Review: All's Fair in Love and Christmas

All's Fair in Love and Christmas book cover on blue background

My first review on here! And it's for a recent ARC which fits into the summer Christmas theme.

I'd like to thank Bethany House and LibraryThing for providing a complimentary copy of All's Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Thoughts content is also posted on LibraryThing.

Book Synopsis

Two workplace rivals. One festive competition. And a romance that upends it all.

Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham--Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they'll win the new job. With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she'd be a contender in her company's holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher's life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year's promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew, he needs the salary increase to support his family. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she's his rival, he can't stop thinking about her. Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he's afraid that if he can't get his head on straight, the promotion isn't the only thing he'll end up losing to Mackenzie.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

Hands down, All's Fair in Love and Christmas has become one of my favourite Christmas books and is one I would return to again and again. Sarah Monzon captures the essence of Christmas beyond the usual activities of baked goods, hot chocolate, and snowmen building by bringing the concept of cherished holiday memories to life in such a special and poignant way. The real treat is the developing love story between Mackenzie and Jeremy as they discover love through better knowing and appreciating each other's unique complexities. Sarah's writing wondrously enables readers to fall in love alongside them simultaneously.

This book realistically and compassionately portrays Mackenzie's social anxieties, honouring the struggles that people may face on a daily basis and capturing how faith can break through fear. The supporting characters are exactly that—supportive—and bring such charm to the world of Limitless Designs. All's Fair in Love and Christmas was such a hope-filled and joyous Christmas read that my heart couldn't help but grow three sizes by the end of the book.

Book Summary

Format of book: 📱
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation: 👍

Comments

Diverse Stories

One of the things I've been challenging myself to do this year has been to read more Christian books written by authors from other countries. I love that the body of Christ spans the four corners of the world and that we get to benefit from hearing so many different perspectives. I've also appreciated getting to know some amazing authors and readers online from other nations and continents as it's enriched my understanding of how Christians experience life. It helps me realize that the views I take for granted may only be limited to where I am situated, geographically and culturally. I haven't read all of the authors below yet, but here are a few Christian fiction authors who write from outside of North America if you're interested in reading more: Africa Ann J. David Ivy Emerson Enewerome Anna Jensen Tope Omotosho Vida Li Sik Asia Joanna Alonzo Joy Crain Australasia Narelle Atkins Liz Chapman Amanda Deed Jenny Glazebrook Iola Goulton Jessica Kate Bessie Le Couteur ...

Review: The French Kitchen

A historical fiction with dual timelines on two continents regarding the Second World War and French cooking? If The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron doesn't make you hungry for fine dining by the end, the cover will surely inspire you to don an apron. What a dreamy cover! 😍🇫🇷 Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis As Paris rebuilds in the aftermath of World War II, Kat Fontaine never expected the skills she learned in a French chateau kitchen to be the key that unlocks the secrets swirling in her new post-war life. Paris, 1952—Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, ex-pat Kat Fontaine, now living in Paris, finds a simple cookery class led by indomitable chef Julia Child unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war. Determined to find her brother who went missing d...

Review: Uncluttered Faith

Whenever I see a new Joshua Becker book, I read it. Make that a Christian book and I'll read it even sooner. Uncluttered Faith is perhaps the clearest and most unapologetically Christian book I've seen on the topic on minimalism and it's where the author's pastoral heart shines through the most. This book releases in February 2026 and is one that connects an intentional life to Gospel teachings in a way that is inspiring and attainable for believers. Many thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : mentions of contemplative spirituality authors, brief mention of monks and nuns Book Synopsis A transformative guide to experiencing the fullness of God's promises through the power of minimalism—from the bestselling author of The More of Less and The Minimalist Home. Consumerism competes for our attention daily—from social media influenc...