It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Julianna Keyes is a cute holiday romance that feels festive without overdoing the sweetness. The story follows rival travel writers Eve and Will, who find themselves stuck in the ultimate Christmas town, Noelville, competing for a promotion by writing the most magical holiday piece. Of course, sparks fly, but what makes this book work is its self-aware humor and witty banter. It’s like a Hallmark movie but with a bit more bite.

The novella length keeps it quick and engaging, perfect for a cozy afternoon read. While the plot is somewhat predictable (it knows it’s leaning into holiday clichés), the chemistry between Eve and Will feels natural, and their interactions add a fun, snarky twist to all the holiday cheer. If you’re looking for something light and festive with a good dose of humor, this one’s a solid pick for the season, I highly recommend.

This was the perfect book if you are looking for a cute little holiday romance like a Hallmark movie. It is perfectly sized and has just enough tension to make you feel butterflies when these two are together. Rival writers are sent to a holiday town to write the perfect holiday read, who knew that they would just end up falling for one another and the Christmas themed town would make them like the holiday more than ever. There were elements that were exactly what I was hoping for and elements I was questioning, but all in all the book was just a fun cozy feel good read.
Thanks to Victory Editing, Julianna Keyes and Netgalley for a copy.

It was so good it was like a hallmark movie in book form its about two rivel writers who meet to do a story in vt.

This was a cute story! It’s a short read but a perfect holiday romance to get yourself into the Christmas spirit. I found myself grinning the last 20 or so pages as the story wrapped up with a neat little bow.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.
“Hallmark with Snark

Two rival travel writers are sent on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to learn the true meaning of Christmas without killing each other…

Eve Sherwood has never been a fan of Christmas. Too commercial, too busy. But when her editor assigns her to write a piece on Noelville, a special one-week Christmas experience, she has to go. She knows her job is to write a predictable holiday story, but how much gingerbread can one girl eat?

Will Fowler doesn’t believe in magic or Christmas, and certainly not the magic of Christmas. And he’s none too happy when he boards the train to Noelville and finds his nemesis, Eve Sherwood, already seated. Now he’s supposed to tolerate the faux cheer and the snow and the non-stop jingle belling with her sleeping in the quaint cabin next door?

Eve and Will know this trip is a test to see who can set aside their disdain and write the most absurdly sappy story in order to win an upcoming promotion. They know how the standard holiday script goes: Cynical city person travels to a small town, helps save Christmas, and falls in love with the attractive local. But what happens when two cynical city people travel to Noelville, help save Christmas, and accidentally fall for each other?”

I have never read anything by this author before but thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope that Julianna will decide to write a follow up story for Eve and Will as they continue their travels.

I loved both Eve and Will and their banter throughout the story. The plot was somewhat predictable, but that didn't stop me enjoying the story.

I will definitely be looking out for Julianna Keyes’ books in future and it was interesting to note that she also writes thrillers as Elaine Murphy so will look out for those too.

Wow did i love this! This book felt like a self- aware Hallmark movie, full of cynicism and Christmas magic. I absolutely adored the two main characters and would love to see them featured in another book! While this was a short novella, I felt drawn into it far easier then i usually do with books this length. The banter was bouncing off the pages and I actually laughed out loud several times.
The plot was sometimes cliche and predictable, but that didn't really take away from any of the enjoyment for me.
Would recommend 100°%

I am loving this arc even if I just started this book.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for making this book arc available.

Full review to follow!

A great Christmas book to get lost in! It moved fast and was enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Loved it!

Sweet Christmas story just in time for the holidays. Quick read that flew by like Santa and his sleigh. Both Eve and Will are assigned to cover the week of Christmas in the town of Noelville. They both are vying for the same position of an into travel writer. Their competitive nature comes out trying to write the perfect article describing the magic of the traditions of Noelville. With each tradition they experience together they grow closer. This is where the competition turns into more! Thank you to NetGalley and Julianna Keyes for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If Hallmark movies were in book form. This would be the book and the book itself is aware of it. It’s a good winters read that makes to want to go sledding.