“I can already picture the film version of it.” Parade Magazine“If you love Hallmark movies, this is the holiday novel for you.” Better Homes & GardensShe’s trying to save the family candle company. He’s trying not to fall for Bayberry–and her–again. Kate Taylor knows what she wants in life: to one day run her family’s candle business, which is at the heart of the close-knit community of … wants in life: to one day run her family’s candle business, which is at the heart of the close-knit community of Bayberry, Vermont. But the company isn’t doing well.
Wesley Adams is on the fast track to be an assistant vice president at his financial firm in Manhattan. Before the promotion is announced, he’s sent to this small town from his past to do an analysis of the candle company.
He doesn’t expect to bump into his childhood crush, Kate, and when he does, sparks fly. As he spends time in Bayberry, he falls for the town’s Christmas traditions–and for her. But he has a responsibility to submit an honest report. Will it extinguish Kate’s dreams…along with any chance they have for a future together?
This heart-warming romance contains a free Hallmark original recipe for Cast Iron Beef Stew.
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Christmas in Bayberry was sooooo Hallmarky! That’s what I loved about it. I hope they turn it into a Hallmark movie this year. I can just imagine the scent of the Bayberry candles. And now I want to buy some. LOL The couple is cute and the story is squeaky clean, just the way I love it!
4.5 stars
Christmas in Bayberry by Jennifer Faye is a wonderful, festive read that will warm your heart and get you in the mood for the holiday season. I loved the cozy small-town feeling and thought the author did a great job of making the reader feel like they’re right there in Bayberry, enjoying the snowy weather and the town’s Christmas traditions. Wes and Kate are both likable and relatable characters. Kate is a strong, kind-hearted, and optimistic woman. She loves everything about her town and will do anything to save her family’s candle business, which provides jobs for more than half the town. The company isn’t doing well financially and Wes, a workaholic from New York, is hired by Kate’s aunt to evaluate the company’s financial situation. Wes has been working hard to get a promotion and all he wants is to finish this job and go back to New York. However, the magic of Bayberry, as well as his feelings for Kate makes him question if he’s truly happy with the direction his life is going. Will they find a way to save the candle company? And what happens after he completes his job? Will he go back to his unfulfilling job in New York, or will he make some changes?
This romantic Christmas story will leave you with a smile on your face and make you want to curl up on your sofa with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A wonderfully delightful book!
Though there is some suspense throughout the book, everything about it was so uplifting and heartwarming! From the perfect little town to the wonderful characters it’s a winner! My perfect dream town!
Anyone who loves a well written feel good story will definitely want to add this book to their list! Though Christmas time is the setting it could be enjoyed year round!
I look forward to reading more by Jennifer Faye! Well done!
Kate wants to take over her family’s candle business from her aunt, but the business is in trouble and might not make it through the season. Kate would do anything to save the company–her hometown relies on it for more than employment. When her aunt hires a secretive financial assessor to evaluate the company, Kate knows she will have to fight hard to convince him the candle company, and the town, are worth saving.
Wesley is rising to the top and up for a promotion, until his latest assignment takes him back to a small town where he spent a short time in his youth. Surprised to see the woman managing the company is the same young girl he once had a crush on is a bit awkward, but he’s all business. She’s pressuring him, but the numbers aren’t adding up.
As they join forces to work together, with no promises, time together kindles feelings. Kate is doing a lot for the town, as well as the business, and Wesley convinces her to ask the town to chip in for some of the town’s traditions. The company can’t afford to underwrite it all, and it’s okay to give up control to bring in others to help.
Pressure to finish the job by his boss, with a promotion looming, while trying to find an investor, is a lot on Wesley’s shoulders. Kate’s can-do attitude is convincing, and Wesley doesn’t want to let her down, as he’s falling for her again. Kate wants it all–the business, traditions, saving the town, plus love–but knowing Wesley’s leaving has her heart torn in the midst of hoping for a Christmas miracle.
A heartfelt Christmas story with romance, tradition, and maybe a Christmas miracle!
**received an ARC from the publisher**
Confession time. I don’t watch any Hallmark Channels. Don’t shoot me but I just don’t. For me, I don’t know. I like some umph with my romances. That said, I can’t get enough of books that are published by Hallmark and Jennifer Faye just happens to be one of my favorites when it comes to sweet romance. She knows how to hook me in and never let me go.
With Kate and Wes, she had me at the first page. I just love the unrequited love trope. And she flipped it with the hero in love with heroine long before the book starts. I know, right? Different and it totally works here. I really felt for Wes and his back story. With his workaholic ways, not really wanting to start something with Kate and then doing his work in Bayberry, he has a lot of thinking and figuring out what he really wants and needs in life.
Kate is great, too. All she knows is Bayberry and the candle company. She doesn’t seek out male relationships but she keeps her girlfriends close. Plus, not to mention her aunt. I love how Ms. Faye could have written a one-dimensional character but she gave Kate depth. She doesn’t allow Kate to wallow or feel sorry for herself. She works towards her goal for the candle company but does accept the help that Wes offers in the end.
I wish I could get into the book more except to say that I was totally invested in the town, Kate and Wes but also in the story. Ms. Faye is an excellent storyteller and takes her time here. It’s in-depth, romantic, heartwarming, and just overall a great book to read now in the heat of the summer. I wish I could see snow. Like now. It’s scorching where I live.
Do yourself a favor and start reading Ms. Faye. Especially this book. It will warm your heart. And yes, I could see it as a Hallmark Movie. Psst…I’d watch it, too.
Thank you in advance to the author, Jennifer Faye; along with Prism Book Tours for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required or requested and all words are my own.
While this isn’t the first novel I’ve read by the author, this is the first non-Harlequin (Romance line) novel of hers I have read. The writing style in this books is far different than those novels. It’s beautiful, moving, and so heartwarming.
So, when I saw this book … I HAD to have it. Why?
For those who know me – this revelation isn’t a surprise. For those who don’t know me, well, here is a tidbit …
I LOVE Christmas!! Despite being born at the end of April, I LOVE Christmas. In fact it is what my mother deems my holiday. It simply is me. I’ll decorate as soon as I possibly can (even on Thanksgiving day). I shop early, and I LOVE getting new ornaments, paper, décor … it’s is my holiday.
“Christmas in Bayberry” is from Hallmark Publishing, so it is obviously a clean read – there is absolutely no foul or questionable language and there are no intimate references. Readers from teens to the older folks who enjoy these types will definitely be able to read this novel without questioning the content or appropriateness.
The cover is absolutely as charming as the book seems. Christmas, romance, small town, clean read? It was definitely a winner even before I started reading it. And, the fact there is a candle shop at the center of the story? This is PERFECTION for a summer read to distract us from what’s going on – or reading it again for the holidays.
This was such a WONDERFUL read that I found it difficult to take notes for the review as I was reading it. And, it is one of those books I easily see becoming a Christmas tradition every year.
Faye’s vivid, descriptive, realistic writing made me feel like I was walking along with the characters in this story. I could definitely see this in my head as a movie, especially with the third person story-telling with alternating POV between Kate and Wes. It was easy to read chapter after chapter and hesitate before putting it down. And, the more I read it, the more I didn’t want to put it down. Though, realistically one has to.
It was an absolutely delightful read. The small town “every one works there or knows someone who does” plot line was perfection. That’s what drew me to this novel – like Kate, I LOVE Christmas (yes, I know I already stated that). I definitely identified with that aspect of her character.
I also LOVED the “fortune-telling” Santa that Kate kept running into that we never find out who it really was – or if he is even really there. Her optimism was infectious as well, along with what she did for the community.
Wes was also a wonderful character. It didn’t take him long before he started re-thinking his career, Bayberry Candle company, and staying in Bayberry. I had my ideas of where his character was going as these types of reads are predictable, but also because of a key “place” in this novel. I just knew what he was going to do.
It was interesting to see Wes slowly re-adapting to the town and enjoying his life while there along with learning that there is more to life than work. His boss was inexcusably rude (though not entirely unrealistic) – expecting Wes to continue working after 7pm. As his time in Bayberry increases, Wes slowly realizes the higher he climbs, the more lonely he is. And, despite the answer being right there for him – he is still conflicted with the choices before him. Something I am sure a lot of people can identify with.
The slow, but cute romance was not unexpected given the fact Wes’ mother was friends with Kate’s aunt; along with the fact the two kids had gone to Junior High together for a short time. I was almost in tears when Kate came across the ornament Wes gave her that Christmas, which incidentally was the same year Kate’s parents died in a car accident.
In addition to saving the company (and town), this was also about second chances and Wes finally gets to ask Kate to the dance he’d been wanting to for 17 years.
Given the tone of the story it is generally positive and upbeat, there is of course some mild drama (accident at the candle company); but a lot of heart, inspiration, and love.
As candles are integral to my life – I use them when I write, during the holidays, and even when I read – having a candle company at the heart of this story somehow made it personal. Add in a close knit community with the “childhood crush”, and this turns into a magical, feel good, festive, up-lifting, and fun read that is easily a re-read year after year.
Kate also learns that loyalty is a good thing, but sometimes change is necessary to keep what matters most.
I highly recommend this sweet book for those who LOVE clean, feel good, small-town Christmas romances. Fans of Hallmark movies will more than likely love this story. And, I’m pretty certain fans of the author will be delighted as well.
Now THIS is what I call a heartwarming Christmas story AND I want to move to Bayberry:) I can’t say enough how much I loved this story and as you’re reading it, you can’t help but get that tingly, happy, sparkling feeling in your tummy! I adore Christmas and all that comes with it (yes, even the crowds in the malls) and this story has it all, all the traditions, the caring people, the coming together of a community and the true spirit of Christmas.
I love Kate and Wes’ characters, both have so much heart. Kate is trying everything to save the Bayberry Candle Company that has been in her family for generations and Wes has been hired by her aunt to do an analysis on the company. It doesn’t look good. Wes has been working on getting a promotion and all he wants is to finish this job and then continue with his life in New York. Hard to resist a town like Bayberry, though, as well as his feelings for Kate. The whole story is so beautifully written!!
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Christmas in Bayberry by Jennifer Faye is a great, heartwarming, festive Christmas romance in small-town Bayberry.
This book has all that we love in a classic Hallmark story. A great setting set in a close-knit town, a wonderful cast of characters that live throughout the area, two people that seem different and come from different worlds, yet are more alike then they even realize. Obstacles are overcome, and two souls find one another.
I enjoyed the main characters: Kate Taylor and Wesley Adams. They are both likeable and realistic and have great chemistry together. They definitely seem to work well together and bring out the best in each other. I enjoyed the plot, dialogue, and I felt that the story ran smoothly and kept me engaged. It really puts me in the holiday spirit (in the middle of spring no less).
5/5 stars
Thank you Hallmark Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
Perfect for Christmas! Predictable outcome, but that is expected with a Hallmark movie and novel. It was a hopeful book.
This story is just exactly what I was looking for! A perfect little town, an old school crush coming back to try to whip the failing local candle company into shape, and a very magical Santa Claus.
Not a flat storyline at all. There were ups and downs for everyone, emotionally, but they reacted in normal ways – not overly exaggerated ones. It was sweet, but not sickly so. There were sad moments, but nothing too rough. Everything felt like the perfect balance.
It’s an average sized book for a contemporary sweet romance, so you have plenty of time to get into the details of the situation and build a connection with the characters. No sex or violence (don’t even think there was any cursing – but I’m not bothered by it so I wouldn’t really notice it anyway).
Definitely worth a read if you’re looking for a perfect Christmas story.
I had a great deal of difficulty getting into this book, as well as following the storyline
I enjoyed this wonderful Christmas read. It is light and the characters are fun. It brings a town into the story and sounds like a delightful place to live.
I listened to the audio version of Christmas in Bayberry. The narration by Emily Rankin was spot on.
I really loved this Christmas book. The story had depth and there were enough problems and tensions in the story that it wasn’t all fluff. Not that I complain when a Christmas book is all fluff (snow and marshmallows and Santa’s beard are all grand).
My favorite character was probably Wes because he went through the greatest transformation during the book. He learned what he had been missing by working ALL the time when he got to Bayberry and discovered that people could work hard, but still take time out to enjoy life…and love.
I would recommend this book to everybody. It is one of the first romance books that I truly enjoyed because it was not full of descriptive sex. Sex was mentioned but left to the readers imagination. I will continue to follow Jennifer Faye.
Good Christian book
I absolutely loved this story, the characters were great! I love how it all turn out, the setting is brilliant!
It was a wonderful love story.
Sweet Christmas story. Fun and enjoyable. If you like nice romantic stories you’ll love this one.
Bayberry, Vermont grew up around the Bayberry Candle Company founded by Kate Taylor’s family. The only problem with such a close-knit community is that, when the company faulters financially, it impacts the entire town. And Kate is worried.
Wesley Adams is an up-and-coming financial analyst at Watson & Summers, a major NYC financial firm. He works with some of the firm’s largest clients, so he is surprised when the president of the company sends him to Bayberry to evaluate the candle company. Particularly since his mother had just called him and asked him help her friend Penney Taylor, owner of the company. Penney is also aunt to Kate Taylor, the girl Wesley had a major crush on during the short time they family lived there when he was fifteen.
Wesley must navigate his resurgent attraction to Kate, his growing relationships with the citizens of Bayberry, and his responsibilities / future at Watson & Summers. There’s no real explanation as to why Mr. Summers would be interested in an analysis of the Bayberry Candle Company or why he would send one of his top analysts to handle the analysis. But if you can overlook that minor story problem, the book is a great read. It’s a Hallmark Publishing novel so, of course, it reads like a Hallmark movie, which is great to me because I love Hallmark movies. Plus, it includes a recipe that sound delicious.
I received a copy of the book from NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing. The opinion is my own.
Reading a Christmas story in the middle of a hot summer was fun. The story was a pleasant second-chance romance while it navigated through the difficulties of saving an ailing company in a town almost totally dependent on it. There was also a secondary romance for Kate’s Aunt Penney in the story. Both Wes and Kate wanted to do what was best for the town and the company, which at times conflicted. Additionally, Wes was balancing what his boss wanted against what he thought would be best for the company, Kate, and Aunt Penney. Throughout the story I kept trying to figure out how the company issue would be resolved and was pleasantly surprised by the solution.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from Hallmark Publishing for an honest review.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Repost of my original review at Amazon.com.
Great read.