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The Christmas Yes List

A Heartwarming Holiday Novel

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Pub Date Oct 6 2026 | Archive Date Nov 6 2026

Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson


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Description

SOON TO BE A STREAMING ORIGINAL MOVIE!

All she wants for Christmas is a rejection.

Chloe Hollis is done being a people-pleaser. After one too many bad decisions--including a job that asked her to cross a line she couldn't--she's determined to change. Her plan? Collect ten nos before Christmas by asking strangers for the most ridiculous favors she can think of.

It should be easy.

But then? Then she meets James.

Instead of shutting her down, the charming out-of-towner keeps saying yes--to Christmas karaoke, to small-town holiday traditions, to every spontaneous, hilarious, totally chaotic idea she throws his way. And the more he says yes, the harder it becomes for Chloe to stick to her plan . . . or protect her heart.

Because James has a reason for saying yes to everything, too--and it might cost them both more than they bargained for.

As their opposite missions collide in a swirl of festive mishaps, unexpected courage, and undeniable chemistry, Chloe starts to wonder if the biggest risk isn't rejection after all . . . but saying yes to something real.

 

SOON TO BE A STREAMING ORIGINAL MOVIE!

All she wants for Christmas is a rejection.

Chloe Hollis is done being a people-pleaser. After one too many bad decisions--including a job that asked her to cross...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781400356713
PRICE $18.99 (USD)
PAGES 352

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Average rating from 145 members


Featured Reviews

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The Christmas Yes List was such a wholesome, feel good read. It was full of festive charm, sweet romance and lots of laughs. It left me with a big goofy smile on my face. It was the perfect cosy book to curl up with and it really did make me wish it was Christmas, not June!

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Chloe Hollis has spent years saying yes to everyone—often at her own expense. When her boss pressures her to make unethical accounting changes, she can’t bring herself to refuse… so she quits instead. Hoping to reset her life, she heads home for Christmas and creates a bold challenge: earn ten “no’s” from strangers before the holiday.
Her plan falters when she meets James, a stranger at the airport who agrees to every wild request she makes. What begins as a humorous experiment quickly becomes a journey filled with mishaps, heartfelt moments, and undeniable chemistry. Through it all, Chloe discovers courage she didn’t know she had—and James proves to be far more than a willing accomplice.
Melissa Ferguson’s novels are consistently warm, witty, and uplifting, and this one is no exception. It’s a delightful blend of humor, heart, and holiday cheer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions expressed are my own.

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This is a sweet Christmas themed romance based on hope and perseverance and the magic of christmas. Characters that you can't help but fall in love with in an idyllic setting.Make this a romance, not to be missed.

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Chloe has spent years saying yes to everything, she decides to ask 10 strangers the most ridiculous thins in hopes they will say no, but one person keeps saying yes. sweet story

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This book was everything I want in a holiday romance. I absolutely loved every second of this book! From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and found it nearly impossible to put down.

The charming small-town setting was pure Christmas magic. Between the bustling town square with its glowing Christmas tree, cozy mugs of hot chocolate, festive carols, sledding hills packed with toboggans, and magical nights spent stargazing, Melissa Ferguson created an idyllic holiday atmosphere that made me wish I could pack my bags and move there for the season.

The romance was equally delightful. I loved the opposites-attract dynamic, and watching these two characters slowly challenge and complement one another was such a joy. The humor was another standout. It wasn’t just cute or quirky—it genuinely made me laugh out loud multiple times.

The character development was fantastic across the board, especially for the FMC. She was an endearing mix of eccentric, fun, and relatable as a recovering people-pleaser who constantly overthinks everything. Watching her learn to embrace herself and take chances made her journey incredibly satisfying.

Heartwarming, hilarious, and full of festive charm, The Christmas Yes List is the kind of Christmas romance that leaves you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re looking for a cozy, feel-good holiday read filled with laughter, swoony romance, and all the Christmas magic you could hope for, this one belongs at the top of your holiday TBR.

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Review of advance reader copy received from NetGalley

This book was so freaking cute. I loved Chloe and James. They were so adorable together and the ending was just so wholesome. I loved the way how James was so considerate and supportive to Chloe. I was able to relate to Chloe because I also am a people-pleaser and tend to overthink a lot. Their first meet was so cute. I also loved Chloe’s dad. He reminds me of my dad. His advice to Chloe was awesome. I loved the small town, big family vibes. The writing was amazing and very easy to follow along.

I give my thanks to the author and to NetGalley for the ARC

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This is a cute book and I didn’t mind one bit that’s it’s June and I was reading a Christmas book in the summer .
So excited to learn that this is going to be made intro a movie too like her other book Meet me in the Margins
I pick up all her books when they come out
Highly recommended
Thank you NetGalley and publishers

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Very cute cozy hallmark style whimsical Christmas book good to read anytime of year 💛☺️

Loved Chloe + James as characters 💛

Great laidback fun book with all the vibes 📖😭

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It's almost Christmas in July!

I absolutely enjoyed The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson, releasing October 6, 2026. From the very first chapter, it captured that cozy, magical Christmas feeling that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and keep reading.

The story follows Chloe, who is determined to break free from her overthinking and people-pleasing tendencies by saying "yes" to opportunities she would normally avoid. I especially loved her as a main character—she was relatable, endearing, and easy to cheer for as she stepped outside her comfort zone.

Filled with humor, heart, and plenty of festive charm, this is a feel-good holiday read about courage, growth, and discovering who you are when you stop living to meet everyone else's expectations. If you're looking for a sweet Christmas romance that leaves you smiling, I highly recommend adding this one to your holiday reading list.

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This was a heartwarming holiday story. I loved the characters and their development and growth. The plot was well-paced and captivating. I highly recommend this clean and wholesome read. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

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Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson. I absolutely LOVED this book! It had me from the very beginning. The main characters, James and Chloe, were funny, had great banter and brought out the best in each other. The setting was cozy, a small town filled with unique people who genuinely care about each other. This rom-com was sweet and happy with no third act break up. The romance was cute and heartfelt. Throughout the novel, Melissa Ferguson infused gentle reminders about the importance of family, the importance of giving yourself grace and the humanity of people who aren't meant to be perfect. It's a beautiful novel for any time of year, but it is especially sweet at Christmas. Excellent, memorable, heart happy read!

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Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. It was a great read with everything you would expect from this genre! Melissa Ferguson is an auto buy author for me and this book proves no different! Perfect Holiday Read!!!

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It's a metaphorical tug-of-war in Maple Hills.

She wants him to say NO. All he seems to say is YES.

Who will win?

Our Terrific Darling Book Club chose this as a Christmas in July read. We had an excellent discussion this week. Watch for reviews from the our terrific Tina and Barbara coming soon.

Here are some things I loved about this one:

🤗Chloe has found herself to have the tendency to bend over backwards to please others without any regard for her own wellbeing. She has gone to far in giving of herself. Her determination to start saying NO more often collides with a meet cute in baggage claim.

🕺James is on vacation for the holidays and happy to accomodate this beautiful woman with so many demands. Is he being polite? Or is he on a self-help journey on the other side of the spectrum?

🎄Lucky us. We are along for the ride. There are many fun Christmas activities, but the tone of the book is humorous and heartwarming -- not cheesy. I thought it was pitch perfect!

😎Melissa Ferguson's writing also oozes with cultural references. Her comedic timing is spot on: Love You Forever, Elf, Titanic, and the Rockettes are just a few.

🎁And that Epilogue. What a gift. Actually this entire book was a wonderful way to enjoy Christmas in July. This is my favorite book yet from Melissa Ferguson.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Available October 6, 2026.

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Wow! I just finished reading this spectacular book and am almost wordless.

I loved Chloe! Her self perception and plan to "fix" herself was an amazing goal she had made for herself. Chloe doing it for herself and not to please others made any self depreciation easier to understand, but it was still difficult to understand. She was a character that actually was more genuine than most main characters!

James! An enigma that I wanted to understand, was so patient, so seemingly introverted, and so absolutely perfect for Chloe!

This book was a treasure to read, and as soon as I finished reading it, I went back to the beginning and reread the book. It's that good! Probably one of the top three books read so far this year. Don't miss the opportunity to read "The Christmas Yes List" as soon as possible!

A special thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read and review this spectacular book.

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This was a sweet Christmas in July read for me. I loved the two main characters Chloe and James. I read it within 24 hours, with breaks for coffee.
Chloe is coming back home, jobless, after a long stint of corporate life and James is visiting family he hasn't seen for awhile. Chloe is also on a personal journey to let go of her people pleasing ways and has found a self-help guru to see her through it.
Rejection therapy. That's what she believes will cure her and she's looking to get well within a week. Asking strangers wild things they should say no to, in order to face what it feels to be rejected and survive the disappointment.
She's pretty hard to turn down apparently, keeping her from gaining her 10 rejections in a row. And Christmas traditions keep leading her closer to James.
This book gets you in quick to their meet cute and keeps rolling on from there. I loved the amount of coffee they share in this book. It just gives cozy wintery sweet vibes. And I can't wait to see these sweet moments captured on Great American Family this Christmas.
The reading is clean, kisses only, and genuine. No foul language and a good time in July or Christmas season. Melissa Ferguson is becoming a trusted author for me to enjoy a great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the opportunity to read the advance reader copy.
#TheChristmasYesList #NetGalley

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This was such an easy book to get into. I picked it up for the Christmas setting, but I stayed for James. He was genuinely kind, funny, and impossible not to like.

The whole idea of Chloe trying to get people to tell her "no" made for some entertaining moments, even if she occasionally overthought things more than I wanted her to. Thankfully, it never took away from the fun.

This isn't a book that's trying to reinvent the holiday romance. It's simply a cozy, clean love story with plenty of Christmas spirit and characters you'll enjoy spending time with. Sometimes that's exactly what I'm in the mood for, and this delivered.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read The Christmas Yes List.

Lovely Christmas love story. Chloe and James are very cute characters. A heartfelt story to get you in the holiday spirit.

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I love this Christmas Romcom so much!! Its a nice way to celebrate Christmas in July!! I highly recommend this book!
Thank you Netgalley for the review copy!

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This was such a feel-good romance. The witty dialogue, engaging storyline, and genuine emotional depth made it an unforgettable read. I can't wait to read more from this author.

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Bring out the candy canes, tinsel, and hot cocoa because this book will bring on the Christmas cheer no matter what time of year you read it. This is just sweet and fun, and I am happy to see that it is being made into a holiday movie because it has all those feel-good vibes. A truly enjoyable read, even in the middle of summer. I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

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🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Such a cute rom com, its an easy and quick read that had me laughing. I absolutely loved the scene where shes trying to get a no from him yet he agrees to sing and dance in the snow.

Another favourite scene is when they do karaoke and she gets him to sing badly on purpose.

It's put me in a festive mood and can't wait to see this when its a movie. And re read again at Christmas time.

Thank you netgalley for letting me read this advanced copy

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Rom-com with some great scenes.
My favorite being Chloe and James as team captains on the Children's turkey bowl game at Nana's on Christmas.
Chloe is determined to stop saying yes to appease others when she wants to say no.
Her BFF Genie is determined to help her achieve her goal at all costs and in spite of changing circumstances.
A quick read with some good laughs.

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The Christmas Yes List was such a fun and heartwarming Christmas read. Melissa Ferguson has a way of writing stories that are funny, romantic, and meaningful all at the same time, and this book is no exception. It has all the cozy holiday vibes you could want, along with characters that feel real and easy to root for.

The story follows Chloe, who realizes she's spent most of her life trying to make everyone else happy. To push herself outside of her comfort zone, she comes up with a unique challenge: get ten people to tell her "no" before Christmas. It's a funny idea that leads to plenty of awkward and entertaining moments. Things get even more interesting when she meets James, who seems determined to say "yes" to just about everything she asks. Their interactions are sweet, funny, and kept me smiling throughout the book.

What I liked most was that this wasn't just another Christmas romance. Yes, there's romance, but it's also a story about learning to set boundaries, becoming more confident, and realizing that you can't spend your life trying to please everyone else. Chloe's journey felt relatable, and I found myself cheering for her as she slowly learned to stand up for herself.

Melissa Ferguson's writing is easy to read and full of humor. The dialogue feels natural, and the chemistry between Chloe and James develops at a nice pace instead of feeling rushed. The small-town Christmas setting makes the story even more enjoyable with holiday events, festive traditions, and plenty of cozy moments that made me want to curl up with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.

Like most holiday romances, there are a few predictable moments, but that really didn't take away from the story for me. Sometimes that's exactly what I want from a Christmas book:: a feel-good story with lovable characters, a little humor, and a happy ending.

I really enjoyed The Christmas Yes List. It's the kind of book that's perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit, and it left me feeling happy by the time I turned the last page. If you enjoy clean romance, small-town settings, and stories about personal growth mixed with holiday magic, I would definitely recommend giving this one a read.

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I am officially calling it now: The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson is the holiday read you need to pick up this season. Releasing on October 6th, this book is an absolute delight from start to finish.

The story follows our heroine, Chloe, on a relatable and heartfelt growth journey as she works to overcome being a chronic people-pleaser—a struggle that often comes at her own expense. In quintessential holiday romance fashion, Chloe returns to her small-town home, where she has a fateful run-in with James, a big-city guy visiting his family for Christmas.

What truly set this book apart for me was the humor. I was laughing out loud (often to my own embarrassment!) starting in the very first chapter. Melissa Ferguson has such a knack for blending genuine comedy with a sweet, swoon-worthy romance.

Beyond the laughs and the festive atmosphere, there is a beautiful, grounded through-line of faith woven throughout the narrative. It served as the perfect cherry on top of an already wonderful story.

I’m giving this a solid five stars. Because it features a closed-door romance, it’s a fantastic, clean read that makes it the perfect gift for readers of all ages this holiday season. Did I mention it’s perfect? Because it really is. Highly recommended!

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This was such a fun and cozy holiday read. It had plenty of Christmas charm, a sweet romance, and enough humor to keep me smiling throughout the book. I really liked the idea behind the story, and the characters were easy to root for. It wasn’t overly cheesy, which I appreciated, and it left me with all the warm holiday feelings. If you’re looking for something light, uplifting, and perfect for the Christmas season, this is definitely one I’d recommend picking up with a cup of hot chocolate.

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This was such a fun Christmas book, and it definitely got me ready for the holidays! Chloe and James may have different goals and reasons for this Christmas yes list, but they go together so sweetly, and I love watching them go through their lists together. They get to grow and experience so many new things together, and I loved getting to watch them fall in love together and watching their story evolve. Chloe and James deserve all the love and their HEA.

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Yes, yes, yes! Or is it no, no, no?

Chloe Hollis has been a people pleaser her whole life.
Boyfriends, family, friends, and especially bosses have taken advantage of her,
and she has let them. Well, no more. After her boss pressures her to fudge the
company’s records, she has finally had enough. Armed with a book on rejection
therapy, Chloe sets out to turn her life around, become tougher, and learn how
to say no to others and, in essence, yes to herself. She has seven days of
Christmas break to undo a lifetime of habitual yeses.

James, an executive from New York, becomes her next
potential “no.” Chloe swallows her pride, silences the screaming voice in her
head, and offers him a ride to his destination. Of course, he will say
no…except he doesn’t. Hilarious hijinks ensue as Chloe bravely attempts to
squeeze a “no” out of him.

The Christmas Yes List is a delight to read, filled
with humor, silliness, and meaningful connection. Melissa Ferguson’s voice
shines throughout. She has a wonderful way of taking the mundane, turning it on
its ear, and making it impossible not to laugh. Chloe and James, unlikely
friends who may become something more, set off on an adventure together and
discover they have more in common than it first appears.

One of my favorite scenes is when Chloe speaks honestly
about her dreams for the future, dreams that fly in the face of today’s
fast-paced world. I wanted to cheer for her. This is a wonderful story filled
with humor, falling in love, and, best of all, personal growth. Recommended for
anyone who enjoys a good laugh, heartfelt character development, and watching
two people fall in love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Melissa Ferguson and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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This is a cute, cozy Christmas book with a unique plot line that you'll want to curl up with and drink some hot chocolate. Big fan of Melissa Ferguson!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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If you read one Christmas romance this year, read The Christmas Yes List. It is my favorite Melissa Ferguson novel that gave me Christmas in the summer. I live in Alaska and it almost made me want snow...almost.
Chloe is a people pleaser and decides she is going to push people ten times until they find her annoying enough to say no. She meets her match in James whom she meets at the airport in her hometown. For some reason, he will do all that she asks. These requests give the reader many laughs.
I don't usually reread books, but I may this one at Christmas. Ferguson gives us even more humor than normal while telling a Hallmark style romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

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