I love Christmas books year round – and this one does not disappoint!

Julie has a secret she’s hiding from her adult son and daughter – she has a much younger boyfriend. Because her kids Nick and Dana have other plans for Christmas, she plans to spend it with her man, Heath. That is until Nick and Dena beg to have the holidays at their family cabin, where they can remember their late father, who passed away earlier in the year. Though Julie was divorced from their father, they all still celebrated Christmas at the cabin. So, she gives in to her kids. Then she must figure out how to tell them about Heath.

Julie is a take-charge, caring person, so more and more people are invited to the cabin. Pretty soon it’s full of an ex-wife, kids, an estranged mother, and more. There is a lot going on, but it is easy to follow, and even easier to care about this family. I especially liked Heath. Another winner by Mallery.

Thank you, Canary Street Press, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery was such a heartwarming book. The reader feels like they know the characters. Julie thinks she will have a quiet Christmas at home with her secret boyfriend, Heath but her family has other plans. In no time, Julie's plans have changed and she, Heath, Dana, Nick, Blair, Gwen and others are spending Christmas together at the family cabin where there is never a dull moment!

All Julie Parker wants for Christmas is to be able to spend the holiday at her mountain cabin with her secret new romantic interest Heath, who just happens to be twelve years younger than Julie. But between her two adult children and running a crazy busy towing company, Julie’s plans go up in smoke and she ends up hosting not only her own kids and a bitter mother-in-law, but also Heath’s two children and his ex-wife. What could possibly go wrong?

Lots to be learned here about letting go of the past and being able to accept help from others. Great read for book groups—discussion questions provided.

Who doesn't love a good old christmas story. I loved this book from the ups and downs and family drama it reminded me of my own home. Christmas is my favorite holiday and tbh i could use some happy holiday spirit so this book was perfect for that. I fell in love with the characters and their individual stories and how it brought them all together in the end.

An easy read that is predictable, but a great Christmas story. I was particularly impressed to have the author deal with IBS. This is a disease that most people don’t talk about and it was handled so well. Thanks for enlightening readers to this disease.

I always enjoy Susan Mallery books and this was no different. A quick read that I couldn't put down. Likeable characters and a sweet story.

I love quirky, crazy family stories. This one did not disappoint. It gave me all the feels. I was sad to see it end! Great read!!!

Mallery for the Win!

Imagine you have a Christmas holiday planned with a fairly new boyfriend so you can get to know one another a little better – no other people involved. Now imagine you have the boyfriend (And did I mention he is more than a decade younger than you and none of your family knows about him?), your son and daughter-in-law, your daughter-in-law’s mother, your daughter-in-law’s uncle, your daughter, one of your employees, the boyfriend’s two kids, the boyfriend’s ex-wife and another of your employees who is also your daughter’s ex. What can possibly go wrong?

This was such a great book. There were the highs and lows you always experience with family, especially during the holidays. And there were a lot of truly special moments where people came together unexpectedly.

You owe it to yourself to read this book. And remember, no matter what you’ve planned for the holidays it isn’t going to be perfect and that’s ok.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing who provided this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.

Oh wow!!!!! This author never fails in my book! Such a good story! The characters worked so well together. Such great chemistry. Good love story!!

Light holiday fare about a women hoping to have a quiet Christmas with her new, younger boyfriend but instead ends up with a houseful of family and friends, causing stress, chaos and comedy. Mallery is one of my favorite women's fiction authors, and this book doesn't disappointment.

Typical Susan Mallory. Great characters, full of different problems, and a final that helps all move on . Some tension with expected action. All in all a fun read

I love Christmas and this book was everything family drama, age gap romance who could ask for more. This book was so different from other Christmas books I have read. This book had me laughing out loud at times. I absolutely love it. I’ll differently be reading this one again.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this read! Interesting plot and characters and full of that heartwarming Christmas spirit. Highly recommend this holiday gem! A+++

The upcoming novel A Christmas to Remember by Susan Mallery is an enchanting exploration of life's complexities, love, and the intricate dance of relationships. This heartwarming tale is a stunning five-star read that will resonate deeply with anyone who has navigated the tumultuous waters of family dynamics and personal growth.

Julie Parker, our protagonist, is a relatable and endearing character whose life is both joyful and chaotic. Her children, Nick and Dana, bring their own set of challenges and joys, making for a rich and engaging narrative. Julie’s desire for a quiet Christmas with Heath, her much younger secret boyfriend, is upended when her children insist on a family gathering at their late father’s cabin. This premise sets the stage for a series of events that are as poignant as they are humorous.

Nick and Blair, freshly married and eager to build their own memories, contrast beautifully with Dana, who is in the throes of heartbreak. Julie’s apprehension about revealing her relationship with Heath to her children adds a layer of tension and anticipation that keeps the reader invested from start to finish. The arrival of Heath’s children and Blair’s estranged mother, Gwen, further complicates the family dynamic, creating a delightful tapestry of interconnected lives and stories.

Blair and Gwen's relationship is a particularly touching subplot. Despite a negative past filled with misunderstandings and hurt, their journey towards reconciliation and mutual understanding is both moving and inspiring. Gwen's attempts to mend her relationship with Blair highlight themes of forgiveness and the possibility of growth even in strained relationships. Blair's gradual acceptance and willingness to give her mother a second chance demonstrate profound personal growth and the enduring power of familial love.

The novel's strength lies in its exploration of forgiveness, compassion, empathy, and grace. Julie’s journey is not just about managing her family's Christmas but also about taking responsibility for her happiness and choices. The interactions between characters are nuanced and authentic, making their growth and revelations feel earned and deeply satisfying.

Susan Mallery has a gift for weaving humor into heartfelt moments, making this story both touching and entertaining. The humor is never forced but rather stems naturally from the characters' interactions and the situations they find themselves in. This balance of comedy and drama is what makes A Christmas to Remember such a compelling read.

The family’s ability to let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love is a central theme that will strike a chord with readers. The novel beautifully illustrates that a big, happy family can become even bigger and happier when they embrace forgiveness and understanding.

In conclusion, A Christmas to Remember is a delightful and moving novel that captures the essence of family and the holiday spirit. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories about love, complex relationships, and personal growth. This book is a perfect reminder that even in the midst of chaos, there is always room for grace and joy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Susan Mallery, and Canary Street Publishing for the advanced reader copy for review.

Christmas for the Parker family is very important. This Christmas especially. With so many people in the cabin something is bound to happen. Great family drama starts with mom and her 12 year younger boyfriend and continues from there.

Thank you NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this arc coming out October 1, 2024!!

Susan Mallery's One Big Happy Family is a heartwarming and humorous story that captures the complexities and joys of family gatherings during the holiday season. Julie Parker, a dedicated mother, finds herself unexpectedly hosting Christmas at the family cabin. This novel brings together a diverse cast of characters, each with their own secrets and personal struggles. The author’s deft touch with humor and emotion makes this novel a wonderful read, showing that the true spirit of Christmas lies in embracing love and letting go of past hurts. This book is a festive treat that reminds readers of the joy that can come from the most unexpected holiday gatherings.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Harlequin Enterprise ULC. This is another great book written by Susan Mallery. This story has drama, mystery, romance! Does age really matter ? To someone people it might matter more then anything else. Can you find love at any age? Secrets have a way of coming out when you least expect them to. Julie has it all or so she thinks but when a family loss makes plans change you deal with it. Dana and Nick have lost their dad and they thought they were good but when a holiday brings back the pain what do they do? Gwen and Blair have Avery difficult relationship. Can forgiveness come and help heal wounds or is it to late? Dana and Axel can they be honest with each other or is that not even an option. When families come together you just never know what is going to happen next! This book is for a mature reader and can be read anywhere!

I loved this book so much! It was delightful.
A perfect Christmas rom-com.

Julie Parker is excited. This year her kids have decided to do other things than have a big Christmas get together. She plans to spend her Christmas with her younger boyfriend. A younger boyfriend she hasn't told her kids about yet.

Nick Parker and his wife are heading off to a belated honeymoon, but at the last minute he changes his mind. It's the first Christmas since his father passed away and now he really wants to have a special Christmas at the cabin with the whole family.

Dana Parker is heartbroken. The guy she has been seeing on and off, just keeps breaking her heart and she has decided to spend her Holiday getting him out of her system. Then her brother suggests a Christmas at the cabin to remember their father and she's all in.

Things just get crazy from there.

Highly recommend!!

I really enjoyed the story of Julie Parker and her family. This story was hilarious and very heartwarming! The author did a great job of making the story flow even with all of the characters and plots going on. It was never difficult to separate two plots or characters.
In the beginning, I thought this was going to be a cute story about a family vacation, but I was completely wrong. It was so funny, and the story had me laughing out loud as I read the family banter and how everything was changing rapidly.
The pacing of the story kept me on my toes, yet it was never too fast. It was a perfect pace.
I would recommend this Christmas story to everyone who also has a huge family filled with humor but also love!
Thank you again for this ARC!

One big happy family. When your grown kids decide to forgo their plans for a big family Christmas. Darn it there goes your intimate Christmas with your young lover. I really did not like any of these narcissistic characters. I’m glad I don’t have to spend any time with them