DEBUT In this charming first novel from British author Bayliss, fabric designer Kate Turner has settled into the tiny village of Blexford to help take care of her aging father. Wholly unmotivated to seek romance, Kate is persuaded by a friend to sign up for the Twelve Dates of Christmas, a speed-dating for singles program where she will go out with a different man for 12 nights. Despite having a dozen chances at love, something goes wrong on each date (no-shows, man tears, and sleazeballs are among the most memorable disasters). Kate begins to realize she's not clicking with her dates because she's harboring feelings for her childhood friend Matt, the owner of the local Pear Tree Café. Descriptions of Christmas baking and Kate's artistic process as a designer give the novel a cozy, grounded feel, even if the main romance, disappointingly, doesn't materialize until the end. VERDICT This slow-burn rom-com set in a small British village at Christmas will be the perfect cup of tea for fans of Marian Keyes or Helen Fielding.--Kathryn Howe, Saint John Free P.L., NB

Bayliss delivers delightful holiday atmosphere and believable romantic tension in her cute and cozy debut. Kate Turner, a fabric designer and part-time baker, has rediscovered her independence since moving back to her sleepy British hometown of Blexford Village, but lately she's been warming to the idea of finding a life partner. She signs up for the Twelve Dates of Christmas, a matchmaking program that arranges 12 dates at 12 different locations leading up to the holiday. The resulting (often mismatched) setups become the talk of the town. Even her best friend and old flame, cafe owner Matt Wells, can't help poking fun at what he calls the "Twelve Dates of Shagmas"--nor can he hide his displeasure when Kate comes back giddy from a promising date. And though Kate is eager to find her soulmate, she can't stop thinking about her earlier brief, tumultuous time with Matt. But their friendship is finally back in a good place, and Kate is determined to move on--if only someone else would give her the same "sparkle" she feels with him. Bayliss sets a cheerful, wintry scene and populates it with heartfelt characters. By turns tender and hilarious, this adorable rom-com is sure to satisfy. Agent: Hayley Steed, Madeleine Milburn Literary. (Oct.)

Giving in to her friend Laura's urgings, Kate signs up for a Twelve Dates event in which she is paired for outings with men she's never met. The busy fabric artist and baker loves her small English village but wants a family. Kate has fun on some of the dozen dates, while others go spectacularly wrong; the gingerbread house design adventure with a temperamental architect is especially memorable. Her childhood friend, Matt, lingers in her mind as she helps him with his café holiday events and remembers moments from their past together, but he has a new girlfriend. Still, readers will intuit that their story is not over yet. The holiday details and recipes add a festive overlay to a funny dating story. Fans of the best-friends-to-lovers and second-chance tropes will savor this.