The Santa Scheme: A Sweet and Sassy (Grumpy/Sunshine) Christmas Romcom

by Lyla Davis

He’s all badge and bah humbug.

She’s glitter, giggles, and holiday chaos.

When Holly Ridge’s newest police chief, Aaron Reynolds, pulls over the town’s most festive music teacher, he’s expecting a reckless driver—not a feisty Christmas fanatic in a cherry-red vintage truck.

Ava Caldwell lives for twinkle lights and Christmas carols. She’s lived in Holly Ridge her entire life and is annoyed by the grumpy cop the universe seems to keep throwing into her path, despite her best efforts to avoid him.

With a little help from Ava’s scheming grandma Millie—and a suspiciously well-informed Santa—this town’s about to get a dash of holiday magic, a sprinkle of unexpected romance, and maybe even a grumpy cop who opens his heart to love and believe in Christmas again.

These two opposites don’t just attract, they crash like reindeer in a snowstorm.

Contains flannel, frosting, and one very sneaky and persistant matchmaking grandma.

Genres: Christmas

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and im so glad I did! This book is a Christmas hallmark movie on paper! It made me want to curl up with a cozy blanket and hot cocoa (which i did 😆). If you love a grumpy man that gets thrown for a loop with a hot cocoa drinking, carol singing, cookie making, and a girl thats filled with the Christmas spirit this book is for you! Oh and let's not forget the grandma that gives them a little shove in the right direction! 😉 I loved this book so much its a for sure 5 star! it gave me all the Christmas feels!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Santa Scheme

If you want a sweet heart warming book, then this is the book for you!
We have an MMC Aaron Reynolds who is the town police chief! He is a widower with a small son Liam. Liam is his whole world.
We have an FMC Ava Caldwell who is single and a music teacher. She has Liam as one of her students. Aaron meets Ava when he pulls her over for speeding. This started them off on the wrong foot. Ava’s grandmother Millie met Liam when he stops in to post office to mail letter to Santa. She decided to play matchmaker with Ava and Liam. This book has enemies to lovers and slow burn. Lots of laughter and meddling. There is also a little boy’s Christmas wish! I highly recommend this adorable book!

[Audrey Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was what Christmas is all about. It is a story of loss, love, and healing. You have Aaron, who is a grouchy police chief, Ava a sun shiny music teacher, Millie the fun, meddling grandma and the star of the show Liam, the little five year old that brings the magic and excitement.
Aaron is a grouchy, single dad trying to raise his son after the passing of his wife. In comes Ava, who frustrates him to no end. Can the magic of Christmas and the wishes of a child heal two hearts? I absolutely loved this book. It was sweet, magical, and made me smile. A definite must-read if you love cozy Christmas books. You won't be disappointed.

[Deborah Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is,sweet, warm and very touching! I love the banter between Ava and Aaron, the FMC and MMC. This is a story about loss, enemies to lovers, slow burn,love of family and meddling.
Aaron is a widower with a small son Liam. He is center of his world. Ava is a music teacher and is single. Mille, Ava’s grandmother decides to play matchmaker between Ava and Aaron. Sparks fly first then feelings ! Liam sent letters to Santa and made a wish. You will have to read the book to find out the outcome!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab your Cocoa and your fuzzy, comfy blanket and sit back and read this Magical Xmas story. I got to read The Santa scheme as an ARC reader and fell in love from the first chapter. I couldn’t put it down. Our “favorite grinch and glitter bug” are nudged together by an outside force :cough: Millie and her side kick Ed. My favorite quote comes from Ed “ you shoved fate face-first into a snowbank”! This book gave me all the feels and Deserves to be read by everyone. 5/5.

[Aspen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a cozy blanket and and settle into your comfy spot. This book is one you’ll read in one sitting from the sheer cuteness of it. This book had me ugly crying into my coco while my husband looked on in terror and confusion. This is the sweetest, hallmark vibed gem of a book. You will not regret reading it, especially if you’ve got a projector to set the Christmas ambiance! 10/10 recommend!

[Rachelle Whynott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This just needs to be made into a hallmark movie, like now. Perfect cozy Christmas read with all the feels. “One grumpy police chief with too many walls…and one sparkling music teacher with enough love to melt them all.” This is a slow burn for sure but so incredibly sweet with little Liam. A must for your Christmas TBR.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Cindy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully warm book filled with feels for the holiday season. This story is full of glitter moments and has a cozy Hallmark vibe. This literally could be a Hallmark movie at its finest. A widower, a young son, a meddling grandmother and Millie the schoolteacher. Although this book is predictable, I think that is a strength of its cozy feel. A great holiday read for 2025! Bonus playlist in the book too!

[Angie Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas magic is truly special, and with a little help from Grandma Millie and Liam, it can bring people together in amazing ways, gently sweeping over Holly Ridge like a soft snowstorm.

[Nnekka Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas 🤶 🎅 shenanigans

This book made me want to decorate for Christmas and have my own meddling grandma to help. This was such a sweet read. It gives you the giggling and kicking that every girl desires. It would be a perfect holiday read.

[Tracey Rommel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Aaron is the new Police Chief for Holly Ridge and has an adorable son, Liam. Ava is the music teacher for the elementary school. Aaron pulls Ava over when she is late for work and hoping to get out of a ticket.

Aaron works late a lot for the police department especially during the Christmas holiday. Liam needs someone who can be consistent and not going from sitter to sitter.

Millie, Ava’s grandma decides that Santa needs to get the two together because she knows best. Ava convinces the chief that he needs to put a flier up looking for a sitter for Liam after school until his dad gets home. Millie tells him he has the perfect person for the job. Millie will bring Ava over so that they can meet. Both are shocked when the door opens. Liam is thrilled when he see Miss Ava and can’t wait for her to watch him.

The bond the 3 of them grow but Aaron has so much h guilt moving on from his wife that he can’t let his feelings for Ava grow. All they need is a little help from Santa helper.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omgosh this book was so freaking adorable! This was the epitome of a small town romance. Ava is so cute and bubbly. She’s an absolute joy. And Andy is your typical grumpy Gus that clearly doesn’t have an ounce of fun in him. I would love to see this in a movie lol. The two of them are so opposite of another! This makes them a perfect pair in every sense of the word because opposites really do attract. And Ava brings so much fun into his life and you can get the ice melting off of him as the two get to know each other better and start falling for one another.
There wasn’t anything I didn’t love about this book. It was fun and sweet. Wrapped up with romance and topped with a love bow.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Christmas read. There were a few glaring inconsistencies but I still.highly recommend. One piece of advice to authors: if you are writing a Christmas romance for the love of Pete at least spell Santa Claus correctly! It's a fictional person, NOT a group of words with a noun and a verb, so it's NOT Santa Clause...

[Yesenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read!

This charming enemies-to-lovers holiday rom-com is a heartwarming read filled with laughter and a special Christmas wish. It’s a must-read for anyone looking for a delightful and entertaining holiday gift. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions with a smile that won’t leave your face! Highly recommended!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallmark Christmas movie as a book!!!

Once again, Lyla has made me laugh, and giggle and cry.... sometimes all at one time.
This one is about love lost, love found, found family, meddling Grandama(and her bestie ) and an adorable little boy.
Definitely grumpy/sunshine in the best way!!! 10/10 recommend as your next holiday read!!!

[Jill E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want a Hallmark movie in book format? Then check out *The Santa Scheme* by Lyla Davis. This book is filled with so much Christmas magic, love, and many more emotions. Oh, we can't forget the meddling grandma! This book will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit. I absolutely recommend it!!!!

[Mirandalikestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron, a widowed single dad, is in need of a babysitter during the busy holiday season. He just recently took a position as a small town sheriff. Ava, the music teacher at the local elementary school, offers to help him out. Ava's grandmother Millie tries to orchestrate a cute Christmas romance for the two of them. This book was a very emotional read and left me in tears.

[Alexandrea Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book exceeded what I was expecting. It was so good! It had a great grumpy meets sunshine or, in this case, Grinch meets sunshine vibe. The plot was fantastic. Kyla Davis’s writing and story suck you in and make it so you don't want to put the book down. This book gives you all the cozy, sparkly, warm, amazing feelings you get at Christmas time. Lyla Davis makes you fall in love with all of the characters in this book. She made me want to visit Holly Ridge, especially at Christmas time. Grandma Millie is my new favorite character; I want to be her when I grow up! If you like Hallmark Christmas movies, you will love this book!
Get your copy when it comes out on October 6, 2025!