Cookies for Christmas

by Ruby Hill

A sweet enemies-to-lovers Christmas romance set in a cozy small town.
I never imagined my holly-shaped Christmas cookies would lead to a feud with Jace Vari, the most cynical food critic in the country.

His harsh review nearly breaks me. But when a snowstorm traps him in our small town of Holly Ridge, Jace is forced to stick around and taste more of my baking.

At first, I can't stand him. He’s arrogant, sharp-tongued, and far too critical of my creations. But as he keeps showing up at my bakery, something shifts. I start seeing glimpses of the man behind the scathing reviews—one who’s lonely and hiding behind his sharp words. And much to my surprise, I find myself drawn to him.

But Jace’s life is in the big city, and my heart is firmly rooted in Holly Ridge.

As Christmas approaches, I have to decide if I’m willing to risk my heart for a man who’s just passing through.

Genres: Christmas, Enemies To Lovers, Romance

91 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2025

Reviews

[R.S.05 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas book? A food critic that’s almost like Scrooge? A bakery owner?

Sign me up right now.

This sweet enemies to Christmas romance book, set in a cozy small town, was exactly what I needed right now.

Our main characters, Daphne and Jace, were the perfect people for this book.

Their first time meeting, their banter, their dislike, their friendship, their love - everything was just pure gold.

The plot was really enjoyable, and the writing style was really good.

I was engaged from the very start, drawn to this cozy small town and our adorable main characters.

I adored Daphne and Jace’s story, and am so happy I got to read it.

Ruby Hill did a great job when it came to this book. I’m looking forward to reading more from her.

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

[Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, clean and delightful small town (Holly Ridge) holiday romance. This is the story of Jace and Daphne. The initial meeting is anything but positive, can two individuals who get off on the wrong foot ever find their way together. Get ready to laugh, and feel a myriad of emotions as they do. Ms. Edna makes her appearances and adds so much. The epilogue was a much appreciated and I can't wait to visit Holly Ridge again.
I was new to this author some time ago and I have since picked up several of the box sets. They are always the perfect mix of romance, small town mischief, balanced angst, and inspiration, that leave me feeling inspired.

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

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace walks into Batter and Bliss Bakery to prepare a review for his baked goods tour. The bakery is crowded and when an accident occurs, customers don’t appreciate his attitude or review. When a snowstorm strands him there, he decides to wonder around the town and his eyes begin to open to the beauty. As he spends time at the bakery, he gets to know Daphne and sparks begin. Their lives are from two different worlds. Will this town grow on Jace? Will his relationship with Daphne grow into a HEA? What a wonderful story. The plot and characters made this an extremely entertaining story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie A · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you need a little bit of Christmas magic at any time of the year, this is the series for you.

It starts with a grump who thinks he knows everything and a woman who knows that every egg counts.

Enter a scathing review, a snowstorm and you have an enemies to lovers Christmas romance with a HEA.

#Booksprout #CookiesForChristmas #RubyHill #HollyRidgeChristmasSeries #Cozy #SweetRomance #CleanAndWholesomeRomance #ChristmasRomance #EnemiesToLoversRomance.

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

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be read as a standalone but is part of an interconnected series. He's a food critic doing a tour of multiple places throughout the country. The last place he wants to get snowed in is in a town that bleeds Christmas cheer. She owns the bakery he's there to critique. What happens when things go wrong? Will he leave a Grinch or will the town change his perspective?.

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 8 of Holly Ridge Christmas series is as a collision of two different worlds. Rude behaviour of Jace sets the scene for good enemies to lovers, scrooge to Christmas mood kind of romance. You just want to hate this food critic from the very beginning.
But Daphne is good for him and their story is nice Christmas romance. Christmas cookies forever.
Enjoyed this small town Christmas romance.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace is a food critic and Daphne owns the local bakery he is there to critique. These two don't get off to a good start when something goes wrong and he gives the bakery a bad review. This is a quick holiday read with believable characters, a fun storyline, and a great ending. Cookies for Christmas is book eight and a good addition to the Holly Ridge Christmas series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[GOLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet read!

A short, Christmas novella with all the feels. Jace is not a very likable guy, at least at first. Daphne is sweet, but honest. The two make a great couple after some fireworks.

This would make a great movie.

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

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

can the warmth and loyalties of one heart and a community save the business and reputation of a baker working her heart where she is rooted and loved?

can a critic whose heart has grown cold crush and bonds, including those he might form with truer hearts?

emotional and dramatic romance and reputation bound community and romance tale that's enticing to enjoy.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have a tissue handy the afternoon you allow for this laugh-out-loud, contemporary, clean, sweet, wholesome, small-town, enemies-to-lovers, Christmas romantic comedy when Grinchy food critic Jace Vari descends on Batter and Bliss Bakery in Holly Ridge, Montana.

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

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Romance

Holly Ridge Christmas time is like no other town. When famous reviewer Jace Vari writes a bad review and gives a 1 star to the Butter and Bliss Bakery and its owner Daphne Calloway things get tense and sparks fly.
Love Christmas and sweet Romance then you'll love this heartwarming story.

[Delbora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

Once I began this series I was unable to stop! In 24 hours I have read books 1-8 excitedly!! I love the small town and people as written. The author transports you into her vivid imagination.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether it’s your day off or you just have a few hours to enjoy yourself might I suggest this romantic and sweet book by Ruby. Daphne and Jace are so sweet together I think I developed a cavity. I can read Christmas themed books year-round, and this is definitely a keeper of a read.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

This was a great book and by a great author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can only experience the value of an experience if you are willing to invest time and emotion.

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite deserts are cookies so of course I love this book. :)