ONCE UPON A DECEMBER is brimming with holiday charm, best friends and a swoony romance. If you love Christmas stories with a touch of magic, then this is the story for you! It stars Astra Noel Snow who adores Christmas. She went through a hellish divorce from a controlling man. Now, Astra can spend as much time as she wants with her best friends. She is looking forward to their annual holiday outing in the Milwaukee market. There is fun and good times ahead!

Jack Clausen, a handsome fellow who works in a popular pastry shop in Julemarked, looks forward to tourists to tempt with their tasty treats. His shop is magical, in that it disappears at the end of December, only to open in another city in the world. He enjoys working with his family and his enchanted life in Julemarked. He has no urge to wander beyond the festive red brick alley into the real world, which makes him ill. However, one beautiful day a lovely lady named Astra strolls in with her friends and his life leaps into la la love land. After numerous dates, Jack and Astra are besotted with each other. However, they have to decide who will make the ultimate compromise. Will they live life happily in Julemarked or the real world?

Quirky characters, a charming romance, and an unique Christmas market offer a yuletide charm in Ms. Reichert's new novel, ONCE UPON A DECEMBER. Jack and Astra are an adorable couple who discover each other over pastries and good friends. This is the perfect holiday story to warm your heart. This is a different spin on your traditional holiday romance. I fell in love with all the characters and the kitschy Christmas market. This is a feel good read filled with all things Christmasy!

Once Upon A December by Amy E. Reichert was the ideal book to kick off my Christmas reading. This book was like a warm cup of tea. It made me feel cozy and so happy while reading it. This is the kind of book I could happily see turning into a Netflix movie.

Reichert’s Once Upon A December is about Astra and Jack. Astra is a divorcee who lives in Milwaukee and works as a librarian. She has a dog and the most amazing best friends. Every year she gets together with the girls and they go to the Julemarked. There, she meets a man named Jack who works in the bakery making the most amazing Kringles. Unfortunately, after the Julemarked leaves, she doesn’t remember anything about it or Jack. So, over the years Jack has been super attracted to her. This year is different from the previous years, however. And so, Astra and Jack begin to date. Eventually, Astra must chose her current life or the Julemarked with Jack.

I really loved the concept of this book and the Julemarked. It is not a concept I’ve really read before. It feels a little bit fantasy as the Julemarked is a place out of time — where it is always Christmas and it rotates from place to place, magically. But I also loved the every day life aspect of this book. Astra’s friends are so wonderful and good to her. She is good to them too. And her dog Bernie stole every scene. This was such a lovely book.

ON A SCALE OF ONE TO BUDDY THE ELF, HOW MUCH CHRISTMAS SPIRIT DOES ONCE UPON A DECEMBER HAVE?
This book for sure charts high on the Christmas spirit scale. Once Upon A December has one setting where it is always Christmas. I think that sounds superb and like paradise. Also, there are those little gnome decorations. We also get to read about baking and gift giving. And true friendship. Plus, the romance aspect. At one point I felt like this book was giving the film Snowglobe. I mean that as a compliment. For sure though, this was a great book to put me in the holiday mindset.

This is a wonderful Christmas romance, full of Christmas magic. The synopsis is below, I’m not going to recap it. The plot is so imaginative, it’s easy to suspend belief and watch the romance unfold. The characters are lovely, and after I was finished all I wanted to do was find a Christmas market, ASAP!
I highly recommend this book, 4.5 stars.

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.

For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes, 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

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

An odd romance, but a very cute one. Astra, a librarian recovering from an awful divorce, loves to visit the Christmas market in the city every year. And every year Jack is there at the bakery waiting for Astra to visit, the problem is she never remembers him (because of Christmas magic). But this might be the year she finally does, and Jack will get the chance at the woman of his dreams.

I enjoyed this romance, it was very cute. I’m not huge on the holiday romance trope but wanted to give this book a chance. It’s one of the few times I’ve read a librarian in a romance book where the author didn’t get the entire profession completely wrong and that was to refreshing to read. And the romance between Jack and Astra was unique and fun, I just felt it dragged on a bit too long and could have been a little bit shorter. There were some last minute dramatics I didn’t care for and I think the book would have been perfect without them.

This was such a magical Christmas read! I immediately fell in love with Astra, Jack, the magical Christmas market, Astra's girlfriends, and Astra's dog. This is the perfect romance for Christmas reading this year!

Every year in December, the Milwaukee Christmas market is the prime destination for Astra Noel Snow. Especially when there’s a handsome baker there saving the best and most delicious kringle for her. But, unbeknownst to Astra, the handsome baker Jack Clausen has more secrets that he simply wants to share with her. Especially when even though they don’t know each others’ names, there is something about their connection that seems to be lingering in the air.

I gave Once Upon a December four stars, really enjoying the Christmas atmosphere and the magical realism that this book had. I liked the idea of the Julemarked being magical and the fact that it simply appears in December and is a magical place. The concept is new to me and I thought that was a really nice touch because it added to the enjoyment and the Christmas world that Astra and Jack are introduced to. Although the name, Julemarked, is a little weird, I thought it was still cute for the book.

I found Jack and Astra’s relationship really cute and fun. The concept of not knowing and forgetting after the Julemarked leaves after Christmas made it interesting. But, while I thought their relationship was cute, I feel like there were things missing in terms of their relationship. I felt that it went by so fast and because of the Julemarked having to change locations, I feel that made the terms of Jack and Astra’s growing relationship more complicated.

I originally felt that Once Upon a December to be a 3.5 star, but, I did enjoy this and decided to bump it to a four. I think that this is an enjoyable, light, and fluffy Christmas read to pick up when December hits and perfect when you want something quick and simple to pick up. I had fun reading this and fun seeing Jack and Astra discover each other as people and how years of Julemarked has slowly brought them together.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for inviting me to read Once Upon a December and for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet and festive read. If you’ve read Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle, this gave me similar vibes! You have to suspend belief a little bit, but I really enjoyed this story! Astra meets Jack time and time again at the holiday market before she’s able to remember him. I loved their sweet meetings. This one has romance, friendship, festive holiday moments, and a sweet pup! Thank you PRH audio for my gifted copy! I listened to the audiobook and really liked the narration! I loved that while she considered it, Astra didn’t give up her whole world for a man. I also really hated her ex, Trent!

Once Upon a December is a Christmas-themed romance novel with a magical twist. Astra and Jack met years ago at the Julemarked, a magical Christmas market Jack lives in, but Astra doesn’t remember. Over the years, she continues to run into Jack, but she’s married. As the book opens, she’s divorced, she meets Jack again, he tells her about the Julemarked, and they decide to date for December.

With the Kindred Spirits Supper Club, Reichert introduced a magical aspect (ghosts) into a book. With Once Upon a December, she introduces a magical Christmas market that exists only in December. For the inhabitants of the Julemarked, every month is December, and each December 1st they find themselves in a new place - sometimes in the same year as previously, sometimes in the next year. Anybody visiting the Christmas market forgets it exists after December in the real world is over (this is why Astra doesn’t remember Jack). So, Astra and Jack only have until December 24th to decide what to do - the Julemarked closes up and disappears between December 25th and December 31st, before it opens up in a new place in the world on December 1st again.

Throughout the book, there are flashbacks to Astra and Jack’s previous meetings over the course of the past 15 years, which Jack remembers all of, but Astra doesn’t. She eventually gets those memories back, but in the meantime, it feels super weird that Jack has all these memories of Astra, but Astra doesn’t remember any of the experiences. It feels uneven, that Jack has all the history, and Astra doesn’t, especially because Jack is trying to convince Astra to come and live in the Julemarked with him.

One of the reasons I have enjoyed Amy Reichert’s books in the past is the sense of place that permeates through the books- the clear love of Wisconsin and Wisconsin food has really come through in previous books I’ve read. And while that was present in Once Upon a December, I felt it significantly less than previous books. Because a lot of the book took place in the magical Christmas market, we didn’t get a Wisconsin feel, per se (though kringle like Jack and his family make in the bakery is a southeastern Wisconsin staple). Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of any specific Milwaukee kind of vibe, especially when the setting was called out in the book description.
SPOILER
Lastly, Astra gets pregnant during the time she spends with Jack in December. However, she doesn’t find out until after they split, Jack going with the Julemarked, and Astra staying in Milwaukee, and Astra has no way to contact Jack until the next December. In my personal opinion, a surprise pregnancy in a book that’s set in present day Wisconsin, which post-Roe is operating under a near total abortion ban from 1849, doesn’t seem necessary. Originally, it felt like a way to force Astra and Jack together after they’d gone their separate ways. As the reader later finds out that Jack had changed his mind anyway about remaining in the Julemarked (not knowing Astra was pregnant), I don’t really feel the pregnancy was necessary in this case.
SPOILER ENDS
Overall, I enjoyed Once Upon a December when I was reading it. Though it may not seem this way from the review, there were parts I liked - Astra’s close female friendships, for example, or Jack’s relationship with his brothers. Astra’s ridiculous campaign to get her dog full-time from her ex-husband was an interesting addition to the story as well. However, as I have discussed in this review, there are some problematic aspects that I have a hard time overlooking and that would make me hesitant to recommend this book to many people. I think if you’re looking for something Christmasy and magical in a unique way, and you don’t think too hard about the plot, Once Upon a December can be an enjoyable read.

Prior to reading Once Upon a December, I accidentally read a review that mentioned being confused about the timeline of events and how things worked in the book. I found that utterly confusing, until I didn't. Vague enough? Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert is pure holiday bliss for me and I am beyond grateful that Berkley Romance and PRH Audio granted me free access to listen and read the book.

Astra Noel Snow loves Christmas and what a relief that is. With a name like that could you imagine her being a Christmas Scrooge? Recovering from a messy divorce, Astra is eager to make her annual trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market with her girlfriends. This annual tradition is her favorite, especially a trip to the bakery. Little does Astra know that the handsome man who saved her the best Kringle as been awaiting her return and made this unique Kringle just for her. Jack Clausen has only ever known the lifestyle within the alley of the Julemarked, but after meeting Astra, he starts to question his existence and what he might be missing.

This book is a great holiday read. Astra has the Christmas enthusiasm of Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt in The Matzah Ball, Jack has the charm of Noah Walker in When in Rome, and the community celebration delight of Book Lovers by Emily Henry.

I highly recommend the audiobook! I listened to it in a single day, because I wanted to know how things turned out!I haven't read other novels by Amy E. Reichert, but I have placed a hold at my local library for The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.

Astra Noel Snow is a thirty-something woman who loves Christmas. Recently divorced, she's struggling with sharing custody of her beloved dog, Bernie with her ex-husband Trent who pushes buttons and boundaries with her every chance he gets. But with her trio of best friends, she's determined to make a new start and enjoy the season at their annual trip to the Christmas market in Milwaukee.

Jack Clausen works at the bakery in the market, making unbelievably delicious kringles every year. The Julemarked market is no ordinary Christmas market though. It's encased in a magical world where it's always December and the season of Christmas. Jack feels a special connection to Astra-one that he has fostered for years in his world, governed by a different standard of time.

This Christmas, Jack finally decides to try to get to know Astra. And with the magic of Christmas, anything can happen.

This is definitely a cute, holiday romance-basically a Hallmark movie in text. I wasn't a huge fan of the magical elements of Jack and Jack's world as I would have preferred a realistic holiday romance and for me, Christmas is magical in and of itself. However, Reichert definitely captured my interest especially with the latter half of the story, making this a perfect, fun holiday read.

I love Reichert’s way of writing. It flows in a way I’m not quite sure how to explain, but it just draws the reader in to the story in an almost magical way. It’s even more magical in this Christmas story full of holiday charm and romance.

Astra and Jack are wonderful. I loved their story and the depth that each character had. The story put me in the holiday mood!

Once Upon a December is a charming holiday tale full of Christmas magic. Much of the story takes place in a magical Christmas market in downtown Milwaukee. Newly divorced, Astra Noel Snow, is a fan of Christmas and she looks forward to the annual upcoming trip to the Christmas market with her 3 best friends. And, it wouldn't hurt to see the handsome baker who makes mouthwatering Kringle pastries in flavors meant just for her. Jack Clausen has spent his entire life inside of the Julemarked, baking Kringle pastries alongside his brothers and enjoying each winter day in various Christmas markets around the world. He's never minded the short 25 days in each location, until now. He just can't shake the memory of her, the girl in the Milwaukee market who comes every year to get a Kringle. Her smile is infectious, and if he could just get her name, or the courage to ask her out. Though she doesn't remember him, thanks to the magic of the Julemarked, he certainly remembers her visits - each and every one for a span of 15 years. Will this year be the year that he has the chance to talk to her and change his future for the better?

This magical Christmas romance full of quirky characters who all love Christmas will make you smile. It's full of love, magic, best friends, a huge dog and a love of holiday traditions.

Astra Noel Snow has always loved Christmas -- with a name like that it's no surprise. A bitter divorce from a man who tried to keep her isolated from her best friends, makes her look forward to her new life and spending time with her friends as they all return to the Milwaukee Christmas market. She's decided to celebrate and enjoy her time with her college friends who have always been there for her. Jack Clausen lives in the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops. It stays the same and magically disappears at the end of each December only to start December in another city in the world. He works at a bakery with his family and enjoys his magical life. People who live in this magical area can go into the real world when they want but Jack enjoys his life and gets nauseous when he goes into the real world. That is until he meet Astra. He is drawn to her immediately when they meet in the bakery and wants to get to know her better but he realizes that may be impossible. Once the Julemarked disappears from a city, people aren't able to remember anything about it. When they go the next time its in their city, it's always a new experience. After several dates, Astra and Jack fall in love and have to make the ultimate decision. Will Jack stay in the real world where he is unhappy or will Astra give up her life and forget her friends and family? Will they be able to compromise and find their happily ever after life together??

I don't really enjoy books that use magical realism in their plots but it really worked well for this Christmas story. I liked the two main characters but I really liked the relationship between Astra and her girlfriends. They had been friends for years and always looked out for each other. This book will make you smile and look forward to the magic of Christmas that is available to all of us.

Amy Reichert’s ONCE UPON A DECECEMBER is a Christmas novel full of romance, family, friendship, magic, and, of course, Christmas. Reichert has taken her unique and special way of story creation and given us a Christmas novel that pulls it all together in an enchanting way.
Jack has been content living his life in the Julemarked, an alley/side street where it’s always the Christmas. He loves working in his family’s bakery, creating delicious Kringles. Life is always the same, no matter where the enchanted market arrives, and he isn’t very curious about the outside world…except in Milwaukee. Milwaukee is where he sees her, getting to know her every visit, even if she doesn’t remember him later. Maybe this year he will find out her name. Astra Noel Snow (what a perfect name) loves Christmas and looks forward to her annual Girls’ weekend visiting Milwaukee’s Christmas market. Her friends and family are important to her, especially since she almost lost them during her marriage. When she meets Jack, she doesn’t understand why she’s been dreaming of him. Could he be the one she’s been searching for? What will happen when it’s time for the Julemarked to move again? Will Astra forget Jack?
I love Astra and I enjoyed watching her find her strength and grow into herself. I adored her friends and how important they were to each other, and how they were there for each other, no matter what. There are hard decisions to make and obstacles to overcome on the way to their future. Reichert’s ONCE UPON A DECEMBER is a wonderful piece of Christmas magic you won’t want to put down. Don’t miss this one.
Thanks to the publisher and Goodreads for the chance to read an early copy. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#OnceUponaDecember #AmyReichert #TallPoppyWriter #BloomReads #TallPoppyBlogger #GoodreadsGiveaway #Berkley #TallPoppyReviewer #ChristmasRead

I was a bit hesitant to read Amy E Reichert’s newest book, Once Upon A December. After reading her book last year, I was not into her romance style. It’s a bit too slow for my taste for romance books. But I was willing to try again with her newest book since it’s a holiday theme romance book.

After finishing this book, I would say it’s a cute romance read. I would say in caution that this book has a magical element to its story. It's a bit difficult to read through it since it involves mystery to it. It did distract me from the romance aspect. But I’m glad that I pulled through.

If you are into holiday magical themed romance, then you will enjoy reading this book.

Rating 3.5/5
Plot 3.5/5
Spice .5/5
Writing 3.5/5
Character Development 3.5/5

[I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book]

“Once Upon a December” by Amy E. Reichert tells the story of Astra Noel Snow and Jack Clausen. Astra has just gone through a difficult divorce. During this time, Astra spends more time with her friends and they visit a Christmas Market in Milwaukee. Jack has worked at the Christmas market his entire life in his family’s bakery along Julemarked’s mysterious alley. The alley contains a village of people who always celebrate Christmas and their market travels throughout the world during the holiday season. Jack’s market happens to take place at the Christmas Market in Milwaukee and when Astra visits, Jack is immediately smitten by her. As the two get to know each other, Astra and Jack must decide whether their relationship can weather all seasons or if this winter wonderland feeling will pass.

This was a beautiful book! If you are interested in magic realism, contemporary romances, and a book that’s perfect for the winter season, this book is for you! I don’t read many magic realism stories, but this plot was really interesting!

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert follows Astra Noel Snow, a young woman who is heartbroken after a nasty divorce and looking to make a fresh start. As you can imagine from her name, Astra is all about holiday spirit and what she’s most looking forward to is her annual trip to the Milwaukee Christmas Market with her best friends. She’s there to eat, drink and be merry with her squad and to flirt with Jack, the super cute baker who insists on saving her his best homemade kringle. What Astra doesn’t know at the time is that she has met Jack before, and on more than one occasion…

Jack Clausen works at the Julemarked, a one-of-a-kind Christmas market. It’s one of a kind because it’s always Christmas there, even once Christmas has come and gone everywhere else. The market exists in its own time and space, magically jumping from one December to the next every four weeks. Once the market leaves a city, the city’s residents immediately forget that it existed and it’s a joyous surprise for them whenever it returns. Jack has always loved living this magical existence, that is, until he develops feelings for Astra and becomes frustrated that he can only see her each time the Julemarked returns to Milwaukee and even then, she just doesn’t remember who he is. When the magical market arrives this holiday season, Jack decides it’s time to figure out if there’s any way he and Astra can truly have any kind of future together. If she knew the truth about the Julemarked, would she consider leaving her life and joining him there? Or could he bring himself to leave behind the only life he has ever known to be with her?

Sometime magical realism doesn’t work for me, but Reichert always gets it exactly right. I fell in love with the whole concept of the Julemarked and just loved the way Reichert brought it to life. I could practically taste the delicious kringle and the hot cocoa. The atmosphere reminded me of a Hallmark movie, as did all of the adorable dates between Astra and Jack, and as a huge Hallmark fan, that makes for a winning read for me. I also adored all of the fun and quirky characters, from Astra and her best friends all the way through to Jack and all of the residents of the Julemarked, who were rooting just as hard as I was for Jack to find a way to be with Astra.

Once Upon a December is truly a magical and heartwarming holiday read. I knew it would be after falling in love with Reichert’s last novel, The Kindred Spirits Supper Club, but she definitely exceeded my expectations with this new book. If you’re looking for a read that captures the magic of the holidays and that is sure to leave you with a smile on your face, look no further than Once Upon a December.

Astra Noel Snow and Jack Clausen meet Once Upon a December at a magical Christmas market in Amy E. Reichert’s latest novel. This holiday tale is replete with magic and whimsy and reminiscent of the musical Brigadoon.

The story is told in dual narration by the two main characters over a number of years as they periodically interact when Julemarked is in Astra’s home town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Over those years, we readers get to enjoy Astra’s amazing friendships and suffer her horrid ex-husband, Trent. Astra as a librarian reminded me of my time working in a library with marvelous children’s librarians. Astra as a divorcee left something to be desired; she is a complete doormat. Jack, who knows no other experiences but his daily baking of the famed kringle pastry and breads, is content in his magical, yet limited world. That is until he meets Astra; who he dreams of and moons over.

Once Upon a December is a sweet holiday romance—perfect for a Hallmark Christmas movie. It is easy to read. There is limited conflict and angst, a well-paced plot, and engaging characters. Grab a cup of cocoa and a flakey pastry and dig into this book.

3.5 stars

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Richert is a creative and magical holiday romance. I enjoyed getting lost in this story. Astra is 37 and trying to figure out her new normal after her divorce. However, her ex-husband keeps showing up and asking for favors. Wow, I hated him! Jack and Astra met in a Milwaukee Christmas market one December, but only Jack remembers. Each year, Jack hopes to see Astra again in the Christmas market. I enjoyed this holiday romance and recommended it be added to your holiday reading list.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group, for my complimentary copy.

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert gives a new magical concept to the Christmas holiday. This story is about Jack who lives inside a magical Christmas market. Every time the market ends up in Milwaukee, Jack sees Astra who he always crushes over. I love this premise for the story but I wanted more of a love connection. It was great seeing the love from a man instead of the woman always wanting the man. Overall, a good holiday read.