When it comes to relationships, thirty-four-year-old Kate Turner is ready to say “Bah, humbug.” The sleepy town of Blexford, England, isn’t exactly brimming with prospects, and anyway, Kate’s found fulfillment in her career as a designer, and in her delicious side job baking for her old friend Matt’s neighborhood café. But then her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises to help singles find love before the holidays. Twenty-three days until Christmas. Twelve dates with twelve different men. The odds must finally be in her favor…right?

Yet with each new date more disastrous than the one before–and the whole town keeping tabs on her misadventures–Kate must remind herself that sometimes love, like mistletoe, shows up where it’s least expected. And maybe, just maybe, it’s been right under her nose all along…

This was a fun, festive Christmas romance book, which got me into the holiday spirit. It was the first holiday book of the season for me and my very first Christmas romance, so I was excited to get into the holiday cheer with this one, and it didn’t disappoint. Even though it’s a little cheesy, very Hallmark romcom, and totally predictable from the first few pages, I still had a good time with it and let it play out in my head like a fluffy romcom movie that I adore and love to watch/read about during this time of year.

There is a decent amount of language that I didn’t care for; however, it is a clean, closed-door romance, which I prefer. There was plenty of humor that made me smile and laugh out loud at times. Each dating scenario was pure entertainment; however, I felt like 12 were too many dates, which made the book a little longer than it needed to be. I could’ve done with half of the amount of dates. There are also some long descriptions that could’ve been shortened, and some parts were a little boring and dragged on a bit. But overall, very cute and easy to get through, and it put a smile on my face the entire time.

I loved the English setting of the story. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was British, so that helped me visualize the story even more with all its wonderful imagery that was being described. I really enjoyed the narrator as she read this book to me. It’s perfect to listen to as you snuggle up with a fuzzy blanket while drinking hot cocoa with the glowing lights of your Christmas tree nearby. It’s very cozy and heartwarming with some humorous moments. I also loved all the descriptions of the holiday season, seasonal foods and drinks, and the small town vibes.

I really liked all the characters. They were easy to relate to and connect with, even though it was quite obvious from the very beginning that this was a best friends-to-lovers romance trope. For a modern romcom, the characters were pretty well-developed and were fun to hang out with. However, I was turned off by some of the feminist comments made here and there, but that’s today’s modern books for ya. Always gotta get those woke jabs in where they can (*eye rolling). 

If you’re looking for a light-hearted, charming, and sweet Christmas romcom, then pick this one up. It’s magical for this time of year and will definitely get you into a holly jolly mood. 

Now, I want to read more from Jenny Bayliss! Definitely recommend!