What a great feel-good book. This book is a perfect book to curl up at Christmas time with. It reminds me of a hallmark movie.

this was such a cutesy, feel good holiday book. perfect to read snuggled up around a warm fire this winter!!!!

Fun, inspirational, holiday read!

Harriet is a single mother who grew up in foster care and is having a hard time with her daughter being away at Christmas. She immerses herself in her job to help other young children who may have poor life circumstances. The night she finds out that her daughter won't be home for Christmas she meets a handsome stranger. After their one night stand, Harriet comes face to face with the stranger again, only to be drawn into a contract with him to put on a Christmas show with only 5 weeks until Christmas.

I loved Harriet's growth in this story. The romance between her and James is sweet and genuine. At times, Harriet can be a bit hypocritical and was easily put off. However, I also think that this speaks to her background and personal history. I loved James! He is trying to be a better person, however finding it difficult to go slow with Harriet because of his attraction to her. Harriet's students and the community members were icing on the cake. This is definitely a feel good read that demonstrates the value of community in lifting others up and found family.

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for this ARC. I would highly recommend this book!

Put up your holiday decor, pour the hot cocoa and cozy up by the fire for this Sweet Holiday Read. Let me start by saying that while I like the title of this book... it's a bit misleading. This isn't just a book focusing on two main characters falling in love - I mean, yes, we do get this trope - but, this book is full of community, found family, second chances, inclusion, and diversity.

I enjoyed that the main character was older (40s) and she was struggling to find herself after raising her daughter. I was was enamored with the plethora of side characters and how they all walked different paths in life but were finding common ground and connections throughout the book. There were several "grumpy" and "curmudgeon" characters that you knew would be marshmallow soft on the inside. The romance in this book was gentle (a bit of a closed door or fade to black vibe) but still made your heart flutter a bit. And of course a good holiday read is going to wrap the ending up in that christmas ribbon and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside!

3.75 (rounding up to 4) out of 5 stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley & Putnam Books for the ARC I received - in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read a couple of Jenny’s books before and greatly enjoyed them. With this one, it turned out to be a bit meh for me. The main character Harriet was one of my least fave parts of the whole story. A good bit of her personality was quite cringe to me.

What I did enjoy were the other minor characters in the book. They made the whole theater aspect seem so fun with a ragtag quality about it.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

Harriet is facing empty nest syndrome and having a Christmas crisis! In a snap decision, she covers for five kids from the school where she works and winds up in the police station. To avoid legal trouble, strikes a deal with a cantankerous business woman and an all too familiar lawyer.

Kiss Me at Christmas is poorly named, in my opinion. This was so much more than just a Christmas love story. It is a story about a community coming together to overcome challenges. Full of lovable characters and an old theatre with quite a bit of character itself, Kiss Me at Christmas is an emotional, beautiful read. I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet, I cried some more! Do yourself a favor and read this if you need a little uplifting or a reminder of how good people can truly be.

I found this book to be a sweet quick read following Harriet around the Christmas season. Even though this book is set around the Christmas season I found it very easy to read any time of year. I could very easily see this being a cute movie on TV. Definitely would recommend and would read again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the early arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP- Putnam for the E-ARC! So cute! Loved the writing style & the holiday vibes. Felt like a cute Hallmark movie. Will definitely read more from this author.

A heartwarming Christmas romance!When I first started reading the book, I thought the romance would be the main plot, but there were many interwinding story lines focusing on the production of a Christmas Carol. I loved the first half, but the second half was a little boring in my opinion I did not care for anything that was going on. Overall this was a very cozy read.

Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book gave off so much Christmas Spirit! Harriet reminded me very much of a few teachers that I have had in my life who were just wanting the best for all of us. The love story between Harriet & James was one that you witnessed every step of it blaming. From meeting, to hating each other and then to growing into something more with a few bumps along the way. This book gave so many feels from Christmas, to a romantic love story and the doing good for others and becoming a stronger community. Definitely a great feel good Christmas read!

Harriet, a single mother struggling with a preview of her upcoming empty nest when her daughter elects to spend Christmas with her exchange family instead of returning home for the holiday, takes herself off to the pub and into a one night stand with James. When a group of students from her school breaks into an abandoned theater, Harriet takes the fall for them and runs back into James, the solicitor for the theater owner. For restitution Harriet and the students agree to clean up the theater and perform A Christmas Carol for possible buyers.

The story is less about the holiday and more about community and found family. The students, who are all from difficult family situations, find validation in working with various community groups who find themselves using the theater as a base. Harriet and James are older and it’s nice to see slightly older protagonists find love.

I enjoyed Kiss Me at Christmas and I’m going to check out Jenny Bayliss’s backlist once the temperature outside falls below 90!

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

The festive cover and appealing title of Jenny Bayliss's latest book, Kiss Me at Christmas, are both misleading, but they don't detract from the overall entertaining and uplifting plot. Yes, there is a romance involved, and the book is set (in Little Beck Foss, England) just before and after Christmas, but the story is really about how people of wildly diverse ages, genders, financial situations, and backgrounds come together to solve a near-impossible problem for everyone's mutual benefit.

Harriet, a former English teacher, is currently on the school's pastoral care team, giving special attention to teenaged students who are struggling with the transition to adulthood. When she catches the "famous five" breaking into a long-abandoned theater during school hours, the haughty female owner dictates that, in exchange for not pressing charges, Harriet must clean up the theater so it will be more attractive to potential buyers. Of course, Harriet insists that the students help with the cleanup, and she hatches a plan to request that the theater be made accessible, even after it is sold, to various groups who can no longer use the community center. The owner reluctantly agrees but mandates that there be a full production of a play in the theater shortly before Christmas (only 5 weeks away). Harriet relents, since her 17-year-old daughter is away for the first time at Christmas and she needs to distract herself from being a Scrooge this year. Is it any wonder that she chooses "A Christmas Carol," as the play, and the process of cleaning, casting, building and painting the sets, and rehearsing begin.

There are so many delightful elements of the process and so much character development that I won't reveal any spoilers, except to say that I did shed an unexpected tear or two toward the end of the book. The relationship of Harriet and James, the theater owner's personal attorney--which began with a one-night stand--is charming and develops slowly, shining a light on each of these relatable middle-aged individuals. Of course, this holiday-themed book can be devoured at any time during the year and is a quick and satisfying read.

My thanks to PENGUIN Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

jenny bayliss, queen of christmas romcoms!!! i loved this so much, even though its july and 90 degrees outside. this was so much fun and lighthearted. please add this to your holiday tbr!! you won't regret it.

fast paced, entertaining. likeable characters!!

I've read a handful of Jenny Bayliss novels and this one fits her found-formula-- a cute, cozy rom-com set at the holidays, with a lovable cast of other characters. I enjoyed reading this (in the middle of a summer heat wave!), as the vibes made me feel like I was right there in December. An enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I truly enjoyed Harriet! She was funny and angsty but also so determined to help her daughter. This could be a holiday movie on TV! So many great things happen. All of the stuff between FMC and MMC was also very entertaining. It is a great Christmas in July read!

I received this ARC from NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

Honestly? I didn't think I'd like this once I realized the main character was a mom because I thought I wouldn't be able to relate to her. But I was so so SO wrong. This book was cute, funny, and still somehow profound. 10/10.

Jenny Bayliss's "Kiss Me at Christmas" is a delightful and relatable romantic comedy that speaks directly to the hearts of middle-aged readers. This witty and heartwarming tale follows Harriet, a single mother navigating the unfamiliar terrain of an empty nest and rediscovering herself in the process.
The story takes an unexpected turn when Harriet's morning-after escapade leads her to trespass on private property while searching for the "Famous Five," a group of students she's determined to protect. In a twist of fate, she discovers that her one-night stand, James, is the attorney representing the landowners. To avoid legal trouble, Harriet agrees to clean up a dilapidated theater to prepare it for sale.
Bayliss expertly weaves together themes of self-discovery, community, and second chances. As Harriet immerses herself in the theater restoration project, she finds herself surrounded by a loving community that breathes new life into the old building – and into her own existence. The author skillfully portrays the transformation of both the theater and Harriet's perspective on life, creating a satisfying parallel that resonates with readers.
The romance between Harriet and James is both sweet and realistic, avoiding the typical clichés often found in romantic comedies. Their relationship develops organically, built on mutual respect and understanding, which adds depth to the story and makes it more relatable for mature readers.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its authentic portrayal of middle-aged experiences. Bayliss captures the mixture of emotions that come with this life stage – the loneliness of an empty nest, the need for companionship, and the exhilaration of rediscovering oneself. These themes are handled with sensitivity and humor, allowing readers to see themselves reflected in Harriet's journey.
The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, creating a vivid community that readers will want to be a part of. The Famous Five subplot adds an element of intrigue and showcases Harriet's caring nature, rounding out her character beyond just her romantic pursuits.
While the premise might seem familiar, Bayliss's writing style and character development set "Kiss Me at Christmas" apart. Her prose is engaging and witty, peppered with moments of genuine emotion that will resonate with readers.
In conclusion, "Kiss Me at Christmas" is a charming and uplifting read that celebrates love, community, and personal growth at any age. Jenny Bayliss has crafted a story that will leave middle-aged readers feeling seen, understood, and hopeful. It's a perfect choice for those seeking a warm, funny, and touching romance that proves it's never too late for new beginnings.

Jenny Bayliss does community and found family exceptionally well, especially making Christmas all about community. The book might be called „Kiss me at Christmas“, but its less a christmas romance and more about the spirit of Christmas in a general sense.
I loved „A december to remember“ and this has a similar vibe. Everybody is coming together to make a theatre play happen and its all about the community we found along the way. The setting of the old theatre was charming, the set of characters fun and enjoyable and the christmas feeling was surely there.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy!

thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Harriet is a bit of a mess this Christmas when your daughter decides to spend it away from her. Harriet struggles to be an empty nester while also finding time for herself. Harriet throws herself into work and gets into some trouble with the law. Enter James, the handsome solicitor, who is trying to be better. Harriet and James bump heads but eventually find their HEA

a cute Christmas moving set on set in the Winter Theatre

Things are a bit amiss this Christmas for Harriet Smith: she continuously has to do her boss’ work, her students are running amok and disappearing from school, and her older daughter has decided to spend Christmas in America - her first one away from home. Then comes James, a buttoned-up solicitor who deftly unbuttons her one night after an evening of mulled wine. Unfortunately, she later finds herself face-to-face with him with a strange instance of community service - she has taken the fall for some delinquent students - and the crew of them are forced to rehab the Winter Theater. What happens next is nothing short of a community Christmas miracle.

This modern day Christmas Carol is so adorable I don’t know what to do with myself! I found myself in tears over the genuine emotion wrought from the plight of the five students who find their place in the world and people to care for them, the burgeoning relationship between James and Harriet, and the community vibes in the theater. It is well-written, jolly, and completely heartfelt. Rarely do I read a Christmas book that actually puts me in the mood for the holiday, but this one did. Evelyn Winter as a female Scrooge is fun, and rest of the ensemble cast is just perfect. and I can’t wait to recommend this novel to all my friends who love to read Christmas novels!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.