Christmas Ever After

by Karen Schaler

While promoting her next novel, a Christmas love story, author Riley Reynolds is caught off guard when she’s asked during a live national television interview how she can write about romance when she still hasn’t found “the one” herself. Scrambling for an answer, she quickly answers that she has had great love in her past and that love inspired her novels.

Little does she know that this one offhanded remark will turn her world upside down. Three of her ex-boyfriends see the interview, and each, believing she’s talking about him, shows up for her Christmas Camp book event at the Christmas Lake Lodge, determined to rewrite his happily-ever-after with her!

Over the festive weekend, Riley’s old boyfriends compete to win her heart, pulling out all the stops while planning the most romantic Christmas dates on the planet. Despite herself, Riley starts falling for each guy— again—but for different reasons. As Riley revisits each relationship and discovers more about herself, she embraces the magic of Christmas and finally finds true love and her own Christmas ever after...

Bonus Content: Christmas Ever After includes delicious original Christmas recipes and fun holiday crafts and activities

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Fiction, Audiobook, Chick Lit

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2020

About the author

“Karen is one of the most masterful seasonal storytellers writing today with a gift for distilling warmth and magic into profoundly uplifting storylines.” –Rose Hilliard, Executive Editor, Audible Originals


KAREN SCHALER is a three-time Emmy Award-winning storyteller, author, screenwriter, journalist, and national TV host.

Karen writes Christmas movies for Netflix, Hallmark, and Lifetime, including the Netflix, hit A Christmas Prince, and has written seven beloved heartwarming holiday romance novels, including bestsellers Love Always, Christmas, and Christmas Camp where she also wrote the Hallmark movie.

Be sure to follow Karen on GOODREADS for her latest special deals and giveaways!

Karen has also turned her Christmas Camp novel and movie into real-life immersive Christmas Camp experiences for grownups, held worldwide where Karen carefully curates and hosts magical holiday activities from her movies and novels.

Karen also has a Top 10 Audible Bestseller, Once Upon A Christmas Carol featuring a full cast of award-winning actors and world-class musicians, where Karen also wrote the featured original song.

Traveling to more than sixty-eight countries, Karen is also the creator and host of Travel Therapy TV, which airs nationally on top TV and streaming outlets where she features the most inspiring and empowering trips to take based on what you're going through in life.

Karen believes in the power of paying it forward and giving back, and all of her stories are uplifting and filled with heart and hope.

KAREN'S FESTIVE FREEBIE! Be sure to download Karen’s free DIY Christmas Camp Guide at www.karenschaler.com, including delicious recipes and activities from all her stories.

Reviews

[Ренета Кирова · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чиста наслада романтика! Сладка и забавна книга, която те кара да вярваш в чудеса и то във време, в което вече си забравил празничните суетни. Чудеса се случват не само по Коледа. Семейните събирания, приятелството и любовта са целогодишни. Имах нужда от такава доза романтика точно сега. Ако харесвате филмите на Холмарк, книгата ще ви допадне, но ако ги смятате за лигави, не посягайте, моля ви, към тази книга - не е за вас. Авторката е сценарист в тази романтична продукция.
Райли е писателка, която от малко дете не празнува Коледа. Творческото ѝ вдъхновение се е изчерпало и тя заминава за една малка хижа в Колорадо. Там открива радостта и вълшебството на празниците, печели нови приятелства и намира своята истинска любов в едни сини очи.
Нежно, романтично и забавно пише авторката. Настроението ми, след прочита, е приятно и приповдигнато. Чувствам се отпочинала, все едно съм била на почивка. Не знам защо не са преведени други нейни творби. С удоволствие бих прочела всичките ѝ романи.

[Milena Tasheva]

Не съм коледен човек, но ако бях, тази коледна книга щеше да е в личния ми топ 3 за най-коледните коледни неща на света.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy free from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I love Christmas book’s and Christmas movie I love to hear and sing Christmas songs. So this book was meant for me. I hope Christmas Ever After will be made into a hallmark movie. A very enjoyable read it on me in the Christmas spirt 5 star read.

Happy Reading
Lisa

[Carlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.

Riley Reynolds isn't exactly Scrooge, but she hasn't celebrated Christmas since she was a young girl. Her most recent novel didn't do as well as she had hoped though and her publisher thinks it's time their top romance author gives reader their wish, a Christmas novel. Christmas Camp, a well-known hosted event at gorgeous bed and breakfasts, is the key to getting her holiday juices going. Only, her fans are going to be there and her publicist may have marketed her to everyone as Miss Christmas. With fans to impress, a hunky inn owner to appease, a television mishap turned ex-boyfriend nightmare, and a book to write, Riley has her work cut out for her. Too bad she doesn't know a thing about Christmas.

That's right, I went from applauding one book for not having a Scrooge-y character, to applauding Karen Schaler for writing one. It all depends on the story. Christmas Camp is just a thing I love, I've read similar stories before, but the idea doesn't get old. I would visit one and my non-Grinch hard would also grow three sizes. They're just fun and silly, heartwarming, and in this case, filled with a whole lot of loving. The drama is light, the romance is expected, and the joyous feeling of the season can be found on every page. Okay, it's formula, but my little Christmas book loving heart enjoyed it just as much as I enjoy the cheesy Hallmark movies.

ARC provided.

[Ralitsa Koleva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Една от по-приятните коледни авторки.

Ритъма на книгата е приятен, уютен, върви сравнително добра макар и предвидима история, история без секс сцени, което можете да признаете на днешно време си е направо рядкост. В интерес на истината не ѝ трябват.

Нарежда се без проблем по качество до Карън Суон

[maiaisreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Ever After by Karen Schaler 4.5 stars

Oh this book reads like a Christmas #Hallmark movie! It’s so fun. Riley is like the grinch and has never celebrated Christmas for many years. As a way to save her career, she has to host a Christmas Camp at Christmas Lake! You can’t get more Christmassy than that!

To top that, she is placed in a room with Santa everywhere and a Santa sleigh for a bed! I’d love to see that in the movie. And oh! The Santa alarm clock says Ho Ho Ho! LOL! I really love the first half of the book. It gets slow then it picks up when her three ex boyfriends show up. Christmas Lake sounds like a beautiful place.

Luke sounds like an amazing man with a sense of humor too! I like Caylee and I want to try some of Maryanne’s Christmas Lake Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls.This is a quick and enjoyable read. I highly recommend it if you like Christmas and Hallmark movies!

Thank you #netgalley and @HawkTalePublishing for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Ever After is such a FUN and FUNNY book! The premise was a bit different from other holiday rom-coms but the romance was just as plentiful! Karen Schaler has written holiday themed books in the past and a few may be familiar to you if you watch the Hallmark Channel this time of year. Christmas Ever After was just the story I needed this week leading up to the "big day." It was a reminder of love, the importance of family and also gave a big nod to celebrating eco-friendly. I loved it and hope you will too.

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! Fun contemporary novel set at Christmastime in a snowy setting. The heroine is an author who lost her Christmas mojo when she was eight years old and her daddy passed away. Presently, her publisher is asking for a Christmas love story and she has no idea how to find her Christmas spirit. A trip to the Christmas Camp is just what she needs to find joy and true love. Her three ex-boyfriends provide lots of humor to the story. I can see this plot for a Hallmark movie! I highly recommend as an enjoyable read.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing says holiday spirit like the descriptions in this book.
I love Christmas time,the feeling of goodness this time of year brings.
So cozy up by the fire with your warm drink,hot drink and blanket and let the book take you away into a winter wonderland!

Published September 29th 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy free from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I love Christmas book’s and Christmas movie I love to hear and sing Christmas songs. So this book was meant for me. I hope Christmas Ever After will be made into a hallmark movie. A very enjoyable read it on me in the Christmas spirt 5 star read.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story about a Riley, an author and a self proclaimed grinch who has to become Miss Christmas for a Christmas Camp she is hosting for a new Christmas book she is supposed to be writing. Then it turns into an episode of The Bachelorette and I just wanted it to end. I will admit to enjoying the cheesiness of it all, it would make for a great Hallmark Christmas movie. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Nina Draganova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Определено началото ме заблуди.Започна обещаващо. Но постепенно ставаше все по-скучна и блудкава. Та така до самия край . Трябваше да прескачам по диагонал по страниците , защото си е цяла сага от над 400 страници.

[Brooke — brooklynnnnereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute holiday read that has the potential to be my favourite read of the season!

Beyond anything else, this novel has the most amazing setting which created the perfect atmosphere for a winter holiday read. In all honesty, that's only one small reason why I loved this book so much but I think it's the biggest reason for me. This story (and the setting) gave me all of the warmhearted feelings of winter and reminded me why I love the season.

I was nervous when the novel introduced a storyline similar to The Bachelorette but the drama involved did keep the novel entertaining. I will say though that this storyline (along with the three additional characters) was not my favourite part of the story but my enjoyment of the rest of the novel more than made up for it.

If you like a Hallmark movie, if you like a cheesy holiday romance, or if you just need something to get you into the spirit of the holidays...check this book out. From start to finish, this story filled me such warmth and had me smiling throughout.

***Thank you to HawkTale Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

[Maria Naydenova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Започнах поредицата от коледни книжки, с които обичайно обичам да си прекарвам празниците. Коледа завинаги беше не лош избор, макар реалната ми оценка за самата история да е по-скоро около 3*. Ще завиша отново, защото аудио версията беше много добра и ми остави едно цялостно позитивно усещане.

Чудесно коледно настроение ми донесе тази история, пренасяйки ме в един коледен лагер, чийто домакин се оказа авторка, която мрази Коледа, но е принудена да напише коледен роман. Собственикът на хижата, в ��оято бяха пък, е почитател на Коледа и това си е предпоставка за доста комични ситуации.

Буквално като един типичен Холмаркски филм ми звучеше целият сюжет, но даже на места прекалено захаросан и нереалистичен дори за там. Много приятна и коледна атмосфера ми създаде и искрено се забавлявах на места, макар цялата сюжетна линия с бившите да ми дойде прекалена, както и поведението им - тяхното и на Райли, която на места адски ме дразнеше с начина, по който разсъждаваше. Иначе прекрасен завършек на един доста бавно прогресиращ романс с типично Холмаркски привкус.

Приятно коледно четиво, без да има някакви амбиции за нещо повече. По-високата ми оценка се дължи отново на аудиото.

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Christmas Stars

This story was amazing and hopefully will make it to Hallmark Countdown to Christmas! I can see this making it on the big screen! I fell in love with Riley and Luke and laughed so many times with all the antics at The Christmas Lodge. Oh, and Comet held a special place in my heart.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley Reynolds is a romance author, who doesn't celebrate Christmas, nor has she has a sucessful romance like the ones in her books. During a live national television interview, she is asked how she can write about romance when she still hasn’t found “the one” herself. Scrambling for an answer, she quickly answers that she has had great love in her past and that love inspired her novels. She then walks off the set. Scrambling to save her book contract, she shows up at Christmas Lake Lodge for a Christmas Camp book event, even though the owner is having second thoughts. Meanwhile, three of her past boyfriends show up as well after watching the interview and assuming they are the one she is talking about. Over the weekend, each of the men tries to woo Riley, and she begins to fall for each of them all over again. But, there is someone else that is helping her to learn more about herself and making her believe in Christmas magic again, and maybe he could be the one?

Karen Schaler has had a few of her books made into Hallmark movies and I can see why. This was a fun, festive Christmas story with great characters and a different storyline. It was a bit of a bachelor's story (think reality TV), a bit of a retelling of Scrooge and a romcom all rolled into one. Riley was a great character; a bit naive, not trusting her own feelings, and someone who grew a lot during the story. The hunky inn owner was wonderful with just the right amount of doubt, dealing with his own problems, but attracted to Riley all the same. I enjoyed the lead up to the romance, the festive activities and the whole author plot. I definitely recommend this one and can't belive I waited to long to read this one.

[Антоанета · Rating 4 out of 5]

Много приятна за четене книжка, която предразполага към празнично, коледно настроение. Написана с много топлота и чувство и създаваща уют от предстоящата Коледа.
Самата история има много силно начало, а после темпото леко пада и на места прекалено сладни. Първите 250-300 страници буквално ги прочетох за ден и нямах търпение да разбера как ще се развият нещата.
Райли е писателка на любовни романи, но след последния ѝ роман нещата не вървят и издателите ѝ искат от нея да напише коледен роман. Не само да напише коледен роман, но и да бъде домакиня на коледен лагер, на който да дойдат най-големите ѝ почитатели. Всичко звучи много хубаво и вълнуващо, но не и за Райли. Проблемът е, че тя не само че не празнува Коледа НИКОГА, ама наистина НИКОГА, но дори не произнася думата с К. И даааа, става забавно.
Още по-забавно става, когато тримата ѝ бивши приятели решават да получат нов шанс и да възродят връзката им и ѝ се явяват точно на коледния лагер. Е, там малко нивото пада. Беше ми прекалено лигаво и нереално тя да се държи по начина, по който се държеше с тримата, а и те заедно един към друг - направо си станаха дружки и нямаше нищо мъжкарско в тях. Та в това отношение книгата ме изгуби.
От друга страна домакинът на хижата Люк си беше много готин и винаги с уместно поведение, така че него го харесах. Спрямо него нямаше никакви лигавщини, всичко беше обрано и поднесено с вкус.
За приповдигнатото настроение в книгата допринесе изключително много снежната обстановка с многото натрупал сняг високо в планините, замръзналото езеро, елите обсипани с лампички, коледните печива, грозните коледни пуловери и един четириног приятел, който беше изключително умно и добро куче и изпълняваше съвсем невторостепенна роля.
Оценката ми е по-скоро 3,5* заради леката крива надолу във втората половина на книгата, а това че темпото падна и историята забоксува ми попречи да завърша книгата в по-кратък срок. И все пак ако човек търси нещо, което да му създаде коледно настроение, топлота и усещане за обич и закрила - дори сред лято, това е правилната книга.

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Christmas 2021 - Naughty/DNF

This story of a romance author promoting her new Christmas book was a fail for me. I don’t always notice the “show, don’t tell” criticism that reviewers complain about, but this novel hit me over the head with examples. The sentence below was the final straw in a novel I was not enjoying. SIX characters are mentioned, and except for Mike and Riley, who I already didn’t like, none of them had yet appeared in the story:

When Mike recently learned Luke’s mom, Margaret, was selling the family’s Christmas Lake Lodge so she could retire in Florida, he’d persuaded Luke to hold one of Jeff’s dad’s Christmas Camps at the lodge not only to help get publicity before the sale but to help Jeff’s dad with his franchise…and help Mike’s own client by having Riley host it..

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, sweet romance. I devoured it in one sitting. I could not put it down. Schaler needs to write more Christmas romances. The Characters were so real. This would make a great Hallmark movie.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Коледа завинаги“ е перфектният избор за коледна книга. Историята, героите и зимната обстановка са изключително умело написани. Авторката е споделила дори семейни рецепти, традиции и празнични занимания.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies, you’ll enjoy this book.

[Галина Ганова · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Asheley T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew when I settled into this one that it would be delightful and full of holiday feelings. I’ve enjoyed every one of her holiday stories so far, and this one was just as enjoyable!

This is one of those stories where a person that doesn’t enjoy Christmas at all is thrust into something very Christmas-y and eventually opens her heart to the holiday season. I always, always love this type of story! In this case, famous author Riley Reynolds is told by her publisher that she needs to write a Christmas romance story, but she really doesn’t want to. She swore off Christmas when she was just eight years old and she hasn’t celebrated it since then. Her publisher arranges for her to host a Christmas Camp event with some of her loyal readers in an effort to promote her upcoming story, and just before she is to go to the event, she has an embarrassing television interview. During the interview, she was taken off-guard by an unapproved question and her response gave three ex-boyfriends the idea that she may still hold flames for them. So they all show up at her Christmas Camp event with hopes of rekindling their relationships.

The synopsis compares Christmas Ever After to Mamma Mia and The Bachelorette, and I have to agree that this story does give off those vibes. The three ex-boyfriends that show up at Riley’s Christmas Camp are a nod to the amazing Mamma Mia, and their interactions with Riley are a little bit like The Bachelorette. Even more (and better!) than those comparisons, this book feels like a Hallmark movie, like snuggling up with hot chocolate and a warm blanket on a cold day. It’s scrumptious and really made me feel Christmas while I was reading it.

The first book that I read by Ms. Schaler was Christmas Camp, and it was awesome to see that this story nods back to the earlier one so well. The camp that Riley hosts is one much like the camp in the earlier book, complete with Christmas-themed rooms in the resort and Christmas-themed events for the guests to enjoy. And the supporting cast of characters is wonderful and lovable-this is something that I have grown to love about Ms. Schaler’s stories.

There is indeed a sweet romance in these pages, but I won’t spoil who it is with, and how. Just know that I loved it, and I may just end up rereading this one again this year since we have a few months until Christmas. Fans of Christmas stories and Hallmark movies will love this one!


I received this book for free from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, HawkTale Publishing

Find this review and more like it on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!

[Daniella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*
Уникално коледно настроение! Прочела съм някоя, друга коледна книга (предимно тези на Джени Хейл) , но тази до тук е единствената, която напълно ми донесе коледна магия. Още от първите страници Райли ме спечели като герой. Въпреки, че в началото на историята беше малко като Чичо Скрудж, но беше много интересно да се проследи развитието й и как всичко се променя около нея.
Люк....ами какво да кажа, още в онова провалено интервю се влюбих в него, а после и с описанията, тези сини очииии - забиха ми се в съсзанието. Беше ясно, че накрая с Райли ще се съберат, но това не ми попречи да прочета книгата, тъй като всичко беше написано много увлекателно и се четеше на един дъх.
Когато Райли пристигна в хижата за коледния лагер, дойде и още по-голямата коледна атмосфера. Описанията на Кристмъс Лейк бяха повече от удивителни и все едно си там и ги гледаш отстрани, а легендите и историите бяха толкова добри, че пленяват цялото внимание. Люк и Райли преживяха доста сладки моменти заедно с цялата подготовка на лагера - приготвянето на коледните сладки, ангелите в снега, горещият шоколад, чисто и просто магия.
Пристигането на бившите приятели донесе лек смут в историята, но пък това беше и динамиката, от която се нуждаеше книгата, за да не се тъпче на едно място. Отношенията между Райли и Люк се поразминаха малко през този период, хареса ми това, че тя даде шанс и на тримата младежи, отново да спечелят сърцето й. Много ми харесаха и историите, които е имала с всеки един от тях през различен етап от живота си в миналото. И това беше една от поуките в книгата, че понякога едно нещо трябва да си остане в миналото, всичко хубаво се е случило, когато е трябвало и вече няма какво повече да се вземе от дадената ситуация, затова нещата трябва да приключат.
Краят за мен беше много силен, Райли успя да намери сили вътре с себе си и да разясни ситуацията си покрай Коледа. Допадна ми това, че и тримата младежи подкрепиха Райли, когато реши да избере Люк, а те двамата бяха толкова сладка двойка,че просто да ти припадне от сладост.
Препоръчвам книгата с две ръце, носи много емоция и е просто перфектна за празничните дни. Дано имаме шанса да прочетем и нещо друго от авторката, тъй като пише доста увлекателно, а страниците просто неусетно се прелистват.

[Draga Stavreska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Како најголем фан на божиќни филмови, оваа книга за мене беше чиста 5ка 🥰
Класична "Hallmark",празнична,предвидлива, слатка приказна која изнудува насмевка на секоја прочитана страна.
Прекрасен стил на пишување. Описите на ликовите и околината се толку добри, што навистина вртејќи низ страниците се чувствував како и јас да сум дел од божиќниот камп во "Божиќното езеро" .

Преубава, празнична книга која ги топли срцата 🎅🏻🥰

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely , festive light read. A Fun and flirty (but only flirty no steam here, just romance) , quick read , I knew I’d love it, but I didn’t realise how much ! It’s a lovely read, but I am it’s target I love a sweet Christmas Romance. I could see this as a Hallmark movie , it would be so good

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Много сладка книга. Хареса ми, че в края има рецептите за всички споменати лакомства. Това, което ми липсваше, е плътност на второстепенните герои, а те бяха интересни персонажи, но пък куче беше част главните образи, което веднага вдигна звездите. 😂

[Daniela Daneva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Типичната коледно-любовна история, идеална за разпускане по всяко време от годината.

[Teodora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Достойна за сюжет на филм по Hallmark… каквито филми аз не гледам. Но съм сигурна, че всички коледолюбители ще припаднат от кеф или от захар

[Wulfwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Christmas books. I love Christmas movies, especially Hallmark ones. They always leave me feeling so good. This book did not disappoint!
Riley is an author in trouble. Her last book missed it mark and now her publisher wants a Christmas romance. Should be easy except Riley doesn’t have a special person in her life and hasn’t celebrated Christmas since she was eight years old. What in the world was her team thinking when they set her up for a Christmas Camp with her fans and started marketing her as Miss Christmas?
Luke had grown up at Christmas Lake Lodge, but now his mom is retiring and has put the lodge up for sale. Hoping to get some publicity that leads to a better price, he agrees to cohost a final Christmas Camp. He wasn’t really into it but what son could say no when his mom was so happy about it?
Colin, Brendan, and Tyler are all ex-boyfriends of Riley’s. When she mentions on live tv that her romance novels are based on a past true love, each of them believes he is the one. They all show up for Christmas Camp and the chance to claim Riley’s heart. And you thought Christmas lights were the hardest thing to untangle at Christmastime!
This book was such a delight to read. It had all the feels. I love Christmas Camp. I want to attend one. If you are looking for some Christmas spirit, it can be found between the covers of this book. I loved the dilemma that Riley had. I enjoy the Christmas fun. The characters were mostly enjoyable, (Mike might be on the naughty list). The ending was a win for me.
Pick up a copy of Christmas Ever After, make some cookies and cocoa, turn the tree lights on and enjoy a feel good Christmas romance!
*I received an ecopy of this title from NetGalley for review consideration. I voluntarily reviewed this book. My review is based on my enjoyment and opinions of the book.*