I typically really enjoy Emily Stone's writing and books, but there was something missing from A Winter Wish. Overall it wasn't bad, I really liked Lexie and Theo's characters and loved their enemies to lovers dynamic, but the book just didn't hook me like I had hoped.

This book was good. Not great, but good.

I found my mind wandering quite a bit while I was reading as I got bored now and again. That said, it was still somewhat enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another great hall am Camry. I enjoyed the Christmas vibes and also just the vibe of coming home in finding your one. The characters both had great stories to tell in the Author really did them justice with how she developed them, and wrote out their story. I found that I was entertaining laughing but also at times I just wanted to give them a hug.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine, and Emily Stone for an ARC of this book!**

Lexie doesn't really know how to feel when she learns her father has passed away...is it grief, shock, or something else entirely? After all, she hadn't spoken to her dad in almost ten years, after his choice to remarry and start a new life with his 'new' family. Lexie has been trying to focus all her energy into manifesting her own life, and hasn't even really interacted with her half sister Rachel...until this shared tragedy brings them together. Amidst all of THIS inner turmoil and confusion, she is hit with some big news that could change her life forever: Lexie's father has left part of his company, R and L Travel, to her. And since this company specializes in holiday-themed travel, where guests get to experience some of the world's most beautiful and unique holiday traditions, it seems like this COULD be a dream come true.

But there's also some fine print...if Lexie can successfully CO-run the company with one other owner for one year, the two of them can then jointly decide the future of the company. This doesn't sound too bad, until Lexie finds out who owns the other half of the company: her father's grumpy yet somehow-still-frustratingly-attractive exec, Theo. The two begrudgingly agree to put their initial snappiness toward one another aside and attempt to see how the year goes, while they take this opportunity to explore the world together in the honor of Lexie's father and the company he spent so many years building. But when what first seemed like frustration starts to feel more like uh, a different kind of frustration, and their relationship moves into different 'territory', has fate brought them together for ANOTHER reason? Could her father's last wish have led Lexie to find a new kind of wish fulfillment all on her own? Or will Lexie's grief and conflicted feelings about the dad who abandoned her keep her from truly taking a leap and keep her firmly stuck in the past...and TRULY on her own?

I've been hearing about the fabulous Emily Stone for quite a while now, but have been hesitant to pick up any of her books because from what I had heard, they normally mixed two elements I don't EVER voluntarily want mixing: grief, and Christmas. Not only are these two ideas diametrically opposed in any normal situation....throwing in a ROMANCE on top of all of that seemed like a bit of a mish mosh in my mind. But nevertheless, I was intrigued and anxious to check out the strong writing and enticing holiday stories I'd been hearing about from trusted reviewer friends for years...so much so, that when I was offered an early copy of this one, I broke my OWN rule and read a holiday themed book prior to December 1st. (Gasp!)

And as sad as I am to confirm it...there's a reason I don't pack away boxes of tissues with my Christmas ornaments: this particular Christma-romance Latte with a heavy dose of Grief Sprinkles on top was NOT exactly the kind of early holiday beverage I'd hoped to have...and I just wasn't a fan of the flavor.

The reason to me is simple: this book didn't need to be a romance...at all. I understand the premise of a holiday story (particularly in the context of the business that REVOLVED around holiday traditions!) but there was just something about the whole Lexie-Theo relationship that just felt completely off...you know, like a busted Christmas light that makes the whole strand go dark. (At least, back in the old days!) I know this is supposed to be a enemies-to-lovers romance, but these two just didn't really fit as a pair in any respect from the first page on. Their initial interactions didn't have that 'spark' that felt more like banter, and they didn't even have that much in COMMON aside from family trauma, which to be honest, doth not a romantic relationship make. It's hard for me to think of anything LESS romantic than that, honestly. Not to mention, having crappy or unsupportive parents doesn't really make up for you acting like a man child. (One guess who I'm referring to...and I hope that's all you'd need!)

And another part of the reason I had SO much trouble with buy-in in regards to this particular relationship was simple: you just SHOULDN'T. DATE. YOUR. COWORKERS. Not mixing business with pleasure is more than just good advice; it's HR POLICY at companies all over the world, Not only does it feel like bad form, in this particular situation it was FAR more complicated, since these two strangers essentially went from not knowing each other to running a company together...but there was FAMILY involved. Seriously, I don't think the author could have created a messier situation for these two if she'd tried. Even if these two felt like they just HAD to be together (or even just to hook up), the fact that they couldn't see the forest for the trees and keep things professional sort of pointed to the fact that perhaps they WEREN'T really ready to run the company together...or at all.

But the main reason this book felt like such a holiday downer (and where it missed the opportunity to grow, breathe, and develop) was that SO much of it was focused on the family trauma that sort of got these characters where they were in the first place. Lexie needed to deal with her abandonment issues, and this alone would have been fodder for its own novel. Making the 'antidote' to her daddy issues a man-child of sorts just seemed like a strange choice. Lexie also meets Rachel, her half sister, who is definitely a more likable and complex character, but even this budding sister relationship is forced to take a back seat time and time again...so we can fit in long descriptions of the various holiday trips. As someone who would quite willingly give R and L Travel ALL my fictional money in the also-fictional scenario where I am a millionaire and can afford it, I expected this to be my favorite part of the book, but I felt like I was being told about the traditions more than really FEELING them, and amidst all of the grief and strife, there was a large disconnect between the holiday joy I'd hoped to feel and the grim reality of this holiday hodgepodge.

And while I don't completely regret the chance I took by having an early 'holiday horchata,' you'd better believe I'll be WAITING for my first delicious Peppermint Mocha read until that perfect, snowy, sweater weather day...you know, the one that is 'Always, in December.'

3.5 stars

Lexie has inherited half of a travel agency from her estranged father and she has to work with Theo, who made a horrible first impression. They have a year to work together before they can sell.

This is the first Emily Stone book I have read. I really enjoy her style of writing. This book is a singular POV from Lexie with one chapter from Theo's standpoint. Enemies to lovers with a tiny bit of spice.

Lexie was a good FMC. She is obviously struggling with her father's death as they didn't really speak for many years. Lexie does seem to scare easily on things due to her past. Theo is sort of a mysterious MMC. I think the book does focus on the romance but it is really Lexie's story to tell. I felt a good connection to the other characters as well such as Lexie's half sister, Rachel, and her friend, Fran.

All in all, this book was a nice delightful read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

Emily Stone is my favorite Christmas romance author and I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to read A Winter Wish months prior of being published. A Winter Wish was absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking story, I could not stop reading. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters and I cannot wait to read more by Emily Stone. Thank you once again NetGalley and publishing company for this amazing opportunity.

This book just wasn’t for me! Nothing I fell in love with. The characters weren’t relatable to me and I have a really hard time reading in 3rd person pov. Personal preference that is hard to sort out when requesting books on here.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone is the perfect cozy read to curl up with on a chilly winter day. It's like a warm hug in book form!

Lexie, our heroine, inherits half of her estranged dad's travel company. Talk about a surprise! To make things even more interesting, she has to work with her dad's grumpy business partner, Theo. It's a classic enemies-to-lovers trope, but with a wintery twist.

The book is filled with stunning locations, heartwarming moments, and a whole lot of holiday cheer. Stone's writing is so cozy and inviting, it's like she's whispering secrets in your ear.

If you're looking for a book to get you in the holiday spirit, A Winter Wish is a must-read. Trust me, you won't regret it!

This book was cute, but not the best Christmas romance I have read. I did enjoy the character development of Lexi. Her father, though he loved her, left her and her mom when he was younger, and Lexi has to manage anger and grief, while also learning how to be a sister to someone she always felt less than. The development between Lexi and Theo, though cliche, was still cute to watch. There were a couple empty storylines (I.e. she began as a nanny and all of a sudden dropped the family), which is why I rated this a little lower than I normally would. I would give this author another try with a second book!

An enemies to more romance that develops as Lexie struggles to come to terms with the death of her father. And a surprise inheritance. The topic might be a bit dark for a Christmas read but it was still a good read. Her father’s company had an interesting business plan that would be a great fit for a Hallmark movie.

Emily Stone ALWAYS delivers with emotional and incredible romance stories. I love her writing voice so much and her tone is so unique to her throughout all of her books.

She’s the queen of pulling intensely on your heartstrings while delivering a romance story that will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading.

Emily Stone continues to be an author I love reading from.

Emily Stone ALWAYS delivers with emotional and incredible romance stories. I love her writing voice so much and her tone is so unique to her throughout all of her books.

She’s the queen of pulling intensely on your heartstrings while delivering a romance story that will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading.

Emily Stone continues to be an author I love reading from.

This book was such a delight to read. It’s about love, family, self discovery and celebrations throughout the year. It does take place throughout a year so while it does have holiday themes it can be read year round. There are festive Christmas elements and year long holiday celebrations. I really loved the travel aspects of the book.

There is something special of traveling to far away places and leave your everyday behind. A Winter Wish is about a mfc who has changed jobs every six months, and each being in a fun place. Then her dad passed away, whom she had an estranged relationship with. Through this, she was given half his company with someone who already hated her and required to run it for a year together and turn a profit.

This story really was a growing of the mfc learning to see the story from the other person’s eyes. The side characters were well developed. Though MMC was complex, we don’t hear his side of the story tell the end. And it was such a slow burn! Frustrating in a good way.

I really this would be the book you will want under your Christmas tree, or on the Christmas read list.

Emily Stone is usually an author that writes lovely and extremely emotional holiday books that I typically enjoy. Unfortunately, this one just never really got to an enjoyable place for me. Poor Lexie, while grappling with her long-term abandonment issues after her father left, and the anger and pain she feels toward him even after his death, had such a hard time feeling any kind of empathy for the people who DID know and love him. I completely understand this, however it did get frustrating after a while.
I didn't buy the enemies to lovers/grumpy-sunshine trope between Lexie and Theo either, as they were either angrily snapping at each other or flirting and neither one felt natural, let alone both occurring within the same page as each other. As a result, I never felt their chemistry and therefore never got fully invested in their love story.
Overall this story is fine, and if Emily Stone is an auto-buy author for you it might be worth reading, but it's not something I would recommend to other readers.

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for the ARC!

I've previously loved Emily Stone's work and was so excited for this one!

The positives: The cover is adorable, the plot was fun and original, and the festive vibes were strong.

The negatives: I just didn't ever end up liking the main character and struggled with the book holding my attention.

Overall, it was a cute enough read but not one that will really stand out for me like LOVE, HOLLY or ALWAYS IN DECEMBER still stand out to me.

I had read One Last Gift by Emily Stone and was excited to receive an ARC of her newest release.

Lexie has always felt abandoned by her father. He left her and her mom to marry a younger women and start a new family with her. Lexie drifted from him and never put much effort in when he would reach out. She is startled by his unexpected death and even more shocked to discover that her father left her half of his travel business.

This is a book that has some meat on its bones and isn't just a pure romance story which is not a bad thing. Just don't let the cover sway you.

Possible triggers: Sudden loss, parental loss, parental abandonment

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed Lexie and Theo's story. Loved all the travel and scenery aesthetics. The complicated family moments were a bit tricky at times or felt a bit too much when the characters were grumps. However, I appreciate the real and relatable story. An enjoyable holiday season read that takes place over the year. Great character arcs.

I really enjoyed many aspects of this book. The complexity of family, the traveling/sites, and the banter between the main characters were very well written. The relationship between Lexie and her Dad brought up many emotions and allowed me to connect more with the story. While this isn’t what some would consider a typical warm, cozy, “Hallmark” type story, it is a really great book that will allow the reader to feel a range of emotions. If you’ve ever had a strained relationship with a parent or loved one, the story helps provide a bit of comfort and relatability to know you aren’t alone.

I loved every sizzling page of this holiday romance! There is a depth to this book that is often lacking in holiday romance novels, as complicated emotions and relationships drove this story. Lexie and Theo both have deep-rooted issues regarding their parents, but it’s each of their relationships with her father that are at the heart of it all. I loved these two, and felt like the air crackled with electricity every time they were near each other. Their feelings were so raw whether they were antagonizing each other, making each other laugh, or opening up to each other, and my own heart wept and celebrated with them. This also isn’t a holiday romance that takes place over one Christmas season; their story is a full year of love and heartache and mistakes and vulnerability and complications, and, of course, love. I’m grateful to the publisher for providing and advance reader copy of this book.