I wanted to LOVE this book based on the synopsis but it turned out to be just okay. It does come complete with all the holiday tropes - so you’ll get your Christmas fix!

I read this ARC thanks to Netgalley.

This novella was a cute, Hallmark like story. Eve and Will are working enemies, who get tricked into spending a week in Noelville. In Noelville, it's Christmas year round, and these two writers are not keen on the holidays.

The story follows them as they suffer through cookie decorations, wrapping gifts, and being totally immersed in 24/7 Christmas. They eventually start to tolerate each other, which leads to actually liking each other by the end.

If you're into cheesy Christmas movies and stories, this is a quick read you should definitely check out.

Confession: I am a romance reader, I adore the holiday season, and I promise you that my heart is not two sizes too small, however, I am not a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies.

There, I said it. I am a fan of a good enemies-to-lovers story, though, and throw in a good helping of witty banter and I am there for it with bells on. The author had me at "Hallmark with Snark."

Eve and Will are coworkers/nemeses who are both vying for the same promotion. When they both get assigned to the same story, they know that the author of the better piece will get the promotion. This travel assignment just so happens to be a week-long stay in Noelville, Vermont, an exclusive Christmas village that celebrates all things Christmas all year long. Since neither one of them is a fan of Christmas, this assignment will be more challenging than just the competition itself. Of course, for the reader, this scenario promises a great deal of tension, wit, and holiday hoopla.

If you are looking for a holiday story that will warm your heart, make you laugh, and fill you with festive cheer, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas is the book for you. And yes, there was plenty of snark!

*4 Stars

As it says in the blurb from the publisher: "Hallmark with Snark"

Two writers, who both hate Christmas, are set the challenge to spend a week in a Noelville, a dedicated Christmas resort and write a sappy, Christmas loving story. The winner gets a sought after promotion.

What could go wrong?

Well, it is the festive season and not even these two Grinches manage to stay unaffected by the magic.

Lots of fab banter, some 'balanced' Christmas sap - all in all a sweet Christmas story with e HEA.

I actually soft DNF'd this one. It was short but felt like it was dragging, and I just wasn't in the mood for it. I'm unsure if that has something to do with the book or me, but I might come back to this one later - we'll see.

A super cute and quick holiday read about two rival writers (who both hate Christmas) sent to write a story about the very adorable Christmas town Noelville. I enjoyed it a lot, was a nice way to spend an afternoon.

For a more in depth spoiler free review you can check out my YouTube review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19sNdbDTH4c

CHRISTMAS!!!

This book is *exactly* what I want in a Christmas story. Too often books are advertised as being a Christmas or holiday read when , in reality, Christmas is just a very minimal background part of the plot, or a moment that happens early on and I'm always left so disappointed. I am happy to say that is very much not the case with this Novella. Every page of this book is slam packed with Christmas-y goodness and I think my Christmas loving heart exploded!

This book is exactly as advertised, Hallmark with snark. Two grinch-y, big city characters are sent to a tiny town to save Christmas, bake cookies, fall in love and find the joy of the season. I adored both main characters- their banter had me actually laughing out loud so much, and kicking my feet with joy.

This has soared right to the top of my all time favorite holiday reads. Seriously, delightful. I just hope that one day the author decides to release a print copy!

Christmasland adorable. The premise was cute and the story was predictable. A good novella to escape with on a cold winter day.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Julianna Keyes is a delightful holiday romance brimming with festive charm and sparkling banter. Set against the backdrop of Noelville, a town straight out of a Christmas card, the story follows two writers navigating their travel assignments and the unexpected magic of the season.

The chemistry between the main characters is fun and engaging, and their witty exchanges had me smiling throughout. This book perfectly captures the joy, coziness, and occasional chaos of the holidays. A heartwarming read to get you in the holiday spirit—complete with laughter, romance, and just the right touch of Christmas magic.

Review also submitted to Amazon : yet to accept

I was looking for a sweet little Christmas story to read and get into the holiday spirit, so I really wanted to love this one. Unfortunately, it just fell a little short for me. I couldn’t really connect to the characters, and the plot was a little bit ridiculous at times. Being a novella, I know it can be difficult to write a comprehensive story with such a short page limit, but this one just missed the mark for me.

2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

This was such a fun novella, but the amount of times the word snowpeople/snow person was referenced while talking about a male/female was a little ridiculous. Completely ruined the story for me.

This book was a cute read. I really enjoyed the characters and how they really had to learn to open up to the magic of Christmas. This was a great enemies to lovers book.

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by Julianna Keyes is a charming holiday romcom that perfectly captures the magic of the season. The dynamic between Eve and Will is filled with humor, tension, and undeniable chemistry. Keyes' witty writing and the festive setting of Noelville make this novella a delightful read. The story is engaging and full of holiday cheer, making it a perfect addition to your Christmas reading list. Highly recommended for fans of holiday romances and feel-good stories!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt like watching a Hallmark movie which I loved but I found it ironic that this book and the characters was judging the cliche Christmas romance but that was exactly what they were lol. It isn't a bad thing I just found it funny. I didn't feel a connection between the characters and the romance felt rushed but I think those two things kind of go hand in hand. The plot of the story moved so slowly I was getting bored quite quickly.

This charming Hallmark-style Christmas story follows two rival writers who are both sent to Noelville, a whimsical, Christmas-themed town. Both characters are cynical about the holiday spirit and are tasked with writing about the town as a top destination to visit during the season. As an enemies-to-lovers story, their initial animosity gives way to romance as they experience the magic of Noelville together. At just 122 pages, the novella quickly pulls readers into the holiday mood, offering a heartwarming and festive escape.

3.5 stars

I'm a sap for a holiday read especially a Christmas one. Two writers who aren't very Christmassy types sent to a living Christmas town to try and outdo the other for the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Thank you to Netgalley, and the Author, Julianna Keyes for this read in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute novella and exactly what I wanted from something described as "Hallmark with snark".

The main characters were actually likeable and genuinely funny without being cringey. The plot is entirely predictable in the best of ways and it was a real comfort read. The author is completely aware that this is predictable plot, but because they break the fourth wall and the characters refer to the hallmark movie plot lines multiple times, it doesn't detract from the reader's enjoyment, rather enhances it.

This novella was like a warm Christmas hug.

This is just what I needed to read! Such an uplifting and engaging story- true to word- just like a Hallmark movie! Thoroughly enjoyed this read.

This was a cute clean holiday romance read that made me think of a Hallmark Christmas movie. The banter and rivalry between main characters Eve and Will made great overall chemistry. As well as the story line made for great entertainment. You felt like you were in the “magical” ✨ Noelville. For the holiday fanatic, this sweet little village is your dream come true, to the point where the author described everything perfectly so your imagination runs wild.

This book was so much better than I could have predicted especially as someone who doesn't often enjoy Christmas books. I sat comfy on the sofa with the Christmas tree lights on consuming this book in one sitting reading each page as though it was a classic hallmark festive movie. The story follows Eve and Will two writers who not only dislike each other but Christmas too and after the pair are both sent off to Noelville on a special weekend stay at a Christmas experience the forced proximity brings these two feuding writers closer together beyond anything they could have predicted.

Throughout this short read we get to learn enough about both Eve and Will to fall in love with them as induvial characters and as a duo. There were creative unique elements throughout the book including how their progress writing their induvial articles develop and Julianna Keyes does an incredible job at providing readers with a funny, cute, enjoyable festive read that is easy to consume quickly, cosy and avoids being overly cheesy. This is a soft romance with no spice but we truly don't need those elements to find ourselves captivated by their story and the Christmas Love.