Lexie’s holiday season takes a sharp detour when she finds out she’s inherited half of her estranged father’s travel company—a business dedicated to holiday traditions around the world. The bigger catch? She has to co-run it for a year with Theo, her dad’s grumpy but ridiculously handsome right-hand man. Lexie has zero plans to stick around (or unpack all the family baggage that comes with this surprise inheritance), but a work trip to Spain changes everything. Between exploring festive markets, romantic sights, and undeniable chemistry, Lexie starts to wonder if selling her share is actually the right move—or if fate has a totally different itinerary planned.

This one brings holiday romance with a side of emotional depth—a mix of travel, self-discovery, and a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic that keeps things interesting. Lexie’s journey isn’t just about romance (though Theo definitely brings the broody, reluctant love interest energy); it’s also about family, grief, and figuring out what home really means. The backdrop of a travel company specializing in Christmas traditions worldwide adds a unique and cozy layer, making it feel like a holiday escape in book form. The romance is sweet with just the right amount of tension, though the pacing drags in some spots, and I wish we got a little more from certain emotional moments.

I’m giving “A Winter Wish” 3.5 out of 5 stars! It’s heartfelt, festive, and has all the travel-loving, holiday magic energy you’d expect, even if it doesn’t totally shake up the genre. If you love forced proximity, holiday-themed adventures, and a romance that starts frosty but melts like a cup of hot cocoa, this one is worth packing for your festive TBR.

These holiday books are filling me with all kinds of warm, fuzzy feelings. While there's definitely some feel-good vibes, it also touches on grief, making the journey all the more meaningful. By the end, though, your heart will be full. It’s perfect for a weekend binge—ideal for the busy holiday season—but so captivating that you won’t want to put it down. It’s a grumpy-sunshine story with two characters you’ll really root for! The depth of this story makes it especially special as it unfolds, and I highly recommend giving it a read this holiday season—or honestly, anytime! *A Winter Wish* is out NOW!

Lexie is left 1/2 of her father's company after his death. This is a complete shock to her as she and her father were estranged. Enter Theo who is the other owner of the company. These 2 have some Pride & Prejudice moments to start their relationship. The kind that leave them mostly enemies.

I did love the travel company and the idea of experiencing a new place through local businesses and at a special time of year. That whole idea was cool and the idea behind the company (and how that came from Lexie's relationship with her father) was also good. I was fully invested in the company's success.

The book explores themes of love, loss, and what happens when you don't really get a second chance. Lexie and her father's relationship was very bittersweet. I liked how she came to know him after his death - but ... And I she came to understand more of her own choices by understanding some of his. But she didn't change a whole lot of her behaviors. The girl needed therapy and the story would have benefitted from more character growth on her side.

Theo was kind of a saint to put up with her antics. They did come to understand each other better, but it's hard to believe Lexie has really changed.

That said, the audio was entertaining and I loved that it was set in Bath (mostly).

Emily Stone's holiday books are always an automatic read for me! "A Winter Wish" didn't disappoint and was an emotional story set in the perfect holiday town. I really enjoyed it!

A quick light hearted read - a girl who loves to travel and had a complicated relationship with her Dad who just dies and left her half his travel business. I loved all the travel related parts of this book.

For me, this book was a like, not a love. I read this around Christmas time, thinking it would be a Christmas centered book, but it really wasn't. I also feel like it focused a little bit more on Lexie and their self discovery than that romance aspect, which was fine!
It's just not what I was expecting, and not the kind of read that I was wanting at the moment. I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I had a better description going in.
With that being said, this was such a feel good story.
Following Lexie's growth and journey accepting her father death and taking over his company was fun! The dynamic between her and Theo was a little bit off for me, and I felt like he lacked character development.
However, I really loved the travel aspect of this story. It was a light, and quick read that is great for any time of the year, not just the winter!

I have loved all of Emily Stone's previous books and was really excited to read this winter and holiday themed one. This one didn't quite hit the mark for me, and I didn't end up enjoying it as much as the others.

I found both Lexie and Theo to be pretty frustrating, I wanted to shake some sense in to them at multiple times. I didn't really feel their connection and really wished they would just have a conversation about what was going on.

I did love the settings -- I love christmas markets, I love traveling around Europe and really enjoyed being able to picture those parts.

Emily Stone will still be an auto-read for me, I do love her writing and she has such a lovely way of describing things. Looking forward to what is next from her.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

I sadly didn’t like this at all. I‘ve recently really been struggling with holiday/christmas romances so it‘s probably more that it isn’t my cup of tea rather than the books‘s fault but I still want to be honest about my personal feelings. Holiday romances need to be just right for me to love them and sadly this one didn’t work for me.

~2.5, rounded up~
When Lexie learns of her father’s death, she’s shocked to find he’s left her half of his successful holiday travel company, with the other half going to Theo, a handsome but moody executive. The will forces them to work together for a year before deciding the company’s future. Though Lexie plans to leave afterward, a work trip sparks undeniable chemistry between her & Theo. Despite their initial judgments, mixing business & pleasure proves complicated.
***
I felt like this story was repetitive. I liked all the different traveling & scenery, descriptions of other countries and their cultures/traditions, but the issues and internal battles just felt dragged out. In essence, I think this book could have been shorter. There were also a ton of characters, which I thought was unnecessary. Although the cover might make this seem like a holiday read, I wouldn't classify it as such... I will say that this might work for those who like the 'enemies to lovers' trope.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone is a delightful holiday romance that combines heartwarming moments with a touch of sizzling chemistry. When Lexie inherits half of her estranged father’s holiday travel company after his death, she’s left reeling. She must now work alongside Theo, the company’s handsome but gruff executive, to decide the future of the business. The catch? They have to run the company together for a full year before making any decisions.

Lexie’s initial reluctance to be involved is complicated by the growing tension and undeniable chemistry between her and Theo. Their work trip to Spain adds fuel to the fire as they discover new facets of each other’s personalities—and passions. The dynamic between the two is fantastic, with plenty of banter, emotional growth, and a slow-burn romance that will keep readers hooked.

Stone’s writing shines as she balances themes of family, loss, and the joy of unexpected connections, all set against the backdrop of beautiful holiday traditions. A Winter Wish is a charming, cozy read with a perfect blend of romance and holiday cheer. Fans of sweet, heartfelt love stories will enjoy this book, especially those who love the idea of finding love in unexpected places.

Emily Stone likes to break my heart every holiday season. I know what I am getting into but damn girl give me a break just once :D super good though!

Emily Stone is the queen of a holiday grief read for me and I anxiously await her novels each year. However, A Winter Wish didn't quite hit the mark for me. It has all the elements of a stellar read - an enemies to lovers trope, a fresh grief, travel, and a tale of growth - but felt a bit lackluster and predictable. Indeed, a chapter in and you know exactly where the story is going and generally how it's wrapping up.

I listened to A Winter Wish on audio and the narrator was good. It helped with the pacing and built the right tensions and excitement.

For a travel novel, I did want more about the exotic locales Lexie was visiting. I think that coupled with some stronger character development would have helped me be more engaged.

Overall, it was a decent read but one that likely won't stick with me.

Thank you to Dell for the copy.

this was a cute "Hallmark-esque" rom-com to read at the holidays.

It was entertaining, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters and didn't feel any of the chemistry between Lexie and Theo. Overall I was very mid feeling by the end of it.

This was the perfect holiday read, and probably my favorite for the season! I finished this in two sittings with a warm cup of coffee in hand!

This was another cute Christmas read by Emily Stone. She hasn't let me down yet, and I really enjoy reading her books each year during the holiday season. She writes characters you want to pull for, and stories that pull at your heartstrings. If you are a lover of Hallmark movies, I recommend reading her books as well.

The enemies (slight) to lovers trope, along with forced proximity is a great combination. Throw in a 'from the grave meddling parent' aspect and that's just the sprinkles on top of this story. I loved knowing that her dad would approve and be happy with them being together since he forced it to happen in the first place. **spoiler, but not really a spoiler since it IS a romcom* I just kept imagining that it gave Lexie comfort knowing her dad also loved the man she loves.

Can't wait for her next one!

I thought A Winter Wish was a fun and engaging rom-com. Lexie, someone who can't put down roots, has to go home for her father's funeral. There, she learns he has given his business to her, but there's a catch - she co-owns it with Theo, who she gets off on the wrong foot with. I really enjoyed how this book played out, and I had a hard time putting it down!

Emily Stone never fails to write a winter romance that gives me all the feels! After loving "Love, Holly" so much last year, I was extremely excited to be able to read her newest book. A Winter Wish is another wonderful, heartfelt Christmas romance that will have you reaching for the tissues and making your heart grow three sizes!

As someone who lost their father, I'm always moved by authors who write death well. Emily Stone does this beautifully, and I was moved by this story so much. It is full of sorrow and hope, fun and tension. You won't regret adding this to your holiday TBR!

Lexie is very bitter about her dad leaving her for his second family when he dies and leaves her half of his travel company. The other half is left to Theo his employee. There is such antagonism between the two main characters that it was hard to like either of them at the beginning. But this is a story of second chances and a slow burn romance. I did enjoy a few of the travel sites the characters visited. 3.5 stars

Lexie inherits her dad’s travel business but they haven’t been close since he left their family for a new one. Many resentments have built up. While inheriting this business she also gets a partner who she cannot stand.

This book follows Lexie, who inherits half of her estranged father’s holiday travel company after his death. The other half goes to Theo, her father’s right-hand man, who isn’t exactly thrilled to share control. The two of them have to run the business together for a year before deciding what to do with it. Lexie assumes she’ll walk away when the time is up, but as she gets more involved—and as she and Theo start to see each other in a new light—things get complicated.

While this book is marketed as a heartwarming holiday read, it didn’t quite capture the wintery, festive atmosphere I was hoping for. The premise had potential, but I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Lexie, as the protagonist, came across as more whiny than relatable, which made it hard to connect with her journey. The romance between her and Theo had its moments, but overall, the emotional depth didn’t land as strongly as I expected. For readers looking for a story about self-discovery and second chances, this might still be enjoyable—but if you’re seeking a truly cozy, Christmas-filled novel, this one might not fully deliver.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC of this book.