A Second Chance romance- my favorite trope. Jess and Nick first were critique partners, then friends, lovers and almost engaged, but something happened and Nick broke it off, never explaining why. Jess was heartbroken. Both ended up at the same publishing company, but Nick being a unicorn- straight male romance writer- was first offered a book deal. But like Nicholas Sparks, his stories lack a HEA, making them more Women's Fiction than Romance. Five years later, Jess is asked to introduce him at a rewards dinner at their common publisher's annual ball. Her career has not skyrocketed as much as his did. She reluctantly agrees and then they end up having to share the same room at the inn, snowed in. Sparks fly again, and it is clear that they are both still in love with the other, but can she trust him again with her heart. He will have to follow the romance formulae if he is going to get a HEA with her.

Love the characters, skillfully developed by the author, banter, story line and writing. I was gifted with an Advance Reader's Copy from the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased, honest and voluntary review.

This was a great Christmas time read with a fun twist. I really enjoyed the banter between the characters and their chemistry!

*All I Want Is You* by Falon Ballard is a delightful and emotionally charged romance that hits all the right notes. The story follows two protagonists who find themselves navigating their complicated feelings and evolving relationships in a way that feels both fresh and relatable. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and their journey toward love is filled with tension, humor, and heartfelt moments.

Ballard’s writing is witty and sharp, with a perfect balance of lightheartedness and depth. The characters are well-developed, with enough vulnerability to make them feel real and authentic. While the storyline follows a familiar romance structure, it’s elevated by the emotional growth of the characters and the way the author dives into themes of self-acceptance and personal growth.

The pacing is spot-on, and the book is a quick, enjoyable read. *All I Want Is You* is a charming, feel-good romance that will leave you smiling long after you turn the last page.

I really like Fallon Ballard’s books! This one was no different. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. My only complaint is even though, the book is centered at Christmas with blizzard conditions, it did not feel like it.

All I Want Is You felt like a Lifetime Christmas movie with its cute setup of two ex's forced to spend time together when they're snowed in at their publisher's award ceremony. I did enjoy this one but it didn't quite hit the mark of a favorite book. Everything felt a bit rushed and I get that was due to the fact that they were only going to be there together for a couple days. However, I would have liked to have seen more of how they operated in their day-to-day lives together outside of being snowed in. I feel like that would have given the story a bit more space to develop.

Overall a cute read, though, and I would like to try more from the author.

All I Want Is You by Falon Ballard is a delightfully fun and steamy romance that takes the classic enemies-to-lovers trope to new heights. Jessica, a small-time romance writer longing for her own happily ever after, has spent years nursing a broken heart after her ex-boyfriend, Nick, who also writes romance, became her professional rival. Nick's dark, bittersweet love stories are a stark contrast to Jessica’s optimistic, happy endings, and their competitive relationship sets the stage for plenty of sparks.

When they find themselves stuck together in a remote inn over Christmas due to a snowstorm, forced to share a room, tensions run high. What could be more perfect for two writers facing creative slumps than channeling their simmering frustration into a passionate, whirlwind romance? The chemistry between Jessica and Nick crackles, and as they team up to create a story together, they discover that their pasts and unresolved feelings might be the key to unlocking not only their writer's block but their hearts.

Ballard’s writing is sharp, witty, and filled with the perfect balance of humor and heat. The premise of two professional rivals-turned-lovers sharing one bed in a snowed-in inn is irresistibly charming, and the evolving relationship between Jessica and Nick feels authentic and satisfying. The setting, with its cozy Christmas vibes, adds to the overall warmth of the story.

This book is perfect for fans of holiday romance, second chances, and the magic of finding love in unexpected places. All I Want Is You is a sweet and swoon-worthy tale that will leave you smiling and believing that sometimes, the one you least expect might just be the one you need.

Officially one of my favorite holiday books. It has such a cozy winter/holiday vibe. This second chance, forced proximity, one bed is the perfect winter read.

All I Want Is You by Fallon Ballard is exactly what I look for in a Christmas romance. While it has the cheesy moments you’d expect from the genre, the sharp, witty writing and fantastic chemistry between the characters made it an absolute joy to read. Fallon Ballard is always a go-to author for me, and this book was no exception—I flew through it because I didn’t want to put it down. The perfect cozy read to enjoy by the fire.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book prior to publishing! As someone who loves Christmas A LOT, I loved that Jess was similar in that sense. The dynamic between Jess and Nick felt very electric from the moment they are forced together after their breakup. I enjoyed that each character clearly wanted the other (and they both seemingly knew that to be true too) but there was a great slow burn back into things.

I was kicking my feet at the massage scene and the slight dig at its a small world made me laugh (I love that ride fwiw lol 🥲).

I didn’t love that Nick wasn’t openly communicative at first about why the break up happened. But the man tried to redeem himself at every page turn.

Overall I loved this book! Would absolutely recommend it to my friends.

The actual reading experience of this was fun and it was a cute and easy holiday read. As a second-chance romance though, it missed the mark. I need a valid and non-infuriating reason for the exes to have broken up in the first place, otherwise I can't root for them to end up back together. Of course miscommunication is a given in romance novels, but this was at a level that was just unacceptable. The author keeps alluding to what terrible thing Nick did the first time around, but the reader doesn't find out until close to the end, and by then it was like "seriously??" I wasn't rooting for them by that point. Jess hated Nick so much throughout the book that the inevitable sex scene felt out of nowhere. I did love the forced novel collab though, it's one of my favorite tropes and that aspect didn't disappoint. I just wish their relationship was more realistically developed and we knew sooner what Nick did so we could empathize more with them both and actually root for the romance. Overall though, I enjoyed it and overlooked my moral issues with it because it got me into the holiday spirit during a tough time.

I absolutely loved this cozy Christmas time romance. The plot had a good pace and the characters were easy to like. I would happily read more by this author in the future. Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

Past lovers turned enemies to lovers... forced close proximity and a winter setting?? I wonderful way to spend a snowy afternoon. This book was cute and a fast read. Loved the banter. I liked the unique setup for the story and loved how they fed off of each other. And just a little spice to keep your heart rate up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

I always enjoy Falon Ballard's books and this was no exception. It's fun, flirty, and a great enemies to loves/second chance romance.

Such a cozy vibe with cute banter and heated tension. I love Jess and Nick (for my New Girl, fan, yes you heard it right) and enjoy their writing process throughout the story. Both happened to have awaken each other's slump and when it was decided for them (by their editors, no less) that maybe, JUST MAYBE, writing together can help fill the gaps each are individually stuck with - they thought that maybe they too can have the second chance their characters deserve. This story has the Christmassy vibes, ONLY ONE BED, and ghosts of Christmas past that led to where they are today. It was heartwarming as it is sweet!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

4.5⭐️ I’m coming to find that Falon’s books are always a solid hit! This was no exception. While I don’t tend to like second chance romance, she did a great job with this one and it totally worked for me!

Cozy, snowed in hotel? Check. Two authors who bicker and fight? Check. Tons of steamy, unresolved conflict? Check.

Now, make them write a book together! Hah!

The ending grand gesture was esspecially sweet! What a fun holiday book!

A heartwarming, sweet Christmas romance that satisfied my craving for some winter magic. I have never met a Falon book that I didn’t enjoy and this was no exception.

ooooo Spicy Hallmarky Christmas book about romance authors! it's got all the expected holiday cheese but with a twist to a second chance romance! If you enjoy Emily Stone or Sophie Cousens this is for you!! Has similar vibes to "The Roughest Draft" but definitely a twist of differences! Big Shoutout to NetGalley, Falon + G.P. Putnam for the eARC!!! You have a new reader fan!

What to Expect:
⭐ Second Chance Romance
⭐ Forced Proximity
⭐ Romance Authors
⭐ Stranded before Christmas in a snow storm
⭐ Holiday Hallmark Vibes on 10
⭐ Spicy but not overly detailed

My Thoughts:
This is my FIRST Falon Ballard book so I can't review comparing it to past books. This has all the makings of a typical holiday romance forced proximity book. Its one of those that feels cozy and like a warm hug. Something you pick up during the holiday season to enjoy with a good cup of coffee or glass of wine in a cozy chair by a fire. I hate to say I slacked and fell backwards on myself to not read it before it came out!

That said all of the characters in this book are well developed. The story as a whole doesn't have plot gaps, feel rushed or overly cheesy. It is more believable than some romance books. It does feel a bit heavy in the gimmicky department, which doesn't necessarily take away from the story, it just feels adapted specifically to the characters. For example holiday romance, forced proximity in the Christmas Inn, scheduling conflicts etc.

Overall, I truly enjoyed seeing the main characters (Nick + Jessica) find their way back to each other. it was cool to see them work together for one cause. It was also fun to see the parallel of their story with the ones they are writing and how it all comes together. The grand gesture at the end threw me over! I didn't expect the package! Also the epilogue sent me over the edge of that second chance love goodness!! Not to mention the "third act breakup" wasn't as bad as some!

Synopsis:
Jessica Carrington always wanted her own happily ever after. But, until that happens, she spends her days as a small-time romance writer, penning satisfying Happily Ever Afters to soothe the heartache left by her ex-boyfriend Nick Matthews, a fellow romance writer and now her biggest rival, who has found success writing love stories without happy endings. It's clearly what he's good at, after all . . .

So, when their professional obligations find them snowed in - and forced to share a room! - at the same remote inn a few days before Christmas, Jess and Nick are both fuming. But what's more fitting for two romantic writers in a slump? And when they realise the friction between them might be the only cure for their writer's block, they decide to turn their frustration into fiction . . . and the pages start flying.

Jess can't shake the feeling that Nick is the last guy on earth she should be falling for (again), but, as they both finally get back in their flow, is he actually all she wants for Christmas?

One of my favorite books of 2024! I have read every book by Falon Ballard and All I Want Is You is another five star read. Falon has become an autobuy author for me and I can't wait to read more from her in 2025.

This was a pretty quick read for me. It was such a cute holiday romance book. I wish I could have read this while it was cold outside with a cozy blanket and the fireplace on, but it was still amazing.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC!

Honestly I devoured this book. I love a good second chance romance plot and this book just swept me right up into it. Couldn’t put it down