Book Review: Christmas With a Crank by Courtney Walsh

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Christmas Romance
Length: 366 pages
Author: Courtney Walsh
Publisher: Sweethaven Press
Release Date: November 3rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A second chance with your first crush.

Doesn’t happen often.
For Liam Fisher, that first crush was his next door neighbor, Olive Witherby.
Childhood was lazy summers, treehouse stargazing, and endless games of hide and seek at Pine Creek, the Christmas tree farm that’s been in Liam’s family for generations.

When Liam moves away, he and Olive say goodbye the only way they know how—with a fumbling first kiss neither of them will ever forget.

Even though twelve-year olds’ promises of keeping in touch feel eternal, time and distance eventually make Olive and Liam practically strangers.

Twenty years later, Liam’s parents announce they’re retiring and selling the tree farm.
Twenty years later, Pine Creek is the last place grown-up Liam wants to be. Inherit this legacy? Not on your life.
And twenty years later, grown-up Olive is stuck.

Her work life is a lot like her love life—floundering. After a humiliating business failure, loads of debt, and one too many laughable first dates, she’s in no hurry to put herself out there again, in business or in romance.

When Olive is hired by Liam’s parents to rekindle the lost magic of the farm one final time before it’s sold, she sets out to make this the last, best Pine Creek Christmas, for the town and for a very cranky, not-so-talkative, surprisingly attractive Liam.

Part of her mission? Convince the crank to fall in love with Christmas.
The other part? Not fall head over heels in the process.

Christmas With a Crank is a grumpy/sunshine, childhood crush, opposites attract romance with plenty of sizzle but none of the steam.

IT WAS CUTE.

I love a good grump who’s actually grump and Liam delivered. Olive was the perfect counterpart in her cheery and optimistic ways, but also exhibited a lot of amazing self growth and discovery about herself and the way she wants to do life.

The Christmas tree farm was a great addition. I liked all of the cute moments and heated kisses. It’s definitely on the light side if you’re looking for something in that range right now. The plot doesn’t have a lot going for it but it is an enjoyable read for the season.

Overall audience notes: