'Love Always, Christmas' was a delight in every way. Libby's quest about a photograph and her developing relationship with Adam is thoroughly engaging. I know that I can depend on Karen Schaler for delivering light during difficult times and I can highly recommend this book for a feel good Christmas story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

After reading Karen Schaler's newest novel, I have been inspired to start my own Love Always, Christmas List. First on my list will be reading a Karen Schaler Christmas book because it will surely lift my spirits and get me in a festive mode. The story of Libby and Adam offered just the right combination of romance, mystery, family drama, good friends and adorable animals. It was just what I needed! Thanks so much to NetGalley and HawkTale Publishing for the advance copy to read and review.

I can’t do the holidays without a fabulous Christmas book and this one takes the cake! It’s absolutely amazing and will make you want to set up your tree asap! Grab a hot cocoa, blanket and sit by the fire and read for hours!

Christmas is coming and Libby is not in a holiday mood. Ever since she lost her mom, her parents' home sits undecorated. Libby is trying her best to keep afloat so she can stay in the home she has grown up in. When Libby finds an unopened Christmas card, she soon goes on a journey that will change her life in more ways than one. When she ends up in the small town of Holly Peak seeking answers, the handsome and helpful town manager Adam is more than willing to help restore Libby’s love of Christmas. When Libby uncovers the truth behind the mysterious card, will she find what she has been looking for?

Author Karen Schaler brings us a beautiful Christmas romance with this novel. There are moments of laughter and tears, romance and new beginnings. I loved the characters and how the small town embraced Christmas at every turn. It was fun to attend all the festivities with Libby and Adam and I was cheering for them right from the beginning of the story. HawkTale Publishing gifted me a copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. A heartwarming Christmas story to curl up with this fall.

I've lost count of the number of Christmas themed reads I've read over the years, and I could pretty much say by this point that I've become a bit of a Christmas fiction fanatic. Taking that into consideration, and the fact that I ended up loving the last Christmas book I read by this author, I couldn't wait to dive right into Love Always, Christmas. It sounded both heartwarming and festive, and I expected great things.

Unfortunately, this one didn't end up being the story I was expecting, and I'll get into why that is in a moment.

First, I do want to say that there were still quite a few things I did end up enjoying about this one.

The characters were lovely, and I enjoyed seeing how they each went out of their way to help one another. So many of them seemed to embody the Christmas spirit, and it made me want to keep on reading a story that I wasn't necessarily enjoying.

The mystery element was well done, and kept me guessing, and when the final reveal happened, I enjoyed how it added so much extra to the plot. Definitely wasn't expecting that when I picked it up, and it did help salvage my enjoyment of the story.

However, this one was a tad too cheesy by even my standards. I'm usually someone who loves the corny and predictable Christmas stories that basically play out like a made for Christmas TV movie, but this one was just a bit too much. Nothing seemed realistic, everything was over the top, and certain scenes had me outright cringing. In particular, everything about Libby's career in marketing was downright obnoxious, and I got tired early on of having every conversation be about the magic of social media, and the importance of hashtags. Her campaigns were kind of almost ridiculous, and I think her entire career could have been written in a much better light.

The Christmas festivities at Holly Peake could have also been a wonderful addition to the story, but instead they just came across as slightly implausible, and once again, over the top.

Overall, this one did have its cute moments, lovely characters and a beautiful setting, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting, and I don't think it was as good as this author's last book was.

Final Rating: 3/5.

Not really for me, but if you're someone who enjoys heartwarming and cozy Christmas stories then it might still be one that you'd end up enjoying.

Thanks so much to Hawktale Publishing for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Hawktale Publishing) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Book 180 of 2022

I stumbled upon Karen Schaler’s “Christmas Camp” last year, and I remember seeing how easily it lent itself to a movie. I believe I even said I would probably like the movie better than the novel (which is unusual)! This is another sweet Christmas story set in the most picturesque holiday town(s). The main characters don’t get off on the right foot, but the spirit of Christmas prevails, as it always does, by the end of the story. Every detail of these small mountain towns was well thought out.

Where I took off a star was because of Libby’s family. On one hand, she’s devastated by the loss of her mother & not wanting to face her first Christmas without her mom. As the book goes on, her mom and grandparents’ character was called (somewhat) into question. I didn’t feel like their characters were consistent. Otherwise, this was a cute Christmas story that I would definitely watch on Hallmark!

Thanks to NetGalley and Hawktale Publishing for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Check this book out when it’s released…TOMORROW!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book to read and review.

When I saw that this novel was written by an author who wrote Netflix Christmas movies, I KNEW I had to read it. And this story does read like a Netflix Christmas Rom-Com! This is a feel-good Christmas story that has a good ol' wholesome plot. Libby, a social media strategist, is spending her first Christmas alone after losing her parents. She is the last one who wants to decorate and celebrate Christmas this year ... but ends up being thrown right into the depths of all things Christmas! I can totally relate to Libby - she spreads herself too thin and doesn't know how to take time for herself when she's stranded on the mountain in a cute little town who goes all-in for Christmas. The setting sounds like such a dream to spend a day snowed in. Sprinkle in some slow-burn romance with a cute puppy, cookies and candy canes, and you've got yourself this book! Now, this needs to be made into a movie so we can see it all play out on screen!

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. This book is a good read, fun, quick. Quirky characters…family and friends. Love and romance…Christmas…home…loss…new friends…curl up in a cozy chair with a comfy blanket…get a cup of steaming herbal tea…enjoy an awesome afternoon reading about these characters.

I would like to thank Netgalley, HawkTale Publishing and Karen Schaler for the E ARC of this book.
Libby was going to be spending Christmas by herself, no decorations, no tree, in the house she lived in with her parents. Now she is trying to make her business as successful as possible to try and save her family home from having to be sold.
One day whilst looking through a beloved photo album, she finds a Christmas card to her Mum that was unopened. Inside she finds a photo of her Mum as child with another girl. The card has a return address, so Libby decides to go Holly Peak to see if she can find the sender.
Holly Peak is the type of town her mum would love, snowy streets, lots of decorations and towns folks who will help you, even if you are a stranger. Libby meets Adam, the town manager who help she needs to find the answers she is looking for. The more time she spends in Holly Peak and with Adam, the more she likes what she sees and experiences. Maybe this Christmas Libby will find reasons to love Christmas again and find joy in the season.
I loved this book. The characters were well written, Holly Peak sounds like a town I would love to visit. I enjoyed reading about their festivities and all the things they were doing. The plot was good and kept me turning the pages. This is a book to read when the tree lights are twinkling, the snow is falling and you want to immerse yourself in a good book.

I loved this book - its perfect to read and feel cosy and warm and full of hope and joy. It’s a perfect holiday read and would also make a great gift idea

What a wonderful heartfelt Christmas story! It was inspirational, not cheesy, made me giggle, shed a tear and gave me hope. This was a new author for me, certainly won’t be my last read from her. It’s a cute Rom-com with some mystery set at the ultimate Christmas town. Holly Peak is in the mountains near Seattle. This is where Libby is juggling as a new entrepreneur starting a Social media company while trying to pay the mortgage on her parents house. The loss of her Mom, best friend and last living relative was devastating. Her conniving X-boyfriend broke her heart.
Libby no longer looks forward to all the Christmas festivities, too many memories just make her sad. Most everything bad that ever happened in my own life was around the Christmas holiday, so I totally sympathized with her emotions. She is keeping herself busy just to get through the loss and grief. Her parents had organized the neighborhood decorating into an annual event. Now hers is the only house not bedecked.
Libby is always in a hurry, a clumsy accident waiting to happen. In a twist of fate she literally runs into her new neighbors son, Adam. The hilarious incidents escalate and had me in stiches. I absolutely fell in love with Libby! She was so realistic, funny and she would be my new favorite friend. Later as she and her best friend, Tammi, are searching through Christmas boxes an unopened card falls out.
That twenty year old Christmas card sends Libby on a search for the sender, to a magical town called Holly Peak. She again bumps into Adam and before long the sparks are flying like snowflakes. The Christmas card precipitates unimaginable changes to everything in Libby’s life. The adventures keep coming, long hidden secrets are revealed, and even more questions arise. Family is complicated, so is love and forgiveness. Libby has so much going on my head spun! She could have a fresh start as the Holly Peak community pulls together to win the annual Christmas competition. Maybe it won’t be her first Christmas alone. #LoveLibby, #PerfectChristmasBook!
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “Love Always, Christmas” by Karen Schaler and to Hawktale Publishing. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

This was a fun, (mostly) light Christmas story about love and loss, family secrets, and community spirit. Holly Peak and Evergreen Valley are quintessential Hallmark Christmas small towns, and anyone with an ounce of Christmas spirit would love to visit. I also appreciated how the characters' emotional arcs were handled - more realistic and not totally wrapped up in easy movie fashion. I think the use of the word "hashtag" could have been toned down, but it was still a wonderfully lovely holiday novel. Thanks to Netgalley and HawkTale publishing for the advance digital copy!

Libby is planning to spend the holidays alone until a mysterious Christmas card takes her on a life-changing journey where she discovers a family she didn’t know she had and a love she was never expecting to find…

Libby Larson’s Christmas wish is to get the holidays over as fast as possible. After losing her mom, her only family, she’s bah humbugging Christmas, while desperately trying to save her childhood Seattle home.

But when Libby finds a twenty-year-old unopened Christmas card addressed to her mom, what she discovers inside takes her to the snowy mountain town of Holly Peak.

As family secrets start to unravel, Libby must rely on Holly Peak’s handsome town manager, Adam Thompson, to help her find answers while reluctantly participating in the town’s quirky Christmas traditions.

In the midst of merrymaking and mistletoe, Libby’s life is forever changed when this Christmas brings her the gift of a family and true love.

If you want Christmas, cosy, love and that festive feeling look no further, Karen is the queen of Christmas

A perfect hallmark Christmas movie. It has that small-town feel and the characters both hit you up with their charm very quickly. Libby with her quirky and Adam with his good-do attitude even if he's a bit sore at times. Libby having the 1st Christmas alone after the passing of her mother then finds an old photo album which leads her to a small town to meet Cece who's a connection to her past.

#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #seasonal #christmas
#LoveAlwaysChristmas @hawktalepublishing

After her mum’s passing (her only remaining family), Christmas has become a painful holiday for Libby Larson, made worse by an unexpected run-in with her new neighbours’ son, Adam Thompson, who is visiting from out of town. Throwing herself into her new marketing business, Libby has no plans to partake in any festivities. But the discovery of an unopened Christmas card addressed to her mum sends her on a journey to the mountain town of Holly Peak where long-hidden family secrets begin to surface. A string of eventful incidents has her reluctantly relying on Holly Peak’s town manager for help, who turned out to be none other than Adam.

From the Christmas town of Evergreen Valley to the snowy mountain of Holly Peak, Karen Schaler brings us on a heartwarming journey of discovery and Christmas feels. Written in third person from Libby’s perspective, we feel her anguish as Christmas is a stark reminder of her mother’s absence; a mother who had enjoyed putting up decorations and Christmas traditions. I cannot imagine how painful it must be to be all alone in the midst of a festive season that so embodies family and relationships.

To be honest, I’m not too convinced by the romance in this story. Adam and Libby did not hit it off well from the start, and things kind of spiralled downwards thereafter. But yet, despite all that there was like quite a bit of sexual tension cos Adam is sooo good-looking? I mean, yes, he did come to her rescue many times when she was in need. But there were a lot of maybe-yes, maybe-no, will-he, will-she moments that felt kind of frustrating. And I’m really just not very convinced by the romantic development of this couple.

Ultimately, this story felt more family-focused for me and on Libby’s quest for answers stemming from the mysterious Christmas card, which I thought was quite interesting. But the ending felt a little rushed and could have been more fleshed out. Nonetheless, this was still an enjoyable Christmas read for me.

Thank you HawkTale Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

Oh, I do love a Christmas book and this one was wonderful and would definitely make an amazing Christmas movie one day!!
I read this book very quickly as I just wanted to keep finding out what was going to happen. The story pulled me in right from the beginning and kept me engrossed all the way through.
It was a book full of everything Christmassy and had lots of festive spirit!
Love Always, Christmas was a cosy, heartwarming, feel good Christmas romance and I really enjoyed going along for the ride…..

This book is full of CHRISTMAS!! and I am here for it all. The book is written by an author who writes Christmas movies ect for hallmark and Netflix. So I knew that I was in for a treat without even opening the book and boy was I right. I am completely swept up in all things Christmas and completely here for it all. Loved it.

I received this Arc from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn’t believe I was going to read a Christmas book by an author who’s wrote Christmas movies for Hallmark & Netflix!. What an absolute treat I’m in for.

This is a full on feel-good Christmas romance story that will warm your heart and have you feeling in the Christmas Spirit even when you’re reading it on a rainy day in October like I did.

The slow burn Romance between Libby and Adam kept me entertained all the way through but what made this book for me was the gorgeous scenery, the endearing cast of characters and most of all the feeling of Christmas and family.

Evergreen Valley's residents take Christmas seriously. They decorate using a different theme each year. The only house not decorated this year is Libby's. She is not in the Christmas spirit this year. She just lost her mom and is faced with selling her house to make ends meet. So when her new neighbor's inflatable Santa ambushes her, she retaliates...Adam's parents have just moved to Evergreen Valley and are very excited to begin decorating.

Libby is working hard to start up her own business. While she is gathering props for a photoshot, she finds a picture of her mom and another woman. Curious, she sets out to find that woman, Cece. To her surprise, Adam lives in that town.

As Libby gets to know both Adam and Cece, can she rediscover the magic of Christmas?

I was able to read "Love Always, Christmas" by Karen Schaler on NetGalley. I love a good Christmas read and this totally fits the bill! The main character, Libby, is facing the first Christmas without her mother. She has no other family and is having a hard time finding the Christmas spirit. This was an easy read with a happy ending as all Christmas themed books should be!