Overall vibe: Christmassy, and a little inspiring to see a ragtag group come together and make a difference.

Pros: The found family themes were delightful, and it felt like a lovely Christmas story. I was more bought into the community in the story than anything else.

Cons: The book was a bit on the dry side and it took a lot to keep me invested. I wasn’t terribly bought into the romance, and certain lines like “Think of me like festive methadone” really made me question what I was reading.

Rating: 2.5 stars - I made it through but wouldn’t recommend it. It’s a shame, I’ve enjoyed previous Jenny Bayliss novels.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC of this book! I was excited to read something with a little Christmas cheer and I love an older FMC, but besides that, this one was just unfortunately not for me. I had a lot of trouble rooting for the main characters and I just was not engaged on the storyline at all. It may be a good choice for someone else, but for me I just could not get into it. Thanks for the opportunity to read an early copy.

This was a charming book, and perfect for a “Christmas in July” selection. While the events of the book do take place at Christmas, the holiday is kind of back burner. The only real nod to the holiday is the fact that the MC is in the dumps, spending the holidays alone while her daughter is away. (So a good warm up for holiday reading, not being covered in tinsel and cheer while it’s 90 degrees outside!)

Harriet is roped into putting on a play in a theater undergoing renovations, in a sort of community service agreement after her students are caught breaking and entering. (Okay, the play is A Christmas Carol so there is another holiday element!) The theater becomes a meeting ground for the community, drawing together the town in participation. Romance develops between Harriet and her former one night stand- the lawyer in charge of overseeing this community service.

I almost enjoyed meeting the townspeople and their interactions more than Harriet’s story, the characters are well rounded and easily pictured. I thought the whole story was warm and entertaining and I frankly wanted to go join a theater group by the time it ended.

Thanks so much to Jenny Bayliss, Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
Thank you, NetGalley, and publishers for this ARC
PUB DAY: September 24th, 2024
3 stars

It was great to read a book by Jenny Bayliss and while it was a great read it just wasn’t my cup of tea. The storyline of this book was unique and I couldn’t get into the storyline but it was worth the read! Even though I couldn’t get into the story of the characters Jenny Bayliss has a great way of creating characters that are unique and intriguing! I felt this book was lacking a few things which is why I rated it 3 stars! While it was lacking in a few areas for me it very well could be a hit for everyone else that reads it!

#ChristmasReads #ChristmasRomanceNovels #TeachersWhoRead #NursesWhoRead #AutisticBookworm

Kiss Me at Christmas is a compelling read that offers a well-crafted blend of cozy elements. The author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking, with characters that feel real and relatable.

The plot is paced well, keeping you hooked from beginning to end, with just the right number of plot advances

The themes explored in Kiss Me at Christmas are relevant and thoughtfully presented.

Overall, Kiss Me at Christmas is a highly enjoyable read that I would recommend to fans of Jenny and anyone looking for a well-written, engaging story. It’s a solid four-star book that delivers on its promises and leaves you eager for more from this author.

wanted to really love this book, but instead, I just enjoyed it. It's still a good story with some entertaining characters, but I just couldn't relate to or bond with any of them.

I recommend this to anyone who loves Hallmark Movies and Christmas Romances. I already know I will be buying it for my cousin this year.

Thank You to NetGalley, Jenny Bayliss, and the Publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in return for an Honest Review.

Jenny Bayliss writes the most perfect holiday books. I read one every year and it gives off the best vibes. You always feel transported right to her small-town settings and I'll continue reading her books year after year. This one didn't compare to how much I loved the 12 Dates of Christmas, but it was still a fantastic holiday read.

what a perfect mid-year Christmas romance!! The FMC was perfectly angsty, but caring and there to help those she loved the most. MMC fit so perfectly, felt like things grew/evolved so naturally it felt so realistic to real world experiences and supported the FMC in all the ways she deserved to be supported. I recommend this to anyone who has read any of Jenny Bayliss’ previous works, loved Christmas themed romance and the true showing of found family.

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House and Jenny Bayliss for the advanced reader copy!

THIS IS MY FAVORITE JENNY BAYLISS BOOK YET!!! Kiss Me at Christmas has found family and a push over FMC who learns to stand up for herself. Truly this book gave me all the Holiday cheer in August with a diverse cast of characters from different ages to backgrounds working together to better their community. Less romance and more focus on the found family and community which I really enjoyed.

Thank you to Putnam books and NetGalley for an advanced copy!

4.75 stars!!!

This would be a great holiday movie. I was so happy with the way it ended. I was hoping with all of my heart that there wouldn’t be a placeholder fill-in to make the FMC feel better.

To learn to love and do for yourself is such a valuable lesson. You are worth it even if it is just you.

The book took me in a different direction than what I assumed this story was going to be about and I’m glad. There was more depth to the reason for why things were the way they were. That was highly appreciated.

I will be seeking out more work from this author.

Thank you Putnam Books, NetGalley, and Jenny Bayliss for allowing me to review this ARC

This was cute and full of holiday warm-fuzzies, but ultimately fell a little flat for me.

Definitely leans more toward General Fiction/Women’s Fiction than Romance which was surprising for a book that starts with a one-night stand. The multitude of side characters were fun, but the plot bordered on trite and the relational conflict / MMC’s motivation as a character was a stretch.

If you like simple and sweet, filled with Christmasy community do-goodery, you’ll like this. I prefer a little more depth and a little more romance.

I’ve enjoyed the author’s previous books, but Kiss Me at Christmas is my favorite. Harriet was relatable to most middle-aged women, and I appreciated that she didn’t have it all together, but rather was still vulnerable and learning about herself throughout her story. James was 100% swoon-worthy, yet he too was complex enough to be realistic and interesting. The community cast of characters and the setting of the theatre were utterly delightful. There were several laugh out loud moments and some tear jerkers too. I loved the touch of Harriet’s creative expressions when exasperated. Anyone living or working with kids, attempting to keep language clean will get it. I kept thinking how much fun the author must have had coming up with these expressions. I loved it.
I wanted a slightly different ending for H & J, but what is written works. Looking forward to pre-orders! And honestly hope this translates to film. It would be a fantastic holiday classic.
Thank you #NetGalley and #GPPutnam’sSons for the ARC ebook! Sharing my review on Goodreads

ARC REVIEW

Kiss me at Christmas
By Jenny Bayliss

Rating: ⭐️⭐️/5 (2 out of 5)

Publishing date: 9/24/24

I've read 3 other Jenny Bayliss holiday books and really enjoyed them. But this fell SO short for me.

I was honestly bored the entire time and just trying to get through it. I didn't like the story line or characters.  It just wasn't for me. 🤷‍♀️

GOOD READS BLURB
Christmas can officially get stuffed because Harriet Smith is not feeling bright and merry this year. She hasn’t for a while. So when her college-aged daughter opts for Manhattan’s winter wonderland instead of Christmas at home, Harriet finds herself seeking solace in a wine-soaked one-night stand.

But how Harriet will spend the holidays is swiftly decided for her after she takes the fall for some students who break into the town’s old Winter Theater. To get the students off the hook, the theater’s elderly owner requests that Harriet direct the washed-out stage’s final Christmas performance. And Harriet will do anything to help the kids . . . even work with the owner’s lawyer who, as it turns out, is her less than impressed one-night stand.

Directing the play with him won't exactly change her life. But it might just reignite the Christmas spirit and remind her what makes life merry and bright again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC of Jenny Bayliss's "Kiss Me at Christmas," which is a delightful holiday romance that perfectly captures the magic of the season. The charming characters, witty dialogue, and heartwarming plot make it a joy to read. Bayliss's writing sparkles with humor and warmth, making the love story between Harriet and James feel genuine and deeply satisfying. This book is a cozy, feel-good escape that’s perfect for curling up with the fire during the festive season. I highly recommend this one for anyone looking to add a bit of romance and holiday cheer to their reading list!

As much as I love holiday books, this one was not my favorite. The fmc Harriet was unlikeable, the mmc James was boring, and there was too many side characters to keep track of. The story was also unbelievable, fixing up a theater in that short time like is unbelievable. I did like the found family aspect.

2.5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and publisher for an opportunity to read an early copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This is a feel good holiday romance that lives up to the merry and bright holiday cheer that always accompanies a Jenny Bayliss novel 🥰🎄 This is a second chance romance with a little bit of enemies to lovers trope set in a run down Winter theater that is in need of a Christmas miracle. This novel addresses some heavy themes such as self worth, micro-aggressions, self advocacy, and opening your heart to love again. At times Harriet and Jack were a little immature or insecure to me considering they were supposed to be in their 40s/late 40s but otherwise this novel had everything I was looking for in a holiday romance ❤️

Thank you Putnam and Penguin Group for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

2.5 stars rounded up
I would not categorize this as a romance at all. Not to say it isn't a good story idea - it is, but a little boring, and about 100 pages too long. I loved the found family aspect and that was by far the best part of the book; Harriet, the FMC, was the worst part. She seemed very immature for someone her age and for her role in her profession. The idea of the community theater was solid but putting together a show in 4 weeks right before Christmas in an almost-condemned building was ridiculous. I guess anything is possible when your benefactress is that wealthy. Can't recommend.

“Kiss Me at Christmas” by Jenny Bayliss is a delightful and heartwarming holiday read!

Harriet Smith, the leader of a high school pastoral care team, catches five of her students breaking into a abandoned theater. When the rich and snotty owner of the theater agrees not to press charges in exchange for Harriet cleaning up the theater, Harriet insists that the students help with the cleanup. In her negotiations with the owner, Harriet requests that the theater be made accessible to various community groups. The owner reluctantly agrees but orders that Harriet and her students produce a play in the theater in order to help it be sold. The romance in question? The owner's lawyer, with whom Harriet had a wine-soaked one night stand. As Harriet and James work together with the students to clean the theater and get the production together, Harriet discovers that Christmas magic might just reignite her spirit and remind her what truly matters.

The book features quirky characters and boundless optimism, creating a heartwarming community that will make your holiday spirits soar. Jenny Bayliss weaves humor, romance, and genuine happiness into a wholehearted tale. If you’re looking for a feel-good holiday story, “Kiss Me at Christmas” delivers. It’s a story of second chances, unexpected connections, and the magic of the season.

I received a free copy of, Kiss Me at Christmas, by Jenny Bayliss, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Harriett Smith in not in a good mood, or happy that its Christmas, especially when her daughter, decides to spend the holidays away from her. Harriet decides to have a one night stand, and help some kids out with a Christmas play. I did not care for this book. I did not like Harriet at all.

Kiss Me At Christmas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’re looking for a Christmas romance that’s more about the cozy community than the romance, this will be perfect this Christmas!

Harriet cares for everyone in her community as a teacher and suddenly as a theatre producer! Throughout this story, there’s a huge cast of misfit characters who all work to bring the local theater back to life for a final Christmas Story.

I liked these older main characters who were still working through their own places. Some of the romance seemed a little rushed with the theater taking so much of the stage, but a nice variation of a Christmas romance.