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Christmas Cove

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With only three weeks left in December, travel editor, America Greene, arrives in the idyllic Christmas Cove to find it... Christmasless!

America needs a story, and fast, so she teams up with the town’s good-looking (and eligible) mayor, Leo, to light up Main Street and salvage her chance at being a full-time writer. The connection between them heats up, halls are decked, sleigh bells ring, and lights twinkle. Just when she thinks the holiday is saved, a nearby city threatens the future of Christmas Cove. With her heart, and career, hanging in the balance, she must learn that Christmas is much more than just a place on a map before time runs out.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2023

5 people are currently reading
102 people want to read

About the author

Sarah Dressler

5 books73 followers
Sarah Dressler is a Florida gal who traded her sunshine state for the snowy peaks of Colorado! From fashionista blogger to full-time fiction writer, Sarah's pen never rests. Don't be fooled, she's no homebody; this globe-trotting adventurer is a military brat turned military spouse. When she's not spinning tales, she's strolling into the sunset with her hubby of two decades or chasing after her pair of energetic teens.

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5 stars
18 (35%)
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23 (45%)
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5 (9%)
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2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Whalen.
120 reviews20 followers
November 14, 2023
Christmas Cove is sweet & clean Christmas romance

I loved Christmas Cove!! It was sweet & fast-paced and gave me all the warm and fuzzies I hope to get from a Christmas romance.

Leo was just so cute, a little shy in the romance department, but still not afraid to make his move. He was the perfect cinnamon roll and I loved his dynamic with America.

America brings so much joy into the story, she was easy to root for and I loved the added story line that she & Leo were working to save the town of Christmas Cove.

And that ending?? So..many…feels 😍😍🥰

Christmas Cove is like a Hallmark Christmas movie in a book and you will definitely want to add this to your TBR this holiday season!


📖 Thank you to the author and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lydia Morris.
336 reviews1 follower
December 25, 2024
I picked this up in a small local bookstore in Colorado where this book (and author) was featured and I have NO regrets!! I loved this book! 😋💜
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,488 reviews80 followers
November 14, 2023
Christmas Cove by Sarah Dressler is a fun contemporary feel-good holiday romance tale. Sarah is a new author to me and I was pleasantly surprised.
It is a wonderful small-town romance with lots of feels, drama, humour, and mystery and a little spice. It was easy to lose myself in this story, that I was engrossed in from beginning to end.
The cast of many eclectic and quirky characters had me laughing, cringing and loving them all. Sarah has done a great job writing them and bringing them to life.
What better way to kick off the season than to visit the small-town Christmas Cove. With a name like that you would think it would be overflowing with evergreens, lights and smells of Christmas. Right?
America will do anything for the small town she has grown so fond of and right now she needs to be tenacious, stronger and clever to save it all. What was once just a story has become so much more.
This is a fun, entertaining and festive read that will appeal to many.
I am looking forward to the next book from Sarah.
Profile Image for Julie.
1,086 reviews75 followers
November 15, 2023
4.5 stars

Tis the season to read a great Christmas story. Actually, I enjoy them year round! This one gave off a bit of a Hallmark vibe, so anyone into those types of shows will enjoy this story. The book is always better than the show anyway!

America (love the name) finds a Christmas town that is severely lacking Christmas. She pairs up with the very attractive mayor, Leo, to bring Christmas spirit to this small town. The town might not be the only thing getting some added cheer and brightness though!

Profile Image for Mackenzie.
220 reviews
November 21, 2023
I truly believe that each book has potential and that there are loving readers that just don’t know about it yet. So if you like the following, this may be the book for you:

-Hallmark vibes
-Closed door romance
-Christian undertones
-Third person writing
-Insta-love
-Small town
-Strangers to lovers
-Holiday romance

A lot of the above tropes are hit or miss for me. This just so happened to be a miss for a few reasons. The insta-love trope is great, if there’s pining or banter or some sort of tension between the characters. But I never felt like they liked each other all that much. It was liking each other without reasoning and I didn’t understand that. I’m not religious, and though the notes of a cross ornament and people passing to be with God didn’t bother me, it wasn’t something that I related to and that made it more of a challenge to get into the book.

I finished the book feeling unresolved, like the loose ends hadn’t all been tied up. I was confused on how the snow came back, what ended up happening with the town and the hotel that they wanted to build, if the damn ever got put back. Those details helped the book along but then weren’t resolved at the end and I felt unfinished.

Look, this might not have been the book for me but I am so so thankful to Sarah Dressler and to Five Prince Publishing for the early copy. These opinions are my own and I pride myself on my honesty, even in arc reviews. I went into the book enjoying the idea of a holiday romance and genuinely wanted to like it. Even though it’s not for me, I hope this review allows you to determine if it’s right for you. If so, pick it up! Support indie authors!! Nothing but the best and my thanks to the author and publisher
Profile Image for Darian -  Books With A Chance .
478 reviews8 followers
November 27, 2023


Most Christmas stories are predictable, what’s nice about this one is I got some wrong.
Going in I was worried about the instant connection with America and Leo. Their chemistry felt like they’ve known each other for years. I laughed at all of her “dateline” worries. Would have been hilarious for her fear to have been something around that for the bonfire. But when we actually get to see what was on their letters my heart exploded.
I do wish we would have gotten more with the situation with Leo’s brother. Especially since the book doesn’t feel like it ends on a cliffhanger.
I loved all of the characters we meet, they’re all so happy but I still felt the different personalities, they weren’t flat.
I really just recommend this book to anyone who loves Christmas romances or wants to be put in a Christmas mood. This definitely had me wanting to play Christmas music and pray for snow.
Profile Image for Maisie Camille.
220 reviews
November 14, 2023
America Greene is pretty comfortable with her life in the city, her job as an editor, and her unrequited crush on a writer at her place of work. That is until she’s sent on a writing assignment to Christmas Cove. She expects a town full of Christmas cheer and finds just the opposite, but the lovely, handsome town mayor convinces her to stay. Together, they bring Christmas back to the Cove and of course, fall in love along the way. They are two really interesting, relatable, likeable characters and I’m glad they got their happy ending. However, I do feel like even for a Christmas romance it was a little bit rushed. They seem to fall in love very quickly and speed through their relationship but either way I’m happy for their happy ever after. I really wasn’t expecting the twist towards the end of the book, and I definitely wasn’t expecting the second twist. I wish that kind of drama had started a little bit earlier in the story but it did make it very interesting. My favourite character is America and my least favourite character is John. I recommend this book because who doesn’t love a Christmas romance? It puts an interesting new twist on the trope and is full of love without being full of cliché’s. It’s also really inspiring to see a woman who has settled for being an editor when she dreams of being a writer, and her finally getting to achieve that dream. ‘Sometimes it’s hard to see what is true and good because it hides behind fear.’
Profile Image for Jennifer .
1,645 reviews34 followers
November 15, 2023
An enjoyable and engaging holiday romance which kept me happily turning the pages. Travel editor America Greene arrives in the idyllic Christmas Cove and is surprised to find it - ‘Christmasless’. She teams up with Leo, the towns mayor, who also happens to be very attractive and eligible, in order to bring Christmas back to the town. The plan is to light up Main Street, which will also give America a story which is her chance at being a writer. Meanwhile Leo and America’s chemistry sizzles off the page and as they work together to save Christmas their relationship develops. However, when a nearby city threatens the town’s future both America’s heart and career hang in the balance. This is a heartwarming romance with likeable and relatable main characters in Leo and America. Their chemistry came across in the narrative, and I liked how their relationship developed throughout the story. I loved the small town feel of Christmas Cove and was hoping for a HEA, no spoilers as I recommend picking up this book! It definitely put me in the Christmas spirit.
Profile Image for Audrie Harrington.
178 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2023
I really like any holiday book and try to cram them all in during November and December. America is an editor for a travel magazine and is being sent on an assignment to a small town that is supposed to be known for their holiday town decor. Leo is the owner of the small cabin that she is staying in and is also the town mayor. When she arrives in town there is a quiet and dark main street and she is confused on where all the Christmas cheer is. Leo and America come up with a plan to turn the dark town festive again and start decorating with a few other characters. I wished that I would have gotten to know the characters a little more before they were forced together. When something would happen and the characters would react, I wasn’t sure if that was really how they would have because I didn’t feel that I knew them well. I like the idea of the story and the town and the characters and kept reading to see if they could really fix the town and bring back the holiday cheer.
Profile Image for Enisha Washington-reaves.
83 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2023
If you are looking for a feel-good book that reads like a Hallmark Christmas movie and is full of loveable characters and romance, then grab this book!

Christmas Cove by Sarah Dressler follows America Greene as she travels to Christmas Cove to write a story. The only issue is that the town has lost its Christmas cheer! Good thing America gets some help (and romance ) from mayor Leo.

This novel is a must-read if you love a good holiday romance. The characters are lovable, well-rounded, and bring such joy to the story. The chemistry between America and Leo is palpable, fun, and flirty. This was such a joy to read.

Grab some hot chocolate, pull out your twinkle lights, jingle bells, and mistletoe so you can get cozy with this book.

Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Amanda.
347 reviews24 followers
November 23, 2023
If you love a Hallmark Christmas vibe, you must add this to your Christmas list! I adore the essence of a feel good Christmas story and this one is the star on top of the tree.

America takes on her first writing assignment after being content in her career as an editor. Taking the risk into uncharted territory, she finds herself in Christmas Cove to cover their dreamy Christmas traditions (like I said, Hallmark vibes), only she arrives to no signs of Christmas and a town that appears to have dried up with its cove. She teams up with the mayor, Leo, and a few locals to bring Christmas back to where it belongs in Christmas Cove. This is the perfect read to put you in a cozy holiday mood, just in time for the holidays.

Thank you 5 Prince Publishing and Sarah Dressler for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Daryian.
216 reviews
November 16, 2023
5/5 stars
Like another review mentioned, this is a Hallmark movie in book format. It’s so sweet and clean. It gives all the holiday feels. Perfect for this time of year!
Profile Image for Mrs Wilson.
884 reviews13 followers
January 5, 2024
This was a great Christmas read. If Hallmark needs an additional writer, sign this author up! This book has just the right amount of cheer, love and romance and angst to fit into their lineup.

The story was easy to follow and I fell in love with the characters quickly. The little town of Christmas Cove was so quaint and the descriptions of the scenery and its residents made me want to move there. I could have helped with the population increase, I have 5 kids!

I am really looking forward to what else Ms Dressler writes.
Profile Image for Stacey.
78 reviews2 followers
February 15, 2024
4.5 rounded to 5⭐️
Christmas Cove is a quaint little town straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Everyone decorates their storefronts, there's an annual Christmas tree lighting, & cheerful holiday tunes can be heard all around. At least that's how it was years ago according to all of the pictures and articles online describing the place. Now...it's lost its Christmas!

America Green, is an editor that gets assigned to go to this picturesque holiday town to write an article about all of its festivities not knowing it doesn't have any anymore. Determined to bring Christmas back, she works with the town's most eligible and handsome bachelor, Leo, who just happens to also be the mayor.
Can she continue to work this close to him without falling head over heels? Can he open up his heart and let love in?
Only time will tell and the clock is ticking.

This story is a great small town, sweet holiday romance. It's all about keeping traditions alive, the blessings of family love and support, great friends & heartfelt dedication. It has all of the feels of a good Hallmark Christmas movie complete with horse and buggy rides in the snow, hot cocoas and breakfasts in bed. If you're a sucker for all of that like I am, then this swoony love story is perfect for you.
1,405 reviews10 followers
December 13, 2023
A charming holiday book that gave me “all the feels.” I appreciate the pacing and character development the author put together in these pages. It was a fun and quick read that definitely put me in the holiday spirit.
Profile Image for Sarah Angell.
1 review9 followers
August 18, 2023
Wonderful read. Gives all the Christmas romance feels. I am looking forward to reading it again, and I'm excited about the next one!
Profile Image for Carrie Cross.
78 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2023
"Christmas Cove" takes readers on a delightful journey to a quaint coastal town during the holiday season. Written by Sarah Dressler, this heartwarming story is a perfect choice for those seeking a cozy and uplifting read.
Set in the idyllic town of Christmas Cove, the story revolves around America, a young woman who rediscovers the magic of Christmas after a series of disappointments. Drawn to the enchanting atmosphere and charming locals of Christmas Cove, America finds solace and hope in their genuine kindness and generosity.
Dressler beautifully captures the essence of small-town life, painting vibrant images of snow-covered streets, cozy cafes, and warm Christmas decorations. The author's knack for detailed descriptions immerses readers in the setting, making it easy to visualize the picturesque town and its inhabitants.
The characters in "Christmas Cove" are well-developed and endearing. America is relatable and her personal journey resonates with readers, as she learns to let go of past heartaches and embrace the joy of the present. The townspeople of Christmas Cove are equally delightful, each bringing their own unique charm to the story. From the wise and charismatic bookstore owner to the mischievous baker, the secondary characters add depth and warmth to the narrative.
At its core, "Christmas Cove" is a story about love, destiny, and the power of community. Dressler skillfully weaves these themes into the plot, leaving readers with a renewed sense of hope and a belief in the magic of Christmas.
The pacing of the story keeps readers engaged, and the plot unfolds smoothly, with just the right amount of twists and turns to keep things interesting. The writing style is effortlessly flowing, making it an easy and enjoyable read.
"Christmas Cove" is a charming and heartwarming journey that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and warmth in their hearts. With its engaging characters, enchanting setting, and uplifting message, this book is a lovely addition to any holiday reading list.
Profile Image for JoAnne.
3,157 reviews32 followers
December 6, 2023
Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.

https://novelsalive.com/2023/12/06/4-...

Christmas Cove by Sarah Dressler is a Hallmark movie in the making. From the moment I started reading this sweet, clean holiday romance set in a small town, I was hooked. The cover drew me in as well. There are a lot of Christmas hopes and dreams built into this heartwarming and often sad story.

America is a magazine editor who loves everything Christmas, and her boss sends her to Christmas Cove to write an article about the town during Christmas with all of its festivities, or so it seems. But the brochure and previous publicity are based on something other than the current reality of the town, so what was the mayor thinking when he made his request?

America makes the best of a bad situation and gets the townspeople interested in decorating Main Street like it was in the past. America and the mayor, Leo, hit it off, and their attraction is off the charts. But what good is that if America plans to return home in a few days? He also doesn’t understand why she thinks he requested the town’s publicity, which adds a twist to the story.

I liked the characters we met and loved learning more about them, although we only seemed to scratch the surface. A few stories are being told and woven together, but there are definitely loose ends. Even though there’s an unexpected happily ever after for America and Leo, we’re left with things to ponder since the author hints there may be another book without explicitly telling us Christmas Cove is part of a series or connected book.

Pull up a chair and engross yourself in Christmas Cove as you envision how the town once was and cheer on their efforts to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit.
Profile Image for Nicole Tipps thompson.
39 reviews
November 16, 2023
"Christmas Cove" by Sarah Dressler is an absolute gem of a Christmas romance that deserves a dazzling five-star review! Get ready to be swept away in the enchanting magic of this small-town love story. It's a delightful concoction of Christmas cheer, fate weaving its festive spell, and a tight-knit community that warms your heart.

Dressler's debut novel is a true holiday treat, filled with the perfect blend of love, destiny, and just the right amount of drama to keep you hooked. The characters are wonderfully crafted, and the story unfolds with a dash of angst that adds to the charm of this heartwarming tale.

I couldn't help but imagine "Christmas Cove" as a blockbuster Christmas movie while reading it. The vivid small-town setting and the captivating storyline have all the makings of a holiday classic. Sarah Dressler has not only delivered a fantastic read but has also set the stage for what promises to be a brilliant writing career.

This book is a delightful surprise that will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling, making it a must-read for any Christmas romance enthusiast. I eagerly anticipate more literary treasures from the talented Sarah Dressler. Cheers to the holiday spirit and the promise of many more joyful reads to come!
429 reviews3 followers
November 26, 2023
Christmas Cove
By: Sarah Dressler


I love a good small town Christmas story and this is definitely one. It takes place in a small coastal town during the holiday season and it is an absolutely cozy read. One that would be absolutely perfect being read by the twinkle of the Christmas Tree.
This story is set in Christmas Cove which is a small town that lives up to its name. As it is where America (our main character) rediscovers the magic of Christmas. It isn’t discovered on her own though - it takes the charm of the small town and all of its citizens to help her find her way back. Sarah Dressler does a fantastic job creating the character of America as someone who is flawed yet isn’t too far gone. However, she does an equally fantastic job in describing and creating the charm of Christmas Cove. There were so many times where her descriptions made me feel like I was right there on those snow covered streets. This is absolutely a fantastic read that I highly recommend this holiday season.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
434 reviews13 followers
November 15, 2023
"The Christmas Cove" by Sarah Dressler is a heartwarming and enchanting story that captures the true spirit of Christmas. Set in a small, picturesque town called Christmas Cove, the story follows America, whom is on assignment, as she interacts with the town mayor, Leo.

The characters in "The Christmas Cove" are well-developed and relatable, particularly Leo. Readers will empathize with his struggles and cheer him on as he rediscovers the magic of Christmas.

Alongside the charming narrative, Dressler weaves in themes of family and the power of love. The story serves as a reminder that Christmas is not just about presents and decorations, but about the connections we make with others and the gratitude we express for the people in our lives.

I did have to chuckle that Christmas "doesn't feel right without snow," where I live, we are lucky to get rain, no less snow!

1,942 reviews24 followers
November 25, 2023
Christmas Cove by Sarah Dressler. This is the perfect little book to get you in the Christmas spirit. Its the story of America Greene who is a big city girl and she loves her job as editor. When she is sent to Christmas Cove on assignment and she expects to be drowning in Christmas cheer but what she finds is no Christmas Cheer. When Leo, the town mayor,convinces her to stay the instantly fall head over heels in love. (It is a little Hallmark movie like). While they plan to turn Christmas Cove into a real Christmas mecca she also plans to write the best piece her employer has ever seen so that her writing career can take off. I'm not a huge romance reader but his sweet book made me love the town of Christmas Cove and its people. I felt like I lived there. This book will be a good read to get you in the Holiday mood and even gives a little sizzle with the characters chemistry!
Profile Image for Angela.
8,598 reviews121 followers
November 16, 2023
4 Stars

Christmas Cove by Sarah Dressler is a sweet and captivating Christmas romance. With a small-town setting, plenty of Christmas spirit, fate/destiny, community spirit, finding where you belong, a pinch of drama, wonderful characters, and a dash of angst, makes this heart-warming and romantic tale about finding love unexpectedly all the more enjoyable.
This might be Ms. Dressler’s debut novel- but it has all ingredients I look for in an enticing read. I can see this making a wonderful Christmas movie, too. This holds so much promise of things to come from this talented author- and I look forward to the journey.
I wonder what Ms. Dressler has in store for us next? Can’t wait!
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Sarah Dressler!
3,107 reviews34 followers
November 16, 2023
This book is such a sweet, festive romance story that took no effort at all to become invested in. I loved the idea of the characters having to save Christmas for the whole village and I really enjoyed how the whole thing played out. The characters were sweet and I loved their romance. They were genuine and relatable characters and this made it so much easier to connect with them.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed the writing style. It fit the characters and the story so well. It really started to hit that festive note for me and has kick started the Christmas excited. This is a great book that I would highly recommend.
Profile Image for Katie.
2,260 reviews15 followers
November 24, 2023
Christmas Cove was a really sweet Christmastime read and one that I really enjoyed. The characters America and Leo were such lovely people and I really took them both to my heart – I thought that they were both likeable and relatable. Alongside the main characters were some really fun and entertaining secondary characters who really added something extra to the story. The story definitely made me think of a Christmas movie and I love that it had that feel.
Overall I really loved this book, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and definitely got me in the Christmas mood!
I’ll definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author again in the future.
Profile Image for Shelly.
1,226 reviews3 followers
November 14, 2023
What a sweet, romantic story. I love her name. America is a good name for a strong woman. She just doesn't quite realize she is as strong as she is. She takes over bringing Christmas Cove back. Leo is okay but he's not getting much done. I enjoyed their chemistry and flirting. This is a sweet holiday story that is a quick read and will have you chuckling at the misadventures such as an appropriated tree from another county (a minor crime) by some senior citizens and the mayor. I loved the story and the characters. Now we need a story on Pa and Scrooge McCarol.
Profile Image for Maikalani.
120 reviews6 followers
November 16, 2023
It was a very cute Christmas story.
I gave it a three because it seemed in the beginning it didn’t flow as nicely. It was very 3rd person narrative “American packs her clothes” as you get further in the story the author becomes more sure of herself and doesn’t tip toe.

It moves at a good pace a little slow. But I missed the grand hype as to what the big “event” was and why everyone stopped celebrating. She did tie in nicely about the mayors being brothers. And I enjoyed the simmering romance :)
227 reviews3 followers
November 28, 2023
This was a classic holiday romance and I loved every minute of it! There was even an unexpected plot twist. America was not expecting what she got when she arrived in Christmas Cove on an assignment. She was reluctant to go but gave up when she kept getting pushed in that direction by circumstances out of her control. Which all makes the story that much better. There is everything you would get from a Hallmark movie in the book including some mystery and of course some holiday romance! I love these stories that make you want to drink something hot and sit with a fuzzy blanket on the couch!
Profile Image for Lily.
3,389 reviews118 followers
December 3, 2023
This was the perfect book to kick off December and the Christmas season! It’s sweet, heartwarming, and full of Christmas spirit. America found so much more than a small-town and a story when she went to Christmas Cove, and it’s clear she and Leo were meant to be. I love their dynamic, and the sparks between them. Dressler really did an amazing job of bringing both the town and characters to life, and reading it felt like stepping into a romantic Christmas movie. If you want to get in the holiday spirit and get all the fuzzy feelings while doing it, then you’ll want to grab this one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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