The Christmas Cookie Wars

by Eliza Evans

From the author of The Christmas Café, a romantic comedy about a woman who’s determined to save Christmas for her sons, even if it means waging a holiday cookie war with their handsome principal…if she can resist falling in love with him.Melody Monroe will do anything to help her nine-year-old twin boys muster up the holiday spirit. Especially since they lost their father, the boys have started questioning the point of Christmas at all. So, when Melody learns the school’s Yuletide Cookie Club has disbanded due to dissension in the top ranks, she knows she must take over the cookie club herself, even if it means dealing with the infuriating school principal, Jonathan Braxton.But when a small argument turns into a town-wide bake-off between her and Jonathan, Melody finds that her competitive spirits have turned romantic. Love can't be in the cards. Her focus is on her boys, and saving Christmas. This year, will Melody be willing to let go of the past and embrace the magic of the holidays for herself?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Audiobook, Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

Also writing as Sara Richardson

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: Opening this book may lead to intense cookie cravings and the desire to bake SOMETHING.
🎄🍪🎅
Cookeville, CO is the place for Christmas cookies. Melody Monroe might be considered the Queen of Cookies now since she is in charge of the seasonal cookie committee. Unfortunately, Melody is not much of a baker. Anyone can follow a recipe, right? Here are four things I loved about this sweet, sassy (and clean) holiday read:

👬 I loved Melody's 11-year-old twin boys: Tate and Finn. They behaved in age-appropriate ways and were great helpers for their mom.
🎅🤶 The romance is sweet and has some well-timed crisis moments. At first it is nearly impossible to imagine Melody and Jonathan together, but Eliza Evans made me a believer.
🍪 Cookies galore! The cookie events in Cookeville sound like fun: A Cookie Exchange, A Cookie Baking Contest (held live), and a Cookie Obstacle Course.
⛄ The Colorado location allows for plenty of December snow and cold-weather activities like ice skating and sledding. Lots of mentions of enjoying hot drinks (like hot chocolate) also. Really boosts that seasonal feeling.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lorena ♡ (semi-ia) · Rating 2 out of 5]

the characters were charming, the plot was pretty sweet (... you get it? sweet because of the cookie competition and all the cookie-related activities... anyway), and the romance was nice (nothing incredible but still cute)... but the writing did not work for me and lessened my enjoyment of it all. i had to force myself to keep reading because even though i was interested in melody and jonathan, the writing felt very dry and the author decided to tell us about some of the things they did together instead of showing them doing said things, which just made me feel disconnected from their supposed feelings for each other. i'm very sad about it because i had high hopes for this one but well 😔💔

↪ ★★ ½ stars

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

How cute is this cover?? The inside is as cute as the outside. ❤️ Thank you so much @putnambooks for my adorable gifted copy.🥰

I was sold on the very first page. 😍 When our girl Melody wakes up… at the kitchen table… with her face plastered with sugar cookie on her forehead.. side note… wearing her Def Leppard shirt.. SOLD 😂 I knew it was my kind of book. 😍

This book gave me all the rom com holiday vibes. I adored Melody and her boys Finn and Tate… even though they spent wayyyy too much time in principal Braxton’s office. 😬

What was not to love? A sweet little rom com that warmed my heart.

✅Secret romance 🤫
✅ Christmas 🎄 vibes
✅ Grumpy dude… who might not be so grumpy 😏
✅ Lots and Lots of yummy 😋 cookies

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute storyline- Hallmark movie feel 🎄

[Keri Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melody is a widow with twin nine year old boys. She’s adjusting to life as a single mom, but life gets chaotic. And it’s another morning when they’re running late, and so she’s dreading the comments and looks from the school principal, Jonathan Braxton. On top of that, she discovers that the school’ cookie committee has been disbanded. Their activities during the holidays are the highlight for the town at Christmas, so she impulsively volunteers to chair the committees - even though she is not much of a baker.

As they work on the committee together, she and Jonathan form a friendship… but there is something more there. Is she ready for love? Especially in a tricky situation with her boys’ principal? This is a fun and sweet holiday romance with loving family interactions. 3-1/2 rounded to 4.

[Noi (in & out) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok so objectively, this is exactly what it says it is. A book about cookie wars. If you are hardcore for cookies, PTA, single mom x principle, then this is the book for you.

I was just over it at the end. It's not even closed door because the most they do is kiss. And no, I don't have to have smut in a book to keep me engaged, but this felt dragged out. The 'drama' was very kids in school, 'Karen' mom, and gossip. Maybe it was just too familiar, and I read for escapism, so that might have colored my experience with it.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Christmas Cookie Wars by Eliza Evans

Synopsis /

Melody Monroe will do anything to help her nine-year-old twin boys muster up the holiday spirit. Especially since they lost their father, the boys have started questioning the point of Christmas at all.

So, when Melody learns the school’s Yuletide Cookie Club has disbanded due to dissension in the top ranks, she knows she must take over the cookie club herself, even if it means dealing with the infuriating school principal, Jonathan Braxton.

But when a small argument turns into a town-wide bake-off between her and Jonathan, Melody finds that her competitive spirits have turned romantic. Love can't be in the cards. Her focus is on her boys, and saving Christmas. This year, will Melody be willing to let go of the past and embrace the magic of the holidays for herself?


My Thoughts /

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And ev'rymother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although its been said many times,
Many ways: "Merry Christmas to you"

— The Christmas song written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé.
— First recorded by The Nat King Cole Trio in June 1946.

For this reader, it doesn't need to be December to pick up a Christmas read. And when you factor in the added attraction of a bake-off – which means there will be cooking and recipes – it's a yes please.

It might be Christmas, but mistletoe and sleigh bells aren't the only things up in the air this year. The Cookeville Elementary School Annual Cookie Daze festival is in jeopardy of being cancelled!

Get out your wooden spoons, spatulas, measuring cups and mixing bowls; and, don't forget your ingredients. IT'S ON – SO GET MIXING AND LET THAT FLOUR FLY!!!!!!!!

'There won't be a bake sale this year.' He turned his computer to show her the latest school newsletter, which she hadn't read for at least the last month. 'The school's cookie committee disbanded, and all cookie-related fundraising events for the rest of the year have been cancelled.'

So who do you put in charge of a cooking a cookie committee? Obviously a cook, right? Er, wrong. Mum of twin boys, Melody Monroe, finds herself heading up this year's yuletide cookie club committee when last year's president stepped down – and most of the past committee with her. Originally volunteering as a way to spend more time with her boys, Melody quickly realises this is a huge undertaking – much to much for one person alone; so she enlists the help of family and friends.

It looks to all be coming together nicely just in time for the big day. But on the morning of the event, when the team is getting ready to set up…………SABOTAGE. Someone has come into their storage shed in the middle of the night and destroyed all the stalls and (#crying) all the cookies.

This little book is a great palate cleanser. What you get:

🎄 Wonderful Yuletide Christmas vibes
👦 The bestest, sweetest twin boys
😍 The token hot guy (aka school principal)
👿 The token b*tch (aka past cookie president)
🍪 Cookies, cookies and more cookies!
🧑‍🍳 And my favourite: a bake off

If you want any excuse to play Bing Crosby's White Christmas while you read – here's your permission slip.

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story! Clean closed door romance

[simona.citeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drăguță dar previzibilă.
Am apreciat atmosfera de sărbătoare și relațiile faine dintre personaje.

O avem pe Melody, mama a 2 băieți de 10 ani, care a rămas văduvă cu ani în urmă și care și-a concentrat energia pe creșterea copiilor. Acum însă ei au crescut și devin tot mai dornici să iasă cu prietenii lor iar Melody simte că se produce o mică ruptură.
Ca să profite de mai mult timp cu ei ajunge să preia o funcție de conducere în comitetul pentru prăjiturici (o tradiție la ei în orășel) și să participe la o competiție de gătit.

În scenă apare și Jonathan, directorul școlii la care învață băieții și locul în care au loc toate activitățile.
Din acest punct nu e greu să intuiți traiectoria acțiunii.


Mi-au plăcut însă temele aduse în discuție și ușurința cu care personajele au comunicat, legăturile și susținerea oamenilor din comunitate și relația frumoasă dintre părinți și copii.

[Melany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 stars! I absolutely loved Melody. Besides the fact that her name was almost my name, she was so relatable. She has a lot going on, a little messy and perfectly imperfect, just trying to survive life and motherhood. I truly enjoyed it and the mishaps. The drama with the previous committee lady was a bit ...ehh, but it made the book even better at moments. I loved the two main love interests. Enemies to lovers trope is a whole vibe. This was cute, had some great twists, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending 🥰

I received this ARC from NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Son to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

[Monet Daffodil · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Christmas Cookie Wars
Author: Eliza Evans
Romcom

Thank you so much Netgalley and Putnam for this ARC! Here I go again jumping from Halloween to Christmas. This was the perfect book to get you in the mood for the holiday. I personally have a thing for baking books, so the Christmas cookie baking competition going on was my favorite part! Also, our FMC is a widow raising her two sons on her own, and she starts developing feelings for their, also single, principal. They are rivals in the cookie wars, and he is winning by a landslide! Her whole family basically bands together to help her try to win the competition. It was so cute and had all the warm and fuzzy feels you look for in a Christmas read. No spice at all. Kinda like a hallmark movie. It was a little cheesy at times though. Still great to get in the Christmas spirit! 🎄🎅

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review 📖🎄🍪

The Christmas Cookie Wars
by Eliza Evans

thank you so much partner @putnambooks #putnampartner for the gifted copy!

About the book 👇🏽

Melody Monroe will do anything to get her nine-year-old twin boys to muster up the holiday spirit. Especially since they lost their father.

When Melody learns the school’s cookie committee has disbanded due to dissension in the top ranks, she can’t let the boys lose another ounce of Christmas joy, so she decides to take over the cookie committee herself, even if it means dealing with the infuriating school principal, Jonathan Braxton.

Soon, a small argument turns into a town-wide bake-off between her and Jonathan, and before she knows it Melody finds that her competitive spirits have turned romantic.

🎄🍪 My thoughts:

I love holiday romcoms so much and this one delivered! If you’re anything like me, when it comes to the holidays, the romance must be entirely Hallmark and as warm as the cup of cocoa you want to enjoy in front of the fire. I liked that this was written for mothers, for widows, and written for the children impacted by the loss of their parents. The circumstances aren’t easy but there is certainly life after death, joy can be restored in the holidays, and with honesty comes a strong and healthy familial bond. And if you love holiday baking, or watching cookie bake offs, this is the book to read this holiday season! The Christmas Cookie Wars is out now!

Happy reading 📖🎄🍪✨

[Meddings_Musings: Erin Meddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new-to-me author writing an absolutely darling book that I instantly fell in love with!

Melody is a widowed, single mother of ten year old twin boys, Finn and Tate. Her husband, Thomas, passed away six years ago and she’s been doing her best since then, focusing all of her love and attention on her boys.

It’s December - a crazy and hectic month that also brings magic and wonder when children are involved. But Melody is stressed especially when the boys principal, Mr. Jonathan Braxton, wants to speak with her in his office. Again. He points out the boys have been tardy four times in the past month, reminding her of the essential academic time being missed due to their tardiness.

As if her day couldn’t get any worse, the annual community tradition, Cookie Daze, has been canceled. The one thing her ten year old boys are looking forward to. They’re growing up and starting to question Santa’s existence so Melody is trying to hold onto their childhood with the strength only a parent can muster.

Determined to continue this tradition, and to spend quality time with Finn and Tate, Melody offers to take on the role as leader of the Cookie Daze committee much to Mr. Braxton’s astonishment. Knowing Melody isn’t much of a baker, the principal Jonathan, offers up his baking talents to help her. Spending lots of time baking with his grandmother, Jonathan has a reputation of being a whiz in the kitchen, much to the delight of many school moms.

As Melody hesitantly accepts Jonathan’s help, she ends up bringing success to the activities, with the additional help of her fellow committee members which includes her sister, mother, aunt, and friends. But when salt is switched with sugar during a live bake-off, it seems someone is determined to make the holiday season a disaster; and points the finger at Finn and Tate! As Jonathan stands up for the two, Melody begins to experience feelings she hasn’t in the past six years.

As her feelings grow every time she spends with Jonathan, she’s more determined than ever to make the holidays the best ever! Will a stressed and overwhelmed Melody bring success to the annual Cookie Daze? Or will a Grinch succeed in ruining the holidays?

I HIGHLY recommend this charming holiday read that reminds readers that second chances at love exist and that even the biggest Grinch’s deserve patience and understanding.

[Caitlyn | A Life Of Books]

C’était ma première lecture de Noël de l’année et elle m’a vraiment plongée dans cette ambiance de fin d’année que j’aime tant. 🎁

J’ai pris beaucoup de plaisir à découvrir les traditions familiales de Melody et j’ai été réellement touchée par l’amour qu’elle porte à ses enfants. Elle ferait absolument tout pour les rendre heureux.

Le seul petit bémol, c’est que j’aurais aimé que le livre explore davantage le deuil de Melody. Mais c’est un roman de Noël après tout. La plupart d’entre nous, moi comprise, aimons les histoires légères, mignonnes et festives en cette période. 🎄

[Alyssa Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute holiday book and that’s really all I have to say about it.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Christmas Cookies War, by Eliza Evans, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Melody Monroe's sons has lost their Christmas spirits, after losing their father. Melody wants them to find their Christmas spirit, and have the best Christmas. Moms are great like that, always thinking about their kids and how to make them happy. This is a great heart warming Christmas story.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked Eliza Evans sophomore holiday romance even better than her debut. This was a charming small town, single mom of twins x grumpy school principal single father romance that sees these two single parents working together to save the school Christmas cookie fundraiser and falling in love at the same time. Sweet and heartfelt and full of a great cast of secondary characters. A fun, feel-good, Hallmark Movie style holiday read that was good on audio too. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melody is a widow raising energetic twin sons and running a successful fashion design business in a small mountain town. She manages it all successfully - even if the boys are late to school occasionally and their cookies are baked from store bought dough. When the school's Queen Bee mom who runs all the things quits the Cookie committee, Melody volunteers to keep the fun traditions going for the town, especially her kids. The hunky principal has reservations; she is the mom with the tardy kids and store bought cookies after all and he is the three time winner of the cookie contest.

With the help of her family, Melody gets all of the cookie events back on track. Along the way, there are some funny near-catastrophes, lots of holiday festivities in a town that loves its cookies, and a sweet love connection. Jonathan is the definition of a hidden cinnamon roll love interest.

I loved Melody's family and how close and supportive they are. The third act conflict was realistic and believable. I really liked how much grace and kindness Melody showed to the bullying types. She also has to navigate grief, keep memories of her husband alive for her children, and adjust to the boys growing up. How does that make Christmas look this year?

My only disappointment is that the advance reader copy didn't have the recipes because I want to make Jonathan's grandma's cookies.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this. #TheChristmasCookieWars #NetGalley

[Jessica Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was your typical holiday read with the cute characters and little small town vibes. It didn’t blow me away, but was enough to keep going because I do love me some cookies. The mama drama was annoying af though

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need a warm and fuzzy holiday rom-com to distract you from all the craziness of the holiday season, and The Christmas Cookie Wars was perfect for that. I chose to read this while I was in the midst of my three-day Christmas bake-a-thon, and it was nice to settle in with a book about Christmas cookies (and with a heating pad, LOL) after a full day of baking them myself.

Melody Monroe is the widowed mother of twin nine-year-old boys, and she is determined to make Christmas magical for them. That shouldn’t be a difficult task, given that their hometown always does The Most when it comes to celebrating the holiday season with lots of vibrant decorations and festivals. But this year, the school’s Yuletide Cookie Club has been abruptly disbanded. Melody knows she has no choice but to take over the cookie club herself, even if that means she has to interact more with the boys’ principal, Jonathan Braxton. Jonathan is strict and uptight – but he’s also an amazing baker who has a grudging appreciation for her boys’ rambunctious spirits, and when Melody finds herself pitted against him in a town-wide bake-off, she has to admit she’s starting to catch feelings in spite of herself.

The Christmas Cookie Wars is pure sweetness all the way through, with heartwarming holiday vibes, a setting that’s right out of a Hallmark movie, cozy characters, and a swoon-worthy romance. There is conflict, but it’s the kind of conflict that is sort of comforting, because you know everything is going to work out in the end. It’s the perfect holiday read when you just want something that’s going to make you feel good and remind you of the magic of the season. And there are lots of mouthwatering cookies, too; what more could you possibly want? Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the complimentary reading opportunity.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

This was a charming, fast-paced read appropriate for all ages. It is perfect for Christmas when you have so much else to do that you may try to skip the pleasures of reading about the holidays.


It has lovely Christmas themes and an interesting tiny mystery added to keep you on your toes. The romance is adorable and wholesome. I must say that I would have loved to see their romance evolve and, of course, end in marriage, but it wasn't to be. Maybe there will be a part 2!

*ARC was supplied by the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons, the author, and NetGalley.

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Cookie Wars by Eliza Evans (2024)
309-page Paperback

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday > Christmas, Clean Romance

Featuring: Twins, Children, Widow, Single Mother, 10-Year-Old Boys, Boutique Owner, Elementary School Principal, Cookie Capital, Fictional Small-Town Colorado, Testing Santa Trope, Grumpy Sunshine Trope, Divorcé, Cookie Committee, Sisters, Mean Mom, Sabotage, Forbidden Love, Second Chance Trope - Love After Loss/Heartbreak/Divorce, Principal, Traditions, Changes Trope, Kissing, Recipes - Cookie & Frosting

Rating as a movie: PG

Songs for the soundtrack: "We All Need Christmas" by Def Leppard, "Silent Night" by Stevie Nicks, Joy To The World " by The Lennon Sisters, "Winter Wonderland" by Frank Sinatra, "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" by Dean Martin, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey "Deck The Halls" by Musiq Soulchild, "Jingle Bells" by Amy Barbera, "Twelve Days of Christmas" by Frederic Austin

Books and Authors mentioned: The Christmas Café by Eliza Evans, Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Valen The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale, The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Memorable Quotes: “If Santa knows everything, we shouldn’t have to write him a letter to tell him what we want,” Tate said wisely. “Besides, I was doing some calculations about how long it would really take to drive a flying sleigh around the entire earth and, even if he went the speed of light, he’d still never be able to stop at everyone’s house. The whole thing goes against physics.” Physics schmysics. “Santa is magic.” The words wobbled out. “He doesn’t need physics.” That was the truth. Christmas should be full of magic, even if it only truly existed in the traditions they’d always shared. Every year, late Christmas Eve night, Thomas had gone outside to make reindeer prints and Santa’s boot prints in the snow. He ate the goodies the boys left out—cookies for the big man himself and carrots for the reindeer, leaving the remnants, and he’d even written them each a note in wacky handwriting. “Right. Santa is magic,” Finn recited loyally. “He only needs us to believe. Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll write a letter when I get home from school. All I really want this year are those lit Beatbox headphones.” “Oh, is that all?” The headphones that happened to cost three hundred dollars? Boy, she missed the days of Hot Wheels and yo-yos and candy canes in their stockings. “Yeah, all I want are the headphones too,” Tate said. “Silver for me.” They might as well be made of real silver. “We’ll have to see.” She’d need to come up with some magic of her own to be able to afford those headphones plus a few other small gifts they could open.

The principal made a show of looking at his watch. “Running late again?” “Sorry. But it wasn’t our fault this time.” Tate shrugged off the blame. “My mom passed out at the kitchen table last night.” “Tate!” A high-pitched laugh squeaked out. “I didn’t pass out,” she clarified. “I fell asleep. I mean, I don’t even drink much. Maybe an occasional glass of wine but certainly not enough to pass out.” Her weird laugh was not helping her case here. “I learned my lesson after one party in college…Anyway, while I was decorating the cookies for the bake sale”—she held up the box so he could see she’d been hard at work doing her parental duty—“I must’ve gotten sleepy. We were a little short on time this weekend, what with birthday parties and sledding, so…” She let an awkward silence fill in the blanks. “She was real tired,” Finn told the principal gravely. “She didn’t even wake up until we came downstairs this morning and she had a giant cookie stuck to her forehe—” “Why don’t you two get to class?” Melody nudged Finn and Tate away before they further incriminated her. “We don’t want to be any later than you already are. Have a good day,” she called as they shot down the hall.

Melody hung back, drawing in a breath and holding it on to it. This was probably how the Survivor contestants felt going into Tribal Council.

For two days she hadn't been able to focus. She'd been smiling and humming---not Christmas carols but love songs.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½🍪🏫👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏿🎄

My thoughts: 📖 Page 158 of 309 [Chapter] Twelve - This story is adorable. I'm going to ignore them lightly hating on Mariah.
📖 273 [Chapter] Twenty - This is super cute but too pushover for my taste. I'm going to read the other book; this one has a good vibe overall.

This story was super sweet and kind of fun. I don't know the author but I suspect that she is one of those Hallmark screenwriters turned romance author and I'm not mad about it. If she's not, someone get her a meeting with Hallmark.

Recommend to others: Yes. This was a Stoneybrook-type story, BSC for grown up, the MC could even be Kristy or somebody.

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Cookie Wars is a very funny, enjoyable Hallmark Channel type love story about a widow with two young middle school twins and the principal of the same school who is divorced and has a daughter. The two are very different in how they see the world, and how they parent. What they do have in common is their love for their children, learning how to let go of their pasts and taking a giant leap into what could be their future together. But there will be certain forces who will try and prevent this.

Melody Monroe has young twin boys. Her husband passed away only a few years ago. Her boys are her life. But she sees and realizes that they are beginning to grow up and grow away from her. Although her heart is broken, she understands this is part of the growing process. But it's Christmas which is such an important time of year for them all as they try to preserve the memories and the traditions of the past.

Jonathan Braxton is the principal at her son's school. He is very rigid and unfortunately her boys know him for all the wrong reasons. Let's just say her boys know his office very well and so does she and leave it at that.

So, when Melody learns the school cookie committee has been disbanded thanks to its unpopular/popular chair, which also happens right before their famous Christmas cookie adventures, a great fundraising season, she decides in a moment of insanity to become the new chair.

Thus begins the relationship between the overworked and overstressed Melody and the by the book take no gruff cookie baker extraordinaire Principal Jonathan. Now Melody must work side by side with Jonathan to make sure all the fundraising dates go well which won't be very easy as it seems someone is not very happy with her taking this position and is trying to make sure she does not succeed.

As Melody and Jonathan discover their attraction to each other, Melody is unsure of her feelings because of her late husband. But as they begin the holiday season and all the activities there becomes a spark neither of them can resist.

Chaos ensues but when something happens and her boys are blamed this may be the final straw for Melody. Can they overcome what seems to be a deal breaker?

The Christmas Cookie Wars is more than just a falling in love, love story. It includes lessons in learning how to deal with loss, change, opening your heart, letting your children grow and begin to learn life lessons on their own. It's an enjoyable quick read and a very feel-good story.

Thank you #NetGalley #G.P.Putnam'sSons #TheChristmasCookieWars #ElizaEvans for the advanced copy.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the gifted Audio Book
@prhaudio

Book Review: THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE WARS
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Eliza Evans @booksbysaraandeliza
Publishers: Book— G.Putnam’s Sons @putnambooks
an imprint of @penguinusa
Audio Book @prhaudio

FMC Melody is a widowed single mom 10-year-old
twin boys. She is also a fashion designer who runs her
own boutique. She struggles every day to get the boys
to school. She is struggling this holiday season as her
kids are growing and she wants the holiday traditions
alive, but the boys don’t. She ends up in the
principal‘s office since the boys were late again and
she learns the cookie contest committee is no more. It
has been disband by the former president and her
main rival. Enter hunky principal Jonathan Braxton,
who infuriates her all the time. The two of them will
need to work together as the cookie committee usually
raises the most money during the school year. There
are various events for the cookie committee, a cookie
stroll, a bake sale, a live baking contest and a holiday
themed race plus quite a few of these activities are
outside of school. There’s a nice banter between these
two characters and not all goes well. They are shy in
front of each other but they have a connection. They
both have miscommunications constantly which makes
for great banter. As they start to date they need to
learn to navigate the school gossipers and their own
families. Are they willing to go the distance to try to
make the relationship work? I have to add kudos to the
side characters in the book. The whole town ends up
pitching in to make everything a huge success. I really
enjoyEd this book. I like the fact that both main
characters were not perfect and that they had their
own personal dramas to deal with plus trying to
navigate a new relationships. Well done Eliza Evans
this book is awesome and made me want to make
some Christmas cookies and I’m not a baker so that
tells you a lot. this was a fun and fabulous book to
read.

[ShelfishlyKelly📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melody Monroe is determined to keep Christmas traditions alive for her sons, even as they grow up and become more independent. When the school’s beloved cookie club disbands, she sees an opportunity to create lasting memories with her kids. But between baking mishaps and mysterious sabotage during the festive competition, Melody starts to wonder if a second chance at love might be in the cards.

This book is wonderfully cute and heartwarming. I loved the cozy, small-town vibe, which sometimes gave off a Gilmore Girls feel—yes, it’s a bit of a cliché, but it’s true! There were moments when everything seemed to go wrong, and the whole town rallied together, bringing that familiar sense of community and charm.

Six years after losing her husband, Melody has been raising her twin sons with the support of her parents and sister. As her boys start to become more independent and leave their belief in Santa behind, Melody clings to her annual Christmas traditions more than ever—and doesn’t expect to find new love along the way.

Jonathan, the divorced single father and principal at Melody’s kids’ school, has been a familiar face lately due to her children’s frequent tardiness. Though he’s attractive and highly sought after by other moms, Melody can’t picture herself with someone so serious and structured—until he swoops in to save her cookie recipe. Suddenly, Melody starts to see a different side of Jonathan, and a possible future together begins to take shape.

This book was filled with nostalgia and holiday cheer, and it got me in the Christmas spirit. The romance was wholesome and sweet, complemented by many tender family moments throughout the story. It’s a fun, easy romantic holiday read that’s perfect for cozying up with during the festive season.

[CAROLYN Wyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Cookie Wars by Eliza Evans

The Christmas Cookie Wars was a cute cozy holiday romance with a little mystery mixed in. Melody has been raising her twin boys Tate and Flynn alone since their father Thomas passed away, but recently she has been struggling. The boys have been getting into trouble in school and Melody has been called into the office, as she has arrived late with the boys for school for the millionth time. Principal Johnathan Braxton is wound a little tight, not caving on rules, and following policies, he dresses like he’s going to a business meeting, but Melody is starting to see just how fit he really is.

When the person that runs the annual cookie events drops out, Melody volunteers to run it, unfortunately Melody has had no success at cookie making yet. When Johnathan and Melody make a bet on the outcome of the bake off, they don’t expect to start feeling attracted to the other. As things heat up, will the community do if they be ok if they date? Can a parent and the principal have a relationship? Toss in the mystery of the sugar and salt swap, and you have a bit of mystery and drama.

I definitely enjoyed this sweet wholesome story about a second chance at love. This was heartwarming and definitely made me smile. Great for a before or after Christmas read. This is filled with traditions and magic.

[Elizabeth • LizziePageReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to PRH Audio for the ALC of The Christmas Cookie Wars.

This Christmas Cookie Wars is a sweet and cozy, Hallmark-esque holiday romcom with humor and heart. 3.63 stars

I really enjoyed reading this one — it felt like watching a Hallmark movie in book form! A single mom falls for her sons’ principal when they’re forced to lead a Christmas cookie baking club together. There’s drama and sabotage, but it’s not angsty drama, so it still feels light. It’s filled with family fun and town-wide Christmas activities, including a ton of cookie baking! Be warned, you’re going to want to do some serious baking after reading this!

If you’re looking for an easy, fun, cozy, sweet holiday romance, this is a great option!

Audio: I LOVED the narrator’s performance!! Her cadence and inflection kept me fully engaged, and I liked the voices she used for non-MC dialogue. Eileen has narrated a few other books you might have read, including the Dead Romantics, and I can’t wait to listen to more of her work!

Synopsis:
Melody Monroe will do anything to help her nine-year-old twin boys muster up the holiday spirit. Especially since they lost their father, the boys have started questioning the point of Christmas at all. So, when Melody learns the school’s Yuletide Cookie Club has disbanded due to dissension in the top ranks, she knows she must take over the cookie club herself, even if it means dealing with the infuriating school principal, Jonathan Braxton.But when a small argument turns into a town-wide bake-off between her and Jonathan, Melody finds that her competitive spirits have turned romantic. Love can't be in the cards. Her focus is on her boys, and saving Christmas. This year, will Melody be willing to let go of the past and embrace the magic of the holidays for herself?

Overall ratings
Exact star rating: 3.63
5-pt star rating: 4

Attribute ratings
Characters: 3
Atmosphere/Setting: 4.5
Writing Style: 3.5
Plot/Pacing: 3.5
Intrigue: 3.5
Logic: 3
Enjoyment: 4

[o_peacefulplace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Franchement, c’était mignon. Si vous me connaissez vous savez que je ne lis pas beaucoup de romances de Noël pour la simple et bonne raison que je suis rarement convaincue à 100%.
Pour le coup, cette histoire était plutôt mignonne et sympathique à lire. Elle se lit rapidement et l’univers est très cute.
Mais c’est vrai que je n’ai pas eu l’impression de sortir du schéma classique des romances de Noël 🎄
Je n’ai pas vraiment de négatif à dire, simplement ici tout est relativement prévisible mais en même temps l’ambiance de Noël est au rendez vous, la romance est mignonne et les personnages sont agréables. J’aurais peut être aimé encore plus de compétitivité autour de la pâtisserie mais si vous aimez les romances de Noël, celle ci se lira très bien et vous plongera complètement dans l’ambiance ! 🎁

SP • Livre offert

[em · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s nearly 100° and here i am swooning over a christmas romance book + craving christmas cookies. this was cute, sweet, funny, and charming. it was written so well!! and i loved how cozy it made me feel!!

i highly recommend reading this book once it’s out on october 22nd! eliza evans did so good with this one.

thank you so much to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc!!

[Brianna Kinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, Hallmark style book that has a bit of cozy mystery surrounding Cookeville’s crazy Christmas festivities (I wish I was there for some of them).

I felt for Melody raising two boys on her own and trying to figure out her life again after losing her husband. And falling for her children’s principal? Talk about dicey! In the end though, it was quite adorable how both families blended nicely.