Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown

by Sheila Roberts

Bestselling author Sheila Roberts is back with a heartwarming holiday romance full of family, love, and a little bit of intrigue!

Jordan Frost had to do it. Her family was simply too perfectly eccentric not to put in a novel. She was thrilled when she got an agent and then a publishing deal. For two books. Two! Then reality set in. The book about an oddball family's holiday adventures is coming out in November. Just in time for her trip home to Holly Bay, Washington, from the big city. Jordan is desperately hoping she can keep her pseudonym a secret so she can stay in her family's good graces. She wrote the book under a pen name and when it was time for an author picture, she wore a wig and glasses. No one will know it was her, right?
 
Wrong. Charles Pine, her high school friend who always hoped for more, recognizes the woman he's never gotten over as soon as he unpacks her book to shelve at the bookstore where he works. He knows this is the perfect opportunity to get Jordan to see him in a new light and he makes sure to run into her when she arrives home. She never thought of him as anything more than a shoulder to cry on back then, but he's determined to make her see him as boyfriend material. Can he be her hero and help her get through the season with her secret intact? Or at least save her from a holiday meltdown? 
 
When a series of minor family emergencies threatens to add even more chaos to Jordan's already hectic life, Charles tries to help her find the true meaning of the holiday. Maybe coming home wasn't a bad idea after all... 

For fans holiday love stories family hijinks second chance romance cozy winter stories full of nostalgia and tradition

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Fiction, Humor, Audiobook, Books About Books

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 13, 2026

About the author

With fifty books to her credit, both fiction and non-fiction, Sheila Roberts is a frequent USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller - and a fan favorite. Her books have sold over three million copies and have been turned into movies for the Hallmark, Lifetime and Great American Family channels. Before settling into her writing career, Sheila owned a singing telegram company and played in band. When she's not traveling, Sheila can be found hanging out with friends, playing tennis, and, of course, writing and reading. Sometimes she even remembers to post books she's read!

Reviews

[Amber (amberreadsitall)]

Jordan Frost writes a book about her eccentric family using a pen name and a disguise for her author photo, hoping her family will never find out. However, when she goes home for the holidays to Holly Bay, Washington, her local bookstore has the buzzy Christmas book stocked. The owner of the bookstore turns out to be her high school friend, Charles Pine.

Jordan and Charles team up to try to prevent Jordan’s family from reading the best selling book that is obviously about her family, in order to avoid a holiday disaster.

I really enjoyed this cozy, heartwarming Christmas novel. I loved the quirky family antics throughout the book and the themes of love and forgiveness woven throughout the story.

🎧The audio of this story was performed by Tanya Eby. She did a great job bringing this story to life.

Read this story if you enjoy:
❤️Hallmark Christmas movies
💚Quirky families
❤️Small towns
💚Second chance romance
❤️ Slow burn romance
💚Themes of love and forgiveness
❤️Family drama
💚Low spice

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Uplit, Harlequin Audio, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance copy of this audiobook, ebook, and physical book. All opinions are my own.

[Abby Farris]

Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Sheila Roberts for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own. Publication Date: October 13, 2026

If the Griswolds from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation wandered into a charming independent bookstore, you'd have a pretty good idea of the cozy chaos waiting inside this book.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown: A Home for the Holidays Christmas Romance Novel is a heartwarming holiday romance filled with family, Christmas traditions, second chances, and the reminder that the memories we make often become the greatest gifts we carry with us.

This isn't trying to be a sweeping literary masterpiece, and that's exactly why it works. It embraces the warmth and charm of a classic Christmas story, complete with a few delightfully corny holiday clichés that felt cozy rather than overdone. As a book lover, I especially enjoyed the bookstore setting, the author character, and the literary references sprinkled throughout the story. They made this feel like a Christmas book made for readers.

The heart of the novel is summed up perfectly in one line: "No matter what the future holds, it's always those memories that will carry us through." That sentiment carried through every family gathering, holiday tradition, and quiet romantic moment. While this is a romance, readers looking for spice should know there isn't any. Instead, the relationship is built on genuine affection, emotional connection, and love that felt realistic and palpable.

The only things that kept this from becoming a five-star read were the pacing and transitions. It took about the first 20% before I felt fully invested in the story, and the frequent shifts between Christmases past and the present occasionally left me reorienting myself. With a little more care smoothing those transitions, I think the emotional momentum would have been even stronger.

This book felt like sipping hot cocoa in a cozy bookstore while a wonderfully chaotic family tries to pull off the Christmas season. Perfect for readers who enjoy wholesome holiday romances, family-centered stories, charming bookish settings, and Hallmark-style Christmas movies with a little extra heart. If you're looking for a warm, heartfelt Christmas read to curl up with this holiday season, this one is well worth adding to your December TBR.

[MrsHarvieReads]

Thank you to HTP Books for a #gifted advanced listener copy of Have Yourself A Merry Little Meltdown by Sheila Roberts in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. The audiobook is narrated by Tanya Eby who provides an energetic and engaging performance.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Meltdown is a small town, childhood best friends to lovers, Hallmark style holiday romcom. The story features 31-year old Jordan Frost, a middle school teacher and aspiring author. Without telling her family, she is offered a 2-book publishing contract. Her first novel is a holiday family comedy that is too closely based on her own family. To hide her novel, Jordan uses a pseudonym and wears a disguise for her author photo. Once she is home for the holidays, she asks her childhood best friend and the current owner of the local bookstore, Charles, to help her keep the book a secret. Meanwhile Charles attempts to win Jordan’s heart.

Full of family drama, this holiday romance is a chaotic, amusing, and entertaining ride. Jordan is quite immature, going to outrageous lengths to hide her book when she really needed more character growth. I didn't fully understand Charles's deep devotion to her, but I definitely rooted for his happy ending. Ultimately I think this story will appeal to readers looking for a breezy and predictable holiday romance 2.75/5⭐️

[Melissa]

The family holiday chaos was amusing and entertaining; the romance was charming but predictable; the main character I found to be simultaneously over the top and underwhelming. Cute little holiday rom-com, but probably not one I'd recommend wholeheartedly. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced read!

[Hillary Gurrola]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced listening copy of this book. I enjoyed this story about a debut author, Jordan Frost, who is visiting home for the holidays and does not want her family to find out that she is the author of the new holiday novel that everyone is talking about. The Frost family has heard of the new book and every time they try to get their hands on a copy, something gets in the way. Little do they know that the local bookstore owner, Charles Pine, is colluding with Jordan to make sure that the Frost family does not read the book. Their interest in the book intensifies as they keep hearing that the family in the holiday book sounds a lot like the Frost family. It’s almost like the author knows them…

Will Jordan’s family finally get their hands on a copy of the book? Will Jordan fess up to being the author? Will sparks fly for old friends Jordan and Charles? Read to find out!

I liked the team up between Jordan and Charles to prevent the Frost family from getting copies of the book. The flashbacks to the past were a fun way of getting to know the characters. I enjoyed the will they/won’t they dynamic between Charles and Jordan. I recommend this book and it is great for the holidays.

[Rosi Colmenares]

For fans of:
Holiday romance
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Author FMC
Small town
Bookstore setting
Family chaos

This was such a cute Christmas read!! I’m a sucker for a holiday romance and I loved that our FMC is an author who basically wrote a book inspired by her crazy family and now has to go home for Christmas and try to make sure none of them find out 😭

I really liked Jordan and Charles! They’ve known each other forever and Charles has basically been waiting for her to finally realize he’s right there. I love a man who has been down bad for YEARS, so obviously I was rooting for him.

I also loved all the family drama and chaos. There was always something happening and it gave me very Hallmark Christmas movie vibes. Plus we have a bookstore, an author FMC, and a bunch of bookish references, so as a book lover I ate that up.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme”]

Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown is a warm, cozy holiday read.
There is family chaos, Christmas charm, and heartwarming moments throughout the story.
Author Sheila Roberts shares relatable family dynamics.
There is humor that will have you smiling and laughing out loud.
💫Family
💫Friendship
💫Romance
Rounded up with holiday mishaps gives a very engaging and enjoyable holiday read. Even with Christmas chaos!

[Gail]

Fun filled family shenanigans, second chances, forgiveness and love. A fun filled story that will make you laugh and wonder what will happen next. Loved every minute of it.

[Marian Sherry]

Chaotic family shenanigans, forgiveness, and a whole lot of heart is what you’ll get in Have Yourself A Merry Little Meltdown. Jordan Frost had achieved her dream of becoming a published author. With her book becoming an instant success she finds herself in a bit of a pickle. The book was inspired by her family’s crazy shenanigans and embarrassing moments but she didn’t warn them or ask their permission. As she heads home for the holidays she’ll do anything to keep the book a secret including asking her childhood friend Charles for a hand in keeping the book a secret from her family. Jordan was such a likeable character. She really loved her family but was so worried about what they would think of her. I found myself thinking so many times just tell them for goodness sakes! I absolutely adored Charles. He was the sweetest, kindest, and most supportive friend always being there when Jordan needed him while being in love with her for years. I was rooting so hard for Jordan to see what was right in front of her. My favorite part of the story was the ending because family is everything. I highly recommend this feel-good holiday romance with plenty of family chaos, forgiveness, and the sweetest second-chances romance.

Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Sheila Roberts for the advanced eARC I received. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Ashleigh Brown]

I swear Sheila Roberts is the queen of Christmas shenanigans. This is how I found her was through her Christmas stories and I have been a fan every since. Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown is the perfect mix of hilarious and heartwarming.

Imagine you decide to write a novel about your family and the crazy Christmas adventures or misadventures you experience but don't exactly tell them. And now you're a bestselling author and your family's book club group wants to read the book you wrote. This is the exact situation that Jordan found herself in.

From the moment you met Jordan, you knew she was going to fun character to follow. She had some of the craziest ideas and the absolute best heart. Yes, she stumbled a bit when writing about her family and potentially making them out to be a little too on the nose but also not too on the nose. She also probably shared entirely too many details that would give her family a clue to who the author was and the family it was about. Watching her stress over telling her family while also trying to keep the book a secret had me laughing out loud and feeling for her.

I also loved that we got to meet her childhood best friend, Charlie. And he got sucked right into the plots to prevent her family from finding out. Starting with buying all of the copies of her books at the bookstore he owns in their hometown. There is something so wholesome about finding yourself falling back into the patterns of childhood friendships. But there was an underlying edge to Jordan and Charlie's relationship. And I appreciated that we got the back story and it wasn't ignored. I also liked that the build up to the relationship felt natural. It didn't feel like Jordan suddenly decided he was worthy of her time. She actively fought the attraction for fear of ruining the friendship but also because she felt she wasn't supposed to like Charlie. It's one of those things that felt so realistic.

The other great thing about this story is the family. The Frost family would give the Griswold family a run for it's money. I truly appreciated that each family member had their own distinct voice and style. When Jordan spoke about or to one of her family members that felt defined and unique. I also loved that each family member had their own reaction to the news. I liked that Jordan didn't get off so easily. I think that stories often do the forgive and forget thing. But instead Jordan had to face the consequences and had an opportunity to fix the mistakes she made. It was one of the best parts of the book.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown is laugh out loud funny with heart. It's a great Christmas romance that everyone should add to their holiday TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for this early release digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cozystephaniereads]

Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown was everything I want in a holiday romance. This book was heartwarming, hilarious, full of family chaos, and impossible not to smile through.
Jordan Frost finally achieved her dream of becoming a published author. Her debut novel is an instant success, but there's one tiny problem. The story is heavily inspired by her own family, complete with all of their embarrassing moments and dysfunctional dynamics. The catch? She never warned them. As the book gains popularity, Jordan scrambles to keep her family from discovering the truth, all while reconnecting with her lifelong best friend, Charles, who has quietly loved her for years.
I absolutely adored Jordan. She felt incredibly genuine and easy to root for. She accomplished the dream she'd worked so hard for, but instead of celebrating, she's consumed with guilt over how her family might react. While I definitely found myself thinking, "Just tell them already!" I completely understood why she struggled. She never wanted to hurt the people she loved, and that internal conflict made her feel very real.
But let's talk about Charles. This man had my whole heart. He's been in love with Jordan for years, patiently standing beside her as her best friend while she dated all the wrong people. He didn't pressure her; he simply continued to show up, support her, and love her from the sidelines. Watching Jordan slowly realize that the person she'd been looking for had been beside her all along was incredibly satisfying.
The romance was sweet and full of yearning, and it had me smiling the entire time. If you're a fan of the "he falls first" trope, this book absolutely delivers. Their friendship creates such a strong foundation that every romantic moment feels earned, making the slow burn even more rewarding. The family dynamics were another highlight. Between the holiday setting, quirky relatives, and all the chaos surrounding Jordan's novel, there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments mixed with heartfelt ones. It perfectly captured the messy, loving reality of family during Christmas.
I honestly don't even have a favorite scene because I loved the entire experience. This is the kind of cozy Christmas romance that leaves you feeling warm and happy long after you've finished the last page. I genuinely have no complaints. It was funny, heartfelt, festive, and exactly the feel-good holiday romance I was hoping for.
If you're looking for a Christmas romance filled with friends-to-lovers, second chances, family drama, holiday charm, and one of the sweetest, most patient MMCs ever, I highly recommend picking this one up.

Thank you to HarperCollins, NetGalley, and Sheila Roberts for providing this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Monique Costella]

ARC Review

Have Yourself A Merry Little Meltdown by Sheila Roberts

Release Date: October 13, 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I have recieved this ARC by HarperCollins on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

🤶 Second Chance Romance
🎅 Family Drama
🎄 Childhood Best Friend
🍪 Writer
🎁 Christmas
❄️ Yearning
🕯 Slow Burn

This book starts off with Jordan Frost talking to her new editor about her Christmas novel - Family Holiday. Her editor immediately asks where she got inspiration to write this novel with such quirky characters. Jordan knew it was her family she was writing about but it couldn't be a memoir as her family would kill her. She decided to go under a pen name and go wig shopping as everyone would recognize her. This would be her debut novel. Jordan was invited to join a podcast with Krissy MacMillan on her popular Krissy Kills it podcast discussing Christmas books releasing in October. During the podcast she asked Jordan what's her favorite family tradition in which she answered baking cookies before Christmas with all the woman in her family. Krissy kept asking Jordan to tell her what the inspiration of this hilarious and dysfunctional family came from. Jordan kept lying and saying from all the funny Christmas movies on TV. If Jordan's family read this book they would be furious. Jordan realized she was Scrooged if they all found out and read it.

This book was cute and quirky and oooh the yearning. I love a man that falls first and when the two main charcters are chilhood best friends - it's my favorite. I enjoyed reading about the Frost family float escapades. The dynamic between her and her brother is hilarious. The part where Jordan stole the old moth ball Santa suit from the attic and became a porch pirate to take the Amazon package from her sister's porch (So they wouldn't read the book,) had me so nervous and giggling. Some parts of this book caused me severe anxiety. I was on edge reading her little schemes and tricks and it had me laughing. I love how the FMC and the MMC last names both had Christmas names like Frost and Pine. It made it even cuter. This book was a holiday hysteria, mixed with a side of crazy family drama and the ending was like a warm hug. I really enjoyed that the last chapter of this book included Gran's Christmas kitchen sink cookies. That is such an adorable idea and now I want to stay up late and bake cookies. I gobbled this book up in a day. It was a delight.

[Kimberly]

I tandem read and listened to Sheila Roberts’ Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown, usually with coffee in one hand and the audiobook keeping me company on my commute—and this was exactly the kind of Christmas chaos I needed. Thank you to Uplit Reads for the gifted book and Harlequin Audio for the ALC. Be honest: if you wrote a novel inspired by your family’s most embarrassing moments, would you EVER tell them?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Jordan Frost has finally done it. She wrote a book, landed a publishing deal, and her debut is taking off. There’s just one teeny-tiny problem.

She basically wrote about her family.

Without telling them.

So naturally she uses a pen name, disguises herself for her author photo, and heads home for Christmas hoping nobody puts the pieces together. What could possibly go wrong?

Apparently EVERYTHING.

I laughed at Jordan’s increasingly desperate attempts to keep copies of the book away from her family. At some point you just want to grab her and say, “Jordan. Honey. This plan is getting worse by the minute.” But honestly, that was half the fun.

And then there’s Charles Pine.

Her longtime friend works at the local bookstore, recognizes Jordan immediately, and has been carrying a torch for her for years. You know I’m a sucker for he-falls-first, friends-to-lovers, and that whole “I’ve been right here all along” situation. Charles was easily one of my favorite parts of this story. Sweet, patient, supportive…and occasionally pulled directly into Jordan’s questionable decision-making.

The Frost family is wonderfully messy, and underneath all the holiday shenanigans is a story about forgiveness, consequences, and loving your people even when they make you absolutely nuts. I also loved that Jordan couldn’t simply wave away what she had done. Writing about people you love—even with good intentions—can hurt them, and she had to face that.

Tanya Eby’s narration made the family chaos even more entertaining, so tandem reading and listening was definitely the way to go for me.

This was funny, festive, bookish, and just sentimental enough without drowning me in Christmas sugar.

Now I need to know: if someone in your family secretly wrote a bestselling novel based on all of you, who would figure it out FIRST?

#HaveYourselfAMerryLittleMeltdown #SheilaRoberts #ChristmasRomance #HolidayRomance #FriendsToLovers #HeFallsFirst

[RandomCoolChick]

A Merry Little Meltdown—and a Whole Lot of Fun!

What could possibly go wrong when you write a novel inspired by your wonderfully eccentric family…and then go home for Christmas just as the book hits the shelves?
In Sheila Roberts’ Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown, the answer is: pretty much everything. And that’s what makes this such a delightful holiday read.

Jordan Frost has achieved every aspiring author’s dream—a book deal! There’s just one tiny problem: her family provided a little too much inspiration for her novel, and they have no idea she wrote it. Luckily, Jordan has taken precautions. A pseudonym. A wig and glasses for her author photo. A foolproof disguise!

Or so she thinks.

Enter Charles Pine, Jordan’s old high school friend, who recognizes her immediately. Charles has carried a torch for Jordan for years, and while she’s always thought of him as a friend, he’s hoping this Christmas might finally give him the chance to change her mind.

Add family emergencies, holiday chaos, a secret that could blow up at any moment, and one very determined would-be boyfriend, and you have all the ingredients for a wonderfully merry little meltdown.

This book has everything I want in a Christmas story: a charming small town, a lovable and slightly crazy family, humor, romance, nostalgia, and plenty of holiday heart. Jordan’s predicament had me smiling because you just know that keeping this particular secret is going to get harder by the minute.

And Charles? He’s exactly the kind of hero a Christmas romance needs—sweet, steadfast, and ready to be there when Jordan’s carefully constructed plans start falling apart.

Sheila Roberts has such a gift for creating characters who feel like people you might actually know (and occasionally want to hide from at family gatherings!). Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown is funny, warmhearted, romantic, and wrapped up with all the cozy Christmas feels.

Pour yourself some cocoa, grab a plate of Christmas cookies, and settle in. This is a merry little meltdown you’ll be very happy to witness.

[Rebecca]

Have Yourself Quite a Big Chuckle!!! Author Sheila Roberts has created such a holiday charmer with her novel Have Yourself a Merry Little Breakdown. This fun and witty story is one that so many readers will be able to relate to.

Jordan Frost has just released her debut novel about a family of eccentric characters who go on a Christmas vacation together. Filled with hilarious yet embarrassing stories, the book quickly climbs the charts as readers are eating it up. While she should be reveling in attaining her dream of becoming a published author, Jordan is instead in panic mode. Even though she wrote the book under a pseudonym, the characters and events in the book are based on her family…the very people she is on her way to spend the holidays with. Mission…..do everything possible to keep them away from this book!

A story about family and second chance romance, this book is a pure delight. With the beautiful character development and the author’s ability to create such dynamic relationships between the characters it is so easy to connect as they are all so relatable.

Quirky, messy, down-to-earth, this book was so much fun while at the same time giving off all the joys of a holiday romance and making my heart overflow with happiness.

I was lucky enough to both read and listen to this book. Narrator Tany Eby did a brilliant job breathing life into this delightful cast of characters making it such a delightful listen.

Thank you to Harlequin and Mira for the gifted copy of this book and to Harlequin Audio for the audio version. They were equally wonderful. Whichever option you choose, be ready to laugh as you fall in love.

[Katie]

Merry Little Meltdown was a fun, chaotic Christmas read with plenty of family drama, humor, and holiday spirit. I especially enjoyed the Frost family and how each family member had such a distinct personality and reaction to everything unfolding. The family dynamics were probably one of my favorite parts of the book.

I also really enjoyed the relationship between Jordan and Charles. Their romance built slowly throughout the story, and I liked the history between them and the feeling that Charles had been there all along, just waiting for Jordan to finally see him differently. Their relationship gave the story a lot of its heart.

I did struggle a little with the main premise. It felt somewhat unrealistic that Jordan believed she could keep the book out of stores—or somehow prevent her family from discovering it—and that she hadn't really considered the impact of writing about them until after the book was already in print. I kept wondering how she hadn't anticipated some of the consequences much earlier.

The story also took a while to reach its big moment. I enjoyed the Christmas chaos along the way, but I found myself waiting for everything to finally come to a head. Once it did, though, I appreciated that Jordan wasn't immediately forgiven. Her family members were allowed to be hurt and angry, and Jordan actually had to face the consequences of her choices and work to repair the damage she'd caused.

Overall, this was an enjoyable holiday romance with a wonderfully dysfunctional family, a sweet slow-burn romance, lots of bookish touches, and plenty of Christmas chaos. It wasn't quite a perfect read for me, but it was definitely a fun one for the holiday season.

[Firetruckmama]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown” is a second-chance family rom-com by Sheila Roberts. I thought the idea of this book was great - a teacher decides to write a fictional book based her family and, to her surprise, the book becomes a viral success. However, the family doesn’t know the book is based upon them and the author goes to great (sometimes bordering on outrageous) lengths to keep the book out of her family’s hands. I understood the author not wanting her family to know because not every story was flattering (and they were also exaggerated for comedic effect), but at the same time the reader knows the eventual outcome of that storyline (though I did appreciate that it wasn’t a straight “oh, we love you anyway” type of resolution). As for the romance, I liked it, though I could’ve done without some of the flashbacks (they added to the story but the flashback chapters, for me, jerked me out of the currently storyline too often). This book had a number of side characters, but most were easy to keep separate from others (though I was hopelessly confused about the author’s co-workers). This book could’ve been more tightly written or more tightly edited as it seemed a little long in stretches. If you like second chance romances with wacky family stories, this might be a quick read for you over the holiday season. 3.75 stars.

[Jaimie]

This was such a fun, cute, and easy listen!

The audio is single narration with Tanya Eby and I thought she did a great job with all of the characters and the story as a whole.

I always love a book that has a bookstore setting and some family chaos and this one definitely delivered with that! Jordan, our FMC, wrote a book about her crazy family using a pen name and never expected it to take off or her family to find out. However, when she goes home for the holiday's her local bookstore has it stocked and she is in a panic. The bookstore owner was her high school friend, Charles, that she hasn't spoken to in quite some time.

The two of them teaming up to try to prevent her family from reading the book was quite entertaining. Was she a little over the top sometimes? Yep. That also just made the story more fun. The romance component was charming, but a bit predictable. The family antics were great and there were some great themes about love and forgiveness woven into the story. Add in the holiday charm and this was just a enjoyable read.

If you're looking for a small town holiday romance with a bookstore setting, an author trying to hide, crazy family antics, a slow burn romance, low spice, and great holiday vibes then definitely check this one out. Huge thank you to Harlequin for the copy to listen to!

[Mimi]

Thank you Sheila for the ARC read!! The book is fabulous!
Jordan is an author, whose new editor has fallen in love with Jordan’s latest project…a fictional tale that follows the White family during the holidays…complete with all the family antics that typically occur! It’s really funny…because the White family is a little crazy and does not have it altogether, but they do have a lot of fun!…and Jordan’s publisher wants this book to get traction fast…in time for the holiday season! And she’s not wrong!!!! The book takes off…Jordan gets booked for interviews and podcasts to help sell the book!! She should be thrilled….but she can’t help feel that she shouldn’t have written the book…she doesn’t want anyone to know it was her that wrote it…so she comes up with a different name and author photo for the book…..because she can’t have anyone know who the White family was mirrored after! What a wild, hilarious, stressful ride that has her enlisting the most unlikely suspects to help her! Hold on to your seat because this story …full of laughter, live, and family…is bound to be a Christmas hit!!! An absolutely wonderful holiday story!!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Oh!!! And try the recipe at the end! Delish!!!!

[Linda Dominick]

This was the classic Christmas rom-com I love to read. It has family drama and shenanigans, a friend that wants to be more than friends, lots of baking, and a lot of nervous energy from Jordan.
Jordan just wrote her debut novel and used her family for inspiration. They are funny and dramatic, and she may have exaggerated a little. She doesn’t think they will read it because they are not readers – but she is so wrong. She uses a pseudo name and a disguise that doesn’t work in her favor for her photo at the end of the book. She does everything in her power to keep the book out of their hands. She even works with the local bookstore to make it so they can’t get it.
Jordan never wanted to hurt anyone, but when they find out the truth, some more than others take it in a bad way. Jordan has to try to make everything better before her Christmas vacation is over. The last thing her Christmas is, is relaxing! She went into full action mode and then has to walk on eggshells to make everything better with her family.
Jordan’s family is great and dramatic and quirky and I see why she was inspired to write about them.
This reminds me of The Griswold’s Christmas where everything that can go wrong will go wrong.

[Jan Fore]

Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
October 13,2026

Jordan Frost grew up in Holly Bay, Washington. She had many friends which we find more about in her flashbacks to teen life. Her family is one that always sticks together. Life was fun and quite often as she and her siblings left home to establish families and employment they joined their parents and relatives for dinner. She is a middle school teacher in the big city. She travels back and forth for holidays and special occasions. One of her best friends, Charles Pine, owns a book store in Holly Bay. She has completed writing a holiday book that is based on her own family. She is excited when her book is picked for publishing but then thinks there could be problems with her family as she has not discussed including them in the journal.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown will be published by Harper Collins Publishers on October 13,2026. I was able to read and review Phillips' latest novel via NetGalley. Once again I totally enjoyed her recent holiday book.They are always a joy. It was fun yet at times a bit sad. This is an excellent family story with bits and pieces of her sibs as well as present goings-on. It is definitely one not to miss!

[ashlee]

🎄NETGALLEY BOOK REVIEW🎄

Title: Have Yourself A Merry Little Meltdown
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing
Author: Sheila Roberts
Expected Release Date: 10|13|2026
Genre: Christmas Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Type: Standalone

This was such a cute Christmas read. (Yes, even in June)

Jordan was such a fun main character. She’s trying to balance her dreams, her career, and a big secret while dealing with her wild family. I loved the whole “secret author identity” and the tension it created. It added just the right amount of drama without taking away from the other parts in the book.

I absolutely loved Charles. He was supportive, persistent (in the best way), and just genuinely sweet. His and Jordan’s chemistry was so cute and I really enjoyed seeing them grow closer to each other.

Between the humor, the romance, and the emotional moments, this book felt like the perfect Christmas movie in novel form. Maybe Hallmark or Lifetime needs to be made aware of this book so it can be on the big screen 😉

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Author Sheila Roberts for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[Kristina Anderson]

Grab the cocoa and cue the twinkle lights—Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown by Sheila Roberts is a cute holiday tale brimming with seasonal spirit! Wrapped in humor, merry mayhem, and heartfelt emotion, the story captures everything that makes the holiday season so wonderfully memorable. I especially enjoyed how Roberts balances festive joy with the wonderfully messy moments that make the characters feel relatable. The story unwraps Jordan Frost and Charles Pine’s history through glimpses across the years, revealing how they met and how their relationship blossomed. Jordan’s personal growth makes her heartwarming journey of self-discovery especially satisfying, while Charles—sweet, kind, and loyal—was easily my favorite character. Although the plot held few surprises and revisited some ideas more often than I would have preferred, its familiar rhythms also gave the story the cozy comfort of a favorite holiday tradition. The ending left me smiling. Pour the cocoa, settle in by the twinkle lights, and unwrap Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown—a cozy blend of romance, humor, relatable characters, and holiday cheer!

[Randi Sampson]

There's nothing like some good family drama and craziness to make a holiday romance that much better... and this one certainly has just that! So much so in face that Jordan decided to write a holiday novel featuring a fictionalized version of her own... and then reality sets in when she realized her family might read it and know it was her. With the help of her childhood friend Charles, she's determined not to let them discover the truth. Let the holiday hijinks begin! This one was definitely fun... there were many moments that had me laughing out loud, and of course, I loved the sweet romance between Jordan and Charles. There was holiday tradition and all the nostalgia that brings, and of course, a beautiful feeling of family, even amongst the craziness too. All the things I love in a good holiday story! If you're looking for a fun holiday read, this is one worth checking out.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown is a closed-door romance with kisses only and minor/moderate language.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[teacup_thoughts]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tropes: Secret Identity / Pen Name | Small-Town Christmas | Friends to Lovers | Family Hijinks

Review: Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown by Sheila Roberts was such a delightful, hilarious, and heartwarming holiday read! The premise immediately hooked me, watching Jordan try to hide her secret novel (and disguise!) from her wildly eccentric family while spending the holidays back home was pure entertainment.

Charles recognizing her immediately at the bookstore added the perfect spark of romance. Their dynamic was sweet and grounding amidst all the chaotic family emergencies and holiday mishaps. It’s funny, cozy, and packed with festive charm. If you love warm holiday love stories, quirky families, and sweet second-chance romance, you definitely need to pick this up!

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Turner]

Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown is a warm, cozy holiday read that perfectly captures the chaos, charm, and heart of the Christmas season. Sheila Roberts balances humor, family dynamics, friendship, and romance in a way that feels both comforting and relatable. While the story has its share of holiday mishaps and emotional moments, it’s ultimately an uplifting reminder that perfection isn’t what makes the holidays memorable it’s the people we share them with.

This was exactly the kind of feel-good holiday novel I was hoping for.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

And an extra thank you for including Gram’s Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies recipe at the end! I can’t wait to bake them this holiday season they sound like the perfect sweet treat to accompany this cozy read.

[Colleen]

Jordan Frost's family has had some good laughs over the years. Since childhood, Jordan has been writing stories. She writes a book and denies to her editor that the book is based on her family. Jordan is paranoid that her family will hate her if/when they find their stories in print.

So further escapades when Jordan tries to keep her family from reading the book that everyone is talking about.

Very cute Christmas story. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to author Sheila Roberts for this creative book. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown in exchange for an honest review. (I love reading Christmas books in July!)

Between 4 & 5 stars, rounding up. Publication date is Oct 13, 2026. Approx 320 pages.

[Caitlyn Herbst]

This was such a cozy, feel-good holiday read. The small-town setting and chaotic family dynamic give it that warm Christmas movie feeling without being overly cheesy.

Jordan was really easy to root for, especially with her trying to balance her career, her family, and keeping her secret under wraps. Charles was probably my favorite part—he’s sweet, patient, and has that quiet “I’ve always been here” energy that makes the romance really cute.

I also liked that the story wasn’t just focused on the romance. The family drama and little holiday disasters gave it more personality and made Holly Bay feel like a real place.

Overall, it’s a sweet, low-stress Christmas romance with plenty of family chaos, a little intrigue, and a genuinely wholesome love story.

[Suzanne]

This book is extremely funny! Jordan Frost wrote a funny book about her family under a pseudonym and didn’t mention their actual names but she’s stressing out about them buying it and reading it.She doesn’t want them to be upset with her for writing it.One part of the book mentions regifting and giving it back to the same person who gave it to you.That actually happened to me! My grandma lived to be 99.She died in 2024.She was my person! Her birthday was November 23.She gave me back the same gift for Christmas I’d given her at her birthday one year.My family all picked on her.She told us she hadn’t remembered who gave it to her.

[Kasey Connors-Beron]

I received a free ARC of Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown and leave this review voluntarily.

To start with, I love the inner monologue of the male main character and the best friend since high school. I really enjoyed the flashback moments to seeing how their friendship developed and evolved over time. It sets up the internal conflict of both main characters perfectly. I really loved the climax of the story and how it was not typical to a contemporary romance. On top of all this, the humor that is mixed in with the family's holiday stories make this a book you definitely want to pick up for this holiday season.