I loved reading about estranged sisters ( I wish more authors would write about that) but to do it in a setting of winter and the holidays was excellent.
It really gets you in the holiday spirit. Well done.

Mini Book Review
A December to Remember
By Jenny Bayliss
Rating: 🦄🦄🦄

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC amd thanks for being gracious for me reviewing it late!
I wanted to get in one more Christmas in July post before the month ended.
This story is about 3 sisters with the same dad, all different moms, who must come together after their father dies. He leaves them a quest, forcing them to work together (something they haven't done in years).
Overall, this was a cute book. I enjoyed it well enough. I liked the fact that the three FMCs were in their 30s and 49s. That was refreshing. I also enjoyed the idea of them going on this quirky quest from their dad and learning more about him, themselves, and each other. It was a small town story which is always fun. And of course it was set at Christmas, which is literally my favorite holiday.
However....this was my least favorite of Jenny's books up to this point. I'm not entirely sure what it was, except maybe it wasn't totally for me, and that's ok. Like I said, I enjoyed it well enough, it just wasn't her best, in my very humble opinion.
With that being said, for anyone thinking about reading this, there are several trigger warnings that should be noted such as infertility, abortion, and surrogacy.

#minireview #christmasinjuly #lastpost #endofthemonth #adecembertoremember #christmasbooks #holidaybooks

Jenny Bayliss’s A December to Remember is a heartwarming tale of estranged half-sisters discovering the value of family amidst a series of whimsical challenges. Maggie, Simone, and Star, each living very different lives, are drawn together by the eccentric will of their late father, Augustus. His quirky stipulations force the sisters to reconnect and work through a series of amusing and touching tasks in order to claim their inheritance.

The novel shines in its exploration of the sisters’ evolving relationships. Initially distant and filled with unresolved tensions, their interactions gradually reveal deep-seated emotions and vulnerabilities. The comedic escapades and small-town quirks provide a lighthearted backdrop to their journey toward reconciliation. Bayliss’s portrayal of their gradual understanding and mutual support is both engaging and heartwarming, making the sisters’ eventual growth and unity feel genuinely rewarding. The blend of humor, familial tension, and festive spirit creates a captivating read that emphasizes the importance of love and forgiveness during the holiday season.

A beautiful story about three half sisters finding their way back to each other. I loved all the characters and the plot got me into a winter mood. Beautiful read!

Jenny Bayliss is one of the few authors whose books are on auto-buy for me. I am, however, more of a romance fan and enjoyed The Twelve Dates of Christmas and the very swoonworthy Meet Me Under the Mistletoe more, but A December to Remember was certainly a humorous and heartwarming read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital copy of A December to Remember in exchange for an honest review.

This one wasn’t my fave of hers! Nothing will beat her first book to me ♥️ It was cute and sweet, which I feel like is her wheelhouse! She’s an auto read author for me now

An incredibly sweet and thoughtful exploration of sisterhood in a somewhat broken family, the ways in which the varying presence of parents can affect our upbringing and relationships with our siblings, and how we can continue to show up for each other even if all of the odds of our family dynamic try to keep us from doing so. I loved the sisterhood aspect of this book, and the ways in which the holidays can bring family’s together even in tough times.

Ugh I just love Jenny Bayliss's books so much! They are the PERFECT quiet romance novels for wintering (i.e. hunkering down with a cup of cocoa by the fire under a giant fluffy blanket and ignoring all my responsibilities). I look forward to her books all year. She always has rich side characters and realistic family drama and often sets her stories in the cutest and quirkiest small English villages. I loved all of the sister stuff in this one, and it felt very realistic. I wish I had something more interesting to say, but if you haven't read Jenny Bayliss, let this be your sign! Great for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Sophie Cousens, Lizzy Dent, etc. Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

This wintry, women’s fiction novel was an enjoyable tale. I adored the premise of 3 half sisters coming together for the reading of their father’s will only to discover that they have to complete a certain number of obstacles to receive their inheritance. The sisters’ history of spending one month together each summer while staying with their father was the foundation for their complicated relationship as adults, and I appreciated the journey these three go on to grow closer and work through past issues. The setting is lovely and captivating, and I only wish this book had a smaller page count, and it really would have tightened the writing and produced a more compelling read. As is, I did find myself wandering in concentration at times and easily putting this down without an urge to pick it back up for days at a time. Overall, a satisfying read, though.

This was a sweet story about three sisters reunited by their quirky father’s death. Although they’ve drifted, one thing becomes clear- the North sister share a deep love for and connection with each other.

I gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because, while I thought the main plot was interesting and fun, there were a lot of side quests that I didn’t always see a point in. It ended up taking me a while to get through.

BUT if you are looking for a low stakes story that is cute, charming, and has holiday magic, this is the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

"A December to Remember" by Jenny Bayliss is a heartwarming holiday read that captures the magic of the season. Set in a charming English village, the story follows Lila, a spirited protagonist, as she navigates family dynamics, unexpected romance, and the joys of community during December. Bayliss expertly weaves together themes of love, forgiveness, and second chances, creating a tale that is both uplifting and poignant. With delightful characters, picturesque settings, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic, this novel is sure to warm your heart and leave you with a smile. A delightful read for the festive season!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Y’all this one was SUCH a fun book to get into! I’ve seen it described as having “Love Actually” vibes and I can totally see that! I loved all of the characters, and although for me the beginning was a bit slow, it then became a book I was finding myself not wanting to set down. I was totally entertained and invested in the happenings of this small town holiday romance! It had a bit of cheese factor at times, but for me holiday reads get a total pass on that lol!

A December to Remember comes out now and should for sure be a holiday book to keep on your radar!

Thank you @prhaudio for the complimentary copy, all opinions are my own!

I received this e-book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for the copy!

Maggie, Star & Simone are half sisters who only got to spend time together each summer since they were little, with their father. Their father, Augustus, owned a shop with antiques and other random items. Years later, once the girls are grown, they learn of their father's passing & after the funeral, have to come together in order for their father's will to be read. After his death, he sends his three daughters on an adventure of tasks to complete together, before they can receive their inheritance. In doing so, this will either bring the sisters together, or tear them apart.

This was a cute book centered around sisters! As a sister myself, I love these types of books!

Thank you GP Putnam's Sons for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

I loved so many parts of this story. However, it seemed to drag on for longer than I thought it would. Each time I thought I was halfway done with the story it kept having more and more. My favorite parts were the character development of the sisters. I thought that the author really showed the main characters as real people and that they grew and had made their own mistakes. I really liked that the sister needed to work to together.

This story follows three wildly different sisters Maggie, Star, and Simone who fight all the time. They think so differently and have taken very different paths in life. Yet even their father's death and will can't keep them away from one another. Augustus being a man loved by many and known by none. Not even his daughter's really know him. So when they are asked to get inside his head to solve his will and challenges. Wild wild times ensue. Best of all his daughters are brought together and start to better understand one another. Though that does not mean that everything is jolly and bright. The sisters must still wade through secrets and hidden lies that some have kept for years and years. Will they come out the other end?

Read if you enjoy:
Winter/ Christmas Stories that can be read at anytime of the year
Family Drama
Fun Games
Secretes and twists
Bit of Romance (not the main plot lines)

I decided to DNF at 43%. It’s not that it’s a particularly bad book, but I’ve been trying to finish this book since December and it’s not almost April. It seems safe to say it hasn’t caught my interest. This might be a good book for those who enjoy a fluffy, holiday read, but I struggled to get into it at this time.

A December to Remember is a delightful and entertaining story that reunites three sisters after years apart. Maggie, Simone and Star North have returned to Rowan Thorp, a small village in Kent, to hear the reading of the will of their deceased father. He would like for them to once again reinstate the Winter Solstice Festival as part of their inheritance. That would mean working together and staying together which, they haven’t done in years. Having different mothers and the same father, they would come each summer and spend it with their father Augustus in Rowan Thorp and spend carefree, happy days together as the ‘babes in the woods.’ Now as grown women, they’ve grown estranged from each other, and they all have major issues they are dealing with. Their father’s hope is that this time together will bring them close again and hopefully love one another as sisters should.

Not only is it a story of the women and their journey to being close sisters but a story of community. The people of Rowan Thorp play a major role and some of these characters are very funny and colorful. Like any small town they also deal with everyone knowing your business and rampant gossip. Each of the sisters were going through some difficulties and the author spent equal time exploring their feelings and emotions and how they came about finding solutions. The more time they spent together they realized what they had and how much they have missed being with one another. With the help of Duncan, the auditor, they were able to see the worth of their father’s collection and how, in his own way, loved them very much.

A December to Remember was an poignant story of second chances. It looked into the life of three different women and their relationships with one another and also with those significant in their personal life, and showed how life is about choices and priorities. The author weaved delicately a nice balance of love, caring and forgiveness, which made this a heartfelt story. It is a nice way to start off your holiday season reading and get into the Christmas spirit.

A good adult novel, with great characters and plot! I recommend to anyone who think it sounds interesting!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher

I was very pleasantly surprised by A December to Remember. I expected a fun holiday romcom but got the cutest and coziest story of estranged sisters finding their way back to each other.

This book was pure delight. Small English village, cozy Christmas vibes, romance, three half sisters reuniting and figuring out what really matters, together…perfection.

When their dad dies he has a few stipulations in his will, designed to bring the sisters back together, the way they used to each summer when they were kids. They’re all pretty resistant at first, and definitely can’t manage to get along for more than a few minutes at a time. The three sisters couldn’t be more different, but their dad’s genius in the tasks he has set for them seems to open each of them up in exactly the way they needed. They’re all feeling a bit lost, Maggie with her fear of letting Joe in, Star with her lack of purpose and place, and Simone with her infertility struggles. Turns out, what they all really needed was each other.

This book gave me all the feels, and really summed up sisterhood in all it’s complexity. Was it weird that their dad seemed an awful lot like my own…perhaps. Here’s where I’ll raise a glass to all my half sisters (and brother).

There’s also a magic cat, Monopoly revenge, and a cast of simply amazing supporting characters. I don’t care that this is the last day of December, you need to read this one now if you haven’t already.