So, This Is Christmas

Gr 8 Up–Finley is home for winter break from her boarding school in New England in her aptly named hometown, Christmas, Oklahoma. Being back home brings up sore memories, as Finley’s ex-boyfriend is now dating her friend, and Finley did not do as well as she should have during her first semester away. To top things off, a fellow classmate, Arthur Chakrabarti Watercress, arrives with his grandmother to see the local wonders all because Finley fibbed about some fantastical holiday attractions via the town’s actual lackluster website. Arthur threatens to reveal the charade to their classmates when they return if he does not get the Christmas he promised his grandmother. This romance follows the enemies-to-lovers trope as Arthur, while insufferable at first, begins to grow on Finley despite his blackmailing attempts as more drama and high jinks ensue over the winter holiday break. Readers who enjoy twists and turns before the ultimate happy ending will enjoy this one, which includes tantalizing characters back and plenty of drama, all set against a cozy holiday backdrop.