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It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
'An absolute delight.' Lizzy Dent
Can life be like a made-for-TV Christmas movie?
Mally Allister prides herself on being nice and predictable, just like the trope-filled festive films she turns to for comfort every winter.
But when she faces the prospect of spending Christmas alone in her London flat, Mally is sent on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas movie experience in her humdrum British hometown.
With the help of familiar faces from her formative years, including her teenage crush Tom, Mally starts ticking off the classic holiday romance movie tropes in unexpected ways.
But can real life ever live up to the magical movie experience?
A gorgeously warm, engaging festive romcom perfect for fans of Catherine Walsh and Josie Silver.
Readers are falling hard for this
'Warm and incredibly witty, this is one very special rom-com; layered, funny and full of heart. An absolute delight. Book your Christmas treat early." Lizzy Dent, author of The Summer Job
'An uplifting, but poignant story with a lot of emotional depth everything you could look for in a Christmas book.' Emma Steele, author of The Echoes of Us
'Touching, funny and a thrill to read Hallmark movie lovers will appreciate every little detail.' Jack Strange, author of Look Up, Handsome
'I utterly adored it Just an incredibly hygge, cozy read.' Reader Review
'Drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humour. Highly recommend!' Reader Review
'Everything I wanted in a holiday read: warm, witty, and full of heart and the ending? Pure magic. This one is going on my annual holiday reread list.' Reader Review
'Filled me with festive cheer I particularly loved that this book felt new, its storyline a spin on a traditional Christmas love story...I could read it again and again.' Reader Review
'One of the best Christmas books I have read in a whileSuper cute read! I will definitely recommend it to anyone that loves Christmas and real stories!!' Reader Review
'I did not realise how much this book would haveit was hard, it was soft. It was touching and tender. It was emotional and raw. It was like a loving embrace, or a warm mug of tea with a blanket on a comfy chair. You want to snuggle into this book.' Reader Review
'If you love a classic Christmas made for TV movie you will love this - it sets out to be exactly this in book form and it delivers! I could not put it down! Almost missed my stop on the tube/train a few times while reading it.' Reader Review
'I absolutely inhaled this book, which was a combination of three of my favourite things - Christmas, made-for-TV Christmas specials and cosy romance.' Reader Review
'This is a warm, witty tribute to the beloved Hallmark-style Christmas movie, complete with snow-dusted streets, second chances, and small-town magicbut with a smart, self-aware twist...a cozy, clever, and touching seasonal read' Reader Review
Can life be like a made-for-TV Christmas movie?
Mally Allister prides herself on being nice and predictable, just like the trope-filled festive films she turns to for comfort every winter.
But when she faces the prospect of spending Christmas alone in her London flat, Mally is sent on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas movie experience in her humdrum British hometown.
With the help of familiar faces from her formative years, including her teenage crush Tom, Mally starts ticking off the classic holiday romance movie tropes in unexpected ways.
But can real life ever live up to the magical movie experience?
A gorgeously warm, engaging festive romcom perfect for fans of Catherine Walsh and Josie Silver.
Readers are falling hard for this
'Warm and incredibly witty, this is one very special rom-com; layered, funny and full of heart. An absolute delight. Book your Christmas treat early." Lizzy Dent, author of The Summer Job
'An uplifting, but poignant story with a lot of emotional depth everything you could look for in a Christmas book.' Emma Steele, author of The Echoes of Us
'Touching, funny and a thrill to read Hallmark movie lovers will appreciate every little detail.' Jack Strange, author of Look Up, Handsome
'I utterly adored it Just an incredibly hygge, cozy read.' Reader Review
'Drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humour. Highly recommend!' Reader Review
'Everything I wanted in a holiday read: warm, witty, and full of heart and the ending? Pure magic. This one is going on my annual holiday reread list.' Reader Review
'Filled me with festive cheer I particularly loved that this book felt new, its storyline a spin on a traditional Christmas love story...I could read it again and again.' Reader Review
'One of the best Christmas books I have read in a whileSuper cute read! I will definitely recommend it to anyone that loves Christmas and real stories!!' Reader Review
'I did not realise how much this book would haveit was hard, it was soft. It was touching and tender. It was emotional and raw. It was like a loving embrace, or a warm mug of tea with a blanket on a comfy chair. You want to snuggle into this book.' Reader Review
'If you love a classic Christmas made for TV movie you will love this - it sets out to be exactly this in book form and it delivers! I could not put it down! Almost missed my stop on the tube/train a few times while reading it.' Reader Review
'I absolutely inhaled this book, which was a combination of three of my favourite things - Christmas, made-for-TV Christmas specials and cosy romance.' Reader Review
'This is a warm, witty tribute to the beloved Hallmark-style Christmas movie, complete with snow-dusted streets, second chances, and small-town magicbut with a smart, self-aware twist...a cozy, clever, and touching seasonal read' Reader Review
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2025
166 people are currently reading
1850 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
December 13, 2025
3 Stars- This was a novel set at Christmas time and had all of the aspects you would look for in a Christmas romance. However the book was more about overcoming grief and life's challenges than a cheesy holiday romance.
Elle's family was ripped apart with a tragedy and since that time 20 years ago she hasn't been back to her hometown. Her work is closing early for the Holidays so Elle decides to do some free lance work on the advice of her best friend and return home to write an article that meets all of the requirements of a Hallmark movie during Christmas. She randomly runs into her high school crush and meets up with long ago friends. While there though she has to face up to her family's tragedy.
There were many parts that I liked but I did find this book a little slow. I enjoyed the romance but I wanted more of it and less of the grief stricken backstory. I do think that overall this was a good story and the ending was worth it hence the 3.5 and not just 3 stars.
Elle's family was ripped apart with a tragedy and since that time 20 years ago she hasn't been back to her hometown. Her work is closing early for the Holidays so Elle decides to do some free lance work on the advice of her best friend and return home to write an article that meets all of the requirements of a Hallmark movie during Christmas. She randomly runs into her high school crush and meets up with long ago friends. While there though she has to face up to her family's tragedy.
There were many parts that I liked but I did find this book a little slow. I enjoyed the romance but I wanted more of it and less of the grief stricken backstory. I do think that overall this was a good story and the ending was worth it hence the 3.5 and not just 3 stars.
December 22, 2025
I just love British fiction! This debut was perfectly cozy, genuinely funny (I will forever remember the Aslan scene), emotional, and a little slower paced, but in the kind of way where you truly feel like you’re spending time with real people!
I adored Mally. Given her first proper writing commission, she heads back to her hometown of Scarnbrook to tick off as many cheesy Christmas movie tropes as possible, all while documenting her very awkward efforts to recreate the plot of a festive rom-com.
But beneath this seemingly cheery mission was the loveliest exploration of grief. After the loss of her sister twenty years ago, Scarnbrook is a place of heartbreak for Mally and her family. Their way of coping has been, well, complete avoidance, choosing not to acknowledge it at all.
I loved seeing Mally confront these uncomfortable feelings while reacquainting herself with the locals, finding joy within the pain, and carving her own path without the influence of her best friend. There was even an unexpected reveal I didn’t see coming!
The precious romance between Mally and Tom, her old high school crush, was the absolute cherry on top with its gentle pining. The way this man would go out of his way for Mally! And the banter was SO good. I couldn’t get enough of these two!
(heat level: kisses only + language)
I adored Mally. Given her first proper writing commission, she heads back to her hometown of Scarnbrook to tick off as many cheesy Christmas movie tropes as possible, all while documenting her very awkward efforts to recreate the plot of a festive rom-com.
But beneath this seemingly cheery mission was the loveliest exploration of grief. After the loss of her sister twenty years ago, Scarnbrook is a place of heartbreak for Mally and her family. Their way of coping has been, well, complete avoidance, choosing not to acknowledge it at all.
I loved seeing Mally confront these uncomfortable feelings while reacquainting herself with the locals, finding joy within the pain, and carving her own path without the influence of her best friend. There was even an unexpected reveal I didn’t see coming!
The precious romance between Mally and Tom, her old high school crush, was the absolute cherry on top with its gentle pining. The way this man would go out of his way for Mally! And the banter was SO good. I couldn’t get enough of these two!
(heat level: kisses only + language)
October 6, 2025
I completely enjoyed this book. Loved the Christmas vibes it gave me, loved the main character, loved Tom ❤️ it literally made me want to go and watch some cheesy festive rom coms.
My only “issue” is that Mally’s grieving + sister’s death (even if told as a memory), should have been stated on the summary and/or as a trigger warning in the beginning of the book. It’s really important throughout the entire story, and a warning should have been given since it’s a very sensitive topic.
Will definitely love to read more of her books!
My only “issue” is that Mally’s grieving + sister’s death (even if told as a memory), should have been stated on the summary and/or as a trigger warning in the beginning of the book. It’s really important throughout the entire story, and a warning should have been given since it’s a very sensitive topic.
Will definitely love to read more of her books!
December 24, 2025
4.5☆ This was way more than a Christmas book! I cried on several occasions which I don't really want from a Christmas read but I loved the story and the journey Mally went on.
November 12, 2025
A gorgeous, emotional and cosy Christmas-centred read, with a deeper emotional storyline throughout. My eyes got a bit leaky a few times. This is a brilliant debut novel from an author who clearly cares and understands what’s so special about both romantic fiction and Christmas. I loved Mally and Tom and their heartwarming story.
December 25, 2025
The blurb:
Mally Allister prides herself on being nice and predictable, just like the trope-filled festive films she turns to for comfort every winter.
But when she faces the prospect of spending Christmas alone in her London flat, Mally is sent on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas movie experience in her humdrum British hometown.
With the help of familiar faces from her formative years, including her teenage crush Tom, Mally starts ticking off the classic holiday romance movie tropes in unexpected ways.
But can real life ever live up to the magical movie experience?
My thoughts:
I think this might be my new favourite Christmas story 🥰 this was such a beautifully written, heartwarming read.
I loved the idea of Mally spending Christmas in a cottage, watching Christmas films, it sounded so cosy 🥰 however in reality, Mally took a walk down memory lane, meeting friends and ghosts of her past.
The story touches on the grief that Mally has carried around with her, and I loved seeing her grow as a person and build relationships that had started to crumble.
I loved seeing Mally reconnecting with friends from the past, and it was interesting when she started to evaluate her current situation.
This was such a lovely, festive story. There were so many positive interactions and heartfelt moments. There were moments that you could just resonate with Mally and I may have been very teary in parts, but by no means was this story depressing.
This story captured what the lead up to Christmas can be like when you lose someone special. It highlights all the good there is around, the highs and lows of life and the impact of friendships and building and repairing relationships.
I cannot wait to read more from this author, this was such a beautiful debut and I highly recommend picking it up.
Mally Allister prides herself on being nice and predictable, just like the trope-filled festive films she turns to for comfort every winter.
But when she faces the prospect of spending Christmas alone in her London flat, Mally is sent on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas movie experience in her humdrum British hometown.
With the help of familiar faces from her formative years, including her teenage crush Tom, Mally starts ticking off the classic holiday romance movie tropes in unexpected ways.
But can real life ever live up to the magical movie experience?
My thoughts:
I think this might be my new favourite Christmas story 🥰 this was such a beautifully written, heartwarming read.
I loved the idea of Mally spending Christmas in a cottage, watching Christmas films, it sounded so cosy 🥰 however in reality, Mally took a walk down memory lane, meeting friends and ghosts of her past.
The story touches on the grief that Mally has carried around with her, and I loved seeing her grow as a person and build relationships that had started to crumble.
I loved seeing Mally reconnecting with friends from the past, and it was interesting when she started to evaluate her current situation.
This was such a lovely, festive story. There were so many positive interactions and heartfelt moments. There were moments that you could just resonate with Mally and I may have been very teary in parts, but by no means was this story depressing.
This story captured what the lead up to Christmas can be like when you lose someone special. It highlights all the good there is around, the highs and lows of life and the impact of friendships and building and repairing relationships.
I cannot wait to read more from this author, this was such a beautiful debut and I highly recommend picking it up.
December 13, 2025
I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas was cosy, entertaining, and exactly the kind of comforting read I didn’t realise I needed. I really liked the characters and especially enjoyed the Hallmark-esque Christmas film references sprinkled throughout. It felt like reading a festive rom-com, but with a bit more heart.
While it’s warm and uplifting, there’s also real depth here. The story gently explores grief and how it shapes family dynamics, which gave it more emotional weight than I expected. It balanced the cosy Christmas vibes with something a little more meaningful.
It’s also wonderfully British. As an American who’s lived in the UK for over 15 years, I loved catching all the references and subtle details that made this feel authentically UK-set. That made it even more enjoyable.
This isn’t my usual type of read, but it was a quick, easy, and very satisfying one. I’d happily watch a film adaptation, and I’d absolutely be up for a sequel too. I think there’s more story to tell with Tom and Amelia.
Now excuse me while I curl up with a cheesy Christmas film!
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas was cosy, entertaining, and exactly the kind of comforting read I didn’t realise I needed. I really liked the characters and especially enjoyed the Hallmark-esque Christmas film references sprinkled throughout. It felt like reading a festive rom-com, but with a bit more heart.
While it’s warm and uplifting, there’s also real depth here. The story gently explores grief and how it shapes family dynamics, which gave it more emotional weight than I expected. It balanced the cosy Christmas vibes with something a little more meaningful.
It’s also wonderfully British. As an American who’s lived in the UK for over 15 years, I loved catching all the references and subtle details that made this feel authentically UK-set. That made it even more enjoyable.
This isn’t my usual type of read, but it was a quick, easy, and very satisfying one. I’d happily watch a film adaptation, and I’d absolutely be up for a sequel too. I think there’s more story to tell with Tom and Amelia.
Now excuse me while I curl up with a cheesy Christmas film!
December 21, 2025
3.5 ISH i guess...
Cute concept and way of titling chapters but also fuelled the predictability of something already very predictable.
Emotive back story with sister Livvie giving that classic family drama, personal growth thing.
Probably could have been more exciting
Cute concept and way of titling chapters but also fuelled the predictability of something already very predictable.
Emotive back story with sister Livvie giving that classic family drama, personal growth thing.
Probably could have been more exciting
December 10, 2025
Loved this. It’s an easy romcom read with a couple of twists. Just perfect for the holiday season.
August 11, 2025
Loved this festive rom com and how it made a story out of all the tropes - a really clever structure! Also loved Mally and how she went back to her hometown for a work assignment but it raised lots of old ghosts so there was a real emotional depth to this book too. I think I welled up at around 5%. Wrapped me up like an early winter’s blanket, which is just what I want for a Xmas book- fab!
December 29, 2025
I’m a sucker for a Christmas book that gives ‘Hallmark’ vibes, but sometimes they can become a bit boring, as it feels you’re reading the same book.
However, this book, even though it did feel like a warm cosy hug, was so much more and tackled deeper topics such as grief.
You could feel the slow burn chemistry between Mally and Tom, and you fall in love with both characters. I found Mally really funny, which worked well to lighten the heavier topics.
Definitely recommend for a lovely Christmas book.
However, this book, even though it did feel like a warm cosy hug, was so much more and tackled deeper topics such as grief.
You could feel the slow burn chemistry between Mally and Tom, and you fall in love with both characters. I found Mally really funny, which worked well to lighten the heavier topics.
Definitely recommend for a lovely Christmas book.
December 28, 2025
Took me a hot minute to get into this but as soon as I did, I zoomed through it. It’s not the best Christmas book I’ve ever read but I also don’t think it was bad. It touched on a lot of grief that Mally was going through and I think it’s a bit of an eye opener on how many people go through their lives just surviving and not dealing with what they’ve been through. I don’t think the romance aspect of the book was particularly strong until the end but either way I enjoyed it
December 24, 2025
As a lover of the classy, but ever so uplifting fan of the Hallmark Christmas movies, I was charmed by this cute and festive story! I loved all the references to the classic tropes found in such movies, and after reading if I immediately wanted to settle down and watch some more! Emotional, a story of loss and grief, but was ultimately an uplifting one of love and belonging.
December 17, 2025
I’m a bit on the fence with this one. We read it for Book Club, and it’s not usually my genre, so I’ve tried to approach it as objectively as possible.
If you enjoy the banality and repetitiveness of a Hallmark-esque Christmas film, this will likely be right up your street. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to a friend, but I also wouldn’t tell anyone not to read it.
I really wanted to love this book, largely because of how cosy it is. It’s easy to read, easy to follow, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The subtle references to days gone by, along with the little nods scattered throughout, make it feel familiar, relatable, and gently fun.
That said, the book leans quite heavily into themes of grief, and I think the festive atmosphere suffers as a result. However, the way grief itself is handled is actually very well done, which softened that criticism for me.
Overall, I would read something by Hayley Dunlop again and will be keeping an eye on the author - but as far as Christmassy reads go, this one was a bit of a miss for me.
If you enjoy the banality and repetitiveness of a Hallmark-esque Christmas film, this will likely be right up your street. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to a friend, but I also wouldn’t tell anyone not to read it.
I really wanted to love this book, largely because of how cosy it is. It’s easy to read, easy to follow, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The subtle references to days gone by, along with the little nods scattered throughout, make it feel familiar, relatable, and gently fun.
That said, the book leans quite heavily into themes of grief, and I think the festive atmosphere suffers as a result. However, the way grief itself is handled is actually very well done, which softened that criticism for me.
Overall, I would read something by Hayley Dunlop again and will be keeping an eye on the author - but as far as Christmassy reads go, this one was a bit of a miss for me.
November 24, 2025
This wasn’t the Christmas romcom I was expecting, it felt more like a gentle exploration of grief.
Told in single POV, we follow Mally as she returns to her hometown of Scarnbrook on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas romcom experience. I loved how the story unfolded as she experienced each trope herself, echoing the charm of a Hallmark Christmas movie (which was exactly the point).
Family relationships were a strong thread throughout, showing how grief can fracture and reshape relationships. It captured so well how grief lingers, even when life appears to carry on as normal, with people smiling and appearing to be moving forward, while quietly struggling beneath the surface.
The friendship between Mally and Elle added another layer of complexity, as it wasn’t the healthiest of friendships and I found my feelings torn more than once.
Of course, there’s romance, and it’s beautifully sweet. A closed-door love story, that didn’t need spice to feel authentic. What made it shine was Mally allowing her vulnerabilities to be seen by someone who made her feel safe.
I instantly liked Tom. He was such a strong MMC, always showing up when it mattered. The curtain scene was my favourite moment, and the subtle humour between him and Mally made their interactions feel natural and endearing.
Mally herself was a softer FMC than I’m used to, and I really loved that. She was a people pleaser who wasn’t brimming with confidence and her quirky way of thinking made her feel so endearing.
Overall, this was a lovely festive read. It’s warm, tender, and more than just a romance.
Told in single POV, we follow Mally as she returns to her hometown of Scarnbrook on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas romcom experience. I loved how the story unfolded as she experienced each trope herself, echoing the charm of a Hallmark Christmas movie (which was exactly the point).
Family relationships were a strong thread throughout, showing how grief can fracture and reshape relationships. It captured so well how grief lingers, even when life appears to carry on as normal, with people smiling and appearing to be moving forward, while quietly struggling beneath the surface.
The friendship between Mally and Elle added another layer of complexity, as it wasn’t the healthiest of friendships and I found my feelings torn more than once.
Of course, there’s romance, and it’s beautifully sweet. A closed-door love story, that didn’t need spice to feel authentic. What made it shine was Mally allowing her vulnerabilities to be seen by someone who made her feel safe.
I instantly liked Tom. He was such a strong MMC, always showing up when it mattered. The curtain scene was my favourite moment, and the subtle humour between him and Mally made their interactions feel natural and endearing.
Mally herself was a softer FMC than I’m used to, and I really loved that. She was a people pleaser who wasn’t brimming with confidence and her quirky way of thinking made her feel so endearing.
Overall, this was a lovely festive read. It’s warm, tender, and more than just a romance.
December 14, 2025
I’m absolutely blubbering at the end of this one. It’s completely cheesy, but is so perfectly reminiscent of a late 90s/early 2000s rom-com and, therefore, everything I hoped it would be and more ♥️
December 22, 2025
Not my usual genre but I really enjoyed it.
December 28, 2025
Om man gillar Hallmarks julfilmer så älskar man den här.
December 22, 2025
A nostalgic, comforting and emotional Christmas read. I really enjoyed the family and returning home focus of this book which made it so much more than a typical romance. It dealt with some deep issues in such a beautiful way and was an all round lovely cosy read.
Read
December 29, 2025DNF
November 20, 2025
Couldn’t put it down
This was a very enjoyable read. I love those holiday movies, too. I might give the “Game” a try next time I watch one.
This was a very enjoyable read. I love those holiday movies, too. I might give the “Game” a try next time I watch one.
August 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance copy in return for an impartial review.
If you love a classic Christmas made for TV movie you will love this - it sets out to be exactly this in book form and it delivers! I could not put it down! Almost missed my stop on the tube/train a few times while reading it.
I don’t want to spoiler the book too much so will just say I really like the way Hayley Dunlop has put this together, the mix of real and imaginary places works well and never feels off. The characters that you’re supposed to like are likeable and there are some villains in the mix too!
I might have called this chick lit back in the 90s, now I’d call it a cosy romance, and it’s one that is done really well, it even works in August!
If you love a classic Christmas made for TV movie you will love this - it sets out to be exactly this in book form and it delivers! I could not put it down! Almost missed my stop on the tube/train a few times while reading it.
I don’t want to spoiler the book too much so will just say I really like the way Hayley Dunlop has put this together, the mix of real and imaginary places works well and never feels off. The characters that you’re supposed to like are likeable and there are some villains in the mix too!
I might have called this chick lit back in the 90s, now I’d call it a cosy romance, and it’s one that is done really well, it even works in August!
December 31, 2025
My opinion of this book kept changing while I read it; I started out skeptical, grew to enjoy it, then got a bit annoyed with it again at the end. It's probably more of a 3.5, but I can't bring myself to round up to 4 stars.
Mally works in internal communications, but for various plot reasons, winds up being told to write a feature piece for the website she works for--she's a big fan of Hallmark-type Christmas movies, so is sent out to experience Christmas in a village and see how many tropes she can check off her list. But lurking beneath this light concept is the heart of the story, which is that Mally returns to her hometown for the first time since the death of her younger sister when Mally was away at uni.
I appreciated that Dunlop didn't have Mally realize that Hallmark movies are bad; instead, Mally comes to understand why exactly people keep going back to them--the focus on family and community, the predictability that allows people to feel safe in a world of chaos and uncertainty. She finds comfort in them, she bonds with others over them. They're good!
I also mostly liked Mally relationship with Tom, her high school crush. Naturally it turns out that he had also had a crush on her. He winds up falling into the "too perfect" characterization that so often happens in these books, but the two of them did have really good chemistry. They were adorable.
(Also, oddly enough, this is the second book in a row that I've read where the male lead's father left the mother because the mother had MS.)
Mally's growth in her hometown is good. It was nice seeing her reconnect and her journey to begin to grapple with her sister's death 20 years earlier was well done. The whole family basically shut down after Livvie's death, which is wholly believable, and I liked how Mally started to reconsider their reactions, confront what had happened, and reevaluate. I particularly liked how Mally wasn't the only one who felt guilt about what happened.
I think my problems with the book largely revolve around the treatment of Elle, Mally's best friend. One of the tropes on Mally's bingo card is "Annoying best friend," which is honestly opposite of what's on my own personal Hallmark bingo card--I tend to think of the friends in the movies being way cooler than the leads, and I have more than once wound up rooting for them. (Mally's bingo card, in general, is very different from my own list of tropes, which may have also colored my reaction to this book.) Elle moved in next door when Mally was in Year 9, I think, making her somewhere in her early teens. She does honestly seem like she was awful as a teenager, and Mally winds up coming to a fairly nuanced view of her, but others' perceptions--and her depiction late in the book--make me wonder what we're supposed to think of her, and how she affected Mally.
There is a lot of nuance in this book, which is a good thing. But it didn't quite hit the right notes for me. But still worth a read, I think. (Plus the writing was a bit clunky at times.)
Mally works in internal communications, but for various plot reasons, winds up being told to write a feature piece for the website she works for--she's a big fan of Hallmark-type Christmas movies, so is sent out to experience Christmas in a village and see how many tropes she can check off her list. But lurking beneath this light concept is the heart of the story, which is that Mally returns to her hometown for the first time since the death of her younger sister when Mally was away at uni.
I appreciated that Dunlop didn't have Mally realize that Hallmark movies are bad; instead, Mally comes to understand why exactly people keep going back to them--the focus on family and community, the predictability that allows people to feel safe in a world of chaos and uncertainty. She finds comfort in them, she bonds with others over them. They're good!
I also mostly liked Mally relationship with Tom, her high school crush. Naturally it turns out that he had also had a crush on her. He winds up falling into the "too perfect" characterization that so often happens in these books, but the two of them did have really good chemistry. They were adorable.
(Also, oddly enough, this is the second book in a row that I've read where the male lead's father left the mother because the mother had MS.)
Mally's growth in her hometown is good. It was nice seeing her reconnect and her journey to begin to grapple with her sister's death 20 years earlier was well done. The whole family basically shut down after Livvie's death, which is wholly believable, and I liked how Mally started to reconsider their reactions, confront what had happened, and reevaluate. I particularly liked how Mally wasn't the only one who felt guilt about what happened.
I think my problems with the book largely revolve around the treatment of Elle, Mally's best friend. One of the tropes on Mally's bingo card is "Annoying best friend," which is honestly opposite of what's on my own personal Hallmark bingo card--I tend to think of the friends in the movies being way cooler than the leads, and I have more than once wound up rooting for them. (Mally's bingo card, in general, is very different from my own list of tropes, which may have also colored my reaction to this book.) Elle moved in next door when Mally was in Year 9, I think, making her somewhere in her early teens. She does honestly seem like she was awful as a teenager, and Mally winds up coming to a fairly nuanced view of her, but others' perceptions--and her depiction late in the book--make me wonder what we're supposed to think of her, and how she affected Mally.
There is a lot of nuance in this book, which is a good thing. But it didn't quite hit the right notes for me. But still worth a read, I think. (Plus the writing was a bit clunky at times.)
December 11, 2025
📚📺💗👧NOVEL THOUGHTS👨💗📺📚
When I opened up this book, based on the cover, I expected a full on Hallmark Christmas story, but this wasn't that...not entirely. Certainly there is a boy meets girl (finally since leaving high school) and a happy ending for them both but this story went way deeper than that at least for Mally Allister.
Mally works in London at a publication aimed at teens. For 10 years, she's worked as a communications adviser for the employees. She got this job with help from her best friend Elle who works as an editor. They have shared so much over the years--the pangs of teen years in their hometown of Scarnbrook, the angst of dating, their family issues, transitioning to college but the biggest emotional event to deal with was the unexpected tragedy of Mally losing her little sister. Both Mally and her family had to find ways to cope with this and mostly what happened was moving away and never talking about her death. After college, Elle convinced Mally to join her in London and so that's what Mally did which was her M.O. as far as Elle was concerned-- Elle made plans and Mally just followed unquestioningly. So when Elle suggests Mally do a story about spending a week somewhere in the week leading up to Christmas and tick off all the ways a Hallmark movie can play into the week, she reluctantly says yes but only if she can return to their hometown. This is an unexpected choice but Elle makes the arrangements for her lodging and sets up her first dinner at the local pub The Star which she and Elle had had some experiences in as teenagers. Mally will of course meet an old high school love interest whom she never thought even noticed her back then and this will start their rather awkward reconnection. This is the part where Hallmark takes the stage. But, as the narrative goes back and forth between present and 20 years ago which led up to sister Livvie's untimely death, Mally recalls life then and now, how it affected relationships with her parents and her brother Josh and the guilt she has lived with all these years. So while this is touted as a Hallmark movie in word form, it is much meatier as Mally and even her brother Josh try to assuage and come to terms with her death.
The book has a slow start but as it got into more of the history of Mally's relationships, it got better. I felt that Mally's relationship with Elle was not a healthy one in that Elle was very selfish and took advantage of their friendship. It also seemed odd that the family didn't seek out counseling at the time of Livvie's death in order to better manage their loss because it put a huge crack into the family dynamic and relationships for 20 years. I also wondered if Mally's obsession with happy ending Hallmark movies was a way to cope with her struggles with Livvie's death. There are some laugh out loud moments and a rather tidy end to the story which is not unexpected.
When I opened up this book, based on the cover, I expected a full on Hallmark Christmas story, but this wasn't that...not entirely. Certainly there is a boy meets girl (finally since leaving high school) and a happy ending for them both but this story went way deeper than that at least for Mally Allister.
Mally works in London at a publication aimed at teens. For 10 years, she's worked as a communications adviser for the employees. She got this job with help from her best friend Elle who works as an editor. They have shared so much over the years--the pangs of teen years in their hometown of Scarnbrook, the angst of dating, their family issues, transitioning to college but the biggest emotional event to deal with was the unexpected tragedy of Mally losing her little sister. Both Mally and her family had to find ways to cope with this and mostly what happened was moving away and never talking about her death. After college, Elle convinced Mally to join her in London and so that's what Mally did which was her M.O. as far as Elle was concerned-- Elle made plans and Mally just followed unquestioningly. So when Elle suggests Mally do a story about spending a week somewhere in the week leading up to Christmas and tick off all the ways a Hallmark movie can play into the week, she reluctantly says yes but only if she can return to their hometown. This is an unexpected choice but Elle makes the arrangements for her lodging and sets up her first dinner at the local pub The Star which she and Elle had had some experiences in as teenagers. Mally will of course meet an old high school love interest whom she never thought even noticed her back then and this will start their rather awkward reconnection. This is the part where Hallmark takes the stage. But, as the narrative goes back and forth between present and 20 years ago which led up to sister Livvie's untimely death, Mally recalls life then and now, how it affected relationships with her parents and her brother Josh and the guilt she has lived with all these years. So while this is touted as a Hallmark movie in word form, it is much meatier as Mally and even her brother Josh try to assuage and come to terms with her death.
The book has a slow start but as it got into more of the history of Mally's relationships, it got better. I felt that Mally's relationship with Elle was not a healthy one in that Elle was very selfish and took advantage of their friendship. It also seemed odd that the family didn't seek out counseling at the time of Livvie's death in order to better manage their loss because it put a huge crack into the family dynamic and relationships for 20 years. I also wondered if Mally's obsession with happy ending Hallmark movies was a way to cope with her struggles with Livvie's death. There are some laugh out loud moments and a rather tidy end to the story which is not unexpected.
December 25, 2025
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
A Hallmark-style Christmas with real-life heart, grief, and emotional sparkle.
🎬 Hallmark movie vibes | 🎅 Small-town Christmas | 💔 Grief & healing | 🔄 Childhood crush reappears | ❤️ Slow-burn romance | 🇬🇧 Scarnbrook (fictional)
I was reading this with a lovely group of Bookstagrammers as a buddy read from December 18th to 23rd. Thank you girls for reading along.
If you love a classic made-for-TV Christmas movie, this book will absolutely feel like coming home — twinkly lights, festive traditions, familiar tropes, and all. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas follows Amelia (Mally) Allister, a woman who loves safe routines and festive movies, but when she’s set to spend Christmas alone, she’s sent back to her hometown to recreate a Christmas movie experience. With help from old friends — including her childhood crush Tom — she begins living out holiday romance tropes, and must decide whether real life can be just as magical.
I’ll be honest: this book was a bit of a slow start for me. It took several chapters to settle into Haley Dunlop’s writing style, and as a non-British reader, some of the humour and culture references didn’t quite land. But once I found my footing, the story really opened up — and I’m so glad I stuck with it. Beneath the festive charm lies a surprisingly emotional exploration of grief, family fractures, and the ways we cope with loss. I didn’t expect such layered, complex characters in a Christmas romance, and that depth ended up being one of the book’s biggest strengths for me.
The banter between Mally and Tom was a standout — warm, witty, and full of unspoken history — and their dynamic carried so much heart. I also appreciated how the story acknowledged imperfect relationships; Mally’s friendship with Elle felt very unbalanced and selfish at many times. It was great to see Mally’s character development and her transformation into her own person, and it was fascinating to watch her grow and evolve. The long-term impact of unresolved grief on Mally’s family added realism, even if the lovely wrapped ending leaned firmly into holiday comfort. The inclusion of the festive rom-com bingo sheet was such a fun touch — it genuinely made me want to curl up, put on cheesy Christmas movies, and play along.
Congratulations to Haley Dunlop on a wonderful debut. This book may wear a sparkly Christmas sweater on the outside, but inside it holds real emotional weight and that combination made it a memorable holiday read for me.
A Hallmark-style Christmas with real-life heart, grief, and emotional sparkle.
🎬 Hallmark movie vibes | 🎅 Small-town Christmas | 💔 Grief & healing | 🔄 Childhood crush reappears | ❤️ Slow-burn romance | 🇬🇧 Scarnbrook (fictional)
I was reading this with a lovely group of Bookstagrammers as a buddy read from December 18th to 23rd. Thank you girls for reading along.
If you love a classic made-for-TV Christmas movie, this book will absolutely feel like coming home — twinkly lights, festive traditions, familiar tropes, and all. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas follows Amelia (Mally) Allister, a woman who loves safe routines and festive movies, but when she’s set to spend Christmas alone, she’s sent back to her hometown to recreate a Christmas movie experience. With help from old friends — including her childhood crush Tom — she begins living out holiday romance tropes, and must decide whether real life can be just as magical.
I’ll be honest: this book was a bit of a slow start for me. It took several chapters to settle into Haley Dunlop’s writing style, and as a non-British reader, some of the humour and culture references didn’t quite land. But once I found my footing, the story really opened up — and I’m so glad I stuck with it. Beneath the festive charm lies a surprisingly emotional exploration of grief, family fractures, and the ways we cope with loss. I didn’t expect such layered, complex characters in a Christmas romance, and that depth ended up being one of the book’s biggest strengths for me.
The banter between Mally and Tom was a standout — warm, witty, and full of unspoken history — and their dynamic carried so much heart. I also appreciated how the story acknowledged imperfect relationships; Mally’s friendship with Elle felt very unbalanced and selfish at many times. It was great to see Mally’s character development and her transformation into her own person, and it was fascinating to watch her grow and evolve. The long-term impact of unresolved grief on Mally’s family added realism, even if the lovely wrapped ending leaned firmly into holiday comfort. The inclusion of the festive rom-com bingo sheet was such a fun touch — it genuinely made me want to curl up, put on cheesy Christmas movies, and play along.
Congratulations to Haley Dunlop on a wonderful debut. This book may wear a sparkly Christmas sweater on the outside, but inside it holds real emotional weight and that combination made it a memorable holiday read for me.
July 17, 2025
Who doesn't love a good cheesy Christmas movie - where love reigns supreme amongst the snow and star topped Christmas trees and every happy ending is tied up neatly with a shiny bow. Amelia Allister - Mally - has made the ultimate bingo drinking game out of the tropes she has found in each and every of her favourite genre of films - the Hallmark Christmas movie. Little does she know that her best friend, Elle is about to make her use these tropes to write a feature article about Christmas, love and happily ever afters for The Helix, an online publication, that they both work for - something far outside Mally's comfort zone as she is largely involved in corporate duties and doesn't consider herself a writer. Within no time at all, and perhaps because of all the gin they were consuming at the time, Mally finds herself agreeing to write the article but only if she uses her home town of Scarnbrook, a place she had not visited in twenty years due to a family tragedy. From the moment she drives into the town, she finds herself encountering many of the tropes coming true including the nasty villain threatening the happiness of the townfolk, the chance meeting with the now adult teenage crush and any number of foolish actions committed by the heroine, yes, Mally herself. This is a charming story about a woman who really want to believe in a sense of community and the possibility of true love, accompanied by some really serious moments as the author delves into how a family has struggled to deal with loss that cut out their hearts. While there is pain, there is joy and as the book progresses and we get to see more and more of the characters it becomes a stronger tale. I actually didn't love Mally's best friend - she made my teeth grind - but that is the sign of a well written character - I don't think Hayley Dunlop wanted me to think Elle was wonderful - she was meant to be flawed. I wavered at times between four and half stars and five for this book , however ultimately I think it deserves the five stars because as a debut novel it really hit the mark. I hope Ms Dunlop goes on to write further books as I really enjoyed her voice across these pages. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in return for my honest opinion. Definitely a book to put on your TBR list this year.
December 19, 2025
Four "Foxy's Red Book Cover Read" stars for a book that tries to answer this burning question:
Can life be like a made-for-TV Christmas movie?🎄🎅
The answer is a definite Maybe. It all depends on your perspective.
🥰The themes: community. Family. Home.
This is a heartwarming read with some enduring and relatable scenes. Hallmark movies are good at showing communities moving from crisis to renewal and the same with families. Mally, our FMC, has faced loss in the past and misses her former community and the once closeness of family. Home is not the same.
🤔But, as I was fast learning, life wan't about 'yes' or no', 'right' or 'wrong', 'good people' or 'bad people'. It was about all the messy places in between and finding the chinks of light among the chaos. It was about the choices we made, and the care we put into them. It was about 'and' not 'or'.
We go on quite a journey with Mally in this book. She has not properly grieved the loss of her sister and it was decades ago. Returning to her former childhood home begins to open the door she has been holding closed for so long.
👸A favorite bit from this book is a tradition Mally's family had of wrapping the VHS of 'The Princess Bride' and regifting it to a family member each year. The response is always, "Inconveivable!" 🤣
✅Each chapter is a new tic on Mally's Christmas Movie Bingo card. I enjoyed seeing how many tropes she found in real life. It was also nice to have her romance with former crush Tom NOT be the entire focus of the book. She needed to resolve relationships with her brother Josh and BFF Elle before adding a new person.
While there are some serious themes, the structure of the book is a "Cheesy Christmas Movie Bingo Card." You can play right along with author Hayley Dunlop on Instagram. Two Bingo cards are included in the book. Fun!
Can life be like a made-for-TV Christmas movie?🎄🎅
The answer is a definite Maybe. It all depends on your perspective.
🥰The themes: community. Family. Home.
This is a heartwarming read with some enduring and relatable scenes. Hallmark movies are good at showing communities moving from crisis to renewal and the same with families. Mally, our FMC, has faced loss in the past and misses her former community and the once closeness of family. Home is not the same.
🤔But, as I was fast learning, life wan't about 'yes' or no', 'right' or 'wrong', 'good people' or 'bad people'. It was about all the messy places in between and finding the chinks of light among the chaos. It was about the choices we made, and the care we put into them. It was about 'and' not 'or'.
We go on quite a journey with Mally in this book. She has not properly grieved the loss of her sister and it was decades ago. Returning to her former childhood home begins to open the door she has been holding closed for so long.
👸A favorite bit from this book is a tradition Mally's family had of wrapping the VHS of 'The Princess Bride' and regifting it to a family member each year. The response is always, "Inconveivable!" 🤣
✅Each chapter is a new tic on Mally's Christmas Movie Bingo card. I enjoyed seeing how many tropes she found in real life. It was also nice to have her romance with former crush Tom NOT be the entire focus of the book. She needed to resolve relationships with her brother Josh and BFF Elle before adding a new person.
While there are some serious themes, the structure of the book is a "Cheesy Christmas Movie Bingo Card." You can play right along with author Hayley Dunlop on Instagram. Two Bingo cards are included in the book. Fun!
December 18, 2025
This is a Christmas romance with some much more going on, with deeper themes of coping with grief and how individuals deal with it.
Mally is a brave woman returning to her home town to complete a work assignment. She has not returned there since a family tragedy some years before. Here she meets people from her past who appear excited to see her again and she tries to navigate her meeting these childhood friends without upsetting herself. Alongside this storyline is another about the erosion of small town communities buildings and businesses which are being replaced with housing.
Mally very quickly meets Tom who she knew from school and had a crush on. He helps her with the mishaps she has in town and becomes quite a support for her. He is a lovely character and their relationship blossoms which was lovely to read. He has some insecurities of his own but over time he and Mally resolve these issues.
A main theme of this one which I did not expect was grief. It looks at lot at grief and how families and individuals deal with it. Mally's relationship is very strained with her older brother and although they found way to move forward together I would have loved to see more of their relationship in the future. I would also have loved to have seen Mally speak to her parents about her journey through grief.
Overall, a well written and enjoyable story which gave a good insight into how families try to cope with tragedy. It is uplifting though so don't be put off with the content above.
Mally is a brave woman returning to her home town to complete a work assignment. She has not returned there since a family tragedy some years before. Here she meets people from her past who appear excited to see her again and she tries to navigate her meeting these childhood friends without upsetting herself. Alongside this storyline is another about the erosion of small town communities buildings and businesses which are being replaced with housing.
Mally very quickly meets Tom who she knew from school and had a crush on. He helps her with the mishaps she has in town and becomes quite a support for her. He is a lovely character and their relationship blossoms which was lovely to read. He has some insecurities of his own but over time he and Mally resolve these issues.
A main theme of this one which I did not expect was grief. It looks at lot at grief and how families and individuals deal with it. Mally's relationship is very strained with her older brother and although they found way to move forward together I would have loved to see more of their relationship in the future. I would also have loved to have seen Mally speak to her parents about her journey through grief.
Overall, a well written and enjoyable story which gave a good insight into how families try to cope with tragedy. It is uplifting though so don't be put off with the content above.
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