Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Furthermore, Greenlaw's writing style effortlessly transports readers into the heart of the story, painting vivid scenes that evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia. The author's attention to detail and ability to capture the essence of the holiday season adds an enchanting layer to the narrative, making it a perfect read for cozy winter nights. MBA student Caroline Sedlacek knows her personal balance sheet is a little lopsided. On the asset side, at twenty-two she’s got an NCAA trophy, a great education...and the two million dollars she unexpectedly inherited. Liabilities? She's never had friends, a boyfriend, or any life experiences away from the tennis court or the classroom. She'd love to invest herself in everything else, but "everything else" never came easily for her.
In Mary Kay Andrews’ sparkling new 2023 holiday release, Big Lights, Big Christmas, Kerry Tolliver says goodbye to her family’s Christmas tree farm and hello to the bright lights of NYC. There to help her older brother sell trees at their family’s Greenwich Village destination, Kerry falls in love with the dazzling city, her delightful neighbors, and the charming single dad who sweeps her off her feet. Thank you to @Netgalley and to @Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review. Catherine Walsh gave the gift of romance last year with her novel Holiday Romance, and she’s continuing that tradition for 2023 with her holiday romantic comedy, Snowed In.I have read and loved the other groundhog type stories; so one with Christmas in the title had me full of anticipation of something good!
In a series of events, Eva is forced to look at Christmas day from the perspectives of the people closest to her. If you like light Christmassy reads, this book isn't for you at all, or at least, it's not something I'd recommend you read during Christmas. ( You can read it as a non-Christmas story.) Though it has a few heartwarming moments, a major chunk of the book is upsetting or infuriating or depressing, a great part of which is because of Eva. I think it was a good idea for a novel, but not well executed. I expect a lot from "Groundhog Day" style books. You're already taking someone else's idea, so you have to deliver on characters and story. This did not.
Featured Reviews
In this book, readers get to re-live Christmas Day over and over and over again. Phew, there’s a lot of roast dinners going on but thankfully, with none of the calories! However, despite being set on Christmas Day, I didn’t think it was a heavily festive book and I believe this was the right balance for my first Christmas read of 2023. Will I have the chance to explain to little Erin why I had to go? Even if I do find the strength to return, what will my mother have told her? Only one person really knows what happened and why I had to do what I did. I know the truth will come out some day. I don’t expect forgiveness. The only thing I hope is that my family can survive the fallout....
James and Eva met, fell in love and got married ten years ago and they planned their lives to include children until three years ago when everything changed one Christmas and since then things just haven’t been right between them. The strength of One Christmas Morning lies in its well-developed characters, each possessing their own flaws, dreams, and desires. As the story unfolds, their relationships evolve in a refreshingly realistic manner, showcasing the complexities of human connections. Readers will find themselves emotionally invested in the characters' journeys, rooting for their growth and transformation.
Poignant, clever, exceptional – with a light sprinkling of Christmas magic. Loved it.’ Milly Johnson, Together, Again Rachel Greenlaw’s debut novel One Christmas Morning follows Eva, a woman desperate to escape the memories of her past, even if that means pushing everyone she loves away. Amid her latest escape, Eva gets a surprise visit from her Gran’s ghost that ends with her living the same day, over and over again, in the bodies of her loved ones. The author did a good job in making this story work around that theme, but they also made sure to retain their own voice within the writing and the plot itself. I liked that it was a female protagonist's viewpoint that we got to experience. It is said that the people of Rosevear are lawless – that they steal from the ships that wash up on their shores. The islanders see it differently. They call it survival.
I really have no major faults with the book itself, but there is one storyline that is really affecting me mentally because it revolves around the main character Eva’s pregnancy loss and the feelings surrounding her best friend’s pregnancy/IVF. This is just a topic that’s really hard for me to read about and I’m struggling to push through these parts. From the queen of heartwarming holiday romances comes Christmas at the Shelter, a cozy love story about a girl who would have happily kept her small town and the Shelter Inn hotel in her rearview mirror if not for her sister’s call for help. In a town brimming with bad memories, Natalie Shepherd is struggling to keep her head above water when she bumps into the ultimate ghost from her past, her late brother’s best friend and her high school crush, Griffin Taylor. The characters in "One Christmas Morning" are well-drawn and relatable. Eva's transformation throughout the story is believable and touching, and the supporting cast adds depth and nuance to the narrative. The relationships between the characters are explored with care, emphasizing the strength found in friendship and the significance of second chances. I received this ARC from @netgalley and @hqstories just in time for December and it was more of an emotional rollercoaster than I was expecting! While out in the wilds of NYC, Iris meets Gio, the charming owner of a struggling gelateria on the brink of closing. Much to Iris’s surprise, her mother’s gelato, and their gelato are one in the same. With the recipe hanging in the balance and Gio’s uncle in a coma, Iris must decide how to tell him she knows the recipe.One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw is a heartwarming debut novel that delves into a woman's journey of self-discovery, the power of friendship, and the hope of redemption. This modern interpretation of a timeless story is enriched by its multidimensional characters and their intricately woven relationships. The outcome is a touching narrative that reminds us to cherish the true essence of life and prioritize what truly matters. However.... One Christmas, her special angel and beloved Gran decides to return from beyond to try to set Eva straight. The book I didn't know I needed to read - gorgeous, Christmassy and compelling” - Ella Allbright, The Last Charm
Great Deal 
New Comment