“What Christmas is really about is time with family and friends and appreciating what you have rather than making lists of stuff you want”

Genre: Romance, ChickLit, Adult, Holiday
Location: England
Pages: 336
Publication year: 2020
Average Goodreads Ratings: 4.24
Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

It’s the most magical time of year, and anything can happen…
Nia Maddison has always believed that wishes come true on Nutcracker Lane. So, when she gets the opportunity to run her own Christmas gift shop on the most magical street in town, it feels like her wishes have been finally granted.
But working late one night, Nia discovers yet another boyfriend has cheated on her. As she trudges home – alone, again – she passes the (supposedly) magical nutcracker and half-joking thinks a wish can’t hurt. Cracking a nut in its mouth, she wishes to find Prince Charming.
The next day Nia gets to work to find another decoration shop has opened directly across the lane from her own, and she can’t resist having a nose around.
Whilst there, she accidentally backs into a human-sized Nutcracker, knocking it over and breaking it. Mortified, she flees from the store but when she gathers her resolve to go back and apologise, she stumbles across the gorgeous shop owner James, who looks exactly like Prince Charming…
Could her Christmas wish from the night before really be coming true?
My Thoughts
Okay, so I’m pretty sure this no longer counts as an ARC anymore. Netgalley graciously approved me this book in exchange for an honest review in 2020 and I downright disappointed. I tried reading this last year before the book came out in October but it was hard reading a Christmas book when it wasn’t Christmas time. Then I fell into a huge reading slump. I mostly only picked this book back up because I just finished Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm by Jaimie Admans and absolutely LOVED it.
I didn’t like this books as much as Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm but it was still a pretty good story. I wish there was more of a slow burn romance in the story. It felt a little insta-love like to me. I know this is a pretty common feeling, heck I’ve even had these feelings, but I don’t appreciate them in a story. Maybe I’m too critical. It’s not like they express their love after 2 chapters but the MC Nia still goes on and on and on about how attractive our respective love interest is.
I also didn’t like how Nia expresses how much she is done with men for the time being and then invites James, the love interest, over after a day of knowing him. It didn’t seem believable to me at all. I feel like when this happens it’s usually Netflix and chill instead of platonic movie watching XD But also, didn’t like how Nia went on and on and on about how James made her feel all fuzzy and how she was always distracted. She was also constantly talking about how she wanted to kiss him but wouldn’t. I don’t mind. I actually think it’s cute sometimes; however, I felt like 70% of the words written where about Nia and her feelings toward James. It got annoying after awhile. The relationship started to feel fake.
There is a reference to the Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm and my heart was so happy. :3 Overall, I highly enjoyed this book! The ending was so lovely. It made me emotional because it reminded me of family. It was perfect.
Final Verdict:

I won’t lie looking at that title I would have definitely not thought of it as a romance book hahaha. But this sounds pretty cool!
Great post loved reading your review!💗
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Right!? I was NOT expecting it to be as sappy as it was lol but thank you so much!!!
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