We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey is like a warm cup of mulled wine—comforting, a little spicy, and perfect for the holiday season. Maggie Field, our tech-savvy heroine, is ready for a peaceful solo Christmas in her cozy London flat, but her three quirky workmates have other ideas. Cue the most unexpected (and hilarious) holiday invitations ever!

Kristen Bailey has a knack for creating characters that are adorably geeky but lovable. Maggie’s three coworkers—Frank, Jasper, and Leo—are each so distinct, and you can’t help but root for them all. The real star of the show? Leo, the confusingly attractive and oh-so-charming colleague who steals Maggie’s heart along with everyone else’s.

The Christmas adventure kicks off with Maggie playing the role of fake girlfriend at a wedding (because what could go wrong there?), and it only gets wilder from rescuing baby foxes to chasing a donkey across the Lake District. There’s just the right amount of festive chaos to make you laugh out loud, while the slow-burn romance between Maggie and Leo simmers away in the background, adding plenty of “aww” moments.

But it’s not all fun and games—Maggie’s got a tough choice ahead. Choosing who to make redundant from her close-knit team is a dilemma that tugs at the heartstrings, and Kristen Bailey balances the light-hearted banter with deeper moments of friendship and loyalty.

If you love your rom-coms with equal doses of humor and heart, We Three Kings will have you laughing, swooning, and maybe even shedding a tear or two by the time the mistletoe makes an appearance. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to snack on some mince pies while you read!

In a rather IT Crowd setup (the author mentions this in the afterword), Maggie is boss to three rather geeky chaps in an IT basement at a big company in London. They're all friends, and one of them could be more than a friend ... but then she's told she has to make one of them redundant, just as they've kindly got together to invite her to all their Christmas activities. So Maggie goes to a wedding, a posh country house and a cosy family Christmas in Yorkshire, all the while worrying but also flirting. The characters are nicely done and it's refreshing to have one Singaporean character and one gay one, so it's a bit more diverse than the classic romcoms - the characters are all young but the plotting's done well and it all works out as it should but not in too sappy a way. Nice little IT department bits, too. Recommended.

I will be reviewing this on my blog on 3 December.

A truly enjoyable and festive holiday read! Sometimes there really is nothing better than a festive feel good rom-com to lift your spirits and brighten your day.

I will admit I am a complete sucker for a geek a nerd or a dork in any kind of rom-com and I had so much fun completely Falling in Love with Frank, Jasper, and Leo.

Maggie and the guys felt like a family from the very first page of the book but getting the opportunity to follow along as they built their relationships even stronger outside of the workplace was so much fun.

Frank and Jasper definitely fit the bill for my new favorite book brothers and sweet, quiet Leo in the corner was the cutest book boyfriend.

So frequently in books like this you'll find that the guys are great but maybe the female main character doesn't deserve them but Maggie was such a genuinely kind and caring person and completely loveable.

This book was a complete win for me!

I am so glad to have discovered the wit and joy that is Kristen Bailey! This was my first read of hers, and I can’t wait to read her others. I so enjoyed this festive story of 4 work friends who grow to appreciate each other and their family unit. Sure, there’s a sweet love story, but I don’t know that I’d classify this as a romcom. It’s more, and I fell in love with the quirky characters. Bailey is hilarious, and I am definitely recommending this to my reader pals looking for a fun, festive read.

Maggie Field, our MFC, is the head of her IT department. She gives her all not only to her job but also to those she works with. When her family picks a cruise for the holidays, it leaves Maggie with nothing to do. Or so she thought. Her three wonderful co workers have decided that she will spend the holiday season rotating between them and their families.

This was such a cute Christmas, light hearted read. You’re really rooting for Maggie the whole way through. I loved getting to see her interact with everyone throughout the book and see those bonds grow. I would definitely recommend this book!

This was such a fun and festive read! I immediately wanted to travel to London and the Lakes district for the holidays. The workplace friendships between the four main characters were delightful, and the way they loved and supported each other throughout. Plus, the female protagonist, Maggie, was the boss in a male-dominated field, amazing! The romance between Maggie and Leo was sweet, kind, and real, and made this romance reader's heart feel warm and fuzzy. Deck the halls, and then cozy up with this book!

This is my first book by Kristen Bailey, but I don't think it will be my last.

What I loved:
- As an IBCLC, I LOVED how breastfeeding was normalized in this book from the realities of a young baby being hungry all the time to how cute and pudgy they usually are. And swoon when Leo knew how to warm it up and prepare it for Gemma's baby.
- Leo who both loved typical "male" things like video games, but also none of the toxic masculinity. I loved how he cared for children and his friends.
- Maggie, showing what it can be like when your parents are cycle-breakers.
- The variety of family relationships
- The variety of personalities and relationships. LGBTQ, socioeconomic, location, etc.
- The realities of those working in IT, often a thankless job but a 100% necessary job.
- Food cause boy did it all sound yummy

What I didn't love:
- Took some time to see where this was going as at first it wasn't really clear what the story line was.
- Definitely some iffy stuff in regards to Maggie being the boss, which I understand that happens sometimes, but it was sort of mentioned but ignored a lot of the time. Not that I want the book bogged down with that, but sort of felt like it should either be addressed more or ignored completely. Yes, I know that one aspect of it was a huge part of the story, but it sort of felt like it didn't need to be? Like it could have been left out completely except for it being necessary as the conflict of the story.
- Alcohol as plot devices. It's a personal thing I have with glorification of drinking for everything, and not just one glass, lots of it.

Neutral
- I feel like sometimes I need a definition list when I read novels set in the UK, lol. That's a me thing, but especially when it's slang words.
- Spice level. Words and such used earlier with umm a phone conversation led to believe this might turn out differently, but I think it was perfect either way.

Overall a good read, looking forward to more by this reader.

"We Three Kings" is a charming holiday read that captures the heartwarming spirit of friendship and self-discovery, reminiscent of Bridget Jones's Diary. Maggie, the quirky and lovable protagonist, finds herself in a tricky situation: she must make one of her three friends and teammates redundant. As the story unfolds, Maggie embarks on an unexpected adventure with each teammate, each journey brimming with humor, warmth, and a touch of holiday magic. These moments reveal the unique and endearing qualities of each character, making it impossible not to root for them all. Through Maggie’s dilemma, readers are taken on an emotional journey filled with laughter, compassion, and the hope that she'll find a way to keep her friends close without losing any of them. This is the perfect feel-good read for the holiday season!

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book! Perfect for the upcoming Christmas season. A little predictable but still such a lighthearted, fun book!

"We Three Kings" is a heartwarming holiday tale that mixes laughter, friendship, and romance in just the right proportions. Maggie Field, the head of IT, is ready for a quiet Christmas until her three quirky colleagues—Frank, Jasper, and Leo—draw her into an unforgettable festive adventure. Kristen Bailey masterfully crafts Maggie’s dilemma of having to make one of her beloved team members redundant, setting the stage for both touching and hilarious moments.

Each stop on Maggie’s holiday journey—from playing a fake girlfriend to rescuing foxes—reveals the warmth and unique personalities of her team, especially Leo, who is not only charming but complicates her choice with undeniable chemistry. Harrie Dobby’s narration brings Maggie’s vulnerability, humor, and inner conflict to life, enhancing the cozy holiday feel of the story.

While the plot occasionally dips into predictable territory, it remains an enjoyable, lighthearted listen perfect for fans of romantic comedies and holiday stories. Maggie’s story is a lovely reminder of the importance of friendship and love.

Perfect for the Christmas season this book had some really fun parts but also had their deep ones, I don't want to enter in much detail otherwise my review is going to be very long.. I loved Maggie, I loved Frank and Jasper and Leo they were so amazing.
Personally for me and yes I did loved the love story but the friendship between the characters and the magic of Christmas really made this book special, it was such a beautiful read

In "We Three Kings," we meet a tight-knit IT team—Maggie, Jasper, Frank, and Leo—who've turned their basement office into a second home. When Maggie, the IT Manager, reveals she'll be spending Christmas alone while her parents travel, her coworkers refuse to let that happen. Before she knows it, she's lined up for a whirlwind holiday tour: attending a wedding with Frank, visiting Jasper's family estate, and spending Christmas with Leo in the Lake District.

But just before the office closes for the holidays, Maggie receives devastating news: she must make one of her team members redundant. As she embarks on her festive adventure, she tries to push aside this looming decision. Instead, she throws herself into supporting Frank as he faces his overbearing family, rescuing baby foxes at Jasper's countryside estate, and discovering Leo's childhood home and family.

As the holidays unfold, Maggie's relationships with her coworkers deepen, especially with Leo, where friendship begins blooming into something more. But how can she pursue these feelings knowing she'll have to shatter their team dynamic after the holidays? Will their magical Christmas adventure—and the spark between Maggie and Leo—survive the difficult decision that awaits?

Kristen Bailey's newest novel beautifully captures how this motley crew of coworkers becomes a family. It's heartwarming to witness Maggie's individual connections with each team member and her profound influence on their lives. The story is filled with delightful, laugh-out-loud moments that readers should discover for themselves. "We Three Kings" is a charming holiday read that will leave you smiling.

Cute and funny Christmas story!
When writing this book I feel like the author must have been watching the IT crowd and thought “hmmm I could take this idea and turn it into a rom com”.
Maggie is the head of an IT department with three men and she offers to help them for various events over the holidays. However at the last moment her boss tells her she must let go one of her workers. Maggie must navigate the holidays whilst debating who to let go and battling her growing feelings for one of her colleagues.
This is a lighthearted story with lots of funny moments. I felt like the chemistry wasn’t quite right with the two leads as it came out of nowhere. Despite that it is still worth reading if only for the remarkable similarity to the British tv show The IT Crowd.

I voluntarily read an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are mine.

Wow! I have loved all of Kristen Bailey's books, and this is no exception! It is an absolute delight from start to finish. I loved ALL the characters. Kristen Bailey has a way of creating characters that I wish I could be friends with in real life. The friendships and love story are so heartwarming, and as always, I laughed out loud reading this book. As with Five Gold Rings, I think this would make a fantastic Christmas movie! I can't recommend this highly enough.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Kristen Bailey is the queen of Christmas rom-coms... or ones set during other times of year... or basically just the queen of rom-coms in general! I love love love her humour and the banter between her characters, and that for me is better than grand romantic gestures or spice of any level. Grand old British humour at it's finest!

Maggie is a thoroughly delightful character with a huge heart and a sweet tooth! She gets put into a terrible position by her bosses at work and has to choose one of her team to dismiss over the Christmas period. Her team are her family and this year due to her parents being on a cruise, the 3 lads had conspired between them for Maggie to be spending parts of Christmas with all of them.

The fun that follows includes being a fake girlfriend while setting up her 'boyfriend' with someone much better, putting awful family members in their place, rescuing baby foxes in a reindeer onesie and stealing wedding cake...and that's before the romance even gets started!

I really love the way that Maggie and Leo start, find each other, take selfies with donkeys and end up together too. I think I've found myself a new book boyfriend crush for sure! The community of families that surround the characters are joyous to read about and such a heartwarming part of the story. My favourite of course being Leo's family dynamics. The smile didn't leave my face.

I did see the way the job situation panned out quite early on although if I had my way with the ending, the Wiseman company could shove their Christmas tree where the sun don't shine and they would have all gotten better jobs for a company that deserved them. Really wanted to knock the smile off Jan's face.

A 5-star read! Thank you so much to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and the queen herself Kristen Bailey for a huge big smile on my face with this ARC. All opinions are my own.

As of October, when I read this, We Three Kings has been my favourite festive read so far. The narrative style felt really fresh and the comedy elements were natural. Maggie was a genuinely funny character and that made her super likeable.

Speaking of Maggie being funny, I don’t usually include quotes in ARC reviews as they could be taken out as this isn’t the final version of the book, but Maggie says the funniest thing when she sees the house Jasper grew up in. “Their house has wings. Do you know what I own that has wings? Sanitary towels.” I literally laughed out loud at this, which is rare for me to do with a book. I loved that Maggie would talk directly to the reader as it made the story feel more personal and made the comedy so effortless.

There are so many hilarious moments in this book that I couldn’t talk about them all without this review being thousands of words long. Maggie is a stronger woman than I because I would have died of embarrassment more than once if I went through some of the antics she did. Her hiding behind the curtain when people came into her room, pretending to be a bird so they wouldn’t know she was there and then having to reveal herself gave me second hand embarrassment in the best possible way. I was cringing and laughing the whole time.

I adored all four of the main characters. They had such a wonderful dynamic together and it gave me strong The IT Crowd vibes - which I love. If I had to pick, I’d say Frank was my favourite because he had the most development. He starts out very shy and clueless and while that doesn’t change too much, he becomes much more confident. Also, he has some very funny lines that I can’t mention for spoiler reasons.

Usually the romance is the part of these books I like the most, however, the friendships were way more special to me. You already know they’re good friends at the start of the book, but you see friendships develop into family.

Reading this in October meant I wasn’t feeling too festive, however, there’s a lot of Christmassy events throughout We Three Kings. Christmas Day at Leo’s in particular was heartwarming as it reminded me of childhood Christmasses. I think if I’d read this in December I would have felt off the charts festive.

We Three Kings was my first book from Kristen Bailey and it won’t be my last. The effortless comedy and wild antics are something I need more of in my life.

This is a lovely, light-hearted read that is set around the Christmas holidays. I loved meeting Maggie and getting to know the three men she works with - Frank, Jasper and Leo. It was a great setup that she was going to spend part of the Christmas break with each of them and I loved the way we got to know all of them better. I did find it was a little more weighted to Maggie and Leo's story and this felt a bit long-winded for me. I thought I would love the romance element but I preferred seeing Maggie with Frank and Jasper. On the whole though I did enjoy this book and the Christmas Day at Leo's reminded me so much of my childhood Christmases so the nostalgia of the hugely busy family holiday was wonderful. I would recommend this one.

Maggie Field is the manager of the IT department at a large London corporation. Tucked away by the company in a geeked-out basement office away from the gleaming ones upstairs, she shares the space with her three co-workers and now closest friends Frank, Jasper and Leo. (view spoiler) Frank is your awkward never-been-kissed, heart-of-gold type with mommy issues, Jasper is posh, bitingly funny, blunt and only half out of the closet with his family, and Leo is the smart, kind, thoughtful scruffy one who seems to be saying and doing all the right things in Maggie’s eyes lately. Why didn’t she notice him this way before?

When HR informs her right before the holidays that they’re making staff cuts and she needs to choose one of her team to be made redundant, she’s faced with an impossible choice. How can she say goodbye to any of them? One thing’s for certain, she can’t possibly tell them about it right now. She’ll have a few days to figure it out, as the boys have devised a plan for her to spend a couple days with each of their families so she won’t be alone for Christmas.

From fake girlfriend/accidental bridesmaid snafus with Frank’s dysfunctional family, helping Jasper thwart his entitled half brother’s fox hunt, and learning all of Leo’s most embarrassing secrets from his tight-knit family, Maggie experiences a week she won’t forget while the clock ticks down to decision time. As she and Leo grow closer, will their time be up when it’s just gotten started?

As can be predicted with this genre, there is a third act conflict, but I consider it more of a hiccup. It’s low drama and pretty clean with flirty banter, a little sexual tension and a couple mildly spicy moments, but no truly open doors. Ironically, if I had to make any complaint at all about this book, I might’ve turned that thermostat up just a TINY bit more, but I’m very happy regardless. The pervasive feel good holiday vibes have me ready to break out the hot cocoa and jingle bells before I’ve even brought the pumpkins in!

If you want a charming, funny Christmas romance with a winning quartet of MCs and fabulous side characters, this may be just the right one for you. It’s as much a love story to close friends and family as it is about finding “the one”, and it’s an easy addition to my all-time holiday favorites list!

Maggie Field is head of IT, at a financial firm.
She is happy to be on her own for Christmas but her three work colleagues Frank, Jasper and Leo all invite her for part of the holiday.
The drawback is she has been told she has to make one redundant.
I liked this story with its quirky characters very much.
I raced through it enjoying the interactions of the characters.
It was well written and fun.
It would be a nice read at Christmas It felt really festive.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley.

4.5 ⭐ rounded up!
This was a sweet holiday rom-com that was equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.. oh my heart! I loved all the boys and their friendship, and how they wanted to look after Maggie over Christmas🥹. Each family visit had fun interactions while she learned more about each of them outside of work. And then there's sweet Leo.. I was rooting for them!! I adore how Kristen Bailey's writing style and how she brings all of her characters to life! 👑🦊🥂❤️

If you love workplace romance and holiday cheer, then this is your book! Lots of laugh-out-loud moments and swoony scenes, it’s a cozy read that will definitely leave you feeling warm and festive!

Thank you to Netgally and Storm Publishing for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.