Enjoyable.
I think coming to terms with a poor relationship with one ‘ s parent is always difficult and this was written in a way that showcase a breathe of forgiveness.


The main characters started off on the wrong foot with each other due to miscommunication and poor assumptions but as they are force into close proximity of each other, understanding comes forth.

What’s funny is both characters had parental issues and both don’t like finality. Hence why they love traveling, but by the end they form such a United team.

I love Emily Stone's books, and A Winter Wish was another great one that is perfect for the holiday season! Although there were a few times I got frustrated at the actions of the main character, Lexie, she redeemed herself in the end. A story that centers around a travel company that organizes trips for holidays, this book made me really yearn for traveling especially for Christmas!

I wouldn’t completely call this a Christmas book since the events take place over a couple years, but I enjoyed it. It wasn’t completely light-hearted and I appreciated that main character Lexie had her issues to deal with. Theo was a good love interest and their interactions were the best part of it by far.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

Getting my Christmas reading started a little early with this ARC. After Lexie’s estranged father passes, he leaves half of his travel company to her and half to his handsome business partner Theo. From haters to lovers, these two must decide what to do with the company before a year is up. At times this one was slow with unnecessary details. I felt myself wanting more from their romance. Overall, not my favorite of Emily Stone, but definitely is putting me in the holiday mood.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC

Thank you to Random House—Ballantine and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emily Stone’s books are ones I consistently look forward to reading each year and usually mark my first holiday/winter reads of the season. A WINTER WISH is a great novel to ease readers into the holiday spirit, especially those holding onto summer for dear life, because while Christmas is featured in the story, it’s not necessarily the star of the show.

Though there were many enjoyable things about this book, my absolute favorite parts were where Lexie, a woman who has recently lost her estranged father and inherits half of his travel company, and Theo, the other half owner, volley banter back and forth. These moments really showcased not only their personalities, but also the growth in a relationship that began with them as adversaries.

Like all Emily Stone books, A WINTER WISH is marked by the characters dealing with heart-wrenching circumstances, challenges in relationships and life itself, and a love story that can’t be missed.

3.5 ⭐️s

Another great read by Emily Stone. I always enjoy the holiday vibes without the book being totally Christmas-centric. They’re always heartwarming and a little heartbreaking at the same time. But I love that. So well written and the storyline was told over a year or so which I liked. Highly recommend.

I loved every sizzling page of this holiday romance! There is a depth to this book that is often lacking in holiday romance novels, as complicated emotions and relationships drove this store. Lexie and Theo both have deep-rooted issues regarding their parents, but it’s each of their relationships with her father that are at the heart of it all. I loved these two, and felt like the air crackled with electricity every time they were near each other. Their feelings were so raw where they were antagonizing each other, making each other laugh, or opening up to each other, and my own heart wept and celebrated with them. This also isn’t a holiday romance that takes place over one Christmas season; their story is a full year of love and heartache and mistakes and vulnerability and complications, and, of course, love.

I just loved this book. Everything about it. My only complaint was at times the main character got on my nerves with the way she didn't want to talk things out and it always lead to drastic misunderstandings. But this was a nice romance set through an entire year with a big focus on Christmas.

The story deals a lot with grief. And it's not just grief from the death of a parent, but grief from other parents' hopes for you, grief for your own hopes and wishes, grief from the rejection of a parent, grief from the rejection of a sister and grief from a parent's mistake.

I really enjoyed the nomadic aspect of the book and how the main character realizes that perhaps it's time for taking a chance and making roots in one spot. Her glee at travel was also a unique take on life as a child traveler and onwards into adulthood that we don't often see in romance stories.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Balantine for giving me and e-copy of A WINTER WISH to review.

I rate A WINTER WISH four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"A Winter Wish" by Emily Stone is a quick holiday-themed read. It reminded me of "A Winter in New York" by Josie Silver, because both deal with grief, complicated family dynamics, and finding oneself. I wasn't the biggest fan of our two main characters, Lexie and Theo; they were both often immature and their chemistry was lacking. However, I appreciated the journey (literal and figurative!) on which the author takes Lexie.

I loved this book! I’ve read this author before and her books are always so good to me! The story line was captivating, the characters were enjoyable, and I felt in a Christmas spirit afterwards! It was very well done and an overall excellent romance!

It was ok. It was like watching a Hallmark movie, no real substance but you get the warm holiday feels. If that’s your vibe then this is for you. I, however wanted more. Especially since this author has written such gems in the past.

I really wanted to love A Winter Wish—the premise of an opposites-attract romance set against the backdrop of a travel business and the holidays sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to finish the book, stopping halfway as I struggled to engage with both the plot and the characters. Lexie and Theo just didn’t have enough chemistry from the start of the book.

The main character, Lexie, lives a nomadic life when she unexpectedly inherits half of a travel business from her estranged father. While this setup had potential, the legal aspects surrounding the will and business felt unrealistic, particularly from the perspective of someone who works in the legal field. The slow development of the plot and relationships also left me disengaged, as it lacked the pacing I typically enjoy in a romance novel.

That said, I think this might appeal to readers who enjoy a really slow-burn romance and don't mind a more gradual unfolding of the story. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

When her estranged father dies, Lexie inherits 50% ownership of her his travel company. Lexie is peturbed, but the will states that she has to at least try to run it for one year and turn a profit, in order to place it up for sale. So Lexie is left to give the company a go with her new business partner Theo. There are victories and challenges, but Lexie and Theo grow together. Lexie is better able to understand her father and his legacy through her work with his business. This is a heart-warming romance. I enjoyed the travel company storyline as well. It was something different than the usual. Enjoyable, cozy winter read!

FYI - this is not a Christmas book, although it does occur over a few Christmases

A Winter Wish was cute! A great little rom com for those post Christmas wintery months. A surprise inheritance from an estranged dad and an enemies to lovers romance - what more could you need?!

Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Available on October 15th!

Emily Stone is the queen off the tear-jerker romance, but A Winter Wish doesn’t pack the same oomph as her previous novels.

Lexie is a commitment-phobe who has spent her adulthood flitting from one temporary job and casual relationship to another, who ends up coming home after her estranged father dies and leaves her half his travel company. She and her new co-owner, Theo, is full of resentment for each other, but as they begin to work past their mutual misunderstandings, it’s clear they more than work well together.

I quite liked Lexie’s journey to coming to terms with her father’s actions, but less her own neuroses. There’s a side plot that leads to the third-act separation (ugh) that was a bit underbaked, but I liked Theo’s shift from enemy (of sorts) to very dear colleague and lover.

A sweet story about learning to live with and learn from regrets, and overcoming the fear of rejection enough to let someone (a partner, colleagues, a sister) in.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫 3.5 stars rounded down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Dell for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC of A Winter Wish by Emily Stone. I absolutely loved this one! It would make the perfect winter read; it's not quite a holiday romance (IMO), but it's such a fun one. I thought the characters were perfectly flawed, with great character development and palpable chemistry. I loved the travels that Lexi and Theo took, and it made me want to plan a European getaway ASAP. This also tackles deeper topics like family trauma, the grief of losing a parent, and self-discovery. Definitely add this one to your fall/winter TBR, it publishes on October 15 and is a must-read!

I enjoy Emily Stone, especially Always, in December. I was excited to receive this ARC.

It started off strong and I was intrigued. Her estranged father dies and leaves her half his travel agency company. The other half has been left to hot Theo. I saw this advertised as enemies-to-lovers but I have to say, enemies-to-lovers doesn't really exist in contemporary romance. It's more rivals to lovers, which is fine. I liked the premise a lot but thought the travel agency was an odd choice. It felt antiquated to this story and I don't foresee it aging well. That being said, I did enjoy some of the tension and banter, but there was nothing that stood out as a book I want to scream from the rooftops about. It's a holiday read and pretty predictable. I wish Lexie read a bit older and it felt more mature, but I think the contemporary romance girlies will enjoy this one for the holiday season.

A Winter Wish was a great read! Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.

The main character, Lexi, deals with grieving her dad in the wake of a really complicated relationship, and I think that part of the book was really well-written. It examined the grief left behind when we lose someone, but also the effects of that same person causing grief even when alive. When you add in Theo and his relationship to Lexi’s dad, too, it got even more complex in the best way.

Of course, there are also fun, lighter moments in the book. I loved the idea of the travel agency with trips centered around different celebrations — it made it a great setting for the book, and also gave it a really nice Christmas feel.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone was read and devoured while it was over 100 degrees outside but it gave me all the winter wonderland feelings. I love Christmas romance and this book did not disappoint.

I’m all set for my holiday reads and can’t wait for more! This book was the perfect way to kick things off, capturing the essence of a Christmas romance! Can Xmas be there already???