The atmosphere in this book was perfection. A cozy, magical Christmas market. A love story with a tinge of magic and strong female friendships. This was a great book to end my holiday reading and wrap up the year.

The Anastasia fan in me requested this book because of the title but unfortunately, this book just wasn't what I was expecting and I didn't end up finishing it.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for access to this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Once Upon a December was a cute, heartwarming holiday read with a plot I had not seen before. The magical Christmas market is one that I would love to visit...the romance did fall a bit flat.

Loved this Yule time romance! Better than a hallmark holiday movie, it had the best mix of heart break and heart melt.

I saw that Christina Lauren described this book as a "holiday hug" and that's the best way to put it. I was pleasantly surprised by this, especially since I saw that some other reviewers didn't love it. It's hard to find a holiday romance with a super unique premise these days, so bonus points to Amy Reichart for that! I love a little bit of magic with my holiday romances, and this was so cozy and lovely.

Once Upon A December missed the mark a bit for me. While the synopsis outline some of my favorite parts of a story, I felt like there was a lot of lackluster plot and filler/fluff. It wasn't for me.

The title of this is great because this is the best book to read in the winter. It’s such a cozy and sweet story. No dramatic goings on that affects the main characters. And just the barest hint of fantasy. In this story we have Jack, a baker living in the Julemarked. And then we have Astra, a librarian in Milwaukee. Julemarked shows up only in the month of December in any city that has a Christmas Market. Astra feels a connection with Jack, but doesn’t know why, whereas he has known her for years. Astra is having problems with her ex-husband, with whom she shares custody of the dog he got her as a gift. She and her three close friends have come up with a plan to get Bernie all to herself. He, of course, is also using her for other things to keep her tied to him. But after a night out with Jack and the girls, Astra just has this feeling about him, but he disappears. She goes back to the Christmas Market the next year to see the Julemarked is back and confront Jack. And he tells her his story and why she can remember, well, kind of remember. They have a month to figure this out. HEA.

This book felt overwhelmingly average. I didn't like it or dislike it, but just felt a uncomfortable amount of indifference.

Need a little Christmas magic? Then look no further than this magical Julmarked that appears at Christmas Markets for the month of December around the world.

While there is no Santa, the people of the Julemark are still just as magical. Time works differently and it’s always December. Jack Clausen loves his life there and would never change a thing, but every time they land in Milwaukee he gets extra excited at the chance to see her again even if he still doesn’t know her name.

Astra is going through a divorce, and needing to find her place again. Her annual Christmas trip with her friends is here again and she can’t wait to spend time with them. She meets a baker in the cutest Christmas store and wants to know him better.

Jack and Astra get to know each other slowly, but when December 31st is over Jack is gone. One year later the shop appears again and she remembers it. The magic of the Julemarked is that no one remembers it once it’s gone. Jack and Astra take this December to teach her the truth, learn about each other, and decide if she wants to move to Julmarked and leave her old life behind.

This is a unique magical romance and it didn’t happen at all how I thought. I loved the older MC’s the Christmas vibes, the magic and mystery of the Julemarked, and seeing Astra really grow as a character.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

a librarian and a baker? sign me up immediately,

the plot of this story was so interesting and unique from other holiday romances which felt super refreshing to be able to read.

the ending was the part that made me lower the rating but besides that, it was super enjoyable to read.

loved loved loved astra's friend group <3

Thank you, @berkleypub @prhaudio @netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review this.

If you want a little romance mixed with some magic, then I recommend this one for a cute read. I switched between listening and the ebook and would recommend both with the edge going to the ebook for this one. I found myself getting confused early on with the timeline on audio, hence the edge to ebook.

I loved the Christmas spirit of the book. I enjoyed the market that I could picture in my head and the kringle I could almost taste. I loved the idea of a yearly tradition with friends. The romance was cute and once I got the timeline jumps figured out properly I enjoyed the meet cutes and the non-traditional method of falling in love.

Reading this book set in Milwaukee made me so happy to recognize the places mentioned. I love the rare occasion books are set where I'm familiar. I'm definitely putting the Milwaukee Christmas Market (and kringle) with girlfriends on my 2023 Christmas season to-do list.

Very strange premise, but very cute. Ending was terrific. This was a fun read that I couldn't put down

Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @prhaudio for a free download of the audiobook. And thank you to @berittalksbooks and @dg_reads for including me on this buddy read.

This was such a charming holiday read. I loved the magical realism that wove in to the love story between Jack and Astra. I enjoyed the walk through the many Yules when Jack got visited by Astra.

Their relationship was sweet and swoon-worthy. If you’re looking for a holiday romance with a different twist, I recommend picking this one up!

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #berkleypub #berkleyromance #berkleybuddyreads #prhaudio #ltbreaderteam #berkelywritesstrongwomen #onceuponadecember #amyreichert

"Once upon a December, a girl met a boy, but she didn't remember."

This Christmas romance pulled me in from the very first page with its enticing, subtle magic. With Christmas already being a magical time of year, the enchantment surrounding the Julemarked (a European Christmas market) fit perfectly in this storyline and gave this romance such a unique, refreshing take.

Main characters Astra and Jack have met numerous times over the last 14 years at the Julemarked. The catch? Astra never remembers, despite feeling like she's running into an old friend every time they bump into each other, often at Kringle All The Way, the Danish kringle shop Jack and his brothers run.

For Jack, every December has him waiting with anticipation for Astra, the beautiful woman he only ever sees when the Julemarked makes its way to the Milwaukee Christmas Market. Jack has always loved being surrounded by Christmas and his immediate family, never seeking to step out of his magical world into the real one. That is, until he realizes what he could have with Astra.

Oh my heart, Once Upon a December may be one of my very favorite books of the year. I've always been awed and thrilled by the magic of the holiday season, and this book was sprinkled with it in the most beautiful way.

And the audiobook narrated by @sharononscreen is incredible! Thank you to @prhaudio partner for my gifted copy!

As a huge holiday reading fan, this was the perfect Christmas read for me. It made me both laugh and cry, crave Kringle, go on a deep Internet dive about nisser, and left me smiling and teary-eyed. I adored Astra's friends, their loyalty and their unbreakable bond; loathed Trent with the fire of a thousand suns; wanted to give Bernie the biggest snuggles and hugs; and made me hopeful that Amy will write more books in this series because I'd love to see a Ronnie-John story or a Mads story!

The world-building in this one was everything, and what could be more perfect than a librarian and a lover of books falling for a baker?

Have I sold you on this one yet? I sure hope so!

I am a long fan of Amy's writing and I'm loving her new foray into magical realism type romance. This one was so fun, cozy, wonderful and gave me all the holiday feel-good feelings.

Astra loves Christmas, especially the one weekend a year she and her three best friends spend in downtown Milwaukee at the Christmas market. They find a little alley called the Julemarked, which has an amazing bakery that makes the best kringles in the world. This bakery is run by Jack and his family, who are actually part of a secret magical world that transports the Julemarked around the globe and is perpetually December. Jack remembers Astra- she's been coming to the bakery for 15 years but has absolutely no memory of it. At first, I thought this one might be a little too twee for me, but Reichert weaves beautiful love stories into the plot. Although at first the novel seems to be a romance between Jack and Astra (and it is), it is also about the love between these four best friends. It reminded me of my three best friends in the absolute best way!

“Life is lived best in the company of loved ones”
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I loved this quote from Once Upon a December, by Amy E. Reichert, because I know that I am absolutely at my happiest when I have my family all around me.
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I have several of this author’s books on my shelves to be read. The ones I have read have been very enjoyable, so I happily signed up to review this holiday book.
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Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, but I am not sure that I would enjoy the season as much if it was the only season I got to experience. Jack Clausen lives and works in this on-a-kind magical Christmas market that Astra visits each year it appears in Milwaukee.
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These two have a connection, but Astra doesn’t remember it from year to year and Jack doesn’t know if she ever will. I don’t know how to classify this romance trope but I liked it!
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The friendship group Astra has is fantastic. She has an awful ex, but the most wonderful dog. As always, the dog is my favorite character in a cast of great characters.
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I loved Astra and her friends! If you like your romance set at Christmas with some magic that plays with time and space, this is for you! It’s fun and mystical and just an all-around cozy read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Alright now THIS is how a magical Christmas story is supposed to be!! After my last *disastrous* magical story I was weary about that element, but this one was written so well and was such a fun and heartfelt read. I really loved the past/present timeline and thought over all it was a pretty unique read! I wouldn’t say I was on the edge of my seat absolutely dying to get back to it, but it definitely kept my attention (especially at the end) and I enjoyed listening to it a lot! Love wise it is a bit insta-love, but weirdly also slow, and I have a terrible memory so I think it might have a semi steamy scene? But if it does it isn’t crazy so I’d classify it as closed door..

If you are looking for a magical, not super heavy but heartfelt holiday story definitely check this one out!

[thank you @berkleyromance for the gifted copy, all opinions are my own]

read. The tale of Jack and Astra is one that will stick with you long after the last page is regretfully turned. I didn’t want to leave the magical Julemarked a place where it’s perpetually Christmas time. Think of a Hallmark holiday movie. Now without giving much away Astra and Jack meet at the Julemarked and how it all unfolds is quite fantastical. The story weaves back and forth between present day or the outside as it is referred too and the Julemarked. It’s not hard to follow which makes for easy reading. Jack has a close knit family and Astra is healing from a divorce when they meet an instant connection forms. Can their love overcome what lies ahead and the decision which Astra will need to make. Throw in a great group of amazing girlfriends and you’ve got the makings for a great story. Totally connected with the characters and came away feeling like these women could have been my friends as well. Highly recommend this one as it has all the elements of a Christmas read. The ending is satisfying and you’ll be sorry to leave these people. Ty #NetGalley for the ARC all opinions are my own.