You for Christmas by Madeline Ash is a heartfelt, emotionally rich holiday romance about redemption, second chances, and finding love in unexpected places. Regan Case is a tough, complex heroine whose return home for Christmas marks the beginning of a deeply personal journey. Her chemistry with Felix Nickson—her sister’s best friend and a man with his own difficult past—is both intense and tender.

Ash does a great job of layering emotion with holiday warmth, creating a story that feels both gritty and hopeful. The romance develops naturally, with moments of vulnerability, humor, and holiday charm. Regan’s struggle to believe she’s worthy of love is compelling, and Felix’s quiet strength makes him the perfect partner to show her that the past doesn’t define the future.

This is a story about healing, self-worth, and the kind of love that believes in you even when you don’t believe in yourself. A touching, romantic read for anyone who enjoys redemptive love stories with a Christmas twist.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Regan Case wouldn’t know the right side of the tracks if they ran her out of town. She’s lived hard since she ran away at sixteen, but eight years later, an accident has terrified her into pulling her life together. And that means finally going home for Christmas.
Taking her return one step at a time, she ends up on the doorstep of her sister’s best friend, Felix Nickson. The man indebted to her after she jammed ten grand down in trousers in high school and enabled him to escape his own demons. Felix agrees to let her stay, but doesn’t count on the chemistry that burns hot between them.
As they get into the Christmas spirit, he watches Regan’s shadows fade away and discovers that beneath her careless attitude, she is by far the bravest woman he’s ever met. He falls for her, fast and hard, but she fears she doesn’t deserve such a good man. A black sheep cannot change her colors.
Can Felix forgive her past or would asking for his love be one too many miracles this Christmas?

I have read a few of Madeline Ash's stories recently and have enjoyed them all. This one is no different. I am not usually a "holiday romance" kind of reader but I picked it up on the strength of her other work.

And this was another pleasant surprise. This wasn't the usual romp through the Christmas romance aisle of the local supermarket - this story had some real heart; histories for the characters, some real emotional connection with each other; some moments of levity that keep the "festive" theme at the forefront, without letting it get too light and fluffy. But most of all, for me, it wasn't an insta-love story that we seem to get from these holiday fiction stories. These pair had history and connections that were more developed than just "caught in a snowstorm, let's have sex" kind of way.


Paul
ARH