This one had a lot of business/workplace drama and politics that I just wasn’t into, and I couldn’t connect with the characters or the storyline. The magic that I’ve come to know and love from Stone’s novels seemed to be missing. Sadly, this was my least favorite from the author.

Maybe it was the travel agent aspect, but I enjoyed this book more than most. Although the dad was a total jerk who deserves no forgiveness.

Lexie is shocked to learn that her estranged father has passed away and she has inherited half of his travel business. But there are stipulations. She has to work with Theo, her dad's protege and they must turn a profit in order to sell. Can they get along and make their business successful? Or will their attraction blow everything up?

Of the two Emily Stone books I've read, this is my favorite. I liked Lexie and Theo a lot. They had a lot of issues to work through with their respective families, but I liked their growth. I wasn't totally satisfied with the arc for Lexie's dad because I don't think he deserved any sympathy. I did Lexie and Theo together and I enjoyed the travel agency story line. This was another heartfelt read from Emily Stone that was perfect for the holiday season. I will continue reading as long as she delivers the HEAs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Books for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately this one really wasn’t for me. It didn’t really feel much like a romance since so much of the focus was on Lexie and her relationship with her dad. I didn’t feel the connection between Lexie and Theo at all. It also wasn’t very holiday-y which isn’t really the book’s fault but was a bummer nonetheless.

Unfortunately this one was just not for me. I’ve read this authors other work and it has been hit or miss. I won’t say too much because unfortunately this one was a dnf for me-but I just couldn’t finish. Sad that I didn’t connect with the characters. That’s okay-I’ll still read this authors books.

Lexie didn't have the best relationship with her dad, so at his passing, she was surprised to find out that she was named for an unexpected inheritance. Only there is a twist. Her father's last wish was for her to help take over the family business with Theo. Part of the deal is that she must help run the business for a year before they decide to sell or not. That is certainly easier said than done. While they try to make it work, it's very clear they aren't compatible to work and she plans to leave once the year is over. However, after learning more about the company and slowly peeling back the layers on Theo, she realizes there is more to everything and over the year finds out just what her life had potentially been missing.

There is nothing like holiday travel, but when you add it with a side of enemies to lovers romance, it can't get any better. This one really does make you want to pack your bag and head to the holiday markets. This one does make you realize that there is more to people than what you might see. This is my second book by this author and I've seemingly enjoyed each one now.

Thank you Net Galley, Emily Stone and Dell Publishing and for the advanced copy for my honest review. This one will make you want to pack your bag and head to the airport right away.

On the Cat Scale:
😺😺😺😺

3-3.5. This felt unlike her other books. Much more romantic comedy and much less heartache. I loved the rom-com side of it, but it was marketed to me as a heartbreaking Christmas book and I just didn’t feel like it was either? I loved the romance and gasped at one point. Don’t regret reading it, but not my favorite.

3.5 ⭐️

A little slower and sadder than I was expecting, but the last few chapters added a half star for me. It was a cute, happy ending which I enjoyed.

Emily Stone's writing has been nothing more than a cherry on top for romance fiction.
This includes the enemies to lovers trope to be able to both have their HEA. Although she never expected to hear anything about her fathers company, the last thing Lexie thought was the inheritance money he left her. Crazy to think about the money it did with a contingent plan that included someone already at her fathers company.

This was written beautifully and definitely a season book that made everything so cozy.

I liked the main character, Lexie, and I empathized with all the heartbreak she has been through in her life. I hated how her dad didn't feel like he could be in her life, and continually chose her stepmom over her. It wasn't right. I'm glad she was able to, after his death, find some peace with her broken relationship with him. This book is a reminder that we don't always know the whole story of what people are going through and that people can have different relationships with someone.

Super cute enemies-to-lovers with a dash of travel sprinkled in.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lexie is a nomad, traveling the world one gig at a time, so when her estranged father passes away and leaves her half of his business in Bath, she is not interested in settling down to run it. Especially since Theo, the guy who was left the other half, is insufferable. She decided to give it a try anyways and learns there’s more to Theo, her dad, and the company he built.

I know this sounds straight out of hallmark but I do appreciate that this book spans a whole year, so the relationship between Theo and Lexie has some time to develop. Plus, even though it’s throughout the year, there’s tons of Christmas still — even a Christmas in July scene, which was very creative!

I always find Emily Stone’s books a bit more emotional, and this one is no different with Lexie’s father passing away, but it wasn’t too teary of a read this time, which was nice!

Looooved all the travel in this too. I now want to go to Iceland so badly! The audiobook is fantastic, by the way!

While this was well-written and engaging, I couldn't connect with it. It seemed to be everything I would love in a book, but I just wanted more interaction between the main characters leading up to a romance. It seemed disjointed in a lot of ways.

This story was so cute. I loved the banter and the plot. It didn't feel predictable. I really liked the characters.

This book is everything you want in a Christmas read. The characters were so easy to fall in love with, it was charming, it had just enough spice. I was hooked from the jump and I didn’t want it to end. I look forward to Emily Stone’s Holiday read’s every year. She does not disappoint!

I have been a big fan of Emily Stone’s previous books and was excited to read her latest!

This book is very cute and I enjoyed the plot- I thought the travel company in it sounded like an amazing idea and I liked hearing about the travel. I also felt that it did a good job of working through Lexie’s feelings towards her dad which I understood as someone who had a complicated relationship with my dad.

I just found the book a bit repetitive and slow at times. I also felt like there was a lack of chemistry between the two MC and I never really felt behind their romance.

Overall it was cute, but probably my least fave of the author’s books. I will continue to try her books in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

There’s something magical about a holiday book that feels both cozy and bittersweet, and A Winter Wish delivers just that. Emily Stone’s storytelling shines with her ability to weave heartwarming moments with themes of grief, love, and the rediscovery of joy. She makes you feel as though you are part of the story and the warmest welcome.

Lexie has many conflicting emotions when learning about her estranged father’s death. Especially when she inherits part of his travel company. The catch is Lexie must help the company turn a profit within a year. Now Lexie must learn to work with her father’s business partner Theo who seems to hold a lot of resentment towards her. As Lexie travels on tours and comes up with ideas of her own for the company, Theo’s attitude towards her begins to thaw. Both begin to open up and examine their relation with Lexie’s father and each other. But will the company succeed or fail? Will Lexie move on when year is over?

As usual, Emily Stone gives us all the feels in the comfort of a holiday romance.

There’s something magical about a holiday book that feels both cozy and bittersweet, and A Winter Wish delivers just that. Emily Stone’s storytelling shines with her ability to weave heartwarming moments with themes of grief, love, and the rediscovery of joy.

The novel follows Evie as she navigates life after loss, bringing her signature warmth to the tradition of granting Christmas wishes. The premise tugged at my heartstrings immediately, but what really hooked me was how Stone balances Evie’s journey of healing with the charm of the holiday season. The settings are vibrant and atmospheric—snowy markets, twinkling lights, and cozy firesides that feel like stepping into a Hallmark scene but with richer emotional layers.

Stone’s characters feel achingly real. Evie’s vulnerability is relatable, and the romance unfolds with a slow-burn tenderness that’s both sweet and deeply satisfying. It's not without its moments of frustration—miscommunications and emotional hesitation can feel drawn out—but it fits the narrative arc of growth and second chances.

While the plot is a little predictable in parts, that’s part of the appeal with holiday reads. It’s less about the twists and more about the emotional journey, and A Winter Wish wraps you in a story full of love, hope, and the power of connection.

If you’re in the mood for a holiday story with heart, Emily Stone delivers once again. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a snowy evening, hot chocolate in hand.

It’s the holiday season, and Lexie seems to be a nanny on vacation helping two young charges decorate a tree at a ski resort where she’s had enough time to hook up. Out at the bar and off duty she gets a call that her father has passed. The funeral is attended by his other daughter., Rachel, who seems genuinely distraught—Lexie cannot relate, as Richard may have been a father but was never a dad. And then the novel takes an abrupt left when we learn Lexie and Theo—her dad’s employee—have been willed his travel company and have to commit to a year of working together to inherit. Rachel gets the house.

At 10% through, I put this one down. I’m not sure if the writing style is a mismatch or it’s just poor writing—lots of exposition that doesn’t even tell very much. The very vague beginning, too many characters to keep straight, and lack of warm, cheery, holiday appeal made this a DNF for me.

I have come to look forward to Emily Stone's winter/holiday books and this was another lovely read for the season!

This book combines travel and celebrations and it was really just perfect for the Christmas season but it could easily be read any time of the year.

If you're looking for a book that's more than just a fluffy Hallmark-y book that's still seasonal this would be a perfect book, especially if you like learning about other areas/cultures and their celebrations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.