Ten Christmases Without You by Jenny Hale ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

It’s Emmy Brewer’s tenth Christmas since she lost her mom, and without her, Emmy is floundering. Her job is pointless, and she struggles to find direction and passion. So when her sister invites Emmy’s childhood crush and former neighbor, Charlie Russell, to their family Christmas and he shows up, given her state, Emmy is anything but excited.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

December 2025; Dreamscape Media; 9798349113048
audio (7h 43m), ebook, print; women's fiction

Ten Christmases Without You is now available as an audiobook!

I'm notorious for forgetting what a book is about and not reading the summary before starting it. I made a couple of assumptions about this book that turned out to be false and I don't want you to make the same mistake.

First, I assumed that Ten Christmases Without You was a holiday romance novel. It is solidly women's fiction. The book is focused on Emmy as she discovers her purpose in life. When the book begins, she is working a job that she thought she should be doing, yet she has another talent that is much better suited for her. Others see it, but she is resistant to it. 

Second, I assumed that the 10 Christmases referenced in the title were about her childhood crush, who attends the first family Christmas in the book. I thought "without you" was because they weren't actually together, though Charlie spends the holidays with Emmy and her family each year (the book spans a few years). This played well in my mind while thinking it was a romance novel.

When the story began focusing on Emmy's career and her search for answers to her questions about her mother (who I discovered when I glanced at the summary on Goodreads had died 10 year ago - hence the title), I realized I was wrong. 

I enjoyed the book. It isn't super holiday-ish. There is a Christmas celebration each year, but the story also takes place at other times of the year.

There is love in the story as Emmy and Charlie reconnect each year. It is sweet, the way their relationship 
develops but it is kind of in the background and serves as a mile marker for her growth as an adult. 

I have to admit that the audiobook failed to hold my attention. I found my mind wandering a few times. While the audiobook was well done and Emma Love does a great job giving each character their own voice, I think I might have enjoyed it a little more if I had read it myself, where I would have been totally focused on the book. I just had too much on my mind to fully pay attention to the book. It would make a good book to listen to on a road trip when you get tired of listening to Christmas music. 

I liked the characters. Emmy has her struggles, especially with finding a new job. But she is never whiny or annoying about her life. I could see being friends with her when I was younger. Charlie is cute, in that considerate, supportive way. If this had been a true romance novel, he probably would have been all bummed (and annoying) that they lived separate lives most of the year. Instead, he lives his life and follows his dreams while encouraging Emmy to do the same. Even when they begin dating, he never pressures her to leave New York City. He is definitely my type of book boyfriend.

There is a little mystery to the story as Emmy finds a sketch of a wedding dress that her mother made that just had a famous designer's name on it, along with a mention of his wife. Emmy wants to learn more about her mother and why she has this sketch. 

If you are looking for a holiday read that isn't your typical "Hallmark movie" style romance, then you should pick up this book.

Buy Ten Christmases Without You at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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