This is a sweet magical holiday book you will want to add to your list of books to read.

The cast of characters in this book are all so easy to love and hope things turn out well for them. This is a book of second chances for both the young and old.

Amanda Taylor, who has had many painful Christmases in her life, chooses to make it a great holiday time by directing the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. Her grandmother, Birdie, who lives in a retirement community becomes very fond of one of the new widowed residents, Palao. He is the grandfather of widower Rafe Arredondo, a handsome firefighter and paramedic. Ralph is also the father to a sweet son.

This is definitely a great book to be made into a Hallmark Christmas Movie. I highly recommend it to be added to your list of Christmas reading.

I received a copy of this book from Harlequin Trade Publishing/Canary Street Press. The opinions expressed are my own.

The December Market focuses on the romance between Amanda, community backbone/business owner and firefighter/paramedic/single father Rafe. Both have survived tragedy and neither are looking for love, but Rafe’s son Isaac and the magic of Christmas conspire to get them together.

Unfortunately I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two characters so I never got invested in the story. I was far more interested in the budding romance between their grandparents. It’s a fine, low stakes story, perhaps just right for the busy holiday season.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

Ok but listen single father, holiday, second chance romance, black cat, and grinchy girl vibes I love it already. I knew after reading the first book in this series I had to read the second book. I am obsessed with the holidays so when a grinch can find her man and make holiday scented soaps im all in. I think its a very sweet plot and very much popcorn romcom vibes

This was a sweet Holiday romance. Past relationships haunt the main characters, and they overcome the past to be together. if perhaps by fate. This very sweet holiday romance is reminded me of a Hallmark movie. It was full of sweet cheesy romance. Loved every second.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Harlequin Trade Company. Author RaeAnne Thayne had wrote another fantastic story. Amanda had dealt a rough life from the time she was a kid to an adult. Can she learn to trust her heart to someone again. Or will she find it easier and safer to keep herself guarded. Birbie had a great love but could she possible find love again. Does the heart stop wanting love at a certain age? Rafe tried love once and it didn't work out so well. He's not sure it worth all the work? Can someone change his mind? Paolo lost his wife not to long ago. Will a chance encounter with someone help make him not feel so lonely? Can you only have one great love? This book can be read by anyone. I would caution there is a couple of swear words and references to drug and alcohol abuse. This book can be read anywhere! Don't let the Christmas setting think it can be only be read then. Give a try anytime of the year!

I've read several Christmas books by RaeAnne, but I have not read #1 in this series. I do not think reading in order is necessary, as this is a great standalone book!

No surprises here, this is your typical Hallmark-esque Christmas story, but they are ALL so good, am I right?! This one has the elements of a 30 something woman who has had numerous tragedies in her life, enter the handsome, single dad (and Firefighter!) with his adorable son. You know where this is headed!

The only thing I will say that I did not like about this one is that it seemed like almost every character had endured tragic losses, etc. - more than usual and definitely more than an average group/community of people.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Simply a charming must-read if you enjoy books with a Hallmark movie vibe. Even though this is part of a series it can be thoroughly enjoyed as a stand-alone.

Look who is helping. What do you do when grandparents are making decisions you think are wrong. Love the help even as you try to ignore the attraction. Fun romance

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a good book!!! Such a good story and great writing style. This was my first by this author and will not be my last! Such a cute holiday romcom!

Amanda has suffered plenty of heartache in her lifetime making it hard for her to accept love or grace from others. The actions of her father leave her feeling like the town is against her. She is stronger than she thinks though and one person in particular will make her see that in herself. You will adore the relationship between Amanda & Rafe as well as their perspective other family members. This is a great feel good Christmas book!

I really enjoyed this book! I am a big fan of holiday romance and this was an excellent read. I will be reading more of this author’s work in the future. Will recommend to my friends.

"The December Market" was a delightful read that truly resonated with me. I felt an immediate connection to the protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery and resilience mirrored some of my own experiences. The author's vivid descriptions made the market scenes come alive, transporting me right into the heart of the story. I found myself invested in the characters' lives and relationships, particularly enjoying the authentic dialogue that added depth to their interactions. The themes of hope and perseverance were particularly inspiring and left a lasting impression on me. While I anticipated some aspects of the ending, it still felt fulfilling and brought a sense of closure. This book was a comforting and thought-provoking read, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that warms the heart.

This is a very sweet Hallmark Christmas Movie-type story. The December Market centers around Amanda and Rafe. Amanda is a small town business owner and Rafe is a fulltime firefighter/paramedic for their local station. When Rafe and Amanda's respective grandparents strike up a relationship in their retirement home it forces Rafe and Amanda closer together. Will sparks fly?

This is my first book by this author. I do feel as though it would’ve been helpful to read the first book in the series to have more background information on the other characters. In this book, the two main characters are dealing with a lot of trauma from past relationships and family members. They find it difficult to put that aside to find room for each other through the magic of the December market they become closer and find a way to open their hearts. I also enjoyed the side story of their grandparents relationship. Not a happy-go-lucky Christmas book but a good read.

This was like a Hallmark movie, but you are reading it instead. It was full of all the typical (but necessary) holiday almost cheesy cheer.



First of all if I could move to Shelter Springs I would. It sounds like the cutest town in the whole world, but especially at Christmas time. This book had all the small town vibes and it was great!



The romance is there and it’s sweet and spicy! The perfect amount of cute but also mysterious. I feel in love with Rafe, and his Grandfather.



If you are looking for a cozy Christmas book to cuddle up and read with a blanket, this one is for you!



Thank you Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read this book!

Loved reading this book and series. If you haven't read it yet. I highly recommend her and her series of books

Events in our lives leave indelible marks. It’s how we react to these marks that determine our future. For some it seems almost impossible to jump those hurdles. That is the central theme of THE DECEMBER MARKET carefully and talentedly crafted into a story about love. There is that expression no man is an island. For several characters in THE DECEMBER MARKET they seemingly have created their island.
For Amanda, she has carefully built walls around herself. To safeguard from gossip and side glances. Living in a small town makes that really difficult and yet somehow Amanda has managed to keep those walls securely in place. Her façade belies any clue. It left her with a sense of loneliness but with her enormous heart and generosity Amanda manages to endear herself to the greater population of her small town. Albeit there is still a small group with long memories and some anger as well.
Probably most folks don’t really blame Amanda for events that were definitely out of her control. But that is not how she sees it. So when faced with the possibility of finding an escape from her loneliness she is reluctant to try. Instead somehow sabotaging her chances.
As for family all Amanda has left is Birdie, her grandmother. She is devoted to Birdie and at the same time fears the loss of her last person.
In steps Rafe and his little boy Isaac. Rafe too is battling memories filled with remorse and regret. In contrast to Amanda, Rafe has a large support family. Totally devoted to Isaac. Reactive to those around him in much the same way Amanda is. Loving, caring and protective.
Much like two magnets Amanda and Rafe keep deflecting any idea or feeling of any relationship. Even friendship seems like too much of a risk. Amanda is truly fearful of what one more heartbreak would do to her. And Rafe has Isaac’s heart to protect as well as his own.
THE DECEMBER MARKET may just be one of my favorites by RaeAnne Thayne. But perhaps I always think that way. I am a huge fan. It must be my romantic and hopeful soul. I didn’t want this story to come to an end. I was totally smitten with these amazing characters that wormed their way into my heart. Sure to meet all expectations of RaeAnne Thayne fans. THE DECEMBER MARKET is part of the Shelter Springs series.

The December Market
by RaeAnne Thayne
Pub Date: October 8, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Shelter Spring #2
The magic of Christmas—and a second shot at romance—is in the air in Shelter Springs this holiday season…
Thayne is one of my favorite authors so I may be a bit biased, but this book was great! I Loved returning to Shelter Springs and getting updates on all my old favorites while learning more about Amanda and Rafe. A Christmas love story that will get you in the holiday mood right from the beginning!

Really enjoyed this. Loved the interactions with the son particularly! It really drew me in and made me a part of their little community as I read and definitely left me wanting to read more about everyone there. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6668879307

I am not usually a romance reader, but there is something about a sweet love story set at Christmas that attracts me. This one certainly did not disappoint. Charming characters in a charming setting at Christmas. Perfect