The perfect holiday feel good!! Lexie finds out that her father has passed away and left her half of his business. She wasn't aware that he was even sick or that he would be leaving this to her. There's one condition, she must work with Theo, who owns the other half of the company. At first he judges her hardcore and vice versa. Finally they come to an agreement and find a way to work together and maybe even a little more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This did not feel like an Emily Stone novel. I found it so boring that I kept putting it down and gong back to it, hoping it would get better. It did not. Lexie and Theo hated each other for a good part of the book and had zero chemistry. There was absolutely nothing that drew me into the story. I'm not sure why I didn't DNF but I will say that the travel part of the story and the descriptions of the places interested me more than the narrative itself. I could picture them clearly. I wish there had been some depth to any of the characters but that was sadly lacking. Also, the title is a misnomer, only a small part of this takes place during Christmas/winter. Can't recommend.

I really enjoyed this story! Lexie and Theo were well developed though it was definitely Lexie’s story more than Theo’s. I loved all the travel detail and info on festivals and different cultures.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lexie's dad's sudden passing leaves her with some unresolved father issues, a half-sister relationship that needs some attention, and a new business partner in a company she didn't realize existed. A solid 3.75 stars

This HEA is a cute quick read about a woman who is faced with her past that she's become very good at running away from for her adult life. But when Theo expresses his obvious disappointment with her relationships with her dad and sister, Lexie doesn't know if she should run like she always does or prove him wrong. I really enjoyed this read and the MFC's development. I didn't mind that most of the story was focused on her journey and not the love story. It was light on the love and spice but I think that was more true to Lexie's story.

Some TW's including grief, cheating (her father) off book and parental death.

ARC received through NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cozy and delightful read perfect for the holiday season. I loved Lexie and Theo’s love story and the subplot with the travel was really fun and interesting too. Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced readers’ copy of A Winter’s Wish by Emily Stone. This is the first book I read by Emily Stone and was excited when she had a new book coming out, that being said, I was a little disappointed by this book. It took me a long time to get into this book. If I wasn’t reading it for a review, I might have put it down and walked away from it. I just felt like it took a long time to get to where the story was trying to go.

Stone did a wonderful job with her description of things, the holiday trips they were on, the places they saw and the way things looked which I was very impressed with. She did a wonderful job showing the struggle Lexie faced as she pieced together the father she barely knew. I also loved Theo and Lexie’s relationship.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy of “A Winter Wish” by Emily Stone. This enchanting holiday novel centers around Lexie, a free spirit with a deep-rooted love for travel, an affinity she inherited from her father. However, Lexie's constant desire to move from place to place also hints at her struggle with committing to one location. When she learns of her father's passing, she is surprised to discover that he has left her half of his beloved holiday travel company, with the other half going to Theo, a handsome yet stern young executive who worked closely with her father. Despite her initial reservations, Lexie decides to give the business a year before making any decisions about her future. As she navigates the challenges of running the company and working alongside Theo, unexpected twists and emotional hurdles emerge. Will Lexie choose to stay, or will her wanderlust pull her away once again? This heartwarming story is perfect for readers looking to embark on a festive and romantic holiday journey.

A Winter Wish was a story that brought out some deep emotions within me. It was very introspective of self, reflective of the connections around us, and a beautiful, healing journey to learn to say goodbye. My heart grew heavy reading throughout this narrative, but it ended feeing light and free. 3.5✨

I wouldn't say this is an overtly festive holiday novel, but I do think it features a sentiment that I'd argue we all feel throughout the winter season and its holidays: nostalgia.

A very heavy feeling of nostalgia, that brings a bit of blues. A wistful feeling that includes loss, grief, loneliness, and regrets. Lexie faces all these feelings as she loses her estrangered father. It's like grieving him twice over-- first as the man who was once a dad but abandoned her, and second as the the man who was simply her distant father who passed away. It's strange because I can't directly relate to Lexie's loss but I had such a difficult time reading through the heaviness wrought from her loss. It was a very emotional read, and I had to take several steps back at times. I am glad I always returned because by book's end there is also a cathartic sense it brings about, one of reconciliation and healing.

Perhaps, that is the true festive sentiment to be found during the holidays.

This is not always a happy read, but it's a healing read. It's a read letting you know you aren't alone in all those conflicting feelings that arise in consideration of the complexity of family and self. It's a story that allows us to redefine who we are, how we choose to remember our loved us, and how we chose to move forward. If you find comfort in this, this book will definitely be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Enjoyed this book a lot ! However it was a little easy to catch on with the end of the book however over all good read

I enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers romance. The initial antagonism that Lexie and Theo feel for each other, largely because of misconceptions and misjudgments about each other, soon morphs into a wary acceptance and then friendship, and the exploration of Lexie's issues because of her father's abandonment, contrasting with Theo's experience of her father's acceptance and encouragement, brings a good tension to the development of their relationship. Lexie's relationship with her half-sister also provides depth to the story as Lexie struggles with the 'different dad' that Rachel experienced as she grew up. Mike makes a good antagonist who points up Theo's better nature, and Ange's character lends some humor to the story, too. The love story doesn't seem to precipitous but has a nice arc, and the happy ending provides a satisfactory conclusion to an engaging story.

Thank you to NetGalley and  Random House  for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Stone’s A Winter Wish is a heartwarming holiday romance that deftly blends the festive spirit with personal growth and emotional healing. When Lexie inherits half of her estranged father's holiday travel company, she finds herself reluctantly paired with Theo, the company's other half and her father’s young, brooding executive. The stipulation in the will forces Lexie and Theo to co-manage the business for a year, a period that promises to challenge their initial antagonism and ignite a deeper connection.

As Lexie grapples with her grief and the unexpected legacy left by her father, she starts to see the value in the travel company’s mission and in Theo himself. Their journey together, marked by travel to various holiday destinations, offers both romantic tension and opportunities for personal introspection. The story's exploration of family dynamics, healing, and self-discovery provides depth beyond the typical holiday romance.

Stone’s novel combines the charm of a holiday setting with a thoughtful narrative about dealing with past regrets and finding unexpected love. The book's blend of festive cheer and meaningful themes creates a cozy yet emotionally resonant read, ideal for fans of character-driven romance and those looking to escape into a world of travel and redemption.

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕚𝕤𝕥:
Lexie, estranged from her father, is shocked to inherit half of his successful holiday travel company after his death. The other half goes to Theo, her father's handsome but ill-tempered executive. The will requires them to run the company together for a year before deciding its fate.

Initially planning to leave after the year, Lexie finds herself drawn to the company's mission and to Theo. A work trip to Spain ignites undeniable chemistry between them, but mixing business with pleasure proves complicated.

𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤:
🎄 Christmas romance
😒 Adversaries to lovers
🧲 Opposites attract
❤️‍🩹 Healing and grief
✈️ Travel destinations

𝕊𝕚𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕣 𝕍𝕚𝕓𝕖𝕤:
📚 𝗪𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗠𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀
📚 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗱

𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Emily Stone does a great job writing cozy holiday romances that will also have you reaching for your tissues. In one hand, 𝗔 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵 is a light winter romance, and on the other it digs deeper; dealing with grief, acceptance, healing, and self-discovery.

I loved Lexie and Theo; from their brokenness, to getting to know one another, to falling in love, I was fully invested in their relationship development. I also really enjoyed the holiday destinations (and really the whole of R&L Travel), as well as the festive setting.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (𝟰/𝟱)

Thank you to NetGalley & Dell, a division of Penguin Random House for the advanced digital copy of “A Winter Wish”

This book would appeal to those who enjoy traveling frequently and exploring new places. There are some difficult family dynamics the book navigates through as well. I do love a Christmas book, and extra points to this one for making a true celebration of Christmas in July!!

A wonderful little romance novel that really appealed to the traveler in me! Thanks to NetGalley and Dell for an advance reader copy. I most enjoyed this one.
The story is that of Lexie ( who at times I wanted to shake til her teeth rattled ) and Theo who I quite liked. Lexie’s estranged father left her part of his travel agency asking her to be involved in the business for one year after which it was left to Theo and her to continue running or disband/sell. Need less to say there were lots of clashes between the characters on this journey.
What I actually enjoyed most was the concept of the agency and the trips they hosted that were described in the book. I think this aspect will appeal to a lot of women interested in travel!
The book in typical romance fashion had a wonderful ending but I couldn’t help thinking over and over - just be honest about your feelings and this will be much easier.
I think this book is a romance novel that also has wider appeal outside that genre due to its unique premise. It feels like a great holiday read to me.

I have relied on Emily Stone for the past few years to give me a holiday read with substance to offset the "Hallmark movie" lightness of some of my other festive reads. This year's entry, A Winter Wish, contains the festive depth that I've come to expect from this fantastic author. Lexi and Theo each inherit half of a travel agency after the death of Lexi's father. Lexi and her dad had a complicated, distant relationship and it was heartwarming to see Lexi reconnect with her dad a bit after his death as she works with Theo to run his travel agency. It was entertaining to watch Lexi and Theo work together (even if it killed them) as stipulated in the will. I also loved the chance to armchair travel along with these characters!

Perfect for fans of grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and those seeking a meaningful read that's dressed in tinsel. Emily Stone has become one of my favorite holiday traditions!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Ballantine, Dell) for the opportunity to escape with Lexi and Theo in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this story about accepting regret in our choices and trying to redeem that. There are two sides to every story and it looks like the father could have tried harder, but he was also in a position that was so hard with the second wife.

I plan to share this book a day or two before publication. I will come back to update this post when I plan that month.

While this is a perfect cozy Christmas story, it’s also ideal for all year round! A very sweet, comfy feel good, travel romance full of adventure and slow burn tension, this book has something for every romance reader! I really enjoyed the characters, and the complex family dynamics that both were dealing with. I think their flaws made them more real. I also enjoyed the relationship they were trying to form with each other, and all the ups and downs they dealt with. This was overall a great read!

“I make a wish, every Christmas, and I write it down on a little piece of paper, fold it up, and put it in a jar.”
🫙 🫙🫙🫙🫙
This is my first novel by Emily Stone and I’m looking forward to reading her other works. A Winter Wish is an enemies to lovers winter time romance. Lexie loves to travel and it was fun hearing about all her different adventures. She is estranged from her father who passes away and leaves half his business to her and another employee, Theo. Lexie and Theo must keep the business for a year before deciding what to do with it. During this year you will travel with them through many emotions and find that wishes do come true!
Triggers: cancer, death, divorce, abandonment, family issues, grief, forgiving
A Winter Wish by Emily Stone will be available on October 15, 2024!
Thank you, Random House Publishing-Ballantine, for providing me this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A Winter Wish is a sweet. rom-com dealing with complicate grief, identity, and of course love. When Lexie's estranged father dies leaving her half of his travel company, she is forced to revisit the past that she has been avoiding. She is forced to look at herself and the relationships in her life in a new way rather than running from the reality of her emotions. Through this journey, she also work with Theo who now owns the other half of the company. I found this book enjoyable, sweet, and making me want to get out my passport and experience the world more. While it is a holiday book, it takes place throughout the course of a year and felt more like a travel book with a hint of holiday, which I enjoyed.

thank you to netgalley, dell publishers, and emily stone for the arc of a winter wish!

i really enjoyed this one! i liked lexies growth throughout the book, and i thought that her and they had good chemistry and banter, but i just didn’t connect with the story or characters that much, but that’s okay, i still enjoyed it!!

lexie and theo have to work together to run lexie’s estranged fathers company after he passed away. a quick read and good for fans of:

❄️workplace romance
❄️enemies/rivals to lovers!!!

thank you so much for the arc! ⭐️