Review by Booklist Review
After her mother died, Camryn Neff stayed in Wishing Tree, Washington, taking care of her teenage twin sisters and running the family business, Wrap Around the Clock. But she still plans on moving back to Chicago, no matter how much she likes Wishing Tree. Resort owner Jake Crane is fed up with his mother's Project: Jake's Bride, and he likes Camryn, so they decide to date just until she moves. Meanwhile, reformed hacker River Best is doing her best to fit in, so her friends convince her to run for Snow Queen, who, along with the Snow King, oversees Wishing Tree's cookie tasting, tree lighting, and other festivities. Handsome Dylan Tucker is the perfect Snow King--patient, kind, and funny--but he's hiding something, and River can't stand secrets. Mallery's second book set in Wishing Tree (after The Christmas Wedding Guest, 2021) is just as charming, with two gentle romance story lines and a reminder that family ties can bind a little too tightly, but it's still family. The perfect holiday confection for fans of Jill Shalvis and Sarah Morgan.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Interweaving two heartfelt love stories, Mallery expertly captures a festive yuletide spirit in her sparkling second Wishing Tree novel (after The Christmas Wedding Guest). Camryn Neff left her life in Chicago to return to small-town Wishing Tree, Wash., and take care of her teenage sisters after their mother's death. While running her family's custom gift-wrapping business, Camryn is selected by local matron Helen Crane as one of the candidates for "Project: Jake's Bride," a mission Helen's embarked on to marry off her son. Camryn quickly rejects the idea of being involved--and spills the beans to Jake about his mother's scheming. As their friendship blossoms into love, Camryn must question her life plans, having never intended to settle in Wishing Tree for good. Meanwhile, River Best, a transplant from Southern California who's turned her computer hacking skills into a legitimate business, is chosen at an annual festival to be the town's Snow Queen, and is drawn out of her shell by Dylan Tucker, the newly crowned Snow King. Love soon follows, but a secret Dylan's keeping may threaten their happiness. Mallery highlights the charm and community of her inviting small-town setting while still exploring grounded real-life issues. Add in undeniable Christmas cheer, and this feel-good holiday romance proves irresistible. Agent: Annelise Robey, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Oct.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Mallery's second installment in this heartwarming and humorous holiday romance series (following The Christmas Wedding Guest) brings readers back to Wishing Tree, WA. Camryn moved back home to Wishing Tree to take care of her younger sisters and the family business, but she has every intention of heading back to Chicago to resume her life. When she meets Helen Crane and is blindsided by the matriarch's plan to find a wife for her son Jake, she feels she has to warn him, but spending the holidays with Jake makes her reconsider staying in town. Meanwhile, River Best has always wanted to belong, but trusting and making connections has never been her strong suit. She takes on being the community's Snow Queen as a challenge to help her fit into the town she's chosen to make her home, although her Snow King, Dylan, makes her wish for more. VERDICT Hand to readers who enjoy romances featuring tight-knit small-town communities with heartfelt holiday traditions and friend groups that are more like found families.--Morgan Lockard
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