#the christmas countdown

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

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?

Review:

Freshly heartbroken, the last thing Callie wants to do is complete an Advent calendar filled with holiday challenges... but then finds herself reigniting her holiday cheer and possibly falling in love again. Callie is ready to shut herself in and have a quiet Christmas, especially after her childhood sweetheart broke up with her and has moved in next door with his new girlfriend. Callie is determined to avoid him at all cost, not go home for the holidays either, and just try and get the holidays over with, but her meddling sister is determined to bring back some holiday cheer and help Callie find a new love. Her sister stages an intervention of the holiday sort and gets her to participate in a homemade Advent calendar challenge, filled with activities that are meant to get Callie to go out of her comfort zone. Then Calle meets a very handsome Chef who could possibly have her be willing to give love another go. Can Callie find her holiday cheer again and open her heart up to romance again during this Christmas season? This was a cute and light hallmark-esque Christmas romance. I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for an easy holiday romance to read!

Release Date: October 22, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[christmasxmas]

[life-spire]

[theoreocat]

Oh Christmas Blep 😛🎄

[mcytadventevent]

@syneester is creating for Day Two:

Prompt: Pillow Fort

Their piece is art, featuring Pearl, Grian, Scar, Impulse, and Mumbo (Boatem)!

Credit Links:

https://www.tumblr.com/syneester

https://bsky.app/profile/syneester.bsky.social

[christmas-allyearround]

“The first snowfall is magical” ❄️

[hallmark-movie-fanatics]

[daystilchristmas]

There's 6 Days Til Christmas!

[devondraws]

Countdown to Christmas//Advent day 8! Webkinz Peppermint and Gingerbread puppy!

[verba-amoris]

No milk and cookies for santa in my house...I'm the only snack he needs 🎅🍪🥛

[nordicchristmas]

35 days until Christmas Eve is here 🕯️🎄

[beach-love-sparkles2]

~Come down my chimney, and I’ll come down yours. ~

[christmasxmas]

[thepumpkin-queenn]

[ilikecarsandlike4people]

Day 16: Stargazing⭐

[everydayschristmas]

☺️