“Harriet took a moment to soak it all in, this marvelously colorful gathering. Every person here held a story and a strength within them, and when they mixed and mingled all together, their stories became an epic tale and their combined strengths bloomed into a force to be reckoned with. Humans had such a propensity for love and kindness, and here in this room, in this theater, it seemed to explode out in hearts and stars; she could feel the warmth of it fluttering around her like snowflakes.”



ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW


What a delight this book has been, omg!!!

I feel it deserves to be a Hallmark Christmas movie or on a streaming or even the cinema. It truly gave me the same cozy feeling of being watching one of my favorite movies with my blanket and hot chocolate.

I loved the story and every single character in it. It went beyond our lovely lead Harriet and her facing how different her Christmas was going to be, it went beyond James and how his life had changed by meeting Harriet and also by his own personal stuff.

It was the fabulous five, god I love those teens and their life stories and how much they grew up in the book. I love the found family the theater helped build inside their walls. The themes that woven into the story with all their characters and their uniqueness.

I'm super super grateful to have read this book earlier. It has been my honor and pleasure.

If I can get an extra epilogue further down with kore on my fav people, I would be delighted and grateful forever


some extra quotes for you to love the story as much as me.


“It didn’t look pretty, but when Harriet compared it to the overall desolation of the place a few weeks previous, it wasn’t so bad. This building had become an echo of the good people who frequented its halls, humans sculpted by trials and tribulations, cracks and scars chiseled onto their hearts making each one a unique and beautiful survivor. Somehow this disparate assembly had become a family, and this old theater had become its home, and Harriet would fight with everything she had to hold on to it.”


“I must teach myself that I am worth creating joy for, because otherwise I’m just a vessel for holding other people’s happiness.”


““Only and me are words 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, whether that be a risotto for supper or a soufflé for breakfast or both. I refuse to curtail life’s little enjoyments because I am without a companion. I am worth the effort, and you should feel the same way about yourself, young woman. Don’t live your life as though you are only a shadow without other people to validate you. Validate yourself!””


““Regret is the ultimate party pooper.” She heard the weariness in her voice. “Its mission in life is to constantly suck you backward into the past, where it forces you to replay all your mistakes on a loop. The only way is forward; you’ve just got to keep on trying to outrun it, my friend.””

Kiss Me At Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
400 pages
Releasing today September 24th, 2024

Harriet Smith is not in the Christmas spirit this year. Harriet’s daughter decides not to come home from college for Christmas which leads to Harriet spiraling into a wine crazy night which leads to a one night stand.

Harriett is a teacher & takes the fall for 5 of her students who get into some trouble at the local theater. The consequences include Harriet needing to direct a final performance in the theater before it is sold. Harriet helps the student and also works alongside the man she had the one night stand with, who happens to be the lawyer of the theater.

This book is a delight! I loved Jenny Bayliss’ book The Twelve Dates of Christmas so I knew I had to read her latest! It is described as White Christmas meets Nora Ephron which is the PERFECT description!

Thanks @netgalley @putnambooks @penguinrandomhouse & @jennibayliss for the eARC for my review!

#holidayromance #christmasromance #netgalley #putnambooks #penguinrandomhousebooks #jennybayliss #romance #tropes

Very cute book, it's rare that you find a book about a mature couple and this one was heartwarming and fun.

Divorced mom Harriet has always loved Christmas, but when her nearly college-aged daughter spends a semester studying in the US and decides to stay for Christmas, Harriet is not feeling it this year. She works at a school, and when she takes the fall for five students who broke into a derelict theater, she is roped into helping put on a performance of A Christmas Carol in exchange for the elderly owner not pressing charges. All of this supervised by James, the owner's lawyer who just happened to be the man with whom Harriet shared a one night stand.

This book ended up being such a lovely story of found family/found community. The unlikeliest of people band together to make the show and the theater production happen, and it was both funny and enjoyable at the same time. I didn't love how Harriet let her boss walk all over her for so long, but overall I liked her character arc and how she grew in confidence as she learned how to embrace her role as an empty nester.

If you're a reader "of a certain age"(or younger, but it will especially appeal to readers in a similar stage of life as Harriet) and enjoy Christmas themed romantic comedies, this one will really hit the spot.

I love the Bayliss Christmas Universe. It’s always cozy, there’s amazing banter, and the side characters are always hysterical. In Kiss Me at Christmas, we met Harriet, a single mum who’s found herself an early empty-nester. She spends her days chasing after a small group of kids from rough backgrounds, and finds herself unintentionally directing a community Christmas play.
This book filled me with the warm joy of the holiday season immediately. This book is more about found family than romance, and the love seems to pour out of every page. There were some high stakes and tension, but for every stressful moment, there was an equally sweet and tender moment.
I’d recommend this to anyone ready to get into the Christmas spirit or who misses the experience of community theater (we’re a rare type)! Also, obviously, if you love Jenny’s other books, this will be a perfect new read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Putnam for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC opportunity. Not quite finished but wanted to post my review before it’s archived. I like the character details and personalities. They are different and having the lead character be middle aged is a nice change from my recent reads. This is shaping up to be a nice Christmas read.

Love the drama of an out-of-order eventful first chapter, then delving back into the mundanity of our careers.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This was a cute holiday read. It’s different than a lot of others I have read. It started out a little slow, but once they started cleaning up the theater, I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed Harriet and her advocacy for her people. I thought the romance was sweet and well done. This is a feel good holiday read that will just make you happy.

Thank you Penguin and Putnam Books for the gifted copy.

So in a serendipitous twist of fate, I wound up listening to this book at the exact same time I was reading Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson. And it was exactly the balance that I needed. If you’ve read that book, you’ll understand what I mean.

I was excited when I got my hands on the ARC of this book because I really enjoyed The Twelve Dates of Christmas by this author. And while I will say this one didn’t really have holiday vibes to me, I think it was an even better novel. I just loved this story. I found the representation of youth in the foster care system to be so well done. Both in looking at the characters who are still children in the book as well as Harriet who has a past of being in the system herself. The portrayal of social and emotional implications were so delicately but accurately done. Right down to the lack of understanding that other people have for the behaviors sometimes exhibited by children who are struggling. The judgements, the assumptions, the preconceived notions, the lack of patience. I don’t know if this author has personal experience or just really did her research but as someone who has worked with children in the system I found it all to be so so thoughtfully and sensitively done.

And don’t fret, in addition to these heavier themes there is so much heart. There are parts that are laugh out loud funny. There is romance that was so realistically portrayed. There is an absolutely delightful cast of side characters that each brought their own little bit of magic. But the star of this show is for sure Harriet.

Harriet will be a character I won’t soon forget. Her love, patience, and advocacy for the children in this book, as well as other vulnerable members of her community, was just stunning. Hats off to you Jenny Bayliss, this was a stunning novel.

Kiss Me at Christmas was the quintessential Christmas read. I loved Harriet and James and how they transitioned from a place of bickering to a place of joy and romance. The backdrop of the theatre production was so cozy and I was so ready to be in the audience watching these characters thrive on stage.

This was an adorable found family story. The cast of characters is compelling far behind the two romantic leads, and I felt as well that Harriet’s journey of self love was also pivotal to the story. It was wonderful to see her independent self learn to lean on and share with others.

I really enjoyed this book! Jenny Bayliss created a beautiful Christmas story that was warm, comforting, and perfectly joyful. The only thing missing from my reading experience was a glass of Harriet’s favorite mulled wine!

I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and Jenny Bayliss for the ARC.

This was a cute holiday romance! Great for anyone that loves a hallmarky christmas story.

Closed door so not for those looking for too much spice, but plenty of sugar :)

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and Jenny Baliss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kiss Me at Christmas is about a one night stand gone wrong, then getting more complicated. That being said, this is closed door and very PG (not even curse words).

As someone in their upper 30s, I enjoyed that the main characters were in their 40s.

As always, I love the found family trope, how the different groups bonded and community came together.

This was based in the UK and there was some words and terms I wasn’t familiar with but most I could figure out with context clues.

Overall, the book was good and cute but not a big page turner for me. 3.5 rounded up.

Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss is another fun filled Christmas rom-com!
The descriptions of the scenery were stunning, and the relationship between Harriet and James was so much fun and exciting.
This one was super cute. It had good humor, heart and romance.
I just loved everything about this book!

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Jenny Bayliss never disappoints, with her Christmas charm!

Every year, I look forward to a new novel by Bayliss to set the scene for the Christmas season. Her books have depth, characters to root for and complex, realistic issues. Each novel feels like a warm holiday hug, and contains enough drama to keep you interested! I adored Kiss Me at Christmas just like all of her others and would highly recommend!

Thanks to #Putnam and #NetGalley for the ARC!

Kiss me at Midnight
If you’re a fan of Christmas romcoms you’ll adore this book. A single mom finds herself having to spend her favorite holiday without her daughter. I found myself having a few laugh aloud moments as she navigates her way through unexpected territory after a one night stand.
I also loved the author’s books,
A December to Remember and Meet Me under the Mistletoe. If you’ve read either of those you will love Kiss Me At Midnight too.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Putnam Group, and Jenny Bayliss for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Listen- if Jenny Bayliss writes a holiday romance, I'm going to read it. The next 5 could be complete duds, but thne I'll read the next 6-10 because these first 5 have killed it. Tenure achieved. On my permanent holiday TBR.

Kiss Me At Christmas brought me to sentimental tears more times than I ever expected. I also did not expect to read this story and find hope on my own personal career journey- but hey! This book met me where I was/am at. The romance romances and the rag tag community conflicts and then rallies. The way The Christmas Carol was the production to be put on in the theater- but also the play's message resonated so heavily through the plot- truly well done.

One of these years- I'm going to plan a UK country holiday visit. I don't see how I can't after falling in love with so many different settings and the coziness.

This was such a cute read and I really enjoyed it overall. I feel it’s the perfect cozy holiday read that everyone will enjoy. Grab a blanket, a warm cozy drink and have a good laugh with our FMC.

Another feel-good British holiday romance from one of my favourite authors! A hot one night stand turns into a disaster when empty nester and overworked teacher Harriet is forced to work with James, the guy she never expected to see again but who is the lawyer representing a grumpy old woman who owns the derelict theatre Harriet got caught breaking into.

In order to avoid charges, Harriet has to agree to clean up the theatre to help get it ready for sale and James has to supervise to make sure the job gets done. Not looking forward to a Christmas alone, Harriet slowly learns to appreciate the season with the help of her students and this new project she wasn't sure she'd have time for.

I loved that the two leads were both middle aged and that the story was filled with a large cast of quirky characters ranging from a theatre troupe to a group of Harriet's students, who figure out how to work together to pull off a ramshackle production of A Christmas Carol.

Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Sarah Morgan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you Putnam for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Jenny Bayliss is one of my favorite holiday writers and I look forward reading her holiday books every year. Kiss Me At Christmas is a charming holiday novel. Although it is mostly follows Harriet's journey of self discovery as a potential empty-nester, it is really a story of community and of finding your people.

Read if you love:
* Hallmark Vibes
* Closed door romances
* lots of characters of all ages and shapes and sizes
* snooty old women
* love of all kinds

For me, I felt the plot moved a little slow at times but Jenny truly wraps it up in a metaphorical bow at the end. Kiss Me at Christmas left me with a smile. I cannot wait for her next holiday book!

When Harriet throws herself under the bus to save five of her misfit students, she ends up leading a community initiative to restore an old theater with the help of her hot one night stand, James.

Jenny Bayliss is a queen of holiday romances! Here's what I loved:

The writing: Bayliss instills such humor and heart into this whole book. There were some one liners that I'm still laughing about. This book felt like home. A cozy holiday feel all throughout.

The whole town: This was much more than just a holiday romance. I adored the entire town. As Harriet and the kids start fixing up the theater, all of these community groups start coming up and helping. Not only that but they start interacting with the students in such a genuine way that I adored.

The romance: I loved everything about Harriet and James. Their feelings and relationship felt so genuine. They are both older and have lived all sorts of life before coming together here. They may be one of my favorite book couples.

All in all, this one is guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

"Kiss Me at Christmas" by Jenny Bayliss is so much more than just a holiday romance—it's a comforting, heartfelt story that feels like a warm hug. What sets this book apart is its refreshing focus on older characters who have lived full lives and understand that love is just one part of their journey. Bayliss beautifully captures the complexities of relationships while also highlighting the importance of community, personal passions, and the power of the arts.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Bayliss's commitment to diversity and inclusion in her characters, adding depth and authenticity that resonates. It's refreshing to see a romance that embraces a wide range of experiences and perspectives, making the story feel all the more genuine and relatable.

While some of the language choices, especially the use of silly euphemisms for curse words, can be a bit distracting and momentarily take you out of the narrative, these quirks don't overshadow the overall charm and warmth of the story. If anything, they add to the book's quirky and endearing character.

Perfect for anyone who loves the UK, Christmas, and stories about the power of community and creativity, "Kiss Me at Christmas" is an uplifting read that will leave you smiling. Jenny Bayliss has crafted a delightful tale that celebrates love in all its forms, reminding us that it's never too late to find joy and connection in unexpected places.