Book Smart Kate

by Juliana Smith – The first in the Aspen Peaks series has been on my TBR for a while and as I started compiling my winter reading list, it was naturally one of the first I grabbed!

On Christmas Eve three years ago, outgoing life-of-the-party Olive Moore’s life changed forever. Then, Christmas with her family at their Aspen home was her favorite thing. In one moment that all changed. Now, for the first time in three years, her mom has guilted her into returning for the holidays. She’s spent the intervening years reinventing herself and she’s determined to put on a brave face. On the flight from her new home state of Florida, she finds herself seated next to a truly annoying, if JCrew model handsome, stranger who simply will not shut up. Somehow they find themselves getting wasted on airplane cocktails while watching Harry Potter movies and he proposes that he’ll spend the next 2 weeks pretending to be her boyfriend to take the pressure off with her family. Even through she 100% dismisses it as absurd, Finn Beckett isn’t accustomed to being dismissed. 

Finn grows determined to remind Olive of the magic of Christmas in Aspen. Over two whirlwind weeks, Finn not only charms Olive’s family but also slowly chips away at the walls she’s built around herself. Their time together is filled with adorable dates, family outings, and moments of self-discovery, but the shadow of Olive’s past tragedy looms large.

Juliana Smith expertly unravels the events of three years ago, building tension until the truth is finally revealed. As readers, we’re clued into the heartbreak piece by piece, feeling Olive’s pain long before Finn learns the full story. When the inevitable fallout comes, Smith handles the situation with care, delivering an honest, heartfelt resolution that feels both raw and genuine.

In a sea of holiday romances, Baggage Claim stands out with its emotional depth, charming characters, and swoon-worthy closed door moments. It’s a great mix of festive fun and poignant storytelling, making it a must-read for the season.

Any favorite winter reads from any genre? I’d love your recommendations!