Snowball’s Christmas

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. (Oct.)