This was a super cute Christmas romance. I just wish it had been longer so we could have more of the mishaps and witty dialogue that I love from Jenn McKinlay. I also thought that the disagreement that caused their break-up wasn't as relationship ending as it turned out to be. Otherwise, a good Christmas story.

[Actual Rating 3.25] It Happened One Christmas Eve is the third story in the A Museum of Literature Romance series. I actually requested this thinking it was a standalone, but it works out as it can be read without the other stories. The story follows almost 40-year-old Claire Macintosh, the director of the Museum of Literature, who runs away from her suitor Trey, who works at her father’s law firm, on Santa’s sleigh, who turns out to be 41-year-old reporter, Sam Carpenter. He agrees to help her escape in exchange for an interview.

As the two characters spend time together, they naturally get to know each other and romantic feelings begin to form. The story is mainly from Claire’s POV, but I would have loved some from Sam as it would have made their story feel a little better-rounded. While their love was not instantaneous, it was accelerated since the story only takes place in a few days. I greatly enjoyed Sam and Claire together and feel they complimented each other well; however, it is difficult to get over that technically she is still with Trey as she has not officially ended things with him before she develops any feelings for Sam. I wish a little more care went into this part of the story to make the cheating aspect less prominent, for me. Other readers, however, may not read it the same way, so this aspect will depend on the reader.

The humor in this story is well-done as it is over the top in a Hallmark-type style where I could easily see this translating to the big or small screen. I love the concept of the story and the holiday aspect was integrated well. One aspect that makes romance reads stand out as a genre is the bits of tension between the main couple and I didn’t quite connect to this in the story. There’s a lot to love about this story and I loved the ease of writing. There are a few aspects that needed a little more exploration, so maybe with more pages, this could have been accomplished. Since I listened to the audiobook, I enjoyed Sara Young’s style and I greatly enjoyed her style with both the humorous and more serious ones. I look forward to listening to more of her narrations in the future. As for the author, I liked McKinlay’s style and I have a few more of her novels on my TBR, so I will have to read some of those soon!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to read this novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

3 1/2 stars. I listened to the audio version of this book.

This Christmas romcom was fun. The story about a socialite running away from her engagement party with a sleigh driving Santa was refreshing. The way in which she adapted to their "runaway" life was nice. Sam was a wonderful character. I loved the difference in her parents and the advice her dad ended up giving her about living the life that would make her happy.

The thing that fell a little short for me was the narration. It wasn't quite on par with lots of others I have listened to.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley Audio for the gifted copy.

It Happened One Christmas Eve by Jenn McKinlay

Thank you to @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for the chance to read and review this #eARC #audiobook! This is available where books are sold on December 6.

Things are about to fall into place for Claire Macintosh: a successful career as museum curator, a nice trust fund, and she’s about to become engaged to an equally successful man, an up and coming lawyer in her dad’s good graces. That is what she wants, right? A decision to bolt from the holiday gala that was supposed to be her engagement event leads to a day to remember as Claire realizes her happiness and fulfillment means more than her carefully curated public image. Will Claire ride off into the sunset with reporter Sam or will she go back to her socialite life with Tre?

This was a heartwarming and humorous holiday tale. It was a new spin on the traditional girl meets new guy and, through series of hi jinx, realizes she would be making a mistake marrying the man she’s “supposed” to marry. I’m so glad that Claire follows her heart and says “to hell” with her mother’s arrangement and forceful prodding. I highly recommend this as an inspiring holiday read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

I enjoy a good Hallmark Christmas movie because I know exactly what I'm going to get. It's easy entertainment. This novella is like that! A sweet, predictable romance.

Happy Pub Week to Jenn McKinlay and It Happened One Christmas Eve. Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.

It Happened One Christmas Eve is a holiday novella that tells the story of Claire Macintosh who is 40 and works at the Museum of Literature. Her mother threatens to cut off her funding if she doesn’t get married so she arranges a marriage for her. Claire doesn’t want this so she hijacks a horse and carriage with Santa on it. Santa turns out to be a reporter named Sam Carpenter, who is trying to get a story about her father’s company. As their journey takes a series of unexpected twists, turns, and misadventures, both Claire and Sam realize that there’s more than their careers on the line. And it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to find they’re happily ever after.

There are times when I love a novella, and it’s usually during the holidays, but with this one I wanted more. I felt like the ending was rushed and I would have loved more of Sam and Claire’s story.

I loved when Claire and Sam meet, and their adventures getting from New York City to Maine. It was cute when they were playing the parts of Santa and an elf, and entertaining the passengers on the train. Once they arrived in Maine, it was like insta-love though, and I really wanted more build up.

This is book three in the A Museum of Literature Romance series, but can be read as a standalone. I wasn’t aware it was part of a series when I requested it, and I would like to read the other stories in this series at some point. I really liked the narrator, Sara Young, and thought she was perfect for this book.

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My Interest

I was in the mood for a “put your brains under the seat and don’t ask too many questions” sort of Christmas book. [That quote, by the way, originated long ago with a Bond movie–The Spy Who Loved Me, iirc].
The Story

Heiress and museum director, Claire MacIntosh (fyi, I’ve never met a woman named Claire–nor Tess…most popular names in novels) plays Runaway Bride by seizing Santa’s “sleigh” and making a run for it when her society husband-to-be plans a cheesy Pinterest/Instagram-worthy proposal. Trey may have money and be an up-and-coming partner in her father’s environmental law firm, but he’s not at all what Claire dreams of. Her society mother Hildy pushes Trey at her like an exceptional hors d’oeuvres. Claire sees him as wheat grass. Happily, Santa’s sleigh has been hijacked by Sam, a well known investigative journalist. Yep, you guessed it…..[No spoilers here].
My Verdict

This little book was just what I needed. I laughed, I “awed-d” and I just plain had a fun time listening to it.

So fun! If this doesn't get a gal in the holiday spirit, nothing will! I love Claire (and sure hate her mom). The perfect amount of sass and sweet. Also love that she's 40 and not the standard 27 year old New Yorker. :)

3.75 This was a cute quick Christmas Romance that was really entertaining. This story follows Claire and Sam while Sam try’s to help Claire get home for the holidays for an exclusive story. Claire who is in her 40s is being threatened by her mother to get married and have children or she will lose her dream job at a literary museum. Claire is about to become engaged to a man she is not really interested in but instead decide to flee by stealing the carriage delivering her ring driven by Sam as Santa. After fleeing Sam agreed to help Claire make it to Maine in exchange for an exclusive interview.

This was a cute little rom com that. Was very entertaining. My only complaint was I wish it was a little longer and explored some of the characters more. This book made me interested in taking a look at some other books in this series. I did listen to the audio and really enjoyed the narrator she was entertaining and easy to understand. I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Narration is good, and the situational humor was mildly cute, but the story suffers from predictability and pacing issues. Neither character really seemed to grow or change that much, nor did Claire seem like a 41-year-old woman. The crisis didn't make sense as a problem. Overall just a 'meh' ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ from me.

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape for the audio-ARC.

Short. Sweet. Charming.
The three best words to describe this new Christmas story! Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the a-ARC!

I loved reading a mature contemporary romance, with both main characters being in their early 40s. While the time frame was around Christmas Eve, it didn’t feel very Christmas forward (which is insane because they literally dressed as Santa and performed for people). I felt the story focused more on the budding romance between Claire and Sam , and their lack of luck in finding that special person yet.

Immediately you could feel the chemistry. My smile stood no chance against all the scenarios they found themselves in along the way. It was like a hallmark movie (and even referenced the comedy of the predictability of Hallmark movies as well).

I managed to listen to this audio book while on the hunt for some Christmas decor of my own so I felt extra festive. If you’re looking for something deep, maybe stray away. But if you want something to warm your little winter heart then this is your book!

Pros :
- runaway ‘bride’
- Christmas Adventure
- Cute family traditions
- Cinnamon roll leading man

Cons:
- short
- Reeeeeallly quick time frame (like I said , think Hallmark)
- could be considered rushed but personally it packed a lot of punch in a few chapters so this one wasn't a big con.

Honestly if you’re looking for something to brighten your Holidays I can’t suggest this enough! And the Audiobook was great! Sara Young did an excellent job of sucking me into the story! Once I hit play I didn’t hit stop until it was over!

4 ⭐️

This was a fun and Quick read. This would make a cute Hallmark type movie.
The narrator did a great job (although I listen to audio books at a faster speed than usual).
I thought the author did a good job with the story considering it was such a short book. I just realized it’s part of a series. I haven’t read any other books in this series and I don’t feel like I missed out on much.

I've been a fan of Jenn McKinlay' and am never disappointed in her books. This was an adorable and sweet Christmas novella that was a great and easy listen. The narrator was fabulous and had a relaxing voice to listen to this audiobook. If you like your Christmas movies or books sweet, this is a must read/listen for the holiday season!

This book is cutesy, but in desperate need of more meat. The characters weren't really developed enough. The dialogue and the banter were disappointing. The conflict was very underwhelming. And the resolution or HEA was incredibly rushed and unrealistic. I think the narrator did a good job, all things considered. I hate to say it but this one just didn't work for me. Thank you to Dreamscape and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook to review. This was a very cute Christmas story in the same genre as Hallmark movies. While I did think the relationship moved even faster than movies do, I like how the story progressed. It was a little predictable, but aren’t all books like this? Claire and Sam were enjoyable characters and I liked the narrator of the audiobook. Definitely a winner if you like other Jen McKinley books.

"If you could have anything for Christmas what would it be?"
"You!"

Romance, comedy, and sweetness has made It Happened One Christmas Eve my favorite by reliable romcom author Jenn McKinlay.

Claire comes from wealth but she isn't into it's uppity lifestyle. When a horse drawn sleigh pulls up and she is told the man her mother picked for her is going to propose she hijacks it. What she doesn't know is the driver is a reporter writing an expose on her powerful father.

As Sam helps her escape to the family vacation home they perform selfless acts for train passengers, nursing home residents, and anyone who needs it. Slowly they give into their attraction that is until Claire learns the truth about Sam. Narrator Sara Young delivers comedic lines like a pro but the tender moments will make you sigh with joy.

Favorite Line: "Nice?! A daisy is nice. Puppies are nice. That kiss was not nice...It was hot, sexy and not nearly long enough."

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

Absolutely adorable! A lot of cheesy holiday shenanigans + a touch of spice equals the perfect Christmas novella and one of the best things I’ve read this year- truly! I actually had the audiobook (it counts as reading imo), and found myself smiling or cackling out loud so many times. Claire is hilarious and oh so relatable. She’s so over the pressure her family and society has put on her and she needs an escape. She takes life by the reins- literally. Aiding her is Sam, an undercover reporter who knows all about Claire and already has a deep respect for her when she entangles him into her escape. He’s utterly charming and adorable and their relationship develops so naturally that you too will absolutely believe they are in love.
My one critique is a tiny little moment at the very end that was unnecessarily rushed and could have been omitted and still lovely. Otherwise its chefs kiss perfection. 4.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC audiobook I’m exchange for my unbiased review!

This story was just adorable.

I instantly loved the audio narrator and the characters were great too…except Trey and her mother. I adored Claire’s dad but won’t say why because…no spoilers.

At first I was cringing when Sam called Claire “McElf” but after I heard it a few times I was like Omg this is the cutest thing ever.

If you enjoy HEA books and cute flirtation you’ll enjoy this short but sweet Christmasy story.

I didn't realize this was #3 in a series until I had finished it. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first two books? Overall, this one just fell short in so many ways. I loved the idea behind the plot, but it just was not well executed. I slogged through this one, and did not find any buildup that led to anticipation to keep reading. The romantic tension was fairly nonexistent, and they went from enemies to lovers in almost no time at all (and it wasn't believable). As far as the banter and dialogue.......pretty painful. The plus is that this is a super short holiday read if you are looking for one, but I think it would have been a much better book if the characters and plot were more developed.

Claire Macintosh is preparing to accept the proposal of a man she doesn’t love to please her mother. At the last minute she flees into a waiting Santa’s sleigh driven by Sam Carpenter, a famous investigation journalist. With no money or cell phone, Sam agrees to help her get to her small cottage in Maine by Christmas Eve to escape her life.

It Happened One Christmas Eve is a laugh out loud romp through the New York subway with a few hilarious delays and meeting many interesting quirky characters. It’s a quirky, easy read for a bit of Holiday Spirit!