Quick Synopsis

A new holiday enemies-to-lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn.

Publisher’s Synopsis

Every Kringle in Kringletown celebrated Christmas a lot.

But Cole Black on Whistler Lane, unfortunately, did not.

As his fellow citizens decorate their quaint town, brimming with carols and glad tidings, Cole wants nothing more than to hibernate the winter away. But his dreary plans are thwarted when his Christmas nemesis, Storee Taylor, moves in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Immediately, the new neighbor turns his life into a real nightmare before Christmas, especially when she decides to enter the town Christmas Kringle contest in honor of Cindy. And better yet, Storee is determined to win.

Over Cole’s dead body, she will. With help from his friend Max, Cole decides to enter the competition as well, to beat Storee at her own game by pretending that this hometown grump’s heart has grown three sizes this season and he’s fallen for the girl next door. And unfortunately for Storee, she has to follow his lead to have a chance at the Christmas Kringle title.

But the competition isn’t the only thing that heats up. Cole and Storee’s fake relationship becomes very real, and before they know it, they’re attempting to hide it from Aunt Cindy. Things get complicated, the competition gets tough, and all it takes is one single night for someone to steal it all…

Book Review

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas is a holiday rom-com in the spirit of The Grinch. Cole hates Christmas despite living in a small town that is rather Christmas-obsessed. But when his childhood friend-turned nemesis moves in next door and decides to compete in the town Christmas contest, Cole will not stand for it… and finds himself entering the contest.

I personally really enjoyed this book, especially after having read The Christmas Wager a few weeks before. (The Christmas Wager also has a town Christmas-themed competition.) How My Neighbor Stole Christmas is an easy-to-read holiday tale with some spice (including among reindeer and with a candy cane). I loved the novel’s familial and holiday themes. The town is a supporting and loving community that is somehow gimmick-free in its celebration of Christmas.

But I recognize that this book will not be for everyone. Let me explain. Meghan Quinn’s holiday novels can be a bit cheesy at times à la Hallmark Christmas movies. In How My Neighbor Stole Christmas, Quinn adds to this a bit by carrying a poem (like The Night Before Christmas) through the entire book. Personally, I was impressed with both the commitment and the execution. However, some readers found it to be too much and then cringey when the steam heats up. I also read a number of reviews that complained that the Kringle contest went on far too long. Meanwhile, I thought it was silly and embraced the holiday. There are too many books out there call themselves holiday novels that are set at Christmas but could be set at any time without changing anything. If you take yourself and your books pretty seriously, you may not be down to take part in what I thought was a fun novel that took on some holiday classics.

While I did think the conflict between the two protagonists was a little trumped up and based on something small, isn’t it always? So many rom-coms rely upon a miscommunication. While it is my least favorite trope, at least in this case, it happened when they were confused teenagers. I found that the fake dating brought the situation resolution without being particularly awkward or forced.

Overall, How My Neighbor Stole Christmas is a fun holiday rom-com that does not take itself too seriously. If you are looking for a novel that delivers both the holiday spirit and the spice, I definitely recommend it.

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