This was my first Jenny Bayliss read and while I do intend to explore her backlist, I wouldn't say I loved this book. It did have the Hallmark feels that I'm always hoping for in a Christmas book, but there was just so many people in this book that it was at times overwhelming. I did enjoy the dynamic between the characters refurbishing the theater, but I think there were too many characters to give them all the development they needed and deserved. Including our main couple, Harriet and James. They weren't developed enough to warrant their ending. I also got very frustrated with Harriet during the third-act "breakup", how angry she got at James when she would've made the exact same decision.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC.

If you're in the mood for a heartwarming, closed-door romance this holiday season, this book is a good choice. The story thoughtfully encourages readers not to judge others based on appearances. It also offers a refreshing perspective on self-love and personal fulfillment, emphasizing that women can find joy in embracing who they are, regardless of their circumstances.

As an enthusiast of community theater, I found the book's depiction of theatrical elements somewhat improbable. The rapid transformation of an abandoned 50-year-old theater into a thriving community hub within 4-5 weeks, along with its sudden influx of diverse groups, was quite unbelievable. While the main character's commitment to revitalizing the theater and supporting her community is admirable, the portrayal of the space being utilized by every group in town felt a bit exaggerated.

The female protagonist occasionally comes across as immature, but her character development reveals a more nuanced understanding. The interactions between her and the male lead, marked by meaningful conversations, help them navigate and resolve miscommunications.

The book is charming, though it does have a few minor issues that may be hard to overlook.

I absolutely adored this. It was an absolute joy to read! Once I started, I just didn’t want to stop. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Es una historia tranquila sobre Harrier, una madre que tiene el síndrome del nido vacío que ahora tendrá que volver a conocerse y que decidirá si le darle una oportunidad al amor.

Su mejor amiga es la esposa del ex. H y Pete se conocieron en un lugar de acogida, se volvieron amigos, luego novios y tuvieron a Maisy, pero se dieron cuenta que se querían como amigos, entonces su relación terminó en buenos términos. Tiempo después él conoció a Emma, la menor amiga y se enamoraron. Todos se llevan muy bien.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to jump into the world of Christmas Romance, it’s a fun place to be! While i found this story to be cute and very heartwarming it felt like it had alot of info and characters and information but at the same time nothing was totally dialed in / flayed out. I felt like i wanted more in depth on the characters to be able to connect / relate to them but i didn’t feel like we got that!

I was disappointed with the third act conflict because i didn’t feel like they were at the point in her relationship for her to feel valid in getting that upset that she didn’t know.

I liked the overall idea / plot of the book. It definitely gave hallmark movie vibes - but i just wanted less fluff and more important / relatable details.

It gives the found family vibes & i absolutely loved that.

overall, i didn’t dislike it but i don’t think it’s a book i’ll ever think about again.

I immediately has to read this when I saw who the author was. I loved her other holiday reads, and this one was terrific!

Super cute and heartwarming read! This put me in the Christmas Spirit and it is only August! Jenny Bayliss once again rocked the Christmas feels!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!

I feel like this is more about a woman helping out her community and the friends and support she finds along her way with a subplot of romance. Is it cheesy? Yes. Romance is sweet? Absolutely. Is it perfect for the holidays? Yes, yes yes. I was a bit disappointed in the third part break up but it’s handled quickly and everything is wrapped up with a beautiful Christmas bow at the end.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher.

This was a bit of an mis for me. I enjoyed the found family vibes. The way the community came together for the play and just supported each other. I was just left wanting a little more from the romance. It wasn’t my favorite kind of miscommunication.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

A new book by Jenny Bayliss always has me longing to put up my Christmas tree. Harriet thinks she will be spending a lonely holiday season on her own while her daughter is out of town. However in order to save a group of her students Harriet must assist with the cleanup of an old , abandoned theatre and help stage a production of A Christmas Carol in five weeks. Suddenly Harriet is busier than ever and her project is introducing her to members of the community she has never known. It is also giving her time with the man she assumed was going to be a one night stand but may just be more. A story of found families, community, and holiday spirit this was a sweet read..

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a good book!!! Such a good story and great writing style. This was my first by this author and will not be my last! Such a cute holiday romcom!

I really enjoyed this book. The story line in this books was so cute and the characters were so lovable. I would highly recommend this book!

My Thoughts:
Kiss Me at Christmas is a heartwarming story that made me laugh out loud within the first few minutes, cry towards the end, and wish that this book would be made into a movie! Jenny Bayliss took a classic Dickens story and added just the right amount of a You’ve Got Mail rom-com to create a story of found family, self discovery, love, and belonging to a community. Kiss Me at Christmas is the perfect feel-good read for the holidays!

What I liked about this book:
A classic Dickens tale retold with a twist. I liked how I was able to imagine the lead characters as Cratchit and Scrooge and how each had their own ghosts that haunted them. Next to Harriet, Ali was my favorite character, the coworker we all wish we had! I laughed, I cried, and I related so much to the single mom of a college student. Harriet’s journey of self discovery was beautiful. Find someone who will walk barefoot in the snow for you and make yourself those fancy dinners for one!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an ARC for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I gave this book 4.5 Stars

A heartwarming, charming Christmas novel! Reading this book felt like a warm hug. The main character Harriet was an absolute hoot, she was quirky and a bit angsty at times, but she really cared foe the people all around her. Her chemistry with James was immediate, and I love that their romance evolved naturally and felt very realistic. Not only that, but there were so many diverse characters and small side plots going in. They all blended into the overall story beautifully. The book was very inspired by A Christmas Carol and felt like a bit of a modern retelling. It was entertaining, emotional and hopeful! Definitely add this to your tbr for the holiday season!

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House and Jenny Bayliss for the advanced reader copy!

Tags:
-Christmas romance
-found family

Spice: closed door

Third person/Single POV

This was a cute little Christmas in July read. I liked that there was an additional heartwarming story included with the romance in this story. I thought parts of the story dragged, especially with the romance. It felt like we weren’t furthering their relationship at times and were just stuck.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

This sweet story of hope, community, and found family is the perfect example of people from different generations, varied backgrounds, and diverse cultures coming together for a common purpose and finding the true meaning of family. The closed door romance between the FMC/MMC showed vulnerability, hope, and a willingness to change. Billy's arc has my whole heart. Every last character is written with depth and emotion. Jenny Bayliss has done it again!

Book Review 📚
Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss 🎄
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book opens with a bang (IYKYK) and sets the stage as we follow the humorous Harriet on the brink of her first Christmas as an empty nester. Don’t let that fool you though, Harriet is vibrant, fun and maybe has even found herself tied to a community service project with the steamy lawyer she had a one night stand with in the opening of the book. (There’s that bang!)

Harriet works with at-risk youth who are the focus of her theater project, alongside lawyer James. The banter between Harriet and James was enjoyable, however everything in between moved at a bit of a slow pace for me.

Christmas Carol references, a funny heroine, a swoon-worthy love interest and a Scrooge-like villain makes this a great Christmas read for your TBR if you’re seeking a story with substance!

4.25 out of 5. Super cute Christmas read, don’t really know why its called what it is, the name gives nothing. It involves the theater at Christmas so really I was sold from the beginning. I Loved how theater can join a community together, even though the Scrooge trope is over used usually. But it is a classic for a reason, so might as well go along for the ride. I was a bit confused with Harriet’s quirkiness, at times it was cute but the safe swearing and the constant reminders of the triple cardings was a bit weird. Also who wears three cardigans, what is this about? James is a dreamy MMC, or maybe dreamy for me? A lawyer with a heart of gold, that’s super hot, looks good in suits and does ample amounts of probono? i was sold. Also there is ample Swiftie love.

One of the character arcs that I really loved was Harriet taking better care of herself and validating her existence as a single person. As a single person myself who feel i deserve everything and don’t need the validation of being in a couple to do things I really resonated with this quote: “Only and me are worlds that should not be used together. Being alone does not make a person less worthy of Good Things. I deserve to prepare myself delicious food… I refuse to curtail life's little enjoyments because I am without companion. I am worth the effort… Don’t Live your life as though you are only a shadow without other people to validate you. Validate yourself”

Never skip a Jenny Bayliss novel! She is the queen of Christmas/Winter cozy romances ✨

Plot: After finding out she will be alone for the holidays, Harriet is feeling particularly Scrooge like. She quickly finds herself in a troubling predicament, and needs to fix up the local theater. With the help of the local community and a particularly swoon worthy solicitor, they are on their way to bring the theater back to life.

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved this book! Harriet is a fantastic main character. It was particularly refreshing to have a main character in her 40s. And she was so sweet, her inner monologues had me rolling and her interesting way of cursing was flocking funny 🤣 The side characters stories were so good, and I grew attached to all of them. We got surprisingly deep, which I did not expect, and it added so much to the story and made it extremely special. Overall this was such a heartwarming story, and I think it’s going to be perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

Tropes
•Christmas/Winter Romance
•Small Town
•Community Pride
•Middle Age Main Character
•Single POV
•Zero Spice

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.