do wish we got more conversation and communication between Theo and Lexi. But I loved the healing and the come to terms with loss within this book a lot. A fuller/ better review to come!

Lexie has been estranged from her father for many years, and is shocked to find out that after his sudden death, she has been left one half of his travel business. The requirement, though, is that she must work at the business for at least one year before she can even think of selling the business. Theo, the employee who has inherited the other half of the business doesn't seem to like Lexie. The will stipulates that they must work the business together. To get a better understanding of the business and how it works, Lexis takes a trip with the company to observe how things are run, and then takes a turn hosting their guests on another trip. The chemistry between Theo and Lexis slowly builds.

This was a great book, and I have always enjoyed Emily Stone's books - this one follows her other holiday books like One Last Gift and Always, in December. Happy Holiday reads!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this title.

So many questions are left unanswered when Lexie’s father passes away. As she tries to navigate through his unexpected wishes, she learns more about her father and what contributed to their estrangement.
During this time she meets someone who helps her to discover how her late father’s wishes align & differ from her own, igniting a spark between these two lead characters that cannot be ignored. For those fans of Hallmark looking for a little spice, give this book a read!

This one had a lot of business/workplace drama and politics that I just wasn’t into, and I couldn’t connect with the characters or the storyline. The magic that I’ve come to know and love from Stone’s novels seemed to be missing. Sadly, this was my least favorite from the author.

Maybe it was the travel agent aspect, but I enjoyed this book more than most. Although the dad was a total jerk who deserves no forgiveness.

Lexie is shocked to learn that her estranged father has passed away and she has inherited half of his travel business. But there are stipulations. She has to work with Theo, her dad's protege and they must turn a profit in order to sell. Can they get along and make their business successful? Or will their attraction blow everything up?

Of the two Emily Stone books I've read, this is my favorite. I liked Lexie and Theo a lot. They had a lot of issues to work through with their respective families, but I liked their growth. I wasn't totally satisfied with the arc for Lexie's dad because I don't think he deserved any sympathy. I did Lexie and Theo together and I enjoyed the travel agency story line. This was another heartfelt read from Emily Stone that was perfect for the holiday season. I will continue reading as long as she delivers the HEAs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Books for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately this one really wasn’t for me. It didn’t really feel much like a romance since so much of the focus was on Lexie and her relationship with her dad. I didn’t feel the connection between Lexie and Theo at all. It also wasn’t very holiday-y which isn’t really the book’s fault but was a bummer nonetheless.

Unfortunately this one was just not for me. I’ve read this authors other work and it has been hit or miss. I won’t say too much because unfortunately this one was a dnf for me-but I just couldn’t finish. Sad that I didn’t connect with the characters. That’s okay-I’ll still read this authors books.

Lexie didn't have the best relationship with her dad, so at his passing, she was surprised to find out that she was named for an unexpected inheritance. Only there is a twist. Her father's last wish was for her to help take over the family business with Theo. Part of the deal is that she must help run the business for a year before they decide to sell or not. That is certainly easier said than done. While they try to make it work, it's very clear they aren't compatible to work and she plans to leave once the year is over. However, after learning more about the company and slowly peeling back the layers on Theo, she realizes there is more to everything and over the year finds out just what her life had potentially been missing.

There is nothing like holiday travel, but when you add it with a side of enemies to lovers romance, it can't get any better. This one really does make you want to pack your bag and head to the holiday markets. This one does make you realize that there is more to people than what you might see. This is my second book by this author and I've seemingly enjoyed each one now.

Thank you Net Galley, Emily Stone and Dell Publishing and for the advanced copy for my honest review. This one will make you want to pack your bag and head to the airport right away.

On the Cat Scale:
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