Brewing Up Christmas

by Emily Campbell

Eli, Bayshore’s charming bartender and notorious ladies’ man, has always shrugged off the holiday spirit. But when a mysterious woman strolls into his brewery, everything changes. What starts as a whirlwind night of passion quickly transforms into something far more magical when Eli finds himself at the center of a Christmas mission he never asked for.

Angelina isn’t just passing through—she’s Santa’s Chief Spirit Officer, tasked with restoring the town’s dwindling Christmas cheer. And now, she’s enlisted Eli to help her. With pointed ears and a magical Christmas spirit meter tracking his every move, Eli must decorate, spread joy, and reluctantly embrace the season if he ever wants to return to his old self.

As they deck the halls of Bayshore, sparks fly between Eli and Angelina, blending holiday cheer with undeniable attraction. But with each magical encounter, Eli finds himself questioning whether getting back to normal is really what he wants—or if Angelina has given him something far better than any gift under the tree.

Genres: Christmas, Novella, Holiday Romance, Holiday, Romance, Magic, Found Family

115 pages, Paperback

Published December 4, 2024

Reviews

[Angy Twisted Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT I WANNA DO IS LIVE FOREVER IN BAYSHORE!
This little novella gives Dickens vibes with like less sad people and a swoony couple, okay? It doesn’t make sense, but it does, i swear. Third person made me skeptical at first, and I, too, might have been thrown off a little but you’ll reconsider very soon, like I did. Angelina and Eli hold so much chemistry. You’ll forget you’re reading! And there’s small-town and Christmas magic that holds everything together. I am full and joyful in October lol i loved this that’s… wow

(Free copy)

[Kylie ve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short and cute read with all the Christmas magic feels! I really liked that this book was more than your standard love story. It really focused on Christmas magic and how it makes people happy and Eli finding that happiness again was adorable. This book was light and full of cozy moments that made you feel good. I will say I was very surprised at how quickly they got together in the beginning but it turned out to be a cute book!

[Catbytheseareads ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come. Merry Christmas

[Anca A · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Review: *Brewing Up Christmas* - Emily Campbell - ARC [16+]
4.4/5✨
2/5🌶️

While working at the Harbor Craft Brewing, Eli's attention was captivated by a beautiful lady, called Angelina. She had a precise task even from the start, eying our boy Eli to accomplish that special matter. Angelina wanted him to bring back the Christmas spirit in that little town. That would turn out to be entirely different than what Eli thought and which would eventually help him find that fun Christmas spirit in his own heart.

I loved the idea of this story and how it brought back to life that Christmas spirit to that little town. I liked that in this process, Eli has also changed his perception about that time of year and started to see what was, in fact, hiding behind the whole celebration: being close to your loved ones, sharing some beautiful moments with them while preparing for the holidays and, especially, that feeling of completeness when you're around so many loved people.

A one short novella which was hiding so many beautiful and cozy moments and feelings. I liked that we had the chance to learn something from it and to stop for a second to think about all those things that happened in this story. The romance side of this book was a nice addition in the whole picture and I liked that one of a kind connection between our characters.

I need to thank Emily for giving me the chance to read this e-ARC.🤗

✨Tropes
#SmallTown
#HolidayNovella
#HeHatesWinter
#StrangersToLovers
#FoundFamily

[Latte Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short read with many Christmas magic moments throughout. Eli, is living life going through the motions dreading another winter & holiday season when Angelina, Santa’s Chief Spirit Officer arrives in his bar one night & next thing you know, he is tasked with bringing the Christmas spirit back to Baytown. With the help of a little magic of course!

I enjoyed reading this & the different tasks Eli completed. My only wish was that we had gotten some more on page time with Angelina & Eli. They obviously had chemistry & I would have enjoyed more time with them.

I recommend if you’re looking for a holiday novella with magic & spice, but where romance is not the main focus of the story.

[Angie.andbooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh…

I read it cos it was short and Christmasy but it wasn’t anything special.
First chapter they see each other for the first time, had some actions…..second to last chapter they tell each others that they’re in love 🤷🏼‍♀️
Other than that it’s just for Eli to bring Christmas magic to town.

[Dana 🦋 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3⭐️
Spice: 2🌶

Format: E-book 📱

This was such an easy and really really fast read (I think it took me less than a half hour) and I've got some thought.

When the book first started I thought huh what a sweet small town romance. Girl enters bar, bartender gives her the up down, they sneak out into the alley.
Then shit got.....weird.

Now that's not a bad thing but it was pretty confusing.
I loved the whole Grinch to Christmas spirit transformation. The entire small town getting together to breathe the life of Christmas joy and Christmas spirit into it was so heartwarming.

I'm looking forward to Bitter Brews and Secret Pages.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute and fast Christmas Novella! Eli and Angelina are so cute together. It's more than a romance, it's about the Christmas spirit and bringing that alive. There is a small amount of spice but the book's main focus is not that. At the end there is even a cookie recipe that I cannot wait to make!!
Thank you so much Emily for allowing me to ARC read this book!

[Nicole Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brewing Up Christmas
Emily Campbell


🎄Magical Realism
❄️ Lots of banter
🎄 Special Cookies
❄️ She’s in charge
🎄 On page spice
❄️ Christmas Themed
🎄 Romance


This was a quick, enchanting read filled with plenty of Christmas magic. Eli is stuck in a monotonous routine, dreading another cold winter and holiday season until one night, Angelina, Santa’s Chief Spirit Officer, walks into his bar. Before he knows it, Eli finds himself tasked with restoring the Christmas spirit to Baytown—with a little help from some holiday magic.

Overall, I thought this was a cute quick read. Eli and Angelina spicy very early on with no real character development, which confused me, there could had been a tad more introduction in there. I did enjoy Eli turning from Scrooge to Mr. Christmas Spirit. If you’re looking for a spicy Christmas Romance novella, I’d recommend giving this one a read. I’m going to give the rest of the series a go once they come out. The only downside to novellas I always want more!

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an odd book. I went in blind, not really knowing what it was about. I think i saw the cover and title and thought to give it a chance. All I knew about it was small town, grumpy/sunshine romance. And the only reason I didn’t DNF it was bc I needed to know where the story was going, and it was only about 100 pages. The concept was good, mysterious woman seeks out grumpy bartender to bring back the Christmas spirit to this small town. She magically turns him into an elf that no one can see as that, and there is supposedly a strong connection between them. He ends up spending a week helping decorate the town and organizing a tree lighting and a food drive. I felt a repetiveness to the writing, I felt no connection between the two MCs and it didn’t feel small town. And it had spice that made no sense what so ever.

[Ana D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brewing Up Christmas

Quick Vibe:
Cute, cozy small-town holiday romance, with a twist of magic and some spice. Think Hallmark Christmas movie meets Fifty Shades.

What I Liked:
The chemistry felt natural and the winter vibes were super cute — perfect comfort read energy.

What I Didn’t:
Some scenes felt a bit predictable, like I could see the next page coming from a mile away.

Final Take:
Great for anyone wanting an easy, warm, Christmas/Holiday read. Skip if you need something deeper than a sweet seasonal escape. I recently have read some heavier books so this was refreshing and easy.

3/5

[Lyn ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get these are meant to be cute, fast paced holiday novellas and this was sweet…. I loved the aspect of Eli having a mission of bringing back the holiday spirit to his little town and getting the community together.

The spice and romance was not it…what do you mean you’re falling for each other? You BARELY had any actual real encounters??? MIND YOU, one of these encounters, SHE DRUGGED HIM WITH FESITIVE COOKIES. WYM YOU’RE IN LOVE??? Please lmao stop itttt! The writing was super repetitive too. Meh.

[Sami Zavoral · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!
1.5 🌶️

This little novella was such a comfy cozy feel good. I loved the magical realism! Turning a brewery worker into a grumpy elf injecting christmas spirit into his small town. With a side of romance and falling in love!

My favorite part of this novella is the message about bringing christmas spirit and doing things for the community to bring cheer for all. A good reminder of the true meaning of christmas and the joy the little things can bring.

Warning - you might want to immediatly go decorate for christmas after reading this book!! 🎄😌

[Cheyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was an adorable read perfect to get any reader in the christmas spirit! I loved the cute little romance between Eli and Angelina, as well as the tasks that taught him and the rest of the town the true meaning of christmas. If you’re looking for a cute and quick holiday romance to read then this is it!

[Lark _thebookchamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella to help you feel the magic of Christmas right along with the characters! I loved that Eli was tasked to help around the town and was able to bring his community together to experience the heartwarming moments and fellowship that Christmastime has to offer! I will say, Angelina and Eli had a lot of chemistry in that first meeting, and I’m sad we didn’t get more of their romance throughout! However, the glimpses we get are sure to warm you up (if you know what I mean 🤗)
Overall, it was super cute!

[Annette V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t be fooled by the cute cover, this is a very spicy book 🔥🔥. It’s a good book to reading during the holidays. It’s mostly about spreading Christmas cheer and bring back the Christmas spirit 🎄. Angelina the FMC changed Eli the MMC, who at first was a grumpy guy and not in the Christmas spirit. She brought out the magic, that he didn’t believe in. She walked into his life and quickly became his center of attention. He wanted to get to know more about her and spend time with her. It’s a very quick read and definitely loved it 😍

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a super short read. Unfortunately this wasn’t for me. We get some spice right out the gate, which is fine, but the scene is disjointed and feels out of place. The entire story is a bit juvenile and never pulled me in.

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect going into this but I definitely wasn't expecting magic (no, I did not read the blurb). I absolutely loved the idea behind this novella, with the magic, the Christmas spirit and a romance too. I quite liked Eli, but as it's only a short novella (and he was kinda under the influence of magic some of the time) we didn't get to know him super well. This will sound weird but it also felt an odd mix of too short but also too long. I would have loved more so we could get more description and detail, learn more about the characters and especially since there was magic involved it got a bit confusing without full explanations sometimes. However, it also felt too long at times because there seemed to be a lot of repetition. I found myself absolutely convinced a couple of times that I'd already read that exact sentence? I think she might have found herself repeating herself because she was avoiding putting too much in and making the book longer than the little novella she wanted. But it was a super fast read, I loved the premise of it and it worked as a good little intro to the town of Bayshore ahead of what I think is "book 1" in a series, Bitter Brews & Secret Pages (which is why I read this ready and didn't bother reading the blurb haha).

[Ellie Schaben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Emily Campbell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this concept so much! It was the perfect cheesiness for the season, and it read exactly like a hallmark movie.

The rating is because of the smut. I actually don’t think this story needed it. It didn’t need the insta-love. I kinda liked the one night stand vibe from the first half, but then they happen to fall in love after spending no time together.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cant wait to read Bitter Brews & Secret Pages!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun Christmas story with more magic than I was expecting, but in the best way! I can't wait to see where these characters go, and to see them again!

[Melissa Corday · Rating 1 out of 5]

The FMC Angelina is not a "boss babe", she roofies the MMC.

Evidence:

The next evening, Angelina returned to Harbor Craft Brewing, a box of festive Italian Christmas cookies tucked under her arm. These cookies weren’t just any cookies. They were special—imbued with just the right amount of holiday magic to spark a transformation. But the best part? Eli would never see it coming.

...

Eli blinked, his vision tilting as a strange wave of dizziness swept over him. At first, it was subtle, just a small shift like he’d lost his footing for a moment. But then the room tilted again, harder this time, and a fog crept into his thoughts, clouding them.

...

“What… what did you put in those?” His voice was strained, panic lacing the edges of it as his eyes locked on hers. The sweetness of the cookies lingered on his tongue, but even that felt wrong now, cloying and strange. Angelina’s smile deepened, a soft, almost playful curve to her lips as she met his gaze. “Oh, just a little holiday magic,” she said lightly, her voice smooth, amused, as though she was sharing some inside joke only she understood.

The MMC then blacks out, wakes up with elf ears and is told he has to help restore Christmas Spirit... or ELSE. Then Angelina dips.

I don't think I really need to include anything else in this review, but just for funsies...
1. Despite being roofied and having like 3 encounters with her, the MMC falls in love with the FMC and vice versa
2. The sex scenes are sometimes graphic and sometimes not, consistency woulda been cool
3. I would never, ever, put my bare ladybits on a bar top. Even if the bar was freshly wiped down with bleach. My husband worked in a bar. I know too much.
4. Consent doesn't exist in this book, and neither do condoms apparently, or any kind of safe sex.
5. Characters just show up without any explanation of who they are and then disappear again (Who's Walt? Where did he come from? And after one conversation... where did he go?)
6. Angelina scares me, every time she shows up she either wants to make Eli perform manual labor or she wants to bone. Eli blink twice if you need help!
7. Is Harbor Craft Brewery the same thing as Harbor Craft Brew and Books? That's confusing.
8. Why is the inn called the Gingerbread Cottage? This is a seaside town, and that name only makes sense one month of the year. Shoulda been called... literally anything else
9. Minus ten points for "The cold never bothered him anyway" OK Elsa!
10. Minus ten points for "He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding" what a tired and overplayed line.
11. Even though the magical meter of Christmas Spirit maxed out and exploded in glitter, there's still One More Thing that Eli has to do because maxing out the meter isn't actually enough, apparently.
12. I guess little miss Santa's Chief Officer of Christmas Spirit and Drugs doesn't need to go back to the North Pole or anything because it seems like she's here to stay.
13. We never actually see Christmas day. We get up until like, December 20th or so, and then bam, it's New Years Eve.

Overall I'm sad I paid money for this and wish I hadn't read it. I saw "bartender" and bought it on a whim and I regret it.

[Chloë · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet! (& spicy…) ~ 3.75✨

Would I recommend? ☑️

⭑ Publication date: Available now!
⭑ Format: Kindleunlimited, Kindle & Paperback
⭑ Genre: Holiday novella
⭑ Tropes: Found family, Small town, Grinchy MMC, He hates winter, She’s full of Christmas cheer, Sweet & spicy, On page spice, NO slow burn!!

📚 Prequel to ‘Bitter Brews & Secret Pages’ (available to read on Kindleunlimited)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

✧ PLOT ✧

• Meet Eli, Bayshore’s Grinchy bartender who; if it was an option, would hibernate until January.

• Meet Angelina, ‘Santas Chief Spirit Operator’ whose mission is to bring Christmas cheer back to Bayshore.

Sparks may fly in the bedroom but for Angelina, Eli’s lack of Christmas cheer just won’t do.

So, gifting him some pointy ears & a Christmas spirit meter she enlists his help to breathe holiday magic back into Bayshore.
The catch? Eli MUST complete the tasks to get back to ‘normal’.

But as he decks the halls of his ho-ho-home town, he soon begins to realise this ‘new normal’ may actually be the best gift he’s ever received.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

✧ SUMMARY/OPINIONS ✧

GRINCHES OF THE WORLD, this one’s for you!! 💚 x 3️⃣

Set in the small tight knit town of Bayshore, Brewing Up Christmas is a laugh out loud, warm & fuzzy, true meaning of Christmas holiday novella. It’s a short but sweet (& spicy👀) story overflowing with Christmas magic & community spirit that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

~

If your heart wasn’t full before reading this book it definitely will have grown 3 sizes by the end!
It was light & cozy with a perfect mix of sweetness & spice. The found family aspect was SO heartwarming & I loved how everything came back to the true meaning of Christmas > It’s not the presents under the tree or the food on the table, it’s the people around you ♥️

[I really wish this would’ve been longer 😩. There were times where things felt rushed & times where more background was definitely needed. I definitely found myself filling in the gaps quite a few times.
*BUT, I did still enjoy this book - everything pulled together like a neat little bow on Christmas gift]

~

📣 A huge thank you to Emily Campbell for giving me the opportunity to read Brewing Up Christmas. This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brewing Up Christmas by Emily Campbell
5 out of 5 stars
Free Copy- Thank you Emily!

Brewing Up Christmas is a short 102-page book about bringing Christmas Spirit back into a small town. The main character Eli just wants to go back to his surfing weather where the town feels alive until Angelina comes into town with some magic cookies.

I will say that I don’t have much Christmas spirit at all so I could relate to this town well. Don’t hate me for that 😂Let me just say I woke up to my dad coming in to drop off presents while dressed as Santa at 5 years old. That traumatizes you and to this day he will still deny he did that 😂

Alright, now into the actual review. Without any spoilers, those cookies were definitely magic (and that recipe will be saved to try later 🫶) and I was not expecting Angelina to have that job AT ALL. I was going into this book and expecting more of a Hallmark vibe and I liked that it wasn't. The storyline was a nice twist and I think anyone of any gender would enjoy this read. You don't have to be a fan of Christmas to like it and I am proof of that. If you're worried about the length, don’t be. Yes, the story moves a little fast, but that is expected for a short book. You still get everything that you need and want out of the read.

For those reading this, there is some spice, but it's not overwhelming. If needed, you could skip those parts without really missing anything. The only thing you would miss is that Angelina calls the shots 😉 but that is obvious anyway.

Overall, if you want a book about a small town needing some Christmas cheer with some romance mixed in, give Brewing Up Christmas by Emily Campbell a shot. It's short, sweet, and a good read

"But one thing was clear—he had no choice but to play her game."

[Nessie Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brewing Up Christmas is a short and simple Christmas novella about restoring Christmas spirit in a bleak town. Angelina is the top person in the holiday cheer department and she recruits the help of an unwittingly bartender named Eli.

The romance is sweet and I simply LOVED the trope of “the Grinch turning into a softie towards the end of the Christmas season”. I could easily picture the scenes in my head like a movie when Eli slowly regains his love for the holiday and becomes a warm person to everyone and most of all, to Angelina. Throughout his journey as Angelina’s little helper, we also see the town come together again for the holidays and that was a really heartwarming moment that overtakes the romance plot within the novella.

I say that because for one, while I did enjoy them as a couple, I would have liked to see more depth from them as a couple as it had felt that we were only given a small delicious insight into their relationship—which is unfortunately the downside to a novella because you’re invested in a couple and want more. The next thing is the first two chapters and they are a bit confusing; Angelina saunters into the bar Eli’s working and they practically almost go at it, but in the next chapter, it becomes really confusing when Angelina is brooding over their counter and is coming off as a revenge or something like that for whatever happened in the past?

Although it had a confusing start, Brewing Up Christmas is a perfect for a quick read for the Christmas season. The highlight of this sweet novella isn’t the romance—no, it is the sweet feeling you’d get when an entire community slowly gets together to celebrate the holidays and it’s a beautiful feeling to experience.

Thank you to Emily Campbell for the advance reader’s copy!

[Steph Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, Christmas Rom-Com feel with a welcome dash of spice. This is a quick, cosy novella—the perfect length for a lazy Sunday or a snow day when you need an immediate dose of holiday cheer.

The story shines through its central characters and its setting. Emily Campbell does a nice job of showcasing a town united through holiday cheer and good will, making the small-town setting truly delightful.
The MMC, Eli, is the main focus, and he’s wonderfully developed as a Grinchy but lovable bartender who is slowly charmed by the spirit of the season. He's a great hero, and his transformation is heart-warming. The FMC, Angelina, is equally engaging, written with just the right amount of mystery and magic—she's Santa's Chief Spirit Officer, tasked with a mission that drives the plot.

The romance between Eli and Angelina is sweet, but the book lacked real dramatic tension, which unfortunately left the HEA feeling a bit flat. There was no major complication between the main characters, making the resolution feel too easy.
While the ending felt logical, I think this could have been resolved with a bit more depth. I feel a chapter from Angelina's POV, perhaps talking about what she might have needed to give up for her HEA or truly explaining the stakes of her mission. This would add insight and given the ending the emotional punch the rest of the novella delivered.

This book delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, light read that offers a great blend of classic Christmas cosiness and modern romance spice. If you enjoy a quick, low-angst story where the town itself is a character, "Brewing up Christmas" is a good holiday pick. It's an enjoyable distraction, but I wish it had that little bit extra a conflict brings a story.

3.8 ⭐ (rounded up to 4)

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

“He didn’t know what the future held for them, but for the first time in his life, he wasn’t worried about it. He had her, and that was enough. More than enough.”

✔️holiday novella
✔️small town
✔️magical realism
✔️instalove
✔️grumpy x sunshine
✔️no breakup

1.75⭐️ rounded up

Honestly, this novella was disappointing. There is loads of holiday cheer and character growth for Eli (MMC), however it’s light on the romance and in a romance novella I’m expecting the couple to make sense, even though we all know with limited page space it’ll likely be instalust/love. Angelina (FMC) hooks up with the MMC once in the back of the bar where he works and then drugs him with Christmas cookies that are laced with “Christmas magic”, changes his ears into elf ears, and threatens him that if he doesn’t get on board with the plan to bring holiday cheer back to the small town then he will stay in that state forever.

Just saying, if a MMC did the same thing (especially in a cute/non-dark romance) it wouldn’t be celebrated. Yes, I know you have to suspend your disbelief and embrace the magic but it just feels icky to me and it’s the main plot. The MCs may end up together in the end but there is little if any relationship building throughout the course of the story and I expect more from a book that is marketed as a romance.

[jensbooknookclub · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁: This book is a taster to introduce you to the small town of Bayshore. It was cute and I loved the concept just a little disappointed how fast it wrapped up but that’s the nature of a novella.

Eli hates winter and the holidays, he’s basically a Scrooge of the bartenders. But after a beautiful woman crosses his path at the bar everything will change.

Angelina is passing through Bayshore because she is Santa’s Chief Spirit Office, but she’s drawn to the grouchy bartender. Then she gets an idea to help this town and makes Eli a batch of her special Christmas Cookies.

When Eli eats the cookies Angelina gives him, he feels odd… then he has elf ears and is seeing a Christmas cheer meter for the town. Now he has to work to bring Christmas cheer back to Bayshore if he ever hopes to be normal again.

Come meet the residents of Bayshore and see how the community comes together to find the Christmas spirit they have lost.

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Cheerful FMC Who Works for Santa
* Grumpy Scrooge Bartender MMC
* Magical Christmas Cookie
* Turned into an Elf
* Creating Christmas Spirit
* Found Family
* Intro to Bayshore for New Series Coming 2025
* Novella w/ Spice🔥

🎄✨🍪✨ 🎄✨🍪✨ 🎄✨🍪✨ 🎄

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC3QRHKRD...

[Ashlee - ash•in•pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★
🌶️

This is a fun, quick read to get you into the Christmas spirit with a little added spice! It had all the warm, cozy vibes that make the holidays feel special, but it felt a bit rushed at times, making it tricky to really connect with the characters. A few parts were a bit confusing, especially early on when the story seemed to jump ahead unexpectedly. That said, I still enjoyed the plot and can’t wait to read more of Emily’s books! 🎄

-

Eli hasn’t felt the Christmas cheer in years. To him, winter is just another excuse to drink and stay grumpy—basically your classic Scrooge. But when a new woman strolls into the bar, she might just be the spark he didn’t know he needed.

Angelina sees Eli’s lack of holiday spirit as a challenge. Armed with some magical cookies, she’s determined to set him on a new path. Eli, more than a little smitten, eats the cookies without a second thought… and suddenly wakes up with pointed ears and a whole lot of questions.

Now, Eli has a mission: bring the holiday spirit back to his small town. But it’s not as easy as it sounds. If he can make the spirit meter hit its peak, there’s a big reward waiting for him—maybe even more than he bargained for. 🎄

[Miranda S · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? This book was such a fun, heartwarming, and fast-paced Christmas read that perfectly captures the magic of the holiday season ✨ It has all the cozy feels with just a sprinkle of spice.

Set in a small town brimming with charm and community, this story combines some of my favorite tropes: grumpy x sunshine, found family, and the kind of opposites-attract romance that feels both believable and comforting. Eli’s dislike for winter and Angela’s unshakable holiday spirit make for such an entertaining dynamic and their banter, chemistry, and emotional growth had me smiling the whole way through.

What really stood out to me was the sense of warmth and connection that Emily Campbell weaves throughout the story. It’s not just about romance; it’s about healing, belonging, and rediscovering joy when life feels a little cold. Angela’s ability to bring light and cheer to both Eli and the town felt like the true heart of the book.

This was my first read by Emily Campbell, and I was pleasantly surprised by how invested I became in both the characters and the setting. I can already tell she’s going to be an author I reach for whenever I want a feel-good, low-angst romance with genuine emotional depth.