When I started reading A Winter Wish I was looking forward to escaping into a light modern romance for a little while. I'll be honest, I almost gave up on it a few chapters in because Lexie was coming across as a spoiled, immature brat who didn't even have the ability to consider the feelings of those around her. She was willing to tank an entire business with no regard for the people who worked there and relied on those jobs. What a jerk. BUT I stuck with the book and I was happy to see Lexie grow up a little by the end.
The characters were fun and, as someone who loves to travel, I loved the travel company theme. It was, for the most part, fun to read. I just wish the main character had been a little bit more likeable.

Loved this holiday read! Emily Stone’s writing is always a hit for me so I will def be recommending this to friends over the holidays! Loved!

Thanks to Netgalley & Random House Publishing- Ballantine for the E-ARC! I loved this so much! Beautifully written & loved the characters. Even cried a couple times. Definitely will read more from this author.

I love Emily Stone's Christmas books. The travel agency was a unique plot/setting so that was nice change from the usual romance novel.

Does anyone else have an issue with the beginning of the book? We are supposed to believe that the two main characters despise each other from a simple look at funeral. They have never met, never spoken and yet this one look leads to profound hatred of each other. Meh. Otherwise the rest of the book is fine. Some part enjoyable, but mostly forgettable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an incredibly cute book. We have travel, we have crying, we have laughing,we have Christmas in July.

I think I truly enjoyed this book because if the characters. Not only does the plot have to be strong, but the characters have to support it. I felt like each character was unique and was well rounded so we get to know each one and everyone these for a purpose. Lexie and Theo have depth, they communicate, learn from their mistakes and grow. Ange and Rachel have to be my favorites for the meddling and be authentically themselves, including the crying.

My main critique would be about flow. I was ready to meet Fran earlier on since she’s mentioned a few times and that Lexie would be doing something with her but then we experience time jumps because those things didn’t happen as we read them. I think the flow could have been better between multiple chapters because it felt a little choppy to me.

I received an eARC from Penguin Random House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was cute! I didn't connect as much with this book as I did with Always, in December, so this won't top my list of Emily Stone works, but I imagine lots of people will be especially moved by Lexie's journey with losing her dad.

This was a cute easy read for christmas, would definitely recommend for that time. The plot is a bit unrealistic as not manny people uses travel agencies anymore , but still made for a cute side. Like I said a easy read for something refreshing and cute

Emily Stone is one of my favorite writers! A Winter Wish is now one of my favorites. A celebration of travel, traditions, love, good food, family, and work. I would recommend this book to my friends.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read every single Emily Stone book since her first publication (Always, in December). This book does not disappoint! I dare to say I enjoyed this book more than Love, Holly but nonetheless the story line between Lexi and Theo is fantastic. I love how the author is able to develop the characters, their nuances and eventual connection. Highly recommend this book to be added to your holiday reading list. Please see full review (@aguiluv)- Thank you Emily for a fantastic book!

When Lexie unexpectedly inherits half of her late father’s travel business, the father who abandoned she and her mom, it throws her nomadic life into a tailspin. Lexie’s arrival raises Theo’s hackles because he’s worked side by side with Lexie’s dad to build the business and as the other inheritor he’s not thrilled by his new partner or her attitude.

Lexie and Theo must work together for a year before they can sell but can they find common ground in both business and life.

I love a good enemies to lovers story and the emotional depth Emily Stone brings to her writing made A Winter Wish a winner.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone was definitely a slow burn, so slow I had a hard time finishing it. Although I loved Ms. Stone's last novel, Love, Holly this novel just didn't have the engaging characters that made you want to spend time with them, or the touching moments that captured your heart. It fell flat for me. Thank you to the author publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first book by this author, and what a gem! I adored traveling through Europe with the characters. This rom com has depth, which I always appreciate. I’ll be reading more from this author.

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 For Lexie, Christmas has always been a season for wishing. When her estranged father dies and leaves her half of his company to run with his mentee, Theo, she wishes she could be anywhere but in the predicament she is in currently. Amidst the grief, the wanderlust, and the newfound business ownership, Lexie is feeling all of the feels…and wishing she finds hope and healing. A really fun and beautiful read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is posted is Goodreads and final review will be on instagram ahead of the publication day!

2.5 Stars

It was an arduous task to finish this book. The pacing was terribly slow, there was much repetition of the underlying issues, and the storyline was not that engaging. I could only read a few pages, or a chapter at the most, before my interest waned. The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my least favorite literary devices. In this case, it was fueled by immaturity, unresolved anger/grief, and poor communication.

Lexie is a free spirit never settling longer than six months in any job or any place. When her estranged father bequeaths her with one half of his holiday travel company, this unexpected and unwanted legacy turns out to be a catalyst for healing and reevaluating her life choices. Theo is her business partner who brings his own baggage to the relationship which predictably has a rocky start and transforms over the course of the book.

The redeeming quality of this tedious read was the beautiful descriptions of the city of Bath (England) coupled with the innovative trip itineraries offered by the travel company. Overall, I respect the author’s efforts, but this novel was not a match for me.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This was an unexpected emotionally charged book. I am not normally one for books that make me cry, but this one almost brought me to tears and I loved it. This story is one of forgiveness, hope, and love. It was a story that was so elegantly and eloquently written I felt all Lexie's feelings. I was right along with her in her struggle and rooting for her when she found her inner strength. There is a love story here, Theo was perfect for Lexie, but I feel this was more of a story about how families fail one another and how they love and forgive one another as well. I enjoyed this story and I know I will look for more from this author going forward. Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Just go ahead and get ready for a tug on your heart strings! This book has all the family drama and so much love and heartache wrapped up in a neat little bow.

In A Winter Wish, Lexie is a constant traveler who goes wherever the wind takes her. When she receives news that her estranged father has passed, she has to face old hurts, resurfacing memories, and a half-sister she doesn’t know how to talk to. However, this nomad has just discovered that her father left half of his travel business to her with the stipulation that she work for the company for at least a year. Furthermore, the inheritor of the other half is Theo, a young executive at her father’s company who, upon first meeting Lexie, already seems to despise her. With an encouraging push from her mother, her best friend Fran, and the company’s personal assistant Ange, Lexie starts working for the company, despite Theo’s protests. As Lexie and Theo find themselves planning and taking part in various adventures, the two begin to learn more about each other and start seeing eye-to-eye, and Lexie’s wandering spirit starts to see the advantages of traveling with someone who challenges her. It also doesn’t hurt that the man is easy on the eyes!

Emily Stone has done it again with this beautifully heartwarming novel! Having read all of Emily’s previously published books, I can tell you that you don’t want to miss out on this one! I gobbled it up in one night, and I immediately want to go back and reread it again!

Some of the things I loved about this one:
✨ Rivals/Enemies-to-Lovers
✨ Opposites attract
✨ Found Family
✨ Encouraging and supportive family and friends
✨ The bonds of sisterhood
✨ Travel adventures in different countries
✨ The holiday wish jar tradition
✨ Different worldwide celebrations/festivals

Be on the lookout for this one in October!

Thank you Netgalley and Emily Stone for this eBook ARC!

A Winter Wish is about Lexie, a young woman who is estranged from her father and after he died inherits his travel business. Theo is her father's employee who inherits the other half. This is a book about how your past can affect your future, but it doesn't have to. Lexie and Theo don't always see eye to eye. As they learn more about each other, they develop a relationship. Lexie will have to decide if this is something she wants for herself or if she wants to keep traveling and exploring new places by herself.

This was an enjoyable read, but at times I felt that Lexie read very immature for an almost 30 year old woman. I think some of that is portraying how her estrangement from her father affected her, but it times it was a bit much. I loved reading about the different festivals the travel company took their clients to and Lexie and Theo's travels.

Thank you Random House for this ARC. I would recommend adding this to your holiday TBR!

I really liked this book, enemies-to-lovers are always my favorite and this one did not disappoint! I really liked how Emily handled each character's grief and acknowledged how complex it can really be.