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Home for Christmas
Down with a bad case of writer’s block, Riven has escaped to a mountain cabin for a prolonged writing retreat. The last thing he needs this Christmas is for his family to invade his sanctuary away from LA. What he needs even less is for a family of strangers as large and boisterous as his own to also be stuck in the same house after a double-booking disaster.
Especially when he ends up having to share a bunk bed with Wendy—a gorgeous, feisty New Yorker who quickly learns how to get under his skin.
Sharing a room with her is sweet torture and Riven isn’t even sure what he dreads more: that every passing day brings them closer to saying goodbye or that they have yet another night to spend together…
Especially when he ends up having to share a bunk bed with Wendy—a gorgeous, feisty New Yorker who quickly learns how to get under his skin.
Sharing a room with her is sweet torture and Riven isn’t even sure what he dreads more: that every passing day brings them closer to saying goodbye or that they have yet another night to spend together…
348 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2022
126 people are currently reading
9418 people want to read
About the author
Camilla Isley
54 books2,925 followers
Camilla is an engineer who left science behind to enter the whimsical realm of romantic fiction.
She writes contemporary rom-coms. Her characters have big hearts, might be a little stubborn at times, and love to banter with each other. Every story she pens has a guaranteed HEA that will make your heart beat faster. Unless you're a vampire, of course.
Camilla is a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She's a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn't want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
February 28, 2022
It’s never too late or too early for a good Christmas romcom, especially when it comes from one of my favourite authors- Camilla Isley! Sweet and sassy protagonists, easy-to-read writing style, and plenty of lovely festive spirit spirit- never mind it's February, sign me up for Camilla's newest romcom any time of the year.
If you’re a fan of forced cloze proximity and enemies-to-lovers tropes, you’ll love this one. Riven Clark is going through a messy divorce, but, no, no, he isn’t hiding from his family in a snow cabin in a ski resort in Utah. He is desperately trying to meet a deadline for his latest adventure book. Alas! words don’t come easy…
Wendy Nichols is a successful playwright who just can’t get it right with any of her relationships. She is gorgeous, smart, loyal, and yet, her investment banker boyfriend wouldn’t even call her back, let alone agree to spend the Christmas week with her family…in a cabin in a ski resort in Utah. Which just happens to be doublebooked.
If you’ve read In a Holidaze, you know there will be snow angels and mistletoe kisses, but this time the families sharing the cabin aren’t lifelong friends, they are total strangers. So can you blame Riven for being a bit put out about having to share his sanctuary with fifteen other people? Can you blame Wendy for playing a few pranks on him? oh, wait a second, pranks come from both sides…
I love Camilla’s sense of humour and romantic spirit. Yes, sometimes love surprises you, but more often than not, you have to be ready for it, ready to appreciate the other person beyond their good looks or fame, ready for commitment beyond a few days’ fun. I have to say I was on the side of one of the characters, if only they communicated their reasons a bit better.
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources and the author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
If you’re a fan of forced cloze proximity and enemies-to-lovers tropes, you’ll love this one. Riven Clark is going through a messy divorce, but, no, no, he isn’t hiding from his family in a snow cabin in a ski resort in Utah. He is desperately trying to meet a deadline for his latest adventure book. Alas! words don’t come easy…
Wendy Nichols is a successful playwright who just can’t get it right with any of her relationships. She is gorgeous, smart, loyal, and yet, her investment banker boyfriend wouldn’t even call her back, let alone agree to spend the Christmas week with her family…in a cabin in a ski resort in Utah. Which just happens to be doublebooked.
If you’ve read In a Holidaze, you know there will be snow angels and mistletoe kisses, but this time the families sharing the cabin aren’t lifelong friends, they are total strangers. So can you blame Riven for being a bit put out about having to share his sanctuary with fifteen other people? Can you blame Wendy for playing a few pranks on him? oh, wait a second, pranks come from both sides…
I love Camilla’s sense of humour and romantic spirit. Yes, sometimes love surprises you, but more often than not, you have to be ready for it, ready to appreciate the other person beyond their good looks or fame, ready for commitment beyond a few days’ fun. I have to say I was on the side of one of the characters, if only they communicated their reasons a bit better.
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources and the author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
December 24, 2022
If you watched Gossip Girl (OG version) and thought to yourself, ”Dan and Serena should end up together, and so should their parents, because that’s not weird at all,” then this book is for you.
February 24, 2022
Home for Christmas is a very funny, slow burn rom com.
This winter story set in a snowy little town in Utah was so entertaining that it brought me some warm and cheereness.
The Nicholses need a change of scenery for this year Christmas. The Clarks have to change their plans for a Californian Christmas after a pipe burst. They find themselves in the same cabin over in Park City, Utah, for a week. Once they overcome the initial shock to share the house with a bunch of total strangers, they succeed to enjoy their time in the company of some nice people.
Wendy Nichols, a new yorker screenwriter, and Riven Clark, a californian writer, are the most reluctant at sharing their room with each other, but when they lower their defenses and really get to know each other they understand that maybe their first judgement was not the right one.
I loved Wendy and Riven interactions, their bantering is captivating and really really funny. It was nice to follow their journey from their initial hostility and distaste to their comfortable friendship and easy relationship.
I'm recommending this book to you if you like sweet reads and rom coms.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
November 26, 2025
*Family Chaos*
**3.5 Stars**
This light and fun Christmas read was just what I needed after some emotionally heavy books.
Imagine being a writer and escaping to your cabin for solace. However, after escaping his chaotic life, Riven finds himself with writer’s block.
He’s then persuaded to see his family for Christmas, only for the plans to change when they discover a leak at the family home. Fortunately, he hadn’t booked his flight.
Riven quickly recalls he was due to have a family rent his cabin for the holidays. Cancelling the booking, he dreads the arrival of his family.
When the cleaning company arrives to prepare his cabin for the new arrivals, Riven realises there’s been a mix-up. A family of strangers arrives just before his own.
The cleaning company proposes a solution: sharing rooms. Since everywhere is booked up, they’re forced to share. Not only is he sharing a room but a bunk bed with Wendy, a playwright he instantly clashes with.
While the plot is predictable, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
**3.5 Stars**
This light and fun Christmas read was just what I needed after some emotionally heavy books.
Imagine being a writer and escaping to your cabin for solace. However, after escaping his chaotic life, Riven finds himself with writer’s block.
He’s then persuaded to see his family for Christmas, only for the plans to change when they discover a leak at the family home. Fortunately, he hadn’t booked his flight.
Riven quickly recalls he was due to have a family rent his cabin for the holidays. Cancelling the booking, he dreads the arrival of his family.
When the cleaning company arrives to prepare his cabin for the new arrivals, Riven realises there’s been a mix-up. A family of strangers arrives just before his own.
The cleaning company proposes a solution: sharing rooms. Since everywhere is booked up, they’re forced to share. Not only is he sharing a room but a bunk bed with Wendy, a playwright he instantly clashes with.
While the plot is predictable, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
January 1, 2024
Loved it!!!
December 4, 2024
Home for Christmas was a cozy little romcom. But I do think both “enemies to lovers” and “Christmas themed” are a bit of a stretch. That didn’t really detract too much for me, but if you’re looking for a true Christmas-centered story, this isn’t it (in my opinion). And enemies to lovers… well, they were “enemies” for all of five minutes.
Even still, I thought Wendy and Riven’s relationship was sweet. Very Hallmark-esque and predictable. But still one of the better holiday romcoms I’ve read so far this season.
Even still, I thought Wendy and Riven’s relationship was sweet. Very Hallmark-esque and predictable. But still one of the better holiday romcoms I’ve read so far this season.
Read
February 27, 2022My new novel Home for Christmas just hit a bookshelf near you:
Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble,
Kobo, Google Play, all other retailers and libraries.
This book has it all, including:
Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble,
Kobo, Google Play, all other retailers and libraries.
This book has it all, including:
An incredibly grumpy, sexy hero from California with writer's block and a bruised heart (swoon)
A Christmas-loving, coffee-spicing New Yorker determined to enjoy the holidays as our heroine
The best friends in the world
Two boisterous, large families
A cabin in the woods
A double booking
Only one bed!
And more pranks that you could ever imagine...MY SHELF NEEDS THIS!
December 27, 2024
This is officially my last Christmas read of the year—and it was a great story to end on! 🫶 Funny, cute, and though predictable, it was super sweet and entertaining.
Around 4.25-4.5 ⭐️’s
Around 4.25-4.5 ⭐️’s
February 3, 2022
This book definitely puts the com in rom com! It should come with a warning label that if you read in public or late at night and are trying not to disturb others, you won't be successful! You will definitely snicker if not snort with laughter at the prank wars, snark-filled witty dialogue and more! It's a lighthearted romance that will definitely have you turning the pages as you enjoy this Christmas romantic comedy! A cabin outside of Park City, Utah has been double booked at Christmas and both families arrive at the same time and we are off to the giggles from there! I have thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas series of books from this author and am looking forward to finding more of her books to read!
December 12, 2024
Not entirely bad, but also not that Christmas-y. Most of the action takes place after Christmas and my disappointment with that was because I was expecting more Christmas scenes.
As for the characters, I didn't dislike Riven, but I found Wendy annoying and childish at times. Her sister was even worse, if that's possible. Now that I think about it, both sisters of the main characters were impossible.
I didn't like the pranks (which I found over the top), or the pet names either.
2,5 stars rounded up and disappointed that this wasn't *THE* Christmas story.
As for the characters, I didn't dislike Riven, but I found Wendy annoying and childish at times. Her sister was even worse, if that's possible. Now that I think about it, both sisters of the main characters were impossible.
I didn't like the pranks (which I found over the top), or the pet names either.
2,5 stars rounded up and disappointed that this wasn't *THE* Christmas story.
January 22, 2022
3.5-4 stars
Overall I enjoyed this book. It was a cute and fun Christmas-themed enemies-to-lovers romance.
I loved all the characters (except for the exes because they're just plain douches). Despite their minimal page time, the best friends were 100% the best characters in the book. Get yourself a best friend like Danny or Mindy. I also loved the banter between Riven and Wendy. The banter wasn't a tension-y like banter. It was more of a cute and funny banter that made me smile...a lot. I'd catch myself unintentionally smiling a lot throughout the book.
Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, for the arc.
Overall I enjoyed this book. It was a cute and fun Christmas-themed enemies-to-lovers romance.
I loved all the characters (except for the exes because they're just plain douches). Despite their minimal page time, the best friends were 100% the best characters in the book. Get yourself a best friend like Danny or Mindy. I also loved the banter between Riven and Wendy. The banter wasn't a tension-y like banter. It was more of a cute and funny banter that made me smile...a lot. I'd catch myself unintentionally smiling a lot throughout the book.
Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, for the arc.
December 3, 2025
Home For Christmas by Camilla Isley
Narrated by Susan Marlowe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers
Christmas romance
Closed door
Despite some suggestive language this is a closed door romance.
The timeline of this story is a little weird. Like we got a nice Christmas chunk, but then there's a big time jump. Then we got another chunck and then another time jump. Then a final chunk. I wasn't a fan, but I did like each chunk.
A small thing I didn't like and it really had nothing to do with the story. The mother was too depressed about her dead husband to celebrate Christmas, but less than a year later she's ready to get married?
Narrated by Susan Marlowe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers
Christmas romance
Closed door
Despite some suggestive language this is a closed door romance.
The timeline of this story is a little weird. Like we got a nice Christmas chunk, but then there's a big time jump. Then we got another chunck and then another time jump. Then a final chunk. I wasn't a fan, but I did like each chunk.
A small thing I didn't like and it really had nothing to do with the story. The mother was too depressed about her dead husband to celebrate Christmas, but less than a year later she's ready to get married?
February 9, 2022
Books set in Park City will always get kudos from me since that it’s a place I love very deeply. This is a cute Christmas (but mostly just wintery) rom-com that I generally enjoyed. I often find myself wishing I could do small line edits when reading these kinds of books (why that name? You just used that word!), but I still enjoyed the experience here. I must say though, Riven’s book-within-this-book sounded dreadful to me, but to each their own.
October 11, 2022
Riven Clark is a best selling author who is dealing with writer's block. He has rented a cabin in a resort area in Utah to write uninterrupted. He doesn't even want to spend Christmas with his family in California, but his sister convinces him to come to his dad's house. They don't want him to be alone as he is going through a messy divorce. He agrees and lets the real estate agent know that he will be gone Christmas week and she can sublet the cabin. Within a couple of hours he is notified that his father's place had a pipe break and they now need to move Christmas to the cabin. Luckily the cabin was not yet sublet, so Riven agrees and his family of 6 are on their way. The day they are to arrive, there is a knock at the door and it is a cleaning crew, and the real estate agent. Signals got crossed and the cabin was sublet, with a family of nine showing up. Wendy Nichols is a successful playwright who just can’t get it right with any of her relationships. She is gorgeous, smart, loyal, and yet, her investment banker boyfriend not only didn't come to spend Christmas with her family, he hasn't even called to see if she arrived safely. How will 16 people spend Christmas in a four bedroom cabin, especially two families of complete strangers?
I enjoy a good forced proximity story, throw in Christmas, a snowy location and I know I am in for an enjoyable reading experience. Riven and Wendy disliked each other at first sight. Even when things were all worked out with a campout set up in the basement for the kids, and a quiet bedroom for Gavin's sister and her husband in the attic, it still meant that Riven and Wendy had to share the room with bunkbeds. It was a bit awkward, but rather humorous. I enjoyed the humor in this story that helped to break the ice. There were some fun pranks like salt in the coffee and mayonnaise in the toothpaste, but it was all harmless fun. I enjoyed reading about all the fun Christmas activities they participated in that brought these strangers together to become friends. I have read other books by Camilla Isley and this was another winner for me. There are three books in the Christmas Romantic Comedy series, but each is a standalone story. I recommend this fun romcom, family story and enemies to lovers story full of Christmas magic.
I enjoy a good forced proximity story, throw in Christmas, a snowy location and I know I am in for an enjoyable reading experience. Riven and Wendy disliked each other at first sight. Even when things were all worked out with a campout set up in the basement for the kids, and a quiet bedroom for Gavin's sister and her husband in the attic, it still meant that Riven and Wendy had to share the room with bunkbeds. It was a bit awkward, but rather humorous. I enjoyed the humor in this story that helped to break the ice. There were some fun pranks like salt in the coffee and mayonnaise in the toothpaste, but it was all harmless fun. I enjoyed reading about all the fun Christmas activities they participated in that brought these strangers together to become friends. I have read other books by Camilla Isley and this was another winner for me. There are three books in the Christmas Romantic Comedy series, but each is a standalone story. I recommend this fun romcom, family story and enemies to lovers story full of Christmas magic.
December 27, 2024
I made myself read a holiday book! it was cute. insane premise but somehow they made it work? although the most insane thing in the whole book was this bitch using a DIRECT QUOTE from their break up and QUOTING IT DIRECTLY in his novel. like that's actually an institutionalize-able offense. I'm losing the plot as I tend to do and I'm about to lose it more. one of the reviews I read before starting said this was a book for people who believed Dan and Serena and Lily and Rufus should've both ended up together. the parents getting together too was sure a choice the author made. especially since they never addressed how that would change their relationship since they'd technically be step siblings. but despite all that mess they were actually really cute together. definitely complemented each other well. so yeah. cute holiday book. no complaints beyond what has already been stated. #dair5ever (iykyk)
February 3, 2022
Lengva, greitai skaitoma priešai-mylimieji istorija. Nebuvo čia intensyvumo, bet vietų nusišypsoti - buvo. Pritrūko kalėdinės nuotaikos išlaikymo, ji buvo tik pirmoje knygos dalyje. Išskirtinumas, jog abu pagrindiniai veikėjai buvo rašytojai.
Ačiū #netgalley ir #camillaisley už galimybę perskaityti šią knygą.
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Easy and quick read about enemies-lovers. There was no intensity here, but some places made me smiling. I wanted more holidays mood in the second part of the book and would say, that uniquess of this book was that both hero Riven and heroine Wendy were writers.
Many thanks #netgalley and #camillaisley for the ARC.
Ačiū #netgalley ir #camillaisley už galimybę perskaityti šią knygą.
----
Easy and quick read about enemies-lovers. There was no intensity here, but some places made me smiling. I wanted more holidays mood in the second part of the book and would say, that uniquess of this book was that both hero Riven and heroine Wendy were writers.
Many thanks #netgalley and #camillaisley for the ARC.
December 7, 2023
This was such a cute book. Truly a hallmark movie in a book. Very much a closed door romance, but still a great book. The lead up is wonderful. The skiing/snowboard races was super cute and when Wendy gets hurt and Riven stays at the hospital, I melted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2023
Roommates romance with lots of pranking
The story starts out as a Christmas romance and morphs into a roommates romance. I skimmed quite a bit because it just didn't hold my interest.
The story starts out as a Christmas romance and morphs into a roommates romance. I skimmed quite a bit because it just didn't hold my interest.
November 18, 2024
so cute!!
I loved this book. Fun, witty banter between the main characters. And the author did a great job describing the setting perfectly. Since I live there, I was a little more critical than I would normally be. Very fun, Christmas rom-com.
I loved this book. Fun, witty banter between the main characters. And the author did a great job describing the setting perfectly. Since I live there, I was a little more critical than I would normally be. Very fun, Christmas rom-com.
February 7, 2022
Special thanks to NetGally and Camilla Isley for an advanced copy of this book! I really enjoyed this book! It was a really cute rom-com that was right up my alley. I thought the premise was really good and I enjoyed the characters. This book was pretty predictible, and I really didn't like the part in the book about the lone wolf. I didn't think that really needed to be in there. I'm looking forward to reading the two other books that go along with this one!
February 22, 2022
Steam Level: 🔥🔥 (kissing and closed door sex scenes)
Wendy Nichols is a successful playwright from New York who is planning a Christmas trip for her family. Riven Clark is a famous novelist from California who is holed up in a cabin in Utah after his wife left him for another man. When Riven's cabin gets double booked, he finds himself hosting not only his family but also Wendy's- that's sixteen people in one place for a whole week! As the families make the best of a seemingly impossible situation, Riven and Wendy find themselves drawn to each other. Will their attraction be just a holiday fling or something more?
I enjoyed this book so much! The premise of the book is of course a bit crazy, but it really worked for me. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two families and how they came together to make a bad situation work out for the best. Riven and Wendy had great chemistry, and I enjoyed the dual POV. They're supposed to be enemies at first, but it honestly lasts for a whole five seconds before it turns into flirty banter and fun pranks that had me smiling the whole time. I liked the plot twist in the middle that turned Wendy's one week stay into a much longer trip, and I enjoyed seeing Riven's book come together with Wendy's help. The ending wrapped things up nicely without being too predictable, and I loved how multiple characters got their happy ending when it was all said and done!
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Follow me on Instagram @readwithsuzie for more reviews.
Wendy Nichols is a successful playwright from New York who is planning a Christmas trip for her family. Riven Clark is a famous novelist from California who is holed up in a cabin in Utah after his wife left him for another man. When Riven's cabin gets double booked, he finds himself hosting not only his family but also Wendy's- that's sixteen people in one place for a whole week! As the families make the best of a seemingly impossible situation, Riven and Wendy find themselves drawn to each other. Will their attraction be just a holiday fling or something more?
I enjoyed this book so much! The premise of the book is of course a bit crazy, but it really worked for me. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two families and how they came together to make a bad situation work out for the best. Riven and Wendy had great chemistry, and I enjoyed the dual POV. They're supposed to be enemies at first, but it honestly lasts for a whole five seconds before it turns into flirty banter and fun pranks that had me smiling the whole time. I liked the plot twist in the middle that turned Wendy's one week stay into a much longer trip, and I enjoyed seeing Riven's book come together with Wendy's help. The ending wrapped things up nicely without being too predictable, and I loved how multiple characters got their happy ending when it was all said and done!
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Follow me on Instagram @readwithsuzie for more reviews.
January 27, 2022
Home for Christmas
3.5/5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This book was perfectly sweet, cozy romance that would have been perfect to read during the Christmas Holiday season. It was very reminiscent of a classic Hallmark storyline.
Home for Christmas is a dual perspective romance between Riven Clark and Wendy Nichols, one of them a top bestselling author from the west coast, the other a debut playwright from the east. After losing her husband, Wendy’s mother wants nothing to do with hosting Christmas in her home, and her sister having brand new twins and a too-small apartment, they decide to rent a cabin in Salt Lake City for the week of Christmas. After the affair of his wife, Riven is holed up in a cabin in Salt Lake City trying to get past the writers block while on a deadline for his publisher and a promise to host Christmas at the cabin. When a mix up happens, and he has nine more people on his doorstep, his landlord moves things around and he’s in for a long week of banter, found family, and romance.
This book was a lovely little novel, not exactly what I expected when I picked it up. It wasn’t truly an enemies to lovers, and despite the banter, the tension wasn’t really there. The book led up to them being together, but with the closed door sex scenes, that tension never felt truly dealt with as the reader.
Home for Christmas wasn’t really a Christmas book, there was maybe one chapter of the Christmas festivities and two leading up to the festivities, the rest was the lead up and decline of Riven and Wendy’s relationship. Followed by multiple weeks and months of time skips and a half a page of a declaration of love that magically solved all the problems between them that didn’t seem like they should have been resolved that quickly.
Overall, it was a fun and fast read, cute for the holidays. Nothing to writ
3.5/5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This book was perfectly sweet, cozy romance that would have been perfect to read during the Christmas Holiday season. It was very reminiscent of a classic Hallmark storyline.
Home for Christmas is a dual perspective romance between Riven Clark and Wendy Nichols, one of them a top bestselling author from the west coast, the other a debut playwright from the east. After losing her husband, Wendy’s mother wants nothing to do with hosting Christmas in her home, and her sister having brand new twins and a too-small apartment, they decide to rent a cabin in Salt Lake City for the week of Christmas. After the affair of his wife, Riven is holed up in a cabin in Salt Lake City trying to get past the writers block while on a deadline for his publisher and a promise to host Christmas at the cabin. When a mix up happens, and he has nine more people on his doorstep, his landlord moves things around and he’s in for a long week of banter, found family, and romance.
This book was a lovely little novel, not exactly what I expected when I picked it up. It wasn’t truly an enemies to lovers, and despite the banter, the tension wasn’t really there. The book led up to them being together, but with the closed door sex scenes, that tension never felt truly dealt with as the reader.
Home for Christmas wasn’t really a Christmas book, there was maybe one chapter of the Christmas festivities and two leading up to the festivities, the rest was the lead up and decline of Riven and Wendy’s relationship. Followed by multiple weeks and months of time skips and a half a page of a declaration of love that magically solved all the problems between them that didn’t seem like they should have been resolved that quickly.
Overall, it was a fun and fast read, cute for the holidays. Nothing to writ
December 10, 2022
I feel soooo conflicted with this book!!!! It was a great pace and kept me reading so I LIKED it but I wanted WAY WAY more from the romance department. And was so unsatisfied with the ending! And HATE how they didn’t talk for like 9 months then he just shows up!? LIKE SEND A TEXT RIVEN!!! The time jumping just put too many gaps for me. OH And then they are technically STEP SIBLINGS now too? Weird. Too weird. Did not like the ending. But nonetheless it was still cute and I’d still recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my e-ARC of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.
A vacation double-booking disaster that should completely ruin one family's Christmas turns into a hilarious holiday romcom that is sure to warm even the chilliest hearts.
I enjoyed this quick and easy read in one 24-hour period in January while still mourning the loss of the holiday season. It was just what I needed to grasp onto the threads of the holidays for a little bit longer. While I do feel that the writing style could have been a bit more developed, the book flowed very nicely overall and reads just like a Hallmark holiday movie. I really liked the dual POV between Wendy and Riven, it definitely made the story more dynamic to read from both of their perspectives.
This was a pretty good slow burn, enemies-to-lovers story, and I really enjoyed reading Wendy and Riven's characters. While Wendy is the perfect mix of stubborn, bubbly, and idealistic, Riven is protective, a little haunted post-divorce, and pragmatic. They make good foils for one another. My only two critiques would be that I wish the book felt more Christmassy as a whole, and the ending felt a little abrupt, but neither of those things stopped me from flying through it!
I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good Hallmark holiday film, or anyone looking for a snowy holiday romcom to read by the fireside.
A vacation double-booking disaster that should completely ruin one family's Christmas turns into a hilarious holiday romcom that is sure to warm even the chilliest hearts.
I enjoyed this quick and easy read in one 24-hour period in January while still mourning the loss of the holiday season. It was just what I needed to grasp onto the threads of the holidays for a little bit longer. While I do feel that the writing style could have been a bit more developed, the book flowed very nicely overall and reads just like a Hallmark holiday movie. I really liked the dual POV between Wendy and Riven, it definitely made the story more dynamic to read from both of their perspectives.
This was a pretty good slow burn, enemies-to-lovers story, and I really enjoyed reading Wendy and Riven's characters. While Wendy is the perfect mix of stubborn, bubbly, and idealistic, Riven is protective, a little haunted post-divorce, and pragmatic. They make good foils for one another. My only two critiques would be that I wish the book felt more Christmassy as a whole, and the ending felt a little abrupt, but neither of those things stopped me from flying through it!
I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good Hallmark holiday film, or anyone looking for a snowy holiday romcom to read by the fireside.
November 22, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another adorable Christmas-sy romance read by Camilla Isley.
Enemies to lovers trope.
Writer Riven, recently going through a divorce, is renting out a cabin to overcome his writers block and have some peace and quiet. That is until his family convinces him to spend Christmas together. After agreeing to sublet the cabin, his family called with some news that they are going to come to him instead, due to unforeseen trouble with his father’s pipes bursting. An overbooking disaster puts Wendy, a feisty New-Yorker, and her family in a pickle when Riven’s cabin was already sublet. A miscommunication puts the two families in a pickle when there is no where else to rent. Wendy and Riven now have to be roommates, despite their initial rivalry. This was an adorable and funny enemies to lovers story. Definitely a recommended holiday read 🥰✨
Another adorable Christmas-sy romance read by Camilla Isley.
Enemies to lovers trope.
Writer Riven, recently going through a divorce, is renting out a cabin to overcome his writers block and have some peace and quiet. That is until his family convinces him to spend Christmas together. After agreeing to sublet the cabin, his family called with some news that they are going to come to him instead, due to unforeseen trouble with his father’s pipes bursting. An overbooking disaster puts Wendy, a feisty New-Yorker, and her family in a pickle when Riven’s cabin was already sublet. A miscommunication puts the two families in a pickle when there is no where else to rent. Wendy and Riven now have to be roommates, despite their initial rivalry. This was an adorable and funny enemies to lovers story. Definitely a recommended holiday read 🥰✨
December 27, 2025
Ok so I think I’m in love with Camilla’s writing…
Another absolute win of a book, this time with a holiday mix up that ends in a cabin being shared by two families over the Christmas holidays.
The banter between Wendy and Riven is divine; and their shared passion for writing (her as a playwright, him as a novelist) sharpens each others wit and leads to some cute collaboration.
The accident that brings them together is also *chefs kiss* albeit shocking, and I love how Riven pulls Wendy out of depression through sheer thoughtfulness.
Without spoiling the ending, I love it how everything just comes together because they solve their problems separately before committing. And that’s a real mature way of dealing with issues (as opposed to the stupid high school ‘we just didn’t communicate’ trope).
Bonus points for making him a snowboarder. Damn that’s hot
Another absolute win of a book, this time with a holiday mix up that ends in a cabin being shared by two families over the Christmas holidays.
The banter between Wendy and Riven is divine; and their shared passion for writing (her as a playwright, him as a novelist) sharpens each others wit and leads to some cute collaboration.
The accident that brings them together is also *chefs kiss* albeit shocking, and I love how Riven pulls Wendy out of depression through sheer thoughtfulness.
Without spoiling the ending, I love it how everything just comes together because they solve their problems separately before committing. And that’s a real mature way of dealing with issues (as opposed to the stupid high school ‘we just didn’t communicate’ trope).
Bonus points for making him a snowboarder. Damn that’s hot
February 4, 2022
Home for Christmas was such a great book to read! It drew me in and would not let me go until the very last page.
The story is written so I could see hear and feel everything anyone said or did.
A double booking makes for an interesting holiday for both Wendy and Riven’s families. This makes the holidays challenging, fun, scary, and wholesome at the same time.
The book was written from the perspective of both Wendy and Riven which makes it a quick read.
I must say the pranks between Riven and Wendy made me laugh out loud!
I loved they way the writer made the situation of the double-booking the center of the story!
I can not wait to read the other books in this series Christmas Romantic Comedy.
Thank you NetGalley, Camilla Isley and BooksGoSocial for the copy of this book. This is my personal review.
The story is written so I could see hear and feel everything anyone said or did.
A double booking makes for an interesting holiday for both Wendy and Riven’s families. This makes the holidays challenging, fun, scary, and wholesome at the same time.
The book was written from the perspective of both Wendy and Riven which makes it a quick read.
I must say the pranks between Riven and Wendy made me laugh out loud!
I loved they way the writer made the situation of the double-booking the center of the story!
I can not wait to read the other books in this series Christmas Romantic Comedy.
Thank you NetGalley, Camilla Isley and BooksGoSocial for the copy of this book. This is my personal review.
November 26, 2024
I picked up this book because I was in desperate need of a Christmas novel. Every year, I make it a tradition to read something festive with cozy meet-cutes, and this story absolutely delivered! It was such a cute and fun little read, and I found the story engaging from start to finish.
While some moments felt a bit rushed, it didn’t bother me much—it was still a book I was always excited to pick up and keep reading. The author did a great job balancing action, description, and character development, which made the pacing enjoyable overall.
As for the characters, they were relatable and well-developed, though I did find Wendy a little exhausting at times. That said, I really liked the protagonists and enjoyed their interactions.
Overall, this book gave me all the giddy, excited feelings I crave during the holiday season. It was a perfect read to get into the Christmas spirit, and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something lighthearted and festive.
While some moments felt a bit rushed, it didn’t bother me much—it was still a book I was always excited to pick up and keep reading. The author did a great job balancing action, description, and character development, which made the pacing enjoyable overall.
As for the characters, they were relatable and well-developed, though I did find Wendy a little exhausting at times. That said, I really liked the protagonists and enjoyed their interactions.
Overall, this book gave me all the giddy, excited feelings I crave during the holiday season. It was a perfect read to get into the Christmas spirit, and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something lighthearted and festive.
December 8, 2022
3.5 stars
Camilla Isley has a very easy writing style. The pages fly by super quickly. She made Home for Christmas a fun rom com that starts off with a very uncomfortable mix up. The mix up leads to our MCs meet cute and lots of family Christmas high jinx ensues…for about half of the book. The second half takes a turn and isn’t set at Christmas time which was a bit disappointing. Several of the plot points were a bit unbelievable and the wolf side plot was completely random and unnecessary. But in general, it was a fun read good for a nice distraction during the holiday season.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free eARC of Home for Christmas in exchange for my honest review.
Camilla Isley has a very easy writing style. The pages fly by super quickly. She made Home for Christmas a fun rom com that starts off with a very uncomfortable mix up. The mix up leads to our MCs meet cute and lots of family Christmas high jinx ensues…for about half of the book. The second half takes a turn and isn’t set at Christmas time which was a bit disappointing. Several of the plot points were a bit unbelievable and the wolf side plot was completely random and unnecessary. But in general, it was a fun read good for a nice distraction during the holiday season.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free eARC of Home for Christmas in exchange for my honest review.
January 31, 2022
What an adorable, sweet book. I loved Wendy and Riven (awesome name) and while the book is named Home for Christmas, it really expands beyond the Christmas season (Although this would have been a fun holiday read). I found myself smiling and giggling throughout. The enemies aspect was very short lived because these two characters were played so well against each other- think faux "short term enemies" who really quickly adored each other because of their similarities and then later, fell in love. And the family and best friends were a perfect complement to round out the story. This is a pretty clean, slow burn romance so be prepared for that. Mostly, be prepared for a sweet, funny (the pranks were awesome) and smile-inducing read. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for such a fun early read.
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