Fake-dating at a family wedding, messy emotions, & a snow-dusted small town—this cozy holiday romance leans into all the feelings.
Confession time: Christmas romances are my comfort reads. I love the warm-and-cozy feeling of falling in love under twinkle lights, where every snowflake seems to come with a little hope. I treat myself to a few new holiday books every year, and when I can’t decide what to read next? I reach for a Christmas romance to reset my mood. And yes… I’m absolutely the girl celebrating “Christmas in July” with a holiday book in hand. If you want to join me in the festive vibes, you can find Snow Kissed on Amazon or support local bookstores on Bookshop.
Snow Kissed checks every box — sweet, heartfelt, and full of seasonal magic. I hope my spotlight and review give you a spark of holiday joy, no matter when you pick it up!
Title: Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne
Published: October 7, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 – Sweet, hopeful, and emotionally satisfying.
Steam Level: Low – tender kisses and plenty of warm-and-fuzzy moments.
Holiday Cheer Factor: High – twinkle lights, family gatherings, and all the cozy vibes.
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Book Description
Holly Goodwin Moore usually lives for the holidays. She loves the sparkle of lights, the scent of cookies in the oven, and the way fresh snow makes everything feel possible. But this year, her Christmas spirit is running on fumes. Her ex-husband’s family is throwing a big winter wedding, her daughter Lydia is over the moon about being the flower girl, and Holly is quietly dreading every single moment of showing up solo.
In a moment of panic, Holly blurts out a tiny lie—she tells her ex’s family she’ll be bringing a boyfriend as her plus-one. Now the wedding is almost here, and that imaginary boyfriend needs to become very real, very fast.
Ryan Caldwell has his own complicated reasons for landing in Shelter Springs right before Christmas. Instead of the carefree holiday he imagined, he finds himself caring for his young niece, Audrey, and confronting the emotional distance with his father who lives just down the road. The last thing he expects is to be drawn into small-town holiday chaos— or to meet someone like Holly.
When Holly and Ryan strike a deal—he’ll be her “date” for the upcoming wedding if she helps him give Audrey a true, memory-filled Christmas while her mom is away—what starts as a convenient arrangement begins to feel like something more. Amid twinkle lights, family drama, and second chances, both Holly and Ryan discover that the life they thought they were just pretending to have might be exactly what their hearts have been searching for.
My Review
Snow Kissed is the kind of holiday romance that quietly wraps itself around you like a favorite blanket. Holly is juggling single motherhood, complicated ex-in-law dynamics, and her own bruised pride, and I loved how grounded she felt on the page. She wants to protect Lydia’s joy, keep things civil with her ex’s family, and still hold on to some dignity for herself—no small task when you’ve invented a boyfriend who doesn’t exist.
Ryan is just as emotionally layered. He arrives in Shelter Springs carrying his own baggage, especially when it comes to family. His tender, sometimes awkward attempts to connect with his niece Audrey and give her a magical Christmas were some of my favorite moments in the book. Watching him slowly realize he’s craving roots, not escape, made his arc really satisfying.
“True love doesn’t come around often. If you’re lucky enough to find it, you grab hold and don’t let go. Otherwise, you blink, and life is gone.”
— RaeAnne Thayne, Snow Kissed
Together, Holly and Ryan have wonderful chemistry, but what really worked for me is how their relationship grows out of shared responsibility and genuine kindness. The fake-date setup at the wedding is fun, but the real magic happens in the small, quiet scenes—decorating, planning holiday surprises, and navigating those vulnerable conversations where you start to admit what you actually want from your life.
If you’re already falling for this story like I did, you can grab a copy on Amazon or support your local bookstore via Bookshop and enjoy the full journey.
The small-town setting adds extra charm, with just enough festive detail to feel cozy without overwhelming the emotional story. This isn’t just about romance; it’s also about found family, forgiveness, and the courage to imagine a future that looks different from the one you thought you’d have.
Favorite Quotes
“You can’t unscatter dandelion fluff. It’s done now.”
“Perfection wasn’t always what it was cracked up to be anyway.” –
“If I allowed my comfort level to dictate every decision in my life, I would never leave my house. I would be inside right now on my sofa, watching Hallmark movies and eating Christmas cookies.”
“We all have scars, don’t we? Some you can see, some you can’t… But the ones inside? Sometimes they’re the ones that shape you, whether you like it or not.”
“It’s not how fast you get there, it’s about how smoothly you make it to your destination.” – Location 1425
Why You’ll Love Snow Kissed
- Fake dating that grows into real, heartfelt connection
- A single mom doing her best to protect her daughter’s joy
- A quietly wounded hero learning how to belong
- Lots of snowy, small-town holiday atmosphere
- That warm, comfort-read feeling RaeAnne Thayne does so well
More Reads by RaeAnne Thayne
If you're in the mood for more heartfelt stories and small-town charm, here are some more RaeAnne Thayne books I've reviewed:
❄️ Seasonal & Holiday-Style Reads
📚 Other Favorites by RaeAnne
I’m always updating my RaeAnne Thayne reading list — check back for more cozy, heart-warming romances.
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including six RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and Career Achievement and Romance Pioneer awards from RT Book Reviews. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website.
Join the Conversation
Are you a Christmas romance reader year-round, or does the holiday mood strike only in winter? Have you read RaeAnne Thayne before? Tell me your favorites — I love discovering new heartwarming reads!
This post contains affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Forever Book Lover. When you purchase from Bookshop, you are supporting local, independent bookstores.
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