Home Sweet Christmas

With twinkling humor and heartfelt Christmas spirit, two friends find love in a town called Wishing Tree…

Until Camryn Neff can return to her “real” life in Chicago, she’s in Wishing Tree to care for her twin sisters. She’s not looking for forever love, not here. But handsome hotelier Jake Crane is a temptation she can’t resist, so she suggests they pair up for the season. No golden rings, no broken hearts. At his side, she sees her hometown through Christmas-colored eyes. The cheer is cheerier, the joy more joyful. She thought she had put her future on hold…but maybe her real life was here all along, waiting for her to come home.

New in town, River Best is charmed by Wishing Tree’s homespun traditions and warmhearted people. When she’s crowned Snow Queen, she’s honored but wary. Dylan Tucker, her king, seems like the stuff of sugarplum dreams, but she can’t shake the feeling that he’s hiding something big. As they perform their “royal” duties—tasting cookies, lighting trees—Dylan’s good humor and melty kisses draw her to the brink of love. But she can’t let herself fall until she uncovers his secret, even if her lack of faith means losing him forever.

This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Graydon House

Book club questions for Home Sweet Christmas by Susan Mallery

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Home Sweet Christmas is two heartwarming holiday romances in one. Which story was your favorite—Camryn and Jake’s or River and Dylan’s? Why did that story resonate the most with you?

Discuss why Camryn returned to Wishing Tree and what she sacrificed for her younger sisters. If you’d been in her shoes, would you have done the same? Why or why not? Why do you think Camryn was so determined to return to her big-city life when the girls were grown? What changed her mind?

Christmas in Wishing Tree is magical! Which was your favorite holiday tradition: Cookie Tuesdays, the community Advent calendar, the Holiday Ball, the Trees of Christmas Past, Present and Future, or something else? Does your town have any holiday traditions you adore?

In light of River’s social anxiety, why do you think she agreed to be Snow Queen? Would you enjoy being Snow Queen? Why or why not?

If your town had a store like Wrap Around the Clock, would you plan a wrapping party with your friends so you could all wrap your families’ gifts together? Or would you prefer to wrap all your gifts at home, alone? If you could open any Christmas-themed business, what would it be, and what would you name it?

Jake has a complex relationship with his mother–he loves her, but she drives him crazy. Can you relate to that push-pull mother-child relationship? Do you think it’s possible for a mother to successfully find a wife for her son? Did Camryn do the right thing when she immediately told Jake what his mom was up to? Why or why not?

Why did Dylan keep such a big secret from River for so long? Do you think it was okay for him not to tell her? Why do you think she was so hurt when she found out?

Are you Team Tinsel or Team Belle?

Home Sweet Christmas Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Home Sweet Christmas discussion questions

“Interweaving two heartfelt love stories, Mallery expertly captures a festive yuletide spirit in her sparkling second Wishing Tree novel… Mallery highlights the charm and community of her inviting small-town setting while still exploring grounded real-life issues. Add in undeniable Christmas cheer, and this feel-good holiday romance proves irresistible.” --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Heartwarming and humorous holiday romance…Hand to readers who enjoy romances featuring tight-knit small-town communities with heartfelt holiday traditions and friend groups that are more like found families.” —Library Journal

“Charming, with two gentle romance story lines and a reminder that family ties can bind a little too tightly, but it's still family. The perfect holiday confection for fans of Jill Shalvis and Sarah Morgan.” —Booklist