Skip to Main Content

About The Book

A teen girl gets the perfect second try at a first kiss in this hilarious, romp-filled young adult romantic comedy perfect for fans of Jenna Evans Welch and Hallmark Christmas movies.

Francie was born in a stable. Really. Granted, it was the deluxe model with the light-up star on the roof, one of the many Christmas items for sale at her family’s Hollydale Holiday Shop. Their holiday gift empire also includes the Santa School, which was founded by Francie’s beloved grandpa, who recently passed away.

Francie’s always loved working in the shop, but lately Aunt Carole has been changing everything with her ideas for too-slick, Hollywood-inspired Santas and horrible holiday-themed employee uniforms. Aunt Carole’s vision will ruin all the charm and nostalgia Francie loves about her family’s business…unless she does something about it.

But this winter is about more than preserving the magic of Christmas. Francie is saving up for a car and angling to kiss the cute boy who works at the tree lot next door—hopefully it will be good enough to wipe her fiasco of a first kiss from her memory.

As the weather outside gets more and more frightful, can Francie pull off the holiday of her dreams?

About The Author

Linda Urban has written many award-winning books for young readers, including the novels Almost There and Almost Not, A Crooked Kind of Perfect, Hound Dog True, The Center of Everything, and Talk Santa to Me. For ten years, she served as marketing director at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, California. Currently, she teaches in the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She has been visited by only one ghost, and he was not at all snooty. Visit her at LindaUrbanBooks.com.

Why We Love It

“I adore Linda Urban’s writing, which is equal parts funny and charming and heartfelt. In her fabulous new novel, awkward, adorable Francie and gorgeous, good-guy Hector star in a Christmas romance—and I am in love!”

—Reka S., Editorial Director, on Talk Santa to Me

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (September 27, 2022)
  • Length: 288 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534478855
  • Ages: 12 - 99

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

"Even with the inclusion of family and ­bullying issues, this is a light, fun read. . . .The perfect choice for rom-com fans who love the enchantment of the Christmas season."

– School Library Journal

"The romantic plotline is strong but does not overshadow the treatment of friendship, grief, money worries, and more. Readers will relate to Francie’s feelings. . . Will delight readers looking for a romance with humor and heart."

– Kirkus Reviews

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Linda Urban