I really wanted to love this book. I was so charmed by Coming Home for Christmas, and I hoped that It Started with Christmas would be similarly engaging. However, while I enjoyed the story, I just didn't connect with it emotionally.

My favorite parts of the book were the conversations Holly and Joe had while they were snowed in, and I also loved learning about Holly's grandparents and they way they cared for each other.

The book contains a pseudo love triangle (admittedly one of my least favorite tropes) between Holly, Joe, and Rhett, but it's blatantly obvious from the instant all three characters are on the page that Holly doesn't really have a choice to make; there's one man she's obviously meant to be with, and the other is so wrong for her it's almost laughable.

I did greatly appreciate (and this will be important to some of you) that there is zero cheating. And I do have to say that the ending, while anticipated, came about in a way I didn't expect, and I loved it!

This is a nice, clean Christmas romance, but it's not one that I'll remember or go back to again. Instead, I'd highly recommend Coming Home for Christmas! 2-1/2 stars.

I've read two of Jenny's Christmas books before and let me tell you something - they are the cosiest, Christmas books I've ever read. It Started With Christmas does not disappoint at all and I enjoyed getting myself curled up in bed on a morning and evening, reading all about Holly and watching her friendship with Joseph blossom in to something special. Setting this book in a cabin, making it as cosy and Christmassy as this one, has really made me want to go away for Christmas away from everyone and just be in my own little bubble with family! The community Holly is surrounded by are such wonderful characters who definitely have her and her Nan's back with everything - you can definitely tell that they are looked at very highly by everyone and their grandfather was most certainly spoken very highly of throughout.

Holly's childhood best friend, Rhett, was a character that I sympathised for, but there's nothing more stressful than when you want two people together so bad and someone has to get in the way of that! Although, he wasn't the only one that got in the way of their true love, but I won't spoil that - all I'll say is one is more innocent than the other. I did admire the friendship Rhett and Holly did have though, they had grown up together since they were just children and reading how close of a bond Rhett also had with her grandfather and Nan, it was very heart-warming.

Let's finish this post off talking about my most favourite characters of them all - Holly, Nan and Joseph. Holly is such an admirable character. She gave up all of her dreams being an interior designer when her grandfather passed away, so she could stay home to take care of her Nan, who had become a lost soul. It can be difficult to let go of certain dreams, but she always puts her family first and because of this, her dream path paves it's way to her in many unexpected ways. She's a very giving woman and would much rather be sentimental than materialistic. What Holly had to go through is possibly one of the most painful experiences a woman has to go through, especially when it comes to never being able to have the man you love and I have to applaud her for all that she did because I certainly would not have had the strength to do the same. Nan starts off being a very grouchy character and doesn't really interact/have fun with anybody, although that is understandable because I'm sure anyone would be in a permanent mood if they lost their other half - it's just natural. Watching Nan's confidence grow and her personality liven up throughout the story was the best part of it all I personally would say - she got herself up on the dance-floor a couple of times, grew fond of Joseph and begun to chat away to the community she's lived with forever instead of secluding herself. Holly made sure that Grandfather's memory was kept alive this Christmas and it took Nan by surprise, really warming up her heart and appreciating what she has around her. Joseph is a complete gentleman who didn't have to socialise with the two ladies or get involved with their lives as much as he did, but that's the type of person he is and I warmed up to him straight away. Like any gorgeous man, he had a secret that could potentially break Holly's heart if she fell too deep and it also had the power to break his because the more he got to know Holly, the more he didn't want to go through with what was coming. There was an instantaneous connection between Holly and Joseph from the moment they met and in all honesty, neither of them hid it that well, nor did they try. There were so many heart-warming moments between the two such as; Christmas shopping for another, dancing, getting to know one another, carrying on Holly's Grandfather's tradition, etc. The two of them really bonded and I admired Joseph for making the most of his stay and allowing himself to let loose and have a little fun before he unfortunately, had to return to reality.

Jenny never makes it clear who Holly will end up with, leaving us in a will-they-won't-they situation throughout the whole story and as I'm sure many was, I was super over the moon with the end results and how it all eventually fell in to place a year later. 'It Started With Christmas' is a feel-good story filled with happiness, friendship (new and old), finding yourself, finding true love and most importantly, Christmas.

Another cozy sweet story from Jenny Hale. I really enjoyed reading it during the holidays. It put me in the spirit.

This was such a magical christmas book. It had everything- festive weather, handsome strangers needing a home, family warmth and heartwarming relationships tinged with sadness and bittersweet memories.
Holly takes her nan to their family cabin where the snow is trying to battle against them and discover the previous guest still in situ. They make the best of the situation and Christmas magic settles all around them. I loved every page.

Lovely heartwarming book with smouldering glances and a trip to a snow covered cabin in Tennessee

4 ⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️

This is a lovely Christmas book. I never miss a book from Jenny Hale but lately I was starting to be a bit disappointed by her books because it felt that I was reading the same story over and over (with of course some differences) but this time, Jenny Hale wrote a totally different type of story for her Christmas book and I was really pleased with that! There is quite a lot happening in this book and for quite some time I wasn't sure what guy the main character was really in love with or not. I really liked that. I will read the next Jenny Hale for sure!

The author always manages to give the reader a story which allows them to become lost in a world they may never visit in real life, but can imagine in their head due to the descriptions she gives. As with the previous stories by the author I have read, this is a lovely feel good story with a happy ending. However, as they say, the oath to true love is never easy. If you want to find out more about the two totally different men Holly finds herself trying to choose between, then pick up a copy. You will not be disappointed.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.

This book reads like a Hallmark movie and I loved it. Holly McAdams takes her grandmother back to the family cabin for the first time since her grandfather passed away. She completely redid the cabin, according to her grandfather’s wishes, but her grandmother is not happy. To make matters worse, the previous renter is stuck there due to a snow storm and Holly and her grandmother have to share their sacred space. Joseph, the previous renter, is engaged and going to be married shortly. He is a wealthy New Yorker but seems to love this small town outside of Nashville, TN. As you can imagine, Holly falls for Joseph but her high school best friend turned rock star tries to convince her otherwise. This book reads just like the Hallmark movies I am watching every night. You know what’s going to happen, but it makes you happy as you read the book. I give it ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️. Go read this book, it’s a great Christmas season read!

Another great book by Jenny Hale. It Started with Christmas was fab I was hooked from the first few pages and I loved it.
It sums up for me what Christmas is all about, love, family and spending time together.
A great read.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this Jenny Hale book. I've read Ms. Hale before, and I usually love her stories. Unfortunately, this one did just not work for me. I ended up not being able to finish it. Thank you again for giving me the chance to read this story. I'm hoping the next one works for me.

Holly and Nana went to the cabin the second Christmas after Papa died which made happiness brew. The grocery store Christmas present hunt and opening was hilarious! A good book for some laughs and a warm heart.

I am bit undecided about this book and I am not sure how to rate it.

I really enjoyed the snowy and christmassy atmosphere at the cabin. It felt cosy and homely to me but I couldn't really connect with neither the characters nor the story itself. Everything felt kind of distant to me and I couldn't dive into the story.

Holly was an ok character but to me she was kind of shallow and not a person I could easily imagine being friends with. Joe was a nice guy but also rather shallow. Rhett was absolutely annoying and I didn' really like him.
I also didn't like the forced triangle between the three.

The story had me entertained but unfortunately it won't be a book I will remember for a long time.

It Started with Christmas is a fun holiday read. I enjoyed the relationship between Holly and Nana. I also liked the path Jenny Hale paved out for Holly. Some things I found unexpected, which added an element of surprise to the story. I generally read inspirational fiction, so this book has more drinking in it than I care to read about. But all in all it is a sweet story.

This delightful festive romance is by the inimitable Jenny Hale ....that should be enough to tell go grab yourself a copy as soon as you can - you know you'll be in for a real treat!

Finding a stranger, Joe, in residence, was a surprise for this grandmother and granddaughter, Holly, returning to their isolated cabin to celebrate Christmas. Mind you, the heavy snowfalls had made their journey treacherous so it wasn't any wonder he'd decided not to risk the journey and stayed on after his rental time was up. He's there planning his wedding but without his bride-to-be. As the attraction between Joe and Holly grows, despite them working together to organise his wedding to someone else. Will Christmas magic help these two find their happily ever after together or will her first love, Rhett Burton, woo and win her heart again? You'll just have to read it yourself to find out!

A heartwarming festive story, with great characters, a special set of presents to be sorted and love to be found. It is a great story to read whatever the season and I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone looking for a fun, festive romance to read.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

A sweet, festive Christmas romance with a touch of magic.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.

Amazing book. Loved it from beginning to end.
Well written which kept me captivated throughout.
I will definitely be reading other books by this author

A beautifully written Christmas romance. I enjoyed the plot, characters, setting and the author’s writing.. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Ok so I finally have to admit it……. I’m clearly a festive romance junkie!! Who knew that I loved a festive book so much? (Actually…….Me!…..Christmas is my favourite time of year and I’ve obviously been in denial!).

I absolutely loved this book! It’s so much more than just a Christmas romance and as I read the story I could really imagine it as one of the tear-jerking, heart-warming Christmas films that start appearing at this time of year! (This would make a fab movie!).

Normally when I read I can feel the emotion of the characters, and this was no exception – however, this actually made me cry (which rarely happens!).

Throughout the story you get to know Holly and her Nana, who is going through an emotional time returning to the cabin without her much loved Husband (Papa) for the first time since he passed away (definitely have the tissues ready!). But she meets up with all her old friends and starts enjoying Christmas again; definitely with a little Christmas magic from Papa!

We meet lots of lovely people from Holly’s life in the little village; all are so welcoming – a place I’d love to visit as it sounds so warm and fun! And we meet Joseph and Rhett…..Rhett was Holly’s best friend but broke her heart so experiencing them meeting again is interesting and emotional! And watching her meet and get close to Joseph is something else…..she is thrown into the most impossible position (not giving anything away!)…..it’s most definitely an emotional rollercoaster.

I will definitely re-read this AND would absolutely love a follow up, even in a short story to see where life has taken Holly!

Honestly, if you love a festive story (and come on, who doesn’t at this time of year) you NEED to read this…..it will be worth it, I promise you!

Over the weekend I curled up with another lovely festive read to help get me in the mood for Christmas. This year I am loving the brilliant selection of festive reads that are being released and It Started with Christmas is a lovely addition to this line up.

This brilliant festive read is highlighting the importance of family and is a lovely family based festive read. Holly is a force of a nature who is totally invested in providing a wonderful Christmas for her dear Nana to help lift her spirits after the loss of her Papa.

Set in the beautiful snowy outskirts of Nashville in Holly's family cabin, from the first few pages where Holly was strapping their Christmas tree to the roof of her car to move it to the cabin I knew I was going to love her character in this story.

A story that will make you laugh and cry, full of community love, wonderful characters and lots of lovely family Christmas traditions.

What a touching story! It started with Christmas is a great read to kickstart the magic of the season. It is a heartwarming novel with a not-so-usual backdrop: Nashville, a.k.a Music City. I really loved the mood and the overall country vibe. As far as the plot goes, I liked how the love triangle unfolded between Holly, Jo and Rhett. I was initially afraid that it would eventually take a dramatic, soap-opera turn, but actually, the ending is well thought-out. I reckon it was very sensible and modern to let the female lead character get “some perspective” (I won’t say more to avoid spoiling you the ending). Beyond the romance, the book is also about family, adding depth to the storyline as Nana and Holly learn how to navigate the loss of a loved one (Holly’s grandfather). At first, I found Nana quite off-putting, but in the end I warmed up to her.

It is the second Christmas book by Jenny Hale that I get to read and I like the messages she conveys. It started with Christmas is a feel-good, uplifting novel on how to find oneself and eventually true love. Don’t hesitate to add it to your Christmas list!