Eva is married to a lovely man but after losing the grandmother who raised her around Christmas time she shuts herself off from James and all her friends and focuses on starting a business. During a Christmas gathering her grandmother appears to her and we have a little bit of a Christmas Carol and The Seven Lives of Evelyn Hugo as Eva re-lives Christmas Day over and over again in the body of a different guest.

When I started this book I didn't have much hope. Eva is very unlikeable and I couldn't see a lot of redemption coming. She was the only character that I felt was developed with just superficial glimpses into the others. At times it was confusing as she was in someone's body but the real Eva was there too. It turned out to be a pleasant read and the ending was a given really although I find it hard to believe that Scrooge could change as much as he did and the same is true for Eva.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with a digital copy.

"One Christmas Morning" by Rachel Greenlaw is a Holiday and Romance Fiction Story with Magical Realism!

I'm torn about "One Christmas Morning"...

At first I thought it was because I wasn't in the mood for a Christmas story several months early, until I realize this doesn't feel fun and festive like Holiday Fiction should feel.

Most of this story is spent in the head and first-person voice of our protagonist Eva Glass and frankly, connecting with Eva is a challenge. She's struggling with her marriage, her friendships, and her working relationships. She's trying to forget what broke her heart three years ago. She's bottled herself up so tight she's losing herself and everyone she loves in the process.

Eva's focus is on the opening of her new business, but she promises her husband, James she'll spend Christmas with their close friends, Hallie and Kian at Penhallow, a manor house in Cornwall. She knows she needs to keep her word, but the childhood memories and her family's connection to this manor house haunts her.

At the Christmas party, Eva hears news that's overwhelming and she decides to head back to London, despite the weather, without letting anyone know. At the stroke of midnight, time stands still and as she drives, she sees a familiar figure standing in the middle of the road...

"One Christmas Morning" has an interesting twist to the Time-Loop trope, unfortunately it feels overly repetitive and drawn out. Most of this story focuses on the plot rather than the characters. I want to know more about Eva, James, Hallie, and Kian and their friendship. It's always all about the characters for me.

I enjoyed "One Christmas Morning" from 75% on where the quality of the writing improves and the ending is uplifting, but that's a good long time to read before enjoyment arrives, don't you think?

"One Christmas Morning" has a creative premise with loads of potential. I'm glad to see the many positive reviews and ratings for this debut novel. It's an okay read, but I need more of a connection to the characters to be all in.

3⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Rachel Greenlaw for an DRC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.

Eva has spent the past three years burying herself in her work, trying to forget the heartbreaking events of the Christmas that ripped her world apart. Overwhelmed by the bittersweet memories of past Christmases, she is visited by the ghost of her beloved grandmother. Gran tells Eva that if she doesn’t face her ghosts head-on and stop shutting out her loved ones, she risks losing them all forever.

It's official. I'm in my "bawling my eyes out because of a book" Era. This book shattered my heart and put it back in, and did it all over again.

Eva, a character so tormented and overwhelmed by everything, was as real as it gets. Her relationship with James, Hallie, Diana, and Gran was heartwarming & heartbreaking at the same time. I loved how she saw her own life through others' eyes & got to know where she was wrong or simply just negligent.

The whimsical plot of Gran's presence was everything. I loved how sassy & straightforward she was. There were so many emotional moments in this book, both good & bad, that reminded me so much of "Love, Holly."
A must-read!

<i>Thank you netgalley & Publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.<i>

One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw is a captivating modern-day Dickens story.
Greenlaw created characters with such depth and empathy.
A emotional but heartwarming read about a women’s self-discovery and second chances.
The author tackles some pretty tough but realistic issues that I personally enjoyed and thought made the story and characters that much more personal.
Such a beautiful, insightful and emotional read.
This is truly an emotional feel-good debut that will touch your heartstrings.
A moving debut novel about a woman’s self-discovery, friendship, and second chances!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

Halloween is right around the corner, but October happens to be the month when Christmas books are published and Hallmark starts showing its holiday movies (“Checkin’ it Twice” kicks off the season on Oct. 20). Does it seem too early? Well, it was 90 degrees here a few days ago, delving into some wintry fictional fare felt inviting.

Rachel Greenlaw’s One Christmas Morning takes place at a manor house and features a workaholic protagonist who encounters a ghost and wakes up every morning in a different “host” body—it’s like a cross between A Christmas Carol and The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Eva has good reason to hate Christmas; three years ago, she had a miscarriage and her beloved grandmother passed away suddenly, with both tragedies occurring over the holidays. Ever since, she’s been devoting all her time and energy to building up a successful online housewares business. Now she’s about to open her first brick and mortar store (after Christmas? This seemed very weird to me, but it’s supposedly because people receive monetary gifts and are ready to shop; maybe this is a thing that happens in England, where the novel is set, but here in the U.S. most people are pretty broke after overspending in the lead-up to the big day). She’s been working day and night, and the last thing she wants is to celebrate the holiday in a remote stately home.

Eva’s best friend Hallie has rented the place for the weekend because she wants to celebrate with her friends and family; at one point, Eva and Hallie were as close as sisters, but now they barely speak. Eva’s relationship with her husband James is also on the rocks. When she arrives and finds there’s no working wifi, Eva is so annoyed that she wants to turn around and go back to London. Then the ghost of her late grandmother shows up to teach her a lesson about what is truly important in life, and it involves reliving Christmas Day again and again from different perspectives.

This is a pretty heavy story; I will admit that I was expecting something with a bit more Christmas cheer. It also gets a little repetitive (Eva has to spend a second Christmas Day in her assistant’s body, for instance). Of course, lessons are learned and Eva is forced to confront her grief instead of just avoiding her feelings by burying herself in work. But by the end, I daresay she’s suffered a lot more than Ebenezer Scrooge ever did.

4.5 stars!

Eva is a workaholic. She's pushed away everyone dear to her, and this Christmas at Penhallow is her final opportunity to see the light and make a change before she loses everyone. One evening, in true Dickensian style, she's visited by the ghost of her dear grandmother, who tells her that she will get to experience Christmas Day over and over until she gets it right. The catch: she'll awake each morning, still in Penhallow, but in the body of a different person. Can Eva find the courage to learn and change before it's too late?

This book ROCKED me. Be prepared to ugly cry, frantically turn pages, and highlight passage after passage of wisdom. Anyone who has ever dealt with grief of any kind is likely to find a bit of themselves in this story. The idea of seeing oneself through the eyes of the people who love them was really compelling. It made me look at my own life differently. Each time I thought I knew where the book was heading, it surprised me, not always in a way I would have liked, but in a way that was more profound and important. It made me want to look at the way I balance my own life and the people in it. SUCH a beautiful book.

The story takes place at Christmas, but I would not call this a happy Christmas read. That's not to say it wasn't enthralling and something that could be vitally important and cathartic to an audience. I would encourage someone to read this any time of year. I almost gave this a perfect five stars, but, for this reader who tends to prefer a bit of a lighter read, the heaviness almost became a bit too much, and I felt like we were circling the same things one time too many. However, one could argue that the drawn-out difficult times make for that much sweeter of a happy ending.

Trigger warnings: miscarriage, death of a grandparent, panic attacks, cheating, car accident, cancer, death of a mother, stillbirth

I'd like to thank Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book had me confused from almost the beginning. Too many characters and dialogue and not enough of a storyline make this a hard pass.

Actual rating 3.5 for a trip to England.

A magical house on the English moors at the holidays, what's not to love? Unfortunately, the answer is Eva, the protagonist and general antagonist. I wanted to find a bit of sympathy for her, but she just kept doubling down and making it harder and harder, until finally I gave up on her. The other characters didn't really get their time until almost the end of the story, generally bouncing in and out for brief appearances, making it hard to have any connection with them. Everything is shrouded in mystery for so long that I found myself getting a bit bored without any true reveals until it was all nearly over. I think that if it had been a little less secretive, and a little more open, it would have been more enjoyable. Are you listening Eva?

My thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After suffering multiple losses, the Christmas season became a reminder of Eva's hurt and grief. In an attempt to escape her pain, she threw herself into her work, but what she thought would be a lifeline could ultimately destroy her whole world.

I want to start by saying this is NOT a cute and fluffy holiday romance. This was a tale of a woman whose day of reckoning had arrived. It was a very thoughtful examination of what can happen when grief goes unchecked, or we fail to nurture the important relationships in our lives, and I thought Greenlaw did it in such an interesting way.

The book summary mentions "Dickensian magic". This magic came in the form of a time-loop with a twist. I thought the twist was interesting and really allowed Eva to gain additional insight into how her life had gone wrong. Each day Eva experienced in the time loop brought her closer and closer to understanding what she had to do to fix it, and I really did want her to fix it.

This whole experience also helped Eva deal with her grief. Neglected by her parents, Eva's grandmother became the most important person in her life. She was Eva's anchor, and since her death, Eva was adrift. Trying to fill that hole with work reached toxic levels, and she was able to really reflect on her missteps and pain each day she lived in the time loop.

I greatly enjoyed taking this healing journey with Eva. I also appreciated the message of this book because it is so easy to lose sight of what's really important. It's not money or things, but the people who we love and who love us back. Overall, this was a heartwarming, touching, and hopeful tale.

ONE CHRISTMAS MORNING - Rachel Greenlaw
Avon
ISBN: 9780063288478
October 2023
Fiction

Cornwall, England - Present Day

Eva has given in to her husband's request to attend their close friends' Hallie and Kian's Christmas party in Cornwall. This despite the fact that the opening of her new business looms, and that Christmas brings nothing but painful memories for the past three years. With her valued assistant, Diana, driving through a snowstorm to Penhallow, the estate that Hallie has booked for the holiday, Eva also dreads seeing the estate again since it, too, brings back too many sad thoughts. Preoccupied with establishing her business, Eva has put stress on her marriage to James, and although she's annoyed to lose time away from London and her plans, she will try her best to appease everyone's expectations.

Upon arrival at Penhallow, the memories surface, and, to Eva's shock, Hallie announces that she is pregnant, pushing Eva over the edge. It's obvious to her that James is hoping to renew what they've shared in the past, but for Eva, it may be too late. She packs up and leaves in the middle of the night, only to be halted down the road by the vision of her late grandmother. Only she isn't just a vision, but seems to be real, and Gran tells Eva that if she doesn't face the reality that she is going to lose all of those whom she loves, and who love her, Eva will regret her actions forever. Reluctantly, Eva returns to Penhallow.

On Christmas morning, Eva wakes up, but she isn't Eva, she is her assistant, Diana! And Diana may be hiding some personal issues. The next morning, another Christmas morning, Eva becomes Hallie's sister, Natalie. What is going on? Each morning, Eva emerges as yet another of the women in the house. But what she is learning is what persona she is showing to those around her. Eva also learns what they are all going through individually. And always, there is Gran pushing her to face her past, and her future.

ONE CHRISTMAS MORNING is a debut novel reminiscent of the Dickens classic. Eva's grief has dictated her life for three years, and it's apparent to her that her behavior has affected her loved ones and friends. What will Eva learn from her Christmas visits?

A truly riveting tale that will entertain readers. Don't miss ONE CHRISTMAS MORNING.

A new twist on the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future with a touch of Groundhog Day thrown in. Eva has walled herself off emotionally and Gran has re-appeared to show her that she needs to find balance. So she keeps reliving Christmas Day from different perspectives. Until the last time. Her heart breaks and she knows she must change or lose everything.

Wonderful story, beautiful writing, lovely characters. I very much enjoyed my time reading this! I would recommend!!

Eva is completely consumed with the expansion of her business, so much so that she's neglected every other aspect of her life and is causing pain for others. It's up to her Gran to make her see reason. But Gran has passed away, hasn't she? At its core, One Christmas Morning is a story about a women’s self-discovery and second chances.This is a very angsty Christmas story. The blurb gives most of the premise away. This is a match up between A Christmas Carol and Groundhog Day but without the humor.

Loved this! Fun, festive, heartwarming, with great characters and some depth. Great holiday read! Will definitely be recommending for holiday reads!

This story is definitely a cross between “Groundhog Day” and “A Christmas Carol”. It is a much “heavier” novel than I was expecting. Overall, an enjoyable read but there were times the story moved along rather slowly. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a classic Christmas special in book form. It centers on Eva, who’s been so focused on work she is unable to spend time with her husband for friends even for Christmas. She is guided along a Christmas quest by the ghost of her grandmother- and wakes up in the body of her assistant to gain perspective on her life and priorities. It’s a little bit like Freaky Friday, a little bit like Groundhog’s Day, but overall it’s a fun read to get you in the mood for the holidays.

Book: One Christmas Morning
Author: Rachel Greenlaw
Publisher: Avon on Harper Voyage Books
Genre: Women’s Fiction Holiday Groundhog Day story
Pub Date: October 17, 2023
My Rating: 3
Pages: 336

Eva is about to open her new store which she has been preparing for the past three years. She is hopeful her work will help bury a heartbreak from one Christmas.

Eva does not want to attend Hallie and Kian’s Christmas party; Eve’s husband James’ insistence that she needs to be with friends. However, when Hallie announces she is pregnant, it brings back sad memories for Eva. She decided she is going to sneak back to London in the middle of the night but as the clock approaches midnight the ghost of her grandmother appears. Gran tells Eva she needs to stop shutting out loved ones, or she is going to lose everyone forever.
Eva then gets stuck in a Groundhog Day time loop, and spends Christmas day over and over from the perspectives of those closest to her.

I have read and loved the other groundhog type stories; so one with Christmas in the title had me full of anticipation of something good!
However, I had a problem connecting with Eva and some of the other characters.
It isn’t that the story is bad – it just wasn’t what I was expecting.

Want to thank NetGalley and Avon for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 17, 2023.

I am always a little hesitant to read Christmas ARCs in September for the fear that they won't *hit* the same as they do during the season. But in this case that could not be further from the truth. I was transported right into a cozy Christmas wonderland, and it was a wonderful escape from this endless southern summer.

This is a very angsty Christmas story. The blurb gives most of the premise away. This is a match up between A Christmas Carol and Groundhog Day but without the humor. Eva has turned into a workaholic trying to get her new shop up and running. She has ignored her husband and friends for the last three years while trying to move on from personal tragedy.

While at a Christmas house party in Cornwall She realizes her marriage is on the rocks, her life long friendship may not survive the holidays and how poorly she has used and abused her personal assistant. It takes her grandmother appearing to her as a ghost and granting her time when she inhabits other peoples bodies. She feels their emotions and interacts with herself and others.

I found the book compelling reading even though I didn’t necessarily love each interaction. This isn’t about saving Christmas but about moving on from the past and be present for those around you whether friends or spouse. I’ve read several Christmas ARCs in the last few weeks and this is probably the heaviest topic wise. Trigger warners for death of a loved one, miscarriages and infertility. (3.5 Stars).

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.

Based on the description, I didn't expect such a serious book. It is not a light hearted Christmas romance, it is much more focused on learning to live with the things you cannot control. It took me a bit to get into it, and after reading some reviews I thought I might not enjoy it, as I am not a huge fan of grief as the main plot point of fiction. However, once this book picked up I actually really loved it. The groundhog days kind of reminded me a bit of the midnight library (pointless) at first, but then she started to figure it out and actually make some progress on realizing how far off track her life had gotten. I loved the setting at the mysterious house on the moors. Towards the end there was some redundancy as feelings were processed, but overall, I really enjoyed this read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!