I always look forward to an Emily Stone novel for the holidays. She consistently delivers stories full of emotion, depth, and of course, romance. A Winter Wish delivers another heartfelt and at times, wrenching, story. What is great about her stories is if you take away the holiday back drop they still work.

I normally adore Emily’s books during the holidays, but this one was a big miss for me. I just didn’t fall for Theo and Lexi’s relationship as much as I wanted to. The miscommunication storyline drove me absolutely crazy too. I did really love their traveling company though - it made me want to visit all of these unique cities. The ending was sweet, but I did skim my way there 🥴

This started out so fun and cute and I loved it. The banter was on point, the lost and helplessness in Lexie was so relatable. The way Emily brought the characters together through heartache was brilliant. I love the wish jar idea and will definitely implement it myself!

But, as I read it, it felt very drawn out. After some time, there doesn't have to be such long explanations. There was a portion that was interesting to be sad and make the reader cry; it just didn't hit the mark. I had high hopes, and this one fell a tad bit short.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone is the story and Lexie and Theo who inherit a business together. It's a pleasant read that sometimes lags a bit (I'm not sure love stories need to be 368 pages). This is not my favorite of Stone's books but it is a pleasant journey with the characters. 3.5 stars for me rounding up to 4 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of A Winter Wish in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now.

Thank you to Dell for the ARC of this one! I really wanted to like this one, but I just could not get into the story. Unfortunately, it was a DNF for me but others may love it. I appreciate the opportunity to read it!

I have read several stories by this author and enjoyed every one so far. This one was no different! I am grateful for the early access, thank you to those that allowed it!

3.75 Stars

After loving Love Holly last year I was excited to pick this one up! Emily Stone has such a talent for weaving depth into these holiday romances. This book was not just a romance but it was also about grief, family, and figuring out what home means. I thought the travel company that specializes in Christmas traditions added an interesting layer. I struggled at some spots with Lexie as a character. There were also a few of the more emotional moments that I was just wanting a little bit more from. This is a holiday book that I do think has more of a year round appeal.

Lexie’s holiday season takes a sharp detour when she finds out she’s inherited half of her estranged father’s travel company—a business dedicated to holiday traditions around the world. The bigger catch? She has to co-run it for a year with Theo, her dad’s grumpy but ridiculously handsome right-hand man. Lexie has zero plans to stick around (or unpack all the family baggage that comes with this surprise inheritance), but a work trip to Spain changes everything. Between exploring festive markets, romantic sights, and undeniable chemistry, Lexie starts to wonder if selling her share is actually the right move—or if fate has a totally different itinerary planned.

This one brings holiday romance with a side of emotional depth—a mix of travel, self-discovery, and a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic that keeps things interesting. Lexie’s journey isn’t just about romance (though Theo definitely brings the broody, reluctant love interest energy); it’s also about family, grief, and figuring out what home really means. The backdrop of a travel company specializing in Christmas traditions worldwide adds a unique and cozy layer, making it feel like a holiday escape in book form. The romance is sweet with just the right amount of tension, though the pacing drags in some spots, and I wish we got a little more from certain emotional moments.

I’m giving “A Winter Wish” 3.5 out of 5 stars! It’s heartfelt, festive, and has all the travel-loving, holiday magic energy you’d expect, even if it doesn’t totally shake up the genre. If you love forced proximity, holiday-themed adventures, and a romance that starts frosty but melts like a cup of hot cocoa, this one is worth packing for your festive TBR.

These holiday books are filling me with all kinds of warm, fuzzy feelings. While there's definitely some feel-good vibes, it also touches on grief, making the journey all the more meaningful. By the end, though, your heart will be full. It’s perfect for a weekend binge—ideal for the busy holiday season—but so captivating that you won’t want to put it down. It’s a grumpy-sunshine story with two characters you’ll really root for! The depth of this story makes it especially special as it unfolds, and I highly recommend giving it a read this holiday season—or honestly, anytime! *A Winter Wish* is out NOW!

Lexie is left 1/2 of her father's company after his death. This is a complete shock to her as she and her father were estranged. Enter Theo who is the other owner of the company. These 2 have some Pride & Prejudice moments to start their relationship. The kind that leave them mostly enemies.

I did love the travel company and the idea of experiencing a new place through local businesses and at a special time of year. That whole idea was cool and the idea behind the company (and how that came from Lexie's relationship with her father) was also good. I was fully invested in the company's success.

The book explores themes of love, loss, and what happens when you don't really get a second chance. Lexie and her father's relationship was very bittersweet. I liked how she came to know him after his death - but ... And I she came to understand more of her own choices by understanding some of his. But she didn't change a whole lot of her behaviors. The girl needed therapy and the story would have benefitted from more character growth on her side.

Theo was kind of a saint to put up with her antics. They did come to understand each other better, but it's hard to believe Lexie has really changed.

That said, the audio was entertaining and I loved that it was set in Bath (mostly).

Emily Stone's holiday books are always an automatic read for me! "A Winter Wish" didn't disappoint and was an emotional story set in the perfect holiday town. I really enjoyed it!

A quick light hearted read - a girl who loves to travel and had a complicated relationship with her Dad who just dies and left her half his travel business. I loved all the travel related parts of this book.

For me, this book was a like, not a love. I read this around Christmas time, thinking it would be a Christmas centered book, but it really wasn't. I also feel like it focused a little bit more on Lexie and their self discovery than that romance aspect, which was fine!
It's just not what I was expecting, and not the kind of read that I was wanting at the moment. I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I had a better description going in.
With that being said, this was such a feel good story.
Following Lexie's growth and journey accepting her father death and taking over his company was fun! The dynamic between her and Theo was a little bit off for me, and I felt like he lacked character development.
However, I really loved the travel aspect of this story. It was a light, and quick read that is great for any time of the year, not just the winter!

I have loved all of Emily Stone's previous books and was really excited to read this winter and holiday themed one. This one didn't quite hit the mark for me, and I didn't end up enjoying it as much as the others.

I found both Lexie and Theo to be pretty frustrating, I wanted to shake some sense in to them at multiple times. I didn't really feel their connection and really wished they would just have a conversation about what was going on.

I did love the settings -- I love christmas markets, I love traveling around Europe and really enjoyed being able to picture those parts.

Emily Stone will still be an auto-read for me, I do love her writing and she has such a lovely way of describing things. Looking forward to what is next from her.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

I sadly didn’t like this at all. I‘ve recently really been struggling with holiday/christmas romances so it‘s probably more that it isn’t my cup of tea rather than the books‘s fault but I still want to be honest about my personal feelings. Holiday romances need to be just right for me to love them and sadly this one didn’t work for me.

~2.5, rounded up~
When Lexie learns of her father’s death, she’s shocked to find he’s left her half of his successful holiday travel company, with the other half going to Theo, a handsome but moody executive. The will forces them to work together for a year before deciding the company’s future. Though Lexie plans to leave afterward, a work trip sparks undeniable chemistry between her & Theo. Despite their initial judgments, mixing business & pleasure proves complicated.
***
I felt like this story was repetitive. I liked all the different traveling & scenery, descriptions of other countries and their cultures/traditions, but the issues and internal battles just felt dragged out. In essence, I think this book could have been shorter. There were also a ton of characters, which I thought was unnecessary. Although the cover might make this seem like a holiday read, I wouldn't classify it as such... I will say that this might work for those who like the 'enemies to lovers' trope.

A Winter Wish by Emily Stone is a delightful holiday romance that combines heartwarming moments with a touch of sizzling chemistry. When Lexie inherits half of her estranged father’s holiday travel company after his death, she’s left reeling. She must now work alongside Theo, the company’s handsome but gruff executive, to decide the future of the business. The catch? They have to run the company together for a full year before making any decisions.

Lexie’s initial reluctance to be involved is complicated by the growing tension and undeniable chemistry between her and Theo. Their work trip to Spain adds fuel to the fire as they discover new facets of each other’s personalities—and passions. The dynamic between the two is fantastic, with plenty of banter, emotional growth, and a slow-burn romance that will keep readers hooked.

Stone’s writing shines as she balances themes of family, loss, and the joy of unexpected connections, all set against the backdrop of beautiful holiday traditions. A Winter Wish is a charming, cozy read with a perfect blend of romance and holiday cheer. Fans of sweet, heartfelt love stories will enjoy this book, especially those who love the idea of finding love in unexpected places.

Emily Stone likes to break my heart every holiday season. I know what I am getting into but damn girl give me a break just once :D super good though!

Emily Stone is the queen of a holiday grief read for me and I anxiously await her novels each year. However, A Winter Wish didn't quite hit the mark for me. It has all the elements of a stellar read - an enemies to lovers trope, a fresh grief, travel, and a tale of growth - but felt a bit lackluster and predictable. Indeed, a chapter in and you know exactly where the story is going and generally how it's wrapping up.

I listened to A Winter Wish on audio and the narrator was good. It helped with the pacing and built the right tensions and excitement.

For a travel novel, I did want more about the exotic locales Lexie was visiting. I think that coupled with some stronger character development would have helped me be more engaged.

Overall, it was a decent read but one that likely won't stick with me.

Thank you to Dell for the copy.

this was a cute "Hallmark-esque" rom-com to read at the holidays.

It was entertaining, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters and didn't feel any of the chemistry between Lexie and Theo. Overall I was very mid feeling by the end of it.