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The 12 Exes of Christmas

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12 Exes. 12 Doors. One Chance at True Love.

Faith Winters has always been unlucky in love—and she’s got twelve failed relationships to prove it. From the high school sweetheart who still smells like pine trees to the rebound with a sweet tooth, every ex is a reminder that happily-ever-after isn’t in her stocking.

But when a mysterious Advent calendar lands on her doorstep, Faith discovers a magical challenge: she must confront all twelve exes before Christmas Eve at midnight… or risk losing her shot at true love forever.

Each door of the calendar reveals a cryptic clue, leading Faith from awkward reunions and hilarious disasters to moments that sting a little deeper than she’d like to admit. Along the way, she begins to realize the problem isn’t just the men she left behind—it might be the walls she’s built around her own heart.

And when the final door opens, Faith faces the biggest surprise of all: sometimes “The One” isn’t in your past… he’s been right in front of you the whole time.

Packed with laugh-out-loud mishaps, festive charm, and a heart-melting slow-burn romance, The 12 Exes of Christmas is the perfect holiday romcom for fans of Christina Lauren, Sophie Kinsella, and cozy nights with cocoa by the tree.

177 pages, ebook

First published November 11, 2025

3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read

About the author

Danielle Dexter

5 books16 followers

Danielle is a born and raised Upstate, NY girl, living there with her two daughters, and Project Manager husband. She lives for '90s nostalgia and is currently collecting all things Clueless. 

She never turns down Cinnabon, a hot Americano, and will steal your French fries. 

She writes heartfelt, messy, and occasionally glitter-covered romantic comedies about women who swear off love—then fall right into it again. When she's not writing, she can be found over-caffeinating, quoting 90s romcoms, and pretending she doesn’t cry at Hallmark movies.

For updates, blog information, and appearances, you can contact press management at www.danielledexterofficial.com

Instagram: @authordanielledexter
TikTok: @authordanielledexter


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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Hannah Ware.
37 reviews9 followers
November 10, 2025
I’m so thankful I got the chance to be an ARC reader for this one and it was my very first read by this author! 💕 If you’re looking for a fun, feel good romcom to get you into the holiday spirit, this story is a must read.

Faith’s love life has been one dead end after another, and all she really wants is her happily ever after. When she makes a wish, everything changes on December 13th, an advent calendar mysteriously appears on her doorstep. At midnight each night, the doors open to reveal clues leading her to an ex she needs to revisit. Through each encounter, Faith is forced to face her past, learn forgiveness, and ultimately discover that true love might just be waiting where she least expected it. 🎁

This book has all the cozy holiday magic, humor, and heart you could want. Perfect for curling up with a blanket, a mug of cocoa, and a little Christmas hope. 🎄❤️
Profile Image for Amy Alessandri.
48 reviews3 followers
December 2, 2025
If you’re looking for a quick and cute Hallmark Holiday Romance in a novella, this is for you. I knew exactly where this was going and I’m not complaining about it. The FMCs inner monologue about love and relationships mirrors my own which is why I liked her so much.

In a way, this feels like a very cathartic read for anyone who romanticizes the past and has a hard time letting people all the way in.

Just a couple lines that made me wonder if the author is moonlighting as a psychic and dived into my brain:

“All I ever did was turn a breakup into another relationship”

“The one thing I did know for certain was that if it wasn’t an easy yes, it was a no”

“Travis was never really building a life; he was just stalling in one” <——— This one HIT deep 🫠
Profile Image for Steph Adkins.
79 reviews3 followers
November 9, 2025
A fun Christmas ADVENTure of finding true love! This reminded of the cheesy holiday movie from 2018, and was more predictable than the typical cheesy holiday movie that we are all gluttons for but it still kept me engaged and overall I really liked it. A fun romcom to get into the holiday spirit!

* I received my copy of this book via an ARC and I am leaving my review voluntarily *
Profile Image for Cathy.
1 review
November 20, 2025
I recieved this as an ARC and this book was so cute. The magical stuff was a little too much for me, but other than that it was a fun, heart felt trip through Faith's love life to find "The One" in the end.
The relationship with her best friend was the best example of love, and the exes, well they were exes for a reason!

I can't wait for the next story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Betsy.
266 reviews18 followers
November 15, 2025
The 12 Exes of Xmas by Danielle Dexter is the perfect magical ADVENTure for this holiday season! Filled with laugh out load moments and mishaps, festive charm, and a heart-melting slow-burn romance, The 12 Exes of Xmas is a fun holiday treat.

12 doors. 12 Exes. one chance at True Love!

The concept behind the book is actually quite adorable. Faith Winters has always been unlucky in love-- and after a failed attempt at making a true connection , she wishes on a star - a Christmas tree topper star that is- for a true connection... her true love. So when a mysterious Advent calendar lands on her doorstep, Faith embarks on a magical challenge: she must confront all twelve exes before Christmas Eve at midnight… or risk losing her shot at true love forever.

Each door of the calendar reveals a cryptic clue, leading Faith from awkward reunions and hilarious disasters to moments that sting a little deeper than she’d like to admit. And when the final door opens, Faith faces the biggest surprise of all: sometimes “The One” isn’t this grand movie moment but a safety and comfort you never knew you needed.

The pacing is quick but it doesn't take away from the story at all. It's a fast read with plenty of entertainment.

The characters in the book were loveable , for the most part. IYKYK! Let's just say a certain someone isn't going to gain any favoritism from me with her actions. Josh, Faith's "bestest friend" joins in on the ADVENTure helping Faith along the way. Offering her support and encouragement to finally "close the door" on her ex relationships and find some closure.

The writing is deliberate and witty with moments that I was literally laughing out loud and other moments in which I was literally turning each page with anticipation. The writing flowed effortlessly, it had that perfect balance of emotion, banter, and tension that makes it impossible to put down. Every scene felt intentional, and the pacing was spot-on. The story made me feel like I was reading a Hallmark or Lifetime movie. I could totally see this as a Holiday Rom-Com/Hallmark movie.

Danielle Dexter did a great job with hooking you in the first sentence (IYKYK!) but I was completely engaged with the book all through out with Danielle's writing. The atmosphere was set with her descriptive writing fully submerging me into the story and fulling bringing me into the Holiday spirit. I have never read anything by this author before and I'm glad that I was selected to receive an advanced copy. I couldn't be any more appreciative because I genuinely loved this story and the characters. This is such a perfect Holiday read to get you into the holiday spirit.

I highly recommend The 12 Exes of Xmas to anyone who loves romcom Hallmark movies.

Packed with laugh-out-loud mishaps, festive charm, and a heart-melting slow-burn romance, The 12 Exes of Christmas is the perfect holiday romcom for a cozy night with some cocoa by the tree.
Profile Image for Carol Gaines.
28 reviews4 followers
November 4, 2025
12 exes of Christmas
This is my first time reading from this author. I received this book as an ARC read, and I found it to be a charming Christmas story that can help you get into the holiday spirit. If you’re seeking a book that exudes the charm of small towns and evokes heartwarming holiday moments, this is the perfect choice for you. The book has a similar feel to the movies “Christmas Calendar” and “The Holiday Calendar.” If you’ve seen those movies, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. Although I anticipated the ending, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it. The romance genre and the similar vibes to some holiday movies made it a delightful read.

Faith, who’s been struggling in her dating life, receives a surprise at her doorstep around midnight on December 13th. An advent calendar magically appears at her door and every day at midnight one of the doors automatically opens, revealing a small note or riddle about a past relationship. Faith must revisit twelve of her exes or past relationships to find her true love. As she grappled with the emotional turmoil of seeing her exes, her best friend Josh offered support by accompanying her, hoping to alleviate her discomfort.
Throughout the twelve days, Faith confronts her past and learns to heal, forgive, and move on.On the final day, she finally comprehends what everyone else had known and what had been absent from her past relationships. She finally finds her happy ending with The One.

Favorite quotes/moments:
He preferred predictability and was as spicy as a bag of flour.

Just as quickly as Santa travels around the world in one night, I decided to let this guy travel around my world in one night too (and all he had to do was deliver one gift, maybe two, if I was lucky).

I jumped out of bed and grabbed the only thing I could find as a weapon: a spray mop, and walked toward my front door, ready to mop the shit out of someone.
Profile Image for CuriousPigeon.
43 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2025
ARC Reader Confessional — The 12 Exes of Christmas by Danielle Dexter

The 12 Exes of Christmas swept me up in the best way — the kind of story that feels playful on the surface but quietly anchors itself within your heart. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the premise, but what really surprised me was how emotionally grounded and genuinely charming it turned out to be.

There’s something so comforting about a holiday romance that actually lets its characters be a little messy, a little nostalgic, and a little unsure of themselves. Our heroine is exactly that — relatable in a way that made me feel like I was walking right beside her through every awkward encounter and every moment of unexpected clarity. I loved how she wasn’t perfect, wasn’t trying to be, and yet grew so naturally as the story unfolded.

The exes themselves add so much texture — each one bringing a different version of her past back into focus. It never felt gimmicky or overdone; instead, it felt like watching someone take stock of who they’ve been and who they want to become. And tucked between all the chaos is a romance that blooms with the right amount of sweetness, spark, and emotional payoff.

Danielle Dexter’s writing is bright, warm, and deceptively thoughtful — the kind of holiday storytelling that entertains while still tugging at something a little deeper. The pacing is tight, the dialogue rings true, and the whole story feels like a cosy December evening wrapped in lights and possibility.

A festive, funny, heart-tugging read that left me cozy, content, and a little bit smitten. Perfect for anyone who loves Christmas romances with charm, character, and just the right touch of chaos.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Karen Biebel.
9 reviews2 followers
November 5, 2025


Imagine you are at your wits end in love. It’s the holiday season and you are feeling more lonely than usual. In a desperate gesture you make a wish on the star of the town Christmas tree to find your true love. Your wish is granted by giving you a chance to reconnect over the next twelve days with twelve of your exes to learn a lesson or reconnect with your lost love you don’t know. In the twelve exes of Christmas you follow Faith who has had her share of heart break and broken some on her own. Faith makes a Christmas wish and spends the next twelve days before Christmas being forced by a magical advent calendar to go on an ADVENTure finding out where relationships went wrong and what she is truly looking for in love. This book is so funny, cute and charming. Filled with Christmas spirit and a whole lot of lessons. This quick read is perfect for the holiday season and there will even be some happy tears for you hopeless romantics. I recommend reading this one if you like humor and cute romances.
Profile Image for Liisi.
116 reviews4 followers
November 12, 2025
This is an amazing Christmas book that is both fun and quick to read. Honestly the whole time I’m reading this I’m putting Hallmark channel actors into these character names and watching the story unfold in my mind as I read. My favorite way to read books!

Take your favorite cheesy romantic Christmas movie, add some of that Hallmark channel flare, add the fun small town feel, and lastly imagine your favorite Hollywood actors, and actress and this should become a new Christmas movie pronto!

Now this isn’t your typical romance book as the spice is pretty much non existent, but the charm, charisma, hope-filled desire, is all there making this slow burn beautifully written and worth the read.

I noticed the author has a few other books out that I’m looking forward to reading! Danielle Dexter really has a beautiful, realistic, and still sweet romantic style of writing. Fleshing out a fulfilling plot, characters that you will both love, hate, question why, and wonder who on Earth!
Profile Image for Karen B.
1,590 reviews24 followers
November 11, 2025
A darling, unique and enchanting holiday romance that furthered my beliefs in the magic that the holiday season brings, in true love, as well as reflecting on all of my past relationships. Faith Winters has been unlucky in love—she wishes upon the holiday star for the change she needs to be happy in love. That evening she finds an advent calendar where twelve doors of her past relationships must open and close, embarking on quests to find resolution and closure with her exes and ultimately her one true love. Magic and whimsy contrast with serious and realistic reflections on what one deserves in a relationship, this book was such a delight and perfect for the holiday season. I read a chapter a night and it was the best little charming treat to end a long day!
Thanks to the author for the gifted arc.
Profile Image for Chaos.
3,659 reviews117 followers
November 17, 2025
3.5/5

From the start, I knew exactly where this Christmas story was going. It wasn't hard and super predictable. However, that's the beauty of Christmas! I adore its predictability. I adore the magic. The only thing I didn't really like was Faith herself. She wanted to blame her ex's for her own issues. The only ex who deserved any type of hate was Dylan. It was driving me crazy how she kept wanting to get back for him. Josh, my darling, you are the best part of the story. The one who kept me engaged and rooting for a happy ending. He is everything a friend and lover should be. He fought for Faith when she ignored him. How she never thought of him as a possibility is a bit insulting but he's perfect for her in every way. If you like the Christmas movie The Holiday Calendar, then this book will be absolutely perfect for you.
Profile Image for Ashley Graves.
14 reviews9 followers
November 9, 2025
If you’re craving a second-chance, friends-to-lovers, holiday adventure sprinkled with laugh-out-loud moments, this is your next festive read!

Faith is down on her luck in love, but when she makes a wish on a Christmas tree star, a magical advent calendar shows up at her door. With the help of her best friend Josh, she revisits her past relationships to discover who her true “One” is before Christmas Day. 🎄

A few scenes had me giggling nonstop—especially the Backstreet Boys shirt (my true loves 💙) and Josh asking if he should grab a broom or holy water. 😂 It’s heartwarming, funny, and full of Christmas magic. A quick, delightful read I’d recommend to anyone needing a cozy holiday pick-me-up!
Profile Image for Emelie Williams.
67 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2025
This is the perfect Christmas story! It has it all. The magical aspect of Christmas that I love. And the cosy and warm feeling that follows an amazing Christmas read. I’m practically bursting with Christmas joy!

In this book we follow Faith’s desire to find the One. She makes a wish to the big Christmas tree in town and is gifted with a calendar where she revisits her exes and learns things about herself and love. Which makes this book deeper as well, connecting with your feelings and perceptions of love and finding true love.

After finishing this book I almost can’t wait for Christmas! This book would be the perfect Christmas movie as well!
Profile Image for Sam.
245 reviews25 followers
November 13, 2025
What a fun advent-ure! The moments of reflection and self-growth are so relatable. I loved the journey of discomfort and recognizing the short-comings of Faith’s past. If you aren’t learning, you aren’t growing, and if you aren’t growing, you’ll become a mall elf. Josh really highlights the story tho. What a gem! A true ride or die bestest friend we could all benefit from.

Take a lesson from Faith and be careful what you wish for! 🎄

From holiday puns to cinnamon buns, this precious Hallmark-coded rom-com is a sappy (lol get it? Like Christmas tree sap?) guilty pleasure to break up your tbr!
Profile Image for Nicole Wolstenholme.
30 reviews2 followers
November 9, 2025
I was chosen to be sent my first official copy of an ARC and I was so happy that it was The 12 Exes of Xmas! I give this book a 4.2 star review. This was my first book by Danielle Dexter and she did not disappoint. The first sentence had me hooked. I really enjoyed Faith the FMC and she deserved more in life and by the end of the book she gets what she wanted. I have to say after reading this book I will never look at a Christmas tree the same way ever again thanks to Danielle Dexter! Would definitely recommend this book for your Christmas TBR!! Cannot wait to read more of her books!!
Profile Image for Carrie R. B..
70 reviews2 followers
November 11, 2025
This was such an enjoyable holiday read! I thought the plot was really cute, and I loved all the beautiful descriptions of the holiday lights and decorations. It really got me in the holiday spirit! I also enjoyed the funny banter between Faith and Josh. This book was a fun, quick read full of all the holiday vibes and a little Christmas magic. I definitely recommend you add this one to your holiday TBR!

Many thank to Danielle Dexter for providing me an ARC of your book! 🩷
Profile Image for Danielle Dexter.
Author 5 books16 followers
November 26, 2025
As with most Authors, we stay away from reader review spaces but do want to at least communicate outside of our book as to what readers can expect.

The 12 Exes of Christmas is a swoon-worthy romcom full of humor, Christmas magic and so much more more. It's a quick read, which means you will devour this book faster than a sugar cookie.

* a flawed FMC
* 12 exes/ 12 tropes
* forced proximity
* small town romance

Enjoy!
Profile Image for Amanda.
255 reviews
December 9, 2025
Super cute Christmas novella! I loved the magical realism aspect with the calendar opening doors to Faith’s 12 exes. The way she spoke about love on her journey to finally find it was heartwarming.

This was super predictable and I knew exactly where it was going by chapter 2 but I still had fun reading it! Also the last chapter set up for another story with one of Faith’s exes and I’m excited to read it next year!

Thanks Danielle for the ARC!
Profile Image for Aly.
59 reviews6 followers
November 5, 2025
I was so excited to receive an early copy of this book! It was so cute and such a fun story to read going into this Christmas season! I read it in one sitting and didn't want to put it down. It was such a fun way to tell a story as well!
Profile Image for Raina Bridges.
22 reviews2 followers
November 9, 2025
I absolutely loved every second of reading this book! It was such a fun, heartwarming, and engaging story that kept me hooked from beginning to end. I honestly can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this beautiful book — it’s definitely one I’ll want on my shelf to reread again and again.
Profile Image for Amanda.
3 reviews
November 9, 2025
I received this an an ARC and I loved it! although I saw the ending coming, the journey getting there was fun and full of Christmas spirit! it was just what I needed to kick off the holiday season.

I'll definitely grab book 2 next year!
Profile Image for Jackie Rinaldi-Duffus.
46 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2025
I started and finished this book today. It was really sweet. I'm not super into magic or any of that type of thing, but this was a really cute Christmas read and I think many would agree.
1 review
November 17, 2025
This book was a great holiday romcom it was kinda like a hallmark movie but a tiny bit spicier. I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Mandy Cappelletti.
31 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2025
Big thank you to Danielle Dexter, the author, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Faith is on a journey to find her one true love by Christmas. A magical advent calendar shows up on her porch and now she will be meeting with 12 exes before Christmas to see if one of them is actually her true love. The ending was so cute and I loved every moment of it.

This book is definitely a feel-good romance and I was so happy with the ending! It was kind of predictable, but in an endearing way that the story just wouldn't have been the same if it didn't end this way! Faith's exes are quite a plethora of characters including a mama's boy, an artist, a coffee shop owner, and even one of Santa's elves at the mall. I highly recommend reading this book if you want a quick HEA to get into the Christmas spirit!
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