Emotional holiday story. Lexie's struggles to settle down and take over her dad's company, deal with Theo as a partner, while grappling the emotions of the death of her dad while keeping her mom's feelings in mind... brings up a lot of emotions. Dealing with the death of a parent, even when not close to that person, is difficult. Lexie's struggles rang true for her character and didn't feel far fetched or exaggerated. It was a perfect balance of reflection/emotion and romance.

I really enjoyed this. I read Love, Holly last month and loved it and was excited to jump into her new one. I liked the enemies to lovers trope and how much depth there was. I also like how it’s not specifically Christmas so it was still fine to read it at any time of year, but especially in the winter. I thought it was cute!

A Winter Wish is a delightful holiday romance that strikes the perfect balance between heartwarming charm and emotional depth. Lexie’s unexpected inheritance from her estranged father sets the stage for a rich, engaging story that explores the complexities of family, business, and the possibility of second chances. The unique premise of a holiday travel company specializing in global traditions adds a refreshing twist, allowing readers to enjoy a holiday adventure that spans the world. Lexie’s internal conflict, as she grapples with her past and her unexpected role in the company, is both relatable and poignant, while her chemistry with Theo—her unlikely business partner—is electric and undeniable. Their gradual transformation from wary co-workers to something more is a highlight of the book.

Theo, the brooding executive, adds a compelling layer of tension to the story, especially with his initial reluctance to work with Lexie. Their banter is sharp, and the way their relationship evolves feels natural and engaging. While the premise of mixing business with pleasure is familiar, the author’s warm prose and well-developed characters make it feel fresh and exciting. There are moments of predictable holiday romance, but the emotional journey Lexie embarks on, combined with the exploration of her connection with Theo, makes A Winter Wish a thoroughly enjoyable and heartfelt read. It’s the perfect book to curl up with during the holiday season.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute enemies to lovers books that met the typical parts of this genre with the predictable tropes. I really loved the places that they visited in this story and it made me want to go on amazing trips with these extravagant trips with amazing festivals and restaurants. That was the very best part of this story to me!

I just didn't love the main character, Lexie. And it took awhile to like Theo, the other main character. But, the setting and the growth of the characters made this one a good read in the end.

Emily Stones books bring me so much comfort each winter. Her books tend to be emotional, and A Winter Wish was no different. The story follows Lexie after she inherits her father’s business, who she had been estranged from. She owns 50% alongside Theo, her father’s partner she never met before. Automatically it’s an enemies to lovers trope of a story, and I absolutely adored it. I loved the way they pushed eachother buttons, but seamlessly made eachother laugh. My heart was so warm from the romance aspect of the story, but there were so many other special characters and moments. Stone did a great job writing a novel that focuses on complicated grief. Although Lexie frustrated me at times, I admired her bravery and her strength. I highly recommend this one!

This was a good cute read I'm sorry I forgot to review it earlier I guess it slipped through the cracks. But I read it over Christmas and it was perfect for that. I didn't love lexis character at first but I came around to her. I thought the premise was really creative and I liked the travel theme. I liked how the two sisters evolved as well. Cute fun easy cozy read

Emily Stone’s books are continually a hit for me. I very much enjoyed this story about Lexie, who inherits half of a travel company from the father she’s been estranged from since childhood. The other half is owned by Theo, her father’s employee. Neither of them are thrilled by the situation, but of course as the story unfolds, they get to know each other and develop feelings for each other. I loved the armchair travel experience of reading about their various travels, and I thought the relationship that developed between them was heartfelt and sweet. The story is also about Lexie’s journey to understand her late father better as well as her stepsister. The story has more depth than some holiday rom coms and definitely delivers all the feels.

A Winter Wish is a heartfelt and beautifully written story about grief, forgiveness, and the journey of finding where you truly belong. Emily Stone once again delivers a captivating narrative filled with emotional depth, and this book is no exception.

Although the story unfolds largely around Christmas, it’s not limited to the holiday season—this is a book you can enjoy any time of the year. It follows Lexi as she navigates the challenging year after her father’s passing, grappling with her unexpected inheritance of half a company she has no desire to manage.

The characters and their chemistry made this book a joy to read. While Lexi’s stubbornness could be frustrating at times, her personal growth felt authentic and relatable. Her journey pulled me in, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

One of my favorite aspects was the travel element—exploring new places and learning about their traditions added a layer of magic to the story. It even made me dream of working in a travel agency myself!

Overall, A Winter Wish is a heartwarming, emotionally rich story that’s perfect for cozying up with this winter. Whether you’re looking for a tale of self-discovery, touching relationships, or just a feel-good read, this book has it all.

Thank you @dellromance for the #gifted book, @netgalley for the e-book!

I love @emstonewrites’s holiday’s books! It’s been a staple in my holiday romance catalog over the past few years! This was a mix of complex family dynamics, dealing with grief, and a touch of enemies-to-lovers romance!

Although it has emotional themes, this was one of her lightest novels so far! She always has touching stories that tug on your heartstrings for the holiday season! I did a mix of audio and on e-book and really enjoyed the audio format of this one!

She continues to have a fan in me, and I will always keep reading her books!

Winter Wish is a charming and heartfelt contemporary romance with an interesting twist—a compelling mix of business, travel, and family dynamics. The story centers around Lexie, a woman who is thrown into an unexpected situation following the death of her estranged father. The inheritance? Half of his holiday travel company, a successful business focused on cultural travel experiences. The catch? She has to run it for a year alongside Theo, a young executive who seems to have both a talent for the job and a strong dislike for Lexie.

The chemistry between Lexie and Theo is one of the book’s strongest suits. Their banter is sharp, and while they start off on the wrong foot, their mutual respect and attraction grow as they are forced to work closely together. The slow-burn romance is balanced well with the business elements of the story, so it doesn’t feel forced or overshadow the character development.
The writing is engaging and smooth, with a balance of humor, tension, and emotion. The pacing is well-executed, and while the premise might seem a bit familiar, the author manages to bring a fresh perspective to the enemies-to-lovers trope. There’s also an underlying theme of redemption and healing, as both Lexie and Theo confront their pasts and their evolving feelings for each other.
Winter Wish is a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance with a touch of family drama. The unique setting, combined with well-drawn characters and a romance that unfolds naturally, makes it an enjoyable escape for anyone looking for a heartwarming and slightly spicy romance. If you enjoy stories with rich cultural backdrops, complicated relationships, and a dash of humor, this book is definitely worth picking up.

“A Winter Wish”, also listed as “Home Again for Christmas”, is Emily Stone’s 2024 Christmas novel.
Lexie never stays in one place long. When she was younger her family would travel together but then her Dad left and had a new family. When she finds out her father has passed away she has mixed emotions. When she finds out he left her half of his travel agency, she doesn’t want anything to do with it. But life is not that easy - the other half was left to a grumpy guy named Theo who dislikes her at first sight. But if she walks away, Theo also loses his half.

They begrudgingly agree to work together for the one year required by the will. It is harder than Lexie thought it would be, especially when she starts to trust Theo, reconnects with her half sister, and learns how her view of the past may not be the full story.

This book and its main characters slowly developed to a satisfying end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an advance copy of A Winter Wish.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC. Sorry I waited until I could get it on audio for my review.

Emily Stone is an author I look for every holiday season, and I have greatly enjoyed her books. I felt like this one was a little long with not a lot happening though. And the third act breakup felt ridiculous. But I also could have read too much romance this month. I’d agree with the current Goodreads rating of 3.56.

I love Emily Stone! I have now read all of her books and love the way that she writes. It is always poised, captivating and sweet. I instantly felt connected to the FMC really liked how Emily depicted her. She felt warm and inviting.

I also really enjoyed the cozy setting of the book. It was a quick read for me, which was perfect for this time of year. I do not have much to say as I did finish this months ago and forgot to submit my review (pregnancy brain) but I did enjoy this title and have recommended it to multiple friends. Emily Stone is an author who's books stay with you for years to come.

This book, while it has a Christmas cover, is really not a Christmas, or even a winter book. It took place over the course of a year, and was so enjoyable. I would really love to work for this company in the book, but the characters were so great.

This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and it is one of those stories that shows how little you may really know someone until they pass.

Lexie’s dad passes away and unexpectedly leaves her half of his travel company. Lexie is very bitter because her dad had already been absent from her life since leaving he left her mother and her when she was young. He started a new family and Lexie was not welcomed by his new wife, so she never got to know her half sister.

The other half of the traveler company was left to an employee named Theo and he is not happy with Lexie from the start. They seem to butt heads over everything, but it gives Lexie to encouragement to work at the company for a year even though Theo is not interested in selling. They slowly learn that they knew a very different man and began to get to know one another. It was an interesting experience for Lexie learn so much about her dad that she never knew. I enjoyed seeing Theo and Lexie fall in love despite occasional slow parts. A special thank to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me access to an advanced digital copy. I must disclaimer that this is not necessarily a Holiday story but occurs over a year with moments at Christmas time.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone
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When Lexie’s father dies she learns that he has left her half of the share in his travel company. She has to run it for a year with Theo, who seems to despise her on sight.
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What I liked:
-I appreciated how agonizing the situation for Lexie was. She had been estranged from her father, due to her past interactions with him. So to learn that he made plans for her in his will was both frustrating and curious. She needs answers from a person who can no longer give them.
-So many emotions throughout this story. Throw in a half sister who seems to have gotten the best from a father you felt neglected you and there were a lot of tears.
-Then there was the rivals-to-lovers part of the story with Lexie and Theo. They have to work together to find success, yet there is a growing attraction.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A sweet and emotional holiday tale, just like any Emily Stone story, this one will make you smile and pull at your heartstrings.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a sweet romance with likable yet flawed characters and an original plot. The story centers on Lexie who inherits half of a travel company when her estranged father dies - on the condition that she runs it with the other co-owner, Theo, for a year. They clash but sparks eventually fly.

The setup of the story was original and different, despite the travel aspect being a bit far-fetched. The writing was easy to follow and the banter was fun. This is also a closed-door romance but was written in a way that still made it seem spicy without the sex. Overall, it was a fun book that I enjoyed reading.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

Heartwarming story that I needed to read. Lots of feels for Lexie as she navigates her father’s death after so many years apart from one another. And Theo… he is a patient soul!

A big “thank you” to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group: Ballantine for an advanced read copy of this book.

Lexie is living life traveling around from one short term job to the next as a nanny. After receiving news of her estranged father's passing, Lexie is thrown into life changes she never expected. Not only has this spurred a reconnecting with her half sister but she also has been left with shared ownership of her father's travel company. With no desire to set down roots and a bad first impression of the company's other co-owner, Theo, Lexie returns to her old lifestyle only to be summoned back to help with the company's needs. Over time, she discovers she is skilled and passionate about the company her father started with her in mind. Lexie begins to think that maybe setting down roots isn't such a bad thing as a growing friendship and passion for Theo emerges as well.
This book was a nice post holiday read with touches of Christmas elements but it did not overly emphasize the holiday season. While I feel the character and life story of Lexie was detailed, I really wish there was more of a romantic and relational depth and development between Theo and Lexie.