I really liked this writing duo's debut novel The Holiday Swap so I was looking forward to reading All I Want for Christmas. My expectations were probably too high because I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped.

This contemporary romance is based in the Nashville country music industry. Sadie and Max are contestants in a reality singing show, and when paired for the duet week competition, their onstage chemistry is off the charts. Which is unfortunate because in reality, they don't like each other. One (silly) failure to communicate after another (needlessly) complicates their professional partnership, and eventually their emerging romance.

I appreciated Max's not-typically-masculine hobby and pet and Sadie's relationship with her grandmother. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration by Sophie Amoss and Sean Patrick Hopkins enhanced the writing.

One of the things I enjoyed most about The Holiday Swap was the strong chemistry/no steam element of the romances. All I Want for Christmas has more steam than Swap but likely not enough for many, placing it in an awkward spot for the majority of romance readers.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the egalley. Here's hoping Maggie Knox's third book will be one I enjoy more.

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