By: Holly Cassidy
Narrator: Amy Hall
Penguin Audio
ISBN: 978-0593716267
Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons
Publication Date: 10/22/2024
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
From the author of The Christmas Wager comes a charming holiday rom com about a young, recently heartbroken woman who is tasked by her sister to complete Advent calendar challenges in the lead up to Christmas to reignite her belief in herself, the holidays, and love again.
She’s given up on love and Christmas…but fate has other plans.
All Callie wants for Christmas is to hibernate. She's still reeling from being dumped by her childhood sweetheart, and under no circumstances will she go home for the holidays considering her ex will be right next door with his new, perfect partner. Callie is officially in grinch mode, but her meddling sister, Anita, won’t let her give up on life, love, and Christmas quite so easily.
Anita stages a Christmas intervention for Callie with a homemade Advent calendar challenge—cheerful tasks to push Callie out of her comfort zone and into the holiday spirit, inspired by a childhood tradition. Callie reluctantly plays along, but when she comes face-to-face with a charming baker who just might be the spoonful of sugar she needs, her strict rules on love and the holidays are tested. As they strike a deal to do the activities together, could the twenty four little doors on Callie’s Advent calendar not only open up one, but two closed-off hearts?
My Review
Holly Cassidy (favorite author), also writing as Hannah Mary McKinnon (thrillers), returns following The Christmas Wager with another charming, festive, and nostalgic holiday rom-com, THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN.
When a young woman is not up to celebrating the upcoming holidays due to a recent heartbreak, her sister intervenes with a fun and challenging Advent calendar that will brighten spirits and a new romance in this dazzling and lively holiday novel, which will get you into the holiday spirit!
About...
Callie Elise Meyer, an accountant, is not in the Christmas spirit. She has to see her ex at the office, which is bad enough. She is a Grinch. She wants a season pass this year.
After her recent breakup (Oliver) and moving to a new town (eight months ago), she wants nothing more than to run and hide.
The last place she wants to be is next door to her ex and his new girlfriend, Sarah (marriage)? His parents lived next door to hers. Callie and Oliver were together for ten years, and now he has been dating someone for six months and ready for marriage?
Anita is determined not to allow her sister to give up on love. She offered her a spare bedroom and shoulder to cry on. Callie could not see herself trusting someone with her heart in the next gazillion years. However, she has no clue what is in store for her professionally and personally.
Anita, Callie's sister, plays a pivotal role in her journey. She stages an intervention for Callie with a homemade Advent calendar challenge, a clever and heartwarming twist that pushes Callie out of her comfort zone and helps her regain her confidence.
Starting Dec 1st and the countdown to Christmas, Dec 24th, Callie finally agrees and meets a charming pastry chef, Marco Lancaster (29), owner of a catering company called Dessert Dudes at Central Kitchen, who might be what the doctor ordered and reignites her belief in herself, the holidays, and love.
Callie likes that she can be herself around Marco.
Open, honest, and vulnerable.
Not Cautious Callie.
Not Calamity Callie.
No pretending to be Cool Callie.
Just Callie.
"Not til we are lost, in other words, not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves. —Henry David Thoreau
My thoughts...
THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN is a delightful fun journey filled with heartwarming moments. The creative, lively, and festive atmosphere, coupled with the romance, will warm your heart. Each day's mission is a joy to discover, and anticipating what's behind the doors adds a touch of magic to the story.
From baking, Christmas traditions, Dazey, eggnog, cookies, Christmas sweaters, cheesecakes, lattes, holiday family traditions, trees, books, sledding, movies, helping the needy, lots of fun games, pets, romance, caroling, unexpected gifts, friendship, bookstores, family, trees, snow, cocktails, chocolate, glamming, sisterhood, food drives, a bad boss, humor, toy drives, music, puzzles, lists, Christmas miracles, second chances, and so much more! (plus all things Switzerland).
Who would have thought that an Advent calendar challenge could be so thrilling? This adventurous, uplifting, and clever journey, crafted by the brilliant Holly (HMM), is a favorite magical Christmas rom-com with Hallmark vibes. It's a fun-filled ride that will keep you entertained until the last door is opened!
I loved the Epilogue - Christmas Day one year later... The characters and the entertaining trip to Fallbrook. Get this gem on your winter reading list.
From Holly's enchanting rom-coms to her gripping thrillers as Hannah Mary McKinnon, I've been a huge long-time fan and have read all her books. Her ability to captivate readers with her storytelling is truly admirable, and I can't wait to see what she has in store next!
Recs...
THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN is for fans of the author and those who enjoy Katherine Center, Emily Henry, Emily Giffin, Rebecca Serle, and Mary Kay Andrews.
Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced digital review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 22, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
Praise
One of Library Journal’s 15 Romances to Make the Season Merry and Bright
“The Christmas Countdown is everything I want in a holiday book. Sparkling with sisterly hijinks, a sizzling sexy baker and a generous sprinkling of self-discovery; I loved it all! A must read for the festive season.”
—Jenny Bayliss, author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas
“Full of eggnog, holiday puns, sledding, and, of course, tacky sweaters, this Christmas read has all of the comforts of a nostalgic holiday back home…Christmas romance readers will rejoice with this latest from Cassidy; it will have readers feeling that Christmas spirit, no matter the season.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
“You’ll fall in love with the holiday season all over again in Holly Cassidy’s latest romance. Heartwarming, festive, and sparkling with charm, The Christmas Countdown is pure holiday magic.”
—Sonya Lalli, author of A Holly Jolly Diwali
“The perfect holiday recipe: fun, joyful, and nostalgic. Snuggle under a blanket and devour Holly Cassidy’s latest charmer. The Christmas Countdown will bake your spirits bright!”
—Lillie Vale, author of Wrapped with a Beau
“Unbox the magic of Christmas with Holly Cassidy’s heartwarming romance, The Christmas Countdown. Join Callie as she goes from down in the dumps to decking the halls, finding laughter, love and the true spirit of the season—one Advent calendar challenge at a time.”
—Chantel Guertin, author of It Happened One Christmas
“A truly festive read with plenty of sparkling romantic chemistry, helps make The Christmas Countdown a must-read.” —Book Club Chat
“Callie and Marco’s slow-burn love story gave me the same feeling as drinking a warm cup of peppermint cocoa. You won’t want to miss this Christmas romance.” —Beyond the Bookends
“Put up the tree and grab the hot cocoa. The newest Christmas romance from Holly Cassidy is here and it feels like a warm gingerbread and cinnamon-scented hug!” —The 52 Book Club
About the Author
Holly Cassidy is the pen name for internationally bestselling author Hannah Mary McKinnon. Her suspense novels include The Neighbors, Her Secret Son, Sister Dear, You Will Remember Me, Never Coming Home, and The Revenge List. McKinnon was born in England, grew up in Switzerland, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three sons. The Christmas Wager is her first novel writing as Holly Cassidy. She's currently working on her thriller and second romantic comedy for 2024.
Connect on Facebook and Instagram @hannahmarymckinnon, and on Twitter @HannahMMcKinnon. For more, visit www.hannahmarymckinnon.com
Check out my #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Hannah Mary McKinnon
