Home for the Holidays: A Christmastime Anthology

by Nicole Frail (Editor), Amy Hepp (Contributor), Katie Fitzgerald (Contributor)

A tender holiday collection of twelve short stories that explores the many ways we find our way back to each other, to ourselves, and to the places that feel like home.

Whether through a grandmother’s treasured Christmas Eve memory, a soldier’s bittersweet homecoming, or simply strangers crossing paths in snow-covered towns, each tale captures the warmth, messiness, and quiet magic of belonging.
In these pages, home isn’t always a house; it’s the sound of familiar laughter, the glow of shared traditions, the grace of second chances, and the courage to open your heart. These stories remind us that “home” is found not in perfection but in connection.

Featured stories and authors “A Place Called Family” by Caroline Baccene“The Advent-ures of Phoebe’s Christmas Dwarf” by Nat Bickel“Back in Shape” by Cheryl Boughton“The Kindness Challenge” by Melissa Cate“Snowed Inn at Christmas” by Rick Ferguson“Comfort Zone and Joy” by Katie Fitzgerald“Christmas in the Woods” by Amy Hepp“Gramma's Christmas Eve” by Amy Kelly“Farolito” by yesenia monique“I'll Be Anywhere but Home for Christmas” by Morgan Matlow“Christmas on Canal Street” by Katherine Rea“A Holiday Homecoming” by Laura Turner
Whether you’re returning, rediscovering, or rebuilding, Home for the A Christmastime Anthology invites you to settle in, light a candle, and remember that sometimes the best gifts are the people and places we carry inside us.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2025

Reviews

[Ashley Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories all themed around the feel- good of the holidays.

I loved how easy it was to read - also read The Gift Exchange and it was the same. It puts into perspective of what the holidays are really about from different points of view.

If you want a cute, quick and easy read that will start the cheer for the season, definitely pick this up. It’s a little different than what I’m used to read but was honestly a good palette cleanser. Thank you to the authors and @happilybookedpr for the early read. All opinions are my own.

[Aida Rivero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for the Holidays
Anthology Various Authors

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Featured stories and authors include:

🎁“A Place Called Family” by Caroline Baccene
🎄“The Advent-ures of Phoebe’s Christmas Dwarf” by Nat Bickel
❄️“Back in Shape” by Cheryl Boughton
🎁“The Kindness Challenge” by Melissa Cate
🎄“Snowed Inn at Christmas” by Rick Ferguson
❄️“Comfort Zone and Joy” by Katie Fitzgerald
🎁“Christmas in the Woods” by Amy Hepp
🎄“Gramma's Christmas Eve” by Amy Kelly
❄️“Farolito” by yesenia monique
🎁“I'll Be Anywhere but Home for Christmas” by Morgan Matlow
🎄“Christmas on Canal Street” by Katherine Rea
❄️“A Holiday Homecoming” by Laura Turner

Home for the Holidays: A Christmastime Anthology, edited by Nicole Frail, is a tender collection of twelve short stories that explores themes of belonging, connection, and second chances during the Christmas season. It is all heartwarming, emotional, and a cozy read…. Just perfect for the holidays.

Just to name a few, that were my favorites, you have “ Grandma‘s Christmas Eve” by Amy Kelly. It is a cozy read where Tallulah is told a story, by her grandma, that was from her own cherished childhood memories. A story of how they almost didn’t make it home due to a snowstorm. Only realizing that home is where ever family was together. The story brought back some of my own childhood experiences of when my own grandma would tell me stories of her own childhood memories. Another favorite is “Comfort Zone and Joy” by Katy Fitzgerald. This story really hit me as I found similarities to my own life today how focus one can get in work and daily life and forget the importance of being together with family. That the joys of life should always be choosing to be home with those you love.

Altogether, Home for the Holidays is a cozy, feel-good book to get into the holiday mood. It is a highly suitable choice of those seeking to read about and get into the Christmas spirit. The stories warm the heart and not to mention feelings of comfort and joy. Home for the Holidays delivers on its promise of heartwarming, emotional stories that celebrate the true meaning of connection and belonging during Christmastime.

10/10 Would recommend this book of Christmastime Anthologies to all family and friends

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️

If you are looking for a book that offers wonderful stories and give off feelings of coming home nostalgia, the Home for the Holidays Anthology is a must read on your holiday reading list. 12 stories, brought to readers by 12 different authors, truly capture the feeling of a cozy Christmas, while reminding us of the important things in life.

Whether you decided to read this book in one setting or spread them out over time, you will not regret the time you spend with these amazing authors.

The anthology includes the following stories:
“A Place Called Family” by Caroline Baccene
“The Advent-ures of Phoebe’s Christmas Dwarf” by Nat Bickel
“Back in Shape” by Cheryl Boughton
“The Kindness Challenge” by Melissa Cate
“Snowed Inn at Christmas” by Rick Ferguson
“Comfort Zone and Joy” by Katie Fitzgerald
“Christmas in the Woods” by Amy Hepp
“Gramma's Christmas Eve” by Amy Kelly
“Farolito” by yesenia monique
“I'll Be Anywhere but Home for Christmas” by Morgan Matlow
“Christmas on Canal Street” by Katherine Rea
“A Holiday Homecoming” by Laura Turner

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🎄12 Authors
💫Short Stories
🎄Holiday Magic
💫Cozy Stories
🎄Wholesome Romance

[Ally de la Tierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a cozy, Hallmark-ish holiday read with real emotion and cultural roots? This one’s for you. 🎁📚

This anthology is full of heartfelt, wholesome stories, but one completely stole my heart: “Farolito” by Yesenia Monique. She beautifully captures how the holidays can feel both magical and heavy at the same time — how nostalgia, homesickness, and holiday blues show up differently for everyone.

I especially loved how she wove in art, memory, and identity. Through her words, she explores what it means to remember where you come from while longing to feel that spark and warmth again — a feeling that’s so hard to recreate, especially around the holidays. The contrast between past and present holiday memories felt so real and tender.

This anthology has officially become a holiday staple for me. If you love cozy, wholesome, Hallmark-style holiday short stories with heart, culture, and emotion, this one has your name written all over it. 💌

✨ If you enjoy my reviews and would like to send me a book to review for free, feel free to follow me and reach out at @allydelatierra222 on Instagram or email me at inquiries.allyt@gmail.com
. I’d love to read and share your story!

[Cait's Reading Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home for the Holidays is an Anthology of holiday short stories edited by Nicole Frail. Stories included are:

Gramma’s Christmas Eve by Amy Kelly
Comfort Zone and Joy by Katie Fitzgerald
A Place Called Family by Caroline Baccene
The Adventures of Phoebe’s Christmas Dwarf by Nat Bickel
Back in Shape by Cheryl Boughton
Christmas on Canal Street by Katherine Rea
A Holiday Homecoming by Laura Turner
Snowed Inn at Christmas by Rick Ferguson
The Kindness Challenge by Melissa Cate
Farolito by yesnia Monique
I’ll Be Anywhere But Home for Christmas by Morgan Matlow
Christmas in the Woods by Amy Hemp

A recurring theme in this collection is how people create a home not just a place, house, or building. We take home with us wherever we go. This collection showcases the many feelings and emotions that people feel during this season.

I read the Gift Exchange, a collection of short stories also edited by Nicole Frail, and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Nicole Frail and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a honest review.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a warm and uplifting read. I really enjoyed how each short story captured a different side of the holiday season. Some focused on family, others on love or friendship, but all of them reminded me of what makes this time of year so special.

I liked that the stories were short and easy to pick up whenever I had a few minutes.

The collection also showed how the holidays mean different things to different people. For some, it’s about reconnecting with loved ones, while for others it’s about finding peace or starting fresh. That variety made the book feel real and relatable.

Overall, this was a cozy and comforting read that put me in the holiday spirit. It’s perfect if you want something light but meaningful, and I’d definitely recommend it as a way to slow down and enjoy the season.

[Rianne Van Der Heiden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Home For The Holidays Anthology 🎄
Featured stories and authors include:

🎁“A Place Called Family” by Caroline Baccene
🎄“The Advent-ures of Phoebe’s Christmas Dwarf” by Nat Bickel
❄️“Back in Shape” by Cheryl Boughton
🎁“The Kindness Challenge” by Melissa Cate
🎄“Snowed Inn at Christmas” by Rick Ferguson
❄️“Comfort Zone and Joy” by Katie Fitzgerald
🎁“Christmas in the Woods” by Amy Hepp
🎄“Gramma's Christmas Eve” by Amy Kelly
❄️“Farolito” by yesenia monique
🎁“I'll Be Anywhere but Home for Christmas” by Morgan Matlow
🎄“Christmas on Canal Street” by Katherine Rea
❄️“A Holiday Homecoming” by Laura Turner

Whether you’re returning, rediscovering, or rebuilding, Home for the Holidays: A Christmastime Anthology invites you to settle in, light a candle, and remember that sometimes the best gifts are the people and places we carry inside us.

[Elly Christmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is 100% my opinion and has not been influenced in any way. I recommend this short collection of anthology stories.

Sweet holiday-themed anthology. A quick read that you can enjoy while drinking hot cocoa or eggnog. Each is filled with a good dose of holiday spirit, and each is a good, unique short story. Not a prequel into or a short chapter to get you to buy the next book. This is an actual Anthology. Perfect for a short break in between wrapping presents or waiting for a pie to bake.

[Diamanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello, people!
What do I have for you? Of course, a Christmas book because I love Christmas. This time it is an anthology consisting of short stories. Each short story is a separate story.
Each author gives his soul and leaves his own imprint on the hearts of readers.
The book is breathless and all the stories are easy to read, sweet, tender and perfectly in harmony with Christmas and the general atmosphere of this period.

Thank you very much to the author and Happily Booked PR for the eARC!

This is my honest review!

[Yasmin Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading an anthology of short stories during the holidays and I am absolutely in love with each one!! I was lucky enough to be chosen as an arc reader and when I finished reading each one, I just felt the holiday spirit. This is such a cute book to read by the window and drinking coffee in the morning or late at night, giving cozy vibes!! 🔥 Each story is written by a different author and each one is unique and perfect. I highly recommend reading if you are in the mood for a holiday novel 🎄

Rating: 5/5

[Marsha Graniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home for the Holidays is a collection of short, sweet, heartwarming Christmas stories. This collection varies from visiting family, unexpected snowstorms, and coming home from the military. I love the wholesomeness of the stories and how they represent closeness, family, and love. The anthology contains 12 stories of different families celebrating the magic of Christmas and the feeling of coming home. I really enjoyed the collection and can't wait to read more short stories like these.

I voluntarily leave an honest review of this gifted advance readers copy.

[Meaghan Elizabeth 🌙 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of some cozy and nostalgic Christmas stories that are perfect for this time of year. Each story is short, but will put you right in the festive spirit. These 12 authors did a wonderful job at presenting us with heartwarming stories that portray love, kindness and the importance of what truly matters in life. Although I loved them all, I think my absolute favorite in the collection was Gramma’s Christmas Eve🩷🎄

[Bev Saludo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming collection of Christmas stories is full of warmth, nostalgia, and festive cheer. Each story captures the spirit of the season — love, kindness, family, and a little bit of holiday magic.

It’s the perfect read to get you in the holiday spirit - one you can enjoy a story or two at a time with a cup of cocoa by the tree.

[Jennifer Wortman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a group of stories you can read together on Christmas, this is a book you NEED to pick up! The stories captured the Christmas spirit and left me feeling good after. My favorite was about the Christmas Dwarf, though they all carried wonderfully good messages.

I'm an official ARC reader for the Home For The Holidays Anthology

Thank you Happily Booked PR!

[Cheyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little collection of short stories that will put you in the holiday state of mind! I truly enjoyed each of these short stories. I treated it sort of like an advent read and would recommend it to others, it has a variety of styles and was a nice read.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this as an ARC reader!

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all the Christmas stories by the various authors. It really brings on the spirit of the season and got me in my feels. It’s a great reminder of what and who is important. You will love all the different stories.

[Books With Demi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, comforting read that truly captures the spirit of the holidays. I loved how real the characters felt and how the emotions unfolded naturally. It’s the kind of story that makes you slow down, reflect, and appreciate the small joys of the season.

[Reads by Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so sweet and festive! It is truly perfect for the upcoming Christmas season. Whether you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit or just looking for a light, uplifting read, this book delivers on all fronts. Great Christmas read.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely collection of holiday themed short stories. I love anthologies because they are easy to pick up when time is short, but an escape is needed!

I enjoyed each of these stories and have discovered some new to me authors!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet holiday reads…

From reminiscing about Christamas’ past and realising who (and what) is important, finding magic at Christmas, finding family, to finding your own happiness when family betrays you, these are very sweet stories reminding us what's important during the holidays.

[Elle and the Haunted Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so sweet and festive. Perfect for the christmas season!

[╰⊱♥⊱╮ღ꧁Kathy,Ahmazing Book Faerie꧂ღ╭⊱♥≺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC read.
I really enjoyed these short stories of different people returning home for the festive season.
Snowed Inn For Christmas, by Rick Fergusson was my favorite.

[Stephanie Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed each of the Christmas stories and this is a perfect book for the upcoming Christmas season!

[Melody Ludholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic anthology! All the stories were good! I really enjoyed how well written all the individual stories were. They are such great holiday stories!

[Jackie Tipton · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars. This is a collection of short Christmas stories. Some of these were so cute, others not so much.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed with this beautiful holiday anthology. Just absolutely wonderful stories. I loved each and every one of them. This truly brings the joy and warmth to the holidays.

[Mirandalikestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas anthology with no spice stories. 12 stories would make it perfect for the 12 days a Christmas and each one deals with different topics and the how resilient people can be.