Christmas in Bayberry

by Jennifer Faye

She’s trying to save the family candle company. He’s trying not to fall for Bayberry―and her―again.

Kate Taylor knows what she wants in to one day run her family’s candle business, which is at the heart of the close-knit community of Bayberry, Vermont. But the company isn’t doing well.
Wesley Adams is on the fast track to be an assistant vice president at his financial firm in Manhattan. Before the promotion is announced, he’s sent to this small town from his past to do an analysis of the candle company.
He doesn’t expect to bump into his childhood crush, Kate, and when he does, sparks fly. As he spends time in Bayberry, he falls for the town’s Christmas traditions―and for her. But he has a responsibility to submit an honest report. Will it extinguish Kate’s dreams…along with any chance they have for a future together?


The Bayberry, Vermont
Book 1 – Christmas in Bayberry
Book 2 – Valentines in Bayberry

Genres: Christmas

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2020

About the author

Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. With more than a million books sold, she is internationally published with books translated into more than a dozen languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards. Now living her dream, she resides with her very patient husband and two spoiled cats. When she's not plotting out her next romance, you can find her curled up with a mug of tea and a book. Jennifer loves to hear from readers—you can contact her via her website.

And be sure to follow Jennifer for the latest on sales via Bookbub.

Reviews

[Joy Kidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to save Bayberry's candle company? Sweet but secular, the story is set at Christmastime but a manger is mentioned only as a decoration.

[Denise Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate wants to take over her family's candle business from her aunt, but the business is in trouble and might not make it through the season. Kate would do anything to save the company--her hometown relies on it for more than employment. When her aunt hires a secretive financial assessor to evaluate the company, Kate knows she will have to fight hard to convince him the candle company, and the town, are worth saving.

Wesley is rising to the top and up for a promotion, until his latest assignment takes him back to a small town where he spent a short time in his youth. Surprised to see the woman managing the company is the same young girl he once had a crush on is a bit awkward, but he's all business. She's pressuring him, but the numbers aren't adding up.

As they join forces to work together, with no promises, time together kindles feelings. Kate is doing a lot for the town, as well as the business, and Wesley convinces her to ask the town to chip in for some of the town's traditions. The company can't afford to underwrite it all, and it's okay to give up control to bring in others to help.

Pressure to finish the job by his boss, with a promotion looming, while trying to find an investor, is a lot on Wesley's shoulders. Kate's can-do attitude is convincing, and Wesley doesn't want to let her down, as he's falling for her again. Kate wants it all--the business, traditions, saving the town, plus love--but knowing Wesley's leaving has her heart torn in the midst of hoping for a Christmas miracle.

A heartfelt Christmas story with romance, tradition, and maybe a Christmas miracle!

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever watched a Hallmark Christmas movie and thought, "I know exactly how this will end, but I’m still here for it," then congratulations—Christmas in Bayberry is your next read. It’s predictable, it’s sweet, and yes, it will absolutely make you want to quit your job and go run a small-town candle shop.

Our main characters are Kate, the small-town girl with a heart of gold who loves her family’s business, and Wesley, the big-city corporate guy sent to assess (read: potentially destroy) it. Wesley once spent childhood summers in Bayberry, so naturally, it takes about five minutes for him to start remembering the charm of the town—and of Kate, because of course. There’s a Christmas festival, there’s candle-making, there’s one million cozy winter activities that people in small towns apparently have unlimited time for.

But let’s be real—the reason these books work isn’t if they’ll end happily, but how much holiday spirit they can pack in before the inevitable kiss-in-the-snow moment. And this book goes all in: twinkling lights? Check. A town that’s basically a Christmas snow globe? Obviously. A corporate guy realizing his soul doesn’t belong to spreadsheets? You bet.

Four stars because Christmas in Bayberry does exactly what it promises—a warm, festive romance that feels like drinking hot cocoa in book form. If you love Hallmark movies, small-town charm, and the kind of romance where the biggest obstacle is "Should I leave my high-powered job for love?"—this one’s a no-brainer.

[Joque Bookreviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute & wholesome Christmas romance. It screams Hallmark from opening to close. I loved the cute small-town life and gossip, the Christmas decorations, the snowy weather comparisons to a snow globe, the fun Christmas events, the way everyone was so friendly and wanted to help each other.

We have a down on his luck businessman who's trying to get a promotion at his firm in order to help his mom. His boss sends him to a small-town, one he lived in for a month when he was a young, to evaluate the candle company that's also the heart of the town called Bayberry. He remembers crushing on Kate when he was younger, and still has one for her. But Kate's aunt owns the candle company and she hired the firm to evaluate it.

Kate is doing everything in her power to keep the company open but there's a lot that needs done for that to happen. As he evaluates the company, the duo grow closer. He starts to lose his Grinch ways, falling for the small-town and Kate. But he also has to be honest and do his job. Can they overcome their differences if the evaluation doesn't go Kate's way?

Very cute book that brings all the Christmas feels and found family. My only gripe is that the pace was slow in several places due to descriptions taking precedence over plot, and there only being a snowy kiss as a relationship end goal. If you're looking for some naughty times, you won't find it here lol.

Read whatever makes you happy fellow book lovers! Then tell me about it lol.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would make a great Christmas film everything about this story just has a feel good factor. Kate still lives in Bayberry and loves the feel of the small town vibe, everybody knows everybody and are always will to help each other. When her Aunts candle company is struggling she wants to take over, she'd do anything to save the business that provides for majority of the town. When Wesley is sent to Vermont and the small town he lived in Bayberry he hopes to prove himself and get the promotion he's been working hard to secure. He doesn't expect to come face to face with the girl now a woman he had a crush on, and for it to be her families business he's come to assess. Will the small town life appeal to him now after living and working in the big city. After spending time experiencing the christmas spirit and cheer and the one person he still remembers dearly. Can he walk away from him city life. Or will his work prove to be all his life is about. This book will have you finding any excuse to keep reading and hoping the festive spirit and Santa works their magic for a hea.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ambitious and stuck-in-the-mud Wes, waiting for his potential promotion, is horrified when he is sent to small-town Bayberry, especially when he discovers its residents are fully focused on Christmas. The sole advantage is that his high-school crush lives there!
Kate, the popular and cheerful heir apparent of Bayberry Candles, is frantically planning events designed to save the ailing company. She overcomes her initial shock at finding that Wes has established himself in her office, welcoming him to Bayberry and, by including him in her Christmas activities, encourages him to realise what is lacking in his life .
This heartwarming novel involves the reader in the community’s Christmas preparations, admiring their unity in adversity. However, the storyline, which starts and ends well, drags at times in the body of the novel, and I skim-read several chapters, without missing any fundamental details.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Christmas In Bayberry a small town in Vermont. Kate wants to run Her family candle company when her aunt retires. The company is the reason the town exists, the main employer, but it is not doing well and may have to be sold. Aunt Penny calls her friend who manages to have her son dispatched to Bayberry to write a report and make a recommendation for the company. Wes and his family had lived there years before. He had a crush on Kate back then. Wes is one of those up for a big promotion at work and he is not happy with the assignment. Bayberry works it's Christmas magic. The longer he is there the more he wants to save the company for Kate, the more he enjoys Bayberry's work-life balance and Christmas customs. The more time he wants to spend with Kate. Kate really likes Wes and it's easy to guess she is falling for him. Jennifer Faye will make you want to visit the friendly Christmas loving town.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in Bayberry a story that just gave me lots of holiday hugs. Kate Taylor and Wesley Adams are really living a Hallmark movie. Kate is in small town Bayberry, VT. She’s lived here most of her life and now works in her aunt’s candle factory – the main business/industry in town. And it is in trouble… Wes is a business consultant and called in to help figure out the state of the business. He’s been in town before but there’s a wonderful back story, along with a meet/cute, and small-town machinations, but you have to read it for yourself. I don’t’ want to give any spoilers nor can I do the story justice. It’s fun and touching and a wee bit sad in places but it IS uplifting…and it even has a bit of magic! (Can you hear me, Santa?)

Wes and Kate are a great couple. I loved it! It will be a re-read for me for years to come.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the small town of Bayberry, Vermont. It was so quaint and even had the Bayberry Candle Company, which had been family owned for over 100 years. Kate's Aunt Penney owned the factory and had hired a consultant from New York City to help determine the future of the company.
I liked that Wes, was sent by his company to do the consultation. It was fun watching him catch up with people he knew from the brief time when he had lived there in a beautiful, Victorian house, when he was in junior high.
I really enjoyed the fun, Christmas traditions of the tree lighting, Santa, putting ornaments on the tree, and the Candlelight dance on Christmas Eve. I also enjoyed Wes finding his Christmas spirit, with the help of Kate. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this small town of Bayberry and the great characters. The plot keeps you guessing how everything will work out for the candle company and the small town. With the friendly community and fun characters I was taken back to slower times when life was simple. With the Christmas events and all the town pitching in I could see myself living here and being happy. The romance was slow and sweet, I love there are two growing romances in this story. Lots of great food is thrown into the story as well. This is a perfect read for a cold winter day, you will want to read it all in one sitting with a fuzzy blanket and hot chocolate!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet Christmas story with a touch of magic.
I really enjoyed reading Wes and Kate’s story.
Set around Christmastime in the quaint town of Bayberry the towns candle company requires a miracle to keep trading.
Wes has been sent by his financial firm to evaluate the business and submit his findings.
Coming back to Bayberry where Wes spent a short time in his childhood brings back memories of a young beautiful Kate.
With an instant attraction between the two of them, can anything come of it as Wes is only in town for a short time?
This is a really sweet kisses only read, I loved the storyline and all of the characters and look forward to reading more stories of the people in this town.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heart-warming story! Aunt Penney owns the Bayberry Candle company which Kate works at. Having some difficulties, Aunt Penney hires Wes from a financial firm to perform an analysis of the company. Wes and Kate had briefly gone to school together and he had a crush on her. Will she remember him? Will Wes be able to help the company? Will the Christmas spirit drive them together for a HEA?

The story was engaging and well written from the opening line to the end. The chemistry between Wes and Kate were so sweet and the camaraderie of all were fantastic. Even when hope was starting to dwindle, the encouragement and support from all was very uplifting. Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amber Leigh Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas in Bayberry is categorized as a second chance small town romance, but the first half of the book felt focused elsewhere, more on the Bayberry Candle Company and the charming Vermont town that depends on it. The first 50 percent of the book felt slow because of this. There was little action to keep the pages turning. The second half picked up the pace. The second chance for Wes seemed more to do with his Christmas spirit and the realization that Bayberry is the home he's always needed. The romance felt secondary to that. This is a sweet heartwarming story, a feel-good holiday read. Readers will definitely fall in love with Bayberry and everything it has to offer.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides readers with a sweet romance, nostalgic Christmas traditions and events, the feeling of community and support found in small towns. The characters are wonderful, easy to like or love and pull you into their story. Kate is doing everything she can to help save the candle company that has been in her family for generations and is vital to the town’s economy. Seeing Wesley again is bittersweet at best. He was once a good friend, but he is here to do a financial report on the company she loves which will decide its future. Spending time together forges a connection and maybe some deeper feelings that neither wants to acknowledge. Chaotic emotions reign as both are faced with some tough decisions. Will love or business win? Or could there be a way to have both?

I will happily recommend this engaging book.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful Season romance story to read. This story is about Kate Taylor who works for her family's candle making business and Wesley (Wes) Adams a senior business advisor who works for Watson & Summers was sent by the company back to Bayberry to analysis the candle company. Aunt Penney is having trouble running the company and asked for help from a firm. Wes lived in Bayberry during high school and had a crush on Kate. Kate who been helping her aunt is his contact. Will Wes be able to help the company? This was a very touchy romantic feel-good seasonal story as Wes and Kate during Christmas time alight their feelings in this copy I'd received and volunteer to read and review.

[Aud · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Christmas in Bayberry” by Jennifer Faye
A Sweet Read Christmasy with a touch of Romance
Yes, you know how you want this story to play out, but there is always the chance the author will play you for a fool. So, like any good reader; you try to figure out all the ways the clues can be used to lead you down the garden path. How many times will you change your mind on how this story will progress. Or do you just sit back and read and wait for the author to explain every little thing to you? Happy Reading ! !

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and daughter-in-law live in a lovely small town in Vermont, much like the fictional town of Bayberry. That helped me enjoy this sweet story even more.
The characters were very well written, and the storyline, although slow at times, was cute. This was a kisses only romance, and it took a long time to get to the first kiss. Along the way the author weaved a delightful story of a small town and the people who lived there pulling together.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallmark had better watch out. - Wes never imagined he'd ever visit the little town of Bayberry again, let alone find his school crush single. Kate is the one he was forced to leave behind, but never forgot. Can he get a second chance to claim her heart even as he might have to recommend her family's company closes its doors? A lovely Christmas tale that rivals any Hallmark movie for its seasonal festiveness, small-town heart and clean romance.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[AF Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for Christmas - hot cocoa, decorations, the smell of pine trees, the sparkle of lights, happy pause smiles, love stories- both real and imagined. This book was no exception. I enjoyed the drama, angst, and I loved knowing what was coming from the first chapter. If it didn’t all end like it did you would have heard me screaming in the next county. I couldn’t wait to get back to the story if I had to put it down. Life is hard enough on any given day- there is a time for real good- feel good books to read around the holidays. Thank you, Ms. Faye.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be read as a standalone but is the first book in an interconnected series. When he gets assigned to a job in the only town he felt at home in right after his mom mentions it he's confused. Finding out he's working with his childhood crush seems prophetic. Will she remember him? What will his findings be? How does everyone react to the outcome?.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Christmas in Bayberry’ was heartfelt. Moreover, I liked the author’s writing style: engaging and believable characters, an awesome Christmas setting, vivid descriptions including imagery, figurative language, well-thought-out word choices, and a fascinating storyline that held my interest throughout. Overall, I liked the beautiful narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wes and Kate meet again in Bayberry except that she doesn't remember him due to her own circumstances. They do get to know each other this time around and figure out they might be good together. As they work on their relationship there is some magic and other twists and turns they need to get through. All the characters are well written in this wonderful town.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in Bayberry is 1st book in The Bayberry, Vermont series.
Great story of Wes, Kate and Bayberry Candle Company. And other 900 inhabitants of the small town.
Amazing Christmas story, sweet and little bit magic as well. Just what you need for your Christmas spirit. Loved characters and their second chance romance. Well written, read it in one go.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the cutest high school crush romance. It's a sweet story of second chances, heartwarming Christmas traditions and the power of a small town community who take care of each other. Loved the candle company business and how Kate and Wes built on their friendship to being so much more. This happily ever after Christmas romance was magical and all about that Christmas spirit. A wonderful story!.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute holiday book. To Wes Christmas is just another day for him to get some work done. For Kate living in Bayberry Christmas was the best holiday. Wes comes to town doing work for his company consulting the Bayberry Candle Company. He meets and falls in love and comes to find that Christmas is special after all. I recommend this book to all holiday-themed romance readers.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the cover alone doesn't put you in the Christmas spirit, then read this romance book and it will. I could actually picture the characters, the scenes and storyline in my head as I read this book. It would make for a really good Christmas movie. This romance book will give you a warm and fuzzy feeling and has a really great ending.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great first book in the series and can not wait for the next one.
I really enjoyed Kate and Wesley and seeing their story unfold when he comes to town and having the past connection was perfect as I do love a second chance. When you throw in Christmas time along with great characters it makes a perfect mix!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Arti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet book about two people who want to do their best.
Kate Taylor for her family business and Wesley Adams for his mother.

I loved the story and the christmassy feel that it brings.
And the best part is that we get two love stories in one.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Kate & Wes's story - especially reading along as Wes figured things out. I also very much enjoyed the other romance in this book (no names 'cause no spoilers!)! I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series!!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[D'anah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive

The whole story tugs at your heart as it seems absolutely impossible to "turn things around." Everyone's life and livelihood hinges on the outcome.
Was great to see the change in Wes. Like his heart finally 'kicked in'. The town's people are wonderful. You want to stay there!
A real heartwarming read. Love all the fun traditions and things they get up to. Enjoyed it.