Well, this tale started off with a drunken, curse-laden one night stand...and maybe that's why it was hard to want to root for this couple from the start. Maybe that's just me? Fortunately it felt like after that there was a shift in the tone and it did give off the Christmasy, slightly cheesy relationship and small town vibes I was after. I just didn't understand the beginning when Harriet's quirky not-quite-cursing self became established, and James' brooding but gentle personality came out. The beginning just wasn't indicative of the rest to me.
Lots of characters were introduced and different plots unfolded within, and maybe that seems like overkill, but it all unfolded as it should. The tension near the end was a little overplayed in their young relationship, and dare I mention the recklessness of the first act again? It didn't make sense for these two trying to work out their futures when they're in their 40s.
In short, if the first chapter was reworked the whole entire story would check off cozy romantic Christmas vibes.
Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

Really enjoyed this book. It does have a very slow start and in the beginning you’ll be wondering if Harriet is just a doormat type of person (letting herself be taken advantage of) but she’s not. Stick with it. I find myself wholly invested in the group of folks that came together in the theater. The story is uplifting and rewarding. Feel good without the saccharine feel. There are problems and hurdles which make the plots feel realistic. My only complaint would be the ending felt a little forced and it would have been better to explore more details of the side characters lives.

This was a delightful read! I will read anything that Jenny Bayliss releases because it's guaranteed to provide warm and cozy vibes. The story, itself, has some really great themes - healing, finding your self-worth, and the power of community development (just to name a few!). It's not as romance forward as her other books. It's more a story of finding oneself amidst the chaos of life. I would definitely recommend this read, as well as any other of Jenny's books.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. love a christmas/holiday story when something in a small town needs to be saved! this time with the christmas play needing help and the life of the theater depends on harriet! i really liked how it was more focused on a "family" relationship and not a love interest relationship. well written as always, jenny.

This marvelous Christmas story tells the tale of a newly renovated community theatre and the members trying to perform A Christmas Carol before the theatre is sold. It all started because 5 students were caught skipping school in said theatre by their guidance counselor – who takes the heat and offers their community service as payment so the landlord doesn’t press charges.

Harriet, the guidance counselor, was not expecting their ramshackle group to grow, and while she hoped the theatre could be an access to the community – she did not anticipate it becoming THE community hub. As she works to pull the production off, she is not expecting to partner with the landlord’s attorney – who happens to be a man she had a one-night stand with the night before.

Why Kirsten loves it
A lot is going on in this story in the best possible way. Some students bring talents and gifts to life as they earn confidence working on the production. Other community members find their place in the group and help mentor the children. There is romance, a fantastic production, and so much Christmas cheer. I also got choked up at the acknowledgment of Hanukkah and the mini celebration they have for one of the theatre members. Representation means so much.

This book definitely had all the holiday movie vibes and feels. I expected it to make me feel warm and fuzzy and in the holiday spirit, and it certainly did that. I'm not surprised that I loved this book (I have never not loved a Jenny Bayliss book), but I was surprised that it might be my new Jenny Bayliss favorite!
I loved the quirky and fun side characters (who doesn't love a theatre troupe) and the fun way that our MCs ended up having to spend time together (definitely an unusual plot line!). As a theatre kid and a lawyer adult, I really connected with and found so much joy in the incorporation of the theatre environment into the book (as well as the classic overworked lawyer).
Definitely adding this book to my must-read Christmas list!

When Harriet learns that her daughter will not be home for Christmas this year, she drowns her sorrows with mulled wine and a one night stand. But there is no time to sulk as she is needed back at work the next day on the pastoral care team for a private school. She has tasked herself with keeping a close eye on her students and help keep them from making foolish mistakes. In the process, she takes the blames when they are all found trespassing in the town’s run down theater. The theater owner agrees to let them all off the hook, if they clean the theater and put on a performance, even offering to have her solicitor assist in the process. Harriet will do anything to help the kids, even work with the solicitor, who turns out to be her one night stand.

This was a perfectly cozy seasonal read. I do wish I had read it closer to the Christmas season, but that is completely on me for not paying attention to the pub date when I requested the arc. I loved the diverse characters, covering a wide range of ages and personalities, and the relational dynamics present in this story. Although there’s a romantic element, I felt the book focused more on the importance of community and self care. It was overall a heartwarming and comforting read.
Rating: Liked

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I liked the idea of this book…but I found it to be a slow, tedious read. For me the plot just never quite hit its stride. Worth a read just not my personal favorite. I’d give it 3 stars.

Reading this got me into the cozy Christmas spirit too early! Almost wanted to drop all things Halloween and skip right to Christmas thanks to it! I will be rereading in December to get back in that vibe and buying as Christmas gifts for friends so they can do the same! This was cute! Like a holiday movie but way better because it has a few elements in its story line Hallmark just would never try!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!

When Harriet Smith, private school counselor, bails out a ragtag group of five misfit students from a trespassing run in she has no idea what is in store for her! A run in with a one night stand and a feud with a scrooge-esqe local rich old woman, which lands her into fixing up an old run down theater and putting on a last minute production. Kiss Me At Christmas follows Harriet and the local community as they band together and find friendship and found family in the most unlikely of places.

I loved that this book was a romance with an older FMC, both the FMC and MMC were in their forties which is an age group I think is often neglected in the romance genre! However I think I struggled with a few things
- The FMC is a counselor-type role at a private school and has a horrible work life balance. As a teacher I was disappointed that the book glorified workaholism in schools and having very few boundaries. I wish that they had maybe emphasized how you can care for students without having it monopolize your life and how these types of roles are held by professionals with higher degrees and not necessarily by "do gooders" with no boundaries
-There were multiple miscommunications between the FMC and MMC that were very minor but seemed to be exacerbated for the sake of the plot
-The FMC often used euphemisms for common swears that make her seem very young/immature. I wish that she had either used the swear like a 40 year old woman would or they could have just been left out all together? They interrupted the flow of the book for me and were more confusing than anything.

Overall for a Christmas read it was heartwarming and cute but wouldn't necessarily be something I would pick up each holiday season for a re-read!

A fun festive read. Harriet meets James one night in a pub and has no idea how their lives are going to become intertwined. A great read.

This book will really get you into the Christmas Spirit!!! This is a modern day retelling of The Christmas Carol. I loved the slow burn relationship between Harriet and James. Such a heartwarming story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book.

While this book wasn't my favorite holiday/Christmas themed book of 2024, I still found it to be pretty enjoyable. It was a decent cozy read that will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Jenny Bayliss's books have been hit or miss for me and I would classify this book as somewhere in the middle. Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

while seemingly promising, i ended up dreading picking this up and reading this… sorry….

usually i find holiday books cheesy, but still redeemable. this one for sure hit the mark on the holiday aspect in my opinion, but the rest of the actual plot fell flat for me. the pacing was slow and quickly became repetitive. i didn’t like any of the characters - not even the love interest! and that’s a feat in it of itself! i would recommend if you don’t mind slower, meandering pacing in a romcom.

thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!

I love holiday romance books and this one was SOOO CUTE!!😍😍 Heartwarming love stories are my absolute favorite! 🥹 the pacing of the love development was perfect and I really really enjoyed Jenny’s writing! This was my first book from her and I can’t wait to read more of her books! 😍

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was sweet and heartwarming. It was a perfect Christmas read. All the Christmas cheer and spirit. I really enjoyed this!

Thank you NetGalley, Jenny Bayliss, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and G.P. Putnam's Sons for giving me an ARC of this book!

This book gave off so much Christmas Spirit! The love story between Harriet & James was one that you witnessed every step of it blooming. . From meeting and getting to know each other and then to growing into something more with a few bumps along the way.

3.5 stars
This is a sweet and heartwarming story, but I found it to be kind of light on romance. There were some big romantic moments, but I felt the focus of the story was Harriet building a new community as she worked on bringing A Christmas Carol to the stage. Lots of the book was about the renovation process of the theater and all the steps involved in production - casting, costumes, backdrops, etc. There were many great characters, just not as much of the couple as I've been used to in other Jenny Bayliss books. Also the couple is late 40s/early 50s, so a different age group than I recall from past books.
A good holiday story, especially for those who love theater.

I’m a firm believer that it’s not Christmas without Jenny Bayliss and Kiss Me at Christmas just continues to solidify that opinion.

I loved experiencing the FMC’s character growth and learning to stand up for herself! The found family aspect and diversity of character ages/backgrounds was also so special. Will definitely be recommending this one!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. “Kiss Me at Christmas” is a holiday rom-com and a heart felt story. I loved how the different groups bonded and the community came together.
“Kiss Me at Christmas” was the first book that I have read by Jenny Bayliss. I look forward to reading all her Christmas books.