What do you think?
Rate this book
Kiss Me at Christmas
White Christmas meets Nora Ephron in Jenny Bayliss’ latest wholehearted, ensemble-cast holiday extravaganza.
Christmas can officially get stuffed because Harriet Smith is not feeling bright and merry this year. She hasn’t for a while. So when her college-aged daughter opts for Manhattan’s winter wonderland instead of Christmas at home, Harriet finds herself seeking solace in a wine-soaked one-night stand.
But how Harriet will spend the holidays is swiftly decided for her after she takes the fall for some students who break into the town’s old Winter Theater. To get the students off the hook, the theater’s elderly owner requests that Harriet direct the washed-out stage’s final Christmas performance. And Harriet will do anything to help the kids . . . even work with the owner’s lawyer who, as it turns out, is her less than impressed one-night stand.
Directing the play with him won't exactly change her life. But it might just reignite the Christmas spirit and remind her what makes life merry and bright again.
Christmas can officially get stuffed because Harriet Smith is not feeling bright and merry this year. She hasn’t for a while. So when her college-aged daughter opts for Manhattan’s winter wonderland instead of Christmas at home, Harriet finds herself seeking solace in a wine-soaked one-night stand.
But how Harriet will spend the holidays is swiftly decided for her after she takes the fall for some students who break into the town’s old Winter Theater. To get the students off the hook, the theater’s elderly owner requests that Harriet direct the washed-out stage’s final Christmas performance. And Harriet will do anything to help the kids . . . even work with the owner’s lawyer who, as it turns out, is her less than impressed one-night stand.
Directing the play with him won't exactly change her life. But it might just reignite the Christmas spirit and remind her what makes life merry and bright again.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
About the author
Jenny Bayliss
5 books1,234 followersJenny Bayliss lives in a small seaside town in the UK with her husband, their children having left home for big adventures. After having been a professional cake-baker for many years, she went back to college at age thirty-nine to study part-time for a degree in Creative and Professional Writing. Bayliss likes long walks, baking days, stationery, and shamelessly wearing party dresses to the supermarket. The Twelve Dates of Christmas is her debut novel.
See also: Jenni Jennings
See also: Jenni Jennings
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
August 17, 2024
I received a free copy of, Kiss Me at Christmas, by Jenny Bayliss, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Harriett Smith in not in a good mood, or happy that its Christmas, especially when her daughter, decides to spend the holidays away from her. Harriet decides to have a one night stand, and help some kids out with a Christmas play. I did not care for this book. I did not like Harriet at all.
July 3, 2024
I truly enjoyed Harriet! She was funny and angsty but also so determined to help her daughter. This could be a holiday movie on TV! So many great things happen. All of the stuff between FMC and MMC was also very entertaining. It is a great Christmas in July read!
I received this ARC from NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
September 4, 2024
My first Christmas novel of 2024!! 'Tis the season!!!!! So it begins!!!! AAHHHHHH!! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Harriet Smith is on the pastoral care team at a private school in the UK. She finds herself almost constantly looking after the same 5 kids who attend the school from the local town. One day, she realizes that four of these students are absent and she sees the fifth one stalking off-campus on his own. She puts on her super spy hat and tails him all the way to the decrepit Winter Theatre. Here, the "famous five" as they're known to the school's staff are congregating to blow off steam and ditch class.
However, soon after, the students and Harriet are caught by the police for trespassing and the story snowballs (*ba dum ching*) from there! Harriet meets her one-night stand from her drunken adventures the night before at the police station--turns out, he's the lawyer for the owner of the Winter Theatre, Evaline Winter. So, things are.... interesting when they come face-to-face again. Evaline decides that to remedy her crimes, Harriet has to clean up her theatre and put on a Christmas play to make the building look good to potential buyers of the property.
This novel is FIRMLY in the found family trope and I am so here for it!! I really appreciated the affection and care that people had for each other; it all felt so organic and real. This novel was so sweet. I really did love it. There were some things that felt like they were resolved a little too quickly or where some of the adult's actions came off as immature that made me roll my eyes, but overall, this is def going to be on my list of recs this Christmas season!
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC!
Harriet Smith is on the pastoral care team at a private school in the UK. She finds herself almost constantly looking after the same 5 kids who attend the school from the local town. One day, she realizes that four of these students are absent and she sees the fifth one stalking off-campus on his own. She puts on her super spy hat and tails him all the way to the decrepit Winter Theatre. Here, the "famous five" as they're known to the school's staff are congregating to blow off steam and ditch class.
However, soon after, the students and Harriet are caught by the police for trespassing and the story snowballs (*ba dum ching*) from there! Harriet meets her one-night stand from her drunken adventures the night before at the police station--turns out, he's the lawyer for the owner of the Winter Theatre, Evaline Winter. So, things are.... interesting when they come face-to-face again. Evaline decides that to remedy her crimes, Harriet has to clean up her theatre and put on a Christmas play to make the building look good to potential buyers of the property.
This novel is FIRMLY in the found family trope and I am so here for it!! I really appreciated the affection and care that people had for each other; it all felt so organic and real. This novel was so sweet. I really did love it. There were some things that felt like they were resolved a little too quickly or where some of the adult's actions came off as immature that made me roll my eyes, but overall, this is def going to be on my list of recs this Christmas season!
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC!
September 22, 2024
Another feel-good British holiday romance from one of my favourite authors! A hot one night stand turns into a disaster when empty nester and overworked teacher Harriet is forced to work with James, the guy she never expected to see again but who is the lawyer representing a grumpy old woman who owns the derelict theatre Harriet got caught breaking into.
In order to avoid charges, Harriet has to agree to clean up the theatre to help get it ready for sale and James has to supervise to make sure the job gets done. Not looking forward to a Christmas alone, Harriet slowly learns to appreciate the season with the help of her students and this new project she wasn't sure she'd have time for.
I loved that the two leads were both middle aged and that the story was filled with a large cast of quirky characters ranging from a theatre troupe to a group of Harriet's students, who figure out how to work together to pull off a ramshackle production of A Christmas Carol.
Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Sarah Morgan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
In order to avoid charges, Harriet has to agree to clean up the theatre to help get it ready for sale and James has to supervise to make sure the job gets done. Not looking forward to a Christmas alone, Harriet slowly learns to appreciate the season with the help of her students and this new project she wasn't sure she'd have time for.
I loved that the two leads were both middle aged and that the story was filled with a large cast of quirky characters ranging from a theatre troupe to a group of Harriet's students, who figure out how to work together to pull off a ramshackle production of A Christmas Carol.
Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Sarah Morgan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Read
September 14, 2024DNF at 55%. This book was a huge disappointment for me because I have enjoyed other books from the author in the past. This didn’t give me any of the Christmas vibes I would expect from a book set at Christmas time. I didn’t get hardly any romance in the story besides a one night stand and some bits of flirting. The story focuses on students putting on a play in an old theater they are trying to renovate and for me that was extremely boring. I didn’t connect with any of the students or our main character Harriet to just read or care about a play they are trying to put together. I also thought Harriet was always saying something really cringe or had a corny joke. I will continue to pick up more from the author but this one just wasn’t for me.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review
September 4, 2024
Kiss Me at Christmas was the perfect start to my holiday reading. (ARC from NetGalley)
Across the pond, Harriet is a single, 40-something mom, upset that her daughter is away during the holiday season when she has a one night stand with a man named James.
She returns to her daily life as a teacher, when she finds herself covering for a group of misfit teens who sneak into an old theater. She's tasked by the elderly owner with putting on one final Christmas show to avoid prosecution. The catch? James is her lawyer.
An unlikely group come together and Harriet gets a second chance at romance with some surprises along the way.
Why didn't anyone write a holiday romance set at a Christmas play anytime sooner?! It's everything a holiday novel should be: festive, charming, quirky, heartwarming, and even slightly spicy.
Across the pond, Harriet is a single, 40-something mom, upset that her daughter is away during the holiday season when she has a one night stand with a man named James.
She returns to her daily life as a teacher, when she finds herself covering for a group of misfit teens who sneak into an old theater. She's tasked by the elderly owner with putting on one final Christmas show to avoid prosecution. The catch? James is her lawyer.
An unlikely group come together and Harriet gets a second chance at romance with some surprises along the way.
Why didn't anyone write a holiday romance set at a Christmas play anytime sooner?! It's everything a holiday novel should be: festive, charming, quirky, heartwarming, and even slightly spicy.
October 7, 2024
I loved every second of reading this book and it’s possible that it’s my favorite of this year. I loved all of the relationships; Harriet and James’, Harriet and the famous five, Billy & Grace (my fave), Emma and Harriet, and all of the misfits from different groups just meshed so well together. The story was so genuine and made me tear up a few times but made me laugh even more!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jenny Bayliss, and Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC before it's intended release.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jenny Bayliss, and Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC before it's intended release.
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 21, 2024Tried but couldn’t get into the story. Was bored
October 3, 2024
Five shining stars! Jenny Bayliss is a comfort author for me, no matter the season. She pours her heart into all her books, and she doesn’t skip a beat with this one. I was so grateful for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review – thank you, G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley. I immediately bought a physical copy, if that’s any indication of how much I loved this book. It might be my new favorite of hers.
KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS follows Harriet Smith, a single mom navigating the holiday season solo while her teenage daughter participates in an exchange program in New York. After wallowing in her solitude at a local bar, she finds some comfort in a one-night stand.
Under Harriet’s watch as a social worker is the “famous five” – a group of students with rough backgrounds. One day she learns that the students have trespassed into the now-defunct Winter Theater. Upon their discovery by the police, she takes the blame for them. As compensation for the students’ trespassing, the theater owner insists that Harriet clean up the theater, in addition to directing a final Christmas play in preparation for the building’s sale. And who happens to be the owner’s lawyer? None other than Harriet’s one-night stand. Aaand…action!
Like Bayliss’ other books, this is a wholesome, lighthearted romance, but with so much additional depth, especially when it comes to her characters. There’s much-needed representation in her cast, with disability and foster care being two of note. The lovable community could warm even the coldest, Scrooge-iest of hearts. Harriet is a hoot, and her quippy inner monologue evokes Nora Ephron. For obvious reasons, I’m partial to a character named Carly.
Read this if you enjoy holiday romances, but especially if you love found family and small-town vibes.
KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS follows Harriet Smith, a single mom navigating the holiday season solo while her teenage daughter participates in an exchange program in New York. After wallowing in her solitude at a local bar, she finds some comfort in a one-night stand.
Under Harriet’s watch as a social worker is the “famous five” – a group of students with rough backgrounds. One day she learns that the students have trespassed into the now-defunct Winter Theater. Upon their discovery by the police, she takes the blame for them. As compensation for the students’ trespassing, the theater owner insists that Harriet clean up the theater, in addition to directing a final Christmas play in preparation for the building’s sale. And who happens to be the owner’s lawyer? None other than Harriet’s one-night stand. Aaand…action!
Like Bayliss’ other books, this is a wholesome, lighthearted romance, but with so much additional depth, especially when it comes to her characters. There’s much-needed representation in her cast, with disability and foster care being two of note. The lovable community could warm even the coldest, Scrooge-iest of hearts. Harriet is a hoot, and her quippy inner monologue evokes Nora Ephron. For obvious reasons, I’m partial to a character named Carly.
Read this if you enjoy holiday romances, but especially if you love found family and small-town vibes.
July 5, 2024
The festive cover and appealing title of Jenny Bayliss's latest book, Kiss Me at Christmas, are both misleading, but they don't detract from the overall entertaining and uplifting plot. Yes, there is a romance involved, and the book is set (in Little Beck Foss, England) just before and after Christmas, but the story is really about how people of wildly diverse ages, genders, financial situations, and backgrounds come together to solve a near-impossible problem for everyone's mutual benefit.
Harriet, a former English teacher, is currently on the school's pastoral care team, giving special attention to teenaged students who are struggling with the transition to adulthood. When she catches the "famous five" breaking into a long-abandoned theater during school hours, the haughty female owner dictates that, in exchange for not pressing charges, Harriet must clean up the theater so it will be more attractive to potential buyers. Of course, Harriet insists that the students help with the cleanup, and she hatches a plan to request that the theater be made accessible, even after it is sold, to various groups who can no longer use the community center. The owner reluctantly agrees but mandates that there be a full production of a play in the theater shortly before Christmas (only 5 weeks away). Harriet relents, since her 17-year-old daughter is away for the first time at Christmas and she needs to distract herself from being a Scrooge this year. Is it any wonder that she chooses "A Christmas Carol," as the play, and the process of cleaning, casting, building and painting the sets, and rehearsing begin.
There are so many delightful elements of the process and so much character development that I won't reveal any spoilers, except to say that I did shed an unexpected tear or two toward the end of the book. The relationship of Harriet and James, the theater owner's personal attorney--which began with a one-night stand--is charming and develops slowly, shining a light on each of these relatable middle-aged individuals. Of course, this holiday-themed book can be devoured at any time during the year and is a quick and satisfying read.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.
Harriet, a former English teacher, is currently on the school's pastoral care team, giving special attention to teenaged students who are struggling with the transition to adulthood. When she catches the "famous five" breaking into a long-abandoned theater during school hours, the haughty female owner dictates that, in exchange for not pressing charges, Harriet must clean up the theater so it will be more attractive to potential buyers. Of course, Harriet insists that the students help with the cleanup, and she hatches a plan to request that the theater be made accessible, even after it is sold, to various groups who can no longer use the community center. The owner reluctantly agrees but mandates that there be a full production of a play in the theater shortly before Christmas (only 5 weeks away). Harriet relents, since her 17-year-old daughter is away for the first time at Christmas and she needs to distract herself from being a Scrooge this year. Is it any wonder that she chooses "A Christmas Carol," as the play, and the process of cleaning, casting, building and painting the sets, and rehearsing begin.
There are so many delightful elements of the process and so much character development that I won't reveal any spoilers, except to say that I did shed an unexpected tear or two toward the end of the book. The relationship of Harriet and James, the theater owner's personal attorney--which began with a one-night stand--is charming and develops slowly, shining a light on each of these relatable middle-aged individuals. Of course, this holiday-themed book can be devoured at any time during the year and is a quick and satisfying read.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.
July 28, 2024
A heartwarming, charming Christmas novel! Reading this book felt like a warm hug. The main character Harriet was an absolute hoot, she was quirky and a bit angsty at times, but she really cared foe the people all around her. Her chemistry with James was immediate, and I love that their romance evolved naturally and felt very realistic. Not only that, but there were so many diverse characters and small side plots going in. They all blended into the overall story beautifully. The book was very inspired by A Christmas Carol and felt like a bit of a modern retelling. It was entertaining, emotional and hopeful! Definitely add this to your tbr for the holiday season!
Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House and Jenny Bayliss for the advanced reader copy!
3.5☆
Tags:
-Christmas romance
-found family
Spice: closed door
Third person/Single POV
Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House and Jenny Bayliss for the advanced reader copy!
3.5☆
Tags:
-Christmas romance
-found family
Spice: closed door
Third person/Single POV
October 22, 2024
The festive cover and appealing title of Jenny Bayliss’s latest book is a bit misleading, not so much a kissy-romance, but an entertaining and uplifting story. A large cast of quirky characters of diverse ages, genders, financial situations, and backgrounds come together to pull off a ramshackle production of A Christmas Carol. Found family. Humorous. Cozy and full of community.
November 8, 2024
Harriet Smith's Christmas is not off to a great start. She finds herself alone since her college-age daughter will be spending the holidays in New York City. She doesn't even feel like decorating for Christmas, even though she loves the holiday. Feeling depressed, she heads to her local pub to enjoy one too many mulled wines and finds herself engaging in a memorable one-night stand. She knows there is no future in this relationship, so she moves on by throwing herself into her work at the school. While trying to advise a group of students, she ends up trespassing into the town's old theater and ends up taking the fall for her students. As her punishment, the theater's owner has requested that Harriet clean up the theater, which is in a state of disarray, and organize one last holiday performance at the Winter Theater. If not, the theater's owner has threatened her with the law. Harriet works at a school with a lot of budding actors, so this won't be too bad, right? Insert the lawyer..... it's her one-night stand. Cue the awkwardness! Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss is a charming and heartfelt novel that gave me a lot of White Christmas vibes.
Read the rest of my review here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of my review here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
October 30, 2024
✅Not really a Christmas read as I had thought.
Single mother Harriet is having a hard time with empty nest. And, it happens at Christmas which makes it even harder on Harriet.
Overall, a uplifting and cozy read.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Single mother Harriet is having a hard time with empty nest. And, it happens at Christmas which makes it even harder on Harriet.
Overall, a uplifting and cozy read.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 9, 2024
I was really excited to jump into the world of Christmas Romance, it’s a fun place to be! While i found this story to be cute and very heartwarming it felt like it had alot of info and characters and information but at the same time nothing was totally dialed in / flayed out. I felt like i wanted more in depth on the characters to be able to connect / relate to them but i didn’t feel like we got that!
I was disappointed with the third act conflict because i didn’t feel like they were at the point in her relationship for her to feel valid in getting that upset that she didn’t know.
I liked the overall idea / plot of the book. It definitely gave hallmark movie vibes - but i just wanted less fluff and more important / relatable details.
It gives the found family vibes & i absolutely loved that.
overall, i didn’t dislike it but i don’t think it’s a book i’ll ever think about again.
I was disappointed with the third act conflict because i didn’t feel like they were at the point in her relationship for her to feel valid in getting that upset that she didn’t know.
I liked the overall idea / plot of the book. It definitely gave hallmark movie vibes - but i just wanted less fluff and more important / relatable details.
It gives the found family vibes & i absolutely loved that.
overall, i didn’t dislike it but i don’t think it’s a book i’ll ever think about again.
August 27, 2024
THIS IS MY FAVORITE JENNY BAYLISS BOOK YET!!! Kiss Me at Christmas has found family and a push over FMC who learns to stand up for herself. Truly this book gave me all the Holiday cheer in August with a diverse cast of characters from different ages to backgrounds working together to better their community. Less romance and more focus on the found family and community which I really enjoyed.
Thank you to Putnam books and NetGalley for an advanced copy!
Thank you to Putnam books and NetGalley for an advanced copy!
June 30, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Putnam Books for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Kiss Me at Christmas is so much more than a Christmas romance. Harriet is feeling less than festive after her daughter decides to spend the holidays abroad leaving Harriet alone at Christmas. Harriet begins to discover herself after taking the fall for her “Famous Five” students who broke into an abandoned theater they hung out in while skipping school. To avoid charges Harriet agrees to clean up the dilapidated theater with her students and must also put on A Christmas Carol according to the contract by the theater’s elderly owner. Everything that can go wrong goes wrong until the community steps in and helps Harriet restore the theater and put on a holiday show. The cast of characters were fantastic and the community Harriet creates was the real story. A delightful holiday read about found family and the spirit of community.
Kiss Me at Christmas is so much more than a Christmas romance. Harriet is feeling less than festive after her daughter decides to spend the holidays abroad leaving Harriet alone at Christmas. Harriet begins to discover herself after taking the fall for her “Famous Five” students who broke into an abandoned theater they hung out in while skipping school. To avoid charges Harriet agrees to clean up the dilapidated theater with her students and must also put on A Christmas Carol according to the contract by the theater’s elderly owner. Everything that can go wrong goes wrong until the community steps in and helps Harriet restore the theater and put on a holiday show. The cast of characters were fantastic and the community Harriet creates was the real story. A delightful holiday read about found family and the spirit of community.
September 24, 2024
“Harriet took a moment to soak it all in, this marvelously colorful gathering. Every person here held a story and a strength within them, and when they mixed and mingled all together, their stories became an epic tale and their combined strengths bloomed into a force to be reckoned with. Humans had such a propensity for love and kindness, and here in this room, in this theater, it seemed to explode out in hearts and stars; she could feel the warmth of it fluttering around her like snowflakes.”
ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
What a delight this book has been, omg!!!
I feel it deserves to be a Hallmark Christmas movie or on a streaming or even the cinema. It truly gave me the same cozy feeling of being watching one of my favorite movies with my blanket and hot chocolate.
I loved the story and every single character in it. It went beyond our lovely lead Harriet and her facing how different her Christmas was going to be, it went beyond James and how his life had changed by meeting Harriet and also by his own personal stuff.
It was the fabulous five, god I love those teens and their life stories and how much they grew up in the book. I love the found family the theater helped build inside their walls. The themes that woven into the story with all their characters and their uniqueness.
I'm super super grateful to have read this book earlier. It has been my honor and pleasure.
If I can get an extra epilogue further down with kore on my fav people, I would be delighted and grateful forever
some extra quotes for you to love the story as much as me.
“It didn’t look pretty, but when Harriet compared it to the overall desolation of the place a few weeks previous, it wasn’t so bad. This building had become an echo of the good people who frequented its halls, humans sculpted by trials and tribulations, cracks and scars chiseled onto their hearts making each one a unique and beautiful survivor. Somehow this disparate assembly had become a family, and this old theater had become its home, and Harriet would fight with everything she had to hold on to it.”
“I must teach myself that I am worth creating joy for, because otherwise I’m just a vessel for holding other people’s happiness.”
““Only and me are words that should not be used together. Being alone does not make a person less worthy of good things. I deserve to prepare myself delicious food, whether that be a risotto for supper or a soufflé for breakfast or both. I refuse to curtail life’s little enjoyments because I am without a companion. I am worth the effort, and you should feel the same way about yourself, young woman. Don’t live your life as though you are only a shadow without other people to validate you. Validate yourself!””
““Regret is the ultimate party pooper.” She heard the weariness in her voice. “Its mission in life is to constantly suck you backward into the past, where it forces you to replay all your mistakes on a loop. The only way is forward; you’ve just got to keep on trying to outrun it, my friend.””
ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
What a delight this book has been, omg!!!
I feel it deserves to be a Hallmark Christmas movie or on a streaming or even the cinema. It truly gave me the same cozy feeling of being watching one of my favorite movies with my blanket and hot chocolate.
I loved the story and every single character in it. It went beyond our lovely lead Harriet and her facing how different her Christmas was going to be, it went beyond James and how his life had changed by meeting Harriet and also by his own personal stuff.
It was the fabulous five, god I love those teens and their life stories and how much they grew up in the book. I love the found family the theater helped build inside their walls. The themes that woven into the story with all their characters and their uniqueness.
I'm super super grateful to have read this book earlier. It has been my honor and pleasure.
If I can get an extra epilogue further down with kore on my fav people, I would be delighted and grateful forever
some extra quotes for you to love the story as much as me.
“It didn’t look pretty, but when Harriet compared it to the overall desolation of the place a few weeks previous, it wasn’t so bad. This building had become an echo of the good people who frequented its halls, humans sculpted by trials and tribulations, cracks and scars chiseled onto their hearts making each one a unique and beautiful survivor. Somehow this disparate assembly had become a family, and this old theater had become its home, and Harriet would fight with everything she had to hold on to it.”
“I must teach myself that I am worth creating joy for, because otherwise I’m just a vessel for holding other people’s happiness.”
““Only and me are words that should not be used together. Being alone does not make a person less worthy of good things. I deserve to prepare myself delicious food, whether that be a risotto for supper or a soufflé for breakfast or both. I refuse to curtail life’s little enjoyments because I am without a companion. I am worth the effort, and you should feel the same way about yourself, young woman. Don’t live your life as though you are only a shadow without other people to validate you. Validate yourself!””
““Regret is the ultimate party pooper.” She heard the weariness in her voice. “Its mission in life is to constantly suck you backward into the past, where it forces you to replay all your mistakes on a loop. The only way is forward; you’ve just got to keep on trying to outrun it, my friend.””
September 5, 2024
This book was delightfully surprising in a few different ways! I was expecting cheesy, Hallmark vibes, which I absolutely love, but this wasn't quite that. It seemed like it might be at the beginning of the book, but I slowly started to see a lot of the themes in this book aside from the romance.
The romance felt like a bit of a subplot compared to everything else going on which was fine, I think I was just expecting a little more in that area. The biggest themes in the book would be our FMC figuring out who she is on her own as an empty nester and showing her town that so-called "problem kids" are more than just their problems.
I really appreciated delving into what the world would call troubled kids and showing that when you give kids (no matter their background) the resources they need, support, and belief in them they can accomplish so much. I have heard many people complain about "troubled" kids during my most recent line of work where I worked with kids like that and what's hard for some to understand is that kids that act out do so for a real reason and they need someone who will take the time to understand why and help them through it. They aren't just trying to make your life miserable. So that part really got to me and I really felt connected to it. I loved the way Harriet stood up for her students and believed in them when no one else would.
I also did enjoy how Harriet and James worked together as a couple. I feel like they go well together. I will say though, I was annoyed with Harriet because she seemed like the UK version of Jessica Day and while I love New Girl, I cannot stand that character. It feels a bit like an adult acting like a teenager in terms of emotional capabilities specifically. Though I can see she always had the best intentions throughout the book.
Overall it does bring some of the heartwarming, Christmas-y vibes, but I did find myself getting a bored while reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The romance felt like a bit of a subplot compared to everything else going on which was fine, I think I was just expecting a little more in that area. The biggest themes in the book would be our FMC figuring out who she is on her own as an empty nester and showing her town that so-called "problem kids" are more than just their problems.
I really appreciated delving into what the world would call troubled kids and showing that when you give kids (no matter their background) the resources they need, support, and belief in them they can accomplish so much. I have heard many people complain about "troubled" kids during my most recent line of work where I worked with kids like that and what's hard for some to understand is that kids that act out do so for a real reason and they need someone who will take the time to understand why and help them through it. They aren't just trying to make your life miserable. So that part really got to me and I really felt connected to it. I loved the way Harriet stood up for her students and believed in them when no one else would.
I also did enjoy how Harriet and James worked together as a couple. I feel like they go well together. I will say though, I was annoyed with Harriet because she seemed like the UK version of Jessica Day and while I love New Girl, I cannot stand that character. It feels a bit like an adult acting like a teenager in terms of emotional capabilities specifically. Though I can see she always had the best intentions throughout the book.
Overall it does bring some of the heartwarming, Christmas-y vibes, but I did find myself getting a bored while reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2024
Kiss Me at Christmas is the story of a woman named Harriet, a mother, and a teacher venturing into her first Christmas without her daughter with her. She's not looking forward to the time apart from her daughter but is so excited that her daughter gets to experience Christmas with her exchange family. Little does Harriet know that her whole Christmas attitude will change thanks to the help of her "missing" students and a handsome middle-aged man.
I really liked this book and the FMC and the MMC. The way their relationship begins and develops is the way something could happen in real life. I don't want to say too much and give away spoilers, but I could certainly see this happening to a single friend.
You'll definitely like this book if you're into the found family trope!
If you're looking for your first cozy Christmas read, let this be it! The FMC's home is above a library... how much cozier can you get!? But, if you're looking for more, there Is lots of tea drinking and cozy community meals, and talks of fireplaces. It definitely left me with the cozy vibes!
I really liked this book and the FMC and the MMC. The way their relationship begins and develops is the way something could happen in real life. I don't want to say too much and give away spoilers, but I could certainly see this happening to a single friend.
You'll definitely like this book if you're into the found family trope!
If you're looking for your first cozy Christmas read, let this be it! The FMC's home is above a library... how much cozier can you get!? But, if you're looking for more, there Is lots of tea drinking and cozy community meals, and talks of fireplaces. It definitely left me with the cozy vibes!
September 22, 2024
When Harriet throws herself under the bus to save five of her misfit students, she ends up leading a community initiative to restore an old theater with the help of her hot one night stand, James.
Jenny Bayliss is a queen of holiday romances! Here's what I loved:
The writing: Bayliss instills such humor and heart into this whole book. There were some one liners that I'm still laughing about. This book felt like home. A cozy holiday feel all throughout.
The whole town: This was much more than just a holiday romance. I adored the entire town. As Harriet and the kids start fixing up the theater, all of these community groups start coming up and helping. Not only that but they start interacting with the students in such a genuine way that I adored.
The romance: I loved everything about Harriet and James. Their feelings and relationship felt so genuine. They are both older and have lived all sorts of life before coming together here. They may be one of my favorite book couples.
The narration: I loved Caroline Fantozzi in this! Her accent got me into the story!
All in all, this one is guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!
Jenny Bayliss is a queen of holiday romances! Here's what I loved:
The writing: Bayliss instills such humor and heart into this whole book. There were some one liners that I'm still laughing about. This book felt like home. A cozy holiday feel all throughout.
The whole town: This was much more than just a holiday romance. I adored the entire town. As Harriet and the kids start fixing up the theater, all of these community groups start coming up and helping. Not only that but they start interacting with the students in such a genuine way that I adored.
The romance: I loved everything about Harriet and James. Their feelings and relationship felt so genuine. They are both older and have lived all sorts of life before coming together here. They may be one of my favorite book couples.
The narration: I loved Caroline Fantozzi in this! Her accent got me into the story!
All in all, this one is guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!
July 2, 2024
Title: "Kiss Me at Christmas" by Jenny Bayliss
Jenny Bayliss's "Kiss Me at Christmas" is a delightful and relatable romantic comedy that speaks directly to the hearts of middle-aged readers. This witty and heartwarming tale follows Harriet, a single mother navigating the unfamiliar terrain of an empty nest and rediscovering herself in the process.
The story takes an unexpected turn when Harriet's morning-after escapade leads her to trespass on private property while searching for the "Famous Five," a group of students she's determined to protect. In a twist of fate, she discovers that her one-night stand, James, is the attorney representing the landowners. To avoid legal trouble, Harriet agrees to clean up a dilapidated theater to prepare it for sale.
Bayliss expertly weaves together themes of self-discovery, community, and second chances. As Harriet immerses herself in the theater restoration project, she finds herself surrounded by a loving community that breathes new life into the old building – and into her own existence. The author skillfully portrays the transformation of both the theater and Harriet's perspective on life, creating a satisfying parallel that resonates with readers.
The romance between Harriet and James is both sweet and realistic, avoiding the typical clichés often found in romantic comedies. Their relationship develops organically, built on mutual respect and understanding, which adds depth to the story and makes it more relatable for mature readers.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its authentic portrayal of middle-aged experiences. Bayliss captures the mixture of emotions that come with this life stage – the loneliness of an empty nest, the need for companionship, and the exhilaration of rediscovering oneself. These themes are handled with sensitivity and humor, allowing readers to see themselves reflected in Harriet's journey.
The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, creating a vivid community that readers will want to be a part of. The Famous Five subplot adds an element of intrigue and showcases Harriet's caring nature, rounding out her character beyond just her romantic pursuits.
While the premise might seem familiar, Bayliss's writing style and character development set "Kiss Me at Christmas" apart. Her prose is engaging and witty, peppered with moments of genuine emotion that will resonate with readers.
In conclusion, "Kiss Me at Christmas" is a charming and uplifting read that celebrates love, community, and personal growth at any age. Jenny Bayliss has crafted a story that will leave middle-aged readers feeling seen, understood, and hopeful. It's a perfect choice for those seeking a warm, funny, and touching romance that proves it's never too late for new beginnings.
Jenny Bayliss's "Kiss Me at Christmas" is a delightful and relatable romantic comedy that speaks directly to the hearts of middle-aged readers. This witty and heartwarming tale follows Harriet, a single mother navigating the unfamiliar terrain of an empty nest and rediscovering herself in the process.
The story takes an unexpected turn when Harriet's morning-after escapade leads her to trespass on private property while searching for the "Famous Five," a group of students she's determined to protect. In a twist of fate, she discovers that her one-night stand, James, is the attorney representing the landowners. To avoid legal trouble, Harriet agrees to clean up a dilapidated theater to prepare it for sale.
Bayliss expertly weaves together themes of self-discovery, community, and second chances. As Harriet immerses herself in the theater restoration project, she finds herself surrounded by a loving community that breathes new life into the old building – and into her own existence. The author skillfully portrays the transformation of both the theater and Harriet's perspective on life, creating a satisfying parallel that resonates with readers.
The romance between Harriet and James is both sweet and realistic, avoiding the typical clichés often found in romantic comedies. Their relationship develops organically, built on mutual respect and understanding, which adds depth to the story and makes it more relatable for mature readers.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its authentic portrayal of middle-aged experiences. Bayliss captures the mixture of emotions that come with this life stage – the loneliness of an empty nest, the need for companionship, and the exhilaration of rediscovering oneself. These themes are handled with sensitivity and humor, allowing readers to see themselves reflected in Harriet's journey.
The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, creating a vivid community that readers will want to be a part of. The Famous Five subplot adds an element of intrigue and showcases Harriet's caring nature, rounding out her character beyond just her romantic pursuits.
While the premise might seem familiar, Bayliss's writing style and character development set "Kiss Me at Christmas" apart. Her prose is engaging and witty, peppered with moments of genuine emotion that will resonate with readers.
In conclusion, "Kiss Me at Christmas" is a charming and uplifting read that celebrates love, community, and personal growth at any age. Jenny Bayliss has crafted a story that will leave middle-aged readers feeling seen, understood, and hopeful. It's a perfect choice for those seeking a warm, funny, and touching romance that proves it's never too late for new beginnings.
October 14, 2024
This was delightful. I love the quirky group of characters that assembled to put on this play and the community that formed because of it. A true feel good book. I liked the romance too but, at times, I feel like the other storylines outshined this solid romance. That was fine for ME because I loved the feel-good story at the heart of this and the romance was just the cherry on top but if you are looking for the romance to be the star you might struggle. All around good Christmas read and romance!
August 24, 2024
I’ve enjoyed the author’s previous books, but Kiss Me at Christmas is my favorite. Harriet was relatable to most middle-aged women, and I appreciated that she didn’t have it all together, but rather was still vulnerable and learning about herself throughout her story. James was 100% swoon-worthy, yet he too was complex enough to be realistic and interesting. The community cast of characters pulling together a rag tag production of A Christmas Carol while sprucing up the dilapidated theatre were utterly delightful. There were several laugh out loud moments and some tear jerkers too.
I loved the touch of Harriet’s creative expressions when exasperated. Anyone living or working with kids. and therefore attempting to keep language clean will get it. I kept thinking how much fun the author must have had coming up with these expressions. I loved it.
I wanted a slightly different ending for H & J, but the epilogue was understandable & worked just fine. Looking forward to pre-orders! And honestly hope this translates to film. It would be a fantastic holiday classic.
I loved the touch of Harriet’s creative expressions when exasperated. Anyone living or working with kids. and therefore attempting to keep language clean will get it. I kept thinking how much fun the author must have had coming up with these expressions. I loved it.
I wanted a slightly different ending for H & J, but the epilogue was understandable & worked just fine. Looking forward to pre-orders! And honestly hope this translates to film. It would be a fantastic holiday classic.
September 23, 2024
Jenny Bayliss never disappoints, with her Christmas charm!
Every year, I look forward to a new novel by Bayliss to set the scene for the Christmas season. Her books have depth, characters to root for and complex, realistic issues. Each novel feels like a warm holiday hug, and contains enough drama to keep you interested! I adored Kiss Me at Christmas just like all of her others and would highly recommend!
Thanks to #Putnam and #NetGalley for the ARC!
Every year, I look forward to a new novel by Bayliss to set the scene for the Christmas season. Her books have depth, characters to root for and complex, realistic issues. Each novel feels like a warm holiday hug, and contains enough drama to keep you interested! I adored Kiss Me at Christmas just like all of her others and would highly recommend!
Thanks to #Putnam and #NetGalley for the ARC!
September 28, 2024
1.5 // while seemingly promising, i ended up dreading picking this up and reading this… sorry….
usually i find holiday books cheesy, but still redeemable. this one for sure hit the mark on the holiday aspect in my opinion, but the rest of the actual plot fell flat for me. the pacing was slow and quickly became repetitive. i didn’t like any of the characters - not even the love interest! and that’s a feat in it of itself! i would recommend if you don’t mind slower, meandering pacing in a romcom.
thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!
usually i find holiday books cheesy, but still redeemable. this one for sure hit the mark on the holiday aspect in my opinion, but the rest of the actual plot fell flat for me. the pacing was slow and quickly became repetitive. i didn’t like any of the characters - not even the love interest! and that’s a feat in it of itself! i would recommend if you don’t mind slower, meandering pacing in a romcom.
thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!
September 14, 2024
I had to let this one simmer a little bit before writing my review because I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about this book (all good!).
There was a lot going on in this book and I am surprised by how fantastically it was done! This book had a huge cast of characters and almost all of them felt completely fleshed out and real. Oftentimes when I read a book with a large cast, the characters tend to feel like one dimensional plot devices, not real people. However, Jenny Bayliss did something incredible where she made each and every one of them feel like real people. Of course, we got to know some characters more than others, but that's how life is. You don't know every detail of every person you meet and you don't have to. You still know they're people. Bayliss' characters felt exactly like that. Maybe that doesn't seem difficult to do, but it read really well for me.
A main theme of this book is Harriet having to spend her first Christmas without her daughter. Now, I'm closer in age to Harriet's daughter than I am Harriet, so I was concerned I wouldn't be invested in this plotline. And while I can't relate to Harriet's struggles, I actually enjoyed reading about it. The complex emotions and feelings Harriet had to work through felt so raw and real that I wonder if Bayliss was writing from personal experience. She had to have been, And I loved it. That's one of the most beautiful things about interacting with art; being able to experience and understand circumstances and feelings that you maybe won't ever be able to experience for yourself.
I also just really enjoyed Harriet as a character. She reminds me a tiny bit of my mom, which is frankly the highest praise I can give (my mom's the best).
We must also talk about the Christmas aspect of this book. I absolutely adore the holiday season. In fact, it's September as I'm writing this and yet this is the fourth Christmas book I've read in the past two months. I start celebrating early. All this is to say, I have strong feelings on holiday books. And this was a good one. THANK YOU for writing a Christmas book where Christmas was ACTUALLY part of the setting and plot. I have read so many "Christmas" romcoms where halfway through, I forget that it's supposed to be a Christmas book because they mention it's December once at the beginning of the story and then they don't mention Christmas again until the last chapter when they're opening presents Christmas morning. It infuriates me. Just don't write a Christmas book.
I didn't mean to go off on such a tangent, but I wanted to mention how much I loved the holiday aspect of this book. Personally, reading this book felt similar to the classic Christmas movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" and, of course, "A Christmas Carol". Not necessarily in the actual content of the story, but in the vibe. I like that this story focused more on the 'joy to the world' and 'love for your fellow man' aspects of the holiday season rather than the fun ice skating/decorating cookies/opening presents aspects. It was an incredibly wholesome and heartwarming story. I really enjoyed it.
Now, this was of course a romance book as well and I almost only read romance so I have to comment on the relationship between Harriet and James. I like them together. I think they were good for each other and I liked watching their story unfold. I did think they both acted a little immature for two people pushing forty, but it wasn't too annoying. The older I get, the more I realize no one actually matures out of being stupid in relationships.
My only issue with this book and the reason I didn't rate it 5 stars was because this book was marketed to me as a romcom. The title is "Kiss Me at Christmas", the cover looks like every romcom ever, and the synopsis made it seem like the main plotline was Harriet and James' relationship, Frankly, their relationship wasn't even the secondary plotline to me. It was tertiary at best. I wish the book had been marketed more accurately because it is a wonderful story that people would love to read if they knew what they were getting into.
Either way, I do recommend "Kiss Me at Christmas" if you're looking for a warm Christmas book this holiday season.
There was a lot going on in this book and I am surprised by how fantastically it was done! This book had a huge cast of characters and almost all of them felt completely fleshed out and real. Oftentimes when I read a book with a large cast, the characters tend to feel like one dimensional plot devices, not real people. However, Jenny Bayliss did something incredible where she made each and every one of them feel like real people. Of course, we got to know some characters more than others, but that's how life is. You don't know every detail of every person you meet and you don't have to. You still know they're people. Bayliss' characters felt exactly like that. Maybe that doesn't seem difficult to do, but it read really well for me.
A main theme of this book is Harriet having to spend her first Christmas without her daughter. Now, I'm closer in age to Harriet's daughter than I am Harriet, so I was concerned I wouldn't be invested in this plotline. And while I can't relate to Harriet's struggles, I actually enjoyed reading about it. The complex emotions and feelings Harriet had to work through felt so raw and real that I wonder if Bayliss was writing from personal experience. She had to have been, And I loved it. That's one of the most beautiful things about interacting with art; being able to experience and understand circumstances and feelings that you maybe won't ever be able to experience for yourself.
I also just really enjoyed Harriet as a character. She reminds me a tiny bit of my mom, which is frankly the highest praise I can give (my mom's the best).
We must also talk about the Christmas aspect of this book. I absolutely adore the holiday season. In fact, it's September as I'm writing this and yet this is the fourth Christmas book I've read in the past two months. I start celebrating early. All this is to say, I have strong feelings on holiday books. And this was a good one. THANK YOU for writing a Christmas book where Christmas was ACTUALLY part of the setting and plot. I have read so many "Christmas" romcoms where halfway through, I forget that it's supposed to be a Christmas book because they mention it's December once at the beginning of the story and then they don't mention Christmas again until the last chapter when they're opening presents Christmas morning. It infuriates me. Just don't write a Christmas book.
I didn't mean to go off on such a tangent, but I wanted to mention how much I loved the holiday aspect of this book. Personally, reading this book felt similar to the classic Christmas movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" and, of course, "A Christmas Carol". Not necessarily in the actual content of the story, but in the vibe. I like that this story focused more on the 'joy to the world' and 'love for your fellow man' aspects of the holiday season rather than the fun ice skating/decorating cookies/opening presents aspects. It was an incredibly wholesome and heartwarming story. I really enjoyed it.
Now, this was of course a romance book as well and I almost only read romance so I have to comment on the relationship between Harriet and James. I like them together. I think they were good for each other and I liked watching their story unfold. I did think they both acted a little immature for two people pushing forty, but it wasn't too annoying. The older I get, the more I realize no one actually matures out of being stupid in relationships.
My only issue with this book and the reason I didn't rate it 5 stars was because this book was marketed to me as a romcom. The title is "Kiss Me at Christmas", the cover looks like every romcom ever, and the synopsis made it seem like the main plotline was Harriet and James' relationship, Frankly, their relationship wasn't even the secondary plotline to me. It was tertiary at best. I wish the book had been marketed more accurately because it is a wonderful story that people would love to read if they knew what they were getting into.
Either way, I do recommend "Kiss Me at Christmas" if you're looking for a warm Christmas book this holiday season.
September 19, 2024
I absolutely adored "The Twelve Dates of Christmas", so I was very excited to read Kiss Me at Christmas. Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced readers edition!
CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD!
This story centers around a woman who works in pastoral care (I was unfamiliar with the term, but google was helpful) at a school who finds herself covering up for some of her students, and in turn, putting together a production of the Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" in an old theater (that gets a wonderful makeover during the book).
Harriet, the protagonist, was likable from the instant I started reading the book. As a former member of the foster care system herself, she provides a unique perspective on the less fortunate kids at the school she works with. She fights for them at every twist and turn, and it's a good reminder for all of us that there is more that lies beneath the surface. Harriet finds herself slowly falling in like and then love with James, an attorney who she meets unwittingly at a bar on a particularly bad day for her (as well as for him). She sneaks out without saying goodbye, assuming that's what he would prefer. After heading to school and finding the "famous five" mysteriously not at school, she goes in search of them, finding them in the old Winter Theater, a place that has spent the past 50 years slowly falling into ruin. When the police find Harriet and the students in the theater, Harriet takes the fall for the kids. The owner of the theater, Evaline Winter, sends her attorney who is (drumroll please), none other than James, the gentleman with whom she'd enjoyed a one-night stand with the evening prior. A deal is eventually struck where Harriet and the kids will put on the production at the theater in order to help Ms. Winter sell it. Harriet finds this to be somewhat of a relief as her daughter, Maisy, has decided to stay abroad for the holidays. As the theater slowly gets revitalized thanks to the fantastic Ken & crew, Harriet and James find themselves drifting toward each other. At the same time, the Winter Theater becomes a community space for many who have lost it, connecting various groups of people, including the "famous five" and the Little Beck Foss Players.
Without giving away too much else, I would say that overall, I found this to be a heartwarming story of people coming together to create something beautiful for those around them. There were some unlikely pairings among the Little Beck Foss Players and the famous five, but it was fun to see generations older and newer come together. Harriet and James were both characters I enjoyed reading about, as they were real and fallible. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a nice Christmas feel good story.
CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD!
This story centers around a woman who works in pastoral care (I was unfamiliar with the term, but google was helpful) at a school who finds herself covering up for some of her students, and in turn, putting together a production of the Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" in an old theater (that gets a wonderful makeover during the book).
Harriet, the protagonist, was likable from the instant I started reading the book. As a former member of the foster care system herself, she provides a unique perspective on the less fortunate kids at the school she works with. She fights for them at every twist and turn, and it's a good reminder for all of us that there is more that lies beneath the surface. Harriet finds herself slowly falling in like and then love with James, an attorney who she meets unwittingly at a bar on a particularly bad day for her (as well as for him). She sneaks out without saying goodbye, assuming that's what he would prefer. After heading to school and finding the "famous five" mysteriously not at school, she goes in search of them, finding them in the old Winter Theater, a place that has spent the past 50 years slowly falling into ruin. When the police find Harriet and the students in the theater, Harriet takes the fall for the kids. The owner of the theater, Evaline Winter, sends her attorney who is (drumroll please), none other than James, the gentleman with whom she'd enjoyed a one-night stand with the evening prior. A deal is eventually struck where Harriet and the kids will put on the production at the theater in order to help Ms. Winter sell it. Harriet finds this to be somewhat of a relief as her daughter, Maisy, has decided to stay abroad for the holidays. As the theater slowly gets revitalized thanks to the fantastic Ken & crew, Harriet and James find themselves drifting toward each other. At the same time, the Winter Theater becomes a community space for many who have lost it, connecting various groups of people, including the "famous five" and the Little Beck Foss Players.
Without giving away too much else, I would say that overall, I found this to be a heartwarming story of people coming together to create something beautiful for those around them. There were some unlikely pairings among the Little Beck Foss Players and the famous five, but it was fun to see generations older and newer come together. Harriet and James were both characters I enjoyed reading about, as they were real and fallible. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a nice Christmas feel good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
Another banger to add to the Jenny Bayliss shelf. I don't know if I've read an author that consistently gets such high reviews from me - maybe Ali Hazelwood?
Kiss me At Christmas is another perfect holiday recipe in book form. The thing that always keeps me coming back is the way Jenny Bayliss re-invents her own successful formula each time so that each of her books stand out as distinct and yet always completely from her own universe. Kiss me At Christmas opens with Harriet Smith going home with a stone cold sliver fox for a one night stand in order to distract her from her empty nester blues. What you think might be the "sad mumsy lady" making a fool of herself at the pub, actually ends up in a hot night of chemistry and passion is exactly the way Jenny Bayliss writes characters you expect to turn right, but then they delightfully turn left. As she pulls off the walk of shame we learn more about Harriet - a dedicated and overworked high school guidance counsellor, with a jerk of a boss, and more than one at risk youth that's she's keeping an eye on. When she takes the fall for a group of kids skipping school to hang out the abandoned theatre she unexpectedly finds herself committing to put on a play in said-theatre, as penance for her trespassing. Delivering said contract is none other than her foxy one night stand... together they have five weeks to put on a show of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, so that the owner can finally sell the theatre off to some interested buyers.
It's full on Hallmark to be sure, and for Christmas everyone loves the time-crunch trope, where a loveable cast pulls together to achieve the impossible. Yet the way Jenny Bayliss writes feels fresh and unexpected. The story had me cheering for the motley cast of hilarious side characters, wondering what will happen next, and wishing for just a bit more time for them all to spend together before the book comes to an end. This book had me tearing up more than once, with an unexpected lump in my throat and it's that kind of delightful surprise that this book (and Bayliss' others) are full of.
If you're looking for a holiday contemporary novel with a bit of romance and a lot of heart, this is another hit from Jenny Bayliss and has solidified her status as an auto-read author for me each fall/holiday season.
Kiss me At Christmas is another perfect holiday recipe in book form. The thing that always keeps me coming back is the way Jenny Bayliss re-invents her own successful formula each time so that each of her books stand out as distinct and yet always completely from her own universe. Kiss me At Christmas opens with Harriet Smith going home with a stone cold sliver fox for a one night stand in order to distract her from her empty nester blues. What you think might be the "sad mumsy lady" making a fool of herself at the pub, actually ends up in a hot night of chemistry and passion is exactly the way Jenny Bayliss writes characters you expect to turn right, but then they delightfully turn left. As she pulls off the walk of shame we learn more about Harriet - a dedicated and overworked high school guidance counsellor, with a jerk of a boss, and more than one at risk youth that's she's keeping an eye on. When she takes the fall for a group of kids skipping school to hang out the abandoned theatre she unexpectedly finds herself committing to put on a play in said-theatre, as penance for her trespassing. Delivering said contract is none other than her foxy one night stand... together they have five weeks to put on a show of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, so that the owner can finally sell the theatre off to some interested buyers.
It's full on Hallmark to be sure, and for Christmas everyone loves the time-crunch trope, where a loveable cast pulls together to achieve the impossible. Yet the way Jenny Bayliss writes feels fresh and unexpected. The story had me cheering for the motley cast of hilarious side characters, wondering what will happen next, and wishing for just a bit more time for them all to spend together before the book comes to an end. This book had me tearing up more than once, with an unexpected lump in my throat and it's that kind of delightful surprise that this book (and Bayliss' others) are full of.
If you're looking for a holiday contemporary novel with a bit of romance and a lot of heart, this is another hit from Jenny Bayliss and has solidified her status as an auto-read author for me each fall/holiday season.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews