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All in for Christmas
NYT bestselling author Ginny Baird delivers her signature charm in this cozy and festive alternate reality rom-com about the road not taken and the messy joy different choices can bring.
One woman, two lives—but did she choose the right one?
Practical-minded Paige Pierce has her life in order. She’s got a job she loves, teaching English, and is launching a new “Paws and Read” literacy program for struggling students at her school. Despite her dismal dating record, Paige rarely thinks about her old college boyfriend, Dean Burton. Then dreamy Dean surprises her at her school’s faculty holiday party, upending her world. When she learns Dean’s been hired as their replacement physics teacher, Paige can’t help getting stars in her eyes and wondering what her life might have been like if they’d never said goodbye.
With a rare comet passing overhead and the aid of a mysterious holiday market vendor, the universe grants Paige a chance to find out… The next morning, she wakes up in an alternate reality, greeted by Dean’s sunny optimism, their two kids, and a dog. Suddenly in way over her head with myriad household chores, a precocious little girl and a toddler boy who’s—yikes—potty training, Paige is desperate to scramble her way back home. Until her heart starts melting under the mistletoe, due to Dean’s swoony kisses and the cute shenanigans of their sweet kids and loyal pup, and she finds herself questioning where her home is truly meant to be. Yet the enchantment that’s brought her here won’t last forever.
With the clock ticking on Christmas magic, can the past be undone?
One woman, two lives—but did she choose the right one?
Practical-minded Paige Pierce has her life in order. She’s got a job she loves, teaching English, and is launching a new “Paws and Read” literacy program for struggling students at her school. Despite her dismal dating record, Paige rarely thinks about her old college boyfriend, Dean Burton. Then dreamy Dean surprises her at her school’s faculty holiday party, upending her world. When she learns Dean’s been hired as their replacement physics teacher, Paige can’t help getting stars in her eyes and wondering what her life might have been like if they’d never said goodbye.
With a rare comet passing overhead and the aid of a mysterious holiday market vendor, the universe grants Paige a chance to find out… The next morning, she wakes up in an alternate reality, greeted by Dean’s sunny optimism, their two kids, and a dog. Suddenly in way over her head with myriad household chores, a precocious little girl and a toddler boy who’s—yikes—potty training, Paige is desperate to scramble her way back home. Until her heart starts melting under the mistletoe, due to Dean’s swoony kisses and the cute shenanigans of their sweet kids and loyal pup, and she finds herself questioning where her home is truly meant to be. Yet the enchantment that’s brought her here won’t last forever.
With the clock ticking on Christmas magic, can the past be undone?
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
121 people are currently reading
11801 people want to read
About the author
Ginny Baird
64 books884 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird writes heartwarming contemporary stories filled with love, laughter, and happily ever afters. Visit her website to learn more about Ginny and her books. www.ginnybairdromance.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
August 23, 2025
This was a cute, cosy, very Hallmark Christmas movies vibe book. And while there's nothing I like more and I did mostly enjoyed it, it didn't make me feel as magical I thought it would..
Paige has her life figured out, with a job she loves and a literacy program close to her heart, but after seeing her ex at the faculty holiday party, the one that got away, some old feelings stir. Dean is starting his job at her school soon and his gift might change everything.. Because a special comet and a magical advent calendar transport her to an alternative world, one where she is married to Dean, with two adorable children and a dog. Confused and trying to make sense of everything, while finding a way to come back to her world, she gets swept away by her family and all the "what ifs". This world might not be perfect, but it has so much more value than she ever thought.. So what happens when she comes back to her real world?
I really liked the premise, this kind of stories are generally a huge hit for me, they're always special in their own way. I loved the setting, it was so cosy and messy in all the best ways. And the secondary characters, especially her mom, were an amazing addition.
Paige was a great character, I loved seeing her grow and how her priorities started to change. Her struggle to come to terms with both of the worlds was emotional, she found so much happiness in a world that could've been..
Dean was so amazing, kind and loving. He was there for her and he truly only wanted the best for her.
Their love was special and they were really good together. The snowman, the skating, the date, the Christmas presents, everything was so endearing. All the family scenes were delightful.
The kids were absolutely adorable, especially Henry and his Merry Kissmass!
And Scout was the best boy.
But I didn't really enjoy the writing style, there were some scenes that were really cringe, dialogue that didn't flow as smoothly as it should've and some overly descriptive scenes. I know some people would probably like the last thing, but for me, it was a little unnecessary in certain scenes. It took me out of the scene instead of making me enjoy it more..
Also, I didn't like the ending.. It was not what I was expecting, which is good in a way, but it also didn't sit right with me..
And the pace did dragged a little..
I would still recommend it though, if you want something sweet and heartwarming and pretty low-stakes.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Winter Wedding Press for providing me with an ARC.*
.·:*¨ ¨*:·.
Me having to rate two Christmas books, in a row, three stars feels like a crime!!
It honestly hurts my soul 😭
Paige has her life figured out, with a job she loves and a literacy program close to her heart, but after seeing her ex at the faculty holiday party, the one that got away, some old feelings stir. Dean is starting his job at her school soon and his gift might change everything.. Because a special comet and a magical advent calendar transport her to an alternative world, one where she is married to Dean, with two adorable children and a dog. Confused and trying to make sense of everything, while finding a way to come back to her world, she gets swept away by her family and all the "what ifs". This world might not be perfect, but it has so much more value than she ever thought.. So what happens when she comes back to her real world?
I really liked the premise, this kind of stories are generally a huge hit for me, they're always special in their own way. I loved the setting, it was so cosy and messy in all the best ways. And the secondary characters, especially her mom, were an amazing addition.
Paige was a great character, I loved seeing her grow and how her priorities started to change. Her struggle to come to terms with both of the worlds was emotional, she found so much happiness in a world that could've been..
Dean was so amazing, kind and loving. He was there for her and he truly only wanted the best for her.
Their love was special and they were really good together. The snowman, the skating, the date, the Christmas presents, everything was so endearing. All the family scenes were delightful.
The kids were absolutely adorable, especially Henry and his Merry Kissmass!
And Scout was the best boy.
But I didn't really enjoy the writing style, there were some scenes that were really cringe, dialogue that didn't flow as smoothly as it should've and some overly descriptive scenes. I know some people would probably like the last thing, but for me, it was a little unnecessary in certain scenes. It took me out of the scene instead of making me enjoy it more..
Also, I didn't like the ending.. It was not what I was expecting, which is good in a way, but it also didn't sit right with me..
And the pace did dragged a little..
I would still recommend it though, if you want something sweet and heartwarming and pretty low-stakes.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Winter Wedding Press for providing me with an ARC.*
.·:*¨ ¨*:·.
Me having to rate two Christmas books, in a row, three stars feels like a crime!!
It honestly hurts my soul 😭
September 12, 2025
Paige Pierce has her life in order. Having a job she loves and launching a new literacy program called “Paws and Read” for struggling students at the school where she works as an English teacher, Paige has it all. But when her old college boyfriend, Dean Burton, shows up at the faculty party, she wonders why her heart skips a beat and her stomach flutters if she’s over him. But if she was really over him, why is she thinking about the life they could have had together if they had never said goodbye?
That night, a rare comet passes overhead her small town and, with the aid of a supposedly magical gift Dean gave her, Paige wakes up in an alternate reality with two kids, a dog, and handsome Dean right next to her. Scrambling to find her way back to her world while simultaneously juggling the life of a mom and wife, Paige finds herself warming to her new surroundings and her supposedly new world. But the magic that brought her here won’t last forever, and she’s not sure if she’s willing for that to happen.
This book is exactly what I needed after the crazy past couple of days, even if the story reminded me of a Hallmark movie. Nothing compares to homemade cookies, cheerful Christmas music, and the love, comfort, and warmth the holidays bring. Gosh, I love Christmas! 🎄❤💚
Granted, the book isn’t perfect. The dialogue, at times, felt forced or stiff; there were some discrepancies in the plot; the writing wasn’t terrific, but it wasn’t bad either; and it was sometimes cheesy. But it’s Christmas. I’m willing to overlook these issues because it was just so gosh-darn cute. Dean was a sweet husband, the kids were so adorable, and the wonderful family memories Paige got to make in her time in the alternate reality are to die for. It was definitely a comfort read, and I guess I’m rating it so high because I really enjoyed it. ☺
If you are in need of a sweet, Hallmark-y Christmas book with magic and lessons of the importance of love and family, then I recommend this book. Now, I’m probably going to binge all my favorite Christmas movies with a cup of hot chocolate, even though it’s 90 degrees outside. 😅
Thank you to Winter Wedding Press and NetGalley for the free arc! All opinions and statements are my own.
Content Warnings
None? (Lol, I don’t remember! 😂)
Swearing: No
Spice: Closed-door (🌶🌶/5)
That night, a rare comet passes overhead her small town and, with the aid of a supposedly magical gift Dean gave her, Paige wakes up in an alternate reality with two kids, a dog, and handsome Dean right next to her. Scrambling to find her way back to her world while simultaneously juggling the life of a mom and wife, Paige finds herself warming to her new surroundings and her supposedly new world. But the magic that brought her here won’t last forever, and she’s not sure if she’s willing for that to happen.
This book is exactly what I needed after the crazy past couple of days, even if the story reminded me of a Hallmark movie. Nothing compares to homemade cookies, cheerful Christmas music, and the love, comfort, and warmth the holidays bring. Gosh, I love Christmas! 🎄❤💚
Granted, the book isn’t perfect. The dialogue, at times, felt forced or stiff; there were some discrepancies in the plot; the writing wasn’t terrific, but it wasn’t bad either; and it was sometimes cheesy. But it’s Christmas. I’m willing to overlook these issues because it was just so gosh-darn cute. Dean was a sweet husband, the kids were so adorable, and the wonderful family memories Paige got to make in her time in the alternate reality are to die for. It was definitely a comfort read, and I guess I’m rating it so high because I really enjoyed it. ☺
If you are in need of a sweet, Hallmark-y Christmas book with magic and lessons of the importance of love and family, then I recommend this book. Now, I’m probably going to binge all my favorite Christmas movies with a cup of hot chocolate, even though it’s 90 degrees outside. 😅
Thank you to Winter Wedding Press and NetGalley for the free arc! All opinions and statements are my own.
Content Warnings
None? (Lol, I don’t remember! 😂)
Swearing: No
Spice: Closed-door (🌶🌶/5)
September 11, 2025
3 Stars
One Liner: Enjoyable, but the writing is stilted
Paige Pierce is a practical person with a planner and a checklist for everything. She loves her job at the school, teaching English to high schoolers and helping them. Her latest project, Paws and Read, is aimed at helping struggling students become fluent readers.
When Dean Burton, the man she loved and let go six years ago, joins her school as a physics teacher, Paige can’t help but wonder about what ifs. It is a week before Christmas, with a comet passing through the Earth’s atmosphere, and a magical advent calendar predicting the future.
Paige wakes up in an alternate reality where she and Dean have been married for six years and have a cozy house, two kids, and an adorable dog. Paige is torn between the life she has and the life she could have had. However, she knows she has to choose soon.
The story comes in Paige’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
The premise made it sound like a perfect Christmas read (I’m doing Christmas in August/ Sep, if you haven’t figured it out).
The overall storyline is pretty decent, too. I quite liked the side characters (FMC’s mom, the principal, the mysterious woman, etc.). The kids are super-duper adorable, and so is Scout the dog (see him on the cover).
The entire story comes in the FMC’s first-person POV. It did work for the plot, given the focus is on her and her choices, etc.
However, the writing style didn’t help at all. The dialogues are stilted and weird. I guess the aim was to show the awkwardness of the scenes, but it didn’t come out right. Especially those (Ha. Ha. Ha). They grated on my nerves. And the use of (So.) as a single-word sentence. Ellipses should not be overdone, but they can and should be used when necessary.
The pacing is on the slower side, which sometimes makes the story drag despite the series of events and activities that happen on the page.
The romance is pretty much closed-door. I don’t think it helped much, TBH.
This is also a low angst piece, so things are resolved without much drama. I didn’t particularly like the choice made at the end. There was a better option, IMO.
To summarize, All in for Christmas is an enjoyable cozy Christmas read about second chances, miracles, and hope. The beginning will need some patience, though.
Thank you, NetGalley and Winter Wedding Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #AllInForChristmas
One Liner: Enjoyable, but the writing is stilted
Paige Pierce is a practical person with a planner and a checklist for everything. She loves her job at the school, teaching English to high schoolers and helping them. Her latest project, Paws and Read, is aimed at helping struggling students become fluent readers.
When Dean Burton, the man she loved and let go six years ago, joins her school as a physics teacher, Paige can’t help but wonder about what ifs. It is a week before Christmas, with a comet passing through the Earth’s atmosphere, and a magical advent calendar predicting the future.
Paige wakes up in an alternate reality where she and Dean have been married for six years and have a cozy house, two kids, and an adorable dog. Paige is torn between the life she has and the life she could have had. However, she knows she has to choose soon.
The story comes in Paige’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
The premise made it sound like a perfect Christmas read (I’m doing Christmas in August/ Sep, if you haven’t figured it out).
The overall storyline is pretty decent, too. I quite liked the side characters (FMC’s mom, the principal, the mysterious woman, etc.). The kids are super-duper adorable, and so is Scout the dog (see him on the cover).
The entire story comes in the FMC’s first-person POV. It did work for the plot, given the focus is on her and her choices, etc.
However, the writing style didn’t help at all. The dialogues are stilted and weird. I guess the aim was to show the awkwardness of the scenes, but it didn’t come out right. Especially those (Ha. Ha. Ha). They grated on my nerves. And the use of (So.) as a single-word sentence. Ellipses should not be overdone, but they can and should be used when necessary.
The pacing is on the slower side, which sometimes makes the story drag despite the series of events and activities that happen on the page.
The romance is pretty much closed-door. I don’t think it helped much, TBH.
This is also a low angst piece, so things are resolved without much drama. I didn’t particularly like the choice made at the end. There was a better option, IMO.
To summarize, All in for Christmas is an enjoyable cozy Christmas read about second chances, miracles, and hope. The beginning will need some patience, though.
Thank you, NetGalley and Winter Wedding Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #AllInForChristmas
August 17, 2025
I received a free copy of, All in for Christmas, by Ginny Baird, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Paige Pierce is a teacher, she is going smoothly teaching kids at running a dogs and reading program, when an old flame comes back to town. Whats meant to be will be, seems to be the theme of this Christmas magic story.This was a good read.
September 20, 2025
All in for Christmas by Ginny Baird
Holiday contemporary romance with a touch of magic.
Paige Pierce teaches English in Piney Mount, Virginia and she’s just introduced a reading program with dogs for struggling students. Her career is going great, but her home life is a bit lonely. She has ornaments from her mother, but no tree. She hasn’t dated anyone since college and surprisingly he’s a surprise guest at school’s faculty holiday party. Dean Burton will start in the new year as a physics teacher.
Paige is caught in a bit of a time loop. She remembers how good she and Dean were together. He was her best friend. He left for a job opportunity before she graduated and she’s wondered if they would still be together if he hadn’t left for that job.
That night as Paige goes to bed, she writes in her dream journal “relationship with Dean”. When she wakes up she’s in an alternate world where she and Dean are married with two children, a dog, and little extra money but they are happy. With a child climbing on the bed and on top of her, clearly this isn’t a dream. Now what? Who will continue her program to help slow readers? Her mom is cancer free in this world. Is she ok in the alternate world? Is this her life now or is she going to wake up on Christmas back in her apartment alone?
A bit of magic and Paige is falling again for Dean. She’s finding it easy to love the children too though their very presence means she wasn’t able to finish her college degree.
Thought provoking dilemma. Try to stay in this alternate world where memories are scarce but love is all around, or go back and start new? He’s single still and interested.
What should she wish for?
A holiday story filled with love and joy. I loved the story, their progression, the romance, the children. Not the choice in the end. I understood it. But didn’t agree.
Holiday contemporary romance with a touch of magic.
Paige Pierce teaches English in Piney Mount, Virginia and she’s just introduced a reading program with dogs for struggling students. Her career is going great, but her home life is a bit lonely. She has ornaments from her mother, but no tree. She hasn’t dated anyone since college and surprisingly he’s a surprise guest at school’s faculty holiday party. Dean Burton will start in the new year as a physics teacher.
Paige is caught in a bit of a time loop. She remembers how good she and Dean were together. He was her best friend. He left for a job opportunity before she graduated and she’s wondered if they would still be together if he hadn’t left for that job.
That night as Paige goes to bed, she writes in her dream journal “relationship with Dean”. When she wakes up she’s in an alternate world where she and Dean are married with two children, a dog, and little extra money but they are happy. With a child climbing on the bed and on top of her, clearly this isn’t a dream. Now what? Who will continue her program to help slow readers? Her mom is cancer free in this world. Is she ok in the alternate world? Is this her life now or is she going to wake up on Christmas back in her apartment alone?
A bit of magic and Paige is falling again for Dean. She’s finding it easy to love the children too though their very presence means she wasn’t able to finish her college degree.
Thought provoking dilemma. Try to stay in this alternate world where memories are scarce but love is all around, or go back and start new? He’s single still and interested.
What should she wish for?
A holiday story filled with love and joy. I loved the story, their progression, the romance, the children. Not the choice in the end. I understood it. But didn’t agree.
October 8, 2025
All in for Christmas was a second chance romance filled with all the magic. With a snowy winter wonderland, a magical advent calendar, and a journey into an alternate universe, this book was so easy to enjoy! If you adore Christmas stories where the ending will pleasantly surprise you, and if you’ve ever wondered what if, this book is for you!
It had been six years since Paige and Dean were together in college. And they ran into each other at her work’s holiday party. From that one moment, and a thoughtful gift, her whole life completely changed. The next morning, she woke up snuggling with Dean, while their two children and dog Scout came bounding into their bedroom. Eleanor and Henry were some of my favorite things about this story! They had me screeching with laughter and they added so much heart and joy! I got quickly attached to them and fell in love with the family that Paige and Dean had created. Yet, it wasn’t real…...right?
Truly I didn’t know how to connect with Paige at first. I mean, she had a robotic dog lol. But from the moment she woke up in another life, I clicked with her right away. I got her struggles, confusion, and at the same time there were things in this life that brought her immense amounts of joy! I was so happy for her. And I adored her relationship with her mom! Watching Paige go from desperately wanting to go back to her original life, to falling in love with this one was so beautiful! And Dean was a book husband you will fall madly in love with too!
Building a snowman, snowball fights, Christmas cookies, ice skating, and holiday magic made this Hallmark vibe story merry and bright! Plus, the ending to All in for Christmas completely surprised me in the best of ways! I didn’t see it coming, and I closed the book so happy! With a fade to black romance, family moments that will melt your heart, and all the Christmas feels, I enjoyed reading this story so much!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Instagram * Facebook * Bloglovin * Feedly
“Magical gifts from the holiday market?” There’s an impish gleam in his eyes and I chuckle.
“Come on, you don’t really mean it. Magic?”
“Why not magic?” he replies. “Stranger things have happened.”
It had been six years since Paige and Dean were together in college. And they ran into each other at her work’s holiday party. From that one moment, and a thoughtful gift, her whole life completely changed. The next morning, she woke up snuggling with Dean, while their two children and dog Scout came bounding into their bedroom. Eleanor and Henry were some of my favorite things about this story! They had me screeching with laughter and they added so much heart and joy! I got quickly attached to them and fell in love with the family that Paige and Dean had created. Yet, it wasn’t real…...right?
I can’t tell anybody this. That I’ve invented an entire family! With a living-breathing-barking dog! And laundry. Nobody wishes for piles of unfolded clothes.
Truly I didn’t know how to connect with Paige at first. I mean, she had a robotic dog lol. But from the moment she woke up in another life, I clicked with her right away. I got her struggles, confusion, and at the same time there were things in this life that brought her immense amounts of joy! I was so happy for her. And I adored her relationship with her mom! Watching Paige go from desperately wanting to go back to her original life, to falling in love with this one was so beautiful! And Dean was a book husband you will fall madly in love with too!
He’s awfully handsome standing there in his sweatpants and undershirt, commanding the stove like a pro. The fact that he hasn’t shaved gives him a sexy unkempt edge. I think of his role-playing comments and go hot all over. Santa and Mrs. Claus? Seriously? I wish I knew what that entailed.
Building a snowman, snowball fights, Christmas cookies, ice skating, and holiday magic made this Hallmark vibe story merry and bright! Plus, the ending to All in for Christmas completely surprised me in the best of ways! I didn’t see it coming, and I closed the book so happy! With a fade to black romance, family moments that will melt your heart, and all the Christmas feels, I enjoyed reading this story so much!
A wave of melancholy washes over me, but I push it aside. Foolish to regret what I’ve never had.
I think I’m falling for Dean. I think I’m falling for all of them.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Instagram * Facebook * Bloglovin * Feedly
August 31, 2025
What a cute, cozy book to get in a festive holiday mood!
We all have those what if thoughts? What if we made the other choice? How would our life look different?
Paige is faced with exactly this question when her ex-boyfriend, Dean, shows up as a new teacher at her faculty holiday party. Dean gifts Paige an advent calendar that is said to have magical powers, and that night she gets it out and places the star on the tree. The next morning, she wakes up, married to Dean, with two kids.
The alternate reality is the what if. What if they hadn’t broken up? She’s getting a glimpse of this now.
I really enjoyed this book. It was wholesome and sweet. I like Dean and Paige’s characters. They were genuinely in love and while things weren’t necessarily easy or perfect, they chose each other day after day.
Definitely grab this one for your holiday reading this season!! Thank you Ginny Baird, Net Galley, and Winter Wedding Press for the advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion!
We all have those what if thoughts? What if we made the other choice? How would our life look different?
Paige is faced with exactly this question when her ex-boyfriend, Dean, shows up as a new teacher at her faculty holiday party. Dean gifts Paige an advent calendar that is said to have magical powers, and that night she gets it out and places the star on the tree. The next morning, she wakes up, married to Dean, with two kids.
The alternate reality is the what if. What if they hadn’t broken up? She’s getting a glimpse of this now.
I really enjoyed this book. It was wholesome and sweet. I like Dean and Paige’s characters. They were genuinely in love and while things weren’t necessarily easy or perfect, they chose each other day after day.
Definitely grab this one for your holiday reading this season!! Thank you Ginny Baird, Net Galley, and Winter Wedding Press for the advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion!
September 21, 2025
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest.
this was cute and cozy and felt like a Hallmark movie for Christmas in a book.
i loved it - just nothing stuck out to me to make it 'feel' more magical in the settings. it didn't 'wow' me per say. but still cute!
this was cute and cozy and felt like a Hallmark movie for Christmas in a book.
i loved it - just nothing stuck out to me to make it 'feel' more magical in the settings. it didn't 'wow' me per say. but still cute!
August 25, 2025
This was such a cute and cosy Festive read. The story was cute and easy to follow, the perfect book for when you want something light and fluffy over the festive season. I loved the story and the great mix of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
All in for Christmas was a heartwarming holiday romance about widow Cassie Stevens, who ran her family’s New England inn while raising her son. When a snowstorm brought businessman Alex Walters to her door, the two had to decide if they were ready to open their hearts to love again.
I really enjoyed the festive, small-town setting—it had all the cozy holiday charm I look for. Cassie was easy to connect with, and her bond with her son added warmth to the story. The romance with Alex was sweet and hopeful, making it a feel-good read perfect for the season. I especially loved Paige’s persona. She was a practical and organized teacher who was independent and quietly longing for romance. Being a teacher myself, Paige’s character resonated with me and I felt an immediate connection to her. In addition to Paige’s affable personality, I was also fond of Dean. I loved his optimistic and warm demeanor. He was affectionate and loving, a comforting counterpart to Paige’s practicality.
On the flip side, the storyline was pretty predictable, and the pacing dragged at times with too much focus on holiday details. Even more, the conflict stayed light, so it lacked the deeper tension I sometimes prefer in a romance.
Overall I appreciated this warm, cozy holiday story by Ginny Baird. Would love to read more by her. I’d recommend this for any reader who loves cozy, feel-good holiday romances with a Hallmark-movie vibe. I also recommend All In For Christmas for those who enjoy small-town settings, second-chance love stories, and heartwarming family dynamics. If you’re looking for a light, uplifting Christmas read full of festive charm rather than high drama or twists, you most likely will love this one.
Thank you to Net Galley and Winter Wedding Press for the ARC in exchange for my feedback.
All in for Christmas was a heartwarming holiday romance about widow Cassie Stevens, who ran her family’s New England inn while raising her son. When a snowstorm brought businessman Alex Walters to her door, the two had to decide if they were ready to open their hearts to love again.
I really enjoyed the festive, small-town setting—it had all the cozy holiday charm I look for. Cassie was easy to connect with, and her bond with her son added warmth to the story. The romance with Alex was sweet and hopeful, making it a feel-good read perfect for the season. I especially loved Paige’s persona. She was a practical and organized teacher who was independent and quietly longing for romance. Being a teacher myself, Paige’s character resonated with me and I felt an immediate connection to her. In addition to Paige’s affable personality, I was also fond of Dean. I loved his optimistic and warm demeanor. He was affectionate and loving, a comforting counterpart to Paige’s practicality.
On the flip side, the storyline was pretty predictable, and the pacing dragged at times with too much focus on holiday details. Even more, the conflict stayed light, so it lacked the deeper tension I sometimes prefer in a romance.
Overall I appreciated this warm, cozy holiday story by Ginny Baird. Would love to read more by her. I’d recommend this for any reader who loves cozy, feel-good holiday romances with a Hallmark-movie vibe. I also recommend All In For Christmas for those who enjoy small-town settings, second-chance love stories, and heartwarming family dynamics. If you’re looking for a light, uplifting Christmas read full of festive charm rather than high drama or twists, you most likely will love this one.
Thank you to Net Galley and Winter Wedding Press for the ARC in exchange for my feedback.
December 2, 2025
4 ⭐️
All in for Christmas is a time traveling tale about Dean and Paige.
Paige is a school teacher who loves stability and an organized life. Everything feels great. Her robotic dog, her mom who is healthy (although having some health scares) and a quiet life.
But what if this is a lonely life she is living? And what if things were different? Like if her and her college boyfriend, Dean never broke up? Dean, who shows up at her holiday Christmas party after years of being away?
When Dean gives her a magical advent calendar, and Paige wakes up in an alternate reality, will she want to stay in this brand new life? Or go back to her old reality?
All in all, I really enjoyed this story! I was hooked with the classic tale of waking up any different timeline. It was fun reading about what life Paige would have lived with Dean if they never broke ups and years ago.
My only dislike is the ending. Paige wakes up back in her normal reality, which I expected and hoped for. But, She somehow convinces the normal reality dean about everything that happened in this alternate world, and he believes her. Which also would be fine, I suppose. But then, Dean suggests that they go back to this alternate reality since Christmas Day hasn’t passed and the magic isn’t over yet. So they both wish and go back to this other life, where neither of them fully remember the memories from the other realities.
I kind of wish that Paige would have just lived in her normal reality and changed some of her ways like usual stories do. I can support a different ending, but it just wasn’t my favorite, which made it a four out of five for me!
Still a very cute, clothes, door, spice, Christmas read!
Thank you Ginny Baird, winter wedding press, & NetGalley for the ARC!
All in for Christmas is a time traveling tale about Dean and Paige.
Paige is a school teacher who loves stability and an organized life. Everything feels great. Her robotic dog, her mom who is healthy (although having some health scares) and a quiet life.
But what if this is a lonely life she is living? And what if things were different? Like if her and her college boyfriend, Dean never broke up? Dean, who shows up at her holiday Christmas party after years of being away?
When Dean gives her a magical advent calendar, and Paige wakes up in an alternate reality, will she want to stay in this brand new life? Or go back to her old reality?
All in all, I really enjoyed this story! I was hooked with the classic tale of waking up any different timeline. It was fun reading about what life Paige would have lived with Dean if they never broke ups and years ago.
My only dislike is the ending. Paige wakes up back in her normal reality, which I expected and hoped for. But, She somehow convinces the normal reality dean about everything that happened in this alternate world, and he believes her. Which also would be fine, I suppose. But then, Dean suggests that they go back to this alternate reality since Christmas Day hasn’t passed and the magic isn’t over yet. So they both wish and go back to this other life, where neither of them fully remember the memories from the other realities.
I kind of wish that Paige would have just lived in her normal reality and changed some of her ways like usual stories do. I can support a different ending, but it just wasn’t my favorite, which made it a four out of five for me!
Still a very cute, clothes, door, spice, Christmas read!
Thank you Ginny Baird, winter wedding press, & NetGalley for the ARC!
September 22, 2025
This wasn’t your usual holiday rom-com and it made it all the more memorable. Having forgotten the synopsis of the book, I dove right in and assumed it would be a second chance romance between main characters Paige and Dean. After breaking up years earlier due to Dean moving away for an opportunity in Puerto Rico, both characters are reunited in their small town when Dean returns and takes a teaching job at the same school Paige teaches at. During a holiday party and after a holiday gift exchange, Dean gives Paige a holiday gift (an advent calendar) he bought at a holiday market. That advent calendar, coupled with a rare comet event, has Paige waking up the next morning in an alternate universe (a la Gwyneth Paltrow’s Sliding Doors) where she and Dean are married, have kids, and a dog. In this universe, Dean didn’t take that opportunity in Puerto Rico and instead married Paige and started a family.
This was a great story – an opportunity to think about what life would be if you didn’t make that choice, take that turn, and life would be very different. Paige struggles with the knowledge of her previous life, though, and it makes it hard as she misses some aspects of her other life – most notably her teaching and literacy campaign. With the mysterious help of Mary Christmas (a holiday Mrs. Claus figure), Paige is given some answers and must decide which life she’d rather live in – which home is truly where her heart is?
I received this ARC book through NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.
This was a great story – an opportunity to think about what life would be if you didn’t make that choice, take that turn, and life would be very different. Paige struggles with the knowledge of her previous life, though, and it makes it hard as she misses some aspects of her other life – most notably her teaching and literacy campaign. With the mysterious help of Mary Christmas (a holiday Mrs. Claus figure), Paige is given some answers and must decide which life she’d rather live in – which home is truly where her heart is?
I received this ARC book through NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.
November 15, 2025
If you are looking for a cozy, closed door, charming Christmas romance, this book is all of that and more. Paige and Dean's story is full of Christmas cheer, magical realism and a sweet second chance romance. Paige goes through a transition, and as she does, she experiences a lot of character growth. It was interesting to see her goals and principles change as she fell in love with the family she could have had. As I was reading, I was worried how the author would have a happy ending without some major issues, but she pulled it off perfectly and it ended up being one of the best second chance romance endings I've personally read. If holiday reads are your jam, don't miss out on this one!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the access to this ARC. All thoughts are my own!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the access to this ARC. All thoughts are my own!
December 20, 2025
Wow!! I loved this book!! I loved all the second chances and the heart warming things in this book!! Great Christmas Read!!
September 27, 2025
This was a touching, magical romance. I enjoyed a bit of festive cheer in the end of summer. I loved the light touch of magic in the novel. I loved the characters and the story made me tear up a bit. A well written story.
August 20, 2025
Spoiler-Free Review
All in for Christmas by Ginny Baird
Contemporary Romance / Cosy Christmas
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
All in for Christmas is a cosy holiday story about second chances, magic, and hope. Paige Pierce is a practical woman with a planner and a checklist for everything, devoted to her job teaching high school English. Her latest project, Paws and Read, helps struggling students improve their reading skills. When Dean Burton, her former love from six years ago, joins her school as a physics teacher, Paige is forced to confront the “what ifs” of their past.
A magical advent calendar, a comet in the sky, and a twist of fate transport Paige into an alternate reality where she and Dean have been married for six years, with a cosy home, two kids, and an adorable dog named Scout. Paige must navigate the tension between her current life and the life she could have had, making choices that are as emotional as they are heart warming.
I enjoyed the premise—it’s the perfect setup for a Christmas story, and the side characters added charm and depth. The kids and Scout the dog were absolutely delightful, and the first-person POV worked well to focus on Paige’s decisions and emotions.
However, the writing style sometimes held the story back. The dialogues felt stilted, with overused punctuation like “Ha. Ha. Ha." that occasionally pulled me out of the narrative. The pacing was slow in parts, making the story drag despite the lively series of events. The romance was low-angst and largely closed-door, which might leave some readers wanting more emotional tension or descriptive moments. I also wasn’t fully satisfied with the choice made at the end; there seemed to be a better option.
Overall Takeaway: All in for Christmas is an enjoyable, cosy holiday read about second chances and the magic of the season. It requires a bit of patience at the beginning, but the charm of the characters and the heart warming premise make it a worthwhile read for fans of gentle Christmas romance.
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5 stars)
All in for Christmas by Ginny Baird
Contemporary Romance / Cosy Christmas
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
All in for Christmas is a cosy holiday story about second chances, magic, and hope. Paige Pierce is a practical woman with a planner and a checklist for everything, devoted to her job teaching high school English. Her latest project, Paws and Read, helps struggling students improve their reading skills. When Dean Burton, her former love from six years ago, joins her school as a physics teacher, Paige is forced to confront the “what ifs” of their past.
A magical advent calendar, a comet in the sky, and a twist of fate transport Paige into an alternate reality where she and Dean have been married for six years, with a cosy home, two kids, and an adorable dog named Scout. Paige must navigate the tension between her current life and the life she could have had, making choices that are as emotional as they are heart warming.
I enjoyed the premise—it’s the perfect setup for a Christmas story, and the side characters added charm and depth. The kids and Scout the dog were absolutely delightful, and the first-person POV worked well to focus on Paige’s decisions and emotions.
However, the writing style sometimes held the story back. The dialogues felt stilted, with overused punctuation like “Ha. Ha. Ha." that occasionally pulled me out of the narrative. The pacing was slow in parts, making the story drag despite the lively series of events. The romance was low-angst and largely closed-door, which might leave some readers wanting more emotional tension or descriptive moments. I also wasn’t fully satisfied with the choice made at the end; there seemed to be a better option.
Overall Takeaway: All in for Christmas is an enjoyable, cosy holiday read about second chances and the magic of the season. It requires a bit of patience at the beginning, but the charm of the characters and the heart warming premise make it a worthwhile read for fans of gentle Christmas romance.
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5 stars)
September 9, 2025
All In For Christmas is such a cute, Hallmark moviesque, holiday romcom! Paige, an English teacher at Walton, is shocked to run into her college ex-boyfriend, Dean, at the faculty Christmas party. Dean is the new physics teacher, still single and still as handsome as ever. It has been 6 years since they went their separate ways, and she can’t help but wonder what life would have been like if they had chosen differently back then. Thanks to a special comet, a magical advent calendar, and a mysterious Mary Christmas, Paige is transported to an alternate reality where she and Dean are married with two precious kids, Henry and Eleanor, and a dog named Scout. Now Paige must figure out how she got there, how to get back, and if she really wants to go.
I really enjoyed All In For Christmas! It’s such a unique take on second chance romance. It was funny, heartwarming, and pulled on my heart strings. Pagie had to change and adapt to her alternate reality. Becoming a mom and wife will do that! I enjoyed watching her growth and transformation. There were a lot of funny moments that made me laugh out loud. I appreciated the single POV and Pagie’s internal dialogue. Dean was so sweet and loving. He was such a thoughtful husband and the best Dad. I loved seeing him and Paige together, especially in the alternate reality. I loved their chemistry and playful banter. The kids, Scout, and Paige’s mom were all great additions.
I really loved the story overall. I felt like the dialogue was stiff at times, but I didn’t find it distracting. The ending was unique and unexpected. The story was well thought out and gave me the closure I was hoping for. I love how Ginny resolved everything, down to the memories. If you like feel-good holiday romances with a bit of magic, add this delightful read to your TBR!
Thank you NetGalley, Winter Wedding Press, and Ginny Baird for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed All In For Christmas! It’s such a unique take on second chance romance. It was funny, heartwarming, and pulled on my heart strings. Pagie had to change and adapt to her alternate reality. Becoming a mom and wife will do that! I enjoyed watching her growth and transformation. There were a lot of funny moments that made me laugh out loud. I appreciated the single POV and Pagie’s internal dialogue. Dean was so sweet and loving. He was such a thoughtful husband and the best Dad. I loved seeing him and Paige together, especially in the alternate reality. I loved their chemistry and playful banter. The kids, Scout, and Paige’s mom were all great additions.
I really loved the story overall. I felt like the dialogue was stiff at times, but I didn’t find it distracting. The ending was unique and unexpected. The story was well thought out and gave me the closure I was hoping for. I love how Ginny resolved everything, down to the memories. If you like feel-good holiday romances with a bit of magic, add this delightful read to your TBR!
Thank you NetGalley, Winter Wedding Press, and Ginny Baird for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 15, 2025
Ginny Baird’s All in for Christmas is a delightfully magical holiday romance that proves sometimes, your life can change overnight!. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves second-chance romance with an imaginative, enchanting twist.
The story centers on Paige, a passionate English teacher who is ready to launch her innovative program where children read aloud to dogs. At the annual faculty holiday party—where she announces her program—she runs straight into her college boyfriend, Dean, who is coming to the school to teach physics. He is just as handsome and charming as she remembers, instantly stirring up feelings she thought she'd left behind.
The real magic begins when Dean gives Paige an Advent calendar from a cryptic market vendor. That night, as a comet streaks across the sky, Paige adds a star to the calendar, unknowingly triggering a complete change in her reality.
Paige wakes up the next morning to an alternate reality where she is happily married to Dean! They share a life, two wonderful children, and even a family dog.
This core element of magical realism is beautifully executed and elevates the novel far beyond a typical holiday romance. Watching Paige navigate this new, domestic life—a life she never had the chance to live—while figuring out how to make this reality permanent (or how to return to her old one) is genuinely captivating and emotionally resonant. This is a story about what happens when you get a glimpse behind the curtain of "what if."
Thank you to Winter Wedding Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The story centers on Paige, a passionate English teacher who is ready to launch her innovative program where children read aloud to dogs. At the annual faculty holiday party—where she announces her program—she runs straight into her college boyfriend, Dean, who is coming to the school to teach physics. He is just as handsome and charming as she remembers, instantly stirring up feelings she thought she'd left behind.
The real magic begins when Dean gives Paige an Advent calendar from a cryptic market vendor. That night, as a comet streaks across the sky, Paige adds a star to the calendar, unknowingly triggering a complete change in her reality.
Paige wakes up the next morning to an alternate reality where she is happily married to Dean! They share a life, two wonderful children, and even a family dog.
This core element of magical realism is beautifully executed and elevates the novel far beyond a typical holiday romance. Watching Paige navigate this new, domestic life—a life she never had the chance to live—while figuring out how to make this reality permanent (or how to return to her old one) is genuinely captivating and emotionally resonant. This is a story about what happens when you get a glimpse behind the curtain of "what if."
Thank you to Winter Wedding Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 17, 2025
This is the perfect book to get into the Christmas spirit and start looking forward to the season.
What if you woke up one morning living the life you would have had if you hadn’t broken up with your boyfriend just because you didn’t want to stand in the way of his dreams? That’s exactly what happens to Paige in All in for Christmas, as she finds herself in an alternate reality.
I think everyone has those “what if” thoughts about how life could’ve turned out if we had made a different choice, and Paige gets to live out that version of her life for a while. Will she enjoy it? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out!
This was such a wholesome and cozy read. I truly enjoyed my time with it and let’s be honest, that’s the most important part. I really liked both Paige and Dean. Obviously, you don’t get to see how they first met since they were already a couple in the past and are now reuniting but that didn’t bother me at all.
I loved the overall plot and could barely put the book down because I just wanted to keep reading.
It’s an adorable story filled with family, love, and lots of hope. Honestly, I think this book is perfect to read any time of the year!
This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley
What if you woke up one morning living the life you would have had if you hadn’t broken up with your boyfriend just because you didn’t want to stand in the way of his dreams? That’s exactly what happens to Paige in All in for Christmas, as she finds herself in an alternate reality.
I think everyone has those “what if” thoughts about how life could’ve turned out if we had made a different choice, and Paige gets to live out that version of her life for a while. Will she enjoy it? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out!
This was such a wholesome and cozy read. I truly enjoyed my time with it and let’s be honest, that’s the most important part. I really liked both Paige and Dean. Obviously, you don’t get to see how they first met since they were already a couple in the past and are now reuniting but that didn’t bother me at all.
I loved the overall plot and could barely put the book down because I just wanted to keep reading.
It’s an adorable story filled with family, love, and lots of hope. Honestly, I think this book is perfect to read any time of the year!
This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley
September 7, 2025
When English teacher Paige Pierce runs into her college ex-boyfriend Dean at a holiday party, she can’t help wondering what her life might have been like if they had stayed together. Thanks to a little Christmas magic and a mysterious art vendor, Paige gets her answer, but now she’s questioning where she truly belongs…
This one has that perfect cozy Hallmark holiday movie vibe! Paige’s journey of self-discovery in this alternate reality was both heartwarming and emotional, I found myself completely invested in her struggle between two different worlds! The kids and Scout were absolutely delightful, and all the festive family moments made me want to curl up on the couch with my pup and a giant mug of hot cocoa. Though some of the early dialogue was a bit boring and felt a little forced, the heart of this story won me over completely.
Tropes:
✨Magical Realism
🤶Christmas Holiday Romance
🌟Parallel Universe
💓Second Chance Romance
🏠Happily Ever After
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This is exactly the kind of sweet, feel-good Christmas romance that's perfect for holiday reading! I definitely recommend grabbing this one when it releases this week, Tuesday September 9th!!
Thank you to Winter Wedding Press, NetGalley, and Ginny Baird for an eARC!
This one has that perfect cozy Hallmark holiday movie vibe! Paige’s journey of self-discovery in this alternate reality was both heartwarming and emotional, I found myself completely invested in her struggle between two different worlds! The kids and Scout were absolutely delightful, and all the festive family moments made me want to curl up on the couch with my pup and a giant mug of hot cocoa. Though some of the early dialogue was a bit boring and felt a little forced, the heart of this story won me over completely.
Tropes:
✨Magical Realism
🤶Christmas Holiday Romance
🌟Parallel Universe
💓Second Chance Romance
🏠Happily Ever After
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This is exactly the kind of sweet, feel-good Christmas romance that's perfect for holiday reading! I definitely recommend grabbing this one when it releases this week, Tuesday September 9th!!
Thank you to Winter Wedding Press, NetGalley, and Ginny Baird for an eARC!
August 7, 2025
I enjoyed this charming take on a second-chance Christmas romance. Paige can't believe the love of her life is now teaching at her school. She and Dean parted ways six years ago, and she often wondered if she'd made the right choice. What if they'd stayed together? Thanks to some Advent Calendar magic, Paige discovers the answer. She wakes up to find herself living a married life with Dean, including two kids and a lovable dog.
How did she end up here? How can she return to her real life? Does she even want to? This is a truly sweet, wholesome, closed-door romance. I loved all the characters, and I didn't know how Ginny Baird was going to wrap it up, which made it even better. This would make a perfect Hallmark movie. Thanks to NetGalley and Winter Wedding Press for the ARC.
How did she end up here? How can she return to her real life? Does she even want to? This is a truly sweet, wholesome, closed-door romance. I loved all the characters, and I didn't know how Ginny Baird was going to wrap it up, which made it even better. This would make a perfect Hallmark movie. Thanks to NetGalley and Winter Wedding Press for the ARC.
September 7, 2025
I was given the chance to read and review this as an ARC all thoughts are my own.
I love Christmas in my mind it’s a whole season. I’m a sucker for a Christmas romance with all the twinkly lights you can write about.
This book was a hallmark movie in book form. You followed Paige and Dean who together were cute enough. Dean was a full on cinnamon roll, and the background characters were nice enough. I’ll be honest though this book was a bit of a struggle, I didn’t find that it flowed very well, and the story felt a little messy in parts, it didn’t give me that Christmas feel and I wasn’t left wanting to put my Christmas tree up. I also wasn’t keen on the ending, although cute in a way didn’t seem like the right ending to me.
I love Christmas in my mind it’s a whole season. I’m a sucker for a Christmas romance with all the twinkly lights you can write about.
This book was a hallmark movie in book form. You followed Paige and Dean who together were cute enough. Dean was a full on cinnamon roll, and the background characters were nice enough. I’ll be honest though this book was a bit of a struggle, I didn’t find that it flowed very well, and the story felt a little messy in parts, it didn’t give me that Christmas feel and I wasn’t left wanting to put my Christmas tree up. I also wasn’t keen on the ending, although cute in a way didn’t seem like the right ending to me.
September 30, 2025
I am a huge fan of time travel/time slip/sliding doors stories and was very excited to read this one. One of my favourite movies ever is The Family Man with Nicholas Cage and this book, particularly the first half, was very similar to this movie except with a FMC rather than a MMC.
The children were adorable and natural but the chemistry between Dean and Paige seemed stilted and somewhat forced. There was too much description and repetition in Paige's thoughts. The flow and the magic that I would have enjoyed just wasn't there.
There was also a continuity issue regarding Paige's phone that I hope is corrected in the published book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Winter Wedding Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The children were adorable and natural but the chemistry between Dean and Paige seemed stilted and somewhat forced. There was too much description and repetition in Paige's thoughts. The flow and the magic that I would have enjoyed just wasn't there.
There was also a continuity issue regarding Paige's phone that I hope is corrected in the published book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Winter Wedding Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2025
A special thank you to Independent book Publishers Association (BPA) and author Ginny Baird for gifting me a copy of All in For Christmas via NetGalley 💚 This is my honest and voluntary review:
Dreams really can come true around the holidays! ✨ This was the PERFECT holiday romance for those who love a good Hallmark movie.🎄☺️
Paige makes a wish that she doesn't even know she's making before falling asleep on the night of a comet. When she wakes up that wish has been granted. But is this what she truly wants? This book gave me freaky Friday vibes and it was fantastic. It was such a fun read and is a MUST READ!
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Plot rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Character rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dreams really can come true around the holidays! ✨ This was the PERFECT holiday romance for those who love a good Hallmark movie.🎄☺️
Paige makes a wish that she doesn't even know she's making before falling asleep on the night of a comet. When she wakes up that wish has been granted. But is this what she truly wants? This book gave me freaky Friday vibes and it was fantastic. It was such a fun read and is a MUST READ!
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Plot rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Character rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 23, 2025
This was so cute I just could not put it down. A twist on a Christmas carol and I loved every single thing about it. Scout was the hero we didn't know we needed. This was a sweet story of love and realizing the true meaning of the Christmas spirit.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I will be buying myself a physical copy and reading all the back list titles.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I will be buying myself a physical copy and reading all the back list titles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
I devoured this book. This was such a fun, easy read and so adorable. The vibes were very hallmark movie, and it was set in NC! I love a good holiday book and this delivered. Paige, Dean and the holiday magic made this a book I couldn’t put down.
September 16, 2025
Thank you Ginny, the publisher & NetGalley for the ebook.
Ginny, I had been wanting to read some Christmas books for a while now that would make me think of Hallmark movies, and your book did exactly that! This book has it all: a Christmas miracle, a second-chance love story, a feel-good romance with a full-loving family. Thank you for the amazing Happy Ever After you provided. I look forward to reading more books of yours.
Ginny, I had been wanting to read some Christmas books for a while now that would make me think of Hallmark movies, and your book did exactly that! This book has it all: a Christmas miracle, a second-chance love story, a feel-good romance with a full-loving family. Thank you for the amazing Happy Ever After you provided. I look forward to reading more books of yours.
October 8, 2025
Paige has made a perfect life for herself. Teaching English to high schoolers and starting a charity to help with literacy. When her college ex-boyfriend shows up at her school as the new Physics teacher. Dean gifts Paige a magical advent calendar that transports her into another realm. One where they never broke up and are married with two children. Paige grapples with trying to get back to her old life, as she is also falling in love with this new life.
The plot was fun, it was very A Christmas Carol-esque. However, the writing was just painfully cheesy. I had a really hard time getting into it. I did a lot of skimming and skipping chapters to get to the end. The best thing I can say about it is that I was intrigued enough with the plot that I didn’t DNF the book and made it to the end.
The plot was fun, it was very A Christmas Carol-esque. However, the writing was just painfully cheesy. I had a really hard time getting into it. I did a lot of skimming and skipping chapters to get to the end. The best thing I can say about it is that I was intrigued enough with the plot that I didn’t DNF the book and made it to the end.
November 10, 2025
ARC Review
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
If you want a cozy, heartfelt Christmas read that encompasses that familiar Hallmark rom-com style, then this is the perfect book! It oozes with Christmas magic. I loved the premise of an alternate reality that is based on earlier major life choices; everyone imagines what would happen if they chose a different path, and this book lets the reader experience that through the eyes of Paige. The descriptions of the environment are well done; you can picture the cozy small town and the festivities around.
I did not fully enjoy the ending, it was still good, but one slight change would have made it amazing. The dialogue is akin to that of a cheesy, but enjoyable rom-com; this can be a positive or a negative depending on the type of book you want to read. The book was also closed-door, which I am usually not a fan of, but in the heartfelt context of this book, I could see the charm.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
If you want a cozy, heartfelt Christmas read that encompasses that familiar Hallmark rom-com style, then this is the perfect book! It oozes with Christmas magic. I loved the premise of an alternate reality that is based on earlier major life choices; everyone imagines what would happen if they chose a different path, and this book lets the reader experience that through the eyes of Paige. The descriptions of the environment are well done; you can picture the cozy small town and the festivities around.
I did not fully enjoy the ending, it was still good, but one slight change would have made it amazing. The dialogue is akin to that of a cheesy, but enjoyable rom-com; this can be a positive or a negative depending on the type of book you want to read. The book was also closed-door, which I am usually not a fan of, but in the heartfelt context of this book, I could see the charm.
September 26, 2025
All in for Christmas is your basic Hallmark Christmas movie in book form, this time using a Sliding Doors approach where a magical Advent Calendar and a Christmas comet, allow Paige to see what her life would have been like if she didn't break up with college boyfriend Dean but instead dropped out and married him and started a family.
At first, when she wakes up with Dean's arms around her, she is so confused, and wildly unprepared to toilet train a toddler, and bake family lasagna instead of nuking from frozen; but far too quickly she falls for the domestic chaos and the supportive, handsome Dean's attentions. Within 5 days time, she is ready to give up going back to her 'real' life and stay forever in this version even if she has no memories of the time between Dean graduating and now suddenly being a married mother of two.
But of course, the Christmas magic ends at the end of Christmas day, and she wakes up the next morning back in her apartment in a world where Dean went off to Puerto Rico and she stayed in school, becoming a teacher and starting a volunteer program to help students with reading. In this world Dean is a Physics teacher that will start teaching at her school and they renew their friendship, but Paige so desperately wants the life she had with Dean in the other reality that she blurts out everything she remembers to him over coffee. He is flattered but concerned until he touches a ruby pendant that the other version of him had given Paige for Christmas, and he suddenly starts to 'remember' some of the things that she has been telling him. It turns out that he has an appointment with a realtor for that afternoon to see a house, that is the exact house that Paige just spent 5 days in with 'their family'.
Naturally within days they are both in love, again, still, whatever but instead of moving forward from where they are now, they contrive to use Christmas Magic to go back to the other world where they now both have full memories and their cozy Christmasy life.
They paint the two sides of Paige soo differently that it is hard to believe that she is so 'all in' after just a few days. Yes, some of this is aided by the fact that Dean isn't a new guy, but the one who got away, and who is the most magical book boyfriend ever, dutifully helping with chores and the kids and bringing her coffee in the morning, and ripping off her days of the week thongs at night. But one Paige was so organized she had spreadsheets and calendars marking out her days, a kitchen she never cooked in, just microwaved and a robot dog. This was a meticulous, organized, slightly anal retentive person, with a nice car and a fancy condo with a view. The other Paige had pink hair, a tramp stamp tattoo, heaps of unfolded laundry and 'go-to' recipes for pancakes, lasagna and so forth.
It feels like the author was trying to create two Paiges that would 'look' as different as possible but then created a Paige that didn't feel like she would realistically want the other Paige's life. Dean seemed pretty much the same in both worlds, which then made it more unrealistic that the successful, organized teacher, would want to leap back into being a school secretary, with finances so tight that replacing her phone when it dies is a huge issue for them. The Paige from chapter one, would happily date and possibly marry the Dean that walked into the staff Christmas party at the school. And that would have been a good enough romance. Them renewing from their post college dating life.
But even setting aside the whole Christmas magic hooey of it all, it's unearned. Little kids can be very cute, but nothing about chapter one Paige wanted anything to do with raising them. Paige's volunteer reading program is with dogs and yet she chose to have a robot dog at home, so we are now suddenly to believe that she can't stop missing Scout the fluffy, newspaper fetching dog (because of course newspapers are still a thing in cozy Christmas world). Chapter one Paige has a few Christmas ornaments given to her by her Mom but she never has a tree, ugh every single thing about the two versions of Paige are so unrealistically different from each other that it's hard to understand why she's so desperate to end up in cozy Christmas world. Other than it being so cozy. And fake. And annoyingly cloying.
This was a very quick if ridiculous read, I give it 3.5 stars.
At first, when she wakes up with Dean's arms around her, she is so confused, and wildly unprepared to toilet train a toddler, and bake family lasagna instead of nuking from frozen; but far too quickly she falls for the domestic chaos and the supportive, handsome Dean's attentions. Within 5 days time, she is ready to give up going back to her 'real' life and stay forever in this version even if she has no memories of the time between Dean graduating and now suddenly being a married mother of two.
But of course, the Christmas magic ends at the end of Christmas day, and she wakes up the next morning back in her apartment in a world where Dean went off to Puerto Rico and she stayed in school, becoming a teacher and starting a volunteer program to help students with reading. In this world Dean is a Physics teacher that will start teaching at her school and they renew their friendship, but Paige so desperately wants the life she had with Dean in the other reality that she blurts out everything she remembers to him over coffee. He is flattered but concerned until he touches a ruby pendant that the other version of him had given Paige for Christmas, and he suddenly starts to 'remember' some of the things that she has been telling him. It turns out that he has an appointment with a realtor for that afternoon to see a house, that is the exact house that Paige just spent 5 days in with 'their family'.
Naturally within days they are both in love, again, still, whatever but instead of moving forward from where they are now, they contrive to use Christmas Magic to go back to the other world where they now both have full memories and their cozy Christmasy life.
They paint the two sides of Paige soo differently that it is hard to believe that she is so 'all in' after just a few days. Yes, some of this is aided by the fact that Dean isn't a new guy, but the one who got away, and who is the most magical book boyfriend ever, dutifully helping with chores and the kids and bringing her coffee in the morning, and ripping off her days of the week thongs at night. But one Paige was so organized she had spreadsheets and calendars marking out her days, a kitchen she never cooked in, just microwaved and a robot dog. This was a meticulous, organized, slightly anal retentive person, with a nice car and a fancy condo with a view. The other Paige had pink hair, a tramp stamp tattoo, heaps of unfolded laundry and 'go-to' recipes for pancakes, lasagna and so forth.
It feels like the author was trying to create two Paiges that would 'look' as different as possible but then created a Paige that didn't feel like she would realistically want the other Paige's life. Dean seemed pretty much the same in both worlds, which then made it more unrealistic that the successful, organized teacher, would want to leap back into being a school secretary, with finances so tight that replacing her phone when it dies is a huge issue for them. The Paige from chapter one, would happily date and possibly marry the Dean that walked into the staff Christmas party at the school. And that would have been a good enough romance. Them renewing from their post college dating life.
But even setting aside the whole Christmas magic hooey of it all, it's unearned. Little kids can be very cute, but nothing about chapter one Paige wanted anything to do with raising them. Paige's volunteer reading program is with dogs and yet she chose to have a robot dog at home, so we are now suddenly to believe that she can't stop missing Scout the fluffy, newspaper fetching dog (because of course newspapers are still a thing in cozy Christmas world). Chapter one Paige has a few Christmas ornaments given to her by her Mom but she never has a tree, ugh every single thing about the two versions of Paige are so unrealistically different from each other that it's hard to understand why she's so desperate to end up in cozy Christmas world. Other than it being so cozy. And fake. And annoyingly cloying.
This was a very quick if ridiculous read, I give it 3.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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