A lovely winter read, funny but sensible and well written 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

This book is so cute and cozy, they’re shooting a movie 🍿 but all the characters are funny
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the Christmas book

Overall I enjoyed this book & I loved the setting of the ‘Bavarian Christmas’. I read this in November to get in the mood for Christmas coming and that worked! However I had a few issues with Evie, who I felt was rude- however her shortcomings were later explained and I did understand her nature. Duke was a much nicer character to take too, and I felt myself wanting him to be the happy one of the 2. Fairly predictable but I enjoyed the escapism so 3 stars from me.

Eve Bird knows that just like the glitter and glamour of Hollywood, the holidays aren't all they're cracked up to be. She's a successful author, making a name for herself without using the already famous name of her estranged Father - but now that her books are taking off, she finds herself in the last place she'd ever wanted to be: the spotlight.

Here, on the film set for the adaptation of her own book, she's there to watch the romance she's written come to life despite the fact her real life is anything but a romance novel and she's going to keep it like that. She likes knowing what happens next, and romance is far too unpredictable. Leading man Duke Carlisle is thinking about the next chapter of his life too, after the very public and dramatic end of his relationship with co-star Daphne. And seeing his favourite romance novelist on set has definitely got him dreaming of love again.

Like it or not, both Eve and Duke are stuck on this set and forced together in a wintery wonderland full of happy ever afters - but it's just for December, right?

"How unlike you to edit the script as you go."

Laura Jane Williams has a simply magical way of creating an authentic love story with a contemporary twist and still makes time for indulgently sweet romance. In the words of our main character, Williams offers a unique romance for modern women who don't have time for that, "Heteronormative nonsense that could be sorted out with a proper conversation."

Taking everything you love about the cheesiest of romance novels and the most festive hallmark classics and flipping them on their head, this story is so refreshingly clever but still has that comfortable familiarity. The festive vibes were perfect, with just enough Christmas Cheer to get you in the mood but not so much that you're overwhelmed by the season - set in wintery Bavaria, full of lights and mulled wine and excitement with a cosy glow that lasted all the way through.

The characters were brilliant - Duke was dry, cleverly sarcastic and brimming with personality underneath his good looks and charm. Eve was stunning, bold, motivated and unapologetic - the kind of person who deserves all the love in the world but won't let herself be defined by it. And as for her best friend Magda, she is the best friend we'd all kill for. The people were the star of the show (and the whole tree too!), moving the story forward in a character-driver, natural pace and giving us time to sit with the characters and soak in the surroundings.

In between the conflict, the romance, the snow and the busy filming schedules, there's always time for bold and timely statements that everyone can relate to - about the mistreatment of people in entertainment, about family, about feminism. It honestly and sensitively addresses important subjects like addiction, abandonment and illness with authenticity and genuine care.

This is one of those stories that might make you tear up a little but will also lift your spirits and fill you with joy. Witty, warm and wonderful - this perfect winter read is just further proof that Laura Jane Williams isn't just for December.

I loved the setting of this novel! The descriptions of the Christmas markets as Evie and Duke explored made me want to hop on a plane.

I had a hard time connecting with Evie's character, but I really liked Duke. This a cute Christmas book.

Laura Jane Williams has me totally ready for December and has definitely inspired me to do more romantic things for my husband after this sweet read. I loved the vulnerability of the characters and now after reading the author’s note I see how Laura wrote her personal journey into the story. Thank you for this advanced reader copy! 3.5/5

A great book. One I enjoyed immensely, I loved the scenery, the castles, the Christmas markets, hot chocolate and sausages. The book was fast paced,spellbinding and glamorous. Evie is complex, deep, self effacing, damaged. Duke is too and at first his need to be liked is enough of a barrier for her to not like, trust or want him near. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read another Laura Jane Williams book and I loved it so when I saw this one, and especially after reading the description, which looked very promising, I knew I had to read it. Unfortunately, while it wasn’t a bad book, it didn’t live up to my expectations.

I felt like the beginning was a bit too slow and it took a while for the main characters to start properly interacting so I had a bit of a hard time getting into the book but the pace eventually picked up and once it did, I had a great time. I loved seeing both Evie and Duke deal with their ghosts and try to find the best ways to get over them; it wasn’t easy for either of them but they had good support systems (including therapy and good friends and, later each other), and that helped a lot.

I loved seeing their relationship evolve as they grew closer and started opening up to each other. They were two genuinely nice people who were struggling in their own ways and seeing them deal with their issues was inspiring. I will say thought that I wish we’d seen them connect a bit more, emotionally. I know they had a lot of baggage to deal with and there’s also an element of women’s fiction to this book (which I really enjoyed) but I felt like their emotional connection was a bit underwhelming.

Overall this is a good holiday read with some nice romance and important messages. Not my favourite of Laura Jane Williams’ books but a good read nonetheless.

★ 3/5 Stars ★

A big thank you to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A brilliant read that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a lovely easy read and was a great storyline that was written really well

Evie is a writer and Duke is the star of the film adaptation of her book, when a photo of them arguing on set goes viral they’re forced to fake date in order to get the press onside.

I really didn’t enjoy this one it just wasn’t for me, I didn’t like the main characters and wasn’t a fan of the writing either.

It’s a fun premise but for some reason I just didn’t gel with it.

This book started off rough for me. It's written in the present tense and it took me about 40% of the way through before I stopped noticing. There was also a long build up to our hero and heroine even liking each other and then it went to top speed except for the obligatory Big Misunderstanding.
Evie is our heroine and she is dealing with a lot. Her mother is in an Alzheimer's care facility but Evie has a spending habit which means that she hasn't actually paid the bill in three months. This spending issue, by the way, is somewhat resolved but this is a long-term issue that will need more than just her friends' peppiness to resolve. In addition to the spending issues, Evie's other sins include being anti-human (grumpy) and determined to believe the worse in... everyone. Including the actor who is portraying the hero of one of her books which is being adapted into a movie.
Duke Carlisle genuinely enjoys Evie's books. They bring him joy in a world that contained his alcoholic mother and his costar/girlfriend has just been outed as having an affair with their director. And he was pretty sure he was in love with her. Mostly. And now Evie is being downright rude to him and the resulting negative publicity is probably going to tank their movie. So the studio heads think that Evie and Duke dating will bring them some good will. He needs just a little extra since he is up for a big award for one of his guest star roles. Evie's a prickly bush but he finds himself strangely attracted.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out November 24, 2022
ARC kindly provided by Avon Books UK and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book was a heartwarming read, just the type of book to curl up with at this time of year.

It’s set in Germany and it made me want to go there and see everything that I was reading about.

It was a combination of romantic, fun and cute, as well as difficult to put down. All the characters were lovely and it was interesting to see how they developed individually and with the other persons assistance. They were relatable characters and would love yo see what happens next.

I recommend this book.

Every time I start reading a new book I have a very important rule:
1. give the main characters a chance even if at first I feel they are acting in a "bad way" without an explanation and are stressing me out.

Unfortunately, as much as I gave Evie a chance, I couldn't understand why she was so rude when Duke didn't deserve it.

This is the first Christmas-themed book I have read and although I liked the basis of the story and some of the character traits, this book just didn't live up to my expectations.

I think having such high expectations because it was my first Christmas romance is the reason I didn't enjoy this book and that's my fault.

This was really difficult to read and get through. It was such a unique and creative story and I loved the German setting. The cast of characters was a good mix and I enjoyed the plot overall .

However , the pacing was really off and some of the focuses of the story were all over the place , never quite delving into an issue before moving on. I think the story wasn’t seem less and the ending just skipped all together.

4 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.

What if you were a well read novelist? (Kind of think that might be a dream) One who really enjoyed staying out of the spotlight? And then you sold the rights of a novel to be a movie? Can’t much stay out of the limelight now. Worse, one of the conditions of the sale is that you be on-set for the filming.

This is Evie Bird’s worst nightmare.

But because she has a slight spending problem, and her mom’s care home is in need of back payments, and she can’t find a way out of it, Evie packs her bags and heads to Germany, at holiday time, to see the filming of her novel.

Now she’s stuck in Germany with Duke, the handsome actor, and Daphne, his beautiful ex-girlfriend, who are playing the leads in the movie. Evie just wants to be left alone and do her part, as promised. Duke seems to be determined to befriend Evie. Is it for real? Evie thinks not and is going to let him know it. However, the social media team for the movie has other plans for Duke & Evie, a fake romance. Neither of them wants to participate, but the buzz around the film has been all bad, and this is the only way to save it.

I loved this novel. Duke and Evie both have so much baggage, and while you know they are supposed to end up together (it is a romance novel after all) they struggle with being nice to one another. There is a lot of tension and a lot of backstory for both their characters. The behind the scenes at the movie is a fun look into the reality of movie making, and how we inaccurately perceive stars.

Perfect timing for this novel to be released. Add it to your Christmas reading list!

This was my second Laura Jane Williams read and she's becoming a fast favourite. Her writing is so clever and makes you want to read more. I've been to a few German Christmas markets before, and it took me right back to them. The background setting is so festive! I didn't necessarily swoon over Duke the way I expected and it took me a bit of time to warm up to both main characters, but ultimately I ended up loving them. Just For December is a fairly quick read and best consumed with a cup of hot cocoa.

I absolutely adored the Bavarian backdrop in this Christmas novel! I felt like I was transported to the set and buried in snow along with Evie and Duke (even though it was 75 and sunny while reading this!).

Evie and Duke's story turned from dislike and mistrust to slowly thawed hearts...and I mean slow. Their story had many moments to dislike, including Evie's attitude. Unfortunately, I can't say I'm a fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope in this case. It was more rude/sunshine instead. I wish Evie had appreciated that Duke was a genuine fan of her novels instead of being taken aback. Fortunately, Magda was a bright light in the story with an extra burst of sunshine and love! I also loved the inspiration for Evie's next book after she met two of her fans.

Oh my! Evie's novel is being made into a movie and unfortunately, Duke, the male lead is, well unpleasant. Unpleasant enough that the two of them argue, a lot, until they're caught on film. Which leads to that old familiar trope- fake dating that turns to real affection. Yes, it's trope=y but this has such a good spirit and it's Christmas in Bavaria and there's a movie! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters, snappy dialogue, and a nice setting makes this a good read.

This book was just what I needed. Perfect Christmas romance which wasn't too predictable. It was fast paced and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend if you want a book to perk you up and put you in the mood for the Christmas season.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This movie set romance takes place in Germany where they are filming an adaptation of the book ‘The Romantic Road’, which is written by the author Evie Bird.

Evie is resistant to appear on set, as she likes to keep herself away from the public eye. However, it is a part of her contract and a way for her to make enough money to cover her Mum’s future care home bills.

She is introduced to the lead character Duke but decides to keep her distance from the movie star. However, after an altercation the pair are instructed to stage a fake romance for the press to help save the films publicity.

Soon however Evie is surprisingly swept up in the magical surroundings on and off set and starts to let her guard down.

Will Evie open her heart? What will both Evie and Duke learn in their time together?

This is a lovely romance, and as they don’t start off liking each other much there is comedy as they get to know each other with their snide comments to each other.

It sounds like a lovely setting for this movie and the book, it seems like it could help encourage romance with the beautiful views and attractions they visit. The food and drink sounded amazing too.

There is a bit of drama too, and a slight mystery of who could be leaking information to the press. It shows how the press make the actors feel with the constant pressure they are under to look and behave in a certain way.

Overall, a lovely and beautiful set romance where an author reluctantly must put herself in the public eye to save the movie.