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Beautifully Messy: A Novel
She didn't fall in love with her husband. She fell in love with his family.
Sydney Wallis has built her life around stability. Married to a man she doesn’t love but tethered to the warmth of his close-knit family, she returns each Christmas to their cabin in Vermont. It’s the only place that’s ever felt like home.
For ten years, she convinces herself she’s fine. Then James arrives, her sister-in-law’s boyfriend. He’s charming, attentive, and quietly perceptive in all the ways Mason, her husband, never was. He sees her. Really sees her.
As stolen glances turn into deep conversations and Sydney begins to hope, she discovers she’s pregnant. Her daughter, Anna, becomes her reason to stay. But as Mason grows colder and more controlling, Sydney begins to What does it mean to love someone? To choose yourself? To be a mother who models not self-sacrifice, but self-worth?
Spanning five Christmases, Beautifully Messy is a slow-burn, emotionally charged love story about what happens when a woman finally chooses to stop performing and start living.
Sydney Wallis has built her life around stability. Married to a man she doesn’t love but tethered to the warmth of his close-knit family, she returns each Christmas to their cabin in Vermont. It’s the only place that’s ever felt like home.
For ten years, she convinces herself she’s fine. Then James arrives, her sister-in-law’s boyfriend. He’s charming, attentive, and quietly perceptive in all the ways Mason, her husband, never was. He sees her. Really sees her.
As stolen glances turn into deep conversations and Sydney begins to hope, she discovers she’s pregnant. Her daughter, Anna, becomes her reason to stay. But as Mason grows colder and more controlling, Sydney begins to What does it mean to love someone? To choose yourself? To be a mother who models not self-sacrifice, but self-worth?
Spanning five Christmases, Beautifully Messy is a slow-burn, emotionally charged love story about what happens when a woman finally chooses to stop performing and start living.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
37 people are currently reading
1651 people want to read
About the author
Noelle Everly
4 books16 followersNoelle Everly is an American author writing stories about strong heroines navigating life's complexities and the compelling partners who challenge them. Beautifully Messy is her debut novel, the first in the Wallis Sisters series—exploring the messy reality of choosing yourself even while falling in love.
A voracious reader since childhood—she once set a goal to read three hundred books during fifth grade—Noelle brings her lifelong love of storytelling to contemporary women's fiction. She lives outside Rochester, New York with her husband, two children, and their pets. Noelle can often be found with a hot cup of coffee and a good book, or running along beautiful trails.
A voracious reader since childhood—she once set a goal to read three hundred books during fifth grade—Noelle brings her lifelong love of storytelling to contemporary women's fiction. She lives outside Rochester, New York with her husband, two children, and their pets. Noelle can often be found with a hot cup of coffee and a good book, or running along beautiful trails.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 10, 2026
First, I want to thank the author, publishing team, and NetGalley for selecting me to read this ARC. This was my very first ARC book, and I’m so grateful it was Beautifully Messy what a perfect introduction to the experience!
I absolutely loved this story. I found myself resonating with Sydney in so many ways. While there were moments I felt frustrated with her choices as her life evolved across the five Christmases, I also understood the growth she was going through.
The connection between Sydney and James felt inevitable in a beautifully written way, and the way everything unfolded between them was truly compelling. I especially loved their connection through books and how they were both book lovers this shared passion became such an important and meaningful part of their bond. I also loved how the bookstore scene evolved into something so significant throughout the development of the story.
What resonated with me most, though, was motherhood and how it reshaped Sydney’s understanding of love, sacrifice, and self-worth. That emotional layer added so much depth to her journey and made her growth feel real and heartfelt.
This was an easy read that I truly couldn’t put down. Even with my busy schedule, I found myself constantly aching to pick it back up whenever I had a free moment. I was fully invested in the story and the characters from start to finish.
This book is a slow burn which I’ll honestly admit isn’t usually my favorite but in this case, it worked so well. The pacing allowed the story to focus on truly getting to know the characters, prioritizing emotional connection over instant chemistry or physical attraction. It built trust gradually and made the ending feel even more meaningful and worth the wait.
The book was also very well written, and all of the main characters were well developed, each feeling layered and authentic rather than one-dimensional. That strong character development really helped bring the story to life.
Overall, I loved this story so much. It truly lives up to its title beautifully messy in all the best ways.
I absolutely loved this story. I found myself resonating with Sydney in so many ways. While there were moments I felt frustrated with her choices as her life evolved across the five Christmases, I also understood the growth she was going through.
The connection between Sydney and James felt inevitable in a beautifully written way, and the way everything unfolded between them was truly compelling. I especially loved their connection through books and how they were both book lovers this shared passion became such an important and meaningful part of their bond. I also loved how the bookstore scene evolved into something so significant throughout the development of the story.
What resonated with me most, though, was motherhood and how it reshaped Sydney’s understanding of love, sacrifice, and self-worth. That emotional layer added so much depth to her journey and made her growth feel real and heartfelt.
This was an easy read that I truly couldn’t put down. Even with my busy schedule, I found myself constantly aching to pick it back up whenever I had a free moment. I was fully invested in the story and the characters from start to finish.
This book is a slow burn which I’ll honestly admit isn’t usually my favorite but in this case, it worked so well. The pacing allowed the story to focus on truly getting to know the characters, prioritizing emotional connection over instant chemistry or physical attraction. It built trust gradually and made the ending feel even more meaningful and worth the wait.
The book was also very well written, and all of the main characters were well developed, each feeling layered and authentic rather than one-dimensional. That strong character development really helped bring the story to life.
Overall, I loved this story so much. It truly lives up to its title beautifully messy in all the best ways.
December 21, 2025
Sooo good.
February 19, 2026
A sweet, emotional, real slow burn story. The perfect cozy book that doesn’t skip over the messy parts of romantic, family, and friend relationships. A modern romance isn’t my usually genre, but this was such an easy read that I couldn’t put it down. I love how this story took place over years allowing the reader to grow with and understand all of the characters in the book down to the children.
November 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.75 stars (rounded up to 5 for GR) for BEAUTIFULLY MESSY by Noelle Everly
Noelle reached out to me a few weeks ago with her ✨debut✨ novel. She said if I loved Taylor Swift, I would love this book. She described it as THE IDEA OF YOU meets THE FAMILY STONE. (Say less! Sign. Me. Up.)
BEAUTIFULLY MESSY reads like Taylor Swift’s Evermore album — soft, haunting, emotional, and filled with that quiet ache that lingers long after the last page.
This story follows Sydney across five pivotal Christmases as she navigates an unhappy marriage, childhood trauma, and an unexpected connection with her sister-in-law’s boyfriend. This sloooowww burn, forbidden romance with a found family aspect is exactly what I was hoping for & it was done sooo well.
Noelle captures heartbreak, longing, and healing with a lyrical, atmospheric touch that makes the entire story feel like a winter soundtrack you want to live in.
Speaking of soundtrack — she uses music in scenes to sort of set the mood and I love when writers do that. I spent time listening to the songs after I would read those chapters and felt like it was in the car or the sunroom with those characters.
I could easily see how Sydney fell for Mason — not just because of his charming smile, but because his family felt like the family she never had, but always dreamed of. But it wasn’t perfect and everyone had their own flaws — and I feel like that made the family dynamic feel incredibly real.
And JULES!!!!! Everyone needs a best friend like Jules: loyal, grounding, and always showing up when it matters most. (An avid reader who is also fan of HAPPY PLACE by Emily Henry, which made me love her character more!)
But James… oh my goshhh. He was impossible not to like instantly. Even with that quiet, mysterious edge to him, he was everything. I could feel the longing between him and Sydney, and that slowwwww burn that stretched across five years? Give me a breaaaakkk. I felt every emotion in my soul — every glance, every almost, every moment heavy with unspoken feeling.
However — I also genuinely felt bad for Ivy. Yes, she was intolerable at times, but she absolutely deserved better. Her presence added such a bittersweet layer to the story and made the emotional stakes hit even harder.
There were so many parts of this book I wanted to underline and highlight, but a few friends want to borrow my copy and I didn’t want to influence their opinions — so I restrained myself. But this will definitely be a book I reread and annotate. So many good quotes. So many feelings. It’s the kind of story that begs to be marked up.
And the fact that this is a debut novel? It makes me so excited for what’s to come — especially anything involving the Wallis family. I’m already invested.
The only reason I’m knocking off 1/4 of a star is Sydney. While I did love her character and my heart goes out to her — she made me so mad at times; swallowing everything and not standing up for herself earlier on. So much pain could have been avoided for everyone if she had just spoken up and told James how she felt. I just wish she would have been honest with herself sooner. But I think that’s also part of her story and the journey she was on to get to where she ended up. Just another layer of who she is.
If you love emotional romances with beautifully flawed characters, wintery evermore vibes, and a soul-deep slow burn, morally complex choices, this book is absolutely worth the read.
Thank you so much, Noelle, for reaching out and asking me to read your debut novel. I feel so honored to have been given the chance to be introduced to these characters. This story and these people will stick with me. I know I’ll find myself wondering what they are up to and checking back in with them again and again. BEAUTIFULLY MESSY is absolutely going into my re-read stack.
Noelle reached out to me a few weeks ago with her ✨debut✨ novel. She said if I loved Taylor Swift, I would love this book. She described it as THE IDEA OF YOU meets THE FAMILY STONE. (Say less! Sign. Me. Up.)
BEAUTIFULLY MESSY reads like Taylor Swift’s Evermore album — soft, haunting, emotional, and filled with that quiet ache that lingers long after the last page.
This story follows Sydney across five pivotal Christmases as she navigates an unhappy marriage, childhood trauma, and an unexpected connection with her sister-in-law’s boyfriend. This sloooowww burn, forbidden romance with a found family aspect is exactly what I was hoping for & it was done sooo well.
Noelle captures heartbreak, longing, and healing with a lyrical, atmospheric touch that makes the entire story feel like a winter soundtrack you want to live in.
Speaking of soundtrack — she uses music in scenes to sort of set the mood and I love when writers do that. I spent time listening to the songs after I would read those chapters and felt like it was in the car or the sunroom with those characters.
I could easily see how Sydney fell for Mason — not just because of his charming smile, but because his family felt like the family she never had, but always dreamed of. But it wasn’t perfect and everyone had their own flaws — and I feel like that made the family dynamic feel incredibly real.
And JULES!!!!! Everyone needs a best friend like Jules: loyal, grounding, and always showing up when it matters most. (An avid reader who is also fan of HAPPY PLACE by Emily Henry, which made me love her character more!)
But James… oh my goshhh. He was impossible not to like instantly. Even with that quiet, mysterious edge to him, he was everything. I could feel the longing between him and Sydney, and that slowwwww burn that stretched across five years? Give me a breaaaakkk. I felt every emotion in my soul — every glance, every almost, every moment heavy with unspoken feeling.
However — I also genuinely felt bad for Ivy. Yes, she was intolerable at times, but she absolutely deserved better. Her presence added such a bittersweet layer to the story and made the emotional stakes hit even harder.
There were so many parts of this book I wanted to underline and highlight, but a few friends want to borrow my copy and I didn’t want to influence their opinions — so I restrained myself. But this will definitely be a book I reread and annotate. So many good quotes. So many feelings. It’s the kind of story that begs to be marked up.
And the fact that this is a debut novel? It makes me so excited for what’s to come — especially anything involving the Wallis family. I’m already invested.
The only reason I’m knocking off 1/4 of a star is Sydney. While I did love her character and my heart goes out to her — she made me so mad at times; swallowing everything and not standing up for herself earlier on. So much pain could have been avoided for everyone if she had just spoken up and told James how she felt. I just wish she would have been honest with herself sooner. But I think that’s also part of her story and the journey she was on to get to where she ended up. Just another layer of who she is.
If you love emotional romances with beautifully flawed characters, wintery evermore vibes, and a soul-deep slow burn, morally complex choices, this book is absolutely worth the read.
Thank you so much, Noelle, for reaching out and asking me to read your debut novel. I feel so honored to have been given the chance to be introduced to these characters. This story and these people will stick with me. I know I’ll find myself wondering what they are up to and checking back in with them again and again. BEAUTIFULLY MESSY is absolutely going into my re-read stack.
March 25, 2026
Beautifully Messy is a heartfelt, slow‑burn exploration of what happens when a woman finally stops living the life she’s been handed and begins reaching for the one she actually wants. Sydney Wallis has built her world on stability—married to a man she doesn’t love, anchored not by romance but by the warmth of his close‑knit family. Their Vermont cabin, with its snow‑soft Christmases and familiar rituals, is the only place that has ever felt like home. And for a decade, she convinces herself that’s enough.
Then James arrives.
Charming, attentive, and quietly attuned to the parts of Sydney no one else seems to notice, he becomes the first person to truly see her. Their connection is gentle but undeniable, and the novel captures that ache of possibility with beautiful restraint. Just as Sydney begins to imagine a different future, life shifts beneath her feet—she discovers she’s pregnant, and her daughter becomes both her anchor and her excuse to stay.
What follows is a deeply human unraveling. As Mason grows colder and more controlling, Sydney is forced to confront the questions she’s avoided for years: What does love actually look like? What does she owe herself? And what kind of mother does she want to be—one who disappears into sacrifice, or one who models self‑worth?
Spanning five Christmases, the novel moves with a quiet, emotional rhythm, tracing Sydney’s journey from self‑erasure to self‑recognition. It’s tender, messy, and painfully relatable, capturing the way women can lose themselves in the roles they’re expected to play—and the courage it takes to step out of them.
Beautifully Messy is an emotionally charged, beautifully observed story about choosing yourself, even when it feels impossible. A warm, resonant read for anyone who’s ever felt like a supporting character in their own life.
With thanks to Noelle Everly, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Then James arrives.
Charming, attentive, and quietly attuned to the parts of Sydney no one else seems to notice, he becomes the first person to truly see her. Their connection is gentle but undeniable, and the novel captures that ache of possibility with beautiful restraint. Just as Sydney begins to imagine a different future, life shifts beneath her feet—she discovers she’s pregnant, and her daughter becomes both her anchor and her excuse to stay.
What follows is a deeply human unraveling. As Mason grows colder and more controlling, Sydney is forced to confront the questions she’s avoided for years: What does love actually look like? What does she owe herself? And what kind of mother does she want to be—one who disappears into sacrifice, or one who models self‑worth?
Spanning five Christmases, the novel moves with a quiet, emotional rhythm, tracing Sydney’s journey from self‑erasure to self‑recognition. It’s tender, messy, and painfully relatable, capturing the way women can lose themselves in the roles they’re expected to play—and the courage it takes to step out of them.
Beautifully Messy is an emotionally charged, beautifully observed story about choosing yourself, even when it feels impossible. A warm, resonant read for anyone who’s ever felt like a supporting character in their own life.
With thanks to Noelle Everly, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
November 5, 2025
“Sometimes the most beautiful things are born from the messes we never planned.”
Noelle Everly’s Beautifully Messy completely stole my heart. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply human. a story about love, loss, and rediscovering yourself when the life you’ve built no longer fits.
We follow Sydney, a woman who seems to have everything, marriage, stability, a picture-perfect family. But beneath the surface, she’s lonely, unfulfilled, and unsure of who she is anymore. When she crosses paths with James, a man who sees her in a way no one else does, her carefully constructed world begins to unravel.
This isn’t your typical feel-good romance. It’s real, messy, and painfully honest. Everly captures the emotional tug-of-war between comfort and courage, love and duty, staying and leaving.
The romance itself is slow-burn perfection. It’s not about instant chemistry but about connection, understanding, and timing. James doesn’t “fix” Sydney. He simply gives her the space to see herself clearly again. That dynamic made the story even more powerful.
It’s for readers who crave emotional realism, second chances, and a reminder that imperfection can be breathtaking.
💔 Beautifully flawed characters
🔥 Slow burn with emotional depth
🌿 Themes of growth, motherhood, identity, and choosing yourself
A stunning debut that proves life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful—it just has to be real.
Noelle Everly’s Beautifully Messy completely stole my heart. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply human. a story about love, loss, and rediscovering yourself when the life you’ve built no longer fits.
We follow Sydney, a woman who seems to have everything, marriage, stability, a picture-perfect family. But beneath the surface, she’s lonely, unfulfilled, and unsure of who she is anymore. When she crosses paths with James, a man who sees her in a way no one else does, her carefully constructed world begins to unravel.
This isn’t your typical feel-good romance. It’s real, messy, and painfully honest. Everly captures the emotional tug-of-war between comfort and courage, love and duty, staying and leaving.
The romance itself is slow-burn perfection. It’s not about instant chemistry but about connection, understanding, and timing. James doesn’t “fix” Sydney. He simply gives her the space to see herself clearly again. That dynamic made the story even more powerful.
It’s for readers who crave emotional realism, second chances, and a reminder that imperfection can be breathtaking.
💔 Beautifully flawed characters
🔥 Slow burn with emotional depth
🌿 Themes of growth, motherhood, identity, and choosing yourself
A stunning debut that proves life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful—it just has to be real.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2026
Sydney Wallis has built her life around stability rather than love, finding comfort in her husband’s close-knit family and their annual Christmases at a cozy Vermont cabin which has become the only place that has ever truly felt like home. However, when James, her sister-in-law’s boyfriend, enters the picture, everything begins to shift. He sees Sydney in a way her husband never has, and as their connection deepens, she is forced to confront the life she has been settling for. When she discovers she is pregnant, her daughter becomes both her anchor and her reason to question what kind of future she truly wants.
This story leans heavily into emotional complexity, and I really appreciated how it explored themes of self-worth, love, and the quiet compromises we make. Sydney’s journey is definitely challenging, and at times it is frustrating. Her choices feel deeply human, shaped by fear, hope, and the desire to belong. The writing captured that sense of longing Sydney feels for family, and the setting added a sharp contrast to the tension in her life. James was a compelling character, as he was gentle and perceptive. I did like how the story didn’t simplify things into an easy romantic escape but focused on how Sydney was challenged to choose the life that she truly wanted. While the pacing felt a little uneven in parts, it was a great read overall.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story leans heavily into emotional complexity, and I really appreciated how it explored themes of self-worth, love, and the quiet compromises we make. Sydney’s journey is definitely challenging, and at times it is frustrating. Her choices feel deeply human, shaped by fear, hope, and the desire to belong. The writing captured that sense of longing Sydney feels for family, and the setting added a sharp contrast to the tension in her life. James was a compelling character, as he was gentle and perceptive. I did like how the story didn’t simplify things into an easy romantic escape but focused on how Sydney was challenged to choose the life that she truly wanted. While the pacing felt a little uneven in parts, it was a great read overall.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 21, 2026
Beautifully Messy, Noelle Everly’s debut novel, is an emotional love story set at Christmastime. Sydney and Mason are married, but unhappy. She loves his family, especially spending Christmas with them in Vermont. She meets James, her sister-in-law’s boyfriend, and they are drawn to each other. She learns she is pregnant, and tries to make her marriage work while her feelings for James grow.
This book is very heavy and emotional. The title is perfect because it really felt like Sydney’s life was beautifully messy. The relationship between Sydney and James was extremely slow burn. I would have liked to see Sydney’s personal growth happen a bit earlier in the story. It did feel like the pacing was slow at certain points in the book. Ultimately, I found Sydney’s journey very rewarding, and I was happy with the ending.
Thank you to Noelle Everly Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book is very heavy and emotional. The title is perfect because it really felt like Sydney’s life was beautifully messy. The relationship between Sydney and James was extremely slow burn. I would have liked to see Sydney’s personal growth happen a bit earlier in the story. It did feel like the pacing was slow at certain points in the book. Ultimately, I found Sydney’s journey very rewarding, and I was happy with the ending.
Thank you to Noelle Everly Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
December 12, 2025
Beautifully Messy: A slow burn holiday romance full of angst, heartbreak, and laughter by Noelle Everly – I won an advanced copy of this novel from Goodreads, and this is my honest opinion. So if I hadn’t won this book, I probably would have stopped reading when I realized that Sydney and James are emotionally cheating on their partners for several years before Sydney divorces Mason. But the writing was lovely, the characters were well developed and complicated, and the tension kept me invested in these characters’ lives all the way to the end. Honestly, if Sydney and Mason had gotten that divorce in 2019 instead of in 2023 I don’t think my anti-cheating flags would have been raised (or at least not the Macy’s Day Parade they ended up being). So as long as you go into this with the understanding that the title is spot on, I think you will also enjoy this! Happy Holiday Reading!
March 14, 2026
Beautifully Messy is the perfect title because that's exactly what it is. It's a love story that develops over years and is messy and complicated but ultimately beautiful and perfect. This was a slooooow burn that hit me in all the feels. There were tears shed more than once. My heart went out to Sydney. To know that you are unhappy and unfulfilled is hard enough but when someone who could help ease all those feelings is right there but unavailable to you is a crushing blow. This author does an absolutely phenomenal job fleshing out the characters and making you feel things right along with them. She doesn't sugarcoat things and the portrayal of the relationships is real, not some fairytale version. I cannot wait to read Ivy's story!!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 18, 2025
So 1st of all this is my sister's book!!! I am so deeply proud of her for this!!
I really enjoyed this story. Watching Sydney take back control of her life and going after the life and dreams she has always wanted was beautiful to watch.
It's obvious that Mason and Sydney were not meant to stay together. He repeatedly didn't show up for his family from the very start of their relationship. Maybe he felt safe and secure that she wouldn't ever leave him, and after Anna was born, he was even more convinced of that. I hope in future books we can see that he has changed and grown from this and can still be there for his daughter.
I loved that the epilog is James' POV!!
I'm excited to see what lies ahead for Ivy!!
I would recommend reading this book!!!
I really enjoyed this story. Watching Sydney take back control of her life and going after the life and dreams she has always wanted was beautiful to watch.
It's obvious that Mason and Sydney were not meant to stay together. He repeatedly didn't show up for his family from the very start of their relationship. Maybe he felt safe and secure that she wouldn't ever leave him, and after Anna was born, he was even more convinced of that. I hope in future books we can see that he has changed and grown from this and can still be there for his daughter.
I loved that the epilog is James' POV!!
I'm excited to see what lies ahead for Ivy!!
I would recommend reading this book!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
Sydney and James. two people who met each other at the family Christmas get together. they find they connect with one another instantly. the only problem, is she's married to Mason and he's dating Ivy... but the connection runs deep. especially for diskette m Sydney. she has a husband that just isn't a good guy to her.
this story spans over a five year stretch. focusing mainly on the Christmas holiday as this is really the only time they see one another.
this was deep and emotional. written exceptionally well. this was messy and beautiful all at the same time.
I literally could not put this down. I was so captivated by their lives and how much they meant to one another.
the twists and turns really kept me engaged.
An absolutely amazing story.
this story spans over a five year stretch. focusing mainly on the Christmas holiday as this is really the only time they see one another.
this was deep and emotional. written exceptionally well. this was messy and beautiful all at the same time.
I literally could not put this down. I was so captivated by their lives and how much they meant to one another.
the twists and turns really kept me engaged.
An absolutely amazing story.
December 23, 2025
a slow burn that revolves around yearly Christmas festivities. I mean slow, yearning, I can't be with you but I need you slow burn. If you enjoyed Love Letters to Whiskey (one of my favorite books of all time) - I think this is a good one for you. I love a right person, bad timing story. And this was amazing.
Although the main asshole in this book is an abusive dick, I think in some ways every woman can relate to the loss of themselves in marriage and/or motherhood. Continuing in something that no longer makes them happy because if something changes it might affect their child. That your own happiness and being a good mother are mutually exclusive.
Although the main asshole in this book is an abusive dick, I think in some ways every woman can relate to the loss of themselves in marriage and/or motherhood. Continuing in something that no longer makes them happy because if something changes it might affect their child. That your own happiness and being a good mother are mutually exclusive.
February 24, 2026
This was the highlight for me of books I read in 2025. I found it truly shocking that this was written by a first time author. Not only did this book follow a non tradition plot (thank you!), but the character development was so strong.
If you are looking for something to read that will make you fall in love with the characters, yet, challenge your beliefs about life and love, then this is a must read. We like to think everything should be black and white, but this book shows us how "beautifully messy" life really is.
Really hoping there is a follow up story with some of the other characters (like Jules) in the future. 10/10 cannot recommend this book enough!
If you are looking for something to read that will make you fall in love with the characters, yet, challenge your beliefs about life and love, then this is a must read. We like to think everything should be black and white, but this book shows us how "beautifully messy" life really is.
Really hoping there is a follow up story with some of the other characters (like Jules) in the future. 10/10 cannot recommend this book enough!
March 25, 2026
Thanks to Noelle for giving me the ARC of her debut novel!
This story follows Sydney over the course of five Christmases, where we see her navigate an unhappy marriage, motherhood, emotional challenges, and a complicated connection with her sister-in-law’s boyfriend.
As you can imagine from the premise, this is a messy story. And I don’t necessarily mean that in a negative way, but for me, it took a little time to fully get into the dynamics of the relationships. That said, the characters are well-developed, which I really appreciated because it helps you understand their decisions and personalities on a deeper level.
One thing I definitely want to highlight is the writing style. I really enjoyed how Noelle was able to show so much growth and change over the span of five Christmases. It felt very intentional and immersive, which I thought was beautifully done.
If you like:
Messy romance
Forbidden love
Slow burn
Flawed characters
This might be a book worth checking out!
Disclaimer: ⚠️
This includes a mild spoiler, so feel free to skip if you want to go in completely blind.
There is, in my opinion, emotional cheating in the story. I mention this because I know it can be a dealbreaker for some readers. If that’s something that tends to bother you, it’s good to be aware going in.
This story follows Sydney over the course of five Christmases, where we see her navigate an unhappy marriage, motherhood, emotional challenges, and a complicated connection with her sister-in-law’s boyfriend.
As you can imagine from the premise, this is a messy story. And I don’t necessarily mean that in a negative way, but for me, it took a little time to fully get into the dynamics of the relationships. That said, the characters are well-developed, which I really appreciated because it helps you understand their decisions and personalities on a deeper level.
One thing I definitely want to highlight is the writing style. I really enjoyed how Noelle was able to show so much growth and change over the span of five Christmases. It felt very intentional and immersive, which I thought was beautifully done.
If you like:
Messy romance
Forbidden love
Slow burn
Flawed characters
This might be a book worth checking out!
Disclaimer: ⚠️
This includes a mild spoiler, so feel free to skip if you want to go in completely blind.
There is, in my opinion, emotional cheating in the story. I mention this because I know it can be a dealbreaker for some readers. If that’s something that tends to bother you, it’s good to be aware going in.
April 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I really wanted to love this debut based on the plot alone, but it just frustrated me way too much.
Unfortunately, the author spends the entire book explicitly TELLING us how to feel, complete with heavy-handed needle drops and non-stop italicized internal monologues from the main character. Nothing was allowed to breathe or unfold naturally, we as the readers are not trusted to INFER anything!
By spanning so many years, with the story only really taking place during the week of Christmas, it was hard to believe in the love story of the main characters. On top of that, the reasons they stayed apart for so many years felt so forced—the writing just wasn’t skillful enough to pull it off.
I really wanted to love this debut based on the plot alone, but it just frustrated me way too much.
Unfortunately, the author spends the entire book explicitly TELLING us how to feel, complete with heavy-handed needle drops and non-stop italicized internal monologues from the main character. Nothing was allowed to breathe or unfold naturally, we as the readers are not trusted to INFER anything!
By spanning so many years, with the story only really taking place during the week of Christmas, it was hard to believe in the love story of the main characters. On top of that, the reasons they stayed apart for so many years felt so forced—the writing just wasn’t skillful enough to pull it off.
December 30, 2025
This is a book I will be thinking about for a VERY long time. This is an incredible debit and I want to reread it already. This was so raw, such an emotional and heartfelt story and one you feel to your very bones. I loved how real this story felt. I could picture Sydney, Mason and James clearly, almost like I was in the story with them.
Coming from someone who got divorced, this also just hit home for me. There are just so many raw and real emotions during this whole book kept hitting me hard and I just couldn’t get enough of this story!
Coming from someone who got divorced, this also just hit home for me. There are just so many raw and real emotions during this whole book kept hitting me hard and I just couldn’t get enough of this story!
January 15, 2026
This is a MUST read, no matter what genre you tend to love, the writing and the plot is JUST THAT GOOD that it is for any reader looking for a book that isn’t the perfect plot but rather a realistic depiction of life with wonderfully worded pages and characters that you stay connected to long after reading !
March 19, 2026
Number 1 in The Wallis Sisters series
This is a slow burn forbidden romance story that follows Sydney and James
Sydney is married to Mason, their relationship has never been about love and we do not like Mason!
James is with Ivy, Masons sister. As soon as Sydney and James meet at a family Christmas they connect. But obviously they can't be together?
Or can they! ❤️
This is a slow burn forbidden romance story that follows Sydney and James
Sydney is married to Mason, their relationship has never been about love and we do not like Mason!
James is with Ivy, Masons sister. As soon as Sydney and James meet at a family Christmas they connect. But obviously they can't be together?
Or can they! ❤️
November 5, 2025
Ugh, what a beautiful debut novel. It made me feel all the feelings. Spreading the story over 5 years and making the reader go through all the happy, sad, and tense moments was a welcome change from the typical romance-type novel. Highly recommend. Can't wait to read the novella and for Ivy's book!
December 8, 2025
Not what I usually read but I enjoyed it. Characters were real - would have been j treated in hearing more of Gary’s take about his son’s behavior. Loved Tom and James and their reactions to Mason.
December 20, 2025
Lovely angst and tension. Choices. Consequences. Best Christmas story I have read this year.
December 27, 2025
It’s like a badly wrapped present. It is what’s on the inside that counts! But boy that wrapping is messy!
December 28, 2025
4.75 🌟
December 31, 2025
a beautifully messy story told so elegantly over five Christmases. a story that makes you settle in with a cup of coffee to keep turning the page.
January 17, 2026
I'm conflicted because I did like the two main characters and was sympathetic to their situation, but also didn't love the circumstances everything transpired under.
March 3, 2026
Cozy, real, and the slowest burn. I found myself getting frustrated at the whole thing 75% in and realized it’s because I was so invested. A worth it read for sure.
April 20, 2026
While a little drawn out it was good all the same.
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