America's Favorite Christmastown

by Dawn Klinge

YouTube vlogger Alexis Jacobson knows how to create the perfect aspirational Christmas for her viewers. She has made promotional videos for resorts and far-flung travel destinations for several successful years. Still, the fantasy she creates isn't real, nor is her relationship with her co-star and business partner. When keeping up the illusion gets to be too much, Alexis finds herself out of a job with no place of her own to call home. That's when Alexis's Oma asks for help getting some new vacation rentals in Icicle Creek up and running. Alexis agrees to return to the place she used to call home to stop Oma's plans. Someone Oma's age should be taking it easy, right? So when Alexis discovers Justin Karon is the real estate agent behind the proposed deal, she questions his motives. Appearances can be deceiving-as she would know. Justin seems like a great guy, and yes, Alexis had a crush on him back in high school, but a lot has changed since then. Despite her misgivings, sparks start to fly between these two. But are these feelings real? And will going home help Alexis re-discover the true spirit of Christmas?

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Contemporary

137 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2022

About the author

Dawn Klinge is a Pacific Northwest native who loves a rainy day, a hot cup of coffee, and a good book to get lost in. This wife and mom to two young adults is often inspired by true personal and historical accounts. Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Sorrento Girl is her debut novel, the first in the Historic Hotels Collection.

Reviews

[Lori Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, fun, holiday-time read that is clean and a bit off the beaten trail. This was a fun read for me and I really enjoyed the setting of an out-of-the-way resort. That brings a lot of small-town America comfort to the story. With the relationship between Alexis and her grandmother I found a comfort and joy that brought to mind many times spent with my own grandmother. This is the story of a vlogger who is considering a change of business and needs the advice of a trusted source. That is her grandmother and she finds out that her grandmother is considering a major change herself- to resort owner. Teaming up with her grandmother, the real-estate agent, and eventually the whole town, they bring the Christmas spirit to all around. It was a fun, simple read that didn't take more than a couple of days to read but it brought me much joy.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful short Christmas read

Wanting to escape for a couple hours in the busy Christmas season? You will enjoy this clean read that whisks you away to a cute town with characters who you will love. I enjoyed every moment of this story and I hope that Dawn writes a sequel to it!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

America's Favorite Christmastown by Dawn Klinge is a Christmas story novella. It's got all the charm and romance one would expect in a title like America's Favorite Christmastown. Alexis Jacobson has a YouTube channel along with her boyfriend (kinda) Nick. After filming an ad for a resort, Nick can't handle the fakery anymore. Alexis and Nick had broken up a year earlier, but for the sake of the YouTube channel were still pretending to be a couple. He tells Alexis he has another job in Seattle. He up and goes and leaves her to tell all their commitments. She decides to head home to Icicle Creek, Washington where her Oma still lives. She thinks it's a good place to recoup and figure out what to do next. Her Oma tells her of her plans to buy a camp and turn it in a vacation resort. She heads home and misses her connecting flight to Icicle Creek. She runs into her old high school crush Justin Karon who has just rented the last car. He offers her a ride home and she takes him up on it. Both of them have a fun time reconnecting, but Alexis finds out that he is the realtor helping her Oma buy the camp. He's also got a crazy idea about turning Icicle Creek into America's Favorite Christmastown. Will the town go for it? Will Alexis come around about Oma buying the camp when she's just turned 80? Will Alexis and Justin find love? I hope you decide to read this short story and find out. It's the perfect story to get you in the holiday mood. It reminds me of a town that I live near. I hope to read more stories set in Icicle Creek, WA. I was given in a copy of this novella, but all opinions are my very own.

[Heather Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

America’s Favorite Christmastown, by author Dawn Klinge, is a charming, homespun novella set in a small Bavarian town in Washington State.
Alexis Jacobson is a content creator of travel videos, a YouTube star with her boyfriend and business partner, Nick. As they wrap up filming their latest promo, Nick up and quits…the relationship AND the business partnership.
Alexis’ grandma - Oma - the woman who raised her from a young age, encourages her to come home to Icicle Creek, Washington. Not only to heal from the heartbreak and figure out next steps, but to help Oma with a business plan of her own. While at the airport, she runs into Justin Karon, her old high school crush, and the man who just got the last rental car.
He offers her a ride, and so getting to know each other again begins. But…Justin is the real estate agent facilitating the deal for Oma. WHY does an elderly woman want to take on renovating and opening a retreat center, and why is Justin encouraging it? Also, now he wants to enter the whole town into a contest to be “America’s Favorite Christmastown”?
Come along to Icicle Creek and get to know this “wunderbar” town while reading the sweet love story of Alexis and Justin. This is my first visit to Icicle Creek, but I sure hope it won’t be the last! I’d love to read more books set here.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a quick, light-hearted, Hallmark-esque Christmas read, America’s Favorite Christmastown by Dawn Klinge is for you.

When Alexis returns to Icicle Creek to help (or discourage) her grandmother from opening a resort, her future is uncertain. But spending time with Justin as they create a promo for a national contest to become the favorite Christmastown brings back some of the joy she once found in her work—not to mention some potent sparks between her and Justin.

There was a lot happening for Alexis in this novella, and I wanted to experience more of the why of what made Icicle Creek a contender for the contests (including meeting some more of the townsfolk), but overall, this sweet and quick read was a nice way to settle in with a cozy blanket and enjoy the magic of Christmas for an evening.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to @JustReadTours for picking me to promote and review this book for them for the Book Tour this week. This was my first time on this tour and i really enjoyed this book. It reminded me alot of the Hallmark Channel Romance Movie with Vanessa Marcil but with a Christmas Twist to it.

The Characters were very enjoyable and interesting to read about. I can't pinpoint my favorites because i enjoyed all the characters mentioned in the story.

The Setting was very enjoyable to read about since i felt like i was in the book while reading.

Overall a Phenomenal Contemporary Christmas Romance about a Youtuber which id never read a book featuring Youtube before!! Wish this was part of a series but i can't wait to read more by Dawn in the future!!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Dawn is such an amazing writer. Her writing style draws me right into the story! Great way to kick off the holiday season!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to visit Icicle Creek! This was such a cute Christmas story with some great lessons woven in.

Alexis Jacobsen is a popular YouTube blogger hiding a secret that would greatly impact her business. As the secret comes out, Alexis needs to regroup. Her Oma invites her home, to Icicle Creek, to help with a huge project she is undertaking.

On her way home she runs into her high school crush, Justin Karon. Justin has just moved back home too. In addition to being part of this big project Alexis’s Oma is undertaking, he also wants Icicle Creek to become America’s Favorite Christmastown.

Will Alexis find a home in Icicle Creek, or will she just visit and move on? Could she and Justin possibly be more than friends? Will Alexis discover the true mean of Christmas and home?

I highly encourage you all to read this book to see the answers to these questions. It’s the perfect story for this time of year and a quick read for a break from the holiday craziness.

I look forward to reading more of Dawn Klinge’s writing.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Uplit Reads. All views are my honest opinion.

[Camille Dayton Fostering.literacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick holiday romantic read. Loved that all the romance was clean and closed door, and how Alexis’ relationship with her Oma and how it influenced her to give love another chance again. Her Oma gives the best advice to help solve a miscommunication issue, which was an excellent touch. Even though the book is quick, it allowed time for the romance to build, which feel so much more realistic. Another plus is that Alexis is depicted as an independent girl with skills and talents to share with the world, and she is able to pick herself back up after experiencing a career setback rather than simply fall in love and give up her entire identity.

Thank you to the author and Just Read Tours for the advance copy. All opinions are my own, I was not required to share a review of this book.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas time brings with it some sweet stories with Hallmark vibes that are sugary sweet, and a little too perfect, and that’s where America’s Favorite Christmastown landed for me. It’s a quick read that was so squeaky clean that it lost its luster for me. I think what was missing for me was what made Icicle Creek so special. It was so focused on pushing Alexis and Justin together that I feel like the whole premise of the novel was lost. Where were the details of the ultimate Christmastown??

I felt like it tried too hard to reach a level of unattainable perfection. None of the main characters possessed any flaws whatsoever, their town is picturesque, and the main characters relationship goes unbelievably fast, and disappointed me most of all. I’m usually a sucker for happy endings but this was just too unrealistic for me, which left me finishing the book with mixed feelings.

Overall it’s a cute story, but there was really no conflict, and I felt like there needed to be more tension. I also wish the focus would’ve been more on the town itself and what made it America’s Favorite Christmastown. I love this author, and the writing itself was on point, but the sugary sweetness was a little too sweet for me.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read through Kindle Unlimited with JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute story. Absolutely loved kicking off the holiday season with this story. If you are a fan of Hallmark Christmas stories, you definitely want to read this one! Romantic, snowy, festive, and sweet!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone. The company that I am a partner of was hired to promote this title. However, I was not required to write a review.

[D. Barretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas Tale

This book gave me all the feels of a sweet Hallmark Christmas movie. I loved meeting Justin & Alexis. Both brought their own baggage to the relationship, but they showed each other grace. Also, I loved Oma, Alexis' grandmother. I hope to read more about Icicle Creek in the future. Thank you Dawn.

[Mary Mccauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me want to visit

A fun modern day Christmas story
. a sweet romance. A fantastic sounding little town. IT WAS A NICE SHORTER CHRISTMAS READ. put a smile on my face.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vlogger Alexis is returning to her hometown of Icicle Creek, WA, after a breakup with her boyfriend and video partner. She isn't sure what the future holds, but she needs time to get back on her feet. Her grandmother needs her, too. Oma has recently been contemplating purchasing and renovating a local camp, and Alexis is sure this is not a project Oma needs to be undertaking at her age.

Justin is tired of life in D.C. and has started a successful realtor practice back in Icicle Creek. He's got several big sales on the horizon, including the camp. But when his high school friend Alexis pushes back against her grandmother buying the property, will it throw things off course?

Meanwhile, Justin's love for Icicle Creek has prompted him to put the town into the running for America's Favorite Christmastown. Can he convince the residents to go along with the plan? How could they ever get the professional quality of video needed for the entry? Perhaps Alexis could help. And perhaps working together would give them the chance to get reacquainted on a personal level.

I thought this book had great potential to be charming and full of good conflict. It didn't quite deliver for me, as it took so long to set up the main premise of the story, and the narrative seemed to jump around a little too much. I was confused a few times about what was going on. I didn't develop a connection with either main character, and was disappointed the contest didn't feature more prominently in the storyline. However, the romance is sweet and clean, and everyone loves a good hometown narrative. I'd recommend this book for those wanting something light and uplifting this holiday season.

I received my copy of the book from JustReads Publicity. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

America's Favorite Christmastown by Dawn Klinge is a sweet, quick read. 

America's Favorite Christmastown is set in Icicle Creek, WA. It is a small town with Alexis and Justin coming home for different reasons. They are both flawed characters who need to work through a few things before they can have a relationship.

All the details will give you Hallmark vibes, and America's Favorite Christmastown would make a great movie. As a book, I was missing interactions with other members of the community and would have loved more about the contest, including the other towns that were contenders.

Overall, this novella will leave you feeling warm and cozy.

Thank you to JustRead Publicity tours and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute story about a young woman who wants a fresh start after her business partner leaves her high and dry. I liked the plot about going back to your small town and helping your grandmother but we didn't get told any details. The same thing happened with her helping create a video for the contest they entered. A lot of cute moments could have been explored as they created it but we're just told they're going to and then it jumps to the end of the story. I liked Alexis and how she was so protective of her grandmother and jumped in to help her. Justin seemed like a great guy for helping her grandmother so much, among other things. There's a brief mention of God's blessings but otherwise I would classify it more as a clean read. There's some romance. Overall, if you're looking for a clean Christmas read you might want to check it out!

I received a free ebook of this book. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

[Dawn Kinzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this feel-good holiday romance, Alexis Jacobson is left dealing with upset clients when her business partner suddenly decides to move on from their successful YouTube series promoting resorts and other romantic travel destinations. The reality is that he’s not the only one worn out from creating a fantasy for viewers and pretending they’re still a loving couple.

With her future in question, Alexis visits her Bavarian-themed hometown in Washington State to convince her grandmother to change her mind about buying a rundown retreat center and turning it into vacation rentals. But she discovers her grandmother is determined to have everything ready for guests by Christmas. Alexis isn’t the only one who has returned to Icicle Creek. Her teen crush, Justin Karon, happens to be the real estate agent helping Alexis’s grandmother purchase the property, and he’s got ideas of his own for making Icicle Creek “America’s Favorite Christmastown.”

Alexis’s grandmother is my favorite character in this story. She’s not letting her age stop her from pursuing a new dream. No, this eighty-year-old woman isn’t ready to sit down and let life pass her by. She’s a bit feisty, yet patient, supportive, and wise. This grandmother knows when to speak and when it’s important to listen.

Finding your way back home and your roots is a lovely theme of this story. Characters seek answers to questions many of us face at one time or another. When it comes to relationships, what’s real and valuable? What lifestyle do we yearn for? What does it take for us to look around and appreciate what we have? What can we do to make our community better for us and others? And what is the true spirit of Christmas?

If you enjoy a Hallmark-kind-of story, I encourage you to spend time with Alexis in Icicle Creek and share her sweet romance.

[Valerie HappiestWhileReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading Christmas-themed books in December, and novellas are a great option for holiday-hectic days. America’s Favorite Christmastown by Dawn Klinge is a short and sweet contemporary romance that could definitely inspire a Christmas movie worthy of the Hallmark Channel.

The novella begins and ends with cozy winter Christmas scenes, but the emotions involved in each couldn't be more different. Alexis, a travel vlogger/social media influencer, returns to her grandmother's home in Icicle Creek when her vagabond lifestyle ends along with her relationship with her vlogging partner. She puts her skills to good use in assisting Oma with a new endeavor and producing a video entering Icicle Creek in a contest to determine (you guessed it) America's favorite Christmas town. As Alexis collaborates with Justin, her high school crush, on the video, their renewed friendship quickly advances to attraction.

While I enjoyed my time with Alexis, Oma, and Justin, several aspects of the story were very predictable as is common in romances, especially those set during Christmas. Also, the novella length limited development of the plot and characters and left me wishing for more of both.

Thank you to the author and JustRead Tours for a review copy. All thoughts about it are my own independent opinions.

[Connie Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two former classmates find themselves back in their hometown, where they soon join forces to help Icicle Creek, Washington become America's Favorite Christmastown. Alexis and Justin are both likable characters, but Alexis's grandmother Oma is the one who quickly stole my heart. It's heartwarming to see the special bond between grandmother and granddaughter, and it's apparent that Oma believes that Justin is just what Alexis needs.

This is an enjoyable romance that gave me all of the emotions of this special time of year, and it made me want to learn more about Icicle Creek, Washington. America's Favorite Christmastown is short, sweet, and a perfect read for the Christmas season!

I received a copy of this book from the author via JustRead Publicity Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet Christmas novella set in Icicle Creek is utterly delightful!
When successful YouTube vlogger Alexis Jacobson's life takes a turn for the worse, she heads home to the comfort of her dear grandmother—or Oma—and the quaint town where she grew up. What Alexis doesn't expect is an intriguing business proposition, the attention of an old high school crush, and a reason to possibly stay in a place she thought she had outgrown.
Checking all the "Hallmark Christmas movie" boxes with engaging characters and a dreamy small-town setting, this is a wonderful feel-good read for the holidays!

[Amanda H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this delightful, Christmas novella! Alexis is at a crossroad with her job, after her partner moves on and she is forced to face figuring out how to shift gears. I love how that leads her to her Oma's side and back into the path of Justin Karon. Oma is a delightful character, and I loved the setting. This is a delightful, sweet Christmas story that is perfect for the season!

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

[Stacey Pardoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much that I felt a pang of disappointment when it ended! The characters were relatable, the storylines intriguing, and the setting was picturesque. I was drawn into this cozy little town and the stories unfolding within it. I'm seriously hoping Dawn writes a sequel to this one because it was nothing short of magnificent!

[Tanya Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encapsulating the motto of when life gives you lemons, America’s Favorite Christmastown by Dawn Klinge is a quick, delightful read that is sure to put a smile on your face. Lighthearted and breezy, this fast-moving story is perfect for “happily ever after” fans.