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Merry Weihnachten
Evangeline Phillips isn’t exactly a Grinch, but being estranged from her parents means Christmas is just another day for her. But when Evie meets her new neighbor—her hot, kind, and blessed-with-the-sexiest-accent-Evie-has-ever-heard neighbor—she thinks it might be just the thing to help her get past the holiday season.
Annika Mayer isn’t really running away. But when there’s a job opening in the United States, it seems like the perfect time to leave Germany and start fresh, even if it’s only temporary. It’s just a pity that she’s missing out on the most important Christmas with her family. Fortunately, Annika’s cute new neighbor is exactly the distraction she needs.
As their friendship and flirtation builds, Evie and Annika decide on an American-German Christmas mesh-up—they’ll share their Christmas traditions and make it through the season together. And as they plan their “Merry Weihnachten,” that flirtation starts to build into something more. But with so much standing between them and forever, Evie and Annika realize they might not get their gift-wrapped happy ending after all.
Annika Mayer isn’t really running away. But when there’s a job opening in the United States, it seems like the perfect time to leave Germany and start fresh, even if it’s only temporary. It’s just a pity that she’s missing out on the most important Christmas with her family. Fortunately, Annika’s cute new neighbor is exactly the distraction she needs.
As their friendship and flirtation builds, Evie and Annika decide on an American-German Christmas mesh-up—they’ll share their Christmas traditions and make it through the season together. And as they plan their “Merry Weihnachten,” that flirtation starts to build into something more. But with so much standing between them and forever, Evie and Annika realize they might not get their gift-wrapped happy ending after all.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 25, 2024
24 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Noyes
19 books1,988 followersE. J. Noyes is an Australian transplanted to New Zealand, which may be the awesomest thing to happen to her. She lives in the South Island with her wife and the world’s best and neediest cat, and is enjoying the change of temperature from her hot, humid homeland.
An avid but mediocre gamer, E. J. lives for skiing (which she is also mediocre at), enjoys arguing with her hair, pretending to be good at things, and working the fact she’s a best-selling and award-winning author into casual conversation.
If you want (very) sporadic emails about what E. J. is doing, you can sign up for the E. J. Noyesletter at: https://ejnoyesauthor.com/
An avid but mediocre gamer, E. J. lives for skiing (which she is also mediocre at), enjoys arguing with her hair, pretending to be good at things, and working the fact she’s a best-selling and award-winning author into casual conversation.
If you want (very) sporadic emails about what E. J. is doing, you can sign up for the E. J. Noyesletter at: https://ejnoyesauthor.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 5, 2024
Oh no, oh no, oh no! I hate to be the contrarian to the other reviewers however I must remain true to myself. I am normally a big fan of Noyes yet I found Merry Weihnachten to be repetitive and off balance. The steep incline from Evie’s lows to Annika’s saccharine highs sucked the joy out of the story for me. Forcing myself to finish the novel is never a good sign.
As I said earlier, I am the minority in the reviewing community for Merry Weihnachten. Take this review with a bag full of salt.
I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As I said earlier, I am the minority in the reviewing community for Merry Weihnachten. Take this review with a bag full of salt.
I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 16, 2024
I read some mixed reviews on this book so I lowered my initial expectations. I’m happy to say it exceeded them. And since I’ve been researching my ancestry, lately my German side, this book was a bonus. And I’ve been teaching myself German via Duolingo. So it was fun to read the German words.
I really enjoyed this book. Evie was an instant like for me. She was such a down to earth character in her everyday life. And when in business mode she was outstanding. Annika was harder to like initially but she grew on me throughout the book.
I loved the banter between Evie and Annika, it was refreshing to read. Chloe and Pete were great side characters. I loved Evie and Chloe’s relationship.
Noyes was very clever with her use of portmanteau names. And with her Christmas gifts between Evie and Annika. I loved the lawn mowing gift.
I laughed out loud at this line “ I’m German, Annika deadpanned. You want me to go into this relationship with you without having a plan?”
I also enjoyed the German Christmas traditions and they resonated with me because of my 4th great grandmother being born in Germany and living with my mom when she was a child. Now I know where some of my family traditions come from.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I really enjoyed this book. Evie was an instant like for me. She was such a down to earth character in her everyday life. And when in business mode she was outstanding. Annika was harder to like initially but she grew on me throughout the book.
I loved the banter between Evie and Annika, it was refreshing to read. Chloe and Pete were great side characters. I loved Evie and Chloe’s relationship.
Noyes was very clever with her use of portmanteau names. And with her Christmas gifts between Evie and Annika. I loved the lawn mowing gift.
I laughed out loud at this line “ I’m German, Annika deadpanned. You want me to go into this relationship with you without having a plan?”
I also enjoyed the German Christmas traditions and they resonated with me because of my 4th great grandmother being born in Germany and living with my mom when she was a child. Now I know where some of my family traditions come from.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 16, 2025
I’m apparently going to be in the minority for this audiobook, so please read more reviews. I’m a big fan of E.J. Noyes but Merry Weihnachten didn’t really work for me. Neither did Abby Craden’s narration, whose fake German accent for Annika threw me off from the beginning. Not only did it interfere with understanding her words and thoughts, which, in turn, made it impossible to adjust the speed, its thickness prevented any suspension of disbelief when Annika was interacting with her parents. Had it been lighter, I could have imagined they were talking and texting in German, and that her thoughts were as well. Even if she did think in English, she probably wouldn’t have the accent then (ask me how I know). If you’re set on listening rather than reading, I recommend checking out the narration sample first.
This book contains classic Noyes wit and sexiness, and goes into the author’s lighter books category. After the excitement and adrenaline of the Halcyon Division series, it felt a tad flat and uneventful to me, but that’s on me for expecting more from a Xmas romance. There are all sorts of far-fetched revelations about Evie’s personality and past, which would be over the top in any other genre but are the hallmarks of Christmas romances. As are the heartwarming scenes in which the MCs introduce each other to their respective holiday traditions. The multiple twists kept me entertained even as they hindered my perception of who Evie is—Annika is a lot more straightforward. While I liked the MCs well enough, my favourite characters are Evie’s best friend/brother-in-law Pete and her niece Chloe. Evie maintains wonderful relationships with them, one of platonic love and tenderness with Pete and a mutually adoring and teasing bond with the teenager.
All in all, Merry Weihnachten is a sexy, mostly lighthearted story, that, just this once, I recommend reading rather than listening to.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
December 20, 2024
Well, this was really sweet and fun! EJ Noyes has become a must read author for me. Initially, I didn’t connect with her books the way a lot of other readers did, but I’ve enjoyed nearly all of them at least a little, and more of them have become really solid and fun reading experiences. This one, I really appreciated both POVs, as that’s my preference in romance stories, and not something she often does. I loved both Annika and Evie separately and together they were equal parts sweet and very hot. Abby Craden was fantastic as always—initially, I got really worried about the German accent, and while I doubt it was great or all that accurate, it ended up growing on me and worked for me. It helps that Annika is so goddamn dreamy.
December 11, 2024
It’s a tricky thing to tread the fine line between slow-burn buildup and payoff. I have read a number of EJ Noyes’ books and she hits the bull’s-eye, to mix my metaphors, pretty much every time. But with Merry Weihnachten, you will need to be a little more patient.
There are reasons why the two MCs are hesitant to develop their burgeoning relationship, but meanwhile you can enjoy all the fun of the Christmas fayre. Boston is painted with colorful seasonal strokes and all the scenes set in the apartment block, where both the girls live (separately), also convey the sights, sounds, and feels of the festive season. So there is much to enjoy as the author builds up the tension between the two girls. There is some angst, of course, but in the main this is a sweet and fulfilling tale that drops in some seasonal German/European culture into an American holiday season. Being a Brit myself, I enjoyed seeing a number of the German traditions, some of which have found their way over 150 years or so, to the UK.
If Merry Weihnachten isn’t the author’s absolute best, that’s because in recent years she has set a very high bar. She is one of the very best lesfic authors in terms of developing a romance and latching characters directly into your heart. This holiday tale hits the mark overall and is a very enjoyable read.
There are reasons why the two MCs are hesitant to develop their burgeoning relationship, but meanwhile you can enjoy all the fun of the Christmas fayre. Boston is painted with colorful seasonal strokes and all the scenes set in the apartment block, where both the girls live (separately), also convey the sights, sounds, and feels of the festive season. So there is much to enjoy as the author builds up the tension between the two girls. There is some angst, of course, but in the main this is a sweet and fulfilling tale that drops in some seasonal German/European culture into an American holiday season. Being a Brit myself, I enjoyed seeing a number of the German traditions, some of which have found their way over 150 years or so, to the UK.
If Merry Weihnachten isn’t the author’s absolute best, that’s because in recent years she has set a very high bar. She is one of the very best lesfic authors in terms of developing a romance and latching characters directly into your heart. This holiday tale hits the mark overall and is a very enjoyable read.
December 29, 2024
Merry Weihnachten is a sweet and lovely holiday romance that somehow treads a fine line between slow-burn and insta-love. I really enjoyed the German and American holiday traditions, and the English-as-a-second-language humor was cute ("little wodkas"!) Annika’s grammar worsened when she was emotional, too, which was a surprisingly effective grace note—it helped some of the novel’s key scenes jump off the page.
One of the leads, Evie, was very wealthy, and the part of her arc that dealt with intergenerational wealth left me cold. It didn’t ruin things, but it didn’t add much either. I’m certainly not averse to reading about the problems of the very wealthy (one of world literature’s leading themes); the problem, for me, was that it wasn’t remotely decadent enough to be really delicious, and so somehow ended up a little depressing instead. That was the only real off note for me, though. I really enjoyed the romance, the chemistry between the leads, and how maturely they both handled the various minor challenges they faced. Things were kept just interesting enough to hold my interest; the only thing here that’s going to raise anyone’s heart rate are the suitably steamy-cozy sex scenes.
Most of the holiday romances I’ve read this season have involved some combination of angst, immaturity, and winter hijinks. And truly, I enjoy all those things. But Merry Weihnachten brings something else to the holiday table: a warm and comfortable escape into the lives of two mostly more-or-less ordinary women falling in love in Boston, celebrating the kinds of Christmas traditions any family might celebrate—baking cookies, decorating the tree, lighting candles, and that most American of holiday traditions, trying to show someone who truly wants for nothing material just how much you care about them by way of a 20 dollar gift.
One of the leads, Evie, was very wealthy, and the part of her arc that dealt with intergenerational wealth left me cold. It didn’t ruin things, but it didn’t add much either. I’m certainly not averse to reading about the problems of the very wealthy (one of world literature’s leading themes); the problem, for me, was that it wasn’t remotely decadent enough to be really delicious, and so somehow ended up a little depressing instead. That was the only real off note for me, though. I really enjoyed the romance, the chemistry between the leads, and how maturely they both handled the various minor challenges they faced. Things were kept just interesting enough to hold my interest; the only thing here that’s going to raise anyone’s heart rate are the suitably steamy-cozy sex scenes.
Most of the holiday romances I’ve read this season have involved some combination of angst, immaturity, and winter hijinks. And truly, I enjoy all those things. But Merry Weihnachten brings something else to the holiday table: a warm and comfortable escape into the lives of two mostly more-or-less ordinary women falling in love in Boston, celebrating the kinds of Christmas traditions any family might celebrate—baking cookies, decorating the tree, lighting candles, and that most American of holiday traditions, trying to show someone who truly wants for nothing material just how much you care about them by way of a 20 dollar gift.
December 5, 2024
I'm really disappointed in this story. I felt like they were trying too hard to blend German and American Christmas traditions, which are so different from where I'm from, and it just got confusing. Plus, all the German words made it hard to follow.
Then there's the part that I found super elitist and even snobbish, which has nothing to do with me or things I value, so that's just another disappointment added to the pile.
So, yeah, I am pretty disappointed because this author has set the bar really high for me. But this one didn't even come close.
Bella Books was kind enough to send me a copy via Netgalley for an honest review
Then there's the part that I found super elitist and even snobbish, which has nothing to do with me or things I value, so that's just another disappointment added to the pile.
So, yeah, I am pretty disappointed because this author has set the bar really high for me. But this one didn't even come close.
Bella Books was kind enough to send me a copy via Netgalley for an honest review
December 11, 2024
4⭐️
What I liked best was the idea of bringing together a Christmas grinch and a Christmas lover and the mix of American and German Christmas traditions - and of course, as always with Noyes books, the sizzling chemistry between the main characters, in this case between Evangeline-(Evie) and Annika.
I'm from Switzerland, a neighboring country to Germany, and we have similar Christmas traditions, and I have friends in the US, so I'm no stranger to American traditions either.
Evangeline comes from a rich, and I mean really wealthy, Boston family and for once wants to be loved just for who she is, not for her money or social status. Annika jumps at the chance to move from Munich to Boston for a year to work at the company's headquarters and also to distance herself from her last relationship and start fresh. Neither is ready for a relationship, but neither can they resist the palpable attraction. And when they finally can no longer resist, things get really hot.
The romance is sweet, it's an instant attraction but with a slow-burning sensation.
For the most part, the story is light and fun and easy to read with relationship angst and family issues sprinkled in. I loved the banter between the two and also Pete and Chloe's teasing. Evangeline's relationship with her brother-in-law Pete and niece Chloe is special and heartwarming, they are the two main supporting characters.
Merry Christmas is a lovely Christmas novel, but not my favorite book by E.J. Noyes.
Thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
What I liked best was the idea of bringing together a Christmas grinch and a Christmas lover and the mix of American and German Christmas traditions - and of course, as always with Noyes books, the sizzling chemistry between the main characters, in this case between Evangeline-(Evie) and Annika.
I'm from Switzerland, a neighboring country to Germany, and we have similar Christmas traditions, and I have friends in the US, so I'm no stranger to American traditions either.
Evangeline comes from a rich, and I mean really wealthy, Boston family and for once wants to be loved just for who she is, not for her money or social status. Annika jumps at the chance to move from Munich to Boston for a year to work at the company's headquarters and also to distance herself from her last relationship and start fresh. Neither is ready for a relationship, but neither can they resist the palpable attraction. And when they finally can no longer resist, things get really hot.
The romance is sweet, it's an instant attraction but with a slow-burning sensation.
For the most part, the story is light and fun and easy to read with relationship angst and family issues sprinkled in. I loved the banter between the two and also Pete and Chloe's teasing. Evangeline's relationship with her brother-in-law Pete and niece Chloe is special and heartwarming, they are the two main supporting characters.
Merry Christmas is a lovely Christmas novel, but not my favorite book by E.J. Noyes.
Thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
December 13, 2024
A cute, heartfelt holiday story that blends American and German traditions. I enjoyed learning the German customs and found the Christmas tree part fascinating. The German words throughout were also a cool touch in my opinion, and was thankful for Noyes’ translating them back to English. I liked both MCs, and although it wasn’t a rich-poor trope, that wealthy factor added another layer. Also, pretty low-angst which is ideal to me for a holiday romance.
PS- I saw what you did there with the Lee Winters nod and had a good chuckle.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
PS- I saw what you did there with the Lee Winters nod and had a good chuckle.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2025
Didn't work for me this time. I couldn't get into the story or the characters.
I am glad that others enjoyed it.
I usually love E.J. Noyes books, but this one didn't make me go "Wow".
Looking forward to her new novels.
I am glad that others enjoyed it.
I usually love E.J. Noyes books, but this one didn't make me go "Wow".
Looking forward to her new novels.
December 21, 2024
3.5 stars
I experienced this story on audiobook and while I generally adore this narrator/writer combo, Abby Craden’s attempt at a German accent for Annika was thick and at times challenging to understand. So unfortunately that took me out of the story.
I appreciated the sharing of Christmas traditions from different cultures and believe I would have enjoyed it even more on the page. I will likely revisit this one down the road.
While this one didn’t work well for me, I’m a HUGE fan of Craden and Noyes and look forward to their next collaboration.
I experienced this story on audiobook and while I generally adore this narrator/writer combo, Abby Craden’s attempt at a German accent for Annika was thick and at times challenging to understand. So unfortunately that took me out of the story.
I appreciated the sharing of Christmas traditions from different cultures and believe I would have enjoyed it even more on the page. I will likely revisit this one down the road.
While this one didn’t work well for me, I’m a HUGE fan of Craden and Noyes and look forward to their next collaboration.
November 23, 2024
Ahhhh. This was the perfect read for me! A holiday romance, centered around American and German traditions. A nice slow burn with a LOT of tension. I really enjoyed learning the German Christmas traditions. Both characters are likable and I couldn’t have read this story at a better time. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2024
E.J. Noyes is an auto read for me. When I heard she was releasing a holiday romance I preordered the audiobook without a second thought. Or a preview which was my mistake. Don’t get me wrong. I loved Merry Weihnachten. I loved the instant attraction, the hot sex and Evie and Annika’s plan to share their Christmas traditions together.
I liked Annika’s confidence and straight forward if sometimes narrow views on life and relationships. That strength of character, her precise and industrious attitude suited this woman raised in German traditions. Annika felt authentic, reminding me of my own German grandmother who held fast to her strong opinions decades after she emigrated to America. Sure, maybe her inability to understand Evie’s family dynamic might have been a bit over the top making the expected breakup portion of the novel inevitable. It’s a holiday romance. I knew they would work out their differences. Duh!
I also like the novelty of a lesbian character wealthy beyond measure. We rarely see this in our sapphic reads unless we’re dealing with an Ice Queen. The Ice Queen guards her mound of gold much like Smaug in Middle Earth. Evangeline (Evie) is no Ice Queen. She is a kind, caring and thoughtful philanthropist. She writes and draws graphic novels. She loves her niece and her brother in law and like many lesbians in the world, she’s been shunned by her parents for being queer. Her lack of interest in Christmas traditions makes her the perfect foil for Annika. I found their differences and their efforts to find common ground entertaining.
This is a five star read for me but a four star audiobook. Abby Craden’s efforts to narrate Annika’s chapters with a German accent did not work for me. I found the accent distracting. It kept pulling me out of the story. Unfortunate.
I highly recommend this read but can’t recommend the audiobook version.
4 stars
I liked Annika’s confidence and straight forward if sometimes narrow views on life and relationships. That strength of character, her precise and industrious attitude suited this woman raised in German traditions. Annika felt authentic, reminding me of my own German grandmother who held fast to her strong opinions decades after she emigrated to America. Sure, maybe her inability to understand Evie’s family dynamic might have been a bit over the top making the expected breakup portion of the novel inevitable. It’s a holiday romance. I knew they would work out their differences. Duh!
I also like the novelty of a lesbian character wealthy beyond measure. We rarely see this in our sapphic reads unless we’re dealing with an Ice Queen. The Ice Queen guards her mound of gold much like Smaug in Middle Earth. Evangeline (Evie) is no Ice Queen. She is a kind, caring and thoughtful philanthropist. She writes and draws graphic novels. She loves her niece and her brother in law and like many lesbians in the world, she’s been shunned by her parents for being queer. Her lack of interest in Christmas traditions makes her the perfect foil for Annika. I found their differences and their efforts to find common ground entertaining.
This is a five star read for me but a four star audiobook. Abby Craden’s efforts to narrate Annika’s chapters with a German accent did not work for me. I found the accent distracting. It kept pulling me out of the story. Unfortunate.
I highly recommend this read but can’t recommend the audiobook version.
4 stars
January 8, 2025
Merry Weihnachten is a charming holiday romance that brings together American and German traditions in a way that feels fresh and unique. The cultural elements, like learning about German Christmas customs and the significance of the Christmas tree, were a standout feature and added a lot of heart to the story.
While the dual POV format was a good choice, I found the execution a bit lacking. Both Evangeline and Annika's voices felt too similar, with rambling inner monologues and identical tones that made it hard to distinguish between them at times. This lack of differentiation made the story feel a bit repetitive.
The romance itself didn’t quite land for me. The pacing felt off, with the relationship moving too quickly to feel believable, especially given the supposed tension of their time together being limited. While the book had a promising start and some witty internal dialogue, the middle dragged, and the overall plot felt thin. Despite this, I thought it was a very sweet holiday romance.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
While the dual POV format was a good choice, I found the execution a bit lacking. Both Evangeline and Annika's voices felt too similar, with rambling inner monologues and identical tones that made it hard to distinguish between them at times. This lack of differentiation made the story feel a bit repetitive.
The romance itself didn’t quite land for me. The pacing felt off, with the relationship moving too quickly to feel believable, especially given the supposed tension of their time together being limited. While the book had a promising start and some witty internal dialogue, the middle dragged, and the overall plot felt thin. Despite this, I thought it was a very sweet holiday romance.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2024
3.5 stars. Oh why not, I’ll round up. This was adorable, fun, and hot, and I’m convinced EJ Noyes is incapable of writing a bad book!
So why the low-ish rating? Well, I did not vibe at all with the conflict of this book. Like, it genuinely soured my mood. Basically, Evie and Annika end up fighting because Annika implies that Evie needs to put in effort to reconnect with her parents. The same parents who shunned Evie for being a lesbian over a decade ago and have never once apologized or reached out to her. And ALSO there’s a period of time where Annika genuinely thinks that Evie is not as family-oriented as she is. Like how can Annika even come to that conclusion, based on Evie’s beautiful relationships with her non-parental family members???? Yes, Annika does realize she’s wrong, and yes, she does apologize, but I hated how Evie was doing most of the apologizing for (imo, rightfully) getting mad at Annika. Nah, it should have been Annika doing the groveling. She was wayyyyy out of line.
Okay, that’s all the complaints I have. I do think Annika is a good person overall, and I was utterly charmed by her playful personality and obsession with Christmas. And Evie…god I loved her! She kinda reminds me of my #1 EJ Noyes crush (and one of my top fictional crushes ever), Sabine Fleischer: quirky, interesting, loving, smart as hell, a little awkward at times…be still my heart!! ❤️❤️❤️ Sure, the romance was on the insta-lovey side, but it was cute and well-written, so I can’t be mad.
As always, I’m looking forward to Noyes’ next book!
So why the low-ish rating? Well, I did not vibe at all with the conflict of this book. Like, it genuinely soured my mood. Basically, Evie and Annika end up fighting because Annika implies that Evie needs to put in effort to reconnect with her parents. The same parents who shunned Evie for being a lesbian over a decade ago and have never once apologized or reached out to her. And ALSO there’s a period of time where Annika genuinely thinks that Evie is not as family-oriented as she is. Like how can Annika even come to that conclusion, based on Evie’s beautiful relationships with her non-parental family members???? Yes, Annika does realize she’s wrong, and yes, she does apologize, but I hated how Evie was doing most of the apologizing for (imo, rightfully) getting mad at Annika. Nah, it should have been Annika doing the groveling. She was wayyyyy out of line.
Okay, that’s all the complaints I have. I do think Annika is a good person overall, and I was utterly charmed by her playful personality and obsession with Christmas. And Evie…god I loved her! She kinda reminds me of my #1 EJ Noyes crush (and one of my top fictional crushes ever), Sabine Fleischer: quirky, interesting, loving, smart as hell, a little awkward at times…be still my heart!! ❤️❤️❤️ Sure, the romance was on the insta-lovey side, but it was cute and well-written, so I can’t be mad.
As always, I’m looking forward to Noyes’ next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this lovely christmassy book
when evie and annika met they were both attracted to one another right away.... but the timing wasnt right for a start annika was from germany and she was only in america for a year with her job
evie well she worked at home but she had secrets.... she also didnt like christmas.... oh she did her bit with her niece but anything else nope not interested....
but annika loved christmas.... and she had a few german traditions that she wanted to share with evie....
well this was a very nice christmas read i think i need to go to germany now and see the german markets some of their traditions sound really nice....
when evie and annika met they were both attracted to one another right away.... but the timing wasnt right for a start annika was from germany and she was only in america for a year with her job
evie well she worked at home but she had secrets.... she also didnt like christmas.... oh she did her bit with her niece but anything else nope not interested....
but annika loved christmas.... and she had a few german traditions that she wanted to share with evie....
well this was a very nice christmas read i think i need to go to germany now and see the german markets some of their traditions sound really nice....
December 18, 2024
I listened on audible and could not finish the first chapter. The reader had the worst German accent…it sounded French. Three stars because the book may be good,but as a German I could not hear another minute. Maybe I’ll read the text another time.
January 1, 2025
I wasn't enthused about EJ Noyes' Halcyon Division series (and have, in fact, only read the first book), so I wasn't sure I'd like this novel. And the reviews didn't help. But I really enjoyed this. It reminded me of the Noyes books I love. And it was a perfect story for Christmastime. I really appreciated that while attraction is instant between Evie and Annika, Noyes takes time to develop the actual romance. And kudos for not having that breakup moment before the final conclusion.
Is Noyes back for me? I hope so.
Is Noyes back for me? I hope so.
December 26, 2024
3 stars. There's a first time for everything I guess because I've never given Noyes less than four stars until now. My least favorite of her works that I've read. This wasn't bad and I had been anticipating it but it did not deliver for me unfortunately. I found that I was just really bored. The book didn't need to be almost 400 pages, I didn't care one way or another about the characters and the romance was lukewarm at best. I'm sad. I was expecting a five star from this but it's ultimately forgettable. Three stars for the German culture because that was fascinating but that's about it.
January 28, 2025
3.5⭐️I will start with the narration, Abby is as good as always but it took me several chapters to get used to Annika's accent. I don’t know how an audiobook is produced, who gives directions but I have to admit I have trouble believing someone bilingual, used to work in international companies would speak with the accent of someone starting duolingo. Now that it is said, this book is a classic holiday book, with Evie and Annika starting as neighbors. I like that they are instantly attracted to each other. I really like the cultural difference and Noyes ability to educate us with german traditions. Evie's backstory is painful and Annika's coming in her life is all about sweetness, even if she wrongly pressures her at some point. Overall, a sweet (maybe too sweet for my taste) and rather angst free holiday story.
July 22, 2025
3.25 ⭐
December 27, 2024
I liked this Sapphic holiday romance between neighbors well enough. There was bisexual rep, older FMCs and it was fun learning about Annika's German traditions and I really liked how they blended American holiday traditions with the German ones. Good on audio but it won't be a standout read for me.
December 30, 2024
Merry Weihnachten is the epitome of two worlds colliding, and with E.J. Noyes behind the reins it’s impossible not to get excited. I hate stumbling over words, so the first thing I did was Google Weihnachten, which made my entire reading experience fluid.
Sparks fly when Annika and Evie meet in their apartment stairwell. Cute, and just a bit awkward, Evie is enthralled by the gorgeous, confident German who has moved in across the hall.
In Boston, for a year to oversee a project, Annika is excited for the opportunity yet devastated to be spending Christmas away from her family. After learning Evie doesn’t celebrate the holiday, Annika suggests creating their own take on the day, merging traditions, and making new memories.
This is how Merry Weihnachten is created, and over wine and dinners, choosing the perfect tree and gifts, Evie and Annika fall in love. Both take it slowly, realising a year will never be enough, but with some difficulties and honest communication, they make a decision to take a chance.
I’ve yet to dislike an E.J. Noyes book. Her writing ranges from soft and sweet to intense and deeply personal, and her spice levels are always ideal for the genre she has chosen. Merry Weihnachten is a slow burn romance, and she has kept it light, even with the slight introduction Evie’s troubled past with her parents. Don’t wait for next Christmas to check this one out. It will be enjoyable all year round.
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley and am leaving an honest review.
Sparks fly when Annika and Evie meet in their apartment stairwell. Cute, and just a bit awkward, Evie is enthralled by the gorgeous, confident German who has moved in across the hall.
In Boston, for a year to oversee a project, Annika is excited for the opportunity yet devastated to be spending Christmas away from her family. After learning Evie doesn’t celebrate the holiday, Annika suggests creating their own take on the day, merging traditions, and making new memories.
This is how Merry Weihnachten is created, and over wine and dinners, choosing the perfect tree and gifts, Evie and Annika fall in love. Both take it slowly, realising a year will never be enough, but with some difficulties and honest communication, they make a decision to take a chance.
I’ve yet to dislike an E.J. Noyes book. Her writing ranges from soft and sweet to intense and deeply personal, and her spice levels are always ideal for the genre she has chosen. Merry Weihnachten is a slow burn romance, and she has kept it light, even with the slight introduction Evie’s troubled past with her parents. Don’t wait for next Christmas to check this one out. It will be enjoyable all year round.
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley and am leaving an honest review.
December 29, 2024
I liked the start, and I liked Evie’s internal dialogue mainly at the start. However this seemed a very long novel, without a lot of plot. There were lines I liked but I never quite bought the plot tension coming from, one character is only there a year, especially as well over half the novel was taken up by the first month. I did have to wade through the middle bit.
December 26, 2024
E.J. Noyes has written one of my favorite Christmas novels. This was such a good Christmassy, flirty, instantaneous chemistry that had me riveted from the beginning.
Told in the MCs POV that we get both sides of the story. I enjoyed learning German Christmas traditions.
I will definitely be reading this with my yearly Christmas staples.
EJ Noyes is a favorite. Noyes is a go to the author of mine, and I look forward to see what she comes out with next.
Told in the MCs POV that we get both sides of the story. I enjoyed learning German Christmas traditions.
I will definitely be reading this with my yearly Christmas staples.
EJ Noyes is a favorite. Noyes is a go to the author of mine, and I look forward to see what she comes out with next.
January 5, 2025
This was an adorable, low-stakes romance. You all should read it.
November 21, 2024
After some deliberation, Annika has agreed to leave her native Germany to lead a project in her employer's Boston office for a year.
Having promised herself that she won't enter a relationship or fall for anyone whilst in America, Annika is not prepared when she meets the adorable Evie in her new apartment hallway.
Evangeline, or Evie as she prefers to be known, has sworn off relationships. She is only interested in uncomplicated and no-strings fun... so why is it she can't get her new neighbour, the stunning German Annika, off of her mind?
Can Evie and Annika trust their hearts and find happiness?
What will happen when the year comes to an end?
This is an ultra-Christmassy romance that follows two women trying their hardest not to fall into a relationship.
It's filled with cute and adorable moments, life complications, and the yearning for something more.
*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review*
Having promised herself that she won't enter a relationship or fall for anyone whilst in America, Annika is not prepared when she meets the adorable Evie in her new apartment hallway.
Evangeline, or Evie as she prefers to be known, has sworn off relationships. She is only interested in uncomplicated and no-strings fun... so why is it she can't get her new neighbour, the stunning German Annika, off of her mind?
Can Evie and Annika trust their hearts and find happiness?
What will happen when the year comes to an end?
This is an ultra-Christmassy romance that follows two women trying their hardest not to fall into a relationship.
It's filled with cute and adorable moments, life complications, and the yearning for something more.
*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review*
December 9, 2024
Just what the doctor ordered, a new EJ Noyes book when I still haven't recovered from America's horrible November. First of all, I love holiday stories when I read them during the holidays, but I also love a rich girl story. Seeing Boston in the winter was quite festive. I know that technically this was insta-love based on it all happening in November/December, but all the great details made it seem longer and almost slow-burnish. But the steam escaping from under Evie's door made it worth it!
My only not-really-complaint is that I missed Pete and Chloe in the second half of the book. Thanks EJ and Bella Books ... I hadn't been able to read for the past month so it was nice to have a great one that I couldn't put down!
My only not-really-complaint is that I missed Pete and Chloe in the second half of the book. Thanks EJ and Bella Books ... I hadn't been able to read for the past month so it was nice to have a great one that I couldn't put down!
January 5, 2025
(3.5 Stars) E.J. Noyes is an auto read for me so I was thrilled to read her new holiday romance. Annika Mayer is coming from Munich to Boston to work as a project manager for an international app developer. She meets her neighbor when she moves into her apartment in the Beacon Hill area. They are the only two on the floor and of course will run into each other often. Evangeline (Evie) Phillips is a a writer and illustrator for over twenty published graphic novels. She works from home which gives her flexibility with her schedule. She cares for her niece Chloe after her school hours till her father can pick her up. She’s been doing that for the last six years since her beloved sister died.
Evie welcomes Annika with snacks to her floor and kicks off the beginning of a friendship. For Annika, Evie agrees to celebrate Christmas combining German and American traditions. I love that they do it planning minimal budgets and with effort put into creative gifting. They are adorable as they hesitantly try and figure out if they want to try and be more than be neighbors.
The book gets more wonky with the conflicts in the story. Annika’s ex says she is afraid to be on her own so she is concerned that is a reason she is jumping into something new. Evie’s issues are more complex. She was rejected by her parents after coming out. But Annika has issues that she doesn’t value family as much as she does. I was flummoxed that Evie apologizes for not reaching out to parents who have never apologized or sought her out in over a decade, including after her sister died. This lost a star in my ratings. There was some repetitiveness as the issues were restated several times to each other and friends and family.
I liked the story and characters but I have high expectations for Noyes. I also missed the niece being more a part of the second half of the book. Maybe it just didn’t take turns I expected. I will of course look forward to the next book by the author. Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for the digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.
Evie welcomes Annika with snacks to her floor and kicks off the beginning of a friendship. For Annika, Evie agrees to celebrate Christmas combining German and American traditions. I love that they do it planning minimal budgets and with effort put into creative gifting. They are adorable as they hesitantly try and figure out if they want to try and be more than be neighbors.
The book gets more wonky with the conflicts in the story. Annika’s ex says she is afraid to be on her own so she is concerned that is a reason she is jumping into something new. Evie’s issues are more complex. She was rejected by her parents after coming out. But Annika has issues that she doesn’t value family as much as she does. I was flummoxed that Evie apologizes for not reaching out to parents who have never apologized or sought her out in over a decade, including after her sister died. This lost a star in my ratings. There was some repetitiveness as the issues were restated several times to each other and friends and family.
I liked the story and characters but I have high expectations for Noyes. I also missed the niece being more a part of the second half of the book. Maybe it just didn’t take turns I expected. I will of course look forward to the next book by the author. Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for the digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.
January 12, 2025
This was a good read. Annika and Evie were likable characters, and I enjoyed the build-up of their relationship. I also really liked the instant attraction between them, which made their connection feel genuine. However, I didn’t feel completely satisfied with their story—it felt like something was missing to make it truly fulfilling. That said, I did enjoy learning about German Christmas traditions, which added a nice cultural element to the book.
Overall, it was a pretty decent holiday romance.
Overall, it was a pretty decent holiday romance.
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