
Member Reviews

I will continue to read everything by Martha Waters because I enjoy her books so much! She is a great storyteller and I always enjoy my time reading her books.
Overall this is an enjoyable book despite my annoyance with the FMC. She seemed a little self-centered… she focused and complained about being a former actress way too much. She wasn’t even recognized very often. It was a little off putting.
The cast of characters is memorable and fun with their witty banter. The humor really carries this book. The romance between MCs is sweet and I loved their banter and chemistry.
I almost wish it was more focused on the holidays but definitely a fun book to read around Christmas!
Thank you to Atria Books, NetGalley and Martha Waters for the opportunity to read this ARC.
3.75 stars

✩ 3 stars ✩
⤿ Thank you to Atria Books for the arc through netgalley and a finished physical copy in exchange for an honest review!
it was definitely the move to read this book during Christmas time, it gave ALL the Christmas vibes that were exactly what I wanted. i know that my review is sitting at 3 stars and so it might seem like this wasn't a good book, but I think parts were just not for me. there's definitely a lot of things about this book that will work for so many people, so please don't think that it's horrible based off the rating, let me explain my thoughts!
this is about the main character who starred in a Christmas movie when she was younger, but wants nothing to do with it as an adult. she ends up working at the house (as a tourist attraction) where it was filmed and falling a bit for the son of the owner. she hates Christmas, but she starts to come around to it a bit as the story begins to move forward.
there were many times throughout this story that there were some moments that had me laughing, there's lots of humor in this story and that was one of the best parts. i wish there had been even a little more in the second half of the book, as that was when I felt the tone shift to be a little more serious. the overall vibe though was definitely giving hallmark movie and it was soft and sweet, and the banter between the characters was enjoyable. i feel that there could've been a bit more going on in the story personally, but the simple story was also beneficial to create the Christmas vibe for sure.
overall this was a simple cute holiday romance which is definitely a vibe and something that I just had to find the right time to read, and it might've not been this moment. there's nothing horrible about this book either and if you love hallmark movies you should definitely try this book!
↬ trigger warnings: cheating mentioned, death of family member mentioned13

If this gets made into a Hallmark holiday movie, I would watch it. It’s an adorable holiday read where the FMC, Charlotte, is forced to accept the past, move on from it and learn to enjoy the holiday season once again. I liked that the MMC, Graham, was there to help her rediscover the magic of the holidays, although his agenda to befriend her initially was purely for his own professional benefit. This was light on the romance, but the banter was cute. A lighthearted, heartwarming holiday read. 3.75 stars

Ok seriously the grumpy vibe on the FMC character is off the charts . I like how it revolves around christmas time. I like how the meet cute happens. I really enjoyed the plot and the story. Definitely would recommend.

This was...fine? I appreciated how self aware it became towards the end, but I think I am just not that into the grumpy/sunshine trope, or the let's do a bunch of tasks together trope. I also was annoyed at Charlotte's main growth point in that it felt like her family was supportive of her art the whole time? But I did still enjoy it for the most part and am excited to read a few more unhinged holiday romance novellas over the holiday season...

I received a free copy of Christmas Is All Around, by Martha Waters, from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. In my opinion, this was a wonderfully cozy Christmas read with a solid storyline and likeable main characters. Definitely add to your holiday TBR list!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. So the summary and title of this book really made me excited to read it. I expected from the summary that there would be a bit of mystery with it and there wasn’t at all.
The book was ok but there was just nothing in it that I had expected to find. I kept reading expecting something to happen but nothing did. This one just wasn’t really for me.

Give me a good rom com set during the holidays, and I am SOLD! The storyline was as refreshing as the cute characters. Charlotte and Graham's story was very heartwarming, and I would definitely read more books by this author.

I will forever be a huge fan of holiday themed books! Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters was such a fun read. This was a great Christmas rom-com and I loved the characters, especially the main character Charlotte.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a festive holiday romcom, giving all the Holiday vibes, with a perfectly cozy London setting, decked out for the holidays. This was hands down my favorite “Hollywood romance” trope stories, which tends to be my least fave when it comes to childhood stars for some reason.
I loved the storyline and characters, which really stole the show. Charlotte was the childhood star in the popular Christmas movie that was filmed in the home that belongs to Graham, who happens to be the cute but grumpy love interest.
*many thanks to Atria and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

This book had all the makings of a cozy holiday rom-com—festive London settings, a grumpy-but-sweet love interest, and a heroine with a complicated relationship with Christmas. And while it had its charming moments, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
Charlotte’s struggle with her child-star past and her reluctance to embrace the holiday season was an interesting premise, but at times, she felt more frustrating than endearing. I completely understood her desire to move on from the role that defined her, but the constant push-and-pull of her attitude toward both Christmas and Graham made it hard to fully root for her.
That said, the setting was undeniably magical—London during the holidays? Yes, please. The atmospheric details, from the Christmas markets to the historic estate of Eden Priory, were beautifully done and gave the book a cinematic feel. Graham was a solid love interest—patient, kind, and refreshingly normal compared to Charlotte’s Hollywood baggage—but I wished their chemistry had been a little stronger.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a fun, cute, unique, and lighthearted holiday rom-com that will leave you feeling all merry and bright! I absolutely fell in love with Charlotte and Graham—their chemistry and banter were just right. The author does a wonderful job creating characters who feel real and relatable. Graham is a total sweetheart and the perfect book boyfriend 🥰. My only wish? That we could have had a dual point of view and maybe done away with the third-act breakup. Still, this heartwarming story is a perfect Christmas read, and I highly recommend it! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A sweet holiday romance! It gives The Holiday vibes. American visiting England. American meets handsome Englishman. They hit it off. It was a really sweet story. She was a child actor that can't get away from th Christmas movie she was in. He is trying to help out his family with their home that is falling apart. They come together to give us a swoony love story perfect for the holiday season. I give it 4 stars because of miscommunication. They were doing so well until she decided to just make it no fun with a by misunderstanding. But other than that, it was great.

I love a good holiday romance. This was a fun idea of her not liking that she was in a holiday movie. I do wish there was an epilogue so we could see how they made it work not living in the same country.

This charming holiday rom-com offers a refreshing take on finding Christmas spirit. Charlotte, a former child star weary of her iconic holiday movie, is a relatable and witty protagonist. Her initial Grinch-like attitude provides plenty of humorous moments, especially when contrasted with the over-the-top holiday enthusiasm surrounding her. Graham, the earnest and slightly exasperated son trying to save his family's estate, is equally endearing. Their banter is sharp and their developing connection feels genuine.
The writing style is light and engaging, perfect for curling up with during the festive season. The author paints vivid pictures of London's holiday charm and the enchanting Eden Priory, making you feel like you're right there amidst the twinkling lights and festive decorations. While the plot follows familiar rom-com beats, the unique premise of a former child star grappling with her holiday past adds a fresh layer.
The supporting characters, including Charlotte's chaotic family, add to the comedic elements and create a warm, if slightly overwhelming, holiday atmosphere. The exploration of how perspective can shift your feelings about even the most dreaded things is a lovely underlying theme. While some plot points might feel a tad predictable, the delightful characters and engaging writing make this a thoroughly enjoyable and heartwarming holiday read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this e-ARC!

This book feels a tad bit ridiculous, the motivations of side characters seem completely off just to create circumstances for the main couple

This was such a cute holiday read! Short and sweet and exactly what I was expecting. I loved the twist on a child star from a popular Christmas movie disliking the movie and holiday so much but ends up back at one of the popular film places without realizing it. This story was giving Love Actually vibes and I ate it up. This was my first Martha Walters book and I really liked her writing style! I’ll definitely be picking up more in the future.
My only con was that this wasn’t anything new to this storyline. I’ve read it before and I’ll keep reading it. The 3rd act conflict went a little off the rails, but overall, I really did enjoy this read and think you might too.
The perfect addition to your holiday TBR!
Thank you Atria Books for the ARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Atria for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.
I loved this so much. This is a great Christmas/holiday book. I love the authors' holiday stories. I love the ghosts of Christmas past concept/retelling.

If you’re looking for a charming, laugh-out-loud rom-com that’s perfect for the holidays, Christmas Is All Around is an absolute must-read! This delightful story follows Charlotte, a former child star whose connection to a holiday classic has trapped her in a never-ending loop of nostalgia—and she's not a fan. When she flees to London for some much-needed distance, she finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of holiday magic, rekindling old memories, and maybe, just maybe, a spark of romance.
The character development is wonderful, especially Charlotte’s journey from holiday-hater to someone who begins to see the magic in the season—and in life—again. The setting of Christmas is All Around is practically a character in itself, with its beautiful holiday decorations and historical charm providing the perfect backdrop for this feel-good story.
Graham, the son of the Priory’s owners, is the perfect swoon-worthy counterpart to Charlotte’s fiery personality. Their chemistry is palpable, and watching their relationship unfold against the enchanting London Christmas scenes is a joy. Their banter and growing connection felt so real and heartwarming.
The pacing is perfect, and the storyline is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. If you love stories that are as cozy as a cup of hot cocoa with a dash of holiday cheer, then this book will absolutely capture your heart. It’s a festive, magical tale about the power of perspective, finding joy in unexpected places, and, of course, love.
This book was a total holiday treat! Don’t miss out on this gem—it’s sure to put you in the best festive mood!

This was a Hallmark movie in book form. It had me giggling and kicking my feet and swooning.
The only thing that would have made this better is if it was dual POV.