"A December to Remember" by Jenny Bayliss is a heartwarming holiday-themed novel that centers around the charming town of Lighthouse Bay. While the book has its merits, it falls short of being an exceptional read.

One of the book's strengths lies in its vivid descriptions of Lighthouse Bay and the festive atmosphere of December. Bayliss skillfully captures the magic and nostalgia associated with the holiday season, bringing the town and its inhabitants to life. The setting truly shines as a character of its own, enveloping readers in a cozy and enchanting ambiance.

The characters in the story are relatable and well-crafted, each with their own distinct personalities and struggles. The main protagonist, Alice, is a likable and determined woman who undergoes personal growth throughout the narrative. Supporting characters add depth and contribute to the sense of community within the town. The interactions and relationships between the characters feel genuine and provide a sense of warmth.

However, the pacing of the book can be inconsistent at times. While some moments are filled with engaging dialogue and compelling plot developments, there are also lulls in the story that slow down the overall momentum. The plot itself follows a somewhat predictable trajectory, lacking surprises or unexpected twists. It adheres to a familiar formula of feel-good holiday fiction, which may leave some readers craving more originality.

Additionally, the writing style is straightforward and easy to follow, but it lacks a certain depth and sophistication. The prose occasionally feels overly simplistic, missing opportunities to delve into deeper emotional nuances. While this simplicity may appeal to those seeking a light and breezy read, it may leave others wanting more complexity and literary depth.

Despite these shortcomings, "A December to Remember" manages to capture the spirit of the holiday season and deliver a heartwarming story. It provides moments of warmth, love, and self-discovery, making it a pleasant choice for fans of cozy holiday fiction.

In summary, "A December to Remember" by Jenny Bayliss receives a rating of 3 out of 5. It offers a cozy and festive atmosphere, well-crafted characters, but falls short in terms of pacing, predictability, and depth. If you're seeking a lighthearted holiday read that embraces the magic of the season, this book may be worth your time.

Thanks to Netgalley and to Penguin Group Putnam for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

A well written English Christmas story. 3 sisters who have the same father but different mothers are thrown back together. Their father has died but left them tasks to complete and they have to be completed all together. Can three sisters put their differences and lives on hold to go on one last scavenger hunt. Can they lean on each other and their community before they lose everything. A quaint English village, a winter solstice event, hot chocolate, and family make this novel not to be missed this upcoming holiday season.

I first became a fan of Jenny Bayliss when I read her ADORABLE book The Twelve Dates of Christmas. I think I smiled my way through most of that book, but unfortunately, her next two books did not have that kind of effect on me. Enter A December to Remember -- and just like that, Jenny Bayliss is back!

This one is not really Christmas-themed but instead focuses on celebrating the winter solstice. Three estranged sisters, sharing the same father, have been instructed to throw together a party for the winter solstice in the town where their father lived and where the three of them spent one month a year. Each sister is carrying secrets (and grudges), but the only way to inherit their father's money is to work together. I laughed and cried throughout this book, and I am so glad that I was able to read it. Everything that we learn about Maggie, Simone, and Star was realistic, and they all were developed well.

It is completely worth reading this novel when it comes out in September (or postponing to December if you prefer). I give it four and a half stars and look forward to hearing what y'all think!

Augustus North was the owner of a curio shop who built up its inventory on the frequent trips he took when he felt the need for a change. It was in his later years that his travels resulted in three daughters, each by a different woman, who spent a month with him and each other in the village of Rowan Thorp each summer during their childhood.

It's been more than 20 years now since the half-sisters have connected, but they come together once more on the occasion of their father's funeral. It is then that they learn that he requires them to complete two tasks together before they can sell his house, as certified by his attorney. Whether they can complete the required tasks, including reviving the town's long-defunct Winter Solstice Festival, is questionable, as the sisters couldn't be more different. Maggie, the oldest, lives in the same town with her father but still almost never saw him. She has a son and daughter by two different fathers and owns a grocery store in town. Simone is a prickly physiotherapist, going through heart-breaking IVF attempts with her wife to have a child. Star, the youngest, is a free spirit like her father, which has gotten her into some trouble, including hooking up with the wrong types of men. In addition, they must address issues with their existing and potential romantic partners.

This is a holiday-centric novel that really does celebrate Christmas and the Christmas spirit. The way they and the townspeople come together to recreate this celebration of animals, each other, and the beginning of the lengthening days, not to mention the customs of Christmas, is moving and life-affirming. The characters are well-drawn and distinctive, and there is just enough whimsy and humorous dialogue thrown in to keep it entertaining. I loved the detailed description of Augustus's shop and its abundance of diverse products--some just kitschy, some a lot more valuable. I think things are wrapped up a bit too neatly at the end, but that's a small quibble. I appreciate the "5 years later" chapter that lets us know how everyone's lives are turning out.

My thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Thank You NetGalley and Publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this prior to publication.
This was a very sweet, heartwarming story about 3 sisters. They all share the same dad, but don’t live in the same place. Their father passes away and we find out whether or not they can work together.
It was a good novel, will put you in the holiday spirit, but it was a bit slow for me.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

This one was cute. I adored the town and the shop. I liked that Augustus had this big plan for the sisters to gain their inheritance.
I really liked Maggie. I think as an older sibling I related to her and how she is the glue that holds the sisters together.
I loved how they worked together and bonded over this "scavenger hunt".

A cute, cozy and fun holiday read.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I've read Jenny Bayliss before and so when I started this book, it felt like a warm comforting hug because I felt familiarity. I felt it in a good way though!

I absolutely fell in love with this book! My introduction to Jenny Bayliss was through "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe," which set my expectations high for this one. And let me tell you, it not only met those expectations but exceeded them! The story revolves around three sisters who, after their eccentric father's passing, embark on an adventure he has planned for them through his will.

One aspect I adored about this book was how it was narrated from the perspective of each sister. It gave me insight into their unique mindsets and lives. Each sister faces her own personal challenges while also navigating the provisions of their father's will. What truly captured my heart was the bond these sisters rekindled, and I must say, it was refreshing to read a story that went beyond romance. While there were three romantic plots intertwined, the focus remained on the evolving relationship and the love shared among the sisters.

I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions while reading this book—I cried, laughed, and smiled along with the characters. The vivid descriptions made it easy for me to imagine myself right there with the sisters, living their journey. I wholeheartedly recommend "A December to Remember" without hesitation!

I want to express my immense gratitude to NetGalley, the publisher, and Jenny Bayliss for providing me with an ARC of "A December to Remember."

Jenny Bayliss’ books are ones I’m excited to read every holiday season. She captures the fun side of small villages and the importance of community in all of her books and it makes everything so cozy. This is my second time receiving an ARC for her books, and even though it’s 90 degrees, I long for the start of winter and the build of Christmas. One other thing I love about her books is that Christmas/the holiday season is not such a heavy focus or setting in her book and plays a part in the plot.

A December to Remember had all of those above aspects I love about these books and a really interesting sister dynamic. Maggie, Star, and Simone only spent one month together every summer with their distant dad but after he passes away, he reunites them and challenges them to work together to bring back the villages winter solstice celebration.

Each sister has their own issues in their lives that they are hesitant to open up on but as time goes on, they soon learn they can trust their family and those around them to support and help them. This story shows that we don’t fully understand what someone is going through and sometimes you need to offer to help someone because they won’t ask for help.

This was a cozy read and one that I think many will love to read during the holiday season. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

(I will post a similar review to my Bookstagram bookishlyshan Closer to publication)

I received a free copy of, A December to Remeber, by Jenny Bayliss, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Simone, Maggie, and Star, are half sisters, they all have the same dad, who was never really in their lives, when he dies he leads them on a scavenger hunt. Simone, Maggie and Star, are as different as sisters can be, they never really got along until they have to organize a winter solstice and find the pieces of the scavenger hunt. This is a nice Christmas read about family.

Oh boy, this was a disappointment. I loved Bayliss' other books so was excited for this one. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. It felt ultra corny and tried to do too much from too many POVs. Initially, I was excited because it's about 3 sisters (I am 2 of 3 sisters). SO- I was like WOAH this is scary accurate. BUT, the characters felt one dimensional and the writing wasn't nearly as good as her previous books- I found myself skimming towards the end,

Thank you @netgalley for sending me an ARC of A December to Remember in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the way this book was narrated by all three sisters so that the reader got a glimpse into each sisters mindset and life. I think it’s because there was so much going on, there were multiple deep topics covered and it was more of a heavier read than I’m used to in a Christmas book.

***Thank you to Netgalley, Jenny Bayliss and Penguin Group for the ARC*** Views are my own.
Release date: 09.26.2023

This is the third Christmas book I've read this week and lemme tell you, I am here for it. The previous two I read were romcoms and as much as I love those, I needed something different.
Plot: Three estranged sisters are suddenly reunited after the passing of their father and must do as he says in his will in order to get their inheritance. This is a feel-good book that reminds you how important family can be. I like that each chapter is a different sisters POV.

A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5. What a lovely book! I love Christmas books and was so happy to receive this ARC from @netgalley ! When the patriarch of the North family passed away leaving his treasures to his 3 mostly estranged daughters, they must work together through activities he’s planned to bring them together to finalize his will and wishes. This book made me want a cozy blanket with tea! I love small town, holiday books and this one had romance, heart, family dynamics, another chefs kiss by @jennibayliss can’t wait for you all to read this! Somehow she has a way of moving the book along but at the same time making you stop and smell the roses along the way. My favorite quote, “My life goal is to feel contentment; to me that’s the one thing worth striving for” it resonated with me so much in this book!

I enjoyed the plot and vibes of this book. It really made it feel like Christmas was happening in summer which I enjoyed because I prefer the cold over the heat.

“A December to Remember” made me wish it was already Christmastime (and not the beginning of summer)! I think that I needed this spark of heartwarming whimsy and captivating quirkiness right about now. It’s certainly the kind of cozy book that can whisk you away for countless hours.

As a sister myself, I really appreciated the focus on these three half-sisters as they navigated the loss of their father and how to come to terms with everything that was happening in their lives. It was real as well as magical, and I love stories like that. The setting was fully realized and so well-described. I could completely envision it!

Grateful to Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts..

Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the copy of A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss. What a fantastic book! I was captivated by the story of 3 estranged half-sisters who must compete in a series of challenges to access their inheritance from their eccentric father.

The book is narrated by the three sisters so that the reader gets a glimpse into each sisters life. Each sister has their own personal problems they are trying to navigate while learning to work together to meet the stipulations of the will.

A December to Remember is a whimsical heartwarming story about love, family and the support of a fantastic community. I highly recommend this book. My absolute favorite holiday book by Jenny Bayliss.

Jenny Bayliss has created a delightfully quirky novel centered around the relationships of three sisters after the death of their father. Their father and their family dynamic is different than most. All three of the sisters have different mothers and while one lives in the same village as her father, she only sees him for four glorious weeks during the summer. As the girls grew, they grew apart and in their late thirties and forties they have to come together to solve a series of their fathers challenges in order to earn their inheritance and their sisterhood bonds. The oldest, Maggie, is always picking up the slack and can't seem to ask for help, even when her own life is falling apart. Simone, the middle sister is very self-reliant to her own detriment and to the detriment of her marriage if she can't heal from many failed IVF procedures. Star, or Heavenly Stargazer Rosehip, is a lovable character that makes a lot of mistakes and can't see her own worth. As they search their father's shop for clues they learn a lot about each other and themselves in a magical village at Christmastime. I am a sucker for Christmas books, especially quirky ones set in England, so this novel felt perfect to me. The cover art is gorgeous, which adds an extra layer of deliciousness to this book. It makes you want to grab a mug of steaming hot chocolate and snuggle in for a cozy read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely ADORED this book! My first Jenny Bayliss book was “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe” so I definitely had high expectations for this book! And it truly met every expectation that I had and then some! This book is about three estranged sisters who begin building a relationship after their quirky father leaves them an adventure to go on through his will after he passes away.

I absolutely loved the way this book was narrated by all three sisters so that the reader got a glimpse into each sisters mindset and life. Each sister has their own personal trials they are going through while also trying to navigate the stipulations in their fathers will. I adore the relationship that these sisters build back and I’m honestly so happy to read a book that isn’t solely based on romance. While this book did have three romantic plots, I enjoyed that it was more about the relationship and the love that the sisters begin to have for each other!

I found myself crying, laughing, and smiling throughout this book and could truly imagine that I was there in the book with the sisters! I would recommend this book over and over!

A HUGE thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Jenny Bayliss for an ARC of “A December to Remember”❤️❤️