Christmas Charms came into my life right when I needed it the most.
I was sifting through the library stacks for a holiday book that would make me feel “Christmassy.” A book where, like, the biggest problems are getting all the children’s toys wrapped in time, or making sure the Christmas cookies aren’t pulled from the oven too early.
My search for the perfect Christmas read taught me that a lot of holiday books are mysteries. And, although I’ve read a few Christmas mysteries in my time, they’re not my favorites. I don’t understand the need to kick off the Christmas season with a dead body. #nothankyou
Along a similar vein, I really don’t want a Christmas story centered around a sick relative. Or, even worse: a dying relative. Or, someone who’s “recently widowed.”
Basically, I don’t want to read anything at Christmas that will make me cry sad, ugly tears.
Which is why I loved Christmas Charms so dang much.
There is nothing sad about this book. Nothing. It’s full of sparkly, happy, magical Christmas wonder, from the first few chapters set in glamorous Manhattan, steeped in all its holiday city splendor, to the rest of the book set in the unbelievably cozy, upstate New York town of Owl Lake.
Christmas Charms is published by Hallmark Publishing, so, yes, the basic plot is one we’ve stumbled upon – and most likely loved – before: small-town girl Ashley returns home from the Big City to realize that the life (and high school sweetheart, Aiden) she left behind is something she never should’ve let go in the first place.
I’m a sucker for small-town charm, and author Teri Wilson delivers with Christmas Charms. I’m ready to pack up and move to Owl Lake, NY, which is filled with freshly fallen snow, gingerbread lattes, neighbors meeting smile after smile, and a social calendar chock-full of holiday activities.
We’re talking a Christmas parade, town tree lighting, delivering freshly baked cookies to the local firehouse, a Santa ice skate in a nearby town called North Pole, hot cocoas at the local diner, and numerous snowman-building excursions. There’s even a bit of magical realism mixed into the story since Ashley’s Owl Lake Journey of Discovery is propelled by an enchanted charm bracelet gifted to her by a mysterious stranger.
So, yes, Christmas Charms is very much like a Hallmark Christmas movie – but so much better. Wilson is an excellent writer; her descriptions make everything in Owl Lake come alive. You smell the gingerbread cookies baking. You taste the frosty, pine-filled Adirondack air. You feel the warm glow of being surrounded by family and friends.
Speaking of warm glow – the rekindled flame between Ashley and Aiden burns white hot each time they’re thrown together in the book. While this is a “clean romance,” there’s no denying their attraction to each other.
Although romance isn’t the only driving factor in Christmas Charms, the chemistry between Ashley and Aiden has you flipping pages until their paths cross again. Their interactions and exchanges are funny, sweet, honest, and completely believable, which is a refreshing change for a holiday rom-com, where so many relationships feel forced, rushed, or wooden.
Needless to say, I adored everything about Christmas Charms. It ticked every box on my Christmas reading checklist and made me excited to bake batches and batches of Christmas cookies.
Which brings me to my book-inspired recipe. Be sure to check back in for Spiced Walnut Cookies!
