The Twelve Dates of Christmas

I do not give 5 stars to light, fun romance and/or Christmas books, but I am changing the rules for this scrumptious holiday read because it transported me! I read it because of the new Hallmark series which is very Bridget Jonesish - and it changes some things from the book, including Kate's character, but it's still amazingly fun! Anyway, back to this book! The setting of the small English village reminded me of the Cotswolds in England. The storyline is adorable - who doesn't want to hear how 12 Christmas-themed dates will go in cozy, festive England? Jenny Bayliss's descriptions of the town, the Christmas decor, the snow, her artwork, baking delights, and the Christmas market, and honestly every encounter puts you right there without too much boring descriptions (I hate that)! I read this and listened to it on Spotify. I have been re-listening to it in my car because it is that festive! And the British narrator is delightful!! We read Christmas novels to get submerged into a Christmasy world and Jenny Bayliss delivers! So excited to read her other books!

When I sat down to read this book, I wanted a light, cozy, fun Christmas read. This book definitely delivered on that. Set in a small town in England during Christmas, this story is perfect for a cozy Winter read. Kate Turner had yet to find her Mr. Right, so her best friend convinces her to sign up for a dating service's "Twelve Dates of Christmas" event, which will send her on twelve dates with different men. Her childhood friend Matt, owner of the town's cafe, thinks these dates are risky, but Kate is open to having fun and possibly meeting someone she would want to pursue a relationship with. The story follows Kate on these dates, some disastrous and some promising, while also exploring her friendship with Matt. Honestly, the plot line is pretty predictable. I knew from the beginning who Kate would end up with. This did not, however, ruin my enjoyment of the story. The dates are often funny, even though sometimes complete failures. The characters are entertaining, especially Kate's married best friend. The town is charming with lovable residents. It is just plain fun to read. I do not love the ending. I feel that much of the story is well-developed, but the ending feels rushed. It ends the way I predicted it would, but it would not have bothered me so much if the resolution had been given enough time feel complete. That being said, I still ended the book feeling happy that I read it. I would recommend this book to readers looking for a cozy and fun Christmas read with small town vibes. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me.

The Twelve Dates of Christmas is a delightful holiday read that perfectly blends humor, romance, and Christmas spirit. Kate’s misadventures on her twelve dates are equal parts cringe-worthy and hilarious, and I couldn’t help but root for her as she navigated the ups and downs of finding love in her quaint English town. What made this story stand out for me was the second-chance romance element. The chemistry between Kate and Matt was heartwarming, and I loved how their friendship slowly transformed into something more. It’s a sweet reminder that sometimes love has been right in front of you all along. With a festive setting, laugh-out-loud moments, and a cozy vibe, this book is a perfect pick for the holiday season. Fans of romantic comedies with a touch of Christmas magic won’t want to miss it!

This is easily one of my favorite books to read/ listen to each christmas season. The characters you meet with the 12 dates will keep you laughing and wanting to relive those experiences with her. I recommend you get cozy and enjoy this book with a hot cocoa and have a good read this winter

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss is a sweet holiday romcom about a woman done with casual flings and ready for either a serious relationship or to say she gave it a serious go and move on with her life. Kate Turner longs for what her two best friends have: a steady, reliable plus one and to start her own family. At this point in her life, she’s willing to go the family route alone if need be as there hasn’t been a guy to really catch her eye. At the urging of her friend, she reluctantly joins a twelve dates of Christmas event through a local online dating service. Thus ensues a story full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and hilarious blind dates that leaves Kate what-if-ing her own life choices. I really enjoyed this book! It’s a cute story from start to finish, light-hearted and humorous at just the right spots while also hitting on some tough, emotional subjects. Kate is an easy character to empathize with and cheer on as she encounters each of her twelve dates. The cast of characters that support Kate and the main story is wonderful. I love her dad, Lauren, and Matt. They complement Kate and bring out sides that we wouldn’t see with just the dates. I also enjoyed the unique setup of the book. Each chapter is set around one of her twelve dates and focuses on the events leading up to and immediately after them. This gives us a chance to get to know Kate more than just surface level. My only gripe, and it’s a small one, is that I knew from the first few pages who Kate would wind up with. It’s fairly obvious even if Kate herself is oblivious to it. While it didn’t bother me to have figured it out so early on in the book, it did make for a less exciting read. I found myself frustrated with Kate and the love interest early on at how they avoided the elephant in the room while the entire town seemed to be routing them on in the background. Overall, The Twelve Dates of Christmas is exactly what you’d expect from any holiday romcom: sweet, cute, and an HEA. The setting of a small English village and the cast of characters really held my interest in Kate’s story. I did pick up the audiobook about a third of the way into the book, and I’m glad I did. Elizabeth Knowelden narrates, and I loved her tone and inflections for each character. It was easy to keep them straight and know who was talking without having to go back. If you enjoy romance, I highly recommend it.

All of the great holiday feels and beautiful descriptions that draw you into a magical Christmas town...and funny too! Loved it!

Sweet and heartfelt 💕 A perfect holiday read for lovers of romance 💘 Cute love story ❤️ Looking forward to reading more from Jenn Bayliss

"Well, well, well," said Matt. "The Twelve Shags of Christmas, eh!" 5 stars I had been on a reading hiatus for a few months during quite a busy period of my life (I had begun working full-time + loads of overtime, then completed a massive house renovation, and in the middle of all that, I got married to the love of my life) so what I really needed to get my reading mojo back, was an easy, cheesy, Christmas romance novel. I'm glad to say that The Twelve Dates of Christmas really fit the bill for this one. "Kate was not the kind of woman who needed a man. But equally, she thought she might quite like one." Kate is an artistic, talented, and independent, mid-thirties woman. She has travelled the world, built up her career, and self-professed she "just hasn't found the right one yet". After a push from her friend Laura, Kate is signed up for The Twelve Dates of Christmas, a holiday-themed dating event, where lucky hopefuls get to go on 12 unique dates with other lucky hopefuls. Kate's dates make for fun, light-hearted reading, and she does eventually realise where her heart truly lies. This novel is cozy, fun, and full of holiday spirit. Christmas tinsel and jingle bells jumped out of the pages, and holly jolly cheer was around every corner in Blexford Village. It was the perfect little holiday read for me at this time of year. "All was silent but for the sound of the lovers breathing and the beating of their two hearts made whole."

This book was absolutely delightful! From start to finish I was completely enchanted. Kate is an artist and I enjoyed how it was woven throughout the book. I adored the small tight-knit community she lives in, her relationship with her father, her whacky mother, her best friends and the entire concept of a dating agency that organises 12 dates over December for the participants of the "12 Dates of Christmas". Each date was different, each man was different, and I was in stitches of laughter as Kate wove her way through the various shenanigans. I wasn't remotely surprised with who Kate was with at the end (it's obvious) but for a good chunk of the book, I could not see the path to getting there and that journey - along with the dating antics - kept me engrossed. It's a warm, cozy, and funny read that is packed full of Christmas magic. I definitely want to re-read this next Christmas... Or maybe whenever I need a little pick-me-up.

I couldn’t stop laughing the whole time. It’s so sweet and fun. It’s an easy, don’t wanna put it down read. I can’t wait to read another one of Jenny Bayliss’ books. Highly recommend this book!!!

Amazing romantic book !