I really enjoyed reading this one! I've been a longtime fan of Ally Carter and I adored "The Blonde Identity," so that does not come as a surprise at all.
The characters were so fun, and their banter was so refreshing. I don't remember the last time I read banter that felt so real and different at the same time. The characters were fun, though I do wish there'd been more dimension to them. The mystery was also fun and flowed well, but I do wish the reader could've been able to solve it too. That just didn't feel possible given how the reader isn't given so many details until the ending. Still, it was very enjoyable and fun!
The midway addition of Ethan's POV was startling and did feel a bit random, but I enjoyed his chapters and still enjoyed the books structure regardless.
The romance was so cute and fun! I had so much fun with these two.
This was such a fun and cozy novel (despite/including the whole murder mystery) and I'll definitely be coming back to reread this in the winter.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This was so fun! Classic Ally Carter. The banter was great. "Wanna make out?" made me laugh every time. That, and Ethan continuously calling Maggie by the wrong middle name. The back and forth timeline doesn't always work well; it does here though. I wish there had been a little more back story, particularly for Ethan. If you're a big mystery reader, you'll figure out whodunit but that won't detract from the fun along the way. I could definitely see this as a movie.

2.5 ⭐️This book had an intriguing premise—a “murder” mystery involving a mystery writer—but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The plot was fairly predictable, which made the story feel a bit flat, as there wasn’t much else to keep my interest.

I also struggled to connect with the characters. The repetitive “damsel in distress” trope, with a male character swooping in to save the day, became tiresome. The lack of character growth was disappointing, and the ending didn’t offer any surprises. While the concept was fun, the execution left me wanting more.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved it, obsesses with it, gonna go read it again as soon as I post this review! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for approving my request! The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter was laugh-out funny, full of banter and intrigue, and I read the whole thing in one sitting. This a great read for those who don’t want spicy scenes in their romance novel but still want a ton of tension and yearning.

This was a fun and cozy holiday twist on a knives out mystery. The setting on a rural English estate with all the magical (and scary) Christmas vibes was perfect, and I think it'll be the perfect thriller to recommend this holiday season, especially with the adorable cover. I wanted a bit more from the characters at times, and it's my personal pet peeve when authors portray their own industry totally inaccurately (it's the one thing you don't have to research!!!), but this was a solid read that will for sure sell well this Christmas.

I have loved every Ally Carter book I have read. This was no exception. Not only was it fun and funny, I loved the undercurrent of how words can empower or destroy. In a world that wants to let you think the woman is crazy, this was such a great story to say...No she is NOT!! The locked room mystery was fun and the "Reveal" was a treat!

Wow… this book had me hooked from the first chapter. Both MC chemistry is off the charts. The plot was fantastic. Everything just blended so well. It was like I was watching my own Clue unravel before me but with romance. The romance wasn’t the main focus which makes the book so much better. It’s the mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat . Can’t wait for her next book ❤️

Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery , and romance.

Thank you NetGalley, Harpercollins , and Ally Carter for the opportunity to read and arc of her upcoming book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!

Authors Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt are invited to a mysterious estate of a fan for Christmas. Oh boy, does she hate him! And he can’t get her name right. When their famous fan disappears, they team up to find her. There was romance, lots of laughs, and a whole lotta mystery. Loved the banter between Maggie and Ethan. It made every scene. Couldn’t get enough of them. I think I found another favorite author!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

This locked-room mystery revolves around the enigmatic disappearance of an eighty-one-year-old crime queen during a blizzard, vanishing from her study without a trace. The circumstances suggest a long-time adversary has been threatening her life. The narrative intertwines an enemies-to-lovers dynamic with rival authors, making it an enticing read. I was compelled to round my initial four and a half stars up to a full five. The story presents an engaging scenario set in a mansion where every character has a motive for murder—truly a standout crime novel of the year!

Christmas arrived early for me as I delved into this book! The intricate murder mystery is both clever and captivating.

With a hero as charismatic as Nathan Fillion, the story also explores Maggie's painful past, which is deeply moving. Her self-doubt and skepticism regarding others' intentions are relatable, yet her struggles contribute to her prowess as a crime writer. I appreciated the recurring themes throughout the narrative.

However, I didn't like the repetitive dialogue, particularly Maggie's insistence that she and Ethan despise each other, and Ethan's superhero-like declarations of needing to protect her, reminiscent of clichéd lines from subpar screenplays that often lead to box office failures. In contrast, I enjoyed the development of the romance between Ethan and Maggie. Their reluctance to express their true feelings, masked by sharp banter, added depth to their relationship. I admired how they collaborated to uncover the mystery of the missing author and confront the threat to Maggie's life, culminating in a gratifying conclusion. Overall, a pleasant read!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

This was a fun, quick paced Christmas in July read! I was sucked in from the beginning but midway through I started to lose the plot. Overall, I didn't hate it, but it wasn't my favorite. I think I'd have enjoyed this more as an audiobook.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year
3.5 ⭐️

I grew up loving Ally Carter’s YA series and kid-me would have been so excited to know adult me would be reading ARCs of her adult books! Thanks, @netgalley

This book sits squarely in between Mystery and Romance and I loved the combination. The first half was a little bit too cheesy and overt for my taste, but once the mystery got going I really liked it. If you need something different at Christmas time, definitely pick this one up!

I put off reading this one because it appeared to be Christmas theme and indeed it is but I wish I would have read this before now!! I loved everything about this one I think I finished it in under 24 hours.
When your biggest fan invites you to spend Christmas with them of course you do it! A woman goes missing right before Christmas and a group of strangers and family are trapped in a house together trying to figure out what is happening. I was so annoyed with Ethan calling Maggie the wrong name but once I figured it out I loved this book even more!! I highly recommend and will definitely be finding more books from this author!! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!

4 stars.

Christmas in July! Normally, I don’t gravitate towards holiday books until November/December, but the idea of a mystery involving writers at a mansion sounded original and compelling. I’m a huge romantic suspense fan so a little dash of mystery and a lot of romance is just what I need in a Christmas romance. I love how the story jumped right into the plot and the love interests are put together on a plane to London right away. If you enjoy Ally Carter’s other books such as The Blonde Identity, you’ll enjoy this holiday mystery romance! Will probably be doing a December reread!

What a cute locked door mystery! It reminded me of ‘And Then There Were None’ by Agatha Christie- I was kept guessing until the very end!

My only complaint would be that this book seems like more of a young adult mystery/romance- there was so much emphasis on kissing and making out, that I got the impression this book was for a younger audience.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy!

Quick dialogue, enemies to friends to lovers, remote manor of famous mystery writer, blizzard, and locked room mystery at Christmas! All the fun and sure to be a winner with romance and mystery readers.

Love a murder mystery at Christmas! Cute story, easy read, but felt a bit too drawn out in sections. Probably work better as a novella.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

A lovely Christmas in July ARC! One of my fave reads of 2024!

This is a perfect mashup of mystery and romance. Set in snowed in "Mistletoe Manor" - It gave vibes of Clue, Murder She Wrote, and Knives Out. There was a who-dun-it storyline with two (rivals-to-lovers) main characters who had wit and banter that made me smile and giggle. This was my first read for this author (Ally Carter) and I enjoyed how she teased bits of information and would slowly fill in the gaps as you read - which kept me eagerly turning the pages.

This is gonna be a hit. Throw on your cheesy Christmas sweater grab some cocoa (coffee or tea) and sit by a fire and devour this book when it comes out 09.24.2024! I'll need a copy for my bookshelf! Thanks to Netgalley, Avon Harper Voyage, and Ally Carter for an ARC of this book!

5/5 Stars
1/5 spice (but it's still good - just more closed door)

Ally Carter was an auto-read author for me in high school, and it's been exciting to now read her adult books and be reminded of why I always gravitated toward her books.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a cozy read that gave me all the Christmas-in-July vibes I'd been wanting. I can't wait to pick this back up in December.

I loved the dynamic between Ethan and Maggie (what can I say, I love a reverse grumpy relationship because it makes me feel seen) and Maggie's character growth as well.

You've done it again, Ally! Can't wait to see what you put out next.

Delightful. Tropey, adventure, fun.
I would 100% watch this as a movie. I hope this becomes a series.