Member Reviews

I really, really enjoyed this unique story about three holidays and a unique group of people converging for the holidays.

Maryam and Anna are on the same plane, heading off to celebrate the holidays.

Anna is flying to meet her new, but serious, boyfriend and to spend Christmas with his family. Anna always used to celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah with her dad and step mom. But her dad died a few years earlier, her step mom remarried, and Anna feels all alone except for her boyfriend.

Maryam is traveling with her entire family and some family friends. Her younger sister is getting married during the holidays despite everyone else being opposed to a wedding during Ramadan.

Anna and Maryam bond on the plane when turbulence has them questioning their safety and most of the decisions they’ve made in life.

Because of a massive storm, they all wind up “stuck” in a small town called Snow Falls.
At first, everyone just wants to leave.
But this is a pretty cool, very inclusive town and everyone feels welcome there.

It soon becomes obvious that they’re going to be in Snow Falls for awhile. And as the time passes, everyone bonds and also makes some new plans for their futures.

I love that this book is about friendship and family and also about love. It’s about all of the holidays being equally important. I loved Anna and Maryam. I loved Snow Falls. It would be a fun town to visit! And I love the author’s note implying that there might be another book set in Snow Falls!

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thank you!

Was this review helpful?

This was such a feel-good holiday book and I loved the way we got to experience a taste of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan. You could definitely tell it was written by 2 authors but the story was a fun seasonal book to escape into. Pick it up this holiday season!

Thank you to the authors, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted to love Three Holidays and a Wedding because of its sweet, diverse, and heartwarming holiday plot. Like many other reviewers, I found that the story was actually overly sweet and lacked any real tension. Because of this the story and its characters don't really stand out.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Super sweet holiday romance with believable characters. I'm now officially a fan of learning about how other cultures celebrate the holidays via a romance title. :) Already purchased and recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely obsessed with this story. Like how did we ever live in a world without it? I absolutely adored the concept of being snowbound during the holidays. I loved the drama. I loved the insta-friendship between Maryam and Anna, I loved the setting. Just all around a major win for holiday reads!

Was this review helpful?

A cozy holiday book about two diverse families coming together in a snowy magical town while celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, and Ramadan.

Forced proximity but make it for female friendship. Anna and Maryam are thrown together when stranded in Snow Falls due to a snowstorm. This book is reminiscent of a Hallmark movie, but with so much more diversity. I enjoyed learning more about the different holidays and despite this being set in 2000, it didn't feel dated.

There are some far fetched plot points (the girls save the town play!) and of course a happy ending for all, but it's a cozy book and exactly what I wanted and needed. Would love to see this adapted into a movie!

Thank you to the publisher and authors for the opportunity to review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley
Narrator: Ulka Simone Mohanty
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 9/26

If you're in the mood for a festive and heartwarming read that embraces the spirit of the season, look no further! This delightful story delivers romance, self-discovery, and holiday magic in a perfect package.

In a year when Christmas, Hanukkah, and the end of Ramadan are occurring simultaneously, Anna and Maryam meet on a plane bound for Toronto. Anna is going to spend the holidays with her future in-laws, and Maryam and her family are off to celebrate her sister’s wedding. When a blizzard forces their plane to make an emergency landing, they all end up in the whimsical town of Snow Falls, where their lives are forever changed.

This was a super cute holiday story that took two relatable and endearing characters on a journey of self-discovery. I loved Anna and Maryam! They’re both strong, independent women who have found themselves on the wrong path in life. Their individual journeys and growth were heartwarming and a joy to experience.

The vivid descriptions of Snow Falls in the winter made me feel like I was there, experiencing the joy of the holiday season along with these characters. I went back and forth between my physical copy and the audiobook, and I loved listening to the narrator, who was able to bring each character to life.

The slow-burning romance between Anna and local man Josh, as well as the revival of Maryam's long-time crush Saif, added sweetness and depth to the story. I also appreciated how the book wove in cultural diversity seamlessly, incorporating traditions from different holidays celebrated by the characters.

With well-developed characters, a charming setting, and a message of following your heart, this book is a perfect addition to your holiday reading list. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for my ARC copy and PRH Audio for my complimentary audiobook. Three Holidays and a Wedding is out now!

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute holiday read and I liked that it was inclusive to holidays aside from just Christmas. I loved the parts about Hanukkah and Judaism, and I liked learning more about Ramadan and Muslim traditions.

Was this review helpful?

This book did a lovely job of co-mingling three different religious holidays that all occur and overlap in December. It was a wonderful reminder that even in our differences, there is a connection in our human experience to each other. People on a plane are forced to land due to inclement weather. The duration of them being stuck is a little leap of faith but it does work. One family is going to celebrate a wedding during Ramadan; another person is going to celebrate Christmas with a potential fiancé’s family and they encounter an actor celebrating Chanukkah. This story shares portions of these holidays and unites them as a backdrop to the stories of the passengers and the actor

Was this review helpful?

Three Holidays and a Wedding is exactly what you would expect if you were watching a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel! I appreciated this book because it was such a feel-good book throughout the entire thing. Snow Falls Inn happens to be in the most inclusive small=town in Canda. The diversity in this book did not feel forced and it flowed really well together. The climax/drama of the book was not cringey, like some holiday movies and books. The drama made me feel relief once it was over and the characters understood their deeper feelings. I enjoyed every page of this book and it really helped get me into the holiday spirit!

Was this review helpful?

This is a charming and sweet holiday story. I really enjoyed the unique idea of including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan in one story. I loved that it was told in dual perspectives of Maryam and Anna. It definitely veered into cheesy Hallmark-movie territory and contained some implausible story elements, but I think it definitely achieved the goal of being a light-hearted and escapist holiday rom-com. There is nothing life=changing here but it's lots of fun to cozy up with on a wintry afternoon.

Was this review helpful?

I've read BOTH of these two author's before & quite enjoyed their work, so I grabbed "Three Holidays and a Wedding" just as it was being published. I really enjoyed the premise of it - it covers Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan and takes place back in the year 2000 when all three of those holidays coincided to fall within days of each other & it's set in a cute Canadian town called "Snow Falls" with lots of quirky charm & several romantic developments with a large, multi-cultural cast. At times it was it little unbelievable that all this was goiong on in one tiny town, but I did like the "meet cutes" and second chances in this & I really appreciated that is was a "clean" and closed door type romance. My sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the pre-approved & complimentary DRC, my sincere pleasure to review it.

Was this review helpful?

If you like Hallmark movies and holidays this books if for you! Anna and Maryam have a chance meeting at the Denver airport while trying to get to Toronto. Anna, to spend the holidays with her boyfriend and his family. Maryam, to get her sister married. Of course, there is a freak snow storm that leaves them stranded if the quaint town of Snow Falls. Snow Falls is unlike most small towns as it has many cultures represented. The intersection of 3 holidays Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan has the town all a buzz. Will the stranded guests make it out in time for their celebrations of will the snow storm rage on??
I really enjoyed this book. Of course, I enjoyed learning about the way the different cultures celebrated the holiday. Also the romance was very sweet. If you are interested in a holiday read this season, definitely check this one out!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to @NetGalley and @putnambooks for this eARC #gifted - the review contains my own thoughts, of course!
If you are only planning to read one holiday book this coming winter make it this one, it has it all. It has the hot chocolate and the decorations, new love and more of a second chance romance, the snow and the festive cheer but more than that it doesn't just include Christmas. It is set in the year 2000 because Christmas, Hanukkah, and the end of Ramadan all fell within just days of one another. This book includes customs and foods typical for all three of these holidays and puts them on a more equal footing than you would usually see them in a holiday romance novel.
It has a group of strangers of course and snowed in - allowing them to reflect on life back home, whether they are on a good path and wonder about the road not taken. This book was quite brilliant in it's exploration.
The cooperation between Canadian writers Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley was done seamlessly and just so very well.
I truly loved learning more about cultures other than my own and this fictional Canadian town of Snow Falls, Ontario has won my heart. Upside-down pineapple rugelach, shier korma and the Yule Log all sound so good that I am hungry after reading this book.

Was this review helpful?

This was a delightful holiday romp with all my favorite elements: small town, snowed in, chance meetings and cleared up misunderstandings, and family bonds. Love how it weaves together Ramadan, Hanukkah, and Christmas as they aligned in the year 2000. Perfect small town, snowy vibes, and very sweet characters building relationships, romantic and otherwise.

Was this review helpful?

This was like a romantic Hallmark Christmas movie in the form of a book with a focus on Hanukkah and Ramadan.

Two very different ladies, Maryam & Anna, end up as seat mates on a flight to Toronto and when the flight has some scary turbulence both confess their hopes and fears to one another. The flight ends up diverted to a small town named Snowy Falls where they end up snowed in for a few days that change both girls lives, Maryam & Anna slowly become friends, and support one another in going after their dreams as well as finding love. My favorite character was Maryam’s grandfather Dadu for his wisdom, understanding and love for his family.

As someone that celebrates Christmas, I really enjoyed learning more about Hanukkah, Ramadan, Eid al-Adha & Muslim culture.

A special thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Group Putnam for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Three holidays and a wedding is an ambitious read that is bringing a lot together into one story. For me, it didn’t work and I decided to DNF but definitely feel ymmv. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook to review.

Was this review helpful?

This darling multi-faith holiday read takes place in the picturesque little town of Snow Falls, Canada, in a year when Christmas, Hanukkah, and the end of Ramadan are occurring nearly simultaneously – a trifecta of holidays! Anna and Maryam meet on a plane bound for Toronto; Anna to spend the holidays with her future in-laws and Maryam and her family to celebrate her sister’s wedding. When a blizzard forces their plane to make an emergency landing and upends all their plans, they’ll end up finding themselves and maybe even love along the way.

I really enjoyed this charming holiday story! In a genre inundated with Christmas stories, it’s a delight to see other holidays get the attention they deserve. The descriptions of the culture and traditions associated with Ramadan and Muslim weddings are particularly deep and rich. The romances are cute and sweet but aren’t the only focus of the story. Ultimately this book is about family, friendship, and two women discovering what they really want out of life and having the courage to go for it. This sweet, funny, heartwarming story is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

The story line was unique and the characters were fun to get to know.
I was enlightened about other cultures and traditions with reading Three Holidays and a Wedding.
The story is full of love, family and community.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Cute holiday romcom that includes all the holidays of winter! If The Day the World Came to Town and a Hallmark Christmas Movie had a baby, this novel would be the byproduct. I laughed, cried and swooned along with the stranded passengers and townsfolk alike. The multitude of endearing, quirky characters made this book for me. They were so relatable and lovable I really want to visit this small fictional Canadian town. Great holiday read!

Was this review helpful?