Another winner by Noyes. This combined the love and not love for the holidays, blended into a wonderful, funny romance.

Evie Phillips is a not a Christmas fan and never has been even before everything happened with her family. She focuses on her niece and her brother in law and that's all until a new neighbor moves in next door. It has her reconsidering the holiday and maybe finding love along with it.

Annika is in Boston for a year from Germany as part of the new program they are trying to get started with her company. She has sworn off relationships after her douche ex and intends to spend Christmas alone for the first time. She meets Evie her first day when she's moving in and sparks fly.

Chemistry was showed right away, but this is a slower burn, where they go from neighbors, to friends, to more. It has great backstories and the characters were well developed and the writing was phenomenal.

I would highly recommend this book even if it's after Christmas. You can't go wrong with a book by Noyes.

A heart warming romantic tale with great characters. I enjoyed the blend of the American and German holiday traditions. It was a joy learning some of the German customs.

Thank you Bella Books and NetGalley for this ARC copy.

This is a heartwarming and romantic tale that will captivate readers who adore festive holiday stories, LGBTQIA+ romance, and the joy of finding love in the most unexpected ways, making it a perfect fit for fans of feel-good, seasonal romance.

E.J. Noyes is an auto read for me so I was thrilled to read her new holiday romance. Annika Mayer is coming from Munich to Boston to work as a project manager for an international app developer. She meets her neighbor when she moves into her apartment in the Beacon Hill area. They are the only two on the floor and of course will run into each other often. Evangeline (Evie) Phillips is a a writer and illustrator for over twenty published graphic novels. She works from home which gives her flexibility with her schedule. She cares for her niece Chloe after her school hours till her father can pick her up. She’s been doing that for the last six years since her beloved sister died.

Evie welcomes Annika with snacks to her floor and kicks off the beginning of a friendship. For Annika, Evie agrees to celebrate Christmas combining German and American traditions. I love that they do it planning minimal budgets and with effort put into creative gifting. They are adorable as they hesitantly try and figure out if they want to try and be more than be neighbors.

The book gets more wonky with the conflicts in the story. Annika’s ex says she is afraid to be on her own so she is concerned that is a reason she is jumping into something new. Evie’s issues are more complex. She was rejected by her parents after coming out. But Annika has issues that she doesn’t value family as much as she does. I was flummoxed that Evie apologizes for not reaching out to parents who have never apologized or sought her out in over a decade, including after her sister died. This lost a star in my ratings. There was some repetitiveness as the issues were restated several times to each other and friends and family.

I liked the story and characters but I have high expectations for Noyes. I also missed the niece being more a part of the second half of the book. Maybe it just didn’t take turns I expected. I will of course look forward to the next book by the author. (3.5 Stars)

The story concept was interesting and written by this author was the pull. I can appreciate comments about the blending of holidays and the language. It was different and sometimes, that is a good thing ans sometimes, not so much. I too made up the German pronunciations in my head or if I was really interested, Googled. What kept me engaged was the interaction between Evie-Evangeline Phillips and Annika Mayer as they supported each other. I was also intrigued by the family dynamics which an take on many forms during the holiday season. This read also provided the opportunity to learn which in my opinion is a good thing.

Merry Weihnachten is the epitome of two worlds colliding, and with E.J. Noyes behind the reins it’s impossible not to get excited. I hate stumbling over words, so the first thing I did was Google Weihnachten, which made my entire reading experience fluid.  

Sparks fly when Annika and Evie meet in their apartment stairwell. Cute, and just a bit awkward, Evie is enthralled by the gorgeous, confident German who has moved in across the hall.

In Boston, for a year to oversee a project, Annika is excited for the opportunity yet devastated to be spending Christmas away from her family. After learning Evie doesn’t celebrate the holiday, Annika suggests creating their own take on the day, merging traditions, and making new memories.

This is how Merry Weihnachten is created, and over wine and dinners, choosing the perfect tree and gifts, Evie and Annika fall in love. Both take it slowly, realising a year will never be enough, but with some difficulties and honest communication, they make a decision to take a chance.

I’ve yet to dislike an E.J. Noyes book. Her writing ranges from soft and sweet to intense and deeply personal, and her spice levels are always ideal for the genre she has chosen. Merry Weihnachten is a slow burn romance, and she has kept it light, even with the slight introduction Evie’s troubled past with her parents. Don’t wait for next Christmas to check this one out. It will be enjoyable all year round.

Merry Weihnachten is a sweet and lovely holiday romance that somehow treads a fine line between slow-burn and insta-love. I really enjoyed the German and American holiday traditions, and the English-as-a-second-language humor was cute ("little wodkas"!) Annika’s grammar worsened when she was emotional, too, which was a surprisingly effective grace note—it helped some of the novel’s key scenes jump off the page.

One of the leads, Evie, was very wealthy, and the part of her arc that dealt with intergenerational wealth left me cold. It didn’t ruin things, but it didn’t add much either. I’m certainly not averse to reading about the problems of the very wealthy (one of world literature’s leading themes); the problem, for me, was that it wasn’t remotely decadent enough to be really delicious, and so somehow ended up a little depressing instead. That was the only real off note for me, though. I really enjoyed the romance, the chemistry between the leads, and how maturely they both handled the various minor challenges they faced. Things were kept just interesting enough to hold my interest; the only thing here that’s going to raise anyone’s heart rate are the suitably steamy-cozy sex scenes.

Most of the holiday romances I’ve read this season have involved some combination of angst, immaturity, and winter hijinks. And truly, I enjoy all those things. But Merry Weihnachten brings something else to the holiday table: a warm and comfortable escape into the lives of two mostly more-or-less ordinary women falling in love in Boston, celebrating the kinds of Christmas traditions any family might celebrate—baking cookies, decorating the tree, lighting candles, and that most American of holiday traditions, trying to show someone who truly wants for nothing material just how much you care about them by way of a 20 dollar gift.

I wanted nothing more than to love this book as I adore every E.J. Noyes book I’ve read. With that said, I was very disappointed (almost) from the start.

I couldn’t tell the two main characters apart. The writing “voice” was indistinguishable and generally unejoyable to try and keep up with.

The German traditions were a lovely addition but not enough to keep me engaged throughout the book or romance.

It’s a nice, feel-good love story around christmas time, but maybe a little bit dragged.

”Not only hot with a low, mellow voice, but also German. The accent wasn’t thick, but it was definitely there. And it was definitely sexy.“

I really wanted to love this book, because I love the author and I loved that there’s a german main character. I was really curious how accurate it would be and I have to say - well done! The things told about german christmas traditions were quite right. The author did some good research, even though I hated the german pet name “Schnucki”, I don’t think it’s a common pet name for mid thirty women.

This was also something I really loved about the book - the age of the MCs. Both women were in their thirties and this made me so happy! This is an age that’s often underrepresented.

”It made me fall just a little bit in love with her. Early, shallow love, just a fraction past attraction.“

Sadly I have to say, there isn’t much happening in the story, it’s all about the “Adventszeit”, they fall in love but it takes ages for them to act on it and that kinda annoyed me. There was no third act break up or something like this, it was just a very nice love story without much excitement.

A cute, heartfelt holiday story that blends American and German traditions. I enjoyed learning the German customs and found the Christmas tree part fascinating. The German words throughout were a cool touch in my opinion, and was thankful for Noyes’ translating them back to English. I liked both MCs, and although it wasn’t a rich-poor trope, that wealthy factor added another layer. Also, pretty low-angst which is ideal to me for a holiday romance.

PS- I saw what you did there with the Lee Winters nod and had a good chuckle.

'm really upset that I didn't like this book. I'm a big E. J. Noyes' fan and whenever I see one of her books coming up, it is automatically put higher on my TBR list, but this one didn't even feel like her usual writing for me.

She is SO GOOD with adding dramatic bits to her stories - Ask, Tell has to be one of ny favorite series of all time. And I understand this was supposed to be a light Christmas romance, but if felt very lacking to me.

Way too many pages for a drama that didn't really feel like it needed to be happening. Evie doesn't have a good relationship with her family because of her sexuality - I get that! But also she's like crazy rich and very successful, so I was not convinced she would have so many relationship issues...

And Annika... Honestly, I did not feel like that was something truly holding her back from living in the US at all.

And for the same reasons I felt like the slow burn was very forced - they both wanted it each other and the "don't want to be in a relationship" felt unconvincing to me and honestly ruined a little of their chemistry.

Finally, I'm someone who has English as a second language, and I felt like Annika was too stereotyped. I don't feel like anyway who is as fluent as she was would mix so many German words in between sentences. Even all the "Ya" and "Halo" felt too forced and unnatural to me.

And I know for a fact Noyes can write uncomplicated romance as I loved "If the shoe fits", so I'm not sure what happened with this one.

She still very high on my favorite author's list and I'll be looking forward for her next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

Annika is amused when she runs into Evie while moving in to her new suite. She has moved to Boston from Germany, sadly away from friends and family. And thankfully away from her ex.
Evie, a graphic artist, is almost instantly taken with Annika, and makes a bit of a fool of herself. Thankfully that just amused the other woman.
I like Evie's niece, Chloe. She's funny. And is picking up Evie's swearing. Oops.
Because they will both be somewhat alone over the holidays, Annika suggests they spend them together, carrying out both their families Christmas traditions.
After a lot of hinting Annika just tells Evie she likes her. Evie is very hesitant, for various reasons.
Drunk Annika is hilarious.
When Evie's Dad has a heart attack, Annika is angry that she's not reacting. Annika, I think your heart is in the right place, but Evie's situation isn't yours to judge.
Evie mends bridges a bit with her family, and Annika tells hers that she's staying in Boston.

E.J. Noyes is one of the few authors whose books are an auto read for me. She never fails to write engaging stories with wonderful characters. This book is no exception. It was a wonderful holiday read.
Annika takes a yearlong work transfer from Munich, Germany to Boston, after a breakup. She has instant chemistry with her new neighbor, Evie, but neither want to act on the attraction. They decide to try friendship and share traditions from each other's countries as they prepare for the holidays. Of course, the chemistry evidently can't be ignored.
I adored this book. And I even found myself learning something about the traditions that take place in Germany. As with every book from this author, I highly recommend.

An ARC was provided by Bella Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Evie was an instant like for me. She was such a down to earth character in her everyday life. And when in business mode she was outstanding. Annika was harder to like initially but she grew on me throughout the book.

I loved the banter between Evie and Annika, it was refreshing to read. Chloe and Pete were great side characters. I loved Evie and Chloe’s relationship.

Noyes was very clever with her use of portmanteau names. And with her Christmas gifts between Evie and Annika. I loved the lawn mowing gift.

I laughed out loud at this line “ I’m German, Annika deadpanned. You want me to go into this relationship with you without having a plan?”

I also enjoyed the German Christmas traditions and they resonated with me because of my 4th great grandmother being born in Germany and living with my mom when she was a child. Now I know where some of my family traditions come from.

Thanks to Net Galley and Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the first E J Noyes book I have read and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed it.
Evie meets Annika when Annika moves to Boston from Germany for a year for work. They live on the same floor. It soon becomes apparent that Evie has money but does not flaunt it and is estranged from most of her family. Annika is very family orientated.
I loved the amalgamation of the American and German Christmas festivities.
I even enjoyed (if you know what I mean) the sister dying of breast cancer and the trauma that such an event created. Cancer does not respect wealth or status.
My sister died of cancer. I recognised the seismic ripples that erupt and affect all areas of life afterwards. In fact I think it was quite therapeutic reading for me. When the coffee pot broke I knew the significance. I've broken things. Things that I now have the pieces of tucked away - even to mend them feels huge and more than. Maybe because I then have to acknowledge that there's going to be a time when things are gone. And there's obviously been a while since there were any new things at all.
I liked the constant smattering of German throughout - and the increase of this when drunk. I thought the delivery of for want of a better word 'broken' English for a known German word was very cleverly done. And the constant 'Ja' seemed to remind me to read it with an accent (in my head of course).
There is of course an epilogue.
A surprise gift had been arranged - to do a most ordinary and some would say tedious household chore. And the answer to the possibility of a question would be 'Ja'.

Oh this was so good. Right from the start Evie and Annika just sizzled on the page. Instant chemistry. I loved it.

As always Noyes captures your attention and you never want to look away. How refreshing that this was a Christmas story with a German twist. It really kicked started me into getting into the Christmas spirit leading up to Christmas Day, including baking biscuits and putting up the tree. There is such an energy with this story, banter that puts a goofy grin on your face as you read and a relationship where communication is forthcoming.

Do your self a favour and read this wonderful story, it will sure to become a Christmas favourite and might even become a tradition.

E.J. Noyes has written one of my favorite Christmas novels. This was such a good Christmassy, flirty, instantaneous chemistry that had me riveted from the beginning.
Told in the MCs POV that we get both sides of the story. I enjoyed learning German Christmas traditions.
I will definitely be reading this with my yearly Christmas staples yearly.
EJ Noyes is a favorite. Go to the author of mine, I look forward to what she comes out with next.

E.J. Noyes gifts readers a delightful holiday treat with Merry Weihnachten, a sapphic rom-com that combines charm, heart, and a refreshing cultural blend. This novel captures the festive spirit while delivering a uniquely engaging storyline that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

One of the standout features of the book is its thoughtful integration of German and American holiday traditions. Noyes skillfully weaves cultural elements into the narrative, creating an immersive experience that feels both educational and enchanting. These traditions, paired with the warmth of the holiday season, transport readers to a world that brims with festive cheer, making this book an ideal companion for cozy nights by the fire.

The romance at the heart of the story is as sweet and satisfying as a cup of mulled wine. The chemistry between the characters is genuine, and their journey feels authentic, striking a perfect balance between humor, heartache, and holiday joy. Noyes’ knack for creating relatable, three-dimensional characters ensures that their love story resonates deeply.

With its captivating plot and festive backdrop, Merry Weihnachten is more than just a holiday romance; it’s a celebration of love, traditions, and the magic of the season. Noyes’ ability to blend humor, romance, and cultural appreciation makes this book a standout in the sapphic romance genre.

Verdict: A heartwarming and unique holiday rom-com that sparkles with charm and cultural richness. Perfect for fans of festive, feel-good romances.

E.J. Noyes is a skilled author who has written books with a variety of genres including thrillers, romance (young adult, military, Olympian, etc), and dystopian such as Alone. However, Merry Weihnachten is her first holiday romance. This book features two women from different countries sharing their Christmas traditions. Evangeline (Evie) Phillips is from a prominent, rich Northeastern American family who has not accepted Evie's sexuality. Evie lives alone in Boston, adjacent to Boston Common, and is a graphic artist.

Annika Mayer is from Germany and is a year-long assignment in Boston as a Project Manager. Annika meets Evie when she moves in the same building where Evie resides. They are just down the hall from each other and there is instant attraction between the two women. They story details how they become friends and eventually more and how they share their Christmas traditions during the month of December.

Some of the things that I enjoyed about this holiday romance include Evie's relationship with her niece, Chloe, and her brother-in-law, Pete; the slow burn romance; and the discord between Evie and Annika and how they communicated and eventually got past that discord. The pièce de résistance was obviously the sharing of the American and German Christmas traditions, food, and decorations. 4.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a tricky thing to tread the fine line between slow-burn buildup and payoff. I have read a number of EJ Noyes’ books and she hits the bull’s-eye, to mix my metaphors, pretty much every time. But with Merry Weihnachten, you will need to be a little more patient.

There are reasons why the two MCs are hesitant to develop their burgeoning relationship, but meanwhile you can enjoy all the fun of the Christmas fayre. Boston is painted with colorful seasonal strokes and all the scenes set in the apartment block, where both the girls live (separately), also convey the sights, sounds, and feels of the festive season. So there is much to enjoy as the author builds up the tension between the two girls. There is some angst, of course, but in the main this is a sweet and fulfilling tale that drops in some seasonal German/European culture into an American holiday season. Being a Brit myself, I enjoyed seeing a number of the German traditions, some of which have found their way over 150 years or so, to the UK.

If Merry Weihnachten isn’t the author’s absolute best, that’s because in recent years she has set a very high bar. She is one of the very best lesfic authors in terms of developing a romance and latching characters directly into your heart. This holiday tale hits the mark overall and is a very enjoyable read.