Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Sugar Creek #3

The Holiday Husband

Rate this book
Annie made a holiday wish to be reunited with the one who got away.
She should’ve been more specific...
Museum curator Annie Bristow has spent years regretting a marriage proposal she turned down from her college sweetheart. When a fateful ride on a holiday train gives Annie the opportunity to make it right, she wishes for a do-over. She wants to go back and say yes to her one true love. Who better than a twinkly-eyed Mrs. Claus to make it happen? What could possibly go wrong?

Getting a second chance at love should’ve been a dream come true. But when Annie wakes up married to the wrong ex-boyfriend, she’ll have to pretend to be Mrs. Holden Thomas until the holiday train returns on Christmas Day. She’s determined to find a way to reunite with the right true love, but obstacles keep foiling her efforts. Like Holden being frustratingly handsome and unexpectedly charming. This quiet man holds onto a painful past of his own, and Annie finds herself drawn to the life Holden has built. But falling for him is so not part of the plan...

The countdown is on, and love is at stake. When Christmas morning arrives, will Annie return to her old life? Or say ‘I do” to the one man she never wished for?

268 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2020

105 people are currently reading
308 people want to read

About the author

Jenny B. Jones

33 books2,213 followers
Four-time Carol Award winner Jenny B. Jones writes contemporary romance with wit, sass, and Southern charm. Since writing for both women and teens leaves her with very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits, such as watching E!, going to the movies and inhaling large buckets of popcorn, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture. www.jennybjones.com

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
289 (50%)
4 stars
205 (35%)
3 stars
66 (11%)
2 stars
12 (2%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
Profile Image for Katie (hiding in the pages).
3,515 reviews328 followers
December 31, 2020
I'm packing my bags to move into this book!

Annie learns that hard way that you should be careful what you wish for. Thinking if she could go back in the past to the "one who got away," her life would be better, but she's in for a surprise when she hits her head and wakes up to find herself married to someone else--Holden.

This is the kind of book that I want to pack up and move right into. I loved everything about it--Annie's desperation and persistence in finding the Mrs. Claus who granted her wish; Holden's sweet, patient, and perfect wonderfulness; the undeniably swoony chemistry and zippy interactions; and the most endearing characters, plot, growth, and even side stories/relationships. I enjoyed every minute of peeling the layers away from the story to reveal something unique and beautiful.

The Holiday Husband was the perfect cap to my holiday reading. I haven't read the other books in this series, but if they're anything like this one, that will definitely change!

Content: mild romance
Profile Image for Kathy * Bookworm Nation.
2,160 reviews703 followers
October 24, 2022
Loved it!!

Annie has spent years regretting dumping her college boyfriend Wyatt. She feels she has lost her one chance at love. While volunteering on a holiday train she shares her regrets with Mrs. Clause, wishing for a do-over, but Mrs. Clause has something else in mind. Sure, Annie is granted a second chance, but she ends up getting it with a different ex-boyfriend!

I love when you come across a book that has a unique storyline. Sure, this story is reminiscent of the movie The Family Man or The Vow, but I haven't read it in a book setting and the dynamics between Annie, Wyatt and Holden were interesting. I really didn't know how the story would get resolved, I knew there had to be a HEA in here and was excited to see what the author had in store.

I enjoyed the characters a lot, I though Holden was pretty swoony and pretty patient! Annie was likable as well, it was nice to see her character growth throughout. And I ended up liking the side story with her mom. The romance was fun, lots of tension, didn't feel rushed. I just enjoyed the whole book and will definitely be adding to my read again shelf!

Content Rated G
Clean romance, just kissing. No language or violence.



Similar Books You May Enjoy...
Enamoring Her Amnesic Ex (California Dreamin', #0.5) by Kristin Canary The Goodbye Bride (Summer Harbor, #2) by Denise Hunter Forget Me Twice by Carina Taylor
Profile Image for Fiction Aficionado.
659 reviews92 followers
November 14, 2020
This was exactly the fun contemporary romance I needed this week! And what a premise. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with the whole waking-up-married-to-the-wrong-guy scenario, but I certainly knew what to expect with the banter and the wry one-liners, and I wasn’t disappointed.

“Maybe we should sit on the couch and kiss like teenagers—to work out the stress, of course.”
“Not going to happen.”
“Not even if I promise to keep my hands in the Northern Hemisphere?”
“You can keep your mitts off all my hemispheres.”
“Do you have strong feelings about your equator?”
That pulled a laugh from me, though I was uncertain what we were even talking about.


Annie’s a bit of a hot mess, certain she’s in love with Wyatt and completely unable to remember falling in love with Holden, much less marrying him. I’m sure you can guess the kind of scenarios that crop up, particularly when Annie’s snobby artist mother turns up for a surprise visit and Annie’s determined to pretend she’s deliriously happy and in love.

Holden won my sympathy immediately, and it only increased as we got into the story and learned more about him. He has the whole rugged, hardworking vibe going on—the understated flirt, if you will—but also has a huge streak of insecurity that had me aching for him right up until the end.

And, of course, it’s a Christmas setting, making it the perfect Christmas romance read as well. What more can you ask for?
Profile Image for Melissa.
2,542 reviews270 followers
January 19, 2021
This was so fun! Some great witty banter! Fun situations and some good romance. This was one of those Stories about magic at Christmas, think It's a Wonderful Life, Groundhog day or Family Man. All shows I love. If you haven't seen the 12 Dates of Christmas with Mark Gossaleer you should if you like these kinds of stories like I do:} This was just one I didn't want to put down:} Sweet clean romance with some fun flirting! He believes they have been married for 6 months, she only remembers him as a angry collage fling. This makes for some fun moments and I totally fell in love with Holden! Geeezz he is my new BBF:}
There was a bit of repetition. I was weirded out because she had the same conversation a couple of times with Holden and Wyatt and even some of her friends. This was my only issue with this book.
Profile Image for Deborah.
676 reviews52 followers
December 26, 2020
Have I read a five star book in a while? Sadly no. Was this one a little Christmas miracle that had me staying up way to late, messaging my friend in a stalker like fashion and finally wrapping up this adorable story like a perfect Christmas present under the tree? Yes!

I adored Holden. He was everything I love in a swoony leading man. I loved that the the story reminded me of two movies put together(The Vow and The Family Man). I thought the pace was great, great characters, good amount of tension and just a nice escape.

Read it. You’re welcome.
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews272 followers
December 21, 2021
What would you do if you hit your head, passed out, and found yourself married when you woke up? With absolutely no knowledge of a husband? There you have the premise of Jenny B Jones’ latest. I absolutely devoured this book! The gal so totally knows her way around a Rom Com. Jones creates characters that leap right off the pages and feel like real people. I am a forever fan! I practically salivate thinking of her new books coming out. This one was so much FUN! I can’t wait for what she has next. Recommended.

December 21, 2021. Finished a reread. Still just as great!
Profile Image for Rachel McDaniel.
Author 13 books629 followers
December 9, 2022
Okay, who do we talk to in order to get this adorable, heartwarming story into a Hallmark?

Because I totally couldn't put this Christmas romcom down. One second I was snort-laughing and the next I was sighing. Mostly over Holden and all his swoony ways. Also, I need to gush over the banter. The banter! That snappy dialogue sizzled with heart and heat with the perfect dash of humor. Annie and Holden had this sparky chemistry that kept me turning the pages, needing to know if they'd get their happily ever after or in this case their Christmas wish!
Profile Image for Heidi.
349 reviews73 followers
January 13, 2021
A new favorite

I absolutely loved this book!!!! Such a fun plot and completely loveable hero. It completely sucked me in and I loved every minute of it! Can't wait to read more by this author. I will definitely re-read this one 🤗
Profile Image for Erin.
914 reviews105 followers
January 29, 2021
2.5 stars - it was okay. I was definitely disappointed.

My thoughts on why it missed the mark for me-

- For her husband to be okay with her insisting that a magical life-swap had happened... was less than believable. He too easily swallowed the fact that she was having a life-long crazy episode. If that’s the way the author was going to leave it, at least give him proof she wasn’t crazy in the end. Let him witness the magic.

- After all he did for her for her work party (basically moving heaven and earth, which was, naturally, impossible and outside of reality, but for the purposes of this book, HE DID), for her to leave him on his big night was unforgivably selfish. I couldn’t get over it. I don’t care if she isn’t in love with him. I don’t care if she’s confused. I don’t care if her job promotion sort of depended on it. You just don’t do that. Ever. Period.

- I didn’t like the main character. She was never endearing. She wasn’t thoughtful or nice... or even happy. She cried constantly. We only saw her depressive, frustrated times; we rarely saw her being awesome and fun and cool. I was never sold on why or how this amazing guy ever fell in love with her in the first place. Simply put, she was a taker. Her character was extremely self centered and selfish. To top it off, I was so sick of her obsession with her promotion. Clearly she cares about her career more than anything else in her life, including the people around her that cared about her, particularly the sort-of-husband who would (and did) give the shirt off his back for her. I don’t see that commitment changing. I can’t envision her being willing to sacrifice her goals for him and for their relationship and their future family, and that’s simply part of having a healthy marriage relationship.

- The author was going for romcom but I found the banter to be rather forced and unnatural, the sarcastic joking ill placed and smacking of trying-too-hard.

- There were so many editing mistakes. Like tons and tons. Normally this doesn’t bother me. But this was more than average. There would be a conversation going on and then it would be the wrong person talking suddenly, like the author got mixed up. Or there would be words out of order or missing words in a sentence. Stuff like that.

- Basically I felt like this was a book about a girl who was not satisfied with any aspect of her life because she felt like a victim of poor circumstance and bad luck. Then in a magical second chance, she proceeds to break her amazing husband’s heart over and over and over, and take-take-take while he gives-gives-gives... until he is just a shell of himself. Then... Well, if you want to know how it ends, I better just let you read it yourself. But I personally didn’t think it was that great so, your call.

Content:
Language - no swearing or blasphemy.
Sex - no sex or talk of sex.
Cover - meh.
I read this on KU. I haven't read the others in the series because I heard this could be a standalone, and it was. I didn't feel clueless at all.
Profile Image for Sherry Deatrick.
643 reviews25 followers
December 18, 2023
Christmas and magic? Yes! Jenny B. Jones delivers a unique escape from this year of hard realities in her new book, Holiday Husband.
The main character, Annie is like many who wondered if we missed a chance somewhere along during our lives. So she makes a wish with Mrs. Claus and VOILA’ she gets a do-over!
The only thing is…it’s not with the guy she was absolutely sure she had missed out on. She actually got a swoon worthy guy instead but she kept driving me crazy questioning why he wasn’t the one she thought she’d missed.
But all is well that ends well. And this is the perfect escape read for this season.
I recommend it!
Profile Image for Loraine.
3,450 reviews
December 15, 2020
Cordelia is regretting saying no to her college boyfriend, Wyatt, who proposed 10 years earlier. No one she dates compares to him. When she helps out on the children's Fantasy Christmas Train, she asks Mrs. Claus for a Christmas wish for the right one. But as she talks to Mrs. Claus, she trips, hits her head, and wakes up to discover she has no memory and is married to Wyatt's cousin Holden. Will she ever get her Christmas wish or find something better?

Thoroughly enjoyable Christmas romance fantasy.
Profile Image for Alix .
1,209 reviews43 followers
January 16, 2022
Better than expected….3.5? Banter was fun; the premise was interesting.
Profile Image for Chantel.
201 reviews61 followers
December 4, 2025


I have all of the warm and fuzzy-feels after reading this book! Jenny B. Jones is the queen of writing the sweetest, funniest and moving, romantic comedies!  With each book in this series,  I fall in love with the town and people of Sugar Creek a little more. Netflix needs go ahead and hire JBJ and make this series into holiday movies!  At this point I'm willing to bribe them with Ben and Jerry's. 😊

Annie Bristow always wonders what happened to the one who got away,Wyatt her old college ex-boyfriend who's marriage proposal she turned down to follow her dream to become a Museum Art Curator. After a enchanted encounter with the famous Mrs. Claus on a train, Annie may get the second chance with her ex-boyfriend that she desires.

But when Annie wakes up she finds she's married to the wrong college-ex, and she feels like some magical wires have definitely gotten crossed. Now she'll have to pretend to be Mrs. Holden Thomas until her train returns.
Annie is determined to reunite with the right true-love she asked for, but  things get all kinds of complicated when she finds he finds that her new husband, Holden Thomas is caring, charming, and oh so handsome. Annie finds herself drawn to the quiet life that Holden has built for them. But falling in love with Holden is not apart of the plan.

With  Christmas morning swiftly approaching, Annie struggles with the decision to return to her old life, Or say ‘I do” to the one man she never wished for...

The Holiday Husband is an instant holiday favorite!  The whimsy of this magical second chance love story has definitely put me in a Christmas state of mind in the middle of July! (Somebody break out the Leslie Odom Jr. Christmas album!!)
I adored the banter between Holden and Annie, they had me laughing and engaged. But there were plenty of sweet moments just stole my heart away!  You can't help but want to root for them to make it. Plus I love seeing some of the characters from the previous books in this series like, Emma and Noah! I also loved the friendship between Emma, Annie and Cordelia. They really were supportive of Annie, but they also came through with the good advice! 💯
Give yourself the early holiday treat and get this book!

I'm off to read Cordelia and Will's story next, (I read it out of order but it's all good!) Lol! I am excited! 

**EXTRAS**
Here's a playlist of songs that remind of this book!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7...
Profile Image for Teresa Snyder.
710 reviews30 followers
January 6, 2021
I spent a good part of the book disliking two of the characters, Annie and Wyatt. I’m happy to say that Annie redeemed herself; Wyatt, not so much. Holden was swoon worthy from page 1! Fun magical book. Great ending!
Profile Image for Marylin.
1,307 reviews45 followers
November 25, 2020
“You can’t live life looking in the rearview mirror.”
Oh, I love this quote! It is so true to life! How often do we look back and think I wish I had done it differently?
That’s exactly what Annie was doing. She kept thinking about the time in her life where she felt she made the biggest mistake. If only she could go back.
This book is such a delightful story! It has moments of fun, sass, and magic. It’s also one of those stories where, what might appear on the outside, isn’t what really is happening on the inside, and what we think we want isn’t really what we want at all.
I loved this book and how the author blended what could be and what is true. It had drama, suspense, humor, quirkiness, and sassy dialogue. It also was full of endearing love and romance.
Whenever I read a Jenny B. Jones book, I know I’ll enjoy it. Her books always have characters who are sassy and some just a bit different. Yet, they are characters you will come to love and enjoy. I was pleased she included some of the characters from past books because it makes the whole story come alive.
I highly recommend you pick this book up for a fun delightful book to read during the holidays.
Profile Image for Hayley’s Reads.
371 reviews40 followers
December 22, 2020
Stop what you’re reading - AND READ THIS INSTEAD!! It’s sooo good. All the stars. All the heart eyes. I’m so glad I squeezed this in before Christmas. This story is so good. I loved the characters because the dialogue is snarky, witty, so-back-and-forth with sass. I loved it all and gobbled the book whole. If you love romantic comedy books, this is a MUST READ!!
Profile Image for Georgia.
753 reviews57 followers
November 27, 2021
I read this sweet, banter-filled Christmas romance in hours. It was so enjoyable and cozy with characters who felt real and complicated but were also delightful. Holden is a lovable guy with sass, and Annie is a bit of a mess who has to figure out what and who she really wants and isn’t above tackling innocent people to do it. Both have parent issues and trust issues. Of course you know love will win, but it doesn’t feel trite when it does, even though there is some magic involved.

In case you’re interested, this is a clean romance.
Profile Image for Alisa.
793 reviews44 followers
January 14, 2021
I loved this one so much! Annie gets a do-over to go back and get a second chance with the one who got away. Only... she finds herself married to the wrong ex-boyfriend. I loved Holden! I definitely want to re-read this one every Christmas!
Profile Image for Rachel Travers.
305 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2022
The perfect end to my holiday season reading! This story was cute, cute, cute🎄 🤶 ❤️
Profile Image for Mandy Boerma.
Author 8 books54 followers
December 29, 2020
Loved it!

What a great story. Packed with laughter, romance and holiday magic. A perfect story for the Christmas romantic to enjoy any time of the year.
Profile Image for Melmo2610.
3,626 reviews
December 29, 2020
What a swoon worthy character this book has in Holden!! Fun story with lots of humor and my newest book boyfriend...Jenny has another winner!!
Profile Image for Austin Ryan.
Author 5 books21 followers
January 2, 2023
This book! <3 I was waiting with bated breath for this book to come out, and then somehow I got busy and didn't pick it up until this week. I waited a really long time to enjoy this, and I was blown away.

I love the mix of magical and contemporary, and Annie's head injury plopping her back into a marriage she doesn't remember is exactly as chaotic and charming as it sounds.

I adored this book. I almost read it in one sitting, but the words started blurring on the page, so I ended up finishing this morning instead. So. So. SO GOOD.
Jenny B. Jones is a master (but you probably already knew that ;) )

#2
Profile Image for Sherrinda.
Author 4 books91 followers
November 17, 2020
Fun Story

This was such a great twist on the "It's a Wonderful Life" theme. I loved the whole concept and it kept me turning the page to see how it would turn out. Great chemistry and conflict. Loved it!

Profile Image for Stacey Cochran.
595 reviews
December 21, 2022
I loved this book!!!!!!!! The story was so interesting and I just loved the ending! The characters had such chemistry (and the kiss scenes were amazing!) and the message was just so sweet. I think this is my favorite Christmas book!
Profile Image for Holly.
1,470 reviews11 followers
December 11, 2020
This story was just right. Holden was swoon worthy. The characters, humor and well paced story kept me turning the pages. Toss in a little Christmas magic and you have perfection.
Profile Image for krystal.
520 reviews2 followers
December 19, 2020
Genuinely shocked at this one’s ending! I wanted to clobber the girl about a dozen times, but it was just the Christmas magic I needed :)
Profile Image for Melissa.
296 reviews
December 29, 2020
I just loved this book! Annie and Holden’s story is witty, relatable, and classic Jenny B. Jones. It was just the lighthearted read I needed.
Profile Image for Maddie Peattie.
26 reviews
June 14, 2022
This is like a Hallmark movie in book form, and I am HERE FOR IT!! I honestly love all Jenny B. Jones books. They are cute, funny, light, and meaningful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.