This is a cuteish romance with a little bit of spice. While somewhat reluctantly back to her home town for the Christmas holiday, something happens and Jill (the Heroine) wakes up in a alternate universe. Her somewhat drab town has turned into a Hallmark inspired small town, filled with all the lights and decorations, baked goods and flannel. Now she has to find a way back to her world/life before she becomes permanently stuck in the too sweet for her world. While's she's stuck in the place Pollyanna would fit in, she may as well take advantage. This means getting close to the boy (now man) she's had a crush on since her school days, all the while trying to avoid the ex. Will she get the man she's been crushing on finally, or will her ex get his second chance. The supernatural element is written in a way that it could be passed off as all have been a dream. (Though that is not the case.) It's a fun and interesting story. In addition to the romance aspect, there is also the Heroine trying to figure out her life, and her future (as things aren't going as she had imagined.) And also some family bonding. I liked the characters, but there were a few times here and there that I didn't necessarily care for her woe is me attitude. (Which was primarily in her inner dialog and not in conversations with others.) I also didn't much care for the little love triangle thing she had going. Wanting to be (or thinking she needed to be) with one man, while her brain (and quite frankly, her heart) was with another. I understand it was part of the plot, but it made it seem like she didn't even give one a chance, while at the same time, giving the man she didn't want all her attention. She should have many gotten the closer (if that's what she wanted) before even trying to start something with the other. It made it seem a little disrespectful. And again, I know that her choices and decisions are part of the plot (and her finding her way back to reality) and I am not anti-love triangles in books, but it seemed like she already knew, in her heart, who she wanted, but was willing to use the other because that's what she thought she needed to do. I don't know... it just didn't seem right. Anywho, despite that bit, I really did enjoy the story. It was easy to read. There's not a lot of sexual content, but there is some. It's not an LOL read, but there is some humor. Some good ole family bonding. Some cute kid interactions. And plenty of holiday spirit.

*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

Jill is a bit of a self destructive writer trying to make it writing screenplays. It’s a struggle that she is trying to hide from her family and friends at home in her small town. She returns home during the Christmas holidays and is magically sucked in a “Heartfelt” alternative reality. This was an almost sweet Christmas romance, with just a bit of edge. I liked the descriptions that recalled binge watching holiday romances on tv, with chimes and a voice saying, “ open your heart”. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book, and enjoy a bit of Christmas in July.

Imagine going home for the holidays for the first time in years, but waking up inside a Hallmark movie....

FMC Jill does just that. Returning to her hometown where her ex and high school crush live is not something Jill looks forward too! However she runs into her ex which throws her into an alternate Christmas reality! Why does he keep popping up? What does this mean? She is forced to consider her insecurities and future plans!

A fun and warm story with Christmas town feels with a holiday bake-off and a possible one-that-got-away romance!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read a free copy of Christmas People!

Jill is a struggling screenwriter in LA who reluctantly returns home for Christmas after getting fired from her job. She hasn’t been back in three years—not since she and her ex, Grant, split on Christmas Eve. One too many spiked ciders later, Jill falls asleep in a park sleigh decoration and wakes up in an alternate reality straight out of a Hallmark movie, complete with snow-dusted streets and a town that feels like a warm hug.

Here, she reconnects with Corey, her high school crush, and things start to feel almost perfect—until Grant keeps mysteriously popping up, stirring up old feelings. As Jill navigates this whimsical version of her hometown, she’s forced to confront the truth about her past, her insecurities, and what she really wants for her future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

This is a unique take on a Christmas love story that will have you feeling this girl needs to get herself together but then laughing at the situations she gets herself into. A fun story.

For me, Christmas immediately brings Hallmark movies to mind, and this story captured that same cozy and wonderfully cheesy spirit that I enjoy so much. It did a great job of emphasizing the importance of looking at people and situations from different perspectives, which I found to be a really valuable message. Overall, I found it to be a nice, cozy read. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

This was an absolute delight! I completely fell in love with this heartwarming holiday romance that had just the right blend emotional growth, and swoon-worthy moments.It beautifully captures the essence of Christmas, with themes of love, family, and new beginnings.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars to be exact… such a cute, fun book. Jill wakes up trapped in a cheesy, rom com Christmas movie, torn between two hot guys (yes please!). And then when she finally returns to the real world, she has some big life decisions to make. These decisions are ones we can all relate to which made connecting with the main character so easy.

I loved how Jill knew she was in this movie life but her head was still in LA which made it hilarious as she encountered overly chipper townspeople in a town bursting with holly jolly spirit. It was a cute book that poked fun at the movies I love and enjoy!

So cozy! this book had put me right in the mood for christmas time! Hallmark Christmas movie vibes! i could visualize this as a movie.

Out September 30th, 2025
Christmas People is like stepping into a Hallmark movie—complete with flannel-wearing exes, magical snow, and a holiday bake-off—but with a snarky twist. Jill Jacobs, the main character, is definitely not a Christmas person, which makes it hilarious when she wakes up in a picture-perfect version of her hometown that’s straight out of a cheesy holiday film. The setup is super fun, and the story leans into all the classic rom-com tropes while poking fun at them at the same time. It’s got a cozy vibe, some sweet moments, and just enough drama to keep things interesting.

That said, the middle of the book drags a bit, and Jill’s emotional spiral can feel repetitive. The romance is cute but not super swoony, and while the magical realism is clever, it sometimes overshadows the deeper story underneath. Still, if you're craving something festive in the middle of summer, this book delivers the holiday feels with a wink. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a fun escape—especially if you’re the kind of person who secretly watches Christmas movies year-round. Just don’t expect it to change your life… unless your life involves cookie competitions and magical Santas.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this Jolly ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of Christmas People. I have never read a book by Iva-Marie Palmer. I will start by saying that I am a Christmas and Hallmark junkie. Oct-Dec are prime time Christmas time on my kindle, on my radio, and definitely on my tv. So the main character and I could never be friends! Jill is a bit of a biiter woman who is not a fan of Christmas or the holiday channel that plays holiday movies all the time. Jill has to come home to Illinois for the holidays and she is not happy about. Being around family and seeing people from her past are all too much for her to handle. She goes to bed drunk one night and wakes up in her very own Hallmark type movie! How does one get themselves out of this situation???? You will have to read it to find out.

This book follows the story of Jill Jacobs, a struggling screenwriting, living in LA. Her mom calls her up to come home for Christmas. After much thinking about it, she finally goes since she hasn't been home in years, hoping to avoid her ex that broke her heart on Christmas Eve 3 years ago.

Jill does her best to avoid said ex, but of course, things don't always work out like you want them too. After meeting up with him in his bar during her date that went bad, he offers to drive her home. She picked a fight with him and gets out of the truck. In her drunken state, she falls asleep in the Town's Santa Sled only to wake up in Sweetville. A Hallmark version of her 'crappy town'. Thinking she is delirious, she tries everything to wake up in her own reality, only to find that this is her new life until she can complete the storyline that are usually assigned in Hallmark, or in this case, Heartfelt style of movies.

Along the way, Jill finds love but not with the person she originally thought. She finds that she enjoys her family, even with their flaws, and the best part, she finds a part of herself that had been missing (in my opinion).

I would definitely recommend this book.

3.5, rounded up ⭐️
🌶️🌶️- one explicit spicy chapter

If you’re seeking a witty, quick, and cozy Christmas read that captures the essence of the Hallmark movie holiday season, then this book by Iva-Marie Palmer is an excellent choice.

Beyond the romantic elements, the story delves into Jill’s journey of self-discovery and finding happiness & peace within herself. Jill grapples with various mental health challenges, including insecurities, self-doubt, low self-confidence, depression, and a constant state of “flight” mode. She believes that her self-preservation is pushing away potential good relationships because she fears they might hurt her or because she doesn’t feel worthy of them.

Iva-Marie Palmer’s portrayal of these issues is commendable. Many people struggle with these problems daily, and it’s heartwarming to witness Jill’s growth and the peace and joy she eventually finds.

The romance in the book is adorable and undeniably reminiscent of the “Hallmark” brand.

However, I must admit that I found myself spending too much time in Jill’s headspace, which slightly detracted from the overall reading experience.

Overall, I would recommend this book 🎄❤️

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin
& NetGalley for my gifted advanced book copy 💕
All my reviews are my own opinion.

⭐️⭐️ (DNF)

I really wanted to like this one. The writing is genuinely great—thoughtful, descriptive, and clearly well-crafted. You can tell the author put a lot of care into it. But… I just couldn’t get into it.

I ended up DNF’ing about halfway through. The story wasn’t pulling me in, and the fmc felt a little too whiny and self-absorbed for my taste. I’m totally here for a flawed, complex woman in fiction but this one just grated on me after a while. I found myself getting more annoyed than intrigued, which is usually my sign to put a book down.

However, I don’t think it’s a bad book. It just wasn’t for me. Maybe I’ll give it another shot one day, but for now, it’s a pass.

If you’ve ever screamed at a Hallmark movie, “No one actually lives like this!” then Christmas People is the holiday rom-com you didn’t know you needed. Iva-Marie Palmer delivers a delightfully meta, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly heartfelt novel that skewers and celebrates the made-for-TV Christmas movie genre—all wrapped in a warm, peppermint-scented bow.

Jill Jacobs is not a Christmas Person. She’s sarcastic, sharp-tongued, and nursing a three-year grudge after being dumped on Christmas Eve. Now a struggling screenwriter in L.A., Jill finds herself reluctantly back in her Illinois hometown for the holidays… and promptly wakes up inside what can only be described as a low-budget Christmas movie come to life. Complete with a magical snow blanket, suspiciously cheerful townsfolk, and men who look like they’ve never owned a shirt without flannel.

Palmer’s genius is in letting Jill—the ultimate skeptic—navigate the most trope-filled holiday plot imaginable: a hometown love triangle, a holiday bake-off, and the dreaded "will-they-won’t-they" romance with the ex who still makes her knees weak. Watching Jill rage against (and eventually lean into) the script she’s been magically dropped into is as hilarious as it is endearing.

The book plays with genre in smart ways, poking fun at holiday clichés without becoming cynical. It’s not just a parody—it has a heart. Palmer explores grief, regret, and the bittersweet tug of nostalgia under all the frosting and tinsel. And Jill? She’s a heroine you root for precisely because she’s so resistant to the kind of story she’s found herself in.
Christmas People is witty, whip-smart, and full of holiday charm. A fresh, subversive take on the holiday rom-com that still leaves you with the warm fuzzies. It’s like The Truman Show meets The Holiday—with just enough snark to keep things grounded.

It’s bonkers in the best way.

This is basically what happens when a jaded millennial gets stuck in a rom-com and has to follow the script to escape. There’s snark, there’s sweetness, and there’s a lot of eye-rolling

Jill’s voice is sharp and hilarious, Some scenes had me laughing out loud especially her running commentary on Heartfelt movie tropes, and there were also some surprisingly tender moments. I didn’t expect to cry, but I did.

it is really about letting herself hope again, not romance. but yes, there’s kissing. And cookies. And a flannel-wearing love interest who says things like “You never stopped being the girl I loved.” So… yeah. You get what you came for.

Must love Hallmark if You want to enjoy this holiday read that’s both cozy and chaotic

I knew within the first few pages that I was probably going to enjoy this book. I really loved the funny, conversational writing style that grabbed me immediately. This book is a really fun take on the "made for TV holiday movie" trope. We follow protagonist Jill Jacobs back to her hometown for Christmas, where she ends up living out her own TV movie-style story in a picture-perfect, holiday-obsessed small town. The book does a great job of pointing out the silliness of Hallmark-style holiday movies, from the coordinating pajamas, decorations on every surface, high-stakes baking competitions, the small town flannel-clad hunk, and happily ever after endings, but without any cynicism or smugness. It's fun to watch Jill live out these tropes and recognizing why people love them, while still giving us moments of Jim Halpert-style "are you seeing this?" knowing winks. Jill's narration does lean a bit toward crudeness, which does work as an intentional counterpoint to the over-the-top sweetness of the setting, but it did become the teensiest bit grating over time. Overall, though, I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of Jill's real world attitude against the idealized world she finds herself in. This is a great holiday-themed read for those who might want something with plenty of personality and humor.

Unfortunately, Christmas People didn’t work for me. I went in expecting a heartwarming, Hallmark-style holiday romance, but what I got felt far from that. The tone was cruder and more sexual than I anticipated, which really pulled me out of the festive spirit I was hoping for.

I struggled a lot with the main character, who also serves as the narrator. She came across as selfish, whiny, and honestly quite dull. Her attitude made it hard to root for her or care about her journey, and I found it difficult to believe in the romance because I couldn't understand what anyone would see in her. There was little chemistry or development that made the relationship feel earned or compelling.

The plot also stretched believability, especially the rushed emotional beats, like how quickly she accepted the movie as “heartfelt” and meaningful. It just didn’t land for me. Finishing the book felt more like a chore than a joy.

That said, I did appreciate some of the descriptions of the town and Christmas decor, they were charming and added a nice visual touch. But overall, this one missed the mark for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This story revolves around Jill Jacobs, who leaves her hometown in Illinois for Los Angeles, chasing her dream of becoming a screenwriter. She hasn’t returned home in many years— not even for Christmas— primarily due to an untimely breakup with her boyfriend on Christmas Eve several years ago, which soured her perception of anything joyful associated with the holiday.
What makes this a unique Christmas story is that much of it unfolds as a dream Jill experiences, filled with fun times alongside neighbors, friends, family, and even her long-ago boyfriend. She imagines engaging in holiday activities like cookie-baking contests, feeling as if she’s trapped in a Hallmark movie. Ironically, Jill doesn’t actually like Christmas and often expresses rude thoughts about the holiday.
As someone who usually loves stories set during the Christmas season, I found myself disappointed by this book. I expected a heartwarming tale, but instead, I encountered an overwhelming amount of profanity, including frequent use of the F-word. For this reason, I do not recommend this book to readers who prefer clean stories, especially those centered around Christmas.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

3.75 stars

A cute Christmas Hallmark style story with a touch of magical realism. I enjoyed Jill and seeing her find what her heart wants other than what her head thinks should happen. It is a bit slow in the middle but the beginning and ending make up for it. Perfect read for in front of the Christmas Tree, fireplace on and hot cocoa in hand kind of night.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Iva-Marie Palmer and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for access to an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.