Get ready to cozy up with a heartwarming new holiday read in this week’s Jen’s Jewels! Bestselling author Jenny Hale returns with TEN CHRISTMASES WITHOUT YOU, a tender and nostalgic story about love, loss, and rediscovering purpose across the span of a decade of Christmases. In our chat, Jenny shares how she brought Emmy and Charlie’s emotional journey to life, why she decided to stretch the story over multiple holidays, and which traditions from her own life sneak into her books. Pour yourself a mug of cocoa, curl up by the fire, and don’t miss this festive interview that’s sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.
Jen: What sparked the idea for TEN CHRISTMASES WITHOUT YOU?
Jenny: I can’t really remember what sparked the idea. I might have come up with the title first. Many times, I think of a good title and write a retail description first. Then, I write the book that fits those two things.
Jen: Emmy’s been struggling since losing her mom, and her emotional journey feels so real. How did you tap into her sense of loss and longing while writing?
Jenny: I think we all experience loss in different ways—loss of a loved one, loss of a relationship, etc. The underlying emotion is the same: We feel a hole, a piece of us that’s no longer there. I tapped into that raw emotion and tailored it for the fictional situation.
Jen: Charlie Russell, her childhood crush, reenters her life in such a touching way. Tells us a little about his backstory.
Jenny: I think we all experience Charlie’s journey in our own way. In his youth, he had an eye for Emmy, but when things didn’t turn out, he went on with his life, “matured” as we say. The fun part is seeing Emmy through his eyes now. She’s different, he’s different, but they share that childhood together. So when he finds her as endearing as the young Charlie had, those feelings rush back in.
Jen: The story unfolds over several Christmases. What made you decide to tell the story across time instead of just one holiday season?
Jenny: I write a Christmas book every year, and this was the first one that took place over time. I wanted to do something different, to mix things up and keep them fresh.
Jen: If TEN CHRISTMASES WITHOUT YOU were turned into a Christmas movie (which it totally should be!), who would you cast as Emmy and Charlie and why?
Jenny: When I write my characters, they come out as unique people in my mind, and I always struggle with this question because it’s tough to find someone who fits who they are. I’d love to hear who the readers think would fit those characters.
Jen: Music can set the mood for writing. Did you have a playlist or particular songs that helped you get into the Christmas spirit while working on the book?
Jenny: I didn’t this time, but sometimes a song or a lyric in a particular song will inspire me.
Jen: The book beautifully explores the rediscovery of purpose. What do you hope readers will take away from Emmy’s journey?
Jenny: I think emotions can get in the way of our journeys. While we’re human, and we can’t turn off our emotions, it’s important to work through them and use them, so we can achieve what was meant for us.
Jen: When you’re reading for fun, do you reach for a print book, eBook, or audiobook—and why?
Jenny: For books I really like, I buy all three! I like to curl up with a paperback, but traveling, it’s nice to have my Kindle app on my iPad, and when I’m walking, I’ll listen to the audiobook.
Jen: What’s on your TBR pile this holiday season? Anything you’re especially excited to curl up with?
Jenny: I’d love suggestions! I haven’t started looking for my Christmas reads yet! (Of course, the Harpeth Road Christmas books are always an option!)
Jen: And finally, what’s your favorite Christmas tradition? Did it inspire any part of Emmy and Charlie’s story?
Jenny: I have a ton of them! Cookie baking would be my favorite (or game night—it’s a toss-up!) I can’t remember if cookie baking made it into this particular book, but it’s definitely made an appearance in my others!
Jen: Thank you so much for chatting with me about TEN CHRISTMASES WITHOUT YOU! It’s the perfect read for cozying up by the tree.
Jenny: Thank you for having me! I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the book!
TEN CHRISTMASES WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Hale
From the USA Today bestselling author of the book-to-TV stories Coming Home for Christmas and Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses, with over one million copies sold, comes a moving holiday read that’s perfect for fans of Sheila Roberts, Debbie Macomber, and Jill Shalvis.
It’s Emmy Brewer’s tenth Christmas since she lost her mom, and without her, Emmy’s 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.
Their meeting sets off a string of events that bring them together once a year at Christmas. Through trying moments, laughter, and bad timing, Emmy must face her life’s choices and decide what she actually wants. Will it be Charlie? Or will he be the catalyst for something else entirely?
A heartwarming romp that will have you believing in holiday magic. If you enjoyed the Christmas movies based on Jenny’s books and are searching for more feel-good romance, look no further!
Romance Holiday [ Harpeth Road Press, On Sale: October 23, 2025, e-Book, / ]
Buy TEN CHRISTMASES WITHOUT YOU:Kindle Unlimited| Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Jenny Hale
When I graduated college, one of my friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to me. Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t. While I didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, I completed a novel that I felt was worthy of publication. The result is Coming Home for Christmas, a heart-warming story about friends, family, and the magic of love at Christmas. The rest is history. When I’m not writing, I’m a mother of two boys and a wife to a very supportive husband.
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About Jennifer Vido
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry, earning acclaim as the award-winning author of the Gull Island series. Her debut novel, “Serendipity by the Sea,” secured the prestigious Best First Book award from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest. In 2024, Vido’s talent garnered further accolades, with Baltimore Magazine readers naming her Best Local Author in their annual Best of Baltimore poll, while the Baltimore Sun acknowledged her with an Honorable Mention in their Best of 2024 Author category. When not writing fiction, she interviews authors for her weekly Jen’s Jewels column, leads water exercise classes, and directs a legal nonprofit. Currently residing in Maryland, she and her husband are proud parents to two grown sons and a rescue dog named Fripp.
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