The Christmas Countdown Review: Holly Cassidy’s Festive Romance with a Twist – A Book Review #HollyCassidy @PRHAudio @PutnamBooks

The Christmas Countdown is a cozy tale of love, self-discovery, and holiday traditions.

Summary:

In this festive romance, Callie wants nothing more than to skip Christmas after a painful breakup with her childhood sweetheart, who will be celebrating the holidays next door with his new partner. Determined to shake her sister out of her grinchy mood, Anita crafts an Advent calendar filled with cheerful challenges to help Callie rediscover her love for the season. Though reluctant at first, Callie soon crosses paths with a charming baker who offers to join her in tackling the festive tasks. As they complete each challenge together, Callie’s heart begins to thaw, suggesting that the Advent calendar’s twenty-four doors may open the way to a new love for them both.

My Thoughts:

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy (also known for thrillers under her pen name, Hannah Mary McKinnon) is a charming holiday romance that manages to capture both the warmth and bittersweetness of the season. For anyone ready for a festive read with a twist, this one has just enough sparkle, romance, and self-discovery to hit the mark.

The story centres on Callie, who’s experiencing her first Christmas after a painful breakup. Normally, she’d be back home celebrating with family, but this year, her ex will be next door, bringing along his new girlfriend—a situation she’d rather avoid. Enter Callie’s sister, Anita, who creates a unique Advent calendar to help Callie rediscover her love for the holidays. Each day, Callie is assigned a cheerful activity she’ll do with Anita designed to lift her spirits and reignite her zest for life.

When Anita unexpectedly has to leave town, Callie ends up completing her holiday tasks with Marco, a charming baker she recently met. Their growing bond is truly heartwarming, and seeing Callie open up to romance and joy again feels like watching two closed-off hearts gradually find hope. The chemistry between Callie and Marco, along with the holiday charm of their activities, gives the story an undeniable warmth.

There’s a surprising touch of heat to the romance that keeps it just beyond Hallmark territory. This scene is brief and not explicit.

The Narration:

Listening to the audiobook narrated by Amy Hall added another layer of enjoyment. Hall’s performance was both lively and heartfelt, perfectly suited to the story’s tone and spirit. Her enthusiasm brought Callie and Marco to life, making this holiday journey feel all the more immersive. I’ll certainly be looking out for more of her narrations in the future.

Final Thoughts:

For fans of holiday romance, The Christmas Countdown delivers a cosy, spirited story about second chances, family bonds, and the magic of finding love when you least expect it.

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