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I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas

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Ballet and babysitting bring two teens together in this very merry holiday rom-com from the author of the acclaimed Bookish Boyfriends series

Noelle Partridge is known for three things: being the best ballet dancer, babysitter, and person with the most Christmas spirit in her small town. But lately she’s bored by the lessons at her dance school, and her friends and father are more bah humbug than Hallmark movie marathon. So when her favorite babysitting clients ask her to accompany them on a ski trip over winter break, she packs her bags for the slopes. It helps that they’re offering double her rate—she’ll need the money for Beacon, an elite ballet academy that’s granted her an audition. 

Noelle is ready to “Deck the Halls” and have fa la la la fun, until Wyatt, the older half-brother of her babysitting charges, decides to surprise his family for the holiday. He’s one of the best dancers at Beacon, and makes Noelle’s head spin faster than pirouettes. Unfortunately, she also manages to step on his toes—spoiling his surprise and complicating his secret plans. After a few missteps, Noelle and Wyatt begin to thaw toward each other and bond over the big decisions looming in each of their lives. With enough Christmas magic, Noelle might just start the New Year with lots of babysitting cash in her pocket and a chance with the pas de deux partner of her dreams.

330 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2021

34 people are currently reading
3642 people want to read

About the author

Tiffany Schmidt

16 books584 followers
Tiffany Schmidt is the author of acclaimed books for young readers, including the Bookish Boyfriends series, I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas, Once Upon a Crime Family duology and several others.

She’s found her happily ever after in Pennsylvania with her saintly husband, impish twin boys, and a pair of mischievous puggles.

You can find out more about her and her books at: TiffanySchmidt.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
Profile Image for Larry H.
3,094 reviews29.6k followers
December 23, 2021
I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas (how can you not love this title?) is a sweet YA book about the holiday spirit, crushes, friendship, and trying to put grief behind you.

Noelle Partridge (another super-adorable name for a holiday rom-com) loves Christmas. She always plans major activities for her and her best friends, and she and her father always team up to try and have the best holiday they can, because it helps them deal with the loss of her mother.

But this year, her friends are making every excuse not to do Christmas activities and her father is barely paying any attention to her or the upcoming holidays. So when one of her best babysitting clients asks her to accompany their family on a ski trip over the holidays, she jumps at the chance. The snow can awaken her spirit and she can make lots of money to help pay for Beacon, the exclusive ballet school she wants to attend.

What she doesn’t count on, however, is the arrival of Wyatt, her babysitting charges’ older stepbrother. Wyatt is a fantastic dancer at Beacon and Noelle has an enormous crush on him. Of course, things are awkward and Wyatt doesn’t understand why Noelle is there with his family, but after a while they both let their guards down and share their anxieties and sadness with each other.

This is a YA novel which definitely skews really young, so it would be perfect for younger readers. There’s none of the heavy emotional angst or mature themes you usually find in YA books. It's a cute read!

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Profile Image for Kelly.
Author 6 books1,219 followers
Read
December 13, 2021
If you're looking for a YA perfect for younger readers, this delightful holiday romance is a treat. Noelle is a 14-year-old dancer who is excited about the prospect of attending a dance academy - but it might be out of the budget and out of reality with a single father whose business hasn't yet started to thrive. Noelle, in addition to dancing, is a babysitter and she's been given the chance to attend a week-long ski vacation with a client family as a means of babysitting the youngest child when he's not up for the activity. It's good money, it's time away, and even though it conflicts with all of her favorite Christmas traditions, she knows things are not going to be what they used to be before her mom died. Her dad's attention and presence has been waning, so she might as well stash some cash for potentially going to the dance academy (one hitch: she hasn't told her dad yet).

Enter Wyatt.

He's the stepson of the family Noelle is babysitting and her deep crush. He's a dancer, too, and a student at the academy. When he shows up as a surprise on the ski trip, it's with a secret: he wants to leave the dance academy. It's no longer his dream or passion. While he and Noelle are not immediately smitten, feelings do develop . . . as does Noelle's understanding of what it is SHE'S passionate about, too, and it might not be the future she once saw for herself.

This is full of heart, of holidays, and of sweet romance. It blends so many fun elements of being a high school freshman, possibilities, and what it means to make a choice about the future at such a young age. While the book tackles some heavy themes, it's ultimately a romance with a satisfying ending and feel-good vibes through and through.
Profile Image for Vanessia.
264 reviews24 followers
December 12, 2021
What a fun cute Christmas read. I enjoyed this so much a sweet fun time. Perfect for a holiday read, full with holiday spirit and a great holiday background!
Profile Image for Megan Rose.
229 reviews26 followers
December 12, 2021
I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Chirstmas is a cute, heartwarming romance perfect for the upcoming holiday season. The book follows Noelle, a dancer who absolutely loves Christmas, and always goes overboard with the celebrations. But as her dad, the only family she has left after the death of her mother, grows withdrawn, Noelle decides to accept one of her babysitting clients' offer to spend the holidays with them at a ski lodge. From there, Noelle meets Wyatt, and a fun, sparkling romance ensues.

My initial thoughts on this book were so-so. While I understood why Noelle was so upset about everything, and why she was acting the way she did, I thought she could be unbearably self-centered at times. Her inner diologue made it difficult for me to actually get invested in the story, and I had a hard time liking her. I could definitely sympathize for her, because it's so difficult losing a parent around Christmas time, and growing apart from someone you love is terrifying, but she took all of it a bit far at times.

This did not take away my enjoyment of the book, however. Once Noelle was actually at the lodge, I was way more engaged with the story. It felt reminiscence of some of the Hallmark movies I enjoy watching, while still adding its own twist to things.

A big issue I've had with romances recently is that I simply cannot understand why the two main characters like each other, but I can happily say that this wasn't the case here. Noelle and Wyatt had a lot and common, though were different enough that they didn't immediately get along. I loved watching their journey from reluctant housemates to their budding romance. It was all very sweet.

I also particularly enjoyed Noelle's questioning of whether she should fully dedicate herself to something at only 14 years old. I was kind of in the same position as her when I was younger, but it took me a lot longer to realize that I shouldn't box myself in like that, because there are so many options out there. I think it was a good conversation to have, and it was really well done. It didn't take over the plot and dominate the story, but it was necessary to talk about, and a fantastic compromise was reached.

So, while it took me a little while to get into the story, and to begin rooting for our main character (who I will say definitely does grow throughout the story), I still really enjoyed my time with it. It was the perfect romance to read during the holiday season, and I would recommend it for those looking for something light-hearted and fun. Though there are several mentions of a death of a parent and grief, so if you're looking for all fluff, this one might not be for you. I personally liked this aspect because it added another layer and emotional depth to the story. Noelle's mom had died several years ago, but she still found herself stunned by grief from time to time, and it felt so natural and raw. I really liked that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Natalie.
3,471 reviews125 followers
December 22, 2022
Review:

My expectations for this book were basically sky high. A YA Christmas story and babysitting? It sounded so cute! I was fully intending for this to be my favorite Christmas read. However, I ended up liking it fine, but I didn’t love it the way I was expecting to. This is definitely on the (very) young end of YA. The main character Noelle is a freshman in high school and is 14-15 years old. As such, this book would be a great choice for someone who reads a lot of middle grade and is looking to transfer to YA. For me personally (someone who reads a ton of YA), this felt very young. Noelle was pretty immature and had difficulty communicating with her father. Wyatt wasn’t very kind to her for a lot of the book and I couldn’t understand why she liked him. Then suddenly he did a total 180 and was nice to her and liked her romantically. It didn’t feel natural.

My other issue with this book was the pacing. It was very slow and felt like nothing happened. Especially the beginning prior to Noelle taking this babysitting job over the Christmas holiday.

I really enjoyed the Christmas elements though. This book is full of snowman making, gingerbread house building, and other fun Christmas traditions. I thoroughly enjoyed those. I also thought Noelle had some character growth, but it came fairly late in the story and I would have liked to see more.

Ooh, and I also LOVE the punny title!

_____________________________________________
Pre-review:

This cover is absolutely adorable and I’m super excited for this now!
1,165 reviews14 followers
March 30, 2022
I totally enjoyed this young adult book and highly recommend it to any teenagers or preteens. There’s a lot of wordage about ballet so if any young ladies or guys are interested in ballet I think they would really enjoy this book. It is also a great book to read to get you into the Christmas spirit. I like the way it was set in Vermont at a ski lodge and I enjoyed Noelle and Wyatt’s interactions. I also thought the family that Noelle was babysitting for was a perfect family.
Profile Image for Samantha (WLABB).
4,276 reviews278 followers
October 4, 2021
Noelle’s mother always celebrated Christmas to the Nth degree, and after her passing, her father and friends usually continued the tradition, but not this year. With her friends too busy, her home life in disarray, and a big decision regarding dance hanging over her head, Noelle was not feeling swept away by the holiday magic. Therefore, when one of her babysitting families invited her on their ski trip during the holiday break, she accepted. However, all plans went sideways when the big brother, and Noelle’s crush, showed up unexpectedly.

My previous experiences with Schmidt’s books have been great, and once again, she crafted a sweet and fun story filled with lots of relatable characters and heart. I had a fabulous time getting to know Noelle as she struggled with some big changes and choices in her life.

One aspect of this book I really appreciated was that it was geared towards the lower end of YA. Most of the YA books I read feature teens towards the end of high school or preparing to enter college. It’s refreshing to get that younger perspective sometimes, and I am glad to see an offering for teens in that age range.

I found the gentle exploration of Noelle’s grief rather lovely too. She lost her mother six years ago during the holiday season, and with her father withdrawing, she was really feeling the loss this year. My heart ached for her, and then when she talked about the snow globes! 😭 So many tears!

Schmidt did a fantastic job decking the halls and making things festive. One of my favorite things was being at the resort in Vermont and partaking in all the holiday fun. Lots of cocoa and snow along with gingerbread house building, tree lighting, and even a visit with Santa. These moments were cute and sweet but also quite comedic. I loved the rom-com antics which kept the story on the light and fluffy side, right where I like it.

I must mention the lovely group of friends Noelle was lucky enough to have too. These young women shared something special, and their love and affection for Noelle was evidenced by their actions. I thought they had a great dynamic and even when Noelle felt abandoned, they were there, making things happen behind the scenes.

This story of big choices and learning to embrace change was highlighted by an adorable romance, a fantastic friendship, and lots of fun festivities. It was an absolutely charming story that left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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Profile Image for Dreamer.
569 reviews6 followers
December 11, 2022
This super well-written YA Contemporary read is the perfect book to get readers in the holiday spirit. Full of Christmas cheer, first crushes, adorable babysitting charges, and the sweetest besties. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Sophie.
1,452 reviews552 followers
October 23, 2021
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

For as long as she can remember, Noelle Partridge has loved everything about Christmas, and since her mam passed away, she's tried to keep the magic going, even when it's just her and her dad. But this year, her friends aren't as excited to celebrate, and her dad is spending more and more time in his office, and it's as if he's turned into the Grinch. So when her favourite babysitting family, the Kahales, ask if she would like to spend the holidays with them, extra pay, at a skiing resort, she jumps at the chance. Hopefully the extra money will help pay towards her dream of going to the prestigious Beacon ballet academy. But when her crush, Wyatt Kahale unexpectedly joins the Christmas vacation, Noelle gets off on the wrong foot, and all her experience of babysitting the younger Kahales has gone out the window. Will she be able to find her Christmas spirit again, while overcoming her feelings for Wyatt, and her anxiety over her upcoming audition?

This is a book that I wanted as soon as it was announced. I love Tiffany's books, and Christmas is definitely my favourite part of the year, so a Christmas book from Tiffany was like a dream. Noelle was a character who I immediately loved, and I could completely understand her feelings about Christmas. To her, it's the best time of the year, and when she can remember her mam the most, so it's both a joyful and poignant time. But starting high school, being busier with her babysitting, and her ballet, on top of a somewhat absentee father, has changed her feelings this year. Being away from home, and working over the holiday is something she never expected to do, but she finds she loves spending more time with Kahales, though it's not without it's ups and downs. Her babysitting mojo seems to be wearing off at times, and she's unbelievably awkward around Wyatt at first. Soon, however, they hit it off, and really open up to each other. Their romance was fresh, and new, but progressed so naturally. Okay, there were some times when it was a little cringy, but they are 15 year old kids, dealing with a lot, and they made mistakes at times. I loved the ending, and wish this wasn't a standalone because I think so much more could be explored. Tiffany has knocked it out of the park once again, and I'm really looking forward to her next book!
Profile Image for The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori).
1,271 reviews1,612 followers
October 21, 2021
Full Review on The Candid Cover

I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas by Tiffany Schmidt is a cute and festive romcom that is sure to put readers in the holiday spirit. This one combines ballet and babysitting as the main character spends the holidays babysitting her favourite clients at a ski resort. The characters are lovable, and the descriptions of winter activities throughout the book make for a cosy reading experience. This is a great read for those looking for something light with a touch of chaos this holiday season.

Christmas enthusiast Noelle has always made big plans for the holidays, but this year, with her dad and best friends too busy for her activities, Christmas doesn’t feel the same. However, when her favourite babysitting clients invite her on a ski trip to help out over winter break, she’s excited for the chance to get back into the holiday spirit, and the opportunity to earn some more money to put toward an elite ballet academy. That is, until the kids’ older stepbrother, who happens to be Noelle’s crush, shows up at the lodge, throwing her world into chaos.

❀ LOVABLE MAIN CHARACTER

Noelle is a lovable main character, and I enjoyed her voice. She is a talented dancer, but, since her current dance school is no longer challenging enough for her, she is looking for a way to advance her career. Wyatt happens to go to the same school Noelle dreams about, but he doesn’t see the same magic in Beacon that she does. I enjoyed the dynamic between these two characters and the way they are able to open up to each other. The kids are also so well-written, and I adored reading about the havoc they wreak.

❀ WINTER VIBES

This book also has peak winter vibes, and there are so many festive activities throughout the book. From building snowmen to decorating gingerbread houses, it is easy to become immersed in the holiday spirit. The ski lodge setting is also so cosy, making this a great read to curl up with by the fire.

❀ UPBEAT AND ENTERTAINING

I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas by Tiffany Schmidt is an upbeat and entertaining holiday read. I loved the combination of ballet, skiing, and babysitting, and the characters are each well-written. This one also contains plenty of holiday cheer, making it a great seasonal story for a younger YA audience.
Profile Image for Alex Nonymous.
Author 26 books558 followers
April 21, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas.

I get that this is supposed to be a light hearted holiday romcom and I'm definitely pulling the ultimate Scrooge, but while I could understand how this could be considered cute, I really really couldn't stand Noelle as a protagonist and it ruined the book for me. She's an extremely self centered lead and even surrounding here with children who clearly like her couldn't turn me around. While she does acknowledge some of her flaws near the book's end, it's almost always done in a way where it feels like the person she's "apologizing" to puts in more effort and in the end, she destroyed any adorableness this book's love interest and supporting cast brought to the table.
Profile Image for Brlo.
4 reviews
December 24, 2025
Ok so this review is slightly bias because I relate to Noelle so much. But putting that aside this was a really good book, it does have a few moments of second hand embarrassment and the romance is slightly corny (but in the best way). It was honestly great overall. I will definitely come back to this book next Christmas.
Profile Image for Camille.
214 reviews3 followers
December 1, 2024
So cute, literally a hallmark movie! Perfect start to December❄️❤️
Profile Image for Riella Cristobal .
433 reviews9 followers
March 25, 2021
A fun YA romance perfect for cuddling up with a cup of cocoa! Noelle is a dancer, a babysitter, and a Christmas enthusiast. However, she is feeling unchallenged at the dance school in her small town and her friends and dad seem too busy to celebrate like they used to. So when she is invited by her favorite family to babysit for their Christmas vacation, she packs her bags. With the money earned, she can save up for Beacon, a prestigious dance academy. However, their vacation plans are startled when Wyatt, her charges' older half-brother surprises the family for Christmas. Wyatt is one of the best dancers at Beacon and Noelle is in awe. But she seems to be constantly stepping on his toes, when she learns of Wyatt's true reason for coming, they bond over their looming decisions in their lives. As the days pass, will Christmas magic be enough to give Noelle her dreams?
This was so cute! I read it in a day! Noelle was really struggling with figuring out how she wanted to move forward with her life. After recent tragedies, she felt adrift and disconnected from most of those around her. So she decides to spend time with her favorite family, even if it means being gone for the holidays. It was fun to see her babysitting know-how, she was really experienced and the kids were so fun! Noelle has to learn to confront her problems and deal with her feelings. She learns to express herself in a way that helps solve things, instead of running away. It was so sweet to watch her strengthen and build her relationships, though I definitely was at times saddened at how she reacted to her dad! She and Wyatt were super cute together! I loved how they connected to one another and could really share their struggles. They were able to help each other see clearly their problems and the possible solutions. He was so sweet with his younger siblings and they adored him. I loved the focus on family, even that which is not by blood.
Overall, I think that I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas is a fun holiday read for teens and up! The book deals with grief and loss, is a clean YA romance, and involves a blended family.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Profile Image for Kate Welsh.
Author 1 book92 followers
December 19, 2021
An ideal Christmas read - cozy and festive but also full of real feelings and real problems for the characters to work through. Especially recommended for anyone into skiing and/or ballet/The Nutcracker!
Profile Image for Breanne.
573 reviews191 followers
October 31, 2021
(4.5 stars) This book was holiday magic perfection! If you wish to read my review and listen to the small playlist I made for this book, you can go HERE.

The only things I forgot to mention in my review are 1) this made me cry like a little baby and 2) the characters in this book are so mature for only being 14/15. I wish they acted a little more their age but also the way they are written definitely lends to this book being something that can be more universally loved.

Highly recommend this for the holiday season! Buy this for romance lovers and any young teens in your life! You won't regret it!
Profile Image for Jackie.
598 reviews11 followers
December 4, 2023
Great read overall. Kept going back between 3.5 and a 4 but I did really enjoy the ending. Definitely a younger young adult but I still really enjoyed the characters. There were a lot of Christmas elements as well which I loved. Wish there was more ballet but still a decent holiday read.
Profile Image for Lindsay Guin.
131 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2023
Meh. When I realized my school’s library was very low on holiday reads, I purchased quite a few new books to add to our shelves. I brought them home to review over the break, and this one was cute but definitely my least favorite. I know my middle school girls will love this holiday story, but it just didn’t wow me at all. At least the title is cute!
Profile Image for Lydia.
187 reviews
December 26, 2025
2,75 Sterne

Das Buch war echt nicht so schlecht, eigentlich sogar sehr süß, aber wieeesooo war die Prota 14 Jahre alt? Das ist einfach viel zu jung für mich, um Menschen miteinander zu shippen und ich finde auch die “Tiefe” ihrer Gefühle und Gedanken untypisch für eine Vierzehnjährige. Wären die Protas etwas älter gewesen, hätte ich bestimmt einen Stern mehr gegeben.

Abgesehen davon hat mich das Buch aber wegen des Babysittens und des Balletts sehr nostalgisch gemacht.🥹
Profile Image for Kelsey Carlson.
202 reviews11 followers
December 23, 2023
I definitely only read this because my future husband’s name is Wyatt. A cheesy YA book for teens and how Christmas can mean so much more for others.
Profile Image for Olivia Shelton.
54 reviews
November 27, 2021
So obviously I had to read this story because I'm a teen Librarian, my boyfriend's name is Wyatt, and I love everything Christmas. This cute story did not disappoint and it put me in even more of a holiday spirit. What could be better than falling in love on Christmas? Nothing.
Profile Image for Mallaree.
417 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2022
Merry Christmas reading! Christmas reading season is one of my favorites and this book did not disappoint. I picked this 100% for the title and was so pleasantly surprised to really enjoy it!

Noelle Partridge is a busy teen - she has ballet practice every night and is the town’s best babysitter. Her favorite babysitting family asks her to travel to a ski lodge for Christmas and since Noelle and her dad have been drifting apart, she goes. She’s surprised to find Wyatt, the eldest brother in the family, at the cabin. It’s a Christmas romance so I think you know where this is going.

This read more middlegrade than young adult to me - maybe an in between. It was teenage angsty in the beginning which isn’t my favorite but by the end I was so impressed with the emotional intelligence of these teenagers.

Happy Christmas reading friends!
Profile Image for Sonja.
370 reviews31 followers
December 26, 2023
This is a sweet little coming-of-age holiday romance. It has some family drama, dealing with loss, understanding one's own wants and needs and learning how to communicate them. It also has plenty of Christmas-y elements.

I'd recommend it to teens (pre-teens even) looking for a nice holiday read, especially as the two main characters are (somewhat unrealistically) fourteen-year-olds.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews

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