In My Heart: A Grumpy Sunshine Christmas Romance

by Lauren Flynn

She didn’t sign up for snow-covered trees, twinkling lights, or falling for a Christmas tree farmer.

Sloan Sterling avoids Christmas every year like it’s her full-time job. So when a photography gig lands her in a small town that runs on nothing but holiday spirit, she’s already counting down the days until she can leave.

What’s worse? She’s staying at a charming Christmas tree farm, where the owner, Jonah Holly, is the living embodiment of seasonal cheer. He’s tall, ridiculously attractive, and always wearing the most obnoxious Christmas sweaters. Funny, warm-hearted, and infuriatingly hopeful, he’s everything she doesn’t believe in anymore.

Their mission is work together to bring in more customers to the farm before the season ends. But working alongside him has Sloan catching feelings she didn’t plan on... and Jonah falling hard for the grumpy girl behind the lens.

The only problem? Sloan isn’t staying. She’s only there until Christmas, and then she’s gone.

So, is this just a holiday fling wrapped in fairy lights, or something worth believing in?

Genres: Christmas, Audiobook, Romance

164 pages, Paperback

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[sabrina (books.with.sabrina) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Rating: 4⭐️
🫧 Vibes: hallmark but make it spicy
🎶 Song: christmas love - justin bieber
📖 Favourite Quote: "You've not only caused me to love Christmas again but have found a way to break down my thick walls and made me fall in love with you."
📚 Would I recommend? yes!
💬 tldr thoughts: a short, sweet and spicy novella

In the package:
📦 grumpy x sunshine
📦 she hates christmas
📦 cozy christmas vibes

Plot: Sloan avoids Christmas as much as she can until her best friend asks her to step into a photography gig at a Christmas tree farm. She finds herself drawn to the owner, Jonah Holly and his family, who love Christmas. Sloan and Jonah begin to fall for each other, but she's only supposed to be in town temporarily.

Thoughts: This was a very cute and cozy Christmas read. I thought all the characters were very endearing, especially Jonah and his family and friends. This book is filled with Christmas activities and cozy Christmas settings. It felt a bit too insta lovey but this is usually typical with novellas. I recommend this one if you're looking for s fast-paced, heartwarming, and festive novella!

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩

[Mathilde Guglielmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, cute and sexy Christmas read. The characters were endearing and the setting felt so cozy. I love that it is set in the Ottawa Valley. It’s the perfect book to escape after a couple stressful days at work.

[Amanda Hopwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick audiobook with the small town hallmark vibes but some spice !!

[Vanessa Symington · Rating 5 out of 5]

In My Heart is a perfect holiday read if you enjoy Hallmark Christmas vibes with some spicy romance. It is a quick read that will make you want to run to a Christmas tree farm.

The sweetness. The comedy. The desire. It's all here! I devoured this debut novel by Lauren Flynn.

I was giggling right from the beginning. Sloan is a woman who has had some less than pleasant experiences during holiday seasons past, the last place she wants to be is Tinsel Town. Enter Jonah, the swoon-worthy tree farmer who runs Holly Hills Tree Farm. These Characters had me clapping, laughing, craving hot cocoa, and needing to get some whipped cream (iykyk). The dynamic between the two of them made my heart happy.
With help from Jonah (and the Holly family), Sloan finds herself warming back up to Christmas festivities. While this is a romance, it also touches on internal healing and growth. It is as beautiful as it is cheesy!

This is a story I could read year after year and never get tired of. I am excited to see what else Lauren Flynn writes, and will hopefully see more of Tinsel Town!

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cutest little novella written by local to me & fellow Canadian author Lauren Flynn. I read this so fast because novellas are quick to read but also it was just so cozy! I love Christmas trees and tree farms and also it’s Taylor Swifts birthday and she grew up on a tree farm and how perfect was this read to read on her birthday?!

This novella just made me feel the cozy magic of Christmas and made me crave a peppermint hot chocolate 🤭🎄

[ALYCIA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent, I loved it. Spicy, perfect holiday atmosphere, not too cheesy, just the right amount. I highly recommend it.

[Samantha Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect quick Christmas read! Such a fun, cute, and light holiday story with just the right amount of spice sprinkled in. If you’re looking for something festive, fast-paced, and feel-good with a little heat, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Athénia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun read! I loved Sloan and Jonah throughout the entire book. They evolved so well together and Jonah really brought the best out of her. I was surprised by how good the spice scenes were! 🥵 I can’t wait to read whatever Lauren writes next!

[HolleeJane · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️✨

🎧 Audiobook Review

📖 Title: In My Heart
✍️ Author: Lauren Flynn
📚 Series: Grumpy Sunshine Christmas Romance
🎙️ Narrated by: Autumn Mercer & John Maddaloni

Thank you to High Gravity Productions for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you’re someone who starts celebrating Christmas the second the weather cools down or you’re like me and happily read holiday romances in the middle of July this is such a fun, cozy listen.

When photographer Sloan Sterling takes a job in a Christmas-loving small town, the last thing she expects is to stay on a Christmas tree farm owned by the endlessly cheerful Jonah Holly. As they’re forced to work together to bring more customers to the farm before Christmas, Sloan slowly begins to let her guard down, and what starts as a temporary holiday job turns into something much more.

I absolutely loved the reverse grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Sloan is the grumpy one while Jonah is pure Christmas cheer, optimism, and kindness. Their chemistry was adorable, and I thought the romance unfolded at the perfect pace.

I will admit Sloan came across as a little immature in the beginning. The way she treated some of the people around her made it difficult for me to connect with her at first. But once we learned more about the hurt she was carrying from her past, her reactions started to make so much more sense. Watching her slowly open her heart and trust the people around her became one of my favorite parts of the story.

And can we talk about Jonah for a second? He comes across as the sweetest, most charismatic golden retriever of a man… but then he opens his mouth during the spicy scenes. 😂 Let’s just say the spice is definitely spicy and nice. It caught me completely off guard in the best way, and I loved that contrast between his sweet personality and his confidence behind closed doors.

The audiobook was fantastic. The story is told entirely from Sloan’s POV, but we do get Jonah’s POV in the epilogue, which was such a sweet surprise and the perfect way to wrap up their story. Autumn Mercer and John Maddaloni both delivered wonderful performances that brought so much warmth and personality to the characters. Their narration made it incredibly easy to get swept up in the festive atmosphere and the romance.

Overall, this is a sweet, entertaining holiday romance filled with Christmas tree farm charm, festive cheer, lovable characters, and just the right amount of spice. If you’re looking for a cozy romance to put you in the Christmas spirit—even if it’s Christmas in July I definitely recommend giving this one a listen.

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a quick, cute, and fun listen! Yes, I listened to Christmas in July, and it was a great change!

The audio for this was dual narration by Autumn Mercer and John Maddaloni, however, Autumn narrators the entire book except for the epilogue, and that is where John comes in. She does such an amazing job bringing this story and all of these characters to life! It actually took me awhile to realize this one wasn't duet, that is how good she was!

We have Sloan, who is a photographer who takes a job to help her friend out, but she is not excited about it. Past trauma has her absolutely despising anything about Christmas and this job is sending her to a Christmas tree farm in Tinsel Town, a very small town that is all about Christmas. Sloan is also staying in a cabin on the tree farm and has to work very closely with Jonah Holly, our very cheerful and holiday loving owner.

The reverse grumpy/sunshine dynamic in this one was definitely fun! Jonah is so kind and full of cheer, and it was great to see the chemistry with him and Sloan and how he really helped break down her walls and get her to begin to like Christmas again.

If you're looking for a short, cute, quick holiday novella then I definitely recommend you check this one out! Oh, and let's not forget that the spice is spicing and honestly the perfect amount for the story and Jonah might just surprise you a bit!

Huge thank you to High Gravity Productions for the copy to listen to!

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was such a cute, cozy Christmas romance! 🎄❤️ I absolutely loved the Christmas tree farm setting and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Sloan and Jonah. Sloan tries her best to avoid Christmas, while Jonah is basically Christmas cheer wrapped in a ridiculously festive sweater. 😂🎄

I loved watching Jonah slowly break through Sloan’s walls and seeing their relationship grow from working together to something so much more. Their chemistry, banter, and sweet moments made this such an enjoyable story. The small-town atmosphere and holiday magic were the perfect additions!

🎧 Narrators: Autumn Mercer & John Maddaloni

Autumn Mercer and John Maddaloni did a fantastic job bringing Sloan and Jonah to life. Their voices fit the characters so well, and I really enjoyed the emotion, personality, and chemistry they brought to the narration. They made all the banter and romantic moments even more fun to listen to.

If you love grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance, Christmas tree farms, opposites attract, and holiday romance, definitely add this one to your holiday TBR! 🎄✨

A sweet, festive, heartwarming listen that will have you believing in a little Christmas magic! ❤️🎧⭐

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️ You really can’t get any more Christmassy than this book! It’s a corny, Hallmark style novella that’s quick, easy, and perfect for a cozy read. Some parts were a tad cringe I would have to say. Sloan was a little extra at times and was a tad naive with some things. Also, popping “I love you” after only a week of knowing eachother is a little wild to me. Insta love trope is not my thing!!!! So this was just okay but I had a really fun time at the beginning and end!!! Some really cutesy moments and super fun that this was set in the Ottawa Valley!! (Yay for local authors and for this being her first book!!)

[Hilary Delorey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sloane is a grinch, shes been scorned one too many times over Christmas and now well shes not a fan. Next thing shes smack-dab in the middle of a literal Christmas town, Christmas is their entire identity lol.

This book was written so well. Sloan had us rolling our eyes with her in the beginning, but along the way the little moments really warmed your heart. The chemistry with the main characters was incredible, the longing glances had me swooning. Overall the character growth and the healing was incredible.

As a debut novel for Lauren this book really has me excited to see more of her literary future.

[Lysa Kingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and quick holiday novella! The writing was a bit simplistic, but still cute. Felt a lot like a hallmark movie storyline and character depth. She seemed so standoffish with the idea of Christmas and the tree farm but was jokey with so many people right away. Seemed out of character. I think I wanted her to be more grumpy instead of just sayinggggg she was grumpy.
Hate that he calls her Grinchy? Fucking weird.
I loved the cute cafe, the free farm, the cottage and the Christmas vibes overall!
3.5⭐️3🌶️

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Christmas novel with Sloan and Jonah. Their chemistry is so charming and makes the story really enjoyable to read. For a first book, it was really captivating from start to finish, and it made me want to read even more!

Thank to Lauren Flynn!

[Arianne Laporte · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and spicy little Christmas novella set on a Christmas tree farm! Bonus Ottawa readers, she’s from Ottawa! Loved this one. Jonah was such a green flag!

[Christina Holford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is for the hallmark Christmas girlies for sure. Super short read for anyone looking for a palette cleanser

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

This was really cute and festive! My only complaint was that I would have loved more dual POV than just the epilogue.

[Abby Meleras · Rating 4 out of 5]

super cute easy read!

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book 4.5 stars because it was exactly what I needed to get into the Christmas spirit today. I read it all in one day on my Kindle because I just couldn’t put it down. Sloan and Jonah’s story was so genuine and heartwarming. I loved the idea of Christmas all year round and the cozy small-town setting made it even better.

Lauren Flynn being a Canadian female author made me love it even more. The story had the perfect mix of spice and sweetness. It was sunshiny and grumpy in all the best ways, and Jonah calling Sloan “Grinchy” made me smile every single time. The Christmas tree farm setting was pure magic, and I loved how Sloan helped save the family farm.

Watching Sloan go from not liking Christmas to falling in love on Christmas made my heart so full. The ending was the cutest, and it wrapped everything up perfectly. Such a warm, cozy, and feel-good read that left me smiling. Thank you, Lauren Flynn, for such a beautiful holiday story.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a fun Christmas story!! quick read but so good! laughed out loud, cried and with some spiciness! look forward to many more Tinsel Town stories!

[Lauriane Tremblay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5
la couverture est laide, mais l’histoire est bonne (et spicy)

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid thriller and true crime reader, I rarely want to pick up something lighthearted, but In My Heart was a refreshing break from the usual darkness. The story quickly drops you into the holiday rush at Holly Hills Tree Farm, located in Tinsel Town, where cheesy Christmas sweaters, hot chocolate, and real Christmas trees that you can practically smell fill the pages. Even though fall has just started, Lauren's writing has me craving the Christmas season.

In My Heart checks every box you would want in a holiday romance book. It has a cozy small-town feel, holiday traditions, strong community ties, family closeness, undeniable chemistry, playful banter, and, of course, lots of spice. You quickly start to feel a connection to Sloan and Jonah, and while you eagerly flip the pages for that first kiss, you are also invested in their own personal growth.

My favourite part of this book is that while it is a love story wrapped in a holiday bow, it also acknowledges an important truth: not everyone experiences Christmas in the same way. For some people, the season brings lots of grief or painful memories. Sometimes the sparkling lights, perfectly wrapped gifts, and decorated trees can feel more heartbreaking than heartwarming, and that is okay. This story has a good balance between joyful fun and relatable human moments.

If you have a few hours to spare, need a nudge to get into the holiday spirit, or already have your tree up, In My Heart is just what you need. Side note, have some hot chocolate on hand because you are going to want it.

[Diana Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story. Christmas farm love at the spiciest. Looking forward to her next book. #inmyheart #christmaslove #spicybooks #localauthor #laurenflynn

[Audio book lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎄📸 A Christmas-loving tree farmer, a holiday skeptic behind the camera, and a season that just might change everything. 📸🎄

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet
Series: Tinsel Town, Book 1 (interconnected standalone)
HEA: Yes

In My Heart is a sweet, cozy holiday romance that feels like stepping straight into a Hallmark Christmas movie, with just a little extra spice. Filled with festive charm, small-town warmth, and a grumpy x sunshine romance, it's the perfect book to curl up with during the holiday season.

Sloan would happily skip Christmas altogether, so being sent to a town where everything revolves around twinkling lights, holiday traditions, and a Christmas tree farm is pretty much her worst nightmare. Enter Jonah, the endlessly cheerful farmer whose optimism is impossible to resist. Their personalities couldn't be more different, and watching Sloan slowly soften while Jonah patiently chips away at the walls around her made for a fun and heartwarming romance.

This is a relatively short read, making it easy to finish in one or two sittings. It doesn't aim to be emotionally heavy or overly dramatic instead, it embraces the cozy atmosphere, playful banter, and feel-good holiday magic. If you're looking for a festive escape with just enough romance to leave you smiling, this delivers exactly that.

As Lauren Flynn's debut novel, this was a promising start, and I'm definitely curious to see what she writes next.

What I Loved

✔️ Cozy Christmas tree farm setting
✔️ Grumpy x sunshine chemistry
✔️ Hallmark movie vibes with a little extra spice
✔️ Charming small-town atmosphere
✔️ Quick, festive read perfect for the holidays
✔️ Jonah's endless Christmas spirit

🎧 Narration

Performed in duet by Autumn Mercer and John Maddaloni.

Autumn Mercer and John Maddaloni brought plenty of warmth and personality to the story. Autumn captured Sloan's sarcastic, guarded nature well while allowing her softer side to emerge naturally as the story progressed. John Maddaloni perfectly embodied Jonah's upbeat, lovable personality, making it easy to understand why everyone in town adored him.

Together, they created an enjoyable listening experience that perfectly matched the cozy, festive tone of the book.

Tropes & Vibes

✔️ Grumpy x Sunshine
✔️ Opposites Attract
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Small-Town Romance
✔️ Christmas Tree Farm
✔️ Holiday Romance
✔️ She Hates Christmas
✔️ Festive Banter
✔️ Cozy Winter Setting
✔️ Hallmark Vibes (with a little spice)

Final Thoughts

In My Heart is a light, festive romance that's all about holiday cheer, cozy settings, and finding love where you least expect it. While it doesn't reinvent the Christmas romance genre, it delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, heartwarming story that's perfect for getting into the holiday spirit.

If you love small-town Christmas romances, grumpy x sunshine couples, festive traditions, cozy winter vibes, and books that feel like a Hallmark movie with a touch of spice, In My Heart is a lovely addition to your holiday reading list. And for a debut novel, Lauren Flynn has me excited to see what's next.

[Tropes_and_Taboo · Rating 4 out of 5]

In My Heart (Tinsel Town Series, book 1) by Lauren Flynn
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️🌶️
Holiday (Christmas) * Holiday Blogger x Christmas Tree Farm Owner * Cheating (Ex) * Grumpy/Sunshine * Emotional Trauma * Found Family * Pet (Dog) * Set in Canada
📖164 pages  🎧4h01
🎙️Narrated by Autumn Mercer and John Maddaloni (Dual Audio)

An absolutely adorable Christmas romance that's perfect for the holiday season, complete with some great spice.

Based on the context clues, I believe this fictional town is set in Ontario, Canada. There are mentions of both Toronto and Ottawa, which, as an Ottawa girl, always makes me smile. Tinsel Town is described as a community that has fully embraced Christmas year-round, and I'm almost convinced it was inspired by Santa's Village in Muskoka. Maybe that's just me making assumptions, but it certainly gave me those vibes.

The story follows a Grinch-like FMC who travels the country blogging about holiday destinations. Ironically, the one holiday she refuses to cover is Christmas, thanks to family trauma that has left her avoiding the season like the plague. When Tinsel Town begins to struggle, they hire her to help market the town. Surrounded by an almost nauseating amount of Christmas cheer, she reluctantly does what she does best, documenting the experience and ultimately helping bring new families to visit.

The characters were lovely, and the drama was refreshingly minimal, allowing the relationship to develop in a healthy way. Do keep in mind that the romance begins quickly with almost immediate attraction, but when the FMC is only planning to stay for a few weeks, a little love-at-first-sight magic feels fitting.

This isn't a closed-door romance. The spice is hot and fun, but it's balanced beautifully with genuine emotion, so it never feels like it's there just for the sake of being smut. Lauren Flynn does a wonderful job weaving passion and heart together.

I could genuinely see this being adapted into a Hallmark-style Christmas movie... just with a little extra spice. 

The audiobook is performed in dual narration, with each narrator voicing all the characters during their respective chapters. Both were new-to-me narrators. John Maddaloni gave a solid performance throughout, but holy deck the halls, Autumn Mercer absolutely stole the Christmas tree! Her narration was packed with emotional nuance that perfectly matched the FMC's journey, and her portrayal of the MMC was equally impressive. It may honestly be the best male voice performed by a female narrator that I've listened to so far. Authors looking for a solo narrator should definitely keep her on their radar.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

In My Heart by Lauren Flynn is a delightful, cozy, and festive holiday read that brings all the Hallmark Christmas vibes complete with a dash of spice. Set against the charming backdrop of Tinsel Town and the Holly Hills Tree Farm in the Ottawa Valley, this debut novel delivers a fast-paced, heartwarming escape that will make you want to run straight to a Christmas tree farm with a cup of hot cocoa.

The story follows Sloan Sterling, a woman who avoids the holidays like a full-time job after experiencing too many unpleasant past seasons. So when a photography gig lands her right in the middle of a town running on pure holiday spirit—and staying on a picturesque tree farm managed by Jonah Holly—she is ready to count down the days until she can leave. Jonah is the living embodiment of seasonal cheer: tall, attractive, infuriatingly hopeful, and perpetually wearing obnoxious Christmas sweaters. Working together to draw in customers before the season ends bridges their worlds, but as Sloan slowly warms back up to the festivities, she finds herself catching unexpected feelings for the grumpy-meets-sunshine farmer who is falling just as hard.

Blending sweet comedy, genuine desire, and themes of internal healing and personal growth, the romance moves at a breezy, entertaining pace. While the fast-moving connection leans into classic novella territory, the endearing chemistry, laugh-out-loud banter, and delightful supporting cast of family and friends make it an absolute joy to devour. The listening experience is further elevated by the wonderful narration of Autumn Mercer and John Maddaloni, who bring an extra layer of warmth and charm to the story. Equal parts cheesy and beautiful, this feel-good, spicy holiday romance is a memorable seasonal treat you will want to revisit year after year.

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

[Ashley Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.75

This was such a sweet, cozy Christmas novella that made me forget it was the middle of summer while I was listening. If you’re looking for a quick holiday romance full of festive charm, this is an easy one to pick up.

The story follows Sloan, a photographer who takes a last minute job at a Christmas tree farm in Tinsel Town to help her best friend. The problem? Sloan hates Christmas after a traumatic event from her past. Enter Jonah Holly, the Christmas tree farm owner and her complete opposite. Warm, patient, and full of holiday cheer, Jonah slowly helps Sloan lower her walls as they work together to save the farm before Christmas. What was supposed to be temporary starts becoming something she may not want to leave behind.

I really enjoyed the reverse grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Sloan’s dislike of Christmas came from genuine pain, and I appreciated watching her slowly open herself up to Jonah, his family, and the traditions she once avoided. Jonah was impossible not to love. Their romance moved quickly, but that’s expected with a novella. The spice was also a fun surprise and added a great contrast to Jonah’s sweet personality.

The audiobook was wonderfully done, with Autumn Mercer bringing Sloan’s emotions to life and John Maddaloni’s appearance in the epilogue being the perfect finishing touch. Overall, this was a cute, festive, and heartwarming holiday romance that delivers exactly what you’d want from a Christmas novella.

Thank you to High Gravity and the Author for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions shared are completely my own.

[BrewedBookDragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced listener copy of the audio from High Gravity Productions but the below review is my own honest thoughts.

Release Date: Coming Soon

I wasn't sure I was ready for Christmas in July. Don't get me wrong, you can find me on the Hallmark channel in Novemeber watching but July??? I am really glad that I decided to listen.

Sloan Sterling is a vacation photographer that hasn't had the best luck when it comes to Christmas. Her best friend calls her and asks her to take a gig because she is injured and can't go. Reluctantly Sloan agrees and ends up in Tinsel Town to work for a couple of weeks helping the Holly Tree Farm. Where she meets the single Christmas tree farmer, Jonas Holly.

Lauren Flynn has written an adorable novella with just the right amount of tension between these two. We have a great reverse grumpy x sunshine that isn't all sugar plums. Our MMC has a filthy mouth that would boil hot chocolate and melt the whipped cream.

But this is an audio book review and I was introduced to two new narrators in Autumn Mercer and John Maddaloni.

This is dual narration style with a single POV until the epilogue. I am normally a duet narration fan but Autumn does a wonderful job of highlighting the tension, humor, emotions, and spice.

This is a quick listen at just over 4 hours and if you are a lover of the Christmas romance books or movies, I highly recommend.