I have a tendency to be quite indecisive when it comes to Emily Stone's books. While I am an avid reader during the holiday season, I find that her holiday romances can be inconsistent in quality. However, I must say that Stone truly outdid herself with this particular book. It was absolutely captivating, and I found it impossible to put down.

A Winter Wish is not the holiday novel I was expecting/wanting. The cover and title make you think you will be reading a cozy holiday tale, but the only part of Christmas is where the book happens to start.

Also, not a very likable main character, plus slow moving, made it a DNF for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

This is a great British Christmas romance, which is not a genre I was familiar with until a couple of years ago, but I now know I really like. It actually encompasses more holidays than that, but it was fun and charming and light, and made me want to visit a Christmas market, which is exactly what you're hoping for in these kinds of novels.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Go to amazon right this second, and add this book to your cart, and preorder it. I promise, you will begin your sweet holiday season on the best note with this absolutely phenomenal winter story! It was just absolutely darling! I always adore Emily Stones book, but this may have been my favorite one! I was just melting. Beautifully written. Thank you Emily for this heartfelt story of two people that everyone can relate to. This story will last with me forever. Thank you for taking your time to create such a beautiful story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of A Winter Wish by Emily Stone. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Lexie is happily living her nomadic, wanderlust lifestyle - until she discovers that her estranged deceased father has left her half of his travel business in his will. But there are some stipulations, including a complicated and handsome co-owner Theo, the current manager at R&L Travel. Does Lexie want to settle down in Bath and take this leap, or is the tension with Theo to great to overcome?

Thoughts:
- I really enjoyed the travel agency theme of centering trips around holidays and celebrations in various countries; it was fun to think of traveling this way.
- The story is slow-burning, and character-driven for sure. It was not one I'd consider a quick read, and felt slow at times.
- There is lots of discussion of inner turmoil and personal growth for Lexie, plus delving into the relationship between Lexie and her dad, Theo and his parents, Lexie and her half-sister Rachel, etc.
- Usually in these types of books, I am entertained a lot by the side characters or supporting cast, but this one did not have much to offer in that regards. Everyone was fairly flat, and even Lexie and Theo were not particularly charming or memorable either.
- Overall the book was comforting in that it was what I expected from this author. The Christmas vibes are pretty minimal, and I'd classify the book as a sad, realistic, romance. This isn't my favorite work of hers, but I think anyone who enjoys travel or work-romance stories would enjoy it.

I just loved this story by Emily Stone! It has the strangers/enemies to lovers 🔥 trope (and extremely well done at that!) that I love, a really nice handling of split family unresolved issues getting resolved, and a woman (Lex) who is able to find purpose, peace, and closure in her life. 💖

Special thanks to NetGalley and Dell for sharing this digital ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.

Last year I read Emily Stone’s Love Holly and really enjoyed it so I was excited to get to read this one at first but wound up being disappointed.

I tried really hard to become invested in the book and the characters but everything just seemed very drawn out and lacking connection.

I also feel like this is not at all a Christmas book. The 2 or 3 small scenes about Christmas in a full book is not enough to give those vibes in my opinion.

I read fully for the first 80% of the book and then ended up skimming the ending. I almost decided to DNF a few times but pushed through to the end.

I would like to say, I loved Emily Stone’s previous book, Always in December and her take on holiday romances. The stories always felt fresh, cozy and just a great holiday read to get into the romantic spirit.

I did not have that experience with A Winter Wish, I did not get engaged with the characters or feel bought into their story. I didn’t feel the chemistry or banter, made to feel forced into the relationship and overall wished for just more from them.

It took me awhile to complete this read, but hope to see more from Emily Stone and hope the next characters capture me more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I loved that this was a holiday book without being too centered around the holidays. It was just the right amount. I loved all of the characters.

Such a great cozy heartwarming read perfect for the holidays!! I will have to reread it again around the holidays it was that good. Loved the plot and the characters. Will be recommending to everyone I know and adding to our library!

Absolutely fantastic plot! I could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

Lexi is a strange from her father and he dies leaving her half of his business. He leaves the other half days employee Theo. The whole states that they must work together for a year before either can sell. The only problem is that they really don’t like each other or so they think.

This was a great enemies to lovers romance, but it also is about grief and self discovery. Is chock full of emotion as a characters work through their issues. Lexi and Theo have a lot of chemistry and are perfect for each other. It’s well written and has become one of my favorite holiday reads! Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Another heartwarming holiday read from Emily stone! Very cozy and enjoyable all around.

4 stars - another great winter/holiday themed romance from Emily Stone! I really enjoy how Emily Stone's holiday novels don't just fill the rom-com vibes, but tend to have more some deeper themes in them. Lexi, the main character, receives the information that her father has suddenly died and leaves half of his travel company to her, and the other half to an employee at his company, Theo, who viewed her dad as a mentor. Along the way of working together, romance ensues along with exploration of deeper feelings and emotions. As an avid traveler myself, I also loved that the backdrop of this book was a travel agency and the family holiday trips that Lexi's family would take as a kid. Would recommend this as a fun winter read!

Such a cute winter read! I really enjoyed it! I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

Loved this story which is about Lexie finding out that her father has died but she hasn't been in contact with him for 10 years and it was just her and her Mom . He had moved on and even had another child and Lexie was never included in their plans.. She was told that she needed to come to his company so the solicitor could read the will. He had given Lexie half of the company with Theo. They had to run for a year and then decide what they were going to do. Follow Lexie on her journey to see what she does. Does she start to see, Rachel, her sister in a different light and how does things go with Theo does she stay with the company or leave. A GREAT READ!!

christmas rom-com heaven!! this story was unlike anything ive ever read!! my first from this author and will not be my last. wonderful story that tugged at your heart strings. likeable characters and great pacing! would recommend this one!!

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone

Lexie is left her estranged father's travel comp may when he unexpectedly passes away. She has been adventuring around the globe, picking up small jobs in different cities, never being tied down. She wants to seel the company and continue her life but there is one problem, her dad also left half the company to Theo, his protege.

I was looking forward to this book because I had really enjoyed Love, Holly. This is in the same vein, exploring love and loss, what really makes a family, and what life we may be giving up due to fear. Lexie was a such a likeable character. Her heart a bit bruised by her dad, misinterpreting his actions and feeling a little less than.

What I loved:
Ange, such a fun character with her earrings swinging! I could picture her perfectly.

Rachel and her persistence in wanting to connect with Lexie.

Theo and how he used his words. Also the adventures in Ireland, especially his friend's inn.

The travel! I felt like I was there. And want to go on all these trips.

Fran- being brave and accepting.

Didn't love:
Harry, I didn't know enough about him.

Mike, was he a needer character? I kept waiting for he and her dad to be secret lovers or something.

I really enjoyed this book. I think it would make a great movie for Netflix. I look forward to more books by Ms. Stone. 4.25 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Dell Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Emily Stone’s A Winter’s Wish continues her tradition of blending heartfelt narratives with complex, relatable issues, and this latest offering is no exception. Known for her skillful portrayal of characters facing profound challenges, Stone tackles themes of grief and reconciliation with both sensitivity and authenticity.

The novel revolves around Lexie and Theo, who are grappling with the death of Lexie’s father, Richard. Their reactions to his passing are shaped by their very different relationships with him. For Lexie, Richard was an absent figure who failed to meet her emotional needs and left a legacy of disappointment. In contrast, Theo saw Richard as a surrogate father and mentor, a supportive and guiding presence in his life. The contrasting perspectives on Richard’s impact create a rich backdrop for the story’s exploration of grief.

Upon Richard’s death, Lexie and Theo are left with half of his company each, with the stipulation that they must collaborate for a year to turn a profit before they can sell it. This arrangement forces them into close quarters and compels them to confront their shared loss and their divergent views on Richard’s life and legacy.

The novel excels in its portrayal of the messy, nuanced process of grieving and healing. Stone’s writing captures the emotional complexity of losing a parent with whom the relationship was fraught. Lexie’s struggle with her feelings about her father’s death is depicted with a depth that will resonate with anyone who has faced a similar loss.

Stone’s ability to delve into the imperfections of her characters and their relationships allows readers to see the humanity in everyone, even those who have caused pain. The journey of Lexie and Theo, as they navigate their grief and learn to work together, is both poignant and hopeful. Their story is a testament to the healing power of facing past wounds and the possibility of finding resolution and growth even in the aftermath of loss.

In summary, A Winter’s Wish is a moving exploration of grief, forgiveness, and personal transformation. Emily Stone’s adept storytelling and empathetic character development make this a compelling read for anyone who has experienced the complexities of mourning a flawed but loved parent.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

Such a cute wintery story. A little predictable, but still super cute and sweet. I enjoyed the main characters and the little surprises that popped up throughout. I will continue to read more from this author.