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.

This was a cute holiday story. I took me a bit to get into the first few chapters but once I did I loved the characters. I was always rooting for Lexi and Theo from the beginning of their relationship. They both had some drama in their families. I loved the traveling in the story. It made me want to go travel to the same places.

I don’t know why I always let Emily Stone fool me into thinking she’s written a Christmas book. Her books are always winter books that happen around Christmas but they aren’t Christmas books. This one was no different. I did enjoy it though. Lexie is living a life as a nomad. She doesn’t stay anywhere for too long, she finds jobs in fun locations like the Alps, Austrailia, etc., and she only keeps in touch with her mother and one good friend from growing up. She gets word that her father has died and needs to come home. Right before heading back to her life, she gets news that changes everything. Over the course of the books, Lexie gets to know Theo, has to figure out if she wants to come home and work at her father’s business, and decides what she really wants from life. It was a good story full of travels to Iceland (oh how I want to go), Ireland, Italy, and other fun places.

Emily Stone is one of my "will always read" authors. She makes you feel everything in her writing and leaves you wanting nothing.

This read was perfect for getting me out of my slump while also not leaving me with a heavy book hangover. I love that we got to explore Lexi's anger, frustration, and grief surrounding her father's passing (off page, but services are on page), as well as her childhood and being somewhat estranged from him. We got to navigate her journey of allowing people in her life and not just to the extent she's comfortable with. It was really a beautiful experience.

Narrator Meg Travers did a great job in this single narration audio. I could feel the attitude and emotional disconnect Lexi experienced. It broke my heart but was done so well.

Emily Stone knows how to tug at my heartstrings! This book isn't as sad as some of her past novels. However, it was still the perfect mix of enemies-to-lovers, jump-to-conclusions and close proximity, while adding in gorgeous traveling backdrops and family issues. While there is romance involved in this story, I would say this focused more on the main character, Lexie's personal journey and her struggles to accept her version of the truth, compared to her recently deceased father.

Even though the cover looks Christmassy, the events of the novel start and end at Christmas, with a full year in between. So it's not quite a holiday romance (just a romance while on holiday!). Enjoyable, introspective and definitely not as much of a tearjerker as what I've read in the past!

There's nothing wrong with this book I just found it boring. The characters were cute, I just don't I really liked the writing.

Tells the story of Lexie, who has lost her father and finds she must take over his company, and of Theo, already working for her father and not too sure how he feels about Lexie stepping in. This seems to be marketed as a Christmas Romance, but more character journey through grief and belonging, than romance. And Christmas just a shadow in the background. I did not enjoy this one. I did not feel any connection between Lexie and Theo and not care what happened with them. I enjoyed Lexie's relationship with her sister, but not enough to reccommned.

The Winter Wish by Emily Stone delivers a heart-tugging blend of romance and reflection, perfect for those who enjoy a little melancholy with their mistletoe. The story beautifully captures the complexities of love, loss, and second chances, with Stone’s evocative writing painting a vivid winter landscape. The main characters are flawed but endearing, making their emotional journey feel genuine. Plus, the slow-burn romance has just the right mix of longing and hope to keep you turning the pages.

While the emotional depth is a highlight, the pacing occasionally drags, and some of the conflicts feel a touch drawn out. The bittersweet tone may also not be everyone’s cup of cocoa—it leans more poignant than purely feel-good. Still, the heartfelt moments and charming winter setting make it worth the read.

This was a cozy holiday romance about estranged family and how grief manifests in a myriad of ways. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Emily Stone knows how to write a feel-good winter romance that doesn't skirt around hard issues.