Book Review: The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson

 

If you enjoy heartwarming holiday romances, then The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson must be on your reading list this season. 

Chloe Hollis has always been a people pleaser. But no more! Having left her job, she is making her way back home to West Virginia with a plan to collect ten nos from strangers by asking them to do ridiculous things. 

Her plan is easy until she meets James Stone. This charming guy says yes to every silly thing she asks, and Chloe can't figure out why. Little does she know, James has a reason for saying yes. As their worlds collide, Chloe finds it harder to protect her heart, leaving her wondering if rejection really isn't the biggest risk after all... but saying yes to something real. 

Melissa Ferguson is a new author to me, and after The Christmas Yes List, she needs to be added to my favorite romance authors list. This story of two people from different worlds meeting on a plane as they are unknowingly traveling to the same place is brilliant, funny, and romantic. Chloe is beside herself as James agrees to the zaniest ideas she comes up with. She figures she is safe because she won't see him again, but then she learns James is going to the same small town she is. Yikes! And the more they get to know each other, the harder it is for Chloe to keep James out of her head and her heart. It won't be a smooth ride for them, but you are rooting for them to end up with a happily ever after.

This is such a sweet story, and I loved it so much that I wish I could go back and read it all over again. Luckily, it will premiere on Great American Christmas this season as a movie starring Danica McKellar and Sam Page. Read it before the movie comes out! The Christmas Yes List is destined to be a Christmas romance classic.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GRGKTWM9
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas Nelson
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 6, 2026
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1400356720

I downloaded this book on NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, and I was not compensated in any way.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Aug 31

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and are about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. 

Welcome to the last Monday and the last day of August. How quickly that happened. Hope you had a nice week. I worked and worked and then worked some more. No day off for me, but I'm looking forward to a day or two off this coming weekend. I did, however, get to spend some time in the kitchen.

Cookies!

Green beans and potatoes like my MIL 

used to make

Chicken cacciatore, which my MIL

 enjoyed cooking

Today is filled with medical appointments and work appointments. Would appreciate your prayers, as I have a suspicion based on recent bloodwork that I won't like what the doctor has to say. Hopefully, I am wrong. 

In my blogging and reading world, I still need to write my review of The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller. Amazing book! 

I didn't read The Eyes of River last week. 

Almost done with Staged by Caitlin Rother. 

Loving Massawa by Pam Webber. 

I still need to write a review of Food is Medicine by Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DRPH.

I am reading:

• A Christmas Carol Devotional: 25 Advent Reflections from Charles Dickens's Beloved Classic by Rachel Dodge
• The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson
• Beginner's Guide to Using an AI Assistant by Hank Quense

Upcoming Events

• Evan's Stormy Voyage by Karen Charles - Sep 24 (Review at TC&TBC)
• She Forgot She Was Free by Giselle Mascarenhas - Oct 14 (Review)

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

I am still pretending I have self-control by not ordering or buying anything new. Of course, I haven't done much other than work, so that has helped. 

Christmas Year Round

Journey through Christmases Past explores what might be the last analog Christmas in 1994. I will let you decide if that's true. You can read my post here. 

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

New feature alert! What Do You Think? will be reaching out to readers to ask their opinions on things. It might be very quiet, but we will see how it goes. Talking about author newsletters this week. Check it out here.

Laura's Little Houses

Nothing new this week, but ideas are always brewing. Season 2 of the new Little House on the Prairie is in production. I always have a hard time investing in a Netflix series because they cancel them so easily. I hope this series gets a longer run. 

That's it from me. I look forward to visiting you later today. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Aug 24

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and are about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. 

Welcome back! Hope you had a great week. We are creeping closer to the end of August, and I am ready! Not that I have time for it, but I really want to decorate for fall. I actually listened to Christmas music last week. I bought some new flour to try out different recipes, and this weekend, I made a bunch of chicken broth and banana bread. 

Shifting to reading...

Hope to write my review of The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller this week. 

I didn't read The Eyes of River last week. 

Dived into Staged by Caitlin Rother. 

Loving Massawa by Pam Webber. 

I need to write a review of Food is Medicine by Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DRPH.

Also need to read:

• A Christmas Carol Devotional: 25 Advent Reflections from Charles Dickens's Beloved Classic by Rachel Dodge
• The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson
• Beginner's Guide to Using an AI Assistant by Hank Quense

I have 45 days on this devotional. 

I only have 14 days left on this one. Yikes!

Upcoming Events

• Evan's Stormy Voyage by Karen Charles - Sep 24 (Review at TC&TBC)
• She Forgot She Was Free by Giselle Mascarenhas - Oct 14 (Review)

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

Nothing new this week. I am pretending to behave. 

Christmas Year Round

Journey through Christmases Past explores Christmas 1954. You can read that here.

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

Nothing new, but I will post something soon. 

Laura's Little Houses

Sharing my thoughts on the Netflix adaptation of Little House on the Prairie today at Laura's Little Houses. Check that out here. 

Photos for a new listing, therapy, and a final walk-through today. I will check in as I can. 

First Chapter Review & Giveaway: Dashing Through the Snow by Cindy Goyette

Today's First Chapter Review comes to you from Partners in Crime Tours, who is hosting Cindy Goyette and Dashing Through the Snow, the second book in her Wiggle Butt Manor mystery series.

BLURB: Murder is under the mistletoe in the peaceful island community of Orca Cove. Holiday plans are put on hold to give attention to the grand opening of the Wiggle Butt Manor Agility Course. Special guest Bentley is supposed to dazzle on the stage, but the locals have had enough of his snooty trainer, Miles Collins. So has his killer. When Charlie Calderbank finds Miles’ body in the back of her moving van, it becomes the season of giving…alibis, that is. Her hopes for a Christmas romance are dashed when the local hot cop is forced to pay more attention to the clues leading to her door than the chemistry that simmers between them.

Tainted treats, a widow who raises a toast along with a few eyebrows, a groomer with a grudge, an angry Santa Claus, a nosy reporter, and a canine custody hearing have Charlie spinning in every direction, juggling clues, dogs, and blizzards. She must identify the killer, or she’ll spend her Christmas behind bars.

COVER: Such a cute cover with the two dogs and the winter scene with the small town covered in snow.

FIRST CHAPTER: It is the opening day of the Wiggle Butt Manor Agility Course and festival featuring all kinds of fun things. Charlie is glad to be back in Orca Cove for good, but she needs to find a place to live, and there is that odd maybe yes, maybe no thing going on with Nick. When Bentley and his annoying owner arrive, there is sure to be trouble. 

KEEP READING: That is affirmative! What a cute story. I'm not always drawn to mysteries featuring animals. Here, they blend right into the storyline nicely. Told from Charlie's first-person point of view, you get a glimpse into what she is dealing with and a hint of romance with Nick. It is plain to see that Bentley's owner is going to stir things up. I look forward to reading more. 

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0H5Z83ZT5
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 16, 2026
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8898202675

I received a digital copy from the author through Partners in Crime Tours. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule 

 

Mistletoe & Mayhem: Christmas in July Giveaway:

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Cindy Goyette. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

DASHING THROUGH THE SHOW by Cindy Goyette | Gift Cards

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

Book Review: I Heard the Bells by Darlene L. Turner et al.

 

I Heard the Bells by Darlene L. Turner et al. is a seasonal romance collection you'll enjoy no matter what you're looking for. With its theme of peace, love, and joy, within this anthology's pages, you'll find distinct voices and diverse genres, woven together by a meaningful holiday, faith, and the use of the title within the stories. Oh, and there are red trucks, too. Whether you enjoy murder mysteries, suspense, second chances, or dual timelines, you will want to spend time with these characters.

These authors have set these stories in Canada, and they paint pictures for us that are just as stunning as the cover art. Yukon for a wedding mystery, Ontario for a second chance at love, skiing in the Rockies, and a tiny town in Nova Scotia for a Christmas play. 

Sweet, faith-based romances set during the Christmas season is what I Heard the Bells is all about. The stories and settings will captivate you, and you will be just as delighted as these characters with the happy endings. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fab Four Press
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 28, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 415 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1069326941
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1069326942

I received a digital copy of this novella anthology from the authors. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? & Mailbox Monday - Jan 26

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Happy snowy Monday--at least for us anyway. Mother Nature dumped between 17 and 20 inches on us yesterday. It's snowing again. We are expecting a couple more inches or so before it ends tonight. I rescheduled my appointments for today, so I have been working from home the last two days. Here are a few photos from this weekend:

Snowfall last night at about 7 pm

Chili and cornbread for supper

Added some Valentine's Day cheer

to the mantle

I continued reading the Christian short story collection Chapters and Second Chances by Evelyn Grace Berry this week. 

I did not read I Heard the Bells. Though I wanted to finish it this month, it will likely be February before it is done. 

I read some of Hooked by Cailtin Rother last week. I need to finish this one soon.  

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

A Saltwater Christmas by Laurie Beach is a newsletter freebie.

Marianne: A Sense and Sensibility Sequel by Alice McVeigh is a Booktrovert selection. 

Upcoming Events

Hooked by Catilin Rother - January (Review)

Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality by John Beilharz - Jan 26 (Interview)

Artsy Rambler by Evy and Rich Journey - Feb 3 (Spotlight)

Evan's Gift by Karen Charles - Feb 6 (Review at TC&TBC)

Winter's Season by R. J. Koreto - Feb 13 (Spotlight)

I Heard the Bells by Darlene L. Turner et al - February (Review)

Chapters and Second Chances by Evelyn Grace Berry - February (Review)

Hook, Line, and Murder by GG Calpo - Mar 2 (Interview)

Agatha Christie, She Watched by Teresa Peschel - Apr 15 (Review)

Christmas Year Round

Christmas Year Round's latest "Journey through Christmases Past" discusses the influence of World War II on Christmas decor. You can find it here. 

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

I shared my 2026 writing goals and my holistic approach. You can find that here. It is similar to this Tuesday's post on this blog. 

Laura's Little Houses

I am looking for feedback on what readers of Laura's Little Houses would like to see. You can read and comment here.

Hope you have a great week!