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Christmas Town #1

The Christmas Cookie Shop

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird brings you the start of a brand new holiday series...

Hannah Winchester is down on her luck and disillusioned with love, but her fortunes are about to change. When Hannah inherits a defunct bakery in East Tennessee, her first thought is to sell it and settle her substantial debt. Then the townsfolk welcome her warmly and she's taken with the joyful spirit of the place, where stores employ holiday themes and residents have surnames like Christmas and Claus. After a handsome lawman comes to her aid dressed as Santa, Hannah learns he's more than a hot guy in a red suit and shiny black boots. Sheriff Carter Livingston has joined in the cause of rejuvenating the town, and he's encouraging her to do her part. Hannah's great-grandmother, Lena, sold special holiday cookies that brought hope and renewal to the people of Christmas Town. Yet Hannah has plans elsewhere and isn't looking to stay. Can she possibly reopen the shop known for kindling romance--without sacrificing her heart?

389 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 25, 2016

1114 people are currently reading
2085 people want to read

About the author

Ginny Baird

64 books892 followers
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird writes heartwarming contemporary stories filled with love, laughter, and happily ever afters. Visit her website to learn more about Ginny and her books. www.ginnybairdromance.com

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5 stars
884 (51%)
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480 (28%)
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268 (15%)
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55 (3%)
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18 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
Profile Image for Rita.
305 reviews
January 4, 2017
Another great book by Ginny Baird! And another new series....Christmas Town. I can't wait to read the next one in the series...A Mommy For Christmas....I love the whole story about living in a town that celebrates Christmas all year..and such a nice romance,too.
413 reviews6 followers
October 11, 2016
Hannah Winchester has recently inherited property in the form of her great grandmother's cookie shop in Christmas Town, TN. She simply wants to go there, list it for sale, and use the money to help pay off her student loans and go to grad school. However, she never expected to fall in love with the town or the town's sheriff. The only problem is that she can't cook and the legendary recipe appears to be lost or stolen!

Carter Livingston agreed to be the local sheriff, but he soon realized that the local townspeople are unrepentant matchmakers. If only they would leave him alone. He's not ready to open up about his dark past and face the rejection of a woman. Besides, his last girlfriend only wanted to change him. Yet, when he stops to help a young woman who appears to be lost, he can't help but want to get to know her better.

There's a lot to like about this story. First, I loved the realistic nature of the romance. The dialogue and the pace felt real. It was both witty and open. I always appreciate when characters are honest with each other. Furthermore, the secondary characters are fantastic. I enjoyed their antics with attempted matchmaking as well as their genuine love and friendships.

The story also has a wonderful emphasis on family - whether that's a real / birth family or through friendships. So, when it comes to offering forgiveness, the strength of character is there to extend it.

Next, the mild mystery surrounding the recipe was a nice plot device. I felt it helped develop the storyline.

Finally, I liked the quirkiness that dabbled with a hint of paranormal or magic. It's just a flavor of the paranormal to catch your attention, but not so much to turn the whole book that direction. To me, it works and I had fun reading the exchanges between the characters involved.

If I had to critique anything, it would be that, compared to the author's previous work, this is steamier than everything else. There is a scene that rather pushes the envelope with a PG rating. I mention this because this matters to some people.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I love the characters and am eager to read more about them.

Romance - "steamy PG" / almost PG13? - based on one scene. Otherwise, it's just kisses.
Language - clean

My rating - 5 stars.
Profile Image for Anna.
429 reviews6 followers
October 20, 2016
I so enjoyed this story. And the town! Sounds like a wonderful place to live.

Hannah has come to Christmas Town to sell her great grandmother's cookie shop. The one she has been left and has no intentions to reopen. But once she's come to town and met and befriended the people, she begins to feel torn between selling and maybe, just maybe taking a chance on the cookie shop. There's just one problem, she can't cook!

Carter has been sheriff for almost a year. And he loves it here. And with the pretty new cookie shop owner things are looking up. And with her planning to move back home he has to work quick to make her see that she could possibly make a life here.

As carter and Hannah really begin their journey together they see in themselves better people. But with the secret famous cookie recipe lost will they even have a chance to find out if they can love one another? Or will finances and the unknown be more than they can overcome. Can Christmas Town work a miracle during this Christmas season?
Loved the whole story and town and can't wait for more!
Profile Image for Paula Bothwell.
1,639 reviews43 followers
November 9, 2018
The Christmas Cookie Shop (Christmas Town 1) - PG/PG13
Violence: none
Language: nothing offensive
Sex: some kisses then WHAM it went to PG13 right out of the blue with ripping off clothing, etc. Nope. It was just silly.
Profile Image for Michelle Strommen.
1,112 reviews18 followers
December 13, 2019
Wonderful Christmas romance book. Had the right amount of laughter, love, and happily ever after of course. Loved the characters, I want to be their friends too! Will have to read book 2
Profile Image for Marsha Keeper Bookshelf.
4,290 reviews88 followers
October 22, 2017
Reviewed at Heart Full of Christmas

Sometimes I’m lucky enough to discover a holiday series that simply takes my breath away. Right now that is the Christmas Town series by Ginny Baird. I’m in the middle of the third book of this series and I honestly do not want this series to end. The whimsy, the legendary Christmas magic, and people that you’d imagine living right down the street combined with love stories that warm the heart and open up possibilities… it’s the perfect Christmas tale storm for me.

In this introductory story of The Christmas Cookie Shop we’re introduced to the residents of Christmas Town, Tennessee and a few newcomers to the town. Hannah has come to Christmas Town for one reason only… to sell the property she recently inherited. She has plans, student loan debts and no cooking or baking skills whatsoever… so the best thing to do with an empty cookie shop is to sell it quickly and move on with her life. Except there’s this magical feel to this small town, almost as if anything is possible. It certainly doesn’t hurt one bit that the handsome sheriff seems as interested in her as she is in him. But there’s no future for them when she leaves – but maybe Carter and the rest of the townsfolk can convince Hannah that she really has come home at last.

As Hannah slowly comes to feel at home in Christmas Town we are introduced to a magical group of secondary characters with their own unique touches of magic. New friends, new possibilities and maybe the reintroduction of some famous magical cookies as well. All that’s missing now is for Hannah to say yes to her heart’s desire and love the super hot and adorable man who thinks she hung the moon. It’s all there in reach, all she has to do is believe… and stay.

I will freely admit that I’m addicted to Christmas Romances as I read them year round. But I have to say that this series is going on that “re-read every Christmas” list of mine where the best of the best get brought out for another enjoyable reading experience. Yeah, I think it’s that good. With a town full of holiday cheer, family names like Christmas and Claus, the hint of Christmas magic seen from the corner of your eye… and really good, believable love stories. That combination has everything I need to fall in love with a book… or a town.

I would recommend The Christmas Cookie Shop and this entire series to any reader who loves Christmas stories, enjoys those special touches of magic that we sometimes leave behind as we become grown up, and really interesting characters who are completely believable. I sincerely hope that Ms. Baird continues adding to this series for many years to come.

I own a e-book copy of this story.
1,180 reviews3 followers
November 14, 2019
I kept trying to enjoy it

But it just went on and on and on about literally NOTHING, didn’t it?
In reading what I hope will be a light, enjoyable Christmas romance, I don’t need to know the description of every store, every item they sell, who owns it, where it is in proximity to the other stores, what everyone there thinks, looks like, where they live, every side conversation they have with everybody they meet.....goodness sakes, it wore me out!
I tried just skipping over the miles of needless minutia, looking for real conversations, but that was a lot of skipping. Though I lost nothing of any substance.
It had great potential, is the best I can say. And I had great hopes for it. But, I gave up around 40%, bored, and completely done.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,189 reviews
October 22, 2016
The Christmas Cookie Shop ( Christmas Town #1 )
By: Ginny Baird

The Christmas Cookie Shop is book one in Christmas Town series. This story is set in Christmas Town, Tennessee. I really enjoyed this sweet and charming story and can’t wait for the next book to come out. When I started reading this story I could not put it down till the end. Hannah inherited The Christmas Cookie Shop from her great -great grandmother ,Lena. The people in town are so friendly to Hannah. They cannot wait for her to reopen the Christmas Cookie Shop . Some of them even say the cookies were magic . The Handsome sheriff Carter , who is dressed as Santa helps her the first day she was coming into town. There is some sparks that fly between the two. Hannah has no intension of staying and opening the shop, she needs to sell and pay some loans off. It would take more than she has to reopen the shop, it needs so much reconstruction done on it. Money she does not have. Now the sheriff would love for her to stay. There is also some matchmaking that goes on in this magical town. Who are they trying to match up? How could Hannah stay? She does not even have any of the recipes and does not cook.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told I had to give a positive review.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
2,097 reviews22 followers
October 28, 2016
There is nothing to put you in the Christmas mood that a wonderful delightful Christmas story that takes place in a cute little town with wonderful towns people who make you smile, laugh as they leave you with a smile on your face. Here you have one lady that just can’t get a break, at first she thought she would go to Christmas Town sell the shop that she has inherited why paying off everything she owes. What she found is a delightful town filled with delightful people who always give a hand to those in need along with one hot sheriff that she can’t take her eyes off of. Maybe just maybe she might stick around and give this shop and the sheriff a chance to change her mind.

This is a story that I enjoyed very much I read it at one setting having trouble putting it down. Hannah grows to love this town and the members as much as you will. The town can’t wait to have those delightful cookies. They even say they have magic in them. Now this I have got to see. The only problem is she has no recipes, can’t cook and no money to put into this project. Who can turn down a helping hand from Santa not Hannah not when he is as tall and good looking as this Santa? I really enjoyed the chemistry as sparks fly you are left wondering if the town might burn down. One look at the shop and all the work it needs has her saying thanks but no thanks as she makes plans to sell. If the handsome Santa (Carter) has his way she will be staying for a very long time. As in most small town you have the town’s people in your business trying their hand at matchmaking. At times I had to chuckle at the things they come up with.

This was really a delightful read of two people not looking for love but if the town has any say they will be a match made in heaven. I hope you pick up this wonderful read and give it a try.

Volunteered requested a Review copy from NetGalley/Edelweiss /book tour/author/publisher
**********************************
Profile Image for Katrina Epperson.
615 reviews
November 9, 2016
Ginny Baird brings us the first book in her Christmas Town series and what a wonderful way to not only start a series, but bring some holiday spirit and cheer to the reader. This story takes place in Christmas Town, Tennessee where the population is a mere 3100 and the focus of the town is Christmas. Businesses and streets have a Christmas theme. Hannah Winchester arrives in Christmas Town for one reason and that is to look into her inheritance with the thought on putting it on the market to sell. Just one problem, the townspeople are excited because they know she has come to reopen the cookie shop and hopefully add a boost to the economy. This story is full of Christmas spirit, quirky characters, 2 very lovable kittens and a handsome sheriff. I loved the characters, setting and plot. Each pulled me into this story and kept me turning the pages until the end, I felt drawn to Hannah from the first page and with each page I turned I watched this character grown into a strong, resilient woman. I would recommend this book to anyone. I volunteered to read this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
52 reviews
November 21, 2023
Cozy Christmas romance

Lovely and very sweet novel.

Hannah is a student who has inherited a run down cookie shop in Christmas Town. She intends to look it over and sell the property to fund her graduate studies. However, the residents of Christmas Town are a friendly, supportive and meddling bunch who are all under the impression that she’s going to reopen the cookie shop to its former glory and help them make the town a thriving area once again. Add a handsome sheriff, an instant girl squad and a secret recipe to the mix and Hannah might have to stick around a bit longer.

Sheriff Carter was a great leading man. Protective, supportive and often clueless about his own feelings. Hannah was sweet and a hopeless optimist. The characters around town were fun (reminded me a bit of the residents of Virgin River if you’ve read that series/seen the show). There’s one love scene but it’s very PG, only clothes are mentioned and it fades to black when they hit the bedroom.

It’s a very fluffy novel with some magical elements so if you can start reading ready to believe, you’ll be happy.
Profile Image for Heather.
749 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2022
This was a sweet story about finding your own way with a little push from a welcoming town. This is Hannah and Carter’s story and can e read as a standalone although it does kick off the series and get you invested in the characters!

Hannah inherited her great grandmother’s bakery. She has every intention of going to Christmas Town and selling it to pay off student loans, but the town has different plans for her…

Carter is the town Sheriff and newcomer to Christmas Town himself. He is of course handsome and single, but has a past he prefers to keep there. He doesn’t date despite the efforts of Lou Christmas to match him up, until he meets Hannah…

These two are cute together. They start out slowly, but there is a natural feeling about their relationship and I enjoyed that. They open up and trust each other which is refreshing.

This book has slow moments, but overall it is an enjoyable read. There is humor, romance, good characters and a little bit of mystery thrown in. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Profile Image for Lesley Barklay.
Author 9 books17 followers
Read
December 20, 2023
If you like small town romances with a huge cast of characters, you might enjoy this book.

While it primarily features Hannah and Carter, this book also takes a lot of time setting up the other single characters, ready for their future romances.

The main complication of the book is whether or not Hannah will find a way to stay in Christmas Town, and keep her great grandmother's cookie shop. There is a slight supernatural element in the sense of an almost mind reading new friend, and a missing secret cookie recipe that apparently makes people fall in love.

For me, this didn't hit right as I'm not a huge fan of ensemble casts. I wanted a little bit more depth in Hannah and Carter's story, and a little less of the small-town-everyone-knows-everyone-else's-business storylines. I ended up skim reading just to see if she found the recipe. There was also a subplot about Hannah not knowing how to cook that popped up in the last half of the book, only to be quickly resolved with some online lessons and practical support from a group of friends.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,642 reviews69 followers
October 24, 2016
The Christmas Cookie Shop is located in Christmas
Town, Tennessee.
Hannah Winchester has inherited this shop. It had
once been run By her great-great grandmother, Lena
Winchester. Lena baked special holiday cookies that seem
to be magical.
Hannah has no baking or cooking knowledge. She has
come to town to sell the shop. Now she finds herself
at home in this town and attracted to the town sheriff.
But even if she could bake, the secret special recipe
seems to have been lost.
Lots of flavor to this story from a great array of
characters . The shenanigans and dynamics between
some of the characters including Hannah's two kittens,
Jingles and Belle added humor within this story.
Delightful setting, beautiful friendships, appealing read
gives the reader a enjoyable read.
I highly recommend this book.
I volunteered to read an Advanced Reader Copy. Thanks
to the author for the eBook. My opinion is my own.
Profile Image for Jane.
1,272 reviews16 followers
March 13, 2023
When Hannah Winchester inherits a defunct bakery in East Tennessee from her grandma Mabel, her first thought is to sell it and settle her substantial debt. But when she arrives at Christmas Town where the bakery is—Christmas Cookie shop—she realizes the shop would need some major repairs before she can put it up on the market.

Between settling bet student loans, and applying for graduate school, she might not be able to come up with that money to fix the place. The only resort might be to ask her brother Ben for money.

After her brief encounter with Sheriff Carter Livingston, Carter is intrigued by Hannah and can’t seem to get her off his mind.

The longer Hannah stays the more she realizes she might just make Christmas Town her new home.

Small town romance set in Christmas Town, Tennessee filled with warm characters and quirky local business names: Christmas Town Realty, Sister’s Row🏨, Santa Sandwich Shop 🥪 and so on.
104 reviews2 followers
October 28, 2025
This is the first book in the Christmas Town series by Ginny Baird. Hannah Winchester inherits a cookie shop from her great grandmother Lena in Christmas Town, Tennessee. Hannah wants to sell the shop and use the money to pay off her student loans and continue her college education. However once there she falls in love with the town and the people. The only problem is she cannot bake and the special holiday cookie recipe is lost. Sheriff Carter Livingston is the local lawman in town who loves the town and tries to convince Hannah to stay and reopen the cookie shop. The longer that Hannah stays in town she begins to have romantic feelings for Carter. I really enjoyed this wonderful contemporary holiday romance novel.
1,483 reviews19 followers
November 12, 2025
This is the first book in the Christmas Town series by Ginny Baird. Hannah Winchester inherits a cookie shop from her great grandmother Lena in Christmas Town, Tennessee. Hannah wants to sell the shop and use the money to pay off her student loans and continue her college education. However once there she falls in love with the town and the people. The only problem is she cannot bake and the special holiday cookie recipe is lost. Sheriff Carter Livingston is the local lawman in town who loves the town and tries to convince Hannah to stay and reopen the cookie shop. The longer that Hannah stays in town she begins to have romantic feelings for Carter. I really enjoyed this wonderful contemporary holiday romance novel.
Profile Image for Katherine Tricker.
267 reviews3 followers
November 23, 2025
I've just finished this in one sitting. I absolutely loved it.

Hannah and Carter's journey starts right from chapter 1 and builds at just the right pace.
The small town of Christmas, Tennessee is full of all those fabulous small town vibes. Immediately the town welcomes Hannah with open arms while also being that perfect blend of busy bodies only a small town can bring. Despite believing she's not going to be there long Hannah is drawn into town life and left feeling at home for the first time in her life.

All the characters that befriend and help Hannah are a fabulous addition to the story and you can really feel everyone's emotions throughout. It's the whole town cast that makes this book the cosy small town holiday romance that we can all enjoy.
214 reviews12 followers
December 21, 2016
This was a magical book about life in Christmas Town, Tennessee, where townspeople, streets, and businesses center around Christmas names. Hannah Winchester has just come to town from Virginia, but just temporarily, as she wants to fix up the Christmas Cookie Shop she inherited from her great-grandmother, Lena. She hopes to sell it and go back home. She meets Carter Livingston who immediately attracts her attention, and she also gains fast friends and acquaintances. Her newly acquired kittens, Jingles and Belle are two handfuls of delight and mischief. This book is light, fun, and the characters and town come alive through the great writing of this author. I highly recommend it and look forward to the second book in this new series. [I received an early copy of this book for review and my opinion is my own.]
Profile Image for Emily Eitniear.
134 reviews4 followers
January 4, 2017
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway!

This book came at such a great time, right before the Christmas season, so I was very excited to read it. Although the book takes place around Christmas time, it actually had less to do with that than I expected. It takes place is a town called Christmas Town where everything is Christmas year round. I honestly felt that this was more of a winter romance than a "Christmas" novel. It was very well written and I loved the characters, even the animals. I am looking forward to more in this series and hope to see the characters evolve even more so in future books.
Profile Image for Joan.
967 reviews
December 20, 2022
A sweet Christmas story.

Hannah Wincester inherits a Cookie shop (which has been empty for the last 12 years). As she has no baking or business experience, she plans to sell the shop ASAP, but the friendly people of Christmas make her change her mind. Hannah's great grandmother used to make magical cookies every year that made people fall madly in love. When Hannah realized that only only did she owe years of back taxes, but the shop needed all new electrical work and appliances. The townspeople get together and donate both money and labour. She finds her great grandmother's recipe for Virginia cookies and suddenly, after an online cooking course, she is ready to open a successful bakery.
Profile Image for Michele.
271 reviews
December 5, 2023
I was disappointed in this book. It was cute in parts but the main basis for the book was a little ridiculous. Hannah comes to Christmas Town to sell the cookie shop and leaves her job for 2 months? When she’s worried about money. And she has a college degree but can’t get a good paying job so she’s going to go into more debt for a masters degree?!? It just didn’t make sense to me. And the romance between Hannah and Carter was cute one minute and cheesy pick up lines/dirty talk the next. Very off putting. Even the mystery of the missing recipe wasn’t that interesting. It was all a little too unbelievable even for a holiday romance book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Joyful.
563 reviews
October 30, 2016
This book is a fairytale Christmas romance and book one in the new The Christmas Town series. The storyline is good, however, I feel that the true meaning of Christmas should have been a part of the story. This is not what I was expecting with a little too much premarital sex scenes. Ginny Baird is a good writer, but it seems this is a series that is a little less Inspiritional than I was expecting. I was given a free ARC and I chose to give it an honest review. I hate to give a 3 star to any author, but I have to be honest.
Profile Image for Becky.
176 reviews4 followers
October 11, 2017
A Secret Cookie Recipe is Missing!
Hannah heads to Christmas Town, not expecting to stay. She’s inherited the Christmas Cookie Shop, but doesn’t expect to do anything other than sell it. The snow turns to a blizzard, and she can’t see where she is, so stops the car, wondering what to do. A good-lucking sheriff helps her find her way to where she’s staying. There are lots of fun surprises throughout this book, and it will keep you giggling and trying to figure out how everyone is connected. It’s very romantic, and you will find yourself loving the town and its people. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,352 reviews46 followers
November 14, 2024
Fun Christmas themed story set in a typical, everyone knows your business, town.
Enjoyable but just a bit too overly dramatic and descriptive.
I don’t need every little description of clothing, colours, etc.
I found Hannah just a bit too much in her behaviour and thinking.
At the end I started to wonder if she was on drugs with how she behaved and reacted. What was she putting in those cookies.
Liked Carter but did wonder if Hannah was drugging him with those cookies.
This was a feee read but I won’t be paying to read the next book.
Profile Image for Sandi Ramirez.
1,864 reviews17 followers
September 24, 2017
Love Christmas books and this one is a great Romance 2

I love to read Christmas books all year long and Ginny Baird is one of those authors who writes a story so wonderfully that you want to read it over and over. Not only that she has given us an entire town Christmas Town ...oh yes all things Christmas all year. This is the first book in the series and we see where all the magic comes from. Great book that had my from start to end.
1,974 reviews74 followers
December 28, 2020
This is a super lightweight romance that didn't have much zing for me. The main characters seemed rather bland and their relationship developed so fast that it didn't seem to have real depth. Not a bad story but I really didn't think that there was enough plot to warrant a full novel. I did like the focus on the Christmas theme for the entire town. Just right for this time of year.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
Profile Image for Rose.
757 reviews
December 28, 2020
This is a heart warming Christmas story. Hannah inherits a bakery and wants to sell it. People in Christmas town are very friendly to her and she has second thoughts.

I like reading Christmas stories. You will always get warm feelings when reading this type of story. Yes the characters are sometimes too perfect but we all need a little happiness in our lives. This is a wonderful Christmas story.

Thank you to #goodreads, @winterweddingpress, and @GinnyBaird for a copy of this book.
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