I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, heartwarming book. I also really enjoyed the village setting!

This was a fun Christmas romance. I enjoyed the plot and found the characters fun to read. It was the perfect read leading up to Christmas.

Could not get in to this book
Very disjointed from the beginning. Hard to tell what is happening.
Dnf

I’m all for second chance romances, but this book was not something I enjoyed.. I did not like the flow of the book at all. I lost interest. I finished it. But it was not something I’d suggest for someone who wants a Christmas romance book. It was hallmark but with an infuriating lead.

Reading the synopsis was exciting but the book itself was a let down.

I loved the premise of this book (and the cover!), but unfortunately, I didn't become as invested in the story as I had hoped. Mariana is supposed to come across as a poised, professional, wealthy businesswoman who hates her past, but she didn't seem very businesslike to me. We just saw a flustered, clumsy ice princess whose moods gave me whiplash until she eventually thawed out.

I wish there had been flashbacks or more background on Terry and Mariana's summer together as teenagers. If I saw how they fell in love years ago, I might've been able to root for them as they fell in love as adults. I just didn't feel the chemistry and it was not a heartfelt read.

This was a quick read and a cute Christmas story. There wasn’t a lot of character development and the romance felt forced. By the end of the book, I didn’t really care if Mariana and Terry got together or not. I love second-chance romances but this wasn’t one of my favorites.

I thought this book was cute. It's a second chance romance. It was a nice easy read to kick off the holiday season

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read.

This was a fun quick read and great for getting into the holiday spirit. I thought it was a cute second chance romance although I think more could have gone into the character development. I didn't feel connected to Mari at all, and found here to be a little too flip floppy, and a little boring. I liked how she sort of fell apart when she was near Terry, that helped to add a bit of realness to her but I just didn't feel a strong connection to her. Terry had potential to be a super handsome Christmas tree man but again, I think he fell a little flat.
I enjoyed the premise of the story though and found that for a seasonal read it was a good length and the plot was decent. I chuckled when Marianna and Hazel are talking and Mari says "This isn't a Hallmark movie" (96) because in fact that's exactly what it is. A Christmas tree farm, a small Christmas'y village with a "castle on the hill" love and romance, confused feelings and a cozy fire. It was a good read and I look forward to reading more when/if Alana Highbury releases something new!

Thanks for the advanced copy! Looking forward to more! :)

Fixes:
Hips should be His (120) Hips face, his lips, so close
Leg should be let (128) With panic coursing through my veins, I leg go of his hand roughly
touch should be couch (131) He just sat there, slumped on the touch, nodding slowly.

If you’re looking for a quick hallmark-esque book then this is for you. Terry and Mariana used to be a couple. He ghosted her and now, years later, she’s in charge of the most prestigious set of resorts with her eye on the next one (a Christmas village). After they bump into each other at a Halloween party, you start to wonder will they rekindle their former romance. This book will definitely get you into the holiday spirit even if it is a tad predictable (but enjoyable!). 4/5

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this eARC.

If you are looking for a fun, heartwarming, holiday romance to get you in the holiday spirit then this book is for you!

Meet Me on Christmas Eve is about two people who both fell in love one Christmas when they are teenagers/young adults. Unfortunately, they were left heartbroken, but fate would bring Mariana and Terry back together as adults by a surprise encounter in the elite mountains of Minnesota. Mariana owns the resort in town where Terry and her met and Terry is the Tree farmer and works at the Christmas village that Mariana is trying to buy. This books takes you for a ride to see if and how they find their way back to each other. After ten years, both have changed, but with snow, egg nod, holiday cheer and second chances, are they able to finally have the love story that they always thought they would?

I really enjoyed this book. It definitely will get you in the holiday spirit. It is jovial, heartwarming and just overall had you routing for Mariana and Terry. This was a quick, fun read! This was a 3.5 start book for me, rounded up to four stars for netgalley.

Thank you netgalley and Alana Highbury for the eARC for my honest review!

I love holiday themed books. Such a great way to stay in the holiday spirit. This is a cute second chance romance. It is quick, fun and festive. Very cutesy and hallarky.

This was a super cute and quick holiday read. Perfect for reading with your Christmas tree lights on and a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. The characters were adorable and I loved the ending.

This was a cute second chance Christmas romance. It was short and sweet but also very cheesy and cliche, which is what I expected.

Mariana goes from rags to riches and becomes the owner of a high end resort. She had worked at this resort as a teen and that is where she fell in love with Terry. Their short lived romance was frowned upon by his family and after he left they lost their connection, leaving both with hurt feelings. A decade later they find themselves living in the same small town and are rival enemies.

I would like to say that I fell in love with the characters and was glad to see them explore this enemies to lovers kind of a romance. However, I didn't really like either of the characters and didn't really care about the relationship. Honestly, I felt like they should have moved on. The initial relationship seemed weak to begin with and the reason they lost touch was unrealistic to me. I felt that as adults they could have behaved better. The end was predictable but it was not one that will stay with me or that I will want to return to. I will say it was a clean romance and for that I give it praise.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A super cute Christmas romcom! I did think that Mariana was a really tough on Terry which turned me off a little bit. But overall good book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

My favourite second-chance Christmas romance wasn't this one. The characters were likeable, however their connection was rather awkward. They were adversaries for most of the novel, but in the very end, they decide to put their bad feelings aside and try a relationship. The plot, in my opinion, lacked strength, and I never developed a strong enough affection for the characters to worry about whether or not they ended up together.

Thank you NetGalley and Alana Highbury!

Meet me on Christmas Eve had the potential to be a wonderful story, however all of that potential was overshadowed by the dismal personality of the main character. Mari came across pretentious, entitled and infuriatingly immature.

I think toning down the main character and not rushing the story could have taken this story so much further than where it landed.

This Christmas second chance romance just was not it for me.

This was not my favorite second-chance Christmas Romance. I liked the characters, but their relationship was very awkward. They were enemies for the majority of the book and then suddenly at the very end, they get over their hurt feelings and decide to give their relationship a try. I felt that the storyline was weak and I never fell in love with the characters enough to care if they ended up together or not at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alana Highbury for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

"Meet Me on Christmas Eve" by Alana Highbury tells a captivating story of Mariana, an elite resort owner with a complicated past, and Terry Grant, a man who lost everything. The book explores themes of second chances, regrets, and the power of love during the holiday season.

Mariana, having left behind her humble background and a heartbreak from a decade ago, is now focused on her successful business ventures. However, when she plans to expand her empire by acquiring a Christmas village and embracing her love for the holiday, she unexpectedly comes face-to-face with Terry, the man from her past.

The encounter reignites old emotions and brings forth resentment and regret. Terry, having experienced a reversal of fortunes like Mariana, becomes an obstacle in her business plans. Their shared history, including a failed Christmas Eve meet-up, adds to the tension between them.

Mariana, determined to prioritize practicality over matters of the heart, struggles to resist the pull of their connection. Throughout the book, she grapples with her feelings, attempting to make rational choices rather than succumbing to old desires.

As the holiday season unfolds, "Meet Me on Christmas Eve" explores the complex emotions and choices that Mariana and Terry face. It delves into their personal growth and the possibility of finding love and happiness despite their past disappointments.

Alana Highbury crafts a heartwarming tale set against the backdrop of snowy Minnesota, infusing the story with the spirit of Christmas. It explores themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the power of embracing love during a time when miracles are possible.

Overall, "Meet Me on Christmas Eve" promises to be a touching and bittersweet holiday read that will leave readers longing for their own second chances and happily-ever-afters.