Leah Evans and her daughter Sadie are getting ready to have a huge family Christmas at her grandmother's plantation home. Nan has recently passed and Leah is dealing with her grief, but the anticipation of taking over the plantation and continuing on with special events and guests is what is keeping her going. When she discovers that her Nan changed her will recently it is heartbreaking to know that she is a co-owner of the home with David Forester, a boy that lived there when Leah was a child. Davey was her friend, the boy who was always there to help her, teach her and be her first friend. Assuming that she and David would run the business together was her first mistake, he wants to buy her out and use the home as a residence. Can they work things out? Will they be able to become friends again? Why did Nan want to bring them together? This is as sweet a Christmas story as any I have read or watched on the Hallmark channel. There are great characters, a lot of baggage to deal with and personal reflection to have. With Leah sure she knows what she wants, it is not necessarily what she needs. Both she and David have feelings for one another, but both are fighting them. It is Sadie that gets hurt in the fallout, yet is able to bring them together. This is a beautiful Christmas romance with a lot of heart, Christmas customs and activities, friendship and hope. One I am glad I finally read and recommend to others who enjoy a Christmas romance.

A lovely easy read that I read in one sitting, A perfect read for these wintry nights curled up with a cup of hot chocolate.

A perfect Christmastime romance, completed with alluring characters, a storybook setting and family bonds that have no limits.

Jenny Hale is quickly becoming my favorite go to author for my Christmas reading fix. She decorates the atmosphere in her stories with all the holiday cheer and whimsy one can expect for the season. The story comes to life with the love and togetherness the holiday brings and is a delight for me as a reader.

Leah has inherited her childhood home from her grandmother and the memories of growing up there are what are driving her to giving her daughter the best childhood she can. Leah doesn’t count on there being a catch to the inheritance. Leah discovers she is co-owner with her childhood friend, David, whom she hasn’t seen in years. As children, they were thick as thieves, but now they are grown up and are on opposite sides of what is to be done about the house they both love.

I liked both Leah and David and empathized with them and the situation they find themselves in. Initially, I couldn’t understand why Leah’s grandmother would name them both beneficiary of the home and when I learned they both had distinctively different plans for the house, thought there would be no way these two former childhood buddies could resolve this conflict. David impressed me right away with his kindness and compassion towards Leah. He makes her a very generous offer that she is torn over taking and the guilt she is sure she will feel if she does. Leah has had to rely on herself to raise her young daughter as the father hightailed it out of there early on, so putting her trust in people isn’t something Leah does easily. Though life has dealt her a rotten hand, I loved that Leah is not bitter or angry at the world. She has a big heart and wants what is right and fair for everyone.

Grandma’s advice to Leah and David is to live life without regrets and they discover Grandma had a few of her own. As they work together to uncover the secrets, they become close and with just the right amount of nutmeg in the eggnog, you have a Christmas miracle that brings together families and friends to embrace the joy of the season. This story made me want to be there, sitting in front of the log fire or in the kitchen that I envisioned big and bright, copper pots hanging over a monstrous island, with the scents of Christmas in the air.

My Final Verdict: A feel good Christmas story of love and friendship to keep the reader toasty warm during the winter chill, I recommend this story any time of the year, eggnog optional.

This is a lovely, feel good Christmas story. It's full of joy and romance with a sprinkle of tears. Leah is single mum to Sadie, age 7. She and David have been jointly left her grandmother's property. David is a childhood friend whom Leah has not seen for years. Leah just can't understand why her grandmother made this decision and since she has no other money believes that David will have to buy her share of the house. She just wants one more Christmas there with her family and friends. David and his mother also join in the celebrations where Leah and David find themselves falling in love with each other! Read on.

Leah was a bit angry and put out to learn that David was staying at her grandmother's house and to think he wasn’t even family and yet her Nan her grandmother left them joint owners of her house. She was fumbling around trying to find out what was going on, it was indeed quite puzzling. When she arrived to talk over his giving up his share of the house, all she can do when she entered the house was burst into tears, sobbing herself into the very arms of David, as she remembers the good times she and Sadie had with her grandmother and how much they missed her. This simple story is all about family and love, it brings you back to the joy of Christmas when friends and family gather around, it has a rather timeless storyline with a tidbit of romance.

I really enjoyed this Christmas tale by Jenny Hale. I do love her books and the family feel she gives you. I loved reading about evergreen Hill and the details she added and the history of the house. I will admit, it took me a while to get into the book, looking back at memories, there were a little too many at the beginning of the book for me but love the happy ending in the end which we all predicted anyway, good old Nan! I loved Roz's and Louise's characters, they seemed like a good team always there for each other. Another wonderfully written book. Thank you for letting me read and review this book, another joyous read and look forward to the next book.

Another wonderful novel by Jenny Hale. Her books always seem to add to the magic of the holiday season, and picking up this novel will only make your season brighter.

Jenny Hale generally does not disappoint, and in this book she delivers a Christmas story about family and acceptance, sacrifice and love. It is a feel-good book perfect for the season.

However..I did struggle a bit with the relationship between Leah and David - it felt forced for a good part of it, and honestly, the fact that Nan made such a huge change to her will and didn't tell Leah - knowing what hopes she had pinned on the house - was a bit to digest.

This sweet holiday story caught my attention from the pretty cover til the last page.

All I Want For Christmas was more focused on family love and love for friends (old and new) than the romantic relationship between the main characters but after all this was a very enjoyable read.

I like how easily I could get into Jenny Hale's books,they make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Wonderful romance that will draw readers in from the very first page. Definitely recommend!

First of all I have to say how beautiful the book cover is, really enjoyed reading All I Want for Christmas, it was such a lovely, heart-warming read with a lovely ending which makes it just perfect!

I’m a little late in posting this however, other than being set at Christmas the story itself is timeless and can be read all year round! I am a massive fan of Jenny’s so of course I was excited to read her latest Christmas offering. This story is all about Leah and her daughter Sadie.

Leah is a single mother and is working hard to make sure her daughter Sadie doesn't go without anything. Their relationship is very special and the have a really close bond with one another. Leah has the support of her two best friends throughout the novel and this theme of friendship is one of the most noted throughout the book.

David and Leah have known each other since children and although the book is set over a short period of time this history serves as a strong foundation for the new direction their relationship is going in. Leah has a kindness that shone throughout and it's not hard to see how carefully she nurtures her friendships.

The story follows Leah and David as they try to sort out their differing opinions over what should happen with the estate and at times I really could have reached into the book and given David a good shake! Leah had a very close connection with her Nan and this can be felt throughout with all of the ties to family Christmas and the plantation.

One thing I love about Jenny's books is the setting. I can always imagine them so clearly thanks to her vivid and detailed description of the surroundings. I would love to visit Virginia one day to experience it for myself! If you've never read any of Jenny's books, or if you're already a fan you are sure to enjoy this book!

Nice read and easy to follow story line. Look forward to reading more from this author

It's the third year in a row now that I read all the books that Jenny Hale releases. Last Christmas I was a bit disappointed by her Christmas book because the story was way too much like the previous one. But this time, I had the pleasure to discover a brand new type of story from Jenny Hale. I didn't have this deja-vu feeling. So that was a great point! Moreover, the story of "All I want for Christmas" is a really lovely and cozy one with lovely characters. I really loved to read about Leah and her 7 year old daughter Saddie. I loved to discover David... the perfect guy that we would all would like to have in our life! ;-) I loved the settings as well... this beautiful house/plantation that Leah inherits from her grand-mother who just died... and I loved to read about the fond and dear memories that Leah has of her grand-mother and time spent with her.... really lovely lovely story! I recommend it to any woman who wants to read a nice Christmas chicklit story!

I loved this - I used it as part of my christmas roundup.