This novel presents a contemporary version of "A Christmas Carol" with a twist! Imagine reliving Christmas Day in a loop, seeing the day and its events through the eyes of different people. Eva puts all her efforts into opening her new shop, at the expense of all her relationships with friends and to the detriment of her marriage. Her driven attitude enables her to mask her true feelings and thoughts about tragic events of the past. When Eva and her husband James attend a holiday party with friends, she is forced through unusual means to confront her life as it is rapidly falling apart.

This is an intense read that is set at Christmas time, although it could have taken place at any time of the year. I found it unsettling yet compelling, with its lessons for all of us to recall the important things in our lives, and to relinquish past sorrows and cares.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Cute christmas vibes and great characters! I loved the concept. I enjoyed this one so much. 5 stars!

🌲 BOOK / REVIEW 🌲

OH man. I AM UNWELL AFTER FINISHING THIS BOOK! I normally save holiday ARCs to get into the spirit, and while this one takes place around Christmas, it's a VERY emotional and introspective read vs. a cheeky and cute story.

That is what I actually loved about it, though. The holiday's can bring about a lot of emotions, so I appreciated Greenlaw's approach to facing them head-on in this book.

Full transparency - it's sad. Real sad, but so beautifully written. I was really on a rollercoaster of emotions as I read this, but I am so grateful I had the opportunity to read this book.

It's tender, harsh, magical, and heartbreaking all at the same time. While I don't love a normal "groundhogs day" premise, it really worked here because we saw the story through so many different perspectives.

You can't help but be in your feels - one page you love Eva and the next you hate her. She puts the reader through a lot, and her friendships and relationships are really tested through the entirety of the book.

If you're looking for a great second chance romance read, I strongly suggest you grab this one. It was a very quick read, despite the subject matter.

A wonderful debut - I can't wait to read more by this author!

This is a very heavy, painful story that is a blend of Groundhog Day, A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life. What it isn’t is a feel-good Christmas story. Given the extremely difficult year I’ve had, I’ve spent November into December reading as many holiday romances as I can to lift my spirits. So, when I reached Chapter 5 and realized that this was going to be a very emotional, often dark piece of women’s fiction, not a sweet romance, I almost didn’t finish the book. It’s not only that it’s depressing, but the main character Eva is also really frustrating. She is a woman so consumed with grief over a couple of tragic events that happened at Christmas three years prior that she has channeled it all into building her business at the expense of her relationship with both her loving husband and best friend. This is a woman seriously in need of intensive therapy who needs to be in control when it’s obvious she’s anything but.

It’s only when a ghost from her past appears to guide her, by having her inhabit the bodies of several of the book’s characters on a Christmas morning, repeating cycle, that she realizes what she’ll lose if she doesn’t face her demons. To me, the miracle is how much patience her loved ones have in the face of her escalating obsession and anger. I can’t recommend this story to anyone looking for a heartwarming Christmas story and feel an obligation to warn that there are a number of triggers that I won’t divulge as spoilers.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Review will be posted on 12/6/23

Eva is obsessed with her work; she is opening a new store and is completely consumed by that. Things with her husband, James, aren't good, and they are en route to Cornwall from London to go to Hallie's holiday party. Eva is trying to make things right with her husband, but she is completely triggered by Hallie's party and the news that Hallie is pregnant. This brings up a lot of unresolved issues in Eva's life as she has suffered a devastating miscarriage and she attempts to return to London at night. While heading there, she is greeted by the ghost of her grandmother who tries to talk some sense into her as her relationships are suffering greatly. When Eva wakes up, she finds herself in a different friend's body and living out their Christmas morning, but also getting inside details as to how her behavior impacts everyone. This is Eva's chance to start over despite her setbacks and trauma and repair the relationships in her life before it's too late. One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw is a melancholy holiday read, but ultimately by the story's end, it is one filled with hope.

Eva is a difficult character in One Christmas Morning. She has a lot of trauma and issues that she hasn't explored. Since she hasn't faced it head-on, her issues spill over into her personal life, which is why she dives head-first into her work. Greenlaw includes a lot of depressing topics for a holiday novel such as various traumas like the death of a loved one, marriage problems, and miscarriage. It felt a bit heavy for a holiday novel and the story took a while feel warm and fuzzy. By the last portion of the novel things were looking up, but it was a difficult road to get there as the story was mostly sad. However, I will say I love a modern take on A Christmas Carol, so that part of this debut novel, as well as her beloved grandmother being the ghost who warns her, was a nice touch.

What do you get when you mash-up A Christmas Carol with Groundhog Day? Why Rachel Greenlaw's One Christmas Morning, of course! This reflective holiday novel follows one burnt out small business owner as she attempts to juggle both her nascent company and her failing relationships.

Eva is attending a Christmas party, but the last thing on her mind is making merry and being bright with all of her friends. Rather, Eva can't get her mind off of work as she tries to get her business off of the ground. In fact, she is acting like a veritable Scrooge, which is why her recently deceased grandmother visits her at midnight like a Ghost of Christmas Past in an attempt to open Eva's eyes to the destruction she is creating all around her.

If reuniting with her grandmother wasn't surreal enough, she finds herself reliving Christmas Day over and over again as different people in her life. From her assistant to her best friend, Eva inhabits their bodies, seeing herself through their eyes. Just what is it that Eva is supposed to learn about herself through this strange turn of events, and can she save her relationships before it is too late?

The Christmas season often finds many of us looking back over the years, considering our life choices and pondering the people, places, and events that have landed us where we are today. One Christmas Morning is that thought-provoking, ruminative feeling wrapped up in a book. This isn't a holly jolly holiday read, but rather one that glaringly looks down upon a young woman's rather selfish and narrow-minded life decisions made among stress and strife. That being said, you should only pick up this novel if you are in the right sort of mood, and if, on the other hand, you are craving a book of comfort and joy, look elsewhere.

Tone aside, One Christmas Morning is not without other problems. Lacking any agreeable or redeeming characteristics, Eva is quite an unappealing protagonist, and furthermore, the writing style is disconnected, making this a difficult novel with which to engage. I often found myself lacking any real motivation to continue on through Eva's story, which is something that I never want to feel as a reader. Nonetheless, One Christmas Morning, while a solid story, is one that would benefit from a bit of spit and shine to make it stand out from similar novels in the genre.

An intense and thought provoking read. Not a festive story but deep.
Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This debut novel from Rachel Greenlaw gave me all the Hallmark movie and A Christmas Carol + Groundhog Day vibes with a splash of Freaky Friday body switching (sort of).

Eva is about to expand her business and open right after Christmas with the hopes of capturing extra sales from the holidays. This expansion has been 3 years in the making and the pressure is on. Her husband, James, asks her to give him 2-3 days of her time at Penhallow, a manor her best friend booked to celebrate Christmas. It's also where she used to spend time with her grandmother over the holidays, but it's a place that holds some of her worst memories, too.

Eva's grandma is able to cross the veil in an attempt to open Eva's eyes to the trajectory her life has assumed -- away from all she once held dear. Forced to relive Christmas day in different bodies, Eva hopes to learn what Gran intends for her to learn and regain her direction in life.

Okay, so I loved the premise of this book. Repeating the day through different characters wasn't dull or boring, in fact, Eva inhabiting other characters' bodies gave such great insight to herself as a character (especially as she developed) and to the different relationships and backgrounds. This story is so heartfelt and I couldn't help but feel Eva's aches at each point in her journey.

Although this book isn't lighthearted, Some of the topics Greenlaw beautifully navigates are miscarriage, failing marriage and friendships, and balancing life responsibilities. One Christmas Morning holds up a magnifying glass to the important aspects of being human and living a fulfilled life. This is definitely a story that will stick with me for years to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a feel good fluffy, Christmas story, this is probably not the book for you. Eva’s story is emotional, kind of depressing for most of the book. You are left in the dark as too why she’s so sad, but the hints throughout the book make it easy to guess, and as someone who has experienced it, it was kind of a tough read. The mood does get better at around the 75% mark, which I’m so glad it did. Still it was a good story, just have tissues nearby when you read this story.

Eva has poured her life into her career, failing to notice those closest to her are struggling. In a 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐠’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲/𝐀 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥/𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 fashion, Eva repeats the day over and over, each time as a different person.

This is not a light, fun holiday read. It’s quite the opposite. Yet, the takeaway message is meaningful and impactful. A great reminder any day of the year.

DETAILS: Rachel Greenhaw // October 17, 2023 // 336 pages // Gifted: @avonbooks @bibliolifestyle

Rachel Greenlaw's holiday romance novel weaves a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and redemption.. Greenlaw masterfully captures the complexity of emotions as Eva grapples with heartbreak, regret, and the unexpected twists that unfold during a Christmas party. The introduction of a magical element, with the visitation of Eva's grandmother's ghost, adds a touch of enchantment to the narrative, propelling Eva into a transformative journey.

Waking up in the lives of others on consecutive Christmas mornings, Eva gains profound insights into the struggles and secrets of those she has distanced herself from. Greenlaw crafts a story that beautifully explores the healing power of love, forgiveness, and the importance of embracing one's past to forge a brighter future.

"One Christmas Morning" is a captivating and emotionally resonant holiday read that will leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the magic of the season and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for an ARC.

There really is nothing I love more than a good Christmas Carol adaptation. I adore them all, and this one is very well done. One Christmas Morning is perfect and beautifully written.

I do have to say that I think a lot of people might go into this book expecting a holiday romcom and that it is not. It's way deeper than that and deals with grief and pregnancy loss set against a holiday backdrop. It's extremely emotional and more about self-discovery and learning to pick up the pieces.

This is one of those books that really makes you feel and stays with you for a long time. It was very special and I'm immensely glad I read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A fun holiday story that enmeshes 2 great stories. It takes the best of Groundhog Day and a Christmas Carol. Eva is a little bit stuck, overwhelmed and is so focused on ignoring her feelings and everyone around her that she is very close to losing it all and doesn’t recognize it. She is mourning the loss of her beloved gran, dealing with all that goes along with getting her new store ready for its grand opening, ignoring her husband and shutting out everyone in her life. She is visited by her Gran and given told if she doesn’t recognize where she is emotionally and change her actions things will not go well for her. She has a “snap out of it” experience when she awakens not as herself, but of those who her behavior and attitude is impacting. It’s a creative, emotional love filled story of Eva finding her way back to who she is, who she wants to be and live the life she wants surrounded by love, laughter, happiness and success.

This book was beautifully written, and reminds me of the Ghost of Christmas's Past. I absolutely adored it! Such a wholesome and fulfilling story. Thank you NetGalley, Rachel Greenlaw, and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC.

I just love a good Christmas book with a touch of magic! The body swapping, Groundhog Day description instantly drew me to this book but it was Eva's all-consuming grief that kept me locked in place. I felt like I could really understand her and all of the decisions she made that lead her to this One Christmas Morning. This was definitely not the most cheerful Christmas story I've ever read, but it felt raw and real and ended on a hopeful note.

Eva has pushed away her friends and her husband and become obsessed with her work. She needs to make some changes quickly or risk losing it all. In a Christmas party in Cornwall, Eva is visited by the ghost of her Gran who tries to help her. It is a mix of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Freaky Friday.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for my copy of One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw in exchange for an honest review. It published October 17, 2023.
Wow! Never did I expect to stay up into the wee hours of the night, or end up in a reading slump from a Christmas book! I could not put this book down. I was so sad it was over, because it was written so well! That being said, this book depressed the heck out of me! I am rarely moved by books, so I consider that a huge accomplishment.
This book deals with really hard things, such as infertility and miscarriage, and the grief is written about very honestly and sincerely. It will break your heart, but in the end it will have you appreciating your life so much more.

This was an emotionally heavy holiday twist on the Christmas Carol story that sees work-obsessed Eva forced to attend a house party with her husband only to learn her friend is newly pregnant - news that is just too hard for her to handle in light of her own recent loss.

Risking her marriage, Eva decides to leave early only to get to be visited by the ghost of her grandmother who warns Eva that if she doesn't slow down and face her problems head on she will lose everyone she loves most.

The next day Eva wakes on Christmas morning only to discover that she's in the body of her overworked assistant and then the day after that she repeats the cycle, waking on Christmas morning again in the body of various friends. Stuck in a weird time-loop, it takes a tragedy to help her break free and finally face her fears head on.

Not a lighthearted holiday read, this is perfect for fans of authors like Emily Stone and was good on audio although it did take a me a bit to get into this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

CW: miscarriage

Thank you NetGalley and Rachel Greenlaw for the ARC of One Christmas Morning.

This book is about dreams, hard work, loss, friendship, family, and losing sight of what is most important. The main character Eva went through two traumatic losses right around the same time. In order to cope with the losses, she buried herself in work. Unfortunately, in doing so she neglected the relationships around her that mattered most.

She is getting ready to open a store right after the Christmas holidays. Her husband is trying to save their marriage and asked for her to come along to a Christmas getaway with their friends. Eva is not happy and just wants to get ready for the launch of her shop.

Due to her sour behavior, she is forced to relive the day in several of the female characters at the getaway. Eva learns of their struggles, love and what they do to attempt to have a work/life balance.

This is not a lighthearted fun Christmas read. But, I did enjoy it. I love a little magical realism.

It was a good reminder to stay present and not get too wrapped up in work. Relationships are important and grieving is important.

Emma is trying to expand her business. She has pushed everyone away including her best friends, her husband and her assistant. Her friend Holli has invited them to a weekend long Christmas party at Penhallow. Emma agrees to go only because she feels pressured to by James, her husband. The first night there she tries to quietly escape back to London. During the drive, she see someone on the road and swerves to miss them. She gets out to see who it is and to make sure she didn't hit them. The person is her grandma who passed away three years prior.

Her grandma was there to show Emma the error of her ways. She tells Emma that she will see the day from the prospective of different people. Emma relives Christmas day but each time she is someone new. Diane (her assistant), Natalie (Holli's sister), Holli, and Sarah (an employee at Penhallow). He day as Holli I feel is the most eye opening one for Emma. She is forced to see that her grandma's death followed by the miscarriage cause her to focus on her work and ignore the people in her life.

I enjoyed this One Christmas Morning which is a Groudhog's Day meets a Christmas Carol. I am glad I got an ARC from NetGalley.