Unfortunately, this is a DNF for me. I loved Snowe’s holiday romance from last year (Snowed In for Christmas) so this was highly anticipated for me. I didn’t really love the characters or their “second-chance” story and had a hard time following what the heck was going on with the Christmas competition/bachelor(ette) parties/ski weekend.

It felt like the plot was just trying a little too hard to be earnest and charming.

Read until 60%. Here are the TW/CW I encountered: abandonment, car accident, sexism, misogyny

This is a great book for fans of Sarah Adams. Unfortunately, I’m not really the biggest fan of Sarah Adams. But this book reminds me of the RomCOM cheesy, mildly immature style combined with barely there reasons keeping them apart, mega miscommunication, and some every-2-seconds-reactions towards the other person. The characterization is similar, the writing style . . . if I didn’t know this was Jacqueline Snowe, I would’ve guessed Sarah Adams.

This is friends to lovers, single dad, forced proximity, Christmas themed open door, dual single POV book.

I loved the Christmas vibes and Hallmark movie style-ness of the whole thing. I generally enjoy Ms. Snowe’s writing style, but the characters in this one were more what ruined it for me.

Friends to lovers isn’t normally my jam (especially not when it’s falling in love over a weekend/week. All of your previous reasons go out the door the fast??). Single dad isn’t normally my jam. If this hadn’t been Jacqueline Snowe, and if I hadn’t been invited to read and review it, I wouldn’t have requested it, and anyone reading this review should know going in that me being the best reader for this book was going to be an uphill battle, but here's the thing: my gripes don't even have to do with either of those though I am going to discuss them.

This book is a highlight of why I don’t love friends to lovers though. There’s a barely there reason keeping them apart ("I can't be with them!") but the whole time they interact, it’s thoughts about how attracted they are but they can’t make a move. It’s exhausting to keep reading “I love them, but I can’t be with them for stupid reasons and I’m going to get stupidly obviously jealous when someone else even breathes at them, but I love them.”

The timeline of the book feeds into my annoyance at the friends to lovers tropes because they go from near-strangers to agreeing to being friends to sleeping together in the spam of like, maybe, 24 hours??? Where were your reasons for avoiding each other? It feels unbelievable and inauthentic in a way I can’t get past, even in fiction. But then, like I said, they essentially decide to be together around the halfway mark, so it just felt . . . off? Not right? Even more silly with their reasonings for not being together?

MMC is a single dad who “doesn’t have his shit together” so can only offer FMC a one night stand. Are we ever shown how he doesn’t have his shit together? No. We are shown a stereotypical dude who allows his self-consciousness dictate hisself as a dad. His parents are moving away and they’re his main help with his daughter so of course that somehow means he can’t date??? He gets over that around 45%, so then I'm left still very confused as to why he didn't make a move for the last three years.

He also is a little dim. “I wonder what she thinks of that.” “Why is she blushing.” And then also caveman. “I’m glad she doesn’t want to date him.” But equally matched with our FMC, so I guess that’s fine. She tells MMC she could kiss him, he leans in, and after they’re interrupted and she’s thinking about it later, she’s mortified because obviously MMC doesn’t like her. Honestly, it just made the pacing feel off to me because the back and forth was so childish. He goes down on her, then wants to talk (wut), and she’s like, frick he’s rejecting me again. GIRL WHAT. After they kiss, after they have some sexy time, they’re tentatively together, and then thing that keeps them apart is that they need to talk. SO JUST FUCKING TALK.

I'll be honest, I read until 35%, skipped ahead to where they kissed for the first time (around 45%), and I feel like I missed nothing.

Which brings us to . . . Oh Lordy. The Third Act Breakup. So obvious—that’s fine. So weak—that’s not. And then hardly a grovel? Break her heart once, shame on you; break it twice, no third chance without heavy groveling. She takes him back because he kept notes about her in his phone??? And he makes his best man speech about how much he loves her after talking about the groom?? I just . . . no.

Super minor, but this is the second book I’ve read by this author. Both set in Illinois. Both having blizzards blown through before Christmas. Which isn’t really a thing in any part of Illinois. And the author is from the state, but unfortunately so am I, so I couldn’t suspend that bit of disbelief. (As a side note, they’re from IL and one of the guys has never heard of Normal???)

Overall, if you're a fan of Sarah Adams, you'll like this one, and I'd recommend it. If you're not a fan of cheesy, more immature, back-and-forth miscommunication and weak tension, then this book is not one I'd recommend to you. Which pains me to say. Jaqueline Snowe has a special place in my reader's heart, so I'll still be on the lookout for future books of hers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the concept of this book, but it just felt like it wasn’t really going anywhere and was a bit too mushy for my tastes.

A cozy Christmas book mixed with friendship and love. When single dad Hayden and his best friends little sister meet up again sparks start to fly. Charlotte has tried to avoid Hayden because he is her brothers best friend but she can't anymore.

Reading a Christmas book in August is both weird and kind of fun. This quick read was cute and had two of of my favorite tropes...brother's best friend and single dad. Charlotte has always loved Hayden but was shot down by him when she took a chance a few years before our story begins so she desperately tries to ignore the fact that she has to spend time with him for her brother's pre-wedding trip at a ski resort. Of course, she can't...but neither can he. And so begins their ever-increasing attraction to each other, their fun banter, and their attempts at making a relationship work. I enjoyed Charlotte and her fun inner monologue and, although I liked Hayden too, he was a bit frustrating at times. There were elements of this story that I wished had a bit more depth but, overall, this was an enjoyable read that has me longing for the holidays and some romantic Hallmark Christmas movies.

Friends to lovers? Check
Brother’s best friend? Check
Single dad? Check
Holiday competitions? Check
Getting to be with the guy you’ve crushed on forever?? A million checks.

This book has fun, banter, amazingly crazy moments. But it’s so enjoyable to read. When two people just gel it works. They couldn’t really fight it because they’d always been friends in a way so they clicked. Plus they love they both have for that little girl!? Yuppppp. Gwen was adorable and just made their puzzle pieces fit even better.

I absolutely LOVED this sweet Christmas romance!!

The car scene, YES
The Christmas party games....ohhhhh yeah!!
Steamy scenes--hard yes! FIRE

Their love for each other was contagious and I can't wait to read more by Jaqueline Snowe!!

Charlotte ends up stranded in a snowbank on her way to her brother’s joint bachelor and bachelorette party. Unfortunately, her only hope for rescue is Hayden, her brother’s best friend (and a single dad). She’s harbored a crush on Hayden since childhood, but after her previous confession didn’t go as hoped, she’s been avoiding him. The thought of spending the weekend with him is far from appealing. Yet, the close quarters of the weekend ignite a surprising new bond between them. Hayden assists Charlotte with an important job interview, while Charlotte helps Hayden find a nanny for his daughter.

Charlotte gains confidence throughout the book and it is it a true pleasure to read. She’s standout character with her loyalty. On the flip side, Hayden’s inconsistent behavior was a bit frustrating, causing a major third-act conflict. Thankfully, his genuine affection for his daughter helps to offset this.

All in all, this book offers a charming and heartwarming read, especially for the holiday season. I highly recommend it, and it will be available starting 10/8/24.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers for this arc

It’s never too early to start reading Christmas romances! This was a quick read, though not my favorite from this author.

I hadn't read a Jaqueline Snow romance in a minute, but my goodness do I love how she writes! Fun, sweet, and so sexy! Make sure to add this to your holiday reading TBRs!

Christmas Sweater Weather is a pleasant holiday romance with a festive backdrop and a heartwarming story. Charlotte's crush on her brother's best friend Hayden felt real, and I liked how her character was driven by both love and career aspirations. However, Hayden's indecisiveness as a single dad became a bit frustrating and dragged the romance out longer than necessary. The holiday competitions and sweet supporting characters, especially Hayden's daughter Gwen, added a nice touch of fun and warmth. Though it wasn’t perfect, it was an enjoyable, light read for the holiday season.

I love a good holiday romance and when I started Christmas Sweater Weather I was excited. I throughly enjoyed the banter of the first half but as it progressed it fell flat for me.

I loved this book! If you're a Christmas lover then this is the perfect read for you. The setting at the beginning of the story is set in a Christmas resort that sounds so magical that I hope one does exist! The romance! The tension! It's all there in this magical get you ready for the holidays story! Even the main characters family is ALL about this holiday! If you're over the heat like me and you need a book to put you in the holiday spirit then this is it!

If you are a person who counts down to Christmas. If you make a schedule of all the new holiday movies on Hallmark, Lifetime, and GAC, then this book is for you! A read for If you don't want to think too hard and need some Christmas spirit, maybe while drinking hot chocolate with whipped cream.

I don't know if I'm that person. The dialogue in here was cheezy and unrealistic for me. Who checks out a girl's glutes? And calls them that? The story was a bit predictable, I saw every "twist" coming. I was disappointed because the main characters were likeable and I thought this book could've been more than it was. I loved that Hayden was working to correct the boys club of college sports. His love for his daughter was great. The secondary characters felt that way though.

But this would kill it on Hallmark, so hopefully this author gets a deal. Thanks to Net Galley and Forever for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. 2.75 stars

Christmas Sweater Weather was a fun romance filled with the holiday spirit. The hotel setting with a bunch of holiday themed competitions was hilarious. I loved how this book kind of revolved round a wedding that wasn't the MCs but brought them closer together. The longing and secret crushing was perfect in this brother's best friend romance.

Charlotte was super relatable with her desire to be with Hayden. Her feelings felt real and valid. I loved that she also had big career aspirations. Her relationships with her brother and friends were sweet and fun. Hayden, on the other hand, was a bit of a mess. He had a lot going on in his life with being a single dad. I have to admit that he drove me a little batty with his antics when it came to his feelings for Charlotte. I understood why he was the way he was, but I wanted him to figure things out faster so they could be together. I'm glad he finally did.

There were fantastic characters to help Charlotte and Hayden throughout this story. Charlotte's brother Christian and his fiancée Penny were a lot of fun. I also loved their friend Garrett. That guy was a hoot. And then there was Gwen, Hayden's three-year-old daughter. She was adorable.

Overall, this was a really entertaining holiday romance read. I loved the characters and was happy with how everything ended up. I left this book feeling uplifted.

This was such a cute holiday rom com i enjoyed it so much! can’t wait to read more by this author love loved love,

CHRISTMAS SWEATER WEATHER was meant to be a Christmas in July post but I never got around to it, so… Christmas in August anyone? This is not your mother’s Christmas book – this was a spicy romance to help beat the unbearable summer temps by transporting readers to a holiday wonderland. There’s loads of Christmas spirit but doesn’t hold back on the sizzle either. Tropes include: brother’s best friend, sexy single dad, grumpy sunshine, friends to lovers, forced proximity and one night is never enough. Thanks @readforever for the digital ARC, grab your copy in October!

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever publisher for an eARC. This is a cute Christmas romance that includes brother’s best friend and single dad tropes. It has cute moments but also moments that were so cringy. For example he puts on glasses and he is so hot that she can’t speak. Just felt stuff like the mfc was immature and she annoyed me at times.

Cozy, cute and warm perfect to get ready for the holiday season! Cuddle up with this adorable Hallmark style romance.

The BEST way to get excited for the end of the year is by reading cozy and cute stories!! I absolutely loved this story and it made me so excited for sweater weather! It was a quick and cute read and I loved the chemistry of all the characters. It was such a fun & cheery holiday story. It was like watching a Hallmark movie except I got to pick all my own characters, amazing!