Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. It had a little bit of everything - romance, suspense, mystery, drama. This book was very well written and super creative. This book will most likely be on my list for the best holiday-themed books in 2024. If you are looking for a cozy mystery that will give you Agatha Christie vibes, but will also put you in the holiday spirit, I definitely recommend this book. I devoured it! I am also looking forward to the audiobook being released soon!

5 stars!


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

********


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ACR Review ✨3 Stars✨
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper for the ARC of The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year! I can definitely say the book fits the title. If you like a good game of Clue or drooling over Chris Evans in a cable knit while watching Knives Out then this book is for you. Awesome banter and a very fun Christmas mystery will keep the pages turning.

This was my first Ally Carter and it was pretty much exactly what I was looking for in a Christmas-time, mystery rom-com!

Here are some of the specific things I really loved about this book:
1. The mystery was front and center, and it was a good one! I loved the mystery, I loved the twists and turns, and I loved watching two “enemies” work together to solve it knowing they were the only two people they could, begrudgingly, trust. I loved even more that I could not piece it together myself! I seriously had no clue and I’m usually pretty good at figuring out the ending quickly. Loved this challenge!

2. I loved Eleanor Ashley. From everything she represented to playing games until the very end, she was a fantastic character even with the little page time she got. I also adored her faith in Maggie and Ethan; especially in Maggie. I don’t want to spoil anything, but the bond these two women had when they didn’t even know each other was incredible!

3. Who doesn’t love a good enemies-to-lovers, especially set during Christmas time in England?? Absolute perfection!

4. I quite enjoyed the flirty banter and back and forth between Maggie and Ethan. The book was closed door spice, so definitely one I could see recommending and bonding over with my mother, which are always good options to have.

5. I loved how the house and estate were so large that we truly got to explore so many different places of it. The best part was all the “tricks” the mystery author implemented into the house to make it exactly how you would envision a mystery writer would: hidden safes, trap doors, secrets exits and rooms, etc. Super fun to explore these areas with our MCs.

6. I enjoyed the evolution of Maggie’s character and how much Ethan supported that journey. Maggie started as a meek woman who was gaslit for so long that she questioned her own sanity and ability to be right. However, in basically leading the charge on solving the mystery, we saw her come out of her insecurities more and more as time went on. Ethan had such a supportive role in this too, always encouraging her to keep going with her train of thoughts and telling her constantly that she wasn’t wrong or crazy.

I also really liked this line in the story:

“You know, if mankind has one universal superpower, it’s gaslighting women into thinking they’re the problem.”
And it was spoken by Maggie after she got her confidence back. Absolutely screamed “YOU ARE THE WOMAN!” when I read this.

7. Along with the above, there were so many other great lines in this book. Here are some of my favorites:

“I’m not offended that you’d accuse me of murder. I’m offended you’d think I’d be bad at it.”
--

Maggie started doing Party Math in her head.

If she hid for thirty minutes, then waved at three more people on her way to the elevator, maybe no one would notice if she spent the rest of the party hiding in an empty room, reading her Purse Book and eating her Napkin Cheese.
- I MEEEEEAN, are we the same person?!?!

--

Ethan: You know, some women think I’m chivalrous.

Maggie: Some women think the earth is flat.
--

“He needed you to be less than him, and you were always going to be more. There’s no way, no universe, no reality in which you aren’t the brightest star in the whole damn sky.”
- And this is when I fell for Ethan *swoon*

--

“If you were mine, I’d carry you through the storm. If you were mine, I’d fight the sky.”

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Ally Carter for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

Christmas at an English country house hosted by famed mystery author, Eleanor Ashley, who happens to be cozy mystery author Maggie Chase's literary idol. A perfect outing for Maggie who is celebrating her first Christmas since her husband left her for her best friend. Christmas seems to be when bad things happen to Maggie. It seems that this year will not be different because also attending Eleanor's get together is Maggie's nemesis, Ethan Wyatt, famed thriller author.

As more guests arrive, a snow storm descends and Eleanor Ashley disappears from her locked office. Could this be a locked room mystery game or something else? The stakes are raised when a guest is poisoned and someone shoots at Maggie. Maggie and Ethan reluctantly begin to work together to get to the bottom of this mystery. We learn about their past and watch them fall in love.

This is an excellent romantic mystery, great dialog, humor, wonderful characters, and a perfect cozy Christmas setting. Once you start reading you won't want to stop. Ally Carter, please give us more of Maggie and Ethan!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Avon and Harper Voyager, for an ARC. The review is my own.

I felt like I was inside a holiday episode of scooby-doo, but instead of the usual gang solving the mystery, it was with a hot rival 🔥

First of all, I’m usually iffy about holiday books because sometimes they go OVERBOARD, but this one had the perfect balance! The holiday elements were sprinkled in just about right, and the fact that everyone got stuck inside a manor a few days before Christmas was perfect (not too much, not too little 🎄❄️)

quick summary: two writers who are rivals get invited to spend Christmas with a famous mystery writer. Maggie Chase is thrilled because this author is her favorite... but guess who isn't her favorite? Ethan Wyatt, who she despises (he even calls her "Marcie," which isn't her name smh). After the first night, a winter storm hits and Eleanor goes missing. Who better to trust than two writers who make a living solving mysteries in their novels? 🔍

I’m not usually a big mystery gal myself, but this book was full of fast-paced scenes, tension, and a lovely subplot of romance between the two characters 😍 I also really liked how the clues and twists were introduced which btw I totally didn’t solve the mystery 🕵️‍♀️ 😂 I was blindsided tbh hahah!

The romance definitely felt like a subplot since they’re busy trying to solve the mystery, but it was the perfect balance to keep me reading nonstop! If you love mystery and the whole "someone is trying to kill me let's solve this murder" this book is THE PERFECT holiday book for you!

Thank you Netgalley and Avon books for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager.

I actively disliked this book for the first entire half of it, only starting to like it in the second half, once the "enemies to lovers" portion had been settled and the actual mystery starts unfolding (not that we get much of that with all the relationship stuff). Which is where most of my problems with this book arise - the author, I think unintentionally, in setting up Ethan as the "enemy" does a little too well.

I'm going to not to get into spoiler territory here because I am just so. mad. I hated how Carter wrote this relationship and these two people. She makes us HATE the male lead from the start - he's entitled to her personal space, he never calls her by the right name, and he constantly teases and belittles her. She, rightfully, hates him for his behavior and attitude. Rightfully! He's been actively hurtful towards her.

Now imagine reading an entire first half of a novel where the author makes you hate this man, and you know he's also the male romantic lead. Well, I had to finish the novel just to see if she could turn it around.

She certainly tried but was she successful if I'm cringing at the two leads getting together, and rolling my eyes whenever they kiss, and full on gagging when they have sex? I don't think you could make me hate a couple coming together as much as I disliked Maggie and Ethan hooking up. And we're made to root for Maggie and be upset at all the people who have abused her, and then you want us to root for an asshole who also abused her? OK, he's not as bad as the ex, but that's not saying much. Waving the rudeness away with some blithe dumb meet cute that made no sense, not that any of their relationship made sense. Maggie could do better.

The story itself is written ok, but I found the bits with the inspector interview unnecessary and overly goofy. Just, like, this whole novel is goofy. I don't mind goofy, it can be charming, but I just found myself constantly annoyed with this one. The mystery was ok, kind of fun, and the reason I'm giving this any stars. But the mystery is second fiddle to the relationship drama.

I'm sorry I didn't enjoy this because the premise, the summary, had me so excited. This seemed like something I would love, or at least enjoy. How disappointing. I really wanted to like this.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Ally Carter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is a mystery “who done it” with the self discovery and enemies to lovers of a romance.

The first 10-15% I really struggled with the MMC but as the book goes on you learn more about him (and the backstory that explains his behavior) and then he’s literally the dreamiest.

The story is written in dual POV and then has flashbacks to previous encounters over the years. I enjoyed picking up pieces of the story along the way.

I will say the guilty party was suspect to me from the start but the reason why (and the rest of the fallout) was a twist.

This story truly filled me with joy! Clue becomes a rom-com vibes that made me giddy. This was my first Ally Carter book so needless to say, I will now spend the rest of the day adding her other works to my TBR.
Maggie and Ethan are rival authors that hate each other, so she believes. When they are both invited to spend Christmas with, not only best selling mystery writer, Eleanor Ashley but, also the author of the only real steady presence throughout Maggie's life, Maggie can't believe she's spending her least favorite holiday with her life's inspiration and role model. Only there's one problem, Eleanor disappears from a locked room and Maggie may be the only one who can figure out what happened to her. Can she trust her archenemesis, Ethan, to help her find Eleanor and most importantly, find herself?

Thank you Netgalley & Avon Publishing for an eARC 🥰

Hey book lovers!
I just wrapped up Ally Carter's THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR, and I'm still absorbed 😍🔥
This holiday rom-com/mystery mashup is like sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace - warm, fuzzy, and utterly addictive.

Meet Maggie and Ethan, two writers who've been butting heads for years. They're like oil and water, complete opposites who can't resist taking potshots at each other. But when they're invited to the English manor of their writing idol, Eleanor Ashley, they reluctantly put aside their differences.
That's when things take a wild turn. Eleanor vanishes, leaving behind a trail of clues, cryptic messages, and enough red herrings to keep you guessing till the very end. Maggie and Ethan must join forces to unravel the mystery, navigating:
🔥Steamy tension and witty banter
🔥Twists, turns, and secret chambers galore
🔥Poisonings, gunshots, and suspenseful moments

As they work together, Maggie and Ethan confront their past, their insecurities, and their undeniable attraction. It's a slow-burn romance that'll leave you rooting for them.
What makes this book truly special is Ally Carter's tongue-in-cheek humor. She playfully pokes fun at romance and mystery tropes, winking at readers with:
🎄Over-the-top scenarios (hello, one bed!)
🎄Winking nods to famous mysteries
🎄Sassy dialogue that'll make you LOL

THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR is the perfect holiday treat:
☺️Cozy, feel-good vibes
☺️Witty, engaging writing
☺️A celebration of women's empowerment and storytelling
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Grab a cuppa, snuggle up, and indulge in this delightful holiday read!
Happy reading, friends!♥️

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is THE most fun book I've read in a while! A twisty romance/mystery/thriller set on a huge old English estate in the middle of a snowstorm with no escape, it delivers on all fronts.

Rival NY mystery authors Maggie and Ethan receive mysterious invitations to England for Christmas, and the next thing they know, they’re whisked away on a private jet to a massive northern English estate. Where they meet their idol, famous mystery author Eleanor Ashley. And a bunch of selfish jerks who happen to be her family. But then Eleanor disappears, and it’s clear to Maggie and Ethan that something weird’s going on…

They pull together to figure it out, now realizing maybe Eleanor brought them for this reason. Can they trust each other? Is there a killer among them? Are they really enemies?

LOVED the characters, Ethan in particular once we learn what’s under his charming exterior. The author did a tremendous job filling in their backstories and what shaped them. Loved how they put everything together and how they slowly opened up to each other. Loved the twists and turns of the mystery AND their relationship.

LOVED the premise and the story, which felt like Clue mixed with Knives Out and combined my favorite genres into one. The pace was perfect, I never got bored and just wanted to know what would happen next.

Themes and Tropes: Romantic suspense, enemies/rivals to lovers, forced proximity/trapped, whodunit mystery, author characters

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! This was a 4.5 for me. I loved this book. I enjoyed the mystery aspect and the romance was perfect! Ethan was perfection in a MMC. This is a wonderful holiday read and a must for mystery book lovers! I really can’t say anything negative about this book. It’s fun, engaging, and lovely.

If I could give this book 1,000 stars, I absolutely would.

I knew from the moment I read the dedication that I was going to fall in love with this book:

“If anyone has ever tried to gaslight you into thinking you’re the problem, congratulations! This book is for you.”

Reading this feels like sitting by a warm fire, drinking hot cocoa with extra marshmallows. It feels like coming home, kicking off uncomfortable shoes, and slipping into sweatpants. It honestly feels like a warm hug.

I laughed, I cried, and I was perched on the edge of my seat. The banter, the emotional connections, the mystery and the oddball set of characters. Everything was perfect.

In the very beginning, you can already tell there is a dynamic history between Maggie and Ethan, and that their humor is going to be composed of banter and bickering. But with the way they feed off of each other, you can start to get a sense of an underlying connection.

And what a connection they share. The eventual support and care Ethan shows for Maggie is admirable. The way he champions for her always, encourages her, and honestly just wants to see her shine, is beautiful. Everyone deserves that kind of love and support. And the growth Maggie shows by learning to trust not only herself, but eventually Ethan? It is just an all around heartwarming novel.

Aside from, you know, the fact that it is a locked door murder/disappearance mystery. But it’s still Christmasy and cozy; even when our main characters are being hunted down.

I recommend this book with all of my heart and soul to anyone and everyone. But if you want particulars, this book has:
❤️ Cozy Murder Mystery
🔥 Rivals to Lovers
❤️ Christmasy Vibes
🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️ Golden Retriever/Who did this to you MMC
🔥 Quippy & Relatable FMC
❤️ Wordsmithing MMC
🔥 Feminist Moments
❤️ Regaining Confidence

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read anything by this author before but oh I loved this book!! It was perfectly written and kept the twists and turns coming. My only complaint would be, I didn't want it to end!

I don’t typically love a locked room mystery, but this was very entertaining. I loved the UK setting at Christmastime - one of my favorite settings to be honest.

I really liked Maggie and Ethan - the rivals to lovers was *chef’s kiss*. Great banter and chemistry.

As someone who loved Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls series, I’m thrilled she’s writing adult novels now. This was a fun, cozy mystery with her quintessential high stakes flair and charming “he falls first” male lead. I’d love a sequel of Maggie and Ethan solving more crimes but I’d take just another adult novel from Ally. TLDR: More, please!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ally Carter for an advanced copy of this novel!

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year follows rival authors Maggie and Ethan as they are invited on a mysterious trip to a UK mansion for Christmas. Upon arrival, they discover that the mansion belongs to iconic mystery writer, Eleanor Ashley. At the manor, they're introduced to an enigmatic ensemble cast including a Duke and Duchess, a Lawyer, a Doctor, and various other genre staples. That night, Eleanor disappears, leaving Maggie and Ethan to solve the mystery of her disappearance, while surrounded by potential murderers. Together they bicker, follow clues, and begin to fall for each other in the midst of uncertain danger.

This novel was a fun, clever read that has a very classic mystery-novel feel to it. The setting was described thoroughly, ensuring the reader felt as though they were in the mansion, climbing through the secret passages alongside Maggie and Ethan. The ensemble cast was great. Each character was distinct, amusing, and had clear reasons for being there, successfully disguising all motives. Maggie's traits as a mystery writer and as Eleanor's biggest fan was crucial to solving the plot, and her backstory also led to a compelling and sympathetic read. The mystery filled the majority of the story, but we still had full backstories for each character, leading to a fleshed out plot

The only place where this book did fall a bit flat was the romance. At the start, Maggie hates Ethan emphatically. However, she starts to be interested in him before they've had almost any time to bond or flush out these previous issues. I do love where the book ends up with the two of them (no spoilers!), but the pacing did not quite feel aligned with their overall narratives and backstories.

In all, this book is a great mystery, and my favorite recent novel by Ally Carter. I would love to see if she has anything else upcoming in the mystery genre. This book fit perfectly in the genre, keeping the reader on their toes alongside the characters. 4/5.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is a book I NEED to reread to figure out clues I was missing my first read through!

Maggie and Ethan are two authors working for the same publishing company. Both receive and accept an invitation to their "biggest fan's home" for the holiday season. Landing overseas, they quickly discover they are spending time at Maggie's favorite author, Eleanor's, home with Eleanor's assorted family and townspeople. Fast forward to the next morning when Eleanor is missing and snow has kept everyone locked indoors. This may be just what the author ordered inviting both writers to her home- solving the mystery of where she disappeared...or who killed her.

I ADORED this book and found that there were times when I just could not put it down because I needed to know the next clue that either Maggie or Ethan would discover. The quirky cast of characters had me second guessing myself during the book, with myself ultimately not guessing the different plot twists. The Most Wonderful Crime is the perfect binge read book as you settle yourself down for a day of reading nearby the fireplace or outside in a tropical location.

Ally Carter's adult books seem to follow a trend of having women who hate their male love interests and male love interests who are unbelievably obsessed with the female protagonist for reasons that completely confound me. This does irk me a little bit, but the mystery element always makes up for what I find to be a slightly awkward relationship dynamic. I loved how meta of a take this book is on the mystery genre, and I had a really fun time following along as Maggie and Ethan tried to figure out what happened to Eleanor Ashley and what all of her guests were hiding.

4.25 stars

I had so much fun reading this book!! It truly just brought me so much joy. I loved how complex Maggie was. I think the author did such a great job showing how deep gaslighting can affect someone even years after the relationship ends. Colin or Emily if I ever meet you on the streets, I'm throwing hands :) AND ETHAN!!! My mans!!! He was HOT, funny, thoughtful, protective, witty, and down so bad for Maggie. I loved how they had met, and he fell right away but she didn't remember. And he spent alllll those years loving her from far away. I didn't even mind the slight miscommunication they had. The actual murder mystery plot and disappearance part of the story was actually so good! I really couldn't figure out who had done it. There were so many pieces that needing to be put together and when they did at the end it was a chef's kiss moment! I would have liked to know more about Ethan and Maggie as authors, I think that would have added a lot to their story for me. I loved small connection that they both had with Eleanor Ashley books. The whole book was truly giving Knives Out vibes but better.

This is perfect for people who love romance, murder mystery, Clue, who did this?, rival authors, "Lets be in love together"!!!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
0 / 🌶

✨ He falls first
✨ Pining MMC
✨ "Rivals" to lovers
✨ Locked room mystery

This was a truly entertaining read! Delightfully witty, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year made me laugh out loud throughout and has some of the best banter I've read.

Christmas vibes galore, locked whodunit mystery, and a pining MMC? Yes, please.

Between the mystery and the romance, I was hooked. I read this one until I fell asleep and then as soon as I woke up I dove back in.

There were only a few things about this one that I wasn't a huge fan of:
🔍 This is a closed door romance
🔍 The MMC's ideas of "filthy" things he'd like to do to the FMC is like what an extremely sheltered 12 year old boy might think is filthy???
🔍 No closure on the situation with the ex-husband and ex-BFF
🔍 No closure on being picked for the book club or what her life with Ethan looks like?? I needed a better epilogue, honestly
🔍 Who is Do Not Resuscitate?!?!? (This one is driving me nuts, truly)