This book was a caricature of cliches. I was really excited about the diverse representation, especially in a holiday romance. But everything felt so surface level or ridiculous it was hard to really get into it.

The writing wasn’t particularly good or captivating (it felt very 2000s fan fic and not in a good way) and the characters were lacking development. I really wanted to like it. And there were moments I thought I would, moments I connected with a character (really only Farrah and Dadu), but then something else shifted the tone back. Another reviewer said “it was set in the year 2000 but had absolutely no reason to be.” I couldn’t agree more. I read that this is the time when the three holidays actually coincided, but I feel like that’s a strange reality anchor when everything else was so unbelievable. Instead it felt like it was set in this timeline to capture millennials with nostalgia, but it didn’t work for me because it felt so disconnected from actually appreciating the era. Instead it threw in random 2000s tidbits and hoped they stirred some nostalgic feelings.

I really liked the friendship that develops between Maryam and Anna. But otherwise this book just tried too hard and created a setting that was too unbelievable (the most diverse small town in Canada during a snowstorm so bad no planes could fly, but a movie could be filmed and people could wander safely around town).

2.5 rounding down to a 2.

Thank you to Putnam/Penguin Group for the review copy of this title. This review contains some spoilers for the book.

I found many aspects of this novel to be very special. It is so important to incorporate different representations of cultural holidays in a holiday market that predominantly focuses on Christmas. I appreciated the nuanced discussions of the universal experience of feeling confined and pressured by family and friends' expectations for your life, and how those expectations are rooted in cultural norms and expectations. As a daughter of immigrant parents, I deeply related to that through line.

This being said, I did find some of the characters and plot points too be too caricature and contrived. For example, Anna's boyfriend Nick and his family were too stereotypically snooty, rich upperclass with completely unreasonable demands during this snowstorm. Anna's tension would have honestly been more impactful if they were actually a nice, "perfect" family but just not for her. Similarly, Marayam's sister prompting the wedding to be quickly *for* Marayam's "benefit" of getting her mind off her divorce would have been more impactful if her sister did not "see" the burdens she was placing.

Then on the other side of it, resolutions came too quickly. Intercultural understanding was easily achieved after a singular conversation, when many times these conversations take many trials and errors and navigating hurt feelings from mistakes. The Snow Falls community also existing in a remote location but surprisingly familiar and accepting of this blend of cultures and experiences. Both Anna and Marayam's storylines wrapping up too neatly takes away from the very real tensions that posed the plot motivation. I think many books can be successful if they live in the "ideal world" and provide a representation of what could be. I do not know this book benefits from that, as there were many great discussions of the nuances and difficulties. It almost tried to do both but would have served better to lean into one or the other.

Three holidays overlap and it leads to new directions for Maryam and Anna.

I feel like this should’ve been two separate books. I don’t feel like we really needed Maryam and Anna together or talking/friends to make their individual plots advance.

great for hallmark fans and those looking for a warm and fuzzy holiday read. i was interested in the premise of this one, but the writing didn't work for me. it went over great at book club, though, so it's found its audience!

While a bit predictable and unrealistic, I found the story very sweet and the town very charming. If you suspend reality for awhile and just enjoy escaping into a fantasy world, as we all should at times, this is a great choice. I enjoyed learning about the different three holidays and the traditions different from my own. Overall, a sweet multi-love story full of wholesome characters.

This was a sweet holiday romance and I absolutely loved the concept of incorporating three major religious holidays together. I particularly appreciated that one of the authors was Muslim and could represent that aspect of it. Unfortunately, the plot was not super engaging for me. I think it lacked stakes… it just didn’t move along very quickly because there was not enough happening.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Penguin Group Putnam for the gifted book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Multiple pov, snowed in, small town

I struggled with this one. It's okay that it was unbelievable because many sappy Christmas/holiday stories are. However, the main characters were unlikable. If they were less of doormats, it might have been better. The timeline was also random, and many things were inaccurate. It kept my attention. You may love it.

This is a cute story, Ramadan, Hannukah, and Christmas fall at the same time, people of all beliefs get stranded in a small town in Canada. It's cute, heart wrenching, and full of hope. Thank you for the opportunity to review this.

I like that it follows Christmas, Ramadan and Hanukkah and a wedding, I love that it has multi stories, that shows even though we are all on different paths we some how still cross path with others on their path with others. made for a good read, great holiday reads. feels like a Hallmark small town / road trip holiday romcom movie

Three Holidays and a Wedding has to be one of my new favorite holiday romances I have read. I loved the two main characters - Maryam and Anna - and the unlikely friendship they formed. The plot of this book felt like a Hallmark movie but it was executed in a way that I absolutely adored. I found the characters to be very relatable as they were grappling with feeling a bit lost in their lives. I think that is something a lot of people in their 20s can relate to! I enjoyed that this book explores family dynamics, grief, friendship, love and following your dreams. The exploration of different holidays in this book was also a unique aspect that you don’t see in many holiday books. I personally celebrate Christmas & I really enjoyed learning about holidays that weren’t my own. Overall, this book felt very magical and sweet and I loved it.

A solid 3.5 ⭐️. Surprisingly sweet and a refreshing take on the story. Strong Hallmark vibes. Ran longer than necessary IMO.

If you love the Hallmark Channel holiday movies, this book is definitely for you!

I have to say that even though it was a cute holiday book and I learned a lot from Hanukkah and Ramadan I was extremely confused at the beginning. And I think the reason of my confusion, started with me not being able to connect with the main characters at the beginning (I didn't do it until way into the book).

It was too “Hallmark” movie for me, which means you knew what was going to be the end of the book and therefore I wasn’t anticipating anything from it.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC project n exchange of my honest opinion.

This is a sweet holiday romance about a group of people trapped in a hotel after their plane had to land in a snowstorm. It’s a year where the holidays for Christians, Jews,and Muslims all occur at the same time.

Two of the stranded women become friends. Maryam and her family were on their way to Toronto for her sister’s Indian wedding. As the oldest, Maryam has taken care of her family’s needs but she’s exhausted. Coincidentally, the love of her life, Saif, was sitting behind her and heard her conversation/confession as the plane slammed into turbulence before landing.

Anna was going to meet her boyfriend’s family, they’ve got the holiday festivities planned down to the minute. Her fiancé is furious that she’s stranded, but Anna is excited to find that there’s a movie filming in town starring her favorite actor.

I liked the interplay of the different characters and the romances were well done. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

After reading a few thrillers in a row, I was in the mood for somewhat of a palette cleanser, something cute and light. This did the job! It was a cute Christmas rom-com, like being enveloped in cuteness. I really enjoyed the multi faith aspect of the book. I also loved the fact that it was based in Canada.
This novel is a perfect blend of heart, humor, and holiday cheer. It's a feel-good romance that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and a longing for their own magical Christmas love story.

This was a really fun story with likeable characters (except for Nick, who you're supposed to dislike lol) and a really great exploration to how 3 holidays could intertwine. The fictional town sound absolutely lovely and makes me want to travel there!

There were a few areas that maybe came together a little quickly but it generally flowed well and gave the impression that only one author wrote it style-wise. I enjoyed the multiple POVs. Got a bit cheesy towards the end but honestly I feel like is sort of what we look for a bit when it comes to holiday rom coms.

Overall a fun, feel-good holiday story that I really enjoyed.

This one hit the spot as a swoonworthy holiday romance and just what the doctor ordered. I loved the relationship between Maryam and Anna. This book was hilariously chaotic at times, and a perfectly diverse holiday hallmark-esque story. 3.75 rounded up. Thank you to #NetGalley and #PenguinGroupPutnam for allowing me a copy of this ebook in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Putnam Books for the gifted copy.

This story was set in the year 2000, a year when Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan all overlapped. Maryam and Anna are strangers sitting next to each other on their flight to Toronto, but when turbulence and a storm causes them to get diverted to Snow Falls and them getting stuck in the middle of nowhere for a few days. Maryam, Anna and the various characters stuck in Snow Falls band together to celebrate all of their holidays and all of their traditions despite their original holiday plans being ruined.

I loved that this book featured all the holidays and had such great representation. However with so many characters and holidays and storylines, it was sometimes challenging to keep track of it all. Overall, this was a sweet Hallmark-esque holiday story but one that included all of the holidays. It was less of a romance and really more about the importance of family and friendships. This book is a great addition to your holiday reads and was a great way to learn about other holidays and cultures!

This book was such a fun time and the perfect cozy read for those who love the holidays but maybe don't love the obsession over CHRISTMAS above all else. It reads like a Hallmark movie (in a good way) and has everything from an ensemble cast of lovable characters, Muslim and Jewish rep, childhood friends to lovers, love at first sight, and an absolutely perfect small town vibe. I really enjoyed this blend of many moving parts and rooted for our two main characters, Maryam and Anna, as they navigated their love stories and new friendships!

Very cute holiday time romance! It had friendship, family love, and some romance. It was a sweet story and I read it in about a day.

A delightful closed-door holiday romance that celebrates three cultures and three holidays with joy and love.