A well written slow burn romance between two ladies in their 40s along with a group of supportive older women . This was a delight as Kat delivers as usual.

Thanks you Bella Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

First of all, it’s a cute and wholesome lovestory without much drama and some christmas vibes, a feel-good-romance.
It gave me a lot Gilmore-Girl-Smalltown-Vibes, that was kinda cute.

“Love was supposed to be magical, not convenient or practical.“

The book was split in 3 parts; in the first you read Winters story, in the second you read the same story from Averys perspective and in the third it’s a mix from both. I liked that, butttt I found it so weird, that Winters POV is written in 3rd person and Averys POV in first person.. that’s some wild mix of POVs and irritated me multiple times.
The story was a bit boring and I think there would’ve been a lot more potential to make it a bit more exciting.

The epilogue felt rushed and I just couldn’t feel the emotions. The whole book I had trouble to feel the tension between the MCs and as always I was disappointed that it was so closed doors, I just love some good written smut and it could’ve made this story more interesting.

Christmissed has all the cozy holiday vibes and small-town charm you’d expect, with quirky characters and a festive setting. While the romance between Winter and Avery is sweet, the pacing felt a bit off, and some plot points seemed predictable. It’s a well-written story, but it just didn’t fully click for me.

This is the story of two women reconnecting, being instantly attracted to each other. Both thought the other was just the kind of woman they should be with even though falling in love wasn’t on anyone's agenda. Winter's job was to oversee the annual ‘Anneville Christmas Party’, so Winter was very busy. Avery, who has just come home for the holidays, spends her time trying to see more of Winter.
Simply fall in love, right, but not that easy when it seems everyone and their dogs are determined to keep them apart. Ms. Warren has gifted us with a wonderful, fun Christmas romance.
ARC via NetGalley/Bella Books

2.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed the back and forth with the few POVs of the 2 main characters. There was not as much Christmas as I would have guessed and the storyline and set up was somewhat disjointed. I did appreciate the current pop culture references throughout and the banter between the characters

NetGalley review.

The story is sweet with lots of small town cheer. Winter Holliday loves her hometown of Anneville, population 5,000. She helps run its many weekend festivals, runs, celebrations etc. She is also a very successful food stylist for commercials, books etc. Avery Sumner left Anneville never wanting to return. She has made it big in NYC as a record producer and currently is tied up with a difficult musician whose career she helped build. Avery meets Winter at a local bar when she returns to Anneville to spend Christmas with her best friend and her god daughter. She doesn’t remember Winter, but they attended school together with Winter being a few couple of years younger. Winter crushed on Avery back then and is thrilled to see her now.

The format of the book didn’t work well for me. Roughly a third of the book is the story from Winter’s POV, then it goes back and covers a lot of the same things from Avery’s POV. During that time they are actually texting and phoning but can’t carve out time to meet up. And while I did get some cute texting interactions, the book is slower as they are not really doing anything together. There will be a line saying they talked for hours but that isn’t the same as reading the interactions and learning more about them. I know a whole lot more about their jobs by the time I’m two-thirds the way through the book then I know about them as a couple. The book does pick up in the last third where they are finally able to interact together. And while I appreciated the epilogue for a heartwarming ending, I was disappointed to not get a clearer picture of how they were making their lives and careers work while having a relationship.

Blythe H. Warren’s *Christmissed* is a charming holiday romance that blends humor, heartfelt moments, and the magic of Christmas. Winter Holliday, the story’s spirited and ever-busy protagonist, is deeply committed to her community and holiday traditions in the picturesque town of Anneville. Her packed schedule leaves no room for romance, and her resolve to steer clear of love is put to the test when Avery Sumner, her high school crush turned big-city record producer, returns to town. Warren beautifully captures the festive atmosphere of Anneville while weaving a tale about rediscovering love and prioritizing what truly matters.

Avery’s journey back to Anneville is both entertaining and touching, as her career challenges in New York unexpectedly reconnect her with her roots. Her interactions with Winter are full of warmth and wit, creating a dynamic that readers will find both relatable and endearing. Their chemistry is palpable, yet Warren skillfully injects humor and lighthearted obstacles—mistimed meetings, quirky townsfolk, and miscommunications—that keep their romance tantalizingly just out of reach. These moments of near-misses and misunderstandings give the book its unique charm and keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

At its heart, *Christmissed* is more than just a holiday romance; it’s a story about finding joy in unexpected places and letting go of preconceived plans. Winter and Avery’s journey reminds us that love often blooms when we least expect it, and sometimes the best gifts are the ones we didn’t know we needed. With its delightful characters, picturesque setting, and festive cheer, Warren’s novel is the perfect read for anyone looking to embrace the magic of the season.

This is the story of Winter and Avery’s relationship. Overall it was a mostly enjoyable read. I did get confused at the plot line at times because some portions of the story were left out of one person’s perspective but then were explained later on from the other person’s perspective. It would have made more sense to have the full story in both timelines rather than leaving out important details and only explaining them later. It was a mostly cute story and was entertaining and easy to read.

Winter Holiday (seriously?) and Avery Summer (really?) had a momentary thing. Winter HD a crush on Avery back in their small town, and seizes a chance with her in the Big City. It doesn't work out.

Also, Winter's friends Gabe and Noah trying to set her up with women gets annoying very fast.

I liked that the first 1/3 of the book is Winter's pov, then the next 1/3 is Avery's, explaining some of what went down.

Then Avery's hometown besty gets hurt, and Avery rushes home to care for her, and runs into a pussed off Winter, whom Avery ghosted.

Winter then embarks on a campaign to get Avrry to like their hometown.

3.5 stars out of five. Good but not great

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

winter loves christmas and and to all the holidays but christmas is her first love she tries to help out in all the committees in her hometown, so imagine her shock on a nightout with her colleagues her first crush sits next to her in a bar and they start talking and flirting...

avery is a successful producer but her star is driving her up the wall with her demands... so when she finds herself at her favourite bar and she sits down it was easy to start a conversation what avery wasnt expecting was how right it all felt or the attraction she felt

what avery and winter didnt know was that their lives were about to change....

a feel good christmassy story line... cute story

Christmissed is the heartwarming story of Winter and Avery looking for the possibility of love and working hard to keep nudging the doors to it open through challenges of distance (physical and emotional) and fear of change. The story is told in in three parts, offering a dual perspective that deepens our understanding of their complex relationship.

First up, we meet Winter: she is quirky and fun, capturing your affection early. Second up is Avery, a lot more guarded, which made her initially slightly harder to connect with. Even so, pretty quickly I was drawn more to Avery of the two, actually. Winter is fun; Avery is written with more substance, for me: we’re soon drawn into her world and we learn why she reverts to being emotionally distant.

Blythe H. Warren has written a story that contrasts the vibrancy of city life with the warmth and inclusivity of small-town Anneville to show how Winter's love for her hometown shines through, while Avery is precisely the opposite. In fact, she’s very set on NYC and only slowly begins to reconsider her life choices. As, too, must Winter.

Christmissed is a captivating read that goes beyond its central romance, looking to explore themes of second chances, overcoming obstacles, and finding love—of course, but being willing to make the change, the jump required to find a fulfilling relationship. While the Christmas setting adds a touch of festive charm, the story's core message of hope and connection resonates year-round. Which is good since there are a lot of pages set at other times of the year.

Thank you to the author and publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I enjoyed this and found the style interesting, part one, one P.O.V. Part two, returned to the start but from the other P.O.V. but not just a complete rehash and we saw more of some scenes. Part 3, varied the P.O.V including third party. I'm not a fan of peacock proposals but enjoyed this one, and in fact enjoyed it all 3.5.

Winter Holliday is devoted to her friends, her career, the quaint town of Anneville, and Christmas—though not necessarily in that order. Romance is not on her agenda, no matter how much her friends, coworkers, and neighbors try to convince her otherwise. As the co-chair and vice president of the Anneville Special Events Committee, she can’t imagine abandoning her duties for a fling with her high school crush, Avery Sumner.

Avery left Anneville to become a successful, albeit often frustrated, record producer in New York. When her top star makes some capricious demands, Avery finds herself back in Anneville, where life suddenly seems more inviting.

I'm not sure what to think about this book. It was structured differently than I'm used to (and I don't know how to feel about it). I enjoyed the story, learning about the old high school crush and dealing with the trauma of dealing with that later. I enjoyed getting to know both characters, but the structure of the story felt lopsided to me, even though we saw perspectives from both women. 3.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

This was my first book by this author and while the premise was intriguing, it was disappointing and didn't feel very Christmassy at all.

It's a second chance romance in a way where two former classmates meet again and Avery had a massive crush on Winter.

It jumped back and forth and was very disjointed. Started off briefly at them meeting again then jumped backwards in Winter's POV who I did not like then jumped Avery's POV during the same timeline then back to present day. It was hard to follow with POV switching from 3rd to 1st and back again.

I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't get into it. Maybe others will like this book.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an honest review based on the ARC from NetGalley.

I am not sure where to start, similar to how I felt when I read this book. It began with a short chapter describing present day, and then the first of three parts was devoted to one of the main characters named Winter Holliday from "the previous February". (Pun intended? Honestly, I don't know because the author didn't make any humorous reference to her name.) I had a difficult time getting invested in Winter's side of the story, and it was a bit confusing on what her day job is because she also spends a lot of time volunteering with her small town.

The next part was written about Avery, the other main character in the book. This part also started from "the previous February", intending to give the reader Avery's backstory and presumably leading to the present day that the book started with - but it did not. It stopped with the two main characters' story at some point between "the previous February" and present day.

Part three was dedicated to the developing relationship between Winter and Avery, and we could tell whose perspective it was based on whether it was from a third person (Winter) or first person (Avery).

This book has promise, but it felt extremely disjointed for me. It was as if two writers wrote it and they hadn't quite meshed everything together into a cohesive story.

I received a free copy of this book, and the thoughts in this review are my own. It hasn't been influenced by the author, the publisher or Net Galley.

I've tried so many times to find a good F/F relationship book. There are many that I have started, and then put down because I couldn't believe the relationship. They were all either 'sunny deposition' against 'grumpy' ones, or else a complete and utter nasty woman and a woman who always bends over backwards to accommodate her. It was always too toxic. But finally, and thankfully, I have found one that I thoroughly enjoyed!

This one is more than a relationship between the two. Winter is absolutely adorable, and I loved her personality. I didn't find it grating, which is an unfortunate reaction sometimes to this. She was someone who I would want to be around me. Who I would love to spend time with. And then Avery... Avery is a slightly harder character to love, mostly because she always seems to have a huge wall between what she shows to the world, and what she is really like. She does this even with Winter. I took a bit longer to warm to her.

But, don't worry. There is so much revealed in this story that makes your heart break for Avery. I won't say what, because that's a huge point in this book but please please please.... Read this book for this twist alone.

There is so much I want to say about the story, but I feel like I would spoil the book if I went in any further. The relationship alone is a reason to read this book, but there is so much more to gush about this book. I loved the contrast between small town life and big city life. How Winter shared the warmth, kindness and closeness within a town with Avery and made it so appealing. I am very much pushed to wanting to find a little town and just move there. No preparation. No future plans. Just move because... it sounds so perfect, especially with how this town progressed over the years to be so inclusive!

This is a great read, even if you are doing so when it's not Christmas. The title may be a significant point for one of the women, but I love how Christmas plays a major part in the plot of the book. It's not the entire scene for the relationship between the two, but still... I love that touch!

So, please read this book. It's not an easy read, but I read it within a day. I couldn't put it down, and I will be re-reading this. Not only that, I will be buying the e-book when it comes out. I know I could re-read the ARC again, but I want to support this author. And I want to have the finish copy of this book as well.

4.5 Stars!

What would you do if your high school crush suddenly appears and plonks herself on the barstool next to you at the end of the worst week of your life? In Winter’s case it would be to turn into a bumbling idiot. Winter and Avery went to the same high school and Winter had secretly crushed on Avery leading to much teenage awkwardness at the time. However, since their school days the two women had gone in very different directions. Winter had stayed in their small hometown of Anneville and become the centre of every community event the town hosted. She can’t imagine ever leaving permanently. Meanwhile Avery had moved off to New York to become a highly successful music producer. Winter absolutely loves Anneville. Avery has no intention of ever returning to that small hick town that held nothing but bad memories. However, their brief meeting in the New York bar during one of Winter’s work trips leads to them reconnecting, at least via text and phone call…….until the messages and calls just stop suddenly. While Winter pines away thinking that Avery has lost interest, Avery’s life is going downhill fast.

When Avery’s career suddenly implodes courtesy of her self-centred starlet and her best friend is seriously injured in a running event back in Anneville, Avery finds herself back in the small town she’d run away from taking care of her friend and the friend’s daughter…..and of course, running into Winter. Will Winter giver her a chance to explain what happened? Can Avery give Anneville a second chance and realise that it’s not the same small-minded town that she left many years ago?

The books is divided into three parts. Part 1 is told from Winter’s perspective and covers their initial meeting in the New York bar through to their initial reconnection via text and phone calls, up until it all suddenly stops. Part 2 is told from Avery’s perspective and explains the background behind the sudden cessation in communication, courtesy of her life imploding and her return to Anneville to help her friend. Part 3 alternates between perspectives as the two women finally decide to try dating and Winter tries to show Avery just how much Anneville has changed and convince her to give the town a second chance.

In Christmissed, Blythe H. Warren brings us a second story of overcoming missed opportunities, and numerous obstacles to find a way to fall in love. With a raft of very quirky side characters and a large dose of smalltown life it shows that there is always a place for love to grow and bring people together.

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!