Member Reviews

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”

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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.

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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.

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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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