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Love You Like Christmas: Based on the Hallmark Channel Original Movie
Maddie, a marketing executive in New York, is on her way to attend the December wedding of one of her best clients. She’s afraid of flying, and taking her late aunt’s classic Mustang on a road trip seems like fun―until the car breaks down and leaves her stranded in the small town of Christmas Valley.
The first time Kevin meets Maddie, he’s dealing with an accident that left a whole shipment of his Christmas trees scattered across the highway. He hasn’t thought about romance since his wife he’s been busy raising a little girl and running a struggling tree farm. But even in the middle of this setback, he’s immediately drawn to Maddie.
As Maddie waits in Christmas Valley for her car to get repaired, she begins to realize that friends and family are at the heart of the holidays―and she can’t deny her growing feelings for Kevin. But sooner or later, she’s going back to her big-city life, and Kevin's future is uncertain. How can either of them take a chance on love?
This novel includes a free original recipe for Christmas Biscuits with Sugar Plum Jam.
The first time Kevin meets Maddie, he’s dealing with an accident that left a whole shipment of his Christmas trees scattered across the highway. He hasn’t thought about romance since his wife he’s been busy raising a little girl and running a struggling tree farm. But even in the middle of this setback, he’s immediately drawn to Maddie.
As Maddie waits in Christmas Valley for her car to get repaired, she begins to realize that friends and family are at the heart of the holidays―and she can’t deny her growing feelings for Kevin. But sooner or later, she’s going back to her big-city life, and Kevin's future is uncertain. How can either of them take a chance on love?
This novel includes a free original recipe for Christmas Biscuits with Sugar Plum Jam.
Audio CD
Published March 19, 2019
36 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Keri F. Sweet
2 books12 followersKeri F. Sweet is the author of small town contemporary romance. Raised in a community on the outskirts of town, she brings the flavor of this sweet, charming life to the pages of her books. She finds it incredible that her life’s work and passion is creating stories designed to make people happy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 15, 2017
I need Hallmark to make every single Christmas movie into a book immediately, because Love You Like Christmas was FANTASTIC. I love Hallmark movies, because of the feeling they evoke when you watch. I'm always crying and smiling and talking to the TV, it's a big production, so of course I had to give this book a shot. It outdid the movie, tenfold. My imagination ran away with Love You Like Christmas and getting to picture everything in my head was magical.
"She loved Christmas. But she loved making the magic happen for other people more..."
Love You Like Christmas: Based on the Hallmark Channel Original Movie by Keri F. Sweet is one of those Christmas books that you will want to read again and again. Maddie is a marketing executive who loves what the general spirit of Christmas stands for, but doesn't truly partake in. She sees the season as a way to sell, to build her client list up and to succeed in her brand new corner office. She takes her Aunt's beloved old mustang on a drive, set for Denver and a glittering party filled with opportunity and finds herself stuck in Christmas Valley. She tries not to let the festive town keep her from work, but an adorable girl and her nosy father, as well as the other spirited townsfolk, pull her from her cell phone and show her what she's been missing. Kevin thinks it is fate that he met Maddie on the road after his trees spilled across the highway and that she's now in his town, stranded for several days. She sparks feelings in him again, feelings he thought he'd never find again, and breathes life back into his and Jo's world. He just has to convince her that Christmas Valley has more to offer than her perfect, ordered world in New York.
"A billion to one, she'd have said. Even more, what were the odds she'd still feel this pull, this breathless long, this desperate desire to know more?"
Maddie and Kevin are standard Hallmark Movie characters, one doesn't quite embrace the spirit of Christmas, while the other loves it completely. In this case though, both characters need some help to truly embrace the holiday and one another. Both characters are likable, but it is only when they are together that the story really comes to life. The story is all about being too busy to really enjoy what life has to offer. In this case, Maddie is glued to her phone and her career, unable to see that her time in Christmas Valley is an opportunity to slow down and just embrace the season. Fate, and trouble, keeps Maddie in Christmas Valley even longer and as time goes by she learns to take a step back and enjoy the small moments. Jo, Kevin's adorable daughter, assists in carrying this story along far more than your average secondary character. Maddie sees parts of herself in Jo and Jo sees a woman she wants to be like, but time stands in their way. Over and over Kevin misses chances with Maddie, but it all works out in the end, because it's Christmas and a Hallmark book, of course!
"Surrounded by this place, ready with this idea to save the Tyler farm, Maddie got the concept of labor of love."
Sweet, spirited, and seasonal, Love You Like Christmas will wrap you up in Christmas like it's a warm blanket. Keri F. Sweet brings the story to life with colorful details, lots of emotion, and all the sweet moments of Christmases past that readers yearn for in their books. This book made me want more and it made me even more excited for the Holidays. This is a must read if you already love Christmas stories or if you're looking to add a little joy to your life.
PS. The recipe in the back? SO EXCITED TO TRY IT, but with GF tweaks.
"She loved Christmas. But she loved making the magic happen for other people more..."
Love You Like Christmas: Based on the Hallmark Channel Original Movie by Keri F. Sweet is one of those Christmas books that you will want to read again and again. Maddie is a marketing executive who loves what the general spirit of Christmas stands for, but doesn't truly partake in. She sees the season as a way to sell, to build her client list up and to succeed in her brand new corner office. She takes her Aunt's beloved old mustang on a drive, set for Denver and a glittering party filled with opportunity and finds herself stuck in Christmas Valley. She tries not to let the festive town keep her from work, but an adorable girl and her nosy father, as well as the other spirited townsfolk, pull her from her cell phone and show her what she's been missing. Kevin thinks it is fate that he met Maddie on the road after his trees spilled across the highway and that she's now in his town, stranded for several days. She sparks feelings in him again, feelings he thought he'd never find again, and breathes life back into his and Jo's world. He just has to convince her that Christmas Valley has more to offer than her perfect, ordered world in New York.
"A billion to one, she'd have said. Even more, what were the odds she'd still feel this pull, this breathless long, this desperate desire to know more?"
Maddie and Kevin are standard Hallmark Movie characters, one doesn't quite embrace the spirit of Christmas, while the other loves it completely. In this case though, both characters need some help to truly embrace the holiday and one another. Both characters are likable, but it is only when they are together that the story really comes to life. The story is all about being too busy to really enjoy what life has to offer. In this case, Maddie is glued to her phone and her career, unable to see that her time in Christmas Valley is an opportunity to slow down and just embrace the season. Fate, and trouble, keeps Maddie in Christmas Valley even longer and as time goes by she learns to take a step back and enjoy the small moments. Jo, Kevin's adorable daughter, assists in carrying this story along far more than your average secondary character. Maddie sees parts of herself in Jo and Jo sees a woman she wants to be like, but time stands in their way. Over and over Kevin misses chances with Maddie, but it all works out in the end, because it's Christmas and a Hallmark book, of course!
"Surrounded by this place, ready with this idea to save the Tyler farm, Maddie got the concept of labor of love."
Sweet, spirited, and seasonal, Love You Like Christmas will wrap you up in Christmas like it's a warm blanket. Keri F. Sweet brings the story to life with colorful details, lots of emotion, and all the sweet moments of Christmases past that readers yearn for in their books. This book made me want more and it made me even more excited for the Holidays. This is a must read if you already love Christmas stories or if you're looking to add a little joy to your life.
PS. The recipe in the back? SO EXCITED TO TRY IT, but with GF tweaks.
November 12, 2017
*Potential spoilers!*
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity of reading Love you like Christmas. This book was the first Christmas romance I read this year!
The action of this book starts 23 days before Christmas and it’s full of unpredictable suprises. The main character, Maddie, is not the kind of woman who loves Christmas, but she ends up surrounded by mistletoe, garlands, decorations and Christmas songs. And everything is due to a December wedding or should I say Christmas Valley - a peaceful place, a small town where magic happens? Let’s find out.
The way Maddie and Kevin met, was so funny. Possibly because of the reindeer – or maybe it was just faith. Maddie’s car broke at the right moment and the right place. She gets lost and ends up in Christmas Valley, where the story really begins. This is the town where she meets Pam, Bob, Holly, Cory, Rowdy, Jo and Kevin. Who are they? If you want to find out, you should read the book!
I noticed that the author really wanted to send a message when she wrote about Maddie’s obsession with her phone. Technology messes up with our minds. We should stop staring at our phones and start paying attention to the real world people! We are losing touch with reality. And we should change that.
I always loved the idea of playing with flour in the kitchen. I've never done it, but I want to. Reading about it, made me think a lot about fun things... It also made me think about the fact that people don’t have so much fun as before. When I was little, I used to have a lot of fun... Now, people are too busy to enjoy life.
Moving on... again, a reindeer. Just when Maddie wanted to go back to New York. Coincidence? I think not. Especially, considering what her staying would mean. More specifically, saving the tree farm. This was something I loved in the book. How a trouble brought all the characters together, fighting to keep tradition and a brand running. Chapter 13 was really good. It taught me that a united community is often made up of friends and family.
I think Maddie and Jo had a strong connection because both of them had to grow up without a mother. Even though in the end Maddie becomes a mother for Jo, she could never replace Jo's birth mom. And yet, we have a new happy family and two December weddings! This is awesome.
The one thing I really didn’t like about the book – the third-person point of view used in writing. I love reading books written in the first person, because I can picture myself as the main character and I can feel more.
In conclusion, the book taught me or reminded me of what’s important in life and it made me even more eager for Christmas to come. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I can’t wait to sing some carols! But for now, I'm gonna watch the movie! After all, this book was based on a Hallmark Channel Original Movie.
P.S. That recipe from the end of the book is something I will definitely try!
Favorite quotes:
"His lovable voice was music through the line."
"Moving seemed to have unlocked his brain because he'd found his thoughts."
"Christmas shouldn’t be a time to go on autopilot."
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity of reading Love you like Christmas. This book was the first Christmas romance I read this year!
The action of this book starts 23 days before Christmas and it’s full of unpredictable suprises. The main character, Maddie, is not the kind of woman who loves Christmas, but she ends up surrounded by mistletoe, garlands, decorations and Christmas songs. And everything is due to a December wedding or should I say Christmas Valley - a peaceful place, a small town where magic happens? Let’s find out.
The way Maddie and Kevin met, was so funny. Possibly because of the reindeer – or maybe it was just faith. Maddie’s car broke at the right moment and the right place. She gets lost and ends up in Christmas Valley, where the story really begins. This is the town where she meets Pam, Bob, Holly, Cory, Rowdy, Jo and Kevin. Who are they? If you want to find out, you should read the book!
I noticed that the author really wanted to send a message when she wrote about Maddie’s obsession with her phone. Technology messes up with our minds. We should stop staring at our phones and start paying attention to the real world people! We are losing touch with reality. And we should change that.
I always loved the idea of playing with flour in the kitchen. I've never done it, but I want to. Reading about it, made me think a lot about fun things... It also made me think about the fact that people don’t have so much fun as before. When I was little, I used to have a lot of fun... Now, people are too busy to enjoy life.
Moving on... again, a reindeer. Just when Maddie wanted to go back to New York. Coincidence? I think not. Especially, considering what her staying would mean. More specifically, saving the tree farm. This was something I loved in the book. How a trouble brought all the characters together, fighting to keep tradition and a brand running. Chapter 13 was really good. It taught me that a united community is often made up of friends and family.
I think Maddie and Jo had a strong connection because both of them had to grow up without a mother. Even though in the end Maddie becomes a mother for Jo, she could never replace Jo's birth mom. And yet, we have a new happy family and two December weddings! This is awesome.
The one thing I really didn’t like about the book – the third-person point of view used in writing. I love reading books written in the first person, because I can picture myself as the main character and I can feel more.
In conclusion, the book taught me or reminded me of what’s important in life and it made me even more eager for Christmas to come. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I can’t wait to sing some carols! But for now, I'm gonna watch the movie! After all, this book was based on a Hallmark Channel Original Movie.
P.S. That recipe from the end of the book is something I will definitely try!
Favorite quotes:
"His lovable voice was music through the line."
"Moving seemed to have unlocked his brain because he'd found his thoughts."
"Christmas shouldn’t be a time to go on autopilot."
November 2, 2017
If you love Christmas stories then you are going to love this story. Maddie is all about work until car trouble leaves her stranded in a small town. Kevin is a single father trying not to lose his families tree farm. While Maddie is trying to juggle work, she ends up having these feelings and memories she has forgotten. Will this small town change a big city girl? All the emotions you feel in this book remind you of what Christmas means... Love this story and I'm sure you all will as well!
December 26, 2017
***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World.***
Love You Like Christmas was such a heartwarming story about second chances making it the perfect Christmas read. Right from the start I was hooked on the cover and the synopsis, especially if it’s based on a Hallmark movie, those are my favorite. In this particular story we are introduced to Maddie, a marketing executive who loves representing things that she truly loves in and has no trouble selling them to the masses. But when it comes to Christmas, she loves seeing what people are attracted to and buying, not necessarily the meaning behind them. It is when one of her clients invites her to her wedding that Maddie decides to take a road trip to the venue and avoid plains (her biggest fear) at all costs. It’s when she is on her way that things turn for the worse the minute she gets stranded in a small town called, Christmas Valley. Everything around her suddenly looked different, and it’s when she meet Kevin that her life truly changes forever.
Kevin has always lived in Christmas Valley, it’s where generations of his family go way back, and inheriting a farm of Christmas trees should have made his life and the one of his daughter better. But harsh weather has made things difficult and now he is very close to losing the farm. When he meets Maddie unexpectedly for the first time he is attracted to her, there is something about her that makes him want to get to know her better, but he thought he’ll never see her again. Little did know that she was on her way to Christmas Valley after her car stopped working. Now it’s his chance to make her see that a life there isn’t so bad, especially if they’re together. When her work threatens to take her away from him, he’ll have to act fast and convince her that there really is a holiday spirit in Christmas Valley after all.
I loved reading this story, it’s just one of those stories that will give you hope again and give you a little Christmas magic. Although the characters are complete opposites they fit together really well. In this case, one believes in Christmas while the other not as much. It really became a story about Maddie, a busy New Yorker getting to feel the Christmas holiday again, she has been through a lot and we get to see her make progress throughout the book. Just like Maddie, Kevin has also been through a lot especially after being a single dad, he wants to make his daughter happy and he needs to make the farm profitable again. When Maddie gets to town, she sees how everyone looks after one another and it gives Christmas a whole new meaning for her. She loves her job in New York, but it’s not fulling anymore. When she is told about Kevin’s farm, she is able to gather everyone to help save the farm. But one thing is unresolved and that is her relationship with Kevin and that’s one thing you’ll have to find out when you read the story! Keri F. Sweet has done a great job with this story from beginning to end. I would highly recommend reading it even after Christmas is over (You are going to love the ending)! :)
***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
Love You Like Christmas was such a heartwarming story about second chances making it the perfect Christmas read. Right from the start I was hooked on the cover and the synopsis, especially if it’s based on a Hallmark movie, those are my favorite. In this particular story we are introduced to Maddie, a marketing executive who loves representing things that she truly loves in and has no trouble selling them to the masses. But when it comes to Christmas, she loves seeing what people are attracted to and buying, not necessarily the meaning behind them. It is when one of her clients invites her to her wedding that Maddie decides to take a road trip to the venue and avoid plains (her biggest fear) at all costs. It’s when she is on her way that things turn for the worse the minute she gets stranded in a small town called, Christmas Valley. Everything around her suddenly looked different, and it’s when she meet Kevin that her life truly changes forever.
Kevin has always lived in Christmas Valley, it’s where generations of his family go way back, and inheriting a farm of Christmas trees should have made his life and the one of his daughter better. But harsh weather has made things difficult and now he is very close to losing the farm. When he meets Maddie unexpectedly for the first time he is attracted to her, there is something about her that makes him want to get to know her better, but he thought he’ll never see her again. Little did know that she was on her way to Christmas Valley after her car stopped working. Now it’s his chance to make her see that a life there isn’t so bad, especially if they’re together. When her work threatens to take her away from him, he’ll have to act fast and convince her that there really is a holiday spirit in Christmas Valley after all.
I loved reading this story, it’s just one of those stories that will give you hope again and give you a little Christmas magic. Although the characters are complete opposites they fit together really well. In this case, one believes in Christmas while the other not as much. It really became a story about Maddie, a busy New Yorker getting to feel the Christmas holiday again, she has been through a lot and we get to see her make progress throughout the book. Just like Maddie, Kevin has also been through a lot especially after being a single dad, he wants to make his daughter happy and he needs to make the farm profitable again. When Maddie gets to town, she sees how everyone looks after one another and it gives Christmas a whole new meaning for her. She loves her job in New York, but it’s not fulling anymore. When she is told about Kevin’s farm, she is able to gather everyone to help save the farm. But one thing is unresolved and that is her relationship with Kevin and that’s one thing you’ll have to find out when you read the story! Keri F. Sweet has done a great job with this story from beginning to end. I would highly recommend reading it even after Christmas is over (You are going to love the ending)! :)
***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
November 21, 2019
A sweet and easy Christmas read. Enjoyable story line and setting. Loved Maddie and sweet little Jo. Now to watch the movie version! <3
January 9, 2018
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a sweet little story from the heart of TV.
Hallmark Channel never ceases to deliver hopeful messages of love and family in their movies and that bubbles over into their new line of books.
Maddie is a workaholic with one thing on her mind...work. Not Christmas. That is until she makes in unexpected turn into Christmas Valley right into the life of Kevin, the owner of the Christmas tree farm and his daughter Jo. Together, the three of them find the true meaning of Christmas as only Hallmark can do.
I really enjoyed this book and like all Hallmark books, it is appropriate for all readers. And if you have the time (which you do because you read the book) make sure the watch the Hallmark Channel Original Movie "Love You Like Christmas"
This was a sweet little story from the heart of TV.
Hallmark Channel never ceases to deliver hopeful messages of love and family in their movies and that bubbles over into their new line of books.
Maddie is a workaholic with one thing on her mind...work. Not Christmas. That is until she makes in unexpected turn into Christmas Valley right into the life of Kevin, the owner of the Christmas tree farm and his daughter Jo. Together, the three of them find the true meaning of Christmas as only Hallmark can do.
I really enjoyed this book and like all Hallmark books, it is appropriate for all readers. And if you have the time (which you do because you read the book) make sure the watch the Hallmark Channel Original Movie "Love You Like Christmas"
November 8, 2017
If you know me at all, you know that I love the Hallmark movie marathons that are playing right now. Well this book is published by Hallmark publishing, so you know it's going to be good.
In this book Maddie drives cross country to a wedding of one of her biggest clients, since she has a fear of flying. Well the trip is derailed by a truck that was carrying Christmas trees ends up sprawled over the highway. She ends up in the town of Christmas Valley.
The town is as quaint and cozy as the name reveals. Maddie uses her marketing skills to help a local diner owner. She also finds a little girl Jo, who she instantly feels a connection. It just so happens that her father is the same Christmas tree truck driver that Maddie encountered earlier.
After reading the book I immediately watched the movie and they are both pretty close in the telling, aside from the ending. A sweet, charming, feel good book and movie to get you in the spirit of the holiday season!
In this book Maddie drives cross country to a wedding of one of her biggest clients, since she has a fear of flying. Well the trip is derailed by a truck that was carrying Christmas trees ends up sprawled over the highway. She ends up in the town of Christmas Valley.
The town is as quaint and cozy as the name reveals. Maddie uses her marketing skills to help a local diner owner. She also finds a little girl Jo, who she instantly feels a connection. It just so happens that her father is the same Christmas tree truck driver that Maddie encountered earlier.
After reading the book I immediately watched the movie and they are both pretty close in the telling, aside from the ending. A sweet, charming, feel good book and movie to get you in the spirit of the holiday season!
November 25, 2017
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
If there is one simple, underlying message in Love You Like Christmas it has to be to put the cell phone down and look at the life you’re missing out on by being in a heads down position constantly. Maddie is connected to her cell phone, for business which in many ways is life to her. Committed, driven she’s made her career by keeping on top of her client’s needs, new trends and knowing what is happening in her business world. A big city woman, Maddie will step outside of her comfort zone to attend a client’s wedding… not for the celebration but for the connections to be made, the networking to be done. Trouble is she’s terrified of flying, so she takes her aunt’s stunning, vintage car out for a road trip – and the fun or as some call it, real life begins.
Kevin’s life is his work and his daughter. There’s not much time for anything else but the struggling Christmas tree farm and giving everything, every minute he can to his daughter, Jo. He hadn’t considered romance for one moment since his wife died. Sure, Jo needed a mother figure in her life but when was Keven supposed to find time to date let alone conduct a romance. Those thoughts took a flying leap when he meets Maddie. Maybe there’s time for love after all… if he can keep his love in town and not heading back to the big city where she feels in control.
I enjoyed Love You Like Christmas. Fun characters, more real to life than some of us would like to admit to. Kevin’s daughter is adorable and often steals the show. Maddie has some lessons to learn, and they are at times tough ones. Kevin sees a future together, but he has his work cut out for him. Two people who complete each other but need time to realize that simple fact. I’d recommend this story (or movie) for any Romance reader. Love, a touch of Christmas magic and small town antics. What’s not to love about that?
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*.
If there is one simple, underlying message in Love You Like Christmas it has to be to put the cell phone down and look at the life you’re missing out on by being in a heads down position constantly. Maddie is connected to her cell phone, for business which in many ways is life to her. Committed, driven she’s made her career by keeping on top of her client’s needs, new trends and knowing what is happening in her business world. A big city woman, Maddie will step outside of her comfort zone to attend a client’s wedding… not for the celebration but for the connections to be made, the networking to be done. Trouble is she’s terrified of flying, so she takes her aunt’s stunning, vintage car out for a road trip – and the fun or as some call it, real life begins.
Kevin’s life is his work and his daughter. There’s not much time for anything else but the struggling Christmas tree farm and giving everything, every minute he can to his daughter, Jo. He hadn’t considered romance for one moment since his wife died. Sure, Jo needed a mother figure in her life but when was Keven supposed to find time to date let alone conduct a romance. Those thoughts took a flying leap when he meets Maddie. Maybe there’s time for love after all… if he can keep his love in town and not heading back to the big city where she feels in control.
I enjoyed Love You Like Christmas. Fun characters, more real to life than some of us would like to admit to. Kevin’s daughter is adorable and often steals the show. Maddie has some lessons to learn, and they are at times tough ones. Kevin sees a future together, but he has his work cut out for him. Two people who complete each other but need time to realize that simple fact. I’d recommend this story (or movie) for any Romance reader. Love, a touch of Christmas magic and small town antics. What’s not to love about that?
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*.
November 13, 2017
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, I admit it. I was a bit skeptical of reading a book based on a movie. The last time I did that was with the movie "Annie" when I was a little girl because I was crazy about that movie and couldn't get enough of it. And now Hallmark made the decision to begin publishing books based on their movies, and although I am a top supporter of the network, this seemed a bit risky to me.
However, Keri completely altered my thinking with her expertly-crafted book based on one of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies. In fact, from page one, her descriptive language was incredibly refreshing in a modern society where the art of description is almost a lost art form in many romance novels. She has a gift of describing things in such vivid detail without overdoing it, and while this was the first of her books that I read, I doubt it will be my last.
Since I have seen this movie more than once, I found myself intrigued with Keri's minor additions to the plot and characterization that seemed to "fill in the blanks" that a movie often omits. I found myself understanding tiny things that never quite made sense in the movie (although I didn't consciously question those things). It was as though Keri anticipated ambiguous points in the story that she sought to clarify in her own way while still maintaining the integrity of the characters and story.
Keri has absolutely "sold" me on Hallmark books now, and I can hardly wait to sink my reader's teeth into their next book and hopefully read some of Keri's as well. If you saw the popular film last Christmas or even if you haven't, I would unequivocally recommend this book to you. I felt as though I was reliving the movie but in a far richer version as I luxuriated in this sweet and well-written tale. I would call this one of the best Christmas books I have ever read!
First of all, I admit it. I was a bit skeptical of reading a book based on a movie. The last time I did that was with the movie "Annie" when I was a little girl because I was crazy about that movie and couldn't get enough of it. And now Hallmark made the decision to begin publishing books based on their movies, and although I am a top supporter of the network, this seemed a bit risky to me.
However, Keri completely altered my thinking with her expertly-crafted book based on one of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies. In fact, from page one, her descriptive language was incredibly refreshing in a modern society where the art of description is almost a lost art form in many romance novels. She has a gift of describing things in such vivid detail without overdoing it, and while this was the first of her books that I read, I doubt it will be my last.
Since I have seen this movie more than once, I found myself intrigued with Keri's minor additions to the plot and characterization that seemed to "fill in the blanks" that a movie often omits. I found myself understanding tiny things that never quite made sense in the movie (although I didn't consciously question those things). It was as though Keri anticipated ambiguous points in the story that she sought to clarify in her own way while still maintaining the integrity of the characters and story.
Keri has absolutely "sold" me on Hallmark books now, and I can hardly wait to sink my reader's teeth into their next book and hopefully read some of Keri's as well. If you saw the popular film last Christmas or even if you haven't, I would unequivocally recommend this book to you. I felt as though I was reliving the movie but in a far richer version as I luxuriated in this sweet and well-written tale. I would call this one of the best Christmas books I have ever read!
November 5, 2017
This story is sweet and clean, as a Hallmark-movie based story should be. If you're sensitive to cursing or sex, you have absolutely nothing to worry about here.
If you have watched the movie Love You Like Christmas (it was one of my favorites of the 2016 debuts) this book is the perfect companion to that. The author didn't deviate from the story, but added depth and color to it. She also added a ton of humor to the characters' inner thoughts (Maddie, specifically) that I found myself grinning as I read it. I love a book that can make me laugh!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a beautiful Christmas story, an opposites attract story, and/or a story about a charming small town full of amazing characters.
I requested and was generously granted an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to write this review. I did so because I really enjoyed the book.
If you have watched the movie Love You Like Christmas (it was one of my favorites of the 2016 debuts) this book is the perfect companion to that. The author didn't deviate from the story, but added depth and color to it. She also added a ton of humor to the characters' inner thoughts (Maddie, specifically) that I found myself grinning as I read it. I love a book that can make me laugh!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a beautiful Christmas story, an opposites attract story, and/or a story about a charming small town full of amazing characters.
I requested and was generously granted an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to write this review. I did so because I really enjoyed the book.
November 20, 2017
This was such a sweet story. Maddie was an overworked marketing exec who was on her way to a client's wedding when a Christmas tree truck overturned and then her car broke down. As she got to know the town and especially Kevin and his daughter Jo, she discovered she loved life in this wonderful small town. She tried to go back to the big city, but only lasted a couple days. It had a great HEA. I got this book from Netgalley for an honest review
October 31, 2017
Love You Like Christmas is a charming book based on the Hallmark Channel Original Movie written by author Keri F. Sweet. Lovely characters and storyline. Thanks to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for the advance copy.
October 1, 2019
It was a good book with lots of love, of course! It is a Hallmark book after all. It was well written, but it had a lot of the same story line as most hallmark romances do.
December 19, 2020
Really enjoyed this one!
December 15, 2017
A wonderful holiday story with the warmth of characters and a setting that imparts the perfect tone for finding your HEA when you least expect it.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
December 21, 2017
Made for tv (or Netflix) Christmas movies have exploded in the last few years and Hallmark is leading the charge. One report I read stated they film thirty new movies a summer, at about $2m a pop. That's a lot of fake snow.
This year, in an effort to become even more ubiquitous in the women's entertainment market, Hallmark has launched their own publishing line to bring novelizations of some of these Christmas movies to bookshelves. Via Netgalley, I requested Love You Like Christmas as I saw the very classically plotted movie last year and the book promised new scenes, including an epilogue, and a Christmas biscuit recipe.
Like so many Christmas stories, an overworked big city (lawyer/editor/ad exec) ends up in the Midwest at Christmastime following shenanigans. She learns the meaning of the season when she slows down and falls in love with a (farmer/fire fighter/vet [military or animal doctor, either is fine]). She'll make a wise best friend (diner waitress/crotchety B&B owner/idk Santa's elf it's like 90% diner waitresses), bond with the townies, and after an emotional outburst where she admits that The City isn't home, open a satellite office in Quaint Town. Except this one also has my favorite plot device, a plot moppet. (Jo is supposed to be twelve but she velcros herself to Maddie like she's four. Like, Kevin should be concerned with her immediate, unhealthy attachment to a complete stranger, not taking it as fate that he should propose to this woman after five days.)
The writing is heinous. It's repetitive with poor metaphors and generally weird imagery.
I've provided a sampling of five sentences from the middle of the novel. In consecutive sentences the narration references how her phone wouldn't capture the details. One of those is utterly redundant. "A light dusting of...snow tickled" and "the light trickle of snow" are also repetitive without revealing anything new. Then we have "fell so fluttery" which sounds very wrong to my ear, I think because we would usually say the snow fell or the snow fluttered, but we wouldn't combine the two. And the air is giggling. This is just not working.
Additionally, the book isn't "based" on the movie. It is a straight novelization, including the dialogue lifted directly from the script. The "additions" are a proposal epilogue and the recipe for biscuits. It's utterly worthless to read if you saw the movie. So who is Hallmark aiming for here? Christmas romances are hardly a new genre in the book world and the promotional material all ties the book directly back to the movie. For content, there are two kisses, absolutely no steam. The h/h don't even have great chemistry.
I've read some obvious cash-grabs in my day, but the most disappointing part is how lazy this line feels. The movies are over a year old so they don't tie to this year's 12 Days of Christmas promotion. It reeks of reusing a property Hallmark already had on hand to try and make some quick cash in the romance novel industry, which RWA estimates is worth $1.08b. That could fund a lot of 90s sitcom stars in Vancouver this summer.
This year, in an effort to become even more ubiquitous in the women's entertainment market, Hallmark has launched their own publishing line to bring novelizations of some of these Christmas movies to bookshelves. Via Netgalley, I requested Love You Like Christmas as I saw the very classically plotted movie last year and the book promised new scenes, including an epilogue, and a Christmas biscuit recipe.
Like so many Christmas stories, an overworked big city (lawyer/editor/ad exec) ends up in the Midwest at Christmastime following shenanigans. She learns the meaning of the season when she slows down and falls in love with a (farmer/fire fighter/vet [military or animal doctor, either is fine]). She'll make a wise best friend (diner waitress/crotchety B&B owner/idk Santa's elf it's like 90% diner waitresses), bond with the townies, and after an emotional outburst where she admits that The City isn't home, open a satellite office in Quaint Town. Except this one also has my favorite plot device, a plot moppet. (Jo is supposed to be twelve but she velcros herself to Maddie like she's four. Like, Kevin should be concerned with her immediate, unhealthy attachment to a complete stranger, not taking it as fate that he should propose to this woman after five days.)
The writing is heinous. It's repetitive with poor metaphors and generally weird imagery.
Snapshots on her phone would never do the details justice. The way the snow clung to the bark and hugged each individual green needle would be lost on her phone. A light dusting of Roz's beloved snow tickled the afternoon air as it fell. According to Maddie's mother, that's why light snowflakes fell so fluttery - the air was giggling. Seeing the light trickle of snow falling,
it was hard not to see her mother's imagery.
I've provided a sampling of five sentences from the middle of the novel. In consecutive sentences the narration references how her phone wouldn't capture the details. One of those is utterly redundant. "A light dusting of...snow tickled" and "the light trickle of snow" are also repetitive without revealing anything new. Then we have "fell so fluttery" which sounds very wrong to my ear, I think because we would usually say the snow fell or the snow fluttered, but we wouldn't combine the two. And the air is giggling. This is just not working.
Additionally, the book isn't "based" on the movie. It is a straight novelization, including the dialogue lifted directly from the script. The "additions" are a proposal epilogue and the recipe for biscuits. It's utterly worthless to read if you saw the movie. So who is Hallmark aiming for here? Christmas romances are hardly a new genre in the book world and the promotional material all ties the book directly back to the movie. For content, there are two kisses, absolutely no steam. The h/h don't even have great chemistry.
I've read some obvious cash-grabs in my day, but the most disappointing part is how lazy this line feels. The movies are over a year old so they don't tie to this year's 12 Days of Christmas promotion. It reeks of reusing a property Hallmark already had on hand to try and make some quick cash in the romance novel industry, which RWA estimates is worth $1.08b. That could fund a lot of 90s sitcom stars in Vancouver this summer.
January 5, 2018
This was lovely and sweet and if you want something to brighten up your day and warm you up and make you feel all fuzzy and fluffy? defiantly read this - not matter the time of the year! (who does NOT need a town called Christmas Valley in their lives no matter the time of year?)
I wanted something sweet, fun and easy to read.
I wanted a Christmas feeling -yes i know its January but you know what? I don't mind that! I couldn't get nearly enough Christmas books through the actual christmas time because of the thing called real life so i am enjoying the cuteness now!
I love the strong single New York City career woman and the widowed single father owning a struggling christmas tree farm.
This book is super fun and cute, i love the interaction between the child and Maddie (our female main), because both of them lost their mothers early in their life they shared an instead bond.
Of course its a bit over the top cutesy but i personally love this type of over the top.
Of course you know going into this book what will happen at the end of it -at least in broad strokes. But that is perfectly fine for this type of book!
This was lovely and sweet and if you want something to brighten up your day and warm you up and make you feel all fuzzy and fluffy? defiantly read this - not matter the time of the year! (who does NOT need a town called Christmas Valley in their lives no matter the time of year?)
Super cute, heartwarming and just an overall feel warm and fuzzy kind of story that makes you have a smile on your face simply because the story is one of those "awww" kind of stories!
December 16, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me this book to read in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given, offered, or taken to alter the opinion.
I'll be the first to admit that I love Hallmark movies, especially the Christmas ones. There's just something about their cheesy, over the top, sweet romances that get me. Especially at Christmas time. They just put me in the best mood and fill me with the Christmas spirit. Love You Like Christmas was perfect! It was so sweet and cute. The characters were fun and relatable. The pages just flew by as I was reading because I couldn't put it down. This book made me even more excited for Christmas. After reading Love You Like Christmas, I need Hallmark to make every single Christmas movie into a book ASAP! This book is a must read for fans of Hallmark movies or Christmas stories.
I'll be the first to admit that I love Hallmark movies, especially the Christmas ones. There's just something about their cheesy, over the top, sweet romances that get me. Especially at Christmas time. They just put me in the best mood and fill me with the Christmas spirit. Love You Like Christmas was perfect! It was so sweet and cute. The characters were fun and relatable. The pages just flew by as I was reading because I couldn't put it down. This book made me even more excited for Christmas. After reading Love You Like Christmas, I need Hallmark to make every single Christmas movie into a book ASAP! This book is a must read for fans of Hallmark movies or Christmas stories.
December 20, 2024
It’s a “two but rate as a three on Goodreads because it’s not the book or author’s fault *I* wasn’t into this book doing exactly what I’m sure it was created to do”. It’s a Hallmark Movie (I think literally? According to the note on the front?) and it’s just cheesy to the extreme. It was sweet and VERY quick as far as the falling in love thing goes, but it did also have super festive vibes! It was all…fine. Very, very forgettable and a little too unbelievable (they fell in love, got engaged, and then decided to get married THAT DAY after a week? Maybe a week and a half max?) Honestly? Some good ole smutty smut would’ve brought this up several notches I think. Christmas Tree Farm man/lumberjack-vibes sex ? I guess bring it on. Would’ve added *something*. Shrug.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2017
Thanks to netgalley.com for the ARC of this book.
This is a classic Hallmark script for a Christmas movie. She is so caught up with her job that I think she forgets to look around and see all of the fun and adventure that life holds for her. Then she gets her hands on her Aunts old car and her life changes. While trying to hold onto his family Christmas tree farm, this chance netting between them makes everything right in their lives. Now, if only she could put that phone done! This is just a classic Hallmark story, everything works out in the end and it is so sweet!
This is a classic Hallmark script for a Christmas movie. She is so caught up with her job that I think she forgets to look around and see all of the fun and adventure that life holds for her. Then she gets her hands on her Aunts old car and her life changes. While trying to hold onto his family Christmas tree farm, this chance netting between them makes everything right in their lives. Now, if only she could put that phone done! This is just a classic Hallmark story, everything works out in the end and it is so sweet!
December 14, 2017
This is a great Christmas romance.
I liked the contrasting settings of Manhattan and the small town in Ohio. These two places were brought together in Maddie. Christmas Valley sounds like such a fun town! It’s always Christmas there.
The budding romance between Maddie and Kevin was predictable but cute. It was obvious that they would like each other, but there were many obstacles that threatened to keep them apart which kept up the excitement in the story.
The story was predictable but fun too. I really enjoyed this Christmas story. It’s a great light read for the season.
I liked the contrasting settings of Manhattan and the small town in Ohio. These two places were brought together in Maddie. Christmas Valley sounds like such a fun town! It’s always Christmas there.
The budding romance between Maddie and Kevin was predictable but cute. It was obvious that they would like each other, but there were many obstacles that threatened to keep them apart which kept up the excitement in the story.
The story was predictable but fun too. I really enjoyed this Christmas story. It’s a great light read for the season.
December 31, 2018
My review is 4.5 stars
I'm very big fan and black hole who sucks Hallmark movies in and I'm reading books since I was 7. So when I get to know that Hallmark movies are now books too, I was over the moon because I will love to cherish the same story in one of my more favourite versions and I really did.
I loved the book version more, sorry movies! But the way book is written is quite beautiful and really loved it. I loved the characters more in comparison of the movie.
Really looking forward for more Hallmark Movies to be converted to books.
I'm very big fan and black hole who sucks Hallmark movies in and I'm reading books since I was 7. So when I get to know that Hallmark movies are now books too, I was over the moon because I will love to cherish the same story in one of my more favourite versions and I really did.
I loved the book version more, sorry movies! But the way book is written is quite beautiful and really loved it. I loved the characters more in comparison of the movie.
Really looking forward for more Hallmark Movies to be converted to books.
December 22, 2017
I received an arc to review from NetGalley and this book is hard to follow I feel like the writer is skipping scenes and details because in one sentence she is in the diner and in the next house she is magically at the cottage it does NOT flow and it is trying to hard as a book to make this couple work. I don't like how Kevin is really sweet 1 minute and asking her to his home and then very cold and a jerk towards her it seems very bipolar
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2019
Of all of Hallmark's books this has been my favorite so far. It stuck true to the movie. The story is of a workaholic woman that ends up in a place called Christmas Valley. She meets a tree farmer and his daughter who make her see there is more to life 5han work. The story is just romantic enough without going overboard on the mush and gush. I do wish the epilogue had more to it at the enf. But if you want a nice, holiday romance to read, this is your book.
January 2, 2018
Maddie believes she has it all, until she is confronted if everything she is missing. Kevin has everything he ever wanted and is about to lose it all. Their paths should never cross. A wonderful read full of promise and chances that could never happen unless they make the choice. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
January 17, 2018
If you are missing Hallmark’s Christmas movies...
This is a good reminder of one of the many favorite Hallmark Christmas movies that are broadcast each year on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. The book follow the story from the movie but with some added backstory that I enjoyed.
This is a good reminder of one of the many favorite Hallmark Christmas movies that are broadcast each year on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. The book follow the story from the movie but with some added backstory that I enjoyed.
February 2, 2019
Sweet Story
Sometimes you need to stumble on something by accident to see what else is out there besides work and a cool apartment. Maddie discovered herself and love just by accident and fell in love with Christmas Valley and found love. I loved the movie and the book. The movie didn't stray too far away from the book. I absolutely loved both.
Sometimes you need to stumble on something by accident to see what else is out there besides work and a cool apartment. Maddie discovered herself and love just by accident and fell in love with Christmas Valley and found love. I loved the movie and the book. The movie didn't stray too far away from the book. I absolutely loved both.
January 14, 2018
Sweet, warm and full of the type of holiday spirit that only Hallmark movies exude. While this was not my favourite of the Hallmark novelisations, Love You Like Christmas is faithful to the TV movie and worth a read if sweet romance is your jam.
January 15, 2018
Love You like Christmas is a heart-warming holiday read. If you like super sweet romances that star a small town hero and a big city girl totally out of her element in a town called Christmas, then you will enjoy this read from Hallmark.
December 29, 2024
It was a cute book but didn’t make me want to have to keep reading. I didn’t feel like I felt the connection of the two main characters to make me have happy tears to go from meeting to engaged in a month. I enjoyed it though for an easy read.
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