ARC Review: The Twelve Loves of Christmas by Various Authors

 

Count down to Christmas with twelve sealed holiday love stories by beloved romance authors.

The Twelve Loves of Christmas is a swoon-worthy short story collection about finding love during the most magical time of the year. Including a playful forced proximity romance featuring a woman and her older brother’s grinchy (yet unexpectedly endearing) best friend, a tender love story of two neighbors who decide to skip Christmas together, a second-chance spark reignited between exes stranded at the airport, and many more festive love stories, there’s a little holiday magic waiting for every reader.

Open one sealed story each day in the lead-up to Christmas to unwrap a season full of love, warmth, and happily-ever-afters.

Title: The Twelve Loves of Christmas

Author: Various Authors

Publisher: Atria

Expected Publication Date: September 29, 2026

Review:

I love a reading short stories like this. I get to read some authors I know I love and also get introduced to new authors. I find the easiest way to review this type of book is to review each story I read. So here we go...

A Merry Little Christmas by Jessica Joyce

I adore Jessica Joyce som much. She's actually the reason I requested this title. I knew she'd give me something to love. She can write a second chance romance like no other. And, even with just a few pages to do it, she managed to capture my attention and make me fall for he characters. This Christmas story was sweet even if I did have an idea right away what would happen.

4 stars

Decking His Halls by Alexis Daria

I've read a few short stories by this author and she always manages to make me giggle. This brother's best friend short was very cute. I loved how Daria infused humor and culture into this title. If you want some fluff, I think this author does that really well. I'll definitely continues to read her short stories.

3 stars

I'll Be Home for Ex-Mas by Alexandria Bellefleur

Another second chance romance story and this one was really cute. I liked airport idea and how the couple is put into a forced proximity situation to work out their past. The characters were nice enough but not as fully developed as I would have liked. I've read this author before and I like her writing and will continue to read things from her.

3.5 stars

Someone to Hold On To by Elise Bryant

This one was definitely more of a meet cute type of situation rather than a romance, though I could see how a longer story might get the main characters into something deeper. I liked the idea of the FMC helping her mom and the cute baking situation she had going on. This one also gives a big nod to community and how family can be blood but also be found.

3.5 stars

Ho Ho Oh No by M.A. Wardell

This was my first reading of this author. I've actually never heard of them before. This one is MM so if that's not your thing, definitely skip it. While I appreciate a good MM story, this one didn't quite hit me as I would have liked. I didn't really feel the connection between the two MMCs. The forced proximity was a good way to get them in one place, but I didn't see the attraction at all, mostly because we are told it is there rather than shown. The writing was nice. Not sure if I'd read this author again.

2.5 stars

Twelve Seconds to Forever by Rebecca Jenshak

This is my first by this author, though I've seen her books all over. I like the idea of BFF's brother as a romantic interest. The storyline was cute with the BFF's wedding as the backdrop. I wish I had more between the two main characters, though. I liked the dual POV.

3 stars

A Solstice Kiss by Olivia Dade

I adored this story. First, I liked that the FMC was older. I don't see a lot of the romance authors I love write stories of women in their 40s. Second, it was nice to watch the new relationship grow throughout the one evening. Third, I loved that the FMC was able to finally be comfortable enough with herself to let go of her past and who she thought she was to embrace who she could become.

4 stars

All Roads Lead Home by Joss Richard

Another second chance (kind of) romance. I love a coming home story. I love a coming home story where the person realizes they should have been home the whole time. This one was cute!

4 stars

Skipping Christmas by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Oh, this one was a little spicy, but not in a sex way. The FMC was definitely hot for the sexy guy in her building though and wanted to get down and dirty with him. Their meet cute connection was cute, as well. And I love that the FMC was unapologetically herself.

3.5 stars

Holiday Blackout by Susan Lee

This one was fun. I loved the idea of the close proximity during a blackout. Also I liked that it was dual POV. The characters had a history, which made their connection more believable. I would read more from this author for sure.

4 Stars

Hope This Helps by Sarah Hogle

So this one is a mother/teacher trope. Not sure it was so much of a romance as two people connecting over mutual understanding. I did like the banter for sure. Not sure a teacher would answer a parent as this one did but you never know.

4 stars

Is It New Year's Yet by Zakiya N. Jamal

There's something about people jumping from a kiss straight to sleeping with one another after not talking for a long time which doesn't sit great with me. I could not connect with the characters in this one, unfortunately. 

2.5 Stars

Authors:

Jessica Joyce lives happily-ever-ongoing with her husband and son in the Bay Area. When she’s not writing character-driven, realistic and relatable tales of millennials who are just Doing Their Best while falling in love, you can find her listening to one of her dozens of chaotically curated Spotify playlists, trying out a new skincare face mask, crying over cute animal TikToks, or watching the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice.

Alexis Daria is the international bestselling author of Along Came
Amor, You Had Me at Hola, Take the Lead, and other romance
novels. They have received starred reviews from multiple
publications and have appeared on “Best of” lists in numerous
trade publications.

Alexandria Bellefleur is a bestselling author of Truly, Madly,
Deeply; The Fiancée Farce; and other swoony contemporary
romances. Her debut novel, Written in the Stars, was a 2021
Lambda Literary Award winner and a 2020 winner of the Ripped
Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction.

Elise Bryant is the NAACP Image Award-nominated author of Happily Ever Afters, One True Loves, Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling, It’s Elementary, and The Game Is Afoot. For many years, Elise had the joy of working as a special education teacher, and now she spends her days reading, writing, and eating dessert. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Long Beach, California. You can visit her online at www.elisebryant.com. 

I write steamy queer romance and romantic comedies. My goal is to make you laugh and turn you on. Often at the same time.

I am a new adult romance author. A Midwest native transplanted to the desert, I like being outdoors (drinking on patios) and singing (in the shower) when I’m not writing books about hot guys and the girls who love them.

I’ve been a book lover for as long as I can remember. I looked forward to reading assignments and book reports, trips to the library, and even the hand-me-down books I would get from my older sister and cousins.

In college I majored in English and studied literature and technical writing. I wanted to be the next Judy Blume (as if there could ever be another Judy!) and thought I would write middle-grade or young adult.

I first started trying to write a book in 2011. I went through a few genres before I found what I liked best – romance!

It took a few years of picking it up and putting it down, but in 2016 I finally did it! I finished a book. And then another. And then a few more! I couldn’t (and didn’t want to) stop.

I love books and romance and sports, so being able to combine those things has been a dream come true!

Olivia Dade grew up an undeniable nerd, prone to ignoring the world around her as she read any book she could find. Her favorites, though, were always, always romances. As an adult, she earned an M.A. in American history and worked in a variety of jobs that required the donning of actual pants: Colonial Williamsburg interpreter, high school teacher, academic tutor, and (of course) librarian. Now, however, she has finally achieved her lifelong goal of wearing pajamas all day as a hermit-like writer and enthusiastic hag. She currently lives outside Stockholm with her delightful family and their ever-burgeoning collection of books.

With over 12+ years of experience, she has been formally recognized with a Daytime Emmy Award and has produced for on-air broadcast, digital, and social media at some of the most notable shows and networks (Hello Sunshine and Reese’s Book Club , The Walt Disney Company, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Netflix, Red Table Talk, Paramount, CBS, The Grammy Awards, The Critics Choice Awards, The Academy Awards) and has interviewed some of Hollywood’s biggest A-List celebrities (Jennifer Aniston, Christopher Plummer, Sandra Bullock, and more). She has worked on the social marketing strategy for several films and TV series, including The Morning Show, Daisy Jones and The Six, The Last Thing He Told Me, Tiny Beautiful Things, and more.

Her debut novel, IT’S DIFFERENT THIS TIME is an instant USA TODAY, Toronto Star, and Globe & Mail Bestseller. It was named one of Apple Books Best Debuts of 2025 and is shortlisted for Canada Reads. Her sophomore novel, LET’S KISS AND TELL is an instant USA TODAY, Toronto Star, and Globe & Mail Bestseller. It was named an Apple Books Staff Pick and an Amazon Editor’s Pick for August 2026.

She is originally from Toronto, ON and currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and rescue Pittie, Annie.

After years of meddling in her friends’ love lives, Rebekah Weatherspoon turned to writing romance to get her fix. Raised in Southern New Hampshire, Rebekah Weatherspoon now lives in Southern California where she will remain forever because she hates moving.

Her BDSM romance At Her Feet won the Golden Crown Literary Award for erotic lesbian fiction. Her novella FIT (#1 in the FIT Trilogy) won the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotica Novella, SATED (#3 in the FIT Trilogy) was nominated for the the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Digital Erotic Romance and most recently SOUL TO KEEP VSS#3 won the 2017 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ Erotica.

Her 2018 romantic comedy RAFE: A Buff Male Nanny received praise from both Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times. You can look for her most recent romantic comedy XENI : A Marriage of Inconvenience now, and a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, A COWBOY TO REMEMBER, late February 2020 from Kensington Books. In the meant time, you can find Rebekah and her books on twitter at @rdotspoon and her website www.rebekahweatherspoon.com

Susan Lee is the author of the critically acclaimed and reader favorite young adult romantic comedies SEOULMATES and THE NAME DROP. Her work has been featured in national outlets such as Buzzfeed, NPR, and Pop Sugar. Kirkus Reviews calls Susan’s voice “honest, fresh and thoughtful”. A graduate of UC San Diego, Susan built a career as an HR executive at some of today’s hottest companies, until she realized that writing stories was a more impactful and powerful form of change. Now she channels her energy into writing Happily Ever Afters for those historically underrepresented in Romance. When she is not writing (or painfully procrastinating from writing), Susan can be found down the rabbit holes of her many obsessions including listening to Kpop, binge watching K-dramas, collecting sneakers, building mechanical keyboards, and obsessing over her two adorable, but ill-behaved chihuahuas. 

Sarah Hogle is a mom of three who enjoys trashy TV and provoking her husband for attention. Her dream is to live in a falling-apart castle in a forest that is probably cursed. Her novels are You Deserve Each Other, Twice Shy, Just Like Magic, and Old Flames and New Fortunes.

Zakiya N. Jamal was born in Queens, raised on Long Island, and currently resides in Brooklyn. In other words, she’s a New Yorker through and through. She holds a BA in English from Georgetown University and a MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children and Young Adults from The New School. You can find her on social media at @ZakiyaNJamal.