This book was a really cute rom com and perfect for the holidays. This is the second book I’ve read this month that used an advent calendar as the premise for the book. I think this is a sign for me to get an advent calendar 🤗. I love how Callie’s sister Anita reintroduced an advent calendar of cheerful events from their family tradition comprised of 24 wrapped gifts to help her get back into the holiday spirit and feel better after breaking by her childhood sweetheart she’s been with for 10 years. I’m so happy that she decided to play along with her sister’s antics because she ended up finding a great guy in the process 💙

Such a fun Christmas read!! I loved the Advent calendar story line. I want to start something similar with my own kids. Callie's love of puns had me laughing out loud. And her self discovery throughout the book is amazing. She stays true to herself through the ups and downs of the story. Highly recommend!!!

This is a cozy Christmas romance with all of the holiday feels! Callie has just gone through a rough break up, and is not in the holiday spirit. Her sister creates an advent calendar with fun holiday gifts and tasks. It’s a Hallmark type story with some closed door romance. I received a free copy of this book from the author, publisher, and netgalley, in exchange for my honest review.

She in NOT in the mood for Christmas

Maybe it used to be her favorite time of the year, but Callie is definitely not feeling the holiday vibes this year. It’s hard to blame her…she and her now ex-boyfriend Oliver grew up next door to one another in Pineville, VA, and had been together as a couple for ten years. When Oliver got a promotion and was transferred to Fallbrook in upstate NY, Callie did the supportive girlfriend thing; she pulled up stakes and moved there with him when asked, and was even able to get a job at the firm where he worked. Then, just four weeks after they moved to Fallbrook Oliver told her he was breaking up with her; he no longer loved her and in fact was now interested in someone new. Blindsided and heartbroken, Callie moved in with her sister Anita (who fortunately also lived in Fallbrook) and has tried to move on. Seven months later, Oliver is blissfully happy with his new girlfriend (a beautiful local TV reporter whom he is bringing home to Pineville for Christmas). For Callie it has been hard enough working in the same building with the man who broke her heart; there is no way she is going to spend Christmas with the happily-in-love couple right next door and having everyone in her hometown look at her with pity. No, Callie is fine coming back to the apartment after work each night to read thrillers or work on puzzles. She’s just FINE. Anita disagrees and has a plan to help Callie reclaim her life and find joy. She has gone back to a tradition that was one of the highlights of their childhood Christmases and created a “task ‘n treats” Advent calendar. Each day in December Callie must open a package (one day its a treat, the next its a task, and so on) with Anita promising to help with the tasks and promising that the treats are totally worth the effort (and Anita swears it will get Callie back in a Christmas-y mood). Callie reluctantly agrees, figuring. It will at least stop Anita from nagging her about going home to Pineville with her for Christmas and going out on blind dates. When Anita is suddenly sent to Florida on business, Callie finds herself stuck with completing her tasks alone. Even worse, there are shakeups at Callie’s job and not in a good way. Then Marco aka Eggnog Man, the cute guy (and professional dessert chef) Callie met when she and Anita were picking out a Christmas tree, says he is willing to be her task wingman (and keep her supplied with a steady stream of sweet treats) if she will use her accounting skills to straighten out his catering company’s books. With forays into sledding, caroling and game nights with cocoa, Callie might just shed her Grinch-like mood and open her heart back up to the magic of Christmas…and more.
The Christmas Countdown is a charming, fun read chock full of holiday joy. Callie is a relatable character, hurt by the man with whom she (and her whole family) thought she would spend her life. Anita is pushy (but with the best of motives), willing to prod her sister out of her protective cocoon by whatever means necessary, and has gone all out with the reboot of their childhood Advent calendar (what an amazing idea, by the way!). Marco is a great guy who has far more in common with Callie than Oliver ever did, and helps Callie rediscover parts of herself that have been in mothballs with the somewhat rigid Oliver. If you love a good Christmas romance then pull up your Spotify holiday playlist, grab a mug of your winter beverage of choice, and settle in for a story brimming with good cheer. Holly Cassidy is a pseudonym for suspense author Hannah Mary McKinnon, so fans of Ms McKinnon might want to give this novel a try, as should readers of authors Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery and Pamela M. Kelley. Many thanks to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for allowing me early access to this highly enjoyable read. I just wish there were some recipes included!

3.75 stars

What you’ll find in this book: A Christmas tree themed meet-cute, lots of holiday activities, and puns (seriously, so many puns)

This book really toes the line between cheesy and corny. There were a lot of scenes that were just cringy because of how corny they were, especially with all the puns. Maybe some people will enjoy that but it just wasn’t the vibe for me. I liked Marco and he and Callie seemed to have a genuine connection although it sort of fell into “too perfect” territory. They are very insta-love and I wanted them to have some kind of conflict or something just to make their relationship seem more believable.
Unfortunately this came in the form of an infuriating third act breakup/conflict/whatever. It could have very easily been avoided with a conversation and although it was resolved well the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth.
You also get the overbearing family trope, with a sister determined to push Callie out of her comfort zone at any cost and parents who want her to get back together with her ex. Again, it was all resolved in the end but annoyed me throughout the book.

If you like cheesy romcoms with lots of holiday activities you might enjoy this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin group for the ARC!

The dialogue is so wooden and stilted the book was almost painful to read. I don’t understand how anyone can read this without massive skimming. So much explaining going on within the dialogue I felt like it was meant to be a joke. I won’t read another of her books.

The Christmas Countdown is the story of a woman, Callie, and the advent calendar created for her by her sister. Some days are fun tasks like sledding and baking classes designed to get her out of a rut and some are just treats like a manicure. And of course there is a hunky stranger who wants to help out with the tasks. My heart is full. This was such a huggable book. Each task was cuter than the next, filled with holiday cheer, warm fuzzies and silly moments. It was clever and sweet. and I loved seeing Callie find happiness. The quintessential holiday romcom.

This book was so lovely and fun, and perfect for Christmas!

I love the idea of the advent calendar of tasks. I loved the relationship between the sisters, and all the characters interacted so well together. This was the first book I read by this author, but I look forward to reading more.

I loved this book. It’ reminds me of a cozy Hallmark movie. So grab this book, a cup of peppermint coffee or hot chocolate and cuddle up next to a fire and get to reading.

So thankful that @thrillerbookloverthepulse signed up for this one! It’s October, and all I want to do is read spooky books, but I paused that for The Christmas Countdown! This book was so enjoyable, I didn’t mind one bit! I loved the characters and storyline so much! The relationship between sisters, Anita and Callie was so special. I loved that even though Callie isn’t in the Christmas spirit, Anita is determined to make her remember what the season is all about! It was so fun rooting for Callie as she is overcoming heart break, while working alongside her ex. And the advent calendar was such a unique and special idea, I want to create something similar for my kids! It was inspiring to watch Callie grow in her relationship and also professionally. This is a cozy, clean, rom-com that is out now and needs to be on your holiday reading list!

I love Holly Cassidy's books, and The Christmas Countdown was no exception. It's sweet and fluffy, and the perfect way to set the holiday mood (starting Nov 1st!). This one releases it in time to help settle in the cozy vibes that I love during the holidays. Cute characters, cute cliche storyline (which is what I want in a cozy Christmas romance).

Holly Cassidy’s newest release is creative, entertaining and a great read for the holiday season. Advent calendars are common for the holidays and come in many forms and Cassidy adds a twist to the purpose of this calendar here. The tone of the book is light, there are plenty of funny moments and mishaps and eventually, those warm holiday feelings are there. I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it. It’s a good book for getting into the holiday spirit and laughing at some crazy activities.

Callie recently went through a break up with her boyfriend of 10 years and wasn’t feeling the Christmas spirit. Her sister Anita sets up a Christmas Advent calendar split up between different holiday themed tasks and gifts. As Callie starts to play along she meets Marco – who may just be what Callie needs to get back in the holiday spirit.
I thought this was a cute book. It’s closed door and very Hallmark but sometimes you need those cute palate cleansers. My favorite part was watching Callie rediscover the part of herself that she lost while she was in the 10-year relationship. I think that is something that most of us can relate to and go through at least once.

Thank you to NetGallery and Penguin Random House for the advanced reader copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so fun and full of Christmas cheer! I loved the advent calendar aspect of the story and I enjoyed watching Callie deal with her break up and her self doubt. The romance in this story was super sweet and cheesy in the best way.

This holiday romance should definitely be on your TBR this holiday season!

I enjoyed this witty and engaging book. The plot line kept me engaged and interested. The growth of the main character was realistic and interesting. I would recommend this to my friends.

i loved loved loved the holiday vibes from this one!

this author faked me out i was so scared it was going to be a love triangle but i am SO glad it wasn't (HATE a love triangle bad sorry y'all). i will say, i became increasingly annoyed by the older sister butting in any chance she could - as an older sister, i understand wanting to help out your sibling and bring them out of their funk but pushing them to points where they feel uncomfy is a BIG no no </3 so while i ended up loving them all by the end, right before then i was VERY much an older sister hater.

BUT, this was such a fun holiday read!

thank you so much netgalley and g.p. putnam for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!

Delightfully merry! The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy a/k/a Hannah Mary McKinnon is a light, fun, cheery read focusing on family, food, romance and Christmas traditions as the book counts down to Christmas as well as protagonist Callie’s self-discovery. The addition of Swiss confections was particularly interesting, and I found myself wishing for recipes for several of the treats described. In any event, this quick read is bound to spark Christmas spirit and would be a perfect novel with which to while away a chilly December day.

Many thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

I wanted to love this book- it has a great synopsis and tons of potential. Unfortunately it falls short in so many ways that it’s a struggle to finish.

Oh this was such a cute holiday read and I really enjoyed it. Callie’s sister, Anita, creates a Chrismtmas countdown advent calendar to help Callie get into the Christmas spirit after a breakup. Callie embarks on several great holiday themed activities like sledding or treats like cookies and candy. Callie meets Marco, a baker, during one of the tasks and of course they team up and get into the Christmas spirit together. I loved their story and it was such a fun, festive read and is the perfect holiday rom-com.

I loved this book! It touched my heart and gave me all the holiday feels! It is a story of family and traditions and discovering what you truly want in life. Callie wanted to avoid Christmas after heartbreak and I understood this. Her sister, Anita, is trying to help her move forward in life and creates an Advent calendar for Callie. This Advent calendar is incredible! It alternates between treats and challenges and I think it is a brilliant idea! The challenges take Callie out of her hibernating bubble and help her to discover her joy and the community she lives in. Add in Marco, an attractive baker that shares Callie’s love and puns, and a small town decorated for the holidays and it is everything I love in a holiday book! The Christmas Callie was avoiding may end up being the start of a new life and a new adventure.I highly recommend this book be added to your holiday reading list.