The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison: Book Review

The Christmas Competition is Zoe Allison’s latest release. Released on October 20, 2026, it takes readers to a small town in Scotland during the holiday season. Nisa has always felt like she’s too much for others, including her husband, who recently left her. Kerr has always felt like he’s not enough for others, including his girlfriend, who recently left him. Trying to change their ways, each decides to enter the town’s decorating contest. Along the way, these neighbors are bound to get into some mischief.

I want to thank Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Christmas Competition. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.

Synopsis from Goodreads

The local rumor mill in Nisa Ansari’s small highland town is swirling about the downfall of her marriage, and in desperate need of a distraction, she enters her town’s Christmas house-decorating competition. The competition comes with the added bonus of getting on neighbor Kerr Murdoch’s last nerve. It’s the least she could do, considering her ex-husband left Nisa for Kerr’s girlfriend. And maybe if Kerr smiled or cracked a joke—just once!—his girlfriend would’ve stayed, and Nisa wouldn’t find herself alone during the holidays.

Introverted Kerr has trouble feeling comfortable around people he doesn’t know well. Newly single, he decorates his house in remembrance of his mother, who always had a soft spot for Christmas lights. But when Nisa’s and Kerr’s decorations end up nearly identical, he incurs Nisa’s wrath.

This means all-out war, complete with gaudy wreaths, twinkle lights, and too many reindeer to count. Never mind that Nisa can’t keep her eyes off Kerr’s toned forearms. Or ignore that he’s a pet-loving veterinarian with a heart of gold. After conceding to her husband’s wishes for years, Nisa is determined to get her way. But as Christmas draws near, Nisa must decide what she actually the familiar rivalry she’s had for years with Kerr, or opening herself up to the chance to fall in love with someone new.

My Opinions

I added The Christmas Competition to my TBR when I first learned about it, because it sounded like a fun holiday rom-com. Guess what? It is a fun holiday rom-com. Honestly, I would love to see a Hallmark movie based on this story. It would be such fun.

Nisa reminds me of myself in some ways. How so? Over the years, I’ve felt like I had to tamp down my excitement and enthusiasm for life. That’s not to say I restrained myself when I was younger, but I have found myself toning myself down in recent years. Like her, I’ve even apologized when I get loud. Like her, I’m fortunate to have found someone who encourages me to be me, and not tone myself down to make others happy. Shouldn’t we all have someone like that in our lives?

My heart broke for Kerr as I learned more of his story. He holds people at arm’s length and struggles to let people in because of his childhood. Which I totally understand, and I’m glad he finally found someone to show him that not everyone leaves.

Now to the part I disliked about the book-Drew! Yes, I understand we are supposed to dislike him. And that if it weren’t for him being the way he is, we wouldn’t have a story. But wow! He is quite something. Sadly, I think we all know someone like him.

While there are some intimate scenes a few pages long, they aren’t overly descriptive and focus mostly on the characters’ thoughts and feelings. The author openly admits that there are some “choice words,” as her Nan would say. But even her Nan has read the book, so it must be a good one, right?

Overall, The Christmas Competition is a fun holiday rom-com that I think many readers would enjoy.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.