Yes, we are reading Christmas books in may. This is to ensure I have enough bullets, come December, to deliver a long x-part Christmas recommendations post. This is also just another excuse for me to read Christmas romances, because Christmas is my favorite holiday.

Let’s start with the good stuff first.

I liked the chemistry in this book, and the way the banter just bounces off and fills the room. It’s definitely one of those books you read when you just want to turn your brain off and escape into a snowstorm-laden hotel where there’s only one bed and a hot writer you’re trying not to touch. There’s a lot of spice here, and while I’m not opposed to it in romance books (I’ve gotten fairly used to it), it does bring me to something I ended up not being too fond of.

There are flashbacks interspersed throughout the book, which had a fair amount of open door scenes, and I don’t feel like they added much to the plot. In terms of the actual romance, I think there was too much placed on making sure it remained steamy without really thinking about the actual rationale behind getting back together/fleshing out the first breakup. I get it—it’s meant to be a fun book. I’ve had my fair share of singular-brain-cell-functional romance books that I ended up enjoying a lot, but I think the pacing of this one could’ve really helped make it a tad more believable. I’m not saying give me the emotionality—but give me something so I can root for the two more, because the two characters were actually really lovable. I wish more time could’ve been spent on them working through the issues of their first breakup.

Of course, this is an ARC, and subject to changes, but I do hope they think about making it a little lengthier and focusing more on working through it, because I think even that tweak will help out the ending of the book. I enjoyed the read! Definitely one that’ll keep you engaged with the banter, just wish they could’ve expounded it more.

Thank you Putnam for my arc!

Heart warming magical second chance romance. You are rooting for the characters through the story. Delightful! I can’t wait to read again in December.

Adorable!! That’s the best way to describe this second chance romance. It was adorable. Nick and Jess (yes that’s right New Girl fans) had great banter and spicy chemistry. This is a perfect low stakes holiday read!

All I Want Is You by Fallon Ballard is a holiday romance that combines classic tropes of exes, professional rivals, and forced proximity, all in a heartwarming and humorous novel. Jessica, a small time romance writer, finds herself in a professional and personal bind when she's forced to share a room with her ex-boyfriend Nick, who is now her biggest rival in the literary world. The story captures the tension and chemistry between Jessica and Nick, with their clashing personalities and unresolved feelings creating a dynamic that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. As they navigate their professional rivalry and personal history, you see moments of genuine connection and growth. The novel is a charming exploration of second chances and the magic of the holiday season.

I am a sucker for holiday Hallmark-like books and this story was no exception. I thought it was very cute past and present Christmas romance with a splash of spicy scenes. This was a quick read about 2 romance writers that used to date and now trapped in a snow storm together years later (and there is only one bed!)

I appreciated how fast pasted the book was and I was absolutely rooting for the characters to be end game. However, I was definitely rolling my eyes when the MMC revealed why he broke things off in the first place. I feel like he did redeem himself at the end though.

Please read if you like any of the following tropes:

-Forced proximity/Only one bed
-Rivals to lovers
-It's always been you
-Second chance

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for sharing this holiday book with me in exchange for my honest review.

I love Christmas books and this one was no exception! I loved the tropes- enemies to lovers, one bed, forced proximity… it was *chef’s kiss* I loved both of the characters so much. This book was a fun rom com, with some spice, easy to follow and really easy to get sucked in to. It was my first Falon book, but I have two others on my shelf so I think they might be my next read, because I had such a good time reading this one! Highly recommend!

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

All I Want Is You is a sweet holiday themed romance. Nick and Jess break up on the cusp of their careers and signing book deals. Nick’s career flourishes while Jess’ limps by. Through forced proximity at their publishers holiday party and being snowed in after they are able to revisit their past relationship and rekindle their attraction.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. This book was super cute, I just wish there was more character building. The overall pace of the book felt kind of fast and I wish it built more up.

You get five stars you get five stars yoou get five stars. round of a freaking applause. so so good. I love you so so much Ballard. You are BACK

The word I would use to describe this book is “cute”. It was cute. Like puppy dog cute. Adorable, if you will. With some brief sex scenes spattered throughout. It made me want to read while sipping a peppermint mocha at a Starbucks during Christmas time. And I am not a festive person.

Nick and Jessica (New Girl, anyone?) are both romance writers. Jess is a “live, laugh, love” kind of girl who adores Christmas and happily ever afters. Nick is the kind of romance writer that has no problem squashing your hopes and dreams to deliver an unhappy ending. Nick and Jess used to date until Nick broke her heart with seemingly no explanation. It’s been years since they broke up and they still avoid each other at all costs which is somewhat hard to do since they work for the same publishing company. So when Jess is forced to present an award to Nick at a company ceremony, she is not happy about it. She is also not happy when the hotel loses her reservation, and she is forced to share a room with Nick.

I read this book in about a day. It was a very quick read. I enjoyed it but was I clicking my heels together with delight? No. I was feeling a bit warm and fuzzy though. It did not light my soul on fire but it got me in the Christmas spirit. I would liken it to a Hallmark movie - festive but not groundbreaking.

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Falon Ballard is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance writers, so I was very excited to read this and it did not disappoint. Even though it is Memorial Day weekend, this book transported me to Christmas and I became instantly wrapped up the holiday environment. If you love second-chance romances, New Girl references, and cute holiday love stories, you will love this.

Overall, I thought this was wonderful, and I can't wait to see what Falon Ballard puts out next. I do, however, need to know if Hilary from the coffee shop and Nick's assistant Hilary are the same person, because it was driving me crazy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eArc!

Obsessed. That is it that is my review.

If you are a fan of romantic comedies, this is double dipping. We get two writers writing a rom-com while living out a real one. The setting feels like a field trip to the inn in Gilmore Girls, and everything about it is perfect for the holiday season. This is the perfect book to kick start the holiday season and I know I will be re-reading once December comes around.

Thank you to Putnam Book and Net Galley for this ARC.

This book did such a good job at striking the balance between acknowledging the tropes while still feeling realistic. The way they handled their miscommunication felt very “real.” In addition, I loved some of the spicier scenes! Overall this was a very fun holiday romance that I did not want to put down.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC.

This book is so cute! It’s like a warm holiday hug and such a cute romance. It included all the fun tropes and kind of reminded me of a spicier hallmark movie (my favorites)! It kind of gave me book lovers vibes and I honestly enjoyed reading it. The reason for the break up was kinda meh and it seemed like she was throwing a bunch of reasons in but all in all such a cute quick read!

I am not much of a holiday-specific book fan, BUT I am a Falon Ballard fan. This book did not disappoint! I loved it- the characters, the tension, the tropes- perfection. I even loved the reasons for their breakup 5 years prior. It was messy like most long-term breakups are and believable. The holiday back drop was very present, but not over the top. I enjoyed every minute reading this book and, honestly, flew through it in less than a day. My only complaint is that it had to end. I will absolutely be purchasing the hard copy once this book is released!

I really enjoyed this fast read. It is your classic second romance but with enough new elements thrown in, the concept is fresh and fun. I loved Nick and Jess and found their banter to be one of the book's highlights. Falon Ballard has done it again. Definitely worth the read.

i loveeeee a good romance book, and this totally was a home run!!! quick and light hearted story, and overall a feel-good book.

Falon Ballard never misses, and this Christmas book with second chance x snowed in x only one bed was a perfect read!

This book had the angst, the build up, the steamy scenes, all set at a small hotel in upstate NY where the MCs, both exes and romance writers, are stuck together for a few days.

The setting is cozy, the characters are lovable, and this is a quick read - perfect to pick up over the holidays!

The longing? The angst? Swoon.

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 is a second chance for two jaded writers who are forced into faking niceties for their publishing house's award night, all while something still sizzles between them as the two get snowed in at the holiday resort.

It was short, so it was sweet.
Had it been longer... I don't think the storyline would've worked.

Jess provided all the sass I expect from Ballard's books. I liked that she was more thoughtful than her previous leads. And Nick made me fall in love with him given his pining and concern for Jess.

Small note - the New Girl reference was cute.

- ~ -

3.91 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Second chance romance and a Christmas read? Everything I could personally want in a romance book. This was a short but sweet, fast paced read. Keeps your attention and rooting for Jess and Nick.