CHRISTMAS IS ALL AROUND

Available now from Atria Books (US) / Headline Eternal (UK)
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A former child star learns that holiday magic can come from a change in perspective in this charming and hilarious holiday rom-com.

Charlotte hates the holidays. As a former child actress, she starred in a modern classic of a holiday movie, and its fans won’t let her move on. When a piece revealing that her reluctance nixed plans for a reboot, she flees to London to spend the five-week countdown to the holidays with her sister.

But the ghosts of Christmas past follow her there when she ends up at Eden Priory, a filming location for the movie she has never visited. There, after being recognized by a fan while viewing the extraordinary holiday decorations, she’s accidentally left behind, forcing her to accept a ride back to London from Graham, the son of the owners. Their family business—and the funds to keep their historic house running—relies on holiday cheer, and Graham knows a visit from a holiday star would bring in more visitors.

Now an illustrator, Charlotte accepts a commission to paint iconic holiday movie scenes in London and its environs for Eden Priory, with Graham offering to escort her. But as Charlotte’s chaotic family holiday goes awry, she begins spending more time scouting locations with Graham. She may not love a Christmas romance…but what if she has one of her own?

PRAISE FOR CHRISTMAS IS ALL AROUND

“Resplendent with sparkling banter and cheeky self-awareness, this book is a present for even the grouchiest “Love Actually” fan.”
—The Washington Post

“As Waters (To Woo and to Wed, 2024) merrily pivots from her marvelous Regency historicals to an exquisitely crafted contemporary holiday romance, her winning way with quippy dialogue, clever characterization, and smartly crafted love stories remains a thing of joy and wonder.”
—Booklist (starred review)

“Martha Waters takes Love Actually and turns the holiday movie on its head in this delightful, hilarious rom-com.”
—Entertainment Weekly

“[E]ndearing… Waters keeps things lighthearted, quirky, and, above all Christmassy. This sweet holiday treat wouldn’t feel out of place on the Hallmark channel.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Love truly finds a way on this fun tour through a London holiday, which has a satisfying happy ending that ticks all the boxes.”
—BookPage

“Christmas Is All Around is a festive riot of marvelously eccentric characters, witty banter and swoony romance. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and all things Bridget Jones. I loved this book!”
—Jenny Bayliss, author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas

"I want Martha Waters to write whatever she wants, but I also kinda want Martha Waters to only write cozy Christmas romances until the end of time because she does it SO WELL. From the moment of their felt reindeer costume striptease meet-cute, Graham and Charlotte's banter absolutely sparkled. Their story was also such a lovely meditation on figuring out what you want your life to look like, letting go of some of the past while still honoring it for how it's brought you to where you are. I already look forward to rereading this book every Christmas season!" 
—Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of With Love, from Cold World

“Simultaneously a hilarious send-up and a delightful homage to Christmas romances, Christmas Is All Around had me laughing, swooning, and rooting for Charlotte the whole book. Waters is the queen of historical romcoms, and here she proves she’s just as adept at crafting contemporary stories. An all-time favorite Christmas romance that shouldn’t be missed!”
—Alison Cochrun, author of Kiss Her Once For Me and The Charm Offensive

"Christmas Is All Around is everything I want in a Christmas romcom: woman from big city travels to another big city, does not change or sacrifice her occupation, has nothing nice to say about carolers, falls in love with bespectacled Englishman, saves Christmas. Charlotte and Graham's banter sparkles, the strong cast of secondary characters is such fun, the picturesque English settings are DIVINE, and the demonic baby is written-word birth control. Martha Waters, never stop writing books just for me."
—Sarah Hogle, author of You Deserve Each Other and Just Like Magic