How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A new holiday enemies-to-lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn.

Every Kringle in Kringletown celebrated Christmas a lot.

But Cole Black on Whistler Lane, unfortunately, did not.

As his fellow citizens decorate their quaint town, brimming with carols and glad tidings, Cole wants nothing more than to hibernate the winter away. But his dreary plans are thwarted when his Christmas nemesis, Storee Taylor, moves in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Immediately, the new neighbor turns his life into a real nightmare before Christmas, especially when she decides to enter the town Christmas Kringle contest in honor of Cindy. And better yet, Storee is determined to win.

Over Cole’s dead body, she will. With help from his friend Max, Cole decides to enter the competition as well, to beat Storee at her own game by pretending that this hometown grump’s heart has grown three sizes this season and he’s fallen for the girl next door. And unfortunately for Storee, she has to follow his lead to have a chance at the Christmas Kringle title.

But the competition isn’t the only thing that heats up. Cole and Storee’s fake relationship becomes very real, and before they know it, they’re attempting to hide it from Aunt Cindy. Things get complicated, the competition gets tough, and all it takes is one single night for someone to steal it all…

The Grinch Next Door: A Holiday Rivalry

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😍🤓
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration – Full Cast

🎧 Audiobook Review: How My Neighbor Stole Christmas

Author: Meghan Quinn
Genre: Holiday Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Romantic Comedy
Narrators: Vanessa Edwin, J.F. Harding, Robert Hatchet, Emma Wilder, and Shane East.

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: Storee Taylor

Storee returns to Kringletown with her sister Taryn to care for their great-aunt Cindy, a place they haven’t visited in a decade. On the surface, Storee sees herself as cheerful and optimistic, while labeling her sister as perpetually negative—though the reality often flips. A California girl at heart, Storee bristles at spending Christmas in a snowy Colorado mountain town. Still, she’s the one nominated to help Cindy, thanks to her flexible job as a romance movie editor. With no current project on her plate, she reluctantly settles into the role.

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: Cole Black

Cole has lived in Kringletown his whole life, but tragedy struck when he lost his parents at eighteen. Since then, he’s carried the reputation of being the town’s resident grinch. Locals speculate it’s because he’s never been chosen as the town’s Kringle, though in truth, he’s never even entered the contest. Instead, he prefers solitude in the reindeer barn, caring for the animals. When Storee and her sister move in next door, old memories resurface—especially the awkward moment years ago when he nearly asked her out.

📚 The Plot

The annual Christmas Kringle contest is everything to Aunt Cindy, who has come in second place for years. With her broken hip keeping her sidelined, Storee steps in to compete on her behalf. Cole, unwilling to let Storee waltz into victory, decides to enter too. Their rivalry reignites, fueled by unresolved tension from their teenage years. What follows is a spirited battle of holiday challenges—from dazzling light displays to fruitcake bake-offs—where sparks fly as much as insults.

🌟 Strengths

• Storee’s contradictions add humor: she accuses her sister of constant complaining while grumbling herself like a moody teen.
• The narration cleverly weaves in playful rhythms reminiscent of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas and The Grinch, adding festive charm.
• Cole’s banter with his best friend Mac is sharp, funny, and a highlight of the story.
• The competition scenes are delightfully over-the-top, with escalating antics that keep the pace lively and entertaining.

💔 Limitations

• The names—Cole Black for the grinch-like hero and Storee for a romance editor—feel a little too on-the-nose.
• Storee’s early characterization leans toward arrogance. Confidence is fine, but her dismissive tone toward Cole made her harder to root for initially.

🎙️ Narration

Told through multiple points of view, the audiobook features duet narration by Vanessa Edwin and J.F. Harding, supported by a stellar full cast including Robert Hatchet, Emma Wilder, and Shane East. Their performances are expressive, natural, and engaging, elevating the story. That said, Edwin’s portrayal of Storee occasionally tipped into overacting, which made the heroine feel harsher than the text intended.

💬 Final Assessment

A festive enemies-to-lovers romp set against the backdrop of a quirky Christmas contest. While Storee’s character may test patience early on, the lively narration, witty banter, and spirited competition deliver plenty of holiday cheer.

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