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Oh, Christmas Tree
From the hosts of the wildly popular Deck the Hallmark podcast!
Welcome to Greenville, Maine, where all the shop windows are festively decorated, the street lights are magically transformed into candy canes, and the air sounds and smells like the North Pole on Christmas morning.
Ellie Holden is back in her hometown of Greenville and surrounded by familiar faces and her favorite traditions. Well, most of them. She’s had a few rocky years, but she’s being her cheerful, helpful self, even if it means pressing pause on the dreams she once chased so passionately.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles away, Josh Hanson is up to his eyeballs in spreadsheets and portfolio analyses, just the way he likes it. He hasn’t visited his Aunt Ruth in Greenville in way too long, and he hasn’t spoken to Ellie since he let their summer romance fizzle out more than ten years ago. But that is all about to change.
This is not your typical “boy meets girl in an idyllic Christmas town, they fall in love, but then lose touch only to then reunite under a sad, but surprisingly hopeful set of circumstances in order to complete a fulfilling holiday assignment that could bring the two closer together than ever, ultimately helping both find the meaning they had been searching for in life and in love.” Nope, that's not what this is. (That's what we're telling Grumpy Dan, anyway.)
Fans of the Deck the Hallmark podcast should love this story, and other people might enjoy it, too.
Welcome to Greenville, Maine, where all the shop windows are festively decorated, the street lights are magically transformed into candy canes, and the air sounds and smells like the North Pole on Christmas morning.
Ellie Holden is back in her hometown of Greenville and surrounded by familiar faces and her favorite traditions. Well, most of them. She’s had a few rocky years, but she’s being her cheerful, helpful self, even if it means pressing pause on the dreams she once chased so passionately.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles away, Josh Hanson is up to his eyeballs in spreadsheets and portfolio analyses, just the way he likes it. He hasn’t visited his Aunt Ruth in Greenville in way too long, and he hasn’t spoken to Ellie since he let their summer romance fizzle out more than ten years ago. But that is all about to change.
This is not your typical “boy meets girl in an idyllic Christmas town, they fall in love, but then lose touch only to then reunite under a sad, but surprisingly hopeful set of circumstances in order to complete a fulfilling holiday assignment that could bring the two closer together than ever, ultimately helping both find the meaning they had been searching for in life and in love.” Nope, that's not what this is. (That's what we're telling Grumpy Dan, anyway.)
Fans of the Deck the Hallmark podcast should love this story, and other people might enjoy it, too.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2025
11 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 30, 2025
3.5 Stars!
I will cop to enjoying Hallmark Movies at Christmastime. I used to think it was not for me, but then the pandemic hit, and well, we've never looked back haha.
When I got on the Hallmark train, I also discovered the podcast "Deck the Hallmark" - where three guys review all the Hallmark Christmas films released every year. The "schtik" is that one of them loves the movies, one of them likes them, and one of them hates them, so their takes are hilarious. These three podcasters are the joint authors of this book! After watching so much Hallmark, they absorbed enough of the tropes to be able to create a fun Christmas story of their own.
For a debut book, it's not bad, especially because the goal was to tell a "Hallmark" like story, so the tropes and character types are fairly laid out, but done well! It was an enjoyable read, which is what I'm looking for this time of year. There's lots of references to the "bits" that are done on the podcast, so some elements are truly just for fan service, but I think it's a silly, fun read regardless that tells the story of a couple who (shockingly) falls in love and the Christmas tree they are working to save along the way.
I will cop to enjoying Hallmark Movies at Christmastime. I used to think it was not for me, but then the pandemic hit, and well, we've never looked back haha.
When I got on the Hallmark train, I also discovered the podcast "Deck the Hallmark" - where three guys review all the Hallmark Christmas films released every year. The "schtik" is that one of them loves the movies, one of them likes them, and one of them hates them, so their takes are hilarious. These three podcasters are the joint authors of this book! After watching so much Hallmark, they absorbed enough of the tropes to be able to create a fun Christmas story of their own.
For a debut book, it's not bad, especially because the goal was to tell a "Hallmark" like story, so the tropes and character types are fairly laid out, but done well! It was an enjoyable read, which is what I'm looking for this time of year. There's lots of references to the "bits" that are done on the podcast, so some elements are truly just for fan service, but I think it's a silly, fun read regardless that tells the story of a couple who (shockingly) falls in love and the Christmas tree they are working to save along the way.
January 16, 2026
If you are a big fan of Deck The Hallmark like myself you will pick up on little nuances from their podcast sprinkled throughout this story. But alas, if you are not, you can still enjoy this quirky clean romance that takes place in a small town. A little second chance romance while following through with wishes from a dear family member and friend who passed away before Christmas.
December 24, 2025
2.5 rounded up because I'm loyal to a fault and will always want the best for DTH.
The boys have been advertising this as "a rom-com, heavy on the com" all season on the podcast, and.. I guess? Sure? I thought it was more cute than it was funny, but to each their own.
I could see this working better as the screenplay it was intended to be. But as a novel, with much more time invested to read than the 84 minute commitment of a Hallmark movie, it got repetitive and often felt like it was stalling out in between events.
The boys have been advertising this as "a rom-com, heavy on the com" all season on the podcast, and.. I guess? Sure? I thought it was more cute than it was funny, but to each their own.
I could see this working better as the screenplay it was intended to be. But as a novel, with much more time invested to read than the 84 minute commitment of a Hallmark movie, it got repetitive and often felt like it was stalling out in between events.
January 4, 2026
What a sweet story! Would love to see this as a Hallmark Christmas movie!
November 30, 2025
A love letter to cheesy Christmas movie lovers everywhere, especially fans of “deck the hallmark” podcast.
From Juniper Lee to Fitzy’s to Moriah’s Light Ale House, fun nods to some of my fav bits on the pod.
The best part of this book though is one anyone can enjoy: the townspeople! Mayor Mayer, Todd and Greg are my favorites. The lunch ladies, the Turnkeys and Evelyn all add warmth, depth and FUN to this story.
From Juniper Lee to Fitzy’s to Moriah’s Light Ale House, fun nods to some of my fav bits on the pod.
The best part of this book though is one anyone can enjoy: the townspeople! Mayor Mayer, Todd and Greg are my favorites. The lunch ladies, the Turnkeys and Evelyn all add warmth, depth and FUN to this story.
November 29, 2025
A must-read (or listen) for any Deck the Hallmark fan! So many podcast Easter eggs (Fitzy’s, “That’s garland for ya,” Pour it Up, and I’m sure many I missed as I listened to the audiobook while putting up my Christmas decorations). I could just envision the entire story acted out by our favorite Hallmark stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2025
not sure why I finished
December 31, 2025
Edited: Listened to the audio version and increased a star. ☺️🎄 Definitely worth listening to to hear Dan read and Bran in the background. Great job, Deck the Hallmark guys!
- - -
2.5 ★ rounded up to 3 ★
However, I think I need to listen to the audio version! I don’t know why I don’t realize Bran, Dan, and Bria would probably be reading it.
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2.5 ★ rounded up to 3 ★
However, I think I need to listen to the audio version! I don’t know why I don’t realize Bran, Dan, and Bria would probably be reading it.
November 8, 2025
the boys nailed it! I did audible version and Bran's background vocals are perfect. Its the deck the Hallmark Romance that only Dan, Bran & Brian could do
November 30, 2025
The fact that the world has been deprived of this story as a Hallmark movie is a tragedy. It's witty and charming. Perfect story to put you in the holiday mood. I do wish it had been set in Maine's only bordering state but Maine is easier to say than New Hampshire. Great job guys. I hope there will be more.
January 1, 2026
this is a completely biased review because i love the DTH guys but it was such a fun read! having to put into text some of the quirks of hallmark movies added an extra layer of levity to the book. plus some of the inside jokes had me literally laughing out loud! free my man Cody Frizz!
December 26, 2025
Lots of fun inside jokes for Deck the Hallmark fans. Juniper Lee!!
December 29, 2025
With all the Hallmark feels, this is a comedy. I had such a fun time with these characters.
I'm here for all the bits. It's definitely a small town Christmas book.
I'm here for all the bits. It's definitely a small town Christmas book.
January 14, 2026
Oh Christmas Tree is a charming debut novel that hits all the beats of your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie. Childhood friends are brought back together when Josh's aunt (who is Ellie's beloved neighbor) sends the pair on a Christmas scavenger hunt as part of her will. Is Aunt Ruth orchestrating a second chance Christmas romance? Of course she is!
The fictitious town of Greenville, Maine is full of Christmas feels and fun small businesses. I would have liked a little more development of the side characters to fill the space a novel needs compared to the small screen. Written by the hosts of the wildly popular podcast, Deck the Hallmark, this book is a great addition to your Christmas romance TBR. I would love a sequel set during a fall festival featuring our favorite barista at the Hot Choffee cafe.
Also, I need that chili crisp chicken recipe, please and thank you.
The fictitious town of Greenville, Maine is full of Christmas feels and fun small businesses. I would have liked a little more development of the side characters to fill the space a novel needs compared to the small screen. Written by the hosts of the wildly popular podcast, Deck the Hallmark, this book is a great addition to your Christmas romance TBR. I would love a sequel set during a fall festival featuring our favorite barista at the Hot Choffee cafe.
Also, I need that chili crisp chicken recipe, please and thank you.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews