A Cozy Kind of Christmas

by Ellie Alexander

Journalist Meg Reed is about to find out that sometimes the best stories aren’t the ones you’re assigned to write— they’re the ones you’re brave enough to live.

Meg thought she’d closed the door on her past when she left Oregon—and her ex, Matt Parker—for her dream job at ESPN. But when her editor assigns her to cover a winter sports event during the holidays, Meg finds herself face-to-face with everything she left behind.

Matt’s throwing his thirtieth birthday bash, and Meg’s determined to keep things professional—attend the party for old time’s sake, cover the story and get back to her carefully constructed life in New York.

And then she sees Matt again.

When their eyes meet across the festive lodge with its crackling fire and glittering Christmas trees, seven years dissolve in an instant. The chemistry that once burned between them flickers back to life, bringing with it all the complicated feelings she thought she’d dealt with.

As Meg sips hot chocolate in her cozy log cabin and tries to focus on crafting her feature story, she can’t shake the pull of old dreams and new possibilities. Some feelings don’t fade—and some people are worth fighting for. But is it too late for second chances?

A heartwarming tale of friendship, forgiveness, and finding your way back to love—just in time for the holidays. This cozy festive rom-com will thrill fans of Abby Jimenez, Laurie Gilmore and Christina Lauren.

- Second-chance romance with irresistible unresolved chemistry
- Small-town Christmas magic and cozy winter vibes
- Multiple POVs with interconnected love stories
- Swoon-worthy friends-to-lovers and workplace romance
- Found family and unbreakable friendships
- Guaranteed HEA with all the festive feels

Perfect for readers who believe in the magic of Christmas and the power of coming home.

Readers love Ellie Alexander’s

“I truly was hooked and I stayed up way too late because I just needed to finish the book.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I couldn’t put the book down, I enjoyed it so much! I had so much fun reading this book.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Always engaging… wonderful scenery and plenty of excitement… oozing with chemistry.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An exceptional storyteller… just when you think you have it figured out, there’s another twist.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Wonderful… I love the storyline and it’s a fun, clean read.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“What a great author! She draws you in and keeps you engaged from start to finish.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A consummate storyteller who makes you feel as though you could book a trip to the area.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Audiobook, Holiday Romance

252 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2025

About the author

Ellie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over forty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.

Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...

Reviews

[Grandma Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I deducted a star for excessive profanity. I didn’t enjoy this story quite as much as I’ve enjoyed her other books. Usually she is 5 stars. I would recommend this book, though like me you might enjoy some of her other books more.

I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you, NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. Enjoy!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Cozy Kind of Christmas by Ellie Alexander

Synopsis /

Journalist Meg Reed is about to find out that sometimes the best stories aren’t the ones you’re assigned to write— they’re the ones you’re brave enough to live.

Meg thought she’d closed the door on her past when she left Oregon—and her ex, Matt Parker—for her dream job at ESPN. But when her editor assigns her to cover a winter sports event during the holidays, Meg finds herself face-to-face with everything she left behind.

Matt’s throwing his thirtieth birthday bash, and Meg’s determined to keep things professional—attend the party for old time’s sake, cover the story and get back to her carefully constructed life in New York.

And then she sees Matt again.


My Thoughts /

Outlier review incoming

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Ellie Alexander for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I've just gone and done it again. I've missed the goddamn memo.

At first glance, everything about this one seemed right.. The cover is giving off all the right Christmassy ambiance:
❄️ Snow;
🎄 Christmas Tree;
☃️ Pines and snow covered houses;
💖 Couples vibes.

BUT. It wasn't until I had finished reading this and contemplating my review that I read that the characters in this book are all from an existing series (Meg Reed Investigates). Where was this mentioned? Not on the cover. Not in the blurb. My rating is based on reading this book alone, but knowing the previous stories would have significantly changed my interpretation. So again, I'm finding myself on Outlier Island, this time expressing my sincere apologies to any Meg Reed Investigates fans for this outlier review.

Told from multiple POVs of three friends – Meg, her ESPN boss, Johanna and friend, Jill. Meg and Johanna are travelling to Oregon to cover a winter sports event for ESPN. But unknown to Meg, her ex, Matt Parker is having a thirtieth birthday bash at the same venue. This will be the first time Meg has seen Matt since she dumped him for the journalist gig at ESPN.

Her boss, Johanna, under the guise of travelling with Meg for support – is really just wanting to create space between her and her co-worker Conner – with whom she has been completing for a promotion.

And lastly, Jill – friends with both Meg and Matt, has arrived in Oregon for the birthday bash. Having just found out that she is pregnant to long term boyfriend, Owen; Jill should be happy – but knowing that Owen is 'not the marrying type' – she's struggling with how to bring up the subject of having a baby.

There is a lot going on in this book; but that wasn't the problem. The issue for this reader was the lack of connection to the main protagonist, Meg. I'm all for second-chance romance; but when Meg flipped off her boyfriend, Matt to further her career and not give that a second thought – do you even get a second chance? Maybe you do, and I'm just a crotchety old so-and-so. I did enjoy both Johanna and Jill's stories and it was their characters that saved this story from total annihilation. For a story that is light on plot, it's full of drama – all three pairings had their own dramas going on. I'm not sure whether I would have enjoyed this more if there was another underlying story threaded in – or whether I'm not grasping it because I haven't read any of the Meg Reed Investigates stories. Either way, I'll never know.

I didn't really get any Christmas vibes about this one, other than it's set during the festive season.

With over forty published novels and several series to her name, this author has many fans, so please take my outlier thoughts with a grain of salt and try this one for yourself. Many other readers have enjoyed it and their reviews reflect their enjoyment.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to one of my favourite publishers, Storm Publishing 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 13, 2025.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, A Cozy Kind of Christmas, by Ellie Alexander, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Meg is back home in Oregon for the holidays, working on a project for ESPN. This book has chapters from the point of views of Meg, Jill, and Johanna, who are friends. This was a nice read, Oregon must be beautiful at Christmas time.

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, support and female friendships for the win!
This is cute.

Here there are three women, who are each at a different stage in their love life.
Meg wants to win her ex, Matt, back.
Johanna has a secret situationship with Conner, a coworker, who she has also been competing with for a promotion.
Jill had some life-changing news to share with her boyfriend, Owen, and she is terrified of how it will effect their relationship.

There is a lot going on in this book, considering there are so many couples, and it is split into three different point of views.
I was a little nervous when I first realized that was the case- because I don’t tend to be a fan of that type of setup.
I actually think it worked out here though.
Everyone was connected to each other, and things were laid out pretty simply. So, it wasn’t confusing and didn’t really feel overly packed.

Johanna’s thing was just a little bit strange to me!
Conner creeped me out.
The spam texts, contacting her friends to find out where she was staying, etc.
I think it's more creepy than romantic.

I really liked Meg and Jill’s stories though!
Jill in particular was going through some pretty serious things, and I was really hoping for things to work out for her in the end.
Meg’s situation felt a little less dire when you compare the two next to each other, but hey, I still liked it. Give me all the second-chance romance.

The author has a nice writing style, and it made this feel really short. (It is pretty short already, but it really flew by a lot faster than I thought it would.)
It has a very classic Christmas story kind of writing- what I would describe as simple, light and warm.

Overall, I thought it was pretty enjoyable.
I liked that it has such a heavy focus on female friendships, and women’s perspectives!
I think there is always more space for books with that sort of focus, and I love to see it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and author Ellie Alexander for providing me with the eARC of “A Cozy Kind of Christmas”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: October 13, 2025

[Niraja Surendran · Rating 1 out of 5]

why are we pining after a man in a relationship, and why does said man have wandering eyes? also wdym that you thought your partner of nearly a decade didn’t want to marry you but PLOT TWIST he’s been planning a proposal since the day he met you for the past seven years? this may have been a romance, but it was read with horror

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cozy Kind of Christmas by Ellie Alexander is pure holiday warmth. Following friends Meg, Jill, and Joanna in snowy Oregon, it’s a story full of cozy fireplaces, hot cocoa, and heartwarming friendships. Multiple love stories and found family moments make this perfect for curling up with a blanket, while Anne McDonagh’s narration blends seamlessly, letting the story shine without distraction. Sweet, festive, and utterly comforting. 🎄☕❄️

[Linsey Toney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cozy Kind of Christmas

I really enjoyed this cozy holiday read. It was so hard to put down. Meg left her home town in hopes for her dream job at ESPN, and when she is assigned to cover winter sports her world is turned upside down or is it? Guess you better read to find out! This book takes the FMC on a emotional roller-coaster but things aren't always as the seem. I think the author did a great job with the story making it hard to put down so I finished it in a day lol.. I enjoyed the characters, and the small town cozy vibes. If you enjoy small town romance, cozy holiday vibes, friends to lovers or workplace romance then I would recommend adding this book to your TBR!

Thank you to Storm Publishing & NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three friends all go to Bend for a friends bday party. All three are having relationship issues and you get to see if they can work them out. This was a cute rom com that takes place during the Christmas season.

[Alannah McSorley · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, this was an ARC read and I super appreciate the opportunity as I absolute loved Christmas! But I had to DNF this book at 41% through. I just couldn’t carry on..
there are 3 female main characters going through their own journey but they are all friends. Which I love… but the chapters genuinely bounced between each character.
A lot of the characters where less than a scene thing going over the same thing.. like Jill sitting on a taxi feeling nervous about telling her partner of 7 years she is pregnant ..
Johanna, a chapter on her hating on a guy for interviewing for a job she wants but it was really just a chapter about her finding her keys.

I just couldn’t finish it.. too much bouncing about. No substance and same thing being repeated for 41% of the book.

This is my honest opinion

[Amber Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun holiday read

this was cute! i enjoyed the story. i liked the characters. i could imagine the places in the story. the friendships in the story were also real and i could relate to them.

[Shelby B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, cozy, quick read!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I waited too long for this review. What I remember from the audio was enjoying the narrator. The storyline was decent and I enjoyed the character development. As for specific details or why I rated it a 5, no idea! But, I’d recommend checking it out!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Ellie Alexander’s A Cozy Kind of Christmas
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

If Christmas could be bottled and poured into a story, A Cozy Kind of Christmas by Ellie Alexander would be it. It’s that perfect blend of sugar, spice, snow, and soul—a festive comfort read that wraps you up in its warmth and refuses to let go until the very last page. Ellie Alexander, best known for her cozy mysteries, takes a detour into the world of romance and women’s fiction here, and the result is as delightful as a peppermint mocha on the first cold morning of December.

We meet Meg Reed, a sharp and ambitious journalist who traded her Oregon roots for a fast-paced career at ESPN in New York. She’s polished, professional, and perfectly composed—or so she thinks. When her editor assigns her to cover a winter sports event back in her hometown, Meg’s neatly ordered life begins to unravel in the best possible way. Oregon in winter is snow-dusted, twinkle-lit, and teeming with ghosts of her past—including her ex-boyfriend Matt Parker, whose 30th birthday party just happens to fall on the same weekend. What starts as a work trip turns into a homecoming, a reckoning, and ultimately, a rediscovery of everything Meg didn’t realize she’d been missing.

The moment Meg locks eyes with Matt across a lodge glowing with Christmas lights, Alexander captures that pulse of instant recognition—the kind that pulls you back to who you used to be and makes you wonder if maybe, just maybe, you walked away too soon. The chemistry between them simmers quietly, never forced, never rushed, just honest and mature in that way real love often is after time and distance.

But the magic of this novel isn’t just in Meg and Matt’s second-chance romance—it’s in the way Alexander weaves together the lives of three women navigating different crossroads. Johanna, Meg’s boss, is a powerhouse with a soft center, juggling ambition and vulnerability as she faces workplace upheaval and a complicated romance of her own. Jill, Meg’s free-spirited best friend, has been traveling the world with her partner Owen but now finds herself wondering if it’s time to stop running and start putting down roots. Each woman’s story shines on its own but also threads seamlessly into the others, creating a rich, interconnected narrative that celebrates friendship, forgiveness, and finding yourself right where you started.

Alexander’s prose is effortless yet textured. She paints Oregon in broad, cinematic strokes—the snow-draped evergreens, the hum of a small-town Christmas market, the hush of falling snow outside a glowing window. Every detail feels alive, grounding the story in a world that’s equal parts real and magical. You can almost hear the fire crackling in the background, feel the heat from a mug of cocoa, and smell the pine-scented air. The setting becomes a character in its own right—welcoming, nostalgic, and a little bittersweet.

There’s a moment in the book that sums up the entire reading experience for me. Meg reflects, “Some stories aren’t meant to be written—they’re meant to be lived.” That line hit me like a snowball to the heart. It’s the perfect reminder that sometimes, life’s best stories don’t come from chasing perfection or success—they come from slowing down, showing up, and letting yourself be open to possibility again.

A Cozy Kind of Christmas is funny without being frivolous, romantic without being saccharine, and heartwarming without ever tipping into cliché. It celebrates real, flawed, hopeful people trying to make sense of love and change, all under the soft glow of Christmas lights. Ellie Alexander proves she doesn’t need a mystery to keep readers hooked—her sharp dialogue, authentic emotional depth, and keen eye for human connection are more than enough.

This book made me laugh, tear up, and crave gingerbread cookies all at once. It reminded me why holiday stories endure—because they give us hope that no matter how tangled or tired our lives get, there’s always a chance to start over, reconnect, and choose joy again.

If you’re looking for a read that will fill your heart, warm your soul, and make you believe in the beauty of second chances, A Cozy Kind of Christmas deserves a spot at the very top of your winter TBR.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Cozy Kind of Christmas is a heartfelt, witty, and gorgeously written holiday romance about returning home, rekindling love, and remembering that sometimes the best gifts aren’t wrapped under the tree—they’re found in the people who’ve been there all along.

#ACozyKindofChristmas #EllieAlexander #StormPublishing #NetGalley #BookReview #HolidayRomance #ChristmasReads #SecondChanceRomance #CozyRomance #WomensFiction #Bookstagram #BookLover #RomanticReads #BooksOfInstagram #WinterReads #HeartwarmingFiction #BookishLove

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cozy Kind of Christmas by Ellie Alexander is a story in which the main character, Meg, has already faced plenty of changes and now is contemplating another. She is a reporter for ESPN covering extreme sports, mostly from an observer’s point of view. When she had started off, years earlier, for a much smaller publication, she had lied and said she participated in extreme sports. It didn’t take long for them to spot that lie, but she did have a talent for finding a view point and making the stories appeal. Now, she felt like she needed a change. She had just had an article published by the New York Times, which had been a long time goal, but now she didn’t know what was next. Her boss wanted her to cover a story in Bend, Oregon, but that was a little too close to home, and where the man she still loved lived. It was to be his thirtieth birthday and his new love was throwing a big party. Why not. She was rich and her father was richer. Could she avoid it all? Her boss, and friend, Johanna, said she would come, too. Would that make it palatable?

Lots going on, with ESPN, with Johanna, and with Meg. Fun book with plenty of misunderstandings and a few entertaining, overblown characters to add to the mix. Her mom had a new boyfriend, and her bestie, Jill was flying in from Europe with an entire set of problems of her own. The sport was called sno-cross, and according to Lucinda, Matt’s new girlfriend, it was loud and messy and the locals hated it. Well, she’d have to see. This is definitely a rom-com and there is plenty of rom in it, between Jill and Owen, Johanna and Connor, and Matt and Lucinda. It was fun and a great ending to a fun series following Meg’s career. Loved it.

I was invited to read A Cozy Kind of Christmas by Storm Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander #ACozyKindOfChristmas

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cozy Kind of Christmas by Ellie Alexander is pure festive comfort and exactly the kind of holiday read I love to curl up with at this time of year. Warm, romantic, and full of heart, this story is about so much more than Christmas lights and snowflakes it’s about forgiveness, second chances, and finding the courage to move forward.

Meg Reed is an extreme sports reporter at a crossroads in her life and career, and when work sends her back to her hometown of Bend, Oregon, she’s forced to confront unfinished business including her first love, Matt. Seven years of distance, misunderstandings, and unspoken feelings stand between them, and watching them navigate that history was both emotional and deeply satisfying. I’m a total sucker for a second chance romance, and this one delivered all the feels.

Ellie Alexander absolutely nails the cozy holiday vibe. Snowy Oregon scenery, festive gatherings, hot drinks, and small-town charm all combine to create that magical Christmas atmosphere. The romance is slow-burn, grown-up, and heartfelt, and the supporting cast adds so much warmth and humor. I especially loved how the multiple storylines wove together, giving the book a Love Actually–style feel but with more depth and genuine emotion.

Yes, it’s predictable in the best possible way the kind of predictability you want in a Christmas romance. Comforting, hopeful, and emotionally rewarding, this book felt like a warm hug in story form.

If you enjoy cozy holiday reads, second chances, and heartfelt romance with a festive glow, A Cozy Kind of Christmas is a perfect choice. Ellie Alexander truly never disappoints, and this one left me smiling long after I turned the final page.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own. 🎄✨

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Christmas themed romance book I have read from Ellie Alexander. Fortunately, I have read the Meg Reed Investigates, which story wise pre-dates this story by about seven years. This is a standalone story.

I was excited to realize this was an extension of Meg’s & Matt’s story. Meg Reed now works for ESPN and is assigned to write a feature story that aims to explain ski-doo type racing to females and hopefully, get them hooked on extreme sports.

We also see her bestie Jill and her boss Joanna. The book is written from the points of view of these three women. The alternating chapters that covered the same incidents from each of their point of view was a bit tedious and did not work well for me. I enjoyed each woman’s story but not in the format it was presented.

Overall, I enjoyed each story. I was torn between what to feel about Connor’s action. Part of me was wrestling with creepy and you don’t know the full story. The book takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions as we learn about these women and their place along the love journey.

I was happy to see each situation resolved. Happily ever after for all or just some? You’ll need to read to find out.

Netgalley gave me an advanced readers copy. These are my opinions. I rate this book a 3.5 due to the structure and layout of the stories.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I’d love this book because I had read all the previous Meg Reed Investigates books and had found them enjoyable, but this one not so much. It was probably because it deviated from mystery to romance, and I preferred Meg in a mystery.

We last saw Meg in Revenge on the Rocks and at that time she was twenty-four and it is supposed to be seven years later, but Matt is celebrating his thirtieth birthday, and the math doesn’t add up. I know it is petty, but this bugged me. That aside, this story offered a chance for the three friends (Matt, Meg, and Jill) to reconnect, although it was going to be awkward for Meg with Matt having a new girlfriend, even though she was the one to walk away from Matt.

I missed Meg’s gung-ho attitude and participation in whatever sport she was writing about – that added to the fun of the previous cozy mystery books. I missed Greg and Northwest Extreme. Why did it take Meg seven (or six) years to write about her father’s fake death? Would anyone really be interested after all this time?

Overall, it was not a bad story, and I think most readers will enjoy the characters and the setting of Bend, Oregon. The best thing about this book is that everyone got their HEA and isn’t that why we read romance books?

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[TsarinaTyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meg Reed, extreme sports reporter for ESPN, is hoping to be able to once again dodge covering the upcoming snocross world championship race in her hometown of Bend, Oregon. It's not that she wouldn't love to go home to see her mom and grandmother. That would be terrific! She just does't feel up to seeing her former boyfriend, Matt. In fact, she's dreading seeing him after how she broke up with him and then ghosted him the past several years. She's hoping that she won't have to go there to cover the snocross race because it's taking place the same weekend as Matt's big 30th birthday bash being held by his girlfriend, Lucinda, the heiress to the company where he currently works. Her boss, Johanna, has plans of her own to accompany Meg on this work trip, not only as moral support for her, but also so that she can get away from a mistake she feels she made with one of the other reporters, pretty boy, Connor. Meg is excited to be able to see her lifelong friend, Jill, while she's there, though, and Jill's hunky Irish boyfriend, Owen. The pair have been living in their home on wheels in Italy where the two make their living as artists and Meg hasn't seen them in years. This charming book follows storylines for all three strong female characters and really builds their individual stories and meshes them together beautifully. What will happen when everyone is together in beautiful, snow-covered Bend? Will there be a happy ending for one ... or more ... of them? Read this delightful book to find out!

[dnsyl57 · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A Cozy Kind Of Christmas" by Ellie Alexander is described as a romcom follow up to the "Meg Reed Investigates" series. The story picks up seven years after the last book and sees core characters Meg and Jill return to Bend, Oregon for Matt's 30th birthday party. No murder this time just a story to update what the trio had been up to and where their lives are now.

To be honest, I don't generally read "romcoms" They tend to be a bit too saccharin in the romance area and rarely tend to be worthy of comedic. I did make an exception with this book as I had thoroughly enjoyed the "Meg Reed" series and was curious as to how Ms. Alexander would see Meg, Jill and Matt seven years later.

This book also included a character named Johanna who is Meg's boss at ESPN in New York. The chapters alternate between the stories of the three women and the men in or out of their lives. All three are going through significant periods in their lives so drama, misunderstandings and bad timing all play into the various interwoven stories.

For the most part, there were the predictable plot switch-ups and mishaps with predictable endings for each but for me the whole thing was a bit boring. I didn't find it the least bit funny or worthy of the "com" addition to "romcom".

It was an okay read but frankly, I prefer my cozy mysteries with a dash of romcom. JMO

[Jessica Bellemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozy kind of Christmas indeed.

Our favourite extreme sports writer, Meg Reed, is back 7 years later as we delve into her life along with that of her best friend Jill and boss Johanna. Filled with characters from the original series, fans will be over-the-moon to get back into the lives of these characters; for a romance book nonetheless!

I'm beside myself with the warmest of hearts after reading this book and getting to be back with some of my favourite characters by the inimitable Ellie Alexander. Ellie Alexander has the true gift of creating characters that resonate with the reader, making it feel like you're sitting right alongside them sipping a holiday-inspired brew and catching up on their lives'.

This book came as the best surprise as I got to see Meg Reed in a Christmas romance book. It's filled to the brim with Christmas atmosphere and feels, almost making me want to ditch my fall pumpkin spice for a peppermint mocha. Oregon is, as usual, a gorgeous backdrop for the festive party for Matt's 30th, almost as if you can smell the fresh snow and pine.

I can't wait for Clued in to Love and to see what Meg is up to next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Cozy Kind of Christmas is just that – a cozy Christmas story. It centers on a group of friends that are meeting up in Bend, Oregon to celebrate one of their 30th birthdays. Conveniently, there are three couples who don’t really start out as couples. Meg and Matt have been friends (and secretly in love) for many years. Jill and Owen have been a couple for seven years. Johanna and Connor are coworkers who have been hooking up on the sly for a while. None of these relationships are going where the women want. There is a lot of time spent listening to these women talk to themselves about how the relationship won’t work. Surprise! They do manage to work out. It’s the usual story line of star crossed lovers who find themselves together at the end. Sorry if I spoiled it for you. But you should be able to figure it out in the very beginning of the book. I love Ellie Alexander but this isn’t my favorite series that she writes. I was given an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Meghan · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Just… not… great.*

I went into this hoping for a warm, charming holiday read, but it fell flat in almost every way. The characters, supposedly around 30, act like 13-year-olds who can’t read a room *at all*. On top of that, none of them are particularly likeable, and most seem to have the mental bandwidth of a goldfish, which made it hard to root for anyone or stay invested.

There are also **SO MANY typos and missing words** scattered throughout, which didn’t help with immersion. Add in repetitive sections that kept resurfacing, and the whole story began to feel like it was stuck in a loop.

Did I finish it? Yes…but only because I was determined to get my “Z” book for the year. It felt more like checking a box than enjoying a holiday read.

I went to check because I thought this might be the authors first book, only to find out she's got a slew of other books lol...It's time to invest in an actual editor, not your auntie from her couch. Overall not the cozy Christmas escape I was hoping for.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cozy Kind of Christmas is the literary equivalent of a mug of mulled wine by the fire—comforting, a little sweet, and just the right amount of sparkle. Ellie Alexander delivers a festive romance that’s as heartwarming as a snow-dusted village square, complete with twinkling lights and second chances.

The story unfolds with gentle charm, following characters who feel refreshingly real—flawed, hopeful, and quietly yearning for connection. Alexander’s writing is light yet emotionally grounded, with just enough tension to keep the pages turning and plenty of cozy details to make you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and read straight through.

It’s not just about romance—it’s about rediscovery, forgiveness, and the quiet magic of the season. If you love stories that celebrate community, kindness, and the soft glow of possibility, this one’s a lovely December escape.

My thanks to Ellie Alexander, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Hallmark like Christmas story. Meg Reed is a journalist for ESPN, focusing on little known, or new sports. Her boss, Joanna, is up for a promotion. Jill and Owen have been traveling around Europe for seven years, working on their art. And they are all in Bend, Oregon, for Meg and Jill's friend, Matt's, birthday bash, given by his girlfriend, Lucinda. He works for her father's company, writing tech manuals, and is up for a promotion. He and Meg were close seven years ago, before she left for the big city. But feelings don't go away, or they change. A big article in the New York Times for Meg, Joanna's feelings for Connor, an on air personality at ESPN, and a baby for Jill all make the future different than what they planned. Told from Meg's, Joanna's and Jill's point of view.
Also, Meg is the lead character of Alexander's Meg Reed Mysteries, but not having read those, I don't know where this falls in the series.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

Meg thought she’d left everything behind when she left Oregon for her dream job in New York, including her ex. Then she is assigned to cover a winter sports event in, of all places, her hometown, necessitating her return – and ruining her excuse to *not attend her ex’s 30th birthday party. Surprises await Meg and two of her friends, who are also in town.

I love this author’s books, but this appears to be the first straight-out romance that she’s written. I was intrigued to see how she would write a non-mystery book, but should not have been surprised that it is just as engaging as her mysteries. Although I’m not a romance reader at heart, I enjoyed this story and the characters in it. I wasn’t at all surprised with the outcome of all three storylines, but it was fun watching them go from point A to point B, with a few detours along the way.

I didn’t realize until the author’s note at the end that these are apparently the primary characters in the Meg Reed series, which she wrote as Kate Dyer-Seeley. I didn’t read that entire series (and it’s been years since then!), so the characters were unfamiliar to me.

This is an ideal feel-good holiday read, and it was a nice break from the murder and mayhem that occurs in most of the books I read :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Ashley Scherbenske · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sweet & adorable with lots of holiday charm!
Meg works for ESPN and finds herself covering a news story back in her hometown in Oregon. Her old boyfriend Matt still lives there and is celebrating his birthday that same weekend. When they see each other, sparks fly and Meg is left wondering about her future with Matt. Meg’s boss Johanna comes along with to Oregon but has relationship issues of her own to figure out. And finally Meg’s best friend Jill also attends Matt’s party and brings along her own baggage. The book follows all three women from their different points of view and gives the reader a cozy, heartwarming and wholesome story of friendship, love, and second chances. LOVED this! It is released mid October 2025. Thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for this advanced readers’ copy. Will definitely read more from Ellie Alexander. #booksbyashleynicole

[Cheyenne Coup · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had all the cute and cozy vibes. I loved how it followed 3 women and their friendship and how each were all in different points in their lives and facing real struggles.

I won't lie, the back and forth and keeping up with 3 different women plus their relationships and lives did sometimes make it hard for me to read. But I kept pushing forward and I did end up loving it. And will 100% be reading and recommending this to my friends!!

But I did love how real these characters felt and how a whole lot of what they went through and were feeling wasn't forced and actually pertains to what a lot of people experience and go through.

All in all. This was a cute, real, cozy Christmas book that I am so happy that I got to read in advance!

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Winona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Storm Publishing, NetGalley and author Ellie Alexander for this eARC

So... while I really enjoyed A Cozy Kind of Christmas I kept feeling like I'd been dropped somewhere in the middle of the story.
I felt like I was supposed to know things, know these characters and their stories - so I checked. I checked NetGalley, Amazon and Goodreads but nowhere was it mentioned that this is part of a series. So I decided to just deal and keep reading.

Turns out I was right. These are characters from an existing series (Meg Reed Investigates) yet nowhere was this mentioned until the very end of the book.
While I did enjoy the characters that feeling of missing pieces never went away and unfortunately impacted the experience for me.
I feel like this would work better as a novella or bonus book for the series than a standalone.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cozy Kind of Christmas by Ellie Alexander is her first rom com Christmas book and she hits it out of the park . I hope Ellie will write one every year for the holiday season. I am an avid fan of Ellie’s mystery baking series and her first venture into rom com is a definite winner for me. The three main characters have been childhood friends for a very long time and each of their stories is a delightful read for the holidays. This series takes place in Oregon State like the bakery mystery series and I loved reading the first book in this series which I am sure will lead to many more books in the future. Ellie Alexander is an incredible writer and you will definitely not be disappointed when you read this book. I personally think that this book is a wonderful holiday read and I can’t wait to read more books in this series. Bravo Ellie and Happy Holidays 🙋‍♀️🇨🇦❤️👏🙏📚💐

[Lexi]

DNF @ 52%

I love Ellie Alexander’s cozy mysteries so I was excited to give this a try.

This was not for me. At all. Way too much bouncing around - took multiple POV too far in my opinion. The blurb (at least the one on the Zon and currently on GR) makes it seem like this is a second-chance Christmas romance between Meg & Matt. But lo and behold we have 3 different, almost equal POVs from 3 different women in their own separate but interconnected situations throughout the book. Maybe I’m stupid, but it’s just way too confusing. I kept losing track of who was who, what their situation was, and who their love interest was supposed to be with. A Christmas cozy romance should not be stressing me out and confusing me like this 😅

I feel like this would be better if it was 3 interconnected, separate, shorter novellas that just focused on one couple at a time.