It Had to Be Yule by Farrah Jane (Nov 4, 2025) Thank you to @authorfarrahjane for the gifted advanced digital copy! I am forever grateful for authors who reach out and say “I think you’d like my book” – because I really adored this one and I can’t wait to go back and read the stand-alone connected first book in the series, Lake I Love You.
Jules Silver thought she had it all as a rising rom-com movie star in Hollywood and her long-term boyfriend is one of the industry’s most popular leading men. But when everything falls apart on the red carpet and she needs to get out of the glare of the spotlight, she’s never been more grateful that her childhood best friend’s brother, Ethan Blake, happens to be in LA for a conference and they decide to drive from LA back to Minnesota for the holidays. What Jules doesn’t know is that Ethan has been in love with her since they were kids. When a flat tire strands them in Noel, Colorado for days, they stumble upon a town steeped in Christmas traditions and a little bit of magic – and it just might be the nudge these lifelong friends need to admit they want something more.
I love a book were he’s been down bad forever and she’s been clueless and then she’s like “since when I am attracted to my best friend’s brother?!?!” And we get such a truly charming winter-wonderland version of that here. Ethan is so endearing, selfless to a fault, and DOWN SO BAD. Jules is super conflicted about fame, although she loves the craft of filmmaking. Like many small-town romances, the town becomes a character itself and you’ll fall in love with everything about the town, their Christmas shenanigans, and the people.
Jane also manages the rare feat of satisfying both closed door and open door readers with a “cracked door” spice level that I think readers in both spaces will be satisfied with.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️
Book Smart Kate 