A festive fever dream of love, regret, and rom-com rules wrapped in flannel.

If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a cheesy holiday movie while secretly loving every flannel-clad second of it… this book is for you!

Christmas People is a festive, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt romp that asks the question: what happens when a Christmas cynic wakes up inside a Hallmark-style movie with her ex and her high school crush cast as the potential love interests?

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Book Summary

Jill Jacobs is not one of the Christmas people. Not anymore. Ever since her ex shattered her heart on (Christmas Day, no less) Jill’s distanced herself from all things merry and bright. She left behind suburban Illinois for a life in sunny Los Angeles, where she’s chasing her dream of becoming a screenwriter and avoiding mistletoe at all costs.

But this year, things don’t go as planned. Jill finds herself reluctantly back in her hometown for the holidays. One hazy night (and possibly too much holiday "cheer") later, she wakes up in what can only be described as… a Heartfelt holiday movie come to life.

Her town is now picture-perfect. Her neighbors are unnaturally chipper. The air smells like nutmeg and hope. And worse her ex, the one who broke her heart, is now strutting around in plaid flannel like he invented Christmas.

The only way out? Jill must finish the movie. That means hitting every cliché in the holiday rom-com playbook: a bake-off, a snowball fight, heartwarming life lessons, and of course a swoony romance with someone who might be Mr. Right Now or the One That Got Away. She isn't sure which!

Cue the Christmas chaos.

My Review

The concept of Christmas People is absolute gold for fans of both holiday romance and meta storytelling. Jill waking up in a real-life Hallmark-esque movie is hilarious and relatable especially for those of us who love watching these kinds of movies while simultaneously yelling, “Who wears heels in the snow?!”

The premise gives the story permission to be absurd in the best way. Think The Truman Show meets While You Were Sleeping, with a big candy-cane-colored wink at the reader.

From her sudden immersion in a world where everyone is unnaturally chipper to being forced into a “mandatory” holiday bake-off, Jill’s reactions are often the exact thoughts real-life viewers have when watching Christmas movies. It’s sharp, satirical, and cozy all at once!

Jill Is a Perfectly Grinchy Protagonist

Jill’s grumpy, cynical voice is what makes this book work. She’s not just anti-Christmas, she’s anti-nostalgia, anti-perfection, and deeply wounded. But as the story progresses, her emotional armor begins to crack, revealing a surprisingly tender heart that just wants to be understood (and maybe loved again).

She’s messy in a real way, and her sharp wit keeps the sugar-sweet plot from becoming too much. I especially appreciated that her reasons for being guarded weren’t just brushed off but were fully explored and dealt with!

Holiday Hijinks + Personal Growth

This book serves up a solid mix of comedy and emotion. Yes, it’s ridiculous (intentionally so), but it also makes space for grief, regret, and the complicated nature of going home again. There are laugh-out-loud but also quiet, introspective scenes that ground the story in something more that just holiday whimsy.

There’s even a love triangle subplot that doesn’t feel overdone, thanks to clever pacing and emotional nuance. And yes, there are cozy tropes galore: flannel, cookies, sparkly lights, small-town charm, and a bakery run by an absurdly attractive widower.

🎧 Audiobook Bonus: You have to hear this one!
I received an advance listener copy of Christmas People and I’m so glad I did because Patti Murin absolutely brings it to life. Her narration adds the perfect blend of humor, heart, and holiday charm.

If you’re more of a “listen while you wrap gifts and sip cocoa” kind of reader, the audiobook is 100% worth it.

Pro tip: You can listen for free with an Audible free trial if you're not already a member!

Whether you’re road-tripping, baking cookies, or hiding from your in-laws with headphones on this one is perfect for getting lost in!

Final Thoughts

Christmas People is for anyone who:

  • Can’t stop watching cheesy holiday movies (but also can’t stop roasting them).
  • Loves a good “one that got away” story.
  • Wants a holiday romance with a little bite and a lot of heart.
  • Is totally here for flannel-wearing, emotionally unavailable exes who might still be in love with you.

If you're looking for a holiday rom-com that plays with the genre while fully indulging in it, Christmas People delivers a deliciously meta, feel-good story about learning to love again even when you're not one of the "Christmas people."

Read This If You Liked:

Ready to get cozy with a peppermint mocha and lose yourself in a world where snow always falls on cue? Add Christmas People to your holiday TBR you won’t regret it!