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The Christmas Letters

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Can an old letter spark a new flame?

When Tess Ravenel gets herself stuck inside a bathroom stall in one of Charleston’s most historic buildings, she isn’t exactly thinking about her dating life. But then the paramedic who comes to her rescue has a voice that sounds like butter and enough charm to make her forget she’s seconds from having a panic attack.

If only he were interested.

Andrew McKay has a mysterious Christmas pen pal, a woman who replied to a newly found letter he sent to Santa back when he was a kid. After weeks of correspondence, it’s clear she’s funny, smart, interesting...and an awful lot like Tess Ravanel—the woman he’s already blown off twice for good reason.

Tess and Andrew couldn’t be more different, but when their worlds collide, fate (and a little Christmas magic) set them on a crash course for love.

The Christmas Letters is a closed door sweet holiday romance with lots of chemistry but no spice. This book was first published in 2019 but has been heavily revised and updated.

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 28, 2023

457 people are currently reading
2587 people want to read

About the author

Jenny Proctor

39 books2,157 followers
Jenny Proctor is an award-winning author of more than fourteen romantic comedies and an Amazon bestseller. She began her career in publishing in 2013; her writing has been a constant since then, but she's also spent time as the owner and managing editor of Midnight Owl Editors and the chair of the Storymakers Conference. Wired for relationships, Jenny loves public speaking, teaching, and building lasting connections.

Jenny was born in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a place she considers one of the loveliest on earth. She loves to hike with her family and spend time outdoors, but she also adores lounging around her home, reading great books or watching great movies and, when she’s lucky, eating delicious food she doesn’t have to prepare herself.

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5 stars
1,568 (42%)
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3 stars
574 (15%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews
Profile Image for Lorena ♡ (semi-ia).
467 reviews469 followers
November 14, 2024
i'll always love a well-done 'you've got mail' type of romance 🙂‍↕️

i suddenly felt the need to re-read this one and it was as cute as i remembered 💌

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original review:

this man watches romcoms with his grandma (and yes, she made him watch 'you've got mail' with her once she found out he was exchanging letters with a woman), and referenced taylor swift's fearless era at one point in this book, so do with that what you will.

★★★★½ stars (decided to add a half-star to my rating some days after finishing because this book was super cute and i keep thinking about it ♡)
Profile Image for Pepper Basham.
Author 41 books2,877 followers
February 13, 2024
My first Jenny Proctor book was such fun. I love sweet, lighthearted Christmas books and this fit the bill.
And...there was a wonderful gran! I love wonderful grandmas!!
Profile Image for sophie mae.
295 reviews129 followers
December 21, 2023
4.5⭐️

this was the CUTEST holiday novella. probably the best holiday novella i’ve read! it’s a bit of a you’ve got mail situation and the characters were so adorable, i loved the connection these two have and the growth in the characters in just under 200 pages! so so cute!! highly recommend 💖
Profile Image for Cozy Taurus.
313 reviews6 followers
December 19, 2024
My Grade: B ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had so much fun reading this book, I didn't want it to end! This book feels straight out of rom-com, and the meet cute was terrific. There is some childhood trauma/loss of parents but fortunately it didn't bring down the story. I do wish the book was longer, I think it would have help flesh out the plot line and characters. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a warm hug of a read. You won't be disappointed! ♥️

Holiday Feels: 🎄🎄🎄 out of 5. Pretty good with the Christmas cheer, I do think there could have been more.

Spice Level: 🌶️ out of 5. Just kissing.

What's Inside:
-Secret Pen Pals
-A meet-cute that had me hooked.
-Great side characters
-An adorable dog
-Super sweet epilogue
Profile Image for Jessie.
1,476 reviews86 followers
December 13, 2023
A Christmas You’ve Got Mail

Tess and Drew meet in an unforgettable way, but he’s not ready for a relationship yet. Then circumstances lead to a secret pen pal relationship, which is where the You’ve Got Mail vibes come in. This story was funny, sweet, and an entertaining escape.
Profile Image for Emily Christopher.
797 reviews41 followers
January 6, 2024
The Christmas Letters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Jenny Proctor

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Jenny Proctor and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Can an old letter spark a new flame?

When Tess Ravenel gets herself stuck inside a bathroom stall in one of Charleston’s most historic buildings, she isn’t exactly thinking about her dating life. But then the paramedic who comes to her rescue has a voice that sounds like butter and enough charm to make her forget she’s seconds from having a panic attack. If only he were interested. Andrew McKay has a mysterious Christmas pen pal, a woman who replied to a newly found letter he sent to Santa back when he was a kid. After weeks of correspondence, it’s clear she’s funny, smart, interesting...and an awful lot like Tess Ravanel—the woman he’s already blown off twice for good reason. Tess and Andrew couldn’t be more different, but when their worlds collide, fate (and a little Christmas magic) set them on a crash course for love.

My Thoughts: This was originally published in 2019 but Proctor has significantly revised and refreshed. I did not read the original but love this version. This was short novella. It was the perfect amount of holiday cheer with a romance that is curated organically, such a rare circumstance in today’s online world. One of the best novellas I have read. Tess first meets Andrew when she is stuck in the women’s bathroom at a cafe, having a panic attack. His voice calms her and eventually gets her out. Tess does some volunteer work addressing Dear Santa letters and when she finds one from Andrew many years ago, it spurts an old fashioned writing journey. When their worlds collide, even though they are from different worlds, will this be enough to bring them together? Or will the worlds being too different matter? This follows the tropes of friends to lovers and forced proximity.

The story is a dual narration by Tess and Andrew, in their respective perspectives. Tess comes from money and her parents laid out her life at birth, she does not want to live that life and walks away from most of it. Andrew is hardworking and cares for his grandma. Their meet cute meeting during Tess’s panic attack was truly epic, where social status did not matter, the only thing that mattered to Tess was Andrew’s soothing voice. The characters were developed well in the short story with witty banter, tension, chemistry, and creatively woven throughout the story. The characters are well liked and extremely relatable. The supporting characters were amazing and added another layer to the book, especially Grandma Pearl. The author’s writing style was closed door, swoony, funny, and kept me invested the whole ride.

This was a perfect short read with some old-fashioned letter writing, some funny moments, with some heartfelt moments. I love this author, so will read a thing she puts out. If you liked the movie, You Got Mail, then this will be up your alley with similar vibes. I highly recommend picking up this short novella.
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#booklover #bookworm #bookpic #bookstagram #fiction #booksoninstagram #reviewer #bookfriends #bookishgirl #bookpost #romance #romcom
Profile Image for Tim Blackburn.
486 reviews5 followers
November 16, 2025
Yep, I enjoyed it so much I read all 265 pages in one setting! Yes, it does smack of the movie "You've Got Mail", and yes it is very Hallmark-y, and yes it is predictable but it is such a great story. Mysterious pen pals who finally meet during the Christmas season is a great plot for a fun and fast paced romcom.
Profile Image for HR-ML.
1,270 reviews54 followers
November 27, 2025
Present day Charleston. Finished e-book today.
Gave this CR 3 stars.

Tess had attended a deb ball years prior. She rejected
her society wedding. And visited an aunt in Paris
instead. Now she volunteered for the ladies Southern
Society, in exchange her parents would pay her tuition
to return to college for a 2nd degree. A paramedic, Drew,
rescued her when she was caught in a tiny bathroom of
an eatery, with no way out. He helped calm her panic
attack. She gave him her cell# & he didn't call.

Drew saw Tess at a hospital, wearing a So. Society scarf.
He equated Tess with his snobbish last girlfriend. He was
attracted to Tess but stayed away. Assumptions were not
always correct.

This author, IMO, usually has bks w/ heart, soul & humor.
This one-not as much. Drew's Grandma Pearl & the h's
bestie/ cous Chloe were my favs.
Profile Image for Randi (randi_reads).
1,528 reviews346 followers
December 4, 2023
This holiday novella with Tess and Drew is super cute. It has a memorable meet cute between the two when Tess gets stuck in a bathroom stall and Drew, a paramedic, is sent to rescue her. He is interested in her but is nervous since she runs in the same crowd as his ex-girlfriend, Daisy. He didn't make enough money for Daisy, and she let him know it.

As part of her volunteer work, Tess is answering letters to Santa. She comes across one written from Max about ten years ago. It speaks to her, so she decides to answer it, even knowing Max would be the same age as she is now. Soon, Max and Christmas Pen Pal are writing back and forth to each other.

I was anxious for the two to realize who they were writing to, but I did love the You've Got Mail vibes throughout. Throw in some great secondary characters with Drew's meddling grandma and Tess's best friend/cousin, Chloe, and this was really enjoyable.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for ✨️  Cady Sutherland ✨️ .
76 reviews
December 7, 2025
4 stars

Absolutely adorable!! I love the "you got mail" vibes and how they even watched the movie in the book 😆 I love how they write in the letters. I actually really loved the bathroom scene! like I want a handsome paramedic to talk to me about life to distract me from the fact I'm stuck in a bathroom 😭 the trauma was pretty nicely done too and the fact they both realize they're ok and over it when they are together ❤️ I honestly thought Preston was going to be a big jerk but he turned out to be pretty chill so yay!! and her best friend being her cousin is amazing!! and Deacon is so chill 😎 I really enjoyed this! it was quick and easy.
Profile Image for Laura • lauralovestoread.
1,644 reviews283 followers
December 17, 2023
This was the cutest holiday novella guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. I loved Tess and Drew’s story, and as much as I love an open door romance, this was a nice change of pace having a sweet closed romance.

I loved the premise behind actual letters being exchanged, and what a fun holiday twist on the movie You’ve Got Mail this was.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧
🎄likeable characters
💕forced proximity
💌meet cute
🎄closed door romance

*many thanks to the author for the gifted copy for review
Profile Image for Susan Peterson.
1,996 reviews381 followers
December 4, 2023
charming and delightful

The Christmas Letters is a charming and delightful holiday romance, featuring two very likable main characters! It was fun to watch their romance blossom!
Profile Image for ضحى الحداد.
Author 3 books638 followers
December 28, 2023
OMG OMGGGGG !!! this was so darn cute !! .. if you're tired of those books that blurbs "it's like You've Got Mail " then friend, please read this novella it will satisfy your meg and tom cravings :D

The story is about Tess who wants to prove that she is more than her family's money, she meets Drew who is a Paramedic and Max who is her pen pal this Christmas .. who will she love in the end ?
I think I spoiled the ending when I said You've Got Mail, but there you have it .. a cute short and very merry book .. this is the best one I read this season :D
Profile Image for Maggie T.
95 reviews8 followers
November 29, 2025
If hallmark Christmas movies are your
vibe, then so is this book!! Super cute!
Profile Image for Mindy.
1,249 reviews105 followers
December 9, 2023
I didn’t read the original version of this book, so this was a completely new and fresh story. But I love anything Jenny Proctor writes, so I was excited to dive in. I love that the letters Tess and Drew exchanged were actual mailed letters and not emails, even in our digital time, as it really added a fun twist to the story. As the story progressed, more and more letters were exchanged. (I know that’s the title of the book and was to be expected, but I still loved it.)
I love it when authors give side characters as much care in the writing as the main ones. Chloe and Deacon and Grandma Pearl were wonderful. I enjoyed the blast from the past romance movies Grandma Pearl watched. There were many scenes from the book I loved: their meet-cute in the bathroom, when Drew was fumbling with his words, Tess’s ideas for her business, the toy drive (I can’t name more without spoilers).
I highlighted so many sweet lines and phrases. My favorite was: “See this thing through, Tess. I have a feeling everything is going to work out.”
This is the perfect sweet romcom Christmas story.
I received an ebook copy from the author. All views and opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,944 reviews70 followers
December 20, 2023
This book is one that Instagram made me reread. I read this one when it came out, but Jenny Proctor has updated some things. I knew I needed to reread it. And I was happy I did. I read this whole book in an afternoon.

I LOVE the way Tess and Andrew meet. She's stuck in a bathroom stall (you'd have to read it to believe it) and he's the paramedic that helps keep her calm. I love the way these two bond in this situation. And then they just keep running into each other!

I love the way Tess wants her life to be her own. She's already tried the being engaged to the person her parents want her to marry. And that didn't work out for her. But she still has to do things that her parents want her to do. That's how she ends up working on the Christmas letters. And it's a good thing she did.

This book kept me intrigued until the very end. I loved everything about it!
Profile Image for Victoria.
157 reviews1 follower
December 6, 2023
Pure fluff. Was cute enough, but almost too (set your teeth on edge) sweet. Lacked depth.
Profile Image for Mara.
1,465 reviews110 followers
December 30, 2023
If you're looking a sweet Christmas story this one will hit the spot. After 18 months of yoga and mediation, Tess Ravenel has finally found herself, who she wants to be, and what she wants to do with her life. When she volunteers to answer the Christmas letters to Santa for the Southern Society she finds an old letter, from 16 years ago, that was never answered. Even though Tess knows the writer Max is her age now, she decides to answer it.

Andrew McKay is an EMT who helped Tess when she was trapped in a bathroom stall. One of the weirdest and funniest meet-cutes. Andrew doesn't know who the author of the letters is but after awhile he starts to wonder if it's Tess.

This is another winner from Jenny Proctor. I loved how Tess and Andrew met, although it was probably embarrassing for Tess. And the letters shared between them were SO sweet it made me miss the days when everyone wrote letters. Knowing how Andrew felt about people who came from money I was surprised when his little secret was revealed. I loved his matchmaking grandma Pearl and her wise words to Andrew about his parents' death and money he inherited. I loved how Tess showed she was more than the old money she came from--she wanted to be judged for herself--not for the family she was born into. This is a sweet, satisfying read, and perfect for this time of year.

I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Allie .
141 reviews4 followers
December 29, 2024
So adorable. This is exactly the kind of holiday read I’ve been looking for and in a novella, too! I love how it feels real and gives that giddy feeling. Tess and Drew were GREAT main characters. I loved them both.

Tess gets locked in a bathroom, and Drew is a paramedic who talks her through a panic attack and gets her out safety. Tess leaves Drew with her number, but also start sending letters back and forth with Max. I loved this the story moved through letters and text messages at different points in the story.

Add this one to your holiday tbr for this year or next!
Profile Image for Jane.
733 reviews29 followers
December 7, 2023
Y'all! @jennyproctorbooks released a new(ly revised) Christmas book! I am here for all the Jenny Proctor novels.

This is such a sweet Christmas story that gives off major You've Got Mail vibes. Sidenote: You've Got Mail is one of my favorite movies period so I loved all the fun connections to that story.

Tess is vibrant, hard working, and trying to make her own way in life. I loved how she has really figured out what she wants in life and is going for it.

Drew is swoony and sensitive. Orphaned at a young age, he is surprised to get a reply to a letter to Santa he wrote as a child after losing his parents. He's even more surprised to discover who is writing back.

Tess and Drew's meet cute is so much fun! Their obvious chemistry is fantastic. And their realization that love can be found in unlikely places is swwony and beautiful.

Plus, Drew's Grandma Pearl is so spunky and fun!

Check out Jenny's latest today!
Profile Image for Whit.
197 reviews1 follower
December 2, 2023
4.5⭐️

Thank you for the ARC copy! I absolutely loved Drew and Tess’s relationship. The plot of being pen pals and not knowing who eachother was (but still being friends) was so dreamy. They had so much chemistry and I was so giddy for the ending when they finally met in person and figured out they were meant to be.✨ Absolutely loved this Christmas story!
Profile Image for Maddie Hennager.
11 reviews
November 24, 2024
LOVE LOVE LOVE. Paramedic, Christmas, Charleston, and Rom Coms with Granny. Are you kidding!!!
Profile Image for Ariane Dupuis.
20 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2025
As much as it was predictable, I really enjoyed it. It was a cute fun read🥹
Profile Image for Camille.
34 reviews
December 16, 2024
Such a CUTE, cheesy Christmas read!! Read this in one sitting and just loved it 🥰
Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews

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