Member Reviews
Noelle loves Christmas but this year is having a hard time getting in the spirit - things are off at home and her friends don’t seem to be excited for their usual holiday activities. So when her favorite baby-sitting family offers to bring her to their ski cabin as their babysitter, she jumps at the opportunity for a Christmas change of scenery. But she is shocked when the older half-brother of the kids she is babysitting, Wyatt, shows up. Despite never meeting Wyatt before, she’s had a HUGE crush on him just from what she’s heard about him., which makes this trip even more interesting.
This is definitely designed for a younger YA audience - so if you’re looking for a sweet, fun holiday rom com for yourself or the teenagers in your life, this is a great one! There are so many feel-good vibes in this one. The main characters were both facing major life choices and it was interesting to see them navigate those, especially ay such a young age. Overall, this one was a fun holiday read!
Thank you so much @NetGalley and @piquebeyond for gifting me a copy of I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas in exchange for an honest review.
⛷ Mini Review 🎄
I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas by @Tiffanyschmidt was the perfect read for me this month. I needed something fun and cute to break up my fantasy readings. And even though I just decorated for fall, this book has gotten me in the mood for Christmas time!!!
Noelle is 14, an incredible ballet dancer, one of the best babysitters in town, and has the biggest crush on a boy she’s never met. Wyatt is the older stepbrother of one of her favorite families to babysit for, the Kahales. He is also an amazing ballet dancer who attends the school she’s been dreaming about for a while.
Christmas is Noelle’s favorite time of year 🎄Her mom, who passed away when she was younger, was all about the holidays and everything that came with it. So naturally, Noelle is the same. This year is not going as planned, though. Her friends seem too busy or not excited about all the festivities she’s planned and her father seems to be nonexistent for months now. When the Kahales ask Noelle if she can come to a ski resort with them and babysit, she doesn’t feel like there’s any reason to stay home.
One thing Noelle wasn’t expecting was her long-time crush, Wyatt, to surprise the family and join them on the trip. After spending time
With Wyatt she realizes that there is more to him than just dance, and surprisingly, it makes her like him even more.
I had so much fun reading this book. All the characters were super cute and enjoyable, and I didn’t want to put it down. Ima sucker for Christmas books, so I knew I would love it. I loved the friendships that Noelle had and the kiddos were the cutest. It was such a feel-good read.
If you love Christmas and cute romances, this book is for you. I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of which is I’m Dreaming Of A Wyatt Christmas by Tiffany Schmidt (thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC)
I’m Dreaming Of A Wyatt Christmas is your classic Christmas romcom- I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw it as a Netflix film soon.
Noelle Partridge (I have to admit, I laughed when I read her name) loves Christmas. (she’s probably one of those people who looks at me really weird when I say I don’t celebrate it). She really, really loves it. Every year, she and her family and friends have a string of traditions to celebrate the holiday. Except this year, things are different.
Noelle’s dad hasn’t been the same since her mom died. He’s spending more and more time with work and less and less time with her. Her friends are less interested, and things just keep going wrong this year.
So when her babysitting clients ask her to come with them to their ski lodge for Christmas to help out, she agrees.
It probably also helps that they have another kid- super hot, elite ballerina (oh yeah Noelle does ballet), Wyatt.
But when Noelle and Wyatt meet, sparks fly.
Will Noelle be able to survive the holiday season with him?
Ok, so the synopsis kind of flopped.
But um, I kinda liked this, but at the same time I really didn’t. The main reason I didn’t like it was because it was such a typical Christmas film/story.
The name, the plot, the everything were just straight out of a Netflix film.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of the characters- it all felt a little cringey.
But I guess, most Christmas movie/ stories are.
I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Chirstmas is a cute, heartwarming romance perfect for the upcoming holiday season. The book follows Noelle, a dancer who absolutely loves Christmas, and always goes overboard with the celebrations. But as her dad, the only family she has left after the death of her mother, grows withdrawn, Noelle decides to accept one of her babysitting clients' offer to spend the holidays with them at a ski lodge. From there, Noelle meets Wyatt, and a fun, sparkling romance ensues.
My initial thoughts on this book were so-so. While I understood why Noelle was so upset about everything, and why she was acting the way she did, I thought she could be unbearably self-centered at times. Her inner diologue made it difficult for me to actually get invested in the story, and I had a hard time liking her. I could definitely sympathize for her, because it's so difficult losing a parent around Christmas time, and growing apart from someone you love is terrifying, but she took all of it a bit far at times.
This did not take away my enjoyment of the book, however. Once Noelle was actually at the lodge, I was way more engaged with the story. It felt reminiscence of some of the Hallmark movies I enjoy watching, while still adding its own twist to things.
A big issue I've had with romances recently is that I simply cannot understand why the two main characters like each other, but I can happily say that this wasn't the case here. Noelle and Wyatt had a lot and common, though were different enough that they didn't immediately get along. I loved watching their journey from reluctant housemates to their budding romance. It was all very sweet.
I also particularly enjoyed Noelle's questioning of whether she should fully dedicate herself to something at only 14 years old. I was kind of in the same position as her when I was younger, but it took me a lot longer to realize that I shouldn't box myself in like that, because there are so many options out there. I think it was a good conversation to have, and it was really well done. It didn't take over the plot and dominate the story, but it was necessary to talk about, and a fantastic compromise was reached.
So, while it took me a little while to get into the story, and to begin rooting for our main character (who I will say definitely does grow throughout the story), I still really enjoyed my time with it. It was the perfect romance to read during the holiday season, and I would recommend it for those looking for something light-hearted and fun. Though there are several mentions of a death of a parent and grief, so if you're looking for all fluff, this one might not be for you. I personally liked this aspect because it added another layer and emotional depth to the story. Noelle's mom had died several years ago, but she still found herself stunned by grief from time to time, and it felt so natural and raw. I really liked that.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for early access to I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas by the lovely Tiffany Schmidt. My opinions are purely my own.
This book was amazing! I'm not one for soppy romances but this was one of my favourite Christmas reads ever. Wyatt is one of the most realistic characters and the inclusion of ballet and family was perfection.
Adorable little Y/A Christmas rom-com story. I didn't exactly love our protagonist, but I did find this to be a quick, easy, relatively fun read.
I thought this was a really cute YA Christmas themed rom-com. It had Christmas events, the ballet, the nutcracker, skating, a ski trip and more. I like how it delved into family dynamics and some more serious issues like parental loss and being a child of divorce as well... issues young adults may relate to. Overall I think it was an adorable little romance book for YA readers.
overall, i didn't like it, like i feel like that some of the main characters actions were just so annoying and a lot of this book was just super unrealistic. and like i know that this is supposed to be this christmas romance book, but i honestly feel like a lot of this book was just not cute, and i mean i think noelle ruined the book for me. plus, i found it kind if weird that they were so young, like i know it's a YA, but they there like 14. and like that she was just so self centered and that she doesn't really care about the kids around her, and i don't even know how she was this babysitter because she was so young, and i think it was just so crazy that she was able to take care of these kids, when she was a kid herself. but, i guess she did kind of apologize for some of her issues, but i feel like it wasn't even apologizing or owning up to her mistakes, just like her thinking that it was the best thing to do, so she did it.
3.5 stars
This was a really entertaining YA Christmas rom-com following Noelle as she goes on a ski trip with her babysitting clients over Christmas vacation--accompanied surprisingly by the kids' older half-brother who Noelle has admired for a long time, but never met. Cue all the cozy ski lodges, awkward moments, toddler tantrums, and Christmas feels! I did really enjoy Noelle's narration; she has loved making Christmas meaningful since her mother passed a few years ago and this change of scenery is not something she expected to love but it does grow on her and change her as a person, which was great development to see. She is 14 but reads a little older, especially with how mature she was regarding her passion for dance and babysitting so while this is probably targeted for younger YA readers, older ones can read and enjoy it too! I really liked her passion for ballet as it does play a big part in the story as well. Her relationship with her father was another big portion of the book and I really appreciated seeing a realistic familial relationship between a teenage girl and her dad. The romance was sweet, it was a little rocky development-wise and kind of all over the place for a part of their relationship but it was overall wholesome and enjoyable. I highly recommend this for YA readers during the holidays!
I have read my fair share of holiday books in 2021, 6 or 7 total, and most of them were solid/cute. Fun holiday hijinks and romance. But out of all of them, I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas, is hands-down the holiday book winner for 2021. In fact I love it so much I have already read it twice. It is a quintessential Tiffany Schmidt book about growing up and figuring out your footing and not running from your problems. It also has an adorable romance, ballet, snow, and of course Christmas! It grabbed me right from the beginning with its smart writing and storytelling and made me yearn for hot cocoa and cozy PJs and the sparkle of holiday lights. (It did not make me yearn for snow.). Wyatt and Noelle were an adorable pairing and I loved seeing them interact with Wyatt’s siblings, Jack and Holly. In the end this book was exactly what I needed to get me ready for the holidays and the book you will need too! Buy your copy today!!!
This was a pretty cute quick read! The relationships Noelle has with her friends was really nice to see. Especially with everything she’s dealing with (losing her mom, debating changing schools, issues with her dad etc). I also thought the relationship between Noelle and Wyatt was adorable.
The parental expectations and the way Noelle spoke to some of the adults in her life at 14 seemed a little unrealistic to me but its been a while since I was 14.
I really loved the setting of the book, a snowy cabin near a ski resort, it just screams holidays. It had tons of festive vibes and holiday cheer.
This is a good one to pick up during the holidays!
I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas by Tiffany Schmidt is a cute and festive romcom that is sure to put readers in the holiday spirit. This one combines ballet and babysitting as the main character spends the holidays babysitting her favourite clients at a ski resort. The characters are lovable, and the descriptions of winter activities throughout the book make for a cosy reading experience. This is a great read for those looking for something light with a touch of chaos this holiday season.
Christmas enthusiast Noelle has always made big plans for the holidays, but this year, with her dad and best friends too busy for her activities, Christmas doesn’t feel the same. However, when her favourite babysitting clients invite her on a ski trip to help out over winter break, she’s excited for the chance to get back into the holiday spirit, and the opportunity to earn some more money to put toward an elite ballet academy. That is, until the kids’ older stepbrother, who happens to be Noelle’s crush, shows up at the lodge, throwing her world into chaos.
❀ LOVABLE MAIN CHARACTER
Noelle is a lovable main character, and I enjoyed her voice. She is a talented dancer, but, since her current dance school is no longer challenging enough for her, she is looking for a way to advance her career. Wyatt happens to go to the same school Noelle dreams about, but he doesn’t see the same magic in Beacon that she does. I enjoyed the dynamic between these two characters and the way they are able to open up to each other. The kids are also so well-written, and I adored reading about the havoc they wreak.
❀ WINTER VIBES
This book also has peak winter vibes, and there are so many festive activities throughout the book. From building snowmen to decorating gingerbread houses, it is easy to become immersed in the holiday spirit. The ski lodge setting is also so cosy, making this a great read to curl up with by the fire.
❀ UPBEAT AND ENTERTAINING
I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas by Tiffany Schmidt is an upbeat and entertaining holiday read. I loved the combination of ballet, skiing, and babysitting, and the characters are each well-written. This one also contains plenty of holiday cheer, making it a great seasonal story for a younger YA audience.
A very fun take on a Christmas rom-com. The meet-cute was fun and perhaps not a traditional meet-cute but works nonetheless. The characters seemed older than the 14 and 15 than they were in the book. The thoughts and actions made me think of some who were in their junior and/or senior year of high school.
I will admit that I really struggled to get into this book – I’m okay with YA, but the discussions with the friends at the start really showed me just how YA it was. And so, I put it down. However, I decided to give it one more try, and it wasn’t as bad once I accepted it’s about a young teen and this is how they act.
Moving on, I could relate to some aspects of Noelle’s character – grieving her mother in particular, as that is something I feel during the holiday season myself. And I can understand the idea of burying your grief in work like her father does (it’s also a pretty common trope in YA books).
Overall, I thought this book was okay, and successful as a holiday read since it did have all the elements of a good holiday book – festive vibes, a snowy cabin, and holiday cheer. So I appreciated all of those pieces.
Thanks to Net Galley and ABRAMS Kids for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The cutest christmasy romance. All about ballet, babysitting, and boys. For me personally this book is everything I ever wanted. I do ballet and I’m also a babysitter and a huge romantic. This book was the most perfect read for me. Honestly even if your none of these things (expect for maybe a romantic) I still highly recommend this book for some christmas reading.
I LOVED THIS SO SO SO SO MUCH!!! This story sucked me in from the very beginning, giving me the warms fuzzies. I loved the relationship that Noelle has with the Kahale's and their children, she is so close with them. Jack is beyond adorable. This is a story that is beyond good!!
This book was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Going into the Christmas season, Noelle was feeling a lot, missing her mom and feeling abandoned by her dad as he focused everything on his new project. Those feelings just grew worse as the holiday grew closer and her normal traditions failed to meet her expectations. Growing older and seeing our childhood traditions changing is such a hard thing to deal with alone, but are made much worse with the loss of a parent. Noelle instead decides to run away from her daily life to babysit for her favorite family, the Kahales, to distract her from her disappointments. Through the book, Noelle comes to the realization that her dreams of attending Beacon was just her way of running away as well. An unexpected visitor, her crush who she'd never met, helps her realize this and makes her holiday much different than she expected as she finds healing, love and that her family is actually bigger than she thought. I thought the relationship between Noelle and Wyatt was so sweet, their chemistry was great and it felt authentic to their experience. They were both experiencing a lot of hurt from their parents and were able to bond through that but also help each other grow and communicate. This was such a fun, cozy holiday read that definitely helped me get into the holiday spirit with all the fun christmas events.
The only thing I didn't like what how young Noelle was. I don't recall if they mention Wyatt's age but I felt like 14 was just a bit too young. The writing was more of a mature voice than I would expect from a 14-year-old, it felt more like she was 16.
This book generally speaking is about ballet and skiing, so if you enjoy these subjects you will love this book!
Noelle is our protagonist who's mum passed away 6 years ago, she love ballet but to make money she take a babysitting course and she is successful at it.
She has a strong group of friends, Autumn who family own a successful party planning business, and her group of core friends enjoy tasting the new food..Coco who is very successful in swimming.mae..Maiae nothing much is mentioned. about her
All are single 14 year olds, that go to the same school. And are such a good group of friends to Noelle.
Noelle is the oldest/lead dancer in Spirit dance school, but dreams of going to studying at a specialist dance college, as she :eats, sleeps and breathes ballet".
However while still considering her options she is asked to accompany one of babysitting, who are 8 and 4 years old to a ski resort over Christmas and returning on the 30th of December (8days away). It sounds like a real life fairytale as she feels the magic of Christmas has gone ever since her mum passed away and being an only child has felt isolated.
But then hee sep-son turns up unexpectedly, he is someone who Noelle has studied dancing, will they be friends or enemy's? As they both have secrets they hold close, and are a bit suspicious of each other. It's a good Christmas read for Y/A or just a fan of romance books.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a digital copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
This book was so fun to read. The holiday figurative language was nicely added, the story was fast-paced and fun, and the characters were realistic and sweet. This book focuses on holiday traditions but the last third of it takes place after Christmas and before New Year's Eve, making it a great present to give a teen the holidays (so they can read it while in winter break).
Noelle lost her mom when she was young. Now that she is finally in high school, her dad is super busy with work. Noelle still has ballet, babysitting and her friends to keep her busy but when no one wants to join in the traditional Christmas festivities, Noelle must do something different She accepts an over the break babysitting job that will take her on vacation with her favorite family to sit for. When her crush that she's never met, who also happens to be the kids older brother, shows up, panic sets in. Noelle must help the family figure out what is going on and try not to let her crush ruin her Christmas.
Opinion
This was an absolute delight to read. Noelle's innocence in relationships and her budding maturity make this story such a great read. I love the times she gets herself in trouble as well as the little sweet moments with Wyatt. This is the perfect read for a young teenager embarking into romance books. It is a sweet and endearing read.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.