Countdown To Christmas by Jo Thomas – A Touching Holiday Tale of Self-Discovery and Community: Book Review

‘Countdown To Christmas’ is a heartwarming holiday tale that immerses readers in the spirit of the season through a captivating story of self-discovery, community, and the magic of an advent calendar. This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but it certainly will not be my last.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Random House UK and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

From The Publisher:

Chloe can’t wait for Christmas . . . to be over! Her son Ruben is staying with his dad this year and Chloe is planning to ignore the holidays all together. Her only nod to the season is the advent calendar Ruben left her, to help count down the days till he’s home again.

But then an heir hunter gets in touch, telling her there’s a plot of land in Canada she may be entitled to. Surely, it’s a scam. Or could it be just the escape she needs right now? They’re offering to pay for her flights . . . and Ruben’s latest note in the advent calendar tells her to ‘say yes!’

Suddenly, Chloe’s new countdown to Christmas involves a log cabin in the middle of a snowy forest, a community that’s worried for its future, a gruff lumberjack who gives her butterflies and a lot of pancakes with maple syrup . . .

This Christmas is full of surprises!

My Thoughts:

“Countdown To Christmas” by Jo Thomas is a heartwarming holiday read that captures the essence of Christmas in a unique way. Chloe’s journey, guided by her son Ruben’s thoughtful advent calendar, sends a powerful message of taking chances, selfless giving, and self-care. It’s a story that resonates with the spirit of the season.

The portrayal of rural Quebec and its tight-knit community is vivid and immersive, evoking a strong sense of place that allows readers to escape into the snowy forest alongside Chloe. Learning about the art of tapping trees for maple syrup adds an enriching layer to the narrative, as Chloe discovers the importance of family and connection in this new environment.

The book does an excellent job of drawing readers into the festive preparations leading up to Christmas, making it a delightful holiday read. However, the use of British terms instead of Canadian ones by Canadian characters (e.g. Happy Christmas instead of Merry Christmas, theatre instead of operating room) may disrupt the authenticity of the dialogue for some readers. Hopefully, this issue will be addressed in the final release.

Overall, “Countdown To Christmas” is a memorable and heartwarming story that will linger in your thoughts long after the holiday season is over. Jo Thomas has crafted a tale that captures the magic of Christmas and the transformative power of community, making it a must-read for those seeking a festive escape.

A Similar Book That I’ve Reviewed:

The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole