Jamie Crane, the ambitious young mayor of Hollingsford, Minnesota, is facing a holiday season like no other. His small town has been unexpectedly entered into a high-stakes reality TV Christmas competition, and with only days to prepare, Jamie must scramble to invent traditions out of thin air if he wants to keep Hollingsford in the running, which he isn’t sure he does. As if that pressure wasn’t enough, his first love, Jordan Miller—the kid from the wrong side of the tracks turned successful lawyer—returns to town, stirring up memories of their secret teenage romance.
Once inseparable during the holidays, Jamie and Jordan have since gone in different directions—Jamie driven by his desire to improve his hometown and Jordan determined to leave his rough upbringing behind. But as they navigate the chaos of holiday events, old feelings resurface, and Jamie is faced with two dilemmas: keeping his town’s dignity intact on national television and deciding if he and Jordan are meant to be together after all.
With a heartwarming mix of humor, nostalgia, and Christmas cheer, Convincing Christmas is a romantic tale of first loves, second chances, and discovering that sometimes, the best holiday traditions are the ones you create together.
“Hey, you okay?”
Jamie dropped his hand and blinked. “What? Yes, I’m fine.”
Although RJ came to mind more often than he’d want, he didn’t usually give it such keen attention or pick his memories apart. That hit like an intrusion, but also a new and different loss.
“Are you sure? Kayla grimaced. “You’ve gone real pale and went real quiet for a while, there.”
“This is all just a lot to take in,” he gave as an excuse. Which was also true. Then he returned to something she’d said. “Your mom watches this show?”
“You have no idea. She’s so invested. Dripping in merch, themed food and drink per episode, a message board captain, a Suchie.”
“Suchie?”
“It’s what the fandom call themselves. I can’t elaborate past that.”
“Fine. Get her over here, would you?"
“Now?”
READ MORE“Sooner, if possible.” Jamie texted the donut shop and asked if another dozen was somehow miraculously available. “And I don’t care that it’s midmorning—see about getting the high school art department, Perry, the fire chief, and Fran over here. Stat.” He stalked into the hallway. “Tell them there’s free donuts!”
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