REVIEW: A Little Christmas Matchmaking by Carolyn Brown

A Little Christmas Matchmaking by Carolyn Brown: Aunt Bernie is looking to do some matchmaking with the upcoming holiday season. She sets her sights on Tripp Callahan. Tripp is working sixteen hour days in his leather working shop. He doesn’t need mistletoe hanging from the doors. He needs a helper.

His wish seems to come true when Hank Thomas comes to visit and ends up deciding to take on trial part-time job helping Tripp. Hank brings along his daughter Willa Rose. Willa Rose has an antique business back in Poetry, Texas where they both have lived forever. Willa Rose isn’t really happy about Hank’s decision to stay and work. Hank’s wife/Willow Rose’s mother died a while back and Willow Rose wants to stay in her own home and near her mother’s grave.

Aunt Bernie sees a real challenge with trying to get Willa Rose and Tripp together. Perhaps the family events and friendly community will convince Willa Rose to stay. Will her breakup with her ex make her hesitant? I have read many other books with Aunt Bernie and all the residents of Spanish Fort and the huge Paradise land and home. It’s always lovely to feel like you have come back home to a place of delicious food and warm hugs.

Endora, one of many sisters, takes it upon her self to try to jolly Willow into staying by asking her for help with a Christmas program and getting her to come to Sunday dinner which are always a huge deal around the Paradise. Can Tripp, the holidays and a welcoming family help change Willow Rose’s mind and help her have a future that is quite different from her past?

All the characters a charming and lots of fun. Anytime you read a Carolyn Brown book, you will feel calm and uplifted.

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS MATCHMAKING is the kind of holiday read you reach for when you’re craving something uplifting and cozy. Small-town holiday charm, a little well-meaning meddling, and a romance that sneaks up on you in the sweetest way. I loved how this story wrapped humor and heart together so effortlessly — the perfect curl-up-by-the-tree kind of read.

Tropes & Vibes I loved:

• Small-town Christmas charm
• Community meddling (with good intentions)
• Sweet, feel-good romance
• Familiar faces + found comfort
• Holiday warmth with heart

QOTD: Do you love a little matchmaking chaos in your holiday romances — or do you prefer love to find its way on its own?

Book Info:

Publication: October 7, 2025 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | The Paradise #2

New York Times bestseller Carolyn Brown brings her Southern sass to Christmas in this friends to lovers contemporary romance full of Great Aunt Bernie’s matchmaking shenanigans and lots of kissing under the mistletoe.

Tripp Callahan’s leather shop in Spanish Fort, Texas has become more than he can handle and he’s ready to hire help. He’s so backed up on Christmas orders that he’s working sixteen hour days. The answer to one prayer shows up in Hank Gibson, former owner of a leather shop, and happy to work part time. But Hank brings his feisty granddaughter Willa Rose Gibson, and her presence leads Tripp to pray that Great Aunt Bernie won’t turn her matchmaking eyes his way. No such luck. Aunt Bernie sees the potential and begins to hang mistletoe in every doorway. Tripp is going to be a goner.