Holiday Romance

by Catherine Walsh

Review

There are a handful of tropes I’ve grown to love over the past year, and dual or multiple timelines has definitely become one of my favorites. This book leans all the way into that structure, following this couple not from their very first meeting, but from their first holiday moment together—and then stretching across the next ten years. Their chemistry is genuinely so good: the way they balance each other out when one spirals and the other stays calm, the way they problem-solve as a team, and the way their banter feels completely effortless. Their chaotic, slightly unhinged adventure to make it home for the holidays had me grinning, but what I really loved was seeing how their relationship evolved not just across different destinations, but across time. Every moment between them feels lived-in, warm, and real.

On top of that, their interactions with their families add this extra layer that makes the whole dynamic feel even more authentic. You can see how the comfort they have with each other mirrors the comfort they have with their families, and it just reinforces how naturally their relationship has grown over the years. The slow burn, the delicious angst, the moments of vulnerability—everything is paced beautifully. Honestly, chef’s kiss. I’m so glad my book club picked this one because it hit all the right notes for me. If you want a fun, uplifting, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes chaotic holiday adventure with heart, humor, and a whole lot of love, this is one I can’t recommend enough.