3 stars.

I was excited to read "Three Holidays and a Wedding" by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley. There are some cute, cheesy, Hallmark-y moments in this book, but I felt underwhelmed by it as a whole. It's not a bad book, but it's a little all over the place because there is *a lot* going on here. It can get bogged down by all of the festivities and characters and goings on. Still, overall, this is a mostly fun story. I hated how both Anna and Maryam were walked all over by the people in their lives over and over... and they let it happen! Maryam lets her family overwhelm her and use her and abuse her kindness because she's a people pleaser. Anna lets Nick run the show of their relationship, and I whoop-whooped when she told him she wanted a break! Josh was *very* manic pixie dream boy. I *loved* Dadu, he is the star of this book for me! He made me laugh over and over with his meddling, movie-loving ways. I appreciated learning about Ramadan and Hanukkah in great detail that I was unfamiliar with. Great representation, decent holiday escapism, but often cringey plot points. I found my interest waning the longer the book went on.

Thank you to NetGalley, Uzma Jalaluddin, Marissa Stapley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.

Sweet, fun story combining three holidays in a unique way! The plot was a bit thin, but it was enjoyable.

Unfortunately, DNF'ed at 30%. I was interested in the 3 holidays lining up synopsis, but I couldn't get into the two main characters. The dialogue was clunky and repetitive, especially when the characters were sharing their feelings. It also didn't seem like much of a romance and the town of Snow Falls was a little too trite. I unfortunately cared little for the insta-love between the characters. I can't recommend this book but I am sure others loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.

I received an ARC of this title through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought this book was a short, cute, double romance. It was nothing overwhelming special, had 0 spice, and read like a hallmark movie. I found it interesting that it was set prior to 9/11 for what seemed like no real reason? When I began reading I thought it was to make a point, especially with pointing out the triple holidays, but if so I never found it. The town was uncharacteristically open to any and all nationalities and had a touch of magic like any proper holiday town does. The characters were okay and if Hallmark holiday romance is your jam, this one is probably for you!

An in-flight snowstorm unexpectedly lands two women in a small festive town, where with the help of each other they realize they need to make some major life changes. ✈️

Simply put, this one didn’t work for me. The synopsis made it sound so fun, but it was very sweet and sappy, which isn’t my cup of tea. I never relate to pushover FMCs, and in this one, we have two of them. 😕 Things came together frustratingly slow and the writing was overly detailed, so the plot progressed at a snail’s pace for me. As a plus, I liked the representation of three holidays happening at once. (The book focused mainly on Ramadan with a bit of Hanukkah and a smidge of Christmas.) Another example of marketing setting expectations that in my opinion, didn’t accurately reflect the book. 🤷🏻‍♀️

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a complimentary advance copy of this eBook, out now.

This book was just kind of a mess and all over the place which I guess can be hinted at in the title. It lost the hallmark vibes pretty quickly

Thanks so much to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons and the authors for an ARC version of this book.

If you are looking for a feel-good, life your spirits holiday read, this one is for you. "Three Holidays and a Wedding" follows the story of Maryam and Anna as they find themselves as seatmates on a flight from Denver to Toronto, for a wedding and Christmas celebration, respectively.

What I loved about this book was that it has something for everyone, as it introduces elements of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan. Usually around this time of year, you can find me buried in Christmas romances, and I actually loved that romance was only played a small role in this book, and that the main focus was on the cultural aspects of these womens' lives and how a few days stranded in a snowy town influenced them to recognize their true selves.

Highly recommend this one for a hopeful, uplifting read to start your holiday season.

If you’re looking for a feel-good winter romance, this is it! Three Holidays and a Wedding is set in 2000 when Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan were all happening at the same time. Anna is traveling to Toronto to spend Christmas with her boyfriend and his family. Maryam is traveling to Toronto with her family to celebrate her sister’s wedding. When the storm of the century comes, their flight is rerouted to Snow Falls,Canada. At first, everyone is upset at this inconvenience, but the longer they are in Snow Falls, the more they listen to themselves and what they need, not what everyone else wants from them. There are some great characters including an Indian grandfather, a movie star, and some amazing townsfolk. Set up like a Hallmark movie, this is just a fun, sweet book that made me want to read more.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

What a different style of a holiday book. I loved it and loved seeing all of the different cultures and point of views. I had to go to a bakery and buy baked goodies. Loved it!

I loved this--the cozy winter feel, Canada setting and the different relationships at stake. I love Sophia Kahn is not obliged, and other romances with Muslim protagonists because I learn a lot. This is right up there with them.

I have seen this book on all of the holiday book lists this year. It was sadly not for me. The idea of being stranded in a small town during a blizzard around Christmas was cute. I did not care for the characters or the writing.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc! This is a story about the rare tri-holiday season and two strangers who become fast friends when they are snowed-in in a small christmasy town. This was such a fun story in a perfect hallmark setting. There are a lot of characters to keep track of but they all have distinct personalities which just added to the overall level of fun the book was. I loved getting to be immersed in Christmas, Ramadan, and Hanukkah. The story had relatable characters and a unique plot while still feeling like the perfect cozy holiday read. I will definitely be picking up more books from these two authors!

I really enjoyed the 3 holidays and learning more about Ramadan! I also really appreciated the yummy food descriptions. The small town was so quirky and fun. This one felt a little long for me yet I also was wishing for more time with Maryam and Saif. All in all, not your typical holiday read and one I hope many will pick up!

This is a holiday read I’ll reach for as a comfort read going forward. This book was all about tradition, faith, friendship all set into a scenic little small town. It was really nice to have a book address those who celebrate the holidays while carrying grief. It touched me in that way.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: DNF

I always try and read at least one non-Christmas holiday romance each December, so I was epically excited for a Hanukkah/Ramadan/Christmas read.

Sadly, THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING was so incredibly slow and the two female leads were both immature and unlikable for me.

I finally put it down at 20%.

Three Holidays and a Wedding
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Uzma Jalauddin and Marissa Stapley

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and G.P. Putnam & Sons and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Three times the holiday magic. Three times the chaos.

As strangers and seatmates Maryam Aziz and Anna Gibson fly to Toronto over the holidays—Maryam to her sister’s impromptu wedding, and Anna to meet her boyfriend’s wealthy family for the first time—neither expect that severe turbulence will scare them into confessing their deepest hopes and fears to one another. At least they’ll never see each other again. And the love of Maryam’s life, Saif, wasn’t sitting two rows behind them hearing it all. Oops.
 
An emergency landing finds Anna, Saif, Maryam, and her sister’s entire bridal party snowbound at the quirky Snow Falls Inn in a picture-perfect town, where fate has Anna’s actor-crush filming a holiday romance. As Maryam finds the courage to open her heart to Saif, and Anna feels the magic of being snowbound with an unexpected new love—both women soon realize there’s no place they’d rather be for the holidays.

My Thoughts: Two amazing romance authors have teamed up to deliver an endearing, heartfelt, swoon-perfect romance novel. Two strangers in a plane, whom would never see each other again, confess their deepest hopes, fears, struggles, and dreams to one another during some scary turbulence, then an emergency landing has them in an unexpected situation in a small town. I love that we get to experience multi-faiths in this storyline. This follows the tropes of second chance romance and small town romance.

The story is narrated in a dual narration by both Maryam and Anna. The beautiful picturesque small town in Snow Falls, Ottawa was beautifully curated by the authors and so much detail went into providing the tone, you really feel like you were there. They bring amazing cultural references, traditions, and the ornate religious customs that really remind us, as the holiday season approaches, to take a minute, slow down, and enjoy every second we have with the ones we love. Maryam and Anna are not only relatable, but likable characters. Snow Falls Inn is so lovely, I so wish I could book a stay there over Christmas with my husband. This winter wonderland was just so beautifully described, one of the best details I have read to date. I love that we have two separate love stories happening at the same time for different reasons. Maryam was originally on the plane for sister’s wedding, traveling with her childhood sweetheart, Saif. They rediscover each other and the depth of love they have for one another. On the other hand, Anna, was traveling to meet her boyfriend’s wealthy family. Anna detour has sparked an unexpected romance. Anna rediscovers who she is, stands in her truth, and takes a risk by following her heart. The character growth was beautiful, they were explored with such depth, compassion, and chemistry. The authors’ writing style was complex, swoony, witty, and brilliant.

This storyline explores both romantic and platonic relationships in a way that is creative and just beautiful. It is heartfelt, swoon-perfect, and endearing. This is the perfect book to read for the upcoming holiday season and will just warm your heart. I will say that the reader will have to suspend belief a little with this one, however, this is a work of fiction and not real life. Personally, I enjoyed the suspension of belief to escape into this story. I highly recommend picking it up today!

My heart is absolutely melting at this Come-From-Away-Meets-Hallmark-Movie gem. I could go and explain the plot, but all that really matters is a snowstorm stops a plane from Denver to Toronto in a town called Snow Falls, which looks like a Christmas wonderland, but is also the most accepting, diverse small town one can imagine.

We have one family observing Ramadan, a Christian woman who deeply misses her stepmother's Chanukah observations, and the entire production crew and cast of a Hallmark movie. There is found family and deep, unexpected friendships. There's painfully complex yet loving family dynamics. There is the power in embracing stepping out of your life and re-centering yourself, and of following what feels right instead of what should be right. There is a celebration of sharing and accepting other traditions, and of creativity and natural sparks between people. There is an overwhelming sense of how big and mixed a community can be, and the unexpected ways people can support each other.

It's one of those stories where you can imagine yourself stuck in Snow Falls and how profoundly it would change you in no time at all.

Also, there's Dadu, who is a wonderful beyond belief.

It's cheesy. Of course it's cheesy. But it's intersectional holiday magic at its best.

This book started off so strong for me but it lost me at about 40% and I honestly just haven’t felt compelled to pick it back up in over a month so I think I’m (sadly) dnfing but I’m willing to give it another try later.

This was a cute holiday read! I enjoyed a romance that wasn’t just Christmas or Hanukkah! I think the book was a little longer than it should have been and there was a lot of fluff in the middle. I enjoyed Anna’s romance story a little more than Maryam’s, but the addition of her family was great.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

3.5 stars

This was such a warm and cozy read with lighthearted romance, a lovable and diverse cast of characters and deeper themes of found family and cultural understanding – all set within a Hallmark-esque snow-covered village.

What I loved the most about this book was the masterful way the authors crafted a story that fell during the holiday season of the year 2000 when Christmas, Hannukah and Ramadan all happened in December.

The authors masterfully told a story that melted barriers between traditions, cultures and religions and pointed to the value of focusing on what we have in common versus what divides us.

This one begs to be read on a cold day while snuggled in front of the fireplace with a warm cup of cocoa at hand. I really enjoyed it.

My thanks to @putnambooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.