I absolutely LOVED this book. If you're looking for a book to get you into the holiday spirit and just feel cozy, this is the book you need!! It's June and I'm feeling in the Christmas spirit already.
loved that this book wasn't just a predictable romance story, don't get me wrong I love those as well, but I love guessing what's going to go right and wrong.
My one and only thing that didn't feel natural was the letter at the very end. It did feel like the author was trying too hard to give us a good epilogue but the format of the letter didn't make parts of it feel natural!

One other thing was on page 59, this line is either a typo or just very confusing, “not in a quite a few years.”

The (literal) heat of summer had me dreaming of cooler days, so a Christmas book was just what I needed in my life. This was just a fun holiday read with a side of some feels. Callie is navigating the heartbreak of a break-up with her childhood sweetheart who is also a coworker. To cheer her up and get her in the holiday spirit, her sister Anita creates an Advent calendar challenge. As she starts working through the calendar, she connects with Marco. Marco helps her with some of her challenges, and as you might guess, there may be something more there. This was like reading a Hallmark Christmas movie (and that's a good thing), and I loved the plot developments of this one as Callie navigated her calendar/life. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this October 2024 read!

Man! Holly Cassidy is the queen of the most heartwarming, cute, wintery, Christmas stories! I read The Christmas Wager last year and didn't know if I would love The Christmas Countdown as much but there was no reason for me to worry! It feels like your reading a Hallmark Christmas story that makes you feel like you are sitting next to the fire and smelling pine and cinnamon (even if I'm currently reading this in June in the South). The chemistry, the friends to lovers, the surrounding drama, the character/personal growth, and everything else combines in this book to make SUCH a cute story that will make you want it to be December RIGHT NOW! This was such a great read and I guess you can say I'm going to be celebrating Christmas in July because this put me in SUCH a holly, jolly, wintery mood!
Thank you so much to G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review!💖

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Another hit Christmas romance from Holly Cassidy!
I loved the Christmas wager so was super excited to get a peek at her latest work. As before, Cassidy has given us a Hallmark movie in a book, but much much better (because books are better than the movies I don’t make the rules). Tropes, fun, sweetness, and Christmas spirit abound. Give this a read!

"The Christmas Countdown" by Holly Cassidy is a heartwarming holiday read that brings the magic of a Hallmark movie to the page. Callie, struggling after a breakup, finds her spirits lifted through an Advent calendar filled with festive challenges created by her sister, Anita. The charming tasks lead her to meet a delightful baker, sparking a sweet and believable romance. Cassidy's engaging writing and festive atmosphere make this book a perfect way to reignite your holiday spirit and belief in love. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and look forward to revisiting it each holiday season.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy is the perfect Hallmark movie in a book! Callie, in full Grinch mode after being dumped by her childhood sweetheart, gets a holiday intervention from her sister Anita. Armed with a homemade Advent calendar filled with cheerful tasks, Anita pushes Callie out of her comfort zone and back into the holiday spirit.

Reluctantly playing along, Callie meets a charming baker who just might be the spoonful of sugar she needs. As they strike a deal to complete the Advent calendar challenges together, their shared experiences open up not just one, but two closed-off hearts.

This story is so heartwarming and cute, with a delightful trope that will melt your heart. Cassidy’s writing is engaging and festive, capturing the magic of the holiday season perfectly. The chemistry between Callie and the baker is sweet and believable, making their journey from strangers to something more truly special.

I loved every moment and can’t wait to read it again this holiday season. It's the perfect festive read to reignite your holiday spirit and belief in love.
Thank you to the NetGalley team for providing me with the ARC to review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy. I was so happy to read a Christmas story in June! You can never start Christmas themed books too early.

Callie is going through a rough patch. She moved to a new city with her longtime boyfriend. She also got hired at the same company. After being there for only a few months Oliver dumps her for someone else. Thankfully Callie can move in with her sister Anita who lives in the same town. Callie is devastated by the breakup and is in no mood to celebrate Christmas. Anita puts together a Christmas advent calendar of boxes filled with either a task or a treat.

This was an enjoyable read. Definite Hallmark vibes, which I love.

I am a fan of hallmark Christmas movies and this gave me the same feeling! Had different tropes and the advent calendar idea?! Yes please.

I love this author and this books was great! I really enjoyed the tropes, as well as the character development! Her characters are so realistic and lovable, and I didn’t want to put it down!

I loved this! I really enjoyed The Christmas Wager so I was super excited to be approved for this one. It did not disappoint. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I can't get enough of holiday books! This one was chock full of the holiday feels. I loved the challenges Anita comes up with for Callie and it doesn't hurt that she has a hunky guy to complete them with! The romance aspect was super cute. I loved how clean and innocent it was. I'm not a big fan of smut so this was perfect for me. Four stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Callie is suffering from a huge breakup. Her sister, Anita, creates this great advent calendar to help her get out of her funk.
This was so cute and fun! I loved all the advent challenges and treats! I loved that Callie got to get back to feeling like a kid and recreating childhood memories. I adored that Anita brought it some of their childhood ornaments.
I loved the food talk in this book. I liked how Callie has great memories of making lots of different cookies and treats with her dad. This book made me research Switzerland more and want to go there!
Callie and Marco's relationship, how it develops and how much fun they have together was great! I liked how they were open with each other and were honest about how they had both been hurt, but were working on trusting again. I also liked the chemistry between them, you could feel the heat that was developing as their feelings grew.
I adored this book and I think it will be a well loved Christmas novel.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

Such a cute Christmas romance! The perfect thing to put you in that Christmas mood. The Advent calendar idea was so good.

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

It's giving Hallmark movie in all the good ways. All the cozy Christmas feels made this such an enjoyable read. I don't give out many 5 stars but I can't think to rate it lower lol. This is definitely worth a read

cute book that gives the ultimate holiday feels!! a fun heartwarming holiday read that will make you smile and put you in the holiday mood!

Review: “The Christmas Countdown” by Holly Cassidy
Accountant Callie’s life had been mapped out by her family. She followed her childhood sweetheart to another state because of his job and soon was by his side everyday being employed at the same company. Their families assumed a marriage proposal was pending. The routine was calm until her first and only love, Oliver, dumped Callie with no real explanation. After years of dating; how was she blindsided? Heartbroken and dazed; Callie lost the self-confidence to pursue a new job away from Oliver, forcing her to see him daily. Her favorite supervisor quit abruptly and she had to deal with the owner’s egotistical pompous son-in-law, Grant, giving unrealistic demands. If it wasn’t for the reprieve of being able to move into her sister, Anita’s apartment after the break-up, Callie would have been badgered by her parents to move back home.
Callie’s boycott of anything Christmas was halted by Anita’s reinstitution with a twist of their childhood tradition for the Advent Calendar. Anita’s thrill-seeking disposition made Callie cringe with the terrifying possibilities she would have to attempt. She finally agreed since her sister would be her partner. But things don’t go according to plan. Will Joe the fireman be able to rescue Callie or does the handsome Chef Marco have the right ingredient to awaken her to simmer a slow burn of passion?
“The Christmas Countdown” by Holly Cassidy, the Pen name for International Bestselling Author Hannah Mary McKinnon, does a marvelous job incorporating her Swiss heritage into the various holiday activities. Her descriptive narrative seamlessly transports the reader from the Northeastern United States to breath taking European mountain villages. This story’s portrayal of first love, betrayal, redemption, and family gave this reader such a real connection; I wanted to yell at certain characters for causing chaos. I’m grateful to have received the A.R.C. for this 5-Star Contemporary Romance that is perfect for the holiday season.
Can Callie find tranquility or will new secrets derail her future?

Absolutely charming novel about finding happiness again. A sister who creates a fun holiday challenge helps her sister find joy in life.

I could see this as a Hallmark movie!

Thanks to Netgalley &
PENGUIN GROUP- Putnam for the E-ARC! This was ok. Not my favorite holiday read. I did like the main female character though.

I loved all of the baking-related aspects and learning more about Swiss treats (Callie’s father is from Switzerland). Callie and her love interest are adorable together and I liked how their relationship progressed. The narrative is clunky/heavy on exposition at times though that did not prevent me from enjoying this sweet story. Recommended to anyone looking for a holiday Hallmark movie in book form.

I absolutely LOVED this one! This was the perfect Christmas book.

Callie and Marco’s relationship was so sweet and enduring. I was rooting for them both.

Callie’s journey with advent calendar was very sweet and it was a delight to see how she changed as a person. I loved how she discovered what she truly wanted in life.

The Christmas mentions like the advent calendar, the cookies, Christmas themed tasks to complete, and the Christmas playlist was just perfection!

I can’t wait to buy this one in paperback in October!

An incredibly cute and cozy small-town Christmas romance! The advent Christmas calendar ensures every chapter is full of Christmas elements with caroling, decorations, and sledding. This is a perfect holiday read!