A Winter Wish was my first read from Emily Stone, and it left a lasting impression. The premise — two opposites unexpectedly thrown together to run a holiday travel company — was fresh and full of emotional potential. I found myself quickly invested in Lexie and Theo, who are both complex and well-developed characters. Their dynamic felt honest and layered, and I appreciated how their relationship unfolded at a believable pace.

The story blends heartwarming moments with themes of grief, self-discovery, and second chances — all wrapped in a cozy holiday setting. While it’s not a book I’d necessarily reread, I really enjoyed the emotional arc and the way it balanced warmth and realism.

A thoughtful, engaging holiday read that explores connection, healing, and what it means to find home.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Loved everything about this! Super smooth experience from start to finish. Everything went better than I expected, and you can tell real care went into it. Great quality, friendly vibes, and just overall really solid. It’s rare to find something that actually lives up to the hype, but this totally did. I’ll definitely be coming back (or ordering again, depending on what this is lol). Five stars without a doubt. Highly recommend if you’re on the fence — just go for it, you won’t regret it. Big thanks to the team behind this!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Winter Wish
By: Emily Stone
Publisher: Random House-Ballantine
Pub Date: 10/15/24
When Lexie’s dad passed away unexpectedly she inherited half of his travel company. After her parents divorce years before her dad had stepped back in her life and started a new family. Theo, a long time employee, inherits the other half of the business and they are going to have to work together to turn a profit before they can sell it. Theo seems to have a chip on his shoulder about sharing the business but you will learn why and understand his view point eventually. As their time together working in the office and traveling with travel groups grows so does their relationship but when a major secret is dropped in Lexie’s lap things fall apart. Will she follow her dads wishes or follow her heart?

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When Lexie’s estranged father passes away and leaves her half of his travel company, she has some very mixed feelings. Can her co-owner Theo help her figure them out? ✨
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I love Emily Stone’s books, but this one felt a little different. I did not feel the chemistry between Theo and Lexie. I had no emotional connection to anyone, when I typically cry at the end of her books. There was not as much Christmas, which is a bummer for me because I prefer my holiday books to be over the top 😆.
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I did like the travel aspect and thought the holiday trips were super neat. And I was proud of Lexie’s growth, particularly where her sister was concerned.
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I would have loved to have been able to see Lexie’s wishes from her jar, and I think they could have been tied in a bit more. And I would have loved to read her dad’s other letter.
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This one was just ok—I settled on 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. Thanks so much to Random House Ballentine and NetGalley for the arc!

An enemies-to-lovers romance with a bit of magic that the holiday season brings. Lexie has to take care of her father’s estate and wasn’t planning on finding herself and falling in love with Theo. The travel aspect and thus the forced proximity involved was fun, but the lack of depth in the romance and miscommunication trope not so much. Heavier on grief and estrangement from family, the bits of holiday references lightened up the read and were appreciated in the overall story.

Phew! The first two books I’ve read from Ms. Stone made me 😭. This one saved me a few tissues 😆. It was a hallmark movie worthy holiday read. Made me want to wear pjs near a fire, eat gingerbread cookies, and sip hot chocolate. It was a Winter Warmer 😊.

my 📖 synopsis: firstly, Lexie I see you girl! Lexie’s late estranged father leaves her half of his business she knows little of. The other half to Theo, who from the jump is not a fan of Lexie or this set-up. And as wills usually go 😉😆 they need to turn a profit by the end of the year or they’re definitely stuck doing this together for many more years. What will Lexie and Theo do?!

"A Winter Wish" with its holiday romance setting with enemies-to-lovers dynamics is the sweetest story. Stone writes with themes of grief and family reconciliation that I think readers will relate to, especially during the holiday season when family and responsibilities and emotions are at an all-time high. "A Winter Wish" brings with it a reflective mood leans more introspective than the lighthearted humor which I enjoy most in holiday reads.

The chemistry between Lexie and Theo fell a bit flat for me. I struggled believing into their happy ever after but fully wanted to see their love succeed.

A Winter Wish is a cozy rom-com with a heartfelt premise and moments of real emotional resonance—but it didn’t fully land for me. The setup had me hooked: the banter was sharp, Lexie’s emotional vulnerability felt relatable, and I was charmed by the premise (especially the wish jar—such a lovely, creative touch). Emily Stone does a beautiful job weaving in grief, especially around Lexie's relationship with her late father. The emotional exploration here is where the book shines.

However, I struggled with the romance. The chemistry between Lexie and Theo felt weak for a significant portion of the book, which made it hard to invest in their relationship. The workplace romance trope can work well with the right spark, but in this case, it only highlighted how disconnected the leads felt from each other for much of the story.

As the novel went on, it started to drag a bit. There were sections that felt overly drawn out or emotionally over-explained, pulling me out of the narrative. While some moments were clearly designed to tug at the heartstrings, they didn’t quite hit the emotional depth I was hoping for.

Overall, this had a strong, charming start and some standout emotional beats—but it didn’t completely deliver on the romantic or cathartic payoff I was looking for. A sweet winter read, just not one that stuck with me as much as I’d hoped.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

On the outside this one looks like a sweet, holiday romance. I knew that wasn't completely true, because I know Emily Stone tends to write the hard-hitting books. This also doesn't take place only around Christmas. Our main character, Lexie, learns her father died. She hasn't talked to him in years, but he left her half of his company. A Winter Wish is about her learning about the company for the year (the stipulation in her father's will) and a lot about herself. This book is about family, grief, and new love. I really enjoyed her learning more about her father and family she didn't know about. The romance with Theo was fun, but I didn't really feel the chemistry.

My review will also be posted on https://thebookdutchesses.com on May 1st in the monthly wrap up post.

4 1/2 stars
Such a sweet book with a heartbreaking premise. Lexie and Theo were one of those couples that you couldn't help but root for even though it took them quite a while to get over themselves and realize they had something. Unfortunately, they both also had considerable baggage which definitely complicates things.

When Lexie's father dies and leaves her and Theo in charge of his business, there is confusion and bitterness to deal with. That makes their initial meetings less than ideal. Theo doesn't have her full story and thinks that she treated her father (who he idolized) horribly. She is still carrying a lot of pain and hurt over things that happened when her father left her and her mom. Things that were left unsaid and undealt with by his death.

But through all the initial animosity, Lexie and Theo manage to find a level of respect and then it shifts to attraction. Of course, things happen and then there are misunderstandings. And then, there is heartbreak.

This is one of those books that just pull your heart strings for many different reasons. But it does still manage to give you hope and happiness by the end. Emily Stone is just that kind of writer. She pulls out all the emotions in all the right places.

Thank you to Ballantine/Dell for the advanced electronic copy!

This was a delightful, emotional novel that I enjoyed much more than I was expecting to. I thought I was in for a light winter romance, and while it is in part that, it's also a deeper book about grief, acceptance, and grappling with your own identity. Lexie wasn't my favorite narrator, but she was relatable in some ways, and it tugged at my heartstrings to read about her journey of discovering her late father and trying to learn how to forgive him. I also really liked some of the supporting characters, like Rachel and Ange. And, of course, Theo was a sweet, sweet man who I just fell in love with. The writing was good and I enjoyed the travel aspect of the storytelling. I'll definitely recommend this to friends when it comes out!

Ugh, its not Christmas without an Emily Stone holiday novel!! i like how all of her holiday books have enough substance to be read any time of year without feeling inherently christmassy.

a good Christmas read but it was not my favorite. i wanna give it another chance and see what stands out to me but this author is a good one to try out!

I can always count on Emily Stone for a Christmas story that will have me in my feels, and this was no exception. This book navigates grief and the questions that come along with that when there is a parental estrangement and it had my heart breaking for Lexie. I also loved the concept of Lexie’s wish jar and plan to incorporate it to make my life a little more whimsical. I did find the operations of the travel agency to be a bit odd, but I’ve always booked my own trips online, so I’m not sure if this is still the norm in how they operate. Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone is a fun holiday read. It is about a girl who inherits a business she knows nothing about and has to get along with a man who shares it with her. The book is a typical holiday happily ever after plot. However, this book was just okay and not a favorite in this genre. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

**3-Star Review of *A Winter Wish* by Emily Stone**

*A Winter Wish* by Emily Stone is a cozy, feel-good holiday romance that brings warmth and a bit of magic to the winter season. The story follows Emma, a woman who, after a tough year, returns to her family’s countryside estate for the holidays. As she reconnects with her roots and a charming local man, she begins to rediscover the joy and hope she’s been missing.

Stone’s writing is gentle and comforting, and she does a lovely job of capturing the beauty of the winter setting. The romance between Emma and the love interest develops slowly, with some heartwarming moments and a solid dose of festive cheer. The book offers an easy, escapist read, perfect for curling up by the fire.

However, while the holiday charm is undeniable, the plot tends to be predictable, and the characters, though likable, don’t always feel fully fleshed out. There are a few emotional moments, but they don’t have the depth to truly stand out. The pacing can also feel slow at times, especially as the story leans into the familiar holiday romance formula.

Overall, *A Winter Wish* is a pleasant read for fans of seasonal romance, but it doesn’t offer much beyond the typical cozy, feel-good moments. It’s perfect for those looking for a light, heartwarming escape during the winter months, but it’s not particularly memorable or groundbreaking.

Lexi's estranged dad dies leaving her half a share in his travel business. The catch is that she needs to run it for a year with Theo, who seems to hate her for no reason. This is a sweet story of grief and healing.

A sweet romance that has a lot of heart and swoon. It was a good read for any time of the year. I liked the growth and the personal development. It really was a sweet story.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for - Ballantine, Dell for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love reading Emily Stone’s holiday books because they always tug at your heartstrings while taking you on an emotional journey. Love, Holly was one of my all-time favorites, so naturally, I had high expectations for A Winter Wish and couldn’t wait to read it. While it wasn’t bad by any means, it didn’t quite have the same magic for me—it was just okay.


Will I continue to read and eagerly anticipate the author’s future books? Absolutely! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Super cute enemies-to-lovers story. I enjoyed this one. Perfect for the holiday, or non-holiday, reading binges.