ONCE UPON A DECEMBER by Amy E. Reichert is the perfect holiday read! It was feel-good and so atmospheric for the Christmas season -- I highly recommend picking this one up!

DNF

Once Upon a December is a sugary sweet Christmas romance with a good helping of magical realism. While it absolutely has an audience who may be looking that, I am unfortunately not that audience. The writing lacked depth for me - there was a lot of surface-level description, but I didn't feel like I got to live in the main characters' heads. Everything was a little overly explained, which made the pacing feel extremely slow. I would recommend this to someone looking for a low-angst Christmas romance.

This was a fun, quirky, heartwarming holiday romance that I can definitely see many people enjoying. I can't wait to recommend this one to anyone looking for something to put them in the holiday spirit.

Bonus points go to the author for the fun character names: Astra Noel Snow and Jack Clausen. Pure gold.

Who doesn’t love a cute cozy Christmas romance I love holiday books, and I love the joy that is added with the romance involved. I like both the characters and thought the relationship was cute.

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert is a heartwarming holiday romance that beautifully captures the magic of Christmas and the enchantment of new love. The story centers around Astra Noel Snow, a woman whose name itself embodies the holiday spirit. However, after a painful divorce, Astra finds solace and joy in her annual visit to the Milwaukee Christmas market.

At the market, Astra encounters Jack Clausen, a charming baker who saves the best kringle just for her. Jack’s life is uniquely tied to the Julemarked, a magical place where time stands still in a perpetual December wonderland. While the rest of the world moves forward, Jack’s life in the Julemarked remains a constant, festive haven.

As Astra and Jack's paths cross, a tender romance blossoms amidst the snowy lights and charming shops. Through their swoon-worthy dates and the enchantment of the Yuletide season, Astra introduces Jack to the joys and realities of life outside his magical alley. The story explores whether their love, forged in the special warmth of the holiday season, can endure through all the seasons.

Reichert’s writing is imbued with festive cheer, making it a perfect read for the holiday season. The characters are well-drawn and endearing, with Astra’s resilience and Jack’s charm creating a delightful dynamic. The magical elements of the Julemarked add a whimsical touch, making the romance feel even more special and enchanting.

*Once Upon a December* is a delightful holiday read that offers a cozy escape into a world of festive magic and heartwarming romance. It’s perfect for those who believe in the magic of Christmas and the enduring power of love.

Once Upon A December was so stinking cute. I swore on everything I wrote a review, but I guess not.

I did do the audio and loved it on audio format. The whole different place/realm/zone area kind threw me in print, so audio definitely helped with that. Jack and Astra were literally the cutest and k got the feels from them.

Two words to describe the book would be swoon-worthy and cozy.

A one-of-a-kind Christmas market offers holiday magic in this new romance from the author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.

With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn’t just a seasonal specialty—it’s a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery.

A wonderfully warm Hallmark hug of a book. Reichert's characters invite you in and keep you and I wanted to spend far more time with Astra as she navigated a new world and forged her way to making Christmas romantic and memorable again.

After her divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery. For Jack, the Julemarked stays the same magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he’s been missing outside of the festive red brick alley. After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons.

This is another book that if you can put aside the premise, you can really enjoy the holiday magic! I liked Astra and Jack, and I liked them together. The audiobook was great!

This was the perfect read to get in the mood for the holiday season! An adorable romance and all the cozy vibes. I had so much fun with this book and cannot recommend it enough!!

Oh my goodness, this was such a magical, sweet story! I absolutely loved the magic of the Julemarked and Jack was the absolute yummiest! I also loved Astra’s journey of coming into herself and fighting for the life she truly wanted, and I loved how it ended! A wonderful holiday story!

I really wanted to love this one but I just could not get in to the storyline. I did not connect with the characters and felt like there was enough backstory to really care about reading this one.

This was a great holiday romance that really drew me in and made me want to read more by Reichert. The cover was really beautifully done!

“In a place outside of time, every day was December.”
“Once Upon A December” by Amy E. Reichert is a whole holiday mood.

Readers are literally dropped into the holiday season from chapter one, where we meet Jack Clausen, a dreamy and delicious baker who creates delectable treats for sale at his family’s bakery in the Julemarked, a magical Christmas village.


“What could be sexier than a man who baked?”

Jack and his brothers can bake me holiday treats any time. I know Astra loves cherry and almond paste, but I’d happily accept apple, pecan, or pumpkin kringle treats. Just let me know where to send my money.

I love that Reicher writes an entire story surrounding the Julemarked, because one of my favorite aspects of the holidays is being able to buy gifts for my friends and family. Though I do sometimes succumb to the anxiety and panic of not being able to get everyone the *perfect* gifts, like Astra, I absolutely love being able to make someone smile with something I know they will love. I especially love venturing to craft fairs and markets to potentially find that unique and unexpected present. Malls are stressful, but Christmas markets are charming. Throw in some hot apple cider or hot chocolate and I am sold.


Four baker brothers? Perfection
Final Thoughts
“I like how even time can’t keep two people who belong together apart.”


Ultimately, I really enjoyed reading this novel, especially as the start to my holiday reading list. There were a few ideas surrounding the magic of the market that I had trouble following, and the details were a little muddy. You may want to look past those to immerse yourself in the warmth of the holiday spirit. Overall, the author’s themes came through loud and clear:

*Holidays are meant to be spent with family and/or the ones you love

*Stand up for yourself and what you want, but compromise is key

*Love doesn’t have to be romantic love to be important

*Don’t let Astra babysit your kids unless you want them complicit in a crime – IYKYK

“Once Upon A December” would be an excellent recommendation for fans of Christina Lauren’s “In A Holidaze” and “All I Want For Christmas” by Wendy Loggia, and I’d recommend it for anyone ready to dip their toe into a holiday TBR.

Happy holidays and Happy Reading!

I would say there were positives and negatives about this book. This is another quirky and out of the ordinary Christmas themed book.
I’ll admit I was a bit confused as I read this one.

I will say it has a very strong Christmasy vibe which added to the authenticity of Christmas time. This is the romantic story of Astra Noel Snow, a recently divorced librarian and Jack Clausen whose family owns a bakery. Every December there is a Milwaukee Christmas market and Astra loves it.

This Christmas market is in an alley only accessible during Julemarked, a fabulous Christmas world where Jack lives. Every 4 weeks Julemarked transfers to another place and the people you meet during Julemarked you don’t remember from year to year.

If Jack goes outside of this magical Christmas world, he feels dizzy and nauseated.
When Jack starts saving the best Kringle cookies for Astra they know they may have something special. Can it possibly work out though she’s in the regular world and he lives in a special Christmas world?

Pub Date 04 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I normally love everything Amy Reichert writes but this one was just a bit too quirky for me and did not quite work for me. I hope to love her next book as much as I've loved her past titles!

✦Review: ONCE UPON A DECEMBER by Amy E. Reichert https://bit.ly/3Oa5Y16
Publication Date: 10/04/2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 STARS

This is a modern fairytale set around a magical Christmas village that appears around the globe during the holiday season. Jack and the villagers were fun and their close-knit camaraderie engaging. At times the sweetness seemed a bit overwhelming, but it made my heart smile at the same time. Astra lives in the real world, with close friends and family that I enjoyed. I dreaded the point where one would have to give up everything they knew and cherished to make a happily-ever-after come about. I must say that I love how it was handled. This was a true feel-good story full of the magic of love.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kindle https://amzn.to/42z3nBX

#OnceUponaDecember #NetGalley

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert is one of those heartwarming and feel good Christmas romance that is almost a must to read around the holidays (think Hallmark/Lifetime movies but in book form!). Astra and Jack meet in December at a magical kind of Christmas market that, unbeknownst to them, defies time. Is it just the Christmas spirt that is bringing them together? Or will they defy the test of time? Cute read during the holidays.

This is a very cute Christmas romance. It’s sweet, fun, and very unique. The concept was very different than anything I’ve read, so it was very refreshing to read. And it makes me want to visit all the Christmas markets I can. I thought the author also did a good job of showing how a toxic ex can continue to manipulate your life despite being divorced by continuing to use things you love against you. And any book with a dog is good by me. But WHY was there an accidental pregnancy?! That did make the ending less entertaining (and acceptable?) for me.

Not my favorite Amy Reichert book, but still very well done. I prefer a little less fantasy in my romance, which is why I can't stretch to four stars, but it's well written and keeps the reader engaged. I love the Wisconsin settings, and will continue to be a fan!

This was a really cute and unique winter/holiday romance. I really liked the magical Christmas market and it felt very much like a Hallmark movie with a bit of whimsical.