This was one of the holiday reads I was especially looking forward to. Sophie Sullivan has become an author I reliably reach for when I want something cozy and romantic, and You Make It Feel Like Christmas felt perfectly timed for the season. I started reading it over the holidays, though things moved a little slower than expected thanks to a Disney cruise with my family (more on that later if anyone wants to hear about it!), so don’t judge that we’re way beyond the holidays at this point (though my tree may or may not still be up). Between the festive timing and the promise of a second-chance romance, this felt like an easy pick for a busy, end-of-year stretch.

Maisie Smart has a don’t-look-back policy–not on the choice she made to be a photographer (despite her family’s wishes) and not on the one-night stand she had six months ago. Sleeping with someone she barely knew was out of character; sleeping with a professional hockey player who bolted the morning after is a whole new level of embarrassing. Getting invited to spend the week at Tickle Tree Farm with her family this Christmas is a sure way to fill her with holiday spirit. Until the universe throws a Grinch in her festive plans in the form of the one man she hoped to avoid.

Nick King is a mess. After a significant injury lands him on the bench for every game for the rest of the month, he has more time to dwell on the one night stand he can’t get out of his head. With time on his hands, his anxiety hovering, and the holidays around the corner, he figures visiting his sister and nephew at their Christmas tree farm will be a good way to lie low and sort himself out. He’s in for a surprise when it turns out Maisie is staying at his sister’s and his attraction for her hasn’t lessened one bit in the last six months. Apparently, neither has her anger at him for bailing. But Christmas is the time for second chances, and the forced proximity may help Nick and Maisie unwrap feelings neither of them can walk away from twice.

There are some authors I’ll always make time for, and Sophie Sullivan is one of them. You Make It Feel Like Christmas is a second-chance holiday romance between a professional hockey player and a photographer, and while it didn’t completely win me over, it still delivered enough charm to keep me happily turning pages.

What didn’t work for me

The pacing of the romance: This was the hardest part for me. Nick and Maisie fall back into love *very* quickly, and once they do, things get gushy almost immediately. I know this is a holiday rom-com, so I wasn’t expecting angst-heavy drama—but I wanted more tension, more hesitation, more emotional friction to make the payoff feel earned. Instead, their dynamic sometimes felt too easy, which dulled the stakes.

The parental conflict: The tension between Maisie and her parents felt forced, intense and unnecessary. Her skills, confidence and career choices were never really in question—by her or by the people around her—so this conflict didn’t add much to the story. I genuinely think the book could have functioned just as well, if not better, without it.

Nick’s mental health arc: Nick’s uncertainty about retiring from hockey was interesting, but I wish the book had gone deeper into his anxiety. It’s clear he’s struggling, but the *why* never fully crystallized for me. A little more exploration here would have added emotional weight and clarity to his journey.

What I liked

The setting: A Christmas tree farm is exactly where a holiday romance should take place, and this book leans into that coziness hard. It’s festive, warm and atmospheric in a way that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and lean into the season. I want to learn more about Ellie and Asher!

The family dynamics: Speaking of Ellie and Asher, Nick’s relationship with his sister and nephew was a highlight, as was Maisie’s dynamic with her siblings. These relationships felt lived-in and affectionate, grounding the story and giving it heart. I felt a little bit sometimes like there was background I was missing on some of the characters (I think I missed a book in the series somewhere, even though these are all standalone novels), but I was able to look past it.

The overall tone: Even when I wanted more tension, I still enjoyed the experience of reading this. Sullivan writes comfort reads well, and this very much fits into that category.

Final thoughts

You Make It Feel Like Christmas is sweet, cozy, and festive—just a little lighter on tension than I would have preferred. While the romance moved too quickly for my taste and some of the conflict felt unnecessary, the setting and family dynamics made up for a lot. And honestly, Sophie Sullivan remains an auto-read for me.

3.5 STARS

“Only she would fall in love with her one-night stand. Worst one night-standers ever.” —Sophie Sullivan, You Make It Feel Like Christmas

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced book copy in exchange for my honest review.