Book Review: ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas: A Novel’ By Jenny Bayliss

by | Sep 4, 2025 | Books | 0 comments


The book is in stores on Tuesday, September 23rd from Putnam. Click on the link to buy a copy. https://amzn.to/4ng1GU9

Fred Hallow-Hart has moved back home, to Pine Bluff, with her mother and aunts after breaking up with Tim and losing her job. On her first night in town, she runs into her former best friend, Ryan. They quickly catch up and are on their way. Fred’s mom tells her she can work for the family business at her cracker shop, with she will think about. At the Christmas market, she runs into a hot guy, Warren, who is a journalist writing about the event. They hit it off and start dating, making Ryan jealous, he has a thing for Fred but hasn’t told her. She and Warren decide to end things since he has to go back to London, and his article about the restaurants and town is soon published, and it is a horrible article trashing everything, and Fred bears the brunt of the anger. Fred and Ryan had started dating and getting close, and now this article could affect this blossoming new relationship. This is a fun rom-com, that, at its core, is about family and starting over, not just for Fred, but for her mother as well. It’s refreshing and fun to watch the changes they go through. A good start to your Christmas holiday reading season.