Susan Mallery always tells a beautifully sweet contemporary romance story and this for sure hit that mark.  It was a very entertaining read! ~ Under the Covers

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Ever noticed how tiny towns and A-list movie stars make both the best and worst romance setups? That tension had me hooked from the start of Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery. From a bridal boutique owner with big plans to a celebrity brooding over love in the snow-covered town of Fool’s Gold, this one promised “ordinary meets extraordinary” and mostly delivered.

What is Marry Me at Christmas about?

Madeline Krug runs the bridal boutique in Fool’s Gold and thought she had her future mapped out, until movie star Jonny Blaze arrives, stumbling into town and needing help planning his sister’s Christmas wedding. Sparks fly as she tries to keep it professional, while he finds “normal” much harder than expected. It’s full of holiday charm.

Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery Book Review

Madeline is a partner at the local bridal gown shop in Fool’s Gold.  She’s working hard for everything she has and following along with her plans.  Her plans did not involve being a wedding planner, much less working for (or better with) her celebrity crush, Jonny Blaze.  He’s recently moved to the outside of town and he’s a bit lost trying to plan his sister’s Christmas wedding all alone, so the Mayor enlists Madeline’s help.

Their chemistry was almost instant and the development of that was gradually slow.  First as a working relationship that quickly became more of a friendship that then worked it way to more.  I love stories about celebrities falling in love with regular every day people.  The setup of Madeline and Jonny’s relationship was cute and even believable.

I had a harder time with how rushed the ending was in regards to the timeline and how fast we got to the I love yous.  I would’ve preferred an ending where they were dating and see them get to that point at a later book in the series.  But other than that this book was everything I was looking for in a cute holiday read.

If you are looking for steam, then you may as well just keep on walking.  The chemistry is there but although there was a reference to sex, it is a fade-to-black kind of book. I don’t remember if that was the case with the previous books I’ve read in the series or if it’s just this particular one, so I figured I would point that out.

Susan Mallery always tells a beautifully sweet contemporary romance story and this for sure hit that mark.  It was a very entertaining read!

Hallmark Movie Adaptation

Did you know Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery was adapted into a Hallmark Channel movie of the same name? Released in 2017, it brings Madeline and Jonny’s snowy Fool’s Gold romance to life with all the cozy charm you’d expect from a Hallmark holiday film. And honestly? I actually enjoyed the movie even more. The pacing worked better, the chemistry was natural, and the ending didn’t feel as rushed as it did in the book. It even made my list of the Top 12 Best Christmas Romance Movies of the Last Decade so if you’re in a holiday rom-com mood, this one’s worth the watch.

About the Fool’s Gold series by Susan Mallery

Set in the charming fictional town of Fool’s Gold, this long-running series by Susan Mallery delivers a steady stream of heartfelt, small-town romances. With each book spotlighting different locals or newcomers. Often quirky, warm, and always community-focused, the series mixes slow-burn relationships, light humor, and plenty of “found family” vibes. Book 19, Marry Me at Christmas, brings in a celebrity outsider and blends holiday cheer with hometown heart.

Wrapping Up

If you’re in the mood for something light, sweet, and set in snowy Fool’s Gold, Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery hits exactly that note. It may not linger long after the final page (yes, the ending gets a bit rushed), but it’s the type of warm-and-fuzzy holiday read that leaves you smiling. So grab it with a cup of cocoa and see if Madeline + Jonny steal your heart too. Did it steal mine? Pretty much-though I’m still pondering how they’ll cope after “I love you.”

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