The Christmas House

Yuletide Creek #1

by Kimberly Thomas

All it took for Ally to return to Yuletide Creek was the end of a twenty-one-year marriage and the death of her dear grandma who left her the Christmas House.

Ally is tasked with returning the Christmas House to its former glory and carry on her grandma’s traditions of holiday contests, toy drives and much more. But there is one clause in grandma’s will which makes her pause for cause: that her dad will be the sole person to make all repairs to the house. After his refusal to walk her down the aisle all those years ago, there is bound to be awkwardness and the inevitable “I told you so” when she returns to Yuletide Creek divorced.

Maybe she’s in way over her head trying to restore the house and the Christmas spirit to a town near derelict— all the while facing off with a woman who seems hell-bent on sabotaging Ally’s efforts at every turn because she wants the top spot.

Throw in the Grinch of a mayor who is adamant that a tree for the town square and any other decorations is a waste of town funds, her unexpected attraction to the man, her determination to make him see it’s worth and you’re in for an unforgettable holiday.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Romance

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Kimberly Thomas has a passion for writing heartfelt stories that resonate with her readers. With two adult children and a loving husband, she understands the complexities of family dynamics and uses this knowledge to create relatable characters. When she's not writing, she loves to travel and explore new cultures. She finds inspiration in the people she meets and the places she visits, and often incorporates her experiences into her stories.

Kimberly specializes in feel-good women's fiction, clean and wholesome contemporary romance. Her stories focus on love, loss, and the everyday situations that families face. Her writing style is engaging and relatable, and she has a talent for drawing readers in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ally moves back to Yuletide Creek to live in the house that her grandmother left her. The town called it Christmas House because it was always beautifully decorated during the holiday season and her grandmother led most of the town's Christmas celebrations. Ally had left her husband and knows that Christmas House will help her regain her life. The only problem is that her father still lives there and they have been estranged since he refused to walk her down the aisle when she got married. Her grandmother's will stipulated that only her son (Ally's father) would be allowed to do any of the renovations that the house needed which meant that they had to work together on projects. When she first arrived in town, she's amazed that it no longer looks like the vibrant happy town that it was when she was growing up. Instead there were a lot of vacant store fronts plus the town Christmas tree wasn't even put up. When she goes to talk to the town's new mayor, she finds out that he's a real Grinch who has no plans for a tree or any Christmas celebrations. Ally decides to take on the work of getting a town Christmas tree, start up the normal celebrations plus get Christmas House decorated. Is it too much work started too late? Will she be successful bringing Christmas back to Yuletide Creek and will she be able to make the mayor learn that Christmas is a magical season??

[Karol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need better proofreaders!

As expected, the book reads like a Hallmark movie.
Author switched from 3rd person to first person several times. She was talking about Emma once but called her Ella. And, I just couldn’t ignore the grammatical errors.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the time of year for Christmas stories. This was a quick and easy read about a woman who returns to her grandmother's home to bring back the traditions of Christmas.

[Pam Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun book to put you in the Christmas spirit. Ally returns to Yuletide Creek after the loss of her grandmother. The town is suffering, with many of the businesses looking run down and in need of repair. Ally has inherited her grandmother’s tasks of getting the town in the Christmas spirit. She is tasked with decorating a tree in the middle of town, a cookie contest, making gingerbread houses, and chairing the toy drive to name a few jobs. Her opponent is the handsome mayor Luke who seems to be determined to avoid all signs of Christmas. Add In the fact Ally hasn’t had much communication with her dad, who has to do all the repairs on her grandmother’s “Christmas House”.

Lots of festive descriptions of Christmas decorations and events

Can Allly turn the town around? Will Luke develop some Christmas spirit?

Thank you to the author for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

She inherits house
Town is disintegrating
New mayor is hot

Of course she succeeds
Though it all isn't perfect
Town comes back to life

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true meaning and spirit of Christmas. She's trying to keep her grandmother's legacy going and she is going to need some help . Getting the new Mayor on board and fixing her relationship with her dad is worth the work.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas spirit is contagious

After inheriting grandma's house, with the stipulation that her son complete any needed renovations, Ally is dedicated to restoring Christmas House to it's former glory.

Throw in a town full of quirky characters, a mayor who comes across as "Grinch" and you've got a holiday story that will enchant you.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

All it took for Ally to return to Yuletide Creek was the end of a twenty-one-year marriage and the death of her dear grandma who left her the Christmas House.

A story that's beautiful, well written, enjoyable and easy to get lost in and escape everyday life for a tiny bit. The characters are easy to get to know, realistic and feel like family.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Strommen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great holiday read. A wonderful HEA. Enjoyed the author and I will be checking out more from her.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery with a littla Love

I was loooking for a fun and engaging bookto read and got so much more. Fun, mystery, great Christmas ideas, and tridition and how it was important to a whole town. The romance between Ally and Luke was suttle and flirtatious.

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written and heartfelt story. The characters are wonderful and the storyline is amazing. The twist and turns kept me hooked. I look forward to reading more from the series and definitely recommend reading this.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.In yuletide creek ally barnett is back after her divorce and her grandmother passing leaving her the Christmas house ,but when she gets there the town is not the town she left and she feels its her job to bring it all back just in time for Christmas. Beautiful and fantastic

[Nicole Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Ally & Luke butt heads over Christmas?

Do you love Christmas romance that is based in a small town? If yes then i highly recommend reading Ally & Luke's story. There is love, friendships, secrets a dose of family saga that make for a great story to read whilst having a coffee.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and let me warn you, you are going to need tissues toward the end when Santa visits. She returns to the town she never thought she would. Notices how rundown it is. Then she sees her grandmothers house. Things need to be fixed up big time. When she finds out there is not going to be a tree lighting in town she heads straight for the mayor. Not who she was expecting. This has some drama but mostly a sweet read with a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this emotionally fun, short, yet highly entertaining magical holiday adventure. An edge of your seat, action packed adventure filled with witty and engaging charters and heart racing twists and turns.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the start to this new series by Kimberly Thomas. Book one is centered around Ally. She returns to Yuletide Creek after her divorce, to the house her grandmother left her. She’s been estranged from her father, but Gramma Ruth’s stipulation is that only Frank, Ally’s father, can do the renovations to the house. Will this reconcile them? You’ll have to read and see. Now, let’s get to the grumpy grinch of a mayor, Luke. He may be a good looking guy but his attitude needs a Christmas spirit adjustment. I’m not going to leave any spoilers, but I will say this book has a lot of wonderful characters and I’m looking forward to reading book two.

I received an advance reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A*R*C for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars

The Christmas House is book 1 in the new series A Yuletide Creek by Kimberly Thomas and a great start for the holiday season

Ally moves back to her hometown for a multitude of reasons…divorce after 20 yrs, her Grandmother’s passing and seeing her estranged father all during the Christmas season. The dying town, her Grandmother’s legacy, the grumpy mayor, Luke brings Ally back to her childhood and helps her find a way into the future she thought she lost and maybe a love like she never experienced before…only time will tell…

Looking forward to the next book and seeing Luke, Ally, Frank and her daughters.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It's a heartfelt Christmas book based in a small town. Ally came back home after a failed marriage and taking over the Christmas house of her grandmother, Luke is the mayor and puts up a fight about the town Christmas tree but can ally change his mind? Will there be a happy ending for these two?.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another good book in a new series. Ally comes back home and takes up her Grandma’s Christmas tradition . It’s a nice feel good story set in a lovely location. It’s perfect to get you in the holiday spirit.
Thanks to the author for the early copy

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new series by Kimberly Thomas. Ally moves back to her small town and it’s just not the same. She has to deal with her estranged relationship with her father and deal with the new mayor and set up the Christmas house! The craziness ensues and it’s definitely worth a read. Can’t wait to read the next one - I think the daughters should get a staring role!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet Christmas story to start the holiday season. Enjoyable characters and small town rejuvenation.

[Lori Tremain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lot of action that did not have time to fully develop in the book. Chaotic and the writing was had many mistakes. Ally comes home to her grammas house after she passed away. Ally just left her husband off 20 years due to his wandering eyes. Her relationship with her dad is strained. The house is in disrepair. Her goal is to make grams house as festive as gramma had. The Christmas House it was called. The book goes into cleaning, painting and then decorating the house. She also helps the town that has dried up. She goes to the mayor for help and he refuses so Ally does it all. There is also financial problems uncovered in the town. Many events occur. Her girls come home from school which was a bit of drama. All in one month! Ridiculous

[Tl Hippler · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely just leave a book unfinished but this one just could not hold my attention. Multiple technical errors tripped me up (“she cleared my throat” and “she shook my head”) and much more detail went into the description of menial tasks such as baking cookies than actually developing and advancing a plot and creating character relationships.

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given 3 ⭐️, as it was a nice story but the editing, not so much, in a few places. I don’t like when I have to stop, reread and figure out what was supposed to be written.

[Kylie Neal · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many errors that distracted from the story. From changing from third person to first person, to calling characters by the wrong names. It felt like I was a proofreader.

[Stox4story · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merry and Bright …. but Mark needs a stocking full of coal

Christmas can be a very lonely time for some but it also can be a time of healing and reconciliation. When 21 years of marriage ends and Ally’s gramma dies, she goes back to Yuletide Creek. Gramma left Ally her home in Yuletide Creek … but there’s a catch and it’s a humdinger. The house is well known as The Christmas House and aptly named, for every year the halls are decked as well as the yard and arches. However, the elderly gramma was ill and let the house go into disrepair.

So what’s the catch? Gramma put in her will that Ally’s dad must to all the repair work. The problem with that is that Ally hasn’t spoken to her dad it years. Bridges need to be mended and repaired with father and daughter. Dad never approved of Ally’s marriage and refused to walk her down the aisle.

Now the big question is why? Just why was dad so against her marriage to Mark? And that is a big mystery, a mystery that could have been avoided if father and daughter hadn’t been so stubborn.

🤔 OBSERVATIONS:

✒︎ An easy read with good characters. Certainly didn’t like or agree with all of them but that’s what makes a good book … people form various opinions. Loved Luke and the role he played. There are some good ‘grinches’ out there and Luke has his reasons.

✒︎ Couldn’t understand why Frank didn’t confront Mark when he saw what he saw on the wedding day. Can’t imagine a dad letting that fly by. Want to see Mark suffer and truly see his wrong doings. No simple ‘I’m Sorry’ statements will do. Maybe next book will have Mark seeing all he’s lost and have to live with it ????

✒︎ Cheating never is kind and a cheater NEEDS consequences. All choices have consequences. Good choices, good things happen. Bad choices never affect only the guilty, there’s always collateral damage. Mark needs to SEE and Feel what he has done. Seems like he’s never paid anything for his wrongs and they’ve been repeated over and over for more than 20 years. It’s time he does some reaping what he sowed. Will we readers ever get to see that?

✒︎ Ally and Yvette both paid for their husbands bad choices. Yvette’s husband will pay but so will the wife. No, Yvette wasn’t liked and acted all uppity but she still was wronged and hurt. Ally was wronged in the harshest way and her daughters have suffered too. As for Mark, I’m still waiting to see.

✒︎ Pretty sure the author meant ‘astronomer’ rather than ‘astrologer’.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ally Barnett did not have “divorce, sudden home inheritance, and forced father-daughter bonding” on her Christmas bingo card, but here we are. Fresh from the wreckage of a twenty-one-year marriage, she’s back in Yuletide Creek, staring down her late grandmother’s Christmas-obsessed Victorian house—and the catch that comes with it. Turns out, dear old Grandma had a sense of humor: to claim her inheritance, Ally has to renovate the house with her estranged father, Frank, a man with more emotional walls than actual carpentry skills. Cue the tension thick enough to spread on toast.

As Ally wrestles with power tools and unresolved childhood wounds, the town of Yuletide Creek is battling its own crisis: the annual Christmas festival is floundering, thanks to budget cuts from the resident Scrooge-in-Chief, Mayor Luke. Luke’s the kind of guy who probably frowns at candy canes, but he’s got layers (and, let’s be honest, abs), which means it’s only a matter of time before sparks fly. Between reluctant family bonding, town traditions hanging by a thread, and enough Christmas spirit to make a Hallmark movie blush, Ally finds herself rebuilding more than just a house.

With a well-earned four-and-a-half-star rating, The Christmas House delivers small-town charm, generational baggage, and just the right amount of holiday schmaltz. Sure, the plot beats are as predictable as a department store Santa, but the emotional moments land—especially the messy, bittersweet ones. It’s warm, witty, and delightfully nostalgic, even when the sentimentality gets a little heavy-handed. If you love holiday stories that mix heartfelt reunions with a side of lighthearted family feuding, this one’s got your name on it.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Implausible YA story of a woman who returns to her home town after she divorces her cheating husband. She had inherited her grandmother’s home, known as The Christmas House. The house and the town are in sad shape and not at all the way she remembered it from her youth. Her grandmother’s legacy was having the best decorated home at Christmas and Ally is bound and determined to maintain it, against all odds.

The new Mayor does not intend to hold the annual Christmas tree lighting due to lack of funds and feeling what little budget he has could be better spent in other ways. Ally takes it upon herself to purchase a tree and decorate it for the ceremony. She additionally hosts a cookie competition, an open house and organizes both a toy drive and caroling party. Meanwhile she is baking a gazillion Christmas cookies and helping the Mayor figure out what happened to the town’s finances. She does all this with little assistance and over a short period of time.

The toy drive is overwhelmingly successful which made me wonder - If the townspeople had enough money to donate so many toys, why hadn’t they spent any money on maintaining their homes and businesses?

Long story short she starts a romance with the mayor, grows closer to her two daughters and reconciles with her father. HEA all around.

[Author Insights · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Book Review: The Christmas House by Kimberly Thomas ✨

The Christmas House is a beautifully cozy holiday romance that wraps you in warmth from the very first page. Set in the charming town of Yuletide Creek, this story captures everything we love about Christmas—snowy nights, glowing lights, and the comfort of familiar places. Kimberly Thomas creates a festive atmosphere that feels like coming home for the holidays.

The characters are heartfelt and relatable, each carrying their own emotional baggage while rediscovering love, hope, and connection. The romance unfolds gently, allowing the feelings to grow naturally amid holiday traditions and quiet moments. What stands out most is the sense of healing and second chances, making the story emotionally satisfying without being overly dramatic.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy sweet, comforting romances with strong seasonal vibes. It’s an ideal choice for curling up with a blanket, a warm drink, and letting the Christmas spirit sink in.

🎄 A cozy, feel-good holiday read you won’t want to rush. 🎄

#christmasreads #holidayromance #cozybooks #bookreview #bookstagram

[Brenna Donahue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another Christmas miss for me - took me way too long to read for such a short book! This one had no real story to me...but when it comes down to it, it was the inconsistencies with the writing and editing that turned me off. There was some perspective switching (1st to 3rd person) that seemed to be an error not a choice, and the timeline was a bit confusing with errors as well. One daughter was coming tomorrow, but then the next page she was arriving a couple of days later. I was confused by how old her daughters were as well - Ally was married for 21 years but had a kid completing law school and studying for the bar - who was 21? On one page it read 9 in the morning when it was the end of long day & she was about to turn out the lights in another paragraph. That stuff makes it hard to stay focused on the story.

But the story itself was a bit boring...there was no real conflict, just little things here and there that were remedied quickly. There were a lot of cliches and the characters were pretty thin in terms of development. Just not the series for me.