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siobhanward's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
-Protagonist who moved from her big city life to a small town where she has a job that would absolutely not pay the bills (she owns a wrapping paper store)? Check
-Small town that is obsessed with Christmas and has a weirdly Christmassy name (it's Wishing Tree)? Check
-Love story that plays out in the first half of the book leaving us in suspense about what the third act drama will be? Check
This book was really just a Hallmark movie but written down, and truly I expected little else. It was decent, didn't make a whole lot of sense, involved everything going perfectly until a small miscommunication derails everything (which is fixed very easily), and it was a good read for this time of year. Nothing that required much thinking.
-Small town that is obsessed with Christmas and has a weirdly Christmassy name (it's Wishing Tree)? Check
-Love story that plays out in the first half of the book leaving us in suspense about what the third act drama will be? Check
This book was really just a Hallmark movie but written down, and truly I expected little else. It was decent, didn't make a whole lot of sense, involved everything going perfectly until a small miscommunication derails everything (which is fixed very easily), and it was a good read for this time of year. Nothing that required much thinking.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I have to admit, I had no idea it was a sequel when I bought this but was pleasantly surprised when I realised I’d read the first book last December🎄
It’s a genuinely enjoyable and heartwarmingly festive romance that (like book one) gives us two romances for the price of one. It follows Reggie’s friend Camryn who, until she can return to her “real” life in Chicago, has returned to Wishing Tree to care for her twin sisters. She’s not planning to find love, until Helen, the mother of Jake (Reggie’s former fiancée) approaches her about being a candidate in her plot to find him a wife—aptly called Operation: Jake’s Bride.
In giving Jake a heads up on his mother’s antics, the two start spending a lot of time together and find themselves growing closer. With him she sees her hometown in a new light, and wonders whether her life was in Wishing Tree all along, waiting for her to return.
River is new to town, so when her friends suggest she run for Snow Queen, River is a little unsure. But after her crowning, the usually guarded and reserved River soon finds herself enjoying all the festivities—thanks in part to Snow King, Dylan.
I loved returning to Wishing Tree and getting to see two heartwarming more romances unfold, I also really enjoyed getting an update on Reggie’s relationship status and to see Belle get herself a doggy playmate in Tinsel the adorably perky chihuahua. I have to admit, I like Jake more here than I did in The Christmas Wedding Guest and loved how patient, supportive and respectful of Camryn’s decisions.
The romance, for both Camryn and River was absolutely lovely and really gives off the best cosy, Hallmark vibes.
If you love a festive romance, I definitely recommend checking this out!
It’s a genuinely enjoyable and heartwarmingly festive romance that (like book one) gives us two romances for the price of one. It follows Reggie’s friend Camryn who, until she can return to her “real” life in Chicago, has returned to Wishing Tree to care for her twin sisters. She’s not planning to find love, until Helen, the mother of Jake (Reggie’s former fiancée) approaches her about being a candidate in her plot to find him a wife—aptly called Operation: Jake’s Bride.
In giving Jake a heads up on his mother’s antics, the two start spending a lot of time together and find themselves growing closer. With him she sees her hometown in a new light, and wonders whether her life was in Wishing Tree all along, waiting for her to return.
River is new to town, so when her friends suggest she run for Snow Queen, River is a little unsure. But after her crowning, the usually guarded and reserved River soon finds herself enjoying all the festivities—thanks in part to Snow King, Dylan.
I loved returning to Wishing Tree and getting to see two heartwarming more romances unfold, I also really enjoyed getting an update on Reggie’s relationship status and to see Belle get herself a doggy playmate in Tinsel the adorably perky chihuahua. I have to admit, I like Jake more here than I did in The Christmas Wedding Guest and loved how patient, supportive and respectful of Camryn’s decisions.
The romance, for both Camryn and River was absolutely lovely and really gives off the best cosy, Hallmark vibes.
If you love a festive romance, I definitely recommend checking this out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
allingoodtime's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The town of Wishing Tree is so idyllic, especially to someone like me who loves Christmas. (I’m sure it would be a nightmare for those who are annoyed by Christmas decorations and music.) Of course, in this fictional town, everyone is quite nice and has the best of intentions, too.
Both love stories in this book are sweet and compelling. Camryn is raising her teenage twin sisters after their mother’s death. She put her life on hold to return to her hometown to do so and, although she loves her sisters, the town, and their family store, she has one foot out the door waiting for them to graduate so she can return to that other life. But then Jake’s mom sets her sights on Camryn as part of her “Project: Jake’s Bride” campaign and, even though both Jake and Camryn find it ridiculous, the chemistry between them cannot be denied.
River is new to town and is quite an introvert. She moved to Wishing Tree to be by her newly engaged sister and niece and has resolved to put herself out there more and make friends, which she has done. Said friends have put her up for the town’s Snow Queen so she will be required to attend all the town’s fun holiday events along with the Snow King, Jake’s best friend Dylan. Another instant connection, but both have their secrets and have been burned before. They need to learn to trust in each other and themselves.
Jake’s mom (and Dylan’s surrogate mom), Helen, is a force to be reckoned with. She gets people to agree to do things before they even realize what has happened. From being Snow King to attending Thanksgiving dinner, she always seems to get her way. Her intentions are always for good, but sometimes her meddling backfires or gets people’s hopes up. She’s so much fun, though! Helen kept the narrative going, popping up throughout the story to be the voice of experience.
All of the relationships in this story are lovely. From the romance to the sisters to the friends. Sometimes I found things to be a bit uneven, feeling the chemistry between the couples in one scene but not the next. But I still enjoyed all of their journeys. There were also some scenes with River’s sister that made me feel as if there is another book, maybe in a crossover series, in which her story was told. Almost like there was a puzzle piece missing, yet it didn’t affect the overall story of River or Camryn for that matter.
I’m looking forward to finding out whose story will be told next in this perfect little town. I know whom I’m rooting for anyway.
Both love stories in this book are sweet and compelling. Camryn is raising her teenage twin sisters after their mother’s death. She put her life on hold to return to her hometown to do so and, although she loves her sisters, the town, and their family store, she has one foot out the door waiting for them to graduate so she can return to that other life. But then Jake’s mom sets her sights on Camryn as part of her “Project: Jake’s Bride” campaign and, even though both Jake and Camryn find it ridiculous, the chemistry between them cannot be denied.
River is new to town and is quite an introvert. She moved to Wishing Tree to be by her newly engaged sister and niece and has resolved to put herself out there more and make friends, which she has done. Said friends have put her up for the town’s Snow Queen so she will be required to attend all the town’s fun holiday events along with the Snow King, Jake’s best friend Dylan. Another instant connection, but both have their secrets and have been burned before. They need to learn to trust in each other and themselves.
Jake’s mom (and Dylan’s surrogate mom), Helen, is a force to be reckoned with. She gets people to agree to do things before they even realize what has happened. From being Snow King to attending Thanksgiving dinner, she always seems to get her way. Her intentions are always for good, but sometimes her meddling backfires or gets people’s hopes up. She’s so much fun, though! Helen kept the narrative going, popping up throughout the story to be the voice of experience.
All of the relationships in this story are lovely. From the romance to the sisters to the friends. Sometimes I found things to be a bit uneven, feeling the chemistry between the couples in one scene but not the next. But I still enjoyed all of their journeys. There were also some scenes with River’s sister that made me feel as if there is another book, maybe in a crossover series, in which her story was told. Almost like there was a puzzle piece missing, yet it didn’t affect the overall story of River or Camryn for that matter.
I’m looking forward to finding out whose story will be told next in this perfect little town. I know whom I’m rooting for anyway.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
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