This was a lot of fun and I enjoyed every minute of it! When they say it's like Knives Out, they're not kidding. This definitely had major Knives Out vibes, but I still had fun and would definitely read more like this in the future.

Even though I struggled with getting hooked into the plot within the first quarter of the book, I found after digging through thw snow there was a really charming and sweet romance with just enough suspense underneath.

Maggie is a relatable protagonist and I enjoy how Carter focuses on sides of professional writing that I enjoyed.

One day Maggie’s publisher gives her a cryptic invite to a Christmas party at the house of her biggest fan. Kinda odd, but too peculiar of an opportunity to pass up. Turns out, that fan is none other than The Duchess of Death herself, Elenor Ashley (her favorite author). The only downside is, another author is also tagging along. Ethan. Wyatt. Big-time thriller writer, and a big-time THORN in Maggie’s side. The night they get to the English estate, the weather takes a turn for the worse and Elenor disappears. As time goes on, Maggie has to decide who she can trust and what is actually happening. In an effort to figure out the truth and save Elenor, Maggie & Ethan have to become allies (and maybe a little more?)

This was the first mystery rom-com that I have read and I absolutely adored it! I did struggle a bit with understanding the tone of the book in the beginning. Around 25% the plot started unfolding and I began devouring it!

Thank you so much for this early copy and opportunity to share my thoughts!

This book was everything to me. Knives out is one of my favorite movies and romance is my favorite genre…so this was absolutely made just for me. I loved Ethan and Maggie’s chemistry and especially how obsessed with her he was. I really enjoyed the mystery elements as well, it kept me guessing right up until the end. Really recommend this book to all romance fans but even mystery fans might find the perfect cozy book for their holiday read here! Loved it

Okay but like this book was sooo freakin good. I was hooked from the very first page! A locked room mystery with an enemies to lovers romance.. what more could you possibly want? Oh and might I add that he falls first.

First off, I would just like to say that my husband’s name is Ethan and he reminded me so much of his character. It made me love reading this story even more. Maggie was an amazing character as well. I loved watching her grow throughout the story and seeing how her and Ethan’s relationship morphed.

I haven’t read anything by Ally Carter before so I’m really happy with how much I enjoyed this book. I’m very excited to read more from her in the future!

Highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a sweet and fan Christmas romcom with a bit of mystery thrown in there!

What a romp! Maggie and her arch nemesis are invited to a special Christmas by an unknown benefactor...a motley group assembles in an amazing mansion, poison is in the air, and disappearances keep you jumping. And what about Maggie and Ethan, the arch nemesis? This book will keep the pages turning as you follow the adventures of this lively young author as she tries to solve the mysteries that keep building around her! Filled with adventure, humor, and romance, this is a surefire hit that will make your holiday.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an early copy of this book.
This book really did hit close to home where Maggie did not trust herself. Her relationship was a dumpster fire and the way she got out of it was tough but commendable. Ethan repeatedly wanted to save her, like a superhero, was cute for some time but was a bit much.
Am interesting enough mystery although it took me a while to get through it.

This book is everything! I loved reading it so much and I laughed so much. I will be checking out more by this author.

Maggie and Ethan were invited to spend Christmas with another mystery writer, Eleanor. The next day, Eleanor disappears and the fun begins. Fun for the reader, not the characters.
This book was amazing! I love that Ally Carter has moved to writing adult romance. The character growth on this one for both characters was fantastic. The mystery was complex and fun combined with a little bit of romance made this book a perfect weekend read! There was so much inner and outer conflict and action. I was drawn into the story immediately and didn’t stop until the end. Huge thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book!

**Thank you to Avon for this free digital review copy.**

This story of two rival mystery writers coming together to solve a real-life mystery was entertaining but not groundbreaking. Part mystery and part romance, it was at many times quite cheesy but at other times really deep, so there was a nice balance. The mystery of it was a bit formulaic, but not in a way that was boring, just familiar. I personally went back and forth with what I thought was going to happen and was pleased with what I could figure out while still being surprised by certain details.

At the end of the day, this was a pretty standard Christmas novel; it was an enjoyable read, but not one I need to revisit every year. I do recommend it, but it's not a must-read. 3 stars – I enjoyed it!

I've been a fan of Ally Carter for many years (since the first Gallagher Girls book), so I was so excited to see she was writing adult books again. While I liked The Blonde Ambition, I LOVED The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. It felt like an Ally book more so than The Blonde Ambition. It read like a grown up Gallagher or Heist Society book.
The characters are lovely. The plot was woven together perfectly, which is what Carter does best. It was a warm, happy read.
I hope Carter will write more books like this in the future!

This was such a fun Christmas romance mystery with Knives out vibes and I loved it. I really enjoyed the mystery and loved the chemistry between Maggie & Ethan and woo man the misunderstanding between them just made them finally getting together so satisfying. I loved the gathering of all the family and our 3 mystery writers who have no idea why they are at the most famous Mystery writer Eleanor Ashley’s home for Christmas only for her to disappear during the first night and the search is on to find her. The mystery kept me guessing until the end and I loved all the twists and turns as well as the glimpse of the past interactions between Maggie & Ethan that fueled the misunderstandings between them. This was a great cozy mystery romance from Ally Carter and I can’t wait to see what she has coming next.

Thanks to Avon & Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I’ve been a fan of Ally Carter’s books since my teen years, and her recent adult releases have me absolutely hooked! The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year hits the sweet spot for those who love a cozy mystery with a side of romance. This is a perfect winter read, featuring all the elements that for me personally make a mystery irresistible: a remote English estate, a sudden snowstorm cutting off all outside help, and a room full of potential suspects! The tension is perfectly balanced with cozy vibes, making this a page-turner from start to finish!

Maggie, our main character, is wonderfully relatable—she’s tenacious, passionate, and in the process of healing from a tough divorce. Watching her navigate the case while dealing with her own emotional scars makes for a character you can’t help but root for. Ethan, the “big-time thriller guy,” is head-over-heels for Maggie, though he’s hiding a few secrets himself. I loved how his humor lightened the mood, and their interactions kept me eagerly flipping pages! Their relationship has a lovely mix of tension and support, with both characters helping each other face past traumas!

The mystery itself is engaging and full of twists—right up to the end, I was kept guessing about the “whodunnit,” which is always a win in my book! The story’s mixed media format, including police interview transcripts and well-timed flashbacks, added a fresh layer to the narrative without disrupting the pacing. It’s a clever way to reveal clues, add layers to the characters dynamics, and keep you on your toes!

While the romance leaned a little into insta-love territory, it still felt earned since Maggie herself had spent years assuming Ethan disliked her. The slow revelation of their feelings, especially in such a high-stakes, snowbound setting, added a cozy warmth to the chilling mystery!

All in all, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is a delightful read, perfect for anyone who prefers their mysteries with a touch of romance. Ally Carter has done it again, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Ally Carter is one of my favs. What a fun tale that had me guessing the whole time. I will definitely recommend to my book club!

I think the author really brought these characters to life. I enjoyed "Maggie" and Ethan. I loved the locked room/mansion setting and thought it was really well written. I hope this duo is coming back for more!

This was a truly enjoyable read, beautifully blending elements of Agatha Christie with a touch of romance, all set against the delightful backdrop of the holiday season. It created a warm and inviting atmosphere that kept it from feeling too dark. I really appreciated the two protagonists and the shifts in viewpoints, which enriched the experience by providing a broader perspective on the mystery, riddles, and supporting characters. However, I did find myself wishing for a bit more background on Ethan, as he complemented Maggie so well. This book stands out as a comforting choice for anyone looking to solve a mystery without the weight of violence, and the hint of romance adds a lovely touch to its overall warmth.

This was such a wonderful (pun intended) book and I loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

I enjoyed the holiday murder mystery in an English estate, and all the nods to Agatha Christie.

The biggest drawback, and it was a rather large one, was Ethan. Our leading man was not doing it for me. All these things about him that were supposed to be hot (???) just came off as weird or toxic or annoying. I'm not sure how he believed the whole time that the Marcie thing was an inside joke, given that she got all annoyed by it every time. He was always asking if she wanted to make out, even waaaaay before they had established any sort of mutual liking. He's cocky, to the point of annoyance. And then when he softens a little bit and is seeming to be a nice overly protective guy, he calls her "sweetheart" too much and he just seems sorta fake. I didn't like him. Everything about him is overhyped and overplayed. Maybe if we wouldn't have focused on how hot he was, and how enticing, but aggravating he was, I would have liked him more.

Enemies to lovers can be a real hard one to manage well, because you have to understand why they are enemies. Hate them along with the love interest. And then somehow manage to 180 this in a believable manner. This is even harder to swallow when the Enemy has been in Insta-love since Day One.

I hate to say it, but I don't think Ally's transition to adult books is working for me personally. Her writing is still so much the same (and she reusues tropes and cliches like they're going out of style), and even though I know these are just meant to be fun and fluffy and not meant to be overthought, I just think her style seems to jive more with that middle YA crowd more.

This enemies to lovers mystery set during the Christmas season was a delight. Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt are both successful authors...and sworn enemies. Both are very competitive and suspicious of each other when they are both invited to spend the Christmas holiday at the home of Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death (an Agatha Christie styled character). Both believe that Eleanor is about to retire and that this is an 'interview' of sorts to determine which of them will inherit the title.
Instead, Eleanor disappears and they are left to solve the mystery of her whereabouts. They must join forces in their attempt to save Eleanor. Throw in a blizzard that isolates the houseguests, an unidentified shooter, and an unexplained fire and you have the makings of a delightful mystery.

This was my first book by Ally Carter, so I will definitely be going back and reading her previous novels.

When Maggie Chase gets the opportunity to go spend Christmas with her idol, the famous writer, Elanor Ashley, she decides to jump on it. What she doesn’t expect is for the man who can’t even get her name right, to be there. Ethan Wyatt is everything Maggie can’t stand. Now she is stuck with him for the holiday and to top it off, their host goes missing. Shortly after, there is a near death, shots fired and a mystery to solve.

This book is the perfect blend of romance and mystery. I love the banter back and forth between Ethan and Maggie. This does feel very insta-loveish… but that is what happens in Christmas books. I really enjoyed the supporting characters in an odd way, they were snooty but really added to the story. I am also losing my edge since I also did not expect this ending.