Loved this.. felt like being wrapped in a blanket and then suddenly having the air knocked out of me. It’s tender and romantic, but the heartbreak woven through made it hit so much deeper than I expected. I finished it teary-eyed, reminded of how fragile love and second chances can be.

I usually love Smily stone stories and this was no exception. The relationship was really sweet and all the traveling really added to the atmosphere of the story. Thank you netgalley for my free review copy.

Lexie's estranged dad passes away, and she's shocked to find out that he's given her half of his travel company. She's even more shocked when she has to work with the world's grumpiest co-owner, Theo. Will they figure out how to work together? Will Lexie's bad memories of her dad force her to sell the company? While she wanders the world for a year figuring it out, will she and Theo start to see eye to eye?

A feel good winter romance! Nothing special with this book, just a solid romance from the first to last pages. This author writes almost a book every year for a winter/holiday romance, and you'll always catch me picking it up. Highly suggested for those looking for a winter/holiday book with a little more depth than normal, but still craving that happy ending. I'll be first in line for Stone's annual publication!

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Emily Stone has done it again.

A Winter Wish is an absolutely beautiful, emotionally rich story that wraps around you like your favorite cozy scarf on a cold day. If you’ve read her previous novels, you already know to expect a perfect balance of heartache, healing, and hope, and this book delivers all that and more.

The winter setting is magical without being saccharine, creating the perfect backdrop for a story about love, loss, and second chances. The characters are so well-drawn and deeply human that I felt completely invested in their journeys. Emily Stone has this incredible way of writing grief and longing with such honesty, while still leaving plenty of room for warmth and joy.

I laughed, I cried (more than once), and I closed the final page with that full-hearted feeling only the best love stories leave behind. A Winter Wish isn’t just a holiday romance. It is a moving, life-affirming novel that lingers long after the snow has melted.

An instant favorite for me.

Emily Stone just keeps getting better.

a classic christmas romance, gave the good small town vibes that you want for the holidays. I feel like this book was going for an enemies to lovers but the chemistry ended up falling a little flat for me

Emily Stone's novels NEVER disappoint. It was such a well rounded book. The characters had chemistry and they were able to stand alone apart from the romance. I really love how Stone's writing is able to send you into the setting of the book and make you feel like you're there. A perfect emotional christmas read and I think it stands wonderfully.

A great holiday play on the forced coworker trope with all the cozy holiday vibes! Really enjoyed this.

Lexie’s estranged father passes away suddenly and she surprisingly inherits half of his travel agency. She has to figure out logistics alongside the other owner, Theo. This book is about deciding to stay or go, choosing to settle down versus chasing adventure, finding a new definition of family, dealing with grief and decades of hurt feelings, and being open to new experiences. I liked it, especially the second half! Initially when we were first meeting the characters, I didn’t find Lexie or Theo to be particularly likeable but they grew on me over time. The wanderlust/travel agency component was fun and was probably my favorite part!

This was such a fun cute read! I was lucky to receive the physical copy from Dell them selves and the story was so cute!

Wow—this book gave me all the feels! I absolutely adored the emotional journey Lexie goes on as she tries to make sense of her life after the death of her estranged father. Inheriting half of a travel business was the last thing she expected—but it ends up being exactly what she needs to rediscover herself. Honestly, I wish I could book a trip with R&L Travel right now!

The enemies-to-lovers tension between Lexie and Theo was so well done. Their banter had me smiling and their chemistry had me swooning! Emily Stone did a great job of letting their relationship develop naturally without rushing it.

I also appreciated the flow of the story—the mini time jumps were perfectly placed and kept the pacing smooth and engaging. It never dragged, which made it such a cozy yet heartfelt read.

And that tagline? “The best journey takes you home.” It couldn’t be more fitting. This was a story about love, loss, healing, and finding where (and who) you truly belong with. Highly recommend this one for your winter TBR!

This is my third book by this author and I've enjoyed them all. This author tends to lean into your heart strings at the holidays mixing Christmas, Romance and a fair amount of grief, so be warned.

Thank you so much Netgalley & Ballantine for the ARC of the Winter Wish! It took me a really long time to get through this one, I unfortunately found it slow and wasn't reaching to pick it up often. However, by the time I got to the end, I did enjoy it overall. The family drama aspects in addition to the romance really helped to give it depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!
Such a cute romance, with fun characters you want to see get together. Although it’s “winter based” I read it in July and was just fine-almost more travel based.

Lexie, a free-spirited wanderer, inherits half of her estranged father’s holiday travel company. The other half? Left to Theo, her father’s grumpy but loyal young executive. The catch: they must run the company together for a year before deciding its fate. Cue globe-trotting adventures, simmering chemistry, and a slow-burn romance that unfolds from Spain to snowy England.


Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for this festive ARC!

❄️✨ Book Review: A Winter Wish by Emily Stone ✨❄️

Warm, heartfelt, and sprinkled with holiday magic, A Winter Wish is the perfect seasonal romance to cozy up with this winter! Emily Stone delivers a tender story about hope, healing, and the unexpected gifts love can bring.

What it’s about:
After a tough year, Emma retreats to a snowy mountain town to find peace—and maybe a fresh start. There, she meets Lucas, a kind-hearted local with his own dreams and past pains. As snowflakes fall and wishes are made, their connection grows into something truly special.

Tropes You’ll Love:
⛄ Small-town charm
💞 Slow-burn romance
❄️ Healing & second chances
🔥 Sweet & tender moments
🎄 Holiday vibes

If you crave gentle love stories filled with warmth, hope, and the magic of the season, A Winter Wish is your next must-read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#AWinterWish #EmilyStone #HolidayRomance #SmallTownRomance #SlowBurnRomance #FeelGoodReads #Bookstagram #CozyReads #BookReview

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the arc. This was a sweet read, with a little angst between the main characters. My first read from Emily Stone, and I will look forward to reading more of her books.

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!