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.

This was the perfect holiday read, and probably my favorite for the season! I finished this in two sittings with a warm cup of coffee in hand!

This was another cute Christmas read by Emily Stone. She hasn't let me down yet, and I really enjoy reading her books each year during the holiday season. She writes characters you want to pull for, and stories that pull at your heartstrings. If you are a lover of Hallmark movies, I recommend reading her books as well.

The enemies (slight) to lovers trope, along with forced proximity is a great combination. Throw in a 'from the grave meddling parent' aspect and that's just the sprinkles on top of this story. I loved knowing that her dad would approve and be happy with them being together since he forced it to happen in the first place. **spoiler, but not really a spoiler since it IS a romcom* I just kept imagining that it gave Lexie comfort knowing her dad also loved the man she loves.

Can't wait for her next one!

I thought A Winter Wish was a fun and engaging rom-com. Lexie, someone who can't put down roots, has to go home for her father's funeral. There, she learns he has given his business to her, but there's a catch - she co-owns it with Theo, who she gets off on the wrong foot with. I really enjoyed how this book played out, and I had a hard time putting it down!

Emily Stone never fails to write a winter romance that gives me all the feels! After loving "Love, Holly" so much last year, I was extremely excited to be able to read her newest book. A Winter Wish is another wonderful, heartfelt Christmas romance that will have you reaching for the tissues and making your heart grow three sizes!

As someone who lost their father, I'm always moved by authors who write death well. Emily Stone does this beautifully, and I was moved by this story so much. It is full of sorrow and hope, fun and tension. You won't regret adding this to your holiday TBR!

Lexie is very bitter about her dad leaving her for his second family when he dies and leaves her half of his travel company. The other half is left to Theo his employee. There is such antagonism between the two main characters that it was hard to like either of them at the beginning. But this is a story of second chances and a slow burn romance. I did enjoy a few of the travel sites the characters visited. 3.5 stars

Lexie inherits her dad’s travel business but they haven’t been close since he left their family for a new one. Many resentments have built up. While inheriting this business she also gets a partner who she cannot stand.

This book follows Lexie, who inherits half of her estranged father’s holiday travel company after his death. The other half goes to Theo, her father’s right-hand man, who isn’t exactly thrilled to share control. The two of them have to run the business together for a year before deciding what to do with it. Lexie assumes she’ll walk away when the time is up, but as she gets more involved—and as she and Theo start to see each other in a new light—things get complicated.

While this book is marketed as a heartwarming holiday read, it didn’t quite capture the wintery, festive atmosphere I was hoping for. The premise had potential, but I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Lexie, as the protagonist, came across as more whiny than relatable, which made it hard to connect with her journey. The romance between her and Theo had its moments, but overall, the emotional depth didn’t land as strongly as I expected. For readers looking for a story about self-discovery and second chances, this might still be enjoyable—but if you’re seeking a truly cozy, Christmas-filled novel, this one might not fully deliver.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC of this book.

Emotional holiday story. Lexie's struggles to settle down and take over her dad's company, deal with Theo as a partner, while grappling the emotions of the death of her dad while keeping her mom's feelings in mind... brings up a lot of emotions. Dealing with the death of a parent, even when not close to that person, is difficult. Lexie's struggles rang true for her character and didn't feel far fetched or exaggerated. It was a perfect balance of reflection/emotion and romance.

I really enjoyed this. I read Love, Holly last month and loved it and was excited to jump into her new one. I liked the enemies to lovers trope and how much depth there was. I also like how it’s not specifically Christmas so it was still fine to read it at any time of year, but especially in the winter. I thought it was cute!

A Winter Wish is a delightful holiday romance that strikes the perfect balance between heartwarming charm and emotional depth. Lexie’s unexpected inheritance from her estranged father sets the stage for a rich, engaging story that explores the complexities of family, business, and the possibility of second chances. The unique premise of a holiday travel company specializing in global traditions adds a refreshing twist, allowing readers to enjoy a holiday adventure that spans the world. Lexie’s internal conflict, as she grapples with her past and her unexpected role in the company, is both relatable and poignant, while her chemistry with Theo—her unlikely business partner—is electric and undeniable. Their gradual transformation from wary co-workers to something more is a highlight of the book.

Theo, the brooding executive, adds a compelling layer of tension to the story, especially with his initial reluctance to work with Lexie. Their banter is sharp, and the way their relationship evolves feels natural and engaging. While the premise of mixing business with pleasure is familiar, the author’s warm prose and well-developed characters make it feel fresh and exciting. There are moments of predictable holiday romance, but the emotional journey Lexie embarks on, combined with the exploration of her connection with Theo, makes A Winter Wish a thoroughly enjoyable and heartfelt read. It’s the perfect book to curl up with during the holiday season.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute enemies to lovers books that met the typical parts of this genre with the predictable tropes. I really loved the places that they visited in this story and it made me want to go on amazing trips with these extravagant trips with amazing festivals and restaurants. That was the very best part of this story to me!

I just didn't love the main character, Lexie. And it took awhile to like Theo, the other main character. But, the setting and the growth of the characters made this one a good read in the end.

Emily Stones books bring me so much comfort each winter. Her books tend to be emotional, and A Winter Wish was no different. The story follows Lexie after she inherits her father’s business, who she had been estranged from. She owns 50% alongside Theo, her father’s partner she never met before. Automatically it’s an enemies to lovers trope of a story, and I absolutely adored it. I loved the way they pushed eachother buttons, but seamlessly made eachother laugh. My heart was so warm from the romance aspect of the story, but there were so many other special characters and moments. Stone did a great job writing a novel that focuses on complicated grief. Although Lexie frustrated me at times, I admired her bravery and her strength. I highly recommend this one!

This was a good cute read I'm sorry I forgot to review it earlier I guess it slipped through the cracks. But I read it over Christmas and it was perfect for that. I didn't love lexis character at first but I came around to her. I thought the premise was really creative and I liked the travel theme. I liked how the two sisters evolved as well. Cute fun easy cozy read

Emily Stone’s books are continually a hit for me. I very much enjoyed this story about Lexie, who inherits half of a travel company from the father she’s been estranged from since childhood. The other half is owned by Theo, her father’s employee. Neither of them are thrilled by the situation, but of course as the story unfolds, they get to know each other and develop feelings for each other. I loved the armchair travel experience of reading about their various travels, and I thought the relationship that developed between them was heartfelt and sweet. The story is also about Lexie’s journey to understand her late father better as well as her stepsister. The story has more depth than some holiday rom coms and definitely delivers all the feels.

A Winter Wish is a heartfelt and beautifully written story about grief, forgiveness, and the journey of finding where you truly belong. Emily Stone once again delivers a captivating narrative filled with emotional depth, and this book is no exception.

Although the story unfolds largely around Christmas, it’s not limited to the holiday season—this is a book you can enjoy any time of the year. It follows Lexi as she navigates the challenging year after her father’s passing, grappling with her unexpected inheritance of half a company she has no desire to manage.

The characters and their chemistry made this book a joy to read. While Lexi’s stubbornness could be frustrating at times, her personal growth felt authentic and relatable. Her journey pulled me in, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

One of my favorite aspects was the travel element—exploring new places and learning about their traditions added a layer of magic to the story. It even made me dream of working in a travel agency myself!

Overall, A Winter Wish is a heartwarming, emotionally rich story that’s perfect for cozying up with this winter. Whether you’re looking for a tale of self-discovery, touching relationships, or just a feel-good read, this book has it all.

Thank you @dellromance for the #gifted book, @netgalley for the e-book!

I love @emstonewrites’s holiday’s books! It’s been a staple in my holiday romance catalog over the past few years! This was a mix of complex family dynamics, dealing with grief, and a touch of enemies-to-lovers romance!

Although it has emotional themes, this was one of her lightest novels so far! She always has touching stories that tug on your heartstrings for the holiday season! I did a mix of audio and on e-book and really enjoyed the audio format of this one!

She continues to have a fan in me, and I will always keep reading her books!