When an unexpected inheritance forces two total opposites to work together, Lexie must decide if Theo is going to push her out—or pull her in for the kiss of a lifetime—in this heartwarming holiday novel from the author of Always, in December and One Last Gift
When Lexie learns of her father’s death, she doesn’t know how to feel; they’ve barely spoken in the last ten years. And she’s even more confused when she discovers he’s left her half of his holiday travel company, a successful niche business specializing in trips that explore the holiday traditions of cultures all over the world.

Meanwhile, the other half of the company has been left to her father’s handsome but bad-tempered young executive, Theo. And the will stipulates that the two of them must find a way to run the company together for a year before they decide its fate.

Lexie intends to leave once the year is over, even though, as a wanderer herself, she finds the company’s mission more compelling than she first thought. And a work trip to sizzling Spain reveals a chemistry between Lexie and Theo that is impossible to deny.

There may have been some snap judgments made about each other. But mixing business and pleasure isn’t always a good idea.

Emily Stone has become a bit of a holiday tradition for me. A couple of years ago, I read Always, in December and Love, Holly back-to-back and had my heart ripped out and stomped on both times. Then last year I read One Last Gift, which wrecked me all over again.

This one didn’t hit quite as hard emotionally as her earlier books, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While her last three books provided a cathartic holiday cry under a blanket, this one is more like a cozy night watching a Hallmark movie you already know the ending to but still love anyway.

The story follows Lexie, who learns her estranged father has died and left her half of his holiday travel company. The twist? The other half goes to Theo, her father’s prickly young executive. The will stipulates that they must run the company together for a year before deciding its fate. You can probably guess where this is going, but the fun is in watching them get there.

Lexie is a wanderer and doesn’t like to feel trapped by settling down. She’s spent years traveling, never staying in one place long enough to build roots. Theo, on the other hand, is all structure and logic, a total control freak. Their dynamic feels like classic “sunshine meets grump,” and it works. The bickering, the tension and the inevitable spark is all handled with the warmth and sincerity that make Emily Stone’s books so comforting.

Where the book fell short (for me, anyway) is in emotional depth. Stone’s previous novels really hit me in the feels. They dealt with loss, grief, and the fragile hope that comes after heartbreak. This one plays in a lighter emotional space. It’s more about healing old family wounds and rediscovering joy than about surviving tragedy. That’s a lovely theme, but I was braced for a gut punch that never came. (And that’s totally on me.)

Still, there’s a lot to enjoy here. The travel-company premise gives the story a fun, festive twist, letting readers explore different traditions around the world. And while the story feels familiar, it’s the good kind of familiar. You know the beats, but they’re executed so smoothly you don’t mind knowing what’s coming. The romance develops naturally, with plenty of chemistry and a believable emotional connection between Lexie and Theo.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Meg Travers, and she nailed it. Travers captures Lexie’s mix of vulnerability and independence perfectly. Her delivery brings the story to life and adds just enough warmth and humor to make Lexie feel real. I’d absolutely recommend the audio format for this one.

By the time the story wrapped up, I wasn’t crying into my tea like I did with Always, in December, but I was happy with the outcome and that is just as valid. This one isn’t about heartbreak; it’s about second chances, forgiveness, and finding new meaning in traditions. It’s the kind of book that feels like a holiday movie you’ve watched a million times. Familiar but comfortable.

If you want a warm, festive read with lovable characters, gentle romance, and zero emotional destruction, this one’s perfect for curling up with during the holidays. It’s sweet, charming, and full of heart.