What do you think?
Rate this book
You Feel Like Christmas
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26She fixes everyone’s messes. Coming home means facing the one man who never needed fixing.
Charlotte “Charlie” Hayes has built a career out of fixing other people’s disasters. As a music publicist, she can spin a scandal, save a reputation, and make the messiest men look good—even the one she’s dating.
So when her famous boyfriend’s career implodes days before Christmas, Charlie throws herself into saving it—until Brent cancels their lease without a word and vanishes on tour. Homeless and single, Charlie is forced back to the small Connecticut hometown she thought she’d escaped, complete with holiday cheer, painful family memories, and Hunter Wells, the maddeningly good best friend she’s been avoiding.
Hunter has spent years loving Charlie quietly because he knew she wasn’t ready. But now she’s back, and he’s done waiting. With a thriving dog-walking business and a life rooted in Pinegrove, Hunter doesn’t need saving. He just needs Charlie to stop running long enough to imagine the life she never let herself want: one with him.
But as Charlie manages her ex’s high-pressure tour from afar, small-town Christmas starts to feel less like an escape and more like a beautiful mess—one she doesn’t have to clean up alone. Hunter will always belong to the town she spent years outrunning, and Charlie can’t build a future with him without facing the past that drove her away.
For their love to last beyond Christmas, can they make room for both their dreams—and a version of home Charlie is finally ready to trust?
Perfect for readers who love cozy holiday romance, friends-to-lovers yearning, small-town charm, he-falls-first heroes, black cat x golden retriever energy, fake dating moments, caretaking, and all the Christmas feels.
Charlotte “Charlie” Hayes has built a career out of fixing other people’s disasters. As a music publicist, she can spin a scandal, save a reputation, and make the messiest men look good—even the one she’s dating.
So when her famous boyfriend’s career implodes days before Christmas, Charlie throws herself into saving it—until Brent cancels their lease without a word and vanishes on tour. Homeless and single, Charlie is forced back to the small Connecticut hometown she thought she’d escaped, complete with holiday cheer, painful family memories, and Hunter Wells, the maddeningly good best friend she’s been avoiding.
Hunter has spent years loving Charlie quietly because he knew she wasn’t ready. But now she’s back, and he’s done waiting. With a thriving dog-walking business and a life rooted in Pinegrove, Hunter doesn’t need saving. He just needs Charlie to stop running long enough to imagine the life she never let herself want: one with him.
But as Charlie manages her ex’s high-pressure tour from afar, small-town Christmas starts to feel less like an escape and more like a beautiful mess—one she doesn’t have to clean up alone. Hunter will always belong to the town she spent years outrunning, and Charlie can’t build a future with him without facing the past that drove her away.
For their love to last beyond Christmas, can they make room for both their dreams—and a version of home Charlie is finally ready to trust?
Perfect for readers who love cozy holiday romance, friends-to-lovers yearning, small-town charm, he-falls-first heroes, black cat x golden retriever energy, fake dating moments, caretaking, and all the Christmas feels.
360 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Christine Drummond
2 books101 followersChristine Drummond has been weaving tales of unlikely heroes since childhood. Her novels blend slow-burn chemistry, immersive settings, and emotional journeys with characters who always find courage, love, and belonging (alongside a healthy dose of wit).
When she’s not writing (or chatting about it), Christine can be found chasing after her two young daughters, hiking scenic trails with her husband, or cozying up with her latest read at home in New York.
Be sure to follow Christine on Instagram, TikTok and Threads at @christinedrummondwrites.
When she’s not writing (or chatting about it), Christine can be found chasing after her two young daughters, hiking scenic trails with her husband, or cozying up with her latest read at home in New York.
Be sure to follow Christine on Instagram, TikTok and Threads at @christinedrummondwrites.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
A golden retriever dog walker with entrepreneurial ambitions, slutty little glasses, and one sled? Sign me up. Then there’s Charlie, the black-cat PR professional in NYC who fixes problems for her music label.
The childhood friends kept in touch after Charlie fled Pinegrove following her family’s implosion, until she suddenly cut contact six months ago. Now, a month before Christmas, she finds herself without a lease and crashing at her sister’s place, bringing her face-to-face with Hunter again. He has known his feelings for her for ages, but Charlie is terrified of letting her guard down, shaped by the dysfunctional family she left behind.
You know The Holiday? This book gave me those vibes, complete with a great playlist.
The plot is fast-paced and fairly predictable, but its real strength lies in the warm, fuzzy Christmassy feelings it inspires. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to curl up under a blanket and believe in love again.
And Hunter is a weeper, which I absolutely love. Add a seasonally fitting scent of snow and pine, and the man is practically Christmas in human form.
The childhood friends kept in touch after Charlie fled Pinegrove following her family’s implosion, until she suddenly cut contact six months ago. Now, a month before Christmas, she finds herself without a lease and crashing at her sister’s place, bringing her face-to-face with Hunter again. He has known his feelings for her for ages, but Charlie is terrified of letting her guard down, shaped by the dysfunctional family she left behind.
You know The Holiday? This book gave me those vibes, complete with a great playlist.
The plot is fast-paced and fairly predictable, but its real strength lies in the warm, fuzzy Christmassy feelings it inspires. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to curl up under a blanket and believe in love again.
And Hunter is a weeper, which I absolutely love. Add a seasonally fitting scent of snow and pine, and the man is practically Christmas in human form.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received “You Feel Like Christmas” an ARC from Christine Drummond. Thank you, Christine for the opportunity to read this book.
Charlie Hayes is losing it. The dreams that led her to create a high-power, successful career in NYC have become filled with impossible clients, long hours, a rocky romance and demanding boss. Now she is beginning to question her life choices.
When a series of events has her returning to her childhood home for the holidays, Charlie must contend with one more stressor. Hunter Wells, her neighbor and childhood best friend will be nearby, with questions he wants answered.
Hunter is the dream boy-next-door. Funny, kind, successful, family oriented, a good listener, handsome, sexy and hopelessly in love with Charlie. What happened to their friendship? Why has she been avoiding him?
This book is full of favorite tropes. Small town at Christmas, a woman in self-discovery mode, boy next door, friends to lovers, but spun with a fresh perspective. The characters journey unfolds, told in dual viewpoints, helping us understand both Charlie and Hunter’s thoughts, feelings and hesitation to express what each honestly wish for. Will Santa bring them the gift that tops their list???
You Feel Like Christmas is a sweet, heartwarming page turner; a cozy, Hallmark style story that leaves the reader with a satisfied feeling – and longing for a sequel.
Charlie Hayes is losing it. The dreams that led her to create a high-power, successful career in NYC have become filled with impossible clients, long hours, a rocky romance and demanding boss. Now she is beginning to question her life choices.
When a series of events has her returning to her childhood home for the holidays, Charlie must contend with one more stressor. Hunter Wells, her neighbor and childhood best friend will be nearby, with questions he wants answered.
Hunter is the dream boy-next-door. Funny, kind, successful, family oriented, a good listener, handsome, sexy and hopelessly in love with Charlie. What happened to their friendship? Why has she been avoiding him?
This book is full of favorite tropes. Small town at Christmas, a woman in self-discovery mode, boy next door, friends to lovers, but spun with a fresh perspective. The characters journey unfolds, told in dual viewpoints, helping us understand both Charlie and Hunter’s thoughts, feelings and hesitation to express what each honestly wish for. Will Santa bring them the gift that tops their list???
You Feel Like Christmas is a sweet, heartwarming page turner; a cozy, Hallmark style story that leaves the reader with a satisfied feeling – and longing for a sequel.
October 11, 2026
Well Christine Drummond picks up another genre and just runs away with it! Going from Romanasty book I absolutely loved to a romance during Christmas?? YES PLEASE! GIRL THE BEST!
This book was so fun to read, it was a quick read for me but that isn't surprising. It was super cute, so perfect and just plain you need to read this. I always love a good Christmas time book and this one did not disappoint.
It defiantly had hallmark vibes but it was its own story and we honestly need books like this in our lives!
My favorite part, hands down is the scene with the slutty little glasses, like the whole thing is highlighted.
All the characters, all the side characters, everyone had their place and everything flowed really well together. I don't have any complaints.
This is a 100% the perfect read for this season coming up! You will love it like I do and its just a wonderful read!
Coming at the beginning of November!! You do not want to miss this!
Thank you Christine Drummond and team for allowing me to read this ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own!
This book was so fun to read, it was a quick read for me but that isn't surprising. It was super cute, so perfect and just plain you need to read this. I always love a good Christmas time book and this one did not disappoint.
It defiantly had hallmark vibes but it was its own story and we honestly need books like this in our lives!
My favorite part, hands down is the scene with the slutty little glasses, like the whole thing is highlighted.
All the characters, all the side characters, everyone had their place and everything flowed really well together. I don't have any complaints.
This is a 100% the perfect read for this season coming up! You will love it like I do and its just a wonderful read!
Coming at the beginning of November!! You do not want to miss this!
Thank you Christine Drummond and team for allowing me to read this ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own!
October 9, 2026
You Feel Like Christmas is an infectious, completely captivating page turner of a holiday romance. I finished with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. It’s written so beautifully, and the feeling and romance are almost tangible.
There’s one thing about Drummond, her writing is so vivid and full of feeling that you cannot put it down. Every chapter ending has you needing more. The characters are fleshed out and real. They’re relatable, they’re lovable, maybe a few not so lovable 😉 hehe, but they’re dynamic and complex in the best way.
This truly felt as magical as your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie! It’s packed full of the best holiday tropes and the love of holiday music. It’s just pure magic in a book. I already want to reread it!!
This reiterates that Christine Drummond is a QUALITY author, and you can feel the love and care poured into every page of her books! 5 stars, hands down, no arguments. ⭐️
There’s one thing about Drummond, her writing is so vivid and full of feeling that you cannot put it down. Every chapter ending has you needing more. The characters are fleshed out and real. They’re relatable, they’re lovable, maybe a few not so lovable 😉 hehe, but they’re dynamic and complex in the best way.
This truly felt as magical as your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie! It’s packed full of the best holiday tropes and the love of holiday music. It’s just pure magic in a book. I already want to reread it!!
This reiterates that Christine Drummond is a QUALITY author, and you can feel the love and care poured into every page of her books! 5 stars, hands down, no arguments. ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
📚 Book Review 📚
I'd like to thank @christinedrummondwrites for inviting me to be a part of her ARC team. I love a Christmas book and this one did not disappoint.
Our FMC Charlie, is a highly successful fixer in the music industry. She prides herself in being able to solve the unsolvable and is ruthless in her approach. When she suddenly finds herself homeless she goes back to the one place she swore she'd never return to, Pinegrove.
I really liked Charlie, she was vulnerable and tried to mask her loneliness with her steel walls. Wanting to know what caused her to leave Pinegrove definitely encouraged me to read quicker.
Hunter is everything we want in an MMC. Tentative, sexy and protective. He pays attention to the little details and it wasn't hard to see how deep he'd fallen for Charlie.
What can I say except that this was a lovely wholesome story. It made me smile and I even found myself feeling quite emotional at points.
Another beautiful story!
I'd like to thank @christinedrummondwrites for inviting me to be a part of her ARC team. I love a Christmas book and this one did not disappoint.
Our FMC Charlie, is a highly successful fixer in the music industry. She prides herself in being able to solve the unsolvable and is ruthless in her approach. When she suddenly finds herself homeless she goes back to the one place she swore she'd never return to, Pinegrove.
I really liked Charlie, she was vulnerable and tried to mask her loneliness with her steel walls. Wanting to know what caused her to leave Pinegrove definitely encouraged me to read quicker.
Hunter is everything we want in an MMC. Tentative, sexy and protective. He pays attention to the little details and it wasn't hard to see how deep he'd fallen for Charlie.
What can I say except that this was a lovely wholesome story. It made me smile and I even found myself feeling quite emotional at points.
Another beautiful story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book gave all the Hallmark vibes, and I loved it!! The writing is cozy and witty and had me grinning the whole time! Charlie and Hunter have the best chemistry and I just loved their relationship. Highly recommend this for your Christmas reading list!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just finished You Feel Like Christmas by Christine Drummond and I absolutely loved it. I was lucky enough to read Christine's fantasy romance Kingdom of the Owl as an ARC, which was a top read for me, so | already knew to expect incredible writing. What I wasnt expecting was to cry quite so much over the heartbreaking family dynamics woven into this story
Charlie is a successful music publicist, living the life she thought she wanted, but somewhere along the way she's lost herself. Then there's Hunter, her steadfast best friend who has spent years sitting on the sidelines, quietly loving Charlie from afar. He finally decides it's time to break down the walls she's built to protect herself. And Hunter.. well, where do I start?
He's ripped, gorgeous, very much desired by other hopeful women AND he's good with dogs. The dream combination.
The chemistry between Charlie and Hunter is absolutely off the charts, and their witty banter just made it even better. Christine really knows how to write her MMCs. Slutty little glasses, breathy whispers in the ear and a cheeky wink and I was basically a puddle. And the spice? Perfection.
Christmas is an underlying theme throughout the story rather than taking over, but there's still plenty of festive magic woven in with the gingerbread house competition, town tree lighting, Christmas market and even a snowy midnight sleigh ride. It gave me all the cosy festive feels without ever feeling too much. But this is so much more than just a steamy festive small-town romance. There's a much deeper, emotional story underneath it all, so buckle up and have the tissues ready. I also loved watching Charlie start to work out what she actually wants from life rather than what she thought she should want.
Well done Christine, you absolutely smashed this one out of the park.
Charlie is a successful music publicist, living the life she thought she wanted, but somewhere along the way she's lost herself. Then there's Hunter, her steadfast best friend who has spent years sitting on the sidelines, quietly loving Charlie from afar. He finally decides it's time to break down the walls she's built to protect herself. And Hunter.. well, where do I start?
He's ripped, gorgeous, very much desired by other hopeful women AND he's good with dogs. The dream combination.
The chemistry between Charlie and Hunter is absolutely off the charts, and their witty banter just made it even better. Christine really knows how to write her MMCs. Slutty little glasses, breathy whispers in the ear and a cheeky wink and I was basically a puddle. And the spice? Perfection.
Christmas is an underlying theme throughout the story rather than taking over, but there's still plenty of festive magic woven in with the gingerbread house competition, town tree lighting, Christmas market and even a snowy midnight sleigh ride. It gave me all the cosy festive feels without ever feeling too much. But this is so much more than just a steamy festive small-town romance. There's a much deeper, emotional story underneath it all, so buckle up and have the tissues ready. I also loved watching Charlie start to work out what she actually wants from life rather than what she thought she should want.
Well done Christine, you absolutely smashed this one out of the park.
Review of advance copy received from Author
You Feel Like Christmas - ARC Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 4.25
🌶️
🗓️ Nov 3, 2026
This Christmas, she's learning that love doesn't have to be another mess to manage.
Thank you to Christine Drummond for the opportunity to read this gifted eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
Black-cat heroine meets golden-retriever best friend—with Christmas vibes in the forecast.
📗 You Feel Like Christmas has all the foundations of an appealing holiday romance: a heroine who has built her identity around fixing everyone else's problems, a childhood best friend whose devotion is complicated by his own established life, and a homecoming that challenges her assumptions about success and belonging.
Its most promising literary angle is the exploration of the difference between building a life that looks successful and building one that genuinely feels like yours. The friends-to-lovers premise gives that question a romantic dimension, while the Christmas setting offers a natural backdrop for reflection, reconnection, and change.
It was sweet, occasionally funny, and the slow burn friends to lovers was so heartwarming. Hunter genuinely wants nothing more than to love Charlie loudly and openly. But Charlie has hurdles she needs to clear before she can let him love her, and love him back. Their journey felt genuine and real.
While I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to holiday romance fans, I didn't quite love it. It started off strong, but the middle section was a bit slower than I prefer. The event(s) that resulted in Charlie leaving her small hometown didn't quite feel proportionate to me. Unfortunately it didn't resonate with me or draw out emotions deeply like I wanted.
You Feel Like Christmas is a satisfying choice for readers who want festive comfort alongside a meaningful emotional arc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 4.25
🌶️
🗓️ Nov 3, 2026
This Christmas, she's learning that love doesn't have to be another mess to manage.
Thank you to Christine Drummond for the opportunity to read this gifted eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
Black-cat heroine meets golden-retriever best friend—with Christmas vibes in the forecast.
📗 You Feel Like Christmas has all the foundations of an appealing holiday romance: a heroine who has built her identity around fixing everyone else's problems, a childhood best friend whose devotion is complicated by his own established life, and a homecoming that challenges her assumptions about success and belonging.
Its most promising literary angle is the exploration of the difference between building a life that looks successful and building one that genuinely feels like yours. The friends-to-lovers premise gives that question a romantic dimension, while the Christmas setting offers a natural backdrop for reflection, reconnection, and change.
It was sweet, occasionally funny, and the slow burn friends to lovers was so heartwarming. Hunter genuinely wants nothing more than to love Charlie loudly and openly. But Charlie has hurdles she needs to clear before she can let him love her, and love him back. Their journey felt genuine and real.
While I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to holiday romance fans, I didn't quite love it. It started off strong, but the middle section was a bit slower than I prefer. The event(s) that resulted in Charlie leaving her small hometown didn't quite feel proportionate to me. Unfortunately it didn't resonate with me or draw out emotions deeply like I wanted.
You Feel Like Christmas is a satisfying choice for readers who want festive comfort alongside a meaningful emotional arc.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, he calls her Menace and that just makes me smile.
Charlie breaks my heart with how much she thinks love and family can’t ever belong to her…. I relate to her a lot. I lived a lot of what she did, so to see the changes in her throughout this books gives me hope that maybe one day, I’ll get there too. She is fiercely independent, stubborn, sassy, and witty, and she takes too much crap from people that she should not even have in her life.
Hunter breaks my heart in a much different way, but do I live everything about him. He is literally the definition of a golden retriever MMC. Sweet, loving, takes care of everyone else, not afraid of his emotions and oh how he loves his best friend even when she’s too dumb to see it.
Hunter and Charlie’s relationship is goals in the end. But the relationships that actually touched me the most was Charlie’s with her sister and then with her mom. The true growth is shown in their relationships.
She’s amazing with her niece and nephew, even when she’s at her worst.
I love holiday reads and this is by far one of the best I’ve ever read!!!!
Oh and Hunter….. underneath is rock solid!!!
Charlie breaks my heart with how much she thinks love and family can’t ever belong to her…. I relate to her a lot. I lived a lot of what she did, so to see the changes in her throughout this books gives me hope that maybe one day, I’ll get there too. She is fiercely independent, stubborn, sassy, and witty, and she takes too much crap from people that she should not even have in her life.
Hunter breaks my heart in a much different way, but do I live everything about him. He is literally the definition of a golden retriever MMC. Sweet, loving, takes care of everyone else, not afraid of his emotions and oh how he loves his best friend even when she’s too dumb to see it.
Hunter and Charlie’s relationship is goals in the end. But the relationships that actually touched me the most was Charlie’s with her sister and then with her mom. The true growth is shown in their relationships.
She’s amazing with her niece and nephew, even when she’s at her worst.
I love holiday reads and this is by far one of the best I’ve ever read!!!!
Oh and Hunter….. underneath is rock solid!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to @christinedrummondwrites for the #gifted e-book! I’m thrilled to be part of Christine’s street team and to celebrate all of her books.
I absolutely love Christine’s writing, and this holiday romance was such a delight. The emotional depth of the story really resonated with me. Charlie’s childhood baggage shapes both her romantic choices and her work as a “fixer”, but she can’t seem to fix her own life. Her childhood best friend, Hunter, is the absolute best. He’s clearly in love with Charlie and has been waiting for her to finally see it.
Their friends-to-lovers journey is a wonderful slow burn. I was rooting for Hunter, who is such a sweetheart. He’s always there for Charlie, and the way he stands up for her is perfect.
I loved watching Charlie find closure with her mom and realize that happiness and love can be part of her life. She also finds peace and a sense of belonging with her sister, niece, and nephew.
If you love heartwarming holiday romances filled with healing, this one is for you. The book releases November 3, 2026, just in time for the holidays!
I absolutely love Christine’s writing, and this holiday romance was such a delight. The emotional depth of the story really resonated with me. Charlie’s childhood baggage shapes both her romantic choices and her work as a “fixer”, but she can’t seem to fix her own life. Her childhood best friend, Hunter, is the absolute best. He’s clearly in love with Charlie and has been waiting for her to finally see it.
Their friends-to-lovers journey is a wonderful slow burn. I was rooting for Hunter, who is such a sweetheart. He’s always there for Charlie, and the way he stands up for her is perfect.
I loved watching Charlie find closure with her mom and realize that happiness and love can be part of her life. She also finds peace and a sense of belonging with her sister, niece, and nephew.
If you love heartwarming holiday romances filled with healing, this one is for you. The book releases November 3, 2026, just in time for the holidays!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved it! This book was the perfect holiday romance! You Feel Like Christmas had all the magic, charm, and yearning I could ask for! I absolutely loved our main characters, Charlie and Hunter, and was completely immersed in their story.
Charlie is our FMC, and she was so relatable. I really felt for her and understood her struggles. Hunter is such a cinnamon roll MMC! He’s funny, caring, and I loved how protective he was. Their chemistry felt natural, and I loved watching their relationship transition from friends to lovers. The slow burn was SO worth it!
If you’re looking for a holiday romance to get you in the Christmas spirit, look no further! If you love fake dating, one sled, a black cat FMC, a cinnamon roll MMC, friends to lovers, small town romance, and he falls first, then I definitely recommend adding You Feel Like Christmas to your TBR!
Thank you so much, Christine Drummond and team, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Charlie is our FMC, and she was so relatable. I really felt for her and understood her struggles. Hunter is such a cinnamon roll MMC! He’s funny, caring, and I loved how protective he was. Their chemistry felt natural, and I loved watching their relationship transition from friends to lovers. The slow burn was SO worth it!
If you’re looking for a holiday romance to get you in the Christmas spirit, look no further! If you love fake dating, one sled, a black cat FMC, a cinnamon roll MMC, friends to lovers, small town romance, and he falls first, then I definitely recommend adding You Feel Like Christmas to your TBR!
Thank you so much, Christine Drummond and team, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2026
You feel like Christmas was a cute Christmas story that follows two childhood best friends slowly realizing they are meant for each other. Charlie is stubborn and labeled the fixer in her PR position. She is the one everyone comes to when everything is falling apart. Charlie definitely needs to learn how to fix herself just as much as her clients. Watching her grow and struggle through the book as growing tensions between her best friend Hunter was hard to watch but also exciting. Hunter is the sweetest guy, he doesn’t deserve Charlie but the tension between them was really good and he clearly loved her and would do anything for her. Plus the SLG were a perk. If you are looking for a quick Christmas read then look no further than this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This small town holiday read is just what I needed! And Christine Drummond has done it again- with another 5 star read!!
A cozy, sweet and fun read! Set in New York and filled with tons of witty holiday charm! The friends to lovers trope is quickly becoming a fave trope of mine - provides the perfect romance energy esp fake dating!
🏙️ NYC
🏡 Small town
🪆 Friends to lovers
☃️ He falls first
🛷 One sled
🌶️ Spicy
🎭 Fake dating
🐈⬛ Black cat x golden retriever
A cozy, sweet and fun read! Set in New York and filled with tons of witty holiday charm! The friends to lovers trope is quickly becoming a fave trope of mine - provides the perfect romance energy esp fake dating!
🏙️ NYC
🏡 Small town
🪆 Friends to lovers
☃️ He falls first
🛷 One sled
🌶️ Spicy
🎭 Fake dating
🐈⬛ Black cat x golden retriever
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
You Feel Like Christmas by Christine Drummond
Release Date: November 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☃️ Friends to Lovers
❄️ He Falls First
🎄 NYC/Small Town Christmas
🎁 Mistletoe
👓 $lutty Glasses
🏘 Childhood Best Friends/Neighbors
🛌 One Bed
"I always thought I had to keep running to stay safe. But the truth is, the only place I've ever felt safe is with you."
This book starts off in New York and man am I in for reading a book about a city girl going home for Christmas to her small town in Connecticut. Charlie's crappy boyfriend forgot to tell her their lease is up for their gorgeous loft apartment in the city and she was suddenly homeless. He was going on tour again so he didn't think to tell her she had to find a new place to live. So of course she goes home and stays with her sister, which is of course is across the street from her childhoods best friends house - Hunter. It's cute how Charlie's sister bought their parents house and fixed it up and how she still lives in her childhood house. I love that. If I could I would buy my childhood house I lived in for 18 years because we had the best memories in that house and the culdisac with all my neighbors. It's funny how a place can hold your dearest memories.
I loved all the childhood nostalgia in this book with all the memories of Hunter and Charlie growing up together and Hunter's dad teaching Charlie how to ride a bike. Or Hunter's mom making homemade chicken noodle soup and taking care of Charlie when she was sick. The found family in this book is so touching and I love that Charlie found love and belonging in the family across the street when her own family was toxic and traumatizing. It honestly made me cry and warmed my heart when I read about how much his family cares of her as one of their own. The author did a beautiful job portraying Charlie's past family trauma and also showing how Hunter's family has always been there for her.
Can we talk about the porch rave's in this book. I loved it and now I want to have a porch party at my house and get bombed and then crawl back inside at 1 am. I loved how Hunter took care of Charlie when she had the flu and was throwing up. The way he carried her like a princess from the fair and then up the stairs and watched over her for 3 days until she was better. Could there be a better book boyfriend out there? I don't think so. Hunter takes the cake and especially with his $lutty little glasses. That part of the book made me laugh so hard.
Another highlight of this book was when he planned that adorable date with the huskies and they went dog sledding and then went back to his new house. The scene in the empty house was like the Notebook and I am here for it. That was the cutest date, now I want to make a blanket fort on the floor and eat cheese until I pass out.
The end of this book made me cry and in the most wonderful way. Charlie and her mom hashing it out and going over all the stuff that made the past so hurtful made me cry. The way this book touched on forgiveness and healing and moving on from the past was beautiful. At the very end you find out why Charlie cut her parents out of her life and it all makes so much sense. The second to last chaper at the concert made my heart giddy. It was the most wonderful grand gesture and it reminded me of the best part in all the movies when they finally reveal how they are truly feeling. This entire book had me invested in all the characters. Hunter and Charlie's love story is so beautiful and the childhood friends trope may be my new favorite now. This book was an easy 5 stars. I enjoyed reading it so much. This book had really good character development and it wasn't an empty, fluffy holiday rom com. It had heart and was complex in so many ways.
You Feel Like Christmas by Christine Drummond
Release Date: November 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☃️ Friends to Lovers
❄️ He Falls First
🎄 NYC/Small Town Christmas
🎁 Mistletoe
👓 $lutty Glasses
🏘 Childhood Best Friends/Neighbors
🛌 One Bed
"I always thought I had to keep running to stay safe. But the truth is, the only place I've ever felt safe is with you."
This book starts off in New York and man am I in for reading a book about a city girl going home for Christmas to her small town in Connecticut. Charlie's crappy boyfriend forgot to tell her their lease is up for their gorgeous loft apartment in the city and she was suddenly homeless. He was going on tour again so he didn't think to tell her she had to find a new place to live. So of course she goes home and stays with her sister, which is of course is across the street from her childhoods best friends house - Hunter. It's cute how Charlie's sister bought their parents house and fixed it up and how she still lives in her childhood house. I love that. If I could I would buy my childhood house I lived in for 18 years because we had the best memories in that house and the culdisac with all my neighbors. It's funny how a place can hold your dearest memories.
I loved all the childhood nostalgia in this book with all the memories of Hunter and Charlie growing up together and Hunter's dad teaching Charlie how to ride a bike. Or Hunter's mom making homemade chicken noodle soup and taking care of Charlie when she was sick. The found family in this book is so touching and I love that Charlie found love and belonging in the family across the street when her own family was toxic and traumatizing. It honestly made me cry and warmed my heart when I read about how much his family cares of her as one of their own. The author did a beautiful job portraying Charlie's past family trauma and also showing how Hunter's family has always been there for her.
Can we talk about the porch rave's in this book. I loved it and now I want to have a porch party at my house and get bombed and then crawl back inside at 1 am. I loved how Hunter took care of Charlie when she had the flu and was throwing up. The way he carried her like a princess from the fair and then up the stairs and watched over her for 3 days until she was better. Could there be a better book boyfriend out there? I don't think so. Hunter takes the cake and especially with his $lutty little glasses. That part of the book made me laugh so hard.
Another highlight of this book was when he planned that adorable date with the huskies and they went dog sledding and then went back to his new house. The scene in the empty house was like the Notebook and I am here for it. That was the cutest date, now I want to make a blanket fort on the floor and eat cheese until I pass out.
The end of this book made me cry and in the most wonderful way. Charlie and her mom hashing it out and going over all the stuff that made the past so hurtful made me cry. The way this book touched on forgiveness and healing and moving on from the past was beautiful. At the very end you find out why Charlie cut her parents out of her life and it all makes so much sense. The second to last chaper at the concert made my heart giddy. It was the most wonderful grand gesture and it reminded me of the best part in all the movies when they finally reveal how they are truly feeling. This entire book had me invested in all the characters. Hunter and Charlie's love story is so beautiful and the childhood friends trope may be my new favorite now. This book was an easy 5 stars. I enjoyed reading it so much. This book had really good character development and it wasn't an empty, fluffy holiday rom com. It had heart and was complex in so many ways.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"You Feel Like Christmas," is the second book from author Christine Drummond, and departs from her debut romantasy novel ("Kingdom of the Owl,") sitting firmly in the contemporary romance genre.
Charlotte "Charlie" Hayes lives in NYC, working as a music publicist fixing all the disasters that come her way. Even the disaster that is her famous musician boyfriend when he makes remarks that don't go over well with his fan base. Charlie is there to fix his reputation, but is blindsided when he literally tosses her to the curb, cancelling the lease on their apartment, and disappears on his come-back tour. Charlie doesn't have many options...and the one she does have doesn't seem all that appealing: heading home for Christmas. To a town with painful family memories, an abundance of holiday cheer, and her best friend Hunter Wells - a best friend she hasn't spoken to in six months after a photo he posted made her feel things she didn't understand.
Hunter has spent his entire life loving Charlie, and keeping that knowledge hidden from her (and everyone else, or so he thought), but now that she's back, he's done waiting. He just needs Charlie to stop running long enough to realize they're meant for each other.
What to expect:
🐕Small town/NYC holiday romance
🎤Black cat/golden retriever vibes
🐕Slutty little glasses
🎤Friends to lovers
🐕He falls first
🎤One sled
🐕Yearning
🎤Characters in their 30's
🐕Fake dating
🎤Spice
Okay, y'all, I was not expecting to eat this up as quickly as I did. I mean, I love a good holiday romance as much as the next person, but even though I get cravings for that Hallmark holiday vibe, I'm often left disappointed when the writing and dialog fall flat. I am *so* happy to say this was not that.
THIS book had excellent, realistic dialog, witty banter, tension, a fun storyline, yearning OH the yearning *swoons* caretaking, a smooth pacing and flow to the writing, and all the realism of family drama and dynamics and miscommunications along the way. I related (a little painfully) to some of Charlie's coping mechanisms, and was definitely feeling the trauma responses throughout the entire book. The character growth was lovely, the spice was spicing (in a pretty perfect way honestly) and oh, and did I mention Hunter is absolutely down bad in the best way and how about his game? Gah. This man. I mean...."one horse" but a freaking DOG SLED?! C'MON!
Definitely snag a copy of this one if you love a Hallmark-movie-but-better holiday romance with a MMC you'll fall for and a FMC you'll root for. A huge thank you to the author for the ARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Charlotte "Charlie" Hayes lives in NYC, working as a music publicist fixing all the disasters that come her way. Even the disaster that is her famous musician boyfriend when he makes remarks that don't go over well with his fan base. Charlie is there to fix his reputation, but is blindsided when he literally tosses her to the curb, cancelling the lease on their apartment, and disappears on his come-back tour. Charlie doesn't have many options...and the one she does have doesn't seem all that appealing: heading home for Christmas. To a town with painful family memories, an abundance of holiday cheer, and her best friend Hunter Wells - a best friend she hasn't spoken to in six months after a photo he posted made her feel things she didn't understand.
Hunter has spent his entire life loving Charlie, and keeping that knowledge hidden from her (and everyone else, or so he thought), but now that she's back, he's done waiting. He just needs Charlie to stop running long enough to realize they're meant for each other.
What to expect:
🐕Small town/NYC holiday romance
🎤Black cat/golden retriever vibes
🐕Slutty little glasses
🎤Friends to lovers
🐕He falls first
🎤One sled
🐕Yearning
🎤Characters in their 30's
🐕Fake dating
🎤Spice
Okay, y'all, I was not expecting to eat this up as quickly as I did. I mean, I love a good holiday romance as much as the next person, but even though I get cravings for that Hallmark holiday vibe, I'm often left disappointed when the writing and dialog fall flat. I am *so* happy to say this was not that.
THIS book had excellent, realistic dialog, witty banter, tension, a fun storyline, yearning OH the yearning *swoons* caretaking, a smooth pacing and flow to the writing, and all the realism of family drama and dynamics and miscommunications along the way. I related (a little painfully) to some of Charlie's coping mechanisms, and was definitely feeling the trauma responses throughout the entire book. The character growth was lovely, the spice was spicing (in a pretty perfect way honestly) and oh, and did I mention Hunter is absolutely down bad in the best way and how about his game? Gah. This man. I mean...."one horse" but a freaking DOG SLED?! C'MON!
Definitely snag a copy of this one if you love a Hallmark-movie-but-better holiday romance with a MMC you'll fall for and a FMC you'll root for. A huge thank you to the author for the ARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all I would like to thank the author for gifting me this ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.25 stars
What a fun Christmas romance! This book gives ALL the Christmas vibes and makes you want to curl up with a hot chocolate, eat a mince pie and put on your favourite Hallmark Christmas movie. Pure festive escapism with a whole lot of heart!
Charlie is a character who feels wonderfully real. Like so many of us, she has buried past trauma beneath the busyness of everyday life, trying to fix everyone else’s problems rather than face her own. Her vulnerability, loneliness and questionable decisions are beautifully written, making it easy to empathise with her, even when you want to give her a little shake and tell her to stop running from what she truly wants.
And then there’s Hunter. The absolute definition of a golden retriever MMC! He’s patient, supportive, knows how to calm Charlie when she’s spiralling, and shows up for her in all the ways that matter. He’s loved her quietly, given her space when she needed it, and is finally ready to fight for the future he wants with her. Oh, and did I mention he owns a dog-walking business? A man who loves dogs AND knows how to love a woman? Swoon!
The childhood best friends-to-lovers romance is packed with that delicious tension, emotional vulnerability and the comfort of being loved by someone who truly sees you. I loved the reminder that we don’t always need someone to fix us; sometimes we just need someone who makes us feel safe enough to work through things ourselves.
The side characters were fantastic, too! Some I wanted to wrap in a massive Christmas hug, while others had me wanting to reach through the pages and strangle them. They added so much personality and made Pinegrove feel like the kind of small town you’d love to spend Christmas in.
At its heart, this is a story about facing the past, learning to let people in, and discovering that home isn’t always the place you ran away from. Sometimes it’s the person who’s been waiting for you all along.
The perfect festive read for anyone who loves small-town Christmas romance, best friends-to-lovers, a swoony golden retriever hero and plenty of holiday magic.
Christine Drummond has delivered a cosy, feel-good Christmas romance with heart, humour and all the festive feels. Definitely one to add to your Christmas TBR!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.25 stars
What a fun Christmas romance! This book gives ALL the Christmas vibes and makes you want to curl up with a hot chocolate, eat a mince pie and put on your favourite Hallmark Christmas movie. Pure festive escapism with a whole lot of heart!
Charlie is a character who feels wonderfully real. Like so many of us, she has buried past trauma beneath the busyness of everyday life, trying to fix everyone else’s problems rather than face her own. Her vulnerability, loneliness and questionable decisions are beautifully written, making it easy to empathise with her, even when you want to give her a little shake and tell her to stop running from what she truly wants.
And then there’s Hunter. The absolute definition of a golden retriever MMC! He’s patient, supportive, knows how to calm Charlie when she’s spiralling, and shows up for her in all the ways that matter. He’s loved her quietly, given her space when she needed it, and is finally ready to fight for the future he wants with her. Oh, and did I mention he owns a dog-walking business? A man who loves dogs AND knows how to love a woman? Swoon!
The childhood best friends-to-lovers romance is packed with that delicious tension, emotional vulnerability and the comfort of being loved by someone who truly sees you. I loved the reminder that we don’t always need someone to fix us; sometimes we just need someone who makes us feel safe enough to work through things ourselves.
The side characters were fantastic, too! Some I wanted to wrap in a massive Christmas hug, while others had me wanting to reach through the pages and strangle them. They added so much personality and made Pinegrove feel like the kind of small town you’d love to spend Christmas in.
At its heart, this is a story about facing the past, learning to let people in, and discovering that home isn’t always the place you ran away from. Sometimes it’s the person who’s been waiting for you all along.
The perfect festive read for anyone who loves small-town Christmas romance, best friends-to-lovers, a swoony golden retriever hero and plenty of holiday magic.
Christine Drummond has delivered a cosy, feel-good Christmas romance with heart, humour and all the festive feels. Definitely one to add to your Christmas TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Release Date: 3rd November
It’s been a while since I read friends to lovers but add in a sprinkle of Christmas and mistletoe shenanigans, then I’m all for it ! This was like a hallmark movie wrapped up in a cute little book!
I loved the :
» Denial of their feelings
» Yearning
» Jealousy
» Fact they’re in their 30s!
» Small town charm
» Holiday festivities
All Charlie had known about “love” was destruction and chaos. Her childhood trauma had moulded her into a woman that kept her heart locked and guarded. No strings attached was the only way she could separate the emotions but returning home soon had her boundaries being pushed. Emotions she kept hiding came to the surface because her childhood best friend was ready to take his chance and make her his. Hunter wouldn’t stop until he proved that their love would be different to what she witnessed. I will admit it took a while to warm to her. There were moments she was selfish , immature and self absorbed and wasn’t a good friend, sister or auntie.
Hunter was so sweet and caring. I love a man that just says it how it is but he was guarded because he was afraid of losing Charlie as a friend if she didn’t feel the same way. He was stable , sweet and wore his heart on his sleeve. Both toeing the line between friendship and maybe more. A man brave enough to talk of his feelings but afraid to speak the truth without having her freeze in fear and do what she does best- running!
Through the tornado of emotions battling in her mind , Hunter was the opposite . He was the perfect man for her. Her calm in her storm. Her safety and comfort. But I did feel sorry for him because he never knew where he stood but that showed the kind of man he was, patient , considerate and a total green flag. “I’ve got you” and he never once failed his promise!
Overall , this was a cute read. Low angst and a whole load of holiday vibes! One book i definitely recommend you read this year!
Would I recommend? Yes!!
♡ Thank you Christine Drummond for this ARC in return for an honest review
It’s been a while since I read friends to lovers but add in a sprinkle of Christmas and mistletoe shenanigans, then I’m all for it ! This was like a hallmark movie wrapped up in a cute little book!
I loved the :
» Denial of their feelings
» Yearning
» Jealousy
» Fact they’re in their 30s!
» Small town charm
» Holiday festivities
All Charlie had known about “love” was destruction and chaos. Her childhood trauma had moulded her into a woman that kept her heart locked and guarded. No strings attached was the only way she could separate the emotions but returning home soon had her boundaries being pushed. Emotions she kept hiding came to the surface because her childhood best friend was ready to take his chance and make her his. Hunter wouldn’t stop until he proved that their love would be different to what she witnessed. I will admit it took a while to warm to her. There were moments she was selfish , immature and self absorbed and wasn’t a good friend, sister or auntie.
Hunter was so sweet and caring. I love a man that just says it how it is but he was guarded because he was afraid of losing Charlie as a friend if she didn’t feel the same way. He was stable , sweet and wore his heart on his sleeve. Both toeing the line between friendship and maybe more. A man brave enough to talk of his feelings but afraid to speak the truth without having her freeze in fear and do what she does best- running!
Through the tornado of emotions battling in her mind , Hunter was the opposite . He was the perfect man for her. Her calm in her storm. Her safety and comfort. But I did feel sorry for him because he never knew where he stood but that showed the kind of man he was, patient , considerate and a total green flag. “I’ve got you” and he never once failed his promise!
Overall , this was a cute read. Low angst and a whole load of holiday vibes! One book i definitely recommend you read this year!
Would I recommend? Yes!!
♡ Thank you Christine Drummond for this ARC in return for an honest review
October 7, 2026
🎄✨ ARC REVIEW ✨🎄
I Feel Like Christmas by Christine Drummond
Yes, it’s only October… but it is NEVER too early for a Christmas romance, and this book was exactly the kind of festive, feel-good read I needed! 🎄❤️
This was such a fun book to read. The pacing was perfect, the story never dragged, and the writing was magnificent—which honestly is exactly what I expected from Christine Drummond. I found myself power reading because I was so invested and desperately needed to know how everything was going to play out.
We get dual POV from our MMC and FMC, and let me just say… I was fully invested in my man Hunter. 😂 I was cheering that man on from the very beginning. He had me kicking my feet and smiling like an idiot more than once.
And Charlie… I loved her, BUT GIRL. 😂 I spent a good portion of this book having an entire internal monologue telling her to PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS and stop acting like she wasn’t worthy of everything that was sitting right in front of her after YEARS of it being there. I was simultaneously rooting for her and wanting to shake some sense into her. 🤦♀️😂
This book gave me ALL the Hallmark Christmas vibes—cozy, romantic, festive, just the right amount of swoony moments, and it brought just enough heat🔥! It had me kicking my feet one minute, I might have actually blushed a few times and then I was literally slapping my palm against my forehead the next, but honestly… I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This was an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-star read for me!
I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to ARC read this book and experience Hunter and Charlie’s story early. It was such a fun and festive read, and I’m so excited for other readers to get their hands on it! ❤️🎄
If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good Christmas romance that will have you smiling, swooning, yelling at the FMC, and fully invested in the romance, definitely add this one to your holiday TBR! 🎄❤️
I Feel Like Christmas by Christine Drummond
Yes, it’s only October… but it is NEVER too early for a Christmas romance, and this book was exactly the kind of festive, feel-good read I needed! 🎄❤️
This was such a fun book to read. The pacing was perfect, the story never dragged, and the writing was magnificent—which honestly is exactly what I expected from Christine Drummond. I found myself power reading because I was so invested and desperately needed to know how everything was going to play out.
We get dual POV from our MMC and FMC, and let me just say… I was fully invested in my man Hunter. 😂 I was cheering that man on from the very beginning. He had me kicking my feet and smiling like an idiot more than once.
And Charlie… I loved her, BUT GIRL. 😂 I spent a good portion of this book having an entire internal monologue telling her to PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS and stop acting like she wasn’t worthy of everything that was sitting right in front of her after YEARS of it being there. I was simultaneously rooting for her and wanting to shake some sense into her. 🤦♀️😂
This book gave me ALL the Hallmark Christmas vibes—cozy, romantic, festive, just the right amount of swoony moments, and it brought just enough heat🔥! It had me kicking my feet one minute, I might have actually blushed a few times and then I was literally slapping my palm against my forehead the next, but honestly… I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This was an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-star read for me!
I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to ARC read this book and experience Hunter and Charlie’s story early. It was such a fun and festive read, and I’m so excited for other readers to get their hands on it! ❤️🎄
If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good Christmas romance that will have you smiling, swooning, yelling at the FMC, and fully invested in the romance, definitely add this one to your holiday TBR! 🎄❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 stars
This is a cozy, spicy holiday romance that is filled with angst and self reflection. It’s definitely a book that prepares you for the holiday season!
This book follows Charlotte, a “fixer” who cleans up everyone’s problems as a music publicist. However, she doesn’t seem to be able to clean up the messes in her own life— her country star boyfriend ends the lease to their apartment without letting her know. Now stranded, Charlotte heads back to her hometown, Connecticut, hoping to escape for the holidays. Only, she’s faced with all the problems she left behind here before she fled to NYC all those years ago. She’s now living across from her childhood, best friend Hunter, again, moved back in with her sister that she hasn’t spoken to for 3 years, and maybe started realizing feelings she has for Hunter that she’s ignored for years.
I quite enjoyed the cozy aspect of this book (I’ve been in my cozy era recently). All the holiday feels makes me want to start decorating for Christmas already ahaha. I really love the friends to lovers trope here and Hunter is SUCH a green flag. The one thing I found that didn’t sit right was me is actually Charlotte’s character. I know that she’s traumatized by her parent’s toxic relationship, which is why she only ever jumps into unserious flings/situationship. But, I cannot stand how much she pushes Hunter away. It made sense at the beginning… but then she gets together with him, only to tell him that it’s not going to last and tries to end it? I personally found it hard to empathize with her character and found her too stubborn. However, I am so glad that they end up together, because it made all the suffering worth it.
All in all, this was a pretty good read but I did find the drama was stretched out too long. I did really love how the characters developed throughout the book and the writing style is done really well. Would recommend if you’re looking for a holiday romance that’s also filled with angst.
This is a cozy, spicy holiday romance that is filled with angst and self reflection. It’s definitely a book that prepares you for the holiday season!
This book follows Charlotte, a “fixer” who cleans up everyone’s problems as a music publicist. However, she doesn’t seem to be able to clean up the messes in her own life— her country star boyfriend ends the lease to their apartment without letting her know. Now stranded, Charlotte heads back to her hometown, Connecticut, hoping to escape for the holidays. Only, she’s faced with all the problems she left behind here before she fled to NYC all those years ago. She’s now living across from her childhood, best friend Hunter, again, moved back in with her sister that she hasn’t spoken to for 3 years, and maybe started realizing feelings she has for Hunter that she’s ignored for years.
I quite enjoyed the cozy aspect of this book (I’ve been in my cozy era recently). All the holiday feels makes me want to start decorating for Christmas already ahaha. I really love the friends to lovers trope here and Hunter is SUCH a green flag. The one thing I found that didn’t sit right was me is actually Charlotte’s character. I know that she’s traumatized by her parent’s toxic relationship, which is why she only ever jumps into unserious flings/situationship. But, I cannot stand how much she pushes Hunter away. It made sense at the beginning… but then she gets together with him, only to tell him that it’s not going to last and tries to end it? I personally found it hard to empathize with her character and found her too stubborn. However, I am so glad that they end up together, because it made all the suffering worth it.
All in all, this was a pretty good read but I did find the drama was stretched out too long. I did really love how the characters developed throughout the book and the writing style is done really well. Would recommend if you’re looking for a holiday romance that’s also filled with angst.
September 25, 2026
Thank you Christine for allowing me to read this as an ARC!
Another 6 star read from Christine. You Feel Like Christmas solidified in my mind that I just adore her writing.
This book had it all for me. The charm, the magic, the yearning, the festive spirit. Literally everything I could want for a holiday romance book. I read this book in once sitting because I was THAT connected to these characters and I didn’t want their story to end.
Hunter is our down bad lover boy who has been in love with his best friend Charlie for years. But because Charlie had some family struggles as a child, she thinks she isn’t capable or worthy of falling in love and is terrifying of ruining her friendship with Hunter. Will this Christmas Season be their chance for them to finally embrace their feelings for each other?
This book give you the Hallmark feeling you want while reading a holiday romance. You feel like you are being whisked away to a Christmas fairytale with snow everywhere, Christmas lights on all the houses and Christmas songs being blasted in the kitchen while you decorate the tree.
Not only did I love the immersive holiday feel, but I loved how real life issues were included with our main characters. Charlie goes through some issues with her family as a child which I felt were very relatable and allowed me to connect to her as a character. Watching her learn to navigate those feelings had me very emotional.
And don’t get me started on our walking green flag of a man, Hunter. This man is the standard for how a man should show you that you deserve to be loved.
I found myself laughing, giggling on SEVERAL occasions and evening tearing up during some serious and heartfelt moments. This is a book I will re read every holiday season 100%.
Another 6 star read from Christine. You Feel Like Christmas solidified in my mind that I just adore her writing.
This book had it all for me. The charm, the magic, the yearning, the festive spirit. Literally everything I could want for a holiday romance book. I read this book in once sitting because I was THAT connected to these characters and I didn’t want their story to end.
Hunter is our down bad lover boy who has been in love with his best friend Charlie for years. But because Charlie had some family struggles as a child, she thinks she isn’t capable or worthy of falling in love and is terrifying of ruining her friendship with Hunter. Will this Christmas Season be their chance for them to finally embrace their feelings for each other?
This book give you the Hallmark feeling you want while reading a holiday romance. You feel like you are being whisked away to a Christmas fairytale with snow everywhere, Christmas lights on all the houses and Christmas songs being blasted in the kitchen while you decorate the tree.
Not only did I love the immersive holiday feel, but I loved how real life issues were included with our main characters. Charlie goes through some issues with her family as a child which I felt were very relatable and allowed me to connect to her as a character. Watching her learn to navigate those feelings had me very emotional.
And don’t get me started on our walking green flag of a man, Hunter. This man is the standard for how a man should show you that you deserve to be loved.
I found myself laughing, giggling on SEVERAL occasions and evening tearing up during some serious and heartfelt moments. This is a book I will re read every holiday season 100%.
October 13, 2026
WOW WOW WOW Christine Drummond. Just Wow. My first read from her was romantasy with immense world building and magic and all of these other things. But this? It's simplistic and beautiful and PERFECTION in romance.
The pitch is perfect: a music 'fixer', who has just been dumped by the newest thing in music and in need of a serious break, heads home for the holidays (even if 'home' isn't quite so homey after all). Reunited with her across the street neighbor and best friend, she has to come to terms with what she really wants...and who she really needs.
I am in my 'he falls first' Christmas era and Hunter is just pure perfection in this. His adoration from Charlie in his chapters is just STUNNING, and his relegation to best friend and then moment of decision to try and pursue more is handled so well. His life is thriving career wise but is missing what he knows could be with his best friend. He's touching and poignant and just...THERE. In all the best ways. It's so obvious how much he knows Charlie and as someone who has a best friend like this...its beautiful.
Charlie is such a great lead: headstrong, whip smart, but so so jaded by a mom / parental love life that was an absolute trainwreck. I love how put together she is in the real world but so broken internally, and how she slowly realizes how much Hunter could fill the gaps. I love her interiority, their tension, her push and pull to finally be vulnerable...it all just works and I relate to her SO much. I could hear myself saying her commentary through the ups and downs of them trying to find each other. Her career is really interesting as a side plot.
This is a holiday book, yes, cause its' set near christmas...but you could have changed the timing and it would have been just as great. I love that its set in Connecticut (I went to school there) and it just feels so authentic, cozy, romantic, and just a bit steamy !
The pitch is perfect: a music 'fixer', who has just been dumped by the newest thing in music and in need of a serious break, heads home for the holidays (even if 'home' isn't quite so homey after all). Reunited with her across the street neighbor and best friend, she has to come to terms with what she really wants...and who she really needs.
I am in my 'he falls first' Christmas era and Hunter is just pure perfection in this. His adoration from Charlie in his chapters is just STUNNING, and his relegation to best friend and then moment of decision to try and pursue more is handled so well. His life is thriving career wise but is missing what he knows could be with his best friend. He's touching and poignant and just...THERE. In all the best ways. It's so obvious how much he knows Charlie and as someone who has a best friend like this...its beautiful.
Charlie is such a great lead: headstrong, whip smart, but so so jaded by a mom / parental love life that was an absolute trainwreck. I love how put together she is in the real world but so broken internally, and how she slowly realizes how much Hunter could fill the gaps. I love her interiority, their tension, her push and pull to finally be vulnerable...it all just works and I relate to her SO much. I could hear myself saying her commentary through the ups and downs of them trying to find each other. Her career is really interesting as a side plot.
This is a holiday book, yes, cause its' set near christmas...but you could have changed the timing and it would have been just as great. I love that its set in Connecticut (I went to school there) and it just feels so authentic, cozy, romantic, and just a bit steamy !
October 14, 2026
Thank you to Christine Drummond, again, for letting me be an ARC reader for You Feel Like Christmas.
I could NOT put this book down. I read it in a day. It was the perfect rainy day at home, and I could not stop. All of the feels were right.
This book has a quick and easy plot, but it has ALL the things you need in a perfect holiday book. The book itself is so heartwarming and cozy. Those are the first words that come to mind when I think to describe Charlie & Hunter’s story. The love, the yearning, the friendship, the hardships, the healing, and the pups 🤭, all make for such a lovable, feel-good story. Upon reading THE END, I had a smile plastered on my face.
Christine, I don’t know how you keep writing these damn near perfect men, but gosh I LOVE them! Hunt was everything. I have to say, I wanted to shake Charlie because I loved him so so much!
I absolutely loved the alternating POV’s that bounced off of each other and picked up where the last chapter left off. It gave the reader a well-rounded understanding of both characters, and the entire situation that was happening. It was a very unique way to read a story. That is one thing about Christine’s writing, not only is it clear, intentional, and concise, but it is also very unique and stands out to me. I truly enjoy reading all of her work so far! She is an incredibly talented writer.
This story is a tale as old as time - two childhood best friends falling in love, one being blind to the other until the 100th hour…but it felt like I was reading it for the first time.
My advice? Read this book IMMEDIATELY. Grab a blanket, hot chocolate (with whipped cream AND marshmallows), and some slippers, and snuggle up and read this fantastic book!
I could NOT put this book down. I read it in a day. It was the perfect rainy day at home, and I could not stop. All of the feels were right.
This book has a quick and easy plot, but it has ALL the things you need in a perfect holiday book. The book itself is so heartwarming and cozy. Those are the first words that come to mind when I think to describe Charlie & Hunter’s story. The love, the yearning, the friendship, the hardships, the healing, and the pups 🤭, all make for such a lovable, feel-good story. Upon reading THE END, I had a smile plastered on my face.
Christine, I don’t know how you keep writing these damn near perfect men, but gosh I LOVE them! Hunt was everything. I have to say, I wanted to shake Charlie because I loved him so so much!
I absolutely loved the alternating POV’s that bounced off of each other and picked up where the last chapter left off. It gave the reader a well-rounded understanding of both characters, and the entire situation that was happening. It was a very unique way to read a story. That is one thing about Christine’s writing, not only is it clear, intentional, and concise, but it is also very unique and stands out to me. I truly enjoy reading all of her work so far! She is an incredibly talented writer.
This story is a tale as old as time - two childhood best friends falling in love, one being blind to the other until the 100th hour…but it felt like I was reading it for the first time.
My advice? Read this book IMMEDIATELY. Grab a blanket, hot chocolate (with whipped cream AND marshmallows), and some slippers, and snuggle up and read this fantastic book!
October 17, 2026
Charlie and Hunter have been best friends since they were kids, but they haven’t spoken or seen each other in months. Charlie, a successful music industry PR “fixer” lives in New York, while Hunter stayed in their suburban Connecticut town and started a business. When circumstances send Charlie back to the place she never intended to return to, Hunter knows this is his last chance to tell Charlie how he really feels. But does she feel the same, and can she let down her guard enough to find out?
You Feel Like Christmas has everything I want in a romance. In Charlie, Christine Drummond has created a female main character that most women can relate to. Life has taught her to protect her heart, so she keeps her distance and doesn’t let love in. Hunter is a loyal protector. Their friendship and their chemistry was obvious from the beginning and pulled me into the story immediately. I felt the magic and the heat as they began exploring a new kind of relationship. I also felt the power and the raw emotion as Charlie began confronting the things that made her so protective of her heart. I found myself crying multiple times, with sorrow at Charlie’s pain and with joy at her realization that she is capable of letting love in. While You Feel Like Christmas has all the magic of a Christmas romance, including a romantic dog-sled ride and a joyful gingerbread house competition, it doesn’t rely on those elements to carry it. Great writing, well-developed characters with real chemistry, and a beautifully crafted story make this a romance to remember.
Thanks to author Christine Drummond for the advance copy.
You Feel Like Christmas has everything I want in a romance. In Charlie, Christine Drummond has created a female main character that most women can relate to. Life has taught her to protect her heart, so she keeps her distance and doesn’t let love in. Hunter is a loyal protector. Their friendship and their chemistry was obvious from the beginning and pulled me into the story immediately. I felt the magic and the heat as they began exploring a new kind of relationship. I also felt the power and the raw emotion as Charlie began confronting the things that made her so protective of her heart. I found myself crying multiple times, with sorrow at Charlie’s pain and with joy at her realization that she is capable of letting love in. While You Feel Like Christmas has all the magic of a Christmas romance, including a romantic dog-sled ride and a joyful gingerbread house competition, it doesn’t rely on those elements to carry it. Great writing, well-developed characters with real chemistry, and a beautifully crafted story make this a romance to remember.
Thanks to author Christine Drummond for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
YFLC was the first ever "Christmas" romance book I've ever read and it was actual perfection. Now, let me tell you that I do not typically like Christmas music or movies at all, so when I say I LOVED YFLC and I obsessively finished this book in ONE day, I am NOT kidding. I am on her ST and I did read it because I loved KOTO, but I fell in love with Charlie from the first page as, I laughed hysterically aloud as what happens to her in those first pages.
I loved the pacing and flow, the storyline, the slow burn yearning from Hunter, all the tropes: the family drama, and the eventual healing, her job, and everything in between. Hunter and Charlie are friends to lovers and their story is exactly how it should be written!! Angsty, fear, confusion, some light drama, dependable (he's totally down bad), and Charlie's fear of their friendship falling apart is so real, you can feel it coming off the pages. The times they have those friend moments are special and the times they cross the lines, SPECTACULAR!! wink wink
Also the family strife/tension can be felt coming off the pages as well and it sucks you in, hoping things get made right. Charlie's independence is a full on trauma response that can be felt viscerally! I loved how this was written and I see this in my office daily. I also connected with the need to not depend on anyone for anything. She brought me to tears as I could feel her struggles.
I will definitely read this book again. Thank you Christine for this amazing couple and book. I wish there was another!!!
I loved the pacing and flow, the storyline, the slow burn yearning from Hunter, all the tropes: the family drama, and the eventual healing, her job, and everything in between. Hunter and Charlie are friends to lovers and their story is exactly how it should be written!! Angsty, fear, confusion, some light drama, dependable (he's totally down bad), and Charlie's fear of their friendship falling apart is so real, you can feel it coming off the pages. The times they have those friend moments are special and the times they cross the lines, SPECTACULAR!! wink wink
Also the family strife/tension can be felt coming off the pages as well and it sucks you in, hoping things get made right. Charlie's independence is a full on trauma response that can be felt viscerally! I loved how this was written and I see this in my office daily. I also connected with the need to not depend on anyone for anything. She brought me to tears as I could feel her struggles.
I will definitely read this book again. Thank you Christine for this amazing couple and book. I wish there was another!!!
October 16, 2026
You Feel Like Christmas is the SWEETEST love story I’ve ever read! I don’t read much contemporary romance, but this has blown me away! Thank you Christine Drummond for approving me to read your ARC!
Charlie and Hunter have been friends since they were little kids. There’s always been a little something there that only one of them has ever been able to recognize. But severe trauma in Charlie’s life had her running away from everyone after high school. Now, and unfortunate, dare I say, fortunate, turn of events brings her back to her hometown, where she reconnects with Hunter and ALL the feelings start to happen…the good, bad, and ugly.
Charlie and Hunter have undeniable chemistry from the get-go. I loved the banter moments, sweet moments, and even the tense moments. I love them so much as a couple! And Hunter is an exquisite Golden Retriever MMC! I just love him! Charlie has stayed away for so long, and you can see how broken she is. She’s so strong in the outside, but on the inside is still a girl yearning to be loved. She is, in fact, loved very much, but it just takes her a while to come to that realization. My heart hurt for her, but I was rooting for her the whole book. There is a lot of family written into their story, and it was so perfectly done. All the dynamics, the ups and downs…I couldn’t help but fall in love with some of them, as well!
Lastly, I’ll just note that this is not a closed-door romance; there is some spice that I found deliciously done!
This is a definite must-read for anyone who loves romance!
Charlie and Hunter have been friends since they were little kids. There’s always been a little something there that only one of them has ever been able to recognize. But severe trauma in Charlie’s life had her running away from everyone after high school. Now, and unfortunate, dare I say, fortunate, turn of events brings her back to her hometown, where she reconnects with Hunter and ALL the feelings start to happen…the good, bad, and ugly.
Charlie and Hunter have undeniable chemistry from the get-go. I loved the banter moments, sweet moments, and even the tense moments. I love them so much as a couple! And Hunter is an exquisite Golden Retriever MMC! I just love him! Charlie has stayed away for so long, and you can see how broken she is. She’s so strong in the outside, but on the inside is still a girl yearning to be loved. She is, in fact, loved very much, but it just takes her a while to come to that realization. My heart hurt for her, but I was rooting for her the whole book. There is a lot of family written into their story, and it was so perfectly done. All the dynamics, the ups and downs…I couldn’t help but fall in love with some of them, as well!
Lastly, I’ll just note that this is not a closed-door romance; there is some spice that I found deliciously done!
This is a definite must-read for anyone who loves romance!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Imagine a Hallmark movie unfolding in your mind, where you are the sole audience to its sights and sounds. This is how the story unfolds, drawing you in as you come to love the characters and their journey, momentarily losing sight of the fact that you are merely reading a book. The story resonates deeply, tugging at your heartstrings and offering more than just a simple tale of romance. It is a flurry of emotions.
Charlie, the FMC goes back to her small town in Connecticut. She has a lot to work through, both personally and professionally. Hunter, her childhood best friend still lives there, but....... What do you think happens?
The book moves at a captivating pace and it's over in the blink of an eye! I was so hooked, I didn't want it to end. The story cleverly sneaks in valuable life lessons, and I found myself getting goosebumps when things got too real. Christine really knows how to craft a story, and I absolutely loved it! Actually, I devoured it and you should, too!
Thank you for the arc, Christine! I am leaving my review voluntarily.
“It’s never too late to do better."
“Everyone needs a change of scenery once in a while.”
"Don’t let waiting for the perfect moment be the enemy of plain good enough. You might regret it.”
“I’ve got you.”
"But sometimes we don’t realize we need a change until it happens. Sometimes it brings us the life we were meant for.”
Charlie, the FMC goes back to her small town in Connecticut. She has a lot to work through, both personally and professionally. Hunter, her childhood best friend still lives there, but....... What do you think happens?
The book moves at a captivating pace and it's over in the blink of an eye! I was so hooked, I didn't want it to end. The story cleverly sneaks in valuable life lessons, and I found myself getting goosebumps when things got too real. Christine really knows how to craft a story, and I absolutely loved it! Actually, I devoured it and you should, too!
Thank you for the arc, Christine! I am leaving my review voluntarily.
“It’s never too late to do better."
“Everyone needs a change of scenery once in a while.”
"Don’t let waiting for the perfect moment be the enemy of plain good enough. You might regret it.”
“I’ve got you.”
"But sometimes we don’t realize we need a change until it happens. Sometimes it brings us the life we were meant for.”
October 6, 2026
I needed a rom-com palette cleanser and this DELIVERED. 🥹🎄
Charlie is a PR rep for music artists who finds herself suddenly single, homeless, and heading back to the small town she grew up in for the holidays. Enter Hunter… her best friend who has been in love with her for YEARS. 👀
The tension and banter between these two?! 🤌🏼 I was EATING IT UP. Hunter’s inner monologue had me cackling, and watching their friendship slowly shift into something more had me giggling and kicking my feet. 🤭
Hunter is also just… 🥹🥹🥹 The way he cares for Charlie, reassures her, shows up for her, and is so openly all-in once they realize what’s happening between them?? GREEN FLAG. 🚩➡️💚
And the fake dating?! The party?! The jealousy?! The spice?! The confessions?! 😍🌶️ I was having the BEST time.
One thing I especially loved was that we didn’t get an endless cycle of “we can’t do this because we’re friends” once feelings entered the picture. Hunter was like, yeah, I love her, so let’s do this. THANK YOU. 😂🙌🏼
There’s family drama, an asshole boss, some emotional moments, plenty of holiday vibes, and just enough angst to keep things interesting without taking over the story.
And that ending?? 🥹❤️ SO SWEET.
This was exactly the fun, festive, swoony rom-com I needed. If you love small-town romance, friends-to-lovers, fake dating, holiday vibes, banter, and a seriously green-flag MMC, add this one to your TBR! 🎄💋
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hunter and Charlie are childhood friends. Charlie has put some distance between them and you can feel the tension and awkwardness once they begin to share space. Charlie is avoiding love and relationships, while Hunter wants love.. with Charlie.
I was glad Charlie's homelessness situation forced her back home to Pinegrove. She needed to work through her negative childhood experiences in order to move forward. I enjoyed watching her reconnect with her family and grow through the hard conversations. She had to finally learn running wouldn't solve the problem, it just delayed the inevitable.
Hunter is pure golden retriever energy. He is patient, calm, and steady. Hunter finally communicating what he wanted was a breath of fresh air. He has been pining for Charlie for years, but never said a word. He has shown up with actions, regardless of the situation. He was her anchor through whatever storm came their way.
This story had a perfect blend of banter and genuine vulnerability. Charlie is a fixer and focuses on everyone else's disasters. Hunter has been planning his life to include Charlie without ever telling her. Watching Charlie realize Hunter never needed to be fixed and she could risk building a future with him was worth the wait. The cozy, small-town Christmas backdrop added to the heartwarming feel. And I think everyone could use a porch rave every now and then.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was glad Charlie's homelessness situation forced her back home to Pinegrove. She needed to work through her negative childhood experiences in order to move forward. I enjoyed watching her reconnect with her family and grow through the hard conversations. She had to finally learn running wouldn't solve the problem, it just delayed the inevitable.
Hunter is pure golden retriever energy. He is patient, calm, and steady. Hunter finally communicating what he wanted was a breath of fresh air. He has been pining for Charlie for years, but never said a word. He has shown up with actions, regardless of the situation. He was her anchor through whatever storm came their way.
This story had a perfect blend of banter and genuine vulnerability. Charlie is a fixer and focuses on everyone else's disasters. Hunter has been planning his life to include Charlie without ever telling her. Watching Charlie realize Hunter never needed to be fixed and she could risk building a future with him was worth the wait. The cozy, small-town Christmas backdrop added to the heartwarming feel. And I think everyone could use a porch rave every now and then.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📖ARC Review📖
I am so lucky to receive this as an ARC by Christine because I am in love. I am a sucker for Christmas rom-coms to begin with, but when I saw that Christine was publishing one after her debut romantasy I couldn’t apply faster.
It’s a fun, cute read that gives all the hallmark vibes without the cringe. It has really set the mood for the holiday season for me and is everything I want in a read like this.
I connect so well with Christine’s writing. It’s descriptive without it telling, and each character plays an important role. No one feels forced and everything just flows so well.
While the FMC Charlie has her flaws I also felt so empowered by her as a strong independent woman. Seeing her grow further just made me lover her even more. And the MMC Hunter? Let’s just say I can dig the slutty little glasses vibe. Their chemistry is just fire!
Favorite quotes:
“Don’t sit on information that big forever, Hunter. Don’t let waiting for the perfect moment be the enemy of plain good enough. You might regret it.”
There’s a feeling you wake up with after it’s snowed. A knowledge, before you even open your eyes. The unfamiliar hush, the subtle difference in the world’s energy. It’s straight-up magic.
I am so lucky to receive this as an ARC by Christine because I am in love. I am a sucker for Christmas rom-coms to begin with, but when I saw that Christine was publishing one after her debut romantasy I couldn’t apply faster.
It’s a fun, cute read that gives all the hallmark vibes without the cringe. It has really set the mood for the holiday season for me and is everything I want in a read like this.
I connect so well with Christine’s writing. It’s descriptive without it telling, and each character plays an important role. No one feels forced and everything just flows so well.
While the FMC Charlie has her flaws I also felt so empowered by her as a strong independent woman. Seeing her grow further just made me lover her even more. And the MMC Hunter? Let’s just say I can dig the slutty little glasses vibe. Their chemistry is just fire!
Favorite quotes:
“Don’t sit on information that big forever, Hunter. Don’t let waiting for the perfect moment be the enemy of plain good enough. You might regret it.”
There’s a feeling you wake up with after it’s snowed. A knowledge, before you even open your eyes. The unfamiliar hush, the subtle difference in the world’s energy. It’s straight-up magic.
October 6, 2026
You Feel Like Christmas was everything I wanted from a cozy Christmas romance.
Hunter and Charlotte felt believable and genuine, and I loved watching these two best friends find not only each other, but their true selves along the way. Their relationship developed naturally, and I was absolutely rooting for them. HuntCha forever! ❤️
The found family was another highlight for me. I loved the sense of people reconnecting and finding their way back to one another, and it added so much warmth to the story.
The pacing was excellent throughout, and Christine Drummond’s writing made the settings and scenes incredibly easy to visualize. It gave me all those wonderful small-town Christmas feelings without becoming overly sweet or predictable.
There is some spice, but for me it was exactly the right amount. It complemented Hunter and Charlotte’s relationship rather than overpowering their story.
Cozy, romantic, full of heart, and with an ending that left me very happy. This was such an easy five-star read for me. 🎄❤️
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hunter and Charlotte felt believable and genuine, and I loved watching these two best friends find not only each other, but their true selves along the way. Their relationship developed naturally, and I was absolutely rooting for them. HuntCha forever! ❤️
The found family was another highlight for me. I loved the sense of people reconnecting and finding their way back to one another, and it added so much warmth to the story.
The pacing was excellent throughout, and Christine Drummond’s writing made the settings and scenes incredibly easy to visualize. It gave me all those wonderful small-town Christmas feelings without becoming overly sweet or predictable.
There is some spice, but for me it was exactly the right amount. It complemented Hunter and Charlotte’s relationship rather than overpowering their story.
Cozy, romantic, full of heart, and with an ending that left me very happy. This was such an easy five-star read for me. 🎄❤️
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews