Book Review: A Winter Wish by Emily Stone

Rating: 4/5 stars

If you’re craving a feel-good holiday romance with a touch of wanderlust, Emily Stone’s A Winter Wish hits all the right notes. This novel is a delightful blend of opposites-attract tension, emotional healing, and travel that will transport you into the warmth of the holiday season, even if you’re reading it mid-July.

The story follows Lexie, a woman with a strained relationship with her late father. When she inherits half of his niche travel company, which specializes in holiday-themed trips across the globe, she’s thrown into an awkward partnership with Theo, the brooding, hot-headed executive who inherited the other half. The catch? They must run the company together for a year before deciding its future.

The dynamic between Lexie and Theo is where the novel truly shines. At first, their interactions are fraught with tension—Lexie’s free-spirited nature clashes with Theo’s more structured, sometimes prickly personality. But as they explore holiday traditions in places like sunny Spain, their chemistry begins to sizzle, leading to moments that are both sweet and steamy.

I particularly loved how the book explores not just romantic love, but also the complexities of family relationships and personal growth. Lexie’s struggle to reconcile her feelings toward her father, while also navigating her budding relationship with Theo, adds depth to the story. It’s not just a holiday fling; it’s about two people learning to heal and let go of the past.

While the romance and travel elements are wonderful, the pacing could have used a bit more energy in the middle, where the plot feels like it stalls briefly. However, the charm of the setting and characters pulls the reader through to a satisfying conclusion.

In short, A Winter Wish is perfect for anyone looking for a heartwarming holiday read with a side of globe-trotting and slow-burn romance. It’s the kind of book you want to curl up with while sipping a hot drink by the fire—just don’t be surprised if it gives you the urge to book a holiday trip of your own!