The Christmas Wish by Melinda Curtis is a holiday novella that is part of the Sunshine Valley series. The novel follows the Sunshine Valley town manager and holiday Scrooge, Everett and Christmas-loving pet shop owner, Rosalie. Everett and Rosalie find themselves growing closer despite being always at odds regarding the town’s holiday festivities. With the help of some adorable dogs, a few town matchmakers, a little Christmas magic—love might be the gift of the season for these two characters. Melinda Curtis gives readers a sweet and satisfying holiday novella.

This was the first time I have read anything by Melinda Curtis. A very, quick, easy read. I enjoyed it. A good, short Christmas read.

I floved this read, Everette and Rosalie are more like frenemies than enemies, but boy Everette really does channel his inner Scrooge. But as you get to know him you understand why and you know having Rosalie is just what he needs and you will just love Rosalie and she soo deserves love. Be ready for a bit of sass, big dogs, little dogs along with other cute animals, epic penny pinching and an almost ruined Christmas. This is not just a feel good Christmas book but also a lesson that no matter how bad you thinks things are something great can still come along. 🎄❤

Here’s the perfect holiday read for you. This is a sweet and swoon worthy story that I totally recommend to all book lovers out there. “The Christmas Wish” is a 5 star read for me!! Happy reading!!

Rosalie has put all her hopes and dreams into her pet shop after losing her husband. She is trying to find a way to make it more profitable. The idea is to have more traffic by the store. She is trying to convince Everett the town manager to reroute the parade to give business to her side of town. Everett is not budging very easily. He is trying to get his life back on track after he stumbled on his ex-wife stealing money. Doing the right thing made him lose everything. Both parties have experienced loss and are looking to recover from it. Both have dogs that are a big part of their lives . At least they have that in common. As time goes by and they have several talks , feelings stir up neither expected. Funny how life throws situations at us and eventually we figure them out.

We start with a a new town manager, who while trying to save the town, becomes known as Scrooge, a widows Club who tries to match the younger crowd up, and a young lady attempting to open a new pet store. One is a widow, one has been divorced and it's up to the Sunshine Matchmakers to get them closer. Bring in the ex-wife's dog showing up and you have the start of chaos. This is an easy read, light hearted book to bring you easily into the Holiday mood. Thanks to Net Galley for giving me the chance to read it.

The Christmas Wish: A Sunshine Valley novella by Melinda Curtis is a beginning of a new series. It is short but is fast paced and packs a lot into it. This is Everett and Rosalie 's story. Everett seems to be the town Scrooge. they are not young kids and the matchmakers of Sunshine Valley Widows Club which the secret Sunshine Valley Matchmakers Club are at work. There are secrets, troubles, problems and Christmas involved which makes the story cute and a good introduction to Bushiness Valley. I can not wait to see what awaits in Sunshine Valley. Melinda Curtis has become an author that always gives an enjoyable story.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

If you're looking for a quick, cheesy, Hallmark-like book then you have found it here my friend.

This was a quick story about two individuals looking to mend their broken hearts without realizing they were trying.

It was fast, easy to follow, and quite predictable. Sometimes that is fun though.

Thanks Netgalley, Forever books, and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy. It was quite a cute read.

A sweet, lovely Christmas themed story. I haven't read anything prior to this, by this author - but am going to be looking for some more to read. I really like the characters and the story.

Short book. Festive . Hadn’t read any of the rest in the series but it didn’t stop me enjoying reading this book. It was well written and flowed well. Great wee read at this time of year when you don’t have a lot of spare time

This is a cute Christmas story, but it did not hold my interests. The characters were not fully developed and lack chemistry. Some readers may enjoy reading it especially since a clean novel. .

I enjoyed the book. I love that included dogs and, especially rescue animals. It was a cute story. I struggled with the end as I found it hard to believe that things would happen as they did.

Cute novella, with a scrooge and a town falling apart. Everett is trying to to save a dying town, but there's no money. Rosalie is trying to have a fundraiser to raise money for the town. She thinks he's nothing, but a Scrooge. Cute short story. Would read more about this town.

I was disappointed with the book. It has all the elements, romance, dogs, a change of heart, dogs, Christmas, dogs, but it just didn't catch me and suck me in. I had difficulty starting the book, we didn't meet the main characters immediately and maybe that was part of the problem. It's a fine Christmas romance, just not my cup of coffee.

The story was light and sweet and I’m a sucker for a grumpy love interest.
This was a perfect Hallmark movie style Christmas story. It also set up the future series very well.
My one real complain was how fast the story wrapped up at the end.
I will definitely read more in this series though in the future.

4.5 stars (I rounded up because it’s Christmas)

Cute story and done exactly in Melinda’s excellent way! I enjoyed the play between the character’s. And I love this town!! I want more!!

Thank you Read Forever for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

This novella is cute! After reading One Christmas Eve by Shannon Stacey, I have unreasonable standards for Christmas novellas. There is enough about this town, characters & setting that I would definitely read another book in this series. I really want to know more about the Matchmakers Club. Like, give me more matchmaking stories in a cute town pronto.

The love story is definitely 3 stars for me ( which means I did like it!) but the setting and the cozy feels bumps this up to a 4 for me.

This novella was a super cute Christmas read! Since this is a novella there's not much character build up but it was a quick, light hearted and entertaining read for the holidays.
Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The reason the hero was a scrooge was fantastic. I didn't expect that to be why. It was original. I especially loved his story of redemption and the ending of the story. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a good Christmas story that will bring a smile to your face. I'm looking forward to another book by this author.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I couldn't wait to read The Christmas Wish by Curtis. I will admit she's a new author for me and when I saw she had out a Christmas novella I knew I had to try it. I just loved the cute cover! Make you want to join in and enjoy the holidays!

This is such a cute start to her Sunshine Valley series. Right away you started to understand the town and the people in it. You wanted to know more about everyone. Right away you join into the Christmas cheer that is until you meet Everett.

Boy, is he, one unhappy person!

You pretty much understand why right away. And even though you feel for him, you don't. I know that doesn't make much sense what till you read it. You'll understand completely. Because he's so unhappy he stands in his own way of everything. Happiness, friendships, just a general wanting to be around others.

Thank gosh for Rosalie. If anyone deserves to running around unhappy it's her. In fact, she has a bigger reason the be unhappy but won't let that stop her from enjoying the holiday cheer with family and friends.

Now don't think this book is full of sadness because it's not. There is a lot of fun that happens. I totally enjoyed it and I'm so glad that I gave it a try. There are times when these two get together and make me chuckle. The way they flirt is so cute. Of course, since this is a novella they do fall in love very quickly but because of the holiday fun, I don't have a problem overlooking that. Usually, I like my novella's to be second chance romance or friends to lovers. Makes the love more believable. But since it's a holiday romance it works.

You'll really enjoy this introduction to the Sunshine Valley series and the people who live there. I can't wait for more!