A brilliant written book
Another great book by Shari
Will have you hooked
And leave you with a warm feeling
Thanks NetGalley

ARC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As children we are taught that our choices have lasting consequences. No one knows this better than Cathy McLean. On Christmas Eve 1968 she was forced to make a decision that not only impacted her, but her daughter (Helena) and granddaughter (Eve) alike.

Shari Low is known in the world of fiction for her distinctive writing style. While readers can count on her latest story, One Christmas Eve, to take place over the course of one, twenty-four hour period; she ups the ante by doing so over the course of three different decades. By expanding her timeline from the years of 1968, 1993, and 2023, Low provides readers a unique look into the motivation behind each woman’s life changing decision.

This is a poignant, holiday read. It reinforces the notion the human race is more alike than different. In addition, it is overflowing with heart and loaded with wisdom. I loved everything about this book and plan to reread it every Christmas Eve!!!

Special thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Shari Low for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Three ladies & generations, Cathy (grandmother), Helena (daughter) and Eve (granddaughter) with decisions to be made on Christmas Eve. It was a bit confusing as I kept thinking Helena was the grandmother, not Cathy so perhaps these two should swap names! It was ok, not good, not bad, just average. Did prefer Cathy to the other two as she was much more of a character. Helena and Eve were pretty dull and boring in comparison. It was a tad predictable. I loved the idea of the book though. Great choice for some light bedtime reading.
2.5 star rating.

Shari Low is back with a fabulous new novel that is pure enjoyment from start to finish: One Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, 1968, Cathy is visited by the ghost of Yuletide past when the lost love of her life returns unexpectedly. Cathy is overjoyed to see the person she had given her heart to so long ago again. However, this blast from the past puts her at a crossroads as she is forced to make an impossible decision between the one who got away and the one who stuck around. Who will Cathy choose? And will she end up making the right choice? Or will the decision she makes end up costing her dear?

On Christmas Eve, 1993, Cathy’s daughter Helena can barely contain herself with excitement. Her boyfriend is about to propose and Helena is already planning the wedding of her dreams – until the rug is swept out from under her feet in the most unexpected of ways! Is Helena about to spend a miserable Christmas? Or will this Yuletide season give her the happiness she deserves?

On Christmas Eve 2023, Eve Quinn is shocked to her core when she makes an earth-shattering discovery. Forget about Christmas cheer and holiday celebrations – Eve wants the truth and she will not rest until she manages to unravel generations of long-buried secrets. But is Eve ready for what she’s about to uncover? Or should she have let sleeping dogs lie?

Shari Low is the queen of the addictive page-turner and she has done it again with One Christmas Eve. Witty, warm-hearted, emotional and brilliantly compelling, One Christmas Eve is a captivating tale of family secrets, everlasting love and the ties that bind readers will find absolutely impossible to put down.

Full of characters the leap off the pages, relatable scenarios, heart-tugging pathos and uplifting drama, One Christmas Eve is another hit from Shari Low’s fabulous pen!

Shari Low's *One Christmas Eve* intricately weaves together the lives of three women across three different decades, delivering a heart-warming and poignant narrative set against the backdrop of Christmas Eve. This novel is a testament to the power of love, the weight of choices, and the enduring strength of family bonds.

Shari Low's talent for creating vivid, relatable characters is evident throughout the book. Each woman's story is richly detailed, offering insights into their struggles, hopes, and dreams. The transitions between the decades are smooth, and the intertwining plots are expertly handled, making the book hard to put down.

*One Christmas Eve* is more than just a festive read; it's a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the intricate ties that bind families together. Fans of emotionally charged, multi-generational sagas will find this novel a delightful addition to their holiday reading list. Shari Low has crafted a tale that resonates well beyond the final page, leaving readers with a profound sense of the enduring power of love and family.

Triple timelines from the 60’s 90’s and present day all cumulate and unravel in a rather dramatic fashion on “One Christmas Eve”. Three generations - Cathy, Helena, and Eve - each have their own story of love and heartbreak. Shari Low is a fantastic storyteller and does multiple storylines well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Shari Lowe. Beautifully written and amazing story as always. Really enjoy this author & her amazing characters & writing style.

I don’t do Christmas books in summer/ autumn but I can’t resist a Shari Low offering so I signed up for this tour as soon as it became available!

Regular readers of this blog will know how much of a fan I am of this author and I absolutely devoured this book.

Always an easy read; with page-turning chapters and an indelible sense of humour, Shari Low has a wonderful talent of creating storylines and characters that live long in the memory.

There was so much to like about this story. The characters of Cathy and Eve, in particular, were delightful, but the added romance and unrequited love aspects, alongside a backdrop of Christmas Eve made this a really heartwarming narrative.

I loved the way the author switched perspective between the characters but told a tale spanning 45 years over the course of ‘one Christmas Eve’. It was also interesting to see the plot unfold and I loved the final reveals that provided such happy ever afters.

The final few chapters were an absolute delight and I defy anyone to read this on a cold winter’s night and not feel moved at what unfolds.

Another gem of a book from this author and absolutely recommended!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

This is a good book. It is a story of a grandmother, Cathy, a mother, Helena, and a granddaughter, Eve. It is a story of love and how it is everlasting. This story has lots of secrets, from lost loves, pregnancy and infidelity. It is really good to see the different kinds of love.

Another great read from Shari Low. I love how her books come together, as the reader you think how things will play out but then a wee curve ball is thrown into the mix, this was no exception. Set over three decades with 3 females from the same family, this was a heart warming read. Although set at Christmas time, this is a book that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

The author does multiple narratives simultaneously really well. Very few people can carry out distinct voices the way she does. The time that each woman reveals information is different, but it is more than that that sets them apart.
We have the grandmother in 1968, almost ready to have her daughter and faced with her first love, the daughter in 1993 going to be proposed to, but having a whole different lifestyle and temperament than her mother means she feels and reacts differently. Finally, the current timeline of 2023 has the youngest protagonist finding out that her mother may have kept something very important from her. Eve is helping her grandmother move to a new home and wants to face her mother the same day. Because of the situation, the timing of the past flashback makes sense.
The story is divided into time zones. For one period of the day, we go back and see what was happening to the three women in their own times.
I found one of the timelines well-written but predictable. I enjoyed this book solely because of the author's writing style, which makes the book a quick and easy read.
I would recommend this to fans of the author and of multiple timelines/protagonists.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

In this heartwarming Christmas read set in Glasgow during 1968, 1993, and 2023, the story unfolds over twenty-four hours, focusing on three generations: Nan, Mum, and Daughter. Each decade reveals a different family member's perspective, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected narratives. The book promises the ultimate festive experience, capturing the spirit of Christmas with warmth and joy. As the plot explores family history and reveals secrets, readers are drawn into the characters' lives and the significant impact of a shared Christmas Eve. Despite the holiday backdrop, the narrative transcends mere tinsel-festivity, delving deep into family ties and the evolution of characters under high-tension situations. Low skillfully weaves together the stories of Eve, Helena, and Cathy, making it a delightful read that resonates beyond the Christmas season. This novel stands out as a perfect lead-up to the holidays or a delightful escape, even in August, offering reading bliss at its best.

⭐️ 4 ⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I really enjoyed One Christmas Eve and was pulled on board right from the beginning. The characterisation is excellent; I loved Cathy and Eve but never really warmed to Helena, even at the end.
 
The book is well-written and nicely paced. I particularly liked how all the characters threads were woven together as the story progressed.
 
One Christmas Eve is a lovely, uplifting, and entertaining read — a story of love, family, and friendship. It's not overly Christmassy, but it still has a sprinkling of magic.

Great Christmas read, you can’t go wrong with a bit of love and romance at Christmas time!

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

The book is told over 3 timelines and alternates between the 3 main female characters: Cathy, Grandmother. Helena, her daughter and then Eve, the grandaughter. Each of their stories linked but told separately.

Perfect cosy warm Christmas family saga read. Full of family, love and romance.

Shari Low never fails to deliver a lovely feel good read.

Cute little book. Telling the story of three ladies from the same family. Each story is based on Christmas Eve but a different year.

I never would have guessed the outcome. I kept changing my mind.

I would highly recommend this book.

Like many of Shari Low’s novel, this story unfolds in one day, divided into two-hour sections, with three characters taking turns to narrate. The unique aspect of the story is that it also spans three different time periods.

On a Christmas Eve during the late 1960s, Cathy is expecting the arrival of her baby when she receives an unexpected visitor. In 1993, Cathy’s daughter Helena makes a reckless decision, which is unusual for her, and in 2023, Helena’s daughter Eve receives some shocking news.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the three generations of a family and their dramatic experiences on Christmas Eve. Shari Low skilfully integrates elements of each story into the characters’ perspectives, gradually revealing more with each chapter. The book highlights how past events impact the present day.

The way the story is told over the course of a day, or three days in this particular case, is very effective. It makes the story flow smoothly and it’s definitely a page-turner. With themes of secrets, family, love and second chances all taking place during this special time of the year, One Christmas Eve is the perfect book to read as we approach Christmas Eve itself.

Gorgeous, sweet, funny, charming. This book is absolutely adorable. I really really loved the way the 3 stories of the 3 women play out. The Nanna has such a fantastic story to tell about her very eventful Christmas Eve and what happened to her, leads on to what happens to her daughter and granddaughter. Such an adorable book. Made me cry in places thinking about how much I miss my own Nanny who I lost recently. Gorgeous book to read in ti the run up to or over the Christmas. Beautiful,

A lovely setting and time of year and a story that makes you turn the page. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Fabulous read from the wonderful Shari Low. I love the way she writes her books so the action takes place over a short time period. As a bonus this one has a Christmas theme. Highly recommended, happy reading!