While I was eating my coffee and apple cider donut Sunday morning, I finished The Christmas Inn. I did a mix of the ebook and audio - thanks to St Martin’s Griffin and Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for access to both copies in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Christmas Inn starts out in NYC, where main character Riley has just been laid off before the holidays. She decides to spend some time at home on Cape Cod, where her mother runs a bed and breakfast. Her mother has a broken leg, so the timing is perfect. The B&B’s location is in Chatham, joining the world that Pamela Kelley started with The Bookshop by the Bay and added to with The Seaside Sisters. You do not need to have read those books, but it is fun to see overlapping characters and locations if you have read them. The plot is realistic, as Riley helps her mom and reconnects with former friends, and I really enjoyed it. The ending felt a little rushed, but I prefer that to it feeling too drawn out! I don’t usually love reading holiday books in September, but this book was terrific! It came out last week, and I recommend both the audio and print/ereader formats. I look forward to reading more from the author.

Sweet and charming holiday story. Very feel good. Ultimately more bland than I like my novels with a lot of characters and stories to juggle. The narrator did a great job.

The Christmas Inn is a cozy, feel-good, clean, holiday romance told through multiple POVs of women who have been connected through the inn. Set in Cape Cod, during the Christmas season, the Christmas Inn is a place for healing, refuge, found family, and second chances.

The characters were well developed and easy to connect with and the setting was cozy and realistic. The plot was a pretty typical Hallmark movie plot, it was very predictable but I still enjoyed it.

I enjoyed all the references of books, authors, and Christmas movies scattered throughout the book. I also loved that many of the characters loved to read, from the youngest to the oldest, and could feel their excitement on their trips to the local bookstore.

I really appreciated the mental health rep, seasonal depression/grief, showing that the holidays aren’t always the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ for everyone.

There is a lot of heavily descriptive talk about food throughout the book, including all kinds of types of cheese and wine. I get that the story is set at an Inn/B&B at Christmas time, and food tends to play a huge part in the celebrations around the holidays, but I felt like it was a little too much. I didn’t need a full description of the leftovers they were going to heat up and eat for dinner. 🤪 I would have loved more vivid descriptions of the Christmas decor at the inn and around town, particularly more about the Christmas Stroll.

The audiobook was clear, precise and easy to follow. The narrator’s voice was calm and soothing, which helped in setting the overall peaceful and relaxing tone of the story.

Thank you @NetGalley, @stmartinspress, @macmillanaudio and @PamelaMKelley for the gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars! This is my third book by Pamela Kelley, and I have learned that I can count on her easy, feel-good reads to lift me up. Her characters are always down to earth, and there is always a sweet romance (or four!) in her books. I especially appreciate that they are smut-free!

As I have barely been able to process fall’s arrival, I hate to admit that The Christmas Inn really got me in the mood for the Christmas season (don’t tell my friends!) I finished this in a day and a half and am ready to put up my Christmas tree!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

This book will be the perfect addition to anyone's holiday reading list. The story is of so many second chances and new friendships. I love how the book bounced around POVs and gave a full story of the lives of the 3 women. This book would make an adorable Hallmark movie. There is so much love and self-discovery.

The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelly was another delightful, Christmas story. Riley Sanders loses her job when her company restructures but it turns out to be a good thing for her family. Her mother runs an inn and has just broken her ankle. Her sister asks her to come home and help, which she does. She arrives and loves that she is home and can help her mother, giving her sister a break. What she finds out is that the inn is losing business each year and there are much needed improvements that have been put off. Being a social media expert, she sets up accounts for her mother, and puts some changes in place. With an interesting group of guests, including her high school boyfriend and his 9 YO son, she begins to realize that maybe the big city isn't what she really wants anymore.

As the blurb says, The Christmas Inn is A feel-good novel as delightful and comforting as a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night This is definitely a book that needs to be made into a movie. I loved all the characters, even the workaholic boyfriend back in the city. Franny seems to be everyone's favourite. She is a widow who recently lost her sister and is there to remember and relive their youth. Through letters, she visits all their old haunts and I loved seeing her move through her grief. There is romance in this one, not just once, and it is gentle and sweet. The found family aspect that blossoms at the inn, as well as seeing how Rachel and her mom make the guests feel welcome and like family makes me want to visit there. A lovely, uplifting, hope filled Christmas story that I really enjoyed. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker. This is a narrator that I have listened to before and I enjoyed her performance.

Disclaimer: this review may be bias when complied with the fact that this book was like a hallmark movie and I’m not into those.

Everything had a weird glimmer of happy glitter on it and it just felt … fake. Unfortunately it didn’t work for me and I had a feeling it wouldn’t when the main character gets laid off in the first few pages and isn’t even upset by it (especially the week before christmas!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

Escape to The Christmas Inn in Cape Cod, New England for comfort food, delicious cookies, a crackling fire, sides of slow-burn romance, and multi-generational friendship.

In this cozy story, Riley has just lost her job as a content marketing manager right before Christmas. She decides to go help her mom at the inn who has just broken her leg. The help she offers and the Christmas rush is just the distraction she needs. And yes,…her (recently widowed) high school sweetheart is also a distraction! Christmas truly is the most magical time of the year!

With Hallmark Movie vibes, a collection of delightful themes makes this the perfect cozy winter read! If you enjoy sweet, second-chance romance, found family, women supporting women, and multi-generational friendships, and Hallmark HEAs, you will appreciate this warm-hearted story! The minimal drama in the story is resolved quickly and I’m happy to report “no content warnings.”

I adore a multi-generational story! We have Riley, a thirty-something career girl; Beth, a fifty-something owner of the inn and Riley’s mom; and Franny, a seventy-something guest who is grieving the loss of her sister.

Gather your cookies and hot chocolate, and your cheese and wine… an abundance of delicious, comfort food is mentioned throughout the story. You will be tempted to snack while reading.

In addition to the business endeavors of each woman, there is a small side of sweet romance for each. Because romance is not the main focus of the story, I’m not categorizing The Christmas Inn as a “romance.” Each side of romance is sweet, slow-burn, and firmly closed door.

The Christmas Inn is perfect for readers looking for Hallmark movie vibes in book form. A lovely book to “read by the fire on a cold afternoon” or “cozy up with in bed on a blustery winter night.” I’m recommending this heartwarming story for fans of women supporting women, multigenerational friendship, and second-chance romance.

Thanks #NetGalley @MacmillanAudio for a complimentary e ARC of #TheChristmasInn upon my request. All opinions are my own.

This is a Hallmark movie in book form. Beautiful setting of Cape Cod at Christmas. Snow on the ground. Riley is hoping for a promotion at work but what happened instead was she was fired from her job and at Christmas. She's not sure what to do. She then learns that her mother has fallen and has a broken leg. So she packs her bags and heads home to help her mother run the Christmas Inn. The Inn has had a rough patch and marketing is Riley's speciality so she goes to work and makes some small changes that helps the Inn become more profitable. Oh and did I forget to mention that Riley has a boyfriend in the city and she thought she might be getting engaged? Now for the Hallmark part. At home her old boyfriend still lives there with his son. Does she still have feelings for him? Does he for her? We also meet some interesting people that come and stay at the Inn including Franny. Franny's sister has recently passed away and left her some letters with instructions of things for her to do. I think there might be a mystery there. Go spend a snowy Christmas in Cape Cod at the Christmas Inn.

This is a sweet holiday story about family, relationships, and discovering what really matters in life. The characters are well developed and you will find yourself enjoying getting to know them better as you delve further into the story. Having visited Chatham at the Cape in the past, I know how delightful the town is and the lovely sense of community it offers. Luke just absolutely stole my heart! He was such a sweet and cute boy and I loved how his father was committed to teaching him proper manners in a positive way. While I’m not a big romance genre fan, this one was very entertaining and would be the perfect read for a cool winter night during the Christmas season. I know it had me wishing for a flake or two of snow and the time to spend with family and friends around a roaring fire with the Christmas tree lights flickering in the window.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Cute story, remind me of a Debbie Macomber Christmas story. The little details, can be annoying at times, really put you in the character moments. Riley described a situation as “It’s like coming home” and that is what this book is like, a coming home Christmas story. While somewhat predictable the journey there was a little different than I would have guessed.

Like all good Christmas stories it’s the community, the Inn characters that make the story. A sweet Christmas story in a small town with a place for everyone.

Even in September this book has me ready for wine, cheese and Christmas cheer with good friends!

There is discussion on if Santa is real, be careful to listen when little ears aren’t around.

This has been posted to Goodreads.

This one gives all the holiday vibes just like in a Hallmark movie. Riley Sanders lost her job just before the holidays. She decides to head back to Cape Cod to help her injured mother run the Inn. This was a cute, feel-good story with good characters and a solid plot. Riley is determined to revive the failing inn and to find herself a new job. A sweet and cozy story to read around the holiday time.

hank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This is the third or fourth book that I have read that was written by Pamela Kelley and I must say that she is becoming one of my favorite women's fiction writers. With Elin Hilderbrand "retiring" from writing about Nantucket, I think Pamela Kelley is a contender to become the next Elin Hilderbrand. And while this book is not a beach read, it still takes place on the Cape. I could see tthis book being adapted into a Hallmark or Lifetime Christmas movie. This book was like being wrapped up in a nice cozy blanket, and just made me feel so warm and fuzzy. I enjoyed every second of reading this book.

Stephanie Nemeth Parker narrates the audiobook and I thought she was a great fit and has a very pleasant voice.

Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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I really enjoyed this Pamela Kelly novel. It was a heartwarming story of family, love, loss and redemption set around the holidays. I enjoyed the characters and the plot line. It is a warm and comfortable read that is perfect for the holidays!

I also had the opportunity to preview the audiobook which was very enjoyable to listen to. The narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker, was easy to listen to and I look forward to listening to other novels that she narrates.

Thank you Net Galley, Pamela Kelly, Stephanie Németh-Parker, St Martin's Press and MacMillian Audio for the opportunity to preview both the e book and audiobook. The opinions shared are my own.

What a sweet Christmas book! This felt like a warm hug while holding a cup of hot chocolate ☃️ It was cozy and had a good storyline. I do wish that it would have been in first person rather than third, but that’s just personal preference. Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the gifted audiobook. #macaudio24 (Available 24 Sep 24)

The book was like if the Hallmark Channel and Food TV had a baby. Heaven help me. If you can read this without immediately pouring a big glass of Cabernet to sip along with a tray of gourmet cheese, you’re a stronger person than I am. I was googling varietals, blends, and manchego like a madwoman.

This charming, sweet story had tons of detail about everyday things: what they ate and drank down to the types of cheese and the exact number of nuts on their plate. Okay, I exaggerated on the last part, but this was down to the minutia. If it had been a thriller, I would have thought the writer was dropping important clues each time they mentioned a new wine. Is that the poisoned bottle? But it wasn’t. It was just a little story about regular people living regular lives while discovering and enjoying interesting wine and cheese. That’s it. And yet, it kind of worked. Like playing a happy movie in the background while you get dinner ready. Easy peasy.

Oh wait, the plot! Daughter loses her high-speed job in Manhattan and returns to help her mother run an inn in Cape Cod during Christmas. Runs into her (widowed) ex from high school. Her mom meets a handsome handyman. Chapters ensue. There are Christmas trees. And a lot of wine. Spoiler Alert: Happy Endings.

A cute holiday book that's right up Hallmark's alley. This one is about Riley, her Mom, and the guests at her Mom's Bed and Breakfast. After Riley gets laid off (just before Christmas, those grinches) she heads to the cape to help her Mom with the business. I should have loved the story but it just was a little too slow pacing wise for me. If you like wholesome Christmas stories that are low drama, I think this would be right up your alley. Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

I’m such a sucker for a Hallmark holiday romance vibe and The Christmas Inn definitely had me feeling those vibes! It has all the typical elements that we love in a holiday romance: small town setting, heart-felt storylines, cozy feel and likable characters.
The Christmas Inn has multiple stories intertwined. While the main character’s story was enduring and sweet, I also really enjoyed the stories of the side characters.
This was a sweet, happily ever after romance with all the things you’d expect in a feel good Christmas story.

Inn’s in New England are my favorite thing ever! I could read about them any day. This reads like an even better Hallmark movie that I could get lost in.

This book is reminiscent of a Hallmark movie, in a good way. It’s just a sweet story about Riley who unexpectedly gets fired from her job. She decides to spend some time at her mom’s B&B where she sees old friends and makes new ones. Along the way she starts to rethink some of the things she wanted.
I really enjoyed this book. I’ve read this author before and this had the high quality writing, character development and story development I’ve come to expect from her. I did read this as an audiobook and the narrator was great. I carried my phone with me all day long so I could keep going with the story.
I received this book as a free ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.