Oh my gosh, what a cute and easy read that has me wishing I could fast forward through summer and get back to winter for these cozy, fun reads!

Thank you to Emily Stone, Random House Ballantine, and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my unbiased review!

I've read every Emily Stone book as she is a go to favorite. Always in December is one of my favorite holiday reads.
That being said, I'm a little sad that her latest A Winter Wish seemed to veer off her normal writing.

Lexie is a world seeking wanderer. Never to stay in one place for too long, she travels the globe taking off jobs. After her estranged father dies, she finds out he has left her half of his travel agency business, to be split with his business partner Theo, if after a year, they can turn a profit, she can either keep it or have to sell it.

Of course, fireworks ensue, despite the fact they're the usual enemies turned lovers.
Sounds like such a promising storyline, but unfortunately, A Winter Wish lacked substance and chemistry. The side characters were not compelling, and the travel agency setting seemed dated and not something I would generally think would be a main plot point given it's 2024.

I ended up skimming through to the end, and it pains me to say it, was almost a DNF.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

Theo and Lexie are forced into running a company together when Lexie's father passes away. A sweet irresistible novel about taking chances, changing minds and falling in love. Charming and unforgettable.

A Winter Wish is a celebration of love, family, and holiday rituals. Like the author’s other works, this is also a tender love story that features heartbroken people. In this case, Lexie’s estranged father (and Theo’s supervisor) has unexpectedly passed away. Lexie is stunned to find out that her father left her half of his travel company with the other half going to loyal employee Theo (who happens to be single, handsome, and seemingly holding a grudge against Lexie). Can the two of them work together to ensure the company’s success?

This was a sweet and enjoyable read and it was fun to read about the holiday destinations. Lexie and Theo have plenty of chemistry and, for the most part, communicate well despite having opposite visions for the travel company. While Lexie never expected to be part of her father’s company, she gets to know him in a different way and starts to connect with her half-sister as she works through her grief.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

I love this cover and grew to like how each main character developed. The travel industry interests me and the concept the author created for a new romance to blossom worked well. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.