This was a warm and fuzzy read. I liked the character’s although Lexie’s anti-commitment issues drove me crazy. Why did nobody call her on it?!? The premise of R&L was fun. But I think I would have liked for there to be more Rachel moments and had that relationship explored more. Or a climax moment with Jody and Lexie!!!
*I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) through NetGalley. I received this copy free in exchange for my honest review.*

Lexie inherits half a travel copy from her estranged father passed away. Theo, a long time employee, inherits the other half. They are forced to work together for at least a year before determining what to do with the company.

Unfortunately, this holiday book was a miss for me. I felt like this book dragged on in some area, and it was not flowing with the rest of the book. The chemistry between was just meh and seemed kind of forced.

3 stars

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a quick holiday-themed book. I was looking for something fun and lighthearted. The characters deal with grief, family dynamics, and are in the process of figuring out who they are which is always a good storyline. . However, I appreciated the journey on which the author takes Lexie because I think it is reflective of a lot of people. Thanks for the advanced copy.

A Winter Wish was a charming, heartwarming and at times heart-wrenching story about two lost souls trying to find their way. There are so many wonderful dynamics not only in storyline but in the great character development. The story did trudge on a little at times but overall was a wonderful story that I'll not soon forget. A very worthwhile read .

My thanks for an ARC goes to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine, Dell. I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Spicy Romance, Contemporary Romance
Language: Lots of profanity

A WINTER WISH is a fun holiday romance. It is definitely swearier and spicier than I expected.

This is pretty light-hearted and will fit the bill for spicy-loving readers.

Happy reading!

This book is about Lexie a woman who inherits have of her estranged father's travel business. She hasn't had much of a relationship with him since he left her mother for another woman and had another child. She's lived a nomadic life and now has to consider putting down roots in order to keep the company going.

And of course there is a love interest to grapple with as well. I'd say this was a pleasant book but nothing earth shattering and likely the least favorite of the books by this author I've read. It's possible I feel l that way because this one seems less melodramatic and sentimental. I don't have any specific criticisms, I just wasn't overwhelmed by it.

I'll say that my favorite relationship in the book wasn't between Lexie and Theo, but between Lexie and her step sister Rachel. I thought those bits were quite lovely and touching.

Emily Stone writes the best holiday romances.c and this one did not disappoint! Lizzie and Theo are enemies to lovers, forced together because they each inherit half of a company. Enemies to lovers in a holiday romance, made this book perfection!

Thank you Ballantine and PRH audio for review copies!

I have enjoyed Emily Stone's past books but A Winter Wish didn't quite land for me as well as others have; this is still a fun winter read and I recommend it for readers who like grumpy/grump themes and enemies to lovers, as well as Hallmark type holiday movies (nothing wrong with loving those things).

For readers who chafe at miscommunication tropes, this one has a few of them and that, along with one other theme, are what reduced my enjoyment. The miscommunication felt prolonged and overly drawn out and I kind of felt a "hurry up and resolve" feeling emerge while I read/listened to the book. I also did not care for the "the will obligates you to work here for a year or longer" theme- it might just be me but this felt super controlling from a father who had no rights to ask for that kind of commitment from a child (no one should use a will to mandate some's life) and then the whole way that story unfolded, even into later parts of the book with letters from the father, never landed for me, I felt it was manipulative and hurtful, especially as it seemed to make it harder for the MC Lexie to process her own feelings. On the other hand, the plot worked for helping Lexie process her childhood, to go on a journey of self-discovery, I get that and respect it but I truly think that the goals for Lexie's character could have been achieved and explored in similar ways without the direct mandate of her deceased father.

I loved so many things about this book: the grumpy and grumpy personalities, enemies to lovers, just one bed, forced proximity. I think all tropes that were played well. I loved the unique concept of traveling and exploring cultural traditions around the world - definitely gave me a travel bug! What took away from this book was Lexie's inability to see past her own view of things, both with her father and with Theo. There were also so, so many references to "memories," that I think some of them could have been incorporated differently. Miscommunication tropes are my least favorite, and it definitely played out quite a bit in this book. Regardless of my hangups, I did really enjoy the story and seeing things play out for Theo and Lexie.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and PRH Audio for granting me early access to the digital version and audiobook of Emily Stone’s new book—A Winter Wish!

I have loved Stone’s previous holiday reads and am always ready for an emotional holiday read! This new book didn’t top my faves of Always in December and One Last Gift but it’s definitely a lovely holiday read. It is not completely centered on Christmas and the holidays, so it’s a good read anytime of year—not only at Christmas/holidays.

The premise and plot are definitely your typical Hallmark style plot. Girl meets boy under less than great circumstances and while they seem to hate each other, they’re forced to work together. And of course, sparks fly.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Lexie—FMC. She has a lot of trauma and daddy issues that spiral into commitment issues. This isn’t shocking given her past. While I felt like these things needed to be discussed, I didn’t necessarily feel like her growth arc inspired much in me. Theo—MMC—was charming and fun but once again, his arc wasn’t as deep as it could’ve been.

All in all, this is a lovely 3.5⭐️ holiday read. It won’t emotionally wreck you but will definitely warm your heart this holiday season and beyond.

I have read 2 other Emily Stone books. One I gave 3 stars and the other I gave 4. This one I ended up in the middle at 3.5.

Let’s start with what I enjoyed about this book: the idea of a travel agency is so cool. I loved reading about it & the places they traveled were so fun. I loved the relationships that were built in the story and not just the romantic relationships. The cover is beautiful!

Now on to what I didn’t enjoy: I felt a bit confused in the timeline of this story. I understand it was to take place over a year of owning the business but I felt like the dates didn’t seem to match up. One day it was Christmas, the next it was Easter!?

I also really didn’t feel like the title or cover fit this book. The cover is gorgeous but the book itself barely takes place in the winter and the wish jar was mentioned a bit throughout the book but I was expecting more with the wishes. I understand the meaning and the connection but I just didn’t get enough of the wishes.

I actually did not enjoy Lexie much at all. She never seemed to let anyone share how they felt and when she did, she didn’t listen to them. I know she has trust issues but she just could not give people a break.

I loved Theo’s POV but within the last 4 chapters!? I would have LOVED it throughout the whole book.

I didn’t love how long it took to get Theo & Lexie together and the whole third act breakup was rushed & she did exactly what her dad did to her. I expected her to learn by this point.

Overall, I had a good time reading this book but to me it didn’t scream holiday or winter or really wishes but it was a good experience it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book.

After her estranged father's death, Lexie inherits half of her father's holiday travel company, along with Theo, her father’s business partner. Part of the will stipulates they must figure out how to run the company together for a year before they decide to keep it or sell it. 

This is marketed as a holiday story but can easily be read at any time of the year! It’s not too heavy on holiday themed references.

Lexie is a world seeking wanderer and has had a very complicated history with her father. This is a story of her journey towards healing, forgiveness, and self-discovery. Grief is not a finite process and this story focuses mostly on Lexie's experience with it.

This story tugged at my heartstrings as Lexie dealt with her grief and tried to learn how to forgive her father.  This story is heartwarming, emotional, and I loved the celebration of cultural traditions! This story brings you all over Europe including to the Lemon Festival in France and the Fiesta de San Isidro in Madrid.

However, I would say this was weaker in the actual romance and would have liked more chemistry between the two leads. I also would have loved to see more growth and reflection with her relationship with her sister as well.

I think at this point Emily Stone could write her grocery list on a napkin and I’d read it. I’ve eagerly devoured all her previous books and loved each one and A Winter Wish is no exception.

I love how she adds such emotion in her writing—this book isn’t fluffy at all; rather it’s quite melancholy. Lexie is feeling the hurt from her father’s abandonment throughout, but I’m left hopeful by the end. But overall I love the sadness; somehow I’m drawn to these types of books and Stone never disappoints.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.

Nothing short of a festive, romantic, adventurous Holiday read! I loved everything about it. I was immersed from the moment I started, with its charming prose and attention to detail. I embraced its emotional plot with sympathy and hope knowing these characters were destined for each other.

“A Winter Wish” for Lexie is just that, the wishes she wrote on a scratch piece of paper put into her “wish jar” were destined to come true…she hoped. From a little girl, to now a grown woman Lexie just got the news that her father has just passed away. He left his niche travel company to Lexie and Theo, an executive at
R & L Travel. To both of their surprise they must agree to work together for one year before deciding how to move forward.

Lexie & Theo are thrown together despite each of their resistance and end up traveling the world together to support and develop the company. Despite their initial hatred for one another, they realize there might be something between them.

Rooting for an enemies to lovers trope, I was not disappointed. Faced head on with their differences and misconceptions, Lexie & Theo keep you cheering them on.

From picturesque festive countries to small town charm, “A Winter Wish” is just that!

Thanks to @randomhouse @ballantine @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I fell in love with Emily's writing after reading her book 'Always, in December' and 'A Winter Wish' was no different. The pacing was a bit slower for the first half of the book, but the last half more than made up for it (especially when the playful banter between Theo and Lexie started). I was hooked! Their stories, both together and individually, are emotional and raw, and (as someone that comes from a split-family) easy to relate to. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a cozy, Christmas time, romance that explores complicated family dynamics in a beautiful way.

Lexie is one of those people who doesn't stick with one thing for very long. Waitress jobs here, Sky lift attendant there. Nanny someplace else. She's not a long term kind of girl. So when her dad does and leaves her half of his travel business based in Bath, England, she's pissed. He was an absentee dad who left her and her mother for a newer family, and doted on her half-sister, who now gets the house. It doesn't help that the other half of the travel company gets left to a snide SOB, Theo, who clearly disapproves of Lexie being anywhere near the business. But then, obviously, romance happens...

This book gives all the travel vibes. It hits a couple of Christmas time celebrations in a couple different countries (because the timeline of the whole thing start to finish is something like 17 months or so, at leasmt) as well as ad few 9other fun trips throughout the year.

I will say, though, that for the first quarter of the book, it was unclear whether Theo was to be an unknown, long lost brother, or if he was supposed to be the eventual love interest. With the Daddy issues both sisters had, and the loathing that came across during the intro of Theo's character, it was hard to nail down for a slightly uncomfortable amount of book.

Once roles were finally established, though, the book progressed nicely. I just wish authors wouldn't rely so heavily on a stubborn refusal to have an adult conversation about intentions and possible misunderstandings. That kind of all-or-nothing behavior feels much more teenager-ish than grown adult. Then again, I still sometimes see grown adults act ridiculously immature and wonder of they're stuck in high school...

The book is definitely a grief journey for Lexie. She works through a lot of her issues with her relationship with her dad, and by extension, her half-sister. I appreciated that aspect of it.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

It was such a cute and fun holiday book! Emily Stone writes perfect holiday books. I really enjoyed the main characters.
Overall, it was the perfect book for a cozy season!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of A Winter Wish by Emily Stone.

Emily Stone is one of my go-to authors for all things Christmassy and heartfelt, but towards the end of A Winter Wish I started to feel just “meh” about the storyline. It started off very strong with Lexie finding out that her estranged father has passed away and he has now made her co-owner to his travel agency R&L Travel. And of course, that comes as a shock and has a few speed bumps along the way. To me, it felt like that was the only storyline. I did appreciate that it was also a book about self discovery, but in the end the characters fell flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC copy!

Absolutely adorned every second of this! This is one of my favorite time of year for books. I just love Christmas books and the magic of the holidays! This book brought just that!

A Winter Wish was a good enemies to lovers Christmas time novel. This book did resonate with me more than I thought it would because of the fact that Lexi's father had unexpectedly died of cancer. She hadn't spoken to her father in years as he left her mom and her for another woman and was not as present of a father as he should have been. My own father died of cancer and also passed away without me having seen him in a couple years. My relationship was better with my father but he also left my family for another woman. With all of this going on I could relate to some of the emotions Lexi felt in this novel. There were some parts when I was a little frustrated with Lexi and her inability to see the other side of things especially when it came to her half sister. I was rooting for her and hoping things would turn out well.