Snowball's Christmas

August 31, 2020
A feisty feline enlivens McKanagh’s cookie-cutter debut. Snowball, the mischievous kitten in residence at Webber Haus Bed and Breakfast, plots a reconciliation between Emily Diemer, Webber Haus’s overworked chef, and Lukas Webber, the owner’s nephew who’s in town for the holidays. Though Snowball can sense an attraction between the two stubborn humans, Emily is determined to dislike the jet-setting Lukas for leaving his frail Aunt Tilly to run Weber Haus alone. Lukas himself is shocked to see that the inn has fallen into disrepair in his absence. Hoping to make things up to his aunt and win over Emily, he takes on the task of completing all the renovations on Emily’s massive to-do list in time for the B&B’s Christmas Eve event. Emily, meanwhile, makes plans to open a bakery and defends her decisions to her judgmental family—all while trying to deny her growing feelings for Lukas. McKanagh lays the Christmas atmosphere on thick with tree lightings, snowfalls, and mouthwatering descriptions of yuletide treats, but the love story lacks spark, and the bickering and eventual flirtation between Emily and Lukas falls flat. The passages narrated by Snowball border on too-cute, but add welcome texture to an otherwise straightforward plot. This one’s appeal will be limited to the most sentimental of cat lovers. Agent: Evan Marshall, the Evan Marshall Agency.

Starred review from September 1, 2020
Emily works as a baker and lives at a Victorian B&B with its owner, Miss Tilly, and a kitten named Snowball. Miss Tilly is getting on in age, and the B&B is in dire need of repairs. Miss Tilly's nephew, photographer Lukas, never visits or helps out because he's always traveling the globe, but now he's finally coming for Christmas. Despite her negative assumptions, Emily realizes that Lukas isn't who she imagined. She finds herself attracted to him and knows the feeling is reciprocated, but he is only there temporarily. Sneaky, super-adorable Snowball, who sometimes narrates from her purr-spective, knows this is supposed to be her forever home and family and will stop at nothing to make these silly humans behave accordingly. Saturated with heart and humor, this sweet romance with an expertly crafted plot and smooth writing is the perfect Christmas treat.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)