Holiday Haven

by Emmie Vale

A tale of finding love and trust after loss.

Ivy

Knowing I’ve lost all I’ve truly cared for in the span of a few days should make me want to crawl into a hole and hibernate… No! The time for self-wallowing is over.

For once, I am taking charge, and choosing to rebuild myself elsewhere instead of spending the holidays driving to Montreal and back. For once, I pledge to be honest with what I want, lowering the mask I’ve been wearing to let my reckless heart lead the way. England, here I come!

Kit

Finding myself alone over the holidays for the first time ever, and I am not dreading it. For once, I am not providing for my sister, nor overly busy with work, and, so, I am completely dedicated to doing nothing for the duration of my vacation.

Wrong. Fate keeps intertwining my path with one intriguing tourist, wrecking my lack of plans in the most surprising ways. Should I simply accept that this spark is doomed to fizzle out before the New Year’s here? Or should I pursue this magnetic pull I feel?

Genres: Holiday

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

Reviews

[Jill (readinginpjs)]

my sweet friend wrote a book 🥹
I was fortunate to alpha read this beautiful story, and I’m so proud of Emmie for releasing her debut!

*currently reading the final version*

[Victoria Hange · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to be chosen as part of Emmies eARC team for her debut novel and I could not have been more proud to read it! Emmie was one of my first bookstagram friends and to see her shine through this book was so amazing. Ivy and Kit’s story is so well written and so unique. I loved reading the poems after every chapter that related so well to each chapter, such a unique aspect of the book. I loved how much Kit “fell first and hard” for Ivy and how much of a character development Ivy had. Although the book is for sure written as a romance, with a lot of romance in it, it’s also such a well written work of Fiction, following Ivy’s road to self-discovery. Some extra special moments in the book I loved were the playlist, the serial killer comment in the one poem (IYKYK), the snow angel scene and Emmie’s poem at the end to her readers. This is an absolute perfect read for winter so if you haven’t added it to your TBR yet, please do!

[Lena | the booked mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for Holiday Haven and it was such a delightful read. The story, characters and writing came together so perfectly that I wanted to just keep reading. Loved every bit of it.

[Brittany K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so proud of Emmie and honored to be an arc reader for her debut! I am a little biased because I love her as a human and booksta friend, but I genuinely loved her writing. This story was very much in the vein of Emily Henry, where there were many moments where I felt it leaned heavily into women’s fiction. Ivy’s journey and growth really felt front and center for the entire novel, which I appreciated. A lot of times we need to change and grow before we can accept the love we deserve or find happiness, so that’s something I always love to see in romance novels. As a fellow people pleaser, I also deeply related to Ivy in that way and loved being in her head. There’s no better feeling than seeing bits of yourself in a novel and feeling seen.
So many beautiful quotes and heartwarming moments. The future is bright for Emmie and I’m so glad to be along for the ride.

While I feel it can be read at any time, it will obviously hit even harder in the winter months. It couldn’t be coming out at a more perfect time and I highly recommend you grab it next month!

[Steph | miss.booksby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful debut by Emmie Vale, that I was honoured to be part of the e-ARC team!

It was written with so many emotions, love, and with a heartfelt poem after each chapter written by the FMC!

Ivy sets out to leave her troubles and family behind after losing everything in Toronto. She plans a trip to a small town in England for the holidays. Her goal is to clear her head and get a fresh start. Shortly after beginning her journey she bumps into Kit. Together they find an instant attraction, but will they see it through with Ivy having to head back to Toronto?

Pick up this title if you enjoy:
💕 Insta attraction
🇬🇧 Brit vs. Canadian
🏠 Small town
🌱 Self-discovery
🧑‍🧒 Found family

[Kasie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a great introduction novel for Emmie! Ivy goes through so much and she displays real, raw, vulnerable, beautiful growth and transformation. And while it may seem things are falling apart, she had so much strength and adventure in her.
Stanger danger where? Kit was so helpful and sweet from the start and just meets her where she's at and what she needs. There is also beautiful poetry entries and and slowburn. it very much gives Emily Henry vibes.

[Sarah McVeigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful book full of gorgeous sweeping locations, characters you can’t help but cry with and a story that’ll stay with you for a life time.
Holiday Haven is truly a delight to read.
Grab your blanket and something hot to drink, and get stuck in to this wonderfully snowy story!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you emmie for the arc!

[Ysabeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read Emmie Vale's debut novel and I have absolutely no regrets. It was cute, emotional, and swoony! Between each chapter, there is a poem written by the FMC and it really sets the tone of the scene/chapter. Some of these are really emotional and I admit I've shed a couple of tears.

Ivy has lost everything—her fiancé and her baby. Now, bruised from life and from a car accident, she needs to put some physical space between her and her life and family to start healing. From Toronto, she lands in a small town in England for the Christmas Holidays and smashes (literally) into a very handsome stranger named Kit. On both sides it's instant attraction and neither understand the pull the between them. Ivy also finds solace in a small tearoom and friendship with he elderly owner. Will Ivy and Kit give in to the pull? Or will they fight their attraction? Especially since ivy has to go back to Toronto by New Year's day...

Favorite quotes out of context:
❄️ Never again will I choose someone else before I chose myself, before I loved myself.
💗 I'm whipped for any foreign accent, hence why I actually prefer audiobooks to be narrated by Brits, Aussies, Scots, or Irish men (same, Ivy, same 😌)
❄️ I'll push through, find my way back to who I was before, or better yet, who om meant to be from now on.
💗 This small corner of England unexpectedly became my own personal holiday haven.

Tropes include:
❄️ Brit x Canadian
💙 Insta attraction
💗 Small Town
❄️ Cozy tearoom
💙 "Fuck it" moment
💗 Playing in the snow
❄️ Fancy hotel
💙 Mirror scene
💗 Open door

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (two open door scenes)

[Becka | Bookishbeck_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emmie was one of the very first friends I made on Bookstagram when I started my page, and it’s always been so fun knowing she lives so close to me here in Quebec. When she told me she was writing a book, I was so excited for her, and when I received the ARC of her debut novel, I couldn’t wait to jump in.

This story is absolutely beautiful and so heartwarming. I’m honestly in awe that my friend wrote this. It gives very strong Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez vibes in the best way. The characters are incredibly lovable. Kit falls for Ivy so quickly and so deeply, which is exactly the kind of romance I’m a total sucker for. And Ivy’s journey of self-discovery is just stunning. Plus, the fact that Ivy is Canadian made parts of the book feel even more relatable and fun for me.

There were so many moments in this story that truly resonated with me. There are scenes and emotions that felt so real, like I could see myself in them. It’s one of those books where you keep thinking, “Oh my god, this is me."

What made the experience even more special is that I could literally hear Emmie's voice through her writing. Her kindness, her warmth, her beautiful soul, it all comes through so clearly on the page. Her personality is woven into the story in such an authentic way.

This is the perfect cozy holiday romance. It’s great if you want something comforting to read before bed, or if you’re looking for a feel-good, festive story with real emotional depth. I genuinely recommend this book 100%.

[Kayla ELSIE · Rating 4 out of 5]

"People see tragedy because they choose to look at it this way. They forget that every tragic event also brings its share of beauty, and that they have the power to focus on that instead." - Charlie, a wise random Brittish tour guide.

A sweet, feel good holiday story. This story started out with the FMC grief stricken and feeling inadequate, and although it could have been depressing, read so beautifully and inspiring. In a time she felt unseen, she took herself to another country to spend the holidays alone and to work out her grief. Little did she know how much this would change her life.

I loved how the author took this feeling that so many women have and turned it into this magical read. There were written poems by the FMC in-between each chapter (which were ridiculously amazing), that really portrayed her character development and healing. It made my heart so happy to read.

"Never again will I choose someone else before I choose myself, before I loved myself" - Ivy

Kit and Ivy quickly because one of my favorite couples. Thank you to Emmie Vale for allowing me the pleasure of being a part of your ARC team. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.

Release date was December 5, 2025. Add this to your Holiday/Winter TBR and grab your copy!

Inst-love | Found Family | Healing | Holiday Vacation | Holiday Romance | Travel | Small Town | Dual POV

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who hasn’t read a ton of Christmas romances (or honestly romances), I loved this!

Ivy’s journey to find herself after her life has fallen apart is so relatable, not the specific situation she was in for me but the feeling of not taking time and space for yourself and trying to recapture the parts of yourself that make you you. Kit was such a wonderful human and it was lovely to have a leading male who was just making all the right choices.

I thought Vale’s writing was really rooted in reality but with that added magic of the season making everything shine just a little brighter. I have a need to visit the fictional tea house she wrote, it’s amazing, and I loved that parts of her book reminded me of my own relationship and when it started. She captured the feelings of a new relationship developing so well!

Overall I would recommend this to romance lovers who want a lower stakes, high happy feelings read. I would also recommend for anyone who loves poetry because this book includes several at the start of chapters and they are wonderful. I could absolutely see myself paging through and referring back to them when I need to as I do with other poetry books. Thanks very much to the author for allowing me to read the ARC of this book for an honest review.

4.5 stars
mild spice
mild content warnings (traumatic experiences referred to but not shown on page)

[Alicia López Montero · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you, my sweet friend. And congratulations. You're now a published author and I'm so proud of you.

What you'll find inside:
- Healing journey
- Grief
- Just for the holidays
- Hallmark vibes
- Small English town
- Elder business woman and confidant
- Poems
- Strangers to friends to lovers
- "I shouldn't fall for you" he said, falling.
- Tension and soft open doors

My thoughts:
This was lovely.
So cozy and soft, just one of those sweet stories that you could watch over and over and never grow tired of. Even if it's a little cheesy and you always know the ending.

Some heavier topics are discussed in here, such as miscarriage, grief and toxic relationships, but they are treated respectfully and with great tenderness, while the healing journey, growth and love story are just beautifully done.
I loved the English town setting, the Irish granny sidekick, and the general Hallmark vibes.

I found it a tad too corny sometimes, and I feel some of the dialogues were a bit empty for my taste? But that just me and a very small 'but' against the emotional charge of some other scenes that was perfectly accomplished.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragedy in Ivy’s life led to her christmas holiday being spent alone in the UK versus her home in Canada. She needs this time to heal (physically and mentally), and find herself. She quite literally collides in the airport with Kit, a UK native who started his own company and had legal guardianship of his younger sister when his mom passed away. She continues to cross paths with him the same day, and they begin an unexpected friendship. Is this really what Ivy needs when her holiday plans were to heal alone? Is Kit really in the market for a relationship that can’t go anywhere when Ivy leaves to go back to Canada after Christmas?

I genuinely loved Emmie’s debut novel. It does not read as being a debut novel in my opinion. She created characters you could easily see yourself in, fall in love with, and root for. I’m so excited for others to read and love it as well when it releases December 5th.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many good things to say I don’t know where to start. The writing style was so incredibly beautiful, with poems at the end of each chapter that really added a lot of depth and emotion to the story.

This was a perfect winter/holiday read set in the cutest little town in England. Not only did I fall in love with the main characters but the side characters too. Every person in the story brought something unique to the table.

Our main character, Ivy, had such a heartbreaking story but she had so much growth throughout the book. I loved getting to see her evolve both with Kitt and on her own. They complemented each other so well. I loved their love story. It’s an insta-spark story that I truly enjoyed.

This book had me crying and smiling and feeling so much emotion. A very heartfelt debut for the holiday season.

[Kristen | CozyNovelTea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vale's debut novel is a sweet read, perfect for this chilly weather!

The small town setting and secondary characters are absolutely perfect. It sort of gave me ‘The Holiday’ vibes (traveling to another country for an escape and unexpectedly falling in love)!

This is an insta-love romance, which I’m not a huge fan of, but I love that it’s balanced out with both characters experiencing growth. Ivy has been through a lot, and this trip is when she starts healing and figuring out what she wants. Kit has been taking care of his sister for so long, that he’s basically an empty-nester now that she’s moved away.

I look forward to reading what Vale writes next!

[Thank you to Emmie for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!]

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy decided after multiple heartbreaks of different reasons that she will travel alone to England from Canada for Christmas, seeking out a fresh start and a chance for her to learn what she deserves. Little does she realize that that decision will affect her in the best way possible…all starting with meeting Kit on her very first day.

This was such a heartwarming story to read this time of year with an important lesson that taking chances is scary, however they can be so rewarding in the end. I enjoyed reading about Kit and Ivy’s story and all the sweet moments along the way.

Thank you Emmie Vale for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Eryn Salhany · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW: Thank you to Emmie Vale for the advanced copy of your book!

What a lovely way to kick off my holiday reads! I’m so impressed that this is a debut novel.

Canadian girl, Ivy, visits a small town in England to escape the immense loss she’s just experienced at home, and meets Kit, a kind-hearted local, with whom she shares an immediate connection. Their chemistry sparks quickly, but still feels genuine. While this is a romance book at heart, both main characters also experience meaningful growth, especially recovering people-pleaser Ivy, which adds depth beyond a simple love story. These two heal each other in a way I don’t think either of them knew they needed, and fall in love along the way.

Although it’s a holiday read that’s perfect for the winter months, I think many readers will enjoy it any time of year. Do yourself a favour and add it to your TBR!

[Aleesa Holtcamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super fun and special holiday read. I really enjoyed both main characters and their special insta connection from the start. A protective man with a British accent is •chefs kiss• I felt like the delicate topics of grief were handled really well and loved how the characters grew together. The small town and found family vibes were perfect as well as the holiday spirit throughout.

Read if you like
- Strangers to lovers
- Protective MMC
- Insta connection
- Dual POV

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Arin Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love. Loss. New beginnings. Instant attraction.

This beautiful holiday book should be on everyone’s tbr. I love the Christmas vibes, and the fact that it is set in a small English town is the cherry on top! The love story that unfolds between Kit and Ivy is perfection. This is such an emotional read, and Emmie’s words are pure magic. What a debut!

[Readingwithmammabear · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and heartfelt love story. Ivy and Kit healing themselves and each other was a joy to read. I loved watching their characters grow, and their vulnerability was palpable.

Many thanks to Emmie for the ARC opportunity!