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I'll Be Home for Christmas
When Fred returns home to her Scottish town she must confront her past and decide whether it can be a part of her future…
Fred Hallow-Hart isn't in love with the idea of returning home to Pine Bluff. But after a bad breakup and a subsequent eviction, she's fresh out of options.
Quickly roped in by her mother to help with the family Christmas cracker shop, Fred decides throwing herself into work might be for the best, especially when her ex-best-friend Ryan starts to give her butterflies she never expected.
But as Fred begins to hope for her heart, she's forced to confront some harsh truths, which, if she doesn't find a way through, might just ruin the holidays.
Can Fred let go of the past enough to recognise real love? And when she does, how far will she go to protect it?
Fred Hallow-Hart isn't in love with the idea of returning home to Pine Bluff. But after a bad breakup and a subsequent eviction, she's fresh out of options.
Quickly roped in by her mother to help with the family Christmas cracker shop, Fred decides throwing herself into work might be for the best, especially when her ex-best-friend Ryan starts to give her butterflies she never expected.
But as Fred begins to hope for her heart, she's forced to confront some harsh truths, which, if she doesn't find a way through, might just ruin the holidays.
Can Fred let go of the past enough to recognise real love? And when she does, how far will she go to protect it?
400 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2025
1227 people are currently reading
22485 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Bayliss
7 books1,648 followersJenny Bayliss lives in a small seaside town in the UK with her husband, their children having left home for big adventures. After having been a professional cake-baker for many years, she went back to college at age thirty-nine to study part-time for a degree in Creative and Professional Writing. Bayliss likes long walks, baking days, stationery, and shamelessly wearing party dresses to the supermarket. The Twelve Dates of Christmas is her debut novel.
See also: Jenni Jennings
See also: Jenni Jennings
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 599 reviews
November 24, 2025
Okay first off I want to start off my stating that I LOVED THAT THIS BOOK WAS CLOSED DOOR. this book started of strong and was good until 60% and then idk there were red flags one after another and then it took a turn and wrapped up very well at the end. I think the last 20% made me bump the rating up. This was a cozy fun low stakes Christmas read.
Content to note; The main character is Fred and her aunt has a wife who practices new age theology so there is that. Also there is quite a lot of strong language for no apparent reason. It’s hard to root for a MMC who swears a lot randomly ( maybe that’s a British thing) also usage of Gods name in vain. Just kisses
Content to note; The main character is Fred and her aunt has a wife who practices new age theology so there is that. Also there is quite a lot of strong language for no apparent reason. It’s hard to root for a MMC who swears a lot randomly ( maybe that’s a British thing) also usage of Gods name in vain. Just kisses
September 13, 2025
All the cozy Christmas vibes, that just don't quit!
Perfect If you love:
- Small Towns
- Christmas Romance
- Friends to lovers
I have heard that Jenny Bayliss is kind of the Christmas Novel expert. So I was super excited to get the oppourunity to review this ARC, since I haven’t had the change to read anything from her before. And, I am so glad I did! I will defienltiey be picking up more of her books in the future.
Firstly, the idea of a family owned Christmas Cracker business? I think that is just too cute!
You really can’t get more Christmasy than that.
I love it.
I quite liked Fred as a main character.
She was struggling with a lot of life challenges throughout the story. Some trauma from the seperation with her ex, some resentment toward her mother, and a hard time deciding what guy was right for her.
She really seemed to handle everything with grace though, which is why I liked her so much!
I can always appreciate when characters are written to have emotional maturity.
I also really enjoyed that book contains two love stories!
Fred and Ryan, along with Fred’s mom Bella and Liam.
I would say that Fred’s story is certainly the primary focus- and I thought it was fun to get some glimpses into the other romance as well.
It felt unique and it brought something new and interesting into the mix.
As for the writing style: I liked that too.
This feels slightly different from other Christmas romances that I have read. It seems a little more… Grown up. I would say.
Perhaps it was that the characters were a bit older, or maybe that there were some heavy topics being discussed. But, it wasn’t like the quick and simplistic holiday stories I am used to.
With that being said- I didn’t mind! It was still pleasant to read!
I think a lot of people would like this. I would even go as far to say that if you don’t typically go for Christmas stories- you still might like this one, since it didn’t necessarily feel super traditional.
Thank you to Netgalley, Putnam | G.P Putnam’s Sons and author Jenny Bayliss for providing me with the eARC of “I’ll be Home for Christmas”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 23rd, 2025
Perfect If you love:
- Small Towns
- Christmas Romance
- Friends to lovers
I have heard that Jenny Bayliss is kind of the Christmas Novel expert. So I was super excited to get the oppourunity to review this ARC, since I haven’t had the change to read anything from her before. And, I am so glad I did! I will defienltiey be picking up more of her books in the future.
Firstly, the idea of a family owned Christmas Cracker business? I think that is just too cute!
You really can’t get more Christmasy than that.
I love it.
I quite liked Fred as a main character.
She was struggling with a lot of life challenges throughout the story. Some trauma from the seperation with her ex, some resentment toward her mother, and a hard time deciding what guy was right for her.
She really seemed to handle everything with grace though, which is why I liked her so much!
I can always appreciate when characters are written to have emotional maturity.
I also really enjoyed that book contains two love stories!
Fred and Ryan, along with Fred’s mom Bella and Liam.
I would say that Fred’s story is certainly the primary focus- and I thought it was fun to get some glimpses into the other romance as well.
It felt unique and it brought something new and interesting into the mix.
As for the writing style: I liked that too.
This feels slightly different from other Christmas romances that I have read. It seems a little more… Grown up. I would say.
Perhaps it was that the characters were a bit older, or maybe that there were some heavy topics being discussed. But, it wasn’t like the quick and simplistic holiday stories I am used to.
With that being said- I didn’t mind! It was still pleasant to read!
I think a lot of people would like this. I would even go as far to say that if you don’t typically go for Christmas stories- you still might like this one, since it didn’t necessarily feel super traditional.
Thank you to Netgalley, Putnam | G.P Putnam’s Sons and author Jenny Bayliss for providing me with the eARC of “I’ll be Home for Christmas”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 23rd, 2025
December 5, 2025
Another sweet Bayliss holiday story, although my favorite is still The Twelve Dates of Christmas. Loved the audio narration and my favorite part was the wacky family of women. Central romance was fine. I do think that her publishers and readers should let Bayliss write something other than Christmas stories though?
Source: Libro.fm audiobook credit
Source: Libro.fm audiobook credit
December 10, 2025
My favourite of Jenny's books yet! The PERFECT Christmas read!!
November 8, 2025
Ugh I couldn’t get into it. I love Jenny Bayliss Christmas books but this missed the mark for me. The protagonist “Fred” was so whiny and underwhelming and whiny. I felt no connections to anyone and all the other family was just weird. Bummer. I have no interest to continue.
September 1, 2025
I received a free copy of, I'll Be Home for Christmas, by Jenny Bayliss, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Fred Hallow-Hart, is back home for Christmas, helping in her family cracker shop. This seems like a wonderful place to celebrate Christmas, this was a nice read.
August 21, 2025
Book review: Jenny Bayliss’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas.
Published by Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s Sons — thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
Jenny Bayliss knows exactly what she’s doing when she writes a holiday novel—she wraps up complicated emotions, flawed families, and romantic sparks in a glittering, festive bow. I’ll Be Home for Christmas is everything I want in a seasonal read and then some. It’s funny without being fluffy, cozy without being sugary, romantic without losing its grip on realism. And somehow, beneath all the twinkle lights and Christmas crackers, it manages to say something honest about family, identity, and growing up (even when you’re well into your 30s and still pretending you’ve got it all together).
The story centers on Fred Hallow-Hart—single, recently dumped, recently evicted, and stubborn as a pinecone. She’s been doing the big city life in London, crafting a version of success that looks great on paper but feels hollow in practice. When it all falls apart at once, she finds herself crawling back to her hometown of Pine Bluff—a picturesque Scottish village complete with a Christmas market, nosy neighbors, and her wildly eccentric great-aunts, who run the family Christmas cracker shop. Fred insists she’s just there temporarily. She is definitely not nesting. She tells everyone this, repeatedly, which of course means she absolutely is.
There’s something very real about Fred’s internal tug-of-war. She wants space, independence, control. But what she really needs—what she’s trying so hard not to want—is connection, purpose, and a reason to believe she hasn’t messed it all up. Enter two complicated men: Ryan, her childhood best friend turned rugged, community-centered dreamboat, and Warren, a charismatic journalist who might be more interested in Pine Bluff than Fred herself. Bayliss doesn’t go the love triangle cliché route, though. The tension here isn’t about picking the right man—it’s about figuring out who you are when the future you built for yourself falls apart.
The romance is subtle, layered, and quietly swoony. Ryan and Fred have that kind of chemistry that comes with deep roots—shared jokes, old wounds, unfinished conversations. One of the most charming moments in the book is when Fred, flustered and confused, blurts out, “I don’t even know if I’m flirting or panicking anymore.” It’s the perfect line to sum up the emotional tightrope she walks throughout the novel.
The true stars of the book, however, are the women—Fred’s mum Bella, the ever-delightful Aunt Violet and Aunt Ivy, and the entire chorus of townswomen who keep the Pine Bluff community humming with traditions, gossip, and the occasional gentle meddling. Bayliss excels at writing older female characters who are funny, flawed, and fiercely loving in their own peculiar ways. The multi-generational bond between Fred, her mother, and the aunts gives the story a strong emotional backbone. They bicker, they meddle, they rescue one another with baked goods and awkward hugs. It’s all incredibly endearing.
Pine Bluff itself deserves honorable mention—it’s so vividly rendered that you can practically smell the mulled wine and hear the faint hum of Bing Crosby coming from every window. The Christmas market scenes are cozy but never overdone, like a cup of spiced cider that’s just the right temperature. Bayliss has a talent for capturing the feeling of coming home to something familiar and finding it changed, but still yours.
What I loved most, though, was Fred’s journey. She’s messy, self-aware, and fighting hard not to admit she needs help. Watching her slowly thaw—not just toward the idea of love, but toward the idea of belonging—is both heartwarming and believable. There’s no overnight epiphany, no cheesy Hallmark ending. Just the quiet, steady realization that sometimes going back doesn’t mean giving up. Sometimes it means you’re finally ready to grow in the right soil.
Bayliss delivers a holiday read that’s equal parts charming and grounded, filled with humor, heartache, and hope. This is not just a cozy rom-com—it’s a story about rebuilding, reconnecting, and recognizing love in all its messy, beautiful forms. Five sparkling stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#IllBeHomeForChristmas #JennyBayliss #NetGalley #ChristmasRomance #HolidayBooks #BookReview #PutnamBooks #CozyReads #RomComReads #SecondChanceRomance #ScottishHoliday #Bookstagram #BookRecommendations
Published by Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s Sons — thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
Jenny Bayliss knows exactly what she’s doing when she writes a holiday novel—she wraps up complicated emotions, flawed families, and romantic sparks in a glittering, festive bow. I’ll Be Home for Christmas is everything I want in a seasonal read and then some. It’s funny without being fluffy, cozy without being sugary, romantic without losing its grip on realism. And somehow, beneath all the twinkle lights and Christmas crackers, it manages to say something honest about family, identity, and growing up (even when you’re well into your 30s and still pretending you’ve got it all together).
The story centers on Fred Hallow-Hart—single, recently dumped, recently evicted, and stubborn as a pinecone. She’s been doing the big city life in London, crafting a version of success that looks great on paper but feels hollow in practice. When it all falls apart at once, she finds herself crawling back to her hometown of Pine Bluff—a picturesque Scottish village complete with a Christmas market, nosy neighbors, and her wildly eccentric great-aunts, who run the family Christmas cracker shop. Fred insists she’s just there temporarily. She is definitely not nesting. She tells everyone this, repeatedly, which of course means she absolutely is.
There’s something very real about Fred’s internal tug-of-war. She wants space, independence, control. But what she really needs—what she’s trying so hard not to want—is connection, purpose, and a reason to believe she hasn’t messed it all up. Enter two complicated men: Ryan, her childhood best friend turned rugged, community-centered dreamboat, and Warren, a charismatic journalist who might be more interested in Pine Bluff than Fred herself. Bayliss doesn’t go the love triangle cliché route, though. The tension here isn’t about picking the right man—it’s about figuring out who you are when the future you built for yourself falls apart.
The romance is subtle, layered, and quietly swoony. Ryan and Fred have that kind of chemistry that comes with deep roots—shared jokes, old wounds, unfinished conversations. One of the most charming moments in the book is when Fred, flustered and confused, blurts out, “I don’t even know if I’m flirting or panicking anymore.” It’s the perfect line to sum up the emotional tightrope she walks throughout the novel.
The true stars of the book, however, are the women—Fred’s mum Bella, the ever-delightful Aunt Violet and Aunt Ivy, and the entire chorus of townswomen who keep the Pine Bluff community humming with traditions, gossip, and the occasional gentle meddling. Bayliss excels at writing older female characters who are funny, flawed, and fiercely loving in their own peculiar ways. The multi-generational bond between Fred, her mother, and the aunts gives the story a strong emotional backbone. They bicker, they meddle, they rescue one another with baked goods and awkward hugs. It’s all incredibly endearing.
Pine Bluff itself deserves honorable mention—it’s so vividly rendered that you can practically smell the mulled wine and hear the faint hum of Bing Crosby coming from every window. The Christmas market scenes are cozy but never overdone, like a cup of spiced cider that’s just the right temperature. Bayliss has a talent for capturing the feeling of coming home to something familiar and finding it changed, but still yours.
What I loved most, though, was Fred’s journey. She’s messy, self-aware, and fighting hard not to admit she needs help. Watching her slowly thaw—not just toward the idea of love, but toward the idea of belonging—is both heartwarming and believable. There’s no overnight epiphany, no cheesy Hallmark ending. Just the quiet, steady realization that sometimes going back doesn’t mean giving up. Sometimes it means you’re finally ready to grow in the right soil.
Bayliss delivers a holiday read that’s equal parts charming and grounded, filled with humor, heartache, and hope. This is not just a cozy rom-com—it’s a story about rebuilding, reconnecting, and recognizing love in all its messy, beautiful forms. Five sparkling stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#IllBeHomeForChristmas #JennyBayliss #NetGalley #ChristmasRomance #HolidayBooks #BookReview #PutnamBooks #CozyReads #RomComReads #SecondChanceRomance #ScottishHoliday #Bookstagram #BookRecommendations
November 23, 2025
This might compete for my top Jenny Bayliss novel.
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fred Hallow-Hart has moved back to her small town after her career and relationship has ended. All she wanted growing up was to get out and now she’s back with her mom and crazy aunts. Except maybe this time she’s starting to view life a little differently back at home.
This was a lovely holiday read with lots of nostalgia thrown in. Some bits were a little predictable but that’s to be expected in holiday romances. Fred was a little frustrating for me at times as she acted younger than being in her 30s but she really has had a tough go in the last few years. Ryan was incredibly patient imo.
Overall, I loved how the romance was secondary to Fred’s growth and it was fun to see her appreciate her town and mom.
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fred Hallow-Hart has moved back to her small town after her career and relationship has ended. All she wanted growing up was to get out and now she’s back with her mom and crazy aunts. Except maybe this time she’s starting to view life a little differently back at home.
This was a lovely holiday read with lots of nostalgia thrown in. Some bits were a little predictable but that’s to be expected in holiday romances. Fred was a little frustrating for me at times as she acted younger than being in her 30s but she really has had a tough go in the last few years. Ryan was incredibly patient imo.
Overall, I loved how the romance was secondary to Fred’s growth and it was fun to see her appreciate her town and mom.
September 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Putnam and Jenny Bayliss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The beginning of the book I was confused. The intro made me think there was witch/magic sub-story which wasn’t what I was looking for, this isn’t the case but I was a little misdirected at first. I must admit for the first part of the book I thought they were making crackers (to eat), I apparently have missed what a christmas cracker is my entire life. Hint: you don’t eat it.
The book was enjoyable but I found myself a little underwhelmed with the romance. The main focus was our FMC, Fredricka (Fred) recovering from personal and professional ruin. She learns to accept herself and her family in order to find her place in business, her town and love.
The history between Fred and Ryan was not shared until later in the book so why they aren’t still friends was unclear.
Throughout the book, we also get Bella (Fred’s moms) story which was interesting but probably contributed to the romance taking the backseat.
I’ve read several books based in Scotland and have to say, I had to look up more words/phrases in this book than ever before.
The beginning of the book I was confused. The intro made me think there was witch/magic sub-story which wasn’t what I was looking for, this isn’t the case but I was a little misdirected at first. I must admit for the first part of the book I thought they were making crackers (to eat), I apparently have missed what a christmas cracker is my entire life. Hint: you don’t eat it.
The book was enjoyable but I found myself a little underwhelmed with the romance. The main focus was our FMC, Fredricka (Fred) recovering from personal and professional ruin. She learns to accept herself and her family in order to find her place in business, her town and love.
The history between Fred and Ryan was not shared until later in the book so why they aren’t still friends was unclear.
Throughout the book, we also get Bella (Fred’s moms) story which was interesting but probably contributed to the romance taking the backseat.
I’ve read several books based in Scotland and have to say, I had to look up more words/phrases in this book than ever before.
August 18, 2025
I usually really enjoy books by this author so I was quite disappointed with this one, it started really strong with jumping straight into the Krumpus run and I thought I was on to a winner. However, after the first few chapters I started to lose interest. The main character Fred is so childish and annoying that I just wanted her to grow up or go away. Some of the other characters were alright but unfortunately it couldn’t be saved for me.
December 6, 2025
3.5 stars; I always love Jenny Bayliss’s Christmas books. This had a lot of cozy Scottish Christmas vibes, but it took me a while to get into it. The beginning was a bit confusing, it was almost giving magical-realism/Practical Magic with the two quirky aunts.
While I love second chance romances, there is a balance between keeping the backstory vague and allowing the reader to understand the depth of history between the characters, and Fredericka and Ryan’s childhood friendship and “breakup” needed a little more explanation. I loved that both Fredericka and her mother Bella got romance plot lines, but I wished Bella’s was a little more unique. Two second chance romances felt like a missed opportunity.
That being said, Jenny is incapable of not writing a quaint British romance, and I will absolutely continue to read her books!
While I love second chance romances, there is a balance between keeping the backstory vague and allowing the reader to understand the depth of history between the characters, and Fredericka and Ryan’s childhood friendship and “breakup” needed a little more explanation. I loved that both Fredericka and her mother Bella got romance plot lines, but I wished Bella’s was a little more unique. Two second chance romances felt like a missed opportunity.
That being said, Jenny is incapable of not writing a quaint British romance, and I will absolutely continue to read her books!
December 18, 2025
Such a cute cozy town in Scotland! I loved the family aspect, the way the town supported each other (& local business), and the self awareness of so many of the characters! Almost every character had grown by the end, and it was so enjoyable to read!
December 20, 2025
Cheesy, cute, hallmark
December 3, 2025
3.5 stars
September 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Author: Jenny Baylis
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: September 23, 2025
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is a classic novel by Jenny Bayliss. You can't beat a Jenny Bayliss book when it comes to rom-coms, romance, second chances, and outstanding backstories. Fredericka, also known as Fred, returns home to her small town in Scotland, where she’s greeted by a cast of eccentric yet lovable characters who help her with the family Christmas business and reunite with her mother. Sometimes, the bright lights of a major city like London can seem alluring, but only when she returns home does Fred realize how much her hometown truly shines. The book highlights seeing her old best friend, Ryan, going through challenges similar to Fred's. This realization makes her understand that there’s something special about her hometown. Fred and Ryan’s chemistry is electrifying, and the story is filled with heartwarming moments. This book is perfect if you’re looking for a pick-me-up, a way to escape the world’s craziness, or just a fun Christmas read. Again, Bravo to Ms. Bayliss for writing such delightful holiday stories. I hope she continues to captivate readers with her tales of love and family for years to come.
#IllBeHomeForChristmas @jennibayliss @netgalley @putnambooks #cozy #romcom #romance #secondchance #christmas #seasonal #scotland #holidaybook #joy #wearebookish #fiction #netgalleyreader #homeiswheretheheartis #🏴
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Author: Jenny Baylis
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: September 23, 2025
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is a classic novel by Jenny Bayliss. You can't beat a Jenny Bayliss book when it comes to rom-coms, romance, second chances, and outstanding backstories. Fredericka, also known as Fred, returns home to her small town in Scotland, where she’s greeted by a cast of eccentric yet lovable characters who help her with the family Christmas business and reunite with her mother. Sometimes, the bright lights of a major city like London can seem alluring, but only when she returns home does Fred realize how much her hometown truly shines. The book highlights seeing her old best friend, Ryan, going through challenges similar to Fred's. This realization makes her understand that there’s something special about her hometown. Fred and Ryan’s chemistry is electrifying, and the story is filled with heartwarming moments. This book is perfect if you’re looking for a pick-me-up, a way to escape the world’s craziness, or just a fun Christmas read. Again, Bravo to Ms. Bayliss for writing such delightful holiday stories. I hope she continues to captivate readers with her tales of love and family for years to come.
#IllBeHomeForChristmas @jennibayliss @netgalley @putnambooks #cozy #romcom #romance #secondchance #christmas #seasonal #scotland #holidaybook #joy #wearebookish #fiction #netgalleyreader #homeiswheretheheartis #🏴
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.
October 1, 2025
Jenny Bayliss is one of those authors who can drop you right into a snowy village and make you feel like you live there. This book has all the cozy vibes of a tiny Scottish town blanketed in snow, a bustling Christmas market, and locals who always rally together. Fred’s eccentric aunts had me laughing, and the Jezebels were such a fun addition.
I loved Ryan, his family, and his coffee shop. There’s such an integrity in his character and he felt like the heart of the story. On the flip side, one of the other love interests didn’t work for me at all. Without spoiling anything, his actions left me frustrated and definitely pulled my feelings in the opposite direction. Still, I enjoyed the way Bayliss wrote the push and pull between relationships and how different types of love are shown throughout.
My only real complaint is how Fred is judged for reacting to her mother. She’s painted as a bit of a brat, but given what we know about her mum, I thought her reactions were more than fair. And because of it there’s a little burst of family drama late in the story that I could’ve done without . Sadly it soured me just enough to drop my rating a half star.
That said, this is such a feel good read about found family, trusting yourself, and realizing that love doesn’t fade with time. The Christmas setting is more backdrop than plot, so if you want a story with heart that just happens to be set at the holidays, this one fits the bill
I loved Ryan, his family, and his coffee shop. There’s such an integrity in his character and he felt like the heart of the story. On the flip side, one of the other love interests didn’t work for me at all. Without spoiling anything, his actions left me frustrated and definitely pulled my feelings in the opposite direction. Still, I enjoyed the way Bayliss wrote the push and pull between relationships and how different types of love are shown throughout.
My only real complaint is how Fred is judged for reacting to her mother. She’s painted as a bit of a brat, but given what we know about her mum, I thought her reactions were more than fair. And because of it there’s a little burst of family drama late in the story that I could’ve done without . Sadly it soured me just enough to drop my rating a half star.
That said, this is such a feel good read about found family, trusting yourself, and realizing that love doesn’t fade with time. The Christmas setting is more backdrop than plot, so if you want a story with heart that just happens to be set at the holidays, this one fits the bill
September 22, 2025
If you read one Christmas book this season make sure it’s this one!
The characters are mostly all fun, except one petty arse, but he’ll get his. There are fun elderly (?) Aunts who love throwing a boozy themed buffet and a single Mom running her own Christmas Cracker business.
Her spirited daughter comes back home from London after a breakup and job loss to find you can come home again. She literally bumps into her old friend from school the first night she’s back and notices he’s aged very well.
Community spirit abounds during the town’s Christmas Market and new found purpose for the family owned restaurants.
Pubs tomorrow, Sept. 23, 2025 from Putnam. Don’t miss it.
Thanks Edelweiss and Putnam.
The characters are mostly all fun, except one petty arse, but he’ll get his. There are fun elderly (?) Aunts who love throwing a boozy themed buffet and a single Mom running her own Christmas Cracker business.
Her spirited daughter comes back home from London after a breakup and job loss to find you can come home again. She literally bumps into her old friend from school the first night she’s back and notices he’s aged very well.
Community spirit abounds during the town’s Christmas Market and new found purpose for the family owned restaurants.
Pubs tomorrow, Sept. 23, 2025 from Putnam. Don’t miss it.
Thanks Edelweiss and Putnam.
December 11, 2025
Jenny Bayliss is the absolute queen of the cozy Christmas read and her latest novel is a particularly special one that really resonated with my experience.
Fredericka "Fred" Hallow-Hart reluctantly returns to her hometown of Pine Bluff in Scotland with her figurative tail between her legs. She had high hopes of making it in London in a career in marketing but when she loses her job and her relationship, she decides to come home temporarily to regroup.
Home is the house that her mother Bella lives in with her two aunts Cam and Aggie and they run a Christmas cracker business that has been in the family for generations. Fred has had a difficult relationship with her Mom for years and is not relishing sharing space with her.
When Fred bumps into her childhood best friend Ryan on her first night back, she feels a spark that she thought had long since passed. And when a handsome stranger, Warren, crosses her path when they accidentally get each other's mail, Fred might be too occupied by romance to pay any mind to her strained family relations and her future trajectory.
But sooner or later, Fred must confront the emotionally abusive relationship she endured with her former partner if she is ever to heal, figure out the next steps for her life, and maybe even find a worthy love again.
This was a special novel because it had all the cozy Christmas vibes with a small town, a family business centered on Christmas, and a Christmas market that played a big part in the story. Bayliss creates a completely atmospheric Christmas experience. Her novel however, also does not shy away from serious themes that are not often explored in novels-Christmas or otherwise.
Trying to center yourself in the aftermath of emotional abuse and find your way back to yourself is no small task. Bayliss really captures this struggle in Fred's experience in an authentic way. As someone that has endured and escaped an emotionally abusive experience, this was so important for me.
This is both a cozy Christmas read and an acknowledgement that sometimes home is where you can return to, to find yourself yet again.
I haven't seen enough of this one on bookstagram and it needs to get a wider audience. It deserves it.
Fredericka "Fred" Hallow-Hart reluctantly returns to her hometown of Pine Bluff in Scotland with her figurative tail between her legs. She had high hopes of making it in London in a career in marketing but when she loses her job and her relationship, she decides to come home temporarily to regroup.
Home is the house that her mother Bella lives in with her two aunts Cam and Aggie and they run a Christmas cracker business that has been in the family for generations. Fred has had a difficult relationship with her Mom for years and is not relishing sharing space with her.
When Fred bumps into her childhood best friend Ryan on her first night back, she feels a spark that she thought had long since passed. And when a handsome stranger, Warren, crosses her path when they accidentally get each other's mail, Fred might be too occupied by romance to pay any mind to her strained family relations and her future trajectory.
But sooner or later, Fred must confront the emotionally abusive relationship she endured with her former partner if she is ever to heal, figure out the next steps for her life, and maybe even find a worthy love again.
This was a special novel because it had all the cozy Christmas vibes with a small town, a family business centered on Christmas, and a Christmas market that played a big part in the story. Bayliss creates a completely atmospheric Christmas experience. Her novel however, also does not shy away from serious themes that are not often explored in novels-Christmas or otherwise.
Trying to center yourself in the aftermath of emotional abuse and find your way back to yourself is no small task. Bayliss really captures this struggle in Fred's experience in an authentic way. As someone that has endured and escaped an emotionally abusive experience, this was so important for me.
This is both a cozy Christmas read and an acknowledgement that sometimes home is where you can return to, to find yourself yet again.
I haven't seen enough of this one on bookstagram and it needs to get a wider audience. It deserves it.
December 23, 2025
After a painful break-up and the loss of her job and apartment, 32 year-old Fredericka Hallow-Hart (known as Fred) has no choice but to move back to her small Scottish hometown of Pine Bluff to live with her mother and her two eccentric great aunts. While trying to figure out what's next, Fred throws herself into work at the family's Christmas cracker business, reconnects with her childhood best friend Ryan who is suddenly making her heart flutter and unexpectedly finds a spark with Warren, a charismatic journalist in town to write an article about the Pine Bluff Christmas Market.
This is a cozy read for the holiday season set in a charming small town in the Scottish highlands and featuring a delightful cast of characters. A closed door holiday romance for both mother and daughter (friends to lovers with a bit of a love triangle for Fred and friends to lovers/second chance for her mum). A heartwarming story of family, community and identity with the romance almost secondary to Fred figuring out who she is and what she wants for the future. Jenny Bayliss remains one of my favourite Christmas romance authors - she writes characters who are a bit older/more grown-up which is a nice change from what is typical in the romance genre!
This is a cozy read for the holiday season set in a charming small town in the Scottish highlands and featuring a delightful cast of characters. A closed door holiday romance for both mother and daughter (friends to lovers with a bit of a love triangle for Fred and friends to lovers/second chance for her mum). A heartwarming story of family, community and identity with the romance almost secondary to Fred figuring out who she is and what she wants for the future. Jenny Bayliss remains one of my favourite Christmas romance authors - she writes characters who are a bit older/more grown-up which is a nice change from what is typical in the romance genre!
November 28, 2025
This book was so comfy cozy!!
I really liked how this was a romance, but also about family and growing as a person!
I was rooting for everyone to get their happily ever after and wasn’t disappointed!
Ranked;
The Twelve Dates of Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ll Be Home for Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Season for Second Chances ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really liked how this was a romance, but also about family and growing as a person!
I was rooting for everyone to get their happily ever after and wasn’t disappointed!
Ranked;
The Twelve Dates of Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ll Be Home for Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Season for Second Chances ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe ⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 16, 2025
What can I say? Jenny Bayliss' novels always bring a smile and enjoyment. If you love Christmas time and reading novels set in lovely little towns, then I highly recommend any of Bayliss' novels.
My favorite remains "A Season for Second Chances", but this one is a close second.
My favorite remains "A Season for Second Chances", but this one is a close second.
December 23, 2025
3.5 rounded up
August 28, 2025
Subtle Christmas rom-com that would highly recommend adding to your tbr.
November 25, 2025
Jenny Bayliss is so cutie British girl and I love all her Christmas books!
November 26, 2025
Have you started your holiday & Christmas reading yet?
This was my first but I hope to get around to a couple more this season.
This was my first from this author and I have to say…in the way that most British authors do…it delivered that cozy quintessential charm I’m always looking for.
I wouldn’t say that this book is overly Christmasy or festive. It tackles more themes along the lines of self acceptance, and past griefs and trauma responses. This is definitely more women’s fiction in tone.
Fred is coming home for Christmas feeling like a failure. In order to find her spark she must be willing to overlook her familial prejudices that she had as a child and accept herself and her family for who they are.
I really enjoyed Fredrikas interactions when it came to her love interest. There’s that special connection when it’s a childhood friends to more and brought some delightful chemistry. There were several spots within the story where I felt like Fred’s growth was a little stunted but overall she was an easy character to enjoy.
Was it my favorite? Unfortunately this one dragged a little in some places and sometimes Fred was a little too stubbornly set in her old ways. It also put a large emphasis on auras, crystals, and trusting/thanking the universe — which to be fair is not my cup of tea 😂 but to each their own.
I think this one will be hit or miss but I’ve seen a lot of happy reviews for it. ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a closed door romance with some light strong language.
This was my first but I hope to get around to a couple more this season.
This was my first from this author and I have to say…in the way that most British authors do…it delivered that cozy quintessential charm I’m always looking for.
I wouldn’t say that this book is overly Christmasy or festive. It tackles more themes along the lines of self acceptance, and past griefs and trauma responses. This is definitely more women’s fiction in tone.
Fred is coming home for Christmas feeling like a failure. In order to find her spark she must be willing to overlook her familial prejudices that she had as a child and accept herself and her family for who they are.
I really enjoyed Fredrikas interactions when it came to her love interest. There’s that special connection when it’s a childhood friends to more and brought some delightful chemistry. There were several spots within the story where I felt like Fred’s growth was a little stunted but overall she was an easy character to enjoy.
Was it my favorite? Unfortunately this one dragged a little in some places and sometimes Fred was a little too stubbornly set in her old ways. It also put a large emphasis on auras, crystals, and trusting/thanking the universe — which to be fair is not my cup of tea 😂 but to each their own.
I think this one will be hit or miss but I’ve seen a lot of happy reviews for it. ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a closed door romance with some light strong language.
December 21, 2025
If Jenny Bayliss isn’t careful I’m going to wind up living in a small coastal village somewhere in Great Britain. Lovely Christmas vibes, second chance romance, multigenerational family literal magic, vibing with the moon. Delightful. Warmest of fuzzies.
November 23, 2025
A fine Christmas read! Love triangle with a clear winner (whatever the writer guy’s name is, he sucked so much!! That bad article was crazy) At times it felt like the Christmas element of this plot was a little forced, but the town sounded lovely. Loved Fred’s mom Bella and I’m glad she got her happy ending, she clearly deserved it! Wish I could order one of their family crackers ⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 9, 2025
First book in awhile I couldn’t finish! Just couldn’t get behind the storyline, the main character is miserable, and there’s a few themes/elements I don’t agree with.
November 25, 2025
Delightful!
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