
Member Reviews

Charlotte adores Christmas movies… or, well, she used to—until she became famous for one. Now, as a former child star, she’s over the whole thing, dodging holiday-obsessed fans left and right. When an article outs her lack of enthusiasm for a reboot of her most famous Christmas film, she escapes to London to lay low with her sister. Enter Graham, the very charming, very skeptical son of the family who owns Eden Priory, a historic estate that—oh yeah—happens to be where her movie was filmed. Graham’s parents are counting on holiday tourism to keep the estate afloat, and suddenly, Charlotte’s arrival isn’t just a coincidence—it’s a Christmas miracle.
Cue a festive enemies-to-lovers whirlwind featuring iconic holiday movie moments recreated all over London, plenty of sharp banter, and just enough romance to make your heart melt like a snowman in the sun. Charlotte and Graham’s chemistry has that perfect mix of snark and slow-burn charm, and watching them reluctantly fall for both each other and the magic of the season? Chef’s kiss. It does lean into classic Hallmark-esque tropes, so nothing here is breaking new ground, but the London setting, fun premise, and genuinely great character growth make it feel fresh and engaging.
I’m giving “Christmas Is All Around” 3.5 out of 5 stars! It’s witty, charming, and packed with holiday rom-com energy, perfect for anyone who loves grumpy-meets-sunshine, a festive London backdrop, and a romance that sneaks up on two people who swore they weren’t catching feelings. If you’re looking for a cozy Christmas escape with a side of snark and heart, this one deserves a spot on your holiday TBR.

Well, this is a book. I started it a few months ago, before the book was out, and I put it down quickly because I was not engaged. However, I’ve recently seen some positive review so I thought I’d give it another try.
I like this book better this time around I did start from the beginning all over again. I don’t really know what to say about this book. It was very average. I don’t think I like Christmas themed books as somebody who does not celebrate Christmas, but I’m glad I got this book off of my to be read shelf.

I have enjoyed everything Martha waters has written. They’re just solid reads and this was no exception. A great holiday read to cozy up with

Christmas is All Around was a very warm, cozy, Hallmark style modern holiday romance with a good zip of snark and a slightly prickly female MC and complicated male MC--really a fun, entertaining, charming romance. This is the story of a child star who grows up to hate Christmas and the Christmas film that made her famous and a man who has put his life on hold to try to salvage his family's financial situation and ancestral home. The two main characters are engaging. Lots of banter, a well-rounded cast of secondary characters, loved the UK settings, and the homage to Love, Actually.
Well written and funny, a good read for a cozy weekend.

A solid light-hearted Christmas romance that gives major Hallmark movie vibes! Quick, cute & easy to read. Highly recommend adding to your holiday TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for this ARC!

Loved this holiday romance! It was like a hallmark movie I could create in my mind, with my own dream cast.

Cozy, cheesy and sweet! The perfect ingredients for a holiday romance. I liked the character and thought the story was cute. Granted holiday reads aren’t my favorite but I did enjoy it.

*Christmas Is All Around* by Martha Waters offers a cozy, feel-good holiday romance that's perfect for fans of lighthearted festive reads. The story follows two characters navigating the ups and downs of the holiday season, with plenty of charm, humor, and Christmas cheer. Waters does a great job of setting a festive atmosphere, and the seasonal backdrop adds warmth to the story.
However, while the book has its sweet moments, the plot feels predictable and the characters, though likable, lack the depth to make the romance truly engaging. Some parts of the narrative felt a bit formulaic, and I found myself hoping for more emotional development or surprises along the way.
Overall, *Christmas Is All Around* is an enjoyable, easy read for the holiday season, but it doesn’t offer much beyond the typical holiday rom-com tropes. It’s perfect for readers seeking a light, comforting escape but may not satisfy those looking for something more unique or thought-provoking.

Highly enjoyable holiday rom-com with charming characters and setting. Waters does a great job of using Love, Actually as a base for this delighful and heartwarming story.

Always enjoy Martha Walters books. This romance is fun, the dialogue is snappy, and the story interesting and not your usual romance. Characters are thoroughly outlined and the repartee so fun.

This was an okay Christmas read. Not my favorite if I am being honest but the vibes were there and premise was cute. I just was not a fan of the FMC but that could be a me issue. I recommend picking this up for yourself and giving it a try!

I think everyone enjoys a good Christmas rom-com and this delivers. It gives the Hallmark vibes with a cute storyline. I'm always a fan of a character who isn't into the holiday and boom, Christmas miracle happens!

Very Christmasy-, cute, and whimsical. I didn't find it "hilarious" as blurbed, and I think the October release date was a bit early (Christmas books before Halloween should be forbidden) but ultimately an enjoyable holiday read.

This was disappointing since I've enjoyed Martha Waters's previous books, but this just didn't have any spark. I will not recommend this to my library's patrons.

A contemporary from Martha Waters was such a delight. I loved everything about it. The charm in the writing and the lovable characters remained but the modern setting was fresh and fun to read from Martha.

Martha Waters can write anything and I'd read it happily. Modern Love Actually-inspired British story x her dialogue and descriptions...chef's kiss.

Genre: Holiday Romance
Format: Audio/E-book
4.5🌟 - I really liked it!
This was one of my favorite holiday books of this past year! It was cozy, had fun banter, and also had a dynamic plot! Ex child-star escapes to England after turning down a reprise role in a Christmas classic (a nod to Love, Actually) movie and then falls in love (swoon)! This was such a festive book, and I absolutely adored the UK setting!!

It was okay, lots of great holiday cheers but it was full of cliches. It was a slow read for me, I wasn't invested in it. The characters weren't likeable so I think that's what made it hard for me to get into. I like the ending message of gratitude.

Loved this book! A child star from a Christmas movie grows up to hate Christmas. Can the right person change her feelings? I enjoyed this book so much. Funny dialogue and well written.

One of my traditions in December is to read a bunch of winter/Christmas themed romances, and this made a lovely addition. At times the main female character's inability to appreciate literally anything good about her life was infuriating. If someone's willful blindness to their own privileges gets on your nerve, I wouldn't recommend this book. But generally, this felt very sweet and easy, a Hallmark movie turned into a book. It felt predictable but not stale, familiar but not boring. If you, like me, prefers your Hallmark Christmas movies in written format, this is right up your alley.
3.5 stars, leaning towards 3 stars rather than 4.