5 Stars
📚 The Twelfth Night Before Christmas by Keri Lane

✨ Tropes: Mistaken Identity, Found Family, Slow Burn Romance, Twin Sibling Bond, Holiday Hijinks, Small Town, Hurt/Comfort, HEA

Okay, I knew from page one I was going to love this book, but I didn’t expect to fall so hard. Viola is a bit of a mess. She was just cheated on, no job, no place to live and somehow ends up pretending to be her twin brother as Santa in a cozy Christmas village. (Being a twin mom, I was immediately hooked 🤣!) And it’s every bit as hilarious and chaotic as that sounds.

The banter? Perfect. Think early-season Friends energy, like you can hear the dialogue and feel the comedic timing. It made the whole story fly off the pages. And I loved how each chapter opened like a Shakespeare scene, it felt theatrical and playful, a wink to the original Twelfth Night but in a way that didn’t take itself too seriously.

But what really got me was the heart in this story. Viola’s pain never felt glossed over. She’s messy, she’s sad, she’s stuck. And we watch her find her way back, slowly, one awkward Santa moment and unexpected connection at a time. Her bond with her twin, Sebastian, is just so genuine. And the slow burn with Duke? TBH, it gave me butterflies and had me grinning like an idiot.

Found family is one of my absolute favorite tropes, and this book nailed it. Viola goes from heartbreak and isolation to building something sweet, loving, and wonderfully weird. It's like the book gives you permission to be a little lost and reminds you that joy finds you anyway.

Also...the epilogue? Total chef’s kiss. The spice came in hot at the end and was exactly the payoff we were waiting for. Think Christmas in July but spicy 🔥 🥵!

🥰 If you love a cozy Christmas read that gives you the kind of banter that has you laughing out loud, and a arc that leaves you smiling and rooting for that HEA, this book is for you!

4.5 Stars!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐/🌟

"No one's life has ever become worse by becoming Santa."

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I didn't think that reading a Christmas novella in august would put me in a jolly spirit... but this one sure did! Funny, lighthearted, quick-paced, this story made me smile and laugh, while also touching my heart.

This shakespearean retelling involved one very lost, hearthbroken and well, messy and broke Viola, who accepts a little switcheroo with her twin brother Sebastian. She must disguise herself in none other than Santa, in the Snowspruce Christmas village, to gain a little money, save her brother's job, and well, heal herself somehow. Why not! The little twist? She's not the only Santa working... oh oh oh no! Her now 4 co-santas includes the very hot, very cuddly and charming Duke.

And oh how Keri Lane was able to make me love Viola almost instantly, and hate her ex ever faster! Vi is messy, in need of serious healing and self-love, and needs to gain that confidence to get her life back, she who gave everything away for someone who didn't deserve an inch of her. I wanted to root for her after only a few pages, and she was worth it! Vi wasn't the sad little girl who needs a guy to help her figure herself out, even if she had plenty of santa's willing to do that. No, she got up on her own, and I couldn't help but shout "That's my girl!".

I loved Viola's relationships with Duke and Olivia. Duke's openness and clear attraction for Seb(Viola) was so heartwarming and comfy, it made me smile everytime. The tension between them was palpable, and I was all for the Duke's moments! We all need some Duke in our lives, making us believe we are amazing and important. The bagels and bread metaphor truly made me chuckle, because even if Viola didn't think it was a sexy metaphor, I did think it was! And the santa's interactions with each others were sometimes a little cliché, always chaotic, but very enjoyable. I wanted more of them!!!

For a short story, Keri Lane was able to develop strong bonds and funny sharp banter, while also keeping the importance of Santa's mission : listenning to the kids (it's the teacher in me!) and keeping the Christmas spirit.

For my entire read, I couldn't help but think about one of my favorite teen movies, She's the man and well, I loved this movie, and I loved this novella.

Will be reading more of this author for sure!
PS... don't miss the epilogue 😉🥵🔥

I thoroughly enjoyed this short, cute rom-com! It’s based on Twelfth Night by Shakespeare (if the title didn’t give that away). The humor especially gave me She’s the Man vibes, which makes sense since both are inspired by Twelfth Night. Honestly, every time I see characters named Viola, Sebastian, and Duke, I can’t help but think of that movie—and this novella captures that same kind of fun energy.

For a Christmas novella that’s only about 170 pages, it packs in a lot of charm and festive cheer. I especially loved how the chapters were styled with visual cues, like a play. It was such a clever touch.

Overall, this is a delightful, lighthearted holiday read that’s perfect if you’re looking for something quick and happy to get you in the Christmas spirit.

This book was so cute, the story was unputdownable, and I loved the ending. If you are in the market for a great holiday read packed with all you would expect: a romantic love story, cozy holiday setting, some intrigue/mystery/humor, and a wonderful story in the end, this is the book for you!