If you spend the entire month of December watching Hallmark Christmas movies, this is the book for you! Sharmila is gifted her very own small town American Christmas courtesy of her friend Thomas. She needs to complete 10 Christmas wishes to earn a donation for the charity of her choice. Only she can't tell anyone about the donation. Of course romance and shenanigans ensue and the entire town rallies around our Sharmila. The book was all in all, okay. It really was cute, but I felt like it started to drag the middle and I kind of lost interest.

What a sweet feel good book, just like reading a Christmas movie!
This is no masterpiece by all means, but it’s not trying to be and if you love Christmas movies like myself and Sharmila you’ll really enjoy this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me review this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.75⭐️

What a fun idea for a book (this story would make a great movie)!!! It is perfect for fans of Hallmark movies!
I found the characters really easy to like. It was a lot of fun getting snippets of each of their lives as the story progressed and find out who they really are vs how they are portrayed. Sharmilla is a wonderful main character, even if she is a bit daft at times lol.
I LOVE the idea of the wishes, and of course, it can’t be an easy path to completing all of them!
Overall an enjoyable, feel good story!!! Give it a shot!!!
Thank you to Ruby Basu, HQ Digital, and Netgalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Twelve Wishes of Christmas was a completely charming festive read. Sharmila is tasked with completed 12 tasks as laid down in the will of her late friend Thomas. They met when she had escaped from a career as a lawyer and was working in a cafe and he was …lonely. Sharmila is surprised to discover that her (and her family’s) kindness towards Thomas means he’s gifted her a ‘Hallmark’ style Christmas. But there are tasks to be performed and at the end she gets to donate to charity. So far so good? Nope because Thomas’s adult children are determined to stop her. Yet one of them, some the handsome Zach, develops feelings for Sharmila… will the family stop her? Will Sharmila get to enjoy a proper all American Christmas? Such a likeable, feel good read. Loved it!

A simply lovely book to read at this time of year! If the weather outside if frightful then set yourself up with hot chocolate and a plate of gingerbread and settle in with Sharmila as she discovers Pineford in all its wintery glory. Delicious ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a lovely tale of friendship and kindness.
It tells the story of a bequest and a list of challenges to get that bequest.
Silly, light, perfect for Christmas

The Twelve Wishes of Christmas  

By Ruby Basu  

I really enjoyed twelve wishes of Christmas, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in this novel. Sharmila and Zach are such easy and lovable characters. I loved that she had to complete different wishes, and she got her dream of having an American Christmas. It was predictable but easily lovable how the characters came together. I didn’t care for a few of the characters but thankfully they weren’t in the book much. This book kept me hooked with its easy Christmas cheer and small-town love. The whole town gathered around her to help, and you don’t get that much anymore.  

I really enjoyed how it showed how Sharmila had a hard time with everyone’s question about her heritage and inappropriate comments, and Sharmila handled herself she didn’t get mad she just smiled and answered and handled it with dignity.  

In the end them wrapping it up with the final wish and having shared a kiss finally was the perfect ending. It is of course hallmark vibes, but I think any Christmas book gives the hallmark vibes, but I really want this book to become a hallmark movie.  

I want to thank NetGalley and HQ Stories

Sharmila has never really experienced Christmas. When Thomas dies he leaves her the opportunity to enjoy a real American Christmas and a 12 wishes list to be completed in December. Thomas’ nephews are there but not to help her, but they will find out that Sharmila isn’t what they thought.
This is a typical Christmas story, the same kind you can see in most of the Christmas movies.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Such a sweet and comforting Christmas read. The perfect pick me up for the festive season. An ideal Christmas book

DNF after chapter 3

Just couldn’t get into it, the plot felt all jumbled and pretty boring dialogue between the characters. I think I’d have struggled to enjoy the book as I prefer easy reads when it comes to romance

I’d like to thank NetGalley and HQ for approving me for an ARC of this book.

I was keen to start this one and thought it would make the perfect Christmas read. I’m pleased to say I wasn’t wrong. There’s romance, cheesy story lines, cliché moments and I loved every bit of it.

I thought the list idea was brilliant and it got me thinking what I would put on my own for someone else to do. Thomas was trying to give Sharmila the perfect Christmas and I loved what he had planned for her. It was clear that he had formed a strong bond with Sharmila and whilst we never met Thomas, he had a strong presence throughout the story.

I had to giggle at some of the ways Zach and his family tried to sabotage Sharmila’s chances of completing the list, the baking competition was my favourite. No matter how hard they tried Sharmila seemed to unbeatable.

The community in Pineford was highly amusing and resembled a typical idyllic village community. Everyone knew everyone and more importantly, everyone’s business. You couldn’t sneeze without someone knowing but this community rallied round Sharmila and helped her on her quest.

The romance that blossomed between Zach and Sharmila was inevitable. Whilst they were both concealing things from each other you could feel that chemistry from the start. There were many will they, won’t they moments but I loved how their story played out.

This was a cosy read, with all the Christmas comforts, that got me in the perfect mood for Christmas day!

This book was the cutest little holiday read. Sharmila and Penny were a duo that I knew I would love reading about from the beginning. My only complaints are that I feel the writing jumped ahead sometimes without any warning all in one chapter. And I also was a little confused at first trying to distinguish between Lucas and Zach. Their characters had different motives and they became cris-crossed at times. Still, a fun read!

Oh my gosh! This book was so adorable gah!

I absolutely adore reading a Christmas book at this time of year (well any time of year tbh) and when I came across this book I just knew it would be one that I would love so I got it and I read it and I’m in complete awe at how amazing it was.

A death of a friend brings an unexpected holiday and tasks (a holiday wish list to be precise) to fulfil during the three weeks Sharmila would be spending in the small town of Pineford.

After befriending Thomas at a cafe and becoming good friends with him and bonding over Christmas movies they each became family to each other. The lists include things they wanted to experience together or what Thomas wanted Sharmila to experience at Christmas.

Not knowing much about their friendship Thomas’ family are suspicious. They know next to nothing about the girl who was left things in Thomas’ will so they hatch up a plan and set it in motion by joining the town of Pineford for Christmas.

What these men don’t realise is just how much Sharmila is different to what they think.

Watching this story progress and the storyline roll out has been so wonderful, I knew without a doubt there would be that one moment where everything would blow up in that guys face but I was invested, I couldn’t stop. Sharmila is an incredible woman, after experiencing what she had and still getting on every day was something else. I loved her character so much.

The only thing I didn’t quite enjoy were the fact her “friends “ were pushy af and didn’t even stop to think what could have went on at the ending part of the book, they took the lie and went with it. Ugh

Other than that it was so much fun to read, so cute and wonderful!

The Twelve Wishes of Christmas is the book world's answer to a classic Christmas Hallmark movie! The story follows main character Sharmila on a mission to complete a truly magical Christmas wishlist.
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British lawyer Sharmila is given a Christmas trip to small-town America in the will of a much-loved friend, Thomas. She is looking forward to building gingerbread houses and living the Christmas of her dreams. What Sharmila doesn't know is that her gift includes much more than a holiday wishlist, and some of Thomas's family are prepared to do whatever it takes to stop her from inheriting his fortune and business power.
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As Sharmila works to complete a list of fun Christmas activities, she learns how to overcome grief and build new friendships - and maybe a romance too! The holiday season is the perfect chance for Sharmila to achieve a movie-worthy adventure.
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The Twelve Wishes of Christmas is perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies. Don't forget a hot chocolate and fresh Christmas shortbread!
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Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for providing me with this eARC.

4 stars

Thank you to @netgalley and @harpercollinspublishers for the #ARC.

This book was about as Christmas as you could get. What first drew me into the book was its cover- the light teal background makes the red ornament really stand out, so it was super eye catching. However, it was the characters and story that really drew me in.

Sharmila Mitra was given the gift of a lifetime- the chance to spend the Christmas season in a small American town, one that she visits frequently through the holiday romance movies she loves watching. Her late friend Thomas has gifted her this chance along with a list of Ten Christmas Wishes to complete by the New Year in order to receive a donation in her name to go to any charity she wanted. The only problem is, Thomas' two nephews, Lucas and Zac, don't believe she should get anything- least of all the amount she is set to inherit from his estate should she complete the list. Their plan is to try and sabotage her at every turn- but with the town on her side, will they succeed? And can Zach set aside the feelings he's developed as he's spent more time with Sharmila?

Set in a dreamy Christmas wonderland, this story is a beautiful tale of learning to not let the horrors of life get you down; instead, keep enjoying the beautiful things and people around you.

At first I really disliked the plot of this story- I find my least favorite romance trope is the gold digging woman with an older man, conning him to leave her items from his will. I find it slightly cheap. HOWEVER, one trope I do love (and this one is in the book as well) is the fall in love with whom you least expect. The sweet chemistry between Zach and Sharmila just kept building, and I love the fun elements that were used as the foundation of their love story.

One note I will make is that, when the parts written in the US came up, you could tell it was written by someone who was from a different country. Some of the phrasing and order of words were not very American. It sometimes made it hard to remember that it was supposed to take place in America.

If you're looking for a knock-your-socks off romance, this isn't it. However, if you're looking for a sweet romance for a beautiful and inspiring time of year, this one is right up your alley.

I quickly warmed to this story, easily slipping into this narrative with such likeable characters. Yes, the story is a bit predictable, but after I have recently read some mediocre stories, I think I enjoyed how well developed the narrative was. Plus, I enjoyed the setting of an American Christmas.

I like the concept of completing Christmas challenges and I think Basu encapsulates the quintessential American Christmas – exactly how I imagined, at least! The different tasks are all quite varied, from recreating the ending of a Christmas film, to hosting a party, and even taking part in the town’s Christmas parade. I think the competitions were my favourite: gingerbread house making, snow sculptures, and puzzles. A puzzle competition?! Who would have thought?! It’s all very imaginative and adds to the light-heartedness of this read, leaving me smiling with satisfaction.

However, no Christmas story would be complete without a bit of the Grinch. This takes the form in Lucas and Zach – Thomas’s family and inheritors. There are clauses to Thomas’s will that Sharmilla is unaware of. However, the cousins seem to be caught up in jealousy over what Sharmilla is due to inherit and will do anything to prevent her completing the challenges. Yet, as you might anticipate, as the cousins get to know Sharmilla, they start to realise that her friendship with Thomas was sweet and innocent, and she is not the manipulative witch they pictured her to be.

This is an easy, entertaining read. However, there are some more serious issues underlying the narrative. Sharmilla’s grief is an undercurrent to the story and it soon becomes clear that this is the reason for her sabbatical from her successful career as a divorce lawyer. In addition, the comments and questions Sharmilla receives because of her culture makes this a more interesting novel. Sharmilla’s reactions demonstrate how inappropriate comments are part of her daily life but, when reading them, gosh, it makes your toes curl. I like that perhaps Basu is gently reminding readers of equality and respect towards others.

This is a strong debut novel and an enjoyable Christmas read. I think Basu has the right balance between romance and Christmas; it is a bit of an obvious plot but I believe the Christmas challenges add a bit more of a quirky feel to this American festive story. Highly recommended for the seasonal time of year.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sharmila was living one of her holiday dreams after she found out her late friend, Thomas told her to spend Christmas at Pineford.
Once there, she had to fulfill a Christmas list from Thomas in order to be able to receive a big donation. Unknown to Sharmila, she will also be getting Thomas's estate and a share in his company.
Then, there's Zach and his cousin whose been trying to do anything to stop Sharmila from completing the list to protect his family's legacy.
But, with every passing encounter between the two of them, something else start to spark and they began to open up to each other.
Will Sharmila be able to fulfill all her Christmas list and will she bale to forgive Zach for deceiving her ?

This book is an enjoyable read. Full of Christmas vibes around the competitions and friendly people you find on a small town.

I always love the setting of a small town in the story, where everyone knows other people in the same town and help each other. This story is pretty well written and the character is also likeable.

Sharmila's character reminds me a bit to myself. Just like Sharmila I also wanted to experience the American Christmas where you can build snowman, skating in the ice rink, build gingerbread house!
Zach and his cousins are also a bit annoying but eventually they'll change bit by bit after getting to know Sharmila.

Despite it all being good, I found some parts of the story was slightly repetitive. I have to admit, the story was slightly predictable and the ending was a bit rushed.

Overall, for a debut novel this is a good one! I was looking for a festive Christmas reads and this book surely delivers that.
The way the author writes about people in the town celebrate Christmas with its parade and competitions really makes me feel like I'm inside the story.

If you enjoy watching a Christmas movie then you'll have to check this one out!

Actual rating: 3.5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Ruby Basu and HQ for granting me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Note: Will post it on Instagram at December 20th.

This is my first book by this author and I loved it. The descriptions of the people and places were so good I felt like I knew them and knew my way around. A beautiful ending to a wonderful story, I’d like to read another book about their lives after this one ended.

Very sweet! A lovely, light festive read that was a bit different. Loved the descriptions of the traditional American town and its Chris celebrations - straight out of all the schmaltzy films on Hallmark! A solid, comforting read for Christmas and a lovely bit of escapism that was most welcome.

Very unusual and beautifully written festive read, I loved Sharmila and the wonderful people fcPineford that came together to help her complete her wishes. I wanted to slap Lucas, Izzy and Zach senseless but they behaved like I suspect many of us would, the unknown beneficiary treated with suspicion, I loved this gorgeous book