This was another fun read by Martha Waters. I find that Martha is able to make me laugh and enjoy and I always enjoy the characters.

This was my first book by this author but her books have been popular at our library. I gave this one a try because of the more modern setting and the premise sounded cute. Overall I enjoyed it but it didn’t feel like anything really unique or special, but it was still a cute holiday romance. It does have a lot of classic Christmas movie feelings just like many other books in the holiday genre. I think the beginning 20% was the strongest part and after that it slowed down a bit for me. I liked it overall but never felt super invested in the story. I would be curious to try one of her other books, and I know this will be a huge hit on our library shelves for her fans. I’m curious to see what they think of her shift to more modern times. I also didn’t realize she was an open door author until this book, that’s something I prefer to skip and she was more on the longer side- it felt a bit out of place because there wasn’t a lot of build up to it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

If you love a story with a Grinch whose heart grows 5 sizes by Christmas, you will love this book. With the funny situations that Charlotte ends up in to her crazy family, you will be laughing out loud from the first chapter to the last. Not only do you have a love story, but you have light family drama for both Charlotte and Graham. A fun, happy, with a little seriousness thrown in will all your feels. Great meet cute and grand gesture puts a neat little Christmas bow on the absolutely wonderful gift for any rom-com lover.

4 stars.

Such a fun holiday read - I absolutely love reading grumpy Christmas novels and this had a heavy dose of "grumpy woman meets an even more grumpy man who then turns her world upside down in the best possible way"! I absolutely loved the premise - former child star that hated Christmas thanks to a movie that she was involved in while she was a child? Then returns to the very home that it was filmed in and agrees to use her past in order to help the now homeowner? It's just squeal-worthy and oh so fun!

The bickering is adorable and fun, the banter is next level, and I just absolutely adored both the characters backstories as well as their growth and development. There are so many touching moments, and it's just overall a perfect holiday read.

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you @atriabooks and @marthawaters for the ARC of Christmas Is All Around, I loved it! This fun romcom is the story of Charlotte, an artist and anti-Christmas former child star and who was in a very popular Christmas movie 20 years ago, when she was just nine years old. A recent article about a possible reboot (and her turning it down) went viral, and she escapes to London to visit her sister's family and hide out while the article buzz dies down. Fate and Christmasy activities with her sister's family lead her to Eden Priory, one of the filming locations for the Christmas movie she starred in, and there she meets Graham, the handsome and bespectacled son of the owner.

Charlotte accepts a commission illustrating iconic holiday movie scenes in London and adjoining villages. Graham offers to join her and they begin spending more time scouting locations together. The anti-Christmas romcom girl may learn to love the magic of Christmas, if it is her own love story.

I adored this book and already can't wait for Martha Waters' next novel. I really enjoyed both Graham and Charlotte and their chemistry throughout the book. What made this book for me, were all of the secondary characters, namely, all of their sisters. There were plenty of moments where I was audibly laughing as well as heartwarming moments that covered grief, self-worth, and family relationships. I highly recommend this lovely Christmas book to anyone in the mood for a seasonal romcom that has it all!

This was so cute and has a fresh and unique quality that if oftentimes lacking in a holiday romance for me. Charlotte’s distaste for Christmas cracked me up, I loved her humor and the chemistry between her and Graham was great. Nikki Massoud is a great narrator and sounded exactly like I imagined Charlotte would

Thank you Atria Books for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

I wasn’t too sure about this book, as I haven’t read any of the author’s historical romances, but after a review from a trusted friend I moved it up my TBR. And I LOVED it. It was such a fun, festive book with a lot of heart. It also has excellent audio production and was a great companion during this transitional time before December. It was Christmassy, but not Hallmark Christmassy.

Synopsis:

“Charlotte hates the holidays. As a former child actress, she starred in a modern classic of a holiday movie, and its fans won’t let her move on. When a piece revealing that her reluctance nixed plans for a reboot, she flees to London to spend the five-week countdown to the holidays with her sister.But the ghosts of Christmas past follow her there when she ends up at Eden Priory, a filming location for the movie she has never visited. There, after being recognized by a fan while viewing the extraordinary holiday decorations, she’s accidently left behind, forcing her to accept a ride back to London from Graham, the son of the owners. Their family business—and the funds to keep their historic house running—relies on holiday cheer, and Graham knows a visit from a holiday star would bring in more visitors.Now an illustrator, Charlotte accepts a commission illustrating iconic holiday movie scenes in London and its environs. Graham offers to help escort her, as long as she’ll commit to an art workshop at Eden Priory. But as Charlotte’s chaotic family holiday goes awry, she begins spending more time scouting locations with Graham. She may not love a Christmas romance…but what if she has one of her own?” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Premise—If you asked me what is one thing I’d want before I retire from an acting career, it would be to be in a classic Christmas movie. They’re my favorite films and I love that they are a part of families’ traditions each year. So I thought it was fun to see the effects of that, especially on a child star!

The Humor—This was a really cheeky, fun book and I thought the banter was nice between all the characters.

The Cozy but Not Cheesy Vibes—This is what I look for in a Christmas book! I don’t want holiday pun names, I want real people with their real lives and real problems amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

The 3rd Act Break Up—This was one that felt like a stretch for me. It surprised me and didn’t feel strong enough.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 4/5

Content Warnings:

grief

Any book set in London gets added to my TBR. Charlotte was a bit grumpier than I expected her to be, especially for a holiday book. It was cute, but not a favorite of mine.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. ugh, another holiday romcom set in london? it was alright, nothing special. i liked the third person pov and the characters were fully developed.

This was such a cute cozy christmas romance! I don't normally read holiday themed books, but this reminded me of a Hallmark movie. I loved the character development of Charlotte and putting her fears and family trauma behind her but looking at it in a more positive light. I thought Graham was the perfect male lead. It was your typical meet cute with an argument causing them to briefly break up but come back better than ever. This was a great book, fun read, quick, and perfect for the holiday season.

Christmas Is All Around is a charming holiday novel that takes the reader to the countryside of England during the Christmas season. It is a warm and cozy romance, perfect for those who love watching Hallmark movies or classic holiday hits as soon as Halloween is over.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for the opportunity to read this novel.

Thank you to Atria for an eARC of this book

Tropes: Holiday Romance, Hallmark Romance, Opposites Attract


This book felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie. There's the awkward meet, the doing activities together until they start having feelings, they both deny that they have feelings, then there's a grand gesture. I think what made it better was that it acknowledged the fact that it was like a Holiday romance movie.

Our FMC is escaping to London to spend time with her sister and to get away from the angry fans. When she was a child she starred in a popular Christmas movie, and with a reboot being discussed, and her refusal to be in it, people are angry. So now she goes to see her sister and be a part of the holiday. The main problem, she hates Christmas.

I enjoyed the book, it was cute, and the side characters were fun.

This book was delightful and the balm to any grinch feelings towards Christmas. It’s a great harkening back to classic Christmas movies. Charlotte and Graham have great chemistry.

This was such a fun holiday read! I love that it is set in England. I love that the main character is famous for playing a role in a famous Christmas movie as a kid. I love that it makes fun of cheesy Christmas movies and I loved the banter between the characters. Overall it is just a fun, romantic Christmas read!

Thank you to Atria books for a gifted copy!

This was such a charming and fun holiday story set in present-day England. It poked gentle fun at traditional holiday romance tropes while also utilizing a reverse grumpy/sunshine theme in which the female MC hates Christmas. It featured a great cast of side characters and all the minced pies, mulled wine, ugly sweaters and crumbling old mansions you could want. Definitely worth adding to your holiday TBR!

Thank for your the opportunity to review this. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me. I only made it through half the book before I had to throw in the towel. The main character hates everything and it’s repeated SO OFTEN. I feel awful for her sister who had to deal with her while she celebrates the holidays with her baby, husband, and in-laws. The romance was weird and lacked chemistry. I wanted to see this through but it was ruining my holiday spirit.

If you had asked me a few years ago if I liked romance novels (especially historical) I would have told you "no". If you had asked me if I liked Christmas, I would have told you "no". Fortunately, I've since read some really fantastic romance novels, including Martha Waters. And in the past couple of years, despite my grinchy-ness, I have really come to enjoy the occasional holiday romance. All that considered, Christmas Is All Around was clearly written for me.

What I love most about Christmas Is All Around is that the problems each MC were facing weren't cataclysmic, existential issues. This was a sweet story, with a bit of tension and a lot of Scroogey moments, perfect for the holiday romance convert (or the grudging fan like me these days). Waters writes very cleverly, alluding to all the tropes we know and love. Our MCs were fun and I was rooting for them. Altogether a fun, easy holiday read.

In Christmas is All Around, current artist and former child star Charlotte is commissioned by Graham to create a series of holiday paintings—and ends up getting more than she bargained for. This light, quick holiday read delivers a cozy, festive experience perfect for the season. Though the story could benefit from a bit more depth and character development, it's still an enjoyable escape that captures the spirit of Christmas. If you're looking for a sweet, uncomplicated holiday romance, Christmas is All Around is worth adding to your seasonal reading list.

Charlotte, a former child star, is not a fan of the holidays and plans to spend Christmas with her sister in London. She meets Graham who happens to own the estate the film she is known for was filmed. This was a cute read and the characters had good chemistry but Charlotte was just too much of a grump for me

Lighr and easy holiday romance. Good banter, likeable characters and a lot of setting details. Goes down easy for the holiday!