DNF at 20%


I just can't make myself care enough about anything happening in this very empty book to push through it. It truly feels as though we're just going through the motions of a Hallmark Christmas movie with juvenile writing and none of the emotion.

I really wanted to like this book, but sadly, I hate it here.

This was a really cute premise!

I’m a fan of second chance romance, but not the cheating part - which is a huge crux of the whole thing. I liked Trev and Eloise as a couple, but Eloise was not my favorite character. In some ways I get her, but I feel like I couldn’t find her relatable at all. But maybe it was just the way she was written.

This is also not my favorite writing style, so that might be a part of my lower rating. There wasn’t as much dialogue as I normally like, and there wasn’t a whole lot of fluidity between paragraphs (writing felt stilted).

But I did like the other characters (not you Chris, go fall down a sidewalk grate). I enjoyed Susie and Chase and Ava. I think the parents and grandpa were grade A in terms of their features in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and team for the ARC, it was a nice easy holiday read!

Maple Hollow is the most precious, truly bringing the best small-town vibes. I felt really at home reading about this cheerful town and really found myself wishing I could transport myself there! I need a warm fireplace and one of Eloise’s sugar cookies ASAP.

I truly felt a part of the family with the found family trope in this book. It felt like you were a part of the family and were wrapped up in a warm hug. There were definitely features of family tension between the wholesome fluff but what holiday family occasion doesn’t?

This I would classify as “sexy Hallmark Christmas” as it has the wholesome Hallmark energy with some spice on the side. Trevor and Eloise definitely had undeniable chemistry.

I love the mixture of real-world issues with the added holiday romance. I do feel like at times there was a lot being thrown into the mix toward the end but didn’t allow enough time for those flavors to fully develop. Sometimes, simple is best. But I never found myself getting bored and was racing to get to the end to see what happened with our two turtledoves. I always adore a happy ending, especially during the holiday season.

Love conquers all.

I love the idea of this book, and it totally gives off the small-town Christmas-y vibes that I was craving, BUT I really wish Eloise was more likeable. She has horrible decision-making skills, from staying with (and not confronting!?) her boyfriend, Chris, to essentially doing the EXACT same thing to Chris that he did to her...I just feel like she needed more self-growth before getting a happily ever after. Poor Trevor honestly deserved better. AND SUSIE. Eloise's best friend in the world. She is literally dealing with Eloise's drama WHILE SHE IS ACTIVELY IN LABOR AND FRESHLY POSTPARTUM. She is a saint and, again, Eloise just comes off as a really unlikeable, immature person. I did like that she finally put a stop to her people-pleasing ways and stood up for herself to her parents in the end. And despite finding Eloise annoying I did really enjoy this! Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

This is such a cute and sweet read. The characters were likeable and relatable, usually there will be a character in a book that I find irritating, but they were all lovely! Apart from Chris though - he was awful!

This is a book to read if you’re looking for low angst and pure romance. You should be aware that cheating is a theme throughout, however there is no cheating between the main characters.

Overall a lovely cozy read, full of Christmas spirit.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this book!!

What a great book! I enjoyed this one a lot!!! I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters. Great writing style!! This was a first by this author for me but will not be my last!

Thank you NetGalley and Mari Suggs for the early access copy of One Christmas With You.

One Christmas With You follows the story of Eloise and Trevor. Eloise is a doctor in her residency who is feeling burnt out from the demands a job she doesn't love and maintaining a relationship for the sake of her parents. Eloise manages to get the holiday's off and is going to spend them with her best friend Susie in Susie's small town of Maple Hollow. What Eloise doesn't expect is to run into Trevor, Susie's brother and Eloise's one-night stand from six months before. Trevor is a minimalist nomadic who hasn't been able to stop thinking of his one-night stand who left without a word. Little did he know he'd be seeing her for the holidays.

This is a dual point-of-view, small town, holiday romance. This book may be a good fit for those interested in a personal-growth, holiday romance story. However, trigger warning that there are multiple instances of infidelity within this story.

This was a fun Christmassy romance novel about a second-chance set in a small town. This book explores themes of personal growth, the magic of the holiday season, and unexpected gifts. If you're into heartwarming holiday romances, this might be a great read for you!

A fun festive read. I liked the setting in a Christmassy small town and how it was told from both points of view.

Surprises! Such a fun holiday book to get lost in. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This was entertaining and while the main character's family was a bit much to deal with, I kept reading and was in it for the other parts of the story.