Book Review: Confessions of a Christmasholic by Joss Wood
The festive, funny, slightly chaotic holiday romcom that doubled as my brain’s much-needed palate cleanser.
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars
Spice Level: 2.5/5 chili peppers (light, brief, but explicit when it appears)
Tropes: Single dad, grumpy/sunshine (but reversed!), holiday hijinks, forced proximity, small-town charm
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You know how sometimes you finish a dark, twisty romantasy and your brain is like, “Absolutely not another morally gray man today, thank you very much”? That was me last week. I needed something bright. Something soft. Something that didn’t involve curses, political coups, or someone plotting to overthrow a kingdom.
Confessions of a Christmasholic by Joss Wood isn’t a brand-new release, but for whatever reason, it practically waved at me from my TBR stack like, “Hey girl, come get some serotonin.” It delivered exactly what I needed, a quick, humorous holiday romance that felt like slipping into fuzzy socks and drinking cocoa you didn’t have to microwave three times.
Below is my full review, including a spoiler-free summary, my honest thoughts, and a peek at the author behind the cozy chaos.
Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Sutton Alsop hates Christmas. And not in the “Ugh, it’s too commercial now” way, she actively despises it. Lights, carols, that suspiciously jolly energy that seems to infect an entire town? Hard pass.
So naturally, her personal nightmare begins with a late-night run-in with a house so aggressively decorated it looks like the North Pole had a glow-up and exploded. In her defense, she’s had a drink or two. Maybe three. And one thing leads to another…and suddenly Sutton is responsible for leveling what can only be described as Santa’s seasonal theme park.
The kicker? That house belongs to Gus Langston, single dad, beloved local shop owner, and the man who essentially is Mr. Christmas in their village. But Mr. Christmas is hiding something. Something big. And Sutton, by a stroke of fate (or holiday mischief), is the only one who knows the truth.
Soon, these two opposites are shoved together for the holiday season, one who’d happily set fire to an inflatable snowman and one who sells snowmen for a living.
What follows is warm, funny, flirtatious, and threaded with enough tension to keep you flipping pages.
Think:
Enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to-something-more
A single dad rediscovering joy
A Christmas skeptic who gets dragged into festive chaos
Plenty of cozy nights, charged banter, and emotional thawing
In short, it’s a feel-good romcom with enough sparkle to satisfy seasonal romance fans but enough grounding to appeal to those who prefer their holiday reads with a side of spice and sarcasm.
My Thoughts
A holiday romcom that hit the spot (mostly).
I picked up this book because I desperately needed a reset from some of the darker romantasy worlds I’ve been living in lately. Something about this premise felt like a guaranteed mood lift. A Christmas-hating heroine? A Christmas-obsessed single dad? A whole village that treats holiday décor like a competitive sport? I’m in.
And truly, Confessions of a Christmasholic scratched that itch. The humor is light, the pacing is brisk, and Sutton’s chaotic energy makes her instantly fun to follow.
The humor + banter = the perfect vibe.
The back-and-forth between Sutton and Gus is hands down the highlight here. Sutton’s snark, Gus’s patient-but-exasperated dad energy, and their forced proximity give us some genuinely delightful moments. Their early interactions especially had me snickering, her walking disaster energy colliding with his “I alphabetize my holiday décor” structure makes for great chemistry.
The tension? Good. The pining? Solid. The angst? Light.
This is a low-angst holiday romcom through and through. If you want something that keeps your heart rate low but your smile steady, this is it.
But personally, I like my romances with just a bit more emotional turbulence. A little more will-they/won’t-they. Maybe a dash of external conflict to shake things up.
There were moments where I wished the story dug deeper into the characters’ histories, motivations, or emotional wounds. It’s not shallow by any means, but I found myself wanting a bit more oomph.
Spice? Surprisingly present, but brief.
For those wondering: Yes, we get spice. No, it’s not extremely steamy.
The scenes we do get are explicit but quick, more of a “blink and your cheeks will warm” than a “put the kids to bed early” situation. I’d classify it as very accessible for readers who want heat but not a full-blown sweat session.
The emotional arc is sweet but could’ve been fuller.
There are hints early on that Gus has layers beyond his jolly façade, that his devotion to Christmas is both a joy and a shield. And Sutton’s anti-holiday stance obviously stems from something deeper than personal preference.
Those threads are there (and appreciated!), but I would’ve loved for the story to lean into them more. A bit more vulnerability, a bit more digging, and this could’ve been a 4-star read for me.
Still, as a palate cleanser, it was perfect.
Not every book needs to shatter me emotionally or ruin the next three books I read. Some books? They’re just here to help you breathe again.
Confessions of a Christmasholic did exactly that. It gave me a charming world, a cute romance, a festive setting, and a warm reminder that not all holiday stories need to come wrapped in 47 plot twists and a prophecy.
Rating Breakdown
Overall: 3/5
It was cute, cozy, and exactly what I wanted that day. Didn’t quite hit the emotional depth I crave, but absolutely worth the read.
Spice: 2.5/5 chili peppers
Spicy moments exist and are explicit, but short and on the milder side.
Humor: 4/5
The banter and situational chaos are genuinely fun.
Holiday Cheer: 5/5
This book is dipped, rolled, and dusted in Christmas.
About the Author: Joss Wood
Joss Wood is a bestselling romance author known for her sharp dialogue, emotional storytelling, and wit. She’s written dozens of contemporary romances, often featuring strong heroines, charming heroes, and chemistry that sparkles. With a background in business and a love for storytelling that spans decades, Wood brings warmth and relatability to her holiday romances, including Confessions of a Christmasholic.
Her books often explore themes of family, identity, second chances, and the messy, beautiful chaos of falling in love, which makes her a perfect fit for anyone who loves heartfelt, character-driven romance.
If you want a charming holiday read to brighten a dreary winter day, or if you simply want something light and fun after a more intense book hangover, Confessions of a Christmasholic is absolutely worth adding to your seasonal rotation.
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