Review posted on GoodReads. Published 12/10/2024

Wow!!! 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a heartwarming holiday romance that combines the magic of the Christmas season with a dash of royalty. The novel follows the journey of a down-to-earth woman, often feeling out of place in her glamorous life, who unexpectedly finds herself falling for a charming prince. The plot is a blend of festive cheer, royal intrigue, and personal growth.

The main characters are likable, with the heroine being relatable in her vulnerability and emotional journey. She is neither perfect nor overly idealized, which gives her character depth and makes her easy to root for. The prince, while being the traditional “royal heartthrob,” has enough layers to make him more than just a fairytale figure, as his own struggles and dilemmas bring a sense of realism to the story.

Boothe’s writing is engaging and easy to follow, with descriptions that evoke the cozy, magical feel of Christmas while still maintaining a sense of modernity. The pacing is steady, though it can occasionally feel predictable, as the book hits many familiar beats for romance lovers, especially those who are fans of royal-themed stories. However, this predictability doesn’t detract from its charm; instead, it allows readers to settle into the holiday spirit with ease.

The romance itself is sweet, filled with moments of emotional connection and some lighthearted tension. There’s a nice balance of holiday cheer, personal reflection, and romantic build-up, making it an ideal book to read during the Christmas season.

If you’re looking for an easy, feel-good read that combines royal romance with holiday magic, Winning the Christmas Prince offers a satisfying escape. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy a blend of lighthearted drama, festive settings, and a love story with a happy ending.

I went into Winning the Christmas Prince's Heart with very specific expectations, and those experiences were met.

Nick, Nicholas Claus Jr, is a bit of a playboy. In order to learn some responsibility and actually inherit the throne of Christmas, his father (Santa, obviously) needs him to grow up. Santa tells Nick he has 2 weeks to find a bride. Not to worry, Miss Alva Brightwinter, head elf, is taking care of all the logistics, he just needs to show up to go on dates with the suitresses. Alva is everything that Nick isn't and he finds that (and her little elvish figure) wildly attractive. When Comet and Blitzen get sick just before Christian, Nick and Alva set out to find a cure. And what better way to get to know someone than being trapped in a shelter during a blizzard....

Olivia Boothe leaned all the way into the worldbuilding in this fun Christmas novella. It's a surface level read where nearly everything is "romance reasons" and for a book this tone, that's completely OK. It's light on plot and character development, but strong on fun.

This was such a fun and festive holiday read! I especially loved all of the nods to Christmas and the season, like the fact that the Frost Queen's son's name was Jack and references to Peppermint Martinis!

The Christmas Prince, Nick (aka Santa's son) is a rake who needs to find his match. Alva, Santa's uptight head elf, is supposed to be putting together a "The Bachelor"-style gala for Nick to find the next Mrs. Claus. When the reindeer fall ill, Nick and Alva are brought together to save Christmas from the Frost Queen and end up falling for each other. Spicy-ness ensues!

This novella was a really fun Fantasy read with a Christmas twist! Highly recommend reading during the holiday season!

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the amazing opportunity to read this fantastic book early!


Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

This was such a cute, romantic, spicy novella from Olivia Boothe! I have to say I really enjoyed this book and truly could’ve enjoyed another 200 pages of Alva and Nicks story! They’re romance while quick to spark in to a raging inferno was interesting to see take off from a point of begrudgingly putting up with one another to full on willing to make sacrifices if it meant the other one was happy. And of course the characters of Alva and Nick are impossible not to love together, but separately they’re just as lovable! I loved that Alva was stubborn, and determined and had worked hard to gain the respect of her people but was willing to see the shades of grey in the world when it came to disobeying orders if it meant keeping the ones she loved safe. And Nick our playboy heir puts on such a funny, can’t be bothered to care attitude but deep down feels the weight of his upcoming mantle and while he absolutely was a wise guy I have to say I just loved Nick and how he handled himself, how he dealt with his feelings of becoming the next Santa, how he protected his realm even if the people doubted him, and how he stood up for and cared for Alva whether people agreed with him or not. I will say this though i absolutely despised Nicks parents for about 90% of this book, they were great at the very end but the rest of the book they were just awful to him and all those around them! So if any of that sounds like you’re cup of tea and you’re looking for something to get you into the Christmas spirit with just a touch of drama, adventure, romance, a touch of fantasy and just the right amount of spice than this book is an absolute must read!

HAPPY READING 📖