Booked by Christmas

Holly Hollow #2

by Ashley Clark

Grab a cup of hot cocoa and a cozy blanket, and get ready for the much-anticipated, second installment of the Holly Hollow Romance novella series!
Fans of Snowed Inn will love returning to small-town Vermont's most charming bookstore this holiday season in Booked by Christmas - a (clean) enemies-to-lovers romance!
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Bookstore owner Meredith Snow is known by her small town to be spunky and lovable - and everyone knows she loves a well-written happily ever after. But what they don't realize is she's also the anonymous book reviewer whose harsh opinions have recently gone viral online. In need of a financial boost this holiday season, she decides to rent the loft above her bookstore.

But the last person she expects as a tenant is handsome author Sam Beaumont - whose last book she eviscerated with her merciless review. Surely an author as popular as Sam won't bothered by the critical words of a small-town, anonymous reviewer... right?

Wrong. Turns out, Sam is renting the loft space and spending this Christmas season in Holly Hollow in an attempt to break through writers' block. A creative block that was prompted by Meredith's review. Sparks fly as the two spend more time together, but Meredith knows she's playing with fire. Because when Sam finds out she is the anonymous reviewer... well, their Christmas romance may not have the happy ending she's after.Full of holiday spirit in a quick, one-sitting readCozy bookstore romance perfect for fans of You've Got MailEnemies-to-lovers and forced proximityMuch-anticipated second installment in the Holly Hollow Romance seriesSweet romance that's perfect for readers of all ages (including teens and grandmas)Feels like a Hallmark Christmas movieYou deserve a trip to small town Vermont this holiday season. So take a couple hours away from the holiday chaos and step into the magic of Holly Hollow's beloved bookstore—where romance comes in every chapter.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2026

Reviews

[ChildOfGod💜🙌🏽 (for God I live and for God I die) ~ in my Christian pop era · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awh guys why was this so stinkin cute! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book before where I was shouting at the MMC to kiss her already! Bc I just loved this couple so much. I also enjoyed the healthy communication and the importance of honesty. And just the dynamic between book reviewers and authors was just so fun to see! And the little shout out to no spice authors in the book was such a fun nugget! Another great book by this author I can’t wait to see what’s nexttttt!

*I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. And a huge thank you to Ashley for sending me a copy!*

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a best-settling author rents the loft above your bookstore, especially when you just eviscerated his newest release on a viral Bookstagram review?
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Meet Meredith. She has curly hair, owns a cozy bookshop, and loves to bake. She also secretly is a Bookstagrammer who might just have posted a not-so-nice review of best-selling author, Sam Beaumont's latest release.

Meet Sam. He's struggling with an intense dose of writer's block with a deadline looming over his head. It's not helping that sales of his newest novel are tanking because of said viral Bookstagrammer's post.

So when Sam rents the loft above Meredith's bookstore, sparks fly, leading to a perfect twist on You've Got Mai, and it's honesty just the cutest. Sprinkle in the fact that Holly Hollow is like a Christmas version of Stars Hollow, and you're in for a delightfully cozy read.

Ashley Clark's writing is clear and refreshing. I loved all her Heirloom Secrets series (if you haven't read them, go do that right now!) and I'm always so excited when she releases another book. I love that this little novella sits right around 100 pages, which makes it easy to read in one or two sittings during the busy holiday season. I really enjoyed Snowed Inn last year (the first book in the series), and it was so fun to visit again this year!

If you're looking for a clean, cozy Christmas novella this year, look no further than Booked By Christmas! I'd also highly recommend Snowed Inn as well, because honestly, who wouldn't want to spend a little bit more time in Holly Hollow?

Thank you so much, Ashely Clark, for providing me with an ARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Libby at the Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for the ARC. This review contains spoilers.

This novella had a lot of cute elements. I liked the friendship between Meredith and Olivia, the MMC felt like a real, believable person who was kind and tender-hearted, and the small-town setting was adorable. I also really appreciated the accurate portrayal of the FMC’s type 1 diabetes. I have multiple family members with T1D, so it was refreshing to see a main character dealing with the disease in such a realistic way.

Unfortunately, I had more issues with the story than things I enjoyed. For such a short novella, there was just too much going on. New characters kept popping up, the hospital scenes took up a lot of the story, and I struggled to keep track of how much time was passing. Meanwhile, the romance felt very surface-level and underdeveloped. I know it can be challenging to build a believable romance in a novella, but this one fell flat for me.

The box of her grandmother’s long-lost books also felt like a huge stretch and completely unnecessary to the plot. And I really don't understand how Meredith could have no idea that Sam was Olivia's brother. They presumably shared a last name, and if Sam was as famous as the story made him out to be, I would think Meredith would have asked Olivia about any connection to him.

Overall, I think this story would have worked much better as a full-length novel. There were some really cute ideas here, but more room to develop the characters, build the romance, and focus on the important parts of the plot would have made a big difference for me.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a longtime fan of Ashley‘s stories, I’m always excited when she has a new one. This one is delightful and charming, perfect for curling up with a hot drink, a cozy blanket, and an evening to lose yourself in a wonderful story. It’s light and sweet and a quick read perfect for a rushed holiday season. I loved the characters of Sam and Meredith and how Meredith was dealing with Diabetes while running her small town bookshop. A great read for me!

I received an ARC of this book from the author but also purchased my own finished copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are mine.

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story!

Okay, I loved this! With the You've Got Mail references, the sweet Christmas town, and the hidden identity that makes this romance a bit more interesting! Lol!

When Sam, a famous author comes to stay at her loft, Meredith did not expect it to be " the Sam" the one she wrote a negative book review for. Her review was brutal, but now she's learning too late that he's the brother of her coworker and her new tenant. But as she takes him to tour their town, and ropes him into being her dance partner sparks start to fly.... but with her true identity hidden and the impact it had on his career Meredith struggles to find how/when to reveal her true identity to him.

This was super sweet! Truth be told, I expected a longer read. This one was well under 100 pages, but that said it still packed a punch entertainment wise and I found myself really enjoying the story. I can't wait to see what Ashley writes next!

[tammys bookish life · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when an author escapes to a small Vermont town at Christmastime, renting the loft above a bookstore in hopes of curing his writer's block? Pure magic.

I loved my trip to Holly Hollow and getting to know Meredith, Olivia, and Oscar, the cat who likes to wear Christmas sweaters.

At times, I felt like I was watching a Hallmark Christmas movie, and that's definitely not a bad thing. Sometimes a cozy romance is exactly what the doctor ordered. With its charming small-town setting, holiday magic, and sweet romance, this story is the perfect reminder to believe in the magic of Christmas and the possibility of finding love when you least expect it.

Favorite passage: "And she imagined this must be how snowflakes felt each time the wintry breeze whispered, It's your turn."

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kayla Mclagan · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for an arc copy of this book, Ashley! All opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely loved this cozy holiday book. As a type one diabetic, I truly appreciated the incorporation of a diabetic main character. The author showcased the ups and downs of diabetes and relationships. The characters and town were so lovable and had me flying through this book! I felt so seen by Meredith and her frustrations navigating an all consuming chronic illness. The support of her friend, Olivia, and love interest, Sam, were heartwarming. Oscar the cat had me laughing out loud and appreciating the quirkiness of the small town community. The all-consuming love of books made me appreciate the book even more! Overall, I loved watching Meredith and Sam’s relationship grow (with the help of Olivia, of course!)

[Allie Barnard · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

Thank you Ashley Clark for the ARC! This was a cute Christmas novella, however not quite my cup of tea.

Things I liked:
- Diabetes Type 1 representation
- Adorable setting
- Holiday theme
- Gilmore Girls references
- Small town romance
- A cat

What I disliked:
- Farfetched instances that don’t relate to the plot
- Some misused words and names that made parts of the book seem like this may have been edited or partially written by AI
- A community event that falls flat
- Characters that are immature of their ages

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely story, and because it was so good, I just wish it were a bit longer! But I loved all the film references and the chemistry between the characters. The town setting was wonderfully idyllic too. This was the perfect story to read to begin the holiday season. Happy reading friends!

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars.

The vibes:
- Small town
- Christmas novella
- Mistaken identity
- Type 1 diabetic
- Closed door (kisses only)

My thoughts:
This Christmas novella had some cute moments throughout the story. I loved the bits we got to see of the small town Holly Hollow. And I loved the brief scenes in New York with all the Christmas decorations. I also liked the representation for type 1 diabetes, as I’ve only seen this mentioned in one other book.

With that said, I felt like there was a lot going on that made the focus of the story feel a bit scattered. At 88 pages, there’s not a lot of time to dig into the plot or characters. It almost felt more slice-of-life. More time was focused on Meredith and her diabetes than on the romance with Sam.

Everything with Sam felt very rushed. It seemed like they only knew each other for one or two days (it was hard to tell) before both characters had fallen for eachother. I did like what I saw of his personality, but I had a hard time with the speed of their feelings. I also struggled to how and why Olivia hid the fact that Sam was her brother. With the last names, I would have expected Meredith to be aware of it. She explained why she kept it a secret but it didn’t make sense to me.

I liked the idea of this story a lot! The bones were definitely there. I think this story outline would have worked really well in a full- length novel and would have given us more time to understand the characters better.

Note / spice content: closed door (kisses only); a handful of editing issues / typos and inconsistencies with the Bookstagram handle name.

Thank you so much to Ashley Clark for the gifted copy. I received this eARC from the author, but this honest review is voluntary.

[Ashleigh Stepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard this book was giving Gilmore Girls meets You’ve Got Mail vibes, I was immediately SOLD. And boy, was that description accurate!! 🥹❤️

A charming little town? Check. A cozy bookstore? Check. Enemies to lovers, a little Christmas magic, and enough small-town charm to make me want to pack my bags and move there immediately? CHECK, CHECK, CHECK.

This was just the sweetest little holiday read! Think all the warm and fuzzy feelings of your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie, but with the added bonus of books, adorable banter, and a romance that will have you smiling like an idiot.

I also really appreciated that our heroine has Type 1 diabetes! I love seeing chronic illness representation in romance, especially when it’s simply part of a character’s life and doesn’t mean she can’t have her own swoony, happily-ever-after love story. ❤️

If you love Stars Hollow, Kathleen Kelly, sweet closed-door romances, and all things Christmas, consider this your sign to add this one to your holiday TBR! In short, this book was refreshing, pure joy! 🎄❤️

A HUGE thank you to Ashley Clark for so kindly sending me an ARC of Booked by Christmas! 🎉🥂 What a sweet little way to kick off the holiday reading season! ❤️

[Brittney Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of Booked by Christmas from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Booked by Christmas by Ashley Clark was a cute, quick holiday read that was easy to follow and full of small-town Christmas charm!

I loved the premise of Meredith secretly writing anonymous book reviews, only to discover that the book she absolutely slaughtered belonged to her employee’s brother! That little twist made me laugh and added some fun tension to the story.

I did have mixed feelings about a few of the storylines, though. Sam and Olivia’s difficult childhood already brought an emotional element to the book, and I would have loved to see more of that backstory explored. The addition of Meredith’s late grandmother and the mysterious box of lost books felt a bit forced to me. It seemed like an extra storyline that didn’t necessarily need to be there, especially in such a short novella.

Overall, this was a sweet, lighthearted Christmas read with a fun premise. While I felt a few parts of the story could have been simplified or developed differently, I still enjoyed it and appreciated the cozy holiday escape!

[Violet Van Alstine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advance Copy Received From Author

This book was amazing! It sucked me right in to a whirlwind of Christmas spirit and romance. I loved how Ashley Clark made this book so much fun to read! It was a really sweet, clean rom-com! Definitely a five star book for me!

First things first, I liked how the author made the female main character a diabetic. I think it is wonderful to be able to bring that into books, and in this case, it was very informative.

Second, I loved the faith representation. The female main character prays at times during the book, and I loved seeing faith be portrayed throughout the book in different ways.

Third, I loved how the female main character owned a bookshop and how the male main character was an author. I love books that have books in them!

Finally, Ashley Clark’s writing style was fabulous. It was so smooth and the words flowed from page to page and made me want to keep reading! I adored Meredith and Sam, and I hope all you readers do too!

Ashley Clark, thank you so much for providing me with an ARC of Booked By Christmas! I really appreciate that you let me review your book!

[Jordan Scott · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Booked by Christmas is a magical little novella that checked ALL my boxes! Think You’ve Got Mail vibes, a Gilmore Girls small-town whimsical aesthetic, an NYC coffee shop, and a cozy Vermont bookstore at Christmas time. WHERE DO I APPLY TO LIVE HERE?! 🎄📚

Ashley Clark did a phenomenal job transporting me right into Holly Hollow. She brought back every bit of that cozy movie and book magic that I didn’t even realize I was missing. The kind of story that makes you want to curl up in your coziest pajamas in front of a fireplace with a warm cup of coffee. 🤎

And did I mention it’s FUNNY?! I found myself giggling more than a few times!

You HAVE to add this Christmas novella to your cozy season TBR! It’s out NOW and available on Kindle +!! 🎅🏼

I had the honor of being selected for Ashley’s ARC review team, and she absolutely blew it out of the park! I already can’t wait to dive into the first book in the series, Snowed Inn! ❄️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THE VIBES & DETAILS:
🤍 Clean Romance
💌 Enemies to Lovers
📖 Novella (perfect for reading in one sitting!)
🍂 Gilmore Girls aesthetic
🎄 Hallmark Christmas vibes
☕️ You’ve Got Mail vibes

[Amber Wilks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back (?) to Holly Hollow! I was selected as an ARC reader for Booked by Christmas, only I didn’t realize there was a book 1 in the series 🤦🏼‍♀️ That being said, Book 2 can stand alone ☺️. It is a cute holiday romance that I didn’t want to put down…I had to see what happened next. At first I was like “this is going to be predictable” but it wasn’t, every time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, I was surprised. I also love that it includes Meredith’s like with Type 1 diabetes. Sam’s career struggle was also very real…there was not a moment when I was reading that I was like “this is so fake”. It was great escape from my reality but it wasn’t so fictional that it was complete fantasy. As Ashley stated on her insta, if you like ‘You’ve Got Mail,’ you’ll love Booked by Christmas!

[Sara Gaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always so excited to read a closed door Christian romance, and this one did not disappoint. This was an easy read, but also an enjoyable “hallmark” like story. And who doesn’t love a book about books!

I think it works as a Novella, but I also think it could be an incredible full length novel. I was hoping for more character development, but I know that’s hard in a shorter story. I really grew to love the characters in this book and the references to different shows and movies really made it feel like home.

There were a few points where I thought it may have gotten a little too descriptive, but there was a really good full circle moment with a lot of the events that took place in the book so it began to make more sense the further in you read.

Thank you to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reader. I’m excited to go back and read your first one in this Holly Hollow series.

[Quinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cutesy christmas read but it felt a little underdeveloped to me.

It felt a little too predictable for me, and the timeline felt like the characters knew each other for only a few days. The books being Meredith’s grandmas books felt cheesy and unnecessary to the plot. I wish there was more show not tell reading especially with the relationship between the two characters. Also who calls their brother “brother”? lol.

I think it would have been a better read for me as a full novel! I always love the idea of a “Stars Hollow” town and this definitely delivered on that, including all the town festivals and such. Overall, I was just left wanting more of the characters, the bookshop, and the storyline in general.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute pleasure of reading this story early (Thank you, Ashley!) and I absolutely loved it.

I usually struggle to find cozy, clean, christmas romances so I was super excited to read this one and it exceeded my expectations! This story was heartwarming and as sweet as cinnamon hot cocoa. I love reading about characters who own bookstores and talk to their pets so this was instantly a five star. It’s also perfect to read in one sitting on a chilly day.

Although the story was short, it didn’t feel rushed. I would’ve absolutely loved if it was a full length novel but sometimes I like them short and sweet too. This is absolutely worth your time and perfect for the upcoming holiday season!

Happy reading 🎄

[Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very beginning, Ashley Clark transports you into the coziest little town that immediately makes you feel welcome. I found myself wanting to wander the streets, visit the local coffee shop, and get to know every single townsperson. There is just something so comforting about a story that makes you wish you could step right into its pages.

One thing I especially appreciated was the representation of a main female character living with Type 1 diabetes. I loved how Ashley subtly incorporated the everyday challenges of T1D without allowing it to define the character or take away from the romance. It felt like such a thoughtful and meaningful detail woven naturally into the story.

If you’re looking for a cozy Christmas romance that will have you craving hot cocoa, a crackling fireplace, and a little small-town charm, this is such a lovely way to welcome the holiday season!

[Christina Cheshire · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Overall, this was a clean read and a good pick me up. I enjoyed the basic storyline of the enemies to lovers set-up. The mention of T1D and the different battles that the main character experiences was eye-opening for someone like me that doesn’t have it or have a knowledge of how serious it can be.

This was my first Novell I ever read and I thought it was ok. Based on the storyline, I wish it was longer. I feel like too much was going on and not enough pages to incorporate it all in. There were many gaps that needed to be filled. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Holly Hollow series though. Any time a book leaves me feeling good, I am wanting to read every book in the series! 🙂

[Jessica Bernstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, cute novella to get your whistle wet for some holiday reading!

It was so easy to get invested in the characters, and it can stand alone if the first novella, Snowed Inn, has not been read.

The author does a wonderful job tugging at the nostalgia of the season - from referencing “It’s a Wonderful Life,” wanting to experience the warmth of a bookstore like Kathleen Kelly, and the small town festival joy of “Gilmore Girls.”

I would be interested in seeing more stories from the town of Holly Hollow.

Note: I did receive an advance readers copy of this novella from the author!

[Jasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author for the ARC! This is a short novella set in a small town of Holly Hollow. I liked how it felt like a Hallmark movie and I liked the enemies to lovers concept.

But I did feel like some scenes didn’t need to be told and some scenes were kinda dragged for instance the hospital scene.

The story isn’t bad in fact with a few more details about Meredith becoming the “Honest Book Reviewer” and more backstory about her life, I think I would’ve enjoyed it more. The plot was good but I feel like the build up could’ve been slightly better. I think the story could’ve been told in a different way to reach the outcome.

[Katy Rushing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a cozy holiday enemies-to-lovers romance set in a small-town bookstore. When bookstore owner, Meredith, unknowingly rents her loft to bestselling author, Sam Beaumont, the very writer she anonymously trashed in a viral review--sparks fly, but so does the risk of her secret ruining their chance at a happily-ever-after.

Love anytime You've Got Mail inspires a story! The diabetes type 1 rep was impressive and detailed/accurate without being too over-the-top or sounding more of an "informational!"

Read this if you like:
--Cozy small-town Christmas settings
--Bookstore romances
--Forced proximity
--Secret identities and hidden truths
--Hallmark movie vibes
--Sweet, closed-door romance
--You've Got Mail-style bookish charm
--Quick, feel-good holiday reads

[Carla Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy from the author.
I devoured this sweet little holiday romance. The author’s way of using dialogue was so easy to fall into. It had me from the first page. I mean who doesn’t enjoy a book about a book shop, in a little town, reminiscent of The Gilmore Girls and Stars Hollow?!? It had the right amount of conflict, and a happy ending. Bonus points as it made me want to pull out the Christmas decorations, and start baking.
I will most definitely be reading more of Ashley Clark’s books!

[Andi Tubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read Snowed Inn. The first book in the series. I received an ARC copy of this book from Ashley Clark.
Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and Ms. Clark creates a fun, unputdownable story. All of the characters were well written, and kept me the reader on her toes.
As a mom of a type 1 diabetic child the information she wrote into the book was true and accurate.

This was a fun Christmas novella.

I received an ARC copy from the author. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

[Tanya Balmaceda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Booked for Christmas is a light read. This book is perfect for young adults who are just getting started with reading, especially those who enjoy feel-good romance stories. It's a sweet and easy read for anyone looking for a simple, feel-good story. It also made me crave a cup of hot chocolate while reading!

Thank you, Ashley Clark, for giving me the opportunity to read this book through an ARC copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

[Jordan DeYoung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Ashley Clark for the ARC. Such a sweet, cozy, Christmas novella. I love a holiday book. I love books about books. And the It’s a Wonderful Life references were the epitome of cozy!
Novellas always give me pause, because more times than not they cram a full novel into a short story. But this was done wonderfully well. Perfect to start the season!

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a charming novella with a hidden identity and all of the You've Got Mail and Gilmore Girls references. I adored both Meredith and Sam. Their chemistry was sweet, and I loved the small town vibes. It's the perfect book for this holiday season!

*Thank you to the author for gifting me an advanced copy. All thoughts and options are my own.*

[Salomea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another ARC (thank you so much!!) to review☺️
A cute Christmas story I read in between other things. A cute, easy to read small town story. It’s a great way to set the mood for the cozy festivities ahead, but not long enough.
Sam and his story deserve much more than a few pages. I would love to read more into this universe.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance reader copy.

This was a fun, cozy little novella. At 85 pages, of course we couldn’t get too deep into the characters or the storyline, but I did find myself curious enough to want to know more about them! I appreciated the scene descriptions and cozy vibes.