Jayda’s junior year started off bad when her boyfriend dumped her, and then it became worse when her mom got laid off. With every week that her mom doesn’t find a new job, things get tighter. Now the holidays are approaching and there is no money for presents. When she intercepts her little brother’s letter to Santa, her heart breaks knowing they can’t get the dog he desperately wants. On a wing … wing and a prayer, she writes her own letter to Santa, penning all of her holiday wishes that she knows can never come true because holiday magic just isn’t real.
Connor’s first Christmas without his mother is harder than he imagined. When a giant sack of letters to Santa shows up at his doorstep, he can’t believe he forgot that she used to reply to all the Santa letters in their small town. He’s about to throw them away, but then a letter from a girl he has a crush on catches his eye. Jayda has sent a Christmas wish into the universe, and although Connor isn’t technically Santa, he does the only thing he can do to honor his mother’s memory.
He writes back.
A sweet and clean Christmas romance that will make you smile!
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This was a fun and sweet romance that kept me turning the pages. Jayda’s family hit rough times, but through hard work, determination, and a little Christmas magic things turn around. I really loved the clever premise of this book with the letters. A definite holiday MUST read.
Jayda’s Christmas Wish was a great read by Amy Sparling. Jayda is in her junior year of high school and it has started off bad. Her boyfriend broke up with her and her mom lost her job. Things have become really tight and the holiday’s are approaching with no presents for her younger brother. She takes her brothers letter to Santa where he only asks for a dog that they can’t afford. She decides to write her own letter to Santa. Connor is experiencing his first Christmas without his mother and he is given a giant sack of letters to Santa. His mother used to reply to all the letter and even bought some presents in the letters. He was about to throw them all away when he comes across Jayda’s letter, Jayda is a girl he has a crush on. I really enjoyed reading Jayda and Connor’s story and can’t wait to read more by Amy Sparling.
This was a sweet holiday romance! Jayda’s life seems to keep hitting speed bumps and they keep getting worse. First, she’s dumped, then her mother gets laid off, and with bills piling up and Christmas right around the corner she’s losing hope. Her mom is depressed and stressed out, which leaves her with all of the responsibilities, including her brother. She wants to cheer her mom up and give her brother the best Christmas ever, but how much can one girl do to hold her family together? When her brother writes a letter to Santa and gets a response from the jolly man, she writes one herself and begins to gain hope.
I love how much Jayda tried in this book. She’s wearing herself thin between school, work, household chores, paying bills, and raising her brother. Her brother was so enthusiastic and upbeat, it felt infectious every time he was in a scene. Connor is just a kid trying to make it through his first Christmas without his parents and also give his crush and her family the best Christmas, but ends up with more than he bargained for- his mother’s legacy, being the town’s Santa.
I enjoyed how realistic of a situation Jayda and Connor were in. There are plenty of families dealing with issues like this year round and I always find it heartbreaking and heartwarming to read about (especially with HEAs). This book felt like a young adult Hallmark movie that tugged at your heart and wouldn’t let you go!
Christa did a great job with this narration! I felt like she voiced Jayda and Connor perfectly, capturing their emotions and hardships. She brought this story to life and kept me entertained until the end.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
A very sweet small-town YA holiday novella; well written and with some lovely characters. A nice quick read over coffee to get you in the holiday spirit!