The Little Shop of Merry and Bright

by Jenny Bayliss

Come see the magic for yourself.

Three years ago, Casey declined her boyfriend’s marriage proposal . . . and it went viral. After years of dealing with the backlash online, Casey now leads a quiet life, working as a stock replenisher for a family-owned department store. No risk of public humiliation, no stress, no possibility of love.

Until she meets the Spirit of Christmas Present, Margo, who has chosen to sit this holiday out.

Margo offers Casey a She will use her powers to erase the video that made Casey notorious. There’s just one catch. Casey must witness five of her alternate realities, and if after all five she still wants it wiped, Margo will grant her wish. While glimpses into other lifetimes are fascinating, the question What if everything Casey wants is waiting for her in the life she already has?

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Romance, Adult, Holiday Romance, Adult Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2026

About the author

Jenny Bayliss lives in a small seaside town in the UK with her husband, their children having left home for big adventures. After having been a professional cake-baker for many years, she went back to college at age thirty-nine to study part-time for a degree in Creative and Professional Writing. Bayliss likes long walks, baking days, stationery, and shamelessly wearing party dresses to the supermarket. The Twelve Dates of Christmas is her debut novel.

See also: Jenni Jennings

Reviews

[Melissa (Always Behind)]

Despite a title that doesn't really describe the book, I loved Jenny Bayliss's latest magical holiday rom com. A heartwarming story about overcoming obstacles, even ones you've created yourself. RTC

[Ali]

4.25 stars

I LOVE LOVE LOVED that the heroine of a cozy Christmas magical realism romance book was an aspiring horror writer. Both sides of my personality being catered to here 😂

There's something so magical about a department store during the Christmas season, especially a fancy English one. Throw in the Spirit of Christmas Present haunting it's halls, and I'm sold.

Casey inadvertently became a meme three years ago when she rejected her ex boyfriend's proposal, and had to outrun the public scrutiny of her former life. Now an overnight stock replenisher at a department store, she has an encounter with a strange spirit named Margo, who is just as disenchanted with her life. Afraid Casey will banish her, she offers to give her five glimpses of what her life could have looked like if the meme never existed.

I loved all the characters in this one, from Casey's elder coworker, to her grieving widower brother, to absolutely perfect specimen of a non-toxic man, Ajay. With Casey's well earned trust issues, I felt like she was too harsh on Ajay at times, but he proved his mettle by taking it in stride and loving her anyway. But even more than the romance, my favorite relationship was Casey and Margo's friendship, which was as comedic as it was touching.

🎁 Thank you @putnambooks #PutnamPartner for the advanced copy

[Shannon]

Jenny Bayliss holiday romances are never a miss for me and this latest delivered on all the feels as a jaded, depressed aspiring writer finds herself being able to see Margo, the Spirit of Christmas present, who is also jaded by her circumstances and looking for an escape. She finds it in a British department store where Casey works as the person who resets the store each night. Full of ghostly shenanigans, a friends to lovers, slow burn romance, glimpses at a future/past that could be if Casey decides to take Margo up on her offer to erase the single moment in Casey's past that has haunted her for years.

I loved the diverse cast of secondary characters, the Margo's spunkiness and how Casey slowly learns to appreciate what she has and move on from her past. Moving, heartfelt and the perfect cozy story for the holiday season. It was also good on audio and a delightful listen. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. Highly recommended for fans of books like Marjorie & me by Melissa Grace.

[Jennifer]

What if you were able to erase one of the worst things that ever happened to you? Casey has gone viral for turning down a proposal from her ex-boyfriend (yes, he was her ex when he proposed) that turned into a viral meme. Her life is upended, and she ends up moving to be with her brother and his kids and gets a job at a department store where she restocks the inventory overnight and hides from the world. While at work one night, she meets Margo, who offers her a way to erase the meme from existence.

In the midst of this story, Casey meets Ajay, a copper who has been run out of his own life to the little town Casey lives in. Their story is so sweet, and Ajay is definitely the man Casey deserves, but can Casey let her guard down long enough to give him a chance?

What a fun twist on A Christmas Carol! No ghost of Christmas past, no ghost of Christmas future, just Margo, the spirit of Christmas present. Who is on strike because her assignments are always the WORST. Margo calls to mind all of the iterations I’ve seen of the ghost of Christmas present — jolly, bringing abundance, and living life to the fullest. She’s such a fun character, and I enjoyed seeing the friendship between her and Casey develop.

This story reminds us that often we’re better off being happy with the life we have, as long as we remember that we have the power to change it if we want to. This is such a cute Christmas read!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for an advance copy of this book.

[Tracie]

Happy Christmas in July! What a delightful, whimsical read! This is the first time Bayliss has ventured into magical realism, and I absolutely adored her take on the sassy Ghost of Christmas Present, Margo.

I honestly think I loved Casey and Margo's friendship even more than the romance itself—which is saying something, because Ajay was exactly the Prince Charming Casey deserved. One of the things Bayliss does best is create a cast of characters you can't help but fall in love with, and this novel is no exception. Nigel and Vern were delightful, and I especially enjoyed watching both Casey and her brother Nate grow and heal throughout the story.

As always, Bayliss's descriptions are so vivid and immersive that I could perfectly picture the charming English countryside she brought to life on the page.

Another magical Christmas read from my favorite festive author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jess]

When the Ghost of Christmas Present travels as a 1920's flapper complete with cornichons and a personal cocktail cabinet, you know this isn't your typical Christmas Carol sort of novel. I will be transparent in that I am a lover of the Dickens tale and all the renditions whether it be novel or film... and that even means its form in a contemporary romance Christmas movie. I was instantly intrigued to read this one when I read the blurb on it.

My Thoughts: Adorable but not in a saccharine sort of way. Jenny Bayliss has a witty and intelligent writing style that I enjoy. There are comedic moments and sweet moments. Casey is the perfect self-deprecating protagonist that has a solitary job that especially works for her as she is a viral internet meme that unfortunately brings her no revenue, just humiliation. The Ghost of Christmas Present, Margo, offers her a deal she can't refuse. Casey gets to experience five potential realities for her and if she still wants the video wiped from existence and memory, it will be done. The story that ensues is just an utter Christmas spirit charmer. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Casey and Margo as their friendship blossoms. Margo brings Casey out of self-imposed exile to reclaim life again.

The reader gets to experience the power of female friendships, romance, found family, and resiliency all packed into the unique world that Jenny Bayliss creates in this novel. As you begin to compile your seasonal reading leading lists, move this book to the top of the list. Jenny Bayliss is truly one of the Queens of Christmas novelists in my opinion.

My many thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for so graciously allowing me to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Angelica]

This was a sweet holiday romance by Jenny Bayliss. It was different from what I've read before and that was a great respite from the "usual" holiday romances I inhale around this time every year.

The story follows Casey, who works nights at a local department store, wanting to remain unseen. Turns out Casey was part of a meme rejecting the proposal of her narcissistic ex-boyfriend and could not get away from the blowback from that viral meme. Casey is working her shift and is able to see Margo, the Spirit of Christmas Present, who has camped out at the department store for a holiday from her duties.

Margo strikes a deal with Casey and takes her through alternative views of what her life would be in different circumstances. Casey realizes that alternative realities wouldn't necessarily be better than her current situation, especially as it relates to people in her immediate periphery. I enjoyed the budding love story between Casey and Ajay and liked the secondary characters - her brother Nate (with whom she repairs her relationship with) along with Nigel and Vern.

Margo helps Casey see that her current reality isn't so bad at all and that she needs to be more aggressive and not be afraid to say what's on her mind - we see the growth that happens for Casey during the story, which is great. Overall, enjoyed the story and the holiday vibes.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Natalie]

This was a cute take on the Christmas Carol story we all know. Rather than being the misanthrope herself, the Ghost of Christmas Present encounters the main character Casey by accident as she is essentially going on strike from her work as a
Christmas spirit.

Casey is lying low working her job in a store after she went viral in all the wrong ways a few years previously. She’s become a meme after rejecting a marriage proposal and the public has sided with her ex and is against her. (I pictured her memes to be similar to “Karen” memes.)

I really liked the interplay between Casey and Margo the spirit. Margo even said a few lines from A Christmas Carol that I really enjoyed. I wish that there had been a little more from the glimpses into the other lives but the book was a really interesting look at the lasting effects from such minor changes.

The romance was fine; I liked that Ajay was honest with Casey and understood her insecurities.

I also loved the family owned department store! It seemed like such a lovely place. There weren’t as many Christmassy elements to the plot though. This is more of a character driven story. I did enjoy what Christmassy elements there were though. And I liked the depiction of the small town in England and the British phrases and customs.

Overall an enjoyable festive read. That cover is adorable too!




Thank you to the publisher, G P Putnam’s Sons, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Ashleigh Brown]

If you enjoy A Christmas Carol, you will be absolutely delighted with this semi modern take on it. I truly loved this book. I had moments of reflection, of shouting out loud, of pure joy. I felt it all as I read The Little Shop of Merry and Bright. There is something about how Jenny Bayliss writes her characters and the holidays that feel like pure Christmas Magic.

I won't say I'm mad at the romance, but the friendship between Casey and Margo was the true heart of the story. We meet Casey a few years after a meme essentially destroyed her life. Casey still hasn't lived it down and decided that a relative anonymity was the best way to live her life. She is a night shelf stocker at big department store. Enter Margo, the burn out, slightly bitter spirit of Christmas Present. She has found her safe haven at the department store. But to Margo's surprise Casey can see her. And this begins this friendship that feels eternally beautiful. Margo is tired of helping self important rich people re-evaluate their lives. Casey is ready for a change but can't figure out how to get there through the haze of the meme hanging over her. Margo wants to stay at the department store and Casey wants a life where the meme doesn't exist. They come to an agreement. Margo can stay as long as she gets rid of the meme. But in order for Margo to get rid of the meme, Casey must agree to five short glimpses of the life she could have once the meme is gone.

Each of the five glimpses shared what could be an inherent flaw in Casey. Being a chronic people pleaser. Avoiding hard things. It could also be a life that Casey wants. But Casey can't pick which one she'll get. It will be the luck of the draw. And she could end up with something totally different than the five glimpses. The best part of those glimpses was the fact that Casey reflected on them. Wanted to understand how she got there. And why she may not want the future that was shown to her. With each glimpse, you could feel the friendship between Margo and Casey grow. Margo kept opening up about how hard it was at times to be a spirit. Casey talked about how her life changed. But I think the most important part of this friendship is how Margo encouraged (read forced) Casey to find her voice and grow her confidence. Margo always saw the best in Casey and was going to make sure that Casey saw it too.

I did enjoy the romance between Casey and Ajay. It felt fun and organic. There was an ease to their relationship that made it easy to read and root for. Ajay was someone you would want in your corner. He was steadfast and kind. Once he found out about the meme, he never once looked at Casey differently. He simply said I'll be there and never walked away.

The growth of Casey throughout this book really resonated. I found it believable and really related to the idea that changing the past could make my life better. I think we've all been there. And I loved that Margo didn't show Casey just "bad" or "good" glimpses. She gave a mix so that Casey could make a choice that seemed well informed.

And Casey's monologue to Sam - chef's kiss. It was amazing! I'm still thinking about it two days later. I can't wait to share it with everyone because oh there was so much good in it.

While not a traditional Christmas story, it is the perfect story to read in December or for a winter read. It's perfect for curling up under a blanket with your favorite hot drink as you'll get sucked into the story and fall in love with Casey and Margo just like I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for this early release ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Carly]

Reading Jenny Bayliss is like having your wittiest British friend tell you a festive, funny story. I’m constantly lol’ing. These books have become a treasured holiday tradition for me, and although I’ve vibed with some more than others, this year’s really hit.

All her books are lighthearted and romantic, but I always appreciate how she weaves in deeper themes. The story takes a modern twist on A Christmas Carol, but I would argue its theme of “loving your imperfect life” is a different, more refreshing take on the classic tale.

Casey works the night shift at a local department store in a quiet village, where she is sheltering from the public eye because she’s involuntarily become a viral meme thanks to a revolting ex. Margo, the Ghost of Christmas Present, appears to her (with a bevy of Christmas treats trailing in her wake) and offers Casey a deal where she could erase the meme from everyone’s memory, including hers, but she’d need to agree to see five “glimpses” into what life could look like if it had never happened.

While Margo is perfectly bubbly on the outside, she explains how draining and depressing her profession can be: having to interfere with mankind’s scummiest people (i.e. billionaires and the like). And she wants to be done with it. So this will be her last job before sailing off into the spirit sunset (a.k.a. basically dissolving into the atmosphere).

I highlighted so many of Margo’s quotes about staying in the present (LOVED that little play on words) and being grateful for what you have. Here are a few favorites:

“Your role is simply to be the best version of your own self that you can be so that there is one less butt trumpet in the world for us spirits to worry about.”

“You spend so much of your time worrying about what might happen that you keep forgetting to live right now.”

“Perfection is a myth that humans use to torment themselves. But in its way, the life you have is the perfect one for you.”

Casey was an easy character to like, and I can relate to her on multiple levels (thankfully, being a viral meme is not one of them). Her people-pleasing tendencies of keeping all your troubles to yourself, trying not to be a burden, and having an “innate desire to ‘fix things’” are eldest daughter traits that I cannot outrun, personally. This quote really stuck with me:

“Most of these people, like her, had interior lives that were vast and deep and complex—and perhaps even harrowing, if they let themselves dwell there for too long—and the only way to keep going was to put on a façade of normalcy for the good of humanity, because if everyone were to air their mess at once, civilized society would grind to a halt.”

Bayliss has a way of rounding out her characters down to the smallest details, and it’s something I sincerely appreciate about her writing. Her characters are diverse and complex, and she doesn’t shy away from topics like mental health. Not to mention she writes a damn good love interest. Ajay is a walking green flag.

I’m thrilled to say that this book lived up to the high expectations I have for this author. Even though I’m already looking forward to her next offering, I’m doing my best to stay in the present (pun very much intended).

[Tiffany]

📖 Title: Little Shop of Merry and Bright

✍🏾 Author: Jenny Bayliss-new to me author

📅 Publication date: 9-22-26 | Read: 9-24-26

📃 Format: e-Book 432 pgs.

Genre:
*Adult Fic
*Contemporary Romance

Tropes:
*magic
*holiday season
*family drama
*book lover
*friends to lovers
*single father
*3rd act breakup

👆🏾POV:3rd person

⚠️TW: cyber bullying, racism, gangs, grief, car accident, death of spouse, mental health issues/therapy

🌎 Setting: Weaverston

Summary: Casey leads a quiet life after becoming a "meme" when she rejected her boyfriend's marriage proposal and someone filmed them. A night at work in the Cooper & Co. department store alters Casey's life when she meets Margo-the spirit of Christmas present. She bargains w/ Casey to erase the meme from existence in exchange for choosing one of the alternate lives Margo shows her.

👩🏾 Heroine: Casey Smith 32, stock replenisher and a freelance writer w/ writer's block

👨🏾Hero: Ajay Williams-a police officer Nigel wanted Casey to meet and possibly date

🎭 Other Characters
*Margo-Spirit of Christmas Present, has optimist fatigue & tired of helping ungrateful people
*Nigel Pinner-60, injured night security guard & Casey's BFF, Vern-his husband
*Nate-Casey's brother, took her in @ 15, has 2 kids Conner and Ellory, deceased wife-Grace
*Jared Williams-Ajay's nephew living w/ him, his mother Tansie
*Pam-Spirit of Christmas Past
*Felicity-Spirit of Christmas Future
*Sam Moon-Casey's ex-boyfriend, now famous/vilified Casey

🤔 My Thoughts/Likes:
-Jared's care w/ Casey's niece and nephew at the farm
-The 5 "Other Caseys" lives
-Nate dealing w/ grief, being so overprotective, and dating again
-Casey dealing w/ people-pleasing, low confidence, and going for her dreams

Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level: 2/5🌶️off page

🙏🏾 Thanks to Netgalley, Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Jenny Bayliss for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Simply Bookish]

Thank you to NetGalley, G. P. Putnam’s Sons Publishers, and Jenny Bayliss for the electronic advanced reader’s copy of The Little Shop of Merry and Bright in exchange for my honest review.

Jenny Bayliss is known for her inviting Christmas books. She is a master of this genre and one of my go-to authors when I want to laugh out loud while visiting a small, festive village in the United Kingdom at Christmastime. Her newest novel maintains her reign as the queen of cozy Christmases! Fans of Emily Stone and Sarah Morgan will love Jenny Bayliss’ newest novel, The Little Shop of Merry and Bright.

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright offers a contemporary spin on The Christmas Carol. We meet Casey, who, three years ago, rejected a marriage proposal from her then-boyfriend. A video of the rejection went viral, creating years of havoc for Casey. She now leads a quiet life, stocking a family-owned department store. Casey is working one night during the Christmas shopping season when she meets Margo, the spirit of Christmas Present. Casey pleads for her to erase the video and Margo agrees with one stipulation - Casey must witness five alternate realities.

This is an enchanting Christmas read that will have you laughing out loud throughout the book. Margo is lovably eccentric with a larger-than-life personality. You will find yourself rooting for Casey, but may be surprised when you find yourself crossing your fingers for Margo as well. Jenny Bayliss is known for crafting multi-dimensional characters outside of the protagonist and antagonist and this book is no different. She weaves strong themes of friendship and families throughout her novels and continues to do so in The Little Shop of Merry and Bright.

Readers will appreciate this novel for it’s cozy Christmas vibes, hilarious and eccentric Margo,
relatability of characters along with their individual arcs, and of course the journey of Casey and Ajay’s relationship.

[Ayla]

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright by Jenny Bayliss

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to Putnam, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright is a cozy, warm, heartfelt, and whimsical story that is perfect for the holiday season! Jenny Bayliss always writes absolutely delightful holiday romance reads! With humor, friendship, connection, emotion, and an emphasis on what truly matters during the holiday season, this heartfelt story is absolutely wonderful.

Casey declined her boyfriend’s marriage proposal and it went viral three years ago. After dealing with the backlash online for a while, Casey lives a quiet life working at a department store. Her lifestyle allows her to avoid any humiliation, stress, and the possibility of love. Unexpectedly, she meets the Spirit of Christmas Present, Margo. Margo tells Casey she will use her powers to erase the proposal video if Casey is willing to witness five of her alternate realities. If after seeing all five of her alternate realities she still wants the video wiped, Margo will grant her wish. While the glimpses into alternate lifetimes provide Casey a fascinating look at other possibilities, the point remains that everything Casey wants might be waiting for her in the life she already has.

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright has everything a reader could possibly want in a read for the holidays. Equal parts cozy, humorous, and heartfelt, the story is full of characters you’ll love, a meaningful plot, and an uplifting message perfect for the holiday season! The Little Shop of Merry and Bright is a fantastic cozy, feel-good read that definitely gets readers in the Christmas spirit.

Overall, The Little Shop of Merry and Bright is a charming, genuine, uplifting, and romantic read with a storyline that is both unique and cozy.

[Amber Allen]

Thank you so much Net Galley for an ARC of my favorite Christmas author’s newest book.

It felt a little wrong reading this in August and September, but I look forward to listening to it around Christmas time for the accents!

Jenny Bayliss is the queen of a cozy, quaint Christmas novel. Jenny ventures into magical realism in this book and I appreciate her trying something new. It wasn’t my favorite of her books but still enjoyable.

Casey is the infamous victim of a viral meme of her ex-boyfriend’s making and so she goes to live in her brother’s small town and works as a stockist of a department store on the night shift. When their security guard hurts his back, Casey is left alone on the night shift and encounters Margo, the Spirit of Christmas present hiding from her responsibilities. Casey and Margo make a deal for Margo to erase the memory of the meme On Christmas Day, but first she has to see 5 glimpses of what her life could look like without the meme. The rest of the book follows as Casey decides if it’s worth erasing the meme and losing the current life she has with her friends and family.

For me, I couldn’t suspend my disbelief at the bits of the story with Margo, as her character’s personality and powers were a little unbelievable. Those parts with Margo in the department store unfortunately contained most of the cozy Christmas references that you come to associate with Jenny Bayliss. The rest of the story was lacking the Christmas coziness a little bit. However, I adore the found family trope she often has in her books. The support characters were going through some hard things and I appreciate them being woven into the story in a meaningful way.

Overall, not her best, but still worth a read for something different from Jenny.

[Topo Chicas]

Oh, Jenny Bayliss!! You’ve just send my heart through ALL of the possible emotions available! Having just finished her latest masterpiece, the Little Shop of Merry and Bright, I am just sitting in my feeling and one of the best book hangovers of my life. I want to move to Weaverston and become friends with all of Casey’s gang (and to sneak into her work and spell out as many cheeky anagrams as I can without getting caught).

Bayliss has been known to pen some holiday tales that really struck chords in me, but this one hit differently, but still was refreshingly new, relevant, and Hilarious. I know that most of us have either been Casey or have known someone like her.

Casey is a typical, motivated young person, with big dreams and is trying desperately to make them come true. Life then lifes hard on her, and she becomes the butt of a viral joke. Her solution was, like most people: avoid the spotlight, and hope that it will pass as quickly as possible.

She is still avoiding the spotlight, years later, when she bumps into a little magical realism at work. She stumbles upon the Spirit of Christmas Present, or as she prefers to be called: Margo. Casey tries to figure out if striking up a deal with Margo for a wish is a good idea or not. Little does she know that Margo will require a few strings attached to that wish that may make Casey do some serious soul-searching.

You will want to pick up a box of these and give them as holiday gifts to everyone on your gift list!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for this amazing digital ARC!!

[ashlin.reads]

Every year I look forward to a Christmas book by Jenny Bayliss and every year she doesn't disappoint me! This one is perfect for those who love Christmas Carol, which is one of my favorite movies to watch each holiday season.

Casey is struggling after a messy breakup that went viral. She just wants to lay low and live her life. While working alone one night she is surprised by a guest in the store she works in who just so happens to be the Ghost of Christmas Present. She's only here for a break and doesn't think anyone can see her so both of them are shocked. The cops Casey calls for her unexpected intruder can't see the spirit of course, but one of them takes a fancy to Casey. This starts an adorably, unexpected romance that changes Casey's life.

While this one overall lacked the super cozy, heartwarming feel of Jenny's Christmas books, I still enjoyed it. The relationship between Casey and the spirit Margo was adorable and I found myself feeling teary eyed when their time ended. Margo had me laughing out loud multiple times. I loved the closeness of Casey's family and those who are her friends but have become family. Ajay and Casey were so cute together and it was so sweet how his family became a part of Casey's. As always I enjoyed the small town descriptions from Jenny and the Christmas atmosphere she created. Definitely a fun Christmas read to watch for in later this year!!

Thank you Putnam publishers and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Marie Girulat]

A huge thank you to @jennibayliss and @putnambooks for the incredible #gifted book and to @prhaudio #PRHAudioPartner for the #gifted audiobook.

I loved this charming and enchanting ode to A Christmas Carol, brimming with magical realism, friendship, and romance. Casey has been in hiding ever since she turned down her ex-boyfriend's proposal, which went viral and turned her life upside down. Margo, the Spirit of Christmas Present, offers Casey a chance to erase the viral video, if she will explore five alternate possibilities.

The heart of the book lies in the blossoming friendship between Margo and Casey. Margo is a hilarious, straightforward spirit who showers Casey with care as she guides her through her different lives. Through these journeys, Casey realizes she hasn't truly lived her current life to the fullest and has given her ex too much power. I loved the courage Casey showed as she boldly expressed her feelings to her ex.

The supporting characters are equally delightful. Nigel, her wise and supportive coworker and best friend; her grieving yet resilient brother Nate, whose bond with Casey grows stronger; and Ajay, the cautious police officer who wins her trust and sparks a blooming romance, despite her trust issues.

This story is a cozy, warm, heartfelt, and whimsical holiday tale perfect for the season. This magical read will be available on September 22, 2026.

[Kelsey Fredericks]

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright is a Christmas romance with a little Christmas Carol-esque haunting. Casey Smith became a meme 2 years ago and it basically ran her out of her own life. This Christmas season, she is in the department store she works restocking merchandise and comes across Margo, the ghost of Christmas present. Margo tells Casey she will make it so the meme never happened if she will let her stay in the department store, because she needs a year off. Casey agrees, but once Margo starts showing her what her world would look like without the meme, Casey wonders if that is truly what she wants?

This book is fun with a little bit of a paranormal element! I LOVED Margo, she added so much fun and pizzaz to this story! Casey was going through things and I appreciated her growth as a character, but at times it was painful and felt like she would never learn. Ajay as Casey's love interest was wonderful- I loved how he seemed to fall for her instantly even though she had boundaries and doubted herself. The supporting cast of characters is **chef's kiss**. Nigel, Vern, Nate, Sylvie, Ken and Jared make this book special. There is an element of found family that brings the Christmas cozy.

I recommend this cozy Christmas book if you are a fan of A Christmas Carol and appreciate found family! Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kaitlin Fiore]

Thank you NetGally for the ARC of this book!

I love Jenny Bayliss Holiday books, they always get me into the Holiday Spirit. It felt odd reading it in the middle of the summer, but the book and the takeaway themes were still just as lovely.

I did think the book was a little slow to start, but once all the characters were properly introduced, the story unfolded nicely and with a nice cadence.

I love a modern retelling of a Christmas Story, especially with a Ghost of Christmas Present who is having what can only be described as a mid life crisis.
As the book progresses, you find yourself rooting for both of our FMCs. I so desperately wanted them to figure out their stuff and find their own versions of HEA.

The supporting cast of characters in this book are infinitely lovable as well. And the surprise around Nigel in the end is just so on point!

Jenny Bayliss does a beautiful job of creating a cozy and heartfelt Christmas tale, while incorporating themes of kindness, inclusivity, tolerance, second chances and love from family, genetic and found.

I think readers will love this story about finding yourself and your dream life through introspection and having a supportive cast of family and friend around you to catch you if you stumble.

[Caitlin Coska]

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright by Jenny Bayliss

Genre: Holiday Romance
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spice: 0/5 🌶️ 🧼

Summary: Casey was the center of a circulating meme and had to go into hiding because of it. When she meets the Spirit of Christmas Present, she’s offered the chance to erase that moment forever but first she must experience five alternate versions of her life where it never happened. Along the way, she’s forced to question whether changing the past would actually lead to a better future, or if the life she’s built is worth embracing after all.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! It’s a fresh spin on A Christmas Carol. I love how it focuses on just one of the “ghosts”.

The humor was exactly my style… dry, witty, and full of clever dialogue. The banter between the characters was definitely one of the highlights for me.

The romance, however, felt a little inconsistent. Some of the conversations flowed naturally, while others felt a bit forced, which made it harder for me to fully connect with that aspect of the story.

Overall, I liked how this went beyond the typical Christmas novel. It has plenty of depth and layers that kept me invested, and I had a great time with it.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an advanced copy so I may share feedback.

[Dana Sessa]

Jenny Bayliss has once again delivered a delightful Christmas story with The Little Shop of Merry and Bright! This charming and whimsical novel is a wonderful combination of romance, humor, friendship, family, and a little bit of Christmas magic. Casey leads a quiet life ever since a marriage proposal gone wrong becomes a meme. She works at a family-owned department store where she encounters Margo, the Spirit of Christmas Present.  Margo offers Casey the chance to erase the infamous video from her past, but there is a catch—Casey must first experience five alternate versions of her life and decide whether changing the past is really what she wants. I absolutely loved Margo! Her relationship with Casey brought so much humor and heart to the story, and I loved watching Casey begin to question whether the life she has been running from might actually be the life she was meant to have. Bayliss beautifully reminds us that we have the power to change the narrative and that sometimes the life we already have is much more wonderful than we realize. The Little Shop of Merry and Bright is funny, heartwarming, romantic, and filled with Christmas magic. This is a definite must read this holiday season!

[Natalie Intihar]

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright is peak holiday magic! Casey and Ajay’s romantic arc combined with Casey’s own journey was such an enjoyable and heartwarming read. Jenny Bayliss is once again crushing the Christmas book game and does a beautiful job of creating the magic that comes to life in this story.

I loved seeing the connection that grows between Casey and Ajay throughout this story. Casey is coming from such a vulnerable place and it was beautiful how Ajay continued to meet her where she was. With their found family around them, there’s such a community of love supporting these two along their journey to find happiness.

So much of this book is about Casey’s own journey to accepting her past and coming to terms with how the hard times have shaped her into the person she is today. Margo works to help Casey with this while also giving Casey the room to find her own voice. Their unexpected friendship is a beautiful part of The Little Shop of Merry and Bright and added an extra layer to the romance as well.

Thank you to Putnam and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kirsten]

4.5 festive stars - Nothing says holiday season reading for me quite like a new Jenny Bayliss holiday romance. The Little Shop of Merry and Bright is a heartwarming story about Casey who is living a quiet life under the radar after a video of her went viral and ruined her life. She works at a department store and encounters Margo, the Spirit of Christmas Present who is also hiding out from her own issues.

I loved the premise of this story and thought the author executed it really well. Margo was a lot of fun and the book was full of the festive season. I especially loved Casey’s found family, what a great group of characters! Nigel and Vern were so entertaining, their farm sounds like the most amazing place to live. The romance between Casey and Ajay developed in a really sweet way.

I highly recommend The Little Shop of Merry and Bright to my fellow holiday readers, be sure to add this to your holiday season reading list. Thank you to the publisher Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, author Jenny Bayliss, and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Cheryl]

Little bit of angst and a little bit of magic

A few years ago Casey turned down a toxic marriage proposal and ended up as a never ending meme. She has kept her head down, working as a night shelf stocker at a smaller family-owned department store since. She's dodged romance of any kind, spent time with her widower brother and his children, and worked.

And then one night at work the ghost of Christmas Present, Margo as she's known to those in the know, appears in all her glory in the store. And Casey is able to see her (not everyone can). Margo makes an offer to Casey. She will make it so the meme in question never happened on -Christmas Day - IF Casey watches, before then, five different scenarios of the world if the memo didn't appear.

I really enjoyed this story. The different characters were all so vividly drawn. I wanted to sit down to tea with all of them (except Sam, that is). Casey and Ajay - stellar. Margo is the best but many of the side characters are heartwarming.

I received this Digital Review Copy from G.P. Putnam's Sons through NetGalley and Edelweiss. Thank you.

[Traci Hoffe]

More holiday fun from Jenny Bayliss!

I really enjoyed this holiday romance com- I always love a little magical realism included in the plot!
Casey has spent the past three years hiding from life after a meme of her turning down a marriage proposal went viral. Hoping it would blow over hasn’t been working when her scheming ex boyfriend continues to leverage that moment for his own fame.

One night, while working at her overnight department store shift, Casey meets Margo, the Spirit of Christmas Present. Margo is also hiding out - disappointed in the human race- and was shocked that Casey could see her. Margo offers Casey the chance to go back and undo the last three years including the situation that led to her infamous meme. But first Casey has to be willing to see five alternate paths her life could have taken instead. Along the way, Casey learns to see her life differently and the decision about whether to accept Margo’s offer becomes harder. With romance, holidays, and a quirky group of side characters, this book was a delight!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jordan]

I do not even know where to begin expressing my absolute OBSESSION with this book. I never, ever have to worry about a Jenny Bayliss book leaving me disappointed, but this book was a grand slam, over the fences, knocked it out of the park HOME RUN. I got the approval at 11:34 PM and immediately started the book, at 3:52 AM I reached the end and wiped my tears, knowing I will likely never get this feeling from a book again. The characters were so vivid and nuanced and so well thought out. The story was perfection and appealed to every single emotion I have. This book is so much more than just a "story to read" it is a whole experience and is just so timely for the world today. Jenny's writing is witty, smart, full of emotion, inclusive, and holds so much depth.

I cannot believe I blasted through the book in 4 hours, I just could not put it down. Now to re-read this book until the end of time!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book early - it is so much more of a gift than you could ever know!

[Jacquie]

Another Jenny Bliss Christmas book? Sign me up! Thanks to NetGalley I was able to read an advanced e book copy of The Little Shop of Merry and Bright. Casey is a department store restocker and works most nights. She likes it because she can hide from people and her past. An ex who went viral and ruined her life. But when Casey meets Margo one night at work, all things start to change. Margo is a ghost of Christmas, yes one of those ghosts. These two bond and Margo humorously shows Casey to not take life so seriously. Casey wants nothing more than to go back and change her past. But with Margo by her side, she realizes that she is strong, capable, and ready to love again. This story had a lot of heart, a lot of humor, and a great cast of characters. Even though I am not a fan of fantasy, this one warmed my heart and got me ready for hot chocolate and Christmas shopping. I now want to go back and read some other Jenny Bliss books that I have not read, because I really like the worlds that she creates.

[Tina]

Casey Smith has a lot on her plate. She is hiding from the world by working the night shift at the Coopers & Co. department store, has a brother who is overprotective to the point of being a “control freak,” and has chronic writer’s block. And oh yeah, she is also a meme that promises to never fade away.

Then, as if her life is not difficult enough, the Spirit of Christmas Present, Margo, decides to go rogue by taking a holiday at the department store. When Casey tries to get Margo to leave, Margo agrees to give Casey her wish – with conditions.

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright is a modern twist on the Christmas Carol trope. Author Bayliss tells a story that could be cute and shallow but accomplishes the opposite by including real life problems, full dimensional characters, and consequences. There are also deep observations expressed throughout the book, in keeping with the original intent of A Christmas Carol. Read this book for a holiday story about love, friends, and life – lost and found.

Thank you to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Alicia]

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright is a fun fantastical holiday romance. It involves Casey, a woman who was the centerpiece in a viral meme years ago who feel as though her life is totally derailed as a result meeting up with the ghost of Christmas present, who teaches her about life and accepting who she is.
This was a book with a fun message, and I liked a lot of the characters. I do have to say, basing it on a meme did not make a lot of sense to me. While these memes definitely go viral and can affect people I am sure, I had a hard time believing that it would affect someone YEARS down the road. I do think some of this was explained as Casey's own trauma that she needed to overcome so she is sort of, letting it affect her more, but still. Centering an entire book around a viral meme was just not my favorite.
I also like almost all the other characters, except Margo the ghost of Christmas present. We are given nothing in terms of her backstory and why we should be so invested in her. I love Bayliss's writing and I do get invested in her plots. So, all in all, a fun holiday romance but not my favorite.

[Ashley Tate]

Thank you to the publisher, Jenny Bayliss, and Netgalley for this e-arc.

If you're a Christmas book lover, like me, you've likely read Jenny Bayliss before. She knows how to write a good Christmas read, that's for sure and this one was no different.

I feel like it was kind of a modern mash-up of A Christmas Carol and It's A Wonderful life.

Casey is doing her best to live a quiet life post her viral moment where she rejected her fiancé's proposal. After her life became a meme, she just wants to disappear.

A mysterious woman comes to her job and she finds she is a spirit of Christmas present and Casey sees an opportunity to undo one of her worst moments. After seeing some different ways her life could have gone, without her viral moment, if Casey still wants it erased, the spirit will help her.

Cozy, lighthearted and a little emotional (which is what I have come to expect from Jenny Bayliss) this is one for your Christmas TBR for sure.