I really love Holly (Hannah)’s Christmas books. They’re always so fun and magical. I also appreciated that this one was set in a fictionalized version of where she lives because I also live there.

I absolutely adore Christmas romance novels, don’t ask me why but they always create a cozy setting that I can picture myself in. Typically it’s boy meets girl, and they fall in love, what is more cozy and Christmas than that?! I have read each and every book by Hannah Mary and have been lucky enough to meet her in person and get my collection signed. She typically writes thriller novels so reading this one really made me switch gears. The main character moves with her boyfriend in a new town and gets a new job just to have him dump her for someone else. She then moves in with her sister, and is devastated. The sister creates an advent calendar of adventures for her to take to rekindle her love of the holidays and maybe push her back into the dating world! This book was cute and everything you want a Christmas romance novel to be!

A cozy holiday romance! Not only does The Christmas Countdown deliver a spunky and romantic love story, it also provides a glimpse into the deep roots of sibling connection. This book was everything I wanted and more; a perfect December 1st read!

This was a fun, quick, seasonal Christmas read. I did like Christmas Wager better, but i liked the family dynamics in this sweet story.

Callie was engaged to marry neighbor when he breaks it off. Their parents seemed to be more upset than they were, but when she finds out he is now engaged, she has no intention of going home for the holidays. She has no Christmas spirit and is just fine with that. Her sister, Anita, is worried about her and puts together an advent calendar with activities and traditions from their childhood. The plan is to help her get her Christmas spirit back. Prior to beginning the calendar, Callie meets Seth, a local baker. They hit it off, as friends originally, and when Anita goes out of town for business, she enlists Marco to help her complete the tasks. He is also important in pushing her out of her comfort zone. The more they get to know one another, the more time they spend together, the more the chemistry heats up between them.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the advent calendar concept was amazing. The activities and items that Anita put in the calendar were a lot of fun and so thoughtful. They gave this book such a festive feel. From sledding to making Christmas cookies, sipping hot chocolate and more, there were lots of activities that I would love to participate in. I really liked both Callie and Marco and enjoyed their banter and the build up in their relationship. Of course there is a misunderstanding that causes Callie to run, and it takes a few friends and others to help Marco sort out what he needs to do, but this is a romance, so you know it will work out, but how? I enjoyed seeing Callie grow in this story and grow a backbone, which in the long run will be to her benefit. I was so happy to see her enjoying her life and was rooting for a happily ever after.

The Christmas Countdown by @hollycassidyauthor

There’s nothing like a heartwarming holiday read to capture the magic of the season, and I always find myself scrambling to fit in as many as possible this time of year.

In the book, we meet Callie, who is recently single and dreading the holidays. Feeling far from the festive spirit, she’s reluctant to join her family’s celebrations. To help her rediscover her joy, her sister challenges her to an Advent-themed journey, filled with daily tasks that evoke childhood memories and family traditions. As Callie embarks on this journey of self-discovery, she learns to embrace the season and even opens herself up to the possibility of love again.

What I truly adore about Holly Cassidy’s writing (Hannah Mary McKinnon’s pen name for her holiday books) is her sharp wit and humor. Whether she’s crafting thrillers or holiday romances, her signature British charm shines through, keeping you smiling and chuckling throughout.

The only fault in this book is - who really has the will power to open a single present daily?? I’d have torn through those boxes on day one!

Overall, The Christmas Countdown was a lovely escape with all things festive!

This book is so sweet! Callie wants to spend Christmas hiding in her bed after a bad breakup but her sister makes an advent calendar full of fun tasks and gifts to help get her in the Christmas spirit. Callie meets a local baker who vows to help her complete her tasks. Their relationship advances throughout the story and his gentle nature is my favorite part of this book! The advent calendar keeps things fun and this one was also easy to binge thanks to the audio and a great cast of characters!

Oh my goodness this book was super cute! I loved their whirlwind, swoon-worthy romance and the holiday vibes just made it even cuter!

Callie was recently dumped by her childhood sweetheart, and she still has to see him at work everyday. She doesn’t want to go home for the holidays because she’ll have to see him and his family. To cheer her up and remind her how much she loves Christmas, her sister, Anita, creates an advent calendar for Callie filled with childhood memories and activities to get her out of her shell. Callie decides to follow the calendar. She meets a charming baker who eagerly participates in the activities with Callie and makes her believe in love again.

This was such a cute holiday romance. I loved the way Callie’s sister incorporated so many of their childhood memories into the advent calendar to remind her of the joy of Christmas. Callie and Marco, the baker, had a natural romance that developed throughout their Christmas adventures.

The Christmas Countdown is a fun holiday romance!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for providing a digital copy of this book!

There wasn’t anything fundamentally wrong with this story; it just felt a bit too slow-paced for my taste. However, if you're in the mood for a heartwarming Christmas-themed read, this could be exactly what you're looking for. The premise of Callie taking part in an Advent calendar challenge—where each day brings a festive activity or gift—is such a charming idea. It just felt too predictable, and there wasn't enough character development for me.

I’m always so impressed by authors who can write in two completely different genres. Did you know that Holly Cassidy also writes thrillers under the name Hannah Mary McKinnon?

THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN was just what I needed to get me into the holiday spirit this week! I loved the Advent calendar challenges that Callie’s sister planned for her, in an attempt to make her fall back in love with Christmas.

Callie has a meet-cute with a handsome baker while picking out a Christmas tree that involves spilling hot cocoa — because of course it does 🥰

It was fun seeing Callie’s sunshine personality come back out with each challenge. I loved how Marco was always game to participate and helped her see that there are good men out there who will allow her to be her authentic self!

This was so much fun! I love the cute advent calendar challenge, and I loved all the chemistry between Kely and Marco, such a cute couple.

This Christmas read was a pleasant surprise. I loved reading this story and was immediately drawn in by the prose. Would read again and again!

2.5

It really had potential to be so much more. Callie is still reeling from her break up. Her boyfriend of ten years moved her to a new town then broke up with her and quickly started a new relationship. They still have to work together. Now living with her sister, her sister creates an advent calendar for her with treats and tasks to complete together to get into the Christmas spirit, but Anita has to go away for work, so thankfully Callie met a handsome stranger and recruits him to help. The two become fast friends and begin a relationship they hope they are ready for.

The overall cute Christmas story was nice. The potential for the emotion from realizing her 10 year relationship wasn’t it and was jut comfortable, her getting her spark back, and beginning again, was very dull and flat. Where there could have been a lot of emotions and depth, it lacked.

So for being a cute Christmas story it was nice. Sorry that’s it.

This is an engaging holiday romance! Callie has recently been dumped by her boyfriend and decides not to return home for Christmas because his parents live next door to hers. Her sister sets up a fun Advent calendar designed to get Callie out in her new community and begin living a fuller life again - all while also trying to convince her to go home for Christmas. The challenges were perfect for her. Helping her with these is a new man she has just met. They have great chemistry and things start looking up for Callie. This a charming story with a Hallmark town and townspeople. Definitely pick this up if you want a feel good story.

Great Christmas romance ! Hallmark vibes and funny! Great read to put you in the holiday spirit. Definitely predictable and cheesy but still fun

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Holly Cassidy for the early access copy of The Christmas Countdown.

After being broken up with by her boyfriend of ten years and childhood next door neighbor, Callie wants to hide herself away this Christmas and allow herself the time to be a grinch if she wants to. But, when Anita, Callie's sister decides she is going to bring some Christmas spirit to her with an advent calendar of adventures and the promise to not push Callie to come home for the holiday's if she completes the advent calendar. Callie doesn't refuse.

The Christmas Countdown is the holiday book of choice this year. The story is well paced, the characters are easy to fall in love with, and the adventures bring the holiday spirit to the readers. For those looking for a holiday story with beautifully developed characters, relatable experiences, and genuine holiday adventures, this is for you. I could not put this book down.

This book had its up and downs for me. I thought the concept was really cute and I loved all the Christmas activities. I found myself not really enjoying the romance and he sort of love triangle. The conversations felt a little forced to me and something just did not click.
I did really enjoy all the references to Switzerland as I know the author grew up there and I found it fun to learn more about that.
A cute read to pick up for the holiday season.

THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

I had saved this book for the holiday season and it didn't disappoint.
A perfect read giving u all the Christmas feels along with hallmark movie vibes.

I Loved the Christmas Wager last year and this one is even better!

A charming holiday rom com about a young, recently heartbroken woman who is tasked by her sister to complete Advent calendar challenges in the lead up to Christmas to reignite her belief in herself, the holidays, and love again.

If you’re looking for a holiday read that gives all the hallmark movie vibes; this one is it. I loved the unique idea of using an advent calendar as a storyline and not once did the descriptions of the tasks at hand take away or overpower the rest of the plot. I was thoroughly impressed how a book on the shorter side could have that much going on but also still evoke all of the emotions from its reader. I loved everything about this and highly recommend you squeeze this one onto your December tbr!