It’s all fun and games until your rival becomes your Christmas complication.My day is already a disaster—my ex is marrying my ex–best friend, and Cole Danner (a walking irritation in a very distracting plaid shirt) just sabotaged my biggest project. Then we both show up at the most Christmas-obsessed house in Arizona, fighting over the same rare reindeer collectible owned by Marigold Winters, a woman who takes “holiday spirit” to alarming levels.
One argument, one torn-in-half reindeer, and one very magical homeowner later… we’re pulled into a festive world of Marigold’s own making, tasked with completing a series of holiday challenges together, if we ever want out.
Now I’m stuck with Cole navigating magical errands, chaotic surprises, forced teamwork, and a spark that definitely shouldn’t exist between rivals. And somewhere between the bickering and Marigold’s unpredictable assignments, I’m starting to realize the most inconvenient part of this Christmas might be falling for the last guy I'd ever expect.
A laugh-out-loud, slow-burn holiday romcom filled with chaos, chemistry, and a dash of Christmas magic.
By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't.
This might be the most Christmasy holiday romance I’ve read this year! It’s a festive explosion. Finally! When I pick up a holiday read, that’s exactly what I want. Tree farms, Christmas pageants, holiday markets, snow-filled fun! It's all here. And more!
First over a property development dispute and then over a rare Christmas collectible toy, Nora and Cole clash not once but twice in the span of a single day. To teach them a lesson, the eccentric, holiday-loving Marigold Winters magically traps them in a winter wonderland of festive challenges they must complete together in order to escape. It’s delightful chaos!
I loved seeing Nora and Cole slowly rediscover their love for the holidays, reminding them of the joy they’ve been missing. Their banter was super warm and flirty, and the romantic progression actually felt realistic. No insta-love, which can be hard to do in under 200 pages! This was the sweetest, coziest little burst of holiday cheer!
Wow! What a fun book full of Christmas magic. A Very Inconvenient Christmas is the cute novella length story of Cole and Nora! These two definitely start off on the wrong foot at a town council meeting and things really escalate when they end up fighting over a high demand Christmas toy, which then leads them to being whisked away with the help of a “Christmas fairy godmother” named Marigold Winters. Marigold’s magic really helps these two find their Christmas spirits, serve others, rekindle their relationships with their families, and find love!
I really loved this Christmas romcom with a twist! The magical elements were so fun and made for a super cute way to get two grumpy Christmas cynics to see Christmas through a different lens and have a change of heart, not only about Christmas, but about each other!
Favorite quotes:
“Everyone knows you don’t win with arguments; you win with schmoozing. And maybe baked goods.”
“I didn’t think you turned into your parents until you had kids of your own, but apparently it also happens when you’re forced to face irritating, attractive men.”
“It’s official: Mrs. Claus is not my forte. Give me a construction project to manage and I’ll crush it. Stick me in a wig and tell me to spread cheer? Disaster.”
“I like your laugh,” I say before thinking it through. He eyes me, one eyebrow moving slowly up his forehead. Probably because I’m usually insulting him. “Do you?” “I mean, it’s also kind of annoying, but sure. Sometimes it’s okay.” His lips pull into a smirk. “Careful, Nora. That felt like a compliment.”
“I don’t know why I’m emotional,” I say, feeling dumb. He keeps his hand on my back. “Maybe because the kid who wrote that letter still believed in magic. And the grown-up she’s become misses her.”
This book was a perfect read for the busy holiday season. It was shorter, around 150 pages, and filled with so many holiday traditions!
Cole and Nora both have their reasons for no longer feeling the magic of Christmas. They start off as work enemies, but also find themselves trying to pick up the same one toy from a Facebook Marketplace seller, and things escalate from there. This is where it gets fun! The owner, Marigold, has her own brand of Christmas magic. She transports Cole and Nora into situation after situation where they must prove their holiday spirit. These tests were hilarious and often devolved into total chaos!
I loved every minute of it! I loved watching two grinches have their hearts grow at least a few sizes. Cole and Nora had some great banter and chemistry. If you love watching Hallmark Christmas movies, this book is the perfect one to add to your reading list this season!
“I didn’t think you turned into your parents until you had kids of your own, but apparently it also happens when you’re forced to face irritating, attractive men.”
There’s nothing I love more than a story full of Christmas magic, and this one has a literal sprinkling of said magic. Nora and Cole are rivals from the start and when they find themselves at Marigold’s, after the same hard-to-get toy of the season, the fun and games begin.
In an effort to teach them what truly matters and to capture that Christmas cheer, they find themselves in many different holiday scenes and scenarios–still exhibiting that intense competition. I loved the swirls of enchantment that slowly builds with every Christmas endeavor. Tree cutting, sledding, mall Santa and Mrs, a zany holiday play, gingerbread house building, answering letters to Santa, and more, this darling story brings all the zest and pep to give anyone the Christmas spirit.
True to Monson’s style, the elements of romance zip and zing, giving this one all the Hallmark feels and feelings of holiday delight. Who knows? Marigold could bring us more Christmas adventures in the future and I wouldn’t be mad about it.
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
“Just remember . . . Christmas isn’t about toys or tinsel. It’s about connection. The rest is just window dressing.”
What a charming and heartwarming read!! 🥹 This for sure caught me by surprise. I had no idea I would love this as much as I did.
Being whisked away through a series of magical Christmas themed tasks and challenges along with Nora and Cole was so much fun. The journey and growth they experienced was actually incredible! It focused on selflessness, being less cynical, bridging gaps in broken families, re-kindling relationships, and of course, harnessing Christmas cheer. ❤️💚🎄
This was such a cute, feel-good Christmas escape, and I thouroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you so much to the author Becky Monson for the gifted ARC! This was such a treat to read 💖
Super cute and super festive with a fun fantasy element, Nora and Cole had a delightful enemies to lovers vibe. While the book is short, their relationship was so well developed and never felt rushed to me. I could see their feelings change with each festive event they were forced to attend.
I read this on a whim after seeing another GR friend rate it highly and I’m so glad I made time for it. It was so much fun! It also had quite a few humorous moments and I laughed aloud several times.
And that cover is super cute and perfectly captures the vibe of this book.
This book was delightful and put me in the Christmas Spirit! I loved the lead characters and especially Marigold! She nailed it! I hope we see more of her! All the “activities” were superbly Christmassy! And awesome swoon! Nailed it again!!!!
This is one of those books you pick up thinking, “This one sounds really cute,” and suddenly you’re way too invested. Our main character, Nora, is already having a truly awful day—like, your ex marrying your ex–best friend levels of awful—and then Cole Danner, who is annoying, smug, and unfortunately very attractive, enters, making her day even worse. Their rivalry is top-tier fun, and when they both end up at the most outrageous Christmas house fighting over the same hard-to-find Goldie Glitterhoof reindeer collectible, I couldn't wait to see how it would turn out.
This is when things go off the rails in the best way. Nora and Cole fight over who gets to buy the toy from the very festive homeowner, Marigold, who seems to possess some magical energy. Goldie Glitterhoof ends up destroyed and Laura and Cole find themselves in a Christmas wonderland, having to work together on several challenges in order to return home. Cue the banter, the ridiculous situations and forced proximity.
I received a paperback of this one for Christmas, but also listened to the audiobook, which made it even better. I loved the dual narration, especially for an enemies/rivals-to-lovers story, and the female narrator, Stefanie Kay is one of my favorites—she nails the humor, the frustration, and those little moments where feelings start sneaking in. It added an extra layer of fun and made the Christmas chaos feel even more alive.
I loved how the romance sneaks up on you. One minute they’re bickering about everything in these magical situations, the next you’re like, "Wait… when did I start rooting for this?" The spark between them felt natural, not rushed, and all the Christmas magic made everything cozier and more fun.
If you’re in the mood for enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, holiday chaos, and a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers the feels, this one is a good pick. It’s festive, funny, and a great escape.
Enough wit and whimsy to warm the most cynical heart.♥️
Is there anything hotter than a man who remains calm and competent in the face of chaos? Maybe if he’s also a grown-up skater boi in wrinkled plaid.
Nora and Cole are forced to cooperate in various holiday scenarios together after circumstances had just made them rivals. Twice.
The banter is absolute perfection, and I love how their admiration and attraction grew as they faced each new challenge. But I was 100% smitten with Cole. Calm, helpful, playful—he adapted and gave his best no matter what, and Nora didn’t miss it.
You’ll laugh out loud and root for both of them to get everything they’ve ever wanted.
So much silliness. I listened to this in keeping with my light hearted Christmas entertainment. I always wonder why so much magic and good feeling around the supernatural is allowed for Christmas stories that has nothing to do with the Jesus story. That magic/miracle is apparently out of the question but other fairy godmothers or magical people helping folks be better versions of themselves at Christmas time is totally allowed. In this case, I appreciated the healthy family demands in the background of the story in addition to the light hearted romance.
Don’t miss this delightful, creatively original Christmas story! A true reminder of the reason for the season sprinkled with a love story. I will be rereading it every holiday season. ❤️🎄❤️
CONTENT -🤬: mild language (2 a, 2 d, 3 h), some crude language (d-bag) -❤️: make outs -⚠️:
Earlier this week, I posted a roundup of "older" Christmas books and one of Becky Monson's books was in there. She messaged me to say "thank you" for including hers. I told her "you're welcome" (obviously) but went on to say that I feel like older book sometimes get lost in the new releases, but I loved all of those ones I shared. Then I said, "I do want to read A Very Inconvenient Christmas, though!!" She responded, "Happy to send you A Very Inconvenient Christmas ebook!" So, HUGE THANK YOU to Becky because I binged this in a twenty-four-hour period and absolutely loved it!
If you read any of the Only Magic in the Building series earlier this year, the kind of magic in this gave off similar vibes to that.
Nora and Cole meet because they are on opposing sides of an issue being presented to the city council. Clearly that leaves a less-than-favorable taste in each of their mouths about the other person. But then they find themselves at a Christmas-obsessed woman's house, arguing over the toy of the year (which neither really wants to do because they don't love Christmas themselves, but they're trying to do good for the nieces in their lives). Marigold, the Christmas-obsessed lady herself, provides the two with multiple opportunities to remedy their Christmas disdain.
I adored the forced proximity, I loved how they begrudgingly worked together to attempt to get home from all of these situations Marigold magically placed them in, and I very much enjoyed watching them soften toward the holiday and also toward each other.
I highly recommend this one! And thank you again, Becky, for the gifted ebook! It was a delightful treat.
Favorite Quotes: -I sit at a desk for most of the day, for crap’s sake. My best weapon is a strongly worded email.
-“Tell me this isn’t some twisted snow globe.” “If it is, I’d like a refund.”
-It’s weird how we’re just playing along now instead of fighting. Is this what Stockholm syndrome feels like?
-“I like your laugh,” I say before thinking it through. He eyes me, one eyebrow moving slowly up his forehead. Probably because I’m usually insulting him. “Do you?” “I mean, it’s also kind of annoying, but sure. Sometimes it’s okay.” His lips pull into a smirk. “Careful, Nora. That felt like a compliment.”
-“I don’t know why I’m emotional,” I say, feeling dumb. He keeps his hand on my back. “Maybe because the kid who wrote that letter still believed in magic. And the grown-up she’s become misses her.”
-"Christmas isn’t about toys or tinsel. It’s about connection. The rest is just window dressing.”
Nora and Cole are two people who managed to grow to dislike one of the prettiest holidays in history of men - Christmas. And what's more, they managed to also dislike each other! But don't worry... one toy and a little bit of magic can do wonders.
Anyways, this book was like a typical Christmas Hallmark movie. The characters had to be a little annoying to make it work and act childish and illogical for a third of the book, but after that, it became pretty wholesome. The romance is honestly just kinda there, however, this was a cozy and easy read - or listen, in my case. 3,25*
Very fast read. It was ok. Like the equivalent of a hallmark movie but in book form. Basically two Christmas cynics are feuding over a real estate development and fairy Christmas god mother helps to push them together and to see the error of their ways.
I didnt like this book much. The characters felt pretty immature. The plotting was silly and sometimes cringy. The story just wasnt great and I didnt like how the characters behaved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This sweet and clean Christmas rom-com is full of magic, romance and is a great story. Becky Monson has become one of my favorite authors and this story truly warmed my heart ♥️ highly recommend!
Ouch, this, unfortunately is quite bad. It goes beyond being silly to absolutely ridiculousness. The characters go from acting like spoiled toddlers (or politicians) to horny, uncontrollable teenagers. to this I would suspect Santas woulds say. "No. No. No."