From the publisher:
Under the mistletoe, a single mom and a professional athlete realize they have more in common than the lake house they unexpectedly have to share for the holidays, in this heartwarming romance from New York Times bestselling author Julia London.
All Amy Casey wants for Christmas is to paint. She needs five new paintings for the holiday show at her local art gallery, but between her two teenage sons, her needy ex-husband, and her overbearing parents, she hardly has any time for herself. Luckily, her best friend has the perfect solution: a vacant family lake house in North Texas, all hers for two weeks of distraction-free painting. Or so she thought.
Turns out professional golfer Harrison Neely also rented the lake house so he can spend the holidays rehabbing the injury that has put his career—and life—on hold. Despite the booking snafu, both Amy and Harrison (along with Amy’s old blind dog and the army of child-sized nutcrackers residing in the living room) agree to share the festive lodging.
When an impending snowstorm has the two cozying up by the fire, sparks fly in more ways than one, and they open up to each other, unwrapping secrets and stories they’ve never shared before. But Harrison is expected back on the tournament circuit after the holidays, and Amy’s family needs her. As their departure date looms and her family and his manager press them for answers, they’ll have to decide if this December to remember has been a fun holiday fling, or if they’ve found a Christmas miracle: true love.
Sometimes you just want a sweet, cozy romance, and this one delivers exactly that. I know it’s January, but I’m not ready to give up my holiday romances yet. Too many books, so little time! I hope you will indulge me, and maybe even join me?
This contemporary holiday romance was such a delightful escape. It’s heartfelt, emotionally rich, and wonderfully character‑driven, with just the right touch of drama and humor. The main characters are well-developed, and there’s even an irresistibly sweet dachshund. I’ve never owned one myself, but my husband had one growing up, and he still talks about that dog with so much affection. All in all, the book gave me every cozy vibe I was craving.
Amy Casey, a human resources manager and divorced mother of two teenage boys, finds her long‑dormant dream of becoming a painter rekindled when a local art gallery hosts a holiday contest. The gallery has already sold a few of her pieces and now wants five more for the competition, an exciting opportunity that also requires time and focus she doesn’t have. Her best friend comes through with the perfect solution: free use of her family’s lake house cabin. It’s ideal—until Amy discovers someone is already staying there. Unbeknownst to Amy or her friend, professional golfer Harrison Neely has rented the house for the holidays.
One of the things I loved most is that Amy and Harrison are older. After the initial shock of the mix-up, they sensibly agree to share the spacious house. Harrison is recovering from a potentially career‑ending knee injury and trying to figure out his next steps. From the start, the two connect easily. Their banter, their conversations, and their shared willingness to embrace a little fun made their dynamic so enjoyable. They understand their responsibilities and know when to prioritize them. Things get even more entertaining when uninvited visitors arrive—her family and his pushy manager—adding plenty of humor to the story.
This is a charming forced‑proximity romance featuring two mature characters (still younger than me!) who are both navigating what comes next in their lives. They’re honest, considerate, and thoughtful about each other’s worlds outside their budding relationship. I appreciated that they each took time to reflect on what they wanted for themselves and how their lives might fit together. Their maturity felt refreshingly real, and it added to the story’s overall warmth.
In the end, this was a cozy, charming holiday read that managed to feel both familiar and fresh—a rare combination. If you’re in the mood for something lighthearted and quick, this one is a lovely choice.
1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
WHILE IT WAS SNOWING by Julia London. Berkley. (October 28, 2025). ISBN: 978-0451492425. 313p.
Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™ 