I wanted nothing more than to love this book as I adore every E.J. Noyes book I’ve read. With that said, I was very disappointed (almost) from the start.

I couldn’t tell the two main characters apart. The writing “voice” was indistinguishable and generally unejoyable to try and keep up with.

The German traditions were a lovely addition but not enough to keep me engaged throughout the book or romance.

It’s a nice, feel-good love story around christmas time, but maybe a little bit dragged.

”Not only hot with a low, mellow voice, but also German. The accent wasn’t thick, but it was definitely there. And it was definitely sexy.“

I really wanted to love this book, because I love the author and I loved that there’s a german main character. I was really curious how accurate it would be and I have to say - well done! The things told about german christmas traditions were quite right. The author did some good research, even though I hated the german pet name “Schnucki”, I don’t think it’s a common pet name for mid thirty women.

This was also something I really loved about the book - the age of the MCs. Both women were in their thirties and this made me so happy! This is an age that’s often underrepresented.

”It made me fall just a little bit in love with her. Early, shallow love, just a fraction past attraction.“

Sadly I have to say, there isn’t much happening in the story, it’s all about the “Adventszeit”, they fall in love but it takes ages for them to act on it and that kinda annoyed me. There was no third act break up or something like this, it was just a very nice love story without much excitement.

A cute, heartfelt holiday story that blends American and German traditions. I enjoyed learning the German customs and found the Christmas tree part fascinating. The German words throughout were a cool touch in my opinion, and was thankful for Noyes’ translating them back to English. I liked both MCs, and although it wasn’t a rich-poor trope, that wealthy factor added another layer. Also, pretty low-angst which is ideal to me for a holiday romance.

PS- I saw what you did there with the Lee Winters nod and had a good chuckle.

'm really upset that I didn't like this book. I'm a big E. J. Noyes' fan and whenever I see one of her books coming up, it is automatically put higher on my TBR list, but this one didn't even feel like her usual writing for me.

She is SO GOOD with adding dramatic bits to her stories - Ask, Tell has to be one of ny favorite series of all time. And I understand this was supposed to be a light Christmas romance, but if felt very lacking to me.

Way too many pages for a drama that didn't really feel like it needed to be happening. Evie doesn't have a good relationship with her family because of her sexuality - I get that! But also she's like crazy rich and very successful, so I was not convinced she would have so many relationship issues...

And Annika... Honestly, I did not feel like that was something truly holding her back from living in the US at all.

And for the same reasons I felt like the slow burn was very forced - they both wanted it each other and the "don't want to be in a relationship" felt unconvincing to me and honestly ruined a little of their chemistry.

Finally, I'm someone who has English as a second language, and I felt like Annika was too stereotyped. I don't feel like anyway who is as fluent as she was would mix so many German words in between sentences. Even all the "Ya" and "Halo" felt too forced and unnatural to me.

And I know for a fact Noyes can write uncomplicated romance as I loved "If the shoe fits", so I'm not sure what happened with this one.

She still very high on my favorite author's list and I'll be looking forward for her next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

Annika is amused when she runs into Evie while moving in to her new suite. She has moved to Boston from Germany, sadly away from friends and family. And thankfully away from her ex.
Evie, a graphic artist, is almost instantly taken with Annika, and makes a bit of a fool of herself. Thankfully that just amused the other woman.
I like Evie's niece, Chloe. She's funny. And is picking up Evie's swearing. Oops.
Because they will both be somewhat alone over the holidays, Annika suggests they spend them together, carrying out both their families Christmas traditions.
After a lot of hinting Annika just tells Evie she likes her. Evie is very hesitant, for various reasons.
Drunk Annika is hilarious.
When Evie's Dad has a heart attack, Annika is angry that she's not reacting. Annika, I think your heart is in the right place, but Evie's situation isn't yours to judge.
Evie mends bridges a bit with her family, and Annika tells hers that she's staying in Boston.

E.J. Noyes is one of the few authors whose books are an auto read for me. She never fails to write engaging stories with wonderful characters. This book is no exception. It was a wonderful holiday read.
Annika takes a yearlong work transfer from Munich, Germany to Boston, after a breakup. She has instant chemistry with her new neighbor, Evie, but neither want to act on the attraction. They decide to try friendship and share traditions from each other's countries as they prepare for the holidays. Of course, the chemistry evidently can't be ignored.
I adored this book. And I even found myself learning something about the traditions that take place in Germany. As with every book from this author, I highly recommend.

An ARC was provided by Bella Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Evie was an instant like for me. She was such a down to earth character in her everyday life. And when in business mode she was outstanding. Annika was harder to like initially but she grew on me throughout the book.

I loved the banter between Evie and Annika, it was refreshing to read. Chloe and Pete were great side characters. I loved Evie and Chloe’s relationship.

Noyes was very clever with her use of portmanteau names. And with her Christmas gifts between Evie and Annika. I loved the lawn mowing gift.

I laughed out loud at this line “ I’m German, Annika deadpanned. You want me to go into this relationship with you without having a plan?”

I also enjoyed the German Christmas traditions and they resonated with me because of my 4th great grandmother being born in Germany and living with my mom when she was a child. Now I know where some of my family traditions come from.

Thanks to Net Galley and Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the first E J Noyes book I have read and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed it.
Evie meets Annika when Annika moves to Boston from Germany for a year for work. They live on the same floor. It soon becomes apparent that Evie has money but does not flaunt it and is estranged from most of her family. Annika is very family orientated.
I loved the amalgamation of the American and German Christmas festivities.
I even enjoyed (if you know what I mean) the sister dying of breast cancer and the trauma that such an event created. Cancer does not respect wealth or status.
My sister died of cancer. I recognised the seismic ripples that erupt and affect all areas of life afterwards. In fact I think it was quite therapeutic reading for me. When the coffee pot broke I knew the significance. I've broken things. Things that I now have the pieces of tucked away - even to mend them feels huge and more than. Maybe because I then have to acknowledge that there's going to be a time when things are gone. And there's obviously been a while since there were any new things at all.
I liked the constant smattering of German throughout - and the increase of this when drunk. I thought the delivery of for want of a better word 'broken' English for a known German word was very cleverly done. And the constant 'Ja' seemed to remind me to read it with an accent (in my head of course).
There is of course an epilogue.
A surprise gift had been arranged - to do a most ordinary and some would say tedious household chore. And the answer to the possibility of a question would be 'Ja'.

Oh this was so good. Right from the start Evie and Annika just sizzled on the page. Instant chemistry. I loved it.

As always Noyes captures your attention and you never want to look away. How refreshing that this was a Christmas story with a German twist. It really kicked started me into getting into the Christmas spirit leading up to Christmas Day, including baking biscuits and putting up the tree. There is such an energy with this story, banter that puts a goofy grin on your face as you read and a relationship where communication is forthcoming.

Do your self a favour and read this wonderful story, it will sure to become a Christmas favourite and might even become a tradition.

E.J. Noyes has written one of my favorite Christmas novels. This was such a good Christmassy, flirty, instantaneous chemistry that had me riveted from the beginning.
Told in the MCs POV that we get both sides of the story. I enjoyed learning German Christmas traditions.
I will definitely be reading this with my yearly Christmas staples yearly.
EJ Noyes is a favorite. Go to the author of mine, I look forward to what she comes out with next.

E.J. Noyes gifts readers a delightful holiday treat with Merry Weihnachten, a sapphic rom-com that combines charm, heart, and a refreshing cultural blend. This novel captures the festive spirit while delivering a uniquely engaging storyline that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

One of the standout features of the book is its thoughtful integration of German and American holiday traditions. Noyes skillfully weaves cultural elements into the narrative, creating an immersive experience that feels both educational and enchanting. These traditions, paired with the warmth of the holiday season, transport readers to a world that brims with festive cheer, making this book an ideal companion for cozy nights by the fire.

The romance at the heart of the story is as sweet and satisfying as a cup of mulled wine. The chemistry between the characters is genuine, and their journey feels authentic, striking a perfect balance between humor, heartache, and holiday joy. Noyes’ knack for creating relatable, three-dimensional characters ensures that their love story resonates deeply.

With its captivating plot and festive backdrop, Merry Weihnachten is more than just a holiday romance; it’s a celebration of love, traditions, and the magic of the season. Noyes’ ability to blend humor, romance, and cultural appreciation makes this book a standout in the sapphic romance genre.

Verdict: A heartwarming and unique holiday rom-com that sparkles with charm and cultural richness. Perfect for fans of festive, feel-good romances.

E.J. Noyes is a skilled author who has written books with a variety of genres including thrillers, romance (young adult, military, Olympian, etc), and dystopian such as Alone. However, Merry Weihnachten is her first holiday romance. This book features two women from different countries sharing their Christmas traditions. Evangeline (Evie) Phillips is from a prominent, rich Northeastern American family who has not accepted Evie's sexuality. Evie lives alone in Boston, adjacent to Boston Common, and is a graphic artist.

Annika Mayer is from Germany and is a year-long assignment in Boston as a Project Manager. Annika meets Evie when she moves in the same building where Evie resides. They are just down the hall from each other and there is instant attraction between the two women. They story details how they become friends and eventually more and how they share their Christmas traditions during the month of December.

Some of the things that I enjoyed about this holiday romance include Evie's relationship with her niece, Chloe, and her brother-in-law, Pete; the slow burn romance; and the discord between Evie and Annika and how they communicated and eventually got past that discord. The pièce de résistance was obviously the sharing of the American and German Christmas traditions, food, and decorations. 4.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a tricky thing to tread the fine line between slow-burn buildup and payoff. I have read a number of EJ Noyes’ books and she hits the bull’s-eye, to mix my metaphors, pretty much every time. But with Merry Weihnachten, you will need to be a little more patient.

There are reasons why the two MCs are hesitant to develop their burgeoning relationship, but meanwhile you can enjoy all the fun of the Christmas fayre. Boston is painted with colorful seasonal strokes and all the scenes set in the apartment block, where both the girls live (separately), also convey the sights, sounds, and feels of the festive season. So there is much to enjoy as the author builds up the tension between the two girls. There is some angst, of course, but in the main this is a sweet and fulfilling tale that drops in some seasonal German/European culture into an American holiday season. Being a Brit myself, I enjoyed seeing a number of the German traditions, some of which have found their way over 150 years or so, to the UK.

If Merry Weihnachten isn’t the author’s absolute best, that’s because in recent years she has set a very high bar. She is one of the very best lesfic authors in terms of developing a romance and latching characters directly into your heart. This holiday tale hits the mark overall and is a very enjoyable read.

4⭐️
What I liked best was the idea of bringing together a Christmas grinch and a Christmas lover and the mix of American and German Christmas traditions - and of course, as always with Noyes books, the sizzling chemistry between the main characters, in this case between Evangeline-(Evie) and Annika.

I'm from Switzerland, a neighboring country to Germany, and we have similar Christmas traditions, and I have friends in the US, so I'm no stranger to American traditions either.

Evangeline comes from a rich, and I mean really wealthy, Boston family and for once wants to be loved just for who she is, not for her money or social status. Annika jumps at the chance to move from Munich to Boston for a year to work at the company's headquarters and also to distance herself from her last relationship and start fresh. Neither is ready for a relationship, but neither can they resist the palpable attraction. And when they finally can no longer resist, things get really hot.

The romance is sweet, it's an instant attraction but with a slow-burning sensation.

For the most part, the story is light and fun and easy to read with relationship angst and family issues sprinkled in. I loved the banter between the two and also Pete and Chloe's teasing. Evangeline's relationship with her brother-in-law Pete and niece Chloe is special and heartwarming, they are the two main supporting characters.

Merry Christmas is a lovely Christmas novel, but not my favorite book by E.J. Noyes.

Thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review.

Just what the doctor ordered, a new EJ Noyes book when I still haven't recovered from America's horrible November. First of all, I love holiday stories when I read them during the holidays, but I also love a rich girl story. Seeing Boston in the winter was quite festive. I know that technically this was insta-love based on it all happening in November/December, but all the great details made it seem longer and almost slow-burnish. But the steam escaping from under Evie's door made it worth it!

My only not-really-complaint is that I missed Pete and Chloe in the second half of the book. Thanks EJ and Bella Books ... I hadn't been able to read for the past month so it was nice to have a great one that I couldn't put down!

This is a sweet holiday romance, featuring some fast friends-to-lovers and a unique take on a Christmas romance, blending German and American Christmas traditions. Both main characters, along with the supporting characters, were realistic and relatable.

This was an overall enjoyable read and I would recommend it to someone looking for a somewhat emotionally intense Christmas/holiday/winter read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

Frohe Christmas!! I agree with Annika and Evie, that doesn’’t sound as good as Merry Weinachten. But what a delightful holiday story, a feel-good romance that gives Americans a peek into German Christmas traditions. It’s the type of romance where the angst is actually concentrated on the slow-burn sizzle between them. Our main characters meet in the Boston apartment building where German Annika is moving in and American Evie is not-so-smoothly trying to lend a hand. The set-up is that Annika is only temporarily assigned to her job in Boston and is taking a year-long break from her life in Germany. The problem is that this takes her away from her family and Christmas celebrated the German way. Evie, who is *not* a Grinch, neither has nor does she miss American celebrations of Christmas, she has issues with her family - namely her parents. What to do?? Celebrate together as part of a “we’re in this together” kind of situation. This is the perfect set up for each trying to resist the other, especially since nobody wants a relationship and what are they going to do when Annika has to return to Germany?. I really enjoyed learning about German customs for the holiday. While Evie didn’t have as much to offer Annika in return as far as Christmas specific traditions, she more than made up for it with showcasing Boston. As they fight the inevitable, we take the journey with them and look forward to the traditional HEA.

Cute, lighthearted, and fun read. The mixed cultural holiday really made it interesting. The characters were likable, charming even, and the plot was fresh. if you’re looking for an easy holiday read, I would enthusiastically recommend.

Oh no, oh no, oh no! I hate to be the contrarian to the other reviewers however I must remain true to myself. I am normally a big fan of Noyes yet I found Merry Weihnachten to be repetitive and off balance. The steep incline from Evie’s lows to Annika’s saccharine highs sucked the joy out of the story for me. Forcing myself to finish the novel is never a good sign.

As I said earlier, I am the minority in the reviewing community for Merry Weihnachten. Take this review with a bag full of salt.

I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'm really disappointed in this story. I felt like they were trying too hard to blend German and American Christmas traditions, which are so different from where I'm from, and it just got confusing. Plus, all the German words made it hard to follow.

Then there's the part that I found super elitist and even snobbish, which has nothing to do with me or things I value, so that's just another disappointment added to the pile.

So, yeah, I was pretty disappointed because this author has set the bar really high for me. But this one didn't even come close.