I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A photographer finds herself stuck on a Christmas tree farm during the holidays with the hockey player she spent one night with long ago in author Sophie Sullivan’s “You Make It Feel Like Christmas.”
The Synopsis
All bets are off when a single-minded photographer and a professional hockey player are forced to spend a week together on his sister’s Christmas tree farm, perfect for fans of Jenny Holiday and Maggie Knox.

Maisie Smart doesn’t look back. Not on the choice she made to be a photographer, and not on the one-night stand she had six months ago. But sleeping with a professional hockey player who bolted the morning after is a whole new level of embarrassing. Now she’s about to spend the week at Tickle Tree Farms with her family this Christmas—and then the universe throws a Grinch in her festive plans.
Nick King is a mess. After a significant injury benches him, he has more time to dwell on his anxieties and the one-night stand he can’t get out of his head. With the holidays around the corner, he figures visiting his sister and nephew at their Christmas tree farm will be a good way to sort himself out. That’s impossible when he learns Maisie is there, still beautiful and justifiably angry about the way he left. But Christmas is the time for second chances, and the forced proximity may help Nick and Maisie unwrap feelings neither of them can walk away from twice.
The Review
This was a heartfelt, thoughtful, and engaging read. The festive setting is perfect for readers looking to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit, with the imagery of this small town and Christmas tree farm truly coming to life on the page. The narrative moves along quite nicely, delving into both the romance and the holiday themes without one sacrificing itself for the other.
Yet it was the strong themes of the story itself and the dynamic between the characters that made this story shine. The exploration of romance tropes like forced proximity showcased the author’s expertise in finding this book’s audience, while the deeper themes of the book, such as the impact of anxiety, finding one’s purpose or identity, and the struggle of duty versus self-fulfillment, were all felt in both Maisie and Nick’s stories perfectly. The heat these two share, along with the romantic and heated tension that arises throughout the book, will keep readers invested as the story progresses.
The Verdict
Thrilling, passionate, and entertaining, author Sophie Sullivan’s “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” is a must-read holiday romance novel. The twists and turns in these characters’ arcs, the balance of heat and festive tones throughout the narrative, and the deeper themes the authors explore will keep readers eager for more with these characters and this author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author

SOPHIE SULLIVAN is a Canadian author as well as a cookie-eating, Diet Pepsi-drinking, Disney enthusiast who loves reading and writing romance in almost equal measure. She writes around her day job as a teacher and spends her spare time with her sweet family watching reruns of Friends. TEN RULES FOR FAKING IT, her debut romcom, won the Canadian Book Club Award for best romance. She has plenty of practice writing happily ever after as her alter ego, Jody Holford.





