Book Review: “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” by Ruby Winter

“The Twelve Dates of Christmas” by Ruby Winter (2026)

Genre: Romance, Fiction

Page Length: 384 pages

Synopsis:

When burnt-out New York journalist Evie McClane escapes to London for December, she’s determined to keep her heart and her expectations firmly guarded. Christmas is the last thing she wants to celebrate, especially after a breakup that’s left her cynical.

Then she meets Jake Frost: charming, teasingly confident, and dangerously good at getting under her skin. He makes her laugh. Looks far too good in a tailored coat. And is convinced he can change her mind about Christmas, one date at a time.

What begins as a chance encounter turns into a deal: twelve dates to prove that Christmas, and maybe love, are still worth believing in. Ice skating under fairy lights. Mulled wine in candlelit pubs. Late-night walks and lingering touches, each date tempting Evie to open up just a little more.

As the days tick by, the chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore. But with Christmas ending and an ocean between their lives, Evie must decide whether this was just a holiday fling… or something worth risking her heart for.

Review:

This is my first experience with an advent calendar read and it was so much fun. I love the concept of unwrapping a new chapter every day. I read this book in the mornings before work so it was a nice surprise to eagerly await what would happen next. It added to the overall reading experience more immersive by allowing the reader to get wrapped up in the story at a slower pace. The advent reading style also allows you to savor the story rather than binge reading it.

The Twelve Dates of Winter reads as a Hallmark style Christmas romance with a lot more spice. Winter does a great job of creating a slow burn romance that builds up to some steamy and swoon worthy romance. Even though the meet cute happens fast, the short time Evie and Jake in which their romance blooms feels genuine. They get to spend a lot of time together (because of the holidays) on and off the page which leaves them to form a genuine connection with each other.

The setting of London at Christmastime felt magical! Winter’s descriptive writing helps the reader to feel as if they’re there themselves. It was also interesting to see how some holiday traditions differ from across the pond. The novel paints a picturesque holiday season featuring glowing light displays, historic markets, ice rinks, and more. And I liked that Jake pushes Evie to try new things to see that she can curate her own “Christmas” rather than relying on what everyone else does.

Besides the festiveness of the novel, the core of the story is about choosing yourself and cultivating your own happiness in life. It reminds that in the hustle and bustle of daily life, that sometimes we need to slow down and enjoy the small moments. For those looking for a holiday romance to add to your TBR, I recommend this holly jolly read!

Final Verdict: