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Jayda's Christmas Wish: A Sweet YA Romance
Jayda’s junior year started off bad when her boyfriend dumped her, and then it became worse when her mom got laid off. With every week that her mom doesn’t find a new job, things get tighter. Now the holidays are approaching and there is no money for presents. When she intercepts her little brother’s letter to Santa, her heart breaks knowing they can’t get the dog he desperately wants. On a wing and a prayer, she writes her own letter to Santa, penning all of her holiday wishes that she knows can never come true because holiday magic just isn’t real.Connor’s first Christmas without his mother is harder than he imagined. When a giant sack of letters to Santa shows up at his doorstep, he can’t believe he forgot that she used to reply to all the Santa letters in their small town. He’s about to throw them away, but then a letter from a girl he has a crush on catches his eye. Jayda has sent a Christmas wish into the universe, and although Connor isn’t technically Santa, he does the only thing he can do to honor his mother’s memory. He writes back. A sweet and clean Christmas romance that will make you smile!
150 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2018
54 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Amy Sparling
101 books806 followersAmy Sparling is the USA Today Bestselling author of books with swoony first loves and heartwarming endings. She lives on the coast of Texas with her family, her spoiled rotten pets, and a huge pile of books.
By day, she works as a librarian, and by night you can find her curled up with a book–either one she’s reading or one she’s writing.
Amy Sparling is the pen name of author Cheyanne Young, but she’ll answer to either name!
By day, she works as a librarian, and by night you can find her curled up with a book–either one she’s reading or one she’s writing.
Amy Sparling is the pen name of author Cheyanne Young, but she’ll answer to either name!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 19, 2019
Jayda loves spending the Christmas season with her mom and brother. However, this year the family's finances are looking very dire. Since her mother lost her job, the family has been struggling to pay the bills. Jayda is determined to bring about the Christmas season and convinces her brother to write letters to Santa with her.
Connor lost his mother and his first Christmas is awful without her. He wishes there was something that would help him reconnect with the season. When a bag of letters to Santa is dropped on his doorstep, he finds one from his classmate Jayda whom he's harbored a crush on. Connor decides to reply and the two fall into a tumultuous friendship.
Jayda was such a hard worker and I loved how determined she was to help her family fall in love with Christmas. While Connor had slightly suspicious means to start talking to Jayda, I really enjoyed their friendship that developed into more. They were really sweet to each other and I loved seeing them grow closer.
Overall, this was a super sweet and adorable Christmas story.
Connor lost his mother and his first Christmas is awful without her. He wishes there was something that would help him reconnect with the season. When a bag of letters to Santa is dropped on his doorstep, he finds one from his classmate Jayda whom he's harbored a crush on. Connor decides to reply and the two fall into a tumultuous friendship.
Jayda was such a hard worker and I loved how determined she was to help her family fall in love with Christmas. While Connor had slightly suspicious means to start talking to Jayda, I really enjoyed their friendship that developed into more. They were really sweet to each other and I loved seeing them grow closer.
Overall, this was a super sweet and adorable Christmas story.
November 13, 2019
This was a sweet holiday romance! Jayda’s life seems to keep hitting speed bumps and they keep getting worse. First, she’s dumped, then her mother gets laid off, and with bills piling up and Christmas right around the corner she’s losing hope. Her mom is depressed and stressed out, which leaves her with all of the responsibilities, including her brother. She wants to cheer her mom up and give her brother the best Christmas ever, but how much can one girl do to hold her family together? When her brother writes a letter to Santa and gets a response from the jolly man, she writes one herself and begins to gain hope.
I love how much Jayda tried in this book. She’s wearing herself thin between school, work, household chores, paying bills, and raising her brother. Her brother was so enthusiastic and upbeat, it felt infectious every time he was in a scene. Connor is just a kid trying to make it through his first Christmas without his parents and also give his crush and her family the best Christmas, but ends up with more than he bargained for- his mother’s legacy, being the town’s Santa.
I enjoyed how realistic of a situation Jayda and Connor were in. There are plenty of families dealing with issues like this year round and I always find it heartbreaking and heartwarming to read about (especially with HEAs). This book felt like a young adult Hallmark movie that tugged at your heart and wouldn’t let you go!
Christa did a great job with this narration! I felt like she voiced Jayda and Connor perfectly, capturing their emotions and hardships. She brought this story to life and kept me entertained until the end.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I love how much Jayda tried in this book. She’s wearing herself thin between school, work, household chores, paying bills, and raising her brother. Her brother was so enthusiastic and upbeat, it felt infectious every time he was in a scene. Connor is just a kid trying to make it through his first Christmas without his parents and also give his crush and her family the best Christmas, but ends up with more than he bargained for- his mother’s legacy, being the town’s Santa.
I enjoyed how realistic of a situation Jayda and Connor were in. There are plenty of families dealing with issues like this year round and I always find it heartbreaking and heartwarming to read about (especially with HEAs). This book felt like a young adult Hallmark movie that tugged at your heart and wouldn’t let you go!
Christa did a great job with this narration! I felt like she voiced Jayda and Connor perfectly, capturing their emotions and hardships. She brought this story to life and kept me entertained until the end.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 2, 2023
Pleasant, G-rated, YA Christmas novella
Jayda and Connor are 16-year-old juniors who attend the same high school. They have been distant acquaintances for years, but have not been friends. Jayda's mother is a divorcee who was laid off a few months ago from the job she had held for 20 years as an administrative assistant. The family is struggling financially, and Jayda's mother is getting depressed. Connor's beloved mother died less than a year ago, and he has been struggling with his grief ever since. His father is a prosperous executive for an oil firm, and money is no problem within his family, but his workaholic father is rarely at home. Jayda and Connor connect because of a Christmas project that Connor inherited from his mother. For many years she had had the local post office deliver all of the Santa letters from the children in their small town to her, and she would answer each and every one of them. When Jayda's little brother writes a letter to Santa, and she adds a note at the bottom of his letter to Santa herself, Connor runs across her letter and cannot resist writing back, in the guise of Santa, to her and her brother.
This novella begins in an emotionally miserable place for both of the young protagonists. However, given that this is a Christmas novella, which topic is typically presented in an upbeat manner, the author expeditiously ties up every sad plot issue with a sparkly Christmas bow, providing both a romantic and familial HEA.
The story is completely G-rated and suitable for all ages.
Jayda and Connor are 16-year-old juniors who attend the same high school. They have been distant acquaintances for years, but have not been friends. Jayda's mother is a divorcee who was laid off a few months ago from the job she had held for 20 years as an administrative assistant. The family is struggling financially, and Jayda's mother is getting depressed. Connor's beloved mother died less than a year ago, and he has been struggling with his grief ever since. His father is a prosperous executive for an oil firm, and money is no problem within his family, but his workaholic father is rarely at home. Jayda and Connor connect because of a Christmas project that Connor inherited from his mother. For many years she had had the local post office deliver all of the Santa letters from the children in their small town to her, and she would answer each and every one of them. When Jayda's little brother writes a letter to Santa, and she adds a note at the bottom of his letter to Santa herself, Connor runs across her letter and cannot resist writing back, in the guise of Santa, to her and her brother.
This novella begins in an emotionally miserable place for both of the young protagonists. However, given that this is a Christmas novella, which topic is typically presented in an upbeat manner, the author expeditiously ties up every sad plot issue with a sparkly Christmas bow, providing both a romantic and familial HEA.
The story is completely G-rated and suitable for all ages.
December 9, 2021
It was cute. It was somewhat predictable, but a nice story of goodwill.
I was slightly bothered by the author’s implication that teenage boys say nothing but dirty jokes. The main character made multiple references to how it was weird that the guy she liked could last 30 mins without a dirty joke, and she was surprised that it was possible.
I was slightly bothered by the author’s implication that teenage boys say nothing but dirty jokes. The main character made multiple references to how it was weird that the guy she liked could last 30 mins without a dirty joke, and she was surprised that it was possible.
October 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It was just the kind of heart-warming Christmas book I'd been looking for.
December 5, 2018
Like a Hallmark Christmas movie for teens
This is a sweet story about two teens who both, for different reasons, are looking forward to the worst Christmas they've ever had - and how it ends up being the best
Sweet without overdoing it - I really enjoyed it!
This is a sweet story about two teens who both, for different reasons, are looking forward to the worst Christmas they've ever had - and how it ends up being the best
Sweet without overdoing it - I really enjoyed it!
November 16, 2019
https://celebrityreaders.com/2019/11/...
5 stars — Now THIS was what I was looking for in a cute YA Christmas novella! It had everything I wanted: characters struggling with tough topics over the holidays, a sense of Christmas spirit, and a hero and heroine that I could fall in love with!
Jayda felt very authentic for her age. She had the usual teen issues of dealing with an ex-boyfriend, and wanting to keep her family’s financial struggles a secret. But she was also trying her hardest to support her Mom and help take care of her brother. I loved the balance in her of truly loving her family and wanting what’s best for them, with a smidge of resentment for having to do these things. It made her real and relatable.
Connor was super easy for me to relate to as well, as I lost my Dad in early high school…I know what that’s like, and how it affects your outlook. I felt for him, struggling with so much grief on his own. But OMG, he was the cutest book boy ever!! He was shy and awkward, and genuinely nice and kind, and I just adored him!!
And the two of them together? I mean, squee!! From genuine sweet crushes to more, OMG it was adorable! I loved the sweet little romance.
This one just made me feel good. It was uplifting, and while the characters weren’t perfect, I could connect with them, and I rooted for them. It was just happy smiles for me.
5 stars — Now THIS was what I was looking for in a cute YA Christmas novella! It had everything I wanted: characters struggling with tough topics over the holidays, a sense of Christmas spirit, and a hero and heroine that I could fall in love with!
Jayda felt very authentic for her age. She had the usual teen issues of dealing with an ex-boyfriend, and wanting to keep her family’s financial struggles a secret. But she was also trying her hardest to support her Mom and help take care of her brother. I loved the balance in her of truly loving her family and wanting what’s best for them, with a smidge of resentment for having to do these things. It made her real and relatable.
Connor was super easy for me to relate to as well, as I lost my Dad in early high school…I know what that’s like, and how it affects your outlook. I felt for him, struggling with so much grief on his own. But OMG, he was the cutest book boy ever!! He was shy and awkward, and genuinely nice and kind, and I just adored him!!
And the two of them together? I mean, squee!! From genuine sweet crushes to more, OMG it was adorable! I loved the sweet little romance.
This one just made me feel good. It was uplifting, and while the characters weren’t perfect, I could connect with them, and I rooted for them. It was just happy smiles for me.
December 3, 2021
Okay, that was seriously cute! One of the cutest novellas I’ve read in a while. I loved Jayda. She was such a likable character - working hard to help her out of work mother and little brother find some Christmas magic. Connor was an absolute sweetheart. I just love shy guys to begin with and his desire to bring some Christmas magic to Jayda, her brother and all the kids of the town made him even more lovable. Everything that they did was from the heart which was just lovely to read about.
August 1, 2021
Sweet, predictable, cheesy Christmas romance -- Hallmark needs to buy the rights immediately!
December 22, 2021
Very sweet, and so full of Christmas spirit. It really gives the message that, no matter how bad things may be in our life, somehow, a little Christmas magic can change it all for the better!
December 21, 2018
Sweet young adult Christmas story. I loved both the kids in this book. Both were amazingly mature stepping up where parents failed them. Jayda because her mother fell into depression after losing her job and not being able to provide for her family for so long. She is beaten down by life and Jayda picks up the slack in caring for her brother etc. Connor because his father withdrew into his work after his wife died leaving Connor to fend for himself. As far as I could tell Connor is a 17 year old boy living on his own while his dad works offshore for weeks at a time. I kinda felt like he was a very responsible kid with an irresponsible dad. Both the parents were so deep in grief and depression that they couldn't function as a parent should. But these teens step up. They look beyond themselves taking over where Connor's mom left off in answering the Santa letters. And in serving others, they receive the Christmas spirit themselves.
Sex: no
Language: brief, deity
Violence: no
Sex: no
Language: brief, deity
Violence: no
October 2, 2019
Jayda's Christmas Wish
By: Amy Sparling
This is a short, sweet, clean contemporary YA romance. Jayda's not having a good year. First her boyfriend dumps her for another girl. Then her mom loses her job. Things are very tight and with Christmas nearing it looks very bleak. Jayda isn't so much concerned for herself, but she has a six year old brother that just won't understand no presents.
Then there's her classmate Connor, that just wants to skip the holiday. You can't blame him, as it will be the first one since his mom died. His dad threw himself into work and won't be leaving the offshore oil rig he is working on, to come home.
Circumstances collide and the two young people find themselves trying to salvage Christmas for others. Maybe they will find a bit of happiness and Christmas spirit for themselves.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Christa Heiser was a good choice for this book.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
By: Amy Sparling
This is a short, sweet, clean contemporary YA romance. Jayda's not having a good year. First her boyfriend dumps her for another girl. Then her mom loses her job. Things are very tight and with Christmas nearing it looks very bleak. Jayda isn't so much concerned for herself, but she has a six year old brother that just won't understand no presents.
Then there's her classmate Connor, that just wants to skip the holiday. You can't blame him, as it will be the first one since his mom died. His dad threw himself into work and won't be leaving the offshore oil rig he is working on, to come home.
Circumstances collide and the two young people find themselves trying to salvage Christmas for others. Maybe they will find a bit of happiness and Christmas spirit for themselves.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Christa Heiser was a good choice for this book.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 29, 2018
"aunque la vida nunca será la misma que solía ser, todo estará bien."
Realmente debo decir que fue una historia cierta, real... El cual llore. Creo que todos en Venezuela vivmos esas navidades, algunos por perdida fisica, algunos por perdidas a otros paises por culpa de un gobierno. Este año ha sido duro para todo, es cierto que teniamos nuestra tradiciones comer pan de jamon todos los dias con vaso de refresco este años para mucho no fue asi, para algunos comerce una hallaca fue lujo, e incluso tener un regalo en el arbol. Este año fue fuerte, pero lo importante es estar todos reunidos en una mesa, sin importar que no era la comida que uno tradicionalmente comia. Solo es estar ahi agradecer por la comida y por la familia que aun esta presente. Ese es el mejor regalo de navidad. Hay momentos malos para todo el mundo, pero en eso momentos hay que colocar una sonrisa en la cara y decirle al mundo/ al gobierno en caso de Venezuela TODO ESTARA BIEN
Realmente debo decir que fue una historia cierta, real... El cual llore. Creo que todos en Venezuela vivmos esas navidades, algunos por perdida fisica, algunos por perdidas a otros paises por culpa de un gobierno. Este año ha sido duro para todo, es cierto que teniamos nuestra tradiciones comer pan de jamon todos los dias con vaso de refresco este años para mucho no fue asi, para algunos comerce una hallaca fue lujo, e incluso tener un regalo en el arbol. Este año fue fuerte, pero lo importante es estar todos reunidos en una mesa, sin importar que no era la comida que uno tradicionalmente comia. Solo es estar ahi agradecer por la comida y por la familia que aun esta presente. Ese es el mejor regalo de navidad. Hay momentos malos para todo el mundo, pero en eso momentos hay que colocar una sonrisa en la cara y decirle al mundo/ al gobierno en caso de Venezuela TODO ESTARA BIEN
January 28, 2020
Jayda's Christmas Wish was a great read by Amy Sparling. Jayda is in her junior year of high school and it has started off bad. Her boyfriend broke up with her and her mom lost her job. Things have become really tight and the holiday's are approaching with no presents for her younger brother. She takes her brothers letter to Santa where he only asks for a dog that they can't afford. She decides to write her own letter to Santa. Connor is experiencing his first Christmas without his mother and he is given a giant sack of letters to Santa. His mother used to reply to all the letter and even bought some presents in the letters. He was about to throw them all away when he comes across Jayda's letter, Jayda is a girl he has a crush on. I really enjoyed reading Jayda and Connor's story and can't wait to read more by Amy Sparling.
November 26, 2021
This was such a sweet Christmas read. A young girl tries to help her mother who has fallen on hard times and lost her job. Money is not only tight, but non-existent. She gets a job on the weekend and plans to buy presents for her brother but instead ends up giving her mother the money to pay a bill. A boy that likes her is dealing with his own set if issues. His mother passed away and he forgot that she answered all the letters to Santa from the kids of the town and replied to each one. He isn't going to do it but then he see's a letter from Jayda. He didn't know her situation before but now he does and wants to help. Jayda has to learn to accept help and realize that someone can actually like her even knowing her circumstances. Sweet ending too. A real feel-good read.
December 15, 2018
Christmas magic and Romance
A really sweet Christmas romance story about Jayda and Conner. It looks like there won't be much of Christmas this year for Jayda and Her family. Since her mother lost her job they are bearly scrapping by. When her younger brother Max decides to to Santa, Jayda does too not knowing that the Santa letters are going Conner's house. Conner's mum was the town's secret Santa for years but having past away the job lands at Conner's feet. When he takes a chance to the Jayda's letter the girl he's secretly been crushing on for years will a Christmas miracle get them in the spirit and give them what the what for Christmas.
A really sweet Christmas romance story about Jayda and Conner. It looks like there won't be much of Christmas this year for Jayda and Her family. Since her mother lost her job they are bearly scrapping by. When her younger brother Max decides to to Santa, Jayda does too not knowing that the Santa letters are going Conner's house. Conner's mum was the town's secret Santa for years but having past away the job lands at Conner's feet. When he takes a chance to the Jayda's letter the girl he's secretly been crushing on for years will a Christmas miracle get them in the spirit and give them what the what for Christmas.
December 6, 2021
3.5 estrellas
Una tierna y cortica historia navideña. Aunque muestran en lo que han convertido la Navidad: Si no hay regalos ya no hay navidad!!! y eso es totalmente falso, la navidad es conmemorar el nacimiento del Niño Dios y darle como presente de cumpleaños nuestras buenas obras, y todo lo bueno que podamos hacer por el prójimo.
Me sentí identificada con Connor, y la perdida de su mamá, porque es muy triste estar sin ese ser querido en estas fechas importantes pero aquí se ve la importancia de la familia, el acompañarse y darse consuelo unos a otros, cosa que Connor no tenía y por eso se sentía tan solo y triste.
Una tierna y cortica historia navideña. Aunque muestran en lo que han convertido la Navidad: Si no hay regalos ya no hay navidad!!! y eso es totalmente falso, la navidad es conmemorar el nacimiento del Niño Dios y darle como presente de cumpleaños nuestras buenas obras, y todo lo bueno que podamos hacer por el prójimo.
Me sentí identificada con Connor, y la perdida de su mamá, porque es muy triste estar sin ese ser querido en estas fechas importantes pero aquí se ve la importancia de la familia, el acompañarse y darse consuelo unos a otros, cosa que Connor no tenía y por eso se sentía tan solo y triste.
November 29, 2018
Lost
This book was great and the characters in it will keep you turning the pages quickly to see what happens next.This book gives you a glimpse into what it feels like to lose a parent or even a job but also what a touch of Christmas Magic can do.
This book was great and the characters in it will keep you turning the pages quickly to see what happens next.This book gives you a glimpse into what it feels like to lose a parent or even a job but also what a touch of Christmas Magic can do.
December 16, 2018
Sweet clean teenage romance
I'm not drawn to teenage romance stories but this one is certainly an exception. Well written with interesting characters and circumstances, it kept me reading and pulling for a happy conclusion. I was not disappointed.
I'm not drawn to teenage romance stories but this one is certainly an exception. Well written with interesting characters and circumstances, it kept me reading and pulling for a happy conclusion. I was not disappointed.
December 23, 2018
Sweet and feel-good YA holiday romance, with two likeable protagonists finding their own version of Christmas spirit amidst a slew of real-world problems.
Now I want to read more stories by this author. :)
Now I want to read more stories by this author. :)
January 4, 2019
Cute, short story
This was a quick, holiday read that has a heartwarming tone to it. Jayda is having a hard time of things and so is Connor but through some luck and wanting to help they are able to help each other out and make Christmas good for both of them.
This was a quick, holiday read that has a heartwarming tone to it. Jayda is having a hard time of things and so is Connor but through some luck and wanting to help they are able to help each other out and make Christmas good for both of them.
November 29, 2018
Wonderful Christmas Story
It reminded me that real life can suck but there are happily ever afters. Great story and worrying. You will enjoy it!
It reminded me that real life can suck but there are happily ever afters. Great story and worrying. You will enjoy it!
November 29, 2018
Great book
Really sweet Christian romance. Clean, but not pushy, plenty of action, drama, suspense, etc. Some unexpected moments as there should be, so it was a great read!
Really sweet Christian romance. Clean, but not pushy, plenty of action, drama, suspense, etc. Some unexpected moments as there should be, so it was a great read!
December 8, 2018
A very sweet small-town YA holiday novella; well written and with some lovely characters. A nice quick read over coffee to get you in the holiday spirit!
December 17, 2018
Such a cute sweet clean ya Christmas story !!
December 17, 2018
3.5 Stars
Very cute, hope-filled story.
Very cute, hope-filled story.
December 21, 2018
A really cute Christmas story! Something you’d find out of Hallmark 💗
January 2, 2019
.Una bonita y tierna historia corta...
January 4, 2019
A very cute and sweet, short read.
January 8, 2019
Cute. Short.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews