I just loved this story by Emily Stone! It has the strangers/enemies to lovers 🔥 trope (and extremely well done at that!) that I love, a really nice handling of split family unresolved issues getting resolved, and a woman (Lex) who is able to find purpose, peace, and closure in her life. 💖

Special thanks to NetGalley and Dell for sharing this digital ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.

Last year I read Emily Stone’s Love Holly and really enjoyed it so I was excited to get to read this one at first but wound up being disappointed.

I tried really hard to become invested in the book and the characters but everything just seemed very drawn out and lacking connection.

I also feel like this is not at all a Christmas book. The 2 or 3 small scenes about Christmas in a full book is not enough to give those vibes in my opinion.

I read fully for the first 80% of the book and then ended up skimming the ending. I almost decided to DNF a few times but pushed through to the end.

I would like to say, I loved Emily Stone’s previous book, Always in December and her take on holiday romances. The stories always felt fresh, cozy and just a great holiday read to get into the romantic spirit.

I did not have that experience with A Winter Wish, I did not get engaged with the characters or feel bought into their story. I didn’t feel the chemistry or banter, made to feel forced into the relationship and overall wished for just more from them.

It took me awhile to complete this read, but hope to see more from Emily Stone and hope the next characters capture me more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I loved that this was a holiday book without being too centered around the holidays. It was just the right amount. I loved all of the characters.

Such a great cozy heartwarming read perfect for the holidays!! I will have to reread it again around the holidays it was that good. Loved the plot and the characters. Will be recommending to everyone I know and adding to our library!

Absolutely fantastic plot! I could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

Lexi is a strange from her father and he dies leaving her half of his business. He leaves the other half days employee Theo. The whole states that they must work together for a year before either can sell. The only problem is that they really don’t like each other or so they think.

This was a great enemies to lovers romance, but it also is about grief and self discovery. Is chock full of emotion as a characters work through their issues. Lexi and Theo have a lot of chemistry and are perfect for each other. It’s well written and has become one of my favorite holiday reads! Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Another heartwarming holiday read from Emily stone! Very cozy and enjoyable all around.

4 stars - another great winter/holiday themed romance from Emily Stone! I really enjoy how Emily Stone's holiday novels don't just fill the rom-com vibes, but tend to have more some deeper themes in them. Lexi, the main character, receives the information that her father has suddenly died and leaves half of his travel company to her, and the other half to an employee at his company, Theo, who viewed her dad as a mentor. Along the way of working together, romance ensues along with exploration of deeper feelings and emotions. As an avid traveler myself, I also loved that the backdrop of this book was a travel agency and the family holiday trips that Lexi's family would take as a kid. Would recommend this as a fun winter read!

Such a cute winter read! I really enjoyed it! I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

Loved this story which is about Lexie finding out that her father has died but she hasn't been in contact with him for 10 years and it was just her and her Mom . He had moved on and even had another child and Lexie was never included in their plans.. She was told that she needed to come to his company so the solicitor could read the will. He had given Lexie half of the company with Theo. They had to run for a year and then decide what they were going to do. Follow Lexie on her journey to see what she does. Does she start to see, Rachel, her sister in a different light and how does things go with Theo does she stay with the company or leave. A GREAT READ!!

christmas rom-com heaven!! this story was unlike anything ive ever read!! my first from this author and will not be my last. wonderful story that tugged at your heart strings. likeable characters and great pacing! would recommend this one!!

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone

Lexie is left her estranged father's travel comp may when he unexpectedly passes away. She has been adventuring around the globe, picking up small jobs in different cities, never being tied down. She wants to seel the company and continue her life but there is one problem, her dad also left half the company to Theo, his protege.

I was looking forward to this book because I had really enjoyed Love, Holly. This is in the same vein, exploring love and loss, what really makes a family, and what life we may be giving up due to fear. Lexie was a such a likeable character. Her heart a bit bruised by her dad, misinterpreting his actions and feeling a little less than.

What I loved:
Ange, such a fun character with her earrings swinging! I could picture her perfectly.

Rachel and her persistence in wanting to connect with Lexie.

Theo and how he used his words. Also the adventures in Ireland, especially his friend's inn.

The travel! I felt like I was there. And want to go on all these trips.

Fran- being brave and accepting.

Didn't love:
Harry, I didn't know enough about him.

Mike, was he a needer character? I kept waiting for he and her dad to be secret lovers or something.

I really enjoyed this book. I think it would make a great movie for Netflix. I look forward to more books by Ms. Stone. 4.25 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Dell Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Emily Stone’s A Winter’s Wish continues her tradition of blending heartfelt narratives with complex, relatable issues, and this latest offering is no exception. Known for her skillful portrayal of characters facing profound challenges, Stone tackles themes of grief and reconciliation with both sensitivity and authenticity.

The novel revolves around Lexie and Theo, who are grappling with the death of Lexie’s father, Richard. Their reactions to his passing are shaped by their very different relationships with him. For Lexie, Richard was an absent figure who failed to meet her emotional needs and left a legacy of disappointment. In contrast, Theo saw Richard as a surrogate father and mentor, a supportive and guiding presence in his life. The contrasting perspectives on Richard’s impact create a rich backdrop for the story’s exploration of grief.

Upon Richard’s death, Lexie and Theo are left with half of his company each, with the stipulation that they must collaborate for a year to turn a profit before they can sell it. This arrangement forces them into close quarters and compels them to confront their shared loss and their divergent views on Richard’s life and legacy.

The novel excels in its portrayal of the messy, nuanced process of grieving and healing. Stone’s writing captures the emotional complexity of losing a parent with whom the relationship was fraught. Lexie’s struggle with her feelings about her father’s death is depicted with a depth that will resonate with anyone who has faced a similar loss.

Stone’s ability to delve into the imperfections of her characters and their relationships allows readers to see the humanity in everyone, even those who have caused pain. The journey of Lexie and Theo, as they navigate their grief and learn to work together, is both poignant and hopeful. Their story is a testament to the healing power of facing past wounds and the possibility of finding resolution and growth even in the aftermath of loss.

In summary, A Winter’s Wish is a moving exploration of grief, forgiveness, and personal transformation. Emily Stone’s adept storytelling and empathetic character development make this a compelling read for anyone who has experienced the complexities of mourning a flawed but loved parent.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

Such a cute wintery story. A little predictable, but still super cute and sweet. I enjoyed the main characters and the little surprises that popped up throughout. I will continue to read more from this author.

This book hurt my heart in the best ways, I was not expecting this to be filled with so much grief and sadness but it was done beautifully. This was my first Emily Stone book, but I’ll be going back and reading more!

I always like reading Christmas books in July. This was a nice read with all the feels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

I really enjoyed Always in December when I read it a few years ago, so I was thrilled to receive this as an ARC, thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouse #Ballantine.

An easy, Christmas read that I'd give 4.5 stars! It was a great way to start off the holiday reading season (in July!) and with a novel that encompassed both light and deep elements.

This novel featured a cute, unique twist on the classic enemies to lovers cliche. Lexie's grief, and shocking inheritance, added a deeper meaning and feeling to the overall story. Some of it felt predictable, but I loved the character development and depth. I appreciate that Stone's books incorporate life's hardships, while still providing the comfort of a holiday novel.

Forever an Emily Stone fan girl.

Short Synopsis:
Lexie’s estranged father passes away and leaves her half of the company. The stipulation being that she has to help run the company for at least a year. Lexie doesn’t want anything to do with her dad or his company though.

My Thoughts:
Emily Stone writes books that aren’t for everyone. Her debut is one of my all time favorite books, but it’s rated ridiculously low and I think that has to do with the topics the author doesn’t shy away from. The covers make it look like romcoms, and they are so much more than that.

A Winter Wish is a story of grief, complicated relationships, finding yourself and forgiveness. It was done beautifully. I was rooting for Lexie to find peace and R&L to thrive. Her relationship and growth with her sister was the highlight of the book for me. This stone-heart girl got a little teary-eyed. 🥹

If you’re a fan of sad girl romances, definitely recommend this book (and all of Emily Stone’s books!)

What You’ll Find:
Minor Christmas themes
Opposites attract
Heavier themes (grief, forgiveness)
Workplace romance
Traveling

Emily Stone does it again! I've read some of her books before and this one was just as great as the others. I'm not one to read winter/holiday reads before the holiday season, but I am glad I read this one! I cannot wait to see what my patrons at the library think of this.