Title: The Christmas Wager
Author: Holly Cassidy
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Published On: September 26, 2023
Publisher: Viking
Source: digital (Netgalley)
Pages: 350
Synopsis:
From a bestselling Canadian author comes a delightful enemies-to-lovers holiday rom-com set in the quaint town of Maple Falls, about a city girl and a small-town boy who compete in the town’s annual holiday games in order to win the right price for a Christmas shop, perfect for fans of The Hating Game and One Day in December.
One rivalry. Eight days until Christmas. Let the holiday games begin.
When LA-based real estate developer Bella Ross arrives in the sleepy, mountain town of Maple Falls, she has one mission: to acquire the local failing Christmas shop, Always Noelle, securing the promotion of her dreams. Nothing can get in her way. Except the shop owner’s stubborn grandson, Jesse Harrison.
Both refuse to budge, until an unlikely wager is struck: Bella and Jesse will compete in the Maple Falls Holiday Games, an annual tradition of eccentric feats of strength and skills. Winner decides the selling price. They’ll give each other a run for their money, but as the competition heats up, Bella and Jesse’s icy feelings toward each other begin to thaw. It’ll take a Christmas miracle for them to admit there’s a spark, but what if it’s just another game?
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
After reading a string of more serious novels, I was excited to dive into something lighter, and The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy fulfilled my wishes. If you’re a fan of holiday Hallmark movies, you’ll be sure to enjoy this festive rom-com!
Holly Cassidy is the pseudonym for Hannah Mary McKinnon, who typically writes thrillers. I’ve never read anything else by the author, but I couldn’t resist the invitation to read this Christmas-themed romance centered around the small town of Maple Falls’ annual Holiday Games.
“Bella, what did you do?” Luisa groaned as she leaned across her desk toward me, her voice so low I almost couldn’t hear. Her knack for the dramatic made me grin. In the time we’d worked and lived together, I’d got used to my best friend being a little over-the-top. Somehow she always expected the worst and was more shocked than surprised when whatever life-altering catastrophe she’d envisioned didn’t materialize.
Holly Cassidy, opening lines from The Christmas Wager
“I didn’t do anything,” I said, before hesitating a little. “I don’t think so, anyway.”
This one kept me entertained, BUT it is very predictable, which isn’t necessarily bad if that’s what you’re wanting in the moment. However, since this holiday romance delivers exactly what it promises to, I don’t have a lot to say, so I’m gonna just leave you with my list of what I liked and what I didn’t like.
What I liked:
By far, my favorite parts of the book were the games! They’re actually well thought out and fun, and I wanted to find my own mountain town to participate in some holiday-themed games.
It was very christmassy, so I did feel plenty of holiday spirit, with the snow and the holiday games and the holiday-themed store, Always Noelle, owned by Jesse’s grandfather.
I enjoyed most of the characters. Bella and Jesse are both well-rounded and believable. Likable. I also enjoyed the side characters: Jesse’s grandfather, Bella’s best friend, and all the townspeople involved in the games.
What I didn’t like:
Not enough games! I was bummed when the plot of the story deviated from the games. I was torn between wanting the author to stick with the games or follow the love story. Oops!
The business aspect of the story, which is what brings about all the conflict, is not very believable. The “villain” characters, interfering with the purchase of Always Noelle, seem very flat and uninteresting.
Overall, I had fun with this one. If I’d read it closer to the holidays—when it wasn’t almost 100 degrees outside—I think I would have enjoyed it even more. Pencil this romance for over the holiday break, when you want something light, fun, and cheery!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Viking and Netgalley for providing me with a copy.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
Rating: 3.25 stars
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About the Author
Holly Cassidy
Holly Cassidy is the pen name for internationally bestselling author Hannah Mary McKinnon. Her suspense novels include The Neighbors, Her Secret Son, Sister Dear, You Will Remember Me, Never Coming Home, and The Revenge List.
McKinnon was born in England, grew up in Switzerland, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three sons. The Christmas Wager is her first novel writing as Holly Cassidy.
Hannah Mary/Holly’s next thriller Only One Survives and, her second Holly Cassidy holiday rom-com will publish in 2024.
A Song For A Book
The song I kept thinking of while reading The Christmas Wager didn’t seem like the right song to highlight, but I couldn’t find anything I liked better, so you’re getting “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Harry Connick Jr. It’s the “reindeer games” line I kept coming back to, but I love this version of the song. I can definitely imagine it playing amid all the festive games in Maple Falls.
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight
Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You’ll go down in history…
Have you read The Christmas Wager? Or did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
I liked this one a bit more than you, but I don’t disagree with the business aspect. I could have used less of that and more games. The games were the best! It ended on such a high note, and I liked that Bella found the joy of Christmas again
I’m glad you enjoyed this one! Yeah, I just wanted more games. 😃
The games aspect in this one does sound really fun. And predictable in a holiday romance isn’t the worst thing…though I do like a few surprises along the way.
Absolutely! Predictable is usually what we want in a holiday romance. 🙂
This sounds cute! Though with such a focus on the games in the summary and on the cover, I don’t blame you for wanting more of them in the text.
Yes! The author did so well selling those games, I just wanted more. 😉
Well, this sounds delightful! Definitely one I’ll have to add to my collection. 🙂
Yay! I hope you enjoy it, too!
Great review, Dedra. I am getting ready to put up my Christmas decorations, so I am ready to pick this one up. It sounds fun.