The Holiday Makeover

by Jennifer Peel

This Christmas, love is under construction.

Rory Winters has no desire to spend the holidays with Tate Ryder, her ex-boyfriend, ex-renovation partner, and personal reminder that some mistakes come with really great abs.

But her grandmother’s final wish is nonnegotiable: Rory and Tate must renovate her historic Aspen Lake home and host one last Christmas Eve party in her honor.

Once, Rory and Tate were building dream homes together, and a future that looked just as promising. But when their online renovation show opened the door to TV fame, Tate stepped into the spotlight, and Rory chose a life outside of it.

Now they’re back under the same roof, surrounded by twinkle lights, old memories, and chemistry that refuses to stay in the past.

As they tackle the house one room at a time, Rory and Tate are forced to confront what really pulled them apart, and what has kept them tied together all along. And with Christmas closing in, they must decide if they’re simply giving an old house a new beginning . . . or taking one more chance on the love they thought they’d lost.

The Holiday Makeover is a festive, flirty holiday romcom packed with second chances, small-town charm, cozy renovation vibes, and enough sparks to light up the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

Genres: Christmas, Contemporary, Audiobook, Second Chance, Romance, Holiday, Enemies To Lovers

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2026

About the author

Jennifer Peel is a USA Today bestselling author who didn’t grow up wanting to be a writer, she was aiming for something more realistic like being the first female president. When that didn’t work out, she started writing just before her fortieth birthday. Now after publishing several award-winning and bestselling novels she’s addicted to typing and chocolate. When she’s not glued to her laptop and a bag of Dove dark chocolates, she loves spending time with her family, making daily Target runs, reading, and pretending she can do Zumba.

Reviews

[Becky Monson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this one! Jennifer Peel writes the best books!

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I was glowing with happiness during and after reading this sweet second-chance, holiday story! I loved the emotional journey I went on with these characters. A good, emotional journey, but still a journey. Rory and Tate are brought back together after the death of her Grandma Coco. I just adored her grandma so much! I know she's not alive in the book, but the way the author kept her through memories, and letters, and her will, it was wonderful! She would be such a fun character for Jennifer Peel to write a story about when she was younger and falling in love. Wouldn't that just be so much fun?

Rory and Tate stole my heart! They've been apart for a couple of years but they are still completely in love with each other. The reason for their separation wasn't ideal and is still painful, but I loved how the author wrote their journey. I loved Tate and his determination to fix what was broken. I loved his talking and addressing the hard conversations and not playing games. It was so refreshing from some of the books that I've read where the main characters hem and haw and avoid talking and the drama. I just adored how they worked together and TALKED!!! So good!!!

And let's just say how much fun it was watching these two use their talents to renovation Grandma Coco's house! Adorable!!! I know I've said that a few times, but hey, it's true! I love these two! This is my favorite Christmas book by this author!!! And that's saying something because she has several that I absolutely love (and still do)!

Jennifer Peel knows how to write a holiday story with heart! I laughed and I cried! I swooned and sighed. I LOVED it all!!!!

Content: Clean. Some kisses and very mild innuendos.

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fixing houses was a lot easier than fixing broken hearts.”

Jennifer Peel always knows just how to bring the magic of the holidays into the heart. Ex-lovers and ex-business partners, Tate and Rory, spend one more Christmas together, remodeling and hosting a party to fulfill Rory’s late grandmother’s dying wish.

✅Forced proximity
✅Dealing with unresolved love and emotions
✅A second chance full of flirty swoon
✅All the construction and festive enchantment

The Holiday Makeover checks all the boxes and left me feeling all the romantic feels. I was deeply invested in the renovation of the house, as well as the repairing of the heart.

“Love always knows what to do.”

There is a lot to work through, both physically and emotionally, and it was a treat to watch it all from my front row seat. This one is full of what I’ve come to expect of Peel’s work and every minute was a joy to devour.

Content: mild romance; mild language

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh where do I begin with this beautiful story?! Maybe at the premise of a second chance for two hurting souls? Hilarious recollections of an eccentric grandma full of spunk and mischief? Christmas magic that has you itching to turn on carols and make a cup of cocoa way too early? Or maybe the shirtless hero who looks way too good while renovating a home doing construction? Decisions, decisions...

All joking aside, this book had all of my favorite things for a sweet Christmas romance. Rory and Tate have been given a second chance at love when Rory's eccentric grandma passed away suddenly, requesting them to makeover her home in time for her annual Christmas Eve party in her will. It starts as a remodel, but as Rory and Tate soon learn, "fixing houses was a lot easier than fixing broken hearts". They have a lot to work through from their shared past, and (as always with this author!) there is always more beneath the surface.

I loved Rory and Tate! They're both hurting and having a front row seat to this home remodel and working through their differences was a sweet treat. They both have some growing to do, and I loved watching them navigate the give and take in their relationship. Add in the snowy blizzards, Christmas parade, cups of cocoa, cinnamon pie, some seriously swoony kisses, and carols playing with warm fires, and you couldn't help but believe in some holiday magic.

There were too many favorite quotes to name from this book, but one of my favorites was "Being in love is when home becomes a person, not a place". This book will bring all the feels, with the perfect touch of Christmas along the way- get ready for a fantastic book!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rory and Tate completely stole my heart! Second chance love stories are one of my very favorite troupes. Combine that with all the traditions and festivities of the holidays, a home renovation and wow, I was in my happiest place.

Both Rory and Tate have things to work through and I thought they did it with respect and dignity. It was fun watching them navigate old feeling and new feelings all while living and working in such close proximity. It wasn't easy for them but believe me when I tell you that the struggles are all so worth it!! The little details, the connections, the undeniable chemistry- it all leads to an unforgettable celebration. My new favorite Christmas book! 🎄

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook update: Did I listen to the audiobook two weeks after reading the book? Yes, yes I did! It's narrated by a couple of my favorite narrators, Stefanie Kay and Neill Thorne, so why wait?! As usual, they did a fantastic job and their narration added so much more to the emotional scenes in the book.

Original review:
I was so excited to be back in Aspen Lake—especially for a second-chance romance! Rory and Tate broke up a couple of years ago and now live in different states, but that’s not going to stop Rory’s Grandma CoCo from trying to get them back together. Even if she has to do it from beyond the grave!

Rory’s plan is simple: have as little interaction with Tate as possible while fulfilling CoCo’s stipulations in her will. They need to renovate certain rooms of the house and host the Christmas Eve party, and then Tate can go back to California. Well… we all know it’s not going to be that easy. Before long, Rory and Tate are back in the groove of working together like they did on their YouTube renovation show, Hammer and Hue. And those feelings they buried—because let’s be honest, they never really went away—start coming back.

One of my favorite things about this story was that Rory and Tate actually addressed the issues that caused them to go their separate ways. There was no beating around the bush or tiptoeing around the problems. They talked about them and took responsibility for their part in what happened. I loved that because you can’t fix something if you refuse to talk about it.

There were so many things I loved about this book:
❤️ Dual POV (of course!)
❤️ The forced proximity
❤️ The descriptions of the renovations—I'd love to see inspiration pics
❤️ How supportive Rory and Tate were of each other’s abilities and talents
❤️ George the goldendoodle
❤️ Rory’s friendship with Lily

I love a good second-chance romance, and no one does them quite like Jennifer Peel. Add Christmas, a beautiful historic house, renovations, old feelings, and a grandmother determined to play matchmaker from beyond the grave, and The Holiday Makeover was the perfect return to Aspen Lake.

I received a copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Peel is one of my very favorite authors, and I was so excited to receive an advanced review copy of The Holiday Makeover. This is a fantastic holiday read about second chances with LOTS of chemistry. Ms. Peel has such a talent for writing books that immediately draw you in. Rory and her ex-boyfriend Tate get the job of renovating Rory’s late grandmother’s home (Rory’s grandmother’s final wish) while navigating old memories and what pulled them apart. I really enjoyed Rory’s and Tate’s journey of healing and overcoming their differences. I loved this book so much! I’ll be purchasing a paperback copy and rereading this soon! Highly recommend!

[Laura Kuckuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story, it’s such a beautiful second chance love story and I couldn’t put it down! Nobody writes second chance love stories like Jennifer and this one did not disappoint. I felt all the emotions on this one, sad, happy, heartbreak and joy. It was a beautiful journey of two people learning to overcome insecurities and differences and choose each other and sometimes stepping outside of their comfort zones for their person! This one will make you laugh and cry and love the sweet and satisfying happily ever after. Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Peel’s holiday stories are always something I look forward to, and she’s at the top of her game with The Holiday Makeover.

This lovely second-chance romance is full of heart, humor, tender moments, and plenty of swoon. The MCs completely captured my heart, the magic of the holidays was tangible throughout, and the storytelling was simply wonderful. I think this is some of Jennifer’s best writing yet.

Fun, festive, heartfelt, and moving—I couldn’t love it more.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I just found my NEW FAVORITE holiday read!

I absolutely loved this story! Give me a holiday romance AND a second-chance love story, and I am sold. Rory and Tate were such an awe-inspiring couple, and I loved watching them rebuild their relationship and navigate everything that came before—and everything that came after.

The journey that brought these two back together was honestly the CUTEST! There was just something so special about watching their relationship unfold, and I found myself completely invested in their story. There is nothing better than watching two people be given a situation (home remodel) and work together in all the ways.

Jennifer Peel did SO good with this one! She gave me all the cozy holiday feels, the romance, the heart, and that little bit of magic that makes a holiday book so much fun to read.

If you love holiday romance + second chances + an adorable couple, you NEED to add this one to your TBR!

[Nicki - theromancebookstagrammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for The Holiday Makeover. I love Jennifer Peel’s writing. She has this fantastic ability to weave magic into her storytelling.

This is a lovely warm second-chance love story in which Tate and Rory who used to have a make-over show together are thrown back together again by Rory's late grandmother to renovate her home.

I always think Jennifer Peel is the queen of writing seasonal romance whether it's for Halloween or Christmas she truly captures the essence of the season. Her writing to me is faultless because it's obvious she cares about her characters. And whilst the tropes she uses are the ones we're all familiar with, the storyline is always fresh and inventive.

5-stars for the wonderful Rory & Tate
100% recommend. I'd also suggest checking out her other holiday books - they're great to revisit each year 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Holiday Makeover! I couldn’t put it down, and as soon as I finished, I wanted to read it all over again. Jennifer Peel brought Rory and Tate’s story to life with the perfect mix of romance, humor, second chances, and holiday charm. This is definitely a book I’ll reread again!

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the sweet holiday vibes, yet sprinkled along within a time of grief, healing, acceptance, and rekindled love in this second chance holiday romance.

"Fixing houses was a lot easier than fixing broken hearts."

[Melissa Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything you could want in a cozy holiday romance, and everything I've come to adore from Jennifer Peel.
It's set in Aspen Lake, where we already know so many of the residents from books past. (I will always 🩷 you, Noah.)
This town has a knack for bringing out all the yearning and longing in men who desperately want a chance to fix a relationship gone wrong, but Tate will have to work for it.
As in, hard physical labor, emotional labor, and lots of patience. A little groveling. He may even have to resort to shirtless tactics.
But Tate and Rory's reconciliation will take more than just forgiveness. There's grief, insecurity, unhealthy family dynamics, career uncertainty, and deadlines. What I love most about this book is that real core problems are addressed without losing the magic and coziness of a holiday love story.
Because love only conquers all when love is willing to put in the work.

*Thank you for the arc. I loved it!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will no doubt get you in the holiday spirit. A meddling grandma from the grave, a man who won’t let his dream girl go again, and the girl of his dreams determined not to fall for him again. This has all of the elements we love in a holiday romance. Jennifer Peel has a way of breaking your heart, making you think you will never recover and then somehow, magically, fixing everything in the most perfect way.

[Emily F - Seriously Sweet Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet closed door Christmas romance

I loved the renovation aspects and second chance romance in this book. I loved the character growth and how Coco challenged both Tate and Rory, even after her passing. This was a standalone, but took place in Jennifer Peel's Aspen Lake, Colorado, so there were fun cameos from some of her other books.

This was a closed door Christmas romance with a couple biblical swears. I'd rate PG-13 for swoony kisses and abstract references to sex.

[Alexis (IG: lexislimitlesslibrary) Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this story!! It is sweet, swoony, full of tension and yearning, and the whole reason the for the forced proximity is so very tender! 🤍 this will definitely be a reread every year!

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rory and Tate’s second chance was all because Rory’s late grandma was smart and sneaky. She devised a way to get them to work together so they could resolve their issues and get back together. This is a great love story and so fun to read! These thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The queen of second chance romance aka Jennifer Peel is back with another fantastic, five-star holiday second chance romance and I was here for it. The Holiday Makeover was super cute and put me in the mood for all the “snuggle-up-on-the-couch-it’s-Christmas-reading-time” books, especially when that book is a Jennifer Peep holiday romance.
Rory and Tate grew up next door as best friends with Rory crushing on Tate and him not figuring it out until years later when they both fell completely head over heels only for fame and different dreams to break their bond. Now, years later, they are forced back home to renovate Rory’s house together and fulfill her late grandmother’s wishes…a wish that included them falling back in love.
I loved their shared history and the way the forced proximity had them facing their true feelings and hearts. The chemistry was top notch and cozy. I thought the story felt original and I liked that while it had certain tropes, the plot didn’t follow what I might have predicted from them, keeping it fresh and real. It was easy to binge read and I recommend it.
Read this for:
*Second chance between friends to lovers
*Home remodel, couple DIY
*George
*Kermit the Frog pajamas
*He chooses (and fights for) her
*Multiple relationships healing
*Dual POV
*Those kisses
I read an advanced reader eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I recommend this book.

[SI · Rating 2.25 out of 5]

Truly nothing vexes me more in a second chance romance when their reconciliation happens due to extenuating circumstances rather than the hero actively trying to win back the heroine’s heart based on his own feeling.

And that’s basically the whole plot of this book but I preserved because I do like this author. But man, it was a tough read for me.

1) The couple broke up TWO years ago and he obviously went off to date beautiful actresses while she didn’t date. But of course, the entire time she was on his mind. Suuure. He never came back for her the entire time they were apart.

2) He only came back because of her grandmother’s will. He knew the grandmother was in a bad way and even knowing the grandmother is like a second mother to the heroine, he never came back when she was ill/funeral/ offer condolences.

3) She was obviously in love with him the whole time they knew each other while he only developed feelings later on and much of it was egged on by their audience. How do we judge how sincere his feelings were?

4) When they broke up, she asked if his feelings for her was ever sincere or for the camera and he couldn’t answer her. Yep but we’re supposed to believe he was pining for her all this while.

5) what pissed me off during the reconciliation period was the woe is me attitude of the heroine. She kept talking to him about how much she loved him first, how much she loved him etc etc. girl, have some pride!

[AM Readingcomesfirst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while, I come across a book that I just love in my heart, this was one of them. Tate and Rory are adorable, love these two. They loved each other, but let circumstances pull them apart, even though both of them never got over the other. After Rory‘s grandmother, Coco, dies, one of the conditions of her will is that they renovate her house together. During the process they realize they never stopped loving each other and we watch how they navigate coming back to each other. Feel good, kind of cheesy at times but in all the right places. I loved how we watched Tate and his family heal their past as well. Tate and Rory have now become one of my favorite couples. Coco, was a a character, even though she was not alive in the book, she had a huge role in the story. Loved the epilogue too! 5 PLUS 🌟s for me!!!

[Kaycee Mauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! Rory and Tate were so in love with each other but weren't the best at communicating 2 years ago. So, there was a lot of push and pull that made me want to cry because they were so close to getting it at the beginning but were both too stubborn. The community that Jennifer builds in all of her books. Is the kind that we all dream of that can be so hard to build these days. The relationship was sexy, and believable without being overly sweet. Hope to see them pop up in more books in the future!

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Binge Worthy

Rory and Tate were in a relationship that ended poorly two years ago. Now her eccentric, recently deceased grandma was attempting to fix things beyond her grave. There are so many funny and sad moments with the dialog and bantering to back them up. There are also some very deep, thought-provoking moments as Tate works out his present and past issues. It's a great, heartfelt story with a happy ending.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains: kisses and a few uses of mild language

This is a second chance romance. Both MCs were very much in their own heads the whole time. Both would have benefitted from therapy (both couples therapy and solo). Don’t know if they’ll last since they say hurtful words to each other when they are hurting and Rory avoids Tate when she’s upset.

[Gena · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read!!

Really - how does this writer do it? She puts out a winning story every single time! They're all my favorites❤️ The story line was beautifully built, the banter between Rory and Tate was sweet and powerful. The mention of other characters from other books... well I just gonna have to re-read them.

[Rachael · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

This story was really good. The chemistry between Rory and Tate is very well written.
Their love for each other was there from the beginning of the story, but their goals got in the way.
I was very frustrated by Tate’s father and manager.
I felt the pain from Rory in losing her grandmother. Those emotions were well written.
I liked the narration, the voice actors did a good job.

[Samantha Parkinson]

DNF: 34%
This book is so boring. They say the exact same things just in different ways. So far, the whole book is: “I’m scared to let him back in.” And “ I’ll never give up on her” just over and over again.

[Deidra Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the natural story developed and very visual descriptions of the characters. The nostalgia was very tangible in this story, I really enjoyed how real but unique each character is

[Rachel Boss · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A sweet book.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean, second chance romance

A very sweet second chance romance, orchestrated from the grave by grandma Coco (no ghosts involved, just great scheming before she passed).