You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan: Book Review

You Make It Feel Like Christmas is the last release from Canadian author Sophie Sullivan. With an anticipated release date of September 23, 2025, it takes readers to a Christmas tree farm in Washington state. Maisie loves Christmas and all that it brings. This year, her family is gathering at a Christmas tree farm to enjoy the holidays. Nick is a man on the edge of many decisions, and wants some quiet time with his sister and nephew on her Christmas tree farm. The last thing either expected was to run into their one-night stand from over the summer. Will they reconnect and fall in love, or will they ruin the holidays for everyone?

I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of You Make It Feel Like Christmas. All opinions presented here are my own.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Maisie Smart has a don’t-look-back policy–not on the choice she made to be a photographer (despite her family’s wishes) and not on the one-night stand she had six months ago. Sleeping with someone she barely knew was out of character; sleeping with a professional hockey player who bolted the morning after is a whole new level of embarrassing. Getting invited to spend the week at Tickle Tree Farm with her family this Christmas is a sure way to fill her with holiday spirit. Until the universe throws a Grinch in her festive plans in the form of the one man she hoped to avoid.

Nick King is a mess. After a significant injury lands him on the bench for every game for the rest of the month, he has more time to dwell on the one-night stand he can’t get out of his head. With time on his hands, his anxiety hovering, and the holidays around the corner, he figures visiting his sister and nephew at their Christmas tree farm will be a good way to lie low and sort himself out. He’s in for a surprise when it turns out Maisie is staying at his sister’s, and his attraction for her hasn’t lessened one bit in the last six months. Apparently, neither has her anger at him for bailing. 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.

My Opinions

You Make It Feel Like Christmas is more than just a hockey romance. Sure, Nick is a hockey player, and he falls for Maisie. But there are discussions of mental health, self-worth, self-care, and family dynamics. All of which are great discussions to have in any book.

Another great thing about this book is that the intimate scenes aren’t detailed. There are times you know what Nick and Maisie are doing, but Sullivan doesn’t go into details. Instead, she focuses on the emotional side of the moment. You find yourself in the character’s mind, watching them fall more deeply in love with the other. Even the scenes in the bathroom are clean, and no, that’s not a pun!

While You Make It Feel Like Christmas is a companion to Can’t Help Falling in Love, you do not need to read the first to enjoy the second. The only way they are related is that there are a few characters that overlap. Maisie was a side character in Can’t Help Falling in Love, and now she’s the main. And in all actuality, Maisie has popped up in at least one other of Sullivan’s books. Trust me, I will be tracking that one down and probably loving it as much as I’ve loved all of her other books.

Overall, You Make It Feel Like Christmas will leave you cheering for true love and the magic of Christmas. If you enjoy reading books that feature great chemistry between characters, you will likely enjoy this book. Sullivan has a way of making you fall in love with her settings and her characters.

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