The Christmas Cure

The Christmas Cure is a sweet holiday romance written by Canadian author Karma Brown under the pan name of Kristine Winters. Set in a fictional Canadian small town, this book has strong Hallmark vibes, complete with townsfolk who know everything about everyone, a cozy, festive vibe ... and Mary Piggins, the sweater-wearing pig who loves sweets ... naturally.

The Gist: Libby is a Toronto ER doctor who heads home to her small town for the holidays and finds herself in a time loop as she tries to figure out what she wants out of life. Is it in Toronto with her high stress job and getting over her recent break-up? Or in the small town where she grew up with Liam, the hunky tree farmer/baker who has dimples for days?

This was a cute, easy read with lots of small-town vibes and punny humour galore. I adored Liam who was the perfect cinnamon roll of a love interest, but the time loop element (which often isn't my favourite plot device) felt unnecessary here and honestly, I forgot there was a time slip element since much of the book is set in the past.

Delightfully predictable, this very closed-door romance will be a nice addition to your festive reading as you snuggle under a blanket in your cozy reading spot with some warmed apple cider at the ready.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary advanced copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Author: Kristine Winters (aka Karma Brown)

Genre: Romance, Canadian

Type and Source: advanced trade paperback from publisher

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada

First Published: October 7, 2025

Read: Oct 5-8, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: A cozy holiday rom-com in which ER physician Dr. Libby Munro travels back in time to the previous Christmas during her hometown’s rumored-to-be-magical Christmas tree lighting ceremony, where she must confront her past choices—while navigating an unexpected romance that could rewrite her future.

He wasn’t on her Christmas wish list, but he’s just what Santa ordered.

When Libby Munro returns to her hometown of Harmony Hills—a holiday-obsessed village that feels like stepping into a Christmas card—she’s longing for an escape. A respite from her hectic job as a big-city emergency room doctor, and a change of scenery after a painful break-up. Maybe Harmony Hills’s festive charm will help her rediscover the holiday spirit.

What she doesn’t expect is Liam the dreamy, green-eyed owner of the local bakery, whose smile rivals the glow of the town’s legendary Christmas tree. Or a run-in with Liam’s excitable pot-bellied pig, Mary Piggins, at the rumoured-to-be-magical tree-lighting ceremony. Libby’s knocked unconscious in the chaos and wakes up to find herself thrust into the specifically, to Christmastime, one year ago.

As she relives last Christmas, Libby begins to wonder if this is a second chance to change her life. With every snowflake-filled moment, the undeniable spark between her and Liam grows brighter. But if she’s going to rewrite her future, she’ll need to figure out what changes the past is asking her to make—and whether she’s ready to embrace the pull of home, and the promise of true love.

Perfect for fans of In a Holidaze and One Day in December, The Christmas Cure is the holiday rom-com that will make you believe in the magic of Christmas.