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.

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kiss Me At Christmas is so much much more than a Christmas romance. Harriet is feeling less than festive after her daughter decides to spend the holidays abroad leaving Harriet alone at Christmas. Harriet begins to discover herself after taking the fall for her “Famous Five” students who broke into an abandoned theater they hung out in while skipping school. To avoid charges Harriet agrees to clean up the dilapidated theater with her students and must put on A Christmas Carol according to the contract by the theater’s elderly owner. Everything that can go wrong does indeed go wrong until the community steps in and helps Harriet restore the theater and put on a holiday show. The cast of characters were fantastic and the community was the real story. A delightful holiday read about found family, and the spirit of community. Another fabulous Jenny Bayliss book!

Harriet is usually a Christmas fiend-decorations, celebrations and more! When she finds herself without her daughter for the year, she turns into a rightful Scrooge. When a turn of events has her directing A Christmas Carol for the season, will she turn into Scrooge for good? Or can the ghosts of Christmas around her sway her to a different direction?

Jenny Bayliss is a must buy holiday author for me, and this is another hit from her! I love the subtleties of the winter and Christmas spirit in her books-just enough without being too cliche or cloying. The characters in this book are so well developed-I loved each and every one, even those in the ensemble. Highly suggest you pick up this holiday season-maybe even more than one of Jenny’s books if you haven’t partaken yet!

I especially connected with Harriet, a stubborn main character who is trying to balance too much. If I keep describing her, I might accidentally start describing myself! Incredibly relatable, and a joy to watch her journey unfold on the page. Turn on some of your favorite holiday tunes and get reading on this one!

Like with all Jenny Bayliss books, this read left me feeling happy inside. Yes, we get the cozy vibes and the Christmas setting, but she has a knack for creating heartwarming environments. In this world, Harriet acquires her found family within her community as she comes to the rescue for some students and has to direct a Christmas play as a result. Things go awry here and there, but the community steps up and comes together beautifully for this project. There is also some romance in here for those seeking that element, but the real story is that of the community.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

here do I even start?

First and foremost, thanks Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC.

This was the first book I've read from Jenny Bayliss and really liked her writing. I liked that even though it's a sweet christmas romance, it still touches on things that are relatable to humans, which makes the book and romance realistic. I honestly wished I read this during christmas and not in the Texas heat.

I would recommend to anyone who wants a found family, holiday romance, and just having people having your back and the different ages and friendships was so sweet. 4.5!!

I adore Jenny Bayliss' writing so I was excited to be able to get this ARC. This book gives you the cozy, warm vibes of the holiday season and I liked that the characters were a bit older than in most romance novels these days. The single parent trope was written beautifully.

Jenny Bayliss is releasing her newest Christmas book on 9/24 called Kiss Me At Christmas. It is the tale of Harriett and her fabulous five group of students who come from difficult backgrounds. When Harriett takes the fall for her students breaking into an abandoned theater, the theaters owner Evelyn demands Harriett clean up the mess. In addition, Evelyn will renovate the dilapidated theater if Harriett snd her students put on a one night only show before the building goes up for sale to the highest bidder. Harriett and her students choose A Christmas Carol. Word starts to spread that Harriett invisions the theater becoming a community center for groups to have a safe space to meet. Before she knows it, 4-5 clubs have taken up residence in the theater and are helping the students put in the play. This book put me into the Christmas spirit. The concept of “let’s put on a play” is so reminiscent of the old Hollywood Mickey Rooney and Judy garland films. Plus, the characters were the most ragtag group of people ever thrown together in a book, but Bayliss does a fabulous job highlighting each characters role and purpose-even the secondary characters. This book resonated with me on a personal level. I was a part of my college drama program and each year we would put on A Christmas Carol. There’s no better feeling than helping build the set, arrange costumes, and run lines with fellow thespians. It’s such a special community of people and brought back many happy memories. Thanks you NetGalley and Putnam books!