It Happened One Christmas is a fun Christmas romantic comedy reminiscent of a Hallmark holiday movie. This grumpy-sunshine romance is sweet and enjoyable.

Just not my cup of tea. Did not like the way this author writes and i know i should have expected at this point but a huge case of insta love and insta lust

It Happened One Christmas is a holiday romance reminiscent of the warmth and whimsy of classic Hallmark movies. Set against the picturesque backdrop of snowy Quebec, the story follows Zoey, a passionate film director who dreams of making her own Christmas movie. However, her plans hit a roadblock when the charming yet stubborn town mayor, Benoît Deschamps, refuses to issue her a filming permit.

The plot intensifies as a sudden ice storm traps them together, offering an opportunity for heartfelt interactions and slow-burning romance. This tale combines holiday cheer, humor, and emotional depth, making it perfect for fans of lighthearted romantic comedies and festive storytelling. Guertin's writing sparkles with a playful, festive spirit, immersing readers in a world where love, laughter, and Christmas magic abound

cute, festive, fun and a quick read! i loved the setting especially the canadian christmas. perfect idyllic hallmark movie of a book!

"It Happened One Christmas" by Chantel Guertin is a delightful holiday romance that captures the magic of the season while exploring themes of love, family, and self-discovery. The story centers around a protagonist who finds herself at a crossroads during the Christmas season, navigating her relationships and personal ambitions.

Guertin's writing is warm and engaging, making it easy for readers to become invested in the characters' journeys. The festive setting is beautifully described, evoking a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere that perfectly complements the storyline. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, with witty dialogue and heartfelt moments that resonate.

What sets this book apart is its balance of humor and emotion, making it a perfect read for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit. Guertin deftly weaves in life lessons without feeling preachy, allowing readers to reflect on their own lives while enjoying a charming narrative.

Overall, "It Happened One Christmas" is a heartwarming and entertaining read that will leave you feeling uplifted. Whether you're a fan of romance or simply looking for a cozy holiday tale, this book is a wonderful addition to your seasonal reading list.

Cute Christmas read that will put you in the holiday mood.

Zoey favourite time of year is Christmas and she gets to live it all year round because she works directed Christmas movies. This year Zoey finally has the chance to direct the Christmas movie she has written, but when the grumpy tree farm owner / mayor of the town she wants to film in won't give her the permit, she must work to change his mind.

If you love Hallmark movies, this book is for you. I love the sunshine and grumpy character match up and it's definitely a win for me when you add in Christmas. This is the perfect book to read next to the Christmas tree this Christmas season.

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

I am not huge into insta love for some reason so this trope wasn’t for me. However it was definitely the cheesy light hearted romance you would see on hallmark this time of year, which is exactly why I wanted to read it! I thought it would be more of a slow burn trope, but as soon as the main characters were stuck in a traumatic situation for 24 hours and fell in love, that was it. This had a lot going on and I felt like there was more going on in certain situations that didn’t need to be there.. while I wanted more elaboration on other pieces of the book and didn’t get it.

Overall, it was light hearted, & the main character had a charm that made me enjoy this over the holidays.

The heart of the holiday season beats strongly in this festive romance. The story unfolds with a vibrant passion for Christmas, mirrored in Zoey Andrews' dedication to bringing her own Yuletide screenplay to life. Her battle with the town’s mayor, Benoît Deschamps, over a film permit sets the stage for a delightful clash of wills. As they find themselves trapped together during an unexpected ice storm, the story deftly combines seasonal charm with the tension of forced proximity.

What makes this read special is its seamless blend of holiday magic and personal growth. The interaction between Zoey and Benoît is layered with humor and emotional depth, as they navigate their differences amidst the snow-covered backdrop of a picturesque Quebec town. The novel excels in capturing the essence of holiday romance—melding personal transformation with the warmth of Christmas cheer. Fans of feel-good festive reads will find this story’s setting and character dynamics perfectly suited for the season.

Disclaimer: I read this earlier in the year and thought I’d already posted my review. This book was cute and full of lovely winter vibes. The setting of small town Quebec made it feel a little more magical to me as a Canadian reader. The plot was fine but I do feel like the main characters chemistry was a bit forced. It wasn’t bad but it just felt somewhat off at times? I’d probably read it again in a few years since I do like to reread Christmas novels but it would t be at the top of my list.

"It Happened One Christmas" by Chantel Guertin is a heartwarming holiday romance that captures the magic of the season in every page. Set in a cozy small town blanketed in snow, the story follows protagonist Ava as she navigates the ups and downs of love during the most wonderful time of the year. Guertin's writing is evocative, painting a vivid picture of holiday cheer and festive traditions. The chemistry between Ava and her love interest is palpable, and as they embark on a journey of self-discovery and romance, readers can't help but be swept away by the magic of the season. But beyond the romance, "It Happened One Christmas" is a story about the true meaning of the holidays: family, love, and the joy of giving. Guertin's heartfelt storytelling and charming characters will warm even the coldest of winter nights, making this book the perfect addition to any holiday reading list.

Writing felt confusing but I think I can overlook for the festive vibes? I don’t expect a ton from a holiday read but it should be easier to follow with the strain of the season!

Cozy Christmas romances are my favourite genre from October onwards, predictable but enjoyable, containing all the things you'd expect from a Christmas romance

thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

I started this during the holiday season and unfortunately had to put it down due to external factors. What I did read was so cute and I can’t wait to finish it this next year!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

It Happened One Christmas by Chantel Guertin
Pub Date: October 31st, 2023

A picture-perfect winter setting, small community vibes, traditions, a big city woman chasing her dreams and a hot town mayor that stands in the way has all the trademarks of a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Zoey Andrews is set on recreating the perfect Christmas spent with her family when she was younger. It was one of her few happy memories from her childhood. She has written a Christmas movie and will stop at nothing to get the permits to film it. Not the snowstorm of the century can get in her way and not even the grumpy town mayor Benoit.

I loved the descriptions of the small town of Chelsea, Quebec, and the closeness of the community. One part that I felt dragged on was the snowstorm. I understood the severity of it and it showcased the intense circumstances under which they needed to survive but for me, I felt that it could have been a bit shorter.

Once past the storm and being able to get into the holiday traditions and celebrations, I was transported into what felt like a Hallmark movie with all the trimmings, the best part being that it took place in the province of Quebec!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.

It Happened One Christmas is a cute holiday book with authentic Canadian charm. Based out of a small town in Quebec, this has all the beauty of a Canadian winter.

This is a fun, forced proximity romance, with a hint of grumpy x sunshine. You can feel the spark right away, and while Ben is being a barrier to Zoey who is trying to make a hallmark Christmas movie in the small town, he's definitely a good looking well mannered barrier to climb all over 😍

Insta-love isn't my favorite and this is exactly what this is. While the couple went through a dramatic and traumatic time over the course of 24 hours, I am not sure how much I believe in being in love and a HEA after that amount of time. For the sake of the holidays and this being a fluffy read, let's say it is possible. There was some odd drama that never really went anywhere, and a few scenes that made me a bit uncomfortable, but overall it was a fine fluffy Christmas read.

This was a super cute holiday read! I loved the small town in Quebec setting. Zoey was cool, and I appreciated her determination. The towns people were fun, just the right amount of meddling, and kindness. Benoît was the perfect amount of chivalrous, grumpy and mysterious. I liked the suspense and challenge of the snow storm debacle. The range of emotions Zoey went through was well described and realistic.

Now I’ll patiently wait for this to become a movie!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you're looking for a Christmas book that will give you Hallmark vibes - this is definitely the one you should be picking up. Zoey is a director of Christmas movies (seriously, think Hallmark or the W Network) and she is getting the chance to make her own movie, instead of directing other people's scripts. But there's just one person standing in her way and that's Benoit - the mayor of the small Quebec hamlet she wants as the setting for her film.

Chantel Guertin is easily one of my auto buy authors. As a fellow Canadian, I already think it's important to support a homegrown author, but the way Guertin was able to blend romance and Canada together was so beautiful. And the setting she chose? I want to go hop on a plane to Quebec right this minute! I loved this book and I can't wait to reread it next Christmas!

It Happened One Christmas certainly evokes the cozy, feel-good vibes of a holiday movie, complete with its whirlwind romance and festive atmosphere. However, I can understand how the instant love trope might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially when the couple experiences significant drama and trauma in such a short period.

While the idea of falling head over heels in love within 24 hours may stretch believability for some, it's worth suspending disbelief for the sake of enjoying a fluffy holiday read. The odd drama and uncomfortable scenes you mentioned may have detracted from the overall experience, but it sounds like the book still managed to deliver on its promise of spreading holiday cheer.

If you're in the mood for a light and fluffy Christmas romance that captures the magic of the season, this might just fit the bill. Despite its flaws, it does offer a cozy escape into a world filled with festive spirit and heartwarming moments.