Mini Reviews: Small Town Romance Holiday Reads

There’s nothing quite like a holiday romance set in a picturesque small town, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in the two charming novels I’m sharing today. Both are brimming with delightful holiday details and cozy seasonal vibes.

 

 

I'll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss 

 Pages: 448

Genre: Romance/Holiday 

Publisher: Penguin

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Kiss Me at Christmas  

and Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Fred Hallow-Hart isn't in love with the idea of returning home to Pine Bluff. But after a bad breakup and a subsequent eviction, she's fresh out of options. God knows she loves her mum and her eccentric aunts—and who could forget their Christmas Cracker family business?—but she's always felt a little out of place in her small town. 

Quickly roped in by her mother to help with the cracker shop, Fred decides throwing herself into work might actually be what's best for her. Until she reconnects with her old best friend Ryan, who is suddenly making her heart flutter in ways she's never known; and unexpectedly finds a spark with Warren, a charming journalist covering the Pine Bluff Christmas Market for the Daily News. 

But as these connections slowly lead Fred back to her heart, she's forced to confront some harsh truths, which, if she doesn't find a way through, might just ruin the holidays for those dearest to her. Can Fred let go of the past enough to recognize real love? And when she does, how far will she go to protect it?

 

Fred Hallow-Hart had it all going for her away from the small town of Pine Bluff, Scotland, where she grew up alongside her mother and her eccentric aunts. But her world comes crashing town after she suffers a breakup and an eviction. Reluctantly, she returns home to her mom, aunts, and her family's Christmas Cracker business. While at home, she decides to help her family's business by using her marketing background, as the company needs a lot of help to bring it up to speed. While spending time at home, she reconnects with her old best friend, Ryan, and even has a new connection with Warren, an aspiring food critic who is visiting Pine Bluff on assignment. Can Fred find love this holiday season, appreciate the small town of Pine Bluff, and move on from her past? Jenny Bayliss asks readers those questions in her latest holiday novel, I'll Be Home For Christmas.

 

My favorite aspect of I'll Be Home For Christmas was the town of Pine Bluff in cozy Scotland. I loved all the details and Bayliss does a great job of bringing it to life. I also enjoyed Fred’s mom and her quirky aunts—so many laugh-out-loud moments! The family’s Christmas Cracker business is a fun and festive addition to the holiday story. The romance was also strong, and I was rooting for Ryan and Fred to reconnect from the start as he is such a lovable character. Jenny Bayliss’s novels are always like putting on a cozy sweater on a chilly evening; this book is charming, delightful, and sure to put readers in the holiday spirit.

 

 

 

 

The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore

Pages: 384

Genre: Romance/Holiday

Pub. Date: September 16, 2025

Publisher: Harper Collins

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "A wedding in Dream Harbor can only mean one thing, everyone wants to get involved!

With Jeanie and Logan set to tie the knot, and Kira desperate to hire out her newly renovated barn at the Christmas tree farm, everything seems to be going well. Annie has agreed to bake the cake, and Mac is responsible for, well… just being Mac. And as the whole of Dream Harbor comes together to celebrate the wedding of the year with the snow falling around them, can Annie and Mac put aside their dislike for each just long enough for the ‘I Do’s’ or is that one request too far…"

 

Readers return to Dream Harbor just in time for the holiday season and an exciting wedding between Jeanie and Logan. The town is buzzing with anticipation—Annie, the local baker, is in charge of the wedding cake, and Kira is set to unveil the newly renovated barn at her Christmas Tree Farm. Amidst the festivities, Annie and Mac find themselves thrown together again. Their banter and unresolved tension have lingered ever since high school, and now that Mac is back to run his family’s bar, the sparks—both old and new—begin to fly. As Jeanie and Logan’s big day approaches, Annie and Mac must work together to plan the perfect celebration. Interestingly, even their friends can’t quite remember the origin of Annie and Mac’s long-standing feud. With so much time spent together, will they finally lay the past to rest or discover that their chemistry might just lead to something more? Laurie Gilmore's The Gingerbread Bakery is a charming holiday novel filled to the brim with small town holiday details, and an enemies to lovers romance.

 

The narrative weaves in nostalgic glimpses of their high school years, offering insight into their complicated history in The Gingerbread Bakery. While I’ve only read The Pumpkin Spice Cafe from this series, it’s clear that Dream Harbor feels as cozy and close-knit as Stars Hollow—everyone knows everyone, and the sense of community is heartwarming for fans of this genre. Also, fans of the series will enjoy how the various characters overlap. The Gingerbread Bakery has delightful Hallmark movie vibes, making it easy to trust that everyone in Dream Harbor will ultimately find their happy ending. While the novel may be predictable, it’s cute and charming, making it a perfect holiday read—especially for those who love a sweet story with a touch of steam.

 

 

Have you read either holiday novel? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

Blog Tour and Giveaway- Ode to a Pug: NOT the Vet!

I’ve shared the adorable Pug series here before, and as a dog lover, any picture book featuring a cute pup is an absolute must-read for me! Now, everyone’s favorite Pug is back—and this time, he’s facing the dreaded visit to the vet. Any dog owner, young or old, will relate to this story (my own dog absolutely HATES going to the vet!). This new picture book, Ode to a Pug: NOT the Vet!, is wonderfully relatable and guaranteed to make readers laugh. I can’t wait to see where Pug’s adventures will take him next!

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Ode to a Pug: NOT the VET!

Written by Jill Rosen

Illustrated by Stephanie Rohr

Ages: 4-6 | 21 Pages

Publisher: Pug House Books (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-0695069-0-0

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Do you ever get the feeling that something terrible is about to happen? Where the panic takes over, your eyes widen and you just need to zoom?  Well, today is that day for our beloved pug Phoebe as she faces her biggest fear yet – THE VET!

Laugh along to another silly, heartfelt and sweetly illustrated story from the author of the award-winning “Ode to a Pug”.

Pugs aren’t really scared of much (except vacuums, tinfoil, bells, any loud noise…), but there is one place that causes our comical canine to cower – the DREADED VET’S OFFICE!  Join on an epic journey of courage for a little pug with a big heart and a belly full of gas. An amusing rhyming story ideal for children ages 2-8 and dog lovers of all ages."

You can purchase your own copy of Ode to a Pug: NOT the Vet at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Bookshop. To learn more about Jill Rosen, visit her website, and connect with her on Instagram and her Amazon author page.  

 

The Giveaway: 

 

I've partnered with Jill Rosen to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Ode to a Pug: NOT the Vet! One grand prize winner will receive all three titles in the Ode to a Pug series, signed by author Jill Rosen, plus three custom pug plushies. Good luck! 

 

Ode to Pug: NOT the VET!: Book Giveaway

 

The Top Holiday New Releases to Add to Your TBR List

Every year brings a fresh selection of wonderful holiday books, and this season is no exception. From adorable romances and a Jane Austen retelling to a heartfelt Hanukkah story and more, there’s something here for everyone. One thing is certain—these books will have you feeling the holiday spirit in no time. Best of all, they’re all available now and ready for your enjoyment!

 

1. The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore (9/16) 

The latest in the Dream Harbor series - a cozy romantic novel with an enemies to lovers dynamic and an adorable small town setting. 

 

 

2. You Make it Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan (9/23)

"All bets are off when a single-minded photographer and a professional hockey player are forced to spend a week together on his sister’s Christmas tree farm."

  

 

 

3. I'll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss (9/23)

"A charming, British wintertime tale following one dejected woman's trip home to her eccentric great-aunts, her wayward mother and her first love."

 

 

4. A Spell for Midwinter's Heart by Morgan Lockhart (9/23)

"A holiday romance with an enchanting twist, a magic-averse witch returns home to save her small town’s beloved winter festival in time for the holidays with the help of her estranged coven and distractingly handsome childhood rival."

 

 

5. Christmas at the Ranch by Julia McKay (9/23)

"A second-chance holiday romance about a woman who flees family scandal by returning to Wilder Ranch for Christmas, where she first found love—and heartbreak."

 

6. Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer (9/30)

"The Seven Year Slip meets Hallmark with a dash of sass and a sprinkle of sexiness in this sparkling Christmas rom com...with a speculative twist!"

 

 

7. Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace (9/30)

"A sparkling and cozy holiday romance set in an ambitious small town. Clara Davenport wants to solve Fraser Falls’s biggest problem. According to Jack Kelly, Clara is Fraser Falls’s biggest problem."

 

 

8. Yours for the Season by Emily Stone (10/7)

"Could a fake relationship with your ex over Christmas in Scotland be the perfect opportunity for revenge—or a second chance at love? One woman is about to find out in this charming holiday romance."

 

 

 

 

9. Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne (10/7) 

"This holiday season, escape to Shelter Springs for a heartwarming story of unexpected romance, festive charm, and the joy of finding love where you least expect it."

 

 

10. My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely (10/7)

"A holiday romance with spice and fake dating that follows a fiery designer who teams up with her charming billionaire boss for a week-long Christmas competition, and their pretend holiday romance soon starts to feel all too real."

 

 

 

11. A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan (10/7) 

"This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents."

 

 

12. The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan (10/14)

"A new holiday story set in the Scottish Highlands to warm booklovers’ hearts."

 

 

 

 

13. Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman (10/14) 

"A sentimental advertising creative and a blunt, no-nonsense bar owner find a second chance at love while binge-watching iconic holiday movies in this poignant and heartwarming romance."

 

 

14. Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk (10/14) 

"Is a fake boyfriend really just for Christmas? One fake romance. One magical Christmas. One chance to fall in love."

 

 

15. Date Night in December by Jacqueline Snowe (10/14)

"'Tis the season for second chances in this charming and delightful festive romcom." 

 

 

 

16. Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer (10/21)

"Can these exes rekindle their love this Hanukkah?"

 

 

17. Christmas Wishes and Irish Kisses by Debbie Johnson (10/21)

"From crying into Santa's beard at Macy's department store, to working the bar at a historic seaside inn thousands of miles away, Ellie de Vere has been through it all this Christmas season."

 

 

18. Good Spirits by B.K. Borison (10/21)

"A whimsical new holiday romance—this time with a magical twist—that will have everyone falling in love with the Ghost of Christmas Past."

 

 

19. Mistletoe Kisser by Lucy Score (10/21) 

A small town holiday romance set in the adorable town of Blue Moon. 

 

 

 

20. Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding (10/28)

"Jane Austen’s Persuasion meets the Big Apple in this swoon-worthy holiday romance."

 Shop All Books Here:

Blog Tour and Giveaway: 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas

It’s that magical time of year again—the holiday season! There’s nothing better than celebrating with the people you love and enjoying cherished family traditions. One of my favorite ways to get in the spirit is by reading picture books that capture the excitement and anticipation of the holidays. That’s why I’m thrilled to share 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas by Tanya Harvey. This delightful book perfectly captures the season’s joy and reminds families of the special memories created during this festive time.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas

Written by Tanya Harvey

Illustrated by Chelsea Peters

Ages: 4-6 | 24 Pages

Publisher: Newtown Station Press (2024) | ISBN: 978-1069140333

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Celebrate the joyful chaos of the holiday season! No pear trees here! This modern twist on a classic countdown reminds us that Christmas is not just about the Big Day, but how we cherish preparing for it together. From decorating the tree to last-minute shopping, each day presents a new challenge — and plenty of laughter — as the family works together to ensure everything is ready for their holiday celebration. This charming story captures the love and dedication that go into making the season special, reminding us how quickly it passes by — and how the journey is where the memories are made. Filled with delightful illustrations that bring heartwarming moments to life, The 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas is a whirlwind of festive fun, perfect for readers of all ages — especially Moms who make Christmas magical."

Readers can purchase their own copy of 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas at Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. To learn more about Tanya Harvey, you can visit her website and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

 

Enter the Giveaway: 

I've partnered with Tanya Harvey to host a giveaway to celebrate 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas. Enter for a chance to win a festive prize package  that includes a copy of 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas, a $100 gift card to your favorite bookstore, and a charming star tree topper to add some holiday sparkle to your home. Good luck!  

 

12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas: Book Giveaway

 

 

Book Review: Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman

 

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Fiction/Romance/Holiday

Pub. Date: October 14, 2025

Publisher: Dell

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "The new year barely began when Grace White and Henry Adler both lost their spouses. Now, nearly a year later, the first holiday season since their "Great and Terrible Sadnesses" approaches. Although their mothers scheme to matchmake the two surviving spouses, it’s clear that neither is ready to date again. Yet no one understands what they're going through better than each other, and a delicate friendship is born.

When Henry sees an ad for a Christmas movie marathon—once an annual tradition for him and his wife—Grace offers to watch some films with him, despite her aversion to a few of his picks. Her two young kids, Ian and Bella, also join in whenever possible—bedtimes permitting, of course.

With each movie, Grace and Henry’s shared grief eases as they start to see a life beyond the sadness. But as they draw closer, other romantic possibilities leave them both uncertain about their future together. Is their bond merely the result of loneliness and shared circumstances, or have they found something that’s worth taking a shot at . . . again?"

 

 

Grace White's husband, Tim, died a little while ago after dealing with cancer. It was heartbreaking, and now she is left with a bar to run and two young kids to raise. Some time has passed, and she is so busy that she can't even think about dating. Then there's Henry Adler, whose wife, Brynn, died in a tragic plane accident a little while ago. He is unable to move on; he can't face the house they shared, and his work performance is spotty to say the least. He has also been spending too much time with his parents. Both of their mothers are in a book club together and share the same concerns about their children. So, in a plan that could only be conceived by meddling mothers, they meet. What ensues is a beautiful friendship as they are the only people who can truly understand what it is like to lose your spouse to an untimely death and what it means to be left behind. They start to spend the holiday season together, watching classic holiday movies and some fun ones like The Family Stone. Sometimes the kids join in, and Henry forms an adorable friendship with them. The more time Grace and Henry spend together, the more they realize they rely on each other for more than just friendship, but they are scared to truly move forward. Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman is such a well-written and heartfelt holiday novel; it's one of my favorites of the year.

I absolutely loved both Grace & Henry in Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon. It’s hard to get me to enjoy both characters, but I did. How could you not root for them? The details of Grace’s life—dealing with the bar in Baltimore, her kids and their activities, house problems (like mice!)—all seemed so realistic. She started to rely on Henry for help and friendship. It all unfolded beautifully, much like a favorite holiday movie. The secondary characters are all top-notch, not to mention Grace's dog, Harry Styles, he stole the show, too. 

What I loved most about Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon was the humor. This is the first novel I’ve read by Norman, and it made me chuckle more often than not. I loved his sense of humor (my exact taste!) and the witty banter between Grace and Henry, as well as all their extended family members. Norman captured family relationships so well; I think many people will relate.

I was just so enamored by Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon. I can’t say enough about it; it’s one of the best holiday novels I’ve read in a long time. If you’re looking for a heartfelt holiday book that includes real-life issues, humor, grief, and a blossoming romance, look no further.