I'm Dreaming of a New York Christmas: An unforgettable festive romcom

by Hayley Dunlop

Will a New York Christmas lead to all she never knew she wanted?

After the worst year of her life, speechwriter and introvert Flora Bell is looking forward to a calm home, alone and as peaceful as possible. But when her chaotic mum and sister turn up out of the blue to take Flora on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York, it's clear the universe has other ideas.

When Flora meets cartoonist Ethan in a Greenwich Village coffee shop – who asks for her help to write a best man's speech – fate and joy seem to be taking the wheel for the first time in her life.

But just as she dares to believe her New York fairytale might be coming true, she discovers something that changes everything.

Will Flora ever be able to reclaim her quiet existence?

Or will the bells of New Year's Eve ring in a new life altogether?


Praise for Hayley
'Warm and incredibly witty, this is one very special rom-com; layered, funny and full of heart. An absolute delight. Book your Christmas treat early." Lizzy Dent, author of The Summer Job
'An uplifting, but poignant story with a lot of emotional depth everything you could look for in a Christmas book.' Emma Steele, author of The Echoes of Us
'I utterly adored it Just an incredibly hygge, cozy read.' Reader Review
'Drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humour. Highly recommend!' Reader Review
'Everything I wanted in a holiday read: warm, witty, and full of heart and the ending? Pure magic. This one is going on my annual holiday reread list.' Reader Review
'Filled me with festive cheer I particularly loved that this book felt new, its storyline a spin on a traditional Christmas love story...I could read it again and again.' Reader Review
'One of the best Christmas books I have read in a whileSuper cute read! I will definitely recommend it to anyone that loves Christmas and real stories!!' Reader Review
'I did not realise how much this book would haveit was hard, it was soft. It was touching and tender. It was emotional and raw. It was like a loving embrace, or a warm mug of tea with a blanket on a comfy chair. You want to snuggle into this book.' Reader Review
' I could not put it down! Almost missed my stop on the tube/train a few times while reading it.' Reader Review
'I absolutely inhaled this book, which was a combination of three of my favourite things - Christmas, made-for-TV Christmas specials and cosy romance.' Reader Review

Genres: Christmas, Romance

400 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 6, 2026

Reviews

[Yvette Jarrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review
I’m Dreaming of a New York Christmas by Hayley Dunlop
⭐️⭐️

I picked this up expecting a cozy, Hallmark-style Christmas romance set in New York City, but it ended up being a very different reading experience.

Flora’s quiet holiday plans are turned upside down when her mother and sister surprise her with a Christmas trip to New York. While there, she meets Ethan, a cartoonist who asks for her help writing a best man’s speech. Their chance meeting has the potential to change both of their lives.

Unfortunately, I never connected with the story the way I’d hoped. Flora spends much of the book feeling overwhelmed, annoyed or unhappy, and I found those emotions so constant that they became overwhelming for me as the reader. Instead of feeling swept up in the romance or the holiday atmosphere, I felt weighed down by the emotional tone.

I also struggled with the pacing and the chemistry between Flora and Ethan. I appreciated seeing two neurodivergent characters find each other, but their relationship never felt fully developed to me. It all happened so quickly that I had a hard time believing their connection.

There were also a few choices that completely pulled me out of the story. An ongoing description involving Flora’s roommate’s peeling feet, including skin ending up in the cat’s mouth - felt unnecessary and honestly gross. It added nothing to the story for me except an “ick” factor.

Finally, I was surprised by the amount of profanity. If I’m not mistaken, the F-word appeared around 68 times, which felt excessive for a book I expected to have a warm, cozy Christmas feel. That, combined with the overall emotional heaviness, made it difficult for me to find much holiday magic.

This wasn’t the Christmas romance I was hoping for. While I think some readers may appreciate its neurodivergent representation and more introspective approach, it ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me.

My holly jolly is gone after reading this book!

🗓️Available August 27, 2026.

Thank you to NetGalley Canelo for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m Dreaming of a New York Christmas is the kind of story that wraps around you like a soft scarf on a cold December morning. It’s cozy, heartfelt, and full of that magical holiday sparkle that makes New York feel like the centre of the universe at Christmastime.

Flora is an instantly endearing heroine—quiet, thoughtful, and absolutely ready for a peaceful holiday after a year that’s taken more from her than she expected. Her plan for solitude is wonderfully relatable, which makes the sudden arrival of her chaotic family all the more charming. Their impulsive decision to whisk her off to New York sets the tone for a story filled with unexpected joy and gentle transformation.

The city itself feels alive on the page: twinkling lights, bustling streets, cozy coffee shops, and that unmistakable sense that anything can happen. Flora’s chance meeting with Ethan adds a sweet, serendipitous thread to the narrative. Their connection is soft and genuine, built on shared creativity and the kind of conversations that make you feel seen.

What gives the story depth is Flora’s internal tug‑of‑war—between the quiet life she’s always clung to and the possibility that she might want something more. When she uncovers a truth that shakes her newfound happiness, the emotional conflict feels honest and earned. It’s a reminder that even the most magical moments come with complications.

Warm, uplifting, and full of festive charm, this is a lovely holiday romance about stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing the unexpected, and discovering that sometimes the best gifts are the ones you never planned for.

With thanks to Hayley Dunlop, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Sneha R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the kind of book that wraps you in holiday magic from the very first page. With the sparkling backdrop of New York City at Christmas time, every scene felt cozy, festive, and full of charm.
I loved how the romance unfolded naturally alongside themes of hope, fresh starts, and finding joy in unexpected places. The characters felt relatable, and it was easy to root for them as they navigated life’s twists while opening their hearts to love.
The festive atmosphere is easily the star of the story twinkling lights, snowy streets, holiday traditions, and all the cozy vibes you’d want from a Christmas romance. It’s a comforting read that’s perfect for curling up with a warm drink during the holiday season.
If you’re a fan of feel good romances, charming holiday settings, and stories that leave you smiling long after the final page, this is one to add to your winter TBR.

[Louisa Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hayley has done it again, a fantastic adventure that begins with finding yourself when you'd forgotten you were lost, reconnecting with those closest to you and finding those who were always meant to be in your life.
Throughout the story I felt Flora's frustrations, from misunderstanding her childhood and why her mum and sister act the way they do, to being whisked to New York city at Christmas time with no time to prepare. As an English person who grew up watching Christmas films set in New York the adventures in this story just dragged me along with them, I loved every moment.

Anyone who has ever been in love and it didn't work out can find some emotions to relate to in this book, and if you're still single it will remind you to keep hoping for that happy end, the universe has its own timeline.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This book is the perfect Hallmark-esque Christmas novel, and it was the perfect Christmas in July book for me to read. There are so many things I loved about this, but the biggest one had to be that not only was this a romance novel, it was also about the bonds of family and how they can get better over time if you allow yourself to truly understand them. The banter between Flora, her mom, and her sister were some of my favorite parts of the book. I also loved how both Flora and Ethan were neurodivergent. It was done so well. And obviously the coffee shop meet-cute between them was just adorable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone that likes or loves Hallmark movies. Honorable mention to the fact that the TV show Friends was referenced as well as Home Alone 2. Superb!

(ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review)

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story !

I loved Ethan and Flora and I wish I would have visited NYC with them during holidays !

They re so cute, Ethan is a green flag, I would love to meet him and become his friend. Flora and her family... they re complicated, so much miscommunication over the years. It was great that they managed to speak in the end (I wish Flora had her closure about her father, but I guess it was already a lot for her mother to tell so... one step at a time).

This novel is much more than a romance, and I binge read it ! A special thanks for the New York tour. I ve never visited this city, it was unusual and so fun.

Thank you to Netgalley and Cabelo for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review.

[Aga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Canelo and NetGalley for this ARC.

I was super excited for this one. I really enjoyed the neurodivergent characters.

I loved the start of the book, the wedding speech, the fall of the marriage, the unexpected trip to New York, meet cute.

What I struggled with was Flora's obsession with her roommate foot obsession, her mother and sister's moniker of Flora's name.
I found myself skipping the book at around 50%.

I love Christmas books, but struggled with this one. It was like an author wasn't sure whether she wants to write a cute Christmas story or ficus on neurodiversity.

I am sure plenty of people would really love it.

[Gary Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book I flew through it in just a couple of days because I just couldn't put it down! ❤️
I laughed out loud so many times while reading, and Anneka was hands-down my favourite character she's absolutely hilarious.
I feel so lucky to have had the chance to read this fabulous book before it comes out. Thank you so much, Hayley, for sharing such a beautiful, feel good story.
This needs to be turned into a Christmas movie!
If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, this is the perfect book for you.
Published 27th August 🎄⛄️🎁