A Wish for Christmas by Courtney Cole is a heartwarming Christmas story with some sorrow and sadness. It is reminiscent to me of It’s A Wonderful Life.

Noel and Jonah are the main characters in the book, but their lives mirror the lives of fictional characters’ and their own previous lives—even if they don’t remember the memories or each other.

Their story is being brought to life in a soon-to-be-published novel that Noel is editing for the company she works for, and it is both eerie at times as well as confusing. The author, Pad, resembles St. Nick and adds another layer to the story. The story is told in alternating chapters by Noel and Jonah, and it was sometimes confusing since I had to look back to see who was telling that part of the story.

Pad gives his dog, Elliott, often referred to as a “Moose” due to his size, to Noel for safekeeping so he can continue to write uninterrupted. Elliott is also a gentle giant, which is reflected throughout, especially when he cares for Moxie, a kitten he found. He’s a nice addition to the story. There are a lot of Christmas references and activities, even if Jonah and his dad don’t celebrate the holiday due to a loss they suffered at Christmas when Jonah was four. Since Jonah’s dad is the mayor of their small town, he won’t authorize any decorations or display anything related to Christmas or the holidays, and their small town is suffering in its current economic times.

On the other hand, Noel’s parents love Christmas and want to turn the town into a year-round Christmas Village, and Noel’s dad is running for mayor to make his wife’s dreams come true.

This lovely story has many smaller tales enveloped within, involving politics, grief, small businesses, and much more. There is a happily ever after, thanks to the epilogue, but I wish the story would have gone on a little longer. The ending seemed very rushed to get us to that point. The cover is spot on due to the importance of the snow globe to the story, and who doesn’t love a snow globe?

A Wish for Christmas is a delightful story that puts me in the mood for the upcoming holidays.

This is perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies! It has a little bit of everything - it's sweet and heartwarming, filled with fun banter between the two main characters and a few deeper moments - with just a touch of magical realism. I loved the small town setting and the holiday spirit! This may be my favorite Courtney Cole book to date!

A Wish for Christmas by Courtney Cole is a unique Christmas story that would, perhaps could be said to be a second chance with the same marriage partner type of story. It really is an original take on the whole “What if” we hadn’t married. It is not A Christmas Carol or It’s a Wonderful Life kind of story. Just its own kind of story. I found this first book for me to read by this author to be quite interesting. The book’s Dedication states, “To everyone who believes in Christmas magic,” which a good description of the novel.

I am still not sure which couple were the real ones in the beginning. I do know that Noel and Jonah seemed to be the true couple who had never met until that Christmas. Destined to be together no matter when they meet, I did find it odd that these two end up flying to a small town where they both grew up but had never meet when younger. Also Elliott steals the scene every time he runs though and yes, he is often running. Another favorite character of mine is Padraig Sinclair. I loved this old man from the very beginning. I also loved the idea of the village that Jace want to build as well as why he wants to build it.

For a different kind of Christmas story that would make a great Hallmark movie, be sure to read A Wish for Christmas.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A WISH FOR CHRISTMAS – Courtney Cole
Avon
ISBN: 978-0063296398
November 14, 2023
Contemporary Fiction

New York City & Winter Falls, Wyoming – Present Day

It’s two weeks ’til Christmas and Noel Blake and her husband Jonah are drifting apart. They first met and married while living in Wyoming. They recently acquired a mastiff dog named Elliott, who has a bad tendency to get out. One day, the dog leads them to a stranger’s home. Padraic is an elderly man and friendly toward Noel and Jonah. He gives each of them a snow globe and tells them to each make a wish and when they wake up in the morning, their wishes will come true. The next morning, Noel wakes up and she is living another life—one without Jonah, though it turns out that he lives in the same building as her.

While neither Noel nor Jonah can remember the other, it turns out that they grew up in the same town of Winter Falls—and they’re both returning to visit for the holidays. A book editor at a publishing house, Noel has taken on a new client and his story intrigues her even though it’s not completely finished. His name is…. Padraic and his tale starts out innocently with characters who seem much like Noel and Jonah with the names changed. But our couple does not realize it. They are living a parallel life where they are not married to each other and only meet in A WISH FOR CHRISTMAS. But one thing remains constant: Elliott the dog.

If you could get a chance to re-do your life, would you? Noel and Jonah unwittingly get a second chance to find their way back to each other as they get to know one another again. But they will have a few barriers along the way. The biggest challenge is that their fathers are adversaries running for mayor of Winter Falls. Jonah’s father, Judd, is already the mayor and he doesn’t like Christmas and has banned any Christmas pageants or decorations in the town. Noel’s father, Rich, wants to open a Christmas-themed store and Judd opposes it. This rivalry is a big part of A WISH FOR CHRISTMAS as Noel and Jonah have to support their parents but want what is best for the town.

Meanwhile, Jonah and Noel soon grow closer. Because they don’t remember each other, they are learning about each other like it’s the first time. Elliott the dog was given to Noel by her author client, Padraic and she takes him to Winter Falls with her. She couldn’t get the dog on the plane, but luckily her neighbor, Jonah, was there to get her on his private plane. The dog is a handful and provides for a few lighthearted moments in this tale. A WISH FOR CHRISTMAS is also emotional due to Christmas approaching and the reason why Judd hates the holiday soon becomes apparent. Will there be a Christmas celebration in the town of Winter Falls?

A warmhearted tale of hope and second chances don’t miss A WISH FOR CHRISTMAS.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

What a wonderful holiday novel! I enjoyed Noel, Jonah, Elliott, and all of the other characters in this story. It's kind of a careful what you wish for/second chance novel. So much fun to read and get into the holiday spirit. Highly recommend reading this one!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

A Wish for Christmas by Courtney Cole is a great contemporary fiction that is festive, heartwarming, romantic and uplifting novel that I really enjoyed.
I loved reading Noel, Jonah, Elliott and Moxie’s story.
Such a relatable and thought-provoking read.
I thought it was beautifully written with amazing characters.
This book is exceptionally well written. And I enjoyed the heck out of it.
A heartwarming and delightful book.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

love this book cover! I can’t say I loved the book.
The first chapter drew me in and was excited about the story to come. I turned the page and it all became a bit confusing. I usually like time travel books but this one not so much

This book was such a delightful treat! Fans of quintessential Christmas movies will love this one--which I found to be reminiscent to a mashup of "Snowglobe" and "The Holiday Calendar." Lovable characters, a quaint town (not unlike "Gilmore Girls'" Stars Hollow), and a wholesome, romantic plot round out this lovely story.

I had only read one other book by the author and liked it so I thought I would give A Wish for Christmas a try. I'm glad I did. This is a nice holiday book with enough drama to keep it interesting and enough closed door romance to make this old girl happy. This is a feel good book that can get you ready for holiday celebrations.

With a dash of whimsy, lovable characters, an unruly dog and an lovable guru Courtney Cole has written one of the best Christmas stories I have read. After making a wish on a snow globe given to them by they already mentioned lovable guru they wake up in their own beds and with their busy new cell fulfilled life they seem to keep running into each other when Noel gains custody of Sir Elliot a 200 pound pooch on the same morning she promised her parents she would fly back to Wyoming to help with her dad‘s may oral campaign and after begging her assistant to dog sit or at the very least say he’s an emotional support dog or if she can just buy a whole row of seats… Because Noel has to make it home just in time Jonah Blake shows up and he too was going to Wyoming and it is also to help his dad with his own mayoral campaign and you guessed it it’s in the same town. Noel‘s parents want to make a Christmas village and Jonah‘s dad who is already the mayor refuse to give her parents a permit so her dad decided to run for mayor himself.. Unfortunately there is a reason why the guys don’t like Christmas but by the end they all just might change their mind. I love in books when even the villain whom I’m assuming is Mayor Blake is also very likable I love this book in love The whole Kumbaya feeling of it this is a perfect Christmas book in a beautiful romance not only with each other but with Christmas as well this is the book I highly recommend not just because Elliot is so freaking adorable! I want to thank Avon, Harper voyager and NetGalley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I really really enjoyed this book! Such a great concept for a book and gave me all the lovey dovey christmas magic feels!

I enjoyed Noel and Jonah's story and their history together. The trials that these two went through together and individually I can totally relate to. I found myself immersed in their world and their story. It was such a joy to read this book and I think it's a great read for all during the holiday season.

I loved this story of Noel, Jonah, Elliott and Moxie. So many feels – sad and wonderful. Pad certainly had a way with storytelling. Winter Falls is now one of the most awesome towns I know of. Who wouldn’t want to live or at least visit there? I’m not sure why this story makes me so emotional, but it must be Izzy and her situation. Then we have a wonderful solution for her. Others should be so lucky. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

This is my second Christmas Romance by this author, and I really enjoyed it. I reviewed and recommended Home for Christmas, which has a time travel trope, last December. I especially enjoyed that this story was about an established couple that have lost touch with each other by prioritizing their busy work lives over quality time spent together.

It was not what I was expecting, but I think the whole scenario worked quite well. There’s an element of magic to this that you need to be able to go with as a reader. Noel and Jonah were childhood sweethearts that got married in college, so sending them back to their hometown now that they don’t remember each other or their relationship, was an interesting conundrum. Noel is a book editor working towards the editor-in-chief position, while Jonah works on Wall Street. The chapters alternate between Noel and Jonah in first person.

Elliott was the most adorable catalyst in this book. A big bumbling English Mastiff that creates havoc and adoration everywhere he goes and is brought to his knees by a little grey kitten. I really enjoyed watching Noel and Jonah connect with each other and their families. Jonah lost his mother when he was very young and his father is the mayor of a small Wyoming town and refuses to permit holiday decorations or celebrations in a town that has been dying since their major employer closed its doors. Noel’s parents have an idea for a quaint Christmas Village to revitalize the town and are determined to see it to fruition even if it means ousting the current mayor and running themselves.

Recommended to holiday romance readers for the great characters and heart-warming story of a couple reconnecting for the first time. No steam in this one, folks. Shocking for me, I know. 😂

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for a copy provided for an honest review.

A good holiday romance! A Wish for Christmas is a fun read, with "Capulets and Montagues" and "2nd chances" themes. The vast majority of the book takes place after the main couple makes a wish on a magic snow globe, taking them out of a stale marriage and into a new chance for love. The day after making their wish, Noel and Jonah wake up with no recollection of their marriage, meeting for the "first time" in the lobby of their building in New York.
Brought together by Elliot, one of Noel's writers dog who she agrees to babysit while the author finishes a manuscript, Noel and Jonah start building a relationship as they return to their childhood hometown, where Noel's parents are trying to oust Jonah's father from the position of mayor. Oddly, neither remembers the other, despite having grown up in the same place. As the holidays work their magic, Noel and Jonah get to know each other again.
Ms Cole truly invokes the feeling of the holiday season, and peppers the town with engaging secondary characters. This is a nice, feel-good way to start the season.

A Wish for Christmas by Courtney Cole was a book that gave me so much joy to read.
This was a Christmas story that had a lot of different emotions and the characters fell into place and all fit together to make it a story that will make a fantastic Hallmark movie. The time you spend in the small-town setting will leave you feeling warm and content.
Thank you NetGalley, Courtney Cole and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. This is my personal review.

This was an enjoyable Christmas romance, Although the plot was a bit far-fetched and very sketchy on the details, the story was lovely and heartwarming, and I found myself enjoying the book in spite of myself.. Recommended for anyone needing a quick shot of holiday spirit!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a sweet Christmas romance that is a Hallmark movie waiting to happen. In fact, I think I've seen this movie :) A long-bored and unhappily married couple wish on a snow globe and wake up to find that they are living separate, successful lives with no memory of their life together and we wait to see if they will find their way back together. It's a quick read, and Elliott and Moxie steal the show. Thanks to Netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the advance digital copy!

A Wish For Christmas by Courtney Cole is a delightful Christmas story. This is my first book by this author. Truth be told, I took one look at the cover and I wanted to read it. It also had an intriguing description. The story requires you to suspend your disbelief but it is worth it.

The setting is delightful. It takes place in a small town in Wyoming. It is easy to envision the diner and smell the pancakes, picture the main characters familial homes as well as the quaint town square. The Author is very adept at describing the scenery and various settings so you can easily picture yourself there.

The main characters are wonderful and so are the other minor characters. They are definitely a quirky group of hometown people I particularly liked Pad the ‘santa-like’ character with the enchanted snow globe. Strange things start to happen. The characters are relatable and most of them are endearing. Of course, each is facing their own struggles. To add to the fun there is an enchanting Mastiff whose presence adds whimsy and warmth.

What is a good Christmas story with out a love story. It begins fast and eventually deepens throughout the story. The main point of the story is what truly matters in your life. It is a meaningful Christmas read that is also light hearted.

I would like to thank the Author, Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a delightful story that has a smidgen of a magical quality to it.
Two people, Jack and Norah, who clearly love one another are drifting apart. When, in the middle of a snowy evening, their dog takes off on them, in the city of New York and brings them to a small antique store owned by a kind older gentleman. Norah finds herself confiding in this stranger who gives them some good advice.
Next we find ourselves with Noel and Jonah (the Norah and Jack's that could have been/would be) two strangers brought together by circumstances and yes, a dog.
I feel that this is a delightfully humorous and at the same time, serious, look at how lives are affected by circumstances or fate. I loved Noel and Jonah's story and how Pad (the older gentleman) uses a manuscript and a dog to bring these two together. A terrible incident in Jonah's past has damaged him to a point where he avoids emotions and getting close to people. Will Jonah see all that life can hold for him if he faces his demons? Will Noel be brave enough to face her own fears about relationships?
I truly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading additional books by this author.

A Wish for Christmas by Courtney Cole is a bit different from the usual which makes it all the more endearing.