THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS

This delightful romcom was a highlight of my bookish holiday season! In this charming, funny novel, Kate adores her tiny, quaint English village, her successful career as fabric designer, and her dear friends and dad who live nearby. But since her love life is as sleepy as her quiet little town, she is persuaded to join a dating agency’s holiday-themed blind dating spree: 12 men in 12 dates. Kate gamely sets out to meet her match, but her dates are one mishap after another. Soon Kate begins to wonder if the right guy has been under her nose all along - but has her fate been sealed by divergent paths taken too many years ago?

This book is like a magical winter wonderland in literary form - it has a lovely little town with a pear tree, ice skating, mistletoe, snowy hikes, holiday crafting, handknit sweaters, mulled wine, and baking - so much baking! In other words: it’s pretty perfect. A few weeks ago I asked a book friend for their favorite holiday recs - this book was first on their list and exactly what I’d hoped for, a little holiday gift unto itself. I’m not a frequent romcom reader but this book genuinely had romance without cringe, and humor without snark. I listened on audio, ate up every word and didn’t want it to end!

Today’s holiday cookie spread is inspired by the romcom elements of this book: linzer hearts for the truly adorable “romance,” and gingerbread for the “comedy” of a hilarious gingerbread-house-making date gone wrong. If it is a bit over the top, that is 100% intentional: this book did not hold back on the holiday magic and I was in for all of it! I’ve been making these gingerbread cookies for years - they are the perfect combo of crisp and chewy - and the linzer recipe is a buttery, beautiful favorite.