received an ARC of this book and was eager to dive in, as I’ve loved the author’s other works. While I’m not typically a fan of holiday rom-coms, this one had a unique twist with the advent calendar setup, which I really enjoyed. The storyline was sweet and uplifting, perfect for a quick holiday read. Overall, it’s a fun and cozy read, ideal for fans of holiday romances!

OK this was a complete home run for me. Truly mean that. Holly hit it out of the ballpark with this one. From the first page to the next. There were moments when I was clutching my pearls because the AUDACITY of these dudes wanting to gaslight me thinking they knew my life or my feelings. I was in shock every time one of them opened their mouth cause how dare you call me a liar? Callie is better than me because 80% of the guys in this book sounded like they wanted a broken nose. And I wanted her to give it to them. Anyways I loved Marco. He really had me rooting for him throughout the whole book until that one small miscommunication. But other than that he really is one of the good ones.

Then we have Callie, oh boy she needed to grow up and better herself. I think that heartache that she went through was something she really needed so that she could learn her value, not only that but that she was worth so much more than just being with someone because of comfort or the whole “our parents wanted us to be together so we kind of have to” because love isn’t only being comfortable with someone or being with someone because of that playing it safe feeling. She had so much development and growth and she retreated back into her shell sometimes but knew how to dust herself off and come out of it. Be stronger and fight for her needs and wants. It showed something that a lot of people feel and need help with, it was very real and I could 100% relate to it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to reread this one. 10/10 recommend.

This book was sweet, but a bit too cheesy for even my liking. I also feel that a lot of this could've been chopped in half if the MCs stopped to communicate with each other. The best part was seeing callies growth throughout the book.

Callie’s childhood sweetheart dumped her and the last thing she wants is to return home for the holidays where he will be next door – with his new girlfriend. Callie’s sister, Anita, makes her a holiday advent calendar with fun activities to get her back in the Christmas spirit. When she meets a charming baker who agrees to do the activities with her, sparks fly.

Why Kirsten loves it
I loved the Advent calendar tasks within this story – it was such a fun premise! Callie and Marco’s slow-burn love story gave me the same feeling as drinking a warm cup of peppermint cocoa. You won’t want to miss this Christmas romance.

“Bright stars twinkled in the cloudless sky above, making me instinctively tuck my chin deep into the soft woolen folds of my scarf. ”
Here are reasons to read the Holiday Contemporary book:

Breakup - Even many months after Callie is suffering from a breakup from her ex, she is still reeling
Advent - so her sister creates an advent calendar with treats and tasks
Challenge - to challenge her to get outside of herself, and perhaps meet some new people
Renew - Will Cassie find a new life and a new start?

Last year I read The Christmas Wager by this author and I knew I had to pick up this one as well. This book ticks my boxes for what I look for in Romance right now. One is a fun circumstance, in this case an advent. Second is characters that you can root for or feel for. I really liked reading about Callie, and I found myself seeing a lot in common with her. Not only was I inspired for the holidays with some future tasks of my own, but I felt like it was telling me I needed to go outside my own comfort zone as well.

📚 BOOK TOUR PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Christmas Countdown By Holly Cassidy
Publication Date: October 22, 2024
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📚MY REVIEW:

Oh my goodness, I absolutely ADORED this book!! The Christmas Countdown is the PERFECT holiday rom-com to read when you're ready to get into the holiday spirit!! 🎄🎁

I loved everything about this book! The storyline was the cutest and coziest - our female MC, Callie, is struggling to find the joy in the upcoming Christmas season, which will be her first since the break-up of her long-term relationship with her high school boyfriend, Oliver. Callie's sister, Anita, brings back a Christmas family tradition with an Advent calendar of-sorts as a way to help little sister Callie reclaim joy in her life. Callie serendipitously bumps into Marco at a Christmas tree farm while completing one of the first tasks in Anita's Advent calendar.... And the foundation of the book's storyline is set.

Callie, Anita, Marco, and all of the characters in this book were so loveable, and the author created such warmth and personality for each of the characters so quickly. The setting in the small town of Fallbrook was the picturesque place for this story... And I'd by lying if I said I didn't want to live there. Each of the Christmas activities contained in Anita's Advent calendar had me nearly drooling in anticipation of the upcoming holiday season and I made a commitment in my mind, more than once, that I needed to find similar activities in my community this holiday season too. The love story of Callie and Marco was so cute and just made me smile from start to finish. The spice was minimal (like, close to zero) and this was definitely more of a cutesy rom-com.

I flew through this book, reading it all so fast because I was so in love with the story and all of its pieces. I was kinda sad when it was finished and I actually think I'll re-read it again as the Christmas holiday gets closer... And I've never before said I wanted to re-read a rom-com. So I think that says a lot about how much I loved it. ❤️

It was fun to see that Holly Cassidy is one and the same as Hannah Mary McKinnon, the author of Only One Survives, a fantastic thriller I read over the summer. Knowing this author can write different genres of books that I can be enthralled with so readily, leaves me with even greater respect for her masterful writing talents.

I can't say enough about this book and I absolutely recommend you add it to your holiday TBR list. This is easily a top rom-com of 2024 for me... And I think it'll be as loved by anyone who enjoys rom-com reads, too. A big thank you goes out to Book Lovers The Buzz and Holly Cassidy/Hannah Mary McKinnon for inviting me to be a part of this fun book tour! Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

#TheChristmasCountdown #HollyCassidy #GPPutnamsSons #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #romcomreads #booklover

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, #partner, for an advanced copy of The Christmas Countdown in exchange for my honest review.

It’s not too often that I read Christmas books, especially not in the early fall, but when your favorite thriller writer writes another holiday romcom, you drop everything to read it…and I’m happy to say, she has delivered another enjoyable, entertaining and cute story!

As I don’t tend to read a lot of romcoms, I’m not up on all the tropes that one might have, but I can say that this story had what I love in those Hallmark/Netflix holiday movies I so enjoy watching. This would be the perfect book to get those dragging their feet about getting into the holiday spirit in the right mood! How could you not? With all those witty puns and that amazing countdown Advent Calendar that Callie’s sister creates for her with so many fun Christmasy activities – it even got me in the holiday mood and it’s only September!

This book is all kinds of fun. All the holiday baking had me wanting to get back into the kitchen. Baking around the holidays is my favorite and its been a while since I’ve really done any…maybe this is the year I change that! I also loved how much of the author’s own heritage she wove into the story – knowing the author as well as I do, I really appreciated this aspect of the story. It makes me want to go visit Switzerland even more than I already did before picking up this book!

A fun, festive read that is as entertaining as it is cute, I highly recommend adding this to your holiday reading list!

Okay, I’m obsessed with every character in this book! This one was full of charm and holiday magic. I had to resist putting my Christmas tree up while reading it. Callie is so easy to relate to and motivated me to make positive changes in my life this holiday season too. There’s not a lot of drama in this one so it’s a fun, light holiday read. Will be recommending to everyone!

The Christmas Countdown is a sweet holiday story that would make a great Hallmark movie. Love between sisters helps to capture all that is best at Christmas time.

Definitely full of all the Hallmark movie vibes, which is exactly what you want in a holiday book like this. The love between sisters was great and I love some good female characters.

Ok this was extremely adorable . I like how is about finding love again. And christmas who doesn’t want love in christmas. Loved the characters and I cant wait to get the physical

I absolutely loved this book!!! It’s a great holiday read (or anytime of the year really). Callie is in a rut when her sister plans a special advent calendar for her filled with treats and tasks that are designed to take her out of her comfort zone. I couldn’t read this book fast enough. I loved the characters (and the many many puns)! Callie is an amazing character and I would I love to have someone like her in my real life. If you want a cozy feel good book, this is the perfect choice.

Such a warm and cozy read for the holidays!!! I absolutely adored this book and think Holly Cassidy knocked it out of the park. It's literally a Hallmark movie in book form.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and GP Putnam Penguin Group for the arc!!! <3

The Christmas Countdown was a super cute rom-com with relatable characters and storyline to match! So much about these characters was enjoyable that I couldn’t help but root for them to find what they were looking for to be happy. The daily task/treat Advent calendar between the sisters was so fun and clever that it made wish my sister and I did this sort of thing. Loved this book!

Charming 🎄Lighthearted 🎄 Heartwarming

I absolutely adore Holly Cassidy’s cast of characters. Anita (Callie’s sister) wisely reinvents the advent calendar to help Callie get out of her funk and into the holiday spirit! I love how Callie quietly rebels yet secretly loves the advent gifts/challenges. For example, she's tasked with finding a Christmas tree and comes home with one like Charlie Brown Christmas. The gifts and challenges involve every holiday activity - sledding, making Christmas cookies, caroling, toy drives, etc. And it's through these challenges that Callie loses her grinchy tendencies and discovers what she truly wants.

In tackling the tree challenge, Callie crosses paths with Marco. Their blossoming friendship to lovers' romance is incredibly swoon-worthy, adorable, and filled with laughter. These two effortlessly throw around the wittiest puns! Plus, who can resist a man with exceptional baking skills?

If you read only one holiday romance each season, read this! Holly Cassidy beautifully captures the magic of the holiday season, filling your heart with joy as you root for Callie to find happiness. Highly recommended!

Other highlights: Swiss tidbits, sister relationship, self-assertiveness, pop culture, closed-door romance

What a punny book - when you read it you will get it! I loved this book, it was predictable in the absolute best holiday way. Its low drama and lots of heartwarming love, which in my opinion makes for the best book. The chapters felt very much like a movie with an "end scene" and all closed door spice, which I appreciated in a Christmas book. I loved the premise of this book that features two sisters and an Advent countdown to Christmas calendar of treats and tasks. I loved it so much I will be doing one for my kiddos this year. I felt the magic and spirit of the holidays through this book and was so sad when I finished it.

While I am not quite ready for cold weather this story had me wishing for falling snow when reading. This was such an adorable and funny story. I laughed a lot while wishing for a sister like Anita. A homemade advent calendar with festive activities! Yes, please! Include Marco, the charming baker, as your sidekick and let’s go! Callie and Marco had so much in common that them meeting seemed almost too god to be true! She deserved a good man, and I was rooting for him, and booing her ex the entire time.
If you’re looking for a book to put you in a festive mood with a side of romance, then this is the perfect book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC of The Christmas Countdown. This was a cute closed-door holiday romance, but also a story filled with sisterly love, finding your own voice/path, and moving on. A cute, quick, festive read!

To be honest I didn’t love the characters as much as I expected to but was a huge fan of the advent calendar concept. A classic cozy holiday romance, with minimal conflict

This was holiday centric! I loved the sledding, hot cocoa, cookies, and carols! Definitely hallmark appropriate and a quality closed door romance.