When Emilia told me she won an all inclusive trip to Christmasland, I laughed. Outloud.
Surely a place like that didn't exist.
Boy, was I wrong.
Now I'm stuck on holiday repeat where everywhere I turn there's Christmas carols, sledding, cookie decorating, and holiday cheer. All of which, I'm told, is part of the "experience" of Christmasland. But I can't believe that. A whole town dedicated to recreating a Christmas movie for all of its guests? You've got to be joking.
Until I start checking off the list of events.
Rescued by a Handsome Stranger who's Back Home from the Big City ✓ A Overzealous Town Busybody who seems Determined to Change my Grinchy Spirit ✓ A Baking Competition I Couldn't Possibly Win ✓ A Montage of Feel Good Christmas Events ✓ An Interrupted First Kiss... ✓
Now I don't know what is real and what is fake. I know I have feelings for the grumpy Hero, but I can't tell if he returns them.
In a place that peddles in fake realities, this is the first experience I wish was real.
I want to believe in a Christmas miracle, but my holiday history has told me, Christmas comes with nothing but disappointment.
I've never gotten a happily ever after and I doubt that will change now.
If you love laugh out loud holiday romances, you'll love Christmasland where the cliches are leaned into and the sap is drizzled thick. It promises to make you laugh, make you swoon, and leave you feeling excited for this holiday season.
Anne-Marie Meyer is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives south of the Twin Cities in MN. She spends her days with her knight in shining armor, four princes, and a baby princess.
When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.
This is exactly what you’d expect from a book turned hallmark movie. Super cheesy, super short, no actual emotions involved yet they fall in love in a week.
It was cute, had some moments that had me giggling, but overall nothing anyone needs to go running to read.
Read this in preparation for our watch party in my discord. Will watch the movie and expect to have the exact same opinions lol
This was exactly what you'd expect from a Hallmark Christmas movie. It was super cheesy and cute. It was a bit over the top, though. In just a few days, they're saying i love you. Look, I get it, when you know, you know, but everything combined together it was a bit too much. Don't get me wrong, this book was cute. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, so 3 stars seemed ideal.
Exactly what you’d expect. This book is the quintessential holiday experience in less than 300 pages. Perfect start to holiday reading season. If you love Christmas or Hallmark movies, this is 100% for you!
This was a sweet Christmas story. Kind of a Hallmark movie inside a Hallmark movie. Bea and Ethan have an instant pull to each other, but they're not quite sure what to do. Christmasland sounds like a great place to visit during the holidays if you love Christmas traditions. This was a sweet story that got me into the Christmas spirit. My only real complaint is I wish the epilogue had been further in the future so we could see how Bea and Ethan are doing in real life, away from the Hallmark movie.
Would you enjoy reading it again: Probably not. The characters are shallow, incapable of communicating and the book emphasizes the contrived plot too much without making a genuine statement/ lesson/ moral. The book is called Christmasland but they basically spend the entire book inside an inn, where it is only the main five characters; we never genuinely see any other townsfolk or anything (there is a bake-off but that was short and nothing memorable); and so this book should have been called 'Christmas Inn' or something else. *SPOILERS* Two girl best friends go to Christmasland where the owner of an inn makes it so the girls have a Hallmark Christmas, by using two guys to fake romance. The main love interest falls in love with main girl, she believes it was all a ruse but it ends where he states his feelings were genuine all along. - 2
Did you enjoy the plot: It was bad but I kept reading through it and it was good enough to keep me reading. It's a typical Christmas Hallmark with nothing exciting. The book seemed like it wanted to be unique in being meta about how they feel like they are in a Hallmark movie but the plot never did anything clever about this. The plot was essentially a compilation of tons of misunderstandings, which annoy me because they are adults and should have just communicated with each other their true intentions and whatnot rather than being coy about it all. There also seemed to be tons of plot holes because the characters were shallow: why do they even like each other? Why did his ex break up with him? - 2
Did you enjoy the writing style: Not really. It was a bunch of superficial telling (ex. author says things like he makes her laugh, how the main love interest wants something real, etc. but there is no further details/ illustration surrounding this: why does he make you laugh? Why does he want something real? What is real to him?), which gave me the impression that the author truly didn't care to produce a genuine backstory for any of these characters. The characters had no personality. There were a few festive descriptions (like explaining the setting) but nothing memorable. This book is written in switch POV between the main girl and the main love interest. It would have been better if it was just from the girl's POV because that would have made the reader more interested to learn if the main love interest's intentions were true or not; that would have led people to keep guessing, and could actually lead to understanding why her actions/ miscommunication may have been warranted. There was no reason for it to be in POV and the switching of POV didn't aid in the storytelling (and, as mention, only hurts it because there is no mystery or interest in what will happen next). There was also some repetition that should have been cleaned up (like repeating the same emotions over and over again) - 2
Good ending? Very predictable and boring. I was expecting a boring ending like this (where the guy and the girl get together) but I wish there was some bigger lesson/ moral. We didn't get the see what happened to the best friend (where she was okay with being conned) and that would have been nice to close out and not leave as a loose end - 2
Format: audiobook (2x, while lifting) Average rating: 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was such a fun, feel-good read, like a Hallmark movie about Hallmark movies. The whole “Christmasland” setup was clever and made me smile. We all know how these stories end, but that’s part of the charm.
Bea and Ethan had great chemistry, even if they didn’t want to be there, or fall in love.
It was the perfect length, didn’t drag, and while there’s no spice, it didn’t need any. The story worked just as it was.
Solid 4 stars! And now I’m excited to watch the Hallmark movie version.
I find Anne-Marie's books really fun and cute, so I've decided to give this Christmas themed one a chance. Thank you Anne for accepting me for this ARC!
Beatrice and Em will live an unique experience in a small town, which have been transformed in a dream one during Christmas time. It's called Christmasland and it's the place where even the most grumpy and Christmas hater will change their mind.
Even from the entrance in this town, Beatrice and Em were in a bit of trouble with their car and that's when Ethan came into the spotlight. He was the son the person who owns the place where our two visitors will stay. Carol was a Christmas fanatic and her idea put the town on the map for it's beauty during the holidays, becoming a must visit place.
I liked the events Beatrice participated to, all of them being really fun and it was even nicer because she had Ethan besides her. He wasn't looking for love, because he recently had his heart broken, but Bea is so hard to ignore. His mom, Carol, was so funny, because she kept doing things to make her son spend more time with Bea. She was determined and recognised that there can be something between them.
A really fun, full of joy book, where I had the sensation I was watching a Hallmark/Diva movie. It had the same ingredients as a classical Christmas movie and I was imagining the whole plot as a film while I was reading it🤭.
In my attempt to read more widely, I am deliberately trying a few more Christmas or holiday-themed reads that are available at my local library, even if they are different than what I would typically choose… Like a hallmark movie, this is a light-hearted, holiday romance filled with small town charm and the whimsical atmosphere of Christmasland.
christmasland is everything you'd hope for in a cute holiday romance - right down to the hallmark vibes! (pssst, you can catch the hallmark movie "believe in christmas" airing now - it's literally based on this book!)
this was short and sweet in the best way. who doesn't love a cheesy christmas rom-com? you've got the sweet big-city boy who came back to visit his hometown and the grumpy "not-into-the-holiday-spirit" girlie who can't be swayed as easily as her best friend who adores everything christmas. i really liked ethan and bea - they had some really cute interactions. and though i don't always love the insta-lovey moments, they were very cute. honestly, who wouldn't fall for a hot man doing fun and cute christmas-y things for you? 😌 the overall story was very heartwarming and perfect to get you into that christmas mood!
The cutest little Christmas rom-com! Easily bingeable!
I was so fortunate to receive this book from the author with a box of goodies. This edition is SO pretty and it was a shorter and sweet book! Also, this book is becoming a Hallmark movie on 11/30!
Christmasland is a little town where Christmas lives in every corner! So when Emilia wins a trip there, she’s determined to bring her somewhat of a grinch friend, Beatrice, along.
Emilia is convinced that this town makes your visit an experience - just like what happens in the movies! Well, after a flat tire and a seemingly perfect man comes to the rescue, Beatrice starts to believe it too. But how far is too far when real emotions come into play?
Christmasland was so cute. There was some miscommunication but it didn’t last forever. No real spice, just some tension. And all the Christmas feels! I am excited to see this one play out on the screen!
This book was such a delightful read, perfectly capturing the Christmas vibes I was looking for. The concept of a magical place offering the ultimate Christmas experience is enchanting���especially during the most beautiful time of the year. Beatrice, who’s initially closed off to the joy of the season, finds herself in the perfect setting to rediscover its magic. Thanks to her thoughtful friend Emilia, she’s introduced to a world that not only highlights the beauty of Christmas but also leads her to the happily-ever-after she never thought possible.
This was a cute fluffy read that is perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to live in a Hallmark movie! Scrooges and Cindy Lou Whos alike will enjoy this adventure through Christmasland, a tiny town in Vermont that is right out of a Christmas movie and full of holiday tropes we all love. The characters are endearing, the story is entertaining and it’s the perfect holiday read.
Thank you to Anne-Marie Meyer for the gifted copy of this book. I’m looking forward to watching the movie version of it soon!
This was one of my first ever Christmas romcoms and it did not disappoint. It was a quick read and fun with the perfect cozy vibes and festive season feels.
I loved the dynamic of the friendship between Beatrice and Emilia. Beatrice was the friend that didn’t love but also didn’t hate Christmas, her holiday experiences were limited to what each foster family had to offer while she was growing up. Emilia on the other hand was a full ‘Cindy-Lou who’ character, she adored everything there was to offer when it came to Christmas, the decorating, the food, the full spirit of Christmas festivities, but I loved that she also accepted her friends lack of holiday cheer. So when Em won a trip to ‘Christmasland’, a small town in Vermont decked out to the nines for Christmas, Em saw it as her chance at her very own hallmark movie experience while Bea saw it as a vacation away from New York.
The way the author structured the whole story to feel so realistic, that when anything out of the ordinary happened Em pointed out it was the ‘hallmark experience’ (much to Bea’s disagreement). The whole atmosphere of the book was so refreshing, it really set the tone for the holiday season, like a cup of hot chocolate on a winter day, and decorating the Christmas tree at the beginning of December. Anne-Marie Meyer really captured the essence of Christmas and it leaves you feeling the comfort and excitement for the holidays.
The romance was so fun. Ethan was the grumpy ‘grinch-like’ character in this story despite his mum owning ‘the north pole’ bed and breakfast in the middle of ‘christmasland’. The romance between Bae and Ethan was gradual, she wanted to put on a face for Em and he wanted to give Bea the quintessential Christmas experience that she never got as a child, while both characters had sworn off relationships neither one could deny the chemistry they felt for one another. They could connect over their disinterest in Christmas while still appreciating the little things Christmas had to offer. I only wish they communicated their desire in one another sooner because both refused to believe the other was interested in anything other than a friendship or that it was purely fake.
In the end this book was the perfect start to the festive season, cozy in all the right ways, and leaves the reader feeling smitten and giddy. For a book under 200 pages it never felt rushed or lacked detail and the character development and world building was like a breath of fresh air.
I’d like to thank Anne-Marie Meyer for sending me an advanced e-book copy of her Christmas romance 🫶🏼
3.5⭐️ This was a really cute and easy read. There's not much else to say about it. It's not a big standout but not a big disappointment either. If you're a fan of hallmark Christmas movies, they literally made one based off this book and that describes the vibes perfectly.
3.5 Stars That was sooo cute .. I LOVE Hallmark movies and this is such a treat to us christmas lovers The story is about Beatrice who finds herself going to a trip with her friend to Christmasland where you can live you christmas fantasy ( and find a guy) like a Hallmark movie ..but Beatrice hates christmas and she meets Ethan,he hates christmas too but also he is the son of the coordinator of Christmasland .. is his feelings for Beatrice are real? I liked that the book was so drama free and really short and sweet .. but the back and forth of their feings was annying a bit because it was repetitive .. other than that it was great
Cute and sweet and VERY Christmassy. It's basically every Hallmark movie in book form, and just in case you forget that bit while reading it, the author will actually remind you over and over again. Overall, I did enjoy this lighthearted holiday read.
this was the cutest Christmas book EVERRR!! not only was it obviously a romance, but every single second of this book felt like Christmas! It wasn’t a background thing, but actually! was surrounding Christmas. from the descriptions of the decorations, the tree farm, the bake off… everything was so so cute! all the romance and Christmas feels!
Super easy, cute, & quick! Also page to screen! (Believe in Christmas - Just different title). Gotta go in knowing it’s a hallmark cringey all things cutesie & Christmas spirited, but this was exactly what I needed to get into the holiday reading!
This was a really cute short Christmas love story! Nothing too exciting and semi-predictable but still good to fill in the gaps between books if you want to feel warm and fuzzy for the holidays!
Christmasland was a cute novel. It was just what I needed. A light fluff, jolly time. The author did a fantastic job of making a Christmasy atmosphere. Would recommend if you want something light and fluffy and fast to get through. A palette/mood cleanser.
♡pre-read♡ I'm in need of some light fluff Christmasy fun. I just finished Wind and Truth and I am emotionally drained. Hopefully this is the pick me up I need.
The perfect level of cheesy and predictable that I was looking for, so this rating is not bad at all. Everything you can expect from something with a plot focused on trying to manufacture a Hallmark movie experience for the main character visiting this town. Very quick read, and now I’m curious to watch how Hallmark turned this into a movie!
2.5 stars. It was fine. Cute and clean. But ultimately incredibly unrealistic - they fall in love in a week - and the main plot is miscommunication which could’ve been cleared up with a 2 minute conversation.