The Christmas Wish: Book Review
If you’re looking for the perfect addition to your holiday reading list, The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk is it! This heartwarming and hilarious novel is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, messy family dynamics, and just the right dose of holiday magic. Equal parts funny and heartfelt, it’s a festive family dramedy that you won’t soon forget. Find out why this charming read deserves a top spot on your Christmas TBR! 🎄📚✨
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Quick Look
- time loop story
- SO funny
- complicated family dynamics
- second chance romance
Published November 15, 2022
Thanks to Harper 360 for the advanced access!
Publisher's Synopsis
Newly single lawyer Gwen Baker is hoping that a family Christmas—countryside, a mountain of food and festive films—will salve the sting of her career hanging by a thread and her heart being trampled on. Because everyone else has their life sorted: even Dev, her boy-next-door crush, is now a tall, dark and handsome stranger with a fiancée. She can’t help wishing her future was clearer.
Then Gwen wakes up to discover it’s Christmas day all over again. Like Groundhog Day but with eggnog. And family arguments. On repeat.
As she figures out how to escape her own particular Christmas hell, Dev is the one bright spot. He might be all grown-up but underneath he’s just as kind and funny as she remembers.
Maybe, just maybe, her heart can be mended after all.
But how do you fall in love with someone who can’t remember you from one day to the next?
My Review
OMG—this book is SO good! I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud (like, really loud) at Lindsey Kelk’s sharp, sarcastic writing. British humor is my jam, and The Christmas Wish served it up by the bucketful. More of a family dramedy than a traditional romcom, this book nails the holiday hijinks. It’s like every classic Christmas comedy you love had a baby with a Hallmark movie—and honestly, I adored every second of it.
Most people will pick this up expecting a cozy romcom, and while there’s definitely a romance at the heart of the story, this isn’t your typical love story. Hardcore romance readers may find the steam level a little light, but for me, the slow-burn relationship between Gwen and her childhood best friend was perfect. The “replay” effect added depth and humor—think 50 First Dates meets Groundhog Day, with a British twist. Their evolving connection brought warmth to an already emotionally rich story.
But what really makes this book shine is Gwen’s journey of self-discovery. Trapped in a time loop on Christmas Day, she’s forced to reflect on her life, her choices, and who she’s become. Before she can move forward, she has to find her way back to her true self. It’s funny and heartwarming, but also surprisingly introspective. Gwen’s existential crisis hit home—and let’s be honest, who hasn’t had a brutal post-breakup Christmas that made them rethink everything?
Kelk’s use of magical realism is spot-on, adding just the right touch of whimsy without losing the emotional core of the story. Beneath the humor and holiday sparkle is a thoughtful exploration of family—the love, the tension, the unspoken resentments. Gwen’s strained relationships and her longing to reconnect with the people she once held close make the time loop feel like more than just a plot device—it becomes a catalyst for real change.
The Christmas Wish is hilarious, heartfelt, and brimming with charm. It’s not just a holiday romance—it’s a warm, witty celebration of second chances, personal growth, and the messiness of family. If you're looking for one holiday book to make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even shed a tear or two, this is it.
My Rating
I absolutely adored The Christmas Wish and want EVERYONE to read this book. Having never read any of Kelk's work before, I can honestly say I had no idea what to expect. But this heartfelt and heartwarming story is perfect for the holiday reading list! I am forever a Lindsey Kelk convert!
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