Thankful in Thistle County

by Christine Miles

Coming Soon!

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2025

About the author

Christine Miles is a full-time writer living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

An avid reader and writer since elementary school, her passion for literature inspired her to pursue a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. She writes YA and Adult Contemporary Romances with sassy, independent heroines and swoony heroes who love them for their strength.

When not writing romances, she loves traveling, binge-watching shows on streaming apps, reading mysteries and thrillers, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and dog.

Reviews

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 5 out of 5]

✅My thoughts:
Thankful in Thistle County was sweet, emotional slow burn romance with likable characters.
So many secrets….can happiness be found in the end????

🩶Second chance
💜Secrets
💚Slow burn
🤍Age gap
💙Found family
🤎LGBTQ rep
🩵Forced proximity
🖤Closed door
🩷Banter
💛Thanksgiving setting
♥️Romance
🤎Widower/Silver fox/Pilot
🧡Influencer

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this charming and heartfelt Thanksgiving romance.

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What better way to get in the holiday spirit by starting out with a Thanksgiving Romance?

Thankful in Thistle County is a book I loved with my entire soul. This is a holiday romance, where the holiday is not Christmas for a change, but Thanksgiving, and is also contemporary twist on the holiday film, Christmas in Connecticut. Seeing how much I’m enjoyed this book, I need to find a way to watch the film!

Thankful in Thistle County follows Eliza Merritt, a millennial influencer who on the outside seems to have it all: a popular vlog hosted by an online publication, a successful husband, a baby and a dog. But does she really have it all? Eliza is keeping secrets, secrets that risk being revealed when her boss has the idea of having Eliza host her and her brother for Thanksgiving and participate in a live video with her family. To make things more awkward, it turns out that her boss’s brother is none other than Richard, a smexy silver fox pilot who briefly crossed Eliza’s path. Richard, who is a widower trying to move forward, and who sees that something about Eliza’s online persona doesn’t match what’s behind the camera.

The pages of this book FLY, and I only stopped reading every night because my body demanded sleep. It was cute, fun, with the most precious found family. Eliza has some of the best friends a person can have in Julian and Felix, who would do just about anything for her. Needless to say, I adored the found family element. As for the romance, Richard and Eliza have such a beautiful connection and I loved their interactions. I was so invested in both their happiness that I was both anticipating and dreading when Eliza’s carefully constructed lie fell apart. As expected, it did happen, but I loved how it all played out! Richard was very mature about it, too. A true man!

Here are some tropes:
🧡 a beautiful meet cute
🤳 she is an influencer with secrets
✈️ he is a a pilot and widower trying to move forward
🎄 retelling of a classic holiday film…
🦃 …but the book is set during Thanksgiving
🕰️ age gap
🏠 forced proximity
🫂 found family

Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-book. Opinions are my own.

[Chiara | wordsbychiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the gifted ebook copy. Opinions are my own.

Whether you're already feeling the holiday magic or you need a little push in the Holiday Cheer direction, this book is going to be your perfect companion on these cozy autumn days!

Thankful in Thistle County is a Thanksgiving romance twist on the holiday film 'Christmas in Connecticut' and it follows Eliza Merritt, a millennial influencer who posts vlogs for an online publication. To get the job, Eliza has sold her audience and her employer a fantasy where she has a loving husband, a kid and even a dog! But when her boss decides Eliza must host her and her brother for Thanksgiving and introduce her family in a live...the truth gets dangerously close to coming out. She borrows her gay best friend's family for the holidays but there's another plot twist around the corner: the boss's brother is Richard, a pilot she's met during her travels, and he has very good reasons to suspect Eliza is lying about her perfect life.

The whole premise of this book gave me literal life! Romances where the protagonists are trying to sell a lie are always some of the ones I have the most fun with because they tend to have lots of tension wrapped up in fun, hysterical moments, and this one was no exception. Eliza's empire of lies set the perfect stage for so much fun banter—not just with Richard, but with her friends! I absolutely loved the found family, as well as the interactions between Eliza and Richard and the special connection they shared.

Here are some tropes to look forward to!
- beautiful meet cute
- influencer FMC with secrets
- widower pilot MMC
- retelling of a classic holiday film
- Thanksgiving romance
- age gap
- forced proximity
- found family

Rating: 4.5 stars

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

When lying on a job application goes right … then wrong … then right again.

Eliza is pretending to “have it all” by using her best friends’ marriage (and life) to create content for a generational vlog. It all goes wrong when her boss invites herself and her brother to join Eliza and her friends for Thanksgiving dinner.

The premise of the story is incredibly cute, and the conflict is (mostly) believable. It was a sweet story about found family and moving on from loss.

There were a few things, though, that I just didn’t love.

The statements as questions. It might have made sense if Eliza spoke that way as she was always looking for validation; it doesn’t work for every single character to speak this way. Someone as confident as Iris would not ask anyone anything - she would make her statements and demands without seeking validation.

The casual body-shaming that never gets checked. It happens twice, but the second one made me incredibly angry because of how it was said, and what it implied about Julian’s opinion of his own husband.

The absolute worst, though, was the blatant disregard for car seat safety. If anyone ever - EVER - removed my one-year-old from her car seat while in a moving vehicle (especially on a windy mountain road in heavy traffic), I’d probably never speak to them again. You don’t need to remove a baby from a car seat to check her diaper, and removing her from her seat to provide comfort is just dumb. I was honestly ready to quit reading then. Yes, it’s fiction, but we don’t need to normalize unsafe practices even then.

Those things were frustrating enough that they actually DID take away from the story for me, even though the story itself was really cute. If those things won’t bother you, I recommend giving it a shot.

I received this book as an ARC.

[Courtney Poders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun and enjoyable read. I really liked Eliza and Richard as love prospects and also really enjoyed Eliza’s chosen family; they allowed for some comic relief especially Chef Felix. There was just enough amount of drama which made you want to keep reading. Overall, a very “Hallmark” book, that gets you ready for the holiday season! I would recommend this book !

Thank you BookFunnel Editing and Author Christine Miles for giving me the opportunity to read Thankful in Thistle County.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the ARC of this delightful Thanksgiving story!!

It was a Thanksgiving story, but it was also MUCH more. What initially drew me to this story ended up being such a small part of what I enjoyed. I loved seeing the development of each character throughout the book.

Eliza is more than a social media influencer.
Richard is more than a widow.
Iris is more than a tyrannical boss.
Julien and Felix are more than Eliza's friends.
I would have liked more of Dee.

Overall, I enjoyed the slow burn, the holiday and the way their story was brought to life. I would recommend this as a Thanksgiving read for everyone who enjoys Hallmark-like romance.

[Lauren Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankful in Thistle County surprised me in the best way. Christine Miles has a gift for writing characters who feel real, flawed, hopeful, and searching for connection. This story is soft but meaningful, exploring gratitude, healing, and the quiet ways community can change everything. If you want a cozy read that tricks you into feeling feelings while pretending to be chill, this is the one. Highly recommend if you like romance with heart, sass, and a side of wow, I didn’t expect to get attached, but here we are!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read by the author. The story definitely kept me interested and it was a quick read. I enjoyed reading about the characters and it was just a very good story overall. Look forward to what the author writes next.

[Ashley Slack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets, truths, and modern-day mass media meet under one roof for Thanksgiving in this contemporary twist on the holiday film, Christmas in Connecticut.

SYNOPSIS
According to her popular vlog, millennial influencer Eliza Merritt has it all — a fulfilling career, a beautiful family, a Pinterest-inspired home. Unfortunately, her entire public life is a lie. And it is on the verge of unraveling.

Eliza escapes reality on a spontaneous trip and meets Richard Jones. Richard is an airline pilot, widower, and charming silver fox. Richard and Eliza are immediately smitten with one another.

Through a crazy twist of fate, Richard’s sister turns out to be Eliza’s boss. A boss who invites herself to Eliza’s “family Thanksgiving” to live stream the holiday happenings and increase followership for Eliza’s vlog. As the week progresses, Eliza grows more anxious over the lies of her make-believe life, especially as feelings between her and Richard grow.

FIRST IMPRESSION
I am relatively new to reading romance, but I do know my way around the Hallmark Channel. Thankful in Thistle County was a refreshing, cute read for the holiday that sometimes feels forgotten. The meet-cute of our main characters, Eliza and Richard, had me grinning like a high school gossip. I quickly fell into the story and thoroughly enjoyed the warm feelings it elicited.

WHAT I LIKED
As a millennial myself, Eliza Merritt was a relatable character. Social media sets a lot of pressure on women to “have it all.” And like Eliza, I absolutely loathe that saying. Thankful in Thistle County does a good job of instilling the fact that this is defined so differently for individuals. Though she carries some baggage with her, Eliza cares deeply about her found family and is doing her best in life.

Richard was quite charming as well. Though I question his intentions — he knew Eliza as a married mother after all — his willingness to put himself into uncomfortable situations was admirable. And his discomfort was tangible many times, which only better developed his character for me. Also, my heart missed a beat each time he thought of his late wife. I would have loved to learn more about their love story.

The attraction between Eliza and Richard is electric. Everyone (minus Iris, but she can’t get over herself so…) feels the tension between them. I appreciated the humor thrown into this light-hearted romance. The “shrewd stares” from Julian, the not-so-subtle quips from Felix, the constant blushing from both Richard and Eliza — all made me feel as if I were a guest at Thanksgiving as well.

The plot of this story was simply cute. What started as a small spark in a random meeting ignited into a series of events that forced our main characters to make some serious changes within their lives. Those changes were coming one way or another for Eliza. However, that little spark did big things for Richard. And that made my heart happy.

WHAT WASN’T MY TASTE
My biggest complaint with this book is Eliza’s “big secret.” I understand her initial intent. Survival is real, girl, and she did what she had to do. However, a year’s worth of lies and deceit no longer qualifies as “temporary.” Even the concept of falling into the hype of likes and follows doesn’t provide a great explanation as to why the lying continued.

Given her success, I feel like Eliza could have gone to Iris and had a heart-to-heart talk, revealed the truth, and figured out how to continue the charade. I mean, what influencer is giving 100% accuracy in the portrayal of their lives? I believe Eliza’s anxiety was self-inflicted and could have been rectified far sooner.

OVERALL IMPRESSION
Overall, Thankful in Thistle County is a fun, sweet read. I absolutely loved the Thanksgiving theme as well! (I don’t know if there are other “Thanksgiving-based Hallmark books” out there, but I’m gonna look!) At 276 pages, this is a book that you can grab a knitted blanket, sip a cup of hot tea, and read quickly before its inspired holiday is here.

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO A FRIEND?
Absolutely! Thankful in Thistle County was the perfect light-hearted read I needed between some darker, heavier books I’m tackling this month. (Looking at you, Alchemised.) Anyone who likes slow-burning romance, this is a great choice! This book will wrap around you like a soft sweater. It’s clean and cute, and highly recommended for the majority of romance-loving readers.

Find me on Instagram @wordsandash so we can discuss more!

DISCLAIMER: Very excited to announce I was chosen to receive an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book!

[Gloria Reyna-Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankful in Thistle County by Christine Miles
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received an ARC of Thankful in Thistle County, and this story delivered such a warm, emotional, fall-comforting slow burn with a heroine whose journey feels human, vulnerable, and so easy to root for.

The book follows Eliza Merritt, a 32-year-old vlogger whose online brand is built around the illusion of having a “perfect family.” But the truth is… the husband and daughter she posts about actually belong to her best friends: Julian, the tech genius who sold a dating app; Felix, his chef-husband who owns a Denver restaurant; and their sweet daughter Sylvie. The lie began small, but it snowballs far beyond what Eliza ever expected.

On a flight from San Francisco to Denver, Eliza meets Richard, a widower whose steady warmth immediately puts her at ease — especially when turbulence hits and she starts to panic. Richard talks her through it, grounding her in a moment she desperately needed. Their connection is gentle and unexpected… and later becomes complicated when she learns he’s Iris’s brother — and Iris is her demanding, image-driven boss.

When Iris’s perfect Thanksgiving is ruined after her ex surprises their kids with a Disney cruise, she decides she’ll be spending the holiday with Eliza’s “family.” Not out of friendship — because Eliza and Iris aren’t friends — but because Iris wants the polished Thanksgiving she expects Eliza has.

For the required Thanksgiving live video, Eliza tries to avoid exposing Julian, Felix, and especially Sylvie, since they don’t want their daughter on camera. She cleverly shifts the live into an interview with Iris, instead of a family showcase. But Iris — always looking for the perfect visual — pushes for a “brief appearance” by Julian, Sylvie, and their dog, sending them outside so they can be seen without fully being on camera.

The pressure, guilt, and emotional exhaustion build until Eliza reaches her limit. On Thanksgiving night, with courage (and some wine), she finally tells the truth and quits her job. Now she faces the painful fallout — with Iris, with her career, and with Richard, the man who made her want something real for the first time in a long time.

Will Richard forgive her?
Will Iris?
And what does starting over honestly truly look like?

Christine Miles weaves a tender, thoughtful story about authenticity, second chances, found family, and the courage it takes to stop performing the life people expect. The slow-burn romance is soft and believable, and the Thanksgiving setting makes this the perfect seasonal read.

A heartfelt, cozy, and emotionally satisfying fall romance.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review

"...moving forward after a huge loss was as hard as the loss itself."

"It's the family traditions and people you love who make days like today special."

I genuinely like the concept and plot of the story.

Eliza has had a very lonely life. She has found and created a family with Julian, Felix, and Dee. However, she is very much aware of what is missing from her life. And, dare I say, is tired of having to do everything on her own because it's only her.

Richard had 12 years with his amazing wife before he died. Now, 18 months after her passing, he is trying to move forward and open himself up to the possibility of enjoying life again. A chance meeting on a flight back to Denver, has Richard helping Eliza getting her through the flight turbulence. A small spark blossoms, but a lie and Eliza's past comes between them before the spark can grow.

Ironically, it is discovered that Eliza works for Richard's sister and they are going to be forced to spend Thanksgiving together. Richard knows that something is off, but in an effort to save her job Eliza tries to continue with the lie until she can figure out how to get out of it without having Dee lose her job as well.

In this book we get:
- 16 year age gap
- family abandonment
- Spouse Death
- Divorce
- Lies
- Loneliness
- LGBTQ couple
- closed door romance
- Language (including the crass use of the F word several times)
- flirting with a "married" women

Again, I genuinely like the concept and plot of the story. But there are 2 reasons why it really wasn't my favorite book.
1. Even though Richard thought Eliza was married, they both flirted with each other. I know she wasn't married, but Richard didn't know that and had his suspicions that she wasn't happy, but he still pursued his interest in her. I'm an old fashioned individual and feel marriage is sacred.
2. I really wish authors would realize that the F word is just not needed. And without it, I would have given a higher star rating.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Jen’s Book Village · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never in my life (as an adult) do I recall reading a book with a Thanksgiving theme. Why leave Turkey Day out? Or have I just missed them…it’s possible. I was excited to receive this book as an ARC from author, Christine Miles. I only gained excitement when I saw that this book is loosely based on one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies, Christmas in Connecticut. I love old Christmas movies, and this movie makes the cut every single year, no matter what and no matter how busy the season gets. I think this book should absolutely make the cut for your holiday reading!
All, that being said, this book absolutely stands alone. You do not have to be familiar with the movie at all to read this book. THANKFUL IN THISTLE COUNTY is a present-day take on the movie. Eliza is an extremely popular influencer who helps and advises millennial women on having it all, complete with a happy marriage, child, home, and work balance. Secretly, she is the opposite of the vlogger she puts out there for the world and has none of those things in her life. She does have best friends in Felix and Julian, and they are her chosen family. Richard is an airline pilot who lost the love of his life, his wife, at an early age. He has been hesitant to put himself out there in the world but knows his wife wouldn’t want him to be sulky, sad, and lonely for the rest of this life; his sister, Iris, agrees and encourages him to celebrate the holidays again.
In a funky turn of events, all these folks end up spending Thanksgiving together, whether they are excited about it or not. Believe me, some are NOT thrilled with this. They are put to the test in a bunch of different ways, some funny and some uncomfortable. This is a book to be added to your TBR, but great for before Thanksgiving. I enjoyed the story and the characters. Believe me when I say this about the book, “Everything is hunky-dunky!” And if you know the movie, you will know precisely what I mean. And if you don’t know the movie, just trust me and read this book.

[Michelle Hendricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankful in Thistle County completely surprised me in the best possible way. What I expected to be a light holiday read turned into a beautifully emotional, layered story about identity, honesty, love, and second chances.

The book follows Eliza, a Millennial influencer whose entire online life is a lie. She’s built a successful career vlogging about her “perfect life” complete with a husband and daughter who don’t exist. Instead, she’s been using moments from her best friend Julian, his husband, and their daughter to create her brand. The tension of her double life simmers under the surface from the start, and it’s impossible not to feel both frustrated by her choices and deeply empathetic toward her.

On a spontaneous getaway, Eliza meets Richard, a widowed airline pilot and, in a twist of fate, the brother of her boss. Their first encounter is tender and memorable, with Richard calming Eliza during heavy turbulence. The age gap between them adds a refreshing dynamic that’s handled thoughtfully and with so much warmth.

Things truly take off when Eliza’s boss invites herself and Richard to spend Thanksgiving with Eliza and her supposed family. The awkwardness, the little cracks in the façade, and Richard’s quiet observations build toward an inevitable revelation. When the truth finally comes out, it’s both heartbreaking and strangely relieving.

What I loved most is that the story doesn’t end with Eliza’s world falling apart. Instead, it becomes the beginning of something real, her decision to finally be honest, and Richard’s willingness to gently step back into life and love after loss. Their connection grows in such an authentic, tender way that it’s impossible not to root for them.

This book blends romance, emotional growth, and the perfect touch of holiday warmth. It’s sweet, thoughtful, and full of heart. If you enjoy character-driven love stories, age-gap romance, or stories about learning to live authentically, this one is an absolute must-read

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review - Thank you for the advance digital copy. Christmas is coming but this cozy Thanksgiving romance hits the spot as the holidays approach.

Eliza “Lizzie” Merritt was desperate to find a job after suddenly being laid off last year. She & her coworker Dee hatch a plan for her to pose as a millennial wife & mother who “has it all.” Eliza is an influence at Generations, where she provides helpful, weekly advice to people via vlog & social media. She’s using this gig as a stepping stone until she can go after a job she REALLY wants. She’s spent the last year using content from her married (gay) best friend & husband’s life to build a huge social media following. When her take-no-prisoners boss, Iris’ holiday plans are ruined by her ex-husband, she launches into an insane idea - Eliza should go live on Thanksgiving Day with scenes from her private family celebration including an appearance by her husband and baby at their vacation home in Thistle County. Eliza’s friends & inspiration for her content Julian & Felix, agree to play along while Julian (fake husband) and Eliza portray a young millennial family with a daughter, Sylvie. This means the friends will have to host Eliza’s boss AND her widowed brother for Thanksgiving. Eliza tells herself to keep it together and get through the next 36-hours. When Iris’ brother walks in, Eliza recognizes Richard from a flight she’d taken last month. There is so much chaos & tension (even of the romantic nature), I didn’t know if Eliza would come out of this awkward situation with her dignity intact. Cozy, clumsy and romantic. This twist on the holiday classic “Christmas in Connecticut,” is a Thanksgiving romance you won’t soon forget!

#thankfulinthistlecounty @christinemilesauthor #kindle #bookstagram #countrygirlreads

[Heidi Lengenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christine Miles delivers a Thanksgiving romance that feels equal parts cozy mountain retreat and emotional unmasking. Thankful in Thistle County follows influencer Eliza Merritt—on the surface polished, put-together, and perfectly curated—whose life is quietly unraveling behind the ring light. When her boss insists she host a picture-perfect Thanksgiving with a surprise guest, Eliza is forced to maintain the illusion even as her real life strains at every seam.

Enter Richard Jones, a silver-fox airline pilot grieving the loss of his wife and simply trying to survive the holidays without suffocating under memories. When he shows up at his sister’s mountain cabin and discovers Eliza is the same woman he’d met months prior, their unexpected reunion throws sparks in every direction. He’s grounded, private, and slow to trust; she’s bright, media-savvy, and hiding more than she wants to admit. Their chemistry warms gradually—like a pot of cider left simmering on the stove—building into something tender, reassuring, and unexpectedly healing.

Miles balances humor with real emotional stakes: the pressure of online perfection, the heaviness of grief, and the courage it takes to tell the truth about your life. The Thanksgiving setting gives the whole story a nostalgic, cinnamon-spiced warmth. And the age gap/silver-fox dynamic? Incredibly well done—mature, intimate, and just swoony enough to melt even the iciest November mood.

What really lingers is the reminder that gratitude isn’t performative—it’s personal. And sometimes the most thankful moments come from letting someone see the messy parts of you and stay anyway.

A soft, reflective holiday romance with a grown-up heart.

Thanks to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Catarina Geirinhas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankful in Thistle County by Christine Miles surprised me in the loveliest way. What starts as a cozy, Hallmark-style holiday romance slowly unfolds into a layered, emotional story about identity, honesty, chosen family, and second chances.

Eliza is a millennial influencer whose perfectly curated online life couldn’t be further from the truth and that tension hums beneath every page. I found myself frustrated by her choices but also deeply empathetic, especially as her chosen family (Felix, Julian, and scene-stealing Chef Felix in particular) brought humor, warmth, and heart. Their dynamic adds so much charm and comic relief.

Then there’s Richard, a widowed airline pilot with a quiet tenderness that completely won me over. Their first meeting is unforgettable, and their age-gap romance is handled with care, maturity, and genuine emotion. Watching Richard slowly open himself back up to life and love while Eliza is forced to confront her double life made their connection feel earned and deeply satisfying.

The Thanksgiving setting is such a refreshing twist on holiday reads, blending humor, awkward family moments, and just the right amount of drama to keep the pages turning. While this book absolutely stands on its own, fans of Christmas in Connecticut will catch some delightful nods.

Ultimately, this is a story about choosing truth over perfection and finding real connection when the façade finally cracks. Sweet, thoughtful, funny, and heartfelt, this one is perfect for your fall or holiday TBR.

[Laura Black Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanksgiving romance with age gap, slow burn, closed door, found family and a super tricky and sticky plot which works really well!

Eliza is a vlogger and influencer who meets pilot Richard on a flight. He helps her out during some turbulence and they have a tiny moment of affinity. They meet again when Richard’s pushy sister Iris invites herself (and Richard) to Eliza's for thanksgiving dinner with her family and to have a live podcast during their celebration. Trouble is, Eliza works for Iris, hosting a ‘having it all’ podcast, but she’s actually a single girl who is pretending to have the fancy job, happy marriage and young family.

Richard twigs that something is up, but he’s not sure why Eliza seems so sad in the quieter moments. I love all the chemistry between Eliza and Richard. There’s a bit of taboo in that he thinks she is married, but they have the gentlest flirtation anyway –which is confusing for both of them. Ghastly Iris steals the show - she’s relentless and appalling and lights up the page. I so hope she gets her own book!

I’d call this instalove as most of the action happens over the Thanksgiving weekend. The premise is so much fun and propulsive and the problems in Eliza's life are significant enough to keep her and Richard apart, so the yearning is real.

Enjoy this charming romance over an afternoon’s read and you’ll be smiling for the week!

Thank you Christine Miles for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

[Karen Escobar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Christine Miles’ ‘Thankful in Thistle County’. I was excited to read it since there’s not many Thanksgiving romance novels out there.

The story revolves around Eliza, a millennial vloger who appears to have it all: a great career,a loving and successful husband, and a beautiful family. But when her boss asks her to do a live video of her and her family during Thanksgiving, Eliza’s house of cards is about to come tumbling down.

To make matters worse, her boss insists on coming to Thanksgiving and bringing along her brother Richard. The brother who also happens to be the handsome older man Eliza met on a plane recently.

This book had a lot of cute hijinks and I liked that it was a slow burn romance. It was a fun and quick read and of course, ends with an HEA for our leads.

The biggest turn off for me was the character of Eliza’s boss and Richard’s sister Iris. This woman makes Miranda Priestly look like a cuddly grandma. I just couldn’t wrap my head around why no one ever just told this woman to STFU, respect boundaries and stop being the world’s worst boss/sister/human being.

The fact that Richard let his sister push him around so much was definitely a turn off in the leading man department and also made Eliza look like a child. But to be fair, this is coming from a girl who lives for a mafia romance.

This was a cute, quick read and definitely one you’ll enjoy if you’re looking for something to read on a long weekend.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eliza is a 32 year old social media influencer creating vlogs for fellow millennials on how to “have it all” with balancing a career and family. Her boss, Iris Yardley, forcefully requires that she host a live stream of her family’s Thanksgiving in their idyllic home on Lake Thistle and invites herself and her recently widowed brother, Captain Robert Jefferson Jones. But what no one knows is that Eliza has been living a lie for the past year.

I love the movie “Christmas in Connecticut” and it was so fun to spot the movie references in this sweet romance. You never see a Thanksgiving holiday romance and I loved this take on the movie. This book tackled some serious topics like loss, abandonment, and second chances. I will say the one aspect of the story that I didn’t like was that Richard was the one to oust Eliza. I felt like he was too biased with his memories of his late wife that he thought there was something wrong with Eliza’s marriage, which yes there was, but I feel like every marriage is different and he was thrusting his beliefs on to hers.

Thank you so much Christine Miles for the digital ARC!!

🍁Dual POV
🍁Age gap
🍁Forced proximity
🍁Chosen Family
🍁PG/Kissing

[Mary Polzella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Millennial influencer Eliza Merritt's seemingly perfect life unravels when she is forced to host her boss and her widowed pilot brother, Richard, for a live-streamed Thanksgiving. While the weekend is rapidly heading towards disaster, an unexpected connection appears to be developing with Richard, who sees past her online façade to the real woman. However, Eliza worries that if Richard finds out the whole truth about her sad life, she may lose his interest and her second chance for happiness.

This is a lovely, emotionally fulfilling slow-burn, second chance romance between Eliza, whose public persona is built on shaky foundations and Richard, whose life has ground to a halt after losing the love of his life. I love a contemporary romance and the connection between the two characters is soft and warm, like curling up with a warm drink and blanker in front of the fire on a cold night.
It's a sweet story, perfect for reading this time of the year. I didn't want to put this book down, wanting to find out how the story was going to end! I also loved that Eliza, although not surrounded by family, had incredible friends who she was fortunate to call her chosen family. A great read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun Thanksgiving & Christmas read!
Eliza is in her early 30s and really doing life on her own besides a few chosen friends who now make up her family. She’s struggling in her career and just had a relationship end.
Richard in his late 40s has lost his wife from illness and trying to move forward even though he’s not sure he’s ready yet.
These strangers cross paths and a connection is undoubtedly made in a sweet meet cute!
This book was a hallmark movie on paper in the best way possible! Atmospheric & warm and cozy.
We had the POV from both characters. It gave insight to both of their struggles and the budding relationship. The book had so many themes in it:
Found Family
Age gap
Closed door romance
Second chance
Spousal death
Career change
High stakes secrets
LGBTQ representation
Forced Proximity
I truly enjoyed this book! Age gap can sometimes come off kind of creepy and this did not. The author took their time building these characters. What a great read for this holiday season!
4 out of 5 stars!
I was given an Arc for this book. All options are my own.

[Carissa Farner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and let me tell you… I loved it. Could not put it down. Did I stay up until 1:30am to finish it. Well yes I did. Am I mad about it? Absolutely not! This book would be a great Hallmark movie. I love that it takes place around Thanksgiving. Eliza is a millennial vlogger. She has an adorable meet cute with an older gentleman pilot. He however had recently lost his wife to cancer and is unsure whether he’s ready to get back out there. Even still they have an instant connection then part ways only to be reconnected in a most inconvenient way. Eliza has led her boss and fanbase to believe false things about her life and the charade must go on in order to keep her job which she desperately needs. The handsome pilot is continually drawn to her and silently questions what’s going on with her. As the holiday nears things are falling into place but is it what Eliza really wants.
It made me laugh and cry. All the feels!
Book is available November 17th. If you like romcoms this book is for you!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankful in Thistle County by Christine Miles is a sweet, slow-burning romance based on the movie Christmas in Connecticut. Our FMC, Eliza, is a social media influencer, but she is so much more. She puts on the "I have it all together" face to the world, but wears another in private. She also has a secret she's been carrying. Our MMC, Richard, is an older man and a widower. He is also handsome and charming. They have a meet-cute on an airplane, which is adorable. The book follows their journey, and it's so romantic!

What I love about this book is its ability to make me smile, transport me to another place and time, and give me little butterflies. It's like a Hallmark movie in a book. It's on the shorter side so that it can be read in a day or savoured over several days in small doses! The characters are written well, and the concept of found family is explored in a meaningful way. If you love shorter, forced proximity, slower-burning, age-gap romances, you will love this book!

Thank you to the author and Novel Book Tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Navannah Nathanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The story is beautifully written, and the characters are wonderfully likable. Well, except for the antagonist, who is delightfully insufferable and completely wrapped up in herself.

Thankful in Thistle County follows a social media influencer who escapes on a spontaneous flight to clear her mind for a few days. Her only problem? She has a deep fear of turbulence. When the captain steps out of the cockpit to help calm her nerves, their brief but meaningful encounter seems like a one-time moment… until fate proves otherwise. (No spoilers—trust me, you’ll want to experience the rest for yourself!)

This story is heartwarming and cozy, the kind that pulls you in and makes you want to linger in its pages. It’s full of holiday charm and infused with genuine warmth. Eliza’s two best friends are a particular highlight—her true ride-or-dies—whose loyalty and love shine through every scene they share.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, slow-burn, age-gap holiday romance. If I could read it again for the first time, I absolutely would!

[Kaitlyn Cayette Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

“My blog is about advising millennials — primarily women— on how to have it all.”

Age gap
Minorities: Asian, Spanish, LGBTQ+

Eliza Merritt was a VERY relatable character. There’s so much pressure (especially from social media) that makes you feel like you need to let the world know that your life is amazing and you “have it all.” This read was so cozy and I found myself smiling throughout. While it was predictable, it was exactly what I expected/ wanted from a holiday romance.

With that being said, all of this could have been avoided had we just not lied on our resume. How does one keep up a lot for THAT long? She must be good at it because I would have given myself away after about a month.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy for the holiday season, I would definitely recommend this! No stress. No headache. No sitting your book/ kindle down for a few days because you need a break from the storyline.

4/5 ⭐️

Thank you to the author for this ARC!

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Life is too short to be burdened with this much chaos and drama.”

The characters were amazing, especially Eliza. She's so real and damn relatable. From the very first chapter, you can feel her emotions, someone whose life has gone off-track but is still trying to hold it together. By the end, I felt genuinely proud of her, like she was someone I knew personally.

And can we please appreciate the side characters and the town itself? I love this small town setting more. The romance is a slow burn without any unnecessary drama, forced tension. It's just two people carrying their own baggage, learning to trust & choosing each other.

This book is a gentle reminder, that sometimes life falling apart is exactly what pushes you toward where you’re meant to be.

Tropes:
Small Town Romance
Slow burn
Second chances
Found family

Still thinking about it and obsessed with all the characters.

[Thais • tata.lifepages • · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elisa is an influencer for the online magazine Generations, but she’s struggling emotionally and financially, partly because she’s living a lie on social media. Richard, a recently widowed airline pilot, carries emotional baggage of his own.👀

They first meet on a flight when Elisa has a panic attack, and the kind, experienced pilot sitting beside her helps calm her down. They part ways without exchanging contacts… until destiny steps in. Elisa’s boss Iris, who happens to be Richard’s sister, demands a Thanksgiving live video featuring Elisa’s “fake” family. Only her friend Dee knows the truth, and Iris and Richard will be joining them for the holiday.

This book explores the pressure of influencer culture: exposing every part of your life—trips, home, food, relationships—while knowing most of it is staged. Elisa’s best friends, Julian, his husband Felix, and their adopted baby Suzy, help her keep up the charade, beautifully showcasing the chosen family trope. It’s heartwarming, especially during the holiday season.😍🎄

The mutual attraction between Elisa and Richard complicates everything. He believes she’s married to Julian, and Elisa struggles with her feelings, risking the entire lie. The tension and suspense make this a fun, engaging read!!

[Jessica Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an advanced E arc of this book to review. super cute story with emotional depth. A Thanksgiving Romance? can we have more of these please ? This was thoroughly enjoyed. Our 2 Main characters, Eliza and Richard ,come from 2 very different worlds. They have a chance meeting on a plane when heading home to see family for Thanksgiving. They have quite an awkward first meeting,but Richard is very sweet and distracts Eliza during turbulence and makes chit chat.

Both characters have an air of mystery about them, and we learn a little more each chapter about their lives,and relationships. Soon after their meeting they find themselves in another quite awkward scenario, thanks to Richard's sister Iris. I can't tell you much more without giving it away. This book did not disappoint in anyway. It was a sweet story, quite vulnerable and real. This story is very relatable. What we get in this story?

🧡Age gap
🧡Close Proximity
🧡Real Human Emotions
🧡Relatable characters
🧡Complex Relationships
🧡Unpredictable Plot twists
🧡Slow burn
🧡Fade to black/ closed door
🧡Strangers to Friends to Lovers
🧡Dark secrets
🧡

This plot was complete,the story enjoyable. Loved the main characters. The Banter was wonderful as well

[Brittany Forsyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve read by Christine Miles and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. I love curling up with a good holiday romance during cozy season.

Eliza is an influencer with the perfect job, the perfect husband, the perfect dog, the perfect vacation home. She “has it all.” At least she’s really good at convincing her followers she does, from behind a camera.

But will she be able to fake it in front of her boss over Thanksgiving who wants to live stream the whole event?

Just create a fake family and keep up the ruse for two days. No problem! Except her bosses plus one for the Thanksgiving festivities is her brother Richard, the silver fox who Eliza met a few days ago. Which would be fine, if she could stop flirting with him!

This is a charming, feel good read with a slow burn, second chances, keeping secrets and the family we choose.

[Renann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Christine Miles for the Arc!

• Second chance romance for MMC
• Thanksgiving Holiday
• Fake Marriage
• MMC Lonely Pilot
• FMC Influencer with secrets
• Age Gap
• Found family
• LGBTQ representation

It took me a few chapters to get into the story. Once the characters were all forced into a house for Thanksgiving and the hijinks started, I found myself laughing out loud. I could not wait to see how everything played out. Richard’s story was beautifully written. Eliza’s kept making one bad decision after another, but the humorous results made me root for her to come out on the other side! The author’s description of Iris made me really dislike her! I love when an author can make me feel so many emotions in a book!

This book had Hallmark vibes - it is a sweet, funny rom com!