This book was so fun! It had all the Christmas things and was so entertaining. I loved the banter between Charlotte and Graham. It was such a great read!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"Christmas is All Around" by Martha Waters is one of the best Christmas-themed romantic comedies I've read. It's charmingly self-referential and the characters often joke about rom-com tropes, in a way that grounds the plot and provides comedic relief. Our main characters, Charlotte and Graham, have unique backstories and lots of witty banter; their relationship progresses in a believable way, and they deal with conflict in ways that feel authentic to their characters. The supporting characters, especially Charlotte's relatives, are hilarious and the December in London setting is delightful. Although Charlotte was occasionally too much of Grinch, her emotional arc plays out well in the last third of the book.

Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters follows the journey of a former child star who discovers that the magic of the holiday season can be found through a shift in perspective. This charming and humorous holiday romantic comedy is a delightful mix of eccentric characters, clever dialogue, and heartwarming romance. Get ready for a festive adventure filled with laughter, love, and a touch of holiday magic.

This has HUGE potential to be my fav holiday romance of 2024!!!

I've read and enjoyed all of Martha Waters's historical romances and I REALLY loved this first contemporary romcom set in England over the holidays as Charlotte, a former childhood star who had one hit Christmas movie and wants nothing to do with the reboot escapes across the pond only to find herself falling for Graham, an Englishman who's trying to save his family's expensive to maintain estate home.

Full of great banter, lots of digs at the Hallmark holiday movie genre as a whole and a likeable grumpy female main character. It was also great on audio narrated by Nikki Massoud. Perfect for fans of Jenny Bayliss and HIGHLY recommended!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: some fade to black scenes, mild details

Firstly, many thanks, indeed, to Netgalley for the ARC of this book! I really appreciate it! I absolutely enjoyed Christmas is All Around! It is definitely my favorite Contemporary Rom-Com and, in particular, my favorite Christmas Rom-Com to date. This book is a combination of Jane Austen meets 'Love, Actually,' meets Hallmark. I thoroughly love reading Martha Waters's Regency books, and, while this current Christmas book is a departure for her, she is super-talented regardless of genre or time period. The description of the countryside and of the aura of England definitely come through in this book, and I felt like I was 'there,' watching a movie whilst reading this novel. Such a clever concept - and to envision a British Christmas in its many forms, with a backdrop of a lovely romance (to be fair, I felt like the hero Graham could have been a duke in another lifetime...very swoony romantic here, and a lot of chemistry with the heroine Charlotte) was amazing. I have been in England at Christmastime and have always been entranced. Martha Waters captures this all perfectly. I think the idea of basing a book on a former child star (reminds me of Liam Neeson's son in 'Love, Actually') and almost having her relive her movie days while an adult on a trip in England is brilliant. I would highly recommend Christmas is All Around. I am planning to buy the physical book once it is released so I will have it for my bookshelf. Awesome! :)

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a complete and total sucker for a good holiday romance. Christmas is All Around checked all the boxes for me and I loved all the tongue in cheek nods to the classic romance tropes. I enjoyed that the plot centered around Charlotte, the child star of a beloved Christmas movie, who has been desperately trying to leave "Christmas, Truly" behind her and Graham, a son who feels bound to his ancestral home and preserving his father's memory while ensuring his little sisters can live the lives they want.

This was a delightful, quick paced read that definitely got me into the holiday spirit!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

While this is worlds apart from The Regency Vows, I loved Christmas Is All Around.

It contained the same charming dialogue and fantastically written characters from a different time. Charlotte was so believable, and her hatred of Christmas was understandable given her background as an unwilling child star who unintentionally stumbles over the film location from the movie that made her a star. Graham escorts her around the English countryside while she works through her feelings about Christmas to try to help him save his estate. It's got all the makings of the perfect romcom, including the ending!

I've read all of Martha Waters' historical romances and was so excited about a contemporary holiday read from her, and it did not disappoint! Christmas Is All Around is the perfect festive novel to get you in the holiday spirit! With its delightful blend of humor, romance, and heartwarming moments, this book was so fun to read. The characters are quirky, charming, and relatable, and the London holiday backdrop setting adds even more magic to the story. And don't get me started on glasses-wearing Graham (so hot); he's the MMC of your dreams.

This book has some of my favorite romance tropes—a swoon-worthy, banter-filled, friends-to-lovers arc and a cozy, forced proximity situation that keeps the sparks flying! Waters does a fantastic job balancing humor with emotional depth, making it a fun and meaningful read. If you're looking for a feel-good Christmas read with all the romance vibes, this one is a must for your holiday TBR!

I really enjoyed this delightful rom-com set in England. Based on the cover art, I expected it to be just another fluff piece, but it was much more. It delved into family relationships, guilt after the death of a parent, other annoying parents, self-confidence, and, of course, love.

I am a huge fan of Martha Waters historical romances. So the minute I saw that she was writing a modern romance I was sold, but then I heard it was a Christmas romance (which is not always my cup of tea). I am historically quite the Grinch - so much to my surprise I can’t tell you how much I loved that my girl Charlotte is also quite the Christmas Grinch! What a delightful take on the m anti-Christmas Christmas book! But for real, I giggled a lot because all of the anti- Christmas stuff really hit home with me yet at the same time. I wish I had that love of Christmas that some people (Mother-in-law) have. Overall, this was delightful romcom. I had a great time reading it and I can’t wait to explore more Martha Waters’ contemporary romances!

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wry and witty. A slightly meta take that both lovingly skewers and celebrates ridiculous Christmas rom-com tropes.

This was the thirteenth (!!) Christmas-themed ARC I’ve read this year and one of my favorites. For me, a good holiday-themed romance must straddle a fine line - it must, of course, celebrate the season, but without becoming overly sentimental and predictable. By openly acknowledging and sarcastically sending up typical holiday tropes, this book manages to strike just the right balance.

As a child, Charlotte starred in exactly one film: a movie called Christmas, Truly (which is, clearly, a send-up of Love, Actually). The success of the movie continues to haunt her, well into adulthood, causing her to flee NYC to spend the holidays with her sister in London. Knowledge of movies like Love, Actually, Hallmark films, etc. is not necessary before reading this book, but if you have seen those films, you’ll appreciate the satire here.

At the heart of the book, we have Graham and Charlotte, who seem to inherently understand each other, almost from the start. They’re both a little dry and sarcastic in their humor, both a little jaded about most things holiday-related. Their repartee is warm and clever. I don’t often laugh aloud while reading, but this book had me laughing several times. What can I say? I too am sarcastic and a little jaded, but a softy at heart.

4.5 stars, rounded to 5 for the sake of the NetGalley rating system.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced reader copy, offered in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I would like to thank Net Galley, Atria Marketing/Simon and Schuster, and Zakiya Jamal of Atria for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. I have read all of Martha Waters Regency Novels and loved them all. I was sad to realize that the fifth one was the last in the series. I was really happy to see this book cross my path- a new Martha Waters and a Christmas book to boot. I was not disappointed. It is a fun frothy mash up( and send up) of Christmas Books,Christmas Movies and life in general. The plot of the book is as follows- Charlotte is an artist in her late 20's. When she was 9 , she was cast in a movie , called Christmas, Truly. She was not an actress but her father was a director and was friends with the movie's director. So Charlotte was in one movie, and then decided she did not want to be an actress. The movie went on to be a Christmas Classic and beloved by all. Just prior to the start of the book, a reboot was suggested with all of the original cast. Charlotte refused, bringing the wrath of fans on her head ( in in her twitter account). Charlotte decides to spend Christmas in London with her sister, brother in law, new niece and her brother in laws parents. Hilarity ensues:) It really does. Charlotte accompanies her family to a Christmas Tree lighting event at a local estate. She realizes that the estate was used in the filming of Christmas Truly. She is recognized by fans and tries to hide. She has an extremely cute meet cute with a man . The man turns out to be the son of the family who owns the estate. It is a bit convoluted, and I won't give any spoilers.I will say that I did not want to put it down. And for fans of the Regency series, pay attention, there is a small Easter Egg if you look for it. Thanks again for this book.

i love you martha waters, i needed this after the end of the regency vows series. it's always weird to read a christmas romcom when its still over 75 degrees outside, but nonetheless i still really enjoyed this book. despite the constant hate on christmas movies, i still felt for a cared for the romance and characters. but all-in-all <3 martha waters books <3

Overall, I did enjoy the book and it had its moments but the majority of the characters irked me for all different reasons.

Charlotte, well, she hates Christmas. After starring in a Christmas rom-com as a child and not having the best experience, everything Christmas is annoying and awful to her. That’s all fine and dandy because even I know people who don’t like Christmas, but to complain so much that you are dragging everyone down with you is not ok. It annoyed me as a reader. She also seems to complain and not be attached to her niece in really any way. I can understand not being a kid person or knowing much about them but to not really be excited to see them or do anything with them seems excessive. I know plenty of non-kid people who would happily gush and spoil their loved one’s kids or be present so I think that just created another disconnect for me. After all of this, I can understand where some things come from because who could grow up with parents like hers and not have some issues to work through, but damn.

Ava, is someone I’m conflicted about. Ava is Charlotte’s sister and I’m glad she stands up for herself and the life she wants- as she should. However, the one thing I would never forgive from a sibling is letting a random person know my location, especially from stopping by a place they live (information not shared with said stranger), and then not even giving them a heads up too. She was a child star who recently had a bad PR happenstance and you just share where your sibling is? Love the family dynamic surrounding safety and accountability. I wish we saw a little more of Kit, who seemed to really be wonderful father, and his family’s dynamic.

I wish we also saw more of Padma and got to know her better because she was a great character who Charlotte should be communicating with more-especially since she’s her wake up call and main support system.

I will also say for Graham and Eloise- I feel like with that twist, a relationship with Eloise would be strained and the one with Graham could be forgiven and moved on from with time.

I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Charlotte is a former child actress whose only role was in a popular Christmas movie (think Love,Actually). The fans want a reboot, but she hated acting and has vowed never to act again. This causes her to be harassed so she decides to fly to London to visit her sister to get away from it all. Unfortunately instead of escaping the movie, she ends up right in the middle of it and falling for the one man whose livelihood now depends on her using her fanbase to save his family home.

This enchanting holiday romance features a delightful cast of secondary characters you’ll wish were your best friends, and a heroine you’ll wholeheartedly cheer for. It’s the perfect cozy read to enjoy with a cup of mulled wine by the glow of the Christmas tree.

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

What a sweet book! Loved both Charlotte and Graham. I do think Charlotte is unnecessarily hung up on her role in Christmas Truely, but it also leads to her growth in the later pieces of the book. Definitely add this one to your holiday TBR lists! Enough Christmas spirit and humor to include this rom-com this holiday season.

This story the best Christmas vibes. The setting of the story was the perfect backdrop, and the plot of the story made it feel like I was reading a Hallmark movie.
The plot of the story was to save an old house, which was previously used to film a Christmas movie. One of the stars (who conveniently doesn’t like Christmas) comes to stay in the house falls in love and rediscovers the meaning of Christmas. Definitely not an entirely original story but overall kept me entertained.
I enjoyed the characters and their story falling in love. They had decent chemistry with each other. I really like their outings together while she was doing the drawings.
I found the main character Charlotte a little frustrating to read about at times. There were moments she got on my nerves, particularly when she was complaining about the movie. It got a to be a little overkill.
Some of the side characters kind of ran together in my head and it was hard to keep track of who was who.
If you are looking for a Hallmark movie in Book form. Check this one out this holiday season.

3.75 stars rounded up

Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters is cute! Charlotte hates Christmas partially because her parents didn't make good memories during the holiday and partially because she starred in rom-com set during the season when she was a child that the fans will never let her forget. She escapes to London after she's outed as the reason why the sequel is not happening. While in London she meets Graham who is helping his family save their estate. Graham hires Charlotte to paint Christmas movie themed estates for them to sell in the house and while she draws them, they spend time together and something seems to be sparking along the way and maybe Charlotte might stop hating Christmas due to it.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I liked Charlotte a lot and I thought Graham was a nice MMC. I liked Charlotte's character development when it came to her family, I thought that was very nice. I also liked how she grew to appreciate the new memories that can be made even if something is associated with something unpleasant. I thought Graham's protection of his family was just so nice. I did not love his sisters because it didn't seem like anyone was seeing anything from his perspective or trying to at least. I did think that sometimes the book tried to be oh so clever and point out the tropes that were happening. I don't really like when books become that self-aware so I had to deduct some stars because it kept on taking me out of the story. I thought that the third act breakup didn't have enough longing so I deducted half a star for that.

Overall though the story is cute and puts you in the holiday spirit. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a quick fun holiday rom com. I thought it was a little hallmark movie in a book which I believe was what the book intended.

Tropes: One bed, holiday romance, forced proximity, boss/employee (sort of)

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria, and Martha Waters for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

Unfortunately, I found this book lacking in originality. It was entertaining enough, and the holiday atmosphere was great, but there wasn't a lot that set it apart from other holiday stories I've consumed in the past.

While this is all about a woman who hates Christmas, the romance is no bah-humbug. I absolutely adored Graham and Charlotte’s story. This was nothing as I expected yet everything that I love. I have become a huge fan of Ms. Waters and this book, like her previous works, is fresh and original. The storyline kept me engaged and I could not turn the pages fast enough. Everything about this pulled me in. There is just something about the way this author writes that I find highly addictive and Christmas is All Around is another example of the magic she wields.